LANDMARKS
OF
Albany County
NEW YORK.
EDITED BY
AMASA J. PARKER
OF ALBANY, N. Y.
SYRACUSE, N. Y. :
D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1897.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I 1
CHAPTER II 5
CHAPTER III. 10
CHAPTER IV 20
CHAPTER V 25
CHAPTER VI 44
CHAPTER VII 50
CHAPTER VIII - <'>:'>
CHAPTER IX... 84
CHAPTER X 103
CHAPTER XI, Civil List 121
CHAPTER XII, Judiciary and Bar 130
CHAPTER XIII, The Medical Profession.. 168
CHAPTER XIV, Journalism 233
CHAPTER XV, General Education 253
CHAPTER XVI, Public Institutions and Buildings 268
IV
CHAPTER XVII, The City of Albany 281
CHAPTER XVIII, Town of Watervliet (now Colonie), West
Troy (now Watervliet City), Green Island as Town and Vil-
lage, and the City of Cohoes . 394
CHAPTER XIX, Town of Rensselaerville 461
CHAPTER XX, Town of Coeymans _ 472
CHAPTER XXI, Town of Bethlehem... 480
CHAPTER XXII, Town of Berne 499
CHAPTER XXIII, Town of Guilderland 514
CHAPTER XXIV, Town of Westerlo 528
CHAPTER XXV, Town of Knox 537
CHAPTER XXVI, Town of New Scotland 545
PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL 1-200
PART III
FAMILY SKETCHES 1-376
INDEXES 377-500
PORTRAIT INDEX
Amsdell, George I. ...facing 378, Part I
Barnes, Thurlow Weed,
facing 159, Part II
Barnes, William, jr. ..facing 238, Part I
Beattie, William facing 12, Part II
Bendell, Herman, M. D.,
facing 168, Part I
Best, George N facing 158, Part II
Bigelow, John M., M. D., Ph. D.,
facing 203, Part I
Blair, Louis E., M. D., facing 10, Part II
Blunn, James facing 420, Part I
Borthwick, James M... facing 83, Part II
Brady, Anthony N facing 160, Part I
Brass, Richard W. facing 86, Part II
Bnggs, John N facing 480, Part I
Bronk, Barent T. Effacing 166, Part II
Brooks, Jonas H facing 68, Part II
Brown, Frank facing 440, Part I
Brown, W. Howard facing 43, Part II
Buchanan, Charles J., .facing 166, Part I
Butch, John G._ facing 140, Part II
Burke, Rt. Rev. Thomas
facing 352, Part I
Burlingame, Eugene A.,
facing 144, Part I
Bvington, William Wilberforce,
facing 356, Part I
Cantine, Edward B. . .facing 54, Part II
Carpenter, Charles Whitney,
facing 108, Part II
Clute, Jacob H _. .facing 143, Part I
Covert, James C facing 422, Part I
Cox, James W., M. D.,
facing 217, Part I
Curreen, George H. ..facing 130, Part II
Delehanty, John A facing 82, Part II
Dickson, Walter facing 113, Part II
Doane, Rt. Rev. William Croswell,
D. D., LL. D., facing 340, Part 1
Easton, Frederick facing 33, Part II
Fisk, Frank II., M. D. facing 167, Part II
Fitzgerald, David C. . .facing 4!), Pari II
Fuller, Howard N facing 292, Part I
Griffin, Rev. William, 1). D.,
facing 344, Part I
Hale, Matthew facing 130, Parti
Harris, Hamilton facing 3, Part II
Hastings, Hugh facing 73, Part II
Hornby, Ralph facing 118, Part II
House, George A facing 163, Part II
Howell, George Rogers,
facing 274, Part I
Jermain, James Barclay,
facing 8, Part I
Jones, Charles Edmund, A. M~, M. D.,
facing 155, Part II
King, Rufus H .facing 24, Parti
Kinnear, Peter.. facing 6, Part II
Lewi, Joseph, M. D facing 172, Parti
Lewis, T. Howard... facing 47, Part II
Liieke, Henry facing 160, Partll
Marsh, Benjamin facing 56, Parti
Marvin, Selden E. , Gen.,
facing 375, Part I
Marvin, Selden E., Col., jr.,
facing 32, Part II
McCormic, Robert H., jr.,
facing 77, Part II
McCreary, Edward facing 17, Part II
McKee, James B facing 434, Part I
McKown, James A. ..facing 141, Part II
Meegan, Edward J facing 50, Part II
Merrill, Frederick J. H.,
facing 271, Part I
Munson, Samuel L facing 358, Part I
Myers, Max facing 14, Part II
Nead, William M., M. D.,
facing 2bi, Part I
Newman, John L facing 20, Part II
Oliver, Robert Shaw, Gen.,
facing 284, Part I
Parker, Amasa J. facing 143, Part II
Parker, Amasa J. facing 151, Part II
Palmer, Edward DeL.,
facing 320, Part I
Pasquini, Audio facing 31, Part II
Perry, Isaac G. facing 105, Part II
Plvmpton, Lucy Ann.. facing 266, Part I
Porter, Charles H.. M. D.,
facing 178, Part I
VI
Pruyn, John V. L., LL. D.,
facing 63, Part II
Root, Josiah G facing 447, Part I
Sanford, John C facing 452, Parti
Sisson, Noel E facing 132, Part II
Slavin, Thomas .facing 91, Part II
Slingerland, John I facing 492, Part I
Spalding, Nathaniel B., facing 87, Part II
Stedman, George L. .. facing 40, Part II
Stern, Louis . facing 92, Part 1 1
Story, George facing 168, Part II
Stovvell, Charles F facing 296, Part I
Sweet, Elias W facing 165, Part II
Sweet, Elnathan .facing 386, Parti
Thacher, George Hornell,
facing 58, Part II
Townsend, Frederick, Gen.,
facing 361, Part I
Tracey, Charles facing 123, Part I
Tucker, Luther facing 239, Parti
Tucker, Luther H facing 240, Part I
Van Alstyne, Thomas J.,
facing 101, Part II
Van Alstyne, William C,
facing 288, Part I
Van Antwerp, John H.,
facing 376, Part I
Vandar Veer, Albert, M. D.,
facing 179, Part I
Van Loon, Arthur B., M. D. ,
facing 25, Part II
Van Rensselaer, Howard, M. D. ,
facing 80, Part II
Van Wormer, John R.,
facing 110, Part II
Vosburgh, Isaac W facing 40, Part I
Ward. Samuel Baldwin, M. D.,
facing 177, Part I
Wilson, James H facing 116, Part II
\Y< ><>ster, Benjamin W., facing 44, Part II
Zeh, M. J., M. D facing 412, Part I
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
SANTA BARBARA
Landmarks of Albany County.
CHAPTER I.
The history of Albany county begins in 1609, when, as far as can be
known with certainty, the first Europeans visited this locality. If
white men were here previous to that time the fact is not susceptible
of proof; but thenceforward to the present, through a period of more
than two hundred and eighty-five years the historic record may be
clearly traced, and the story is filled with interesting- details of events
of great historical importance. The county of Albany was not formed
until 1683, at which time the early history of this region was far ad-
vanced and the great struggle for conquest and possession of this con-
tinent was foreseen.
Albany county 1 was one of the ten original counties of the present
State of New York, and the other nine being New York, West Chester,
Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk. At
the time of its erection the county embraced an immense area, from
which the following counties were erected on the dates named:
Gloucester, March 16, 1770, including what is now Orange, Wash-
ington, Caledonia, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle,
all in Vermont.
Tryon, March 12, 1772 (name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784),
from which all the counties of the State west of Greene, Schoharie,
Schenectady, Saratoga, Warren, Essex and part of St. Lawrence were
formed.
Charlotte, March L2, L772 (name changed to Washington April 2,
L784), from which were erected Warren, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Essex,
and Franklin.
i At the time of the formation of Albany county nine others were erecl ed from territory now
embraced in the State of New York, and two, Dukes and Cornwall, from Massachusetts and
Maine territory.
J
2
Cumberland, April I, L786, embracing the present counties of Ben-
nington, Windsor, Windham, Rutland, Addison, and Chittenden, all
in Vermont.
Columbia, April 4, 11 86.
Rensselaer, February 7, L791.
Saratoga, February 7, L791.
Schoharie, April 6, 1795.
Greene, March %5, L800.
Schenectady, March 7, 1809.
Albany countv took its name from the Scotch title of the Duke oi
York and Albany, who was afterwards King James II of England. It
is situated between forty-two degrees, twenty-three minutes, and forty-
two degrees, forty-nine minutes north latitude, and between two de-
grees, forty minutes, and three degrees, fifteen minutes, east longitude
from Washington, and with the erection of the last county from its ter-
ritory (Schenectady) it was left with an area of about 544 square miles,
or 348,160 acres. Its northern boundary is formed by Schenectady
and Saratoga counties; its eastern by the Hudson River; its western by
Schoharie county, and its southern by Greene county.
The surface of this county has a general southeastern inclination and
is undulating and hilly. An intervale of a width varying from a quar-
ter of a mile to a mile extends along the Hudson River, which is
bounded by a series of steep bluffs from 100 to 180 feet high; from the
summit of these an undulating and slightly ascending plateau stretches
westward to the foot of the Helderberg Hills,1 where it reaches an ele-
vation of about 400 feet above tide. This range of hills rises to a
height of from 400 to 800 feet above the plateau, with declivities some-
times steep and precipitous on the east, but sloping more gradually on
the west. Other minor hill ranges extend through portions of the
county in a general northerly and southerly direction. The loftiest
eminence in the county is in the Helderbergs in the northeast corner
of the town of Berne, and is 1,200 feet above tide. These hill ranges
are spurs of the Catskills, which are the northerly continuation of the
Allegany Mountains.
The principal streams of Albany county are the Hudson, the Mohawk,
the Catskill, the Schoharie, and the Norman's Kill. The streams trib-
utary to the Hudson are the following, which come under the title of
i Tin- name Helderberg signifies i: Clear Mountain," from the fine prospect from the summ
these hills.
either river, creek, brook, or kill: The Catskill, Coeymans, Haana-
Krois, Vlaman's, Norman's, Beaver, Rutten, Foxen, Patroon, Ralger,
Cemetery, Dry, and Mohawk. Tributaries of the Mohawk are the
Schoharie, Lisha's, Town, and Donker's. Those of the Catskill are
Eight-Mile, Ten-Mile, Scrub, Fox, and Wilbur. Of the Schoharie,
Reaver Dam, Foxen and Switz. There are other minor streams which
will be mentioned later in the town histories. In the western part of
the count}- the streams generally flow through narrow ravines, while
those that flow into the Hudson have worn deep gullies in the soil,
some of which are one hundred feet in depth and extend nearly to the
river flats.
The eastern boundary line of this county is through the middle of the
Hudson River, which gives all of the islands lying west of that line to
the county. These are Van Rensselaer's, or Westerlo Island, the
largest, containing 160 acres, lying east of the southern part of the city
of Albany; Haver Island, Van Schaick's Island, and Whale Island, all
near the junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson; Green Island, di-
rectly opposite Troy and now a thickly settled village; Pleasure Island,
a short distance above Albany; Beeren, or Bear's Island, eleven miles
below Albany and belonging to the town of Coeymans; Shad, Scher-
merhorn (or Xeifer), Wooden and Poplar, opposite Coeymans: Sill's (or
Van Woert), Bear, Beacon (or Bisby), Cabbage (or Jolly), Marsh, and
Bogart's, opposite Bethlehem; Lower Patroon, Patroon, Cuyler, Hill-
house (or Glen), and Breaker, opposite Watervleit. On the Mohawk,
above the Cohoes Falls, are Ponda and Cobble Islands. Some of these
islands have an important history which will be found in its proper
place.
The geological formations of Albany county belong to the Upper
Silurian system, and comprise nearly all of the rocks of New York from
the I'tica slate to the corniferous limestone. Above the rocks in the
eastern part of the county are thick deposits of drift consisting of sand,
gravel and clay, while along the river bottoms are rich alluvial deposits.
The lowest rock cropping out on the Hudson, Norman's Kill and Mo-
hawk is the Utica slate. Next above are the graywacke and shales of
the Hudson River group, appearing in the valleys of all the streams
that How into the Hudson, and probably underlying all of the eastern
part of the count)-; this stone is quarried for flagging and building
purposes. The base of the Helderbergs is evidently formed of the red
Medina sandstone, and next above and forming the first ti I the
mountains is the water lime group from fifty to two hundred feet thick,
and supplying both water and quicklime. Next comes the pentamerus
limestone, about fifty feet in thickness, and consisting- of impure gray
and black limestone intermixed with slate and shale. Overlying this
is the Catskill limestone, from fifty to one hundred and eighty feet
thick, the layers being alternated with thin layers of shale; this stone
is also used for building purposes. The Oriskany sandstone is next in
order in a thin stratum which is developed in the towns of Berne, Knox,
and Bethlehem. This is followed by the cauda-galli grit of fifty to sixty
feet in thickness. Although this has a fine grit resembling black and
gray slates, it crumbles upon exposure to the air. Next above are the
Onondaga and corniferous limestones, the latter crowning the summits
of the mountains, and both furnishing excellent lime and building
stone. The highlands west of the city of Albany are covered with a
depth of forty feet of sand which rests upon a bed of clay probably one
hundred feet deep. In this drift bog ore has been found, and springs
of acidulous, chalybeate, and saline water exist. Sulphurous springs
have been found near Albany city, at Coeymans Landing, in Guilder-
land, in Watervleit, and in Rensselaerville. White sulphur springs
exist in Berne and New Scotland which have been visited to some ex-
tent by invalids with beneficial results.
The soil of Albany county is varied in character. Along the rivers is
a rich alluvial loam which is very productive. In Watervleit, Al-
bany, and the eastern part of Guilderland and Bethlehem it is almost
pure sand, with strips of clay along the banks of the streams. Between
this sandy region and the foot of the Helderbergs is a belt of land on
which the soil is chiefly a clayey and gravelly loam, rich and productive.
On the Helderbergs the soil is principally alternate layers of clay, slate,
and gravel, usually with a subsoil of the tenacious clay known as
"hard pan." Much of this latter region is cold, wet and only moder-
ately productive. Pine, oak and chestnut were the principal forest
trees of the sandy region, with a small quantity of red cedar in the
southeast corner of the county. Westward of the sandy tract are the
usual deciduous and evergreen trees of this State.
CHAPTER II.
The pioneers of civilization on the western continent found it inhab-
ited by the native Americans whom we call Indians. The often-raised
question of whence came this copper-colored race has never yet been
answered; their origin is shrouded in mystery, and so it must remain.
Unnumbered ages hence their disappearance from the earth may be
enveloped in the deep oblivion that now hides their origin.
A detailed history of this race cannot be given in this volume, nor is
it desirable that it should be; for it has been written of in the past by
many gifted pens. As to the right or wrong of their conquest and
their possible extinction by the white man, wise men differ. At the
foundation of the question is the fact that in the world's history civili-
zation advances, at whatever cost to the uncivilized; the ignorant go
down before the educated, the weak before the strong; might, if nol
always right, triumphs.
The Iroquois Indians, as they were called by the French, but known
to the English as the Five Nations (and as the Six Nations after their
confederacy was joined by the Tuscaroras in 1714) had established
themselves across the State of New York, beginning with the Mohawks
on the east, and with the Oneidas (with whom the Tuscaroras subse-
quently became amalgamated), the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the
Senecas next, in the order here stated. At the time the first white men
came up the Hudson River these nations claimed most of the territory
now constituting the State of New York and a part of Pennsylvania as
their hunting grounds. The territory about the mouth of the Hudson
and the valley of the Delaware River was occupied by the Delaware and
Manhattan tribes of the Algonquins. Other nations were located in
distant parts of the country. The Iroquois were superior in mental
capacity to any of their native neighbors. Parkman, the historian,
says, "both reason and tradition point to the conclusion that the Iro-
quois originally formed one undivided people. Sundered, like count-
less other tribes, by dissensions, caprice, or the necessities of a hun-
ter's life, they separated into five distinct nations."
The recollection of their common origin and a wise prevision of what
would conduce to their common welfare, led to the establishment of
their celebrated Confederacy, or League, which insured harmony and
prosperity to all, rendered them a dominant power and a terror to sur-
rounding- native nations and tribes, and in later times challenged the
admiration of civilized statesmen. When this confederacy was formed
is not known, but it is believed to have been early in the sixteenth
century, while some students fix the date at 1635. It was probably
long anterior to that date. The principal characteristics of this league
are too well known to need repetition here.
Distinguished as they were for intelligence, endurance and cruelty
to their enemies, it is still true that the Iroquois Indians received the
first coming white men in the most friendly manner, even while wag-
ing relentless war upon their savage enemies. In 1G18 the Five Nations
entered into a treaty of peace and alliance with the I Hitch on the Nor-
man's Kill, just south of the site of Albany, and this continued in ex-
istence as long as it was mutually advantageous for purposes of trade.
In their war operations the policy of the Iroquois seems always to
have been, not the extermination of their foes, but their subjugation
and adoption. It is said that the Kakuas and the Eries, to the west-
ward, were offered the alternative of extinction or adoption. This
policy enabled them to constantly extend their power and influence,
until about the year 1700, when they dominated a large part of the ter-
ritory of the United States. Long prior to that they had carried terror
into the wilds Canada; had gained victories on Lake Huron; had made
tributary the Delawares and the Mohegans, until their name alone was
a signal of conquest. At the time when Champlain was exploring the
lake that bears his name, and Hudson was sailing up our noble river
( L609) these Five Nations were carrying 011 relentless war against the
Canada tribes. It was with the latter that Champlain joined in his first
crusade against the Iroquois, teaching them the use of guns and pow-
der. Delighted with these implements of destruction and smarting
under the defeat inflicted upon them by Champlain, the Indians wel-
comed the friendly Dutch and cheerfully entered into the alliance be-
fore mentioned, by which the shrewd Hollanders obtained quiet pos-
session of the valuable Indian trade, which was then all they wanted.
The Iroquois with their 3,000 warriors kept the war-path warm with
the blood of their enemies; Champlain was driven back, the Hurons
were mercilessly harassed, the Andastes were exterminated and other
nations defeated, and New France was made to suffer for many years
from the bloody raids of these warriors.
At the time of the coming of the first white men the Mohawks had
rive of their so-called castles, one of which was Moenemines Castle,
situated on Haver Island at the mouth of the Mohawk River; the
others were at Schenectady, Fort Hunter, one called Caughnawaga in
what is now Fulton county, and one at Canajoharie. This nation then
numbered about three hundred warriors.
Their own self-interest and the friendliness of the Dutch, and lat< i
of the English, retained the fealty of the Iroquois, with little interrup
tion, through the one hundred and fifty years prior to the Revolution.
Meanwhile the vanguard of the Jesuits, those self-immolating French
missionaries, arrived in the western world, the first of them in L625;
but their active work among the Iroquois in almost fruitless endeavors
to convert them to Christianity, and at the same time aid in establish
ing French dominion, did not begin until about 1655. Conspicuous
among these missionaries were Fathers Le Moyne, Brebeuf, Joseph Le
Mercier, Paul Ragueneau, Pierre Joseph Chaumont, Jean de Lamber-
ville, and many others. Their work continued until about the year
L700. In 1071 the Mohawks of Caughnawaga were led by the Jesuits
to migrate to Canada and remain thereafter allies of the French in their
bloody incursions into the Mohawk valley. During the Revolution
many of the Iroquois, and especially the Mohawks, allied themselves
with the mother country and under the influence and leadership of Sir
John and Guy Johnson, the Butlers and Joseph Brant, they left desola-
tion and bloodshed in many settlements. Most of the Oneida nation
were allies of the colonists during the Revolution, a result to be chiefly
credited to the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, who labored among them many
years as a missionary.
In their early dealings with the Indians the Dutch were, as before
intimated, actuated solely by a desire to profit by trade Hence there
was almost no land negotiation until the purchase of Rensselaerwvck
in 1629 and later, as described in the next chapter. The fur trade re-
quired and received the entire attention of the Dutch, who extended
it throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and part of the Canadas
and New England. Albany claimed a monopoly in this business and,
through the influence and sagacity of sonic of the earl}- traders there,
controlled it to a great extent. Philip Pieterse Schuyler, of Amster-
dam, settled in Beverwyck (as the little settlement on the site of Al-
bany was called) as early as 1647, secured the warm friendship of the
Indians by his honorable methods in trade, and was often visited by
their chiefs at his farm house four miles up the Hudson; he also had a
building erected for their entertainment in Albany. He was influential
in councils and negotiations with the Five Nations, and more than any
other person was instrumental in establishing the policy of treating
them with kindness and securing their alliance He died in L683, but
his policy was continued by his son, Peter, who also acquired un-
bounded influence among the Indians.
During the Dutch regime Indian affairs were managed by the direc-
tor-general and council of New Netherland. In later years, after the
English conquest in 1(164, it became necessary to have an official resi-
dent at Albany for immediate communication with the Indians and to
act promptly in emergencies. This led to the establishment of the
Indian Department in 1684, for which the magistrates of Albany were
first appointed; in L690 and thereafter a distinct board was constituted
which acted under the governor. In 1755 the English crown assumed
control of Indian affairs, divided the colonies into the northern and
southern departments, and appointed Sir William Johnson superintend-
ent in the northern department. Upon his death in 1774 he was suc-
ceeded by his son, Col. Guy Johnson. Following is a list of commis-
sioners of Indian affairs:
H'.s4, the magistrates of Albany.
1690, Joachim Staats, Johannis Wendell, Johannis Bleecker, Peter Bogardus, Ryer
Jacobz Schermerhorn, and the Mayor of Albany.
L691, Matthew Shankey, George Bradshaw, Peter Schuyler, John Tuder, 1 dick
Wessels.
1696, Peter Schuyler, Godfrey Dellius, Evert Bancker, Dirck Wessels, and the
Mayor.
1(598, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonalty, Dirck Wessels, Hendrick
House.
1706, Peter Schuyler, Captain Weems, the Mayor, Johannis Abeel, Kiliaan Van
Rensselaer, Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler. Evert Bancker, Henry Holland,
Peter Van Brugh, Hendrick Van Rensselaer.
171(1, Kiliaan Van Rensselaer, John Abeel, Evert Bancker, Hendrick Hansen, Jo-
hannis Cuyler, John Schuyler, Myndert Schuyler, Peter Van Brugh, Johannis Rose-
boom.
1712, Peter Schuyler, Kiliaan Van Rensselaer, Richard Ingoldsby, Johannis Schuy-
ler, Hendrick Hansen, Myndert Schuyler, Peter Van Brugh.
1715, Peter Schuyler, William Van Rensselaer, Peter Matthews, Hendrick Hansen,
John Schuyler, Myndert Schuyler, Robert Livingston jr., John Cuyler, Peter Van
Brugh.
1720, Peter Schuyler, Hendrick Hansen, John Cuyler, Peter Van Brugh. Evert
Bancker, Henry Holland, Philip Livingston, John Collins, John Wendell, John
Bleecker.
,
////.v . ^A////////
///////////
1724, Henry Holland, Peter Van Brugh, John "Collins, John Cuylcr, Evert Bancker,
Philip Livingston, Johannis Wendell, Evert Wendell, Hendriek Van Rensselaer,
David Van Dyck.
1726, Captain Cornwell, Captain Norris, Philip Livingston, Henry Holland, John
Cuyler, Peter Van Brugh, Evert Bancker, John Collins, Henry Van Rensselaer.
1728, Philip Livingston, Myndert Schuyler, Evert Bancker, Rutger Bleecker,
Henry Holland, Stephanus Groesbeck, Peter Van Brugh, Johannis Cuyler, Abraham
Cuyler, Hermanus Wendell, Johannis Roseboom, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Nicholas
Bleecker, Evert Wendell, Philip Schuyler, Ryer Gerritse, Barent Sanders, Johannis
Lansing.
1732, the preceding list, with Johannis Schuyler, Henry Van Rensselaer, and Dirck
Ten Broeck.
1734, Philip Livingston, William Dick, Myndert Schuyler, John Schuyler, Hen-
driek Van Rensselaer, Rutger Bleecker, Stephanus Groesbeck, Philip Schuyler, Jere-
miah Van Rensselaer, Edward Holland, Nicholas Bleecker, Ryer Gerritse, Dirck
Ten Broeck, Johannis Lansing, jr., John De Peyster, Jacob Glen, Cornelius Cuyler,
John Schuyler, jr., Edward Collins, Abraham Cuyler.
1738, the Commandant at Albany, Members of Assembly for Albany, Rensselaer-
wyck, and Schenectady, the Mayor, Recorder and Sheriff of Albany, and Philip Liv-
ingston and Edward Clarke.
1739, The Council, Commandant, Mayor and Recorder of Albany, Jeremiah Van
Rensselaer, Peter Winne, Stephanus Groesbeck, Rutger Bleecker, John De Peyster,
John Schuyler, jr., Jacob Glen, Arendt Bradt, Edward Collins, Myndert Schuyler,
John Schuyler, Cornelius Cuyler, Johannis Lansing, jr., Hendriek Ten Eyck.
1742, Philip Livingston, John Rutherford, Myndert Schuyler, Abraham Cuyler,
Nicholas Bleecker, Johannis Lansing, jr., Cornelius Cuyler, Mayor Dirck Ten
Broeck, Recorder Hendriek Ten Eyck, Rutger Bleecker, John De Peyster, Stephanus
Groesbeck, Ryer Gerritse, Edward Collins.
1745, the preceding list, and Stephen Van Rensselaer.
1746, Commissary for Indian Affairs, William Johnson.
1752, Commissioners, the Council, Commandant at Albany, Members of Assembly
of Albany, Rensselaerwyck, Schenectady and Livingston Manor, Mayor and Re-
corder of Albany, Myndert Schuyler, Cornelius Cuyler, Hendriek Bleecker, John
Buchanan, Peter Groenendyek, Johannis Lansing, jr , Jacob C. Ten Eyck.
1754, Mayor and Recorder of Albany, Commandant, Myndert Schuyler, Cornelius
Cuyler, John Buchanan, Jacob C. Ten Eyck, John Rensselaer.
Peter Winne, sole Superintendent, April, 1755.
February, 1756, William Johnson, Sir William Johnson, Bart.
July, 1774, Col. Guy Johnson and the State Commissioners, Philip Schuyler, Vol-
kert P. Douw, Timothy Edward, Oliver Wolcott, James Duane.
While in most respects the vState of New York and the general gov-
ernment have been magnanimous in dealing with the now fallen na-
tions who once roamed as conquerors over much of this broad land,
there is still much to be regretted in the details of their treatment.
Even to this day our Indian affairs in the far west seem to be conducted
2
10
more for the benefit of a few heartless agents than to mete out justice
to the natives. Ever hospitable to the first white men, freely sharing
his home and the best he could procure for his entertainment, it seems
at this distance and to the sympathetic mind, a hard condition that
made it necessary to war upon the Indian and drive him from his coun-
try. He could do no less than fight for his home with such weapons and
temperament as his Creator had given him.1
As far as relates to their connection with Albany county, it is worthy
of note that this territory was almost wholly free from Indian attack
and depredation. The only notable exception took place in what is
now the town of Berne, where a family of eight persons named Dictz
were murdered or carried away captives; this was near the Schoharie
line. 8 This exemption of Albany county from the invasions suffered
by surrounding localities is doubtless to be credited to the fact that the
inhabitants were many of them Tories, who secretly or openly aided the
royal cause, and that Albany itself was well protected by forts and
arms.
CHAPTER III.
For the purposes of this work we need only refer briefly to the dis-
coveries and occupation by the French of the country to the northward
of what is now the United States prior to 1000. These included the
voyages of Jean Verrazzani in 1524, and of Jacques Cartier ten years
later, and a second voyage by the latter in 1540. On this occasion he
was accompanied by Jean Francis de Roberval, who held a knight's
commission as lieutenant-general over the "new countries of Canada,
I lochelaga and Saguenay." Little was accomplished of a permanent
character by these navigators, and further attempts at French occupa-
tion were discouraged until I -MIS, when "New France," as it was
called, was made a place of banishment for French convicts. The real
founder of a permanent colony in New France was Samuel de Cham-
l Colden writes: "The hospitality of these Indians is no less remarkable than theii othei
virtues; as soon as any stranger conies they are sure to offer him victuals. If there be several in
company, and come from alar, one of their best houses is cleaned and given up for their enter-
tainment."
-See History of the Town of Berne.
11
plain, a man born with the uncontrollable instinct for discovery and
adventure that characterizes all great explorers. His very early adven-
tures have no connection with this work, and it is sufficient to state
that in 1608, after having counseled his patrons that on the banks of
the St. Lawrence was the most favorable site for a new empire, he was
sent over and laid the foundations of Quebec. To further gratify his-
love of adventure, he joined with some of the Canadian Indians and
started forth into the unknown country which the natives had tried to
describe to him. One of the results was the discovery of Lake Cham-
plain (named in his honor), and the meeting of a party of the Iroquois
on the shore of that lake, where he fought them with powder and bul-
lets, giving them their first knowledge of those terrible engines of de-
struction. The Iroquois were defeated with the loss of two of their
chiefs, who fell by Champlain's own hands.
Thus was signalized the first hostile meeting between the white man
and the Indian. Low as the latter was found to be in the scale of in-
telligence and humanity, and terrible as were many of the subsequent
deeds of the Iroquois, it cannot be denied that their early treatment by
Europeans could foster in a savage breast no other feeling than hos-
tility and revenge. It is like a pathetic page of romance to read Cham-
plain's statement that "the Iroquois were greatly astonished, seeing
two men killed so instantaneously," one of whom was their chief;
while the ingenuous acknowledgment of the Frenchman, " I had put
four balls in my arquebus," is vivid testimony of how little mercy the
Iroquois were thenceforth to receive from their northern enemies and
the pale-faced race which was eventually to drive them from their do-
main. It must, however, be remembered that it was an age in which
might was appealed to as right more frequently than in later times,
and the planting of the banner of the cross was often preceded by
bloody conquest. Hence it is, at least to some extent, in the light of
prevailing custom in the old world in Champlain's day, that we may
view his readiness to do battle with the enemies of the northern In-
dians.
It is an interesting coincidence that a part of the territory now em-
braced in the State of New York which is closely identified with this
history, was first visited by white men of whom there is reliable record,
from two different directions almost simultaneously, and from two dif-
ferent European powers. On the Ith of April, 1609, only a very short
time after Champlain had successfully killed his first Indian, Henry
12
Hudson, an English navigator and a friend of Capt. John Smith, sailed
from Amsterdam in a small vessel, with a crew of about twenty Eng-
lish and Dutch sailors, in the service of the Dutch East India Com-
pany. Crossing the Atlantic he touched at the Maine coast and Cape
Cod, continued on southerly to Chesapeake Bay, which he reached
'early in August. He soon afterward turned his prow northward, and
after making explorations along the coast, entered New York Bay on
September 3, 1609. On the 12th he began a voyage up the river which
bears his name and probably reached a point near the site of Hudson
city with his vessel. He then on the 19th sent a boat and crew farther
up and doubtless passed the site of Albany.1
Convinced that this noble river offered no new route to China or the
Indies, which was probably one of the objects of his voyage, Hudson
started homeward on the 4th of October and arrived in England No-
vember 7.
His experience with the Indians was in the main similar to that of
the other Europeans upon their first visits; he was received with kind-
ness mingled with awe. In the beautiful autumn he found the country
a paradise, and so reported to his employers. Morever" he foresaw a
rich field for money-making and the thrifty Dutch were not slow to
take advantage of it. The next year a second vessel was sent over by
shrewd traders of Amsterdam, and a successful trade was opened
with the natives along the noble river, which had been named by the
'There is evidence that by many is considered unimpeachable that the French had discov-
ered the Hudson long before this date. On this question we may quote the following' from
" Discoveries in America in 1525," by A. J. Weise, pp. 361-2: "The fact that the French had
ascended the Grande River (Hudson River) to the height of its navigation, to trade with the In-
dians, long before Henry Hudson explored it, is corroborated by still stronger testimony than
that already presented. One of the earliest maps representing the territory of Nieu Nederlandt
(New Netherlands or that part of New France which the French had called La Terre d'Anormee
Berge, is the figurative chart presented to their High Mightinesses, the Lords States-General of
the United Netherlands, on the 11th of October, 1(114, by a number of Dutch merchants, praying
for a special license to navigate and traffic within the limits of this part of North America."
Concerning this map Brodhead, the historian, wrote as follows: "Phis map (made in 1614) is un-
doubtedly one of the most interesting memorials we have. It is about three feet long, and shows,
very minutely, the course of the Hudson River, from Manhattan to above Albany, as well as a
portion of the sea coast; and contains, likewise, curious notes and memoranda about the neigh-
boring Indians. The work, perhaps, of one of the companions of Hudson himself, and made
within five years of the discovery of the river, its fidelity of delineation is scarcely less remark-
able than its high antiquity." Now, one of the explanatory notes on this map contains un-
deniable testimony that the French were the discoverers of the Grande River, and that they had
been trading with the Mohawks long before the Half Moon sailed up the river. The plain
language of the inscription makes all explanation of its meaning unnecessary, thus: " Bui as far
as one can understand by what the Maquaas [Mohawks] say and show, the French come with
sloops as high up as their country to trade with them."
13
Dutch, the Mauritius. Other vessels soon followed in 101 1, 1012,
1613, and 1014, all of which returned with rich cargoes of furs. Fore-
most in these business ventures were Capts. Hendrick Corstiaensen
(Christiansen), John De Witt, Adrian Block and Cornelius. Jacobson
Mey. The coast from Nahant to Delaware Bay, with the adjacent isl-
ands, was visited by them, and the Connecticut and other rivers were
ascended as far as practicable. A trading- post was established on Man-
hattan Island, Corstiaensen was appointed agent of the traders, and in
1612 built a small fort and a few rude structures on the southern end
of the island; this was the beginning of the present great city of New
York.
Meanwhile the English also were busy in the new world. That
country laid claim to all the territory in North America between the
34th and the 45th parallels of latitude, and extending westward to the
Pacific Ocean. In April, 1000, King James granted a patent to an as-
sociation called the Plymouth Colony for the northern part of this ter-
ritory, and another patent to the London Company for the southern
part; these sections were called respectively North Virginia and Smith
Virginia. Jamestown (Virginia) was settled in 1607, but no permanent
settlement was made by the English in the northern region until the
arrival of the Mayflower in 1020. Thus there were three distinct
sources of immigration to this country, the adventurers of each power
acting with authority from their respective sovereigns, and each power
basing its claims on the then generally recognized right of discovery.
A struggle for possession could be the only result.
The English made their first demonstration against the Dutch in 1613,
when, according to Captain Smith, a party that had been on a hostile
expedition against the French to the northward, " found at Manhattan
Isle four houses built, and a pretended Dutch Governor." The Vir-
ginians demanded possession upon the ground that Henry Hudson,
an English subject, could not alienate from the English crown what
was properly a part of Virginia and included in the grant of the Eng-
lish king. Corstiaensen was then in command on the island, and being
powerless against his adversaries, he submitted his colony to English
rule. This was more a formality than otherwise, tor the Holland com-
panies retained actual possession fifty years longer and laid the found-
ations of the city. As far as New England was concerned, it never
had any respect for the Dutch claim; but the country from the western
part of Long Island and up tin- Hudson to the Mohawk, including
14
Albany and adjacent settlements, remained New Netherlands until the
English extinguished the Dutch regime in 1664.
Hendrick Corstiaensen and his co laborers early appreciated the im-
portance of having a trading post far up the Hudson. A special char-
ter was granted by the States-General of Holland on October 1 1, L614,
to a company of Amsterdam merchants with the distinctive title of the
New Netherlands Company, giving them a trade monopoly for four
years, until January 1, 1618. Acting under this, Corstiaensen and a
few others sailed up the river in 1614 and built a small fort on what
was Castle (now Westerlo) Island, just below the site of the later Fort
Orange; they named it Fort Nassau. This fortification was about fifty
feet square, surrounded by a ditch eighteen feet wide, defended by
eleven stone guns and two cannon and garrisoned by twelve men under
Jacob Jacobson Elkins, who succeeded Corstiaensen. In L 639 it was
visited by De Vries, who found it occupied by Brandt Pylen (or Peelan),
under lease from the patroon and his partners. It was then farmed
and well stocked. Here Corstiaensen and his companions began active
trade with the Indians, but Corstiaensen was soon afterward killed by an
Indian in his employ. The situation of this fort was untenable on ac-
count of spring floods, and in 1617 a new one was erected at the mouth
of the Norman's Kill on the west bank of the Hudson. It was there,
probably, that the first treaty of friendship was made by the Indians
and the Dutch. When the charter of this company expired they were
unsuccessful in their application for another. There was an interval
of five years during which no regular organization had representatives
here; but it is believed that Elkins and some others remained and con-
tinued their lucrative trade through the medium of Holland ships. It
would be surprising if this were not the case.
On June 3, 1021, the Holland States General incorporated the Dutch
West India Company, giving it unprecedented rights to trade and
found settlements from Cape Horn to New7 Foundland during twenty-
four years, with exclusive jurisdiction over New Netherlands. It was
empowered to appoint governors to be approved by the home authori-
ties, to colonize territory, administer justice, etc. The executive man-
agement of the company was placed with aboard of nineteen directors,
one of whom was to be appointed by the States-Ceneral and the re-
mainder by the company; these were to be located in five different
chambers in five Holland cities. The province of New Netherlands
was assigned to the Amsterdam chamber. By the spring of 1623 the
15
company was fully organized and began its operations with vigor. No
opposition was made to their plans, though the English ambassador at
the Hague formally protested.
In April, 1623, one of the nineteen directors, Cornelisen [acobsen
Mey, came over from Holland in command of a vessel with thirty fam-
ilies, chiefly Walloons,1 or French Protestants, and landed at Xew Am-
sterdam. Of these it is believed that eight families settled on the site
of Albany and built Fort Orange, about two miles above Fort Nassau
and near the foot of State street as it now exists. These thrifty immi-
grants opened a lucrative fur trade with the Indians. In this year
(1623) Adrien Jorise was appointed governor in New Netherlands,
served one year and in 1624 was succeeded by Cornelisen Jacobsen Mey,
and he in 1625 by William Verhulst.
The fur trade began with profit to the company and promised larger
returns in the future. The principal furs were beaver and ottei skins,
of which the quantity shipped was enormous. For example, in the fall
of 1626 the vessel "Arms of Amsterdam " took out 7,246 beaver skins,
*'>'■>}, otter, 81 mink, 36 wild cat, and 34 rat skins; also "samples of
summer grain, such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, canary
seed, beans, and flax."
In 1688 Catelyn Trico, a native of Paris, France, eighty-three years
old, gave testimony which proves her to have been one of the first white
w< >man in Albany. She came over, according to her statements, in 1 623,
in a ship named the " Unity," commanded by the first governor, Adrien
J<»rise, which was the first ship sent out by the West India Company.
She came to Albany with eighteen families, who built a small fort and
huts of bark. Two other families and six men were sent to Hartford,
Connecticut, two families and eight men to the Delaware River, eight
men were left at Manhattan, and the remainder, as stated, went up the
river. Adrien Jorise remained there all winter and sent his son home
with the ship. The narrative states that four other women came over
on the "Unity" and were married and went to the Delaware River.
This woman remained three years at Albany, went thenceto New York
and later to Wallabout. -
1 The Walloons inhabited parts o( France anil at the time "t their dispersion in I5H0 num-
bered over -.',ni ii i,i n hi. They were "f mixed Galie and Teutonic 1 > i land spoke the old I
ilia Int. They tied to I lull anil, where I hey \\ ere \\ e lei imed for their skill and industry. kOSSINf;.
2 h will beseen that this statement, while probably correct in most respects, differs widely
in others from must records. This is especialy noticeable in the number of families that firs!
hn-ated at Fori < (range.
16
The first white child born in New Netherlands was Sarah Rapalje,
daughter of one of the Walloons, who was born June 7, 1025, and whose
descendants are still living'.
From the records showing the comparatively wide distribution of the
men and families who came over in the " Unity" may be drawn an in-
ference as to the plans and operations of the West India Company.
They were not by any means confined to any one section of New
Netherlands. Ships came and went, laden on the westward voyage
with the gaudy cloths and trinkets which, almost valueless where they
were made, took the childish fancy of the natives and paid readily for
furs that were almost priceless in comparison. Rum, too, soon became
an important article in the trade, and no scruples were shown in ex-
changing it with the Indians on the basis of a very little drink for a
large quantity of fur. The country itself was attractive, as it has ever
been, to the adventurous or ambitious, and the passing years saw large
accessions to the population. On these points Gulielmus Baudartius
(or Baudart), the Dutch scholar and historian, wrote as follows:
Inasmuch as the multitude of people, not only natives but foreigners, who are
seeking a livelihood in the United Provinces is very great, so that where one stiver
is to be earned there are ten hands ready to receive it, especially in Holland which
is the reservoir of divers kingdoms and countries. Many are obliged on this ac-
count, to go in search of other lands and residences where they can obtain a living
more easily and at less expense. Accordingly, in the year 1624, as in previous years,
divers families went from Holland to Virginia in the West Indies, a great portion of
them being English, called Browni'sts [Puritans], whom King James will not permit
nor suffer to live in his land, because they hold and maintain divers points of relig
ion improbated by the present church of England.
A ship arrived in August [1623] from that part of Virginia called New Netherland,
which had conveyed some families from Holland thither. This vessel brings many
and various letters from private individuals, each written to friends and acquaint-
ances, whereof this is mostly the tenor —
" We were much gratified on arriving in this country; here we found beautiful
rivers, bubbling fountains flowing down into the valley; basins of running waters in
the rlatlands, agreeable fruits in the woods, such as strawberries, pigeon berries,
walnuts, and also voor labruste?i or wild grapes. The woods abound with acorns
for feeding hogs, and with venison. There is considerable fish in the rivers; good
tillage land; here is, especially, free coming and going, without fear of the naked
natives of the country. Had we cows, hogs, and other cattle fit for food (which we
daily expect in the first ships) we would not wish to return to Holland, for whatever
we desire in the paradise of Holland is here to be found. If you will come hither
with your family you will not regret it."
This and similar letters have roused and stimulated many to resolve to emigrate
thither with their families, in the hope of being able to earn a handsome livelihood,
17
Strongly fancying that they will live there in luxury and ease, whilst here, on the
contrary, they must earn their bread by the sweat of their brow.
The trade headquarters remained at New Amsterdam (New York),
although much of the actual exchange of goods and furs took place at
Fort Orange. The Dutch governors had their seat at the former place,
making it the center of such civil government as existed.
In 1626 Governor Peter Minuit, then in office, purchased the Island
of Manhattan of the Indians for a sum equal to about $24. William
Bradford was then governor of Plymouth, the English colony, and
learning that the Dutch were sending ships to Xarragansett Bay to
trade, sent Edward Winslow to Governor Minuit to remonstrate. This
resulted in a correspondence between Bradford and Minuit which,
while of a general friendly character, still contains assertions on the
part of the former that the Dutch must respect the rights of the Plym-
outh colonists and not permit his traders to come to Narragansett for
furs. He also complained that the Dutch were selling muskets, pow-
der and shot to the Indians — which was true.
But active as were the trade operations of the West India Companv
and eager as were their efforts to promote emigration to New Nether-
lands, it is clear that little was accomplished towards the establishment
of permanent settlement. The emigrants were not, as a rule, persons
of stable character, persevering industry, and thrift; they were not the
home-builders of the new country. Such were to come later. The re-
port of the Assembly to the States-General in 1629 said:
All who are inclined to do any sort of work here [in Holland | procure enough to
eat without any trouble, and are, therefore, unwilling to go far from home on an un-
certainty. The people conveyed by us thither, have therefore found but scanty
means of livelihood up to the present time, and have not found any profit, but a
drawback to this | West India] company. The trade carried on there in peltries is
right advantageous; but one year with another, we can. at most, bring home only
fifty thousand guilders [$20,000].
From the foregoing it can be seen that permanent settlement did not
begin until 1629-30, as will be described in the succeeding chapter,
when new trade regulations and a new and widely different order of
affairs in New Netherlands were inaugurated. A work published in
Amsterdam in L628 says: "There are no families at Fort Orange,"
"they keep five or six and twenty persons, traders, there." Another
early Dutch writer said, "It never began to be settled until every one
had liberty to trade with the Indians, inasmuch as up to this time no
3
18
one calculated to remain there longer than the expiration of his
bounden time, and therefore did not apply themselves to agriculture."
Following is a list of the Dutch governors: Adrien Jorise, 1623; Cor-
nelius J acobsen Mey, 1024; William Verhulst, 1625; Peter Minuit, May
4, 1626; Wouter Van Twiller, April, 1633; William Ki eft, March 28,
1638; Peter Stuyvesant, May 11, 1647, to September 8, 1664, when the
city was surrendered to the English; Anthony Colve, September L9,
1673, when the city was retaken by the Dutch, to November 10, 1674,
when by treaty the city was again given to the English.
Of these Dutch officials the first two were skippers of vessels which
brought over some of the first immigrants, and were instrumental in
locating Fort Orange, probably in 1623. Of Verhulst nothing is known.
Peter Minuit, the purchaser of Manhattan Island, as before stated, was
the first fully empowered director-general, and was a man of high
character and excellent qualifications. It was he who conducted
the correspondence with Governor Bradford relative to Dutch en-
croachment upon the trade of Narragansett Bay, and his letters arc
models of courteous diplomacy. He also kept amicable relations with
the Indians and greatly advanced the interests of the Dutch in trade.
Van Twiller married into the Van Rensselaer family and came over
as agent of the patroon in locating land. Later he was one of the ex-
ecutors of the Killian Van Rensselaer estate. He was faithful to the
interests of the West India Company, but lacked good judgment and
ability to execute his own ambitious plans. He, however, lived on
peaceable terms with the Indians and his subordinates. It was during
his administration, in 1633, that the first English vessel, the " William,"
came up the Hudson without a license from the Dutch governor at
New Amsterdam, and halted a mile below Fort Orange and began
trading. The Fort Orange traders protested, and with the aid of ships
sent up from New Amsterdam, drove him out of the river and he re-
turned to England.
Of William Kieft little is known previous to his arrival at Manhattan ;
but he was evidently unpopular beyond the ocean, as he was here, for
his effigy was hung at Rochelle, France, where he lived. In this coun-
try his administration was marked with concentration of power in him-
self; permission to traders to cheat the Indians after getting them
drunk; demanding fur tribute from the natives around Manhattan;
threatening the Indians with war; the massacre of fugitive Indians at
Hoboken in 1643; neglect of the counsel of the popular assembly; per-
19
sonal greed, and other obnoxious acts. De Vries prophesied in 1(14:;
as follows: "The murders in which you [Kieft] have shed so much in-
nocent blood, will yet be avenged upon your own head;" and the
prophecy was fulfilled, for the vessel on which Kieft sailed for Hol-
land, August 1G, 1G47, with more than $100,000 of ill gotten gain, was
wrecked on the coast of Wales and he was drowned. A little benefit
was conferred on the settlers here during his stay; he corrected many
abuses that had become prevalent, repaired Fort Amsterdam and built
new warehouses, planted orchards, framed and enforced police ordi-
nances, and inaugurated a more liberal policy in respect to ownership of
land, thus increasing immigration.
Peter Stuyvesant, the last governor previous to the surrender, was a
different character from his immediate predecessor. He had seen mili-
tary service in the West Indies where he lost a leg. He was welcomed
warmly to New Netherland. He considered his position one of great
dignity and surrounded his reign with pomp and ceremony, assuring
the people that they should have exact justice. While extremely des-
potic in many of his acts, he was at the same time honest and generally
wise. He introduced many needed reforms, abolished the trouble
stirred up by Kieft between the Manhattan Dutch and the Swedes on
the Delaware; adjusted the difficulties with the Puritans in the east,
and renewed amicable relations with the natives. He ardently opposed
the encroachments of the English on the east, but was finally forced to
yield to the pressure of changing conditions. When the English ships
came in front of New Amsterdam and demanded the surrender of the
province (August, 1664), he stoutly refused the demand, although the
people were willing to submit. The old governor held out for a week,
but at last, on September 8, 1604, he yielded and the surrender
followed. In the following year he went to Holland, but returned to
Manhattan and there passed the remainder of his life, and was buried
under St. Mark's in the Bowery in New York city where his remains
now lie.
20
CHAPTER IV.
In the year 1629 was inaugurated a plan for the more rapid and
permanent settlement of New Netherlands, which was also intended
to largely increase the power and wealth of the Dutch West India Com-
pany. The details of this plan were embodied in a so-called "Charter
of Privileges and Exemptions," under which lordly manorial rights
could be conferred upon whoever successfully sought them and ob-
ligated themselves to act under them in colonizing the new country.
That charter offered to grant lands in any part of New Netherlands
(reserving Manhattan Island) to the extent of sixteen miles along any
navigable stream (or four miles if on each shore) and extending in-
definitely into the interior, to any person who should agree to plant a
colony of fifty adults thereon within four years ; if such person should
bring in more than fifty colonists, his domain would be proportionately
enlarged. He was to be made absolute lord of his manor, politically
and judicially, holding inferior courts for the adjudication of small of-
fenses; and in case a city should grow up on his domain, he was given
power to appoint magistrates and other officials for such municipality,
and have a deputy to confer with the governor. These manorial lords
were given the title of Patroons (or patrons) and settlers under them
were exempted from all taxation for support of the provincial govern-
ment for ten years, during which period every person was bound to re-
main in service of the patroon, unless released by consent of the latter.
The colonists were forbidden to manufacture cloth of any kind, under
penalty of banishment. The company stipulated to supply them with
as many African slaves "as they conveniently could;" also to protect
them against enemies. Each colony was bound to support a minister
of the gospel and a schoolmaster.
Such was the system under which a considerable area of territory in
the eastern part of what is now New York State was first permanently
settled. It brought across the Atlantic representatives of all classes,
many of whom were men of lofty character and exceptional attain-
ments; men of integrity and high purposes; men who cannot be
blamed for whatever faults were inherent in the system under which
21
they acted. The system itself, naturally enough, fostered aristocratic
ideas and methods; it recognized the right of the Indians to the soil bv
compelling its purchase in order to acquire it; it invited independent
farmers who would be able to secure homesteads, safe from the vicis-
situdes of war and under the beneficent influences of religion and edu-
cation. It is, therefore, not surprising that such a system of coloniza-
tion of an Eldorado, which had been painted in such lovely hues by
earlier comers, found ardent participators.
Several patroon domains were promptly secured by directors of the
Amsterdam Chamber. Among these was the great tract which became
known as Rensselaerwyck, the larger part of which was purchased for
Killian Van Rensselaer, an Amsterdam pearl merchant, in 1630. The
purchase of the first section was effected through Bastiaen Jansen Krol
and Dirck Cornelissen Duyster, respectively commissary and under
commissary at Fort Orange. Three months later Gillis Hoosett pur-
chased for Van Rensselaer the lands lying south and north of Fort
( >range and extending to within a short distance of Moenemincs Castle,
then on what is now Haver Island, at the mouth of the Mohawk. The
same man purchased also from an Indian chief, lands on the cast side
of the river from opposite Castle Island to a point facing Fort Orange,
and thence from Poetanock, the Mill Creek, north to Negagons. These
conveyances were ratified and sealed with the seal of New Netherlands
on the same day the charter before described was proclaimed at Am-
sterdam. On the loth of April, 1G37, the Van Rensselaer domain was en-
larged by the purchase of the Papsickenekaas (or Papsekenea, as it is
now called) district on the east side of the river and extending from
opposite Castle Island to the point opposite Smack Island, including
the adjacent islands and all the lands back into the interior belonging
to Indian owners. Payment for this latter purchase was made in "cer-
tain quantities of duffels, axes, knives, and wampum." Mr. Van
Rensselaer's domain was twenty-four miles long and forty-eight miles
broad, contained over 700,000 acres, which now compose Albany, Rens-
selaer and part of Columbia counties. The manor is clearly shown on
the map made by John R. Bleecker in 1767.
On the 1st of October, \i\:\i>, Mr. Van Rensselaer, Samuel Godyn,
Johannis de Laet, and Samuel Bloomaert formed a copartnership, and
associated with them as co-directors of Rensselaerwyck were Adam
Bissels and Touissaint Moussart. The stock of this company was di-
vided into live shares, two of which were assigned to Van Rensselaer,
22
one each to Godyn and Bloomaert, and one to the other associates.
The management of the affairs of the " colonie," as it was termed, was
placed with a board of four persons or votes, of which Van Rensselaer
held two, Bloomaert or Bissels one, and De Laet or Moussart one. The
only respect in which Van Rensselaer was superior in rank or authority
over his associates was that he held the title of Patroon. This, with its
feudal honors, was vested in him alone, the partners binding themselves
to do fealty and homage for the fief on his death, in the name and on
behalf of his son and heirs.
Early in the spring of that year (1630) a number of colonists with
their families sailed in a company ship, the " Endracht," under com-
mand of ('apt. Jan Brouwer, with stock, implements and other neces-
saries, and landed at Manhattan after a passage of sixty-four days.
They were soon placed at Fort Orange, furnished with dwellings and
other buildings at the expense of the patroon, and began improvements. '
( >ther colonists followed and permanent prosperity seemed inaugu-
rated along the Hudson, a condition of affairs which continued to about
1640. Trade was prosecuted with vigor and shrewdness and in Hi In
the number of persons thus engaged in Rensselaerwyck was about
equal to the number of other individuals. The introduction of firearms
among the Indians was soon to bring its terrible consequences. The
English had been demanding and receiving from the natives twenty
beaver skins for a musket and proportionate prices for powder
and lead. This profitable trade was now taken up by the Dutch, and
the Indians were soon armed to the teeth, and all the neighboring na-
tions from Canada to the sea coast felt the effects of warfare with the
Mohawks. This strife for trade between the English and the Dutch
eventually became bitter and relentless, leading finally to conquest by
the former power.
The population of the " colonie " at the time under consideration con-
sisted of three classes: first, freemen who came over at their own ex-
1 icnse and were subject only to the general regulations ; second, farmers,
and third, farm servants. To accommodate the farmers the patroon
l Of the condition of the settlements at about this time, the Planter's Plea, London, 1630, said:
"This which they have settled in New England, upon Hudson's River, with no extraordinary
charge or multitude ol people, is knowne to subsist in a comfortable manner, and to promise
fairlie both to the State and undertakers. The cause is evident. The men whom they rani,-,
thougl 01 many, arc well chosen and known to be useful, and serviceable, and they
sci -ond them with seasonable and fit supplies, cherishing them as carefully as their owne families,
and employ them in profitable labors, that arc known to bi of speciall iise to theii comfortable
subsist
23
laid out farms along the river and on the islands, built dwellings and
barns, slocked them with horses, cattle and sheep, and supplied the nec-
essary tools. This liberal policy enabled farmers to begin life here
with almost no capital and greatly stimulated immigration. Some of
the farms were rented for a fixed sum, while others were let out on
shares. The patroon was at the same time entitled to one-half the in-
crease of stock and reserved also one tenth of the products of each farm
and sometimes a small annual allowance of butter. Tenants were bound
to keep fences and buildings in repair, but the patroon bore all risk of
destruction of property by the elements or by Indians. Unimproved
land was usually rented free for ten years, the patroon having the priv-
ilege of making improvements during the life of the lease. The pa-
troon was at the same time to supply his colonists with a sufficient num-
ber of laborers to assist them on their farms. For his services in en-
gaging these and his advances to bring them over, he was entitled to
sixteen guilders (or six dollars) per annum for each laborer, to be paid
by the farmer; the wages ranged from forty to one hundred and fifty
guilders and board. Many of the emigrants were furnished in Holland
with clothing and a small sum of money, which was to be repaid at some
future time at an advance of fifty per cent., the high rate being made
to compensate for the difference in value between money in Holland
and in the colony, which was about forty per cent.
While these were the mutual relations to some extent between the
patroon and the settlers, the former was invested with certain peculiar
privileges which existed in the feudal system. At the close of harvest the
farmer was obligated to hand in a return of the quantity of grain which
he had for sale, less what was due to the landlord, and offer the latter or
his commissary the pre-emption of such produce If the landlord refused
to purchase it, then the farmer was at liberty to sell elsewhere. The
same rule applied to cattle. The settlers were obliged to grind their
corn at the patroon's mill, and he was obligated to keep the mill in re-
pair and ready lor the work. The patroon granted licenses for hunt-
ing and fishing on his lands. He was entitled to the first option in any
sale, purchase, or exchange of lands within his domain, and as "lord
of the manor," succeeded to the estates of all persons who might die
intestate in the colony.
With many privileges in their favor the colonists did not always
deal justly by the patroon. lie complained that they often threw upon
him the payment of the wages of laborers employed on the farms, ami
.24
also took quantities of goods from his store for which they made no
account. He probably met with the same percentage of losing ven-
tures that has characterized business ever since.
With the profitable fur trade and the advancement in agriculture the
little hamlet on the site of Albany grew. The news of the rich country
across the sea was carried over to Holland and immigration was active.
It is believed by some authorities that Mr. Van Rensselaer in person
visited his colony in 1637, but there is no direct evidence of the pre-
sumption.
The patroon system as a whole did not encourage individual enter-
prise. Private persons of means and intelligence, who might have
emigrated under other conditions, dare not do so. The patroons be-
came ambitious beyond their chartered rights; some of them were
grasping and attempted to secure broader privileges, finally presenting
to the States-General in Holland a new plan for granting them a monop-
oly of more territory ; for giving them longer time in which to settle the
required number of colonists; for larger feudal powers; for free trade
throughout New Netherland; for a supply of convicts from Holland
for servants and for negro slaves. These extravagant demands caused
their existing privileges to be curtailed by a new Charter of Privileges
and Exemptions issued in 1640.
The Dutch were not to remain in undisturbed control of the rich and
growing fur trad?. It is difficult at this distance to convey an adequate
idea of that business; but when its principal phases are understood it
ceases to be a source of wonder that there was a struggle to capture it.
Early in their settlement the Dutch sought to exclude rigidly from
their colony all foreign and unlicensed traders. All settlers were bound
by oath to purchase no furs from the Indians on penalty of forfeiture
of their goods and wages, unless properly licensed. The patroon and
his partners were the only privileged importers of merchandise at Fort
Orange. The Dutch farmers soon saw that they could make more
money in furs than they could in tilling their lands, and it was not long
before almost every one of them was a dealer to some extent; but the
power of the patroon compelled all of them to bring their furs to his
storehouse, to be sent thence to Holland, he retaining one half of the
profits. Later on he received each sixth beaver and one guilder duty
on the remaining five sixths.
■ M
,
KUFUS H. KING, Si-1.
CHAPTER V.
The rich fur trade became a source of long continued trouble in
Rensselaerwyck, for competition had become intensely active, ami
the business had reached large proportions, since, for example, in
L632 there were reported sent over to Holland "15,000 beaver skynnes,
besides other commodities." The export had gradually grown to
this number from about 1,500 shipped from Fort Orange in the first
season of the trade. In 1633 about 16,000 beaverskins were sold in the
Hudson River trade, most of them at Fort Orange, their value being
more than $50,000. In 1638 it was noted by the States-General that
"nothing came from New Netherland but beaver skins, minks and
other furs." In 1050 there were sent from Fort Orange 34,480 beaver
skins and 300 otter, while in 1058 the number of beaver reached 57,-
040 and 300 otter. The farmers, even, became fur traders, since in
that occupation they could make more money than in tilling the land.
The traders sent emissaries far into the Indian country and practiced all
the arts of persuasion, of which they were possessed, to secure the rich
furs, for which purpose the boschloopers (bush runners) were employed.
To accomplish their purposes the Indians were made drunk and were
often cheated in the grossest manner. The trade at length became so
profitable and active that dealers at New Amsterdam (New York) and
others, who had no claim to residence at Fort Orange, engaged in suc-
cessful competition with the patroon and his associates to their great
financial detriment. It naturally followed that prices of furs advanced.
so that in 1656 a beaver skin was worth 8 to 1<> guilders, or ,x3. 50 to $4. 00.
When rates had advanced about one hundred percent, the authorities of
Rensselaerwyck and at the Fort issued a joint proclamation fixing the
price of furs at 9 fathoms of white, or Xl/2 of black, wampum, and forbid-
dingall persons, whether servants of the company or residents of tin
ony, from going into the woods to meet the Indians for trade, and another
proclamation of that period forbade all traders from coming with sloops
within the limits of the colony, under penalty of forfeiture of the vessel.
On the next court day a third edict went forth prohibiting the inhab-
itants from purchasing any goods from the local traders, this measure
4
26
being- for the purpose of protecting the patroon in his monopoly of im-
ports. It was the intention of the patroon to fully supply the Indians
with whatever goods they wanted, thus rendering it, at the least, unnec-
essary for them to deal with others.
Graver troubles were now at hand. To still further protect and en-
force his interest and authority in controlling the fur trade, and to pre-
vent the shipments of grain that were being made by the farmers with-
out paying the stipulated one-tenth to the patroon, he caused to be
erected on Beeren Island a fortified trading post commanding the river
channel, for the exclusion of all vessels from the upper Hudson, except
his own and those of the West India Company. In the mean time ill
feeling had developed between Sheriff Van der Donck 1 and Commissary
Van Curler, and the former so influenced public opinion that a strong pro-
test was drawn up against the Commissary, the signatures to which
were placed in a circle. This done, the colonists denounced Van
Curler bitterly, threatened to drive him from the colony, and even to
take his life, Van der Donck posing the meanwhile only as the conscr
vator of the welfare of the people.
To carry out his purpose of establishing an unlimited supply of goods
at his stores in Beverwyck and on Beeren Island, the patroon sent over
the ship " Arms of Rensselaerwyck " in September, 1043, with a cargo
of miscellaneous merchandise valued at 12,850 guilders, in the profits
of which the skipper, the supercargo and the pilot also had a personal
interest. This vessel arrived at Manhattan while Kieft was in great
trouble with the Indian war, and his soldiers were suffering for want of
sufficient clothing. He must have considered the ship a providential
interposition, for he promptly made a requisition on the supercargo for
fifty pairs of shoes, offering, however, payment in "silver, beavers,
or wampum, at such price as the supercargo might demand." But
this was not the purpose for which the cargo had been shipped, and the
ship's officer refused to sell the shoes. Thereupon the director and
council ordered the ship's cargo overhauled, and some guns and ammuni-
tion being found on board which were not named in the vessel's papers,
and which were also contraband by law, these with the ship were con-
fiscated. The vessel soon returned to Holland, whither also sailed Van
Curler to give account of his stewardship.
The Beeren Island fort was finally completed under direction of
' Adrian Van der Donck succeeded Jacob Albcrtsen Planck, as schoutfiscal or sheriff of Rens-
selaerwyck, the latter having been the first to hold this office.
->;
Nicolaus Coorn, "wacht meester " for the patroon, some cannon
mounted and a small garrison installed. Acting under direction of the.
patroon his subordinates now boldly imposed a toll of five guilders,
(about two dollars), which they claimed as a staple right on every trad-
ing craft passing, and, moreover, insisted that such craft should lower
their colors in honor of Rensselaer- Stein, which was asserting a sovereign
right by the patroon over a great natural highway.
In the summer of 1644 the yacht " Good Hope," Govert Loolcermans
master, sailed from Fort Orange for New Amsterdam, but on reaching
Beeren Island she was hailed and ordered to lower her colors. When
asked for whom, the commander replied, " For the staple right of
Rensselaerwyck. " The sturdy skipper knew no such master and with
an oath refused to strike his flag " for any individual save the Prince
of Orange and the lords his masters," whereupon Coorn fired several
shots at the vessel, one of which, according to the record, " perforated
our princely flag."
The excitement created at New Amsterdam by this incident may easily
be imagined, whither Coorn was at once summoned, and pleaded the
the authority of the patroon for his conduct. This, not justifying him.
he was condemned to pay damages and forbidden to repeat the offense
under penalty of corporal punishment, and he was also required to obtain
the patroon's approval of this sentence. The whole proceeding called
out from Attorney-General Van der Huygens a protest against the
workson Beeren Island as beyond any privilege granted to the patroon.
A fort there, cutting off free navigation, it was contended, would be
ruinous to the West India Company. It was also claimed that no
patroon could extend his colony more than eight miles along the banks
of the river on both sides, while this island was outside of that limit.
But this protest from Kieft's attorney-general made little impression
on Commander Coorn, who said:
As the Vice Commander of the honorable Van Rensselaer, I call on you, Cornelis
Van der Huygens, Attorney-General of New Netherland, not to presume to oppose
and frustrate my designs on Bear's Island, to defraud me in any manner, or to
cause me any trouble, as it has been the will of their High Mightinesses, the SI
General and the privileged West India Company, to invest my patroon and his heir
with the right to extend and fortify his " colonic, " and make it powerful in every re-
spect. If vou persist in so doing, I protest against the act of violence and assault
committed by the honorable Lords-Majors, which I leave them to settle, while this
undertaking has nothing else in view than to prevent the canker of
tering his " colonic."
28
The first patroon died in 1G4G, but his general policy was afterwards
continued by his executors. At the same time Sheriff Van der Donck
was superseded by Nicolaus Coorn, while in 1647 Kieft was succeeded
by Peter Stuyvesant. The Indian wars which had been a source of
so much trouble and loss to the southward, did not materially affect
Rensselaerwyck, throughout which a fair degree of prosperity and
growth prevailed, though at the time of Stuyvesant's arrival there
were only about a dozen houses in Beverwyck, with a small settle-
ment at Bethlehem, while a few " bouweries " were also cultivated on
the east side of the river opposite Fort Orange. Little had been done
in the Katskill region, it being substantially a wilderness from Fort
Orange to Manhattan.
The heir to the patroonship of Rensselaerwyck was Johannes Van
Rensselaer, a minor, whose interests devolved upon his uncle, Johannes
Van Wely, and Wouter Van Twiller, executors of the estate, who im-
mediately rendered fealty and homage to their High Mightinesses for the
' ' colonie " and in behalf of their ward. The immediate management of
the estate, however, was entrusted to Brant Arent Van Slechtenhorst, of
Nieukerke in Guilderlandt, who was appointed director of the colony,
president of the court of justice and superintendent of all the bouweries,
farms, mills and other property descending from the patroon. His
salary was 750 florins ($300) per annum, with a house, four cows, two
horses, eight acres of tillage and the same quantity of pasture land.
He was charged to maintain and defend the freedom and privileges of
the colony; to promote the interests and advance the settlement of
Beverwyck and its immediate neighborhood, and to acquire by purchase
the lands about Katskill, as some of the colonists were forming com-
panies to remove thither. He was ordered also to explore for minerals,
and to report in full to his superiors. His son, Gerrit, was to act as
schout-fiscal, at a salary of 600 florins, but served thus only two months,
when the office was merged in that of director.
New Netherlands now became the scene of a prolonged contest, with
Director-General Stuyvesant and Brant Van Slechtenhorst at the head
of the opposing factions. New Amsterdam had been and still was
jealous of the existence of the patroon colonies, considering them an-
tagonistic to rapid settlement, and efforts had, at an early period, been
made by the New Amsterdam authorities to induce the patroon to cede
to them his rights and possessions; failing in this they now determined
to circumscribe and restrict his field of operations as far as lay in their
29
power. Stuyvesant claimed to be supreme in the country, irrespective
of all feudal rights and privileges. Van Slechtenhorst's position may be
inferred ; he was there to protect the interests of the heir and would rec-
ognize no authority within his limits, other than that of his superiors < il-
legal representatives. He claimed that the director-general could issue
no order that would be obligatory upon him, unless it were endorsed and
countersigned by his commander and executed by the officers of his
court. An ante-climax was reached before Slechtenhorst had been in
office a month
A proclamation ordering the first Wednesday in May, 1648, to be
observed as a fast, was received from the director-general by the Rens-
selaerwyck authorities as an invasion of the rights of the lord of the
manor, and Van Slechtenhorst protested. This action touched Stuy-
vesant's pride as well as opposed his authority, and he visited the
" colonie " to put a stop to such proceedings, with his military escort,
being loyally greeted by a salvo of artillery from the patroon's ar-
tillery. His interview with Van Slechtenhorst was not very satis-
factory. When he accused the old Dutchman of infringing the
sovereignty of the Dutch West India Company, he was met with the
repty: "Your complaints are unjust; I have more reason to complain
on behalf of my patroon against you." Stuyvesant then put forth a
long protest, accusing Van Slechtenhorst with having conveyed lots
and authorized the erection of buildings in the immediate vicinity of
Fort Orange in disregard of the sovereign authority and in contempt
of the director-general's commission, and thus destroying the security
of the fort. He ordered, therefore, "in a friendly manner." that a
Stop should be put to all building operations within cannon range of
the fort, unless under orders of the Lords Majors; that no new
ordinances should issue that would affect the sovereign authority, or
relating to commerce or public welfare, without consent of their High
Mightinesses or their representative in New Netherland; that no ex-
clusive right to any branch of trade be rented, nor any grain, masts,
or other property belonging to the company's servants be seized, unless
in suits that should be prosecuted without delay. The inhabitants of
the colon}' of Rensselaerwyek had been compelled to sign a pledge
that as defendants they would not appeal to the Supreme Court of New
Netherland from judgments of the Court of Rensselaerwyek; this
practice was condemned by Stuyvesant as a "crime," an infraction of
the law of the land and a subversion of the charter. To abolish this
30
practice he insisted upon an annual return to the director and council
of all the proceedings in the colony court. Van Slechtenhorst was also
called upon to produce his authority from either the States-General or
the Chamber at Amsterdam. Failing in all this Van Slechtenhorst
would be protested against for disobedience of orders.
Van Slechtenhorst was a man of strong will and choleric temper;
moreover, he sincerely believed that the rights and privileges of his
young patroon were being trampled upon, the charter overridden and
the Lords-Majors insulted by Stuyvesant's demands. He promptly
answered protest by protest. He charged the director-general with
having ordered a day of fasting " contrary to ancient order and usage,
as if he were the lord of the patroon 's colonic " He accused the hi re-
lings of the company at the fort with cutting timber and firewood in
the patroon's forests without permission, "as if these were their own";
with having overrun the colony with people from Manhattan, "with
savages by their side to serve as brokers." trading publicly with the
Indians without license from the patroon or his agents and without
paying duties. He claimed the order to cease building within certain
limits near the fort had no justification, insisting that the patroon's
trading house stood "a few years ago" on the border of the moat sur-
rounding the fort; all that soil, he claimed, still belonged to the pa-
troon, who had not been disturbed thereon until Director Stuyvesant
now sought "by unbecoming means " to deprive "his orphan heir" of
his rights. And so the strife went on, increasing in vigor on both
sides.
Van Slechtenhorst was in the right as far as building near the fort
was involved, and that was, perhaps, the chief point at issue. The
pretense that buildings near the fort endangered it was folly. The
buildings referred to were more than five hundred rods from the fort,
and eight houses had already been built between them and the fort.
Van Slechtenhorst continued his improvement at Beverwyck, and an-
other protest came up from Manhattan warning him to stop or force
would be used to bring him to terms. But this only called out another
reply from Van Slechtenhorst, in which he asserted that no suit could
be begun, nor execution issued in. another district without consent of
the schout-liscal or court of that jurisdiction; therefore, the proceed-
ings were informal. It appears that Stuyvesant, who had claimed in
July that all territory within range of cannon shot belonged to Fort
( >range, now reduced the circle to the range of a musket ball, within
ol
which he purposed stopping- building, although, as the record states,
"he permits whole streets to be filled with houses in view of Fort Am-
sterdam." Fort Orange having been badly damaged by freshets in
the previous winter, the commissary of the West India Company re-
ceived orders to surround it with a wall instead of the former wooden
fence, but the work was scarcely begun when Van Slechtenhorst for-
bade Carl Van Brugge, "in an imperious manner," from quarrying stone
within the colony and from felling a tree for either timber or firewood.
The West India Company was thus deprived of actual necessities unless
they were humbly requested, or paid for at what the company called
"enormous prices." The work on the fort had to stop, while Van
Slechtenhorst continued building "even within pistol shot of Fort
Orange."
vStuyvesant now resolved to employ force to accomplish what he-
had thus far failed in. Six soldiers were sent up to Van Brugge's
aid, with orders to demolish a house built by Van Slechtenhorst; to
arrest that gentleman "in the most civil manner possible." and de-
tain him until he delivered over a copy of his commission and in-
structions. . He was finally summoned to Fort Amsterdam to answer
for his conduct. At the same time orders were issued prohibiting the
importation of guns into Rensselaerwyck without license from the
Lords-Majors; if any were imported they were to be sold only to the
West India Company at the price of two beavers each. Beverwyck
was excited when the armed posse arrived. Peace had ever reigned m
the little hamlet, and the only guns seen there were those which were
traded to the Indians for furs at a profit that made the thrift}' Dutch-
men smile. The invading army was small, to be sure, but when it
came with orders to demolish a dwelling and arrest the vice patroon,
excitement ran high. The record intimates that these soldiers were
not suited to their mission; that they were zealous when the patroon's
timber was to be cut or his deer killed, while they insulted the com-
mander " when walking the public street " in company with his deput) ,
Andries de Vos, cursing them because "they had not bade them {
evening. "
Stuyvesant had received from the inhabitants at Fori Orange and
from the Indians the abusive epithet of "Wooden Leg." Now, the
conduct of the six soldiers aroused the indignation of the Indians as
well as of the white settlers, and all gathered at Beverwyck and de-
manded to know if "Wooden Leg" intended to tear down the houses
32
which were built for their shelter in stormy weather. When they
learned that all the strife was over a few rods of land, they invited Van
Slechtenhorst to accompany them and they would give him plenty of
land in the " Maquaas country"; so, he says, "more kindness was
'evinced by the unbelieving savages than by our Christian, neighbors,
subjects of the same sovereign, bound by their oaths to protect us
against insult and outrage."
It will probably never be known how imminent was a savage out-
break at this time. It was natural that the Indians should favor the
interests of those with whom they had come in direct contact and from
whom they had received the much-prized guns and rum. When the six
soldiers fired a salute over what they were pleased to term a victory, the
Indians came together a second time and angrily inquired if " Wooden
Leg's" dogs were still there and nothing averted bloodshed but the assur-
ance of the inhabitants that the houses were not to be pulled down.
It is recorded that "the Director-General's rash conduct had well nigh
caused an outbreak, and the ruin, not only of the colony, but of the
Manhattans and of the Christians within this land, who are all at the
mercy of the savages."
Van Slechtenhorst now gave expression to his indignation at this
violent encroachment in another protest. In reply to the demand for
his commission, he called upon Stuyvesant for a written copy of his
demands and complaints. He eloquently portrayed the contempt of the
patroon and his court shown in Stuyvesant's demand, the illegality of
which was rendered the more flagrant by the unusual and insolent
manner in which it was made. "The noble patroon," said he, "had
obtained in his possessions and immunities, was invested by the States-
General with high and low jurisdiction and the police of the most priv-
ileged manors; and were he, as his agent, now so base as to crouch be-
fore the present unwarrantable proceedings, and to produce his com-
mission, before he had received orders to that effect from his lords and
masters, not only would they be injured, but he be guilty of a violation
of his oath and honor, a betrayal of his trust and a childish surrender
of the rights of his patroon." He fortified his position by saying that
some who had been guilty of similar infractions of law and custom in
the Fatherland " had often been apprehended, and condemned to bread
and water for the space of five or six weeks ; yea, were sometimes brought
to the block." As justification for his order forbidding cutting timber
he asked, " Is the patroon not master on his own land? Is he not free
to cut his timber as well as his corn, and can he not arrest these, when
cut by others without his permission?"
The response from Stuyvesant was again a long dissertation upon his
authority and his rights. His power, he maintained, " extended to the
colony of Rensselaerwyck, as 'well as to the other colonies. " Orders
were sent to his workmen to hasten the repairs of the fort, and to pro-
cure timber for the purpose anywhere in New Netherland, to quarry
stone wherever they could be found, excepting upon farms and planta-
tions which were fenced and cultivated. The " ancient and uninter-
rupted use of the gardens and fields near the fort " was to be strictly
held and the destruction of buildings thereon to be proceeded with.
Van Slechtenhorst was summoned to New Amsterdam, as stated, and
it was claimed that he could have obeyed the summons without difficulty,
as "the river remained open, the winter pleasant, and several vessels
sailed up and down during the whole month of November." But to
place the whole responsibility upon Van Slechtenhorst's shoulders, the
summons was now renewed and the commander peremptorily ordered
to appear at Fort Amsterdam on the 4th of April following, to hear the
complaint against him.
It is claimed that the colonists at Beverwyck and Van wSlechtenhorst
himself cared little for the mere land in dispute near Fort Orange, but
that the commander was strenuous in clinging to what he believed to
be the rights and dignity of the patroon, while the settlers were merely
exercising what they contended was their right to locate near the fort
for better security. On the other hand the claim to the land <>n which
stood Fort Orange was absurd, for the fort was built and garrisoned by
the West India Company fifteen years before there was a Rensselaer-
wyck; and, moreover, that company had up to 1G44 an exclusive mo-
nopoly of the fur trade, which it intended to reclaim " whenever it
shall be able to provide its magazines with a sufficient store of goods."
Van Slechtenhorst never ceased his operations in Rensselaerwyck in
the interest of the patroon. He extended its limits by the purchase of
more lands to the southward from the Mohegans, acquired in 1648 the
tract called Paponicuck for goods of trifling value and in the same
spring, the events of which have just been recorded, purchased Kats-
kill and Claverack. Meanwhile Van Twiller on the other side of the
ocean was boldly claiming the monopoly of the traffic of the upper Hud-
son, and publishing his determination to allow no vessels to pass Beeren
Island or to trade near Rensselaerwyck. He went farther than Van
5
34
Slechtenhorst and asserted that Fort Orange was built on the patroon's
territory, and that not even the West India Company could grant the
right to build houses or trade near by. In short, feudal privileges in
the broadest sense of the term were claimed by the patroon's agents.
The director now determined to enforce his sovereign right and sent
orders to remove all obstructions to free navigation of the river and to
free trade at Fort Orange. If passage of the river was interfered with
by arms, the guns were ordered seized; if tolls of any kind were ex-
acted on any river, island or harbor, within the company's territory, to
the injury of trade, they were to be opposed and abolished, by force if
necessary. Already Van Slechtenhorst had granted a few leases for
land at Katskill. The director refused to recognize his pretensions in
thai direction, as the land had already been granted to another. Stuy-
vesant protested against these leases and announced his purpose of op-
posing encroachment in that region. To this action the Rensselaer-
wyck authorities demurred, insisting that they were only fulfilling in-
structions from their superiors in Holland. They requested the direc-
tor-general to defer action until they could communicate with their
superiors, pledging that meanwhile no settlement should be made on
the disputed territory.
A petition was sent to the States-General from New Netherland ask-
ing for a burgher government (which was secured in 1653); freedom
from customs, tenths and other burdens, the abolition of the export
duty on tobacco, and other commercial reforms. This action may have
been inspired by the fact that the New England colonies paid no cus-
toms duties, but they were assessed directly for all government pur-
poses. The only tax paid in New Netherland was upon tapsters, and
that was returned to them by their patrons, while any individual could
own as much wine or beer as he pleased free of excise. All the papers in
this connection were turned over to a committee which reported April
11, 1050, recommending a liberal policy, the remedying of all griev-
ances, and promising the recall of Stuyvesant. The patroons were to
be compelled to " settle their colonists in the form of villages; the Nine
Men were to be given broader judicial functions; the patroons or their
agents, and delegates from the commonalty, were to choose represent-
atives in the council, and a judicial system was to be established."
In 1651 a call for a subsidy from Rensselaerwyck inaugurated an-
other collision with the government at New Amsterdam ; the latter had
already demanded the excise on liquors in the patroon's territory, and
35
been refused. It was justly set forth that the patroon had paid from
his own resources the salaries of the minister and other servants and
paid the general expenses of settlement of the colony. In June, 1650,
these amounted to the equivalent of more than $10,000, which was the
ground for refusing further contribution. The commander, Van Slech-
tenhorst, was authorized by the people to proceed to New Amsterdam
and protest against the payment demanded. He arrived there late in
April, L651, and met his opponent, Stuyvesant. Both were unyield-
ing. After they separated and before Van Slechtenhorst had finished
his dinner, he was summoned before the director-general and council.
Upon his appearance sentence was pronounced upon him, his conduct,
especially regarding the Katskill settlement, being strongly con-
demned. The commander was not abashed and demanded if a man
was to be condemed unheard. The answer was his prompt arrest, i U
was detained there four months, during which he protested against his
confinement and the Rensselaerwyck authorities repeatedly asked for
his release. He finally escaped to Fort Orange on a sloop, guarantying
the skipper against harm for carrying him. The skipper was fortunate
in his guaranty, for on his return he was fined two hundred and fifty
guilders and his vessel was held.
Thus the struggle had continued three years since Stuyvesant set up
his claim for separate jurisdiction for Fort Orange, independent of
Rensselaerwyck; and still the matter was unsettled. As the gun shot
limits, finally estimated by him to be one hundred and fifty rods, in-
cluded the hamlet of Beverwyck, which was constantly becoming more
populous, that settlement would be severed from the remainder of the
colony, and as this would inevitably give the West India Company prac-
tical control of the fur trade, it will be seen that the outcome <>!' the
matter was of much importance to the patroon 's colonists.
While this controversy was at its height, Jean Baptiste Van Rens-
selaer, the first of that family who is known to have visited this coun-
try, was elected one of the magistrates, and soon afterward an order was
issued that all the freemen should take an oath <»f allegiance to the
patroon. Troubles of minor character continued. On a New Year's
night several soldiers armed with matchlocks came out of the tort and
fired a number of shots at the patroon's house, upon the root" of which
the gun wadding fell and the dwelling would have been destroyed hut for
the efforts of the inmates. The next day the younger Slechtenhorst
was assaulted by soldiers in the street, who beat him and dragged him
36
through the mud, in presence of the company's commissary, Johannes
Dyckman, who encouraged the assault by crying out: " Let him have
it now, and the devil take him! " Philip Pietersen Schuyler, son-in-law
of the elder Slechtenhorst, endeavored to save the young man, where-
upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened to run Schuyler through
if he interfered. Other members of the commander's family were in-
sulted and beaten by the soldiers. When friends of the family threat-
ened revenge, Dyckman ordered the fort guns charged with grape and
threatened to fire upon the patroon's house. At this juncture Stuyvesant
sent up some placards relating to the Fort Orange limits, which he
ordered published in the colony. With these Dyckman, six others,
and three soldiers, armed with guns and pistols, repaired to the house
where the magistrates were sitting and commanded Van Slechtenhorst
to make a minute of what was to be required. As it was contrary to the
law for any man to enter another's jurisdiction with an armed body,
without consent of the local authorities, this movement on Dyckman 's
part was protested against by the commander, who ordered Dyckman
to leave the room. He retired, but came back with a larger force and
demanded that the placards should be published throughout the colony
by the sound of the bell. "It shall not be done so long as we have a
drop of blood in our veins, nor until we receive orders from their High
Mightinesses and our honored masters," exclaimed the court. Dyck-
man now proceeded to the fort and ordered the bell to be rung three
times; he then returned to the patroon's court house, ascended the
steps with his followers and directed his deputy to proclaim the placards,
while the excited burghers gathered around. As the deputy was about
to obey, Van Slechtenhorst rushed forward and tore the placards from
his hands, " so that the seals fell on the ground." When the news of
these occurrences reached New Amsterdam, Stuyvesant sent another
placard to Dyckman, again defining the jurisdiction of Fort Orange to
extend to a circumference of six hundred paces from the fort, and con-
tinuing as follows :
In order that no man shall plead ignorance, we further charge our Commissary,
after publication hereof, to erect on the aforesaid limits, north, south and west of the
aforesaid fortress, a post, marked with the Company's mark, and to affix, on a board
nailed thereto, a copy hereof.
Within those bounds it was ordered that no house should be built,
unless authorized by the director and council, or their agents. This
illegal act, which violated rights of property as well as the charter of
37
1029, separated forever the settlement of Beverwyck from Van Rens-
selaer's colony. The patroon's officials ordered the obnoxious posts
removed at once, protesting "before Almighty God and the States-
General against all open force and violence, and insisting on reparation
for all losses and damages which might accrue or be caused thereby.''
The patroon's court on the some day drew up another protest " against
the unbecoming pretensions and attacks of the Director and Council of
New Netherland," denying again the authority of the latter and insist-
ing that the settlers on the manor had never sworn allegiance to the
company, and much less to Stuyvesant, and owned no masters but the
States General and their own immediate superiors. In return this
document was declared by the director and council " a libellous cal-
umny."
The vexatious question of jurisdiction now came up in another form.
A negress, the property of Sander Leendertsen Glen, was charged with
theft and caused several "decent persons" to be prosecuted as receiv-
ers of the stolen goods. Her arrest being ordered, Dyckman proceeded
to execute his warrant, but her master refused to surrender her that
evening, upon which Dyckman informed him that he had power to send
him and all his family to jail, and to pull his house down about his
ears, "as it was erected on the Company's soil." Glen replied that In-
had nothing to do with Dyckman, and said, "I cannot serve a new
master until I am discharged from the one I live under." Dyckman
now threatened (Men with the wrath of Stuyvesant, when Glen retorted
that he would fare as well with the director as with Dyckman. There-
upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened the burgher with death.
while the latter caught up a club with which to defend himself. Next
morning Glen was placed under arrest in the fort. Rumors were now-
circulated that Stuyvesant was soon to visit Beverwyck and Dyckman
asserted that a new gallows was to be erected for Van Slechtenhorst,
his son and young Van Rensselaer.
But Stuyvesant was busy at New Amsterdam in ridding himself of
the last of his opponents there, in the person of Attorney General Van
Dyck. This official had been ill treated by Stuyvesant from the time
of his appointment and excluded from the colony for two years. Later
he was charged with menial duties and otherwise humiliated. In
the same spring of the year a lampoon appeared directed toward
Stuyvesant, and Van Dyck was charged with being its author. The
Council was called together to consider the momentous matter and
38
actually adopted a resolution dismissing Van Dyck from office "on ac-
count of the multitude of his misdemeanors and connivances." While
it was claimed that this proceeding had the sanction of the Nine Men,
they repudiated it, declaring that it was adopted wholly on Stuy-
vesant's authority and that they were not aware of any complaints
against Van Dyck. Cornelius Van Tienhoven was appointed to the
office, while Carl Van Brugge succeeded Van Tienhoven as provincial
secretary. Van Dyck defended himself by a written accusation against
Stuyvesant in which he bitterly condemned the director and denounced
the appointee to the office as the perjured secretary, a reproach to the
country and the main scourge of both Christians and heathens, "with
whose sensualities the Director himself has been always acquainted."
.Stuyvesant now turned his attention to Van Slechtenhorst. For
this purpose he visited Fort Orange and called the authorities of Rens-
selaerwyck together to define what they claimed as their boundaries.
The director expressed his consent to allow them four miles on one
side or two miles on both sides of the river, but warned them against
claiming more. They replied that they had no authority to act in the
premises and again asked for delay until they could communicate with
Holland, which was granted. The question of supremacy over Bevcr-
wyck was not so readily disposed of. Sergeant Litschoe and a squad
of soldiers approached the door of the patroon's house and ordered
Van Slechtenhorst to lower the patroon's Mag, and upon his refusal
"fourteen soldiers armed with loaded muskets, entered the enclosure,
and, after firing a volley, hauled down the lord's colors." This
high-handed act was followed by a proclamation from .Stuyvesant
erecting at Fort Orange a Court of Justice for the village of Beverwyck
and its dependencies, apart from and independent of that of Rensse-
laerwyck. The placard bearing this proclamation was posted on the
court house and immediately torn down by Van Slechtenhorst, who at
the same time posted another card asserting the patroon's rights and
denouncing those of the opposition, which was torn down by inmates of
the fort. Stuyvesant's proclamation erecting the court was dated April
10, H;f>2, and authorized the first legal tribunal in what is now Albany
county. (See chapter on the Bench and Bar.)
And now, after four years of strife and vain struggle against powers
that were two strong for him, Van Slechtenhorst's term of power drew
near its close. Nine armed soldiers forcibly entered his dwelling and
without showing authority for their act, dragged him out, a prisoner, and
39
took him to the fort " where neither his children, his master nor his
friends were allowed to speak to him, and his furs, his clothes, and his
meat were left hanging to the door posts." Taken on board a sloop he
was conveyed to New Amsterdam, " to be tormented, in his siekness
and old age, with unheard-of and insufferable prosecutions by those
serving" a Christian government, professing the same religion, and
living under the same authority." He was succeeded in his official
position by Jan Baptiste Van Rensselaer, with Gerrit Swart as sheriff
(schout-fiscaal) of Rensselaerwyck.
When information of Stuyvesant's operations reached the patroon
and his partners, they sent to the Amsterdam Chamber a long remon-
strance, of which the following is the substance:
1st, That the Director-General had dared to intrude in their colony, and had
commissioned the patroon's flag to be hauled down.
2d, That he had caused timber to be cut on the complainants lands without
cither their knowledge or their permission.
3d, That he had claimed for the West India Company the right of jurisdiction
and property over all the land within a circumference of 15(1 rods of Fort Orange,
where he had erected a court of justice, notwithstanding the soil had been purchased
from the right owners by the patroon, with the jurisdiction thereunto belonging,
whereby the colonists were reduced to a state of dependency, absolved from their
oaths, " transformed from freemen to vassals, and incited to disregard their former
solemn compacts and their lord and master."
4th, He had, moreover, discharged Sheriff Swart from his oath of office, and
obliged him to swear allegiance to the Company ;
5th, Demanded copies of all the rolls, protocols, judgments, resolutions and papers
relative to the colony and its affairs;
<ith, Ordered his Commissary to force Van Slechtenhorst's house, and to toll the
bell at the publication of his illegal placards;
7th, Arrested by force and arms the Director of the Colony, had him convey* 'I
to the Manhattans, where he illegally detained him in custody;
8th, Taxed the colony to swell the Company's revenues, licensed those who quit
the patroon's service to sell articles of contraband to the savages, and, in addition to
the exaction of the tithes, had raised a tax by farming out the excise on wines and
beers, " thus, in every respect and everywhere using violence and infringing rights,
jurisdictions and pre-eminences, apparently determined to take our goods and blood,
contrary to all laws, human and divine; declaring, over and above all this, that lit-
is continued in his administration solely in the hope and consideration that before
his departure he should ruin this colony."
The document closed with avowals of their intention to maintain and
preserve their rights and privileges, and demanding that if their op-
ponents thought they had just cause of complaint, they should appear
in any court and make good their claims
40
The reply by the directors was vague and unsatisfactory, and, there-
fore, the patroon and his friends addressed a memorial directly to their
High Mightinesses, the States-General, demanding justice for their
cause. After some delay a reply was received referring to a part of the
charges against Stuyvesant, and denying all knowledge of many of
them; they knew nothing of the insult to the patroon's flag, of his
colonists having" been released from their oaths, of his lots being taken
from him, or of the establishment of a court at Fort Orange. As to
cutting timber, it was taken from so limited a section that no one was
injured, while the claim that the jurisdiction of Fort Orange had been
extended was without foundation, as that jurisdiction was fixed "before
the colony of Rensselaerwyck was granted." Gerrit Swart, it was held,
had not been discharged from his oath to the patroon, but was simply
compelled to take a second oath to the company. The demand for the
rolls and other papers was authorized by the charter, and as Van
Slechtenhorst would not toll the bell for publication of the placards,
it was clear that some other person had to do it, while his arrest was
justified as a necessary disciplinary measure. Authorizing the sale of
arms to the Indians was admitted.
On the heels of this attempt at justification of all their acts, the di-
rectors for the company now assumed the offensive and presented to
the Amsterdam government counter-charges against the Rensselaerwyck
authorities, rehearsing all the stock complaints with which the reader
is now familiar. They had exceeded their limits ; had unlawfully ex
tended their trade along the North River; had refused passage to ves-
sels by a " certain house called Rensselaers- Stein ;" had exacted seven
per cent, duty on each beaver and five per cent, on other goods, " en-
forcing these pretensions with cannon shot, which they discharged into
yachts which refused to come to;" they had endeavored " by perverse
machinations " to possess themselves of Fort Orange, and when un-
able to accomplish this purpose, illegally leased lots in its vicinity for
the building of houses thereon ; had forbidden colonists to move within
the company's limits on pain of corporal punishment, confiscation of
property and banishment; or to cut wood for the inhabitants of Fort
Orange. They had declined to furnish records of their proceedings or
judgments, or to make returns of writs of appeal; to publish placards;
and, above all, the oath which the colonists were compelled to take was
"seditious and mutinous," for no notice " is taken therein, either of
their High Mightinesses or of the company." Continuing thus:
ISAAC W. YOSBIKGH.
41
From all which flow, as a natural consequence, an insolent and overbearing de-
meanor, on the part of their commanders, to their inhabitants; insufferable protests,
injuries, menaces, disputes and provocations against the Company's ministers; and,
lastly, a general disobedience of all the Company's commands and ordinances, to
such a degree that they would not permit the Director and Council to proclaim even
a day of prayer in the colony in the same manner as in other parts of New Nether-
land.
It will be seen from the foregoing that it was the same old difficulty
and although from this distance it seems somewhat insignificant and
largely fought on paper, it was, nevertheless, in those times and to
those people a struggle of serious import.
The Fort Orange limits were still undetermined in 1654, and again
Stuyvesant called on the agents of the patroon to fix on their " point of
departure," so that he might allow them the charter stipulation of four
miles on one side or two miles on both sides of the river, "without the
limits of Fort Orange." The settlement of this matter was further de-
layed for instructions from Holland. Fresh fuel was about this time
added to the old fire by an order from Stuyvesant to his Fort Orange
court to collect the duties on all wines, beers, and spirituous liquors
sold at retail "within a circuit of 1,000 rods of the fort." The area in
dispute was extending, and the colony was thus to be deprived of a very
important source of revenue. Counter orders were given by the pa-
troon's officers for the tapsters to refuse to pay the duties, as the gen-
eral government had defrayed none of the local expenses.
By this time Commissary Dyckman had become insane, as his pre-
vious conduct would seem to have foreshadowed, and he was succeeded
in office byjohannesde Decker, vice-director, "to preside in Fort < >range
and village of Beverwyck, in the Court of Justice of the Commissaries
aforesaid, to administer all the affairs of police and justice, as circum-
stances may require, in conformity with the instructions given by the
Director-General and Council, and to promote these for the best service
of the country and the prosperity of the inhabitants."
To enforce the collection of the liquor duties alluded to, tin- director
and council issued orders for the arrest of the tapsters. The new offi-
cial, De Decker, accordingly invited one of them to his house and there
made him prisoner. Officer and prisoner occupied the same bed the
ensuing night, but through the connivance of the soldier guard, the
tapster escaped the next morning and proceeded to the house of the
patroon. De Decker followed and ordered his return to the fort.
which was refused. The other tapsters now armed themselves and
42
joined in the common cause. Just as the vice- director was preparing
to execute the orders of arrest by force, John B. Van Rensselaer came
forward and volunteered to go to Manhattan and arrange the matter
satisfactorily. To avoid possible bloodshed De Decker agreed to this :
but a few days later another order reached him to send down the taps-
ters without delay. He now proceeded to the dwellings of the offend-
ers with an armed squad, where he was met by Van Rensselaer and
others whom he summoned in the name of the director and council to
accompany him to the fort. All the tapsters referred the officer to
Van Rensselaer, who again pledged himself to produce the tapsters
whenever required. Van Rensselaer now went to New Amsterdam
and protested against the course pursued by the government, going-
over all the old ground and adding such new complaints as came to his
mind. However, to prevent further disturbance he would submit to
the payment of the excise under protest, but would not accede to the
payment of the tenths demanded, unless the director and council would
refund the money if a decision against them was ultimately given.
This remonstrance and proposal were pronounced frivolous by the
director and council: their "high office and quality would not permit
them to stoop so low as to enter the lists with their subjects and vas-
sals, much less to answer their frivolous and unfounded protests with
a pusillanimous diffidence." Their duty was rather " to correct such
absurd assertions, and to punish the offenders," wherefore, as an ex-
ample, the protestor was fined twenty guilders. They informed Van
Rensselaer that his colonists were bound equally with other settlers in
the province to contribute to the public revenue, and the excise due,
amounting to fifteen hundred guilders, must be paid, with all damages
accrued from the delay. The tapsters must, moreover, submit to the
periodical guaging of their liquors as often as required, and as John
Baptiste Van Rensselaer was to blame for the resistance of the tavern
keepers, he was commanded to give a bond of 3,000 guilders for the
appearance of the "contumacious tavern keepers," or otherwise to
remain at Manhattan under arrest. The council also insisted on the
payment of the tithes (tenths), but a stipulated sum would be ac-
cepted from Mr. Van Rensselaer in lieu of these until instructions could
be received from Holland. Other items in Van Rensselaer's remon-
strance were denied in general terms by the director and council, from
whom a proclamation was at once issued ordering all the towns and
colonies in the province not to remove their crops until the tenths were
43
paid to the company's commissaries. When this document reached the
Rensselaerwyck authorities they refused to publish it.
At about this time some of the tapsters who had been guarantied
against loss by Mr. Van Rensselaer, proceeded to Manhattan and were
there fined, one two hundred and another eight hundred guilders; both
of these fines were subsequently made good by the patroon. The ques-
tion of payment of tenths was not finally setted until 1658, when the
colony compounded for them by the annual payment of three hundred
schepels of wheat.
Father Isaac Jogues, one of the Jesuit missionaries mentioned in an
earlier chapter, had labored among the Mohawks for three or four years
during the period treated in the foregoing pages, but was treachemuslv
murdered by the Indians in October, 1646. This chapter may In-
appropriately closed with his written description of Fort Orange and
Rensselaerwyck.
There are two things in this settlement . . : 1st, a wretched little fort, called
Fort Orange, built of stakes, with four or five pieces of cannon of Breteuil and as
many swivels. This has been reserved, and is maintained by the West India Com-
pany. This fort was formerly on an island in the river; it is now on the mainland
towards the Iroquois, a little above the said island, 2d, a colony sent here from
Rensselaer, who is the patroon. This colony is composed of about 100 persons, who
reside in some twenty or thirty houses built along the river, as each one found it
most convenient. In the principal house resides the patroon's agent. The minister
has his apart, in which service is performed. There is also a kind of bailiff who ad-
ministers justice. All their houses are merely of boards and thatched. As yet there
is no mason work, except the chimneys. The forests furnish many large pines, they
make boards by means of their mills, which they have for the purpose. They found
some pieces of ground all ready, which the savages had already prepared, and in
which they sow wheat and oats for their beer and horses, of which they have a great
stock. There is little land fit for tillage, being crowded by hills, which are a bad
soil. This obliges them to be separated one from the other, and they occupy already
two or three leagues of territory. Trade is free to all. This gives the Indians all
things cheaper, each of the Hollanders outbidding, and being satisfied, provided he
can gain some little profit.
44
CHAPTER VI.
Important changes were now imminent. Jeremias Van Rensselaer
succeeded his brother, Jan Baptiste, as director of the colony in I65K
and during the succeeding sixteen years conducted its affairs with dis-
cretion and justice as far as he was able. He fostered the amicable
relations of the settlers with the Indians, and gained a large influence
with the French who were then firmly establishing themselves to the
northward, thus laying the foundation of those conditions that in later
years averted many of the disastrous consequences of the war between
France and England. Stuyvesant's use of power had been just what
might have been foreseen from a man of his attributes and sentiments.
He was a stickler for the law, his rights and his dignity. To his mind all
power lay in the executive, and on every occasion he checked the lean-
ings of the Dutch towards that partial freedom which they craved and
to which they had been accustomed at home. He denied the right of
the people to assemble for the propagation of measures for the protec-
tion of public liberty. " Magistrates alone, and not all men," he con-
tended " are authorized so to assemble. We derive our authority from
God and the Company, not from a few ignorant subjects, and we alone
can call the people together." He thus assumed power and authority
which he could not maintain.
Since 1654 English encroachments upon the Dutch, dating almost
from the landing on Plymouth Rock, had constantly advanced. Con-
necticut was consolidated in April, 1662, under a charter confirming
the system already established. This charter came from Charles II
soon after his restoration, and defined boundaries and enlarged privileges.
In March, 1664, this sovereign granted a patent to his brother James,
Duke of York and Albany, for a large part of the present State of
Maine, with Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Long Island, and the
territory from the west side of the Connecticut River to the east side
of Delaware Bay. Stuyvesant resisted the pretensions of the English
as long as he was able, but was finally forced to accept a compromise
embodying mutual forbearance and freedom for both the English and
the Dutch towns respectively from interference from either government.
45
This merely strengthened the claim which England had never onc<
linquished and left her in possession of all she had thus far gained.
In April, L664, a fleet of four ships, with a force of three to four
hundred men, under command of Col. Richard Nicolls, acting as lien-
tenant-governor for the duke, sailed for New England. Nicolls was
accompanied by wSir Robert Carr, Sir George Cartwright, and Samuel
Maverick, commissioned to settle all the New England difficulties, and
to take possession of the Dutch province and reduce its inhabitants t,,
obedience. Arriving in Boston in July, the expedition sailed thence
a month later for New Amsterdam. When the English (lag ship sailed
up the beautiful bay, Stuyvesant was at Fort Orange. He hastened
down the river and on the 29th sent a deputation to Nicolls demanding
an explanation of his intentions. These he very soon learned. New
Amsterdam was practically defenseless against the invasion and surren-
dered on the 8th of September, and Stuyvesant returned to Holland in
the following year.
While warring with the Indians, vainly endeavoring to subjugate
Connecticut, resisting the claims of the patroon of Rensselaerwvck and
quarreling with his immediate officers, Stuyvesant had been steadily
sacrificing his own welfare and tenure of office. Nothing now remained
for the English but to take possession, and the colonial interests
of Holland in the New World substantially ceased. When Stuyvesanl
came into power in 1647 the population of New Netherland was only
about 1,000, a falling off of about 2,000 due to Kieft's folly, while the
New England colonies had increased in the preceding five years to nearly
ii0,000. They came slowly on toward Manhattan, though more rapidly
than the increase of the Dutch, and began the work that culminated in
American freedom a hundred years later.
The province now had a population of full L0,000. New Amsterdam
was given the name it has since borne— New York, while Fort Amster-
dam was called Fort James. A trifling effort was made to resist the
English on the upper Hudson, Johannes de Decker having come up the
river and endeavored to persuade the garrison at Fort < Grange to refuse
to surrender, but was unavailing. While the settlers were satisfied
with their trade and their farms, they did not like the previous gov-
ernment and its opposition to the patroon. They were ready for a
change. On the 10th of September Nicolls sent Sir George Cartwright
with a small company ot soldiers to Fort < 'range with the following
orders ;
46
To the present Deputy Governor or the magistrates ami inhabitants of Ffort
A urania:
These are to will and require you and every of you to bee ayding and assisting
Col. George Cartwright in the prosecution of his Majesty's interest against all such
of what nation so-ever as shall oppose the peaceable surrender and quiet possession
of the ffort Aurania, and to obey him, the said George Cartwright, according to such
instructions as I have given him in case of the Mohawks or other Indians shall at-
tempt anything against the lives, goods or chattels of those who are now under the
protection and obedience of his Majesty of Great Brittaine; wherefore you nor any
of you are to fayle as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perills.
Given under my hand and seal att Ffort James in New Yorke on Manhattans
Island, this 10th day of September, 1664. R. Nkoi.j.s.
This document was presented to the vice- director, John de la Mon-
tague, on the 24th of that month, who quietly surrendered the fort,
and names of Beverwyck and Fort Orange at once gave way to Al-
bany, while the fort was manned by English soldiers with Capt. John
Manning in command. Dirck Van Schelluyne, who had held the office
for Beverwyck, was made clerk of the Court of Albany which Stuy-
vesant has established, and Jeremias Van Rensselaer took the oath of
allegiance to King Charles II of England and the proprietor, James.
Governor Nicolls reorganized the government himself, calling a con-
vention for the purpose at Hempstead in March, 1065.
Upon this change in the government some difficulty was met in ob-
taining a patent for Rensselaer manor from the duke. Mr. Van Rens-
selaer was counseled by influential friends to take out a patent in his
own name, he being qualified as a British subject to hold real estate.
To his honor it is recorded that he rejected the offer, for he was only
co-heir and would not thus defraud his brothers and sisters. He was
a man of great industry and high intelligence, and it was he who com-
municated to Holland an account of various occurrences in this countr)r
under the name of the " New Netherland Mercury." He died on the
L2th of October, 1684.
On the 7th of August, 1073, a fleet of twenty-three Dutch ships in need
of wood and water, anchored just below Staten Island, the fleet being
under command of Commodores Cornelius Evertsen and Jacob Benckes.
Before such a fleet Manhattan Island was apparently defenseless, infor-
mation of which fact was conveyed to the vessels by the Dutch inhabi-
tants. The port was then under command of Capt. John Manning,
captain of an independent company, who on the 9th communicated to
the fleet a proposal to surrender, whereupon the vessels sailed up the
harbor, anchored under the fort, landed their crews, and entered the
47
works without the firing of a shot on either side. For this surrender
Manning was afterwards tried and condemned.1
On the 12th of August the commodores organized a council of war
consisting of Capts. Anthony Colve, Nicholas Boes, and Abraham Ferd.
Van Zyll. In the next month Captain Colve was appointed temporary
governor and the fleet proceeded to its destination. The inhabitants
rejoiced, but only for a short time, for while Colve was hurriedly re-
storing the Dutch system, his government came to an abrupt close.
New Netherland was conceded to the English by the peace of West-
minster, March G, 1674, and in June a new patent was issued to the
Duke of York. On the 11th of July Colve officially announced that he
must surrender the province on a duly authorized demand. Articles
of capitulation were signed September 7; Fort Orange surrendered
October 5, and the Dutch and Swedes on South River capitulated Octo-
ber 12, and on the 10th of November Colve formally gave " New Nether-
lands and dependencies " over to "Governor Major Edmund Andros,
on behalf of His Brittanic Majesty."2
The administration of Andros was exceedingly unpopular. When a
demand was made for popidar assemblies, the Duke of York wrote
Andros that such assemblies were dangerous, and when he attempted
to force upon the colonists a law of his own manufacture establishing
the customs rate for three years, his subjects were bitterly incensed,
and on the expiration of this law the merchants refused to pay further
duties. The Duke of York was now fearful that the expenses of the
colony would come out of his own purse and sent out Colonel Don-
gan as governor, with power to convene a General Assembly, which
met at Fort James (New York) October 17, 1683, Dongan having
arrived in August. The first act of this assembly was entitled " Char-
ter of Liberties and Privileges granted by His Royal Highness to the
Inhabitants of New York and its dependencies." which was a step on-
ward in the march of important events. The charter, in reality, '•burst
the shell of feudalism," and set forth the rights for which the Dutch
and English colonists had striven for nearly half a century. The death
of the king raised doubt in Governor Dongan's mind as to the legality
of the first assembly, and he therefore issued writs for the election ol a
new one, but King James II, however, abolished the General Assembly
1 The voluminous papers relating to this trial may be found in Vol. mi oi Documentary His-
tory, pp. so 99.
* See Vol. Ill, Doe. History, pp. 67-7:.
48
June HI, 1686. Among other similar warrants for the assembly of 1683
was one which "ordered that the Sheriff of Albany and Raneelaers
Colony cause the freeholders to meet and choose two persons to be
their representatives in the General Assembly, to be holden at the City
of New York, October ye 17th, 1683." This warrant was served by
Richard Pretty, an Englishman, who was sheriff from October, 1680,
to March, L691. He died in 1695.
Among the acts passed by the assembly was one "To divide this
province and dependencyes into shires and countyes " "for the better
governing and setling the courts in the same." It was also enacted
" that there shall be yearly and every year, an High Sherriffe consti-
tuted and commissionated for each county, and that each Sherriffe may
have his Under Sherriffe Deputy or Deputyes. " The act divided the
province into twelve counties, one of which was Albany county. The
act recites :
The County of Albany to contains the Towns of Albany, the Colony Reuslaerwyck,
Schenecteda, and all the villages, neighborhoods, and Christian Plantacons on the
rast side of Hudson river from Roeloef Jansen's Creeke, and on the west side from
Sawver's Creeke to the Sarraghtoga.
It will be seen that this was a vast county, as originally erected. It
embraced all the territory lying north of Ulster and west of the Hudson
River, taking in nearly the whole State; and north of Dutchess on the
east side of the Hudson, including what is now the State of Vermont.
That State and the fifty counties of New York State, excepting Put-
nam, Sullivan, Rockland, and a part of Greene and Delaware, were
formed from the territory of the original Albany county. The erection
of these various counties has already been described in an earlier chap-
ter.
At the first the county had no towns with corporate limits. Albany
was chartered by Governor Dongan under date of July 32, L686, We
quote from that charter:
That the said city of Albany, and the compass, precincts and limits thereof, and
the jurisdiction of the same, shall from henceforth extend and reach itself, and
shall and may be able to reach forth and extend itself, as well in length and in
breadth, as in circuit, on the east by Hudson's River, so far as low water mark :
to the south, by a line to be drawn from the southernmost end of the pasture at
the north end of the said island, called Martin Gerritsen's island, running back
into the woods sixteen English miles due northwest to a certain kill or creek
called the Sandhill; on the north, to a line to be drawn from the post that was
set by Gov. Stuyvesant, near Hudson's River, running likewise northwest sixteen
49
English miles; and on the west, by a straight line to be drawn from the posit'n of
the said south and north lines.
From Governor Dongan's report to the English Board of Trade mack'
in 1687, we take the following:
The town of Albany lyes within the Ranslaers' Colony; and, to sav the truth, the
Ranslaers had the right to it, for it was they settled the place, and upon a petition
of one of them to our present King, about Albany, the petitioner was referred to
his Majesty's council at law, who, upon a perusal of the Ranslaers' papers, made
their return that it was their opinion that it did belong to them. The town itself is
upon a barren sandy spot of land, and the inhabitants live wholly upon trade with
the Indians. I got the Ranslaers to release their pretence to the town and sixteen
miles into the country for commons to the King, with liberty to cut firewood within
the colony for one and twenty years. After I had obtained this release of the Rans-
laers I passed the patent for Albany.
Regarding the fort at Albany he wrote in the same report as fol-
lows :
At Albany there is a fort made of pine trees fifteen foot high & built over with
Hatterys and conveniences made for men to walk about, where are nine guns, small
arms for forty men, four Barils of powder with great and small Shott in proportion.
The Timber & Boards being rotten were renewed this year. In my opinion it
were better that fort were built up of Stone & Lime which will not be double the
charge of this years repair which yet will not last above 6 or 7 years before it will
require the like again whereas on the contrary were it built of Lime & Stone it mav
be far more easily maintained, And truly its very necessary to have a Fort there,
it being a frontier place both to the Indians and ffrench.
At a session of the Council held at New York city October 1, 1691,
there was enacted a second " Bill for dividing this province and de-
pendancyes into shires and countyes," which was principally in con-
firmation of the first. In reference to Albany county, "the town of
Albany" was omitted; " Mannor of Ranslaerwyck " was substituted
for the "Collony of Ranslaerwyck," and "to the uttermost end of
Sarraghtoga," for the words, "to the Sarraghtoga." "An Act for an-
nexing that part of the Mannor of Livingston which now lyes in
Dutchess County, unto the County of Albany," was passed by the
Council May 27, KIT. The division of the Manor into two districts
and the erection of the several towns have already been noticed.
7
50
CHAPTER VII.
During the progress of the events described in the preceding chap-
ter, the French had been energetically extending their domain, their
influence, and their fur trade in Canada (New France). The same
causes that animated the English also inspired the French with an ar-
dent desire for conquest in the western world, and both of these powers
fully realized the vital importance of securing the allegiance of the
Iroquois Indians. With their aid either nation might hope to win ;
without it the one deprived must surely lose. When the long-con-
tinued efforts of the French failed to win the fealty of the Indians a
bloody and unavailing war was begun upon the natives which con-
tinued many years, with intervals of peace. As early as 1668, the
French minister in Canada was called upon to furnish his government
with reasons for and against war with the Indians. One of his items
in favor of war reads :
That the success of the Expedition [by Conrcelles] against the Mohawks opens
the door for the seizure of Orange [Albany] the rather as the Dutch may be found
inclined to unite with the [French] Kings arms in aiding the attack and capture of
that fort.1
On the other hand and against war he wrote:
That the English and Dutch, who, up to this time, have committed no act of hos-
tility, will possibly declare war against us if they see us destroy an Indian tribe which
appears to be under their protection.2
Throughout the period in which the French were actively warring
upon the Indians Albany stood in fear, for the Dutch and English
clearly realized the jealousy entertained by the French of their amity
with the Indians and their extensive fur trade, while the importance of
the place from a military standpoint led the inhabitants to anticipate
that attempts would be made to capture it.
In February, 1666, Courcelles, then Governor in Canada, made an
unsuccessful expedition against the Mohawks. The following is irom
the records:
' Col. Doc, vol. IX, ]). 53. * Ibid.
51
His forces came unwittingly " within two miles of a small village called Schenec-
tade, lying in the woods beyond Fort Albany in the territoryes of his Royall High-
ness He fell into an ambush and lost some of his men. Seven who were wounded
were sent the next day to the village, where they were carefully drest and sent to
Albany. The Dutch bores carried to the camp such provisions as they had, and
were too well paid for it; especially peaz and bread, of wch a good quantity was
bought. He inquired what garrison or fort was at Albany. 'Twas told him a captain
and 00 English Soldyers with nine pieces of ordnance in a small fort of four Bas-
tions, and that the Captain thereof, Capt. Baker, had sent for 20 men from another
garrison of the King's at Sopes.
The reader of the Paris Documents (vol. IX, Col. Doc.) will be con-
vinced that the capture of " Orange and Manatte,"as Albany and New
York were called, was continually contemplated and advised by the
French officials in Canada. M. Talon wrote in October, 1667:
The means, in my opinion, to secure the whole Colony more effectually against
either the Europeans or the savages, would be to give Manatte and Orange to the
King [the French King] by conquest or acquisition, as I had the honor to propose
to you.1
Sentiments thus expressed were persistenly reinforced by complaints
against the English and Dutch for encroachments on French territory in
pursuit of the fur trade. M. Talon's memoir of November, L670, says:
The English of Boston, and the Dutch of Manatte and of Orange who arc subject
to them, attract, by means of the Iroquois and other Indian tribes in their neighbor-
hood, over twelve hundred thousand livres of Beaver, almost all dry and in the best
condition. All this Beaver is trapped in countries subject to the King. I find con-
siderable occupation in diverting the greater part of this trade, etc. 2
Courcelles wrote in 1671:
The Iroquois, however, trade scarcely any with us, but carry all their peltries to
New Netherland. . . Wherefore some means were sought a long time ;u
prevent the Iroquois going to New Netherland to trade. :1
Frontenac in 1074, advised the French to imitate the Dutch and
English in the fur trade, by designating the place where the trade
should be carried on, and "prohibit it in private settlements; it is thus
our neighbors have built up Manatte and Orange."
On April (1, L672, Louis de Bouade, Count de Frontenac, was ap-
pointed governor of Canada, and tinder his efficient management the
confidence of the colony was restored and in 1673 a treaty of peace- was
made with the Iroquois. Concerning this treaty he wrote:
In spite of the efforts of the Dutch to get the Iroquois to make war on the French,
'Col. Doc. vol. ix, p. 60. -IImiI, p 65. > ll>i«l, p. 119.
52
the Iroquois came last year on solem embassy to Montreal ; brought eight children
belonging to the principal families of their villages, and ratified the treaty made with
them in 1673.
Another rupture took place in 1684 between the French and the In-
dians, the principal feature of which was an expedition against the
Senecas by De la Barre, who had been appointed governor of Canada
in 1082, but the expedition proved a failure. De la Barre was suc-
ceeded by the Marquis de Nonville in 1G85. He made a report on
the condition of the country as he found it, which was replete with
the old complaints; the Dutch and English were selling guns and
ammunition to the Indians at so low a price that they could obtain
all they wanted and thus be better able to fight the French. "The
gain of the merchants of Orange and Manette," he wrote, "is par-
amount to every public interest." In 1686 he wrote that Governor
Dongan was giving away guns to the Indians and advising them to
plunder the French in the woods. In November he wrote his govern-
ment to send him orders, "for I am disposed to go straight to Orange,
storm their fort, and burn their whole concern."
In 1688 a revolution placed William of Orange on the English throne
and war with France promptly followed. The Indian allies of the lat-
ter were almost powerless against the dreaded Iroquois, who harassed
the Canadian settlements until the French foresaw defeat. In 1689
Count de Frontenac was again sent over; he was an old man, but vig-
orous and capable, and revived the spirits of the French settlers. He
endeavored at first to negotiate a peace with the Iroquois, but failed,
the English being on the ground and succeeding in retaining the good
will of the Indians. Albany was looked upon by the English crown as
a point of greatest importance, both in war and in peace, and its preser-
vation was regarded as most essential to the English cause. Governor
Sloughter wrote:
If the French should assault and gain Albany, all the English colonies on both
sides of us would be endangered. For we have nothing but that place that keeps
our Indians steady to us, and the loss of that must be the loss of all the King's in-
terest on this continent.
But the war was upon them. At a meeting held at Albany, Novem-
ber 24, 1689, there were present, "Ye Commissioners for ye Citty and
County of Alb. advysing with Sundrey officers of ye militia There."
It was
Resolved, That ye following Persones be commissionated, vizt. : Captain Jochim
53
Staets Cornclr. of Fort Orange always to keep under command in s'1 fort sixty men;
Lieut. Jonathan wrigt; Ens: John Hater. For the city of albany, Pieter minne,
Toune Major, Capt. Johannis wendel, Melgert Wynants, Ens: Regnier Barentse,
Capt. Pieter van waggden, Leift. Robt. Sanders, Ens: Joh: Bleeker, Junr Capt.
Barnet Liewis, Leift. Marte Klock, Ens. For the County of Albany. Capt. Martin
gerritse, Lieut. Evert d'Ridder, Ens: Zymon van ness, Capt. Alexander glen, Leift
Johannis glen, Ens: douwe Aukus, Capt. Johannis Bensing, Leift. Andries Bar-
rentse, Ens. Johannis Janse.
Ordered That ye aforesaid Commissionated officers now are Established, and shall
from this time forth Remaine and be in full Power & v Authority, & y Authority
for ye Militia of this & County. To act & to doe in all matters and things relating
Militarie affaires, according to y° Rules & decipline of war, until, further order from
his Majestie King William of England, Scotland, French & Ireland, &c.
Failing- in his efforts to make peace with the Iroquois, Frontenac
opened a vigorous campaign. He visited Schenectady with torch and
tomahawk on the night of February 9, 1690; defended Montreal suc-
cessfully against Major Peter Schuyler in the same year and at all
points actively served his country. But it was a losing cause; the
French were hindered from tilling their lands and from reaping what
they had sown; their fur trade was ruined by the Indians who took
possession of the passes between them and their allies to the west-
ward; and worse than all else, a terrible famine followed, causing
great suffering.
Important as it was in some respects, Albany was at this time ( L689)
according to Broadhead, "not much more than a large stockaded vil-
lage, of which the two chief streets crossed each other at right angles.
The one ' Handelaer's Straat,' or Market street, ran nearly north and
south, skirting the river, proverbially apt to overflow its banks in times
of great floods. The other, running about east and west, a little way
up a steep hill, was called ' Yonkheer's Straat,' now known as State
street. About half way up the hill stood the fort, just outside one of
the city gates."
In July, 1691, Governor Sloughter made a visit to Albany, concern-
ing which he wrote:
I returned from Albany on the 27th past, where 1 left all things in good posture,
and with much difficulty have secured the Indians. I found that place in great dis-
order, our plantations and Schenectady almost ruined and destroyed by the enemys
dureing the time of the late confusion there. I have garrisoned Schnectady and
the Halfe Moon with some of the hundred fusileers raised by our Assembly; the re-
mainder, with one of the King's Cotnpanys, are posted at Albany
In 1693 Frontenac, in his desperation, organized a raid into the Mo-
54
hawk country, but its cost outweighed its advantages. In June of this
year the governor held another council with the Indians at Albany,
and by bountiful presents and flattering words, retained their good
will. The sum of ,£1,500 having been appropriated for the repair of
Fort Orange, in September, 1693, 500 new palisades "were sett up
against the old Stockadoes. "
This period of war closed with the treaty of Ryswyck made in July,
1G98. The Earl of Bellomont was then governor of the province of
New York. To him the Common Council of Albany addressed the
following document on the 2d of August, 1698:
The Common Council are unanimously of the opinion to address his Excell. the
Earl of Bellomont on the following heads:
1. To thank his Lordship for bringing ye joyfull news of yc Peace.
2. To acquaint his Lordship ye great hardships this poor Citty has labored under
for these 9 years dreadful and bloody warr; during which time they have not only
been at an Excessive Charge and Expense in quartering ye officers and souldiers
sent hither from time to time, but have been obliged, for their own security, to
fortify >"' towne twice with Palesadoes, and build 5 block houses, all at their own
charge, which hath so much impoverished ye Inhabitants y* most have deserted.
3. That this Citty doth wholly rely and depend upon yc Indian Trade, upon which
account it was first settled, and have obtained a Charter whereby ye Sole trade with
ye Indians is confined within yp walls of sd Citty, doth therefore humbly addresse his
Ldp to protect and defend them in there Rights and Priviledges, and doe thank his
Ldp for his great trouble and care in treating with y 5 nations for ye Public good
and advantage to this Citty, and doe further return there best thanks for ye good
Instructions his L'p lies been pleased to give them, assuring his Iy'p that they will
not be wanting in useing there utmost endeavors to unite all parties, and restore this
Citty to its Priviledges and Rights ; that they will also observe all y oycr articles Men-
tioned in his Lap's instructions.
The serious consequences of this war upon Albany county are shown
by the census taken soon after its close. The population was reduced
from 602 men, 340 women, and 1,014 children in 1689, to 382 men, 262
women and 805 children in 1098. Of the number of men given, eighty-
four had been killed.
Governor Fletcher's report on the state of the militia in the province
made in April, 1693, contains the following items of interest in this
connection :
• • The Militia of the County of Albany, commanded by Major Peter Schuyler, being
five companies of Foot and one Troop of Horse, now formed into Dragoons by the
Governor, consisting of 359." The aggregate in the Province was 2,932.
" In the List of the Officers of the Militia in the Province of New York," made in
November, 1700, in the time of Governor Bellomont, the. officers of the Regiment of
55
Militia in the City and County of Albany, is given as follows: Field Officers — Peter
Schuyler, Colonel; — , Lieutenant-Colonel; Dyrck Wessels, Major.
Of a Foot Company in the City of Albany. Commissioned Officers — Johanni s
Bleeker, Captain; Johannes Rosebaum, Lieutenant; Abra. Cuyler, Ensign.
Of another Foot Company in the said City: Albert Rykman, Captain ; Wessel Ten
Brock, Lieutenant ; Johannes Thomasse, Ensign.
Of another Foot Company in said County: Martin Cornelisse, Captain; Andries
Douw, Lieutenant; Andris Koyman, Ensign.
Of another Foot Company in said County: Gerrit Teunisse, Captain ; Jonas Douw,
Jochem Lamerse, Lieutenants; Volckhart V. Hoesem, Abra. Hause, Ensigns.
Of the Troop of Horse in ye said Regiment: Kilian Van Renslaer, Captain; Jo-
hannes Schuyler, Lieutenant; BennoneV. Corlaer, Cornet: Anthony Bries, Quarter-
master. This Regiment consists of Three hundred and Seaventy-ouc men.
Peace was short-lived. What is known as Queen Anne's war broke out
in Etirope in 1702, and continued during the next eleven years. Blood
flowed in nerly every village and valley of New England. The French,
and such allied Indians as they could secure, apparently strove to out-
do each other in deeds of atrocity, until it at last became apparent that
Canada must be subdued at all hazards.
During the short peace that preceded this war the soldiers at Albany
appear to have been much neglected. In 1700 Governor Belloniont
wrote:
" Some of the inhabitants of Albany who are now here [New York city] tell me the
Soldiers there in Garrison are in that shameful and miserable condition for the want
of Cloaths, that the like was never seen." Even the Indians were disgusted as they
observed their situation. The Governor continues: "Persons assure me that sonic of
the old crafty sachems of the Five Nations have asked 'em whether they thought 'em
such fooles as to believe our King could protect 'em from the French when he was
not able to Keep his Soldiers in a Condition as those in Canada are Kept."
In October of the same year the governor again visited Albany.
The two companies then garrisoned there were under command of
Major Ingoldsby and Captain Weems. The governor writes:
I never in my life saw so moving a sight as that of the Companies at Albany;
half the men were without breeches, shoes and stockings when they mustered. I
thought it shameful to the last degree to see English soldiers so abused. They had
liked to have mutinied.
He also reported the fort as " scandalous]}- weak," and added:
The inhabitant-- came all about me at my leaving Albany, and told me in plain
terms that if the King would not build a fort there to protect 'em, they would, on
the first news of war between England and France desert the place and fly to New
York rather than they would stay there to have their throats cut. There arc half a
dozen at Albany who have competent estates, but all the rest arc miserable j"
56
At this time the city and county of Albany furnished 371 men under
command of Dirck Wessells, major. In 1702 Colonel Schuyler's Albany
county militia regiment was pronounced in pretty good condition, ow-
ing to his care. The condition of the Albany fort may be inferred from
what Cornbury wrote in July, 1702. He said he found the works "in
a miserable condition, the stockadoes about all roten to such a degree
that I can with ease push them down." In anticipation of an invasion
from Montreal, some insignificant efforts were made in 1704, to repair
tho old fort by putting up new palisades. The new fort was begun,
but for want of money was left incomplete and was not finished until
1735.
An invasion of Canada was planned in 1700 under command of Col.
Francis Nicholson, for which the troops were assembled in Albany.
Under the potent influence of Peter Schuyler the Five Nations sent in
five hundred warriors to join the expedition. The plans involved an
attack on Quebec by water and a simultaneous assault on Montreal by
way of Lake Champlain. A military road had been opened at the expense
of New York from Schuylerville to the lake by way of Fort Edward
and Wood Creek. Three small forts on the way had been built, the
middle one of which was Fort Ann. Leaving Albany the army en-
camped at this fort and awaited news from the naval expedition against
Quebec. When they learned that that expedition had been sent to
Spain, the discouraged army returned to Albany, their mission unac-
complished.
The French were not particular as to the means adopted to defeat
their enemies. They hoped much from the native savagery of the In-
dians. In June, 1708, M. de Pontchartrain wrote from France to M.
Ridout in Canada :
It is in no way advisable that the Indians visit Orange and other English settle-
ments, and an effort should be made to excite a vigorous and general war between
these Indians and the English.
The French authorities on this side did not agree with these propo-
sitions. In November of that year M. de Vaudreuil wrote De Pont-
chartrain, giving his reasons for not having sent expeditions against
Fort Orange and New York. He said he had " promised the Iroquois
not to do so, as these nations, however friendly they be to us, are still
more so to the Dutch. "
The English now saw more clearly than ever before that until the
French power in Canada was wholly extingitished there coidd be no
BbNJAMIN MARSH,
57
lasting peace. It was to secure from the crown more liberal support
and create a favorable influence towards the Iroquois that Colonel
Schuyler, with five Indian Sachems, journeyed to England in b710.
Through bis influence a fleet bearing 5,000 troops was sent over to aid
in subjugating the French. On the last day of July, 1710, a fleet of
twelve men-of-war, and forty-six smaller vessels left Boston, with
Montreal as its destination. There this force was to be met by a strong
army from Albany under General Nicholson. The latter force con-
sisted of about 2,000 English, 1,000 Germans and 800 Indians; these
moved in the latter part of August, 1711, from Albany towards Lake
Champlain. In the mean time the English fleet met with disaster,
eight transports with 800 men went to the bottom, and the remainder
returned to England. AVhen news of this misfortune reached Nichol-
son he ordered his army back to Albany and the French remained un-
molested for many years. A treaty of peace was signed April 11, 1711,
at Utrecht, which secured the Protestant succession to the throne of
England, the separation of the French and Spanish crowns, the en-
largement of the British colonies in America and full satisfaction from
France of the claims of the allies, England, Holland and Germany.
The French acknowledged the Iroquois as British subjects:
The following record shows the military condition of Albany just on the eve of tin-
preparation for this last expedition.
May 20, 1711, Robert Hunter, Captain-General and Governor-in- Chief of the Prov-
ince of New York, called the troops from Albany to the Manor of Livingston, and
directed that the Militia of Albany be called to arms to protect that city in the ab-
sence of the garrison. Accordingly, the Mayor and Aldermen met May 21, 1711, and
sent the following letter to his Excellency.
" Albany, y' 21st of May, 1711
" May it please your Ex'cy.
"Your Ex'cys Letter dated yesterday we recdys. day, and in Obedience thereof,
we have forthwith procured a Sloop for ye transportation of y' Troops here, and de-
sired Peter Schuyler, Esqr., Collo of the militia Regiment of y Citty& County, that
lie will emmediately order ye militia of this Citty to Come in Arms to take care <>( y
fort and this place during y' absence of y' s'1 troops; who returned answer that he
would comply therewith. So remain in all sincerity,
•• May it please your Ex'cy,
"Your Ex'cys most obedient and humble servants.
This was signed by the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen.
The treaty of Utrecht was an imperfect one under the circumstam
it left the question of boundaries largely undefined, leading to endless
complaints and recriminations between the two rivals on this continent,
58
while the former methods of gaining- Indian friendship and trade soon
came into practice. The Iroquois could not be deterred from encroach-
ments upon their old enemies, to which they were doubtless incited to
some extent by the English. The French established a trading post
at Niagara in 1720, against the protestations of Governor Burnet of
New York. In retaliation he established one at Irondequoit Bay in the
next year. In the mean time the New York legislature passed a law
forbidding colonists from supplying the French with Indian goods.
In retaliation the French incited their allies to the northward to drive
the English traders from their country. " Since the close of October,
1723," wrote De Vaudreuil in November, 1724, " the Abenakis did not
cease harassing the English with a view to force them to quit their
country." 1
In 1726 the English took an important step in the building of a for-
tified post at Oswego, thus establishing their hold upon a point that
was to become of the highest importance during all the succeeding
years until the American colonies gained their freedom. On the 9th of
May, 1726, Governor Burnet wrote the Board of Trade:
I have this spring sent up workmen to build a stone house of strength at a place
called Oswego, at the mouth of the Onondage river where our principal trade with
the far Nations is carried on. I have obtained the consent of the Six Nations to
build it.
The governor learned that a party of French was going up to Niag-
ara, and he feared they might interfere with the work at Oswego. He
therefore sent "a detachment of sixty souldiers with a Captain and
two Lieutenants, to protect the building."
The French did not love Governor Burnet nor look kindly upon his
operations at Oswego. The fact is they were forestalled in what they
undoubtedly intended to do themselves. In 1727 the Marquis de Beau-
harnois (then governor-general of Canada) wrote Burnet, strongly
condemning him for building the works at Oswego: said he, "I look
upon that measure as a manifest infraction of the treaty of Utrecht."
Louis XV wrote Beauharnois that he "must always have in view the
expulsion of the English from their fort on the river Choueguen " (the
French name of Oswego).
In spite of all these hostile operations, disregard of treaty obligations
petty encroachments, and antagonistic measures, the two countries re-
mained nominally at peace until 1744. A quarrel arose between King
'Col. Doc, vol. IX, p. 936,
59
George II of England and the French king, respecting the claims of
Maria Theresa to the Austrian throne. The foreign entanglement,
although not of the slightest interest to the colonists on this side of the
water, involved them in the war that followed, which was known
as King George's war, the declaration of which was made March
15, 1744, by France. Three months later the news reached Albany
and again the inhabitants were excited and filled with anxious fore-
bodings. Governor Clinton visited the place and held a successful
conference with the chiefs of the Six Nations, cementing their friend-
ship for the English and cautioning them against the wiles of the
French. He sent to Albany six 18-pounder cannon with a supply of
ammunition and other military stores. While the governor was mak-
ing preparations for an attack upon Crown Point, the French and In-
dians descended upon old Saratoga (now Schuylerville), burning the
fort and twenty houses, killing about thirty persons and carrying away
eighty prisoners. Excitement ran high in Albany. Refugees came in
large numbers and soldiers were quartered in the place. Two com-
panies of His Majesty's fusileers were sent to Albany and the Indians
were kept in readiness for an expected attack. Through the influ-
ence of Sir William Johnson the Mohawks in August, 1746, agreed to
take up again the hatchet against the French. Later in that year Gov-
ernor Clinton sent five additional companies of soldiers to Albany,
while Massachusetts and New York made active war preparations, col-
lecting troops and munitions at Albany. The campaign continued in
1747; troops were sent from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other prov-
inces, with Albany as a center of operations. The later events of this
war are not of paramount interest for these pages. Albany suffered
little from the strife; indeed the traders there had made considerable
profit during its progress. The war was concluded October is, 1 ; 18,
by the treaty of Aix la-Chapelle.
It would seem to have been a part of the plan of the Almighty that
this country should not pass under French dominion, but should be
preserved for the descendants of the Pilgrims and the English immi-
grants who came after them. After a few years of peace the war that
was to settle finally this matter was begun under a declaration from
England made May 17, 1756, which was followed by a similar one from
France on the 9th of the following month. From the date of the cap-
ture of Louisburg in 1745 the French had extended and strengthened
their domain, and the treat)- of 1! 18 found them with a population of
60
about 100,000, and with a line of posts from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of
Mexico. They soon became aggressive. Trade interests were con-
stantly clashing, and the stake as a whole was a magnificent one for
the conqueror. Uncertainty as to the fealty and action of the Indians
also continued an unceasing cause of anxiety and jealousy. The French
determined to hold control of the Ohio River region, and when the
English attempted to build a fort at the forks of that stream, the
French seized the place and finished the fort — Fort Duquesne.
The details of this war belong to and are found in general history,
rendering it unnecessary, as it is impracticable, to follow them fully in
this work; but their relation to Albany county may be briefly de-
scribed.
On the 28th of August, 1754, a body of Indian allies of the French
invaded this province, burned the buildings of some Hoosick settlers
and took back as prisoners to Canada about sixty of the Schaghticoke
Indians. Lieutenant Governor De Lancey now ordered the fort at
Albany to be fully repaired; he sent a company of soldiery to the fort
from New York and ordered that two hundred men from each regi-
ment of militia near Albany should be in readiness to march to the
city at short notice.
At a meeting of the Common Council held May 29, 1753, the follow-
ing petition was sent to Governor De Lancey:
That the City of Albany is a frontier town, and the defense thereof is of great
consequence to the safety of the whole province in case of War with the French ;
that the city is altogether undefensable, exposed to the incursions of any enemy, and
the corporation, by reason of the heavy debt they are under, occasioned by the great
expense we were at during the late war, and no wise able to fortify the city unless
assisted by a provincial Tax; and whereas, your Excellencies have prepared a
petition to be laid before the General Assembly, praying they would be pleased to
lay a tax of ^6,000 on estates throughout this province to defray the expense of
building a wall with bastions or batteries at convenient distances, for the defence of
said city and security of the province.
The document closes with a prayer that
His Excellency will recommend to the General Assembly, in the most pressing
terms that you think proper, to raise the sum to £6,000 for defraying the expense of
said Wall.
Similar application was made by the Common Council for better pro-
tection in May, 175G. During all of this war period (about nine years)
many troops were quartered in and near Albany. In 1756 an ordinance
was adopted by the Common Council forbidding all tavern keepers and
61
all other persons from selling- liquor to an)- of His Majesty's troops 0r
harboring- an}' of them after 9 o'elock p. ,\i. At that time there was a
regiment encamped on the hill about on the site of the old Capitol.
When General Abercrombie was here in 1756 it is believed that 10,000
troops were encamped near by on both banks of the river. The dusky
Indians mingled with the gaily-uniformed soldiers, martial music re-
sounded on all sides, and flags floated over the scene. Business was
active, especially in furnishing supplies of every kind to the army.
The principal events of this war were: The abortive effort to capture
Fort Niagara and Crown Point in 1755 by Governor Shirley and Sir
William Johnson respectively; the attempts made against Fort Du-
quesne, a second against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and a third
against Niagara in 1756, all of which were comparative failures; the
capture of Oswego by Montcalm in that year; the capture of Fort
William Henry on Lake George by Montcalm in l?r)'; ; the campaigns
of 1758, involving successes by the English at Louisburg, Fort Du-
quesne and Fort Frontenac, the reoccupation of Oswego, and the de-
feat of the English under Abercrombie at Ticonderoga by Montcalm;
the capture of Niagara in 175'.) by the English, the fall of Quebec in
September of that year, and the final surrender of Montreal and all
other French posts in 1760, ending French power in America forever.
During this war Albany was a center of military activity. The ex-
peditions of 1755 and 1750 started from there and included Albany
soldiers, among whom was the brave Schuyler. During the winter of
L 755-6 the preparations for an expedition against Niagara in the fol-
lowing spring went forward at Albany. There General Winslow made
his rendezvous with 7,000 men, waiting the dilatory steps of Lord
Loudon, then commander of the English forces. The delay gave the
gallant Montcalm opportunity to capture the forts at Oswego, which he
held until 1757. At Albany also were gathered the troops for the ex-
pedition against Crown Point under Sir William Johnson in 1755. This
expedition abounded in brilliant and stirring events, including the
death of Dieskau, the French commander. Johnson was a man of
ardent temperament, energetic and active, and when he was delayed by
various causes he complained bitterly of the people at Albany. Under
date of September 6 he wrote:
Our expedition is likely to be extremely distressed and, I fear, fatally retarded for
the want of wagons. The people of Albany county and the adjacent counties bide
their wagons and drive away their hoist- Most of the wagoners taken into the
62
service have deserted; some horses are quite jaded and some few killed by the
enemy, and several run away. Most of our provisions are at Albany.
And again he wrote: "Those people are so devoted to their own
private Profit that every other public Principle has ever been sacrificed
to it." 1
On account of the many discouraging circumstances Johnson re-
turned to Albany for that winter, after having built Fort William
Henry and garrisoned it with six hundred men.
The advance of Montcalm upon Fort William Henry in 1757 caused
much alarm and excitement in Albany. Oswego had fallen, an event
which Johnson characterized as "a mortal wound." Montcalm had
already shown his military genius and his tireless energy, and his ap-
proach upon any point justified alarm. The slaughter of the garrison
of Fort William Henry after its capture, by the Indians under Mont-
calm, which the French general has in vain attempted to justify, added
to the anxious forebodings of the inhabitants of Albany and its vicinity.
Frontier settlers came to the city in great numbers.
In Col. John Bradstreet's memorable expedition against Fort Fronte-
nac in the summer of 1758, soldiers from Albany county participated.
Among the officers were Captains Peter Yates and Goosen Van Schaick
of Albany, the latter becoming in later years a colonel in the Revolu-
tionary army. Bradstreet captured the fort, thus rendering easier
the seizure of Fort Duquesne and hastening the end. These events
raised a cry for peace throughout Canada, the resources of which coun-
try were nearly exhausted. " I am not discouraged," wrote the brave
Montcalm, in evident disappointment, "nor my troops. We are re-
solved to find our graves under the ruins of the colon}-." He foresaw
the end.
In the early summer of 1758 Abercrombie's army was encamped on
the flatlands at the south of Albany, preparing for its expedition to
Ticonderoga, where it met a crushing defeat at the hands of Montcalm's
troops, who were inspired by the gallantly of their leader. In Aber-
crombie's army also were many Albany soldiers, who shared in the
general mourning for the death of the brave and genial Lord Howe on
that field, and whose body was buried first in Schuyler's family tomb
and later under St. Peter's church. In the months of May and June,
1759, Lord Jeffrey Amherst, a brave and efficient English officer, ap •
i For all mC Johnson's papers, see l)>>c. Hist., vol. II, p. 545 1009.
63
pointed commander-in-chief in September, 1758, was at Albany with
the army, preparing for the movements upon Crown Point and Ticon-
deroga, and the other important events that closed the long struggle.
CHAPTER VIII.
From the fall of Montreal to the beginning of the Revolution peace
reigned in the territory of Albany county. Again the fur trade became
an absorbing interest. In the spring of 1766 Sir William Johnson was ap-
pointed Trade Commissary, an office which gave him general supervi-
sion of barter with the Indians, and from that time forward for nearly
ten years he wielded almost autocratic power over the Iroquois and
lived in a lordly way in the Mohawk Valley. Johnson's policy was to con-
centrate trade at the important points, Albany, Oswego, Niagara, Fort
Pitt and Detroit, where he appointed commissioners of trade. He in-
troduced regulations prohibiting traders from going out among the
Indians, the salutary effects of which were at once apparent. As a
means of further continuing peaceful relations between the English
and the Indians, a meeting was held September 19, 1768, at Fort Stan-
wix (now Rome), whither Sir William, his three duputies (Guy John-
son, Daniel Claus and George Croghan) and Governor Franklin of New
Jersey proceeded. Twenty bateaux of presents for the Indians were
taken along. Arrived at the fort they were met by commissioners
from Virginia, by Lieutenant-Governor Penn and Messrs. Wharton and
Trent, representing trade interests. By October 1 about eight hun-
dred Indians had assembled. The object of this council was to estab-
lish a " Property Line " between the white men and the Indians.
After six days of the usual ceremonies at such gatherings the line was
fixed to begin at the junction of Canada Creek and Wood Creek a little
west from Rome, and extend thence southward to the Susquehanna
River. The whole matter was concluded November 5, L768, and was
ratified by Johnson in July, 1770.
The project of dividing Albany county was broached in the Assem-
bly in the spring of 1769 by Philip Schuyler. While this measure was
favored by Johnson, he earnestly objected to the proposed line of divi-
sion. Said he:
64
Albany county is much too large, but the manner in which it is proposed to be di-
vided is in many respects extremely inconvenient, and it would prove disagreeable
to about all of the inhabitants. The only rational boundary, it has appeared to me,
would be at the west bounds of the township of Schenectady.
Again in the spring of 1772 the subject was brought forward, and
towards the close of that session a bill was passed under which all that
part of Albany county west of the present east line of Montgomery
county was erected into Tryon county.
An act of the Legislature passed in 1703, relating to the office and
duties of supervisors, remained in force with slight changes until 1772,
when, on March 24, it was amended so far as it related to Albany
county, authorizing the annual election to take place on the first Tues-
day in May. The same act provided for the election in this county of
two overseers of the poor, two constables, two fence viewers, and one
town clerk. Previous to that date the duties of clerk had been per-
formed by the supervisor. After the adoption of the first Constitution
the office of supervisor and the time of his election was changed by act
of the Legislature (March 7, 1788), providing for holding town meetings
in the several towns in the State for choice of town officers. By that
act the town of Albany was authorized to elect two assessors, instead of
one as in other counties.
The establishment of the Property Line, before described, did not
long suffice to preserve inviolate the Indian territory. The influx of
now settlers and the avarice of traders led to encroachments which soon
provoked complaints.1 These prepared the way for the hostility against
the colonists during the war of the Revolution which soon followed.
The Indians had adopted a well-settled policy against further encroach-
ment on their territory, even to resisting it by war; and the Iroquois,
who had hitherto preserved uniform friendship toward the colonists,
now, with the exception of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, opposed them.
Eighteen hundred of their wrarriors allied themselves with the British
and only two hundred and twenty with the colonists. The atrocities of
the former, under such leaders as Johnson, Butler, and Brant, will long
be remembered throughout New York and Pennsylvania.
With the beginning of the war Albany again became a center of
i At a congress of the Six Nations at Johnson Hall in June and July. 1774, a Seneca orator com
plained that the white traders encroached upon their territory, followed their people to their
hunting grounds with goods and liquor, when they "not only impose on us at pleasure, but ba-
the means of carrying these articles to our scattered people, obstruct our endeavors to collect
them."
65
military activity. Albany county, as it then existed, organized seven-
teen regiments of militia under the laws of 1775. The officers of those
which belonged wholly or in part to this county were as follows:
Fiksi Regiment, City oi Albany.
Jacob Lansing, jr., colonel; Dirck Ten Broeck, lieutenant-colonel; Henry Wen-
dell, first major: Abraham Cuyler. second major; Yolckert A. Douw, adjutant;
Ephraim Van Veghten, quartermaster.
First Company. — John Barclay, captain; John Price, first lieutenant ; Abraham I.
Yates, second lieutenant ; John Scott, ensign.
Second Company. — Thomas Barrett, captain ; Matthew Vischer, first lieutenant;
Abraham Eights, second lieutenant; John Hoagkirk, ensign.
Third Company- — John Williams, captain; Henry Staats, first lieutenant; Barent
Van Allen, second lieutenant; Henry Hogan, ensign.
Fourth Company. — John M. Beeckman, captain; Isaac De Freest, first lieutenant ;
Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Teunis T. Van Veghten, ensign.
Fifth Company. — Harmanus Wendell, captain; William Hun, first lieutenant;
Jacob G. Lansing, second lieutenant; Cornelius Wendell, ensign.
Sixth Company. — John N. Bleecker, captain; John James Beeckman, first lieu-
tenant; Casparus Pruyn, second lieutenant; Nicholas Marsehs, ensign.
Third Regiment, Firsi Rensselaerwyck Battalion.
Abraham Ten Broeck, colonel ; Francis Nicoll, lieutenant-colonel ; Henry Quack-
enbush, first major; Barent Staats, second major; John P. Ouackenbush, adjutant;
Christopher Lansing, quartermaster.
First Company. — Henry Ouackenbush, captain; Jacob J. Lansing, first lieutenant .
Levinus Winne, second lieutenant; John Van Woert, ensign.
Second Company. — Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu-
tenant: Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign.
Third Company. — Peter Schuyler, captain; Abraham Witbeck, first Iieutem
Henry Ostrom, second lieutenant; Peter S. Schuyler, ensign.
Fourth Company. — Barent Staats, captain; Dirck Becker, first lieutenant; John
Van Wie, second lieutenant ; George Hogan, ensign.
Fifth Company. — Gerrit G. Van der Bergh, captain; Peter Van Wie. first lieuten-
ant; Wouter Becker, second lieutenant; Abraham Slingerland, ensign.
Third Regimenj — New Organization.
First Company. — (See Third Company, first organization.)
Second Company. — Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu-
tenant; Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign.
Third Company (at first Fifth Company, Fourth Regiment). — Jacob Ball, captain,
John Warner, first lieutenant; Peter Diet/., second lieutenant; Joshua Shaw, ensign.
Fourth Company. — Jacob J. Lansing, captain; Levinus Winne. first lieutenant,
[ohu Van Woert, second lieutenant; Peter Dox, ensign.
Fifth Company (at first organized as Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment).— Jacob
9
66
Van Aernam, captain; John Groot, first lieutenant; George Wagoner, second lieu-
tenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign.
Sixth Company. — Abraham Veeder, captain; James Burnside, first lieutenant;
John Voorhuyse(Voorhees?), second lieutenant; Andries Ten Eyck, ensign.
Fourth Regiment. Second Rensselaerwyck Battalion.
Killian Van Rensselaer colonel; John H. Beeckman, lieutenant-colonel; Cor-
nelius Van Buren, first major; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, second major; Jacobus Van
der Pool, adjutant; John A. Lansing, quartermaster.
First Company (First Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Conrad
Ten Eyck, captain; Peter Witbeck, first lieutenant; Albert H. Van der Zee, second
lieutenant; John L. Wilbeck, ensign.
Second Company (Second Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Will-
iam P. Winne, captain; John De Voe, first lieutenant; Philip C. Look (Luke?), sec-
ond lieutenant; Cornelius Van der Zee, ensign.
Third Company. — Volckert Veeder, captain; Abraham Veeder first lieutenant;
Jacob La Grange, second lieutenant; Andrew Truax, ensign.
Fourth Company. (See Fifth Company, Third Regiment, new organization.) —
Jacob Van Aernam, captain; John Groot, first lieutentant; George Wagoner, second
lieutenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign.
Fifth Company, — (See Third Company, Third Regiment.)
Fourth Regiment (As Newly Organized, February, 1776.)
First Company. — Isaac Miller, captain; Hendrick Schaus, first lieutenant; Johan-
nes Lodewick, second lieutenant ; Johannes Miller, ensign.
Second Company. — Ichabod Turner, captain; Joel Pease, first lieutenant; Jona-
athan Niles. second lieutenant; Joel Curtis, ensign.
Third Company. — -Luke Schermerhorn, captain; James Magee, first lieutenant;
Reuben Knap, second lieutenant ; Aaron Hammond, ensign.
Fourth Company. — James Dennison, captain; Stephen Niles, first lieutenant;
Obadiah Vaughan, second lieutenant; Oliver Bentley, ensign.
Fifth Company. — Nicholas Staats, captain; Obadiah Lansing, first lieutenant;
Philip Staats, second lieutenant; Leonard Wilcox, ensign.
Sixth Company. — Jacobus Cole (Koole?) captain ; Anthony Bries (Brice?) first lieu-
tenant; Harpent Witbeck, second lieutenant; John Van Hagen, jr., ensign.
Seventh Company. — Abraham J. Van Valkenburgh, captain; Daniel Schermer-
horn, first lieutenant; John J. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Martin Van
Buren, ensign.
Fifth Regiment, Third Rensselaerwyck Battalion.
Stephen Schuyler, colonel; Gerrit G. VanderBergh, lieutenant; Peter P. Schuyler,
first major; Volckert Veeder, second major; Maas Van Vranken, adjutant; Francis
Marshall, quartermaster.
First Company. — Cornelius Van Buren, captain; Nicholas Staats, first lieutenant;
Obadiah Lansing, second lieutenant; Philip Staats, ensign.
Second Company, John H. Beeckman, captain ; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, first lieu-
6?
tenant; Abraham I. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Jacobus Yanderpoel,
ensign.
Third Company.— Volckert Van Veghten captain; Gerrit T. Van den Bergh, first
lieutenant; John Amory, second lieutenant; Jacob Van Schaick, ensign.
Fourth Company. — (See First Company, Fourth Regiment.)
First Company.— Philip De Freest, captain; Ryneer Van Alstyne, first lieutenant ;
Peter Sharp, second lieutenant; David De Forest, ensign.
Sixth Company (1st Company of Sixth Regiment, new organization.)— John J.
Fonda, captain; John P. Fonda first lieutenant ; George Berger, second lieutenant;
George Sharp, ensign.
Sixth Regiment, Fourth Rensselaerwyck Battalion.
Stephen J. Schuyler, colonel; Henry K. Van Rensselaer, lieutenant-colonel; Philip
De Freest, first major; John Fonda, second major; Volckert Oothoudt, adjutant;
Jacob Van Alstyne, quartermaster.
First Company. — Henry H. Gardinier, captain; Jacob Van der Ileyden, first lieu-
tenant; Adam Beam, second lieutenant ; Henry Tinker, ensign.
Second Company. — Cornelius Lansing, captain; Lodewyck Snider, first lieuten-
ant; Andries Stool, second lieutenant ; Jacob Weiger, ensign.
Third Company. — (See Third Company, Fourth Regiment.)
Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, this Regiment, and Fourth Regiment.)
Fifth Company. — Caleb Bentley, captain; Samuel Shaw, first lieutenant; David
Huestes, second lieutenant; Thomas Crandall, ensign.
Sixth Company. — (See Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment.)
Sixth Regiment (New organization.)
First Company. — (See Sixth Company, Fifth Regiment.)
Second Company. — (See First Company, Sixth Regiment.)
Third Company. — John Lautman, captain; Peter Vosburgh, first lieutenant; John
Schurtz, second lieutenant; Conradt Best, ensign.
Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, first organization Fifth Regiment, and
First Company in Sixth Regiment, first organization. )
Fifth Company. — (See first organization in Sixth Regiment |
Sixth Company. — Jacob De Freest, captain; Martinus Sharp, first lieutenant; An-
dries Miller, second lieutenant; John Crannell, ensign.
Seventh Company.- Florus Banker, captain; Christopher Tillman, first lieuten-
ant ; Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Jonathan Sever, ensign.
At the inception of the difficulties leading- to the war the inhabitants
of the city of Albany, and of the county within its present limits at
least, were not inspired with warm sympathy for the cause of the col-
onists. The mayor (Abraham C. Cuyler) and most of the aldermen
openly espoused the royal cause. As early as L773 the increasing diffi-
culties with the mother country entered largely into local public affairs
in the city, and the charter election of that year was a very exciting
68
one. The last election for aldermen and assistant aldermen under
colonial laws was held September 29, 1775, when the following were
chosen :
First Ward — Aldermen, Peter W. Yates, Gerrit Van Sante; assistants, Jacob
Roseboom, Aries La Grange.
Second Ward — Aldermen, Guysbert G. Marselis, John J. Beeckman; assistants,
Cornelius Van Schelluyne, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer.
• Third Ward — Aldermen, Thomas Hun, John Ten Broeck ; assistants, Abraham
Schuyler, Abraham Ten Eyck.
The last meeting of this board under provincial laws was held at the
city hall March 25, 1776. The English laws were then for a time
superseded by the authority of the Continental Congress and State
governments. From the date last given to April 17, 1778, there was
no meeting of the Common Council of Albany. John Barclay was ap-
pointed mayor by Governor Clinton September 27, 1777; the aldermen
being John Roorbach, John Price, Jacob Lansing, jr., Abraham Cuyler,
John M. Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell; assistants, Abraham I.
Yates, Matthew Visscher, Isaac D. Fonda, Jacob Bleecker, Cornelius
Swits, Abraham Schuyler.
By act of the Legislature in 1778 the mayor and his subordinate offi-
cers were required to meet and qualify by taking the oath of allegiance
prescribed by the State law, and their respective oaths prescribed by
the city charter; they met for this purpose April 17, 1778. From
March, 1776, to April, 1778, the duties of the mayor and council were
performed by the Committee of Safety and Correspondence, appointed
by the first Legislature. The original city charter was kept in force,
except as it conflicted with the new State government. This commit-
tee was composed as follows:
First Ward — Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Henry I. Bogart, Peter Silvester, Henry Wen-
dell, Volkert P. Douw, John Bay, Guysbert Marselis.
Second Ward — John R. Bleecker, Jacob Lansing, jr., Jacob Cuyler, Henry Bleecker,
Robert Yates, Stephen De Lancey, Abraham Cuyler.
Third Ward — John H. Ten Eyck, Abraham Ten Broeck, Gerrit Lansing, jr., An-
thony E. Bradt, Samuel Stringer, Abraham Yates, jr., Cornells Van Santvoordt.
The meetings of this committee were usually held in the Old Stadt
Huys, and their proceedings were fraught with important measures
during its existence, full records of which are preserved in the State
Library. For our present purpose we need refer to only a few of
these. As an indication of the sentiments of its signers the followine
69
document, which was probably put forth soon after the battle of Lex-
ington, fought April 19, 1775, must find a place here:
A General Association agreed to and subscribed by the Members of the several
Committees of the City and County of Albany.
Persuaded that the salvation of the Rights and liberties of America depends, un-
der God, on the firm Union of its Inhabitants in a Vigorous prosecution of the Meas-
ures necessary for its Safety; and convinced of the necessity of preventing the An-
archy and Confusion which attends a Dissolution of the Powers of Government, We,
the Freemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany, being
greatly alarmed at the avowed Design of the Ministry to raise a Revenue in Amer-
ica, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, Do in
the most Solemn Manner resolve never to become Slaves; and do associate under all
the Ties of Religion, Honor and Love to our Country, to adopt and endeavor to
carry into Execution whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental
Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserv-
ing our Constitution, and opposing the Execution of the several Arbitrary and op-
pressive Acts of the British Parliament until a Reconciliation between Great Britain
and America on Constitutional Principles (which we most ardently desire) can be ob-
tained: And that we will in all things follow the Advice of Our General Committee
respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of Peace and good Order, and
the safety of Individuals and private Property.
John Barclay, chairman; Walter Livingston, John Bay, James Magee, Tyrans
Callans (?), Isaac Van Aernam, Gysbert Marselis, Philip P. Schuyler, George White,
John McClung, Gershom Woodworth, Bastyaen T. Vescher, Florus Baricker, John
Knickerbocker junior, Barent Vanderpoel, William Van Bergen, John Abbott, Jacobus
Williamson, Samuel Van Vechten, Peter Becker, Ebenezer Allen, Simeon Covel, Asa
Flint, James Parrot, Henry Leake, Andries Watbeck, Matthew Visscher, Samuel
Stringer, Gerrit Lansing, jr., John Ten Broeck, Robert Yates, Henry I. Bogart,
John Van Loon, Henry Van Veghten, Joseph Young, Richard Esselstyn, Othniel
Gardner, Barent Dyne, Abraham Cuyler, Robert McClullen, Henry Wendell, Cornel-
ius Van Sautvoordt, R. Bleecker. Henry Bleecker, John H. Ten Eyck, Jacob
Bleecker, jr., John T. Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell, Matthew Adgate, Abraham
Yates, jr., John Taylor, Rutger Lansingh, Henry Quackenboss, John M. Beeckman,
John D. Fonda, John Van Rensselaer, jr., John Price, Anthony Van Schaick, Dirck
Ten Broeck Reit/.ert Bronck, Frederick Beringer, Reynard Van Alsteyn, Philip
Van Veghten, Joshua Losee, Anthony Van Bergen, Albertus Van Loon. Mynderse
Roseboom, Abraham Ten Eyck.
A similar document was sent on May 1, L775, to the Boston Commit-
tee. A letter from the committee to the New York Committee, dated
May 3, set forth that the city was " very scant of powder, arms and
warlike stores," and in a defenseless condition. Reports came in of
the probable hostile action of the Indians, and Col. Guy Johnson was
sent for to express his opinion on the subject. The result was such as
to prompt the committee to issue the following advertisement:
70
Notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of the City of Albany that it is the
opinion of their Committee that they assemble and meet together in the different
wards of this city at the usual place of election to form themselves into Companies
from the age of sixteen to sixty, each Company to consist of a Captain, two Lieu-
tenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drum and fifty one
privates.
This was under date of May 3, 1775. The meetings were held as
directed and the companies organized with the following officers:
First Company — John Barclay, captain; John Price, Stephen Van Schaick, lieu-
tenants; Abraham Yates, ensign.
Second Company— John Williams, captain; Henry Staats, Bareut Van Allen, lieu-
tenants; Henry Hogan, ensign.
Third Company — Thomas Barret, captain ; Abraham Eights, Matthew Vischer,
lieutenants; John Hoogkerk, ensign.
For the Third Ward — Captains, John Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell ; lieutenants,
Isaac De Freest, Abraham Ten Eyck, William Hunn, Peter Gansevoort, jr. ; en-
signs, Cornelius Wendell, Teunis T. Van Veghten.
The formation of similar companies was recommended by the com-
mittee in the several districts of the county. The record of May L2
shows the following:
We received a letter signed Ethan Allen by the hands of Mr. Brown, acquainting
us of the taking of Ticonderoga. Upon which we wrote a letter to the committee of
New York by Captain Barent Ten Eyck, Express, and each of us paid him a Dollar
a piece for going.
A few days earlier the Albany Committee had voted against sending
needed supplies to Ticonderoga. During that month Congress, then
in session in Philadelphia, recpiested the Albany Committee to send
men and supplies to Ticonderoga to build scows with which to bring
away the guns and stores in that fort. This was done and Henry I.
Bogart appointed to take charge of the work.
As bearing directly upon the loyalty and disloyalty of the committee
to the cause of the colonists, the following is pertinent :
Committee Chambers, June 29th — Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tern.
Upon the whole, we are of opinion, First — That as the safety of our Persons, and
the Preservation of our Properties depends upon the due administration of Justice,
that the course of Justice ought not to be obstructed, but that the Same Continue in
the usual Course, and in the King's Name, as our allegiance to him is not denied;
and that we are to Wait the resolution of the Provincial or Continental Congress on
this Subject and abide by their determination, otherwise we Conceive the whole
Country will be reduced to a State of the Greatest Anarchy and Confusion.
Second — Appeals are still admitted, at least in this Government, in all cases where
they always have been Allowed; in this the law has not been altered, and the Sub-
71
ject in this Province has the Same Liberty of, a fair and impartial trial, as usual on
Constitutional principles; and we do not object against any Acts of Parliament, ex-
cept the late Unconstitutional and oppressive ones which have been Noticed by the
Continental Congress in their Session last Fall.
Third— We are neither Rebels or Traitors, nor have we forfeited our Estates,
neither are there any acts of Parliament of that nature in force to our knowledge
against any persons in this Province; nor do we conceive the application of Traitors
and Rebels justly applied to Subjects who refuse to comply with requisitions of un-
constitutional Acts of Parliament.
The committee was informed by Henry Glen on July 5, L775, that
Congress had approved of the following field officers: Colonel, Myndert
Roseboom; lieutenant-colonel, Goosen Van Schaick ; major, Lucas Van
Veghten; and that they had appointed John M. Wendell, quarter-
master, and Barent Ten Eyck, adjutant.
The following is quaint and characteristic of the times; the dale is
July 12, 1775:
It being intimated to this Board by Mr. Peter Vrooman, that some tavern-keepers
in this county sell spirituous liquors too freely to the Indians, from which evil con-
sequences often happen, therefore.
Resolved, That it be recommended to all Tavern-keepers and others in said
county, to sell spirituous liquors to the Indians as sparingly as possible, s<> as to pic-
vent their getting drunk.
Before the struggle fairly commenced it developed that Guy Johnson
was intriguing with the Indians, inciting them against the Americans.
Sir William Johnson had died in the previous year, leaving Sir John
Johnson and Guy Johnson his heirs. The former began fortifying
Johnson Hall (near the site of Johnstown) and preparing for his later
active support of the British cause. The Albany Committee received
information in July, 1775, that Guy Johnson was preparing to invade
Albany county with a large body of Indians under command of Brant
and Butler. Great alarm was felt and Philip Schuyler, then at Sara-
toga and in charge of the military affairs of the province, was addressed
on the subject and asked for aid. The committee wrote:
Our ammunition is so scant we cannot furnish 300 men so as to he able to maki a
stand against so great a number. This is the more alarming to us, as we shall
within a few days be obliged to begin witli our harvest. In these deplorable circum-
stances, we look to you for aid.
Schuyler's reply was prompt and to the point. He advised the
marching of Captain Van Dyck and his company and all others obtain-
able into Tryon county with the Albany and Schenectady militia; he
72
also ordered a supply of powder to be sent to the Tryon county com-
mittee. The Johnsons were, however, brought to terms for the time
being without bloodshed.
The following entry may possibly provoke a smile; it follows upon
a complaint made to the board by an Indian that he had been beaten
in the city and robbed of his shirt:
Resolved, That Mr. John W. Bleecker furnish the said Indian with a new shirt of
the value of ten shillings.
The results of the campaign of 1776 were generally unfavorable to
the Americans. The attack on Quebec and Montreal in the preceding
November by the gallant Montgomery had failed and the commander
was killed. The more important events of the year 1776 were the
evacuation of Boston before Washington's army on March 17; the
signing of the Declaration of Independence; the expulsion of the
American forces from Canada; the flight of Sir John Johnson to Can-
ada; the attack upon Long Island by the British and the retreat in
August of Washington's army to New York; the evacuation of New
York by Washington in October; the capture of Fort Washington on
the Hudson River by the British in November; the battle of Trenton
and victory of Washington in December — almost the only bright ray to
lighten the general gloom of the year.
Early in this year (1770) the Albany Committee began its unceasing
struggle for the repression of disloyalty. On the '20th of January the
following was recorded:
The Committee to enquire for a proper place to confine such persons as are inimical
to American Liberty, Report that there are two rooms in the Fort m this city which
might be repaired with little expense for said persons; therefore
Resolved, That General Schuyler be requested to fit the upper room in said Fort.
Again, George Ramsey was sent on from Schenectady charged with
"calling persons in favor of American Liberty, Rebels." He was
made to furnish a bond in the sum of j£2i )(.) for good behavior. The
following is in the same line:
Resolved, That no person or persons be permitted to move into or settle in this
County, unless he or they bring a Certificate from the Committee of the County or
district from which they claim that they had, prior to this resolve, signed the asso-
ciation recommended by Congress, and had in all things behaved in a manner be-
coming to Friends of American Freedom.
The modern boycott found a small example in the treatment of John
Boyd by the committee. Boyd was convicted of selling tea for 7s. 6d.
73
per pound, " contrary to Resolution of Continental Congress." Here
is what followed :
Resolved, That the said John Boyd has violated the Resolution and ought to be
considered an Enemy to the American Cause, and it is Recommended that all per-
son break oil all intercourse with said Boyd.
This was in May, and later, others were punished in the same man-
ner. It was in this summer that a resolution was adopted for the dis-
arming of all disloyal persons.
On the 8th of November the following preamble and resolution were
adopted :
Whereas^ The time limited by the good people of this County for the present
Committee to serve, expires in this County this 4th Tuesday of this month ; and
Whereas, The Representatives of this State in Convention have been inevitably
prevented from forming a Government for this State, it is necessary that another
Committee be elected in this County for the space of Six months:
Resolved, That the Election in the several districts of this County be held on the
3d Tuesday of November.
The county committee thus elected consisted of nine members from
the first ward; Manor of Rensselaer, twenty members; Schoharry, six-
members; Grote Imboght, five members; Ballston, five meml
Hosick, twelve members; Coxackie, six members; German Camp, four
members; Schaghtikoke, ten members ; Half Moon, seven members;
Saratoga, seven members ; Schenectady, eleven members; Cambridge,
nine members; Kings, eight members; Claverack, twelve members.
Manor of Livingston, ten members. A resolution was adopted that
•' the Committee of the County Meet every fortnight in the City Hall."
The number of troops furnished to General Schuyler for the Canada
campaign by Albany county was as follows:
East Manor, Rensselaer wyck, 75; West District. Rensselaerwyck, 75; Clav<
and King's District, 150; East Camp and Grote Imboght, New York, 75 : Hall Mooi
Balston and Saratoga, Canada, 75; Albany, Schodary, Coxackee and Kinderhook,
75.
The following military notes are from the records of that date:
Henry Marsclis was made captain of Company raised in Albany City, Schenectady,
Coxackee and Schohary, to reinforce Continental Army in Canada; Benjamin C.
Dubois, first lieutenant ; John Van Antwerp, second lieutenant.
Resolved, That Henry K. Van Rensselaer be appointed Major of the Company <>i
Militia for the County for Service in New York.
Peter Van Rensselaer was appointed captain oi company raised in Claverack,
Christopher C. Miller, first lieutenant; Wilhelmus Philips, second lieutenant.
10
74
July 1st — Committee appointed officers of battalion, raised in Albany, Tryon,
Charlotte Cumberland and Gloucester Counties as follows: Cornelius Van Dyck,
colonel; Barents. Ten Eyck, major; John Shepardson, lieutenant-colonel.
July 17th — Received a letter from Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert Yates and
Matthew Adgate, dated White Plains, 14th instant, inclosing the Declaration of the
United States of America; declaring the Said United States free and independent;
also the resolutions of the Representatives of the State of New York, in consequence
thereof.
On the 18th of July the following momentous resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the Declaration of Independence be published and Declared in
this City to-morrow at Eleven O'clock at this place, and that Colonel Van Schaick be
requested to order the Continental Troops in this City to Appear under Arms at the
place aforesaid; and, further, that the Captains of the Several Militia Company in
this City be requested to Warn the Persons belonging to their respective Companies,
to appear at the place aforesaid, and for this purpose aforesaid.
On the 3d of August the following' was adopted in extension of mili-
tary preparations:
Resolved, That John A. Bratt and Alexander Baldwin be appointed Captain for
the Ranger Companies; and Marte Van Beuren, John B. Marselis, Michael Jackson
and John Jost Sidney, Lieutenants for said Company, and Stephen Lush, Captain
for the Company to guard the stores in Albany, and Gerrit Staats and Jacob J.
Lansing, Lieutenants.
Inspired by repeated successes the British made extensive prepara-
tions for the campaign of 1777. One conspicuous feature of their plans
was an invasion of this State in the vicinity of Albany county by an
army from the north under Gen. John Burgoyne, who had recently
returned from England and superseded Gen. Guy Carleton in Canada.
Vigorous operations by the British had driven the Americans out of
that country, sending them southward to Crown Point, "disgraced,
defeated^ discontended, dispirited, diseased, naked, undisciplined ; eaten
up with vermin; no clothes, beds, blankets; no medicine; no victuals
but salt pork and flour." During the winter of 1776-7 many of the
prominent officers of the American army, including Generals Gates,
Col. Morgan Lewis, Col. Benedict Arnold, Col. John Brown, and others
had their winter quarters in Albany.
Alarm and anxiety prevailed throughout Albany and Tryon counties
at the opening of the campaign. General Schuyler anticipated the
invasion and besought Washington to send more troops to garrison
Ticonderoga and Fort Stanwix. Schuyler arrived at Ticonderoga June
20, the same morning on which Burgoyne set sail up Lake Champlain,
75
At Ticonderoga were about 3,000 men under General St. Clair. Before
Burgoyne's army the works were untenable and were evacuated; St.
Clair fled with his little army towards Fort Edward, was defeated in a
battle at Hubbardton, Vt., pressed on to Fort Edward, and thence
down the Hudson to near Albany. At the stand made by the Americans
near Fort Ann under Schuyler, with about five hundred Rensselaer
Manor men, heroic fighting took place, and many Albany men were
killed and wounded. The evacuation of Ticonderoga was a most dis-
couraging event to General Schuyler, for it had been looked upon as a
frontier stronghold. It seemed that little was left to oppose a victori-
ous march by Burgoyne directly down across the State. Schuyler dis-
missed half of his militia, and a little later most of the remainder, his
excuse for this peculiar action being that he dismissed a part in fear of
losing the whole; and, second, that having sent away half, he might as
well let them all go. While personally a brave and capable man,
Schuyler is well known to have been timid and distrustful of himself in
trying emergencies, as shown on several important occasions. The
militia understood the situation and held the general in distrust.
On the 16th of August was fought the memorable battle of Benning-
ton, in which the gallant Stark won a signal victory over a part of
Burgoyne's army ; this was a disappointing event to the British general,
who had begun to believe that his triumphant march was to be almost
unimpeded, until he could be joined by Sir Henry Clinton and his army
from the south. Meanwhile Fort Schuyler (previously called Fort
Stanwix) had been considerably strengthened early in the year and
placed under command of Col. Peter Gansevoort. He was a native of
Albany, born in 1749, and had a distinguished military career. The
fort was heroically defended by a garrison of about six hundred men
against a detachment of St. Leger's army marching from Oswego; the
battle of Oriskany followed and the British were driven back, frustrated
and disappointed, to nurse their wounds in Montreal. The two battles
of Bemis Heights, fought on September 1!» and October 1. between the
Americans under General Gates (who had superseded Schuyler in com-
mand of the department) and Burgoyne, went decisively against the
British, and ten days later the boastful Burgoyne surrendered his
army. The inhabitants of Albany count}' now experienced a sen-
grateful relief.
During the year \'',', the Albany Committee, win-! proceedings
have been noticed, kept up its meetings and transacted considerable
re
important local business. After complaints had reached them of the
great number of " taverns or Tipling houses" in existence they adopted
on February 10, the following resolution:
Resolved, That no person or persons shall continue or set up a Tavern in any
District in the City or County of Albany without a license or permit for the same,
under penalty of £60 fine.
The spirit of patriotism in the city is indicated hy the following
record :
Jacobus Houghtaling, who, some time since made his escape from Jaol, being
now busy enlisting men for the service of the Enemy, and being a dangerous person
to the liberties of America:
Resolved, That Major Volkert Veeder be requested to order the said Houghtaling
to be arrested and put in close Confinement till the further order of this Committee.
Other resolutions of the month of April ordered Jacob Kidney to
patrol the streets during divine service on Sundays to quell riots and
disturbances; and approved of the action of the Committee of the
Manor of Rensselaerwyck in removing to a place of safety the family
of a man who had been threatened for giving information against
tories; the record calls them " certain disaffected persons." Christian
Smith, also, was paid ^8 for his services in "discovering the designs
of our internal Enemies." Another order was made on the treasurer
to pay $100 to Edward Davis "for his services in discovering a num-
ber of conspirators." Another citizen who it was discovered had taken
the oath of allegiance to the British crown, was ordered "immediately
apprehended and put in Close Confinement. " Day after day and week
after week the committee and authorities were busy, according to the
records, in arresting and punishing disloyal citizens. Many such left
the city to escape arrest. The committee exercised almost autocratic
power, which was doubtless a necessity under the circumstances.
When a certain blacksmith, the owner of a bellows, did not use it to much
extent and public business was impeded for want of one, the committee
Resolved, That if said Harmen Van Der Zee does not comply with the request U>
sell the same, Colonel Hay (the quartermaster) shall seize the Bellows, and have the
same apprized by two indifferent persons, and pay such value to the said Van Der
Zee.
This was a very early example of condemnation proceedings. A still
broader exercise of power, and a proceeding that shows the privations
which encumbered the American army in those days, is seen in the fol-
lowing:
77
Resolved, That Mr. Isaac D. Fonda be requested to attend the Quarter Master Gen-
eral, or any of his Deputies, in taking all the lead out of the Cesh Windows in the
houses in and about this city, and that he use all the caution in his power to prevent
any damage being done to the Window Ceshes, etc.
This somewhat high-handed proceeding seems to have met with op
position, for in November Philip Van Rensselaer was "requested to
replace the lead taken from the windows of the different houses."
In anticipation of Burgoyne's invasion in August, many refugee fam-
ilies fled to Albany for protection. All such not provided with dwell-
ing places were authorized by the committee to occupy any empty
houses found in the place, and to pasture cows in certain lands belong-
ing to Edward and Ebenezer Jessup; "a family of eight persons, two
cows; of less than eight, one cow." Provisions were also issued to the
the destitute refugees. In the month of August a resolution directed
Leonard Gansevoort to proceed to Kingston and there deposit the city
and county records. In the same month it was ordered that two com-
panies of rangers be raised ''to quell Robberies and disloyalty in dif-
ferent parts of this County." James Mather and his family had been
ordered to leave the city, and his house was ordered rented " to Abra-
ham Bloodgood, a good and loyal citizen." In September a considera-
ble list of persons were ordered "sent to the Enemy, in ease General
Gates should approve." In September the house of Abraham C. Cuy-
ler (one of the "disaffected ") was taken for sick and wounded officers,
and in the next month it was ordered that any untenanted houses
should be used for hospital purposes. Under date of November G the
following appears:
Whereas, This Committee stands indebted to many persons who are iu great dis-
tress for want of the money, and as the State Treasury is in a low state:
Resolved, That application be made to the Commissioners tor Sequestering the
Assetts of Persons gone over to the enemy in the Middle District of this County, for
the said sum of £2,000.
( )u the L9th of November a list of "the well-affected persons in this
district" was ordered made and sent to Peter K. Livingston, with a
request to deliver to the order of the chairman of this district a quan-
tity of salt, " not exceeding two quarts per Head."
The work of the committee for the year 177*3 closed with the follow-
ing resolutions, adopted on December ', and 15 respectively:
Jeremiah Vincent having some time ago received from this Committee the sum ol
ten pounds to perform certain secret services, instead of doing which he went
to the Enemy ;
78
Resolved, That one of the two Cows on the farm of the said Vincent be sold and
a return made of the said ten pounds, and a return made of the overplus to the wife
of the said Vincent, and that this Committee dispose of the Other cow.
Resolved, That William Gilliland be remanded to prison, as proof has this day
been made before this Board of his further Inimical Conduct to the United States.
Plans were laid by the Americans and numerous efforts made during
the war to again secure the alliance of the Six Nations. Among these
was a great council held at Johnstown March 9, 1778. The Continental
("ongress was fully represented, and from this county Yolkert Veeder
and, probably, General Schuyler were in attendance. But the effort
was unavailing and the bloody deeds of the savages continued.
To chastise the Iroquois in some measure for their atrocities against
the Americans, an expedition was sent against the Onondagas in the
spring of 1779, under command of Colonel Van Schaick. His force
consisted of 558 men from his own and General Gansevoort's regiments,
which left Fort Schuyler April 19, and penetrated to the heart of the
( )nondagas' country, surprised the Indians, destroyed their villages,
burned their property and slaughtered their stock. The expedition
was out six days and returned without the loss of a man. The conse-
quences were not what was anticipated. Instead of terrorizing the
Indians, it only exasperated them to further savagery and led to the
destruction of Cobleskill and attacks upon Canajoharie and other
points.
Another and much larger expedition, and one which, perhaps, had a
more powerful effect tipon the Indians, was made in the summer of
the same year. Washington placed Gen. John Sullivan in command of
about :>,000 troops with orders to march into the Senecas' country and
leave nothing but desolation in his path. Sullivan arrived at Tioga
Point August 'I'l, and was there joined by Gen. James Clinton with
1,600 men. A battle was fought near the site of Elmira in which the
.Americans were victorious. The expedition pushed on and repeated
in the rich Genesee valley the operations of Van Schaick in Onondaga.
The destruction was complete and overwhelming; but while it tem-
porarily awed the Indians, it did not crush them. Taking advantage
of the desire for vengeance aroused among them by these raids, Sir
John Johnson came down into the Mohawk valley from Crown Point in
May, 1780, and the tomahawk and torch left many desolate homes. At
Johnstown and in that vicinity he burned every house excepting those
of tories, recovered his plate which he had previously buried at John-
79
son Hall, took about twenty of his former slaves and escaped to
Canada.
The proceedings of the Albany Committee during- the few months of
its existence in 1778 can be briefly disposed of here. The new com-
mittee was elected January 2, and the following officers chosen: John
Barclay, chairman; John M. Beeckman, deputy chairman; Matthew
Visscher, secretary; Jacob Kidney, waiter. On the 7th of [anuarv a
resolution was adopted that "a subscription be set on foot for the use
of our Ruined wSettlers of our Frontiers.-' On the 15th a committee
which had been appointed to collect money for the poor of the second
ward, turned over ,£97 I4y. 6e/.
In March Moses R. Van Vranken confessed that he had bought but-
ter at one shilling per pound in specie, and sold it for 6s. %d. per pound
in Continental currency, for which he was deemed "dangerous to the
State, and put in confinement till further orders."
The last entry in that part of the journal of the committee that has
been preserved is under date of June 10, 1T78, and is unimportant.
In April, L778, the seat of government was temporarily removed to
Poughkeepsie. Although the war was then in progress, Albany city
and the county as far as its present limits are concerned, did not suffer
from it through invasion or battles, nor did it during the remainder of
the struggle. But the vicinity was frecpiently threatened and alarm
and anxiety were continuous. The city was filled with Continental
troops much of the time; these wrere sometimes very disorderly and the
administration of the city government was an onerous task. Petty
disturbances were promptly suppressed, while greater ones were vig-
orously dealt with. In the month of May the citizens were greatly
alarmed by the removal of a large part of the soldiers, leaving the
city almost unprotected from rioters and law-breakers. There were
then ten prisoners under sentence of death confined in the city, and
threats of rescue were heard. Mayor Barclay and the council com-
municated with General Stark on the subject as follows:
The Common Council would beg leave to observe, that the many robberies, mur-
ders and other dreadful crimes committed on the inhabitants of this City and
County by deserters and prisoners from Burgoyne's Army, and by the disaffe< '
our own country, who are drove to desperation, and some of them almost to starva-
tion, lenders it indispensably necessary to have a large body of regular troops to
keep the villains in subjection, or go in quest of them; for, unless the militi.
remain at home tins year, and properly manage their summer crops, little or no sup-
port of flour and other things can the Continent derive from these parts. Last
80
more than one-half of the crops were destroyed by the Army-marauders, and not
more than half the usual quantity sold. If the British prisoners could be moved to
another place, it would break up the alarming connection kept up between them and
the Tories and the negroes.
At about the same time the British prisoners, tories and negroes in
the city organized a plot to rise, murder the guards, and rob and burn
the city; it was fortunately discovered in time to avert the calamity.
Seven of the leaders were seized and executed on Gallows Hill.
On May 30 of that year a regiment of militia and a body of Conti-
nentals were attacked by tories and Indians at Cobleskill. They
were defeated, many of them killed and the place burned. Albany
was in a fever of excitement, for the British freely threatened to serve
the city in the same manner. These dangers were, however, happily
averted.
The Common Council and citizens were greatly agitated in the fall
of 1778 by reports that the commander of the Northern Department
was to quarter 2,000 soldiers on the city during the ensuing winter.
On September 12 the authorities united in a letter of protest to Gov-
ernor Clinton against this injustice. Their reasons were, in substance,
the grievous privations and sacrifices already made by the city; the
constant struggle of the inhabitants and authorities against the tories.
all of which had so impoverished the people that many were in very
reduced circumstances; that their fences had all been used for fuel by
the soldiers, opening their lands to common use and the destruction of
crops; that there was a great scarcity of fire wood, through the billet-
ing of a large force of soldiery upon the city in the previous winter,
etc. Their letter concluded as follows:
However willing we have been, and still are, to risk our all in supporting the free-
dom and independence of our blessed country, we feel compelled to ask that in the
distribution of the troops for winter quarters, due respect may be had for the former
distresses and present sufferings of the inhabitants of Albany and its suburbs; and
that, at any rate, no more troops may be allotted to us than the hospital and the
barracks may contain ; that the strictest orders may be issued regarding stealing,
pilfering, and insulting the inhabitants; and that the officers be enjoined in punish-
ing the refractory and disobedient.
The whole letter bears the impress of earnest truth and it had the
desired effect. While it is true that during the remainder of the Rev-
olutionary struggle the county was free from actual invasion and
bloodshed, the privations of the people, the responsibilities of the
mayor and council and the sacrifices demanded, constantly increased
si
to near the close of the contest In September, 1781, the alarming
news reached the inhabitants that the British were about to attack the
city and burn it to the ground. Prompt measures for protection were
adopted, but the tide of military events turned away the threatened
invasion. It was in that year, also, that General Gates wrote Governor
Clinton as follows:
I am fully confident that George III of Great Britain, has many subjects in this
city who would willingly lay down half, even the whole, of their estates in his serv-
ice, and trust in his royal clemency for the repayment of the money so profitably
laid out. Albany is a very dangerous place to put men into. I have no hopes of
any assistance from Albany; it is not their inclination to fight away from their own
castle.
The war of the Revolution continued with its succession of memor-
able events, all slowly but inevitably tending towards the establish-
ment of American freedom, and by the year 1782 the patriot cause was
approaching its final triumph. On June 28 of this year, Washington
visited Albany, where he was welcomed by the mayor and council with
an address and with demonstrations of confidence and affection by
the inhabitants. He was presented with the freedom of the city in
gold box. His arrival was announced by the ringing of bells and the
roar of artillery, while in the evening the city was brilliantly illum-
inated.
A preliminary treaty of peace between Great Britain and America
was signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, and on September
3, 1783, peace was fully established, a formal proclamation having
meanwhile been made on April 19 of the cessation of hostilities. Al-
bany county joined with every other community in properly celebrat-
ing the event. On the 18th of July, 1783, information was received
that Washington would again visit Albany in company with Governor
Clinton on the following day. Immediate preparations were made to
give them a proper welcome. An address of welcome was prepared
and a public dinner ordered, to which the distinguished visitors were
invited. Washington delivered a brief reply to the address of wel-
come, closing as follows:
While I contemplate with the inexpressible pleasure the future tranquillity and
glory of our common country, I cannot but take a particular interest in the anticipa-
tion of the increase in prosperity and greatness of this ancient and respectable city
of Albany, from whose citizens I have received such distinguished tokens of their
approbation and affection,
U
82
Governor Clinton also delivered an appropriate reply to the address.
The story of the New Hampshire Grants is familiar to all, and is re-
ferred to here only to mention an incident which created some alarm
at Albany. In the latter part of 1784, after peace was fully estab-
lished with Great Britain, regiments of soldiers from General Ganse-
voort's brigade were stationed between the Battenkill and the Hoosick.
An insurrection broke out in the regiments of Cols. John and Henry
K. Van Rensselaer and Peter Yates. It was a practical expression of
the feeling of the militia in favor of the people of the Grants and
against the author^ of New York over the disputed territory. On
the 5th of December General Gansevoort ordered Colonels Yates, Van
Yechten and Van Rensselaer to march to St. Coych and quell the dis-
turbance. Governor Clinton ordered Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer's
brigade to assist Gansevoort, while General Stark, stationed at Sara-
toga, refused to interfere when requested, unless under orders from his
superiors. Advancing to St. Coych Gansevoort found about five hun-
dred men ready to aid the insurgent militia. Gansevoort had only
eighty men with him at the time and he retired five miles and opened
written correspondence with the leaders of the band ; this did not serve
the purpose of inducing the rebels 10 lay down their arms. The mat-
ter was finally settled without bloodshed by a conciliatory letter from
Washington to Governor Chittenden. Ten years later Vermont be-
came an independent State.
England submitted to defeat with bad grace. Boundary technical-
ities, questions of trade and commerce, unsettled claims of various
kinds, were all brought forward as pretexts for delay in evacuating
American territory. It must be conceded that the American govern-
ment treated its recent enemy with either distinguished consideration,
or foolish favor. In any case the astounding fact remains that it was
not until July 15, 170C, thirteen years after peace was declared, that
English troops marched away from the last bit of American soil occu-
pied by them — Fort Ontario at Oswego, the centennial of which event
has recently been celebrated in that historic city.
The year 1790, only a few years after the close of the war, found
Albany county with three incorporated towns and a total population of
13,950; of these 3,506 were in Albany; 2,777 in Rensselaerville, and
7,667 in Watervliet. These figures as relating to Albany were in-
creased by the beginning of the present century to 5,289, indicating a
considerable growth. As to the remainder of the county, no census is
83
available until 1810, which is noted in the succeeding chapter. The
towns in existence at the beginning of the century were Albany, Berne,
Bethlehem, Coeymans, Rensselaerville, and Watervleit; the remaining
six have been erected since 1800.
The subject of public improvements had begun to be discussed, par-
ticularly in respect to securing easier and more rapid communication
with the western part of the State towards which settlers were migrat-
ing in large numbers. The first practical result of this agitation was
the incorporation, March 30, 1792, of the Western Inland Lock Navi-
gation Company. This company established navigation from II nelson
River to the Seneca Lake and Lake Ontario by building a short canal
around Little Falls, another between the Mohawk at Rome and Wood
Creek, and the improvement of Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego Rivers.
The influence of this water communication upon the prosperity of the
State was widespread and traffic east and west increased rapidly. As
many as three hundred boats passed Rome in a single year. As a
financial investment the canal lost money and its property and rights
finally passed to the State at the time of the construction of the Erie
Canal.
Other avenues of communication were opened and former ones im-
proved. In 1785 the Legislature granted to Isaac Van Wyck, Talmage
Hall and John Kinney the exclusive right to drive stage wagons on the
east side of Hudson River to New York for ten years. The fare was
four pence a mile. A year later communication was opened with Spring-
field, Mass., and in 1789 a stage began running from Albany to Lan-
singburgh. About 1790 public roads were opened eastward and to
Whitestown on the west, to be soon extended to the rich Genesee
country. Over these highways ran the old stages of which our fathers
tell us. Among the first were those running westward by way of
Schenectady, Johnstown, Canajoharie, Fort Plain and Warren's Bush.
In 1790 the Legislature granted to Ananias Piatt the exclusive right to
run a stage between Albany and Lansingburgh, and in the following year
a route was authorized to Bennington. In L792 a line was established
from Albany to Whitestown, the trip heing made once in two weeks.
In the spring of L793 Moses Beal carried passengers l>y stage to Cana-
joharie once a week; fare three cents a mile. About this time John
Hudson established an opposition line to Schenectady; fare four shil-
lings. Soon afterward a line was opened to the Connecticut valley. In
i;nl Mr. Piatt was running stages twice a day to Lansingburgh, and
84
travel over this line so increased that in the next year six daily trips were
made. In 1796 twenty stages made daily trips from Albany to Lan-
singburgh, Waterford and Troy, carrying sometimes one hundred and
fifty passengers daily. In that year there were five post routes termi-
nating in Albany. In the same year $40,000 in furs and peltries
were received by one Albany house from western agencies. In the
winter of 1795-6 twelve hundred sleighs passed westward through Al-
bany for the Genesee valley. Ere long rich products came eastward to
market in heavy wagons and sleighs, all leaving their toll in Albany.
The close of the last century saw this county in the full enjoyment of
the blessings attending the peace it had aided in consummating, and
the prosperity due to it for its peculiar situation with reference to the
rapidly growing traffic of the west with the seaboard.
CHAPTER IX.
During the reign of peace, which lasted from the beginning of the
present century until 1812, there was a marked progress in Albany
county; there was a large increase in the number of settlers in many
of the already occupied localities and the beginning of settlements at
other points; the clearing of many acres of forest and the commence-
ment of cultivation on many farms ; the building of additional
mills; the founding of schools and churches. But when war with
Great Britain was renewed in 1812 industry was paralyzed for two
years and advancement was retarded
At the beginning of the century the population of this State had
reached 589,000, of which total about 60,000 were in New York city.
The foundations of the present thriving cities were laid at Utica, Roch-
ester, Buffalo, and Oswego, at which latter place a rapidly increasing
commerce on the lakes was just springing into existence. The pop-
ulation of Albany county was, in 1790, 13,950, of which number 3,506
were in Albany city, and the remainder in Rensselaerville and Water-
vleit, which were the only towns then in existence in this county. We
cannot give the population of the county in 1800, but that of the city
had advanced to 5,269, while in 1810 the number of inhabitants in the
county reached 34,669, indicating a very active growth.
85
Early in the century began the acts on the part of England and
France which resulted in another war. Through orders issued by
Great Britain and decrees made by Napoleon, all American commerce
in neutral ships with either of these belligerent nations was suspended.
American sailors, claimed as British subjects, were seized on American
vessels, the right to board American vessels for this purpose being one
of the unjust claims set up by Great Britain. Late in October, 1807,
Congress opposed the persistent outrages of the British government by
laying an embargo on all vessels in United States harbors. This
measure, necessary as it may have appeared as a general policy, was
disastrous to the mercantile and shipping interests of this whole coun-
try, and was largely the means of an irreconcilable division of the
people upon the question of war later on. The embargo act was sup-
ported by a large part of the Democratic party, but was strenuously
opposed by the Federalists.
On June 1, 1812, President Madison sent a confidential message to
Congress in which he reviewed the causes of complaint against Great
Britain and called upon the representatives to decide whether they
would act upon their rights and as duty dictated, or remain passive
under accumulating injustice. It was well known that the president
favored open retaliation. By one party he was urged by ridicule as
well as threats to declare war, while the other, among whom were
many whose personal interests were already suffering, bitterly opposed
such action. Madison's message was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations, which, on June 3 made a report favoring the presi-
dent's views and accompanied by a bill favoring war, an attempt being
made to include France in the declaration, which failed. After much
debate and amid the greatest excitement throughout the country, Con-
gress passed the bill on July 18, and the president signed it. < >n the
following day he issued a proclamation announcing the fact and call
ing on the people to support the administration.
In Albany excitement ran high. The two parties and the local press
were quite evenly divided for and against the war and party hostility
was very bitter. The Albany Register, Democratic, was then pub-
lished by Solomon Southwick, and the Albany Gazette, Federalist, by
Charles E. Webster. It is stated that the Gazette office was threatened
with destruction by a mob, and that such a demonstration was ] ire-
vented only by a published notice that every man in the establishment
was fully armed and would defend the place against an attack. The
86
Democrats were led by Gov. John Tayler, and the Federalists by Gen.
Solomon Van Rensselaer, both excellent men, but determined and ex-
treme in their attitudes on the all-absorbing question. They even had
a hostile meeting on State street on April 21, 1807, which was fol-
lowed by a legal trial.
Immediately upon the public declaration of war Gen. Isaac Brock,
commander in chief of the British forces in Upper Canada, took com-
mand of the Niagara frontier and strengthened its defenses, while
Gen. William Wadsworth was given command on the American side.
By ;i general order of the War Department April 21, 1812, the de-
tached militia of the State was arranged in two divisions, eight brigades
and numerous regiments. Preparations for war went on actively, and
Albany, by virtue of its situation and as the State capital, was a center
of great military importance. Intense anxiety was felt on the Amer-
ican side as to the probable conduct of the Indians in the approaching
crisis. Great Britain, as might have been expected, made prompt
efforts to enlist the Mohawks and the Indians in Canada in her service,
while messengers were sent among the Six Nations to urge them to
join the English. To counteract this influence a council of the Six Nations
was held at Buffalo on the Oth of July, where the great Seneca chief,
Red Jacket, made speeches in response to those of Mr. Granger, who
explained the causes of the war and counseled the Indians to remain
neutral, but if the young warriors must fight, to let it be on the Amer-
ican side. Red Jacket favored neutrality, but this condition did not
long exist, the natural inclination of the Indians soon carrying them to
the frontier, where they were an important adjunct to the American
armies. With the close of 1812 the war was well under way on the
lakes and along the Canadian frontier.
During the year J.813 the march of military events was rapid and as
a whole the result was favorable to the American arms. Sackett's
Harbor was made the chief depot of military supplies on Lake Ontario
and presented a tempting prize to the enemy. Sir James L Yen's
ignominious attempt to capture it in May, and a similar failure bv a
small force to capture Oswego, with the brilliant and important victory
of Perry on Lake Erie September 10, were conspicuous events of
the year, but their history possesses little local interest. Meanwhile
Albany was made a rendezvous for numerous bodies of volunteer and
drafted soldiery, with all the accompanying excitement, petty disturb-
ances, military display and trade activity in such lines as could thrive
87
upon the floating population thus brought into the city. The records
arc tilled with information about these bodies of troops assembling at
Albany and cither remaining- temporarily before their assignment, or
marching on westward towards the frontiers.
Early in 1814 it was evident that the British intended a more vigor-
ous prosecution of the war. The victory of the allies over Napoleon
had relieved from European service thousands of English soldiers
and early in the summer 15,000 of Wellington's bronzed veterans were
sent over to Canada. The inhabitants of this State received this news
with deep concern. During the winter and spring the military com-
manders on both sides of the St. Lawrence and the lakes made prepara-
tions for a determined struggle, with Lake Ontario as the prize, while
on the Niagara frontier measures were in active progress which led to
the bloody conflicts in that region. The principal events of the year
were the capture of Oswego by the British May 6; the battle at Fori
Erie, opposite Buffalo August 13-15; the fight at Lundy's Lane July
25, where young Gen. Winfield Scott won his first renown ; the engage-
ments on Lake Champlain and at Plattsburg in September; at Chip-
pewa on October 15, and the victories of Decatur and others at sea.
This series of military events, in most of which the Americans demon-
strated their ability to successfully defend their country against foreign
foes, concluded with the final victory of General Jackson at New
Orleans on January 8, 1815, a battle which was in reality fought after
peace was declared, but before the news reached that far away locality.
.\ treaty of peace was agreed to between the commissioners of the
United States and those of Great Britain, at Ghent, on December24, 1 >• I I,
and ratifications were exchanged at Washington February 1?, 1815. The
reception of the news in this country spread joy throughout the land,
the tidings being greeted with banquets and illuminations in many
cities and villages.
Among the local incidents of this conflict was the appointment of
Stephen Van Rensselaer, "the old Patroon," as major-general of the
volunteer militia, by Governor Tompkins. lie was stationed on the
Niagara frontier, and there took part in the battle of Queenston, in
which Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer, also, shared and made the first
attack with 225 men. Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded
at the outset. Disgusted with the refusal of many of the troops to
cross the river under the pretense that it was not a war of invasion.
General Van Rensselaer resigned in October, L812, and returne
Albany, where he was honorably received by a large concourse of citi-
zens.
The clashing young naval commander, Commodore Perry, paid Al-
bany a visit on November 8, 1813, after his great victory, and was
escorted to the Capitol by a large procession. There he was presented
with the freedom of the city in a gold box, and a handsome sword.
He held a reception at the Eagle Tavern, and attended a grand ball in
the evening.
Captain Bulkley raised a company of volunteer infantry here and
Captain Walker a company of artillery. They were stationed early in
the war on Staten Island, whence they returned to the city on Novem-
ber 28, 1812. About the same time Capt. C. R. Skinner had a recruit-
ing office in Ladd's Coffee House, corner of Green and Beaver streets,
where he was endeavoring to complete five companies of infantry, two
of riflemen, and one of artillery. In his public announcements he
states that the city had raised a fund of several thousand dollars for the
benefit of the volunteers.
Col. John Mills, of Albany, in command of artillery at Sackett's
Harbor, fell in battle there May .29, 1813, his bravery on that field
being commended by Gen Jacob Brown. His remains were brought to
the city and interred in Capitol Park May 29, 1844, and later were re-
moved to Rural Cemetery.
Among the honored names of men who performed active service in
that war and at some period lived in Albany county, are those of Stephen
and Solomon Van Rensselaer, John Lovett, John E. Wool, John Mills,
Colonel Forsyth, William L. Marcy, William J. Worth, John O. Cole,
Thurlow Weed, Lieutenant Gansevoort, Lieutenant Rathbone, and
Ambrose Spencer, jr.
The following list of names is copied from the "Index of Awards
on Claims of Soldiers of the War of 1812, as audited and allowed,"
pursuant to State law of 1859, Chapter 170, and is believed to contain
the names of most of the militia who enlisted in that war from this
county :
Albany.
Orrin Abbott,
Michael Artcher,
Chester Atherton,
Ammiel Barnard,
Asabel S. Beens,
John J. Fulton,
Thomas S. Gillet,
Jonathan Goldwaite,
Isaac T. Groesbeck,
Abraham Hagaman,
Aaron Palmer,
Robert Patten,
Jacob Place,
Jonas D. Piatt,
John Pruyn,
89
Harmanus Bleecker, jr.,
Nicholas Bleecker, jr.,
Garritt H. Bloomingdale,
Matthew Boom,
Cornelius Bounds,
Adrian Bradt,
John C. Bradt,
Salvo Brintnall,
John Bussy,
Abraham Balson,
Calvin Butler,
Daniel P. Clark,
Jeremiah Clute,
Peter Colburn,
Philip De Forest,
Martin Easterly,
Ebenezer S. Edgerton,
C. Ertzberger,
Ralph Farnham,
Thomas hish,
William For by,
Luther Frisbie,
William Fuhr,
George Hawiey,
John D. Houghtaling,
Moses Jay,
John Johnson,
Sylvanus Kelley,
John Lamoreux,
Nicholas I. Lampman,
Daniel D. Lawyer,
Jacob Lewis,
Aaron Livingston,
Jacob Loatwall,
Charles Low,
Jeremiah Luther,
Daniel Mcintosh,
John McMicken,
Abraham Martin,
Henry T. Mesick,
Thomas Mitchel,
William Muir,
John Myers,
Benjamin Northrop,
Peter Osterhout,
Henry Paddock,
Simon Relyea,
James Robinson,
Courtland Schuyler,
Jacob Scott,
Abraham Severson,
William Seymour,
Jacob Sharp,
John Shouts,
John Shinkle,
William J. Smith,
Peter H. Snyder,
John Spoor,
John Stenkle,
John Stone,
Peter Ten Eyck,
Francis E. Thompson,
Henry Turner,
John Van Antwerp,
Garret I. Vandenberg,
Peter Van Olinda,
Cornelius W. Vedder,
Ebenezer C. Warren,
Jacob White.
Orange Beeman.
Michael Belle,
Joseph Bradley,
Richard Brownell,
Henry Carroll,
Richard Filkins,
Jesse Helligus,
Berne.
Reuben Hungerford,
Elisha Ingraham.
Daniel Joslin,
Derrick Martin,
Nicholas ( (sterhout,
David D. Palmer,
Stephenson Palmer,
J( ihn Pier, 2d.
William Rhinehart,
John I. Schermerhorn,
James Sloan,
William Truax,
John Wilda,
Christian Willmon.
Joseph Arkles,
Aaron Hawiey,
Anthony Pangburn,
Bethlehem.
John Parker,
Henry I. Schoonmaker,
William Scrafford,
Lewis Stiman,
( barrel Vanderpool,
He'zekiah Wilks.
Stewart Bull,
Henry Caeknard,
1 )aniel Carhart,
COEYMANS.
John Carr,
1 )aniel < rreen,
Elias I [olmes,
John I'". Shaicr,
John Turk.
12
C< i
James Cole.
90
Adam Blessing,
Ehsha Cheesebro,
Frederick J. Crounse,
Daniel J. Beyea,
Asa Brown,
Henry Bunzer,
William Bunzey,
Henry P. Bradt,
Peter V. B. Elmendorf,
Henry Benn,
George Benn,
William Campbell,
Henry Chadwick,
David Cole,
Peter M. Conger,
Ethel Enos,
John Fraligh,
Abiel Gardner,
James W. Dubois,
Nathan B. Gleason,
Isaac Hitchcock,
Following the war
Albany county and
GUILDERLAN I >.
Christopher Frederick,
Henry Ostrander, jr.,
Adam Relyea,
Jerusalem.
Charles Hazelton,
Moses Mowers,
Knox.
Edward P. Crary,
Joseph Gallup,
New Scotland.
William Latta,
Robert McGill,
Rensselaerville.
William Crandall,
William Holdridge,
South Jerusalem.
Peter Cole.
Wateryliet.
Oliver Hastings,
Ezra Haynes,
James Johnson,
Henry Lasee,
Jesse E. Roberts,
Westerlo.
Josiah Hinckle)r, jr.,
Walter Huyck,
John Newbury,
West Troy.
Israel Shadbolt,
James Sloan,
Jacob Turner,
of 1812 a long period
the country at large,
John N. Severson,
Peter Shafer,
Cornelius Van Derzee.
Conrad Turner.
Benjamin Williams,
Henry Williams.
Jacob Martin,
Samuel Warner.
Thomas Tibits,
Cornelius Van Aiken.
John Scovell,
Stephen Simpson,
David Turner,
Joseph Werden.
Cyrus Stone,
George W. Swartwout.
John Uran,
George Wilson.
of peace settled down upon
growth and progress in all
91
directions being rapid. The population increased from 34,669 in 1810
to 38,150 in 1820, and to 53,520 in 1830. Travel to and from Albany
began to assume large proportions early in the century and with the
close of the war and the establishment of industries and opening new-
settlements, it greatly increased. Various turnpike companies were or-
ganized in addition to those already mentioned, among them the Leba-
non and Albany Turnpike in 1798; the first company of the Great Western
Turnpike in 1799; in 1804 the Bethlehem Turnpike, and in 1805 the
Albany and Delaware Turnpike. A charter for a turnpike on the west
side of the river to Catskill was granted about this time, and the Troy
and Schenectady Turnpike was incorporated in 180G. All of these
roads were to facilitate the concentration of trade in Albanv.
Among the most prominent of the early stage proprietors was Jason
Parker, whose place of residence was Utica. He obtained concessions
from the Legislature about the beginning of the century to run stages
west from Utica to Canandaigua for ten years. The fare at that time
was four cents a mile, and the proprietors were prohibited from carry-
ing more than seven passengers in any one stage. Mr. Parker had
been instrumental in running the first stages from Albany to Lansing-
burgh in the latter years of the preceding century, and also had a line
in operation between Albany and Whitestown before 1797. In part or
all of these early enterprises he was associated with Moses Beal. It is
on record, in 1810, that a greater degree of expedition was attained on
the route from Albany westward, when a daily line was established to
Utica. On the 20th of September, 1810, Joshua Ostrom and his asso-
ciates, who were in opposition to Parker cK: Co., announced a new
" steamboat line of stages " which left Albany on Mondays and Fri-
days. On the 21st of January, 1811, appeared the following announce-
ment from Parker & Powell:
Kight changes of horses. The mail stage now leaves Bagg's, Utica, everymorning
at 4 o'clock. Passengers will breakfast at Maynard's, I lerkimer, dine at Josiah Shep-
ard's Palatine and sup (on oysters) at Thomas Powell's Tontine Coffee House, Sche-
nectady. Those ladies and gentlemen who will favor this line with their patronage
may be assured of having good horses, attentive drivers, warm carriages, and that
there shall not be any running or racing of horses on the line.
This line was within a few months extended through to Niagara
Falls.
The year 1807 saw a marked change in travel northward and south-
ward, when the first steamboat was launched on the great river. The
02
first of Fulton's boats, the Clermont, left New York September 5 of
that year, with twenty-seven passengers, which number was increased
to one hundred on the trip of October 7. From twenty-four to thirty-
six hours were required for the trip. In 1811 there were two steam-
boats carrying passengers to New York ; they were named the Hope
and the North River. This number was increased by 1836 to twelve
steamboats and seven towing- boats. The fare on the first steamers to
New York was $7. In 1820 the Chancellor Livingston was launched;
she was 175 feet long, had beds for 160 passengers and settees for forty ;
fare $8. The reader can draw his own comparison between this pioneer
boat and the Adirondack of to-day. In 1823 the Constitution, the Con-
stellation, the Swiftsure, and the Saratoga began running. In 1828
the North America was put on the river, a boat which was character-
ized by Dr. Charles Stuart as "the most beautiful and swift of the
floating palaces on the Hudson; or, as I believe, I may add with truth,
in the world." 1
In the early projects for improving transportation facilities to the
westward Albany men showed an active interest. They clearly saw
that from that direction would soon pour down towards tidewater
a flood of produce and manufactured articles, while the rapidly in-
creasing population of that region would demand the return of an im-
mense volume of merchandise. In the first directorate of the Western
Inland Lock Navigation Company, which was noticed in the preceding-
chapter, were a number of prominent Albany county men, as follows:
Philip Schuyler, Leonard Gansevoort, Jeremiah Yan Rensselaer, El-
kanah Watson, John Tayler, Jelles A. Fonda, William North, and Golds-
boro Banyar. The Albany commissioners to receive subscriptions to
stock were Abraham Ten Broeck, John Tayler, Philip S. Yan Rensse-
laer, Cornelius Glen and John Ten Broeck.
It was not long before it became apparent that still further improve-
ments in this direction were an imperative necessity. The subject of
1 The Clermont was a small thing compared with the great river steamers of the present
time. Fulton did not comprehend the majesty and capacity of his invention. He regarded the
Richmond (the finest steamboat at the time of his death) as the perfection of that class of archi-
tecture. She was a little more than one hundred feet in length, with a low, dingy cabin, partly
below the water line, dimly lighted by tallow candles, in which passengers ate and slept in stifling
air, and her highest rate of speed was nine miles an hour. Cotild Fulton revisit the earth and be
placed on one of the great river steamboats of our time, he would imagine himself to be in some
magical structure of fairyland, or of forming a part of a strange romance; for it is a magnificent
floating hotel over four hundred feet in length, and capable of carrying a thousand guests by
night or day at the rate of twenty miles an hour.— Lossixg.
93
canal navigation directly from the Hudson River to the great lakes was
discussed very early in the century, but the name of the originator of
the project is lost in the past. The honor has been claimed bv several,
each of whom has found his advocates. The journals and other writ-
ings of Elkanah Watson, who was a man of great enterprise and pro-
gressiveness, contain ample proof that he had conceived the plan about
ten years before the opening of the present century. He made a tour
across the State in 1701, during which he kept a voluminous journal,
which is still in existence and contains at least inferential proof that he
was then giving much thought to the subject. However this feature
of the matter may be viewed, it is certain that he was a strong advo-
cate of the canal long before it was actually begun, and by his argu-
ments awakened a lively interest in the enterprise in Albany. Among
those who looked upon the project with favor were the Van Rensse-
laers, the Schuylers, and John and Isaiah Townsend. A call for a
meeting to be held at the Tontine Coffee House on February 7, L816,
was signed by Archibald Mclntyre, James Kane, John Woodworth,
William James, Charles E. Dudley, Dudley Walsh, Barent Bleecker,
John Van Sehaick, Rensselaer Westerlo, and Harmanus Bleecker. At
this meeting a committee was named for each ward to secure signa-
tures to a memorial to the Legislature, asking for legislation to forward
the scheme. Similar action was taken in other parts of the State. In
April following an aet was passed to " provide for the improvement of
of the internal navigation of this State." Under this act, Stephen Van
Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott, and
Myron Holley were appointed commissioners to "consider, devise and
adopt such measures as might be recpiisite to facilitate and effect
the communication, by means of canals and locks, between the naviga-
able waters of the Hudson River and Lake Erie, and the said navigable
waters and Lake Champlain." This commission made their report,
and then the struggle began. The canal question divided parties and
shaped the politics of the State. The question of the course to be fol-
lowed was prolific in argument, while a large part of the inhabitants of
the State looked upon the whole project as visionary and foolhardy.
But nothing could permanently stop the progress of the canal and on
April 15, 1S1T, the last day of the session, the act authorizing the great
water-way was passed.
Considering the times and the means available in those days for
heavy engineering work, the canal was constructed rapidly and on the
94
8th of October, 1823, the first boat passed through the completed por-
tion east of the Genesee River into the Hudson. This event was cele-
brated in Albany with enthusiastic public demonstration. The Com-
mon Council appointed a committee consisting- of Aldermen Gibbons,
Baldwin, Humphrey, Cassidy, Ten Eyck, and the chamberlain, while
Solomon Van Rensselaer acted as marshal of the day. A salute was
fired at sunrise, bells were rung, there was a civic and military parade
and business was suspended generally. The first boat that entered the
lock was the De Witt Clinton, having on board Governor Yates, the
mayor and other corporation officers of the city, the canal commission-
ers, engineers and citizens. The cap stone of the lock was laid with
Masonic ceremonies and the waters of the lakes and those of the ocean
were then mingled by Dr. Mitchell. After this impressive ceremony
the lock gates were opened and the boat settled down upon the waters
of the Hudson.
The whole canal was not completed until October 26, 1825, but Al-
bany had begun to feel its benefits previous to that date. The final
opening of the canal was also celebrated along its entire line. On Octo-
ber IT the Common Council appointed a committee to make proper
arrangements for the Albany celebration, who held a public meeting
in the Capitol, and another at a little later date, which contributed to
the perfection of arrangements for the celebration. The passage of
the first boat from Buffalo into the Albany basin was announced from
point to point along the entire distance by the firing of cannon. The
Seneca Chief was fitted up at Buffalo to carry the dignitaries of the
vState, and left that city on October 26, arriving in Albany November
2. At 11 o'clock the procession was formed and marched through the
principal streets of the city under direction of Welcome Esleeck, John
Tayler, James Gibbons, and Francis I. Bradt. When the procession
reached the Capitol, impressive services were held, consisting in part
of the singing of an ode written by John Augustus Stone, of the Al-
bany Theatre, addresses by Philip Howe, of New York, William James,
of Albany, and Lieut. -Governor Tallmadge, a splendid collation at the
Columbia street bridge, and a ball in the evening.
The completion of the Erie Canal changed the whole aspect of com-
mercial affairs in the lake region. Coincident with that event the first
steam vessel, the Ontario, was launched on Lake Ontario at Oswego,
giving birth to the immense traffic that soon covered those waters with
busy fleets. With the construction of packet boats on the canal, travel
95
eastward and westward became immense, and very much of it passed
through Albany. Tolls collected in this city increased from $126,652
in 1825, to $212,045 in 1830, while more than a hundred thousand dol-
lars was added to this amount in the succeeding- five years. Rivalry
between the canal packet boats and the stages on the main lines was
very active; but the new mode of travel attracted the greater number
of passengers for a considerable period. Meanwhile the Champlain
Canal had been finished and opened its entire length on September L0
1823, extending from near Cohoes to Lake Champlain, and further
contributed to the growth of Albany.
As an evidence of the rapidity with which the Erie Canal was
brought into use, and of the very great change which it made in the
mode of transportation, particularly as regards freight, it may be
stated that the number of canal boats which arrived in Albany during
the season of 1823 was 1,329; during that of 1824 it was 2,687; during
that of 1825 it was 3,336; and in 1826, the year after the canal was in
full operation, it was about 7,000. The rate for transportation on the
turnpike in 1820 was one and a half cents a mile; the rate by the canal
was five mills. But it should not, therefore, be inferred that all the
passengers deserted the stages for the packet boats. The canal passage
was still tedious compared to land travel, and was chosen chiefly by
those who desired to lessen the fatigue of the journey, but was avoided
where time was of account.
The construction of what is known as the Albany Basin was inti-
mately connected with the two canals that terminate here. The sub-
ject of this basin was discussed about 1820, when river navigation had
become active and the docks in front of the city were constantly lined
with hundreds of sloops and schooners. After a few years of agitation
the matter was referred to the Canal Commissioners, who reported on
February 11, 1823, as follows:
In obedience to the resolution of the Assembly passed the 1-Hh ult., instructing the
Commissioners to report a place for the construction of a basin at the termination of
the Erie and Champlain canal at the city of Albany, reported that Benjamin Wright,
one of their engineers, who was instructed to examine the matter, had proposed a
plan and made a communication on the subject, together with a map of the contem-
plated basin. The Commissioners believe that a basin may be constructed on the
said plan for about $100,000, and that such a basin would be extremely beneficial to
the trade of Albany. They have declined to make basins along the line of canals,
believing that mercantile capital and enterprise would find sufficient inducements
and interests to furnish these local accommodations to trade, and thai to expend the
9G
public moneys would not be just. The}' think, however, that it would be proper to
construct a sloop lock at the southern termination of the basin, as the connection of
boat and sloop navigation at the arsenal dock will cost nearly as much as the said
lock; and, in case of the construction of said lock, it would be reasonable for the
State to receive tolls on the length of the basin as part of the canal.
In accordance with this report the Legislature passed an act April
5, 1823, authorizing- the construction of the basin and naming- the fol-
lowing persons commissioners: William James, John R. Bleecker,
John Townsend, Elisha Jenkins, Benjamin Knower, Allen Brown,
Israel Smith, Tennis Van Vechten, John Trotter, John Spencer, Asa
H. Spencer, William Durant, Peter Boyd, Joseph Alexander, Charles
R. Webster, John H. Webb, John Shotwell, Joseph Russell, William
Caldwell, Ralph Pratt, Russell Forsythe, William Marvin, William
McHarg, Jellis Winne, jr., Abraham Van Vechten, and Gideon Haw-
ley. These men were authorized to receive subscriptions for the work
which was, briefly, to construct a pier opposite the docks fronting the
harbor, so as to comprise a basin extending from the arsenal dock to a
point opposite Hodges's dock, in the line of Hamilton street, with a
sloop lock at the Hamilton street end; the work was to be completed
within two years. The act authorized the building of bridges from the
dock to the pier, and the Pier Company were to receive title to the
necessary land under water. The act also regulated wharfage to be
paid by vessels, authorized the canal commissioners to charge toll on
all canal boats entering the basin, and directed that the pier be divided
into lots and thus sold at auction. Under this act the pier was finished
May 27, 18*25, inclosing a basin capable of harboring one thousand canal
boats and about fifty vessels of larger dimensions. The pier was di-
vided into 123 lots which, excepting lots 1 and 2, reserved for an open-
ing into the river, were sold on July 17, 1825. The aggregate sum
realized was $188,510. The pier was made 4,323 feet long and eighty-
five feet broad. The area of the basin is thirty-two acres. Bridges
with draws were erected across the basin at the foot of State and Co-
lumbia streets, and the sloop lock alluded to was built by the State.
The passage of the first canal boat through the lock and into the basin
took place October 20, 1825.
The basin having no free outlet to the current of the river, soon be-
came encumbered with silt, creating a nuisance, and in June, 1831, the city
corporation was indicted by the grand jury for not abating the nuisance.
The case was fought on the ground that the bulkhead at the lower end
97
of the basin was built under authority of an act of the Legislature. The
Court of Sessions decided against the city, but the decision was re-
versed by the Supreme Court. In response to an application made by
citizens in February, 1835, the Legislature passed an act on the 27th
of April directing the partial removal of the bulkhead, the removal of
the sloop lock, and the erection of a bridge from the abutment at Ham-
ilton street to the pier. The Common Council was also authorized to
clean out the offensive accumulation and assess the cost on all prop-
erty benefited. Since that time and under various acts and council
proceedings, the basin has been vastly improved by openings in the
pier, dredging, etc.
The period from 1826 to 1836 was one of general prosperity through-
out the country. The success of the canals that were actualy built led
to the formation of scores of companies, with capital stock ranging
from $3, 500 to $550,000, and canals were projected in all directions; but
most of these were never even commenced. Meanwhile rumors of a
strange and mighty rival of the canal in the freight and passenger
traffic had come from the southward, and before the canals had reached
the height of their prosperity, a steam railroad, the first one in this
State, was in active operation between Albany and Schenectady.
Prominent Albany men were actively interested in the development of
the new mode of transportation. What was known as the Quincy Rail-
road was built in Massachusetts in 1826, for the transportation of gran-
ite from the celebrated quarries, but it was only four miles in length
and the motive power was horses. In April of the same year the New
York Legislature chartered the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad
Company, to construct a railroad between Albany and Schenectady.
This was the first chartered company in the Union authorized to carry
on a general transportation business. This was the 6rs1 season that
the Erie canal was used throughout its full course, yet the conviction
was, even then, becoming prevalent that at an early day a railroad
would extend along its course as a competitor for traffic. As business
in all its various channels rapidly increased, demanding greater activity
on the part of merchants and manufacturers, the element of time be-
came a more important factor in every man's business and had a distinct
effect upon his profits and losses. Shrewd men realized that this line
across the Empire State was the natural course for through trade, as it
is now termed, and busy minds were speculating upon ways and means
and possible results of building railways that would, at least, divide the
13
98
traffic of the canal and the stages and prove a profitable investment.
The capital of the Mohawk and Hudson Company was $300,000, with
the privilege of increasing it to $500,000. In the mean time and before
work on this road was begun, railroads in other States were com-
menced, finished and brought into use, with locomotives propelled by
steam. The Auburn and Syracuse road, chartered in May, 1834, was
first operated by steam in 1839. In August, 1830, about twenty months
before the expiration of the six years in which the road was to be built,
the work of construction on the line from Albany to Schenectady be-
gan and was pushed forward with such energy that in October, 1831,
it was fully completed and was carrying on an average about 400 pass-
engers daily. This, the first railroad in the State, was crude in plan,
imperfect in construction and expensive in operation. The road bed
was mostly of solid stone, forming an unyielding foundation, that acted
as an anvil, upon which rolling stock pounded like hammers, battering
and wearing out the timbers, cross ties and rails. The cost of the road
was $68,000 per mile.
During the ten years subsequent to the date of the charter of this
first railroad, the Legislature granted charters for building other roads
in various parts of the State. The success of the road from Albanyto
Schenectady, such as it was, served to inspire confidence in more ex-
tensive and better railroads and taught many lessons that later engi-
neers were not slow to adopt. The project of connecting Albany with
New York by a railroad along the Hudson was agitated at an early
date, and in 1832 a number of prominent men obtained a charter for a
railroad for this purpose authorizing a capital of $3,000,000. This ef-
fort was a little premature and sufficient stock was not subscribed for.
Regarding the probable profits of this line the railroad commissioners
of 1833 reported as follows:
That it would accommodate a large number of the population in the vicinity of the
route; that the amount of transportation charges which would be paid to the road
by this population, on produce, minerals, manufactures and merchandise would
amount to §350,000, to which was added a larger sum to be received from travelers
and light freights between Albany and New York, especially in winter; that the
annual income of the road would be $852,000. " This railroad will connect at Albany
with the grand chain of railroads now in progress or contemplated from Albany to
Buffalo, viz.; the Mohawk and Schenectady, completed; Utica and Schenectady in
progress ; Syracuse and Utica, contemplated ; Auburn and Syracuse, stock subscribed ;
Auburn and Rochester, contemplated ; Tonawanda, contemplated, from Rochester
through Batavia to Attica."
99
The practical consummation of all these grand projects was not, how-
ever, realized until May 12, 1846, when a new charter was granted to
the Hudson River Company with the result that, on October 3, 1851,
the road was opened from New York to East Albany. On November
1, 1809, this company and the New York Central Company were con-
solidated, the latter company having been organized April 2, 1853, for
the consolidation of the following companies: Albany and Schenectady,
vSchenectady and Troy, Utica and Schenectady, The Mohawk Valley,
The Syracuse and Utica, the Syracuse and Utica direct, Rochester and
Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, the Rochester, Lockport and Niagara
Falls, and the Buffalo and Lockport. This entire combination pa
to the new company August 1, L853. Previous to this consolidation
the Troy and Greenbush road, which was chartered in 1845, was leased
to the Hudson River Company, June 1, 1851, for seven per cent on
$270,000 stock, and passed under control of the consolidated company
above described.
The New York and Harlem Railroad was chartered in April, L831,
and work on it was begun in February of the next year. This com-
pany was authorized in May, 1840, to extend the road north of the
Harlem River to meet the New York and Albany road at such point
as might be agreed upon, and to continue to Albany in May, 1845. It
was leased to the New York Central in 1873.
The construction of these railroads involved the building of costly
bridges across the Hudson at Albany. The first bridge in this vicinity
was completed in December, 1804, at Waterford. In January. L814,
the project of building another bridge at Albany was discussed, but
received intense opposition at Troy, the claim being put forward that
it would obstruct navigation. The contest was carried into the Assem-
bly, where a heated controversy was held. On March 11, 1 s 1 4 , Har-
manus Bleecker, from the special bridge committee, reported adversely
on the project, and the subject was not brought up again unlil L831, when
it met a similar fate. ( >n February 4, L835, a meeting was held at the
Eagle Tavern to consider the subject, and a committee of thirty was
appointed to prepare a petition, but nothing further was then done.
On February 11, 1830, another meeting was held in the. city hall at
which Erastus Corning presided, but against all the influence that was
brought to bear in favor of a bridge, the Assembly committee reported
adversely in March. The subject was a fruitful source of public and
private discussion until January 30, 1841, when another meeting was
100
held in the Young Men's Association rooms, the mayor presiding and
addresses being made by John V. L. Pruyn and Samuel Stevens, but at-
tempts to secure favorable action in the Legislature met the usual
opposition from Troy and Albany ferry companies. The Assembly
again reported adversely March 26, 1841, so that, though it was in the
face of great necessity and the powerful influences working in favor of
the undertaking, a bridge was not built until 1856, when, on April 9,
the Hudson River Bridge Company was incorporated. The site of the
bridge was to be determined by commissioners, among whom were
Moses H. Grinnell, of New York, J. D. Monell, of Hudson, Palmer V.
Kellogg, of Utica, Jacob Gould, of Rochester, James W. Wadsworth,
of Geneseo and Albert H. Tracy, of Buffalo. It is worthy of notice
that on February 2, about two months before the passage of the in-
corporating act, a remonstrance against the proposed bridge was sent
to the Legislature which was signed by more than 4,000 citizens of
Albany. The capital stock of the company was $500,000. The act
ordered the bridge to be erected at least twenty-five feet above common
tide water and to be supplied with a draw of sufficient width to admit
the passage of the largest vessels navigating the river. The New York
Central Railroad Company, the Hudson River Railroad Company, and
the Boston and Albany Railroad Company were stockholders in the
bridge company. This first bridge was superseded by the present
middle bridge under an act passed April 28, 1868, authorizing the dem-
olition of the old one as soon as the new one was finished; and that be-
fore the commencement of the new bridge, the railroad companies
above mentioned and the bridge company should " jointly and severally
execute and deliver a bond to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty
of the City of Troy, and the same Board of the city of Albany, in the
penalty of at least $600,000," for the proper fulfillment of their obliga-
tions under the act. Work on the new bridge began in May, 1870, and
it was opened in 1872, and it is little more than half a mile in length.
Brief mention of the other existing bridges may be made here, al-
though it is out of the chronological order. The upper bridge was
opened February 22, 1866, and is now used exclusively for freight and
foot passage. Its cost together with the necessary purchases of real
estate was $1,100,000. The lower bridge, at South Ferry street, was
built by the Albany and Greenbush Bridge Company, incorporated
April 18, 1872. The site was selected by Commissioners Thomas W.
Alcott, Charles Van Benthuysen, Yolkert P. Douw, of Albany; James
101
M. King, of Greenbush ; Alexander Morris, J. T. Davis, and John H.
Pratt, of East Greenbush. Work on this bridge was commenced in
1876, but progressed very slowly, so that it was not opened for teams
and foot passengers until January 24, 1882.
The era of prosperity during which many of these public improve-
ments took their inception, received a disastrous check in the financial
crisis of 1836-38, which followed closely upon the ravages of the
Asiatic cholera which are described in Chapter XIII. The causes of
that panic had their beginning in the very foundation of the govern-
ment finances as laid down by the policy of General Jackson, which
was in antagonism to the policy of the United States Bank and its con-
nections. While the tide was rising banks multiplied in various parts
of the country and their managers, who had become able to control
large resources in depreciated currency, engaged in real estate and
other speculations, indulged extravagantly in the purchase of luxuries
and aided in turning the heads of their more conservative neighbors.
Prices of lands and of all merchandise were greatly inflated, money was
plenty, easily obtained and readily spent. Usurious rates of interest
prevailed, money frequently commanding from three to five per cent.
a month, with an active demand even at those rates. This apparent
anomaly is explained by the fact that man}- persons were led into bor-
rowing at enormous rates of interest, in the hope that by the tempo-
rary use of money they could realize the same large profits that were
being made by their neighbors, so that almost all communities, particu-
larly the cities and villages of later growth than Albany, were drawn
into the whirlpool and an era of speculation followed such as the country
has never since experienced. All classes became involved, and thus,
when the disaster drew near, though some persons foresaw it and
escaped, yet large numbers became bereft of ordinal-}- judgment and
clung to the last to the impossible belief that money could be actually
created by such operations, and were finally overwhelmed in the final
crash. This was precipitated by Jackson's "specie circular," and the
withdrawal of deposits from the United States Bank.
The Mexican war, as it is generally termed, was caused by conflicting
claims about the territory of Texas. The American government claimed
it as a part of the Louisiana purchase of L803, but did not press the
claim until later, so that when Mexico becamea republic in 1824, '!'•
102
was made one of the States. Meanwhile the territory had been considera-
bly settled by Americans. Finally Texas rebelled against the govern-
ment of Santa Anna and on March 2, 1836, declared itself an inde-
pendent State, though this independence was not admitted by Mexico.
On the 4th of July, 1845, Texas was, with its own consent, admitted into
the Union. Here was the immediate cause of the war that was promptly
declared. General Zachary Taylor was sent into Texas with an army
of occupation, and on the 24th of April, 1846, the first blood was shed.
The contest was not long continued, but was fought with valor and de-
termination, under such American leaders as Taylor, Scott, Wool,
Worth, and others. Its principal events have long been overshadowed
by the great struggle of 1861-65 between the North and the South.
Under the act of Congress authorizing the raising of fifty regiments
for the Mexican war, seven were assigned to the State of New York,
but only two of these were furnished. The first was raised by Colonel
Stevenson in 1846 and contained one company of eighty men recruited
in Albany, which was commanded by Capt. John B. Frisbie and Lieut.
Edward Gilbert. The regiment was sent to Mexico by a sailing vessel
around Cape Horn and joined General Scott's forces, participating in
his arduous campaign. The second regiment, raised in the fall of 1846,
was commanded by Col. Ward B. Burnett, and contained an Albany
company of which the captain was Abraham Van O'Linda, and the
lieutenant, Addison Farnsworth. This regiment also constituted a
part of Scott's army and served with honor until the close of the war.
The act of Congress of 1847 calling for ten regiments of infantry from
this State, was promptly responded to. The tenth regiment raised un-
der this call is credited to Albany and contained many volunteers from
this county. It was commanded by Col. Robert E. Temple and Lieut. -
Col. James McGown. The regiment joined General Taylor's forces
and shared his campaigns until the war ended. Gen. John E. Wool
and Gen. William J. Worth, were former residents of Albany county,
and were prominent in the struggle that gave Texas to the Union.
The war ended September 13, 1847.
The middle of the present century found Albany county with a popu-
lation of 93,279, of whom 50,763 were resident in Albany city. The
growth from 1830 (when the population was 53,520) to 1840 carried the
figures to 68,634, and during the succeeding ten years they reached the
number above stated. Later chapters of this work show that the ad-
103
vancement and growth in other directions corresponded with the in-
crease in population.
CHAPTER X.
The general history of this county during the past forty-five years,
as far as it is not included in later distinctive chapters of this volume,
may be briefly written. While it has been a period of prosperity and
growth, it has at the same time been devoid of events of great histor-
ical importance. The population of the county rose from 93,270 in 1850,
to 113,917 in 1860, and to 133,052 in 1870, while that of the city of
Albany increased from 50,763 in 1850, to 62,367 in 1860, and to 69, t22
in 1870. Transportation facilities were improved by large railroad ex-
tensions and consolidations, and many institutions of a public character
were founded. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad Company was
incorporated April 9, 1851, and was opened for traffic from Albany to
Central Bridge (35 miles), September 16, 1863. Its construction con-
tinued and it was opened throughout its entire length to Binghamton
on January 14, 1869. The property was leased in February, L870, to
the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company for the term of its charter,
at a rental of six per cent, on the Albany city bonds; seven per cent,
on the first, second and third mortgage bonds and first consolidated
mortgage bonds, and the capital stock, and $1,000 for maintaining the
organization. A payment of $5,000 semi-annually is made by tin-
lessees to the trustees of the sinking fund of the city of Albany, and is
invested in certain ways for the ultimate payment of the Albany city
bonds. The amount of these city bonds was originally $1,000,000.
While this road has been a costly one to the county, it at the same time
opened a section of the country for trade with the city that has been of
great benefit.
The Albany and Vermont Railroad was chartered October L7, L857,
and was permanently leased to the Rensselaer and Saratoga Kail-
road Company in June, 1860, and is now operated by the Delaware and
Hudson Company. The main line from Albany t<> Waterford junction
extends for twelve miles in this State, and has been of considerable
benefit to the city.
l.tll
The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad was chartered
June 14, 1881, to extend from New York city up the west bank of the
Hudson River to Athens, in Greene county, and thence diverging- to
the westward and continuing directly across Albany county to Rotterdam.
From there it passed on westward to Buffalo. It was built as a com-
peting line to the New York Central. The work of construction was
pressed with such energy that the road was opened from Weehawken
to Syracuse October 1, 1883, and to Buffalo January 1, 1884. On the
2d of October, 1885, judgment and foreclosure of sale of the road was
entered in the Supreme Court of this State, and on the 8th of Decem-
ber it was sold at auction and transferred to the purchasers, J. Pier-
pont Morgan, Chauncey M. Depew, and Ashbel Green, as joint tenants.
The road was then leased to the New York Central.
The country at large was now upon the eve of momentous events.
The sectional antagonism between the North and the South which had
been growing through many years; jealousy in the South of the rapid
material progress and prosperity of the North ; the determined efforts
of Southerners to farther extend slavery and of the Northerners to
prevent it; in short, the "irrepressible conflict" reached a crisis in the
election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States in
1860, and led to the opening of the guns of Charleston upon Fort Sum-
ter on the 11th of April, 1861. Four days later, on the loth, the presi-
dent issued a call for 75,000 volunteer militia to suppress the rebellion.
The response was astonishingly prompt throughout the Empire State
and no where more so than in Albany county. On the 18th of April
the Legislature passed an act authorizing the enrollment and equip-
ment of a State militia and providing for the public defense. Within
one week 155 companies were recruited in this State and ready for
service. Public meetings were held, relief associations organized, and
funds liberally provided for the families of volunteers, and Albany
again and for the last time became the centre of a scene of military
activity.
The first regiment to respond to the call for militia in Albany county
was the 25th New York State militia, which left the city for Washing-
ton on the 22d of April, 1861, officered as follows: Michael K. Bryan,
colonel; James Swift, lieutenant-colonel; David Friedlander, major;
John M. Kimball, adjutant; Cornelius B. O'Leary, surgeon; captains,
Co. A, Jacob Fredendall; B, Timothy McDermott; C, John Gray; D,
L05
Frank Marshall; E, J.J. Huber; F, M. H. Kenneally; G, H. Mulhol-
land; H, Godfrey; K, Hale Kingsley; L. F. Newdorf. With t79
men the regiment reached Washington on the 29th, served its term of
three months on Arlington Heights, where it built Fort Albany; re-
turned home, and on May 41, 1862, was again mustered into service for
three months and was ordered to Suffolk, Va. At the expiration of its
term, Colonel Bryan and many of his men entered the army again as
volunteers. Colonel Bryan at a later date raised the 175th Regiment
of Volunteers and died at the head of his command on June 14, L863.
He was a brave and capable officer.
The 3d Regiment New York State Volunteers was organized in Al-
bany May 7, 1861, and five of its ten companies were recruited from
Albany county, as follows: C, captain, E. G. Floyd; E, captain, J. W.
Blanchard; F, captain, H. S. Hulbert; G, captain, J. H. Ten Eyck, jr.;
I, captain, E. S. Jenney. On May 8 Frederick Townsend was elected
colonel of the regiment; S. M. Alford, lieutenant-colonel; George D.
Bayard, major; Alexander H. Hoff, surgeon; Jonathan O. Moore, ad-
jutant. The regiment left Albany May 18 with 796 men, participated
in the battle of Big Bethel, and during the remainder of its term of
nine months was stationed at Fortress Monroe. On May s, L863, it
entered service as a veteran organization and later was consolidated
with the 112th. It took part in engagements at Fort Wagner, Charles-
ton, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Fort Gilmer, Fort Fisher, Wil-
mington and others of minor character. Colonel Townsend resigned
July 2, 1861, taking up his residence in Albany, and the regiment
passed under command of Colonel Alford and was mustered out in Au-
gust, 1865.
The president issued another call for troops on May :;, L861, under
which, and acts approved July 22 and 25, 500,000 men were required,
and under this call New York State furnished 120,231 volunteers. The
i:'.d Regiment was organized at Albany and mustered into the service
between August 25 and September 21, 1861. The following were the
commissioned officers:
Francis L. Vinton, colonel; Charles II. Piefson, lieutenant-colonel; Benjamin F.
Raker, major; James II. Thompson, surgeon; James II. Bogart, adjutant. Captains:
Co. A, John Wilson; Co. B, I. R. Van Slyke; Co. E, I D, Charles
H.Clark; Co. E, Jacob Wilson ; Co. F, James C, Rogers; Co. G, William H. Mathews;
14
106
Co. H (Yates Rifles), Edwin C. Drake; Co. I, George W. Reed; Co. K, Harvey S.
Chatfield; Captain Charles B. Mitchell, 1862; Captain John L. Newman, 1862; Cap-
tain David Burhans, 1862; Captain James D. Visscher, : 862.
The regiment left Albany on the Kith of September with 706 men.
It received during its service 1,621 recruits and returned in July, 1865,
with 290 men and thirteen officers. It was distinguished for brilliant
deeds in battle and participated in actions at Lee's Mills, Warwick
Creek, Siege of Yorktown, Golding's Farm, The Seven Days battles,
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights Salem Church, Banks's
Ford, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove, Mine Run,
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Fort Stevens, Charleston, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and others.
Among those in this regiment who lost their lives, were the following:
Major (afterwards Colonel) James Henry Bogart, killed while advanc-
ing with his regiment at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. Captain (after-
wards Colonel) John Wilson, a native of Albany, died May 8, 1864, from
amputation of leg for bullet wound. Captain (afterwards Major) Will-
iam Wallace, native of Albany, was confined at one time in Libby
prison, was exchanged, and was shot while leading a charge in the bat-
tle of the Wilderness. In the same engagement, Lieutenant-Colonel
Fryer was mortally wounded. Captain David Burhans, a native of the
town of Bethlehem, fell at the front in the engagement at Po river May
10, 1864. Captain (afterwards Colonel) James D. Visscher, born in Al-
bany, served three months with the militia at the beginning of the Re-
bellion, killed at Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864. Capt. Douglass Lodge,
born in Albany, rose from the ranks to captain, planted the colors of
his regiment on Marye's Heights May 3, 1863, and received a mortal
wound on the following day.
The Tenth Regiment, National Guards, was organized in Albany
in the early months of the war and performed guard and other duty
at the call of the governor. For the third time it tendered its services
for nine months and took the field November 21, 1862, with 864 men,
and the following officers: Ira W. Ainsworth, colonel; Frank Cham-
berlain, lieutenant-colonel; David M. Woodhall, major; Richard M.
Strong, adjutant; William H. Craig, surgeon. Captains, Co. A,
Lionel U. Lenox; B, Charles E. Davis; C, Stephen Bronk; D, James
Dodds; E, James McFarland; F, James R. Harris; G, Morgan L. Fil-
kins; H, Harmon L. Merriman ; I, E. H. Tomlinson ; K, William H.
107
Brandenburg. The regiment was numbered the 177th N. Y. V., and
was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, under General Banks. Its
principal service was in the engagements from New Orleans to Port
Hudson, suffering severely at the latter place. At the close of its
term of nine months the regiment returned home and resumed its
original place as part of the 9th Brigade, National Guard. The regi-
ment suffered much from sickness while in the far South. Among
those who died while in the field were Adj. Richard M. Strong, born
in Albany, died in Louisiana May 12, 1863; he had studied law and
been admitted to the bar, with bright prospects. Lieut. John Peter
Phillips, died September 4, 1863. Sergt. Charles H. Frederick, a
native of Albany, died of fever in Louisiana March 10, 1863. Sergt.
Joseph C. Vanderhoop, born in Albany, died of fever in Louisiana.
Sergt. William Crounse, born in Guilderland, died in Louisiana June
28, 1863.
The 44th, or " People's Regiment," was a Zouave organization com-
posed largely of Albany county men, and was formed October 16, 1861.
It left for the seat of war on the 20th of that month, 850 strong and
officered as follows:
Stephen W. Stryker, colonel; James C. Rice, lieutenant-colonel; James McKown,
major; William Frothingham, surgeon; Edward B. Knox, adjutant. Captains: Co.
A, Edward P. Chapin; Co. B, L. S. Larabee ; Co. C, William H. Revere, jr. ; Co. D,
Freeman Conner; Co. E, Michael McN. Walsh; Co. F, Campbell Allen; Co. G,
William L. Vanderlip ; Co. H, William N. Danks; Co. I, A. Webster Shaffer; Co.
K, William H. Miller. Capt. Rodney G. Kimball, 1862; Capt. B. Munger, 1862.
The regiment performed meritorious service at Yorktown, Hanover
Court House, Gaines's Mills, Turkey Island, Malvern Hill, Groveton,
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahan-
nock, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Petersburg
and Weldon Railroad. The regiment was mustered out September \.'l.
1864, with 170 men, having been supplied with more than 700 recruits
during its term of service. Lieut. Col. (afterwards Brigadier -General)
James C. Rice, a graduate of Yale and a law student, with a previous
brilliant military career, participated in all the engagements of his
regiment until at Petersburg, May 10, 1804, where he received a fatal
wound. Sergt. Walter H. Angus, promoted second lieutenant, was
killed at Petersburg June 21, 18G4.
The '.list Regiment was recruited during the fall of L861, mostly in
108
and near Albany, and was mustered into the service for three years
December 1G, 1861, with 847 men. It left Albany December 20 for
Governor's Island, where it remained until January 8, 1862-. Thence
it went direct to Key West, where it arrived January 20. The officers
of the regiment were as follows:
Jacob Van Zandt, colonel; Jonathan Tarbell, lieutenant-colonel; Charles G.
Clark, major; Robert F. Keeven, adjutant; Robert Morris, surgeon. Captains:
Co. A, John W. Felthousen ; Co. B, George W. Stackhouse ; Co. C, J. G. McDermott ;
Co. D, Henry Crounse ; Co. E, William Lee; Co. F, John Cooke; Co. G, Allan H.
Jackson; Co. H, J. B. Collins; Co. I, Charles A. Burt; Co. K, Henry S. Hulbert.
The 91st was stationed at Pensacola for seven months, when it went
to New Orleans under Banks and participated in engagements at Port
Hudson, Irish Bend, Bayou Vermilion, and other points, suffering
severely. The regiment returned home July 19, 180-1, and nearly all
of its members re-enlisted. After being fully recruited it was in Feb-
ruary, 1805, assigned to the oth Corps and stationed near Petersburg,
where it performed valiant service in the closing scenes of the war.
Among the officers of the regiment who lost their lives were the fol-
lowing: Major George W. Stackhouse, died June 19, 1803, from gun-
shot wounds, at Port Hudson. Capt. John A. Fee, a native of Albany,
rose from the ranks, was wounded June 30, 1803, and died July 15.
Lieut. William P. Clark, born in Watervleit, shot through the head at
Irish Bend July 14, 1803. Lieut. Sylvester B. Shepard, born in Albany,
was a member of the celebrated Burgesses Corps, killed at Port Hud-
son June 14, 1803, at the head of his company.
The 11th New York Havelock Battery was organized in Albany Oc-
tober 20, 1801, and mustered in January 0, 1802, with 150 men and the
following officers: Captain, A. A. Von Puttkammer; first lieuten-
ants, R. A. Warrington and James Rodgers; second lieutenants, G. A.
Knapp and John E. Burton. The battery left Albany for the front on
January 17, and participated in the battles of Second Bull Run, Fred-
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Spottsylvania,
North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and others. From September,
1804, to Lee's surrender it was engaged almost every day. Lieut.
Henry D. Brower, a native of Albany, of this battery was killed at
Chancellorsville May 3, 1803; Corporal William H. Van Gaasbeek was
killed at Cold Harbor June 0, 1804, and Corporal William II. Brough-
ton was killed at Petersburg, September 28, 1864.
109
On the 2d of July, 1862, a call was made for 300,000 men, under
which the quota of New York State was 59,70/), but the State furnished
78,904. Recruiting- and other military operations at Albany now be-
gan in earnest. It was clearly seen that the war was not to be, as at
first anticipated, a brief and unimportant struggle, and throughout the
North the work of raising troops to aid the cause was taken up with
vigor. The 113th Regiment (or the 7th Regiment New York Volun-
teer Artillery) was organized in Albany county, under the proposition
that each senatorial district should raise one regiment with the utmost
possible dispatch. A committee was appointed consisting of Eli Perry,
J. F. Rathbone, Lyman Tremain, J. Tracey, T. W. Olcott, George
Dawson, C. B. Cochrane, J. V. L. Pruyn, Franklin Townsend, Samuel
Anable, W. M. Van Antwerp, George H. Thatcher, and Henry A.
Brigham, and the first man enlisted for the regiment signed the roll
July 24, 1802. So energetically was the work prosecuted that over
1,100 men were mustered in on August 18, 1862, with the following
field and staff officers:
Colonel, Lewis O. Morris; major, Edward A. Springstead ; adjutant, Frederick L.
Tremain; quartermaster, E. Willard Smith; surgeon, James E. Pomfret; assistant
surgeons, J. W. Blaisdell, George W. Nevvcomb; chaplain Humphrey L. Calder.
Captains: Co. A, Joseph M. Murphy; Co. B, Samuel E. Jones; Co. C, John A.
Morris; Co. D, Charles McCulloch ; Co. E, Norman H. Moore; Co. F, Robert H.
Bell; Co. G, Francis Pruyn; Co. H, John McGuire; Co. I, William Shannon; Co.
K, Samuel L. Anable. Lieutenants; Co. A, A. Sickles, 1st, John B. Read, 2d; C<>.
B, J. Kennedy, 1st, William E. Orr, 2d; Co. C, H. N. Rogers, 1st, M. Bell, 2d;
Co. D, C. Schurr, 1st, H. C. Coulson, 2d; Co. E, A. V. B. Lockrow, 1st. J. F. Mount,
2d; Co. F, N. Wright, 1st, R. Mullens, 2d; Co. G, S. McEwan, 1st, C. W. Ilobbs,
2d; Co. H, H. C. Ducharme, 1st, F. Pettit, 2d; Co. 1, J. O. Hair, 1st, J. M. Ball 2d;
Co. K, M. H. Barckley, 1st, G. Krank, 2d.
The regiment left Albany August 19, 1862, and was stationed in the
defenses of Washington. In December, lSU^, its character was changed
from infantry to artillery, and recruited to 152 men in each company.
It performed arduous and important service in building many forts and
batteries. In the spring of 18(14 two companies were added to the reg-
iment, with the following officers: Captains, Co. L, Janus Kennedy;
Co. M, George H. Treadwell. First Lieutenants, Co. L, F. W. Mather;
Co. M, G. B. Smallie. Second lieutenants, Co. I.. C C. McClellan;
Co. M, E. S. Moss. On May IT, 1864, the regiment joined the Army
of the Potomac near Spottsylvania and was engaged in the batth
Po River, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor. Petersburg, and
Reams's Station, in some of which it suffered severely. On February
110
22, 1805, the remnant of the regiment was ordered to Baltimore to re-
main until mustered out in June, 1865. Of the many fatalities that
occurred in this organization, the following should be mentioned: Col.
Lewis Owen Morris, a native of Albany, took part in the Mexican war,
retained command of this regiment until June 3, 1804, when he was
killed by a confederate sharpshooter. Major Edward A. Springstead,
born in Albany, served as first lieutenant in the 43d Regiment, was
promoted from captain in the 113th, and was killed at the head of his
men at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. James Kennedy, born
in Albany, wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, and at Reams's Station
August 25, 1864, and captured; died in Libby prison September 10,
1864. Capt. John A. Morris, a native of Albany, shot through the
heart at Spottsylvania May 19, 1864. Capt. Nathaniel Wright, shot
at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. Robert H. Bell, was
wounded in the Wilderness May 19, 1864, and died June 20. Lieut.
William Emmet Orr, a native of Albany, wounded at North Anna, and
died June 2, 1864. Lieut. James H. Morgan, born in Albany, taken
prisoner at Reams's Station and died at Salisbury, N. C, November
21, 1864. Lieut. Michael H. Barckley, born in the town of Knox,
graduated at Union College, raised a company in his town, was wounded
at Cold Harbor and died July 6, 1864. Charles S. Evans, a native of
Rensselaerville, killed at Cold Harbor June 5, 18U4. Lieut. Charles
L. Yeardsley, born in West Troy, killed at Petersburg June 3, 1864,
while leading Co. G in a charge. Lieut. John B. Read, wounded at
Cold Harbor and left within the enemy's lines. Sergt. James S.
Gerling, wounded in the Wilderness June 3, 1814, and again August
24, and died October 8, 1864. Sergt. George Sanders, wounded by a
shell at Cold Harbor and died in hospital June 18, 1864. Sergt. Will-
iam H. Bell, born in the town of Berne, died in service March 15, 1864.
Recruiting for the 192d Regiment, the last to leave Albany and very
nearly the last to leave the State, began in January, 1865. While
nominally an Albany regiment, a large part of its officers and privates
were from adjoining counties. The organization reached the seat of
war too late to experience any fighting.
Among other officers from this county who performed honorable ser-
vice in the army and fell either on the field or from disease contracted
in the army, a few may be briefly noticed here:
Ill
Col. Edward Frisby was a native of Trenton, N. Y., and settled in
Albany in 1826, where he engaged in business as a hatter. He joined
the vState militia at an early age and rose from corporal through the
several grades to brigadier-general. In April, 1861, he went to the
front with the 25th Militia Regiment, returned, raised the :30th Regi-
ment of volunteers and went out as its colonel. He was killed in the
second battle of Bull Run August 22, 1862.
Lieut. -Col. Frederick Lyman Tremain, son of Lyman Tremain, re-
ceived a college education and had not reached his majority at the
breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the 113th Regiment, raised a
company and was promoted adjutant; was afterward transferred to the
1st Brigade, 3d Division, Cavalry Corps, and later to the 2d Brigade,
2d Division. After participating in all the engagements with General
Sheridan's army, he was wounded at Dabney's Mills, February 5, L855,
and died three days later.
Capt. Harmon N. Merriam, educated for the law, aided in raising
the 10th Regiment and was commissioned captain Oi Co. II; was
wounded at Port Hudson May 27, 1863, while at the head of his com-
pany, and died on his way home July 15, 1863.
Capt. John McGuire, a native of Ireland, settled in Albany in 1845,
was a sergeant in the Worth Guards, enlisted in the 25th Regiment and
served through 1861-2. In September of the latter year he was made
first lieutenant in the 175th Volunteers and promoted captain. After a
long period of honorable service he was killed by guerillas April 15,
1865.
Lieut. James Williamson, born in Scotland, was first lieutenant in
the 10th Regiment Militia, and when the regiment was changed to the
177th Volunteers he was appointed first lieutenant Co. H. He was
killed while leading a charge at Port Hudson. May 27, 1863.
Orderly Sergeant Peter M. Shaler, a Scotchman, settled in Albany
in 1858, joined the 10th Regiment, was wounded March 24, 1863, and
died July 18, 1863.
Sergeant Alexander I). Rice, born in Albany April lo, 1837, enlisted
August 6, L862, in Co. C, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and promoted to
sergeant; was wounded June '■'>, L864, and died June 28.
Sergeant Andrew T. Hotaling, enlisted in Co. A, 7th Heavy Artillery,
November 7, 1862, and twice thereafter promoted; wounded at Peters-
burg June •>■>, 1864, and died July 26.
Sergeant Panl Quay, born in Knox July 30, isn, enlisted in the 7th
112
Heavy Artillery, taken prisoner June 16, 1864, was sent to Anderson-
ville and thence to Milan, where he died in prison.
Succeeding the call of August 4, 1862, for nine months volunteers
(under which New York furnished 59,705) the next call was that of
February 1, 1864, under which, in the aggregate, New York furnished
59,839 men. March 14, 1864, another call was issued for 200,000, un-
der which this State supplied 41,940, nearly 10,000 more than her
quota. Under the next call, July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men for one,
two, or three and four years, this State furnished a total of 83,843 men.
The last call was dated December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, and en-
listments stopped before the various quotas were filled, the aggregate
from New York being 34,196.
In the payment of bounties Albany county kept abreast of the other
counties of the State and her quotas were filled as promptly as those
of any other section. The county paid out for bounties to volunteers
$3, 100,700, and for expenses of recruiting and other military matters
$225,125.39; making a total of $3,325,825.39.
The war had scarcely begun when the Ladies' Army Relief Associa-
tion was organized in Albany to co-operate with the United States
Sanitary Commission in the aid of sick and wounded soldiers. The
association was in existence as early as November, 1861, and similar
organizations were effected in Coeymans, Rensselaerville, Knox, and
perhaps other towns in the county. The ladies of Albany raised $19,-
212.30 in money for the purposes noted during the four years ending-
January 1, 1866, and sent away to the battlefields thousands of boxes
and barrels of supplies of every description to comfort the soldier in
his time of privation and suffering. The Army Relief Bazaar, a great
structure well adapted to its purpose, was erected in the Academy Park
and there was held during the months of February and March, 1864, a
great Sanitary Fair, in which Troy, Schenectady, and other places par-
ticipated. It was splendidly managed and the net proceeds reached
about $82,000, which was turned over to the Sanitary Commission.
The Albany Auxiliary to the U. S. Christian Commission also received
between April 1, 1864, and January 1, 1866, the sum of $23,740.20, be-
sides a great quantity of supplies of various kinds, and books, all of
which went to the alleviation of the sufferings and privations of the
soldiers. Besides all this, private subscriptions in aid of the cause were
numerous and liberal in this county. In the forenoon of the 9th of
ii:;
April, 1865, news of Lee's surrender reached Albany, and swept on
over the whole North, kindling an outburst of joyous thanksgiving such
as the country had never before witnessed, and heralded the long reign
of peace that was soon inaugurated.
During the period of the war public improvements and important
public acts, aside from war measures, almost wholly ceased in all
Northern cities, while in villages and rural districts the frequent calls
to arms, the great sacrifices demanded in men and money, and the sad
news that came from scores of bloody battlefields, all served to distract
public attention from the ordinary affairs of life, With the advent of
peace all this was changed. The welcome event was properly cele-
brated in all communities, and the people, so long oppressed by the
terrors of civil war, turned joyfully and full of hope to the energetic
prosecution of public improvements and private business. In spite of
the enormous cost of the war — a financial drain that reached every
hamlet in the land — there was seeming prosperity throughout the
North during the several years succeeding the close of the conflict.
The great demands of the government for war materials, which had
for five years promoted many industries and afforded various avenues
for speculation and wealth-making, the abundance of money which had
poured from the national treasury in payment for supplies, and for the
vast armies whose rank and file seldom hoarded it, the high prices
ruling for all products, created by an inflated currency, were all causes
of an era of prosperity such as the country had not before experienced.
Albany county had its share in this tide of prosperity, though not to
the extent of many cities where manufacturing was more extensive.
Many private projects of importance were launched, river commerce
was active, building operations were extensive, mercantile business
was greatly extended and banks and other institutions of financial
character multiplied. The agricultural interests of the county shared
also in the general prosperity; farmers realized high prices for their
products, and many were led to purchase farms at prices which a few
years later would have been ruinous
It was inevitable that such a state of affairs could not long continue
in a time of peace. With the gradual contraction of currency, the de-
creasing demand for many kinds of products, with contemporaneous
over-production, and the fear of financial disaster through anticipated
return to specie payment, there came a reaction which culminated in
15
114
1872-3, causing much financial distress and many business failures.
Albany county, however, as has been the case in all times of depres-
sion, suffered less than many other localities; the county had gained
less and was not so much affected by the inflation caused by the war,
and hence suffered less in returning to normal conditions.
To preserve its chronological place in this work, the subject of the
anti-rent struggle should have been taken up in the preceding chapter,
but as its effects were felt through the period of the war and even
later, its brief consideration is left for this place. Anti-rentism came
into existence very soon after the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer,
the last holder of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck under the British
crown. He died January 26, 1839. He had inherited the great manor
under the law of primogeniture, as the eldest son, which had existed
here through the colonial period. The American laws following the
Revolution worked a radical change in this respect, and in order to
keep his vast landed interests in possession of his sons and their de-
scendants, Stephen Van Rensselaer, on arriving at his majority, adopted
the plan of selling his land in fee, reserving to himself and his assigns
all minerals, streams of water for mills, and some of the old feudal
rents in wheat, fowls, service with horses, etc., and finally, the reserva-
tion of one-quarter of the purchase price on every vendition of land.
It is said that Alexander Hamilton drew this form of conveyance and
advised his client that he could adopt it. But there was at that time
an English statute in opposition to such a method of sale, such right
belonging to the crown alone. It is believed that Mr. Hamilton as-
sumed that the English statute had not been in force in this colony,
and that therefore it had no real force here. In any event the patroon
sold his lands, warranting the title, his deeds containing the feudal
reservations above mentioned.
While this system of sale worked satisfactorily during his life and
generally during the lives of the first purchasers, trouble began soon
afterward. The patroon devised all his interest in the lands thus sold in
fee to his two eldest sons, William P. and Stephen. To the latter, who
was the older of the two, were given the rents in Albany county, and to
the other those in Rensselaer county. The old patroon was a kindly
man and doubtless his many favors to those who had purchased from
him served to pacify them under the onerous burdens. But when the
sons came into their estate, either their different treatment of the
115
landholders, or changes in the business and agricultural relations of
the time, led to complaints and later to more serious trouble. Litiga-
tion began and continued many years. "The counsel consulted were
either ignorant of that | English ] statute or they dismissed considera-
tion of it on the assumption that it was never the law of the colony or
of the State. Had that statute, at the time of the anti-rent outbreak,
been recognized as the law of the State, it is not too much, probably,
to assert and believe that, before the distinguished judges who then
adorned the bench, with the Senate composing the court of last resort
— a popular as well as judicial body — the anti-rent controversy would
have been spared more than a quarter of a century of political and
legal conflict, and the feudal-burdened counties have become as en-
lightened, prosperous and free as their sister counties in the State.'* 1
Early in the spring of 1839 the anti-renters held a meeting for the
purpose of deciding upon some equitable basis of settlement of the dis-
pute. A committee was appointed to call upon Stephen Van Rensse-
laer, the elder son, and learn upon what terms they could purchase the
soil outright. The committee was composed of the foremost men of
the district involved; they called at the manor office in Watervliet on
May 22, 1839, and met Mr. Van Rensselaer, who refused to recognize
them in any manner. They then passed into the inner office, occupied
by the agent, Douw B. Lansing, while the latter held a lengthy con-
versation with Mr. Van Rensselaer, after which the committee were
informed that they would be communicated with in writing. The com-
mittee felt that this was an insult, and went away. Subsequently Mr.
Van Rensselaer sent a letter to Lawrence Vandusen, of Berne, who
was chairman of the committee, in which he declined to sell on any
terms; this letter was read throughout the manor during that year.
The landholders now began actiye opposition to the collection of rents;
agents were insulted and their personal safety endangered ; bodies of
masked men resisted and attacked sheriffs in discharge of their duties
and other demonstrations of force were made in various localities. In
December, ] 839, Sheriff Michael Artcher called to his aid the posse
comitatns; with a body of about 000 men he started from Albany on the
3d day of December, 1839, for Reidsvillc, in the Helderbergs. Arriv-
ing near the place, the sheriff selected about seventy-five of the most
courageous of his men and continued towards Reidsyille, where it was
' Writings of Andrew J, Colvin.
116
known many of the anti-renters had gathered. Just before reaching
the place they encountered a force of 1,500 mounted men, who barred
the road and ordered the sheriff and his party back. There was no al-
ternative but to obey, and the whole party hastened back to Albany.
When, on the following day, the sheriff acquainted Governor Seward
with the outcome of his brief campaign, the governor called out the
military in numbers sufficient to have captured every person in the
western part of the county. The military force comprised the Albany
Burgesses Corps, Albany Union Guards, Albany Republican Artillery,
First Company and Second Company Van Rensselaer Guards, Troy
Artillery, Troy Citizens Corps, and the Troy City Guards. The com-
mand of this force was given to Major William Bloodgood, and, headed
by Sheriff Artcher, the march was taken up towards Reidsville on De-
cember 9. No resistance was met with before Reidsville was reached,
and even then no enemy was found. It was a ridiculous sight — a great
body of armed troops upon a long and wear)' march, to meet not even
a single landholder upon whom to expend their ardor. The return
was made amid a pitiless rain storm. Resistance to rent collections
continued against various methods of compulsion, without much advan-
tage to either side. The landholders hoped by petty and threatened
acts of resistance to force the proprietors into an acknowledgment of
their position, while the latter seemed to think that by military and legal
action they could compel the landholders to pay whatever was demanded.
At last the controversy was made a political issue, and a paper, the
Freeholder, was started in Albany in support of the cause of the land-
holders. Both the Whig and the Democratic parties strove to obtain
the advantage of alliance with the anti-renters, but the former party had
the largest number of them in its ranks. Their power was soon mani-
fested in the political field. Eleven counties promptly elected represen-
tatives with anti-rent proclivities to the Legislature, and Albany countv
elected Ira Harris to the Assembly in 1845 by more than 2,000 majority.
Silas Wright, who had been considered invincible, was defeated by John
Young for governer in 1846 through the influence of the anti-renters,
and the strife went on. As far as its political features were concerned,
little was accomplished and in that respect the cause soon lost its in-
fluence.
Among the conditions of the manorial grants in fee was a provision
that the grantee, or his heirs, was to pay to the proprietor on every
sale of the land, ad infinitum, one-quarter of the purchase price ; so
117
thatifafarm worth say $2,000, on which all the improvements had been
made by the purchaser, was sold four times at that price, the proprie-
tor would get the whole value of the farm, including the improvements,
in four payments of $500 each. Litigation began in the courts on this
quarter-sale provision in 1818 and in 1852 went to the Court of Appeals.
Without here attempting to follow the details of the decision, let it
suffice to say that it was in favor of the oppressed landholders. The
Court of Appeals was then comprised of Charles H. Ruggles, chief
judge, Addison Gardner, Freeborn G. Jewett, Alexander S. Johnson,
John W. Edmonds, Malbone Watson, Philo Gridley, and Henry Welles.
After this decision was rendered the manor proprietors were advised
by counsel to sell, and this was done in some cases prior to L852. With
the changed conditions under the decision of the court, and the low
prices at which lands were now offered by the proprietors, speculators,
and adventurers came into the field and made many purchases. The
principal buyer was Walter S. Church, then of Allegany county, who
during the succeeding thirty or forty years, was responsible for end-
less trouble for himself and the landholders. Litigation continued and
in many instances families were dispossessed of their farms amid dis-
tressing conditions.
One of the first cases that went to the Court of Appeals after the de-
cision in the quarter- sale case before described, was that of Van Rens-
selaer vs. Ball in L858. In the decision in that case the right of the
manor proprietors, or purchasers of their interest, to maintain actions
of ejectment was put upon a statute passed by the Legislature in L805,
authorizing grantors of lands to have the same remedies for the recov-
ery of rent as if the reversion had remained in them ; this opinion was
written by Judge Denio, who then proceeded to apply the statut<
landlord and tenant to the cases. This decision so shocked the public
conscience that the Legislature of I860 repealed the statute of 1805
far as conveyances executed after that time were concerned. After
that statute was repealed the feudal rent litigation was renewed, and
other cases which had passed through the lower courts were carried to
the Court of Appeals where they were decided in 1863. That court
then took new ground and held that the statute of 1805 was not neces-
sary to the maintenance of the actions, but that the statute of 1846
abolishing distress for rent (a statute passed in the interest of landhold-
ers) supplied the place of the statute of L805; this opinion was written
by Judge Henry R. Selden. After relying on the statute of 1846, as
118
Judge Denio had on that of 1805, to sustain the actions, Judge Selden
undertook to uphold them on the strength of an opinion expressed by
Sugden in his work on Vendors and Purchasers, and on a few contro-
verted English cases. But neither Sugden nor the disputed cases even
hint that there can be a forfeiture of land for non-payment of rent, out-
side of the relation of landlord and tenant. It may be broadly and
safely stated that no case can be found, English or American, where
re entry, or ejectment for default in the payment of rent, has been had
or allowed, except where the relation of landlord and tenant existed,
<»r was supposed to exist. Of the eight judges of the Court of Appeals
at the time Judge Selden wrote his opinion in 1863, it is noticeable that
two of the most distinguished refused to share in the decision. Upon
that remarkable decision hung all the later merciless exactions of the
proprietors or purchasers of their interest, against the landholders and
the many instances of dispossession and suffering with which citizens
of Albany county are familiar, and for which space cannot here be
spared. The working of this injustice has thus been pictured by
Andrew J. Colvin, wrho has given much study to the matter:
Ejectment suits are brought to recover one year's rent claimed to be due — gener-
ally the last year — and recovery of possession of the farm for non-payment. The
landholder, on prosecution, goes to the office in Albany to pay the year's rent
sued for, and the costs of the action. Payment will not be accepted- unless
he will also pay all rents claimed to be in arrear; it may be for fifteen or twenty,
perhaps thirty years. The landholder remonstrates on the ground, as often hap-
pens, that he has only owned the farm a few years, and should not be asked to pay
longer than he has owned. He is told that that makes no difference ; the farm is lia-
ble, no matter who may have been the owner, and he must pay all rents claimed or
lose the farm. On inquiry as to the amount claimed, he is startled to learn that it
exceeds the value of the farm, perhaps, with all the buildings and other improve-
ments. That result is brought about by charging the fullest prices for the wheat,
the fat fowls, and the days' service with carriage and horses, with annual accumula-
tions of interest on each. It is the old story; the successors of the old patroon chas-
tised the landholders with whips; the adventurers chastise them with scorpions.
This depressing subject may be concluded with the following sug-
gestive statement of claims made upon the Board of Supervisors for
services in the anti-rent difficulties rendered as late as 1866:
Claimed. Allowed.
Leonard& Bradt §1,295 72 81,268 59
Edward Scannell 1,053 00 576 00
Tenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y 992 25 992 25
Company F, 25th Regiment " 762 24 762 24
Company C, " " " 626 40 626 40
119
Claimed. Allowed.
Company G, 25th Regiment, N. Y 256 92 2">ii 92
Lord & Thornton . . _ 500 1 12 498 02
Albany & Susquehanna R. R. Co... 228 80 828 80
John Cutler 157 00 150 00
Augustus Brewster ., 122 00 80 00
Walter S. Church _ 115 00 Disallowed.
Of the history of the thirty years that have passed since the close <>t'
the war there is little to record that is not found in later chapters. The
population of the county in 1870 has already been stated as 1 33.' 152 ;
that of the city at that date, 69,422. The increase in the next decade
brought the number of inhabitants in the county to 154,890, and in the
city to 90,758. In 1890 these figures had reached respectively 164,555,
and 94,923. There has been a considerable increase since that year,
the census of 1892 showing the population of the county to be 1.67,289,
and of the city, 07,120. While these are substantial gains it must be
recorded that most of the towns in the county have during the period
under consideration, lost slightly in population, while the cities and
large villages have gained. This result is observable in most counties
of the State and in many other States.
By an act of the Legislature passed April 19, 1867, the Albany and
Schenectady Railroad was incorporated, and authorized to construct a
railroad on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike and Washington
avenue, in Albany, the cars of the company to be propelled bv ho
or dummy engines. The promoters of the project abandoned it.
The Boston and Albany Railroad was chartered November 3, L870,
for the consolidation of lines constructed many years earlier. The new
company effected a combination of the Western Railroad Corporation,
established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in March, 1
the Castleton and New Stockbridge Railroad Company, incorporated
in this State May 5, 1834, the name of which was changed May •">.
L836, to the Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad Company. On
November 11, L841, a permanent contract was made for the operation
of the last named road by the Western Corporation. On May 24,
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed an act consolidating the
Western Railroad Corporation with the Boston and \V. Railroad
Company. Further legislation by Massachusetts and New York within
the next three years effected the consolidation of the Boston and Al-
L20
bany Company, the Albany and West Stockbridge Company and the
Hudson and Boston Company, under the name it now bears, the Bos-
ton and Albany. The road is an important factor in the transporta-
tion facilities of Albany county.
An act of the Legislature of April 6, 1870, annexed small parts of
the towns of Bethlehem and Watervleit to the city of Albany. The
boundaries of these sections may be found in the session laws of that
year.
During this period considerable legislation was enacted affecting
the Albany county Board of Supervisors, some of the acts of which
board also possess more than ordinary interest. On April 13, 1857,
the office of supervisor was made a salaried office, the annual salary
being fixed at $100 and the usual traveling fees. InMay, 1871, this
salary was raised to $350 and has so remained. In the year 1875 the
powers of supervisors were considerably enlarged, particularly in re-
spect to their control of county property, their agency in the erection
of county buildings, etc. On the 14th of May, 1878, the term of office
of supervisors was extended to two years, the act taking effect at the
first election of 1879.
In the proceedings of the board for 1863, the county clerk reported
that in pursuance of a previously adopted resolution of the board, the
work of reindexing of mortgages had been completed covering the
period from 1856 to 1863, and condensing what had filled eight books
into two, for which his charges were $10,623.
During the session of 1864 when several calls for troops had recently
been made and a draft seemed imminent, the board took prompt and
liberal measures for the payment of large bounties, that a draft might
be avoided. At that time there had been almost $2,000,000 disbursed
in the county for bounties. The amount of bonds issued during the
war period was $'2,540,200. The county budget in 1865 was $766,-
094.89, or nearly double what it was at the beginning of the war. This
sum was gradually decreased to a little more than $500,000 within a
few years, but recently it has increased again to more than the figures
above given. By resolution of the board adopted November 21, 1871,
resulting from a communication received from several leading lawyers
and judges, the salary of the county judge of Albany county was
raised to $5,000.
On the 15th of April, 1887, a law was passed making provision for
121
the erection of an Armory in Albany. This resulted in the splendid
structure now in use, which is more fully described in a later chapter.
In the following year (1888) an act was passed by the Legislature ap-
propriating $25,000 from the State funds for an armory in Cohoes,
provided a suitable site was furnished by the supervisors.
CHAPTER XL
CIVIL LIST.
United States /'resident. — Martin Van Buren, elected to the presi-
dency in the fall of 1836, though not a native of Albany county, resided
and practiced law in Albany city many years.
Vice-President. — Daniel D. Tompkins, elected in 1817, passed many
years of his life in Albany and at the time of his election to the vice-
presidency was governor of the State.
Governors. — John Tayler, elected in 1810; he was elected lieutenant-
governor January 29, 1814, under a special act of the Legislature of April
11, 1811, after the death of John Broome, who died August L0, L810. At
that time Daniel D. Tompkins was serving his second term as gov-
ernor (elected first in 1807). In 1816 Mr. Tompkins was again elected
governor and John Tayler, lieutenant-governor. The next year Mr.
Tompkins was elected vice-president and Mr. Tayler became governor.
Martin Van Buren, elected 1828; he was appointed secretary of state
under President Jackson, March 12, 1829, resigned the office of gov-
ernor and was succeeded by EnosT. Throop. John A. Dix, elected
1872. David B. Hill, now a resident of Albany, elected 1885, having
then served a remaining part of Grover Cleveland's term, and re-
elected in 1888.
Lieutenant-Governor. — Daniel Hale, March ^4. L793; Charles 1»
Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, L818; and Feb-
ruary 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833.
United States Senators. — -Philip Schuyler, chosen July It',, Li
served to 1791; chosen again January 24, L797, and served one year.
Martin Van Buren, elected February 6. 1821, and February 6,
Charles E. Dudley, elected January L5, L859; William L. Marcy, elected
16
122
February 1, 1831; John A. Dix, elected January 18, 1845; Ira Harris,
elected February 5, 1861. Roscoe Conkling and Leland Stanford, who
held this high office, were natives of Albany county.
Secretary of the Treasury of the U. S. — Alexander Hamilton, who
studied law and married in Albany, and passed much of his time here,
was appointed to this office September 11, 1779; John C. Spencer,
March 3, 1843; Jno. A. Dix, January 11, 1861; Daniel Manning, March
6, 1885.
U. S. Secretary of State. — Martin Van Buren, appointed March 6,
1829; William L. Marcy, March 7, 1853.
U. S. Secretary of t lie Navy. — Smith Thompson, appointed Novem-
ber 9, 1818.
U. S. Secretary of War. — John C. Spencer, appointed October 12,
1841; William L. Marcy, March 6, 1845.
Members of Congress. — The following changes have taken place in
Congressional districts that have directly affected Albany county : By
act of 1789, a part of Albany with Columbia, Clinton, Saratoga and
Washington counties constituted a district. Act of 1792, Albany
county was a district by itself. Act of 1797, this county and Schoharie
were constituted the 8th district. Act of 1802, Albany county was the
9th district. Act of 1808, Albany and Schenectady counties were made
the 7th district. Act of 1812, it was made the 9th district. Act of 1822,
it was made the 10th district. Act of 1842, it was made the 13th dis-
trict, and by act of 1851, was constituted the 14th district. By act of
1862 Schoharie was joined with it as the 14th district. By the act of
L873 Albany became the 16th district, and by the act of May, 1883, it
was numbered the 19th. The last change was made by the act of 1892,
under which Albany county became the 20th district. Those who
have held the office of Member of Congress from this county are the
following:
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1789-91 ; James Gordon and Peter Silvester, each part
of term of 1791-93; Henry Glen, 1793-1601 ; Killian Van Rensselaer, 1801-1811 ; Har-
manus Bleecker, 1811-13; John Lovett, 1813-17; Rensselaer Westerlo, 1817-19; Sol-
omon Van Rensselaer, 1819-22; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1822-29; Ambrose Spen-
cer, 1829-31; Gerrit Y. Lansing, 1831-37; Albert Gallup, 1837-39; Daniel D. Bar
nard, 1827-29, 1839-43 ; Bradford R. Wood, 1845-47 ; John I. Slingerland, 1847-49
John L. Schoolcraft, 1849-53; Rufus W. Peckham, 1853-55; Samuel Dixon, 1855-57
Erases Corning, sr., 1857-59; John H. Reynolds, 1859-61; E. Corning, 1861-65
Charles Goodyear, 1865-67; John V. L. Pruyn, 1867-69; Stephen L. Mayham, 1869-71 ;
Eli Perry, 1871-75; Charles H. Adams, 1875-77; Terence J. Quinn, 1877-78; John M.
CHARLHS TRACEY.
123
Bailey, elected 1878 vice (Juinn deceased; Michael N. Nolan, 1881-83; Thomas J.
Van Alstyne, 1883-85; John Swinburne, 1885-87; Charles Tracey, 1887-95; George
H. Southwick, 1895-97, 1897-
Delegates to Constitutional Conventions. — There have been four Con-
stitutional Conventions in this State, and one Constitutional Commis-
sion, all of which met in Albany. The first was held October 13 to £7,
1801. Following are the names of the Albany delegates: John Jost
Dietz, Leonard Gansevoort, Daniel Hale, John V. Henry, Josiah Og-
den Hoffman, Abraham Van Ingen, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and
Peter West. The second Convention assembled August 28, 1821, and
adjourned November 10. Daniel D. Tompkins was president, and fol-
lowing are the names of Albany delegates: James Kent, Ambrose
Spencer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Abraham Van Vechten. The
third Convention was held June 1, 1840, and adjourned October 9. The
Albany delegates were Ira Harris, Peter Shaver, Benjamin Stanton,
Horace K. Willard. The fourth Convention assembled on June 4,
1867, and adjourned November 12, of that year. The delegates from
Albany county were Ira Harris, at large, and William Cassidy, Aniasa
J. Parker, and Erastus Corning. What was called the Constitutional
Commission met in Albany December 4, 1872, and adjourned March
15, 1873. The delegates from the third district, which included Al-
bany county, were Robert H. Pruyn, and William Cassidy, of Albany;
George B. Burdett, of Troy; Joseph B. Hall, of Catskill, and Cornel-
ius Tracy, of Troy. Robert H. Pruyn was chosen chairman.
Collectors of Customs. — The collection of customs in Albany was be-
gun in 1833, under the direction of New York Custom House, with
William Seymour, deputy collector. For many years there was very
little for him to do in his office, but with the opening of the Champlain
and Erie Canals, new avenues of trade were opened necessitating the
establishment of an office at the head of tidewater. The collectors
since Mr. Seymour have been as follows: Albert Gallup, Dennis I'..
Gaffney, and William Bruce. On March 2, 1867, a law was passed
making Albany a port of entry, with a surveyor of customs as the
chief officer; under that law the following haveheld the position : Peter
M. Carmichael, 1867; Isaac N. Keeler, 1870; John C. Whitney, L875;
William N. S. Sanders, 1879; John A. Luby, L882; Addison 1 >. Colo.
1885; John M. Bailey, 1889; John P. Masterson, L893.
State Secretaries of State. — Daniel Hale, March 24, L793; Charles
I). Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, L818, and
124
February 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833; John Palmer, No-
vember 7, 1803; re-elected November, 1895.
State Treasurers. — Robert McClallen, March 16, 1798; Abraham G.
Lansing, February 8, 1803; Abraham G. Lansing, February 18, 1810;
Charles Z. Piatt, February 10, 1813; Gerrit L. Dox, February 12, 1817;
Benjamin Knower, January 29, 1821; Stephen Clark, November 7,
1855; Nathan D. Wendell, November 4, 1879.
Comptrollers. — JohnV. Henry, March 12, 1800; Archibald Mclntyre,
March 25, 1806; William L. Marcy, February 13, 1826; Azariah C.
Flagg, January 11, 1834; Azariah C. Flagg, February 7, 1842; Fred-
erick P. Olcott, January 1, 1877, appointed vice Robinson resigned.
Surveyors-General. — Philip Schuyler, March 30, 1781; Simeon De
Witt, May 13, 1784; Simeon De Witt, February 8, 1823; Orville L.
Holley, February 5, 1838.
State Engineers and Surveyors. — William J. McAlpine, November 4,
1851; Sylvanus H. Sweet, November 4, 1873; Elnathan Sweet, No-
vember, 1883.
Canal Commissioners. — Stephen Van Rensselaer, April 17, 1816; Asa
Whitney, February 22, 1840; Stephen Clark, Februarys, 1842; Stephen
Clark, November 4, 1844; Charles H. Sherrill, November 5, 1856.
State Senators. — There have been many changes in the senatorial
divisions of this State. Under the first Constitution the Senate con-
sisted of twenty-four members apportioned among four large districts.
An additional senator was to be added whenever it was shown by a
septennial census, that the number of electors in a district had increased
one twenty-fourth, continuing thus until the number reached one
hundred. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. This
arrangement was soon proven to be unequal in its operation and in 1801
the Constitution was amended so as to fix the number of senators at
thirty-two, which number remained unchanged until the Constitution
of 1894 went into effect, January 1, 1895. The Constitution of 1821
divided the State into eight senatorial districts, each of which was enti-
tled to four senators, one being elected each year for a term of four
years. Under the Constitution of 1846 the State was divided into thirty-
two districts, in each of which a senator was elected each odd year.
Albany county formerly constituted the 13th district, later the 17th,
and finally the 19th. By the Constitution of 1894, the State was divided
into fifty senatorial districts, of which Albany county composes the
29th. The senators chosen in 1895 hold office for three years while
125
their successors are to be chosen for but two years. Following is a list
of Senators from this county :
Abraham Yates, jr., 1777-90; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1777-78; Anthony Van Schaick,
1777-78; Rinier Mynderse, 1777-78. (The first session of the legislature assembled
at Kingston in September, 1777, but was soon driven out by British troops. The
second meeting was held in Poughkeepsie beginning January 15, 1778.) Rinier
Mynderse, 1778-81; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1778-83; Philip Schuyler, 1781-84, 1786
88, 1792-97; Henry Oothoudt, 1782-85; Volkert P. Douw, 1786-93; Peter Schuyler,
1787-92; Leonard Gansevoort, 1791-93,1797-1802; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1791-95 ;
Anthony Ten Eyck, 1797-1801; Anthony Van Schaick, 1797-1800; Abraham Van
Vechten, 1798-1805, 1816-19; Francis Nicoll, 1791-98; John Sanders, 1799 1802;
Stephen Lush, 1801-2; Simon Veeder, 1804-7; John Veeder, 1806-9; Joseph C.
Yates, 1806-8; Charles E. Dudley, 1820-25; John McCarty, 1827-30; Peter Gansvoort,
1833-6; Friend Humphrey, 1840-1; Ira Harris, 1847; Valentine Tredwell, 1848^9;
Azor Taber, 1852-53; Clarkson F. Crosby, 1854-55; John W. Harcourt, 1856-57;
George Y. Johnson, 1858-59; Andrew J. Colvin, 1860-61; John V. L. Pruyn. 1862-
63; Lorenzo D. Collins, 1866-67; A. B. Banks, 1868-69, 1870-71; Charles H. Adams,
1872-73; Jesse C. Dayton, 1874-75; Hamilton Harris, 1876-79; Waters W. Braman,
1880-81; Abraham Lansing, 1882-83; John B. Thacher, 1884-85; Amasa J. Parker,
jr., 1886-7; 1888-9, Henry Russell ; 1890-91, Norton Chase; 1892-5, Amasa J. Parker;
Myer Nussbaum, 1895-8.
Members of Assembly. — The State Assembly originally consisted of
seventy members, which could be increased one with every seventieth
increase in the number of electors, until it reached 300 members.
When the constitution was amended in 1801 the number had reached
108; it was then reduced to 100, with provision for an increase after
each census at the rate of two annually until the number reached L50.
The constitution of 1821 fixed the number permanently at 128, but the
number was increased by the Constitution of 1894- to the present num-
ber, 150, each of whom is elected, as has always been the case, for one
year. Under the various apportionments since 180] Albany county has
had in 1802, six members; in 1815, four; in L822, three; since that year
it has had four members.
The representatives from Albany in the Colonial Assembly were as
follows:
1691-92, Dirck Wessels, Leviuus Van Schaick; 1693-95, Dirck Wessels. Ryer
Jacobs; 1695-98, John Abeel, Dirck Wessels; 1698 (May and June), Jan Jansen
Bleker, Ryer Schermerhorn ; 1699-1701, Hendrick Hansen, Jan Jansen Bicker, Ryer
Schermerhorn ; 1701-02, Dirck Vessels, Ryer Schermerhorn, Myndert Schuyler,
John Abeel, Johannis Bleker, Hendrick Hansen; 1703-04, John Abeel, Myndert
Schuyler, Evert Banker; 1705-06, Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Peter Van
Bruggen; 1708-09, Johannis Cuyler. Hendrick Hansen. Myndert Schuyler; 17n«.i
126
(April to November), Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Robert Livingston; 1710-
11, Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler, Robert Livingston; 1711-12, Robert Liv-
ingston, jr., Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler; 1713-14, Robert Livingston, jr.,
Myndert Schuyler, Peter Van Brugh ; 1715, Johannis Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen,
Karel Hansen; 1716-26, John Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Karel Hansen, Myndert
Schuyler; 1726-27, Myndert Schuyler, Ryer Garretsen ; 1727 (September to Novem-
ber), Johannis Cuyler, Peter Van Brugh ; 1728-37, Philip Schuyler, Myndert Schuy-
ler, Dirck Ten Broeck ; 1737-38, Philip Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1739-43. Philip
Schuyler, Peter Winne ; 1743-45, Philip Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1745-47, the same;
1747-50, Coenradt Ten Eyck, Peter Douw ; 1750-51, Philip Schuyler, Hans Hansen;
1752-58, Peter Winne, Petrus Douw; 1759-61, Peter Winne, Jacob H. Ten Eyck,
Volkert P. Douw; 1761-68, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Volkert P. Douw; 1768-69, Jacob
H. Ten Eyck, Philip Schuyler; 1769-75, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Philip Schuyler.
The last session of the General Assembly was held April 3, 17 7 -">.
During this Colonial period of nearly ninety years Rensselaerwyek
Manor was represented in the Assembly as follows:
1691-1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer; 1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer and Andries
Coejemans (Coeymans); 1702-1714, Hendrick (or Henry) Van Rensselaer; 1715-26,
Andries Coejemans; 1726-43, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; 1743-68, John Baptiste Van
Rensselaer; 1768 to the close, Abraham Ten Broeck.
Members of the State Assembly have been as follows:
1777-78, Jacob Cuyler, John Cuyler, jr., James Gordon, Walter Livingston,
Stephen J. Schuyler, John Tayler, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensselaer,
Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting.
1778-79, Leonard Gansevoort, James Gordon, Walter Livingston, Stephen J.
Schuyler, John Tayler, Jacobus Teller, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensse-
laer, Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting.
1779-80, Flores Bancker, John Bay, James Gordon, Cornelius Humphrey, Hugh
Mitchell, Henry Oothoudt, Henry Ouackenbos, Isaac Vrooman, William B. Whiting,
Phineas Whiteside.
1780-81, Matthew Adgate, John Ja. Beekman, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr.,
Peter R. Livingston, Dirck Swart, John Tayler, John Van Rensselaer, jr., Robert
Van Rensselaer, Isaac Vrooman.
1781-82, Mathew Adgate, Jacob Ford, Philip Frisbie, John Lansing, jr., George
Palmer, Dirck Swart, Samuel Ten Broeck, Israel Thompson, Isaac Vrooman, Ed-
mund Wells.
1782-83, Matthew Adgate, John H. Beekman, John Ja. Beekman, Jacob Ford,
John Lansing, jr., Dirck Swart, Jamuel Ten Broeck. Peter Van Ness, Christopher
Vates, John Younglove.
1784, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Abraham Cuyler, Jacob Ford, James
Gordon, John Lansing, jr., Peter Schuyler, Dirck Swart, Peter Van Ness, Christo-
pher Yates.
1784-85, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Jacob Ford, Walter Livingston, Dirck
Swart, Israel Thompson, Matthew Visscher, Christopher Yates, Peter W. Yates,
John Younglove.
127
1786, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, Lawrence Hogeboom, |olin
Lansing, jr., John Livingston, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, John Tayler, Abraham J.
Van Alstyne, Peter Vrooman.
1787, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., John Liv-
ingston, William Powers, Thomas Sickles, John Tayler, Matthew Visscher, Peter
Vrooman.
1788, Leonard Ganesvoort, James Gordon, Thomas Sickles, J. Dc Peyster Ten
Eyck, Dirck Van Ingen, Hezekiah Van Orden, John Younglove.
1788-89, John Duncan, John Lansing, jr., John Thompson, Cornelius Van Dyck,
Henry K. Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Younglove.
1789-90, Leonard Bronck, James Gordon, Richard Sill, Henry K. Van Rensselaer,
Stephen Van Rensselaer, Cornelius Van Van Veghten, John Younglove.
1791, Sidney Berry, Leonard Bronck, Jonathan Brown, John W. Schermerhorn,
Richard Sill, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Cornelius A. Van Slyck.
1792, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, David McCarty, Francis Nicoll, William
North, John Ten Broeck, Henry Ten Eyck.
171)2-93. Leonard Bronck, Johannis DeiU, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, Francis
Nicoll, John Ten Broeck, Cornelius A. Van Slyck.
171)4, Johannis Deitz, Jellis A. Fonda, Theodorus V. W. Graham, Jacob Hoch-
strasser, Thomas Hun, William North, Stephen Piatt.
17J5, Johannis Deitz, Leonard Ganesvoort, jr., Jacob Hochstrasser, Thomas Hun,
William North, Stephen Piatt, Andries Van Patten.
1796, Gerrit Abeel, Leonard Bronck, Johannis Deitz, Jacob Hochstrasser, Francis
Nicoll, William North, Dirck Ten Broeck.
171)0-97, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., James C. Duane, Jacob Hochstrasser,
James Holcomb, Nathaniel Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler, Dirck Ten
Broeck, John H. Wendell,
1798, Thomas E. Barker, Johan Jost Deitz, Andrew N. Heermance, Nathaniel
Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler, Dirck Ten Broeck, Joel Thompson, John II.
Wendell, Peter West.
171J8-99, Thomas E. Barker, James Bill, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince holy, Andrew
N. Heermance, Jeremiah Lansingh, Philip P. Schuyler, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten
Broeck.
J^1800, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., Julian Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry,
Francis Nicoll, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Winue.
L800-01, John Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck
Ten Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West, Jacob Winne.
1802, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty. John V. Henry. Peter S. Schuyler, Ji
Shurleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West.
L808, Johan Jost Deitz, John Frisby, Stephen Lush, Maus Schermerhorn, Pi
Schuyler, Jacob Ten Eyck.
1804, John Beekman, jr., Johan Jost Deitz, James Emott, Maus Schermerhorn,
Peter S. Schuyler, Moses Smith.
[~|S(ir> 06, 1 'avid Burhans, Adam Deitz, jr., Stephen Lush. Nicholas V, Mynderse,
Joseph Shurtleff, Moses Smith.
!s'»0, David Burhans, Asa Colvard, Adam heit/.. jr., Stephen Lush, Joseph Shurt-
leff, Abraham Van Yechten.
128
1807, David Bogardus, Asa Colvard, Johan Jost Deitz, Daniel Hale, Joseph
Shurtleff, Jacob Veeder.
1808, John Brown, Johan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins, Stephen Van Rensselaer,
Abraham Van Vechten, Jacob Veeder.
1808-9, John Brown, John H. Burhans, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins,
Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten.
1810, John Colvin, Abel French, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten.
1811, Asa Colvard, David Delong, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Abraham Van Vechten.
1812, Asa Colvard, Jesse Tayler, Abraham Van Vechten, John G. Van Zandt.
1812-13, David Bogardus, John Gibbons, Elishama Janes, Abraham Van Vechten.
1814, Harmanus Bleecker, Johan Jost Deitz, Moses Smith, John L. Winne.
1814-15, H-armanus Bleecker, Sylvester Ford, Jesse Tyler, John D. Winne.
1816, Michael Freligh, John I. Ostrander, John Schoolcraft, Jesse Smith.
1816-17, John H. Burhans, John I. Ostrander, Gideon Tabor, Rufus Watson.
1818, William A. Duer, James Sackett, Gideon Tabor, Stephen Van Rensselaer.
1819, William A. Duer, William H. Houghtaling, Cornelius H. Waldron, John
Van Ness Yates.
1820, Asa Colvard, James McKewn, Peter S. Schuyler, Stephen Willes.
1820-21, Gernt Hogan, James McKown, Moses Smith, Stephen Willes.
1822, James McKown, William McKown, Volkert D. Oothoudt, John P. Shear.
1823, Abraham Brooks, Jesse Buel, Abraham Rosecrantz.
1824, Archibald Stephens, John Stillwell, Jesse Wood.
1825, George Batterman, Samuel S. Lush, Stephen Willes.
1826, Samuel S. Lush, Andrew Ten Eyck, Malachi Whipple.
1827, Isaac Hamilton, John Haswell, Henry Stone.
1838, Benjamin F. Butler, William N. Sill, David I. D. Verplank.
1829, James D. Gardner, Moses Stanton, Chandler Starr.
1830, Peter Gansevoort, Samuel S. Lush, Erastus Williams.
1831, Peter Gansevoort, Wheeler Watson, Peter W. Winne.
1832, Abijah C. Disbrow, Philip Lennebacker, William Seymour.
1833, Edward Livingston, Jacob Settle, Israel Shear.
1834, Aaron Livingston, Barent P. Staats, Prentice Williams, jr.
1835, Edward Livingston, Henry G. Wheaton, David G. Seger, Tobias T. E.
Waldron.
1836, Daniel Dorman, John C. Schuyler, William Seymour.
1837, Richard Kimmey, Edward Livingston, Abraham Verplanck.
1838, Daniel D. Barnard. Edmund Raynsford, Paul Settle.
1839, John Davis, James S. Lowe, Rufus Watson.
1840, Frederick Bassler, jr., Peter Flagler, Henry G. Wheaton.
1841, Aaron Hotaling, Francis Lansing, Henry G. Wheaton.
1842, John A. Dix, Cornelius G. Palmer, Jonas Shear.
1843, Willis Hall, Aaron Van Schaack, John I. Slingerland.
1844, Levi Shaw Samuel Stevens, Simon Veeder.
1845, Clarkson F. Crosby, Ira Harris, Leonard Litchfield.
1846, Ira Harris, Thomas L. Shafer, Robert D. Watson.
1847, John Fuller, John I. Gallup, Valentine Tredwell, Robert D. Watson.
1848, Edward S. Willett, Frederick Mathias, Robert H. Pruyn, Henry A. Brigham.
1849, Hiram Barber, David Van Auken, Robert H. Pruyn, Joel A. Wing.
1850, Cornelius Vanderzee, Joel B. Nott, Robert H. Pruyn, William S. Shepard.
1851, Robert Babcock, Adam I. Shultes, Hamilton Harris, Eh Perry.
1852, Hugh Swift, George M. Sayles, Teunis Van Vechten, jr., Robert Harper.
1853, William P. Malburn, John Reid, William W. Forsyth, Thomas Kearney.
1854, S. M. Hollenbeck, I. W. Chesebro. Robert H. Pruyn, Archibald A. Dunlop.
1855, Pryse Campbell, Martin J. Blessing, Alexander Davidson, J. B. Van Etten.
1856, Isaac Whitbeck, Jackson King, Henry Jenkins, James Brady.
1857, Richard Kimmey, Adam Van Allen, John Evers, Franklin Townsend.
1858, Dwight Batcheller, George Wolford, C. W. Armstrong, Charles H. Adams.
1859, Henry Creble, Morgan L. Filkins, William A. Young, Lorenzo D. Collins.
1860, John I. Slingerland, Stephen Merselis, jr., Samuel W. Gibbs, Lorenzo D.
Collins.
1861, Jay Gibbons, Lewis Benedict, jr., Henry Lansing, William J. Wheeler.
1862, John Vanderzee, Willet Searles, Almerin J. Cornell, A. Bleecker Banks,
William Doyle.
1863; William J. Snyder, John Cutler, Henry L. Wait, William L. Oswald.
1864, Harris Parr, Morgan L. Filkins, Thomas McCarty, William L. Oswald.
1865, Harmon H. Vanderzee, Oliver M. Hungerford, Alexander Robertson, Mi-
chael A. Nolan.
1866, William Aley, Lyman Tremain, Clark B. Cochrane, James F. Crawford.
1867, Hugh Conger, Henry Smith, Alexander Robertson, Oscar F. Potter.
1868, John C. Chism, Francis H. Woods, Jackson A, Sumner, Theodore Van Yalk-
enburgh.
1869, Hugh Conger, Adam W. Smith, John M. Kimball, John Tighe.
1870, William D. Murphy, Thomas J. Lanahan, Edward D. Ronan, John Tighe.'
1871, William D. Murphy, Robert C. Blackall, Edward Coyle, William D. Sun-
derlin.
1872, Stephen Springstead, Henry Smith, Daniel L. Babcock, George B. Mosher.
1873, Peter Schoonmaker, Henry R. Pierson, John W. Van Valkenburgh, Ceorge
B. Mosher.
1874, Fred Schifferdecker, Leopold C. <i. Kshinka, Terence J. Quinn, Waters W,
Braman.
1875, Peter Slingerland, Leopold C. G, Kshinka, Francis W. Vosburgh, Waters W.
Braman.
1876, Peter Slingerland, Thomas D. Coleman. William J. Maher, Alfred Le Roy.
1877, John Sager, Jonathan R. Herrick, William J, Maher, Edward Curran.
1878, Hiram Griggs, John X. Foster, James T. Story, Edward Curran.
1879, Hiram Griggs, Charles R. Knowles, Thomas II. Greer, W. W. Braman.
1880, William II. Slingerland, Hiram Griggs, Ignatius Wiley. Joseph Hynes,
Thomas Liddle.
1S81, Miner Gallup, Andrew S. Draper, Aaron B. Pratt, George Campbell.
1882, Michael J. Gorman, Aaron Fuller, Amasa J. Parker, jr.. John M< Dom
1883, Daniel P. Winne, Warren S. Kelley, Edward A. Maher, Joseph Delahanty.
1884, John Zimmerman, Hiram Becker, Edward A. Maher, James Forsyth, jr.
17
130
1885, Stephen H. Niles, Lansing Hotaling, Patrick Murray, Terence I. Hardin.
1886, John Bowe, Smith O'Brien, Norton Chase, Terence I. Hardin.
1887, Horace T. Devereux, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T.
Gorman.
1888, Frederick W. Conger, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T.
Gorman.
1889, Jervis L. Miller, Vreeland H. Youngman, Galen R. Hitt, William Burton
Le Roy.
1890, Galen R. Hitt, William B Le Roy, Michael J. Nolan, William B. Page.
1891, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Michael J. Nolan, Walter E. Ward.
1892, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Artcher La Grange, Walter E. Ward.
1893, Howard P. Foster, James Hilton, Myer Nussbaum, George S. Rivenburgh.
1894, James Brennan, Curtis N. Douglas, William Lasch, William A. Carroll.
1895, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, Frank Bloomingdale, Jacob L. Ten Eyck.
1896, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, George T. Kelly, Robert G. Sherer.
County Treasurers. — Previous to the adoption of the constitution of
1846, treasurers were appointed by the various Boards of Supervisors,
and the board is still authorized to fill vacancies in that office. Since and
including the year 1848, treasurers have been elected. In Albany
county they have been as follows: 1848, James Kidd; 1851, Cornelius
Ten Broeck; 1854, Richard J. Grant; 1857, Adam Van Allen; 1860,
Thomas Kearney; 1866, Steven V. Frederick; 1869, Alexander Ken-
edy; 1872, Nathan D. Wendell; 1878, Henry Kelly; 1881, Albert Gal-
lup; 1884, John Battersby, re-elected in 1887; 1890-97, John Bowe;
1897-1900, Edward Barkley.1
CHAPTER XII.
JUDICIARY AND BAR OF ALBANY COUNTY.
In the earliest years of the Dutch and English settlements in Amer-
ica, the constituted authorities were invested with broad powers; but
these could be exercised only within the restrictions of the laws of the
mother country. By the terms of its charter the West India Company
was supreme, and all power was vested in the Director-General and
Council, who were to be governed by the Dutch (Roman) law, the im-
perial statutes of Charles V and the edicts, resolutions and customs of
1 For all Court officers see next chapter.
MATTHEW HALE.
131
the United Netherlands, in all cases not otherwise provided for. The
Dutch at home were governed by a league of commercial guilds, rep-
resented in the States-General, that the organized interests of each
class of people might be protected. The principle of conserving the
ancient and vested rights of all the people as against any portion
thereof, even a majority, and as against a government itself, was the
foundation principle of the Dutch provincial authority on this side of
the water, as well as in the mother country, and distinguished it from
any of the English colonies.
It was not until 1624, a year before the accession of Charles I and
the beginning of the second period of the Thirty Years War, that gov-
ernment was actually established in New Netherland. In L629 the
manorial system was introduced, as we have fully described it. While
the Patroons were invested with the powers and privileges of feudal
barons, no political or judicial change could be introduced without con-
sent of the home government. In Massachusetts the Puritans were
then just beginning to organize a government having in view as a
principal object "the propagation of the gospel." That was the
parent colony of New England. The colonists on the Connecticut
River were first governed by commissioners appointed by the General
Court of Massachusetts. In 1637 delegates from the three towns of
Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield were associated with the commis-
sioners and in 1639 a written constitution was adopted under which all
freemen of the three towns were made equal before the law. In June,
1639, the government of the colony of New Haven was organized, the
Bible was declared to be the constitution and none but church mem-
bers were admitted to citizenship, the government being vested in
seven men called Pillars.
In 1638 and 1640 the privileges of the Patroons were considerably
abridged, while those of free settlers were correspondingly extended.
Wherever the people settled in sufficient numbers the West India Com-
pany was bound to give them a local government, the officers to be
appointed by the Director-General and Council, as in the Netherlands.
Upon the breaking out of the Indian war in Kill, Director Kieft was
seriously alarmed and invited all masters and heads of families resid-
ing in New Amsterdam and its vicinity to assemble in the fort on
August 28. That was the first official recognition of the existence of
"the people" in New Netherland. The freemen assembled and ob-
tained something of the rights enjoyed by other colonists around them.
132
They expressed themselves on the questions submitted to them and
then appointed Twelve Men to represent them. These were as fol-
lows:
David Pietersen de Vries, president; Jacques Bentyn, Jan Jansen Dam, Hendriek
Jansen, Maryn Adriaensen, Abram Pietersen (the miller), Frederick Lubbertsen,
Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Gerrit Dircksen, George Rapalje, Abram Planck, Jacob
Stoffelsen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Jacob Walingen.
They complained to Kieft of the arbitrary constitution of the gov-
ernment and asked that such reforms be introduced as should prevent
taxation of the country in absence of the Twelve; also, that four men
be chosen from the Twelve each year who should have access to the
Council. Thus they sought representation by the people. Kieft prom-
ised these reforms, and then reminded them that they were called to-
gether simply to consider how to escape the vengeance of the Indians.
The issue thus raised was a natural one. These men were asking
only for the Dutch system, which had been perfectly satisfactory to
them at home. When, in 1643, the Indian troubles and complications
with the English had reached ominous proportions, Kieft again called
the freemen together and requested them " to elect five or six persons
from among themselves " to consider propositions to be made by the
Director and Council, a representative body for the enactment of laws
was instituted. The people preferred to leave the selection of the
representatives to the director, asking only the right to reject an un-
desirable nomination. The Eight Men were then elected. The cer-
tificate of the election is on record signed by twenty- eight freemen.
The Eight Men were as follows:
Cornelis Melyn, president, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Jan Jansen Dam, 1 Barent
Dircksen, Abram Pietersen, the miller, Isaac Allerton, Thomas Hall, Gerrit Wolph-
ertsen (van Couwenhoven), Jan Evertsen Bout, 8 Jacob Stoffelsen, John Underhill,
Francis Douty, George Baxter, Richard Smith, Gysbert Opdyck, Jan Evertsen Bout,
Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt.
This body of men assembled September 15 and passed upon impor-
tant questions of war and performed other legislative acts.
Complaints from the colonists continued and were finally referred to
the home Chamber of Accounts, which reported in March, 1645, sus-
taining the complainants, and approving the organization of villages
after the manner of the English.
The Patroon's charter of 1629, extended in 1640, authorized the
1 Expelled September 15. 2ln place of Dam, expelled.
133
colony to appoint Duputies to inform the Director and Council of their
condition when necessary. It was now suggested that these deputies
should, at the summons of the Director-General, hold an assembly
every six months for the general welfare and to deliberate on impor-
tant affairs. Kieft was recalled in December, 1 044. The Commission-
ers of the Assembly of the XIX of the General Privileged West India
Company acted on the report alluded to in their instructions to the
Director and Counsel of July 7, 1045. The Council was to consist of
"the Director as president, his vice-president and the Fiscal." In
cases in which the Advocate- fiscal appeared as Attorney-General, civil
or criminal, the military commandant was to sit in his stead. If the
charge was criminal, three persons were to be associated from the
commonalty of the district where the crime was committed. The Su-
preme Council was the sole body " by whom all occurring affairs re-
lating to police, justice, militia, the dignity and just rights of the Com-
pany " were to be decided; it was an executive, administrative, and
also a judicial body.
When Petrus Stuyvesant arrived (May 27, 1047,) he set about re-
storing the disordered government with vigor. Besides inaugurating
new and stringent regulations in man}' directions, he ordered an elec-
tion of eighteen men, from whom he selected Nine as " Interlocutors
and Trustees of the Commonalty, " or "Tribunes " of the people. These
Nine Men were to hold Courts of Arbitration weekly and to give ad-
vice to the Director and Council. They were appointed September 25,
1047, and were as follows:
1647, Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans,
merchants; Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Jacob Wolphertsen van
Couwenhoven, burghers; Michael Jansen, Jan Evertseu Bout, Thomas Hall, farmers.
1649, Adriaen van der Donck, president; Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van
Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans, Oloff Stevensen van Cortland, Hendrick Hen-
dricksen Kip, Michael Jansen, Elbert Elbertsen (Stoothof), Jacob Wolphertsen van
Couwenhoven.
1(550, Oloff Stevensen van Cortland, president; Augustine Heerman, Jacob van
Couwenhoven, Elbert Elbertsen, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Michael Jansen,
Thomas Hall, Govert Loockermans, J. Evertsen Bout.
1652, David Provost, William Beeckman, Jacobus van Curler, Allard Anthony,
Isaac de Forest, Arent van Hattem, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Paulus Leendertsen
van der Grist, Peter Cornelissen, miller.
Three of the Nine in each year were taken from the merchants, three
from the burghers, and three from the fanners, thus continuing the
old Netherland system.
134
The colony now became the scene of a prolonged contest and numer-
ous lengthy petitions went from the colonists to the States-General for
a burgher government and other changes. The burgher government
was finally granted in 1653. Burgomasters had been in power in Hol-
land since the fourteenth century, and it was contemplated by the
States-General that they should be elected by the burghers in New
Amsterdam. But the Director and Council assumed the right to ap-
point them and exercised it until 1658, when a double number were
nominated, from whom the Director and Council selected the members
for the ensuing year. These Burgomasters were ex-officio rulers of the
city and continued until 1674.
Local officers, or inferior courts, with limited jurisdiction were au-
thorized in various villages from time to time. As far as related to the
Van Rensselaer Manor, the patroon was invested with power to ad-
minister civil and criminal justice in person or by deputy; to appoint
local officers and magistrates: to erect courts and take cognizance of all
crimes committed within his domain; to keep a gallows,! if required,
for the execution of criminals. One of the lesser degrees of punish-
ment was "banishment from the colonie;" another was corporal pun-
ishment. In civil cases of all kinds between the Patroon and his
tenants, these courts had jurisdiction, and from their judgments in
matters affecting life and limb and in suits where more than $'20 was
involved, appeal could be taken to the Director-General and Council.
The government itself was vested in a General Court which exer-
cised executive, legislative, or municipal and judicial functions, and
which was composed of two Commissaries and two Councilors, who
correspond to modern justices of the peace. Adjoined to this court
were a Colonial Secretary, a Sheriff (or Schout- Fiscal) and a Court
Messenger or Constable. Each of these received a small salary. The
magistrates of the "colonie" held office one year, the court appoint-
ing their successors or continuing those already in office.
The most important of these officials was the Schout-Fiscal, who was
bound by instructions received from the Patroon. No man in the
"colonie" was subject to loss of life or property unless under sen-
tence of a court composed of five persons, and all persons accused were
entitled to a speedy trial. The public prosecutor was especially warned
1 There was a curious restriction connected with the gallows, to the effect that if it fell pending
an execution, a new one could not be built, except for hanging another criminal.
135
not to receive presents or bribes, nor to be interested in trade or com-
merce, directly or indirectly. He was paid a fixed salary, with a
dwelling free, and given all fines amounting to ten guilders or under,
and a third of all forfeitures over that sum.
Jacob Albertsen Planck was the first sheriff of Rensselaerwyck.
Arendt Van Curler, who came over as assistant commissary, was soon
afterward appointed commissary-general, or superintendent of the
"colonic" Brant Peelen, Gerrit de Reus, Cornelis Teunissen van
Brceckelen, Pieter Cornelissen van Munickendam, and Dirck Jansen
were, if not the first, at least among the earliest magistrates of the
settlement at Fort Orange.
Governor Dongan's report to the Committee of Trade, dated Febru-
ary 22, 1687, has the following information that is pertinent here:
There is likewise in New York and Albany a Court of Mayor and Aldermen held
once in every fortnight, from whence their can be noe appeal unless the cause of
action bee above the value of Twenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to
make bylaws for ye regulation of their own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same
be approved of by ye Gov'r and Council.
Their Mayor, Recorders, town- clerks and Sheriffs are appointed by the Governor.
The mayor, recorder and aldermen of the city of Albany, or any
three of them, were, in 1086, ex officio members of the old Court of
Common Pleas, acting when there was no judge present. On May M'; .
1691, Peter Schuyler was appointed presiding judge of that court; on
May 27, 1702, he was succeeded by John Abeel, who served only until
October, when Mr. Schuyler was reappointed and served for fifteen
years. He was succeeded December 23, 1717, by Kilian Van Rensse-
laer, who presided until 1 726, when Rutger Bleecker succeeded to the
office. In 1733 Ryer Gerritsen was appointed, and served to Novem-
ber 28, 174!», when he was succeeded by Robert Sanders. This court
convened on the 5th day of April, 1750. Present —
Robert Sanders, Sybr't G. Van Schaick esqr's, judges; John Beekman, Leonard
A. Gansevoort, Robert Roseboom, assistants.
At the Court of Common Pleas held at the City Hall in Albany. ( Oc-
tober 3, 1750, Yolkert P. Dotiw was one of the judges; this is the
first time his name appears in the records as an occupant of the bench.
He presided until January, lill, and was succeeded by Rensselaer
Nicolls. The colonial Court of Common Pleas held regular terms
until 1776, when it was dissolved under the influence of the animating
spirit of independence. Its last presiding judge was Henry Bleecker,
136
and its last term began January 19, 1776. Judge Volkert P. Douw
was commissioned first judge of the Albany County Court of Common
Pleas January G, 1778. The later list under the heading of County
Court shows the other incumbents of the office.
Among the prominent lawyers of the colonial time were Richard
Gansvoort, A. Sylvester, Robert Yates, Peter W. Yates, and a Mr.
Corry, of whom the Yates brothers had a large amount of practice for
tnose days.
On the 1st of January, 1785, the terms of the Supreme Court were
directed to be held at Albany on the last Tuesday of July and the
third Tuesday in October. Therefore, the first term, of that court
ever held in Albany convened on the last Tuesday of July, of that
year, with Hon. Richard Morris, who had been appointed chief justice
in place of John Jay, presiding.
With the accession of the English a new order of judicial administra-
tion came into existence. There was the Court of Assizes, which was
established under the Duke's Laws at Hempstead in 1665. This court
was composed of the governor, members of the council, high sheriff,
and such justices of the peace as might attend. It sat in New York
and only once a year, but special terms could be called. Its jurisdic-
tion extended over all criminal matters, and in civil cases where the
value of ^20 or more was involved. This court was abolished in 1683.
In 1683 an act was passed " to settle Courts of Justice," which ordered
the holding of a Court of Oyer and Terminer in the respective counties
of the province, composed of one judge, assisted by four justices of the
peace in each count)*. In New York city and the city of Albany, the
mayor, recorder, and four aldermen were associated with the judge.
This court had jurisdiction over all capital criminal causes, and appel-
late jurisdiction where £5 or more was involved. The authority for
holding the court was derived from the governor; the court was abol-
ished in 1691. Courts of Sessions and Justices' Courts were also con-
tinued and a Court of Chancery established. The Court of Sessions
was ordered to be held in New York four times, in Albany three times,
and in the other ten counties twice in each year. In New York the
court was composed of the mayor and four aldermen; in Albany of the
mayor and the justices of the peace. All cases civil and criminal were
determined by it, with a jury; but actions involving ^5 or more could,
upon application, be removed to the Court of Oyer and Terminer.
In 1686, when Albany city was incorporated, a Mayor's Court was
137
established, which was composed of the mayor, recorder and four alder-
men, associated with the judge in holding the Court of Oyer and Term-
iner. It is believed that this court possessed the functions of a Court
of Sessions.
The Court of Chancery was founded, with the governor or his ap-
pointee as chancellor, assisted by the council. This court expired by
limitation in 1698, but was revived by ordinance August 28, 1701; it
was suspended June 13, 1703, and finally re-established November 7,
1704. It ceased its existence in July, 1847, under the new constitu-
tion. It was an equity court and by the second constitution equity
powers were vested in the circuit judge, subject to the appellate juris-
diction of the chancellor.
Albany county men who held the office of master of the Colonial
Court of Chancery were John Abeel and Evert P. Banker, October 13,
1705, and P. P. Schuyler, 1768.
Chancellors of the State Court of Chancery who resided in Albany
were John Lansing, jr., October 21, 1801; James Kent, October 25,
1814; Reuben H. Walworth, April 22, 1828.
The third judicial system was organized in 1691 and continued
through the colonial period. In that year the Court for the Correction
of Errors and Appeals was founded, consisting of the Governor and
Council. Appeals lay to this court from any judgment exceeding in
value ,£100, which amount was increased in 1753 to ^300.
By the 32d article of the constitution of 1777 a Court for the Trial of
Impeachments and Correction of Errors was provided for, to consist of
the president of the Senate for the time being, the senators, chancellor
and judges of the Supreme Court, or a majority of them. .The im-
peachment functions of this court were directed against corrupt con-
duct by State officials. In the correction of errors, appeals were al-
lowed to it from the Court of Chancery, Supreme Court, and Court of
Probate. This court was continued under the constitution of 1821,
with slight change, but was abolished by the constitution of 1846. Its
powers and duties were then conferred upon a new court, the Court
for the Trial of Impeachments, as far as that feature of the former
court was concerned. The new court was composed of the president
of the Senate, the senators, or a majority of them, and the judges of
the Court of Appeals, or a majority of them. When summoned this
court is held in Albany. The Court for the Trial of Impeachments
and Correction of Errors, as far as the correction of errors is concerned,
18
138
was succeeded by our Court of Appeals, which was organized under
the constitution of 1846. As first formed it consisted of eight judges,
four of whom were chosen by the electors for a term of eight years,
and four were selected from the class of the Supreme Court justices
having the shortest term to serve. The judge elected who had the
shortest term to serve, acted as chief judge. This court was reorgan-
ized by the convention of 1867-8, the article relating to the judiciary
being ratified by the people in 1869. By that article this court con-
sisted of a chief judge and six associate judges, who hold office for
terms of fourteen years. The new article also provided for a Commis-
sion of Appeals, composed of four judges of this court in office when
the article went into effect, and a fifth commissioner. Their term was
three years and they selected their chief. This commission served un-
til 1875, for the relief of its sister court.
In 1888, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section
6 of article 6 of the constitution be amended so that upon the certifi-
cate of the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation
of causes on the calendar of the Court of Appeals, that the public in-
terests required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor may
designate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judg-
es for the time being, of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second
division of that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the
said causes are substantially disposed of. This amendment was sub-
mitted to the people of the State at the general election of that year
and was ratified, and in accordance therewith the governor selected
seven Supreme Court justices, who were constituted the Second Division
of the Court of Appeals.
Under the system of 1691 were established also the Court of Common
Pleas and the Supreme Court. The criminal side of the latter was
what constituted the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Supreme
Court expired by limitation in 1698, was continued by proclamation
January 19, 1699, and finally by ordinance May 15, 1699. Its powers
and, jurisdiction were broad, but it was without equity jurisdiction.
Any case involving £20 or more could be commenced in, or returned
to, it and it could correct errors and revise the judgments of the lower
courts. Appeals lay from it to the Governor and Council in cases in-
volving ^"100 or more, which amount was, as before stated, increased
to £300 in 1753. The court held four terms annually, sitting in New
York only. It consisted of five judges, two of whom with the chief
139
judge, could act. In November, 1758, a fourth judge was added to
constitute the acting bench. Persons who had served seven years un-
der an attorney or had taken a collegiate course and served three years
apprenticeship, were granted license to practice in this court by the
governor. The first constitution recognized the Supreme Court as it
then existed. It was reorganized May 3, 1777, but with only slight
changes. In 1785 two terms were directed to be held in Albany and
two in New York each year, and the clerk's office was directed to be
kept in New York and that of his deputy in Albany. By an act passed
April 19, 178G, one or more of the justices of the Supreme Court were
required to hold during the vacations, and oftener if necessary, Circuit
Courts in each of the counties of the State, for the trial of all issues
triable in the respective counties. The proceedings were to be returned
to the Supreme Court, where they were to be recorded and judgment
given according to law. On March 10, 1797, the judges were author-
ized to appoint an additional clerk, with an office in Albany. In L807
another clerk's office was established in Utica. The first rules of the
court were adopted at the April term in 1796. In the same year a law
was passed directing this court to designate at its April term one of
their number to hold a Circuit Court in the western, one in the middle,
and one in the southern district. An act of February, 1788, provided
for holding a Court of Oyer and Terminer by the justices at the same
time with the Circuit. Two or more of the judges and assistant judges
of the Court of Common Pleas were to sit in the Oyer and Terminer
with the justices. In the city of Albany the mayor, recorder and al-
dermen were associated with them.
The constitution of 1821 made several important changes in this
court. For example, it was to sit four times a year in review of its own
decisions and to determine questions of law; each justice, however,
could hold circuit courts, as well as the circuit court judges, and any
justice of the Supreme Court could preside at the Oyer and Terminer.
The court had power to amend its practice in cases not covered by
statute and was directed to revise its rules every seven years, to sim-
plify proceedings, expedite decisions, diminish costs and remedy
abuses. The judges were appointed by the governer with consent of
the Senate and held office during good behavior or until sixty years of
age. Their number was reduced to three and from 182:'> they were
allowed $2,000 each annually; this sum was increased to$2,500in 1835
and in 1839 to $3,000. Two of the terms were held at the Capitol in
140
Albany. The act of 1691 gave this court cognizance of matters of ex-
chequer, thus removing the necessity for the Court of Exchequer which
was established by Governor Dongan in 1685.
The constitution of 1821 also created a Circuit Court, which was the
nisi pruts or trial court of the Supreme Court. At least two Circuit
Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer were required to be held in
each county annually, the circuit judge presiding.
The following persons have held the office of circuit judge from Al-
bany county: William A. Duer, April 21, 1823; James Vanderpoel,
January 12, 1830; Amasa J. Parker, March 6, 1844.
The constitution of 1846 abolished the Supreme Court as it then ex-
isted and established a new one with general jurisdiction in law and
equity. The State was divided into eight judicial districts, in each of
which four justices were elected, except in the first (New York city)
where five were elected. Albany county was placed in the third dis-
trict. The term of office was made eight years, but the amended judi-
ciary article made the term as at present, fourteen years. This court
possesses the powers and exercises the jurisdiction of the preceding
Supreme Court, the Court of Chancery, and the Circuit Court under
the constitution of 1846 and the judiciary act of May 12, 1847. On
April 27, 1870, the Legislature abolished the General Terms as then
existing and divided the State into four departments, providing for
General Terms to be held in each. The governor designates a presid-
ing justice and two associate justices for each department to compose
the General Term. At least two terms of Circuit Court and Court of
Oyer and Terminer were held annually in each county and as many
Special Terms as the justices in each department deemed necessary.
Following are the names of those who have held the office of Supreme
Court justice and judge of the Circuit Court from Albany:
Chief Justices from Albany County of the Supreme Court from iyyj to 1847. —
Robert Yates, September 28, 1790; John Lansing, jr., February 15, 1798; James
Kent, July 2, 1804; Smith Thompson, Februarys, 1814; Ambrose Spencer, February
9, 1819; Greene C. Bronson, March 5, 1845.
Puisne Justices of the Supreme Court. -^Kohext Yates, May 8, 1777; John Lan-
sing, jr., September 28, 1790; Ambrose Spencer, February 3, 1804; Greene C. Bron-
son, January 6, 1836.
Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1846. — Ira Harris, June
7, 1847; Elisha P. Hurlbut, June 7. 1847; Malbone Watson, June 7, 1847, and No-
vember 8, 1853; Amasa J. Parker, June 7, 1847; Ira Harris, November 4, 1851 ; Deo-
datus Wright, April 20, 1857: Rufus W. Peckham, November 8, 1861 ; William L.
141
Learned, June 21, 1869; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November 6. 1883; William L.
Learned, November, 1884; D. Cady Herrick, 1892.
Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of iSqj. — Appellate- Divi-
sion, D. Cady Herrick, 1896; Trial Term, Alden Chester, 1896.
Surrogates. — Courts for the care and administration of estates have
come down from the first Orphan's Court. Originally the Director-
General and Council of New Netherland were guardians of widows and
orphans. It was the duty of church deacons to attend personally to
these interests and to notify the director of the death of parents. In
New Amsterdam the burgomasters became ex-officio Orphan Masters
in 1853, but at their own request they were soon relieved of the duty
and two special Orphan Masters were appointed. At Fort Orange in
1652 the Vice-Director was appointed, and in 1057 Jan Verbeck and
Evert Wendel.
By the Duke's Laws authority to grant probate of wills was vested in
the Court of Assizes and Court of Sessions. This duty being a part of
the royal prerogative, was subsequently reserved to the governor, and
the Legislature accordingly, on November 11, 1092, passed a law-
directing that all probates and letters of administration be thereafter
granted by the governor or his delegate, and that two freeholders be
appointed in each town to have charge of the estates of intestates.
This method constituted the Prerogative Court.
In 1778 the Legislature passed a law taking from the governor the
powers described above and transferring them to the judge of the
Court of Probates, except in the appointment of surrogates. In 1787
the appointment of a surrogate in each county was authorized, while
the judge of the Court of Probates continued to hold jurisdiction in
cases out the State and of non-residents within the State. An act of
March 10, 1797, provided for holding the Court of Probates in Albany
and that the judge and clerk should remove the documents here and
reside here. The court held appellate jurisdiction over the Surrogate's
Court. It was abolished March 21, 1823. The Albany citizens who
held the office of judge in this court were as follows: Leonard Ganse-
voort, April 5, 1799; T. Van Wyck Graham, March L6, 1813; Gerrit V.
Lansing, July 8, 1810.
Under the first constitution surrogates were appointed for an un-
limited period by the Council of Appointment. Under the second
constitution they were appointed by the governor and Senate for four
142
years, and appeals went up to the chancellor. The constitution of
1846 abolished the office except in counties having 40,000 population
or more and transferred its duties to the county judge. In counties
with more than 40,000, surrogates are elected for six years. The sur-
rogates of Albany county have been as follows:
John De Peyster, April 3, 1756: William Hannah, November 18, 1766; Peter
Lansingh, December 3, 1766; Stephen De Lancey, September 19, 1769; John De
Peyster, March 23, 1778 ; Henry Oothoudt, April 4, 1782 ; John De P. Domv, April
4, 1782; Abraham G. Lansing, March 13, 1787; Elisha Dorr, April 12, 1808; John H.
Wendell, March 5, 1810; Richard Lush, June 11, 1811; John H. Wendell, March 3,
1813; George Merchant, March 17, 1815; Christopher C. Yates, April 19, 1815;
Ebenezer Baldwin, July 7, 1819; Abraham Ten Eyck, jr., February 19, 1821;
Thomas A. Brigden, April 11, 1822; Anthony Blanchard, April 9, 1831; Moses
Patten, February 28, 1840; Anthony Blanchard, February 28, 1844; Lewis Benedict,
jr., June, 1847; Orville H. Chittenden, November, 1851; James A. McKown, No-
vember, 1855; Justus Haswell, November, 1859; Israel Lawton, November, 1863;
Peter A. Rogers, November, 1871; Francis H. Woods, November, 1883; Martin D.
Conway, 1889; George H. Fitts, 1895.
County Court. — The act of 1683 directed that a Court of Sessions be
held by three justices of the peace in each of the twelve counties of
the province, four times annually in New York, three times in Albany,
and twice in each of the other counties. By the act of 1691 and
ordinances of 1699, the functions of this court were confined to crim-
inal matters, while civil cases were transferred to the Court of Com-
mon Pleas. The latter court was established in New York and Albany
by the charters of 1686 and a Court of Common Pleas was erected for
each county by the act of 1691. Composed at first of one judge and
three justices, it was ordered in 1702 that the judge be assisted by two
or more justices, all to be appointed by the governor. Its jurisdiction
embraced all actions, real, personal and mixed, where more than
jQ5 are involved. It was based upon the practice of the King's
Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster, England. Appeals were
allowed to the Supreme Court where the amount involved exceeded
^20. This court continued through the colonial period. Under the
first constitution the number of judges and assistant justices varied
greatly in the different counties, reaching in some counties as many as
twelve. On March 27, 1718, the office of assistant justice was abol-
ished and the number of judges limited to five, inclusive of the first
judge. The constitution of 1821 continued this court with little change.
The criminal side of the court was the Court of Sessions, which was
the name of the criminal side of our County Court up to the adoption
A^&^fr
143
of the present Constitution. The judges were appointed by the Gov-
ernor and the Council of Appointment down to 1821, after which they
were appointed by the Governor and Senate down to 1846, when the
office was made elective.
The constitution of 1846 abolished the Court of Common Pleas and
created the County Court, providing for the election in each county,
except in the city of New York, of one county judge who should hold
a court and have jurisdiction in cases arising in Justices' Court and in
such special cases as the Legislature might order. Upon this court
the Legislature has conferred jurisdiction in actions for debt in sums
not exceeding $2,000; in replevin suits for $1,000; in cases of trespass
and personal injury not exceeding $50<>; also equity jurisdiction for
mortgage foreclosures, sale of infants' real estate, partition of lands,
admeasurement of dower, satisfaction of certain judgments, etc. The
tenure of office of county judge was extended from four to six years.
Associated with the county judge were two justices of the peace to be
designated by law to hold Courts of Sessions, with such criminal juris-
diction as the Legislature might prescribe. The Constitution of 1894
changed somewhat the powers and forms of the court, the principal
changes being in the criminal side of the court. Following are the
names of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas and of the County
Court after its erection :
Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of Albany, or any three of them, from 1686.
Peter Schuyler, May 27, 1691; John Abeel, May 27, 1702; Peter Schuyler, October
14, 1702; Kilhaen Van Rensselaer, December 28, 1717; Rutger Bleecker, December
28, 1726; Ryer Gerritse, December 23, 1738; Robert Sanders, November 28, 1 74«> ;
Sybrant Goose Van Schaick, January 5, 1758; Rensselaer Nicoll, May 14. 1762;
Abraham Ten Broeck, March 4, 1773; Walter Livingston, March 22, 1774; John II.
Ten Eyck, March 21, 1775; Volkert P. Douw, January 6, 1778; Abram Ten Broeck.
March 26, 1781; Leonard Gansevoort, March 19, 1794; John Tayler. February 7,
1797; Nicholas N. yuackenbush, January 13, 1803; David McCarty, March 13, 1804;
CharlesD. Cooper, March 29, 1806; Jacob Ten Eyck, June 8, 1807: Apollos Moore,
June 6, 1812; James L'Amoreaux, March 15, 1828; Samuel Cheever, March 12, 1888
John Lansing. May 17, 1838; Peter Gansevoort, April 17, 1848; William Parmelee,
June, 1847; Albert D. Robinson, November, 1851 ; George Wolford. November, ls">'-'
Jacob H. Clute, November, 1868; Thomas J. Van Alstync, November, 1871 , John C.
Nott, November, 1883; Jacob H. Clute, 1889; Clifford D. Gregory, 1895.
District Attorneys. — Under the act of February 12, 1796, this State-
was divided into seven districts, over which an assistant attorney-gen-
eral was appointed by the Governor and Council, to serve during their
pleasure. The office of district attorney was created April 1. Iv"i.
144
the State being divided into seven districts, as before, but subsequently
several new ones were formed. By a law passed April, 1818, each
county was constituted a separate district for the purposes of this office.
During the life of the second constitution, district attorneys were ap-
pointed by the Court of General Sessions in each county. The follow-
ing persons have held this office in Albany county:
Abraham Van Vechten, February 16, 1796; Samuel S. Lush, April 6, 1813; David
L. Van Antwerp, June 21, 1818; Samuel A. Foote, July 3, 1819; Benjamin F. Butler,
February 19, 1821 ; Edward Livingston, June 14, 1825 ; Rufus W. Peckham, March
27, 1838; Henry G. Wheaton, March 30, 1841; Edwin Litchfield, March 30, 1844;
Andrew J. Colvin, March 21, 1846; Samuel H. Hammond, June, 1847; Andrew J.
Colvin, November, 1850; Hamilton Harris, November, 1853; Samuel G. Courtney,
November, 1856; Ira Shafer, November, 1859; Solomon F. Higgins, November,
1862; Henry Smith, November, 1865; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November, 1868; Na-
thaniel C. Moak, November, 1871; John M. Bailey, November, 1874; Lansing Hotal-
ing, November, 1877; D. Cady Herrick, November, 1880; Hugh Reilly, appointed
vice Herrick resigned June, 1886, and elected 1889; James W. Eaton, 1891; Eugene
Burlingame, 1894.
County Clerks. — During the colonial period the county clerk was
clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, clerk of the Peace, and clerk of
the Sessions of Peace, in his own county. Under the first constitution
it was his duty to keep the county records and act as clerk of the In-
ferior Court of Common Pleas and clerk of the Oyer and Terminer.
These last named duties were conferred by the act of Febauary 12,
1796. The seals of the county clerks were the seals of the Court of
Common Pleas in their respective counties. County clerks are now
clerks of the Supreme Court, Court of Oyer and Terminer, County
Court and Court of Sessions. Since the adoption of the constitution of
1821 the term of office has been three years. Following are the names
of those who have held this office in Albany county :
Ludovicus Cobes, 1669; Robert Livingston. 1675; Johannes Cuyler, March 2, 1690;
Robert Livingston, 1691; William Shaw, 1696; Robert Livingston, 1705; Philip Liv-
ingston. 1721; John Colden, February 23, 1749; Harme Gansevort, September 25,
1750; Witham Marsh, 1760; Stephen De Lancy, January 25, 1765; Leonard Ganse-
voort, May 8, 1777; Matthew Vischer, 1778; Richard Lush, September 29, 1790;
Charles D. Cooper, March 3, 1808; William P. Beers, February 28, 1810; Charles D.
Cooper, February 5, 1811; John Lovett, March 3, 1813; George Merchant, March 31,
1815; Henry Truax, June 6, 1820; George Merchant, February 19, 1821; L. L. Van
Kleeck, November, 1822; Conrad A. Ten Eyck, November, 1828; Henry B. Haswell,
November, 1837; William Mix, November, 1843; Lawrence Van Dusen, November,
1846; Robert S. Lay, November, 1849; Robert Harper, November, 1852; Robert Bab-
cock, November, 1855; Smith A. Waterman, November, 1861; Giles K. Winne, Feb-
EUGbNH BURLINGAME.
145
ruary 9, 1865; Isaac N. Keeler, June 20, 1868; John McEwen, November, 1868;
Albert C. Judson, November, 1871; William E. Haswell, November, 1874; John
Larkin, November, 1877; William D. Strevell, November, 1883; Robert H. Moore,
November, 1886; Ansel C. Requa, 1889; James U. Walslf? 1892; James M. Borst-
wick, 1895. '
Sheriffs. — During the colonial period sheriffs were appointed annually
in the month of October, unless otherwise noticed. Under the first
constitution they were appointed annually by the Council of Appoint-
ment, and no person could hold the office more than four successive
years. Neither could a sheriff hold any other office, and must be a
freeholder in the county where appointed. Since the adoption of the
constitution of 1821, sheriffs have been elected for a term of three
years, and are ineligible to election for the next succeeding term. The
following persons have held this office in Albany county.
John Manning, April 6, 1665; Gerrit Swart, August 17 1668; Andrew Draeyer,
October, 1673; Michael Siston, November 4, 1674; Johannes Provoost, October,
1677; Richard Pretty, October, 1678; Lodovicus Cobes, October, 1679; Richard
Pretty, October, 1680; Gaspar Teller, March 1, 1691; John Apple, December 1, 1692
Simon Young, June 19, 1696; Johannes Groenendyke, October, 1698: John Williams
October, 1699; Jonathan Broadhurst, October, 1700; Jacobus Turk, October, 1702
David Schuyler, October, 1705; Henry Holland, October, 1706; Thomas Williams
October, 1712; Samuel Babington, October, 1716; Gerrit Van Shaick, October, 1719
Henry Holland, October, 1720; Philip Verplanck, October, 1722; Thomas Williams
October, 1723; Goose Van Schaick, October, 1728; James Stephenson, October, 1731
James Lindsay, October, 1732; Henry Holland, October, 1739; John Rutger Bleecker
October, 1746; Jacob Ten Eyck, October, 1747; Thomas Williams, October, 1748
Richard Miller, October, 1749; Abraham Yates, October, 1754; Abraham Yates, jr.
October, 1755; Jacob Van Schaick, October, 1759; Hermanus Schuyler, June 18, 1761
Henry Ten Eyck, October, 1770; Hendrick J. Wendell, September 27, 1777; John
Ten Broeck, March 22, 1781 ; Hendrick J. Wendell, November 29, 1782 ; John Ten
Broeck, September 29, 1786; Peter Gansevoort, jr.. September 29, 1790; John
Ostrander, jr., September, 29, 1792; John Given, September 29, 1796; Hermanns P.
Schuyler, February 25, 1800; John J. Cuyler, January 28, 1801; Hermanus H. Wen-
dell, January 12, 1803; Lawrence L. Van Kleeck, February 28, 1807; Solomon Smith -
wick, February 10,1808; Jacob Mancius, February 13, 1810; Peter P. Don, February
12. 1811; Jacob Mancius, February 23, 1813; Isaac Hempstead, March 17, 1815;
Leonard H. Gansevoort, March 6, 1819; Cornelius Van Antwerp, February 12, 1821 ;
Cornelius Van Antwerp, November, 1822; C. H. Ten Eyck, November, 1827; John
Beckey (removed October 5, 1829), 1828; Asa Colvard, November. L829; Albert Gal-
lup, November, 1831; Angus McDuffie, November, 1834; Michael Axtcher, Novem-
ber, 1837; Amos Adams, November, 1840; Christopher Batterman, November, 1848;
Oscar Tyler, November, 1846; William Beardsley, November, 1849; John McEwen,
November, 1852; William P. Brayton, November, 1855; Thomas W. Van Alstyne,
November, 1858; Henry Crandall, November. 1861; Henry Fitch, November. 1864;
19
L46
Harris Parr, November, 1867; George A. Birch, November, 1870; Albert Gallup,
November, 1873; John Wemple, November 6, 1876; James A. Houck, November,
1879; William H. Keeler, November, 1882; John W. Hart, 1885; James Rooney,
1888 ; Isaac B. Cross, 1891 ; Lewis V. Thayer, 1894.
No county in this State has had a more distinguighed bar than Al-
bany. The fact that here is located the capital may have been to some
extent influential in bringing to Albany men of eminence in the legal
profession; but whether this is or is not true, the bar and judiciary of
Albany includes the names of many men which have been familiar
throughout the State and nation, both professionally and in connection
with public affairs. It is proper that a few of these shall receive spe-
cial mention in this chapter.
BIOGRAPHICAL. '
One of the very early prominent attorneys whose career deserves
brief mention here was Robert Yates. He was born in 1738 and early in
life settled in Albany where he became conspicuous in public affairs. He
was associated with the other eminent members of the committee ap-
pointed August 1, 1776, to prepare a form of government for the State of
New York, which led directly to the adoption of the first constitution.
He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of 1775, and also of the
second, which convened in February, 1776. On May 8, 1777, he was
appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the State, serving thus to
October, 1790, when he was appointed chief justice of the State. In
1787 Judge Yates was appointed by the Legislature, with Alexander
Hamilton and John Lansing, jr., a delegate to the convention which
formed the constitution of the United States. He, with Mr. Lansing,
withdrew from that convention because it did not more effectually se-
cure the rights of the separate States. Judge Yates was also a com-
missioner for the settlement of the rival claims between New York
and Vermont, and Massachusetts and Connecticut. His death took
place in 1801.
John Lansing, jr., was born in Albany, January 30, 1755, and studied
law with Robert Yates and later with James Duane, of New York. In
1776-7 he was secretary to Major-General Schuyler, commanding the
Northern Department. After his admission to the bar Mr. Lansing
1 Biographical notices of a large number of the bar and judiciary of the county will be found
in Parts II and III of this volume.
147
began practicing in Albany and met with great success. He became
very prominent in public affairs and ably filled many honorable stations,
as follows: Member of assembly in sessions 4 to 7 inclusive from
Albany; appointed member of congress February, 1784, and re-
appointed; elected speaker of the Assembly January, 178G; appointed
mayor of Albany September 29, 1786; in 1786 again elected to the
Assembly, and in January, 1787, made member of congress under the
confederation ; March 6, 1787, appointed delegate to the Philadelphia
convention that framed the United States constitution ; elected speaker
of the Assembly, December, 1788; appointed, March, 1790, a commis-
sioner in settling the New York and Vermont controversy, and on
September 28 following, he was appointed one of the justices of the
Supreme Court of the State; February 15, 1798, appointed chief justice
of the Supreme Court of the State, succeeding Mr. Yates; October -.'l,
1801, appointed chancellor of the State; in 1804, declined nomination
for the office of governor. This distinguished career was brought to a
sudden close December 12, 1829, when Judge Lansing was in New-
York; leaving his hotel to mail an important letter on the Albany
steamboat, he was never seen or heard of afterwards.
It has been written of Abraham Van Vechten, that " no name is
more honored in the State than his — honored not only as a learned,
eloquent, and eminently successful lawyer, but as a legislator whose
wisdom and profundity are seen in the enactment of many of the laws
that have given protection and greatness to the State of New York."
He was born in Catskill, December 5, 1762, graduated at what is now
Columbia College, and studied law with John Lansing. After a short
period of practice in Johnstown he settled in Albany, where he soon
ranked high among older and more experienced lawyers. His large
practice soon carried him before the higher courts, where he greatly
distinguished himself and opened the way for his preferment in public
office. He was repeatedly elected to the Legislature, and in 1813 was
appointed attorney-general of the State, and during the administration
of John Jay he was tendered the office of judge of the Supreme Court
of the State; .but he preferred to remain directly in the practice of his
profession and declined the high honor. He was recorder of Albany.
1797-1808; regent, 1797-1823; State senator, 1798 1805; member of
assembly, 1805-15; attorney-general, 1810 and 1813, and a member of
the Constitutional Convention of 1821. For " over half a century his
148
brilliant mind was constantly shedding its light over the jurisprudence
of the State and nation. The bar long delighted to accord to him its
highest honors."
John V. Henry was an early and prominent member of the Albany
bar. He was admitted to practice in January, 1782, at the same term
with Aaron Burr. Possessing the advantages of a classical education
and brilliant native qualifications, he soon rose to the position of peer
beside such men as Hamilton, Burr, Hoffman, Lansing and others.
He was an eloquent orator and able logician, and was early accorded
leadership in the political arena. He was chosen member of assembly
from Albany county in 1800, was re-elected and in that body was the
foremost Federalist. In January, 1800, he was appointed comptroller
of the State, but in the following year, for reasons that are not clearly
understood, was removed from the office by Governor Clinton, who
succeeded Gov. John Jay. The turn of the political wheel that brought
this change to Mr. Henry, while unpleasant to him and his friends, was
in reality a blessing, for it caused him to form an irrevocable resolu-
tion to never again accept political office. As a consequence he was
able thenceforward to devote his whole powerful energies to his pro-
fession. In that field he advanced to the front rank. He died sud-
denly October 2, 1829. A paragraph from an obituary notice reads
thus:
"The death of Mr. Henry is a public calamity. The tears that his
family shed over his lifeless form fall not alone. Those who respect
the probity, the independence, the gallant bearing, and the high talents
which sometimes redeem human nature from suspicion, must also
lament the fall of such a man as this, in whom these traits were so
happily combined."
John V. N. Yates was a son of Robert Yates, before noticed, and
was born in Albany in 1779. He received a liberal education, studied
law in the office of John V. Henry and began practice in his native
city. In 1808 he received appointment as master in chancery, and in
June of the same year was appointed recorder of Albany. He was
removed through political changes, but again assumed the office in
1811, serving to 1816. In April, 1818, he was appointed secretary of
state and served until 1826 with distinguished ability. In 1808 he be-
came embroiled in the famous case with Chancellor Lansing, growing
149
out of an attempt on the part of the latter, in his official capacity, to
punish Mr. Yates for malpractice and contempt. The case mav be
found in 6 Johnson's reports, :535, and it must suffice for this place to
state that at the close of the long litigation Mr. Yates was successful.
He was an able writer and was the recipient of many prominent offi-
cial positions. He died in Albany, January 10, 1839.
From the year 1816, when he was thirty-four years of age, Martin
Van Buren was a resident of Albany and a distinguished member of
its bar. He was born in Kinderhook, was an ardent student, and be-
gan the study of law early in life. He was admitted to the bar in L803,
and during the next twelve years practiced in his native place, where
his rivals and business opponents numbered some of the most eminent
lawyers of that time. But by the force of his ability and almost super-
human labor the young man often triumphed over his more experienced
adversaries. After holding several public positions in what is now
Columbia county, he was elected to the State Senate for 1812 when
only thirty years old, and was re-elected in 1816, at which time he be-
came a resident of Albany. His after career, during which he reached
the highest office in the land, is too well known to need repetition here,
while it is manifestly impossible to spare space for it. He took as his
law partner, in 1817, Benjamin F. Butler, another lawyer who was
destined to win national fame, and the firm became one of the strong-
est in the State. Mr. Van Buren was chosen United States senator in
1821, and was a foremost member of the Constitutional Convention of
that year; he became governor of the State upon the death of Mr.
Clinton in 1828, but resigned the office on receiving appointment as
secretary of state in President Jackson's cabinet in the following year.
He was inaugurated president of the United States in March, L837,
and was defeated for re-election by General Harrison.
The same apology offered for the brevity of a few lines regarding
Mr. Van Buren in these pages will also apply to Benjamin F. Butler.
Born at Kinderhook in December, 1795, he finished his school studies
and then entered the law office of Mr. Van Buren. The high position
of the senior of the firm, and his practice in the United States Supreme
Court, as well as the natural and acquired qualifications of Mr. Butler,
gave the latter superior business advantages, and the firm became
recognized as the leading one of the State. lie was appointed district
150
attorney of Albany county in 1821, and retired in 1825 with the com-
mendations of the community. In 1825 he became a member of the
commission to revise the laws of the State, with John Duer and Henry
Wheaton. This was an enormous task, and required almost the entire
time of the commissioners for years, and it is known that much of the
good results were due to the patient and efficient labor of Mr. Butler.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1828; in 1833 was appointed
attorney- general of the United States, and in October, 1836, while
still in that office, was appointed secretary of war in President Jack-
son's cabinet. He resigned as attorney general in January, 1838, and
returned to the practice of his profession ; but within a few months
the office of United States district attorney for the Southern District
of New York became vacant, and he was appointed thereto. When
President Polk was inaugurated he tendered Mr. Butler the office of
secretary of war, which was declined, but soon afterward he accepted
the office of United States attorney for the Southern District of the
State. About this time he became a resident of New York, where he
occupied a leading position. He visited Europe in October, 1868, in-
tending to remain two years to regain his broken health, and died in
Paris, November 8, of that year.
Greene C. Bronson was for more than twenty years a prominent
member of the Albany bar. He was a native of Utica, born in 1789,
and began practice in that village about 1815. He was appointed sur-
rogate of Oneida county in 1819 and in 1822 was elected to the Assem-
bly, declining a renomination the following year. In February, 1829,
he was appointed attorney-general of the State, the duties of which
office he discharged with signal ability until 1836, when he was ap-
pointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court. He took up his res-
idence in Albany coincident with his appointment as attorney-general,
and was a resident here until 1853, when he received the appointment
of collector of the port of New York and removed to that city. Mean-
while, in March, 1845, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme
Court of the State, and occupied the bench two years, when he re-
signed. In politics Judge Bronson was a Democrat and occupied a
leading position in the party. He died in New York, September 3, 1863.
A reference to the reports of cases argued in the appellate courts of
the State from 1817 to 1853, will show that Marcus T. Reynolds was
151
counsel in more cases adjudicated in the Supreme Court and the Court
for the Correction of Errors than almost any other lawyer of this
State. He was born in Montgomery county, December 22, 1788, and
graduated from Union college in 1808. He then began studying law
in the office of the eminent Matthias B. Hildreth, of Johnstown, Fulton
county. Mr. Reynolds was admitted to the bar in 1811, and early
evinced those talents which enabled him to rapidly advance in his pro-
fession. He began and continued in practice at Johnstown until L828,
when he removed to Albany and there passed the remainder of his life,
adding greatly to the high reputation he had previously gained. He
was particularly powerful before a jury and the number of prominent
cases in which he was engaged was large. By a fall from his horse,
many years previous to his death, one of his legs was so badly frac-
tured that amputation was necessary. Ill health compelled his retire-
ment from practice about ten years before his death, which took place
July 13, 1864.
For many years after 1837 Gen. Samuel Stevens was one of the lead-
ing lawyers of Albany and an advocate of great power. He attained
a large measure of professional success and was very popular with the
people of the community. He first came prominently into the political
field as one of De Witt Clinton's ablest supporters. In 1825 he repre-
sented Washington county, where he was born, in the Legislature,
where he was leader of the Clintonian forces. He was re-elected in
1827. Later on he identified himself with the Whigs and in 1839 was
a prominent candidate for attorney-general. He did not again come
before the people in connection with public office, except through his
nomination for lieutenant-governor. The names of General Stevens,
Marcus T. Reynolds and Nicholas Hill are intimately associated in the
history of the Albany bar, where they were often brought together in
the same cases. At different times General Stevens was a partner
with James Edwards and with Peter Cagger.
The name of John C. Spencer is not only identified witli the bar of
Albany county, but is well known in the political history of the State.
His career was intimately blended with that of I >e Witt Clinton, as tar
as politics were concerned. He was bom at Hudson, August 1'.', L786,
and a son of Ambrose Spencer. Graduating from Union College in
1803 with high honor, he at once began the study of law with his father.
1 52
In July, 1809, he was admitted to practice and very soon afterwards
joined the great tide of emigration westward and settled in Canandai-
gua. With almost no pecuniary means and a few law books, he and
his wife began life in that village in a very modest way, while he
sought such business as the vicinity afforded. He stood for some years
at the head of the bar of that great county. In 1818 he was appointed
by the governor prosecuting attorney for the five western counties of
the State. In the spring of 1817 he was elected to Congress, and while
in that body was nominated for the Senate by the State Legislature,
but was not chosen. In 1819 he was elected to the Assembly, and
again in 1821, 1831 and 1833; at the first term he was chosen speaker.
From 1825 to 1828 he was in the State Senate, where he attained a high
position. In 1826 he was chosen to prosecute the abductors of Morgan
during the anti-Masonic crusade, out of which grew the anti-Masonic
party, of which he was a prominent member. When that party was
absorbed by the Whigs Mr. Spencer became a leader in the political
field, and in 1836 removed to Albany. Upon the election of John Tyler
to the presidency he chose Mr. Spencer for his secretary of war. After
the presidential election of 1852 he retired from politics. It will be
remembered that he was one of the three commissioners appointed by
Governor Clinton to revise the statutes of the State, a great task which
was successfully accomplished. In 1849 he was appointed one of the
codifying commissioners, but declined and soon retired to private life.
Mr. Spencer endeared himself to citizens of Albany by his generous
interest in local affairs, and particularly in his aid in founding a num-
ber of the benevolent institutions of the city. He died while in New
York on May 20, 1854.
James Edwards was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, December
9, 1799, and settled in Albany in 1816, where he attained a prominent
position at the bar. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Albert
Foote, at that time one of the leading attorneys of the city. He was
admitted to the bar in 1822 and soon afterwards became a partner
with Gen. Samuel Stevens. It was written of Mr. Edwards that " he
was distinguished for his sound practical judgment, his solid legal at-
tainments, his promptness and accuracy in business, energy, firmness
and integrity of character, and conscientious fidelity to the interests of
his clients." Mr. Edwards died May 21, 1868.
Azor Tabor was born at Knox, Albany county, May 1, 1798. After
153
receiving" a classical education he entered the office of John Lansing,
then chancellor of the State, studied law and when admitted to the bar
began practice in Albany. He ranked among the ablest attorneys of
the city and gained a large and profitable business. Loving his pro-
fession and its pursuit, he never sought public office, the only position
he ever held being that of State senator, to which he was elected in
1851. Although his senatorial career was eminently worthy, he had
little taste for public life and returned permanently to practice. In
1833 he formed a partnership with Amos Dean, which continued suc-
cessfully some years. In 1854, owing to ill health, Mr. Tabor retired
from practice, removed to Knox and there died June 10, 1855.
Amos Dean was born at Barnard, Vt., January 1(5, 1803. After
teaching several seasons to enable him to obtain his education, he en-
tered Union College in 1823 and was graduated in 1826. He began
studying law in the offie of Jabez D. Hammond and Alfred Conkling,
and was admitted to practice in 1829. He was for several years a
partner with Azor Tabor and the firm was recognized as a strong one.
He was a firm believer in the great benefits of popular education and
was thereby led in 1833 to gather about him a few young men of sim-
ilar tastes, from which grew the later Albany Young Men's Association.
From that beginning hundreds of similar organizations came into
being in other cities. Mr. Dean was chosen the first president of the
association. In 1833 he was associated with Drs. March and Armsby
in establishing the Albany Medical College, and from that time to
1859 he held in that institution the position of professor of medical
jurisprudence. When the law department of the university was estab-
lished Mr. Dean was chosen one of its professors, where his talents
gave him wide recognition as an educator. He was also well known
in literary fields; was the author of a Manual of Law, and delivered
many addresses before different bodies. The publication of his great-
est work, the History of Civilization, was stopped by his death, but
was issued afterwards in seven volumes.
A lawyer who ranked with Reynolds. Stevens, Tabor and others of
the Albany bar, was Henry G. Wheaton, who was graduated from
Union College in 1828 and immediately began law study in Albany.
After his admission to practice he rapidly rose to an enviable position
in the profession. Becoming interested in politics, for which he pos-
20
154
sessed natural talents, he was chosen for the Assembly from Albany
county in the years 1835, 1840 and 1841, though his seat in the first
year named was successfully contested by David C. Seger. In the
House he was regarded as one of the most eloquent members. In
March, 1841, he was appointed district attorney for Albany county, in
which office he officially served the interests of the community. The
management of a large estate devolving upon him in New York city
in 1855, he removed thither, and was killed while crossing a railroad
track, August 26, 1865.
In the work entitled The Bench and Bar of New York, Nicholas Hill
is compared in some of his prominent characteristics, with John C.
Spencer; both were men of marked intellectual powers, energetic and
industrious and capable of a vast amount of labor. Nicholas Hill was
born in Montgomery county, N. Y., October 16, 1806. Early showing
the student's predilections, he availed himself of his opportunities to
obtain a fair education, and then took up the study of law in the office
of Daniel Cady, at Johnstown. After his admission to practice he set-
tled first in Amsterdam, whence he soon removed to Saratoga, where
later he formed a partnership with Sidney Cowen, son of Judge Esek
Cowen, who had already discovered in Mr. Hill those qualities that
afterwards gave him distinction. Associated with Mr. Cowen he pre-
pared that great work, Cowen and Hill's Notes to Phillips on Evidence' —
a work that constitutes a monument to both of its authors. Though
somewhat retiring in his nature, Mr. Hill's ability as a speaker, and
his other qualifications as a jury lawyer, gave him early prominence in
the courts of his time, where he was successful among many eminent
men. In 1841 he was appointed law reporter, an office in which he
won distinction for accuracy and clearness. Five years later he re-
signed the office and soon formed a partnership with Peter Cagger and
James K. Porter, a firm that commanded high confidence and a large
patronage. Mr. Hill was first of all a painstaking student, and his
close application to his business at length ruined his health and he died
May 1, 1859. The event was announced in the Court of Appeals by
John A. Reynolds, in a memorable eulogium. Mr. Reynolds was him-
self one of the ablest members of the Albany bar, a man of rare argu-
mentative powers and scholarly attainments. His pure character and
large professional endowments endeared him to his professional
brethren.
J 00
Peter Cagger was born in Albany July G, 1812, coming of Irish an-
cestry. Early in life he was placed in the law office of Reynolds <!v
Woodruff as a clerk, in which position he evinced some of his remarka-
ble natural qualifications. He afterwards became a partner with
Samuel Stevens, as before noted, and the firm of Stevens & Cagger
soon became a power in legal circles. Shortly after the death of Mr.
Stevens Mr. Cagger became a member of the distinguished firm, Hill,
Cagger & Porter, a combination that is remembered as one of the
strongest ever formed in the State. Mr. Cagger was instantlv killed
by being thrown from his carriage in New York city, July 6, L868, at
the age of fifty-six years.
Ira Harris was born at Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y., Mav
31, 1802, prepared for college at Homer Academy (the family having
removed to Cortland county), and graduated from Union College in
1824. He studied law one year in Homer and then removed to Albany
where he continued with the great jurist, Ambrose Spencer. In 1827
he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice, soon forming a
partnership with Silas Dutcher, which continued until 1842. He was
elected to the Assembly in 1844, was re-elected in 184o, and in 1840
was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in which body
he occupied a conspicuous position. « In the fall of 1846 he was elected
a justice of the Supreme Court and resigned the former office. At the
expiration of his four years' term as justice he was elected for another
term, which had been extended to eight years. In this high position
the great ability of Judge Harris was soon demonstrated. He exhib-
ited profound knowledge of the law, excellent judicial qualifications
and strict impartiality. His published opinions have received universal
commendation. In 1861 he was elected to the United States Senate,
in which body he was honored with appointments on important com-
mittees and became a trusted friend of President Lincoln. lie took
active interest in raising troops for the army, especially of the regiment
of cavalry which bore his name. At the close of his term he retired to
private life, but was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1867. Having been connected with the Albany Law School
from its organization, he now accepted the professorship of equity ju-
risprudence and practice, to which he devoted his time until his death,
December 2, 1875. He was for many years president of the Board of
Trusteesof Union College, president of the Albany Medical College and
156
of the trustees of Vassar College. At his death the bench and bar
testified to their respect for his distinguished abilities. He was a
brother of Hamilton Harris, of Albany.
Rufus W. Peckham, the distinguished lawyer and jurist, was born at
Rensselaerville, Albany county, December 30, 1800. His boyhood was
passed in Otsego county, whither his father removed, and after prep-
aration entered Union College and was graduated in 1827. Having a
brother in the medical profession in Utica, he went there to enter the
legal arena, where he entered the office of Greene C. Bronson (before
noticed) and Samuel Beardsley. The advantages of being tutored by
those eminent lawyers left a permanent impression upon Mr. Peckham's
career. Called to the bar in 1830, he soon afterward became a partner
with his brother,.- George W. Peckham, of Albany. The firm was
prosperous from the first and took a high position in the then brilliant
bar of the city. In 1839 he was appointed district attorney of the
county, and in 1845 was a candidate for attorney-general and was de-
feated by John Van Buren by one vote. In 1852 he was elected to
Crogress, in which body he distinguished himself by his ability and his
independence of party ties where he thought the interests of the nation
were at stake. In the fall of 1859 he was elected a justice of the Su-
preme Court, served eight years and was unanimously re-elected.
Before the close of his term he was elected a judge of the Court of Ap-
peals. Few American judges possessed greater judicial accomplish-
ments than he. On the 5th of November he and his wife sailed on the
ill-fated Ville du Havre, which on the night of the 22d collided with
another vessel and went to the bottom in the darkness, carrying them,
with more than two hundred others to the bottom. At the moment
of the greatest peril, he took his wife's hand and bravely uttered the
words that were heralded over two continents: " If we must go down,
let us die bravely!" The profession throughout this State testified its
high respect and sorrow for the eminent man.
Col. Lewis Benedict was born in Albany, September 17, 1817, and
was graduated from Williams College in 1837. He then entered the
law office of John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua, and in January, 1841,
was licensed to practice. He settled in Albany and soon took a high
position. In 1845 he was appointed city attorney and at the close of
his term was reappointed. In 1847 he was appointed judge advocate-
157
general on the governor's staff, and in 1848 was elected surrogate of
the county. In 1852 and 1860 he was the candidate of his party (the
Whig) for the city recordership and shared in the defeat of its nomi-
nees. In 1854 he was appointed one of the commissioners to examine
into the condition of the State prisons, the report of whom was made
in 1856 in a large volume In 1860 he was elected to the Assembly by
the Union element of his district; this was the last civil office held by
him. On his admission to the bar he was fortunate in becoming the
partner of Marcus T. Reynolds, which gave him at once a valuable
prestige. From the time of his appointment as city attorney he was
active and earnest in his political work and was often a delegate to the
various conventions, where he wielded a large influence. As early as
January, 1861, when Governer Morgan was endeavoring to impress the
Legislature with the importance of placing the State upon a war foot-
ing, Colonel Benedict saw the necessity for such action and compre-
hended the oncoming conflict. He therefore co-operated with the
governor in the matter. The passage of the act authorizing the embody-
ing and equipment of the State militia was largely due to him, and after
that Colonel Benedict gave all of his time to the Union cause. The
New York Fire Department, while recruiting the 2d Fire Zouaves,
conferred on him a lieutenancy and he was commissioned in June, 1 861 .
The career of that body of soldiers is well known and cannot be de-
tailed here. He was captured at Williamsburg and taken to the Salis-
bury (N. C.) prison where several months later he was exchanged.
Soon afterwards he was commissioned colonel of the 162d Regiment,
and a month later, October, 1862, went with his troops to New Orleans.
In January, 186:}, he was made acting brigadier-general and took part
in the fighting at and around Port Hudson. In the bloody engagement
of June 14, 1863, he was foremost. When it was determined to storm
the fort Colonel Benedict was given command of the 2d battalion,
which was to serve as the " forlorn hope. " From that time he followed
Banks through all his movements. His last command, that of the 3d
Brigade of the 1st Division, 19th Corps, was composed of three New
York and two Maine regiments, and a battery, and was noted for its
gallant deeds. On the 9th of April, L864, in the final struggle of the
Red River campaign, Colonel Benedict led his brigade in a charge and
fell pierced with several bullets. It was a heroic death to close a dis-
tinguished military career. His remains were brought to Albany and
buried with higrh honors.
158
ALBANY COUNTY BAR.
Albany. — John J. Acker, George Addington, Daniel Adler, William A. Allen, A. L.
Andrews, Buel C. Andrews, Austin Archer, John M. Bailey, Frederic Baker, George
C. Baker, Isaac B. Barrett, R. O. Bassett, Edwin A. Bedell, James W. Bentley, Will-
iam F. Beutler, Lyman H. Bevans, John J. Brady, John J. Bradley, Richard W.
Brass, Edward J. Brennan, Charles F. Bridge, Walter M. Brown, Joseph H. Brooks,
Charles J. Buchanan, Hiram Buck, Alpheus T. Bulkley, Eugene Burlingame, Henry
D. Burlingame, F. W. Cameron, Lewis E. Carr, Raymond W. Carr, Lewis Cass, Ed-
gar T. Chapman, jr., Norton Chase, Alden Chester, William K. Clute, Jacob H. Clute,
Mark Cohn, Herbut G. Cone, Andrew J. Colvin, Martin D. Conway, Joseph A. Con-
way, John T. Cook, J. Fenimore Cooper, Joseph P. Coughlin, Edwin Countryman,
Charles E. Countryman, James H. Coyle, C. J. Crummey, Walter S. Cutler, Frank-
lin M. Danaher, S. J. Daring, Richard W. Darling, Edwin G. Day, Frank B. Dele-
hanty, John A. Delehanty, Peter A. Delaney, Abraham Y. De Witt, Herman J.
Diekman, J. Murray Downs, Andrew S. Draper, C. J. Droogan, P. E. Du Bois,
Daniel J. Dugan, Patrick C. Dugan, William S. Dyer, Zeb A. Dyer, James W.
Eaton, Jerome W. Ecker, William S. Elmendorf, John F. Farrell, James J. Far-
ren, J. Newton Fiero, David C. Fitz Gerald, E. D. Flanigan, James H. Foote, Cor-
nelius E. Franklin, Charles M. Friend, J. S. Frost, Worthington Frothingham, W.
D. Frothingham, John E. Gallup W. S. Gibbons, Scott D'M. Goodwin, Edward
J. Graham, Clifford D. Gregory, J. Wendell Grifhng, Stephen B. Griswold, John
Guttman, Alfred A. Guthrie, William S. Hackett, Edgar M. Haines, Matthew Hale.
Charles R. Hall, Fred C. Ham, Andrew Hamilton, R. W. Hardie, William B.
Harris, Hamilton Harris, Fred Harris, Julius F. Harris, Thomas H. Ham, ' S. S.
Hatt, William A. Hendrickson, Howard Hendrickson,- Isban Hess, Albert Hess-
berg, D. Cady Herrick, Winfield S. Hevenor, Barnwell R. Heyward, Horace L. Hicks,
George D. Hill, David B. Hill, William J. Hillis, Galen R. Hitt, Henry T. Holmes,
Harold C. Hooker, Lansing Hotaling, William F. Hourigan, Eugene E. Howe,
Samuel T. Hull, Marcus T. Hun, Sidney A. Hungerford, G. De W. Hurlbut, Julius
Illch, William Isenburgh, Charles M. Jenkins, James B. Jermain, James C. Johnson,
Russell M. Johnston, Frank Kampfer, Jacob A. Kapps, George T. Kelley, Barrington
King, Dwight King, J. Howard King, Leonard Kip, Francis Kimball, George C.
Kimball, Edmund C. Knickerbocker, Charles Krank, Leopold C. G. Kshinka, John
R. Langan, Abraham Lansing, J. T. Lansing, William Lansing, Joseph M. Lawson,
Isaac Lawson, Joseph A. Lawson, George Lawyer, William L. Learned, Randall J.
Le Boeuf, William Loucks, Gaylord Logan, James J. Mahoney, George H. Mallory,
J. F. Manson, Joseph F. Macy, S. S. Marvin, James C. Matthews, John W. Mattice,
Peter F. Mattimore, Henry S. McCall, Archibald McClure, R. H. McCormic, jr.,
William C. McHarg, John McElroy, James A. McKown, John W. McNamara, Daniel
T. McNamara, John T. McDonough, Charles W. Mead, Edward J. Meegan, Thomas
A. Meegan, Peyton F. Miller, Charles H. Mills, John F. Montignani, J. H. Morrey, jr.,
Edgar, A. Morling, Thomas A. Murray, David Muhlfelder, Max Myers, Martin T.
Nachtmann, J. F. Nash, Henry C. Nevitt, Stewart C.Newton, Munson C. G. Nichols,
Nathaniel Niles, David J. Norton, Myer Nussbaum, Edward W. Nugent, John J.
Olcott, Smith O'Brien, John J. O'Neil, Howard Paddock, Stephen Paddock, Horace
F. Palmer, Amasa J. Parker, Amasa J. Parker, jr., Lewis R. Parker, Rufus W. Peck-
159
ham, Henry A. Peckham, J. De Witt Peltz, Aaron B. Pratt, Louis W. Pratt, John V. L.
Pruyn, Edward W. Rankin, Albert Rathbone, William F. Rath bone, Edward T. Reed,
Hugh Reilly, Louis J. Rezzemini, Ernest W. Rieck, James A. Robinson, Edward 1).
Ronan, Simon W. Rosendale, Edgar H. Rosenstock, Jacob G. Runkle, William P.
Rudd, James M. Ruso, Joseph W. Russell, Bleecker Sanders, Henry T. Sanford,
Roscoe C. Sanford, Edwin W. Sanford, John H. Sand, David S. Saxe, Thomas
Sayre, Robert G. Scherer, Jacob C. E. Scott, William M. Scott, A. G. Seelman, Ste-
phen ( ). Shepard, Osgood H. Shepard, Louis Silberman, A. Page Smith, Fred E.
.Smith, Nathaniel Spaulding, Stuart G. Speir,' David Stanwix, John D. Stantial,
George L. Stedman, George W. Stedman, Henry E. Stern, A. R. Stevens, George
H. Stevens, Thomas W. Stevens, John A. Stephens, Peter A. Stephens, Kate
Stoneman, Barent W. Stryker, J. B. Sturtevant, Charles B. Templeton, George V.
Thatcher, David A. Thompson, Newton W. Thompson, C. H. Tomlinson, James
F. Tracey, George M. True, Lucien Tuft's, jr., Thomas J. Van Alstyne, William B.
Van Rensselaer, Lansing Van Wie, Andrew Vanderzee, Newton B. Vanderzee,
Alonzo B. Voorhees, Frederick E. Wadhams, Richard B. Wagoner, John W. Walsh.
Joseph H. Walsh, Walter E. Ward, Luther C. Warner, Hiram I.. Washburn, jr.,
Robert H. Wells, Thomas F. Wilkinson, Horace G. Wood, Francis 11. Woods.
Bkkne.— Z. B. Dyer.
Coeymans.^C. M. Barlow, W. Scott Coffin, Lindsey Green, Charles M. Tomp-
kins.
Cohoes. — David Askworth, Israel Belanger, James H. Berns, Daniel J. Cosgro,
James F. Crawford, Charles F. Doyle, Isaiah Fellows, jr., George H. Fitts, jr., Law-
rence B. Finn, Rosin J. House, Daniel C. McElwain, John E. McLean, E. B. Nichols,
Peter D. Niver, Smith Niver, John Scanlon, James R. Stevens, Henry A. Strong,
James Wallace, Walter H. Wertime.
GuiLDERLAND. — James R. Main.
Axtamont. — Hiram Griggs, John D. White.
New Scotland. — Alexander H. Crounse.
Rensselaerville. — Norman W. Faulk, Preston Hollow; William R. Tanner, Me-
dusa.
Westerlo. — Alonzo Spaulding.
West Troy. — James W. Boyle, James B. Egan, John II. Gleason, William Hol-
lands, Joseph H. Hollands, C. I>. Hudson, John W. Kenny, Eugene MpLean, Vol-
kert J. Oothout, Peter A. Rogers.
Green Island. — William F. Hickey.
Court Buildings. — In early years the courts of this county were held
in the Old Stadt Huys, which was also occupied as a city hall, a State-
House and a prison. Conventions and other public gatherings also
assembled within its venerable walls. It stood on the northeast corner
of Broadway and Hudson avenue, just inside the stockades of the city,
and was built about 1635, principally for the use of the courts, while the
jail was in the lower story, which was of stone. It was a substantial
brick structure, nearly square, and three stories high, witli a cupola
and belfry. Soon after its erection a bell was brought from Holland
160
and hung in the belfry, and it was rung on all public occasions for nearly
160 years and when the old building was demolished, the bell was hung
in the cupola of the new Capitol. When it had at last outlived its
usefulness there it was taken down and is said to now hang in the
tower of a Ballston church. In the Old Stadt Huys were held, be-
sides the courts, the meetings of the Common Council after its organ-
ization under the Dongan charter of July, 1086. In front of the build-
ing the Declaration of Independence was read to the people for the
first time. A commercial building now stands on the site of the old
structure, and in it a memorial slab has been placed, appropriately in-
scribed.
In December, 1895, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution
authorizing the county to issue bonds to the amount of $100,000,
the proceeds of which were to be used for the purchase of the Albany
Savings Bank building, corner of State and Chapel streets. The
bank had a lease of the building extending two years. In the sum-
mer of 1896, Judges Clifford D. Gregory and Alden D. Chester oc-
cupied rooms in the building, as also did the clerk of the appellate
division of the Supreme Court. Judge Gregory was appointed custo-
dian of the building and under his supervision the structure was con-
siderably improved and adapted for its new purposes above the first
floor; the latter is still occupied by the bank. After the removal of
the bank the district attorney and county treasurer will move into this
building, which will be known as the County Court House.
City Halls. — The first city hall, a structure in which the courts were
held, stood on the site of the present city hall, and was erected in
1829-32. The site was purchased of St. Peter's church corporation
for $10,259.95. On August 31, 1830, the corner stone was laid by
Mayor John Townsend with Masonic ceremonies. The building was
finished in 1832 at a total cost of about $92,000. It was constructed of
white marble, with a large porch supported by four Doric columns, and
a large gilded dome surmounting the roof. The style of architecture
was plain in the extreme. This building was used for nearly fifty years
until on the 10th of February, 1880, when it was destroyed by fire, the
cause of which has remained a mystery. Most of the valuable records
and documents in the building were saved.
A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was called for Febru-
ary 16, 1880, to consider what should be done to provide for a new
city hall. In the course of the proceedings the following resolution
ANTHONY N. BR \l rt
161
was read, which had been previously adopted on the 11th at a meeting
of the Albany bar:
Resolved, That the site of the City Hall, recently destroyed by fire, is the most
appropriate and convenient for a building for the County Court and Court Officers,
and the members of the Albany County Bar hereby unanimously urge the Board
of Supervisors to take immediate steps toward the erection of said building or an-
other upon the City Hall site for the use of the County Courts and officers.
The board had been urged to purchase what was known as the Mar-
tin Hall as a substitute for the former City Hall, which in some meas-
ure led to the above expression from the bar. The Board of Super-
visors adopted prompt measures to ascertain the wishes of the county,
outside of the city, in the site of the new building, which duty was as-
signed to R. W. Peckham, and made provision for the copying of all
records that were damaged in the fire. An act of the Legislature was
procured creating a City Hall Commission consisting of the mayor,
Michael N. Nolan, the chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Edward
A. Maher, with Erastus Corning, Robert C. Pruyn, C. P. Easton,
Leonard G. Hun, Albertus W. Becker, and William Gould. Under
the general direction of this commission the present imposing City
Hall was built on the site of the former one during the years 1881-83.
It is is constructed of Long Meadow brown stone; is four stories in
height, with a tower 202 feet high. The cost including the furnishing
was $325,000, of which sum $290,000 was raised on bonds of the city,
The cost was equally divided between the city and the county.
Jails. — The first Albany county jail, in the basement of the Old
Stadt Huys, was in such bad condition early in the last century that a
protest was entered by the high sheriff to the Court of Sessions in
1718, as follows:
I urge upon your worships that care may be taken to have ye same Jail sufficiently
repaired to keep such bad prisoners as I may take for debt, &c, safely from escap-
ing, as is now often ye case.
The court in response at once requested leave of the General Assem-
bly to expend ,£140 in repairing the jail, and it is presumed that the
request was granted. Prior to this date there had been one or more
attempts to erect a separate jail. An application for this purpose, made
to the Board of Supervisors in February, 1701, was refused. A;
Court of Sessions held in Albany October 7, 1* 19, the following order
was entered in the records:
21
162
Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, entitled
an Act to Authorize ye Justices of the Peace to Build and Repair Jails and Court-
houses in the Several Counties of the Province, whereby ye Justices in each County
are Impowered (upon their own view) on any Inefficiency or Inconveniency of their
County Jail orPrison, or ye Inconveniency of their Court House, to Conclude and agree
upon such sum or sums of money, as, upon examination of sufficient and able
workmen, shall be thought necessary for building, Finishing and Repairing a Public
Jail, etc.
It is therefore Resolved, that any five or more of His Majestie's Justices shall
make a computation with sufficient and able workmen, what a sufficient Jail, etc.,
for ye Citty and County of Albany may cost, and bring a report thereof at the next
meeting of this Court and the Justices thereof.
This led to much discussion between two factions, one of which fa-
vored a new building, and the other the repair of the old one. The re-
sult was the repair and enlargement of the old building under the fol-
lowing resolution:
It is Resolved that the City Hall shall be repaired and an addition be made of fif-
teen foot in length to the south'd, and in breadth to the Court Hall, and joyned in
the roof of the same, made up with boards without as the present old house, with a
sufficient stone seller under ye same, the north end thereof partitioned off with oak
boards. To have one window with cross-iron bars therein, one cross window to the
south' ard, one to the eastward and one to the westward in the first room.
These repairs did not accomplish their purpose as far as the jail was
concerned, and within two years complaints again came from the sheriff
that his prisoners escaped with little difficulty. Another effort was
made at repairing the structure in a far more substantial manner, and
it was used with some changes until about 1803, when it was demol-
ished. In 1791 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the city
authorities to raise ^"2,000 towards the completion of the court house
and jail. Difficulties arose between the city and the county authori-
ties, which delayed the project, and it was not until 1803-04 that the
new jail was finished. The land on which it stood extended about
eighty feet on State street ; eighty-four feet on Maiden Lane ; and 116 feet
on Eagle street. It was sold at auction August 11, 1832, in the inter-
est of the trustees of the Albany Academy. Previous to this date, on
November 1, 1831, the grand jurors visited the jail and found it in such
condition that they recommended that the Board of Supervisors erect a
new jail, "inasmuch as this building, which had stood twenty-two
years, was fast decaying, very illy constructed, and too small in order
to [secure] health, comfort and convenience, and situated in too thickly
settled a locality." The statement that the building had stood twenty-
163
two years is probably an error. The next and third jail, inclusive of
the one in the Old Stadt Huys, stood on the corner of Eagle and How-
ard streets, and was completed in the latter part of 1834. This was
used until the spring of 1854, when the jail on Maiden Lane was erected
and the old jail was fitted up for a hospital and opened August 8, 1854.
That jail served its purpose without public complaint until 1868, when
Henry Smith, then district attorney, sent a communication to the
Board of Supervisors, in which he said:
In the main apartment you will find sixty male prisoners, including some children,
confined in one common room, where those youthful in years, and those who have
committed their first criminal error, perhaps those who are entirely innocent, are ex-
posed to the influences, and often to the physical tortures, of the most depraved of
men.
In another room, of about fifteen by eighteen, you will find some twenty-two
females of various ages, even to extreme old age; some reasonably tidy and others
repulsively filthy; some apparently well and others suffering from loathsome dis-
eases, crowded together in a space where there is scarcely room for all to lie down
at once. In short, you will find a state of things that would shame a semi-civilized
community, and would not be tolerated by the people of this county for one hour if
they could for a moment look in upon the appalling horrors of that fearful den, kept
under their authority, for the detention of persons accused of crime. This state of
affairs, Mr. Smith continues, is no fault of the Sheriff or Jailer, but results from want
of suitable rooms.
This created a sensation and resulted in an immediate change. The
superintendent of the Capital Police was directed to send his prisoners
under sentence to the penitentiary, instead of leaving them in the jail,
while plans for improvement were made and carried out at an expen-
diture of $2,500.
THE ALBANY LAW SCHOOL. «
This school is among the oldest institutions of the kind in the
country.
In 1851 the Legislature incorporated the University of Albany, giv-
ing to it the authority to organize a Literary department, a Law de-
partment, a Scientific department, and providing that the Albany
Medical College, already existing, might, if so disposed, unite with
the departments to be formed.
The department of law was immediately organized as the Albany
Law School, and has maintained a prosperous existence to the present
1 Prepared by W, R. Davidson, secretary of the school.
164
time, having graduated over two thousand students, and having had
an attendance of over three thousand.
At the time of its organization there were three other law schools
— Harvard, Yale and Cincinnati (now Columbia) ; there are now up-
wards of eighty.
The first Board of Trustees was organized as follows: Greene C.
Bronson, president ; Thomas W. Olcott, vice president : Orlando Meads,
secretary ; Luther Tucker, treasurer.
The first Faculty was constituted as follows: Chancellor Reuben H.
Walworth, president, but taking no part in the instruction; Hon. Ira
Harris, LL.D., lecturer on practice, pleading and evidence; Hon.
Amasa J. Parker, LL.D., lecturer on real estate, wills, domestic re-
lations, personal rights, and criminal law; Amos Dean, LL.D., lec-
turer on contracts, personal property and commercial law.
December 16, 1851, the first class was organized, with an enrollment
of twenty-three students, in the Exchange building, corner Broadway
and State street, the site of the present U. S. Government building,
and continued sixteen weeks. The next two years the school was held
in the Cooper building, on the corner of State and Green streets, the
courses being sixteen weeks each. Of the students in the first class,
seven were graduated in the spring of 1852, viz. : Edwin E. Bronk,
Charles A. Fowler, Willard P. Gambell, John C. McClure, Worthing-
ton Frothingham, Edward Wade and George Woolford.
To accommodate the increasing enrollment of students, in 1854 the
school was removed to the south wing of the Medical College on Eagle
street (now Alumni Hall). At the same time the course was extended
to two terms of twelve weeks each. The exercises consisted of lectures,
moot courts, oral and written examinations.
In 1855 Thomas W. Olcott became president of the Board of Trus-
tees and continued until his death in 1880.
In 1869 Professor Amos Dean died; Professor Amasa J. Parker re-
signed in 1870; Professor Ira Harris died in 1875. Of these, Professors
Parker and Harris were justices of the Supreme Court; Professor
Harris was also United States senator.
In 1870 a larger Faculty was organized. Isaac Edwards, LL.D.,
succeeded to the chair of Professor Dean ; Hon. Matthew Hale, LL.D.,
to the chair of Professor Parker; Charles C. T. F. Spoor, esq., as lec-
turer on subjects assigned; Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., justice
of the Supreme Court, lecturer on equity jurisprudence, civil law, and
1G5
the trial of causes; Hon. William F. Allen, LL.D., then judge of the
Court of Appeals, to lecture on real property.
In 1873 the University of Albany united with Union College and by
an act of the Legislature was constituted as Union University, the Al-
bany Law School becoming the law department. In 1874 Hon. John
T. Hoffman, LL. D., governor of the State of New York, was added
to the Faculty, succeeding to the chair of Judge Allen as professor of
the law of real property.
In 1875 Professor Harris died, and Prof. Charles T. F. Spoor was
designated to succeed to his chair, lecturing on practice and pleading
at common law, and under the Code.
In 1878 Eliphalet N. Potter, D. D , LL. D., entered the Faculty, and
lectured on feudal system; also Henry Coppee, LL. D., lecturing on
international law ; also Hon. Hiram E. Sickles, lecturer on evidence.
In 1879 Professor Edwards, dean of the Faculty, died, and was suc-
ceeded by Hon. Horace E. Smith, LL. D., of Johnstown, N. Y., dean
of the Faculty, lecturing on personal property, contracts, commercial
law, common law pleading, torts and medical jurisprudence. Henry
S. McCall, esq., and Irving Browne, esq., were added to the Faculty
at this time, Professor McCall lecturing on real estate and wills, Pro-
fessor Browne, lecturer on domestic relations and criminal law.
On the accession of Dean Smith, it was evident to him that the
building where the school had been held for a quarter of a centurv
was no longer adequate to its requirements. The trustees purchased
the Universalist church building on the north side of State street,
near Swan street, and through the liberality of their president, Thomas
W. Olcott, it was converted into the pleasant and convenient building
now occupied by the school. This building was dedicated to its new-
use March 10, 1879. Addresses were made by Amasa J. Parker,
LL. D., Hon. Samuel Hand, Charles E. Smith, then editor of the
Albany Evening Journal, and Dean Smith. The Board of Trustees
was largely increased in numbers, Hon. Amasa J. Parker, LL. I>., as
one of the original founders of the school, remaining as one of the
honorary members. In 1880 President Thomas W. Olcott died, and
Orlando Meads succeeded to the presidency, and Marcus T. Hun, esq.,
trustee, was appointed to succeed President Meads as secretary.
In 1883 President Meads died and Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D.,
justice of the Supreme Court, succeeded to the presidency; Marcus T.
Hun, esq., resigned the secretaryship, and Charles J. Buchanan, i
166
was appointed secretary; Nathaniel C. Moak, esq., entered the Faculty
as lecturer on books and judicial systems. The Alumni Association
was organized under favorable auspices, awakening new interest in
the school among the numerous graduates scattered throughout the
country. At the advent of Dean Smith the course was made three
terms of twelve weeks each, preceded or supplemented by one year in
a law office. The requirements for graduation as previously adopted
were preserved, viz. : All candidates for the degree of LL. B. should
read before the dean or Faculty six weeks before commencement, an
original thesis pertaining to the history, science or practice of law.
Moot courts for the argument and trial of causes were also continued ;
two being held each week.
In 1889 after a successful administration of school affairs, Dean
Smith resigned to resume the active practice of law. George W.
Kerchwey, esq. , of Albany, was appointed to succeed to the chair of
dean.
In 1S90 Hon. Hiram E. Sickles resigned from the Faculty, and
James W. Eaton succeeded him as lecturer on evidence; Maurice J.
Lewis M. D., was appointed lecturer on medical jurisprudence; and
Harold L. Hooker, esq, was appointed instructor in elementary law.
In 1891 DeanKirchwey resigned to accept a chair in Columbia Law
School, and Lewis B. Hall, A. M. , was appointed to the position of
dean and instructor in contracts and commercial law.
Charles T. F. Spoor died and was succeeded by J. Newton Fiero,
esq., who was appointed instructor in common law and code practice
and pleading; Eugene Burlingame, instructor in the law of real prop-
erty; James F. Tracey, esq., instructor in the law of corporations.
In 1894 A. V. V. Raymond, D. D., LL.D., having succeeded to the
presidency of Union University in place of HarrisonL. Webster, LL.D.,
resigned, the trustees and Faculty of the school placed their resignation
in his hands for the purpose of reorganization.
At the beginning of the course in 1895 the Board of Trustees was
reorganized as follows :
Hon. Amasa J. Parker, A. M., president; James W. Eaton, esq.,
treasurer; Charles J. Buchanan, esq., secretary: Andrew V. V. Ray-
mone, Matthew Hale, Marcus T. Hun, William L. Learned, J. Newton
Fiero, Seymour Van Santvoord, Alton B. Parker, Charles C. Lester,
Alonzo P. Strong, James Lansing, Judson S. Landon, and Edward P.
White.
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The Faculty was also reorganized as follows: Andrew V. V. Ray-
mond, D. D., LL.D., president; J. Newton Fiero, dean ; James W.
Eaton, Eugene Burlingame, James F. Tracey, Joseph A. Lawson, in-
structors. Special lecturers; Judson S. Landon, LL.D., Hon. Alton
B. Parker, Matthew Hale, LL.D., Hon. D. Cady Herrick, Hon. Dan-
forth E. Ainsworth, Andrew McFarlane, M. D., Hon. Walter E. Ward,
C. E. Franklin. The Board and Faculty for 1896 are the same with
the addition of Lewis R. Parker, lecturer on bailments and suretyship.
Of thisFaculty, three are justices of the Supreme Court, Appellate Di-
vision. J. Newton Fiero, dean, author of "Special Actions," and
"Special Proceedings," was for two successive years president of
the State Bar Association, and was largely instrumental in securing
the establishment of the Board of State Law Examiners, making the
examination of applicants for admission to the bar uniform throughout
the State. The Court of Appeals rules for admission of attornevs,
etc., went into effect January 1, 1895, requiring three years of prepa-
ration of all students at law before applying for admission to the bar, and
requiring them to be examined before the new Board of Law Exam-
iners.
The course of the school was changed to conform to the new law and
methods to one year of eight months divided into two semesters ; to be
preceded by two years in a law office, or law school, retaining the former
method of instruction, with moot courts once a week.
From the first class to the present time the school Register shows in-
creased attendance, even during the years of the war between I860 and
1865. Of some classes were graduated ninety, fifty-seven, fifty-nine,
none less than fifty. At the close of the war the attendance was larger
than at any time before. At one time every rank in the army from
private up to brigadier-general was represented among the students.
After what has been said of the army representation among the
students, it can be stated with equal correctness, that every rank from
city and county attorney to the judges on the bench of the United
States Court and president of the United States, has a representation
among the students whose names are to be found upon the Register <>t"
the school. Without doing more than to mention a few as they occur
to the mind of the present writer, himself a graduate in '64, may he
noted: Class of '58, Hon. David J. Brewer, judge United States bench;
William McKinley, jr., class of '67, president-elect of the United
States; Hon. Redfield Proctor, '60, ex-secretary of war, now United
168
States senator; William F. Vilas, '60, ex-secretary of war, now United
States senator; Irving G. Vann, '65, judge of the Court of Appeals of
this State; James H. Eckles, '80, a member of President Cleveland's
cabinet; Hon. Alton B. Parker; Hon. D. Cady Herrick, '67; Hon.
William D. Dickey, '66; Hon. William W. Goodrich, '53, justices of the
Supreme Court (Appellate Division).
In this county the present district attorney, county judge, surrogate,
city recorder, and one of the justices of the City Court are graduates
of the school, and with a very few exceptions the bar of Albany county
are graduates of the school.
During the administration of Dean Hall very many improvements
were made to the building, which has been largely supplemented by
Dean Fiero, making it one of the best equipped school buildings of its
kind in the country. Albany as a seat of a professional school cannot
be overrated. Here are located the executive, legislative and judicial
departments of the State
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ALBANY COUNTY.
By Herman Bendell, M. D.
The early history of Fort Orange and Albany seems to indicate that
the first settlers were fortunate in receiving medical treatment and care
of some description when they were sick. That it was not of the high-
est character in a professional sense need not be asserted. The Dutch
West India Company itself endeavored to protect its subjects from ill-
ness, possibly from partially selfish reasons. One of their recorded
regulations reads as follows:
The patroons and colonists shall, in particular and in the speediest manner, en-
deavor to find ways and means whereby they may support a minister and a school-
master, that the service of God and the zeal for religion may not grow cold and be
neglected among them, and that they do for the first procure a comforter for the sick.
This office had a Dutch name of its own and its incumbent was the
first person recognized in such a capacity in the colonies under the
Dutch regime. This " comforter of the sick" frequently combined in
i^LfyttttUt 'dtaJltC*
169
himself the offices of physician, preacher and possibily a civil position
of some nature. His medical skill and knowledge could not, of course,
have been of a high character. Among those who thus mingled medical
practice with religious teaching was the noted Dominic Johannes
Megapolensis, who bore the title of " Rev. Dr." He was probablv the
first Dutch dominie to settle at Albany. Another was Dominie G. \V.
Mancius, who educated his son, Wilhelmus, in the medical profession
to such good purpose that he practiced successfully during the most of
the remainder of his life in Albany. Both of these pioneers became
members of the Albany County Medical Society upon its formation in
180(3. But the first " comforter of the sick" at Fort Orange was
Sebastian Jansel Crol. He had previously filled a similar office at Fort
Amsterdam, coming to this colony in 1626 with the appointment of
Vice Director and Company's Commissary to Fort Orange. He was
succeeded in his official position by Hermanns Myndertse Vander I><
in 1646. It is believed that he was ship surgeon on the Eendraght,
which came over in 1630, and therefore was a qualified practitioner.
He served at Fort Orange only two years and was probably burned to
death in an Indian wigwam on the Mohawk.
The first regular physician to settle in this locality came over in L642
in the same vessel with Rev. Dr. Megapolensis, in the person of Sur-
geon Abraham Staats. Very little is known of his qualifications, or
whether he was employed, like the minister, to serve the inhabitants
both spirtually and professionally. Albany consisted then of only
twenty-five or thirty houses scattered along the river, and a population
of about 100; hence Dr. Staats probably did not find himself over-
pressed with professional labor. He was doubtless a man of g
character and public spirit, for he was the first presiding officer of the
village council of Rensselaer wyck. In 1642 his dwelling at Claverack
was burned by the Indians, and his wife and others of his family per-
ished. He became the owner of Fort Orange, it is said, and the land
on which it stood came down to his descendants.
One of the first, perhaps the very first, enactment, to regulate medi-
cal practice at new Amsterdam was the following:
Ordered, that ship barbers shall not be allowed to dress wounds, nor administer
any potion on shore, without the consent of the petitioners [the local chirurgeons],
or at least Dr. La Montague.
The inference from this extract as to what had been practiced upon
occasion, is clear. This Dr. Johannesdela Montagne was a Huguenot,
22
170
and although a physician, was known in political affairs only. He ar-
rived in New York in 1637 and was vice-director of Fort Orange from
1636 to 1664, and held other offices.
Surgeon De Hinse was a physician at the fort in 1666; there is little
record of his practice. These surgeons who were on duty at Fort
Orange at that period received for pay 2s. 6d. per day. In 1689 a
Scotch physician named Lockhart was surgeon at the Fort and prac-
practiced among the inhabitants. At a later date a son of Rev. Dr.
Megapolensis was a surgeon of the colony. He and his brother Samuel
were graduates of Leyden, and passed most of their lives in New York.
These are about all the physicians of whom the records speak until
along in the beginning of the next century. Less than forty physicians
are known to have come to the province of New York during the seven-
teenth century, though there may have been a few more whose names
are lost in the past.
The old French war and the war of the Revolution brought hither
and into prominence many physicians. The English army was accom-
panied by a respectable medical staff and from that time onward the
profession on this side of the ocean occupied a much higher plane than
before. Dr. Samuel Stringer, a native of Maryland and educated in
Virginia, where a medical school was early established, was the lead
ing physician in Albany during the eighteenth century and shared in
the labors connected with both these wars. In 1755 he received the
appointment from Governor Shirley of officer in the medical depart-
ment of the army, and accompanied Abercrombie in 1758 in his disas-
trous campaign at Ticonderoga. Serving through the war he settled
in Albany and remained in practice until the beginning of the Revolu-
tion, when he was appointed by Congress Director- General of Hospitals
in the Northern Department. In this capacity he accompanied the
army in the Canadian invasion. He was subsequently removed from
this high position, possibly through sympathy with General Schuyler
in the ill fortune and opposition which that gallant officer met. His
removal called out a vigorous remonstrance from the general to Con-
gress. He returned to Albany in 1777 and here passed the remainder
of his long life.
Dr. Nicholas Schuyler also served professionally in the armies in
both wars, after which he settled in Albany and died in Troy in 1824.
Dr. T. Cochoran, of Pennsylvania, served as surgeon in the Revolu-
tionary army, occupying high position. He was made Surgeon General
171
of the Middle Department, and in 1781 was appointed Director-General
of the Hospitals of the United States. He settled in Albany at the
conclusion of the war.
During- an early period Moses and Elias Williams, brothers and na-
tives of New England, practiced their profession in Albany. They
with their father shared in the battle of Lexington. Elias had begun
the study of medicine before the war broke out and after serving a
short time as a private he entered a military hospital in Boston, which
was then much used as a training school for needed surgeons. Two
years later he was appointed surgeon in a Maine regiment and served
to the close of the war. He settled in Albany in 1801 and practiced
there twenty-five years. His brother was younger and entered the
service later.
Hunloke Woodruff a graduate of Princeton, began the study of
medicine a short time previous to the beginning of the Revolution and
took up his residence in Albany. He was soon appointed surgeon of
a New York regiment, accompanied Colonel Gansevoort at the siege
of Fort wStanwix and General Sullivan in his famous expedition into
the country of the Senecas. After the war he settled in Albany,
where he passed most of the remainder of his life. He was the first
president of the County Medical Society and bore the reputation of a
skillful physician.
It is a historical incident of importance that during the French war
a hospital was established in Albany, to care for the wounded brought
down from the Ticonderoga battlefield. Mrs. Grant, in her "Memoirs
of an American Lady," notes the occurrence, and states that the hos-
pital was opened in the barn of Madame Schuyler, where a band of
ladies attended on the sufferers. Another historical authority states
that a hospital was established here during that war, and describes it
as it appeared in 1788 as follows:
It is situated on an eminence overlooking the city. It is two stories high, having
a wing at each end and a piazza in front, above and below. It contains forty wards.
capable of accommodating 500 patients, besides the rooms appropriated to the u
the surgeons and other officers.
After the defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga it is said that more than a
thousand sick and wounded soldiers and officers were sen! to Albany,
filling the hospital, the Dutch church and many dwellings. Many of
these victims of the war remained until the following June, when the
military hospital was removed to the highlands of the Hudson. At a
172
later date there was a military cantonment and hospital in Greenbush,
which was maintained until 1823.
Besides the victims of war the earl)* physicians had to encounter
epidemics at times that were, perhaps, more to be dreaded than bullets.
Small-pox found its victims in thousands and in the early days was
difficult to manage. In 1613 it broke out and spread with frightful
virulence among both Europeans and Indians. Twelve of the few in-
habitants on the site of Albany died in one week, while a thousand
Indians perished. During two months Connecticut maintained a quar-
antine against the New Netherlands. Some years later the dreaded
disease again broke out with all its former fatality; indeed, in early
times this epidemic was more feared and its ravages were more exten-
sive than those of any other disease. With the introduction of inocu-
lation and its quite general adoption about 1730, the mortality from
small-pox began to diminish.
In 1746 a disease which took the name of the Barbadoes distemper,-
and other appellations, was imported by foreign ships and made its ap-
pearance in Albany. The disease was doubtless yellow fever. In 1793
the citizens of Albany, having been informed by Judge Lansing that
yellow fever was on board of a vessel that had passed New York, a
meeting of citizens and the Council was held and measures adopted to
prevent any vessel from passing above the Overslaugh without exam-
ination. The Council recommended a day of fasting and pra5*er as an-
other means of averting the disease. Two days later Hon. Alexander
Hamilton and his wife arrived at Greenbush, where they were visited
by a committee from Albany, who reported that the distinguished
couple were apparently well and recommended that they be permitted
to cross the river. The committee consisted of the following physi-
cians of this city: Drs. Samuel Stringer, W. Mancius, H. Woodruff,
W. McClelland and Cornelius Roosa.
With the opening of the present century the character of the medi
cal profession in this country began to improve. Alban)- had a popula-
tion of about 5,000, but they were nearly all Dutch. There was a de-
mand for better educated physicians and the demand was soon sup-
plied. Quackery and charlatanry, which had been rampant, began to
receive such merited condemnation from both reputable physicians and
well-informed persons generally, that their hold upon the public could
not long continue. Prior to 1750 the education of physicians, unless
gained in Europe, was very imperfect and the facilities for gaining
JOSHPH LfcWI, M. D.
173
even that were limited. The first regular medical instruction attempted
in this country began in that year with a course of lectures on anatomy
delivered in New York by Samuel Clossy, a Dublin graduate. Before
the close of that century four medical schools were established, one
each at Philadelphia, New York, and in Harvard and Dartmouth Col-
leges. But many who would gladly have availed themselves of the
facilities of these institutions could not reach them, and were forced
to content themselves with the personal instruction of some practicing
physician, who was frequently ill-fitted for the task. The passage of
the law in 1806, authorizing the formation of State and county medical
societies worked almost a revolution — not at once, but by the gradual
steps that are taken by most great reforms. The names of the mem-
bers who formed the Albany County Medical Society, organized in
July of the same year that witnessed the passage of the law, are given
on a succeeding page, and are followed with a complete list of the offi-
cers. Of some of the prominent members of that date it is proper to
speak at a little more length.
The oldest physician in Albany was Dr. Wilhelmus Mancius, son of
the Dutch dominie already alluded to. He was then (1806) more than
sixty years of age and enjoyed great popularity. Dr. Hunloke Wood-
ruff was his partner for a time. Doctor Maneius died in L808, two
years after the organization of the society.
Dr. William McClelland, a charter member of the County society,
and its first vice-president, and the first president of the State society,
was a graduate of Edinburgh. He was a leader in the profession here,
and had for partner Dr. William Bay, long a successful physician. Dr.
McClelland died in 1812,
Dr. John G. Knauff was an apothecary and probably gave more at-
tention to that business than to practice. He was a native of Ger-
many and died in 1810. Dr. Caleb Gauff, then an old man. had prac-
ticed many years in Bethlehem, while Dr. Oliver Lath rop was practic-
ing in Watervleit.
Dr. Jonathan Eights was an exact and methodical man who through
the first half of this century was held in high esteem as a family physi-
cian. He contributed more or less to medical literature.
Dr. John Stearns was a graduate of Yale, practiced a numbi
years here, and is honored as being the man whose efforts procured the
law of L806 under which State and county medical societies have
incorporated.
174
The succeeding lists give such brief details of all the members of the
society as are permissible for this work.
When the great cholera epidemic of 1832 swept over the country, a
meeting of this society was called at the request of the mayor to con-
sult upon measures for the arrest of the disease. A staff was organized
consisting of Drs. Eights, Wing, Greene, Boyd, Townsend, Wendell,
James, McNaughton, and March. The physicians of the city met every
evening in the city hall where a record was kept of the deaths. Con-
spicuous among the active and unselfish workers of that trying period
was Dr. James P. Boyd, then a comparatively young man. His faith-
ful labor in the epidemic gave him a commanding position in after
years. Dr. James McNaughton, who had formerly been a teacher of
medicine in a school, was made president of the Board of Health at
that time, and with his brother Peter labored assiduously among the
sufferers. Both of these men were for half a century among the lead-
ing citizens of Albany. Dr. Barent P. Staats was not only a prominent
physician, but took an active interest in politics, and was also a trus-
tee of numerous mercantile concerns. He was health officer of the
port during the period under consideration. Dr. Alden March was
also a well established physician at that time, having settled here in
1820. He practiced about fifty years and gained a world-wide reputa-
tion as a surgeon and a teacher.
The number of reported cases of cholera during the existence of the
disease here was 1,147, of which 422 were fatal. There was an out-
break of the disease two years later, in which there were 124 cases,
with seventy-eight deaths.
Dr. T. Romeyn Beck was about at the height of his great fame at
the time now under consideration. As the author of " Medical Juris-
prudence " his reputation is world-wide. Both he and his brother
gave much of their lives to teaching and literary labor. One of them
was sent by the governor to the northern frontier, duing the cholera
epidemic, to procure information concerning the disease Dr. Thomas
Hun was then just entering practice and passed the remainder of his
long life in Albany, an honor to his profession and to good citizenship.
Dr. Hun was prominently connected with and for many years was dean
of the faculty of the Albany Medical College and president of the staff
of the Albany Hospital. He died in 189G, having been active in his
profession for more than half a century.
Several prominent Albany count}' physicians took part professionally
175
in the war of 1812. Among them was Dr. Piatt Williams, a graduate
of Williams College and just beginning practice when the war com-
menced. He was promptly appointed surgeon of the Second Regiment
of Riflemen and served through the war. Returning to Albanv he
was appointed surgeon of theGreenbush Cantonment, before mentioned,
and served there until it was abandoned in 1822.
Dr. Henry Greene, a native of Rhode Island, graduated in 1811, and
was immediately made assistant surgeon of the 25th Regulars, saw hard
service in Canada and remained in the army until the war closed. He
settled in Albany in 1828, was conspicuous in the cholera epidemic and
one of the faculty of the Medical College when it was established.
Dr. Joel A. Wing practiced in Albany thirty eight years. He was
appointed surgeon in the army immediately after his graduation, but
declined and was made post surgeon of the Greenbush barracks in 1844.
The army record of the medical officers of this city and county who
honorably served their country during the most trying times of the
Rebellion, would write, if space permitted, a series of biographies show-
ing broad patriotism and a devotion to duty that does honor to the
American physician. To mention the names of those who distinguished
themselves on the field of battle, who unflinchingly aeeoinpanied the
forlorn hope, who for meritorious conduct were named in official orders
must be delegated to the writer of individual biographies. The list is a
long and honorable one and includes the following:
Dr. S. O. Vanderpoel held the office of surgeon general at the out-
break of the war. He served as such on the staff of Governor King
from January 1, 1857, to 1850. He was appointed a second time on
January 1, 1861, and filled the office during the administration of Gov
ernor Morgan. His was the responsible duty of organizing the med-
ical corps of the early volunteer regiments from this State, and upon
his recommendation over 600 medical officers were commissioned and
assigned to regiments. During the peninsular campaign he served as
a volunteer surgeon, and during the latter part of the war was inspector
of hospitals for the Sanitary Commission. After the war Dr. Vander-
poel was for eight years health officer of the port of New Vork. For
many years he was a member of the Medical College Faculty, and at-
tending and consulting physician to the hospitals. Heremovedto New
York city in 1X81 and died on the 12th of March, L886.
Dr. J.V. P. Quackenbush was surgeon-general during the administra-
tion of Governor Seymour from January 1. I si;:;, to L865, For a period
176
of thirty-five years Dr. Quackenbush was a leading physician in Albany,
was a member of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College and a pop-
ular teacher and lecturer. He was a prominent citizen and attained a
high reputation in the special field to which he devoted most of his
professional life. He died at Albany in 1876.
Dr. Sylvester I). Willard was appointed surgeon- general on the staff
of Governor Fenton January 2, 1865, and died during the same year.
Early in 1862 he volunteered his services as a surgeon and was assigned
to duty with the Army of the Potomac. The hardships of the penin-
sular campaign undermined his health and hastened his death. He was
foremost in advocating the founding of the Willard Asylum for the In-
sane, was possessed of vigorous intellectual qualities, and a man of a
large fund of general and professional knowledge.
Dr. James D. Pomfret was appointed surgeon general April 6, 1865,
to fill vacancy on the staff of Gov. Fenton caused by the death of Sur-
geon-General Willard, and served as such until January, 1869. July
24, 1862, Dr. Pomfret was appointed surgeon of the 7th N. Y. Heavy
Artillery (afterwards the 113th N. Y. Vols). February 7, 1865, he
tendered his resignation, was discharged from the service and returned
to Albany to resume the practice of his profession. Dr. Pomfret served
with his regiment in the defences of Washington and during this time
was assigned to duty as brigade surgeon. Later on he did service in
the field and was assigned to duty as one of the division surgeons of
the 2d Army Corps. He was a conscientious officer and popular with
the officers and men of his regiment. Dr. Pomfret died in 1869.
Dr. Jacob S. Mosher was surgeon-general on the staff of Governor
Hoffman from 1869 to 1873. He also served as a surgeon of volun-
teers in the field and in hospitals at Washington. During his stay at
Washington he was assigned to duty as assistant State medical director
and served until 1867. In 1870 he was appointed deputy health officer
of the Port of New York and remained in office for a period of six
years. Dr. Mosher was a member of the Yellow Fever Commission
appointed by Congress, a member of the Faculty of the Albany Med-
ical College, registrar of the Faculty and connected with the hospitals.
He was prominent as a citizen, gifted as a physician and eminent as a
chemist. Dr. Mosher died in Albany, August, 1883.
Dr. James W. Moore was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the vol-
unteer service of the U. S. navy early in 1861 and was in active service
for a period of nearly two years. He was assigned to duty as fleet sur-
SAMUHL B. WARD. M. D.
177
geon of the flotilla cruising in the Chesapeake Bay and North Atlan-
tic. He was surgeon of the frigate Florida, fitted out and commis-
sioned to cruise for the privateer Alabama, and subsequently assigned
to hospital duty. After the close of the war he returned to Cohoes
and continued in the practice of his profession until his death in 1880.
Dr. J. Savage Delevan was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
169th X.Y. Vols, in 1863, but was not mustered owing to the minimum
number of men in the regiment. After serving in general hospitals at
Washington, D. C, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 1st
Connecticut Artillery and served during the war, participating in many
of the artillery engagements during the siege of Petersburg, \'a. He
was also with his regiment at the taking of Fort Fisher. After the
close of the war he resumed practice in Albany. Dr. Delevan was
vice consul at Geneva, Switzerland, for a period of two years, for sev-
eral years U. wS. pension examining surgeon at Albany, attending
physician on the staff of the Homoeopathic Hospital, and member of
the State Board of Health. Dr. Delevan died in 1885.
Dr. Herman Bendell entered the service as hospital steward of the
39th X. Y. Vols., May 28, 1861 ; was appointed acting assistant sur-
geon U. S. A., September 1 of the same year; was commissioned as
assistant surgeon of the 6th Regiment of New York Heavy Artillery
February 2'.), 1863; promoted to surgeon of the 86th X. Y Veteran
Vols. January 3, 186-5, and served till the close of the war. He was
brevetted lieutenant-colonel for meritorious services May 18, 1866.
Since 1886 he has been surgeon of the 3d Brigade of the X. G. X. Y.
Dr. Samuel B. Ward was appointed medical cadet in the I'. S. Army
in September, 1862. In 1863 was commissioned as acting assistant
surgeon U. S. A , and subsequently commissioned as assistant sur-
geon U. vS. Vols. After the close of the war Dr. Ward began the
practice of his profession in the city of New York. In 1872 he was
elected assistant surgeon of the 7th Regiment of the National Guard,
and after his removal to Albany, in 1876, he was commissioned as sur-
geon of the 5th Brigade, X. <i. X. Y., in which position he served
until the reorganization of the Guard in 1886. Dr. Ward is a member
of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College, attending physician at
the Albany Hospital, consulting surgeon at St. Peter's Hospital, and a
representative member of the State and County Medical Society.
Dr. Charles A. Robertson was appointed surgeon of the 1 59th X. Y.
Vols., August 30, L862, and resigned his commission November 2,
23
178
1863. Prior to the war he practiced ophthalmology in Boston. After
resigning- from the service he settled in Albany and had a large prac-
tice in his specialty until his death in 1880.
Dr. Thomas Helms of McKownsville was commissioned as assistant
surgeon of the 148th New York Vols., December 23, 1863, and was
promoted April 5, 1865, to surgeon of the 85th N. Y. Vols. He was
wounded at Fort Harrison, and was- honorably discharged at the close
of the war. He resumed practice in his old town, and died in 1889.
Dr. Charles H. Porter was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
40th N. Y. ATols. August 22d, 1802, was promoted surgeon of the 6th
X. Y. Heavy Artillery February 25, 1863, and mustered out with his
regiment at the close of the war. In May, 1866, he was brevetted
colonel of N. Y Volunteers. He returned to Albany and is actively
engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. }ohn L. Van Alstyne was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 3d
N. Y. Cavalry February 16, 1863, promoted surgeon of the same regi-
ment September 5, 1864, and mustered out of service at Norfolk, Ya.,
July 12, 1865. After leaving the service Dr. Van Alstyne returned to
Albany, subsequently removed to Richmondville, Schoharie county,
N. Y., where he is actively Sngaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Alexander H. Hoff served as surgeon-general on the staff of
Governor Clark from January 1, 1855, to 1857. He was commissioned
as surgeon of the 3d N. Y. Vols., May 8, 1861, and during the same
year detailed as surgeon in charge of the brigade to which his regiment
was assigned. From 1864 to the close of the war he was medical direc-
tor of transportation, and was mustered out of the service at Raleigh,
N. C, August 28. 1865. In 1867 he was appointed assistant surgeon
in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army, subsequently promoted to the
grade of surgeon, and remained in the army until his death in 1876.
Dr. Norman L. Snow was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
153d N. Y. Volunteers, August 23, 1862, was promoted surgeon of
the same regiment March 10, 1864, and mustered out of service with
his regiment October 2, 1865. Doctor Snow7 served with Sheridan in
the Shenandoah, in the Red River expedition under Banks, and during
the latter part of the war was health officer of the district of Savannah.
After the war he resumed practice in his native locality, Canajoharie.
In 1875 he became the associate of Doctor Vander Veer at Albany, was
a member of the medical and surgical staff of the Albany Hospital, a
curator of the college, and was president of the Board of Aldermen at
the time of his death in December, 1885.
CHARLES H. PORTER, M. D.
; .'■■■■ :
(b^7-^
rf-~L^T^
fa^k-^-^^-
179
Dr. Albert Vander Veer entered the service early in L861 as a medi-
cal cadet. He was one of the original corps of one hundred medical
cadets appointed in the U. S. army and was assigned to duty at the
Columbia College Hospital at Washington. January 3, 1863, he was
commissioned assistant surgeon of the 60th New York Vols., promoted to
surgeon of the same regiment July 29, 1864, and mustered out of service-
August 31, 1865. Doctor Vander Veer is actively and prominently en-
gaged in the practice of his profession at Albany. He is a member of
the college faculty and dean of the faculty, also attending and consult-
ing surgeon on the hospital staff and a Regent of the University. He
is prominent as a citizen, eminent as a surgeon and a liberal contribu-
tor to the literature of his profession.
Dr. A. B Huested entered the service as hospital steward of the
113th N. Y. Volunteers (7th Heavy Artillery) early in 1862. March
21st, 1804, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 21st X. Y.
Cavalry, was promoted to surgeon October 15, 1865, and remained in
service to the close of the war. He returned to Albany, is engaged in
the drug business and is a member of the faculty of the College of
Pharmacy.
Dr. George H. Newcomb was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
113th N. Y. Volunteers August 15, 1862, was promoted to surgeon of
the same regiment February IS, 1865, and mustered out of service
June 6, 1865, at Federal Hill, Md. At the close of the war he resumed
practice at Albany.
Dr. George T. Stevens was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
77th X. Y. Volunteers October 8, 1861, was promoted to surgeon of
the same regiment February 16, 1803, and mustered out of service
with the held and staff of his regiment December 1:5, 1805. Doctor
Stevens is a contributor to the surgical history of the rebellion and
author of "Three Years With the Sixth Corps." He practiced in Al-
bany for many years after the war, contributed largely to the litera-
ture of his specialty, ophthalmology, and removed to New York city
in 1881.
Dr. P. M. Murphy was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 134th
N. V. Volunteers March 30, 1864, was promoted tosurgeonof the89th
X. Y. Volunteers June 20, 1865, but not mustered as such. He accom-
panied Sherman on the March to the Sea. and at the close of the war
returned to Albany and engaged in the drug business. I >octor Murphy
died at Albany June. 1894.
180
Dr. Alexander A. Edmeston was commissioned assistant surgeon
18th N. Y. Volunteers, May 17, 1861, and resigned September 25,
1862. He again entered the service as surgeon of the 92d N. Y. Vol-
unteers October 7, 1862, and resigned his commission December 2,
1864. He resumed practice at Albany and died from the results of
disease contracted in the service.
Dr. Frank J. Mattimore was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
18th N. Y. Volunteers, August 11, 1862, and mustered out of service
with his regiment May 21, 1863. He died a few months after his re-
turn from disease contracted in the service.
Dr. Wesley Blaisdell was practicing at Coeymans. Was appointed
assistant surgeon of the 113th Regiment N. Y Vols., later the 7th
Heavy Artillery, August 15, 1862, and resigned September 2!) of the
same year. He again entered the service as assistant surgeon of the
75th N. Y. Vols. November 15, 1862, and resigned July 4, 1863. Dr.
Blaisdell died at Newbern, N. C, in 1864.
Dr. Cornelius B. O'Leary was commissioned surgeon of the 25th mili-
tia regiment May 31, 1861, to serve three months and was mustered
with his regiment September 8 of the same year. September 12, 1862,
Dr. O'Leary was appointed assistant surgeon of the 175th New York
Vols, and was discharged, by resignation, January 16, 1863. He was
commissioned surgeon of the 175th N. Y. Vols. January 17, 1863, mus-
tered into service the same day, and discharged from the service Sep-
tember 10, 1863. Was recommissioned assistant surgeon of the same
regiment October 17, 1864, but not mustered into service. Dr. O'Leary
resumed practice at Albany and died in 1877.
Dr. Warren Van Steenberg was commissioned assistant surgeon
1st N. Y. Vol. Infantry December 3, 1861, and was discharged Sep-
tember 30, 1862, to accept promotion as surgeon 55th N. Y. Vols, and
was discharged from the regiment December 22, 1862, by reason of
consolidation. Dr. Van Steenberg again entered the service as surgeon
of the 120th N. Y. Vols April 27, 1863, and was mustered out with his
regiment June 3, 1865. After the war he resumed practice at Cohoes,
N. Y. He died in 1880.
Dr. P. L. F. Reynolds was commissioned assistant surgeon 16th N.
Y. Volunteers September 22, 1862, and was discharged from the service
on surgeon's certificate of disability at Folly Island, S. C, December
13, 1863. In March, 1865, he was commissioned as assistant surgeon
of the 94th N. Y. Volunteers but was not mustered. He resumed prac-
181
tice at Albany, subsequently removed to Oneida, Madison county, N.
Y., where he died April, 1887.
Dr. William H. Craig' was commissioned surgeon of the 177th N. Y.
Volunteers October 11, 1862, and mustered out with his regiment Sep-
tember 10, 1863. He resumed practice in Albany. He was U. S.
pension examining surgeon from 1865 to 1877, when he was appointed
postmaster of Albany. Dr. Craig took an active interest in all matters
pertaining to public improvements. He was a patriotic soldier, hon-
ored and esteemed as a citizen and a trusted physician. Dr. Craig died
in October, 1889.
Dr. Jeptha R. Boulware was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
177th regiment N. Y. Volunteers November 5, 1862, and mustered out
with his regiment December 10, 1863. After the war he was surgeon
of the 10th Regiment and surgeon of the 9th brigade of the National
Guard of the State of New York. Dr Boulware was a prominent
physician. He was surgeon on the staff of St. Peter's Hospital For
several years prior to his death he was a victim of disease contracted in
the service. He died October, 1887.
Dr. Henry R. Haskins was commissioned surgeon of the 192d X. Y.
Volunteers February 1, 1865, and was mustered out of service August
28 of the same year. He practiced in Albany until his death in 1884.
Was professor of anatomy on the faculty of the Albany Medical College
and prominent as a surgeon.
Dr. Oscar H. Young was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 177th
X. V. Volunteers November 6, 1862, and was mustered out of service
with his regiment September 10. 1863. He resumed practice in Albany
and subsequently removed to Michigan.
Dr. Thomas Beckett was enrolled as surgeon's mate of the 25th X.
Y. State Militia May 21, 1 8 ( j *2 , and mustered out with his regiment
September 8 of the same year October 4, 1862, he was commissioned
assistant surgeon of the 175th X. Y. Vols, and resigned from the serviee
Jane 11, L863. Tn L865 he was appointed acting assisting surgeon CJ. S.
A. and assigned to duty at the Ira Harris Hospital, serving to the close
of the war. Dr. Beckett resumed practice at Albany. He never fully re-
covered his health, undermined by arduous duties during the campaign
in Louisiana, and died in 1895.
Dr. Charles P. Staats was commissioned assistant surgeon 67th X. V.
Volunteers January 21, 1863, and mustered out of service with his regi-
ment July 4, 1864. Dr. Staats resumed the practice of his profession
at Albany. He died in 1884.
182
To complete this honorable list it is just to record the names of
physicians from this city and county who served the country in its
time of need but were not assigned to regimental organizations, and
also to name those whose valuable services are mentioned in official
reports and whose labors are entitled to recognition. The act of April
16, 1861, authorizing the enrollment of 30,000 volunteers in this State,
necessitated prompt and energetic action on the part of the chiefs of
departments to properly equip and provide for this large volunteer
force that was rapidly being concentrated at the designated rendezvous.
Efficient organization to provide for the physical examination of re-
cruits, quarters for the sick and disabled, and medical attendants was
demanded. The qualification of candidates for the position of surgeon
and assistant-surgeon was to be determined. The position of surgeon-
general, which up to this time was only complimentary, became active
and responsible. Dr. Alexander A. Hoff was appointed medical inspector
of the military rendezvous at Albany. He served in this capacity until
May 15, 1861, when he was relieved to accept the position as surgeon
of the 3d N. Y. Vols. Dr. Hoff was succeeded by Dr. Mason F. Cogs-
well, who faithfully performed the duties of medical inspector until the
completion of the levy. Drs. John Swinburne, Alden March, and
Howard Townsend volunteered their services in attending the sick and
disabled soldiers, who, under contract with the managers, were ad-
mitted to the Albany Hospital. In accordance with authority from
the commander-in-chief, Surgeon-General Vanderpoel, on April 19,
1861, appointed Drs. Alden March, Thomas Hun, and Mason F. Cogs-
well of this city, a commission for the examination of candidates for
the position of surgeon and assistant surgeon of the volunteer regi-
ments from this State. Dr. John Y. Lansing was named as secretary,
and Dr. Joseph Lewi was added to the commission as an adjunct mem-
ber. Four hundred and sixty-eight applicants were examined by this
board. Of this number two hundred and twenty eight qualified as
surgeons, and one hundred and sixty-seven as assistant surgeons. This
commission remained in service until December 10, 1861. Many of
the best minds in the profession from this city tendered their ser-
vices and were assigned to duty in camp, field, and hospitals. Dr.
Mason F. Cogswell was surgeon in charge of a post hospital and
served as a volunteer surgeon in the Army of the Potomac in 1862.
In 1863 Dr. Cogswell, in connection with Dr. Thomas Hun, inspected
for the Christian Commission, the military hospitals of the west and
183
southwest. Dr. Alden March, at the time professor of surgery at the
Albany Medical College, devoted much of his time to the care of the
sick and wounded inmates of the Soldiers' Home located at Albany.
Dr. John Y. Lansing was appointed acting assistant surgeon and as-
signed to duty as examiner of recruits at the Albany barracks. Dr.
Henry March, son of Alden March, was commissioned assistant sur-
geon of volunteers in 1862 and assigned to hospital duty at Fortress
Monroe and at Fredericksburg, Va. Dr. William H. Bailey, a prom-
inent physician of Albany, was commissioned as surgeon of volunteers
and assigned to duty at Washington, D. C, and in field hospitals of
the Army of the Potomac. Dr. John Swinburne served at the recruit-
ing rendezvous at Albany from 1861 to 1862. Dr. Swinburne was also
a member of the corps of volunteer surgeons assigned to dutv with
the Army of the Potomac during the peninsular campaign in 1862.
In connection with Drs. Willard, Cogswell, and Lansing, he was di-
rected by the medical director of the Army of the Potomac to establish
a field hospital on the Pamunkey River at a point known as the White
House, and remained in charge of this hospital until he was appointed
acting assistant surgeon U. S. A. and assigned to duty as surgeon in
charge of field hospital at Savage Station, Ya. Dr. James II. Armsbv
was one of the attending surgeons at the Soldiers' Home in this city.
Drs. Levi Moore, James L. Babcock, Ira Delamater, and A. P. Ten
Eyck, men esteemed by the community and respected as physicians,
largely assisted in caring for the sick and wounded soldiers confined in
hospital and barracks. Dr. Samuel H. Freeman, still active in the
profession, served as an attending physician at the Soldiers' Home.
Physicians who performed military service other than professional
were Dr. O. D. Ball, who enlisted November 1, L861, and was mustered
as sergeant of Co. M, 3d Artillery, X. Y. Vols., December 9, of the
same year. Doctor Ball was promoted 2d lieutenant of Co. I. May 21,
L864. February 14, L865, was advanced to 1st lieutenant and mustered
out of service with his company July *. L865. After the close of the
war Doctor Ball practiced medicine in Otsego county, X. Y. In is; |
he removed to Albany and is still actively engaged in the practice of
his profession. Doctor Ball is a member of the Slate Medical Society
and ex-president of the County Medical Society.
Dr. Edward E. Brown was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Co. K. oth
Artillery, X. Y. Yols., September 21, 1862, was promoted captain
January 30, L863, and resigned his commission May 3, 1865. Doctor
184
Brown is a graduate of the Albany Medical College, practiced his pro-
fession in the town of Bethlehem and at Albany and removed to
Massachusetts.
Dr. Ezra A. Bartlett enlisted as a private in the 4th U. S. Artillery
in 1863. He served with the Army of the Cumberland and Tennessee,
participating in many engagements and was wounded at Pulaski, Tenn.,
in January, 1865. In 1866 he was honorably discharged from the ser-
vice and completed his collegiate education. After graduating he stud-
ied medicine at tha Albany Medical College and began the practice of
his profession at Albany. Doctor Bartlett is a lecturer at the Albany
Medical College, a member of the staff of the Albany Hospital and a
contributor to the literature of his profession.
Dr. Frederick C. Curtis was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 40th Regi-
ment Wisconsin Vols., May 17, 1864, and was discharged on the 16th
' of September of same year by reason of expiration of term of enlist-
ment. His regiment, mainly recruited from colleges and academies,
Doctor Curtis at the time being in his sophomore year at Beloit Col-
lege, served in the defenses of Memphis, Tenn., and participated in the
engagement defending the city against the raid of General Forrest.
Doctor Curtis is active in the profession, is a member of the State Board
of Health, connected with the college faculty and hospital staff, and since
1888 has been secretary of the New York State Medical Society.
Dr. John H. Wilbur at the outbreak of the Rebellion was a student of
medicine registered with Dr. J. D. Wheeler, West Fulton, Scho-
harie county, N. Y. He enlisted as a private in Co. C, 44th N. Y.
Vols., August 22, 1861, and was discharged for disability May 5, 1863.
After leaving the army he resumed the study of medicine and was
graduated from the Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., in
1864. Doctor Wilbur practiced medicine at West Fulton for three
years, removed to Oak Hill, Greene county, N. Y., where he remained
four years. In 1874 he settled in the city of Cohoes and practiced his
profession until his death March 20, 1896. '
The passage of the act of March 18, 1806, authorizing the formation
of medical societies, marked the beginning of a new era in the profes-
sion. Previous to that date physicians had been free to begin practice
when and where they saw fit. The result, as has been seen, was to de-
grade the noble profession. The ignorant pretender, in many localities,
stood upon substantially the same footing as regarded success in ob-
taining patients, with the skilled and educated man. The field was
185
overrun with quacks of all kinds and who based their claims to business
upon all manner of pretenses. The time was sure to arrive when rep-
utable physicians would adopt measures for self protection, which
would serve to separate them from the army of disreputable practi-
tioners. Dr. Thomas Hun wrote in 1844 that : "Quackery must be
suppressed, not by legislation, but by enlightening public opinion of
its dangers. The respectability of our profession is to be promoted,
not by asking for legal privileges, but by an increase of individual zeal
and co-operation." That was written nearly forty years after medical
societies came into existence and indicates what must have been the
conditions of the profession at a much earlier period.
It has frequently been placed on record that the Albany County Med-
ical Society is the oldest medical society in the State. This is an error.
The date of its organization was July 29, 1806, at which date there
were five other county medical societies in existence, all of which ex-
cepting that of Columbia county, were, however, organized in the same
month with the Albany County Society. This society has been one of
the most persistently active in the State, and has met with regularity.
It has been instrumental in contending against local epidemics and un-
sanitary conditions, its advice having been frequently sought by the
mayor and council of Albany. Its discipline over unprofessional mem-
bers has been both strict and just, and it has been more than generous
in perpetuating the memory of its deceased members in printed biogra-
phies and in the publication of its own proceedings.
Following is a chronological list of the members of this society from
its organization, with the year of graduation, and other details:
Chronological List ok the Medical Society of the County of Albany from us
Organization, with Year of Admission and Place of Graduation — The Living
Resident Members are Indicated by a Star*.
1806, Hur.loke Woodruff, New York city, died 1811, aged 56; William McClelland.
Edinburgh, died 1812, aged 43; Charles D. Townsend, Columbia College, medical
department, 1802, died 1847, aged 70; John G. Knauff, probably in Germany, died
1810; Elias Willard, Boston, died 1827, aged 71; Wilhelmus Mancius, studied med-
icine with his father, Rev, G. W. Mancius, 1758, died 1808, aged 70: William Ander-
son, University of Pennsylvania, died 1811, aged 40; Joseph W. Hegeman, Prince-
ton, died 1837, aged 65; Cornelius Yrooman, jr., University of Pennsylvania, died
1811, aged 30; Alexander G. Fonda, licensed 1806, died 1869, aged 84; Caleb Gauff,
Bethlehem; Augustus Harris, licensed by Supreme Court, 1800, died 1857, aged 81;
Augustus P. R. Taylor, University of Pennsylvania, 1804, died 1841, age
1807, Peter Wendell, University of Pennsylvania, 1807, died 1849, aged 64; Jacob
L. Van Deusen, Regent's degree, 1806, resigned 1825.
24
180
1808, Archibald H. Adams. University of Edinburgh, died 1811, aged 42; Charles
D. Cooper, New York, died 1831, aged 63; Isaac Hyde, probably licensed, died 1833,
aged 61 ; James Low, University of Edinburgh, 1807, died 1823, aged 40.
1809, Simon Veeder, licentiate of this society, 1807, died 1860, aged 72.
1810, William Bay, Columbia College, Medical Department, 1797, died 1865, aged
93; Jonathan Eights, certificate of two physicians, died 1848, aged 75; John Stearns,
University of Pennsylvania, died 1848, aged 65.
1811, T. Romeyn Beck, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1811, died 1855,
aged 64.
1812, Jonathan Johnson, licentiate of this society, 1812, died 1860, aged 75 ; Eras-
tus Williams, licentiate Vermont State Society, 1800, died 1842, aged 69. Peter De
Lamater, studied medicine, 1794, died 1849, aged 77.
1813, Enoch Cheney ; Oliver Lathrop, studied with Dr. White, of Cherry Valley,
died 1824, aged 57.
1816, Moses Brownell, died March 12, 1879, aged 90; Richard Brownell, filed
diploma with county clerk, 1816, removed to Rhode Island; Samuel Freeman, Dart-
mouth, removed to Saratoga, died 1862; George Upfold, jr., College Physicians and
Surgeons, 1816, died 1872, aged 76; Plat! Williams, Columbia College, Medical De-
partment, 1810, died 1870, aged 86; Joel A. Wing, licentiate Montgomery County
Society, 1811, died 1852, aged 65.
1817, Thomas J. Gibbons, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1817, died 1819,
aged 22.
1819, William Humphreys, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1826, aged
31; Charles Martin, licentiate of this society, 1818; Ashbel S. Webster, College
Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1840, aged 44 ; Caleb Woodward, soon left the
city.
1820, John James, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1859, aged 70;
Robert Viets, died 1853.
1821, Moses Clement, licentiate of New Hampshire State Society, 1807; died 1831,
aged 51. Henry B. Hallenbeck, licentiate of this society ; died 1825, aged 29. Ly-
man Spalding, died 1841, aged 46. Barent P. Staats, licentiate New York State
Medical Society, 1817; died 1871, aged 74. Samuel S. Treat, College Physicians and
Surgeons, 1821; died 1832, aged 33. Peter Van O' Linda, licentiate New York State
Medical Society, 1820; died 1872, aged 75. Christopher C. Yates, licensed by Su-
preme Court, 1802; died 1848, aged 70.
1822, Valentine Dennick, licentiate of this society, 1822, date of birth and death
not known.
1823, John W. Bay, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1823, died 1877, aged 76 ;
Lewis C. Beck, licentiate of this society, 1818, died 1853, aged 55; Alden March,
Brown University, 1820, died 1869, aged 73.
1824, Michael Freligh, licensed by civil process, died 1853, aged 83.
1825, Rensselaer Gansevoort, College Pyhsicians and Surgeons, 1824, died 1838,
aged 35; John W. Hinckley, licentiate of this society, 1825, died 1860, aged 57.
1826, Charles E. Burrows; David W. Houghtaling, licensed 1822, died 1829,
aged 33.
1827, Hazael Kane, licentiate of this society, 1822, died at Nassau ; Henry Van
O' Linda, licentiate of Montgomery County Society, 1826, died 1846, aged 41.
187
1828, James P. Boyd, University of Pennsylvania, 1825, died May 10, 1881, aged
77; James M. Brown, licentiate of this society, 1825, died 1854, aged 50; Elisha S.
Burton, Berkshire Medical College, 1827, died 1873; *Benjamin B. Fredenburg,
licentiate Columbia County Society, 1819; Samuel Humpfreys, licentiate State So-
ciety, 1821, died in Liberia, 1832, aged 30; Edward A. Leonard, Yale College, Med-
ical Department, 1827, died 1837, aged 31 ; Michael Malone. licentiate State Society,
1826, died 1844, aged 46; James McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1816, died
1874, aged 78; Peter McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1825, died 1875, aged
75; William Noble, removed to Albion, Orleans county; Peter B. Noxon, licentiate
of this society, 1824, died April, 1882, aged 86; Peter P. Staats, licentiate State So-
ciety, 1825, died 1874, aged 71; William Tulley, licentiate Connecticut State Society,
1810, died 1859, aged 74; Henry Van Antwerp, licentiate State Society, 1825, died
1859, aged 57; Luke Wellington, Berkshire Medical College, 1825, removed; Asa
Burbank, Berkshire Medical College, 1823, died 1832.
1829, Ebram T. Bigelow, Fairfield Medical College, died about 1868; Henry Green,
Fairfield Medical College, 1814, died 1844, aged 54; Isaac Hempstead, licentiate of
this society, 1827, died 1852, aged 48 ; Augustus F. Lawyer, Fairfield Medical Col-
lege, died March 27, 1883, aged 75; Solomon Lincoln, licentiate State Society, l^'Jlt.
removed; Nicholas Markay, died; Francis N. Selkirk, licentiate of this society,
1829, died 1849, aged 40; John Styles, removed to New York city; Benjamin Van
Zandt, died; James Wade, licentiate Schenectady County Society, 1812, died 1867,
aged 78; Nanning Y. Winne, Yale Medical School, 1828, died 1858, aged 51.
1830, Henry Bronson, removed to New Haven, Conn. ; Jonathan H. Case, Fairfield
Medical College, 1828, died 1865, aged 58; Obadiah Crosby, in New York, 1828, died
is:;s, aged 38; Vernor Cuyler, licentiate State Society, 1822, removed; David-
son ; Thomas Hun, University of Pennsylvania, 1830, Albany, died June 23, 1896,
aged 86; James S. Low, died; David McLachlan, University of Glasgow, 1829, died
1858, aged 55; Richard Murphy, licentiate State Society, 1830; William O'Donnell,
removed to New York city; William Pearce; Alva W. Rockwell, Berkshire Medical
College, 1820, died 1837, aged 41 ; Nelson Rusk, licentiate Chautauqua County So-
ciety, at Stuyvesant, N. Y. ; Samuel Shaw, removed to Massachusetts; Guy Spald-
ing, died 1854, aged 75; John F. Townsend, University of Pennsylvania, 1830, died
1874, aged 65.
1831, David R Burrus, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, removed to Saratoga
county, 1859; Hiram Christie; Lansing Cory; Darius Coy, removed to Cobleskill ;
Palmer C. Dorr, licentiate of this society, 1824, died 1840, aged 43; Richard J. Dusen-
bury. removed to Chicago; Edward W. Ford, University of Pennsylvania, 1881,
died 1875, aged 45; Ten Eyck Gansevoort, University of Pennsylvania, 1825, died
1843, aged 40; Lewis B. Gregory, Fairfield Medical College, 1830, died 1838, aged
30; Abraham Groesbeck, removed to Chicago, 111.; Ammond Hammond. Vermont
Academy of Medicine, died 1849, aged 46; Alson J. Hallenbake, licentiate State So-
ciety, 1831, died 1846, aged 38; Carroll Humphrey, University of Pennsylvania, died
at Calcutta, 1834, aged 29; E, A. Lacey; David Springsteed, licentiate of this so-
ciety, 1830, died March 26, 1894. aged 86; Luther M. Tracey; John T. Van Alstyne,
Fairfield Medical College, 1823, died 1876, aged 76; Leonard G. Warren. Vermont
Academy of Medicine, 1826, died 1866, aged 63.
1882, Jarvis Barney, died 1838, aged 83: Stephen I). Hand, Berkshire Medical Col-
188
lege, 1831 ; Josiah W. Lay, licentiate Greene County Medical Society, 1816 died 1862,
aged 71 ; Piatt Wickes, removed.
1833, Levarette Moore, Berkshire Medical College, 1829, removed to Ballston;
Van Denmark.
1834, James H. Armsby, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, died 1875, aged 66 ;
Frederick Crounse, Albany county ; Samuel Dickson, licentiate State Society, 1829,
died 1858, aged 51; N. L. Hungerford, licensed 1830, died 1839, aged 34; Westley
Newcomb, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1832, removed to Ithaca; William G.
Radcliff, removed to Philadelphia; Bernard Sabalis, returned to Holland; Sidney
Sawyer, removed to Chicago, 111. ; Herman Wendell, College Physicians and Sur-
geons, 1832, died 1881, aged 72.
1837, William F. Carter, Dartmouth Medical College, 1834. died 1866, aged 54; H.
A. Grant, removed to Connecticut ; Francis W. Priest, left city after short residence ;
J. B. Rossman, Fairfield Medical College, 1829, died December 23, 1883, aged 77;
Edward Q. Sewall, removed to Canada; John H. Trotter, licensed to practice, died
1861, aged 48; John Van Buren, University of the City of New York, died 1856, aged
48 ; Alexander Van Rensselaer, removed to New York city.
1839, John Babcock, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1838, died March 13, 1879,
aged 65; John Van Alstyne, died at sea, 1844; Peter Van Buren, College Physicians
and Surgeons, 1823, died 1873, aged 71; John Wilson, Fairfield Medical College (?),
died 1877.
1840, Mason F. Cogswell, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1864, aged
54; Otis Jenks, licensed by State Society, 1840, died 1854, aged 55.
1841, John O. Flagler, died December 17, 1882; E. B. O'Callaghan, licentiate State
Society, 1841; died 1880, aged 80; Charles H. Payne, removed to Saratoga; U. H.
Wheeler, died in Brooklyn.
1842, Selah B. Fish, Berkshire Medical College, 1841, removed from the county.
1844, John Campbell, Albany Medical College, 1843; entered United States army
in 1847; C. E. Dayton; Patrick Gannon, in New York, died 1854, aged 74; David
Martin, Fairfield Medical College, 1828, died 1853, aged 53; William J. Young, re-
moved.
1845, Uriah G. Bigelow, Albany Medical College, 1843, died 1873, aged 52; Chris-
topher C. Griffin, licentiate of this society, 1843, died 1856, aged 41 ; Edward Perry,
University of New York, died at the age of 43; J. V. P. Quackenbush, Albany-Med-
ical College, 1842, died in 1876, aged 57; Richard H. Thompson, Albany Medical
College, 1842, died 1864.
1846, Isaiah Breakey, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, 1816, died 1848, aged 59 ;
*Samuel H. Freeman, Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany.
1847, Henry B. McHarg, Albany Medical College, 1847, died 1848, aged 22; Ben-
jamin A. Sheldon, Albany Medical College, 1847, died September 10, 1864, aged 39;
John Swinburne, Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany, died March 28, 1889, aged
65 ; C. C. Waller, left the city, 1855.
1848, Edward H. Clarke, Albany Medical College, 1848, removed to Buffalo;
Henry B. Fay, Albany Medical College, 1843, removed to New York city; William
Geoghegan, Royal College Surgeons, Dublin, 1837, died 1877, aged 62; Alexander
W .McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1848, died January 7, 1865, aged 36; Paul
Todd Taber, Albany Medical College, 1848, died 1851, aged 25; Howard Townsend,
ISO
Albany Medical College, 1846; died January 15, 1867, aged 44; Sylvester D. Willard,
Albany Medical College, 1848, died April 2, 1865, aged 40.
1849, David Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1847; died 1875, aged 55.
1850, Abram H. McKown, Albany Medical College, 18451 died 1853, aged 33;
Thomas H. Neeley, Albany Medical College, 1850, died 1851, aged 25; Jacob Rein-
hart, Heidelberg and Gottingen, 1847, died 1860, aged 35 ; James II. Sallisbury, Al-
bany Medical College, 1850, removed to New York city; Augustus Yiele, Fairfield
Medical College, 1837, died February 12, 1882 ; Alonzo G. Westervelt, Albany Medical
College, 1850, removed to Durham, Greene county.
1851, James L. Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1850, died February 13, 1881,
aged 58; J. R. Bullock, Fairfield Medical College, 1836, Albany county; Ira M.
De Lamater, Albany Medical College, 1850, died September, 1864, aged 45; David
E. Fonda, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died January 12, 1883, aged 66; Will-
iam A. Hawley, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Syracuse; Charles D.
Marsh, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed from the city; William B. Sims, Al-
bany Medical College, died October 18, 1881 ; S. O. Van Der Poel, Jefferson Medical
College, 1845, removed to New York 1881, died Macrh 12, 1886; I. X. Wyckoff, Al-
bany Medical College, 1852, never practiced medicine, died.
1852, F. L. R. Chapin, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Glens Falls,
died April 10,1889, aged 65 ; Samuel Ingraham, Albany Medical College, 1849, removed
to Palmyra; -Joseph Lewi, University of Vienna, 1847, Albany ; Levi Moore, Albany
Medical College, 1851, died June 30, 1880, aged 53; Henry F. Spencer, Albany
Medical College, 1852, died at sea, 1862, aged 36.
1853, Hiram A. Edmonds. Albany Medical College, 1853, died 1857, aged '29;
Henry March, Albany Medical College, 1853, died May 7, 1886; J. II. Scoon,
Albany Medical College, 1849, died July 22, 1880, aged 54; John P. Witbeck, Albany
Medical College, 1852. died 1873, aged 44; Harvey B. Wilbur, Berkshire Medical
College, 1842, removed to Syracuse.
L854, -William H. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; William II.
Craig, Albany Medical College, Albany, 1852, died October 4, 1889; Charles Devol,
Fairfield Medical College, 1831, Albany, died March 5, 1894; Alexander H. Hoff,
Jefferson Medical College, 1843, died 1876, aged 55; S. P. Uline, Vermont Academv
of Medicine, 1852, removed to Lowville.
1865, Stephen J. W. Tabor, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1841, removed t<>
Iowa; Daniel Wasserbach, University of Hague, 1843, died September 11, 1SS0,
aged 66.
ls.-)(|, Frederick C. Adams, Albany Medical College, 1847, died L862, aged 40;
AmoS Fowler,. University of New York. 1846, Albany, diedOctober 23, 1895 ; : Henry
G. McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1856. Albany; Staats YViune, Albany
Medical College, 1851, died May :!<>, 1880, aged 5:;.
1857, O. C. Alexander, Albany Medical College, 1854, Albany; *Hiram Crounse,
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1.S47, Albany; *George II. Newcomb, Albany
Medical College, 1855, Albany; William C. Rodgers, Albany Medical College, 1854
died 1860 aged 30; *A. Shiland, Albany Medical College, 1853, W< st Troy; John I.
Swart, Ablany Medical -College, 1853, died November 24, 1878, al Schoharie, aged
U ; Allied Wands, Albany Medical College, 1845, died L870, aged 18.
L858, John H, Becker, Albany -Medical College, 1853, died 1873, aged 15; II. S.
190
Case, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; Alex. A. Edmeston, Albany Medical
College, 1853, died 1871, aged 42; Thomas Helme, Albany Medical College, 1854,
McKownsville, Albany county, died March 17, 1889; Milton M. Lamb, Vermont
Academy of Medicine, 1856, removed to Lansingburgh, 1873; J. J. Myers, Albany
Medical College, 1857, Albany; James E. Pomfret, Albany Medical College, 1858-
died February 22, 1869, aged 43; Leroy McLean, Albany Medical College, 1855, re-
moved to Troy ; George Steinart, University of New York, 1855, removed to New
York city; Andrew Wilson, licentiate Columbia County Society, died 1871, aged 56.
1859, *Charles H. Porter, Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany ; R. S. McMurdy,
Albany Medical College, 1847, removed to Minneapolis. 1873; R. H. Sabin, Albany
Medical College, 1856, West Troy, died December 4, 1888; •■Charles H. Smith, Al-
bany Medical College, 1859, Albany; Thomas Smith, Albany Medical College, 1845,
died 1862; Charles P. Staats, Albany Medical College, 1853, died April 16, 1884, aged
53 ; Oscar H. Young, Albany Medical College, 1858, removed to Michigan.
1860, Joseph Atherley, died 1864; J. R. Boulware, Albany Medical College, 1859,
died October 17, 1887; William B. Chambers, Albany Medical College, 1858, re-
moved to Fulton county ; A. S. Harlow, Albany Medical College, 1859, removed
from the county; Washington Kilmer, Albany Medical College, 1860, removed to
Florida; John V. Lansing, New York Medical College, 1854, died May 9, 1880, aged
56; Martin L. Mead, Albany Medical College, removed to Ohio, 1871; J. W. Moore,
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1850, Cohoes, died 1886; Cornelius D. Mosher,
Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany, died September 26, 1890; Joseph N. North-
rop, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, died September 17, 1878, aged 61 ; John
Sheriff, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed; J. I. Welch, Albany Medical College,
1859, died June 23, 1878, aged 54.
1861, Wesley Blaisdell, Castleton, Vt, died 1864, aged 49; Frank G. Mosher, Al-
bany Medical College, 1848, died September 22, 1894.
1862, Thomas Beckett, Albany Medical College, 1861, died January 8, 1896; Asahel
Burt, jr., Albany Medical College, 1868, removed; Henry R. Haskins, Albany
Medical College, 1861, died March 31, 1883, aged 48; J. D. Havens. Albany Medical
College, 1861, died February 12, 1875, aged 40; Frank J. Mattimore, Albany
Medical College, 1860 died 1863, aged 29; F. B. Parmele, Albany Medical College,
1842, died January, 1882, aged 68.
1863, John F. Crounse, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1872.
1864, Stephen Johnson, Albany Medical College, 1849, resigned 1875; Jacob S.
Mosher, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany, died August 13, 1883, aged 49; C. B.
O'Leary, Albany Medical College, 1860, died 1877, aged 38; H. W. Steenberg, Fair-
field Medical College, 1837, Green Island, died 1892; Silas P. Wright, Albany Medical
College, 1682, removed.
1865, Gideon H. Armsby, Albany Medical College, 1864, died November 20, 1881(
aged 39; Myron Knowlton, Castleton, Vt., 1837, removed to Rochester; P. L. F.
Reynolds, Albany Medical College, 1861, died April, 1887, Albany; Charles A.
Robertson, Jefferson Medical College, 1853, died April 1, 1880, aged 51; William
Sigsbee, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1852, removed to Illinois; *Ezekiel Mulford
Wade, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, Watervliet.
1866, Charles S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1864, Rensselaer county ; *Herman
Bendell, Albany Medical College, 1862, Albany; John Ferguston, Vermont Academy
191
of Medicine, 1836, died 1874, aged 62; Michael Gilligan, removed; George T. Stevens,
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1857, removed to New York city ; Gustavus Treskatis,
Albany Medical College, 1865, removed to New York city; *Albert Van der Veer,
National Medical College (Med. Dep. Columbia Col., Washington), 1862, Albany;
Warner Van Steenberg, University of Vermont (Med. Dep.). 1856, died at Cohoes,
May 3. 1880, aged 48.
1867, James S. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, died July 1,1883, aged 53; : A.
De Graff, Albany Medical College, 1858, Guilderland ; *Alfred B. Huested, Albany
Medical College, 1863, Albany; John R. Gregory, Albany Medical College, 185s, re-
moved to Trumansburg; Edward R. Hun, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1866,
died March 14, 1880, aged 38; James F. McKown, Albany Medical College, 1866, Al-
bany, died August 25, 1892; P. M. Murphy, Albany Medical College, 1863,
Albany, died June, 1894; *D. V. O'Leary, Albany Medical College, I860, Albany.
1868, L. M. Dunkelmeyer, removed to Cincinnati, O. ; Alexander McDonald, died
1877, aged 33; *John Thompson, University of New York, 1868, Albany; Richard
D. Traver, St. Louis Medical College, 1869, removed to Troy, N. Y. : *C. E. Wit-
beck, Albany Medical College, 1866, Cohoes.
1869, *Hiram Becker, Albany Medical College, 1864, New Salem; Daniel M. Stim-
son, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1868, removed to New York city, 1 1*71.
1870, *John M. Bigelow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany; J. Myers
Briggs, Albany Medical College, 1869, died 1874, aged 29; Thomas D. Crothers Al-
bany Medical College, 1865, removed to Hartford, Conn. *J. R. Davidson, Albany
Medical College, 1869, South Bethlehem; Eustis H. Davis, Albany Medical College,
1854, removed to Watkins; *J. D. Featherstonhaugh, College Physicians and Sur-
goons, 1870, Cohoes; H. D. Losee, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1874, aged 25;
William Morgan, Albany Medical College, 1869, Albany, resigned 1883; William H.
T. Reynolds, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany, died 1894; *Chaiies
F. Scattergood, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany; A. P. Ten Eyck, Albany
Medical College, 1866, Rensselaer county, died February 4, 1893.
1871, L. R. Boyce, licentiate Otsego County Society, 1862, resigned 1877; Orson F.
Cobb, Albany Medical College, 1868, West Troy, suspended 1876; P. J. C. Golding, re-
moved to Massachusetts ; *L. C. B. Graveline, Albany Medical College, 1862, Al-
bany; *Lorenzo Hale, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany; K. V. R. Lansingh,
jr., Albany Medical College, 1870, died April 13, 1879; -William H. Murray, Albany
Medical College, 1869, Albany; E. B. Tefft, Buffalo Medical College, 1864, removed;
Barnabas Wood, University of Nashville, 1852, died 1875, aged 56.
1872, *Frederick C. Curtis, College of Physicians and Surgeons, lSTn, Albany;
Isaac De Zouche. Albany Medical College, 1869, removed to GloversviUe, 1875;
■■William Hailes, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ; S. A. Ingham, Albany Medi-
cal College, 1871, removed to Little Falls; J. H. Lagrange, Albany Medical College,
1871, removed to Columbia county ; J. H. Lasher, Albany Medical College, 1871, died
1873, aged 25; Caleb Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1871, removed to New York city;
Philip J. Maguire, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1871 removed to Brooklyn;
*B. U. Steenberg, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ; : John Ben Stonehouse, Al-
bany Medical College, 1871, Albany; "Willis C.. Tucker, Albany Medical Coll
Albany; *Eugene Van Slyke, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany; R. II. Stark-
192
weather, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany, died November 27, 1890; *G. L. Ull-
man, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany.
1873, Almon S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Pittsfield,
Mass. ; *John U. Haynes, Albany Medical College, 1872, Cohoes; *Joseph H. Blatner,
Albany Medical College, 1872, Albany; George A. Jones, Albany Medical College,
1869, died 1875; James C. Hannan, University of New York, 1873, removed to
Hoosick Falls, 1881; *James P. Boyd, jr., College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1871,
Albany; Frank Garbutt, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Mechanicsville;
*C. E. Seger, Albany Medical College', 1863. Adams Station ; *Patrick E. Fennelly,
Albany Medical College, 1869, West Troy ; *Oetavius H. E. Clarke, McGill University,
Montreal, 1870, Cohoes; Alfred L. Wands, Albany Medical College, 1869, removed.
1874, *J. L. Archambeault, Laval University, Quebec, 1870, Cohoes; *Lewis Balch,
College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany: *0. D. Ball, College Physicians and
Surgeons, 1867, Albany; George H. Benjamin, Albany Medical College, 1872, re-
moved; L. Doubrias (De Morat), Victoria University, Montreal, 1870, Cohoes, died
July 23, 1894; C. E. Buffinton, Albany Medical College, 1874, West Troy; *DanielK.
Cook, Albany Medical College, 1873, Albany; Herman C. Evarts, Albany Medi-
cal College, 1873, removed to Carthage, N. Y. ; James A. Hart, College Physi-
cians and Surgeons, 1873, removed to Colorado about 1877; William W. MacGregor,
Albany Medical College, 1873, removed to Glens Falls; *Cyrus S. Merrill, College
Physicians and Surgeons, 1871, Albany; Linzee T. Morrill, Albany Medical College,
1ST:'., removed; *Nelson Monroe, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1840, Green Island;
*George W. Papen, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; *A. T. Van
Vranken, Albany Medical College, 1873, West Troy; Felix Weidman, Albany
Medical College, 1847, Westerlo, died September 10, 1895.
1875, *Harvey W. Bell, Albany Medical College, 1866, removed to East Albany;
■Mary Du Bois, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1871, Albany; Harris I.
Fellows, Albany Medical College, 1874, died August 29, 1881, aged 44; Hiram T.
Herrington, Albany Medical College, 1873, removed to Rensselaer county ; Henry V.
Hull, Albany Medical College, 1874, removed to Schenectady, 1880; *Henry E,
Merreness, Albany Medical College, 1874, Albany ; John E. Metcalf, Albany Medical
College, 1874, removed to Ketchum's Corners, N. Y. ; Franklin A. Munson, College
Physicians and Surgeons, 1873, died December 8, 1878, aged 26; Norman L. Snow,
College Phvsicians and Surgeons, 1861, Albany, died December 19, 1885; *T. M.
Trego, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; Thomas Wilson, Albany
Medical College, 1874, removed to Claverack, 1876; Edward Yates, Jefferson Medical
College, 1869, died 1876, aged 29.
1876, R. D. Clark, Long Island Medical College, Albany, died August 11, 1894;
William A. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to Fulton, Oswego county;
*J. M. Haskell, University of Michigan, Bath-on-the-Hudson ; *P. J. Keegan, Uni-
versity of New York, Albany; *T. K. Perry, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany;
*W. L. Purple, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; Elbert T. Rulison, Albany
Medical College, 1875, removed to Amsterdam; *Seth G. Shanks, Albany Medical
College, 1875, Albany; A. H. V. Smyth, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to
Minaville; *Samuel B. Ward, Georgetown Medical College, 1864, Albany; *Harriet
A, Woodward, Syracuse University, 1875, Albany.
103
1877, *James F. Barker, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany ; *William X. Hays,
Albany Medical College 1875, Albany.
1878, *Jesse Crounse. Albany Medical College, 1877, Knowersville ; *W. O. Still-
man, Albany Medical College, 1878, Albany.
1879, *E. A. Bartlett, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; *G. Upton Peltier,
Bishop's College, Quebec, 1873, Cohoes; James C. Healey, Albany Medical College,
1877, Albany, died March 30, 1889; A. W. Kilbourne, University of the City of New
York, 1874, Albany, died January 14, 1897, aged 47; -Lansing B. Winne, College
Physicians und Surgeons, 1878, Albany; Franklin Townsend, jr. College Physi-
cians and Surgeons, 1876, Albany, died October 31, 1895; Otto Ritzman, Albany
Medical College, 1879, Albany, died August 19, 1889; *John C. Shiland, Albany
Medical College, 1878, West Troy; -Uriah B. La Moure, Albany Medical College,
1878, Albany; William J. Lewis, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, removed
to Hartford, Conn. ; *Maurice J. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany,
removed to New York city; Thomas B. Van Alstyne, Albany Medical College,
1879, removed to Richmondville, N. Y. , 1880; P. B. Collier, Long Island College,
Hospital, 1866, Albany; *Edward E. Brown, Albany Medical College, 1879, Al-
bany; M. W. Brooks, University of Vermont, 1879, removed to New York city, 1880;
*J. E. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1877, Green Island; S. O. Van der Poel, jr.,
College Physicians and Surgeons, 1876, removed to New York; William Geoghan,
Albany Medical College. 1874, removed to New York; "John D. R. McAllister,
Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany ; Thomas Featherstonhaugh, Albany Medical
College, 1877, 1882, removed to New York; Sheldon Yoorhees, Albany Medical Col-
lege, 1879, removed to Auburn, 1881.
1880, *Daniel C. Case, Albany Medical College, 1870, Sliugerlands ; -Theodore P.
Bailey, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1880, Albany; A. P. Casler, Albany Medical
College, 1880; Frank J. Merrington, Albany Medical College, 1886, died August 14, 1889,
aged 38 ; *Samuel R.. Morrow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, Albany; John
W. Gould, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John J. White, Albany Medical
College, 1879, removed lo New York; George E. Elmendorf, Albany Medical Col-
lege, 1875, died, 1894; M. R. C. Peck, College Physicians and Surgeons. 1876, died
March 29, 1890; Thomas \>. Worden, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed;
Lehman B. Hoit, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John Thomas Keay,
Albany Medical College, 1870, died January 4, 1881, aged 38; Daniel Fegan, Queen's
University. Dublin, Ireland, removed to Ireland.
1881, "George S. Munson, Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; John F. Lock-
wood, Albany Medical College, 1881, removed to Wisconsin; S. Edward I'llman,
Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; *T. W. Nellis, Albany Medical College, 1881,
Albany; *W. J. Nellis, Albany Medical College, L879, Albany; *F. L. Classen,
Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; "Howard Miller, Albany Medical College,
1881, Albany; -Howard S. Paine, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; '-Lauren-
tine Rouchel, Buffalo Medical College, Albany; Thomas G. Hyland. Bellevue Medi-
cal College, removed; Carroll H. Phillips, Albany Medical College, Watervhet, died
February 14, iss;;; C. VY. Green, Albany Medical College, removed; Charles F
Huddleston, Albany Medical CollegS, removed.
1882, *W. B. Sabin, Albany Medical College, L882, Samuel Pel
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1816, Wesl Troy; Franks Peters Albany Medical
25
194
College. 1874, died 1883; *Henry Hun, Harvard Medical School, 1879, Albany;
*George E. Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1882, West Troy; *W. H. Fowler, Jeffer-
son Medical College, 1879, Albany; David Fleischman, Albany Medical College,
1881, died January 30, 1892.
1883, *William L. Schutter, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany ; *Frank H.
Fisk, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany ; *Charles K. Crawford, Albany Medi-
cal College,' 1881, Albany; *J. W. Riley, Albany Medical College, 1882, Albany;
Walter W. Schofield, Albany Medical College, 1882, removed to Massachusetts; *C.
M. Culver, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; J. W. Mann, Albany Medical
College, 1882, died 1884.
1884, *J. H. Mitchell, Albany Medical College, 1882, Cohoes; *R. J. Brown, Albany
Medical College, 1882, Albany; *T. F. C. Van Allen, Albany Medical College, 1882,
Albany; ••Joseph D. Craig, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Edgar C. Hal-*
lenbeck, Bellevue Medical College, 1881, Bethlehem, died 1894; G. S. Knickerbocker,
College Physicians and Surgeons, removed; C. C. Schuyler, Albany Medical College
Troy (non-resident); removed to Plattsburg.
1885, *Selwin A. Russell, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany; *Frederick D.
Morrill, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany, died January, 1897; *John H. Skilli-
corn Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; L. E. Blair, Albany Medical College,
1881, Albany; M. J. Dwyer, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; D. W. Houston,
McGill College, Montreal, 1881, Troy, N. Y. ; J. W. Ross, McGill College, Montreal,
1881, Cohoes, N. V.
1886, John V. Hennessey, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; W. C. Marselius,
Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany, died December 24, 1893; John L. Cooper,
University of Pennsylvania, 1877, Albany; Martin McHarg, Albany Medical College,
1885, Albany; F. R. Greene, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; J. W. Shattuck,
Atlanta, Ga., 1859; Edwin Haines, Albany Medical College, 1867, S. Westerlo, died
March 19, 1896, aged 52; L. E. Kenney, Albany Medical College, 1881, Waterford,
N. Y. ; J. H. E. Sand, University City New York, 1886, Brooklyn; G. W. Holding,
Albany Medical College, 1884, Watervliet, N. Y. ; Orson Britton, no answer to in-
quiry regarding graduation.
1887, Robert Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Albert Marsh, Al-
bany Medical College, 1885, Boston; J. V. Sheppey, Jefferson Medical College, 1885,
Albany; J. B. Southworth, Burlington State University, 1882, Albany.
1888, Thomas H. Willard, Albany Medical College, 1887, New York; Elmer E.
Larkin, Albany Medical College, 1885, Plattsburgh ; Charles H. Moore, Albany Med-
ical College, 1887, Albany ; Willis G. Macdonald, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany ;
Arthur D. Capron, Albany Medical College, 1886, Albany; Terrence L. Carroll,
Albany Medical College, 1885, Albany; Rensselaer J. Smith, University New York
City, 1894, Albany; George R. De Silva, University New York City, 1881, Preston
Hollow.
1889, N. L. Eastman, Albany Medical College, 1886, Albany; A. J. Blessing, Al-
bany Medical College, 1886, Albany; George G. Lempe, Albany Medical College,
1888, Albanv; Howard Van Rensselaer, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New
York city, 1884, Albany.
1890, A. F. Powell, Albany Medical College, 1889, Coeymans; G. Emory Lochner,
Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; George T. Moston, Albany Medical College,
195
1890, Albany; H. C. Abrams, Albany Medical College, 1882, Newton ville ; James E.
Smith, Albany Medical College, 1889. Albany; A. McNaughton, Albany Medical
College, 1886, West Troy; Thomas Helms, Albany Medical College, 1890, McKown-
ville; Robert P. MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1888, Long Island city.
1891, G. A. Williams, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; J. E. Brennan,
Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; J. H. Timmers, Albany Medical College,
1891, Albany; Arthur G. Root, Albany Medical College, 1890, Albany; J. D. Mont-
marquet, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1889, Cohoes; William H.
Happel, Albany Medical College, 1890, Albany.
1892, W. L. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1881, Greenbush; J. B. Washburne,
Albany Medical College, 1882, Delmar; L. Le Brun, Albany Medical College, 1891,
Albany; E. V. Colbert, Albany Medical College, 1890, Albany; Leo H. Neuman,
Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; John C. Brown, Albany Medical College,
1892, Albany; Robert A. Heenan, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; William
G. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Walter H. Conley, Albany Medical
College, 1891, Buffalo, N. Y.
1893, James W. .Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; W. T. Goewey,
Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Charles E. Davis, Albany Medical Col-
lege, 1891, Albany; Andrew MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany; J.
W. Droogan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Westchester; C. C. McCullough, Albany
Medical College, 1889, Albany; Thomas A. Ryan, Albany Medical College, 1 s<»:',.
Albany; John S. Guinan, Albany Medical College, 1893, Whitehall.
1894, W. F. Robinson, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany ; W. B. Rossman,
Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; F. M. Joslin, Albany Medical College, 1893,
Albany; William J. Kernan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; M. D. Steven-
son, Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; Le Rose Rancour, Albany Medical Col-
lege, 1892, Albany.
1895, C. F. Theisen, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; F. J. Bedell, Albany
Medical College, 1893, Becker's Corners; J. B. Sweet, jr., Albany Medical College,
1893, Albany; \V. S. Hale, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; James M. Moore,
Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; S. Le Fevre, Albany Medical College, 1891,
Richmondville; W. H.George, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; L. Yan
Auken, Albany Medical College, 1892, West Troy; E. N. K. Mears, Albany Medical
College, 1895, Albany.
189G, T. W. Jenkins, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; Ralph Sheldon, Al-
bany Medical College, 1894, Albany; H. S. Pearse, Albany Medical College, 1892,
Albany; Arthur Sautter, Albany Medical College, 1893. Albany; R. S. Tedford,
Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; M. S. Leavy, Medical Department Univer-
sity of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, 1888, Albany.
The early records of this society were carefully collected by the late
Dr. Sylvester D. Willard and published in one volume covering the
proceedings from the date of its organization, March is, 1806, to June
1(>, 1851. The growth of the society and its energetic work in promot-
ing the interests of the medical profession prompted the appointment
of a committee t<> continue the work inaugurated bv Dr. Willard. At
196
a meeting held Jinie 14, 1870, Dr. James S. Bailey, Dr. Charles H.
Porter, and Dr. T. D. Crothers were named to supervise the publica-
tion of the proceeding's of the society from June 10, 1851, to June 14,
1870. These volumes embrace the records from 1806 to 1870; they
also contain biographies of nearly two hundred members and many
portraits, and aside from placing on record the transactions of the so-
siety, help to complete the medical history of Albany city and county,
and trace the professional career of those identified with the work of
the society. The transactions since 1880 have been published in the
Albany Medical Annals, a monthly journal managed by an editorial
committee under the auspices of the society. Many interesting papers
on medical topics and matters of interest to the profession have been
published in this journal. Since 1891 this journal is published as the
" Albany Medical Annals representing the Alumni Association of the
Albany Medical College." From 1891 to 1892 this journal was edited
by Dr. Willis G. Macdonald. From 1892 to 1897 by Dr. Howard Van
Rensselaer. The present editors are Dr. Andrew MacFarlane and
Dr. J. Montgomery Mosher.
197
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200
ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE.
The Albany Medical College was founded by the late Drs. Alden
March and James H. Armsby. In 1821 Dr. March opened a school for
the study of anatomy at Albany, and in 1825 was appointed professor
of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont Academy of Medicine at
Castleton. Dr. March first agitated the establishment of a medical
college and hospital at Albany in 1830. He was ably assisted by Dr.
Armsby, who came to Albany the same year and was associated with
Dr. March as a teacher in a private medical school known as the Drs.
March and Armsby " Practical School of Anatomy and Surgery." Dr.
Armsby devoted much of his time to the founding of the Albany Med-
ical College. His efforts in this diretion are worthy of record and con-
tributed largely to awaken a general interest in behalf of the proposed
college.
On the 11th of April, 1838, a meeting of citizens was called to take
into consideration the organization of a medical school. This meeting
was attended by many prominent citizens of Albany and the following
resolution was adopted:
Resolved, " That this meeting deem it expedient to establish a medical college in
this city, and to endeavor hereafter to obtain an act of incorporation from the
legislature."
This meeting enlisted many active and energetic friends for the pro-
posed institution. The Common Council granted the use of the un-
occupied Lancaster school building for a term of five year for college
purposes, and at a second meeting of citizens, held May, 1838, articles
of association were agreed upon and the following named gentlemen
were appointed to constitute the first Board of Trustees.
Daniel D. Barnard, Samuel Stevens, John Taylor, Ira Harris, Robert
H. Pruyn, Friend Humphrey, Bradford R. Wood, James Goold, George
Dexter, Thomas McElroy, William Seymour, John O. Cole, John I.
Wendell, Conrad A. Ten Eyck, John Davis, Israel Williams, Charles
D. Gould, John Trotter, Arnold Nelson, John Groesbeck, Oliver Steele
and Philip S. Van Rensselaer.
In May, 1838, the following persons were named by the trustees to
compose the first faculty of this college: Alden March, professor of
surgery; James H. Arsmby, professor of anatomy and physiology;
Amos Dean, professor of medical jurisprudence; Ebenezer Emmons,
professor of chemistry and pharmacy; Henry Greene, professor of
201
obstetrics; David M. McLachlan, professor of materia medica ; David
M. Reese, professor of .the theory and practice of medicine.
The establishment of the college, the remodeling of the building, the
arrangements of the valuable anatomical and pathological collections
of Drs. March, Armsby and McNaughton, consisting of rare and valu-
able specimens, collected during the experience of many years of pro-
fessional labor and gathered by repeated visits to Europe, necessitated,
during the first two years, an expenditure of over $10,000, all of which
was contributed by the citizens of Albany.
The first course of lectures in the college commenced on the 3d of
January, 1839, to a class of fifty-seven students. The first annual
commencement was held on the 24th of April, 1839, and the degree of
Doctor of Medicine was conferred on thirteen young gentlemen.
After the act of incorporation was obtained the trustees confirmed
the election of the faculty and named the following physicians as the
first board of curators: Peter Wendell, Piatt Williams, Barent P. Staats,
Thomas C. Brinsmade and Samuel White.
To give in detail the history of the Albany Medical College, its bril-
liant growth and promising future, would write man}- pages and not do
justice to those who have loyally labored in advancing its standard as
an institution for the study of medicine. From 1839 to 1896 the de-
gree of Doctor of Medicine has been conferred on twenty-one hundred
and fifty-two students, and during this period no efforts have been
spared to fully equip the school for the practical and thorough study of
medicine. The college building is well appointed in its lecture rooms,
laboratories, dissecting rooms and museum. The chemical laboratory
was rebuilt in 1884 and a two- story building erected, fitted with every
requisite for the illustration of the lectures, and the practical study of
chemistry. "Alumni Hall," constituting the south wing of the build-
ing, is set apart for meetings, recitations, examinations and other college
exercises. The Bender Hygienic Laboratory, equipped for the instruc-
tion and scientific research in pathology, bacteriology and the allied med-
ical studies, was dedicated October 27, L896, and is connected with the
college. This laboratory is the gift of Mr. Matthew W. Bender of Albany,
who defrayed the entire cost of its erection, amounting to more than
$20,000. The cost of fitting up and furnishing this laboratory was paid
by the college faculty. The class rooms and amphitheatre are furn-
ished with the most modern apparatus for special work, and as a lal
tory of hygiene the building is perfect in all its appointments,
26
202
Since 1873 the Albany Medical College is the medical deparment of
Union University. The University includes the Albany Medical Col-
lege, the College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School and the Dudley
Observatory, all located at Albany, and Union College and the School
of Civil Engineering, located at Schenectady.
The Albany Medical College has been foremost in advocating a high
standard of medical education. Few medical schools in this country
are so thoroughly in sympathy with every movement to perfect the pro-
visions of the laws governing the study of medicine. It was one of the
first to enforce a three years' graded course of study with evidence of
preliminary education by entrance examination. It may justly be said
that this institution has made progress all along the line. It is well
equipped in every department to meet the legal requirements of a
higher standard. Its curriculum embraces lectures, recitations, clinical
teaching and extensive laboratory work. The Albany Hospital, St.
Peter's Hospital, Child's and County Hospitals, the Eye and Ear Infirm-
aries, and dispensaries connected with these institutions, are all made
available for the pursuit of clinical study. The management of the
school and its administrative affairs are so conducted that there can be
no doubt of its high standing as a school for the study of medicine.
The following is a historical list of the faculty from 1839 to 1897:
Ebenezer Emmons, M. D., Chemistry and Natural History from 1838 to 1839; Ma-
teria Medica and Natural History, 1840 to 1843; Obstetrics and Natural History, 1843
to 1853; Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Natural History, 1853 to 1854.
James H. Armsby, M. D., Anatomy and Physiology, 1838 to 1839; Anatomy, 1840
to 1869; Principles and Practice of Surgery, 1870 to 1875; died 1875.
David M. Reese, M. D., Theory and Practice of Medicine, 1839 to 1840.
Alden March, M. D., Surgery, 1838 to 1869; died 1869.
Henry Greene, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, 1838 to
1839.
David M. McLachlan, M. D., Materia Medica and Pharmacy, 1838 to 1839; Ma-
teria Medica and Therapeutics, 1839 to 1840; Diseases of Women and Children, 1840
to 1842.
Amos Dean, Esq., Medical Jurisprudence, 1839 to 1859; Emeritus Professor of
Medical Jurisprudence, 1867 to 1868; died 1868.
Thomas Hun, M. D., Institutes of Medicine, 1839 to 1853; Institutes of Medicine,
1853 to 1855; Institutes of Medicine, 1855 to 1859; Emeritus Professor of the Insti-
tutes of Medicine, 1876 to 1896; died 1896.
Gunning S. Bedford, M. D., Obstetrics, 1839 to 1840.
James McNaughtun, M. D., Theory and Practice of Medicine, 1840 to 1874; died
18T4.
Lewis C. Beck, M. D., Chemistry and Therapeutics, 1840 to 1841; Chemistry and
Pharmacy, 1841 to 1853; died 1853,
J. M. BIGHLOW, M. D.
203
T. Romeyn Beck, M. D., Materia Medica, 1842 to 1853; Emeritus Professor of
Materia Medica, 1853 to 185G; died 1856.
Howard Townsend, M. D., Obstetrics, 1853 to 1855; Materia Medica, 1855 to 1859;
Materia Medica and Physiology, 1859 to 1867; died 1867.
Ezra S. Carr, M. D., Chemistry and Pharmacy. 1853 to 1857.
John V. P. Ouackenbush, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children,
1855 to 1856; Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, 1856 to 1859; Obstet-
rics and Diseases of Women and Children, 1859 to 1870; Diseases of Women and
Children, 1876; died 1876.
Charles H. Porter, M. D., Chemistry and Pharmacy, 1857 to 1859; Chemistry
and Medical Jurisprudence, 1859 to 1864.
George F. Barker, M. D., Acting Professor of Chemistry, 1862 to 1863.
Jacob S. Mosher, M. D., Ph. D., Lecturer on Chemistry, 1864; Chemistry and
Medical Jurisprudence, 1864 to 1876; Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1 8 7 f > to
1882; Pathology, Practice, Clinical Medicine and Hygiene, 1882 to 1883; died 1883.
S. Oakley Vander Poel, M. D., LL. D , General Pathology and Clinical Medicine,
1867 to 1870; Theory and Practice and Clinical Medicine, 1876 to 1878; Pathology,
Practice and Clinical Medicine, 1878 to 1882; Emeritus Professor of Pathology, Prac-
tice and Clinical Medicine, 1882 to 1886; died 1886.
James E. Pomfret, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, 1861; Physiology, 1867 to L869;
died 1869.
John V. Lansing, M. D., Materia Medica, 1867 to 1870; Physiology and Clinical
Medicine, 1870 to 1873; Principles and-Practice of Medicine and Clinical Medicine,
1873 to 1876; died 1880.
Henry R. Haskins, M. D., Surgical and Descriptive Anatomy, 1869 to 1874; Anat-
omy, 1874 to 1S76; died 1884.
Albert Vander Veer, M. D., General and Special Anatomy, 1869 to 1873; Princi-
ples and Practice of Surgery, 1876 to 1880 ; Principles and Practice of Surgery and
Clinical Surgery, 1880 to 1883; Surgery and Clinical Surgery, 1883 to 1889, Didatic,
Abdominal and Clinical Surgery, 1889 to .
Edmund R. Peaslee, M. D., Diseases of Women, 1870 to 1873.
Meredith Clymer, M. D., Diseases of the Nervous System and the Mind, 187n to
1873.
William P. Seymour, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children,
1870 to 1876.
Ceorge T. Stevens, M. D., Ophthalmology and Orthopaedic Surgery, 1870 t<> L873
Physiology and Ophthalmology, is;:; to L875; Ophthalmology, 1875 to 1876.
John M, Bigelow, M. I>., Materia Medica, 1870 to 187:'.; Materia Medica and The-
rapeutics, 1873; Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1876 to 1882; Materia Medica and
Therapeutics, Diseases of the Throat and Clinical Laryngoscopy, 1882 to 1888; Ma-
teria Medica, Therapeutics and Diseases of the Throat and Nose, 1888 to 1896; Dis-
eases of the Throat and Nose, 1896 to .
Maurice Perkins, M. D., Chemistry and Toxicology, L870 to 1876; Chemical Phi-
losophy and Organic Chemistry, 1876 to .
Ira Harris, LL. D., Medical Jurisprudence, 1870 to 1874.
Willis G. Tucker, M. D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 1871 to 1SM; Lec-
turer on Materia Medica and Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 1874 to 1875; A< -
junct Professor of Materia Medica and Chemistry, 1*75 to 1876; Inorganic and Ana-
204
lytical Chemistry, 1876 to 1882; Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and Medical
Jurisprudence, 1882 to 1887; Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology,
1887 to .
William Hailf.s, M. D., Lecturer on Pathological Anatomy 1874 to 1875; Adjunct
Professor of Pathological Anatomy, 1875 to 1876; Histology and Pathological Anat-
omy, 1876 to 1886; Histology and Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Surgery, 1886
to .
Harrison E. Webster, A. M., Lecturer on Physiology, 1875 to 1880.
John Swinburne, M. D., Fractures and Dislocations and Clinical Surgery, 1876 !o
1880 ; died 1889.
Lewis Bai.cii, M. D., Anatomy, 1876 to 1887; Anatomy and Medical Jurispru-
dence, 1887 to 1890; Medical Jurisprudence, 1890 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of
Anatomy and Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence, 1891 to 1893; Emeritus Professor
of Anatomy and Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, 1893 to 1895 ; Emeritus Pro-
fessor of Anatomy and Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1895 to
1896; Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1896 to .
Samuel B. Ward, M. D., Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery, 1876 to 1880;
Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery and Clinical Surgery, 1880 to 1883; Pa-
thology, Practice, Clinical Medicine and Hygiene, 1883 to .
John P. Gray, M. D., LL. D., Psychological Medicine, 1876 to 1886; died 1886
Edward R. Hun, M. D., Diseases of Nervous System, 1876 to 1880; died 1880.
James P. Boyd, Jr.. M. D. , Diseases of Women and Children, 1876; Obstetrics
and Diseases of Women and Children, 1876 to 1886; Obstetrics, Gynecology and
Diseases of Children, 1886 to .
Cyrus S. Merrill, M. D., Opthalmology, 1876 to 1881; Opthalmology and Otology.
1881 to .
S. O. Vander Poel, Jr.,' Adjunct Professor of Pathology. Practice and Clinical
Medicine, 1880 to 1884.
Franklin Townsend, Jr., M. D., Lecturer on Physiology, 1880 to 1881; Professor
of Physiology, 1881 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of Physiology, 1891 to 1895; died
1895.
Frederic C. Curtis, M. D., Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, 1880 to 1884; Pro
fessor of Dermatology, 1884 to .
Henry Hun, M. D., Lecturer on Nervous Diseases, 1883 to 1885; Professor of Dis-
eases of the Nervous System. 1885 to 1887; Diseases of the Nervous System and
Psychological Medicine, 1887 to 1890; Diseases of the Chest and of the Nervous Sys-
tem, 1890 to 1892; Diseases of the Nervous System, 1892 to .
Samuel R. Morrow, M. D., Lecturer Adjunct to the Chair of Surgery, 1884 to
1886; Adjunct Professor of Surgery, 1886 to 1887; Adjunct Professor of Surgery and
Lecturer on Anatomy, 1887 to 1889; Adjunct Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic
Surgery, 1889 to 1890; Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic Surgery, 1890 to .
JosErH D. Craig, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, 1890 to 1892; Adjunct Professor
of Anatomy, 1892 to '.
Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D., Lecturer on Materia Medica, 1890 to 1892; Ad-
junct Professor of Materia Medica and Lecturer on Diseases of the Chest, 1892 to
1895; Adjunct Professor of Materia Medica and Diseases of the Chest, 1895 to 1896;
Adjunct Professor of Theory of Practice of Medicine and Thereapeutics, 1896 to .
205
Herman C. Gordinier, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomj' of the Nervous System, 1890
to 1894; Lecturer on Physiology and Anatomy of the Nervous System, 1894 to L895;
Professor of Physiology, 1895 to .
CARLOS F. MacDonald, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1891 to 1892.
Willis G. MacDonald, M. D., Lecturer on Operative Surgery, 1891 to 1895; Ad-
junct Professor of Surgery, 1895 to .
Herman Bendeli., M. D., Lecturer on Physiology, 1892 to 1894; Lecturer on < otol-
ogy, 1894 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Otology, 1896 to .
Ezra A. Bartlett, M. D., Lecturer on Electro Therapeutics, 1892 to .
G. Alden R. Bli'mer, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1893 to 1896; Adjunct Professor
of Insanity, 1896 to .
Theodore F. C. Van Allen, M. D., Lecturer on Ophthalmology, 1894 to Is'.m; .
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, 1896 to .
Andrew MacFarlane, M. D., Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Mi-
croscopy, 1895 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Physical Diagnosis and Microscopy,
1896 to .
Clinton B. Herrick, M. D , Lecturer on Clinical Surgery, 1895 to .
John V. Hennessy, M. D, Lecturer on Materia Medica, 1896 to .
William G. Lewi, M. D, Lecturer on Pharmacy, 1896 to .
Leo H. Ne« man, M. D, Lecturer on Symptomatology, 1896 to .
The Alumni Association of the A. M. C. was organized January 20,
L874, and incorporated February 6, of the same year. The object of
this association is to promote the interest of the college in the work of
medical education, and to cultivate social intercourse among the
alumni. The names and addresses of 1,302 graduates are on the roll
of membership. The management of this association is entrusted to an
executive committee and a general meeting is held annually on com-
mencement day.
The Albany College of Pharmacy was created by act of the Board of
Governors of Union University, June 21, 1881, and incorporated Au-
gust 27, 1881. Chemistry, Botany and Materia Medica, Pharmacy and
the Microscope and its application to pharmacy arc taught in a two
years' course. The lectures are delivered and the laboratory classes in
chemistry conducted in the class rooms of the Medical College building.
A commodious pharmaceutical laboratory is connected with the c<>i
The school is well managed and equipped to impart thorough instruc-
tion in pharmacy and its kindred branches.
The following constitute the faculty: Willis ('.. Tucker, M. I'., I'll. I>., F. C. S.,
prcsideut, professor of chemistry; Alfred B. Ilucstcd, M. I'.. I'll. G., pr<
botany and materia medica; Gustavus Michaelis, I'll. <1.. professor of pharmacy ;
Theodore J. Bradley, I'll. (1.. lecturer on pharmacy; De Baun Van Aken, insti
in chemistry; Frank Richardson, Ph. G., instructor in materia medica and director
of the pharmaceutical laboratory; Thomas W. Jenkins, M. 1>., instructor in n
copy.
206
The Albany Hospital.
The Albany Hospital was founded in 1849. In 1830 Dr. Alden
March, professor of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont Academy
of Medicine, delivered a public lecture on the " Propriety of Establish-
ing a Medical College and Hospital at Albany." The late John C.
Spencer was the first president, and to his popularity and energy, coupled
with the unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby and the support
of generous contributors, this institution was opened for the reception
of patients November 1, 1851. The male and female wards, the child's
ward, endowed by the late William H. De Witt, are comfortably fur-
nished and well appointed. The rooms for the treatment of private
patients, fitted up and furnished by charitably inclined ladies represent-
ing the various churches of Albany, have largely added to the comfort
and accommodation of patients admitted to this institution. The dis
pensaries are open to the poor, and the hospital records show that thou-
sands of charity patients have been provided with medicines and at-
tendance. The entire management is vested in a Board of Governors,
who have endeavored to combine thoroughness and efficiency in every
department, and that they have merited the support and confidence of
the citizens of Albany is apparent by the general interest manifested
and the liberal contribution of funds to provide for the accommodation
and care of the sick. In 1851 and 1852 sufficient funds were collected
by special subscription to purchase and equip an adjoining building for
the purpose of affording rooms for clinical instruction to students at-
tending the Albany Medical College. The building, originally erected
as a county jail, before being occupied required remodeling to adapt
it for hospital purposes. From 1849 to 1873, principally due to the
unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby, over one hundred thou-
sand dollars were subscribed to defray the cost of enlarging the build-
ing and providing proper hospital accommodations. As the city in-
creased in population greater facilities for the treatment of private and
dispensary patients became necessary and the friends of the institution
have annually and liberally responded to the appeals of the governors
for subscriptions to enlarge and continue this worthy charity. The City
Council appropriates a liberal sum annuall)' toward the support of the
charity wards, and the income of an increasing endowment fund, together
with the receipts from private patients, help to meet the expenditures.
The projected new hospital and training school to be connected with the
207
same, a scheme encouraged by mutual cooperation of those interested
in the future prosperity of the Albany Hospital, will not be erected on
the site of the present building', it being deemed advisable for the
proper care and comfort of the sick and convalescent that the new hos-
pital shall be erected remote from the crowded city thoroughfares. The
present staff of the hospital consists of:
Medical and Surgical Staff. — Consulting physicians, Samuel H. Freeman, M. 1 >.,
Joseph Lewi, M.D.; consulting specialist, William II. Bailey, M.D. ; surgeons, Al-
bert Vander Veer, M.D., William Hailes, M. D., Samuel R. Morrow, M. I >. ; attend-
ing specialists, Cyrus S. Merrill, M.D., eye and ear, Herman Bendell, M I)., eye and
ear, John M. Bigelow, M.D., throat and nose, James P. Boyd, M. I)., gynecology,
Frederic C. Curtis, M.D., dermatology, Ezra A. Bartlett, M.D., electricity ; physi-
cians, Samuel B. Ward, M.D., Henry Hun, M.D., Joseph D. Craig, M.D.', Howard
Van Rensselaer, M. D.
St. Peter's Hospii \i .
The building occupied as St. Peter's Hospital was formerly the resi-
dence of Governor King. Subsequently this building was purchased by
the late Peter Cagger and transferred by him to the Rt. Rev. Bishop
Conroy, who transferred the building to the Order of the Sisters of
Mercy to be used as a hospital. St. Peter's Hospital was opened for
the reception of patients November 1, 1869. This hospital is managed
by the Sisters of Mercy aided by an advisory Board of Managers; it
lias been conducted with success, and its benefits bestowed as liberally
as means and facilities would permit. Many additions and improve-
ments have been made to the building to adapt the same for hospital
purposes, and with increased accommodations the managers have been
enabled to provide for the many applicants seeking the care and com-
forts of this benevolent institution. Credit is due to the untiring
efforts and charitable work of the Sisters of Mercy in promoting and
dispensing the benefits of this noble charity. Thousands of poor are
gratuitously provided with medical attendance and medicines, and the
contributions of its benefactors are expended in the true cause of
charity, for the relief of the afflicted, without regard to creed or con-
dition. The Sisters of Mercy who act as nurses receive no compensa-
tion for their services; their work is a labor of love for suffering hu-
manity, and those who are familiar with the daily work of these de-
voted women, can best appreciate the real good of true charity.
This hospital is supported by private contributions, by the income
received from private patients, and by an annual appropriation from
208
the city for the care of charity patients. Connected with the hospital
is a dispensary for the treatment of out door patients. The male and
female wards and private rooms are well ventilated and neatly fur-
ished, and the entire management of the institution is in thorough keep-
ing with the aims of the administration entrusted with its care. Con-
nected with the hospital is an amphitheatre and lecture room, where
clinical lectures and instruction to the students of the Albany Medical
College are given. Modern improvements for the treatment and com-
fort of patients are being continually made, thus enabling the manage-
ment to fully consummate the object which prompted the founding of
this hospital. It is a worthy tribute to the memory of the eminent
jurist, to whose liberal contribution the public is indebted for this great
charity.
Hospital Staff. — Consulting physicians, Samuel B. Ward, M.D., D. V. O'Leary
M. D. Consulting surgeons, A. Vander Veer, M.D., Lewis Balch, M.D., James P.
Boyd. M.D. Attending physicians, Henry Hun, M.D., T. K. Perry, M.D., Howard
Van Rensselaer, M.D., Andrew MacFarlane, M.D. Attending surgeons, S. R. Mor-
row, M.D. , P. J. Keegan, M.D., William Hailes, jr., M.D., J. V. Hennessy, M.D.
Specialists, C. S. Merrill, M.D., T. F. C. Van Allen, M.D., Clement F. Theisen, M.D.,
F. C. Curtis, M.D., George S. Munson, M.D., John M. Bigelow, M.D.
The Child's Hospital. t
The Child's Hospital was opened for the treatment of patients March,
1875. It is one of the works of charity undertaken -by the " Corning
Foundation for Christian Work in the Diocese of Albany," of which the
Rt, Rev. William Croswell Doane is the president. The hospital was
originally located in a small building on Lafayette street. Subsequently,
owing to an inceased demand for its benefits, the hospital was removed
to a larger house on Elk street. In 1877 the first hospital building was
erected having accommodations for forty patients. The present build-
ing, erected in 1891, equipped with all modern appointments for the
comfort of patients and treatment of medical and surgical cases, is also
located on Elk street and contains ninety beds. In the erection of this
building great care was given to all details pertaining to sanitary pro-
visions and arrangements for the care and treatment of patients. Chil-
dren between the ages of one and fifteen years, requiring medical or
surgical treatment, are admitted to this hospital. This worthy charity
is in charge of the " Sisterhood of the Holy Child Jesus, "and its finan-
cial management entrusted to a committee of lady managers. It is
200
mainly supported by voluntary contributions, and its benefits arc ex-
tended for the relief of the afflicted without regard to creed or condition.
The annual reports record the gifts of money from subscribers and
churches showing broad charity for the support of this benevolent in-
stitution. Closely related to this hospital, and forming a group of
charity institutions, is the Sisters' House and St. Margaret's House.
These buildings, completed and occupied during the past year, were
erected at a cost of $70,000; of this amount $G0,000 were donated by
generous friends and the buildings are entirely free from debt. A
large number of cases are treated annually at this hospital; its success
is due to the unremitting care and faithful work of the Sisterhood in
charge of its affairs. During the summer the little patients are sent to
the St. Christina Home, a retreat located at Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
The Child's Hospital is open to the students of the Albany Medical Col-
lege for clinical instruction, and no efforts are spared by the manage-
ment in liberally providing for the comfort of children entrusted to
their care.
The following constitute the medical and surgical staff :
Attending Physicians, Dr. T. M. Trego, Dr. Henry Hun ; Attending Surgeons,
Dr. Lewis Balch, Dr. S. R. Morrow; Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon, Dr. C. S.
Merrill; Physician to Out-Patient Department, Dr. H. Van Rensselaer; Dental Sur-
geon, Dr. Fr. G. Michel; Assistant Aural and Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr. C. H. Moore.
The Albany City Homoeopathic Hospital was founded in 1872. The
nucleus for this hospital was the establishment of a free dispensary by
the County Medical Homoeopathic Society in 1867. Soon after the
opening of the dispensary it was evident that in order to provide addi-
tional facilities to meet the growing demands for dispensary work, it
was necessary to equip a building for both dispensary and hospital pur-
poses. In 1871 a building was purchased and the plan of combining
the dispensary and hospital carried into- effect. Although this build-
ing was well equipped, it soon became evident that it was undesirable
and that a larger one was necessary. In 1875 the building now occu-
pied was purchased and remodeled to adapt it tor hospital purposes.
This hospital is centrally located and has accommodations for fifty
patients It is successfully conducted under the management of the
board of trustees who are elected annually. The resources of both the
hospital and dispensary are derived from the income of private patients,
from voluntary contributions, and an annual appropriation by the city
government. Much credit is due to the homoeopathic profession of
27
210
Albany for the establishment of this worthy charity. It is an institu-
tion doing good work, and its benefits are liberally dispensed. It has
gratuitously afforded medical and surgical treatment to many appli-
cants who preferred to avail themselves of its medical service. The
number of dispensary cases treated is unusually large, and accommoda-
tion for the treatment of indoor patients not adequate to the demands.
The feasibility of enlarging the present hospital, or procuring a site
for the erection of a new building, is being considered by the board of
trustees. The services performed by the physicians and surgeons con-
nected with this institution have been rendered in the true interests of
charity, and the management of the hospital conducted to fully accom-
plish the objects for which it was established. The present staff of the
hospital consists of the following physicians:
Attending physicians: C. E. Jones, M. D., George E. Gorham, M. D., W. M.
Nead, M. D., W. J. McKown, M. D., F. J. Cox, M. D. Attending surgeons: W. E.
Milbank, M. D.( A. B. Van Loon, M. D., Edmund G. Cox, M. D.
This brief history' is based upon research from records, and presents
in concise form and as accurately as could be obtained, the part per-
formed by the medical profession in the history of Albany city and
county. Many changes to meet the demands of a growing city, that
has celebrated its bi centennial anniversary, have necessitated larger
facilities for medical education and more ample provisions for the care
of its needy and afflicted citizens. The Albany Hospital, St. Peter's
Hospital, Homoeopathic Hospital, Child's Hospital, and Hospital for
Incurables, besides the Open Door Mission and Asylums, institutions
that have contributed so largely in providing for the care of the sick
and indigent, are entitled to a more exhaustive history than detailed
in this book In no city in the Union is the progressive and humani-
tarian element of the medical profession more active. The State Medi-
cal Library, the Albany Medical College, the Bender Hygienic Labora-
tory, the Hospitals and Dispensaries, are monuments that reflect credit
and honor to their untiring energy and efforts. The honorable record
of those members of the profession from the city and county, who
served their country from the outbreak through the most trying times
of the late Civil war, briefly as it is here detailed, merits appreciation
and does honor to those who shared in the great struggle. The num-
ber of physicians registered in the county clerk's office since 1880 is
468.
This list represents a class of general practitioners and specialists
WM. M. NhAD, M. U.
211
who rank high in the profession and many are representative members
of State, county and special medical associations. The faculty of the
Albany Medical College is recognized as a most efficient body of medi-
cal instructors. The medical and surgical staffs of the various hos-
pitals and dispensaries are made up of men well qualified to fill their
respective positions. Lack of space prevents the writer from detailing
much matter pertaining to the history and progress of medicine in
Albany city and county. It is a privilege and a pleasure to chronicle
the good work accomplished by distinguished physicians who entered
upon their career of usefulness in this city. Many have gone, covered
with honors and duties well done. Many are still active in pushing
forward the good work inaugurated by the early pioneers of reform, in
all matters relating to higher education and greater usefulness. The
day of primitive education in medicine has given way to the impera-
tive demands of this age of progress.
THE ALBANY COUNTY HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
By Horace M. Paine, M. D.
The Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society, organized Janu-
ary 24, 1801, has been a recognized force in the establishment, upbuild-
ing and permanent development of the homoeopathic system of prac-
tice, and its representative institutions, the Albany City Homoeopathic
Hospital and Dispensary.
The records of this society show that its members have been active
participants in the great medico ethical controversy of this country;
and that they have rendered effective service in the frequent contests
for securing, in behalf of themselves and their associates throughout
the State, a status, equal in every respect to that of their old school
rivals.
There has ever been a desire manifested, during the whole of the
thirty-seven years since the organization of the society, to make it a
means for the mutual improvement of its members; the purpose being,
that the contributions of practical knowledge by individuals might, in
turn, be made available by the whole membership, thereby making the
organization in the highest and best sense a medium through which the
public would be largely benefited.
212
While it is doubtless true that these beneficent purposes may not
have been carried out to the fullest extent, it is unquestioned that it
has been a centre of influence and power for maintaining the fellow-
ship, integrity, prestige and influence of the homoeopathic school in
this city, and, in fact, in all the northern part of the State.
The members of the Homoeopathic County Society, like other
9
homoeopathic physicians, maintain adherence to the tenets of their
system, on the alleged superior curative qualities of homoeopathic
remedies, when subjected to practical tests in the treatment of disease.
They admit that while some of the theoretical formulas promulgated
by Hahnemann are strangely absurd and untenable, the essential
principles on which the homoeopathic system is founded are reasonable,
sound, and an exemplification of a natural law of cure.
A proposition to open to the public a homoeopathic free dispensary
was first made at a meeting of the Albany County Homoeopathic Med-
ical Society, held February 4, 1865.
During the following two years various plans were offered and an
interest in the subject was sustained, and at length culminated, in the
fall of 18G7, in the establishment of a free dispensary, at that time
the only public institution in Albany for furnishing gratuitous medical
service and medicines to those who chose to avail themselves of its
benefits.
This charity has been ably supported by members of the homoeo-
pathic medical profession, and the large numbers of worthy poor who
have been the recipients of its beneficent aid attest both its popularity
and usefulness.
During the first ten years of its history it afforded gratuitous medical
and surgical aid to more than sixty thousand applicants.
The number of medical prescriptions and of minor surgical opera-
tions performed have usually ranged from two to three hundred per
month.
The amount of charitable work in the aggregate during the first
thirty years of its history, now nearly completed, is astonishing in
magnitude, encouraging and gratifying to those who have been its
willing supporters, and pleasing and beneficial to its thousands of
grateful recipients.
An experience of five years of dispensary service revealed the fact
that many of the applicants required hospital accommodations and
treatment.
213
With a view, therefore, of increasing- its usefulness, and placing its
work and operations upon a broader foundation, a building was pur-
chased in the summer of 1872 and supplied with the requisites for both
dispensary and hospital uses. The building at first selected having
been found undesirable, in 1875 a larger and more suitable one was
provided.
The present hospital and dispensary building is centrally and con-
veniently located at No. 123 North Pearl street, is large and complete
in its appointments, and is provided with all suitable appliances for
accommodating thirty patients. The experience of the past three
years plainly indicates that a building of double the capacity of the
present one is greatly needed.
All of the homoeopathic physicians in the city hold themselves in
readiness to render any assistance that may be needed. The staff of
surgeons, Drs. W. E. Milbank, E. G. Cox, W. H. Van Loon and W. X.
Nead, are so efficiently maintaining the high standard of success in their
special departments that the resources of the institution are not only
constantly taxed to the utmost limit, but make clear the pressing need
of securing a far greater number of suitable rooms in larger and more
desirable buildings.
While the influence of the membership of this society has been largely
in support of the establishment of equality in the exercise of medical
civil rights, as between schools of medicine, it must be admitted that
its influence has been also actively exerted in support of the two essen-
tial principles of homoeopathic practice, viz.: the smallness "i mii
curative dose, and the physiological (pathogenetic) action of dri
IN HEALTH AS A RATIONAL BASIS FOR THEIR CORREI I VPPLICATION IN
DISEAS1 .
Although the honor of having introduced the homoeopathic system
of practice to the citizens of Albany, belongs to Dr. A. P. Biegler, who
came in 1837, the real pioneer of homoeopathy in this citv was Dr.
I. M. Ward. Dr. Ward came to Albany in 1841. He was the first
resident American homoeopathic practitioner north of New York city,
and for several years the only homoeopathic physician residing in
Albany.
The representatives of the homoeopathic system at Albany, prior to
the advent of Dr. Ward, were physicians of foreign birth and education.
Their antecedents and manners did not contribute to the rapid promul-
gation and popularization of the system of therapeutics which they
214
labored hard to introduce. Their theories were considered visionary
and their practice unsound.
The following list contains the names of upwards of one hundred
homoeopathic physicians who have resided in Albany county, and have
identified themselves with homoeopathic interests, either by member-
ship in the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society, or by ser-
vice in the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and Dispensary.
The names of those who have been admitted to membership in the
county society, are printed in small capitals. The names of those who
have not joined the county society are printed in ordinary type.
The left hand column of figures indicates the chronological order and
date of entrance on homoeopathic practice in Albany county.
1837. Augustus Philip Biegler, A. M., M. D. Born in Prussia, in
1790. Was graduated, March 29, 1832, from the Medical Department
of the University of Berlin.
To him belonged the distinguished honor of having introduced the
homoeopathic system of practice to the citizens of Albany, in Novem-
ber, 1837. He resided in Albany two and a half years, and then re-
moved to Schenectady, and subsequently, to Rochester.
He enjoyed the rare opportunity of having had a long personal ac-
quaintance with Hahnemann, and of obtaining from him a thorough
knowledge of homoeopathic principles and practice. He died at Roch-
ester, N. Y., in 1849, at the age of fifty-nine years.
1838. Dr. Rosenstein. Formed a business partnership with Dr.
Biegler. Resided in Albany one year, and then removed elsewhere.
1839. Emanuel Sieze, M. D. Dr. Sieze and Dr. Biegler came to-
gether from Germany to this country, to engage in the practice of
homoeopathy. Dr. Sieze first located at Hudson, where he remained
a year and a half. He resided four years in Albany. He was an ed-
ucated physician. In practice he made quite an extensive use of hy-
dropathic treatment.
1840. Charles Frederic Hoffendahl, A. M., M. D. Born in Germany
in 1799. Was graduated from the Medical Departmentof the Univer-
sity of Berlin, in 1828. Came to this country in 1837; settled first in
Philadelphia; came to Albany in 1840; removed to Boston in 1842,
where he died in April, 1862, at the age of sixty-three years.
1841. Isaac Moreau Ward, A. M., M. D. Born at Bloomfield, N. J.,
October 23, 1806. Was graduated in arts from Yale, in 1825; and in
medicine, from Rutgers Medical College in 1829. Began practice in
215
Newark, N. J. ; removed to Albany in 1841 ; returned to his home at
Lyons Farms, N. J., in 1847, where he died February 24, 1895, at the
age of eighty-nine years. He was widely known as an eminent physi-
cian and an upright and highly respected citizen.
1842. Charles Herbert Skiff, M. D. Born at Spencertown, X. V.,
May 12, 1808. Was graduated, in 1832, from Berkshire Medical Col-
lege at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Spencertown; removed in
1842 to Albany; and in 1843 to New Haven, Conn., being the pioneer
homoeopathic physician of that city. Died at New Haven, December
11, 1875, at the age of sixty seven years.
1845. Henry Delavan Paine, A.M., M.D. Born at Delhi, N. Y.,
June 19, 1816. Was graduated in 1838, from the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York city. Began practice in Newburgh, N. Y. ;
removed, in 1845, to Albany; returned to New York city in 1865.
During his residence in Albany Dr. Paine won the confidence and re-
spect of the entire community, his friends and adherents being among
the leading, most influential and intelligent citizens. The inaugura-
tion of special medical legislation in behalf of the homoeopathic as a
separate and distinct school of medicine, was due to Dr. Paine's efforts,
more than to those of any other person. By the enactment of the law
of 1857, providing for the organization of county homoeopathic medical
societies, and the enactment of the law of 1861, providing for the organ-
ization of the State homoeopathic medical society, the homoeopathic pro-
fession of the State secured the same legal rights and privileges as were
extended to old school physicians; and among those whose wisdom,
tact and zeal were instrumental, during previous years of trial and self-
denying labor, in placing the homoeopathic school and its organizations
upon a safe and enduring foundation, the unflagging energy and well
directed efforts of Dr. Paine were exceptionally effective, and are
worthy of the grateful recognition and unqualified approval of the
whole homoeopathic profession of the entire State. He died in New-
York city, June 11, 1893, at the age of seventy seven years. An ex
pressive epitome of his life and character, and touching tribute to his
memory; is found in the closing sentence of an obituary notice of his
death; "A devoted Churchman; a priestly physician; a Christlike
man."
1846. Erasmus Darwin Jones, M. D. Born at Upper Jay, X. V..
September, 10, 1818. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College
in 1841. Began practice at Keeseville, N. Y. ; removed to Albany in
216
1846, where for forty-five years he conducted a large, successful and
lucrative practice. He was noted for self-sacrificing devotion to the
interests and welfare of his numerous patients. He excelled in indus-
try, accuracy of discrimination, untiring patience, and a never exhaust-
ing wealth of resources in all difficult and complicated cases. And
through, and with, these characteristic qualities, there was always ex
hibited a kindliness of feeling, courtesy of manner, and fervency of
zeal, that caused both devoted friends and professional associates to
sincerely regret that the infirmities of advancing years had, in 181)1,
brought forced retirement from active and effective work, in the field
where his tact and skill were so long recognized as qualities developed
to a degree to which few younger men could ever hope or expect to
attain. He died August 17, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years.
1847. John Alsop Paine, M. D. Born at Whitest own, N. Y., July
10, 1795. Was graduated from the Medical Department of Yale Col-
lege in 1825. Began practice at Volney, and continued successively in
Paris, New Hartford, and Utica, N. Y. ; in Newark, N. J., Albany,
N. Y., where he remained four years; subsequently in Newark, N. J.,
and Lake Forest, 111., where he died June 16, 1871, at the age of sev-
enty six years. He practiced the allopathic system nineteen, and the
homoeopathic twenty- six years.
1848. Henry Adams, M. D. Born at Coxsackie, N. Y., July 6, 1787.
Licensed to practice under the law of 1808. Began practice at Cox-
sackie. Appointed surgeon to one of the regiments of the American
army in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.
Adopted the homoeopathic system of practice in 1846. Removed to Al-
bany in 1848, and to Cohoes in 1850, where he resided to the time of
his death, July 6, 1857, his seventieth birthday.
1849. Horace Mansfield Paine, A. M., M. D. Born at Paris, N. Y.,
November 19, 1827. Was graduated, March 11, 1849, from the Medi-
cal Department of the University of the City of New York. Began prac-
tice at Albany; removed to Clinton, Oneida county, in 1855; returned
to Albany in 1865. Relinquished active practice in 1895. Resides, in
summer, at West Newton, Mass., and in winter, at Atlanta, Ga. He
has, for forty years, been actively identified with the adoption of meas-
ures for establishing the homoeopathic system of practice on a reasona-
able and enduring foundation ; for dissociating it from untenable and
visionary theories; for securing the enactment of such laws as would ex-
tend to the representatives of all recognized schools of medicine equal
JAMES W. COX, M. D.
217
civil rights and privileges; and such laws also, as would unij y and ele-
vate medical educational standards, by transferring the right of medical
licensure from medical college faculties (private corporations), to State
control. In the prosecution of these measures, during the whole of
that period, he has steadily made use of official positions on commit-
tees, or as secretary of a number of medical associations, for promot-
ing these desirable purposes. He received the degree of Master of
Arts (honorary) from Hamilton College in 1859; and the honorary de-
gree of Doctor of Medicine from the Regents of the University, on the
recommendation of the State Homoeopathic Medical Society. He is an
honorary member of a number of State homoeopathic medical societies
in this and other countries.
1850. David Springsteed, M. D. Born in the town of Bethlehem,
Albany county, January 17, 1808. Attended medical lectures at the
Medical Department of Yale College, and at the Duane Street Medical
College in the city of New York. Licensed to practice in 1830, by the
Medical Society of the State of New York. Began practice in Bethle-
hem. Adopted the homoeopathic system in 1845. Removed to Albany
in 1850; retired from active practice in 1880, after having completed a
full half-century of successful professional work. He removed in 1880
to Saugerties, N. Y; in 1884, to New York city; and in L889, to South
Woodstock, Conn., where he died March 26, 1894, at the age of eighty-
six years. He was appointed county physician by the Board of Super-
visors of Albany county in 1851, the first appointment, it is believed, of
a homoeopathic physician to such a position in the United States.
1851. William Hi nry Randel, M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y., Au-
gust 28, 1829. Was graduated, in 1851, from the Medical Department
of the University of the City of New York. Began practice in Albany,
where he remained to the time of his death, December 13, 1887, at the
age of fifty-eight years. Dr. Randel was closely identified with the
work and progress of the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and Dispen-
sary, and was unremitting in his efforts to promote its development
and usefulness.
1851. Pascal P. Brooks, M. D. Came to Albany in L851. He had
been an old school practitioner sixteen years, and had recently adopted
the homoeopathic system. He remained in Albany two years, and
then removed elsewhere.
185-2. James William Cox, M. 1). Born at Gilbertsville, X.Y.. Feb-
ruary 5, 1828. He was graduated from the Albany Medical College in
28
218
January, 1852: Began practice in Albany, in association with his
former preceptor, Dr. H. D. Paine. He remained a resident of Al-
bany to the time of his death, June 9, 1896, at the age of sixty eight
years. Dr. Cox was an accomplished, skillful and successful physician.
His natural powers of insight enabled him to distinguish hidden and
obscure features of disease; and he was blessed, in a remarkable de-
gree, with the ability to inspire with courage, cheer and hope, those to
whom he ministered as a physician. These qualities of mind were of
the highest order, and won for him the steadfast confidence and love of
all who were fortunate in making his acquaintance.
1853. Charles Gilbert Bryant, M. D. Born at Gilbertsville, N. Y.,
March 13, 1829. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College in
January, 1852. Began practice at Little Falls, N. Y. ; came to Albany
in 1853; removed in 1854 to San Francisco, Cal., where he died in
18G6, at the age of thirty-seven years.
1854. Lester Marcus Pratt, M. D. Born at Pratt's Hollow, N.Y.,
April 25, 1818. Was graduated in 1854 from the Pennsylvania HoTnoeo-
pathic Medical College at Philadelphia. Began practice the same year
at Albany. Remained in Albany until August, 1893, when he retired
from active practice and removed to Homer, N. Y. During his long
medical career he endeared himself to many personal friends on account
of his recognized professional skill, his readiness to minister to the
relief of human suffering among those in the higher walks of life, as
well also as the illiterate and indigent. He possessed a cheerful and
hopeful disposition and a sympathetic nature. Having these estimable
qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that his friends were
drawn toward him with a strong and abiding attachment; nor that his
influence and life were radiant with the elevating and ennobling ten-
dencies that mark the highest and best type of true manhood.
1857. George Henry Billings, M. D. Born at Claremont, N. H.,
June 19, 1835. Was graduated from the Castleton Medical College in
June, 1857. Began practice at Cohoes in September, 1857; removed to
Cambridge, N. Y., in 1862, to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1865, and returned
to Cohoes in 1871, where he died May 20, 1893.
1862, John Savage Delavan, M. D. Born at Ballston, N. Y., Oc-
tober 18, 1840. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College,
December 23, 1861. Began practice at Albany in 1862. Served three
years in the war of the Rebellion in the capacity of assistant surgeon.
Returned to Albany in 1865; removed to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1872;
219
returned to Albany in 1876, where he remained to the time of his death,
which occurred by accidental drowning, August 7, 1885. Dr. Dclavan
was respected for his noble and generous impulses. He stood in the
front rank of the profession. His smile of recognition, his cordial
greeting, and his faithful services were characteristic of a whole souled,
generous hearted friend.
1803. Walter Samuel Baker, M. D. Born at Newark, N. J., July
18, 1841. Was graduated in March, 1803, from the Xew York Homoeo-
pathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice at Cohoes in
June of the same year, and in 1870 removed to Newark, N. J., where
(in 1897) he still resides.
1865. Joseph C. Butler, M. D. Pursued the study of medicine under
the supervision of Dr. W. H. Randel, of Albany, and was graduated in
1865 from the New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital.
Began practice in Albany immediately thereafter in association with
his former preceptor. After a residence in Albany of two years he
removed to Florida, where he died the following year.
1867. Harmon Sun/, M. D. Born at Schenectady, N.Y., June 29,
1818. Began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. L. S. Roe, a
homoeopathic physician of that city ; entered on practice before he had
completed his studies on account of the sudden death, by accident, of
his preceptor. He subsequently attended medical lectures, and re-
ceived the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1865 from the Xew York
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. He became a member
of the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society in 1867. He was
for many years the sole representative of the homoeopathic school of
practice in the city where he was born, and where he resided during
the whole period of his life. Possessing the faculty of close observa-
tion with acuteness of perception, he acquired a thorough practical
knowledge of the theory and practice of medicine long before he be-
came a legally qualified practitioner.
1867. Joseph N. White, M. D. Born at Deerfield, N. Y.. July 4,
1816. Was graduated in 1854 from the Medical College of Ohio at
Cincinnati. He began practice at Amsterdam, X. V., and remained
there to the time of his death, April "24, 1890, at the age of seventy-
four years. He became a member of the Albany County Homoeo-
pathic Medical Society in 1867. He possessed a natural aptitude for
his profession. He was gentle and sympathetic in manners, of simple
tastes and habits, tenacious of principle, a Puritan in morals, yet withal
possessed of the broadest charity.
220
1807. Herman Brownell Horton, M. D. Born at New Lebanon,
N. Y., October 9, 1831. Was graduated in 1858 from the Berkshire
Medical College at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Eden, N. Y. ;
removed in 1865 to Poestenkill, Rensselaer county, to Bath, in the same
county, in 1866; to Albany in 1867; to Kinderhook in 1869; and in
1871, to Huntington, Suffolk county, where he died September 1, 1890.
Dr. Horton took an active interest in the canvass which resulted in the
establishment of the Albany Homoeopathic Dispensary, and on its or-
ganization was appointed its first resident physician. He practiced the
allopathic system seven, and the homoeopathic twenty-three years.
1867. J. Fenimore Niver, M. D. Born at Bethlehem, N. Y., April
31, 1839. Was graduated in 1864 from the Berkshire Medical College
at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Stillwater, N. Y. ; removed in
1867 to Cohoes; and in 1871 to Cambridge, Washington county, where,
in 1897, he is still engaged in active practice.
1867. James Henry Augustus Graham, M. D. Born at Sandisfield,
Mass., January 11, 1809. Was graduated from the Berkshire Medical
College at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1836. Began practice in the city of New
York, where he remained a number of years : resided at Catskill several
years ; and during the last few years of his life, at Berne, Albany county,
where he died in October, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years. He
adopted the homoeopathic system in 1871, and adhered to it during the
remainder of his life. He had been an old school practitioner thirty-
five years.
1868. James Francis McKown, M. D. Born at Guilderland, N. Y.,
April 1, 1844. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College, No-
vember 25, 1866. Began practice (old school) at Albany the same year.
Adopted the homoeopathic system in 1868, and adhered to it during
the remainder of his life. He died August 25, 1892, at the age of forty-
eight years.
1868. George Aldomer Cox, M. D. Born at Butternut, N. Y., May
17, 1846. Was graduated in December, 1868, from the Albany Medi-
cal College. He began practice at Albany immediately after gradua-
tion; removed to Cohoes in 1870; returned to Albany in 1871, where,
in 1897, he is engaged in the duties of active practice. He served two
and a half years in the war of the Rebellion, and was mustered out of
the service in June, 1865.
1869. John Smithwick, A. M., M. D. Born at Boston, Mass., No-
vember 8, 1842. Was graduated in December, 1868, from the Albany
221
Medical College. Began practice at Albany in 1809; removed, in 1871,
to Weston, Mass.; in 1880, to Sharon, Mass., his residence in 1807.
1869. Porter Lafayette Reynolds, M. D. Born at Cabot, Vt.,
May 18, 1823. Was graduated in the spring of 18G1 from Castleton
(Vermont) Medical College, and in December, 1861, from the Albany
Medical College. Began practice (old school) at Troy in 1862; enlisted
as assistant surgon, and served two years in the war of the Rebellion;
began practice (homoeopathic) in 1864, at Albany; removed, in L878,
to Saratoga Springs; returned, in 1880, to Albany; and in 1887, to
Oneida, N. Y., where he died April 21, at the age of sixty-four years.
1870. Nelson Hunting, M. D. Born at Gallupville, N. Y., Novem-
ber 21, 1837. Was graduated in 18G9 from the New York Homoeo-
pathic College and Hospital. Began practice at Gallupville, remained
one year, and came to Albany in 1870, where in 1897 he is engaged in
active practice.
1870. Edward Annon Carpenter, M. D. Born at Albany, Novem-
ber 11, 184G. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College in
December, 18G9. Entered immediately on practice in Albany ; removed
in 1872, to Plattsburg, N. Y. ; thence, in 1882, to Cambridge, Mass..
where, in 1897, he is practicing his profession.
1870. Stephen H. Carroll, M. D. Born at Milanville, N. Y., Au-
gust 22, 1S42. Was graduated in 1870 from the New York Homoeo-
pathic College and Hospital. Began practice in Albany immediately
after graduation, and in 1897 is still engaged in the duties of active
practice.
1870. Thomas Henry Mann, M. D. Born at Norfolk, Mass., April
8, 1843. Was graduated in December, 1870, from the Albany Medical
College. Began practice in 1871 at Willimantic, Conn. ; removed in
1872 to Block Island, R. I.; in 1876 to Woonsocket, R. I., where for
ten years he successfully pursued the practice of his profession. In 1 885
he relinquished the practice of medicine, and entered other business
pursuits. Residence in 1 8'.»7 , Pitchburg, Mass. , at which place he holds
the office of postmaster, and is the editor and publisher of the Fitchburg
Evening Mail. Dr. Mann enlisted in the army in L861, serving during
the war of the Rebellion ; was held a whole year at Andersonville Prison,
and was mustered out of service in May, L865.
1870. Philip I. Cromwell, M. D. Born at Queensburg, X. V.. July
12,1848. Was graduated December 22, L870, from the Albany Med-
ical College. Began practice at Albany, remaining one year; removed
222
in 1872 to Cleveland, Oswego county, N. Y. ; in 1874 to DeKalb, 111. ;
and subsequently to Wilmington, Will county, 111., where, in 1897, he
still resides.
1871. Henry Green Preston, B. A., M. D. Born at Hartford, Conn.,
in 1847. Was graduated in 1869 from Bellevue Hospital Medical Col-
lege. Began practice in 1869 at St. John, New Brunswick; removed
in 1871 to Albany and in 1876 to Brooklyn, N. Y., where in 1897 he is
still engaged in successful practice.
1871. John Hiram Fitch, M. D. Born at New Scotland, N. Y.,
April 2, 1837. Was graduated in 1868 from the Eclectic Medical Col-
lege in New York city. Began practice in 1868 in New York city; in
1871 came to Albany; in 1873 returned to New York city, and in the
fall of the same year removed to New Scotland, Albany county, where
in 1897 he still resides. He enlisted in the army in 1861, and was mus-
tered out of the service in September, 1864.
1871. Frank W. Thomas, M. D. Born at Watertown, N. Y., De-
cember 29, 1846. Was graduated in 1871 from the Hahnemann Med-
ical College, of Philadelphia. Began practice the same year at Albany;
removed in 1873 to Dayton, Ohio, where he died September 16, 1890,
at the age of forty-four years. His death was occasioned by severe
burns, caused by the explosion of a lamp.
1871. Elliot Calvin Howe, M. D. Born at Jamaica, Vt. , February
14, 1828. Was graduated in 1853 from the Metropolitan Medical Col-
of New York city. Began practice (eclectic) the same year at Troy,
remaining until 1868; pursued the occupation of teaching seven years;
in 1868 resumed practice and removed to New Baltimore, N. Y. ; in
1872 removed to Yonkers; and in 1884, to Lansingburgh, where in 1897
he still resides.
1871. D. A. Cooringham, M. D. Had been an old school physician
for a number of years. On coming to Albany in 1871 he adopted the
homoeopathic system of practice; removed in 1872 to Schenectady;
thence in 1874 to Chicago, 111.
1872. William Edward Milbank, M. D. Born at Coeymans, N. Y. ,
March 6, 1841. Was graduated in December, 1872, from the Albany
Medical College. Began practice in Albany the same year, and still
(in 1897) is engaged in a large, successful and lucrative practice. Dr.
Milbank has attained the highest standing in his profession; his coun-
sel is often sought by his associates in the care of complicated and
difficult cases; and his official connection with the State Board of
I
223
Health contributed largely to the promotion of the purposes for which
it is established.
1872. Frederick Wadsworth Halsey, M. D. Born at Plattsburgh,
July 3, 1849. Was graduated in 1871 from the National Medical College
at Washington, D. C. Began practice at Albany in 1872 ; removed in the
fall of the same year to Fort Henry, Essex county; removed in 1876 to
Middleburg, Vt., and in 1885 removed to Boston, Mass., where in 1807
he is conducting an extensive and remunerative practice.
1872. Townsend Bowen, M. D. Was graduated in December, 1872,
from the Albany Medical College. Began practice at Albany the same
year, removing in 1873 to Huntington, N. Y., subsequently to Oneonta,
N. Y., thence to Denver and Leadville, Col.
1873. Charles Edmund Jones, A. M., M. D. Born in Albany, Feb-
ruary 13, 1819. Was graduated in arts in 1870 from Hope College, at
Holland City, Mich.; in medicine in December, 1872, from the Albany
Medical College; also in March, 1873, from the New York Homoeo-
pathic Medical College and Hospital. He began practice immediately
after graduation, in association with his father, Dr. E. D. Jones. He
is still (in 1897) conducting an extensive and exceptionally successful
practice. He has held many positions of trust and responsibility, and,
as his father was, is regarded as a physician of distinguished ability.
1873. Horace Curran Miller, M. D. Born at Schodack, N. Y., in
1846. Was graduated January 20, 1874, from the Albany Medical Col-
lege. Held the position of resident physician at the Albany Homoeo-
pathic Hospital six months prior to graduation. After graduation he
began practice in Greenbush, Rensselaer county, where (in 1897) he
still resides.
1873. Catharine Elizabeth Goewey, M. D. Born in the town of
Greenbush, N. Y., November 26, 1835. Was graduated in May, is;.;,
from the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Began
practice in Albany the same year; removed in 1887 to Brooklyn, X. Y. ;
returned in 1890 to Bath, Rensselaer county, where she died in L896, at
the age of sixty-one years.
1873. Rufus Reed, M. D. Born at Rockville, 111., April 12, 1843.
Was graduated in 1871 from the Hahnemann Medical College of Phila-
delphia. Resided and practiced one year in Staunton, \'a. ; removed
in is;:i to Cohoes, Albany county, remaining three years; removed in
is;; to Lambertville, X. J.; thence in 1882 to Philadelphia, his resi-
dence in 1897.
224
1874. John Jefferson Wallace, M. D. Born at Niagara, Can., De-
cember 15, 1805. He attended medical lectures and was graduated
from one of the New York medical colleges about the year 1835. En-
tered on practice (old school) in that city; was persuaded to make a
study of the homoeopathic system ; was graduated in 1862 from the
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, being one of
the first to graduate from that institution; removed in 1874 to Albany,
and in 1877 to East Albany, where he died December 15, 1878, at the
age of seventy- three years.
1874. David Edward Collins, L. M. Began the study of medicine
in 1870; attended four full courses of medical lectures at the Albany
Medical College; rendered essential and helpful service three years as
assistant physician at the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; was licensed
to practice in the spring of 1874 by the Columbia County Homoeo-
pathic Medical Society; began practice in 1874 at Grapeville, Greene
county; removed to Medway, an adjoining town, and is still (in 1897)
rendering active professional service.
1874. Edgar Valentine Trull, M. D. Born at Cohoes, N.Y., August
26, 1853. Was graduated in December, 1874, from the Albany Medical
College. Began practice at Cohoes, remaining three years; removed
in 1873 to Manchester, Vt., where (in 1897) he still resides.
1874. William Wesley Seeley, M. D. Born at Carlisle, N. Y., in
1852. Was graduated in 1874 from the Detroit Homoeopathic Medical
College. Began practice after graduation at Albany; removed in 1876
to East Walworth, N. Y. ; returned in 1880 to Albany, and in 1889 re-
moved to Poughkeepsie.
1874. William Henry Van Derzee, M. D. Born at Bethlehem, Al-
bany county, December 18, 1856. Was graduated in December, 1874,
from the Albany Medical College. Began practice in Albany the same
year, where he remained to the time of his death, August 29, 1883.
1875. Nathaniel Emmons Paixe, A. M., M. D. Born at New Hart-
ford, N. Y., July 14, 1853. Was graduated in arts in 1874 from Ham-
ilton College; in medicine, December :23, 1875, from the Albany
Medical College. Began practice at Albany; appointed in 1877 assist-
ant physician at the Middletown State Homoeopathic Hospital for the
Insane; returned in 1880 to Albany; appointed in 1885 superintendent
of the Westborough State Homoeopathic Hospital for the Insane at
Westborough, Mass. ; removed in 1892 to conduct a private institution
of his own for the care and treatment of nervous and mental diseases
at West Newton, Mass., his residence in 1897.
225
1875. John Nelson Bradley, M. D. Born at Berne, Albany count}-,
December 30, 1852. Was graduated December 23, 1875, from the Al-
bany Medical College. Began practice at Cedarhill, Albany county,
and has resided successively in the following places: Delmar, Albany
county; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Fort Fetterman, Wyoming; Delmar;
South Plattsburg, Tenn. ; Clarksville, Albany county; Westerlo, Al-
bany county, his residence in 1897.
1875. Richard Bennett Sullivan, M. D. Born at Ithaca, N. Y.,
November 27, 1850. Was graduated, in 1875, from the New York Ho-
moeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice at Albany,
and resided successively in the following places: New York city; Plain-
ville, Onondaga county; Baldwinsville, in the same county; Albany;
Colorado Springs, Col.; Albany, N. Y., where he died, October 29,
1890.
1875. Howard Lansing Waldo, M. D. Born at Centreville, X. Y.,
September 13, 1852. Attended lectures at the Albany Medical College;
admitted to an examination by the State Board of Homoeopathic Med-
ical Examiners, appointed under the law of 1872; approved by such
board; received June 30, 1875, the degree of Doctor of Medicine from
the Regents of the University. Began practice in Watervliet (West
Troy); removed, in 1887, to the city of Troy, his residence in 1897.
1876. John Jay Peckii \m. M. D. Born at Easton. X. Y., in 1851, was
graduated, in March, 187-4, from the Hahnemann Medical College of
Philadelphia. Began practice, in 1874, at Crescent, Saratoga county;
removed, in 1876, to Albany; in 1877, to California; in the spring of
1878, to Greenbush, Rensselaer county, and in the fall, to Albany. Re-
turned, in 1883, to Los Angeles, Cal. ; removed, subsequently, to San
Francisco, and later, to Emigrant Gay), Cal., his place of residence in
1897.
1876. Burdette Warren, M. 1). Was graduated, in L872, from the
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began prac-
tice at Worcester, Otsego county, and in July, 1876, came to Albany;
returned to Worcester in January, 187*3
L876. Elisha Bakkkk Graham, M. D. Bora at Italy, X. Y. January
•is, L840. Was graduated, in 1866, from the Cleveland Homoepathic
Medical College. Began practice at Three Rivers, Mich., removed in
is]''., to Albany; in L878, to Cheyenne. Wyo. : in 1888, to < >gden, Utah,
his residence in 1891 .
1877. GEORf.i Podmqke II \ ri u !•. Taylor, M. 1). Horn at Turk's Isl-
29
22 G
and, West Indies, April 20, 1847. Was graduated, in 1874, from the
Medical Department of the University of the City of New York. Be-
gan practice in the city of New York; removed, in 1876, to Stillwater,
Saratoga county, his residence in 1807. He became a member, in
1877, of the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society.
1877. Richard Rowe Trotter, M. D. Born at Roxbury, Mass.,
April 5, 1849. Was graduated, in 1877, from the Boston University
School of Medicine. Began practice at Springfield, Mass ; removed, in
1877, to Albany; in 1878, to Berne, Albany county; and, in 1883, to
Yonkers, N. Y. , his residence in 1897.
1877. George H. Benjamin, M. D. Began old school practice about
the year 1870. Gave attention to the study of the homoeopathic sys-
tem of therapeutics, and adopted it in practice. Was admitted in 1877
to membership in the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society.
Removed, in 1879, to New York city.
1878. George Elmer Gorham, M. D. Born at Le Raysville, Pa.,
November 8, 1850. Was graduated, in 1874, from the Homoeopathic
Medical College of Chicago. Began practice at Athens, Pa. ; removed,
in 1877, to Cheyenne, Wyo. ; and in 1878, to Albany, where, in 1897,
he is engaged in active professional duties. Dr. Gorham is held in
very high esteem by his medical associates and by his many personal
friends, for strength and accuracy of judgment ; for high moral tone
that pervades every action ; for his assiduous and enthusiastic work as
a student ; and for the decisive way in which he blends reading and ex-
perience and puts them to practical uses. His genius for applying well
known principles to new uses and purposes, is strikingly illustrated in
the construction of the celebrated and unique apparatus known as
"The Gorham Bed," manufactured by the Albany Invalid Bed Com-
pany.
1878. Gertrude Anna Goewey Bishop, M. D. Born at Greenbush,
Rensselaer county, June 23, 1838. Was graduated, in April, 1877, from
the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Began prac-
tice at Albany, in 1878, removing, in 1879, to Brooklyn, her residence
in 1897.
1878. Lyman Byles Waldo, A. M.3 M. D. Born at Edmeston, N. Y.
Was graduated, in arts, in 1844, from Hamilton College; and in medi-
cine in 1863 from the Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College. Be-
gan practice at Adams, N. Y. ; removed, in 1869, to Oswego; in 1872,
to Lansingburgh ; and in 1878, to West Troy, Albany county, where he
died in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years.
227
1878. William H. Griffith, M. D. Held the appointment of resident
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital during' the summer
and fall of 1878. He removed elsewhere.
1879. George Washington Gregory, M. D. Born at Fleming, X. Y.,
September 22, 1854. Was graduated, in 1879, from the Albany Medi-
cal College. Began practice in Albany; removed, in 1880, to Troy,
Pa., and in 1805, to Elmira, X. Y., his residence in 1897.
1879. Edson Wyckoff Masten, M. D. Born at Schodack, X. Y., in
1857. Was graduated, in 1879, from the Albany Medical College. Al-
though well qualified to enter on active practice, he has given his whole
time to the business of preparing and dispensing medicines. Has been
engaged since graduation in medicine in conducting a large and profit-
able drug business in the city of Albany.
1879. Mary Almeda Garrison Po.mkroy, M. D. Was born at Os-
wego, N. Y., February 10, 1823. Was graduated, in 1875, from the
Boston University School of Medicine. Began practice immediately
after graduation, at Syracuse, X. Y. ; removed, in 1878, to Albany; and
in 18<S1, removed to Ocean Grove, N. J., where she died, in January,
1892, at the age of sixty-nine years.
1881. Howard Simmons Paine, A. M., M. D. Born at New Hartford,
X. Y., July 14. L856. Was graduated in arts in 187s, from Hamilton
College, and in medicine in 1881, from the Albany Medical College.
Was admitted to an examination by the State Homoeopathic Board of
Medical Examiners; was approved by the board and received a second
time the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Regents of the Univer-
sity. Began practice at Albany immediately after graduation, and
removed in 1804 to Glens Falls, N. Y., his residence in 1897, his prac-
tice being limited to the treatment of diseases of the eyes, ears and
throat.
1 s s l . Edward Llewellyn Crandall, M. I). Born at Greenbush,
N. V., in 1857. Was graduated in L880 from the Albany Medical Col-
lege. Began practice at Troy immediately after graduation; removed
iu L881 to Albany; returned in 188.'] to Troy, his residence in L897.
L882. Roberi Kennedy, Jr., A. M., M.I). Born at Washington,
D. C, July 2'.), 1856. Was graduated in 1881 from the Hahnemann
Medical College of Philadelphia. He received the degree (honorary)
of Master of Arts from the Philadelphia High School, from which insti-
tution he was graduated in 18?S. Began practice in L881 at Ocean
Grove, X. J., removed in 1882 to Green Island, Albany county; in L883
228
to Philadelphia, Pa.; and subsequently to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he
died in April, 1894, at the age of thirty-eight years.
1883. Aaron John Bond, M. D. Born at Dalton, N. H., May 7, 1857.
Was graduated in March, 1883, from the New York Homoeopathic
Medical College and Hospital. Was appointed the same year resident
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital ; resigned in 1884 to
accept a similar position at the Brooklyn Homoeopathic Hospital ; re-
moved in 1886 to Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., his residence in
1897.
1884. Walter Foot Robinson, M. D. Was born at Albany in Octo-
ber, 1859. Was graduated in 1884 from the Albany Medical College.
Began practice in Albany ; spent three years in study in various Euro-
pean hospitals; returned in 1890 to Albany, where in 1897 he is giving
special attention to the study and treatment of nervous diseases.
1884. Clark Durant Welch, M. D. Born at Albany June 14, 1844.
Was graduated in 1876 from the New York Homoeopathic Medical
College and Hospital. Began practice .in 1877 at Cobleskill, N. Y.,
and in 1879 removed to Castleton, Rensselaer county, his residence in
1897.
1884. Margaret Jackson Reynolds, M. D. Born near Cloues, Mona-
ghan county, Ireland, April 12, 1836. Was graduated in 1884 from
the Boston University School of Medicine. Began practice the same
year at Albany in association with her husband; removed in 1887 to
Oneida, Madison county, N. Y., and in 1888 removed to Richmond,
Ind. , her residence in 1897.
1885. Joseph Ezra Wright, M. D. Born at Fox Chase, Philadelphia
county, Pa., June 4, 1862. Was graduated in March, 1884, from the
Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. Was appointed immedi-
ately after graduation to the position of interne to the Ward's Island
Homoeopathic Hospital ; also the same year to the position of ambulance
surgeon to the Brooklyn Homoeopathic Hospital ; resigning in the winter
of 1884, entered on private practice at Royersford, Pa., in 1885, ap-
pointed resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; re-
moved in 1886 to Sommerville, N. J. ; and in 1890 removed to Phoenix-
ville, Pa., his residence in 1897.
1885. Elmer Arkell Blessing, M. D. Was born at Albany, August
20, 1861. Was graduated in 1885 from the Medical Department of the
University of Vermont at Burlington. Began practice at Albany imme-
diately after graduation, and in 1897 has risen to a position of distinc-
tion and prominence in his profession.
229
1886. Edward Willers Campbell. Born at Albany, February 6, 1863,
attended two full courses of medical lectures at the Albany Medical
College, and while an undergraduate held the position of resident-phy-
sician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. Before graduation he
entered mercantile pursuits.
1886. Robert Edward Fivey, M. D. Was born at New York city,
July 28, 1862. Was graduated in 1887 from the Albany Medical Col-
lege. While an undergraduate in 1885 he held the appointment of
resident physician to the Albany County Alms House; in 1886 held a
similar appointment in the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. Removed
in 1887 to New York city, his residence in 1897.
1886. David James Barry, M. D. Born at Lee, Mass., June 30, 1858.
Was graduated in 1888 from the Albany Medical College. Was ap-
pointed while an undergraduate to the position of resident physician to
the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. After graduation began practice
at Schenectady, N. Y., his residence in 1897.
1886. Charles William Schwartz, M. D. Born at Littlestown, Pa.,
October 19, 1857. Was graduated in 1880 from the Hahnemann Medi-
cal College of Philadelphia. Began practice in 1882 at Emmettsburg,
Md. ; removed in 1886 to Albany, and in L894 to Ticonderoga, N. Y. ,
his residence in 1897.
1886. Will Melangchton Nead, M. D. Born at Lodi, Ohio, No-
vember 30, 1859. Was graduated in March, 1884, from the Cleveland
Homoeopathic Hospital College. Began practice at Keeseville, N. Y. ;
removed in 1886 to Albany, his residence in 1897. Dr. Nead has suc-
ceeded in establishing a large and steadily increasing practice.
1887. Frank William Van Alstvne, M. D. Born at Chatham
Centre, N. Y., August 3, 1863. Was graduated in 1886 from the New
York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. After graduation
held the position of assistant surgeon at the Ward's Island Homoeo-
pathic Hospital ; removed in L887 to West Troy, where he died December
33, L890.
1887. Henry Oscar Rockefeller, M. D. Born at Germantown, X. V..
June 8, 1862. Was graduated in 1887 from the Chicago Homoeopathic
Medical College. After graduation he held the position of resident
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; removed in L888 to
Brooklyn, his residence in 1897.
L887. Claren( i Mann Paine, A. M., M. D. Born at Clinton, ( >neida
county, X.Y., July 9, 1860. Was graduated in arts in 1884 from Ham-
230
ilton College; in medicine, in 1887 from the Albany Medical College.
Began practice at Albany immediately after graduation, removing in
1889 to Atlanta, Ga. , his residence in 1897.
1887. Owen Frank McAvenue, M. D. Born at Little Falls, N. Y.,
September 21, 1861. Was graduated in 1887 from the Albany Medical
College. After graduation held the position of resident physician to
the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; removed in 1888 to Amsterdam,
N. Y. ; returned in 1890 to Albany, his residence in 1897.
1889. David Wesley Pitts, M. D. Born at Nassau, Rensselaer
county, N. Y., September 10, 1835. Was graduated in 1865 from the
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began prac-
tice at johnsonville, Rensselaer county; removed in 1889 to West
Troy, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred De-
cember 21, 1895.
1889. Wilbur Fiske Lamont, A. M., M. D. Born at Richmondville,
N. Y., July 29, 1864. Was graduated in arts in 1886 from Union Col-
lege; in medicine in 1889 from the Albany Medical College. He held
the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hos-
pital one year. Removed in the fall of 1889 to Catskill, Greene
county, his residence in 1897.
1890. Edward Bernard Coburn, A. M., M. D. Born at Troy, N. V.,
February 6, 1868. Was graduated in arts in June, 1888, from Union
College; in medicine in 1890 from the Albany Medical College. He
held the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic
Hospital one year. Gave special attention to the study of diseases of
the eye and ear, spending one year in New York city and one year in
Europe. On returning in 1893 he located in New York city, his
residence in 1897. Treatment of diseases of the eye and ear ex-
clusively.
1890. William Melancthon Campbell, M. D. Born at Stillwater,
N. Y., November 21, 1861. Was graduated in 1889 from the Albany
Medical College. Began practice in 1889 at Waterford, Saratoga
county; removed in 1890 to Cohoes, his residence in 1897.
1881. Robert Brockway Lamb, M. D., Ph. G. Born at Jamestown,
N. Y., August 4, 1867. Was graduated in 1889 from the Albany Col-
lege of Pharmacy; also in 1891 from the Albany Medical College. He
held the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic
Hospital four months in 1891. Appointed in 1891 clinical assistant at
the Matteawan State Hospital for the Insane; promoted in 1893 to the
231
position of second assistant physician, which position (in L897) he still
holds.
1891. Arthur Burton Van Loon, M. D. Born at Albany, X. V.,
December 23, 1868. Was graduated in 1891 from the Albany Medical
College. Began practice in Albany immediately after graduation;
pursued post-graduate studies in the winter of 1891 and of L892; at-
tended a course of lectures in 1892, and was graduated from New York
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, receiving the degree of
Doctor of Medicine the second time. Held the position of interne one
year at Ward's Island Homoeopathic Hospital; returned to Albany in
L893, his residence in 1897. Member of the surgical staff of the Al-
bany Homoeopathic Hospital.
L891. Alexander Charles Calisch, M. D. Born at Jersey City, X. ].,
January 29, 1870. Was graduated in 1891 from the New York Homoeo-
pathic Medical College and Hospital. Was appointed the same year to
the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hos-
pital, which position he held six months. Removed in 1893 to Sharon
Springs, X.Y., and in 1894 to Port Chester, Westchester county, N.Y.,
his residence in 1897.
L892. Frederick Joseph Cox, B. A., M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y.,
June 27, 1800. Was graduated in arts in 1889 from Williams College;
and in medicine in L892 from the Albany Medical College. Began
practice in Albany immediately after graduation, where he is engaged
in active practice, and is giving special attention to some of the new
and inviting fields of bacteriological studies.
L893. Albert Mott, M. D. Born at Moreau, Saratoga count v, N.Y.,
November 28, 1X50. Was graduated in 187:5 from the Long Island
Cellege and Hospital. Began practice at Sandy Hill, Washington
county, remaining twenty years. He removed in 1893 to Cohoes, Al-
bany county, his residence in 1897.
IS!):;. Edward Gilberi Cox, A.M., M. D. Born at Albany, X. Y.,
February 6, lsos. Entered Williams College in 1889, remaining two
years; received the degree of Master of Arts after graduation in med-
icine. Was graduated in L893 from the Albany Medical College. En-
tered at once on the practice of medicine in Albany in his father's
office, where (in L897) he is successfully engaged in the active duties of
professional life. He is a gifted physician and skillful and successful
operator. He is a member of the surgical staff of the Albany Homoeo-
pathic Hospital To his skill and high standing as an accomplished
232
surgeon the present prosperity and gratifying success of the Albany
Homoeopathic Hospital is largely due.
1894. William James McKown, M. D. Born at Albany, N.Y., Jan-
uary 23, 1872. Was graduated in 1894 from the Albany Medical Col-
lege. Began practice immediately after graduation, where (in 1897)
he is engaged in active professional work.
1894. Charles Van Schaick Evans, M. D. Born at Cohoes, N. Y.,
September 24, 1864. Was graduated in 1893 from the New York
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice in 1893
in the city of New York; removed in 1893 to Albany, his residence in
1897.
1894. Charles Burnstein, M. D. Born at Carlisle, N.Y., December
21, 1872. Was graduated in 1894 from the Albany Medical College.
Immediately after graduation was appointed to the position of resident
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital, retaining the posi-
tion six months. Appointed in 1894 assistant physician to the State
Custodial Asylum at Rome, Oneida county, which position (in 1897)
he still holds.
1895. Archibald Gilbert, M. D., Ph. G. Born at Albany, N. Y.,
June 7, 1868. Was graduated in pharmacy in 1889 from the Albany
College of Pharmacy; in medicine in 1895 from the Albany Medical
College. Was appointed in 1895 resident physician to the Albany
Homoeopathic Hospital, resigning the position after an acceptable
service of three months to enter on a course of special studies in
Europe.
1895. George Everett Noble, M. D. Born at Freehold, N. Y.,
November 17, 1871. Was graduated in 1895 from the New York
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Appointed in May, 1895,
resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital, and held that
position one year. Resigned in 1896 to form a business association
with Dr. George E. Gorham. Residence, in 1897, Albany, N. Y.
1896. Albert Husted Rogers, A. B., M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y.,
July 4, 1867. Was graduated in arts in 1890 from Hamilton College; in
medicine in 1896 from the Albany Medical College. Received the ap-
pointment in May, 1896, to the position of resident physician to the
Albany Homoeopathic Hospital, which position (in 1897) he still holds.
233
CHAPTER XIV.
JOURNALISM IN ALBANY COUNTY.
The historical record of Albany county must be followed for many
years before it appears that its inhabitants were blessed with a local news-
paper. Even when that appeared in 1771 it was one of the very few then
printed in this State. In 1811 there were only thirty-four in the whole
State, and within two years thereafter a paper was founded in Albany that
is still in existence. The city of Albany boasts of a long list of eminent
journalists, as they are termed in these modern years ; indeed, it is doubt-
ful if any other city in the Union of similar size has been the home and
field of newspaper work of so many who were among the leaders in this
profession. The antiquity of the city, its position as the political cen-
ter and capital of the Empire State, and other less definite causes, have
doubtless contributed to bring within its gates so many men who en-
joyed high repute as makers of newspapers.
The first number of the first Albany newspaper, the Albany Gazette,
appeared in November, 1771; it lived less than a year. Those were
turbulent times, and the publishers, Alexander and James Robertson,
were loyal to Great Britain. This may have been the cause of *the early
suspension of the Gazette. In any event, when the revolutionary up-
rising came the brothers left for Nova Scotia. The following quaint
apology appeared in their issue of January 13, 1772:
The printers of the Gazette, from motives of gratitude and duty, are obliged to
apologize to the public for the omission of one week's publication; and hope the
irregularity of the mail from New York since the first great fall of snow, and the
severe cold preceding Christmas, which froze the paper prepared for the press so as
to put a stop to its operation, will sufficiently account for it.
To old-time printers this extract will convey vivid impressions of a
pile of dampened paper left over night in a room warmed with a wood
fire which often died out during the night and left the sheets of paper
to freeze together in a solid mass. The omission of a number of one
of the very early papers was not an infrequent occurrence.
Before continuing the long mortuary list of Albany newspapers, we
30 *
234
shall first describe those that are still in existence and potent forces in
the community, with their direct ancestors. The Albany Argus, the
first number of which appeared January 26, 1813, is the oldest news-
paper in Albany county, and among the oldest in the State. Its founder
was Jesse Buel, whose name must forever be prominently and honor-
ably associated with local journalism. He was born in Coventry, Conn.,
January 4, 1778, learned the printing trade and in June, 1797, began
the publication of the Troy Budget in association with Robert Moffitt.
He left that paper in 1804, having meanwhile published the Guardian
in Poughkeepsie in 1801, and the Political Banner, both of which lived
but a short time. Late in 1802 he established the Plebeian in Kings-
ton, which he published with success until the close of 1813, when he
settled in Albany and founded the Argus. In December, 1820, he sold
the latter establishment 1 to Moses I. Cantine and I. Q. Leake. The
former became editor-in-chief, and in the following year the Argus was
made the State paper, which aided in rapidly increasing its influence.
Mr. Cantine was a native of Catskill, received a classical education and
was admitted to the bar in 1798. His natural talent for writing led him
into the editorial profession. He died suddenly in January, 1823,
necessitating a change in the Argus management. Edwin Croswell
had been one of the editors of the Catskill Recorder, and possessed ex-
cellent ability as a political writer. Attending Mr. Cantine's funeral,
he there met Martin Van Buren, Benjamin F. Butler, and Judge Will-
iam Duer, then leading Democrats in the State and deeply interested
in the prosperity of the Argus. They strongly urged him to take the
position of assistant editor with Mr. Leake, which he soon did. In
1825 the daily edition of the Argus was established. In 1831 Sherman
Croswell, cousin of Edwin, became an associate in the editorial conduct
of the Argus. He was a native of New Haven, Conn., studied law and
was admitted to the bar in 1826. In 1833 he became Assembly re-
porter for the Argus, retaining the position for twenty-five years, with
the sole exception of one year (1854). At the time of his retirement in
1857 he had no superior in the country in his chosen field of work.
He became proprietor of the Argus establishment July 26, 1834, and
1 After Mr. Buel sold the Argus he took up farming in this county, in which he was very suc-
cessful. In March, 1834, he founded the Cultivator under auspices of the State Agricultural Soci-
ety. So successful was this paper that in March, 1838, it had a subscription list of 23,000. Mr.
Buel was long the soul of this successful journal, which is perpetuated through consolidation
with the Country Gentleman, noticed further on. Outside of his newspaper and agricultural
prominence, Mr. Buel held numerous offices and positions of responsibility and honor. He died
October 1, 1839
235
so continued until January, 1855. In the previous year Edwin Cros-
well retired from the Argus and was succeeded by Gideon J. Tucker,
who was chosen secretary of state in 1857. In 1855 Sherman Croswell
and Mr. Tucker sold out to James I. Johnson, who associated with
himself Calvert Comstock as editor.
[n 1841 the firm of Vance & Wendell started the publication of the
Daily Albany Atlas, as the organ of the Barnburners, between which
and the so-called Hunker faction of the Democratic party a determined
and bitter strife was waged, the Argus taking the side of the Hunkers.
In the spring of 1843 William Cassidy became associated with Henry
II. Van Dyke in the editorial control of the Atlas. Mr. Cassidy was
born in Albany August 12, 1815, received his education in Union Col-
lege, and studied law. At the age of twenty five years he entered the
field of journalism as a writer on the Plaindealer and Rough Hewer,
then being published in Albany. From 1841 to 1843 he was State
librarian. Mr. Cassidy, as the friend of Silas Wright and a Free Soiler
and Barnburner, wielded his vigorous pen in their interest and made
his antagonists feel his power. The contest continued unabated until
the birth of the Republican party in 1856 wrought momentous political
changes. The Atlas and the Argus now saw that their interests were
mutual and a consolidation was effected. Mr. Cassidy 's power as a
writer led to his selection as editor of the Atlas and Argus, which soon
demonstrated his ability and fitness for the position in largely increased
influence and patronage. In 1865 the Argus Company was formed, as
a joint stock organization, of which Mr. Cassidy was made president,
and the weekly edition was established. He continued to edit the paper
almost up to the time of his death, which took place January '!'■), is;:;.
At this time Daniel Manning (who had for some time acted as assist-
ant to Calvert Comstock), partner with Mr. Cassidy in the Argus, took
full charge of the establishment and was made president of the company.
Mr. Manning was born in Albany August L6, L831, and at eleven years
of age began work in the Atlas establishment, where, by his native
ability, his unflagging industry, and his fealty to his employers, he rose
to the lofty position that he finally attained. He was born for a leader
in whatever field of endeavor he might enter. It has been written of
him that " No public man of either party in State service at Albany
for years past, has failed to feel the governing strength of Mr. Man-
ning's mind on the higher and larger interests of polities." He never
sought political office, but was long a leader in committees and con-
236
ventions, where his influence was paramount. He served efficiently
and honorably in many positions of responsibility in his native city, and ■
was appointed secretary of the treasury in President Cleveland's cabinet
in 1885; he resigned in 1887, and died December 24, 1887. Stephen C.
Hutchins was editor of the paper from 1873 to 1878, and St. Clair McKel-
way from 1878 to 1887. A change was made in the summer of 1893 under
which William H. Johnson became president of the Argus Company;
William R. Cassidy vice-president, and William McMurtie Speer, treas-
urer and manager. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Cassidy retired from the
company, and Edward Murphy, 2d, was elected vice-president, and
Amasa T. Parker, jr., secretary. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Speer re-
tired from the management of the Argus and James C. Farrell suc-
ceeded him as treasurer and general manager. At the same time T.
C. Callicott was made editor of the paper.
The first number of the Albany Evening Journal was issued March
22, 1830, by D. B. Packard & Co., with Thurlow Weed editor. This
is not the place to speak at length of the long and honorable career
of Thurlow Weed ; nor is it necessary, for his life has been well writ-
ten and is found in most libraries. He was born in the town of Cairo,
Greene county, N. Y., November 15, 1797, was given only limited
opportunity to obtain an education, and in 1808 went with his parents
to Cincinnatus, Cortland county, to aid in building a log house and
clearing land. In the following year the family removed to Onondaga
Hollow, near Syracuse, and there he learned the printing trade with
Lewis H. Redfield, the pioneer journalist of that locality. He was
next found about 1812 publishing the Tocsin in the town of Scipio,
Cayuga county. Next he was working at his trade with Seward & Will-
iams in Utica, whence he left for the frontier with the army in 1813.
Returning he found employment with Webster & Skinner in Albany.
From that time until 1815 he worked in various offices, and then again
located in Albany, where he learned his first lessons in politics by lis-
tening to debates in the Legislature^ He worked in the Argus office
in 1816, and in the following year was given the foremanship of the
Albany Register. There he began his first efforts at editorial writing,
giving early indication of his future powers. Between 1818, in which
year he purchased an office and established the Agriculturist in Che-
nango county, and 1830, Mr. Weed was employed in the Albany Argus
office, and the Rochester Telegraph office, and from Rochester he was
elected to the Assembly in 1825 and again in 1830. During this interven-
237
ing period he had made the acquaintance of many of the leading politi-
cians of the State. It was while Mr. Weed was in the Assembly in L830
that the project of founding- the Albany Evening Journal was discussed
and finally consummated, and he was chosen its editor. He held that
position more than thirty years, attaining a position in the political
field and as a writer that has been reached by few. He retired in 1869,
and was succeeded by George Dawson as editor. Mr. Weed died in
New York November 22, 1882.
George Dawson was a native of Scotland where he was born March
L3, L813. His father came to America in 181(3 and two years later
brought over his wife and three young children. The son was given
very limited opportunity to obtain education, and when eleven years
old began learning the printing trade in the office of the Niagara Glean-
er, the family at that time being residents of that locality. In 1826 the
family removed to Rochester where Thurlow Weed was then editing
the Anti-Masonic Inquirer. There Dawson found employment and
began the acquaintance and friendship with the man with whom he was
eventually to be so intimately associated. When Mr. Weed came to
Albany and was given the editor's chair on the Evening Journal, he
was followed by Mr. Dawson, who was made foreman of the office He
soon began contributing to the editorial columns of the Journal and his
articles were influential in extending the patronage of the paper. In
the legislative session of 1831 he began reporting the proceedings,
showing marked ability in that line of work, which he continued until
L836, when he was called to the editorship of the Rochester Democrat.
'There he was remarkably successful and gained a reputation that led to
his being requested to accept a similar position on the Detroit Adver-
tiser, in August, 1839. Very soon after assuming this position he was
appointed State printer for Michigan, and held that office until L842,
in which year the Advertiser office was burned. He then returned to
the editorial chair of the Rochester Democrat and there remained until
August, 1846, when, at the urgent and prolonged solicitation of Mr.
Weed, he accepted the post of associate editor of the Albany Evening
Journal. During all of Mr. Weed's career the Journal was almost om-
nipotent with the Whig and Republican parties, and Mr. Dawson shared
almost equally its care and prosperity. In 1862 Mr. Weed retired from
the editorship of the paper and Mr. Dawson succeeded him as senior
editor and proprietor. He ably filled this station until 1877, when
George W. Demers was given the editorial chair, ami in the same year
238
Mr. Dawson sold his interest in the establishment to Charles E. Smith,
afterwards editor of the Philadelphia Press. Mr. Dawson did some
desultory editorial work for the Journal until 1880, when, for a time,
he again took the managing helm, on account of the retirement of Mr.
Smith, who had endorsed Governor Cornell's nomination of John F.
Smyth as superintendent of the Insurance Department, which was dis-
approved of by the controlling partners. Mr. Dawson finally retired
in September, 1882, and was succeeded by Harold Frederick, who has
since obtained high recognition as London correspondent of New York
papers. Mr. Dawson was appointed, without personal solicitation, post-
master of Albany in 1861 and held the office six years. Outside of
journalism Mr. Dawson was gifted as a writer. He was possessed of
a poetic temperament, loved nature in all her moods, and was an enthu-
siastic angler, for the benefit it was to him and the opportunity it gave
him to study the works of the Creator. He was author of the very
pleasing work, " Pleasures of Angling." He died in Albany February
17, 1883.
In March, 1884, the Albany Journal Company was formed, with W.
J. Arkell, president; J. W. Drexel, secretary; James Arkell, treasurer,
the editorial chair being given to John A. Sleicher. The Albany
Morning Express was started September 13, 1847, and after passing
through the control of different publishers, among whom were Munsell
& Co., in L854, its name was changed to the Daily Statesman in 1857.
It continued as such a few years and suspended. The Albany Morning
Express was revived by Stone & Henly, who were the original propri-
etors, on May 4, 1857, with J. C. Cuyler, editor. The Albany Weekly
Express was first issued August 4, 1881, and a Sunday edition March
4, 1883. These were published by the Albany Express Company, com-
posed of Edward Henly, J. C. Cuyler, Addison A. Keyes, and Nathan
D. Wendell. In 1S88 the Express establishment was purchased by
William Barnes, jr., and became part of the Journal Company in 1889.
The officers of the Journal Company are William Barnes, jr., president;
J. H. Lindsay, secretary and manager;- John M. Davis, treasurer.
The managing editor of the Journal is John Hastings, while Arthur
Lucas occupies this position on the Express. Mr. Barnes is editor-in-
chief of both papers.
The Albany Knickerbocker was founded and its first number issued
September 4, 1843, by Hugh J. Hastings. Mr. Hastings was a native
of Ireland and came to this country with his parents when eight years
WILLIAM BARNES. JR.
Sird-tftL, U.T:
1 | ■!'! VATOR AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. A'
239
old. Though his opportunities were not the best for obtaining an educa-
tion, he was a great reader and gradually acquired a large store of
general information. He mingled in politics, made the acquaintance
of influential men, and soon made his paper popular and successful.
The Weekly Knickerbocker was first published June 8, 1857. Mr.
Hastings sold his establishment in 1867 and purchased a controlling
interest in the New York Commercial Advertiser, his conduct of which
added to his high reputation as a journalist. He died in September,
1883. The first number of the Sunday Press was issued May 13, L870,
and of the Daily Press on February 26, 1877. On August 10 of the last
named year these journals were consolidated and published under the
title. Press and Knickerbocker, by the Press Company, then composed
of John H. Farrell, Myron H. fcooker, and James McFarlane. The
officers of the company at the present time are: President and treas-
urer, Myron H. Rooker; secretary, John W. Walsh.
The Albany Times-Union is composed of two separate newspapers.
The Albany Morning Times (later the Evening Times) was started
April 21, 1856, by Barnes & Godfrey ; it was afterwards published by
Alfred Stone, by David M. Barnes, Edward H. Bovd, and later by
Samuel Wilbor. On the 1st of March, 1861, the Times was con-
solidated with the Evening Courier (started in August, 1858). The
Albany Weekly Times was first issued July 16, 1872. The paper
passed through the usual vicissitudes under various changes in man-
agement and editorship. In May, 1881, Theophilus C. Callicot, now
editor of the Argus, took the editorial chair. The Albany Evening
Union was first issued by the Union Printing ami Publishing Company
on May 29, L882. On July 15, L883, John J. Parr became editor and
proprietor, and a little later Fred W. White was made president of the
company and editor of the paper. Mr. White was succeeded by Ira
L. Wales, an editoral writer on the Albany Argus, and a man of indom-
itable perseverance, great natural ability, and a wide acquaintance
among public men. Mr. Wales assumed entire control of the Union,
and had succeeded in making it a paying property when death inter-
vened and wrote an untimely "30" to a rising and brilliant career. In
November, 1891, John II. Farrell bought both papers and consolidated
them under the present title. Mr. Callicott acted as editor until the
summer of L896, when he took his present position on the Argus.
The Cultivator was a monthly agricultural journal established, as be-
fore stated, by Jesse Buel in March, 1834. Others who were early
240
connected with the paper were J. P. Beekman and J. D! Wasson. It
was subsequently published by W. Gaylord and L. Tucker, and later
by L. Tucker & Son. Luther Tucker's name is prominent among
those of Albany journalists. He was born in Brandon, Vt., May 7,
1802. He early learned the printing trade, at which he worked a num-
ber of years as a journeyman, and in 1825 joined with Henry C.
Sleight in the publication at Jamaica, L. I., of works for New York
firms. In 1826 he went to Rochester, where he had formerly worked,
and on October 27 issued the first number of the Rochester Daily Ad-
vertiser— the first daily newspaper west of Albany. The new paper
was a success, and on January 1, 1831, while still conducting it, he
issued the initial number of the Genesee Farmer. This was one of
the earliest of the long list of agricultural newspapers, and its name
soon became familiar throught the country. Having finally acquired
sufficient means to carry out his wish, he purchased a farm near Roch-
ester and sold his daily paper, which still exists as the Rochester Union
and Advertiser. Before a year had passed Jesse Buel died, leaving his
agricultural paper, the Cultivator, without a head and a proposition
was made to Mr. Tucker to consolidate the two. This arrangement
was effected and the new journal was removed to Albany where the
number for January, 1840, was issued. This journal was continued as
the Cultivator and in January, 1853, Mr. Tucker, associated with John
T. Thomas, started the Country Gentleman, another very successful
paper, the character of which is happily set forth in its name. The
two journals were consolidated and issued as a weekly January 4, 18G6,
which soon ranked high, as it does to day, among the leading agricul-
tural papers of the country. Mr. Tucker died January 26, 1873, hav-
ing previously associated in his business his sons, Luther H. and Gil-
bert M. Tucker. On the 1st of December, 1893, L. H. Tucker, jr., was
admitted to the firm. Luther H. Tucker died February 23, 1897.
The first number of the Albany Telegram (weekly) was issued March
14, 1888, by James Hill, in association with Messrs. Hazard & Brooks,
publishers of the Elmira Telegram, and as a part of that enterprise.
A dissolution was effected in January, 1893, Mr. Hill taking the Albany
edition and his partners the Elmira paper. The Telegram has a large
circulation both in Albany and the surrounding country.
The German population of Albany county has for many years been
represented by excellent papers printed in their own language. Of
these the oldest is the Freie Blaetter, which was started by August
LUTHER H. TUCKER.
241
Miggael and Henry Bender in 1852; the former has for many years
been sole proprietor, with Julius Kaestner editor. The paper is Dem-
ocratic in politics,
The Albany Daily Herold (German) was started in 1868, by Jacob
Heinmiller. Upon his death it was conducted by his widow until 1895,
when she sold to the present proprietors, L. Munchausen and W. Ves-
perman, the latter being the editor. The Herold is Republican in
politics.
The Albany Sonntag Journal was started in 1884 by the German
Publishing and Printing Company, of which Max Kurth is president
and manager; Michael Schrodt, vice-president; John Gutman, secre-
tary and treasurer. This company publishes, also, the Freie Deutsche
Presse in Troy.
The Farmers' Union League Advocate was started March 31, 1892,
by L. D. Collins, jr., who is still publisher and editor. It is an
agricultural journal and the organ of the Farmers' League of this
State.
There are a number of small religious, family and temperance
papers issued in Albany, but which do not possess local importance.
Seven of this character are published by the Leonard Publishing Com-
pany, as follows: Everybody's Paper, started January 1, 1875; Tem-
perance Truths, started January 1, 1875; Bright Jewels, started January
1, 1875; Everybody's Magazine, started January 1, 1885; Little Folks'
Paper, started January 1, 1885; Buds of Promise, started January 1,
1885; The Sunday Hour, started January 1, 1894.
The existing newspapers published in Albany county outside of the
city are few in number and are properly noticed in the histories of the
towns in this volume.
The list of newspapers that have been published in Albany for lon-
ger or shorter periods and suspended is a long one. They can be but
briefly mentioned here. One of the earliest printers in Albany was
Solomon Balentine, and he was connected with the publication of the
second journal issued in the city. In 1782 Charles R. Webster settled in
Albany and joined with Mr. Balentine in the publication of the New
York Gazette and Northern Intelligencer, the first number of which
was issued June 2. Webster was a practical printer. In 1783 he left
the partnership and went to New York where he began publishing the
New York Gazette. This was not a permanent enterprise and in 1784
he returned to Albany (Mr. Balentine having meanwhile left) and on
31
242
May 28 issued the first number of the Albany Gazette. This paper had
Federal proclivities, though its columns were held open to some extent
to both parties. Its editorial management was on a high plane and the
paper wielded a powerful influence in the early years. On the 25th of
May, 1789, the publication of a semi-weekly edition was begun, and in
March, 1817, it was consolidated with the Albany Advertiser. This
latter paper was started September 25, 1815, by John Walker, prin-
ter, and Theodore Dwight, editor, as a daily. At the time of the
consolidation it was published by William L Stone. Mr. Webster soon
associated with himself his brother, George Webster, and the firm of
C. R. & G. Webster became widely known. On January 26, 1788, they
began the publication of a semi-weekly with the long title, The Albany
Journaly or Montgomery, Washington and Columbia Intelligencer;
this paper was issued in connection with the Gazette, and was discon-
tinued May 25, 1789. The Webster firm was dissolved in 1821 by the
death of George. The survivor purchased his brother's half of the
property at the Elm Tree corner for $13,000, and the firm of E. W.
Skinner & Co. was formed, which purchased one-half of the stock of
the establishment. The firm of Webster & Skinner then continued
until the death of Mr. Webster, July 18, 1834. The original publica-
tion continued in existence until April 14, 1845.
In February, 1788, the Federal Herald was removed to Albany from
Lansingburgh by Claxton & Babcock, but remained but a short time.
In the same year the Albany Register was started by John and Robert
Barber and continued until 1808, when Solomon Southwick took it
and continued until 1817. It was revived in 1818 by Israel W. Clark.
In November, 1796, the Chronicle was started by John McDonald;
discontinued in 1799. The Albany Centinel was started in 1797 by
Loring C. Andrews, and suspended November 10, 1806. It was at once
revived with the title, the Centinel Revived in The Republican Crisis,
by Backus & Whiting, and later was published by Isaac Mitchell, Harry
Croswell & Co., in 1808, and Croswell & Frary in 1809, when the name
was changed to the Balance and New York State Journal. In 1811 it
was removed to Hudson.
In 1807 the Guardian was started by Van Benthuysen & Wood; it
lived about two years. It was a literary publication and was issued
from what was the beginning of the oldest printing establishment
now in existance in Albany. O. R. Van Benthuysen left the part-
nership with Wood in 1808 and opened a separate office in rear of
243
the present 376 Broadway. In 1814 Robert Packard became associated
with him. In 1839 the firm of Charles Van Benthuysen & Co. was
formed, composed of father and son Charles. In 1848 Charles Van
Benthuysen became the sole proprietor, continuing such until I860,
when his sons, Charles H. and Frank, were admitted to the partnership.
The business is still in existence under proprietorship of Charles Van
Benthuysen.
On April 11, 1812, Samuel R. Brown started the Albany Republican,
and was soon succeeded by B. F. Romaine; the paper was finally taken
to Saratoga. In 1813-14 the Stranger, 8vo. , was published by John
Cook. In June, 1815, Horatio Gates Spofford began publishing the
American Magazine, which lived less than a year. The Christian Vis-
itant, by Mr. Southwick, started this year, has been mentioned. The
Friend was another ephemeral publication of this year, by D. & S. A.
Abbey ; it lived a year. The Statesman was published and edited by
Nathaniel H. Carter in 1815, and was removed to New York in 1818.
♦Solomon Southwick'sl Ploughboy was started in 1819 and in 1820
Charles Galpin started the Albany Microscope, which lived but a few
years. August 3, 1822, Bezaleel Howe issued the first number of the
Oriental Star, a religious weekly. In 1823 William McDougal began
publishing the National Democrat in Albany and New York; it was
discontinued in April of the next year, but was at once revived by
Solomon Southwick, but proved to be short-lived. In May, 1824,
Chauncey Webster started the Religious Monitor, which was removed
to Philadelphia. In 1825, August 8, George Galpin issued the first
number of the Albany Patriot and Daily Commercial Intelligencer.
This was doubtless short-lived, for on July 25, 182(1, Mr. Galpin started
the National Observer, with Mr. Southwick editor, which continued
four years.
The year 1826 saw the birth of a long list of newspapers, few of
1 Solomon Southwick was distinguished not alone as a publisher, but as a politician and man
of affairs. He was a native of Newport, R. I., where he published and edited the Newport Mer-
cury during a part of the Revolutionary period. Later he located in Albany where he was asso-
ciated with his brother-in-law, John Barber, in the Register office. He was soon made a partner
and upon Mr. Barber's death in 1808, he succeeded to the establishment. The Register was a
Democratic organ and Mr. Southwick made it a power in the State, being himself a leader in
the party. The Register continued for a number of years, and after its suspension be published
the Ploughboy. He also edited the Christian Visitant, and later the National Democrat. During
the anti-Masonic excitement he established and for several years conducted the National Ob-
server, as organ of that misguided movement. He received the nomination for governor against
Martin Van Huron and Smith Thompson. Failing of election, he withdrew from the turmoil of
political life. He died in November, 1839.
244
which survived more than a brief period. On April 22 the Albany
Daily Chronicle was started by Charles Galpin and M. M. Cole. In
the same month John Denio and Seth Richards started the Albany
Morning Chronicle, which was discontinued within a year. E. B.
Child started the Escritoire, or Masonic and Miscellaneous Album,
which in February was changed to the American Masonic Record and
Albany Saturday Magazine. January 30, 1830, the name was again
changed to American Masonic Record and Albany Literary Journal,
which title probably killed it. In May, 1826, L. G. Hoffman started
the Albany Christian Register, with J. R. Boyd, editor. This paper
was subsequently united with a religious journal in Utica and pub-
lished as the Journal and Telegraph by Hosford & Wait in 1831. Mr.
Hoffman at about this time started and published about five years the
American Masonic Register.
In May, 1827, Solomon Southwick started the Antidote, which was
continued only a short time. Matthew Cole started the Standard,
which was short-lived. On August 4, the Comet was started with
Daniel McGlashan editor. October 13 the Albany Signs of the Times
and Literary Writer was born, with Daniel McGlashan publisher, and
J. B. Van Schaick and S. D. W. Bloodgood editors.
The Daily Morning Chronicle was issued in 1828 by Beach, Denio &
Richards. The Age, by Galpin & Sturtevant ; and the Albany Times and
Literary Writer, with slight change in name, passed to James McGlash-
an, publisher. The Albany Minerva was started this year by Joel
Munsell,1 whose name and fame is indissolubly connected, with print-
ing and publishing in Albany. The Minerva was continued several
years.
Arthur N. Sherman started the Albanian January 30, 1830, and on
April 3 the Farmers', Mechanics', and Workingmen's Advocate was
issued by McPherson & McKercher. In the same month the Albany
Bee was started by J. Duffy, W. S. McCulloch and C. Angus.
1Joel Munsell was born in Northfield, Mass., April 14, 1808. He early learned the printing
trade in Greenfield, Mass., and soon came to Albany. Here he worked at his trade as a journey-
man until 1830, when he started his first paper. In 1834 he was associated with Henry D. Stone in
successfully publishing the Microscope. In 1836 he set up a job printing office at 58 State street.
He was a skillful workman himself and soon gained a high reputation in the art. He engaged
largely in book printing and publishing, among his most useful publications being the Annals of
Albany, in ten volumes, which were begun in 1840 and completed in 1859. He also published four
volumes of Collections on the History of Albany. About a dozen newspapers and periodicals
were issued from his printing office, on some of which he was eflitorially employed. No man
has done more for the perpetuation of local history and in the local publication of worthy books
than Mr. Munsell. His death took place January 15, 1880, his sons Charles and Frank succeeding
to his business.
245
On September 7, 1831, the Albany Literary Gazette appeared with
John P. Jermain, editor, and James D. Nicholson, publisher. On No-
vember 21, Hosford & Wait took up the publication of the Journal and
Telegraph before mentioned. The Temperance Recorder had a brief
existence beginning this year. In 1832 the Daily Craftsman began a
short existence, and the Albany Quarterly was first issued by the Al-
bany Historical Society. In February, 1833, the American Quarterly
Hemp Magazine was started and continued two years. In 1834 the
Daily News, by Hunter & Hoffman, and the Albany Whig, by J. B.
Van Schaick, were started. In January the American Temperance
Intelligencer began a brief existence.
On October 12, 1835, the Albany Transcript was started as a penny
paper by C. F. Powell & Co. In May of this year the Silk Worm was
established and continued two years as a monthly, when it was changed
to the Silk Worm and Sugar Manual; discontinued in 1858. The Al-
bany Bouquet and Literary Spectator was started this year by George
Trumbull ; it was a short-lived monthly. In 1836 was commenced the
publication of a monthly called the Zodiac, by De Coudrey Holstein,
and another paper, the Common School Assistant, by J. Orville Tay-
lor. Neither lived long.
In 1838 Solomon Southwick published a short time the Family News-
paper; and on July 4 was started the Daily Patriot, an anti-slavery
paper, by J. G. Wallace. In 1840 Horace Greeley started the Jeffer-
sonian. The Albany Patriot was published by J. C. Jackson and con-
tinued four years. Other ephemeral publications of the year, chiefly
for campaign purposes, were the Unionist, the Tomahawk and Scalp-
ing Knife, and the Rough Hewer. In 1842 H. O'Kane published the
Irishman seven weeks. Other unimportant papers of the year were
the Sunday Tickler, the Albany Switch, and the Youth's Temperance
Enterprise; the latter lived three years.
Besides the Knickerbocker, elsewhere noted, the Subterranean was
started in 1843 by James Duffy. On April 9, 1845, Thomas A. Devyr
started the Albany Freeholder, an anti-rent organ. Joel Munsell
started the Gavel ; Woodward & Packard began the Scourge, and
Abbott & Crosby the Vesper Bell.
On December 8, 1846, the Albany Herald was started by A. B. Van
O'Linda. December 17 the Albany Morning Telegraph was first issued.
In 1S47 the District School Journal was published by Francis Dwight;
the Castigator, by M. J. Smith, and the year saw the beginning of the
246
Express, now controlled by the Journal Company. Jasper Hazen be-
gan the issue of the Christian Palladium in 1848, which was removed
to New Haven in 1855, with the name changed in 1849 to the Christian
Herald. E. Andrews began the publication of the Busy Bee and con-
tinued it two years. On May 15, 1849, the Albany Daily Messenger
was started by B. F. Romaine. On June 30 the Sunday Dutchman was
started. Besides the first issue of the Albany Daily Times, elsewhere
described, B. F. Romaine started the Half-Dollar Monthly in 1850.
The Albany Atlas was also begun in this year.
On the 1st of September, 1851, John Sharts started the Albany Daily
Eagle, which survived four months. On January 4, the American
Mechanic was started by J. M. Patterson. The Carson League, a rad-
ical temperance organ, was started by T. L. Carson and J. T. Hazen,
and soon removed to Syracuse. The Albany Mirror and Literary Cab-
inet was published by J. H. Carroll and W. M. Colburn, and the Cith-
ren, by Warner & Hooker. The Northern Light was also issued in this
year and continued about three years, with able editors.
The papers of 1852 which were soon wrecked, were the Temperance
Recorder; the Family Intelligencer, by Rev. Jasper Hazen; and the
New York Teacher, the organ of the New York State Teachers' Asso-
ciation.
On February 1, 1853, Cuyler & Henly started a penny paper called
the Evening Transcript. The Prohibitionist was started this year as
the organ of the State Temperance Society; in 1857 it united with the
Journal of the American Temperance Union. In 1854 D. C. Estes
started the Family Journal. July 21, 1855, the State Police Tribune
was started by S. H. Parsons and R. M. Griffin; it was removed to
New York. March 26, 1856, the Albany Daily Statesman was started;
September 8, was begun the Albany Evening Union, a penny paper,
by James McFarlane, which became consolidated with the Times. George
Herb began the publication of the Albany Volksblatt this year. In
1857 was started the Albany Evening Herald, the name of which was
changed in June, 1857, to Albany Evening Union. On May 4, Charles
Galpin started the Microscope.
The papers of 1858 were the American Citizen ; the Evening Courier,
started in August; the Hour ,and the Man, daily and weekly, by George
W. Clarke and John J. Thomas; the Mercantile Horn, started in Oc-
tober; the Voice of the People, a campaign paper; the Evening Stan-
dard, by R. M. Griffin & Co., started in December; the Independent
247
Press, which lived only a few months ; Astronomical Notes, by Pro-
fessor Brunow; the American Magazine, monthly, by J.S. & B. Wood;
the Gavel, by John Tanner; and the State Military Gazette, by C. G.
Stone, afterward removed to New York.
The first issue of the Evening Post appeared in October, I860, pub-
lished by R. M. & E. Griffin; R. M. Griffin, editor. This journal was
successfully conducted until July, 1895, when it was merged with The
State, a new Republican daily, which was established with a heavy in-
vestment and apparently bright prospects. The enterprise was, how-
ever, a very injudicious one and the paper lived less than a year.
On Januray 17, 1863, appeared the first number of the Standard and
Statesman, which did not long survive. The Voice was started as a
monthly by Edgar S. Werner, in January, 1879. The Albany Law
Journal was first issued January 9, 1870, with Isaac Grant Thompson,
editor and still continues, under the editorship of AmasaJ. Parker, jr.,
to be one of the leading legal journals of the country. The first num-
ber of the Catholic Telegraph appeared in January, 1880. The Poultry
Monthly was started by the Ferris Publishing Company in November,
1879. Forest, Forge and Farm was started by H. S. Quackenbush in
1882. Outing was started in 1883 by the Outing Publishing and Print-
ing Company, and was removed to Boston. The Inquirer and Criterion
was first issued by Charles S. Carpenter; taken in February, 1882, by
Burdick & Taylor; discontinued January 5, 1884, and revived as The
Inquirer April 30, 1884. The Daily News was incorporated March 27,
1895, but the publication ceased after a few months.
The following, supplied by a well-known and versatile writer, is
thought to be of sufficient interest to warrant its insertion in this
chapter :
SOME ALBANY PERIODICALS.
Joseph A. Lawson.
The progress of a city in its literary development is attested in
various ways. One of the most satisfactory evidences to be adduced
is the encouragement it has given to, or withheld from, publications of
a periodical nature. The following brief summary of such ventures,
incomplete though it be, will go very far toward assigning Albany to
its proper place as a literary center.
One of the earliest magazines to make its appearance was "The
248 .
Stranger," a literary paper, published by John Cook at his reading
room. This was in 1814. The title page bore the following line from
Hamlet, " Therefore as a Stranger bid it welcome."
The editor, in his valedictory, explaining its suspension at the close
of the first year of its existence, would have it understood that patron-
age was not wanting, but that which was far worse, the utter lack of
contributors. And so the Stranger silently stole away into the shades
of oblivion.
The year 1815 was more prolific in periodical literature. Two mag-
azines had the temerity to come into existence; and their aims and
objects are amply set forth in their titles. The first, the American
Magazine, a monthly miscellany, devoted to literature, science, history,
biography and fine arts, etc., etc. This was edited by Horatio Gates
wSpofford. Editor Spofford had a good bit of confidence in the early
Albanian, or else he thought the odd half dollar more of an induce-
ment than it is at this date, for he offered his publication at $2.50 if
paid in advance, or $3.00 if paid at the end of the year. As it resulted,
the half dollar was no inducement, and the confidence misplaced, for,
at the end of one year, Editor Spofford was forced to make an assign-
ment to one " Absolom Townsend, Jun. Esq." after sinking two thou-
sand dollars in the venture. To our eyes, accustomed to the "infinite
variety" of the magazines of the present day, this periodical has an ex-
ceedingly dry-as-dust flavor. This editor thinks he has fathomed the
reason of its non-success for, in his closing editorial he says: "Should
this publication be again revived, it will be in the hands of people hav-
ing ample pecuniary resources, and who will punctually distribute the
numbers on the first of each month. This, I think, is all that is now
wanted to ensure a respectable patronage, and that permanency for
which it was designed." Delightful ingenuousness!
The second, contemporaneous with the foregoing, was "The Friend,
a periodical work, devoted to religion, literature and useful miscel-
lany." The following quotation ornamented its title page, and was
evidently fondly hoped to be the entering wedge to popular favor:
" The greatest blessing is a pleasant friend."
The publishers to undertake this enterprise were D. & S. A. Abbey.
The editor's announcement in the first number ran as follows, and
proved him anything but a "pleasant friend" to his confrere in the
field of literature :
249
To the Public.
As we feel an unaccountable aversion to puffing, we shall not imitate the conduct
of some of our brethren of the quill in making a multitude of fine promises which
can never be performed. We arrogate to ourselves no extraordinary genius or un-
common literary acquirements; nor shall we attempt to make amends for lack of
abilities by adding to our name a long list of titles. . . . We shall endeavor
to " satisfy our readers;" but we shall never attempt to attain that object by serving
up " a small select dish" of vulgar and profane jests and tales. Those who prefer
such fare will, therefore, seek it in another quarter.
This charming bit of editorial courtesy was " starred" to refer to the
bottom of the page, where the following explanation was found:
For the information of persons of this description, we subjoin the following
elegant extract from the prospectus of a periodical work, published in this
city, entitled "The American Magazine," conducted by Horatio Gates Spofford,
A. M., author of a Geography of the United States, a Gazetteer of the State of New
York, etc., a member of the New York Historical Society, and one of the Counsellors
of the Society for the Promotion of the Useful Arts— a member of the American An-
tiquarian Society, and of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, Massachusetts.
Extract from the prospectus of the American Magazine:
The editor is no friend to those medleys of bo7i mots, and vulgar and profane jests
and tales; but if he cannot satisfy his readers without, he will occasionally serve up
a small, select dish.
Even at that early date these little amenities were current among
the "brethren of the quill." But "The Friend" fared no better than
its contemporary, and at the expiration of its first publication year,
"joined the silent majority." Certain it is, it contained no "medleys
of bon mots," so far as we are able to discover in a hasty perusal, and
we ourselves think we would hardly have been able long to tolerate a
" friend" that bore so striking a resemblance to the Knight of the Sor-
rowful Countenance.
From 1827 to 1831 appeared the American Masonic Record, and Al-
bany Saturday Magazine. This was a weekly periodical devoted t<>
Masonry, science and the arts, popular tales, miscellany, current news,
etc., etc. Published by E. B. Childs, corner of North Market and
Steuben streets.
Appealing, as it did, to so large a class of the community as the Ma-
sonic fraternity, and having the celebrated Morgan episode to dwell
upon, placed it upon a foundation that insured it a much longer l<
of life than its predecessors had enjoyed. And, too, it was cleverly
32
250
edited, and contained much matter that appealed to the popular taste.
A clear case of the "survival of the fittest."
The Albany Quarterly, edited by James R. Wilson and Samuel Wil-
son, made its appearance in 1832, published under the patronage of the
Albany Historical Society.
This was scarcely a literary effort ; partaking more of the nature of
a denominational publication. The opening paper in the first number
was a history of the Reformed Presbyterian church.
A short extract from one of the articles appearing in it serves to show
how much we have to be grateful for, more than half a century later,
that the Legislature of the State of New York has become, in truth, a
"reform " Legislature, and no longer closes its ears to the "means of
grace " daily offered it. The extract reads:
Immediately after the assembling of the legislature in 1832, a resolution was offered
to dispense with prayer. . . . Ministers, except Methodists, refused to pray in
either senate or assembly.
We should be eternally grateful to these long suffering Methodists
whose patience accomplished such beneficent results. A slight perusal
convinced us that The Albany Quarterly might, with propriety, be de-
scribed as a " blue-light " antique.
The Albany Bouquet and Literary Spectator was next to venture
into the troubled waters of periodical publication, in 1835. George
Trumbull was the hardy mariner who stood at the helm. The pro
spectus ran as follows:
The undersigned will issue, as soon as sufficient encouragement shall have been
obtained to warrant the undertaking, a semi-monthly work, under the above title, to
be devoted exclusively to polite literature, viz, popular tales, essays, biography,
natural history, traveling sketches, anecdotes, etc. It is believed that Albany, with
a population of nearly thirty thousand, and embracing as much intelligence and lit-
erary taste as any city of equal size in the union, is competent to sustain a publication
of this kind; and although similar experiments have been unsuccessful, that result,
it is thought, is to be attributed to other causes than the lack of liberality on the part
of the citizens. [Here was another editor who thought he knew to what lethargy of
the Albany public was attributable.] The papers at present published in this city
are so exclusively occupied with the political controversies of the day as to exclude
all matter of a literary character ; and it is believed that a publication devoted entirely
to miscellaneous reading, which shall " strew the rugged path of politics with the
flowers of literature" will meet with ample encouragement.
The bulk of this magazine was made up of translations and clippings.
The original story contained in the first number, to which attention
251
was called editorially, was entitled "The Storm," and its hero and
heroine, Egbert and Lucinda. Vision of bell-crowned hats and crin-
oline !
Editor Trumbull also thought to lure the wily Albanians by his
terms, which were $1.00 per annum in advance, $1.50 after six months
and $2.00 at the end of the year. But to no purpose, for The Al-
bany Bouquet was doomed to become as '' the flowers that bloom 'in
the spring, tra-la, " and at the end of six months expired gracefully in
the arms of the Zodiac (a copy of which we have been unable to find,'
although we have seen signs of it), without editorial comment. It
would seem as though a magazine holding out such inducements as the
following editorial contain, merited a kinder fate:
No critical Cerberus guards our columns to crush the germs of genius with the
withering blasts of malicious criticism; and, we trust, therefore, that our young
men, and particularly the members of the Young Men's Association, will favor us
with some original flowers for our bouquet.
From 1842 to 1844 the New York State Mechanic, a weekly paper
devoted to the interests of mechanics and artisans, and placed within
their reach by being published at $1.00 a year, was put out by Joel
Munsell of this city, and enjoyed a well deserved circulation and pop-
ularity. A few more such efforts at this period would go far to lessen
the recurring conflicts between labor and capital.
In 1844 Alfred B. Street, assisted by S. S. Randall, esq., Prof. James
Hall and others, began the publication of the Northern Light, devoted
to music, literature, general information, education, science, and the
arts. The publication price was one dollar a year, or six and a quarter
cents each. Its objects were outlined as follows:
We hope the appearance of the present number will please our patrons and
readers. It is a specimen of what we pledge ourselves the future numbers will be.
. . . Indeed, so far from deteriorating, we intend making greater and greater
improvements.
But alack, and alack! So far as we have been able to ascertain, but
five numbers of this clever periodical ever appeared. The literary
firmament was again darkened as the Northern Light went out.
It was now left for the fair sex to take up the pen fallen from the
nerveless fingers of those "lords of creation" who had essayed lite-
rary efforts theretofore. In 1845, The Monthly Rose bloomed, "con-
ducted by the present and former members of the Albany Female
Academy." The initial number contained the following plea for recog-
nition :
252
Our Monthly Rose ! Silently, have we watched its unfolding. Silently, yet with
deep feeling and earnest thought. Carefully have we nurtured it, yet with trem-
bling hope ; calmly have we turned it to the scanty sunshine, while the chilling fear
frost has fallen upon our hearts.
This magazine contained many bright contributions, although some
of the verses were strikingly characteristic of a young ladies' magazine.
One in particular, entitled The Phantom Bride, attracted our attention.
The valedictory, appearing at the close of the first year of its existence,
shows a decided revulsion of feeling in the mind of the fair editor :
"... But what mean these words, " leave taking " ? Simply that the time has
expired for which we were pledged to conduct a monthly periodical connected with
the Albany Female Academy. For good and sufficient reasons we decline the re-
newal of that pledge, as none of our friends seem to court the inheritance of the
editorial mantle, the Monthly Rose will be discontinued after this present year.
And, with this graceful farewell, the Rose folded its petals, and mod-
estly withdrew from public gaze.
The last periodical to make its appearance before the Albany reading
public, was The Fort Orange Monthly, published by the Riggs Print-
ing and Publishing Company, and under the editorial management of
Joseph A. Lawson, a member of the Albany bar, who sought to diver-
sify his calling by incursions into the realms of literature, and inci-
dentally, to develop the latest talent of the capital city. The first num-
ber appeared in February, 1886. The valedictory appeared in the issue
of September of the same year, when the advertising contracts had all
expired. 0 tempora, O mores!
253
CHAPTER XV.
GENERAL EDUCATION.
Though the men of Holland who were directly responsible for the
first settlements along the Hudson River and in the territory now em-
braced inAlbany county, seem to have possessed the wisdom to realize
that one of the principal factors of prosperity and advancement in this
far-off country would be the education of children, yet their ideas of
ways and methods for the accomplishment of this purpose were at that
early date necessarily crude and imperfect, and seem to have been
carried out in careless and ineffective manner. In the charter to the
West India Company is found the following pertinent section :
XXVII. — The Patroons and Colonists in particular, and in the speediest manner,
must endeavor to find out ways and means whereby they may supply a minister and
schoolmaster, that thus the service of God and zeal for religion may not grow cool
and be neglected among them, and they shall, for the first, procure a comforter of
the sick there.
Furthermore, in the charter of Exemptions and Privileges under
which Patroon Van Rensselaer established his " Colonie," we find the
following:
The patroons shall, also, particularly exert themselves to find speedy means to
maintain a clergyman and schoolmaster, in order that Divine Service and zeal for
religion may be planted in that country, and send, at first, a comforter of the sick
thither.
The West India Company was at a later date bound by the following
regulations :
Each householder and inhabitant shall bear such tax and public charge as shall
hereafter be considered proper for the maintenance of clergymen and comforters of
the siek. schoolmasters, and such like necessary officers.
It is known that this office of "comforter of the sick " was often, and
probably nearly always, combined with that of schoolmaster. The
incumbent aided the minister of the gospel in his charge, and gave
such time as he could to teaching. Much of that teaching was of a
religious character, and outside of inculcating the youthful mind with
254
the Scriptures, the Dutch teacher worked in the most primitive man-
ner.
Adam Roelantsen, who had taught school in Amsterdam, came to
Rensselaerwyck in 1639. He undoubtedly taught a short time at New
Amsterdam before coming- up the river, and was probably the first school-
master there. The masses of the immigrants of the early years were
unable to read and write, and the immorality that always accompanies
ignorance prevailed. Dr. O'Callaghan is authority for the statement
that "the state of morals in New Amsterdam was, at this period [1088]
by no means healthy — a statement which applies as well to Beverwyck.
The early schools were not eagerly sought nor liberally supported by
the people, and the teachers were frequently ignorant and sometimes
unprincipled. The records of the Dutch period are almost bare of the
mention of schools. "While the community were required to have their
children instructed by good schoolmasters, the requirement was little
heeded. A schoolmaster in 1644 received thirty florins a month, board-
ing himself; this was only one-fourth what was paid to a minister; but
quite likely it was more than he was usually worth. By 1661 his pay
had advanced to eighteen guilders per month and his board."
In a remonstrance against the management of the West India Com-
pany, made in 1649 (one of the many alluded to in early chapters of
this volume), is found the following paragraph :
There ought to be, also, a public school, provided with two good teachers, so that
the youth in so wild a country, where there are so many dissolute people, may, first
of all, be instructed and indoctrinated, not only in reading and writing, but also in
the fear of the Lord. Now the school is kept very irregularly, by this one or that,
according to his fancy, as long as he thinks proper.
There is an epitome of the whole situation in that pregnant para-
graph ; and it indicates to what an extent scriptural teaching, such as
it was, was combined with the secular. It would appear that the West
India Company cared more for new and profitable schemes for obtain-
ing furs from the Indians than for education. The reply to the above
mentioned remonstrance was made in the same year by Secretary Van
Tienhoven for the Director-General ; it is admitted therein that the
new school house had not been built and that "there is no Latin school
or Academy;" but asserted that a place for a school to be taught by
Jan Cornelissen had been selected, while other schools sufficient for
"the circumstances of the country," were being taught in hired houses.
Further complaint of the neglect to build a school house was made in
255
1G50, and it was probably in that year that a committee was appointed
for that task and to collect the necessary funds. Andries Janse was
appointed to take charge of the school when the building was ready;
he probably served only a short time. Rev. Gideon Schaets was called
to Rensselaerwyck as a minister in 1652, and a little later was directed
to teach the catechism in Beverwyck and Fort Orange, and "to pay
attention to the office of schoolmaster for the old and young."
The early wretched condition of education in the colony was slow to
to change. Regarding the subject as it was in 1656 Dr. O'Callaghan
remarks :
Bad as it was with the churches, it was worse as regards schools; not one of all
these places, whether Dutch or English, had a schoolmaster, except the Manhattans,
Beverwyck and Fort Cassimer.
Revs. John Megapolensis and Samuel Drisius wrote in the same
strain in 1657. Stuyvesant knew the value of learning and the neces
sity for schools, for he employed a private tutor; but he was the sub
missive agent of the West India Company. If that company did not
advise or order the building of school houses and the employment of
teachers, he certainly would not, so that at the close of his administra-
tion in 1004 there had been little improvement.
Educational affairs improved under the English. John Shutte was
the first teacher at Albany after the change, as is shown by the follow-
ing license:
Whereas, the teaching of the English tongue is necessary in this government; I
have, therefore, thought fitt to give License to John Shutte to bee the English
Schoolmaster at Albany ; And, upon condition that the said John Shutte shall not
demand any more wages from each Schollar than is given by the Dutch to their
Dutch Schoolmasters. I have further granted to the said John Shutte that hec shall
bee the onely English Schoolmaster at Albany.
Civen under my hand, at Fort James, in New York, the 12th day of < >ctober, 1665.
Rich'd Nicoi i s.
An order is on record of May L6, L670, signed by Francis Lovelace,
the preamble of which says: " Whereas, Jan Jeurians Beecker [Bleecker
or Becker] had a Graunt to keep ye Dutch school at Albany for ye
teaching of youth to read & Wryte ye which was allowed of and con-
firmed to him by my predecessor, Coll. Richard Nicolls," etc. On the
4th of April, 1070, Gerritt Swartt, Jan Becker (probably the one above
named) and Arien Appel were chosen schoolmasters at Albany, and soon
afterward in the same year, Luykas Gerritse (Wyngaard) was added to
the teaching force. These men had other business besides teaching
256
it was probably necessary that they should have, in order to live.
Becker formerly kept a tavern at Fort Cassimer, on the Delaware River,
and was there convicted of selling liquor to the Indians, but his fine was
remitted because it was shown he was no worse than many others.
Swartt was high sheriff of Rensselaerwyck from 1GG8 to 1673. Appel
had a lot in Beverwyck in 1054 and bound himself to build thereon an
inn for travelers and not for an ordinary tippling house. He taught
from 1676 to 1686. Wyngaard became a baker and had his shop in
1715 on the south corner of Broadway and State street.
In the instructions given to Governor Dongan at Windsor, May 20,
1686, was the following:
38. And wee doe further direct that noe Schoolmoster bee henceforth permitted
to come from England & to keep school within Our Province of New York without
the license of the said Archbishop of Canterbury; and that noe other person now
there or that shall come from other parts bee admitted to keep school without your
license first had.
Similar instructions were given to his successors in that office. As
a departure from the regular custom of issuing licenses only by the
colonial officials, the following is of interest :
Att a meeting of ye Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council held in ye Citty Hall
of Albany, ye 23d of Jannary lyjHr
The request of Cornells Bogardus by ye mouth of Mr. Willm de Meyer to be ad-
mitted a schoolmaster for ye Citty is taken into consideration and unanimously doe
graunt ye same, as also a freeman of this Citty upon his arrivall.
The following is from the records of the Common Council of the
date given :
Att a Common Council held in the City Hall of Albany, the 8th day of April, 1721.
Whereas it is very requisite and necessary that a fitt and able Schoolmaster settle
in this city for teaching and instructing of the youth in speling, reading, writeing
and cyffering, and Mr. Johannis Glandorf having offered his service to settle here
and keep a school if reasonably encouraged by the corporation. It is therefore Re-
solved by this Commonalty, and they do hereby oblidge themselves and their suc-
cessors to give and procure unto the said Johan's Glandorf free house rent for the
term seaven years next "ensueing for keeping a good and commendable school as
becomes a diligent Schoolmaster.
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in-
corporated in 1701, accomplished something for the cause of education
in the colonies. One of their orders as to qualifications of teachers
contained the following:
I. That no person be admitted a Schoolmaster, till he bring Certificates, with re-
spect to the Particulars following:
257
1. The Age of the Person.
2. His Condition of Life, whether Single or Married.
3. His Temper.
4. His Learning.
5. His Prudence.
(i. His sober and pious Conversation.
7. His zeal for the Christian Religion and Diligence in his Calling.
8- His Affection to the present Government.
9. His Conformity to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England.
i
This society also published an extended code of instructions for its
teachers, covering every possible contingency and phase of their calling.
A grammer school was opened at New York in 1702 and continued
to 1 709, and at about that time attempts were inaugurated to found a col-
lege in this province. In 1773 there was established under an act of
the General Assembly "a public school to teach Latin, Greek and
Mathematics in the city of New York."
Most of the school teachers prior to the Revolution were men. Down
to that timeless attention was given to the education of women than of
men, and man}' young women possessed of brilliant natural talents,
were taught only to read and write and a few simple accomplishments.
•These unjust conditions have all happily passed away. With the close
of the Revolutionary war and under the civilizing influences of free-
dom, the cause of education was rapidly advanced. The Regents of the
State of New York were incorporated in 1784, (reorganized 1787) and
in their report of 1793 they called attention to the benefits likely to
accrue from the establishment of more schools in various parts of the
State. "The mode of accomplishiag this object," said the report, "we
respectfully submit to the wisdom of the Legislature." At the opening
of the session of L795, Governor Clinton thus alluded to this subject in
his message:
While it is evident that the general establishment and liberal endowment of acad-
emies are highly to be commended, and are attended with the most beneficial conse-
quences, yet it cannot be denied that they are principally confined to the children of
the opulent, and that a great portion of the community is excluded from their im-
mediate advantages. The establishment of common schools throughout the State,
is happily calculated to remedy this inconvenience, and will therefore engage your
, early and decided consideration.
These were the first steps taken directly toward the establishment
of the common school system of the State. On the 11th of January,
L795, the Assembly appointed a committee of six to consider the school
subject, and on February 19 they reported "An Act for the Encourage-
33
258
ment of Schools," which became a law on the 9th of April. This act
appropriated $50,000 annually for five years, for the general support of
common schools, which sum was at first apportioned to the several
counties according to their representation in the Legislature; later it
was apportioned according to the number of electors for member of
assembly, and to the several towns according to the number of taxable
inhabitants. The act provided for the election of not less than three
nor more than seven commissioners in each town, who should have super-
vision of the schools in each town. The inhabitants in different sec-
tions of the towns were authorized to meet for the purpose of procur-
curing "good and sufficient schoolmasters, and for erecting and main-
taining schools in such and so many parts of the town where they may
reside, as shall be most convenient," and to appoint two or more trus-
tees, whose duties were defined by the act. The public money paid to
each district was to be apportioned by the commissioners according to
the number of days of instruction given in each of the schools. Provi-
sion was made also for annual returns from all districts, towns and
counties.
Lotteries were early instituted by the State for the support of schools,
first in 1799, when $100,000 was to be raised, $12,500 of which was to
go to academies and the remainder to common schools. Again in
1801 an equal amount was raised, one-half of which went to common
schools.
On the 2d of April, 1805, an act was passed providing that the net
proceeds of the sale of 500,000 acres of unappropriated State lands
should be made a permanent fund for the support of schools, the avails
to be invested until the interest amounted to $50,000, when an annual
distribution of that amount should be made. By February, 1807, re-
ceipts for the school fund in the treasury had reached $151,115.69.
In 1811 a law was enacted authorizing the governor to appoint five
commissioners to report a system for the organization of the common
schools. The commission consisted of Jedediah Peck, John Murray, jr.,
Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner, and Samuel Macomb. Their report,
made February 14, 1812, was accompanied by the draft of a bill em-
bodying the main features of the common school system as it existed
until 1838. One feature of the bill was, that each county should raise'
by tax an amount equal to that apportioned by the State. Following
is a brief outline of the system :
That the several towns in the State be divided into school districts, three commis-
259
sioners elected by the citizens qualified to vote for town officers, that three trustees
be elected in each district, to whom shall be confided the caie and superintendence
of the school to be established therein; that the interest of the school fund be divided
among the different counties and towns, according to their respective population, as
ascertained by the successive censuses of the United States; that the proportions re-
ceived by the respective towns be subdivided among the districts into which said
towns shall be divided, according to the number of children in each, between the
ages of five and fifteen years; that each town raise annually, as mnch money as it
shall have received from the school fund; that the gross amount of moneys received
from the State and raised by the towns, be appropriated exclusively to the payment
of wages of teachers; and that the whole system be placed under the superintend-
ence of an officer appointed by the Council*of Appointment.
Gideon Hawley was made the first superintendent of common schools
and held the office from 1813 to 1821. In the first report (1814) he
called attention to the fifth section of the law under which it was a
possibility that a single town in a county might receive the whole of
the public money for that county; and to other provisions giving each
town the choice of complying with the law and receiving its benefits
and bearing its burdens, or of refusing such compliance. Under these
provisions many towns had refused compliance with the act, to the
great detriment of the system. The superintendent suggested that it be
made obligatory upon the towns to comply with the act, and also on
the Boards of Supervisors to levy on the respective towns a sum equal
to the sum "which shall be apportioned to such towns out of the public
money to be distributed." These suggestions were promptly carried
out by amendments to the act.
The founding of this school system was an educational movement of
the greatest importance and its benefits became at once apparent. In
his second report (1815) Mr. Hawley. said:
But the great benefit of the act does not lie in any pecuniary aid which it may
afford. . . It consists in securing the establishment of common schools wherever
the \ are necessary ; in organizing them on a suitable and permanent foundation;
and in guarding them against the admission of unqualified teachers.
In the mean time, in L813,the Albany Academy was incorporated, as
described further on, and was succeeded later by those at Rensselacr-
yille, Knoxville, and Coeymans. (See town histories).
In his sixth annual report the superintendent renewed his recom-
mendation before made, for a revision and consolidation of the existing
school laws. On the 19th of April, L819, accordingly, the Legislature
re-enacted the "act for the support of Common Schools." making the
various amendments suggested by Mr. Hawley. To him is given the
260
honor and credit of having done more than any one person in the
founding of the common school system in this State. John Van Ness
Yates was secretary of state and superintendent ex officio of common
schools from 1821 to 1826, the separate office of superintendent of
schools having been abolished by the Constitution of 1821. The Con-
stitution, provided, also, "the proceeds of all lands thereafter to be
sold, belonging to the State, with the exception of such as might be re-
served for the public use or ceded to the United States, together with
the existing school fund, were declared to constitute a perpetual fund,
the interest of which should be inviolably appropriated and applied to
the support of the common schools."
In 1820 Albany county had 155 common schools, exclusive of parts
of districts adjoining other counties. Of this number twenty-five were
in Allbany, twenty-five in Bethlehem, fifteen in Coeymans, sixteen in
Westerlo, eighteen in Rensselaerville, thirty in Berne, seventy-four in
Guilderland, and "twelve in Watervliet.
Azariah C. Flagg held the office of secretary of state and superin-
tendent of schools from 1826 to 1833, and was succeeded by John A.
Dix (1833-39), during which period great improvements were made in
the details of the school system. In 1827 the sum annually distributed
to the various districts was increased to $100,000; in 1837 it was
$110,000. On the 13th of April, 1835, an act was passed which laid
the foundation of district school libraries; it authorized the taxable in-
habitants of each district to impose a tax of not more than $20 the first
year, and $10 each succeeding year for the purchase of a district
library. Under this act libraries were established in very many dis-
tricts of the State and the resultant benefit is beyond estimate.
In 1838 $160,000 were added from the annual revenue of the United
States deposit fund to the amount to be apportioned among the various
school districts. In the following year the number of districts in the
State was 10,583. The increase in the number of districts from time to
time is shown as follows: 1798, 1,352 districts; 1816, about 5,000;
1820, 5,763; 1825, 7,642; 1830, 8,872; 1855, 9,865.
On the 4th of February, 1839, John C. Spencer was appointed sec-
retary of state and superintendent of common schools, and he con-
tinued in the office until 1842. He advocated several changes in the
system, the most important being, perhaps, the county supervision of
schools by regular visitors. These visitors reported to the superin-
tendent, and one of the results of their early reports was the plan of
261
appointing county superintendents, which went into effect in April,
1N42, and resulted in a great improvement in the general character of
the schools. The office was abolished March 13, 1847, during which
period the following persons from Albany county held the office:
Royal Shaw, Francis Dwight, Rufus King, Horace K. Willard, Abra-
ham Van Vechten, Henry S. McCall.
In his annual message of 1844 Governor Bouck treated largely the
school question, stating among other things the following:
The substitution of a single officer, charged with the supervision of the schools of
each town, for the board of commissioners and inspectors formerly existing, in con-
nection with the supervisory and appellate powers of the several county superintend-
ents, as defined by the law of the last session, seems to have met with the general
approbation and concurrence of the people.
Samuel S. Young was secretary of state and superintendent of schools
from February, 1842, to February, 1845, when he was succeeded by
Nathaniel S. Benton, who continued until 1847, when the new Consti-
tution was in effect.
The subject of Teachers' Institutes was first brought forward in the
Tompkins County Teachers' Association in the fall of 1842, and the
first institute was held in Ithaca, April 4, 1843; they soon became' a
powerful auxiliary in elevating the teacher's profession.
A persistent and nearly successful attempt was made to engraft upon
the new Constitution of 1846 a free school system for the State. The
section under which it was to be accomplished was the following:
The Legislature shall provide for the free education and instruction of every child
of the State in the common schools, now established; or which shall hereafter be
established therein.
This section was' adopted by a vote of 57 to 53, and a provision was
then added directing the Legislature to provide for raising the necessar)'
taxes in the districts to carry out the plan. The convention then ad-
journed for dinner. After reassembling the school article was referred,
on resolution, to a committee of one with instructions to strike out the
last two sections relating to free schools. ' This was done and the pro-
vision for the establishment of free schools was defeated.
On the 1 :5th of November, is IT, the Legislature passed an act abol-
ishing the office of county superintendent < >f common schools, direct-
ing appeals authorized to be made by law to be made to the state
superintendent, and the annual reports of the town superintendents to
be made to the county clerk. This measure was adopted largely in
262
response to popular clamor, and was in many respects temporarily
disastrous to the welfare of the schools. Reports of town superintend-
ents were often superficial and incomplete, while they were "wholly
incapable of supplying the place in the system which had been assigned
to the higher class of officers."
On the 10th of December, 1847, the various statutes relating to com-
mon schools were consolidated into one act, with such amendments as
seemed expedient; town superintendents were to hold their office two
years; the library law was modified so that library money in any dis-
trict might be used for teachers' wages, with the consent of the state
superintendent, provided the number of volumes in the library had
reached a certain proportion to the number of children, etc.
Christopher Morgan was state superintendent of schools and secre-
tary of state from 1847 to 1851, when he was succeeded by Henry S.
Randall, who held the office until 1853. In the message to the Legis-
lature of 1849 Governor Fish expressed his belief "that the restoration
of the office of county superintendent would be productive of good to
the school system." He recommended two measures, either of which
would improve the situation :
First, The repeal of chap. 358, laws of 1847, restoring the office of county superin-
tendent, and making it elective by the people.
Second, The election of a superintendent in every Assembly district, except in the
city of New York, and the cities which now have, or shall hereafter have, a city
superintendent, or board of education, to manage their school affairs.
The superintendent then reviewed the situation as to the problem of
free schools which was before the people. On the 26th of March, 1849,
the Legislature passed the "Act establishing -Free Schools throughout
the State." For its provisions in detail the reader must be referred to
the statutes. The practical application of this system met with wide-
spread and intense opposition from the first, and it soon became ap-
parent that a demand for its appeal would have to be met. At the
annual election in the fall of 1850, therefore, the people voted upon
the question of its repeal, and the majority in favor of repeal was
4»i,S74, in forty-two of the fifty-nine counties of the State; in the re-
maining seventeen counties the majority against repeal was 71,912,
leaving a majority of 25,088 against repeal. Thus the beneficent free
school system was permanently established. The majority in favor of
repeal in Albany county was 0,798.
The number of districts in the State reported in 1850 was 11,397, and
263
the number of children taught was 735,188. The number of districts
in 1895 was 11,121.
In 185G the provision of the law of 1851 appropriating annually
$800,000 was repealed and a tax of three-quarters of a mill on the
dollar of real and personal property substituted for payment of teach-
ers' wages, and the rate bill was continued; the school commissioners
to be elected by the Boards of Supervisors.
A law was passed in 1853 providing for union free schools, authoriz-
ing the inhabitants of two or more districts to elect trustees and levy a
tax on the property in the united districts for the payment of teachers'
wages and other expenses.
The general school law was revised in 1864, and in 1867 the rate bill
was abolished and a tax of one and a quarter mills on the dollar of val-
uation substituted.
In 1860 Albany county had 169 districts. At the present time (1896)
the number is 151. Most of these are supplied with comfortable school
houses, some of which are commodious and modern in style. The
town histories on later pages of this volume contain such reference to
the local schools as has been found available.
The first attempt to establish an educational institution of a general
character in Albany was made in 1767-8, when Eleazer Wheelock came
from Lebanon, Conn., where he had taught an Indian school, and en-
deavored to establish one here. The Common Council took an inter-
est in the undertaking and voted to raise $7,500 for the erection of
the necessary buildings. For some unknown reason the project failed.
During 1779 an attempt was made to incorporate Clinton College at
Schenectady. The proposed list of incorporators included the names
of the following citizens of Albany: Eilardus Westerlo, Philip Schuy-
ler, Robert R. Livingston, Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates,
jr., Robert Yates, John Cuyler and Robert Van Rensselaer. This at-
tempt failed, but opened the way for the later founding of Union
College, in which many prominent citizens of Albany count)- took an
interest. For a time it was undecided whether the institution would
be located in Schenectady or in Albany. The first trustees of that
college when it was founded in L795, had among their number the
following citizens of Albany: Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, jr., Abra-
ham Ten Broeck, Goldsborb Banyar, John V. Henry, George Merchant,
Stephen Van Rensselaer and Joseph Yates. The first president of the
college, Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, was called from the pastorate of the
264
First Presbyterian church of Albany. The citizens of Albany have al-
ways shown an active interest in the welfare of the institution.
In 1812 the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Albany Lan-
casterian School Society. The trustees were composed of thirteen
citizens with Mayor Philip S. Van Rensselaer, president. The mem.
bers of the Common Council were also members of the board ex officio.
It was the first attempt to establish an institution with partially free
school character. Any person contributing $25 to its benefit was en-
titled to the tuition of one scholar. Its first and only principal here
was William A. Tweed Dale, a Scotchman and disciple of Joseph Lan-
caster, of England. Charles R. Webster, whose career as-the pioneer
Albany printer is sketched in the preceding chapter, was one of the
leaders in founding this school. The school was taught in the upper
part of the building of the Mechanics' Society, corner of Chapel and
Columbia streets. In 1815 the site now occupied by the Medical College
was purchased and a school house built thereon at a cost of $24,000,
which was opened April 5, 1817, and accommodated 500 pupils. In sup-
port of the school the city corporation allowed $500 a year from the ex-
cise receipts, and about the same amount came from the school fund, while
receipts received from scholars amounted to about $400 a year. This
school was continued until 1836. when it was closed by the Common
Council, as the attendance had decreased and the pupils could be accom-
modated in the common schools. The basis of the Lancasterian system
was the teaching of the masses of children with small expense, few
teachers and self-help.
In the summer of 1780 the founding of an academy in Albany was
earnestly discussed and finally acted upon by the Common Council.
In September proposals made by George W. Merchant, of Philadel-
phia, to take charge of the institution in rooms which had been fitted
up in a private dwelling, were accepted. This was not a permanent ar-
rangement, and in 1804, and again in 1806, further efforts were made
toward the erection of a suitable academy building, resulting only in
failure. Finally in 1812, just, as the country was assuming another war,
the project was again taken up under the auspices of Philip S. Van
Rensselaer, mayor, and on January 18, 1813, the Common Council
called a meeting for the 25th in the Capitol. The council appropri-
ated the old jail on the south side of State street, just below Eagle,
and about $5,000 in other property. The academy was incorporated
March 4, 1813, by the Regents of the University, and the trustees held
their first meeting March 23, the trustees being as follows:
265
Stephen Van Rensselaer, John Lansing, Archibald Mclntyre, Smith Thompson,
Abraham Van Vechten, John V. Henry, Henry Walton, Rev. William Niel, Rev.
John M. Bradford, Rev. John McDonald, Rev. Timothy Clowes, Rev. John Mcjimp-
sey, Rev. Frederic G. Myer, Rev. Samuel Merwin, and the mayor and recorder of
Albany, ex officio.
The Common Council also donated the site where the academy now
stands, appropriated funds for the building, and grants were made by
the Regents. On July 28, 1815, the corner stone of the building was
laid and the structure was completed within the nex^t two years at a
cost of $90,000. It is of stone and is a handsome edifice. In the mean
time the school was kept temporarily in a wooden building on the south-
east corner of State and Lodge streets, where the first session opened
September 11, 1815, under the presidency of Benjamin Allen, LL.D.
With him were associated Rev. Joseph Shaw, professor of languages;
they with Trustees Niell, Beck and Sedgwick welcomed the first class.
It numbered about eighty. In August, 1817, Theodore Romeyn Beck,
M.D., LL.D., was appointed principal, and held the position until 1848,
excepting from 1841 to 1844, when Rev. Andrew Shiland acted. Dr. Beck
was born in Schenectady in 1791, and graduated at Union College in
1807. When called to the principalship he was practicing medicine in
Albany. It was in this old academy that Joseph Henry, LL.D., pro-
fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy from 182*5 to L832, made
himself and the institution immortal by the discovery that the electric
current could be transmitted long distances and communications made
by its agency from one point to another. He arranged a coil contain-
ing a mile of wire in the upper rooms of the academy, and there for
the first time transmitted through it the signals which constitute the
germ of the electric telegraph. In L836 II. W. Delavan died and left
§2,000 to the academy, the income from which has been used for the
education of a few poor boys each year. In 183] William Caldwell
gave $100, the income of which was to be devoted each year to the pur-
chase of a medal for the student of four years' standing who had made the
greatest proficiency in mathematics." The Albany Institute has had
rooms in the academy building from the time it was first occupied.
The later principals of the academy have been as follows: Rev. Will-
iam II. Campbell, 1848-51; George H. Cook. A. M., L851 53; Rev.
William A. Miller, A. M., 1853-51;; David Murray, Ph.D , LL.D.,
L856 63; James W. Mason, A. M., is.;:; 68; Rev. Abel Wood, L869 70;
Merrill E. Gates, Ph.D., LL.D.. L870 82; James M. Cassety, Ph.D.,
34
26 G
to January, 1887; Henry P. Warren, M. A., the present incumbent.
For a long time prior to 1858 the records do not show a graduating
class. In that year six are recorded as graduates, as follows: William
H. Hale, Charles E. Smith, Edward S. Lawson, Thomas M. Gaffney,
Thaddeus R. White, and Thomas S. Willes. In the spring of 1872 the
academy was made a military school, the students wearing a cadet uni-
form and being drilled and governed under the regulations applying to
such institutions. The entire record of Albany Academy is one of
prosperity. From its walls have gone out more than 7,000 students,
while the Faculty has increased from the original two members to four-
teen. Several literary societies are connected with the academy, con-
tributing to the welfare of the students.
The nucleus of the Albany Female Academy was a school for the
higher education of young women which was opened mainly through
the efforts of Ebenezer Foot, a prominent lawyer, on May 21, 1814.
It first occupied a one story building on Montgomery street, and was
called the Union School, but was incorporated under its present title
February 16, 1821. The first board of trustees were James Kent, John
Chester, Joseph Russell, John V. Henry, Asa H. Center, Gideon Haw-
ley, William Fowler, Teunis Van Vechten, and Peter Boyd. In the
year of its incorporation a building was erected in rear of the Delavan
House, at a cost of $3,000, which would accommodate 120 pupils. The
institution prospered, and to provide the necessary larger accommoda-
tions the old building on North Pearl street was erected in 1834, at a
cost of $30,000, and it was first opened May 12 of that year. The first
principal of this academy was Horace Goodrich, who was succeeded by
Edwin James. In 1815 Lebbeus Booth took the position and was suc-
ceeded in 1824 by Frederick Matthews. In 1826 Alonzo Crittenden
was appointed and continued until 1845. Under his long and suc-
cessful administration the academy nourished to a remarkable degree.
L. Sprague Parsons succeeded Mr. Crittenden, and resigned in 1854
to be succeeded by Eben S. Stearns, who held the position until
1868, when Caroline G. Greeley was appointed for a brief term and was
succeeded by Louisa Ostrom; she continued to 1879, since which year,
with a short intermission, Lucy A. Plympton has been principal. The
academy is now in a prosperous condition, having removed from the
old property on North Pearl street to Washington avenue, next to the
Harmanus Bleecker Hall, where it occupies two large and well equipped
building's.
LUCY A. PLYMPTON.
267
The Albany State Normal .School is the oldest of the several now in
existence in this State. It was established by the Legislature May 7,
1844, and opened on the 18th of December with twenty-nine pupils,
in the old depot building of the Mohawk & Hudson River Railroad,
which was procured for the purpose by the city, the first principal
being David B. Page, of New Hampshire. In 1848 the school was made
a permanent institution, its previous work being in the nature of an
experiment. In that year a new building was erected on Lodge street
at a cost of $25,000, which was first opened July 31, 1849. Mr. Page,
the first principal, died in 1848, and his successors have been as follows:
George R. Perkins, 1848; Samuel B. Woolworth, 1852; David H.
Cochran, 1856; Oliver Arey, 1864; Joseph Alden, 1867; Edward P.
Waterbury, 1882; William J. Milne, Ph. D., LL.D., incumbent. In
1 885 the school was removed to its new building on Willett street, fac-
ing Washington Park, which was erected at a cost of $140,000. This
accommodates 670 students, including 400 normals, 200 in the model
department, fifty in kindergarten, and twenty in the object class. This
institution has been of incalculable benefit to the educational system oi
the State.
The Convent and Academy of the Sacred Heart was founded through
an application made in 1853 by Rt. Rev. John McCloskey, bishop of
Albany, to the Mother House of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, in
Paris, France. It was his desire to establish a school for higher ed-
ucation of young Catholic women. His request was granted and sev-
eral women left the convent at Manhattanville and settled in Albany
to found the new school. .V boarding and day school was at first
opened in the Westerlo mansion on North Pearl street, but pupils
increased so rapidly that more ample accommodations were needed and
the extensive grounds of Thomas Hillhouse, on the Troy road, were
purchased. The building thereon was fitted up for school purposes and
for a time served its purpose.
In L858 the splendid residence of Joel Rathbone, near Kenwood, was
red for sale. The mansion was nearly new and the grounds very
extensive and picturesque, The Ladies of the Sacred Heart, with the
bishop's permission, asked the Very Rev. J. J. Conroy and Mr. John
Tracey to purchase the premises for them, which was done at a cost of
$45,000. The property on the Troy road was sold. The Rathbone
residence was used for the school several years, but in L866 a new
building was erected with accommodations for about 200 pupils, with a
268
wing for a training academy for those who wished to consecrate their
lives to the work. A chapel was also erected in the building between
the academy and the novitiate. The entire buildings have cost about
$200,000.
St. Agnes school was founded in 1870 through the efforts of Rt. Rev.
William Croswell Doane, bishop of Albany, for the education of Christian
women. The Corning Foundation for Christian Work was incorporated
March 14,1871, and ground was broken for thebuilding May 8 ; thecorner
stone was laid June 19, and the school was opened on Hallowe'en, 1872.
The financial basis of this now well known institution was laid by Erastus
Corning, sr. The building accommodates 110 students with board and
rooms, and the annual attendance is about 200. Its purpose is most
beneficent and it has been successful from the beginning.
The Christian Brothers' Academy was founded in 1864 and incorpo-
rated by the Regents of the State August 3, 1869. The object of the
institution is to train young men for business or college life, at the same
time offering moral and religious education to its students. These are
chiefly Catholics, but students of other denominations are received.
The school system of the city of Albany is described in the pages
devoted to the history of the city.
CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS.
The State Capitol. — In 1803 the Common Council of the city of Al-
bany sent a request to the Legislature to pass an act authorizing the
erection of a State House and Court House, and appointed a committee
to prepare a petition and a map. This committee were John Cuyler,
Charles D. Cooper, and John Van Ness Yates. Their report was sub-
mitted March 7, 1803, and the Legislature authorized the erection of
the structure then called the New Capitol, by act passed April 6, 1804.
The capital commissioners were John Taylor, Daniel Hale, Philip S.
Van Rensselaer, Simeon De Witt, and Nicholas N. Quackenbush. The
act required the supervisors of Albany county to raise by tax $12,000.
Provision was made for raising an equal sum by lottery, a practice
269
then much in vogue for raising- money for public improvements, but
which was abolished in 1821. The $24,000 thus provided for was added
to the proceeds of the sale of the Old Stadt Huys. The building
erected cost $110,688.42, including the furnishing of the council cham-
ber. Of this sum the city of Albany paid $34,200, the county $3,000,'
and the State the remainder. The commissioners chose what was
known as Pinkster's Hill for the site of the structure, and on April 23,
1806, the corner stone was laid with impressive ceremonies. The
building was first occupied by the Senate and Assembly in special ses-
sion November 1, 1808. It was an imposing edifice for those times and
was visited by many people. The following careful description of the
edifice was written by H. G. Spafford, of Gazetteer fame:
It stands at the head of State street, 130 feet above the level of the Hudson. It
is a substantial stone building, faced with freestone taken from the brown sandstone
quarries on the Hudson below the Highlands. The walls are fifty feet high, consist-
ing of two stories and a basement story of ten feet. The east or main front is
adorned with a portico of the Ionic order, tetrastile, the entablature supporting an
angular pediment in the tympanum of which is to be placed the Arms of the State.
The ceiling of the wall is supported by a double row of reeded columns ; the floors
are vaulted and laid with squares of Italian marble; the building is roofed with a
double hip of pyramidal form, upon the center of which is a circular cupola, twenty
feet in diameter. On its dome is a statue of Themis, facing eastward — a carved
figure of wood, eleven feet in height, holding a sword in her right hand and the bal-
ance in her left.
This is a description applicable as the building appeared in 1883,
when it was taken down, with the exception of minor additions in the
rear, and more or less interior alteration. The city and county officials
met in the Capitol until the completion of the City Hall in 1831, when
they removed thither.
The New Capitol, upon which work is still in progress, is fully de-
scribed in numerous current publications, rendering it unnecessary to
give in these pages more than an account of the steps which led to
its erection. The subject of a new Capitol building and of removing
the State capital to some other city than Albany was agitated to some
extent about 1860. On April 24, L863, on motion of James A. Bell,
senator from Jefferson county, the Senate referred the subject to the
Trustees of the Capitol and the Committee on Public Buildings In
L865 the Senate appointed a committee of three to receive propositions
from various cities as to what action they would take regarding the
removal of the capital from Albany. No satisfactory result was
270
reached through this committee. Albany proposed to convey Congress
Hall Block, or any other lands in the city suitable for the new Capitol
building, and the proposal was promptly accepted. On May 1, 1865,
an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the erection of a new
Capitol. Work upon the foundations of the structure was begun July
7, 1869. In the summer of 1871 the superstructure was far enough
advanced to receive the corner stone. June 24 was set as the day for
that ceremony, which was grand and imposing. An introductory ad-
dress was delivered by Hamilton Harris, followed by the reading of
documents that were to be placed in the stone by William A. Rice; an
address by John T. Hoffman, then governor; and Masonic ceremonies
conducted by Most Worshipful John Anton, grand master of the Grand
Lodge of the State.
The first Board of Capitol Commissioners was composed of Hamilton
Harris, May 3, 1866; John V. L. Pruyn, May 3,1866; Obadiah B.
Latham, May 3, 1866; James S. Thayer, May 19, 1868; William A.
Rice, May 19, 1868; James Terwilliger, May 19, 1868; John T. Hud-
son, May 19, 1868; Alonzo B. Cornell, May 19, 1808 The second
board was thus constituted: Hamilton Harris, April 26, 1871; William
C. Kingsley, April 26, 1871; William A. Rice, April 26, 1871; Chaun-
cey M. Depew, April 26, 1871; De Los De Wolf, April 26, 1871; Edwin
A. Merritt, April 26, 1871. The second Board was superseded by act
of Legislature passed in 1875, and the lieutenant-governor, attorney-
general, and auditor of the canal department were made commissioners.
On July 15, 1875, an advisory board to these commissioners was ap-
pointed consisting of F. Law Olmsted, Leopold Eidlitz, and Henry
Richardson. This board was superseded in 1876 by the appointment
of architects. An act passed March 30, 1883, authorized the governor,
with consent of the Senate to appoint an officer to be known as the
Commissioner of the New Capitol, and who was to have charge of the
completion of the structure in all respects. His term of office is the
same as that of the governor, two years. The same act abolished the
office of Superintendent of the Capitol. A subsequent law passed the
same year designated the governor, lieutenant-governor and speaker of
the assembly, cx-officio, trustees of the finished parts of the building,
and of other State buildings in Albany, for which they appoint a super-
intendent with an annual salary of $5,000. The Capitol building is
now nearing completion. Situated in what is to be hereafter known
as Capitol Park, on the lofty eminence overlooking the valley of the
F. J. H. MERRILL.
271
historic Hudson, it forms one of the grandest State buildings in the
country. For a detailed description of the structure the reader is re-
ferred to H. P. Phelps's Albany Hand Book.
State Hall. — On February 14, 1797, a bill passed the Legislature au-
thorizing the erection of a public building in the city of Albany with
the view of making it the seat of State government. A site was chosen
on the corner of State and Lodge streets and ground was broken for
the foundation early in that year. The building was completed in the
spring of 1799. The building is still standing and presents nearly the
same appearance that it did nearly a century ago. It is substantially
built of brick, four stories high, with the front on State street. In the
eastern wall is a tablet with the following inscription:
Erected for State Purposes,
a. d. 1797.
John Jay, Governor. C Philip Schuyler, Abraham Ten Broeck,
-| Teunis T. Van Vechten, Daniel Hale,
William Sanders, Arc /it. I Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Commissioners.
In this building were located the State departments, by which it was
occupied until 1842, when they were removed to the new State Hall,
and the State Museum was placed in this building. Interior changes
were made to fit it for its new purpose. The museum consists of de-
partments in botany, zoology, geology, and mineralogy, which embrace
nearly all of the natural productions of the State. At a later period
the building was used in part for the State Agricultural Society. This
so crowded the apartments that the Legislature subsequently made an
appropriation for the erection of a building in rear of the old Capitol,
and in 1858 the libraries, antiquities and other collections of a literary
and art character were removed thereto. In 1SG5 the Legislature pub-
licly recognized the importance of making the State Cabinet of Natural
History a museum of scientific and practical geology and comparative
zoology. In 1870 a law was passed organizing the State Museum of
Natural History, and providing an annual appropriation for its support.
Since that time the old hall has been known as Geological Mall.
State House. — What is known as the State House, situated on Eagle
street, was finished in 1842, and at once occupied by the various State
departments which were removed from the old hall. It is a substantial
and handsome structure, and until its really grand proportions were
overshadowed by the new City Hall which stands just to the south of
it, it was one of the finest buildings in the city. It is built of the white
272
stone from the Sing Sing quarries and cost the State $350,000. The
building is now occupied by the comptroller, the state engineer and
surveyor, the bank department and state geologist.
The Post-office. — As far as known there were no public postal facili-
ties established at Albany until after the Revolution. Prior to that
time each person made such arrangements as he could to get his
meager mail. But the new government at the close of hostilities
promptly established the post-office department, by the appointment in
July, 1775, of a postmaster-general, with headquarters in Philadelphia,
Benjamin Franklin being the first incumbent of the office. Regulations
for the guidance of postmasters, the carrying of mails duties of post-
riders, etc., were rapidly established, and routes between different
points opened. The first congressional act relating to mails in Albany
was the following:
September 7, 1785. Resolved, That the Postmaster-General be and is hereby
authorized, and instructed, to enter into contract for the conveyance of the mails by
stage-carriages from the City of New York to the City of Albany, according to the
accustomed route.
No paper money to be received for postage.
The history of the Albany post-office as a government institution
begins in 1783, when Abraham Yates was appointed postmaster. There
is a tradition that Col. Henry Van Schaick performed the duties of
postmaster in Albany in 1775, but if so it was only in a partially
private capacity. The early mail facilities were confined largely to
individual enterprise; messages were sent to New York by river con-
veyance and by post-riders to other points. The post-riders met at
certain points and exchanged their letters and papers, a custom that
prevailed in some localities as late as 1820. The building of steamboats
and the construction of railroads worked a marvellous change. The
policy of the government was from the first, and still continues, to give
the people the best and cheapest postal facilities, even at a heavy out-
lay. In 1785 Albany was mail headquarters for Green bush, Schenec-
tady, Cherry Valley, Orange and Dutchess counties, and Vermont
letters were advertised here. In 178(1 mails came twice a week from
New York and once a week from Springfield, Mass. In 1789-90 routes
were opened westward, the old stages which have been described car-
rying the mails along the line of what is now the Central Railroad. In
1792 post routes were extended eastward to Bennington and Burling-
ton, Vt. In 1798 regular mails were carried between Albanv and
273
Philadelphia, 280 miles, and delivered in three days; in the same year
mail facilities were extended west into the Genesee country, and post-
riders began to traverse the county in various directions to the hamlets
and settlements.
The earliest post-office in Albany of which there is reliable record
stood in 1784 a few doors above Maiden Lane on the east side of Mar-
ket street (now Broadway), and was kept by Abraham Yates. During
the war of 1812, on the corner of State street and Broadway, was
Jacob Mancius's drug- store, in rear of which, in a small room, was
located the post-office. The clerk mingled the selling of drugs and the
handling of mail. In 1823 the post office was situated on North
Market street (Broadway) a little north of the site of the Government
building. The office was removed to the Exchange building in 1.840
and there remained until 1862. During repairs in that building the
office was temporarily located on State street above Green, and in 1863
went back to the Exchange, where it remained until 1873. Its next
location was on the east side of North Pearl street, south of Columbia,
where it continued until 1877, when it was removed to the Delavan
block on Broadway. There it remained until it was placed in the new
government building, January 1, L884.
The postmasters in Albany have been as follows: 1795, George W.
Mancius, Jacob Mancius; J 812, James Mayer; 1815, Peter P. Dox;
L816, Gerrit L. Dox; 1821, Solomon Southwick; 1822-30, Solomon
Van Rensselaer; 1839-40, Azariah C. Flagg; 1842-43. Solomon Van
Rensselaer; 1843-49, James I). Wasson; 1850-58, James Kidd; 1858-
61, Calvert Comstock; 18»>l-65, George Dawson; 1865-69, Joseph
Davis; 1869-71, Morgan L. Filkins; L871 77, John F. Smyth; 1*77-85,
William H. Craig; 1885-89, Dr. D. V. O'Leary; 1889, James M. War-
ner; January 1, 1894, Francis H. Woods.
The Government building, corner State street and Broadway, eon-
tains the po'st- office and all other Federal offices. The first definite
action relating to its erection was taken by Congress March 21, L872,
when an act was passed providing for such a building and limiting the
appropriation to $350,000. The appropriation was not made at that
time, as it was required that a site be donated by the city. The city
subsequently purchased the Exchange building for $100,000 and the
site was aeeepted by the government. It was afterwards determined
that the site was too small, and in is;:; (March '■'<) an appropriation of
$150,000 was made for the purchase of the Mechanics' and Farmers'
35
274
Bank property on the north and separated from the Exchange site by-
Exchange street. Another appropriation of $5,000 was made June 3;
1874, making the total cost to the city and government $225,000. In
March, 1877, an act was passed limiting the cost of the building to
$500,000, but meanwhile work had progressed in demolishing the Ex-
change building. In June, 1877, work was resumed, and the corner
stone was laid May 7, 1879. The building is of granite in the Italian
renaissance style of architecture. It was first occupied during 1883-84.
The I Tnited States A rsenal was located in the town of Watervliet, with -
in the bounds of the present city of Watervliet, in 1813, upon twelve
acres of land, constituting the original purchase. The arsenal was
commenced in 1811 under direction of Col. George Bumford, of the
ordnance department; later its supervision was given to Major Daliba,
and still later at different periods to various other officers of the gov-
ernment. In 1825 James Gibbons offered to sell the government forty
acres of land at $300 an acre, to constitute an addition to the arsenal
property. The purchase was effected from his widow after his death,
on April 28, 1828. Some minor additional lots have been since pur-
chased. The arsenal is under charge of the Ordnance Bureau of the
War Department at Washington, and is fully equipped for the rapid
production of every description of heavy ordnance for the army. The
cost of the buildings for arsenal purposes, including machinery and all
fixtures, is estimated at $1,500,000, and the cost of all the land was
about $57,000. During the war of the Rebellion the arsenal employed
1,500 men, many of the departments running day and night. The
average number employed in recent years has been about 150, though
this number is increased at the present time.
The New York State Library, for the use of the government and
people of the State, was established April 21, 1818, in charge of the
governor, lieutenant-governor, chancellor and chief justices of the Su-
preme Court as trustees. By an act of May 4, 1844, the Legislature
placed the library completely in the custody and control of the Regents
of the University as trustees ex officio^ thus protecting it from the
political dangers which have nearly ruined many other State libraries.
The rapid growth in size and usefulness under the Regents' control
resulted in the erection of a fine new library building just west of the
Capitol and connected with it by a two-story corridor. Into this build-
ing, 114 by 48 feet, the library was moved in 1854, where it remained
till the building was demolished in 1883 to make room for the ap-
GEORGE ROGERS HOWELL.
275
proaches to the new Capitol. For the following six years the library-
was in temporary quarters under the present Assembly chamber.
In 18S9 there was a radical revision of the laws governing the library.
All existing laws were repealed, and the library was made an important
and integral part of the University of the State of New York. Early
in the same year it was moved to its present magnificent quarters in
the west end of the Capitol. By day the reading-rooms are flooded
with light, and the dark places in the stacks have electric lights, avail-
able at all hours both day and night. Electric student-lamps light the
tables, and carefully shaded ceiling or bracket lamps light the shelves,
aisles and alcoves.
The Capitol Library — a new feature which has amply justified itself
— is a lending library, free to every State employee residing in Albany
or vicinity. It has the choicest books in the best editions, and the
State's mechanics, porters, and laboring men are as welcome as the
clerks or officials to any assistance the library can give in finding the
most entertaining or profitable reading. This collection is largely
used and highly appreciated.
There are also nearly five hundred similar collections of about one
hundred volumes each which are called traveling libraries and which
are lent for periods of six months to any community in the State wish-
ing access to the best reading. This system has been productive of so
great educational results for the expenditure that it is being rapidly
copied by the other leading States of the country.
Through the paid help department any person in New York or in
any part of the world may have any service in the library for which he
is willing to pay actual cost. The least expensive assistant competent
to do the work is assigned to it, and the charge is simply enough to
prevent its being a burden on the taxpayers.
The library now contains 201,7!)!) volumes besides 29,801 volumes in
the traveling libraries and 1 12,225 duplicates. It is open every week
day from 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. , except Saturdays and holidays, when it
closes at 0 p. m.
The Albany Institute. — This useful institution is the direct successor
of similar organizations with different names, the inception of which
dates back to 1791. On February 27, L829, a charter was granted
under the present title, the Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts,
anil the Albany Lyceum of Natural History being consolidated to form it.
The Institute has a library containing about 7,000 volumes, and many
276
valuable papers. It has published ten volumes of Transactions, be-
sides volumes of its proceedings.
The Dudley Observatory stands in the western part of the city, on high
ground, 215 feet above mean tide, and a short distance from Washington
Park. It was founded through the munificence of Mrs. Blandina Dudley,
widow of Charles E. Dudley, with co-operation of leading citizens of the
city. The act of incorporation was passed in 1852, and the first Observa-
tory building was formally dedicated in August, 1856, under the auspices
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Geologi-
cal Hall, Albany, was opened on the previous day, as elsewhere explained.
The address commemorating the inauguration of the Observatory was
delivered in Academy Park by Edward Everett. Previous to the
address an additional and unexpected gift of $50,000 was received from
Mrs. Dudley. The total donations to the Observatory exceed $200,000,
of which sum $105,000 came from Mrs. Dudley. More than $100,000
was expended on the old buildings and their equipment and about the
same sum is invested for a permanent fund. While the first Ob-
servatory served its purpose for many years and gained celebrity, the
time came when it was deemed necessary that the former buildings
should be superseded by more modern structures, located on a more
desirable site. Land was selected on Lake avenue, about two miles
southwest of the former site, in the southwestern part of the city, and
efforts were begun to collect the necessary funds for the new institu-
tion. Among the contributors was Miss Catherine W. Bruce, of New
York city, who offered to donate $25,000, chiefly for permanent endow-
ment, provided the change was made as contemplated. Other contrib-
utions raised the fund to more than $70,000. The work of erecting new
buildings was prosecuted in 1892-93. In October of that year Miss
Bruce added $10,000 to her first gift, to be used largely in supplying
additional equipment to the institution. The site was donated by the
city of Albany from property in possession of the Park Commission,
and it also gave $15,000 in exchange for the original property. The
sons of the late Thomas W. Olcott provided means for refitting the
Olcott Meridian Circle, for remounting it on the new site and for housing
it in a proper manner. The sons of the late Robert H. Pruyn gave $6,000
for the construction of a new equatorial telescope, to be twelve inches
in aperture, and adapted both to visual and photographic use. Both
instruments are in position, and are in active use. The new establish-
ment was formally dedicated to the advancement of astronomy in
277
November, 1893, the National Academy of Sciences taking part in this
ceremony. The institution is now doing work of high scientific value
under the director, Lewis Boss, A. M. The observations and studies
of the institution relate principally to the motions of the stars, and to
the motion of the sun in space. These researches of the Observatory
have been aided for several years by appropriations from the Bache
Fund of the National Academy of Sciences.
Young Mens Association. — -This is the oldest institution of its char-
acter in the United States; it was founded with a memebrship of about
750 on December 10, 1833. Amos Dean was its first president and
was re-elected in the second year. The association was incorporated
March 12, 1835, its chief purpose being the maintenance of a library,
a reading room, literary and scientific lectures, and other means of
mutual improvement. During twenty- two years it sustained a debat-
ing society through which much good was effected. Its rooms were in
Knickerbocker Hall on Broadway until 1840, from where it was re-
moved to Exchange building, site of the Government building, remain-
ing there until 1852; it was next located until 1870 in the Commercial
Bank building, and from there went to the Music Hall building un-
til 1877. In that year it first occupied rooms in the Bleecker building
on North Pearl street. Harmanus Bleecker died in April, 1849, and his
widow created a fund, retaining only a life interest in same, and made
John V. L. Prnyn, of Albany, N. Y., sole trustee, with power to name
his successor. This trust consisted of reai estate and securities, which
in course of time had a value of about $80,000, though ultimately it
attained a value of over $130,000. This property came under control
of Mr. Pruvn in 1852. He died in 1877, and his will, recorded January
1 ! . 1 *78, transferred all this property to Amasa J. Parker. ( >n the 1 3th
of December, 1886, Judge Parker addressed a communication to the
association, that he had at his disposal for the benefit of the association,
this property, if the necessary arrangements could be made for funds
towards the building in the city of Albany of a large public hall.
les this property there was a fund of $10,000, left to the association
by will by Erastus Corning in 1872. The Board of Managers of the
association on December 14, L886, adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the generous proposition of lion. Amasa J. Parker giving to the
Y. M. A. the use of the Bleecker fund, for the building of a public Hall and Library
Building, to be under the management of the Association be accepted, and that the
Association will endeavor to carry the same to a successful completion.
278
In January, 1887, a committee from the association was appointed to
formulate the views and wishes of the body relative to this subject,
who reported March 9, 1887. One feature of the suggested plans for
using the fund was the raising of $50,000 additional, which was ac-
complished after considerable effort. Upon the raising of this sum
Judge Parker transferred the whole Bleecker property to the associa-
tion, on January 7, 1888, a part of the property consisting of land on
Washington avenue, on which the hall of the association has since
been erected. The building erected is finely adapted for its purposes,
and is called Harmanus Bleecker Hall. It is capable of seating about
2,500 persons.
The Young Men's Association has been of incalculable benefit to the
city of Albany in many directions. Among its officers have been
many of the leading citizens of the city, an indication of which fact is
gained in the list of presidents, which is as follows:
Amos Dean, Robert E. Ward, Charles A. Hopkins, John Davis, Robert H. Pruyn,
Denison Worthington, William E. Bleecker, Charles P. Smyth, Walter R. Bush,
Arthur C. Southwick, Rufus King, Charles H. Stanton, Franklin Townsend, William
A. Rice, Hooper C. Van Vorst, George B. Steele, William Dey Ermand, Rufus G.
Beardslee, James I. Johnson, Theodore Townsend, Gilbert L. Wilson, George C.
Lee, Ralph P. Lathrop, Richard Merrifield, Clinton Cassidy, Charles T. Shepard,
Robert L. Johnson, Charles P. Easton, Edmund L. Judson, John T. McKnight,
John Templeton, Samuel Hand, Franklin Edson, William D. Morange, Edward De
Forest, Frank Chamberlain, Robert Lenox Banks, Grenville Tremain, John S. Dele-
van, Frederick T. Martin, John Swinburne, Henry C. Littlefield, Charles A. Robert-
son, Amasa J. Parker, jr., Fred W. Brown, Jacob S. Mosher, Thurlow Weed Barnes,
John M. Bigelow, William P. Rudd, George E. Oliver, Frederick Harris, Oren E.
Wilson, Eugene Burlingame, Isaac D. F. Lansing, Harmon P. Reed, Curtis N.
Douglas, Charles B. Templeton, C. V. Winne.
The Albany Penitentiary. — This institution was incorporated in
April, 1844, and on December 19, of that year the supervisors author-
ized the purchase of a suitable site and the erection of buildings. The
site selected comprises now about forty-five acres, to the south of Wash-
ington Park. Work on the first buildings was commenced at once, and
was largely performed by prisoners who were taken to and from the jail
for the purpose. It was opened in 1846. AmosPilsbury was appoint-
ed superintendent in 1844, and held the position until his death in
1872. During his administration of almost thirty years he established
a system of government for the penitentiary that was so wonderfully
successful as to give it and its author a world-wide reputation. The
system has been perpetuated under subsequent management. ( )rig-
279
inally the prison had only ninety cells, but this number has been in-
creased to more than 600. Many new workshops have been erected
and the grounds enclosed by a high wall. The penitentiary has been
made a paying institution through its acceptance of prisoners from
other counties, and from contract labor done by convicts. General
Pilsbury was succeeded by his son, Louis D. Pilsbury, who held the
office of superintendent until 1879, when John McEwen was appointed.
He held the position until 1889, when James Mclntyre was appointed.
He was succeeded in 1896 by Chester F. Dearstyne. On May 11,
1885, an act was passed by the Legislature, which relieved the super-
visors and the mayor and recorder of the city of responsibility for the
management of the penitentiary, which was vested in a Penitentiarv
Commission.
Albany County Almshouse. — The office of overseer of the poor is one
of the oldest in the State, being in existence long before the beginning
of the present century, and has always had an important bearing upon
Albany county and city. Unlike most other counties of this State,
Albany county has never made any material distinction between the
poor of the towns and those of the county. The poor laws are exe-
cuted by the superintendent of the almshouse, the overseers of the
poor, and to some extent through a few of the charitable institutions.
The powers of the office of overseer of the poor were considerablv en-
larged by the act of 1703, and so continued through the colonial period
and were retained nearly intact by the legislative act of March 7, ] ;ss.
This act made provision for establishing an almshouse in Albany,
which was the first one in the State established under State law. The
churches had, previous to that time, maintained parish almshouses,
one of which is described in the act of August 10, 1720, incorporating
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Albany. The act of L788
gave the. overseers of the poor, with consent of the towns, authority to
build, purchase or hire houses for the poor, and to provide work for
them. An act of April •>, 1819, amended the former act extending the
powers and duties of the overseers to lunatics, habitual drunkards and
poor children. The supervisors have the power under certain restric-
tions, to abolish the distinction between town poor and county poor,
making them all chargeable to the county. This law provides that in
those counties where the poor arc made a charge upon the counties,
there shall be a superintendent of the poor, with the same powers and
rights as the overseers of the poor in respect to compelling relatives to
280
care for their own paupers, the seizure of property, etc. There are no
superintendents of the poor in Albany county. The charter for 1883,
and the city ordinances under it, passed in Ma)T, 1884, provide that the
overseer of the poor in the city of Albany shall have charge of and
apply and distribute funds for the temporary relief and support of the
poor of the city.
The site of the almshouse is south of Washington Park and west of
the penitentiary. A farm of eighty-six acres belongs to the institution.
Here are the poor house, hospital, pest house, and other structures
for proper care of the poor. The expense is borne in the ratio of
sixty per cent, by the city and forty per cent, by the county. The
lands granted under the Dongan charter have all been alienated
to the city, excepting the farm before mentioned, and the parade
ground and old burying ground which are included in Washington
Park. The first buildings for the poor were erected in 182G, at a cost
of $14,000. The poor house proper of to-day was built about 1850, and
other structures and improvements have been made as necessity de-
manded.
Albany County Agricultural Society. — The first agricultural society
in this county was formed in 1818, and thereafter held three annual
fairs. The county was then without an organization akin to an agri-
cultural society until the organization of the Albany and Rensselaer
Horticultural Society, which held its first exhibition in the Geological
rooms in September, 1847. Fairs and exhibitions followed in 1848, 1849
and 1850. In 1851 the town of Coeymans organized an agricultural soci-
ety, with James W. Jolley, president ; this was afterwards merged into the
county society. On May 14, 1853, a meeting was held in Albany, in
which James W. Jolley was chairman, and Joseph Warren, of Albany,
secretary. After some discussion an organization was effected with
the following officers: President, James W. Jolley; treasurer, E. E.
Piatt ; secretary, Joseph Warren ; with a vice-president from each
town. The first annual fair of this society was held at Bethlehem
Center, October 4-6, 1853. While this was in a measure successful,
it was seen that the fairs must be held in or near the city; the second
fair accordingly was held on the Washington Parade Ground in No-
vember, 1854. A number of succeeding fairs were held on these
grounds. On May 8, 1862, was organized the Town Union Agricul-
tural Association of the County of Albany, with the following officers:
President, Jurian Winne; vice-president, James W. Jolley; treasurer,
281
William H. Sling'erland ; secretary, Samuel C. Bradt. In the next
month the title of this association was changed to Albany County Ag-
ricultural Society. In 1803 a fair was held by the society on the Wash-
ington Parade Ground. Fairs continued to be held down to 1870,
with the exception of one year, some of which were moderately suc-
cessful, but as a whole they were not very generously supported In J une,
L873, the Albany Agricultural and Arts Association was organized with
the following officers: President, Thomas W. Olcott; vice-president,
Maurice E. Viele; treasurer, William H. Haskell; secretary, Volkert
P. Douw. This society purchased about forty-four acres of land four
miles north of the city, a tract which was happily adapted to the pur-
poses of the organization and where it was hoped permanent buildings
might be erected and the institution start upon a long career of useful-
ness The land was properly laid out and buildings were erected at a
cost of $30,000. The State Agricultural Society held its fair of 1873
on these grounds. In 1874 this society and the Albany County Society
held a joint fair September 22-25, with Volkert P. Douw, superintend-
ent. The county society held no fairs after that year. The other
association continued in existence and held exhibitions several years.
The grounds are now in market for sale.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE CITY OF ALBANY.
The general history of Albany count}-, which has been traced in the
preceding pages of this volume, necessarily includes very much of the
history of the city of Albany down to the close of the Revolutionary
war; but a few salient facts relating to that period of about L50 years
must be briefly noticed here.
It cannot be truthfully stated that the topography of the site of
Albany was originally favorable in all respects as a situation for a great
city. Consisting of a narrow level tract along the Hudson River, low
enough to be sometimes partially overflowed, backed by a slope extending
westward for nearly a mile, quite steep in some sections and divided
into four well-defined ridges, separated bv deep valleys or ravines,
36
282
this much of its area was not especially inviting to the early seekers
for a city site. Still farther westward extended a sandy plain, into
which the ravines mentioned cut their way for some distance. But
causes other than favorable topographical conditions have often deter-
mined the situation of large communities. If the land on which Albany
was to be built seemed forbidding as necessitating vast labor to
render it suitable for close settlement, it on the other hand offered in
its sloping hill sides and parallel ravines, the best of conditions for per-
fect drainage, excellent facilities for military fortifications, which were
so important to the early residents, and picturesque natural attractions.
It is not probable that the future drainage facilities or the beauties of
nature awakened remarkable enthusiasm in the Dutch settlers, but the
proximity to the Indians and their rich furs, facilities for self-protection
and for traveling and shipping southward on the great river and west-
ward on the Mohawk, were something tangible.
There are five creeks, or kills, as they were called by the Dutch,
flowing wholly or partially across the territory which was incorporated
in the city of Albany. These are the Normanskill, Beaverkill, Rutten-
kill, Foxenkill, and Patroon'sor Mill Creek, some of which have become
parts of the city sewer system. The Normanskill is one of the largest
streams in the county and is represented in city territory only by the
headwaters of the Krumkill, one of its smaller branches, though the
creek itself empties into the Hudson at Kenwood, but a quarter of a
mile south of the city limits. Beaverkill (sometimes called Buttermilk
Creek) rises in the westerly part of the city and empties into the Hud-
son a little below the steamboat landing. This was formerly a con-
siderable mill stream, and a part of it is now incorporated in the sewer
system. The Ruttenkill had its source above Lark street and flowed
wholly within the old city walls. Ordinarily a small stream, it was
periodically swollen into a torrent by rains and melting snows and
poured its waters down through a deep ravine, where Hudson avenue
now is, crossed Pearl street at the site of the Beaver block and emptied
into the Hudson a little below State street. It was bridged at South
Pearl street and Broadway. Clay was found on its banks from which
were made bricks for some of the old buildings, and, in early years,
fish abounded in its waters. The ravine of the Ruttenkill was about
350 feet broad and fifty feet deep through most of its length and was
a neglected, filthy place. Here was erected the gallows for public
executions, which was last used for the hanging of Strang in 1827 for
283
the murder of Whipple. Between 1845 and 1850 the ravine was filled
and the hills lowered by contract which was given to Charles Stanford,
a brother of Gov. Leland Stanford. The Foxenkill flowed outside of
the city before the extension of the boundaries, being a stream of con-
siderable size, and affording excellent fishing. It was bridged on North
Pearl street near Canal. Patroon's Creek once supplied power to the
Patroon's mills and discharged its waters into the Hudson near the
old manor house.
The names given to this city have been : Pem-po-tu-wuth-ut (place of
the council-fire), by the Mohegans; Sche-negh-ta-da (through the pine
woods), by the Iroquois; Ga-ish-tin-ic, by the Minci ; Fuyck (fouk), a
hoop-net, otherwise Beversfuyck, supposed to refer to a bend in the
river where fish were caught, probably first Dutch name; Beverwyck,
a place for beavers, retained from about 1634 to 1664 (sometimes writ-
ten Beverswyck); Fort Orange, in honor of William, Prince of Orange
and Nassau ; Rensselaerwyck, in honor of the Patroons, the Van Rens-
selaers; Aurania, another name for Orange; Williamstadt, in honor of
William, the Stadtholder ; New Orange, in honor of the Duke of Orange
probably (a designation seldom used); Oranjeburgh, city or fortress of
Orange (a name spoken of by Mrs. Grant); Albany, in honor of James,
Duke of York, Albany and Ulster, brother of King Charles II, who
made him proprietor of the New Netherlands. He afterward ascended
the English throne, from which he was driven soon after because of his
odious character.
The boundaries of Albany as given in the charter of 1686 were as
follows:
East, the Hudson at low water mark; south, a line drawn from the southernmost
end <>( the pasture at the north end of Martin Gerritseu's Island, and running back
due northwest sixteen miles into the woods, to a certain creek called Sandkill ; north,
a line parallel to the former, about a mile distant; and west, a straight line drawn
from the western extremities of the north and south line.
The charter included ferry rights, all waste land, rights to certain
fields and public buildings, the right of fishing in the vicinity of the
Hudson within the limits of the county, and of purchasing from the
Indians 500 acres of meadow land at Schaahtecogue on the north, and
L,000 acres at Tiononderoga (Fort Hunter) on the west, whereon to
establish colonies for frontier protection. After the organization of
counties from the western district of Rensselaerwyck, that part which
was west of the Hudson, the city boundaries were:
284
Westerly, Rotterdam and Niskayuna in Schenectady county; easterly, a line run-
ning through the center of the Hudson River channel; southerly, Bethlehem and
Guilderland; northerly, Colonie and Watervliet.
The first territorial change was made February 25, 1815. when a part
of old Colonie was annexed, the line of which adjoining Albany ex-
tended from the river westerly along- Patroon street, where are now
Quackenbush street and Clinton avenue. This constituted the old
Fifth ward. The remainder of Colonie was annexed to Watervliet
at the same time. The changes which gave the city its present bound-
aries were made April 6, 1870, and April 26, 1871.
The islands constituting a part of Albany are Kasteel (or Castle)
Island, as it was called in early years, and which has had various other
titles, but is now known as Van Rensselaer Island, and which has been
referred to in earlier chapters as the probable site of Elkins's trading
post, established about 1614, and as where Corstiaensen landed, and
another island, lying between the city and Greenbush, and belonging
to the Boston and Albany Railroad.
The granting of the charter of 1686 makes Albany one of the oldest
existing cities of the original thirteen colonies. It was for that reason,
as well as for others, that the issue of that document was a most im-
portant historical event. Dongan was known as a just man, one of
large views for his time, of good judgment and clear foresight, with
the result that the charter was drawn upon broad lines. It sought in
no way to interfere with the then existing privileges of the people nor to
abridge their rights and liberties. While he may not have foreseen the
future importance of the place in times of war, he evidently clearly
understood its commercial advantages, which were even then attracting
notice. These facts are indicated by some of the provisions of the
charter. It provided that " the said town should forever thereafter be
called by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the
City of Albany." It granted "to the city of Albany, all the waste,
vacant, unappropriated land lying and being in the City and the pre-
cincts and liberties thereof, extending and reaching to the low-water
mark in, by and through all parts of the said City, together with all
rivers, coves, creeks, ponds, water courses in the said City not hereto-
fore granted." It gave the city corporation its power to purchase and
hold land in its corporate name — a most important provision- — as
follows :
GEN. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER.
285
I do, by these presents, give and grant unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Com-
monalty, full power and license at their pleasure, likewise to purchase from the In-
dians the quantity of 1,000 acres of low or meadow land lying at a certain place called
or known by the name of Tionondoroge, which quantity of 1,000 acres of low or meadow
land shall and may be in what part of Tionondoroge, or the land adjacent on both
sides of the river, as they, the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City
of Albany shall think most convenient; which said several parcels of low or meadow
land I do hereby, in behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, give, grant
and confirm unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany
aforesaid, to be and remain to the use and behoof of them and their successors for-
ever. To have and to hold all and singular, the premises to the said Mayor. Alder-
men and Commonalty of the said City of Albany and their successors forever, ren-
dering and paying therefor unto his most sacred Majesty, his heirs, successors and as-
signs, or to such officer or receiver as shall be appointed to receive the same, year-
ly, forever hereafter,- the annual quit rent or acknowledgement of one beaver skin,
in Albany, on the five and twentieth day of March, yearly forever.
The charter designates the officers of the city as follows:
There shall be forever hereafter, within the said City, a Mayor, Recorder, Town
Clerk, and six Aldermen and six Assistants, to be appointed, nominated, elected,
chosen and sworn, as hereinafter is particularly and respectively mentioned, who
shall be forever hereafter called the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City
of Albany, and that there shall be forever, one Chamberlain, or Treasurer, one
Sheriff, one Coroner, one Clerk of the Market, one High Constable, three sub-Con-
stables, one Marshall or Sergeant-at-Mace to be appointed, chosen and sworn in
manner hereinafter mentioned.
It provided further:
The Mayor, Aldermen and Recorder shall be Justices and Keepers of the Peace,
and Justices to hear and determine matters and causes within the said City and pre-
cincts thereof, to hear, determine and punish all petty larcenies and all other petty
offences.
The mayor was made ex-officio coroner and clerk of the market, and
he with the aldermen and recorder of the city were to be justices of the
peace of the county, and as such, "shall and may sit in the Court of
Sessions or County Courts and- Courts of Oyer and Terminer, that from
time to time shall beheld in said County; and that the Mayor, Re-
corder, and some one of the Aldermen shall preside at such County
Courts and Courts of Sessions. The town Clerk of the said city shall
always he the Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Sessions or Court of
the County."
Early in July of 168(i Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston were
appointed commissioners tojgo to New York and receive the charter.
On the 22d of Jul)- they returned with the important document and
286
were given a public reception "with all the joy and acclamations im-
aginable, and received the thanks of the magistrates, burgesses and
other dignitaries of the city, for their diligence and care."
By the terms of the charter the following persons were appointed the
first officers of the city :
Peter Schuyler, mayor ; Jan Bleecker, chamberlain; Isaac Swinton, recorder;
Richard Pretty, sheriff; Robert Livingston, clerk; James Parker, marshal.
Aldermen. — Dirk Wessels, Jan Jans Bleecker, David Schuyler, Johannis Wendell,
Lavinus Van Schaack, Adrian Gerritse.
Assistant Aldermen. — Joachim Staats, John Lansing, Isaac Verplanck, Law-
rence Van Ale, Albert Ruyckman, Melgert Winantse.
The first meeting of the "Justices of ye peace for ye County of Al-
bany," was held on the 26th of July, and the previously named officers
took their oaths of office. From the judicial powers conferred upon the
mayor and aldermen, those of the justices of the peace, all the court
proceedings of minor character came before them, which had previous
to the charter been brought before justices of the peace, whose limited
powers were conferred by the governor-general. The first meeting of
the Mayor's Court, which was also a meeting of the mayor and alder-
men for transaction of municipal business, was held in the city hall
August 31, 1686. On that occasion, it is recorded, a negro with the
classical name of Hercules, was charged by Myndert Frederickse with
stealing wampum out of his house. The prisoner confessed and was
sentenced "to be whipped through ye towne at ye carte tale by ye
hangman, for an example to others." The sense of justice of this
court apparently exceeded its ability to spell correctly.
In those days city officials were placed under penalties to attend to
their duties which at the present day would impoverish some aldermen.
The following ordinance was adopted at that meeting:
Whoever of the members of the Common Council shall be absent att ye second
ringing of ye bell, being in towne, at any common council day, shall forfeit six shil-
lings, toties quoties.
Upon the expulsion of King James II of England in 1680, and the
accession of William and Mary, the event was celebrated in Albany.
The news reached the city on the 1st of July and a meeting of the Com-
mon Council was promptly called. A procession was formed in which
marched the mayor, council, other officials and citizens. Proceeding
to the fort the mayor there proclaimed, in English and Dutch, that
William and Mary were their lawful sovereigns. Then guns of the fort
2*7
were fired and bells were rung. The imagination may picture the
peculiar scene. Compare it with a modern political procession follow-
ing a presidential election. The little concourse of probably less
than a hundred stolid Dutchmen tramping up the hill, destitute of ban-
ners and band, to hear the mayor announce that a new king was their
master on the other side of the broad ocean. The Dutchmen were
evidently happy over the change, as well they might be.
It was as difficult, probably, in those days to collect taxes as it is at
the present time. It was found in 1095 that the city was a number of
thousand pounds in arrears, and at a meeting of the Council October
14, 1695, when Evert Bancker was mayor, the following report was
made:
Whereas, the Arriears of ye .£2,000 and ,£1,500 tax having been directed to ye
constables of each warde by an warrant from Dirk Wessells, Justice, which consta-
bles give in their report, that all who are indebted to ye said arriears gives them an
answer that they have paid it, and setts them aft from time to time.
At the same meeting the accounts of the treasurer were examined
and a warrant was directed to be issued to " fetch up all the lycenses. "
The justices were also directed to appear before the board on Decem-
ber 9, following, " to correct all affairs between the Citty and County. "
The licenses mentioned were those granted for the sale of various
kinds of merchandise.
A case that would have been summarily disposed of in these days,
but which seems to have puzzled the city dignitaries at that time, for
they never adjusted it as far as the record shows, is described in the fol-
lowing:
Cornelia Vanderheyden appears here at ye barr, and gives in the oath of her suster
Ariaantje, who is brought to child-bed, that Lief t. Symon Young is ye father thereof, ye
only father, and none but he; and deseres that ye Mayor and aldermen would use
some methodd or anoyr with ye sd Young for the maintenance of the child.
" Ye only father" is decidedly quaint. Lieutenant Young was subse-
quently appointed sheriff and offered to take and support the child, but
the mother refused; and there the matter probably ended.
The old line of stockades which enclosed the city gave the inhabitants
considerable trouble. On December 17, 1695, an order was made for re-
pairing "the City Stoekadoes, which were out of repair toward the
river side, and that four hundred and fifty new Stoekadoes should be
provided, to be thirteen feet long and afoot over, and that a warrant
may be directed to the assessors, to make an equal assessment thereof
288
upon the inhabitants, and then deliver the same to the Mayor." The
line of this stockade was on what is now Steuben street on the north,
Hudson avenue on the south, the river on the east, and Lodge street
on the west. Later the boundaries of the stockade were much ex-
tended.
The year of 1096 witnessed a great deal of suffering from a scarcity
of grain, particularly wheat. The crop was poor and prices became
very high so that the poor people were utterly unable to obtain it. The
thrifty Dutch merchants saw their opportunity and bought up all that
was available, for shipment to New York, where the price was about
double what they were compelled to pay in Albany, whereupon the
Common Council took a hand in the matter, as indicated in the follow-
ing:
Whereas Several persons of ye citty and county has given in a complaint to ye
Mayor and justices of the citty and county, yt there is severall persons doe goe with
money in thare hands to buy wheat, and can not have it, by reason of ye marchants
has engrossed in there hands, being resolved to ship it to New York ; the Mayor,
aldermen, and ye justices of ye peace have resolved and agreed upon yt no merchts
or any other persons whatsoever shall ship any corn aboard any sloop, vessel, boat
whatsoever untill such time wee have his Excell. directions in it, as they will answer
upon there utmost perill.
On Jul)7 17, 1697, the following was adopted, showing that the Dutch
city officials, in spite of their general stolidity, were not wholly in-
sensible to flattery :
Whereas, Mr. Lieft. Oliver doth make his addresse to the Court for bedding,
since he complains that he is in great necessity for want thereof, ye gent'n of ye
Court cannot fynde that they are obliged to furnish such supplies but, in considera-
tion of his Civility, doe give as a gift ye summe of five pieces of eight.
There was an officer with the title of city porter, whose chief duty it
was to open and close the city gates. On November 23, 1697, the fol-
lowing order relative to this office was adopted :
Whereas, It is by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty concluded, who have
appointed John Ratecliffe as Citty Porter, instead of Hend. Marselis, Deceased, that
he is upon all occasionable times to open and shutt ye gates of this Citty, especially
in ye mornings and in ye evenings at ye appointed time, as also to attend ye Church
Ringing of ye bell on all occasions, for which he is to receive yearly eight and
twenty Pieces of Eight at six shillings, and to be paid quarterly; moreover, he, ye
sd John Ratecliff, is to attend ye Burger Guards, to keep them clain, and to make
every eveing a fyre, wherefore he is to receive Three pence per Diem. Who hath
made oath to be true.
It is well known that the Dutch set a good example to the other
WILLIAM C. VAN ALSTYNL.
289
colonists in their treatment of the Indians, the city of Albany, for
instance, being obliged, if it required more land, to purchase it in a
fair and open trade. The same policy was pursued in nearly all of their
relations with the natives, for which the settlers in after years had
much cause for thankfulness. A resolution was adopted by the Com-
mon Council May 9, 1698, providing for building an Indian House on
the hill, for the accommodation of the Indians, and on the 1st of Feb-
ruary, 1G99, the Council resolved as follows:
Resolved, That one other Indian house, besides ye two heretofore resolved on in
January last, shall be built just upon ye hill going up from ye Pearl street geat
northwesterly, in or about ye middle part of said hill, where ye whole Common
Council forthwith shall a;jpoynt ye Place, and yt ye Building and Charges thereof
shall bee in ye lyke manner as ye two houses aforesaid.
These brief records of the more important proceedings of the city
authorities down to the year 1700, quaint and primitive as some of
them are, indicate nevertheless much wisdom and a determination to
govern the little settlement in the interests of morality and for the com-
mon good. It may here be remarked that a similar intelligent, prudent
and conservative administration of municipal affairs continued to the
close of the colonial period in 1776.
In 1700 Albany was still but a small village, two years earlier
(1698) the number of inhabitants being only 803, of which five families
were English, one was Scotch, and the remainder were Dutch. Many
years were to pass before there would be much change, except in
gradual growth, and when it did come it was through the introduction
of new elements into the population, and not through any desire for in-
novations on the part of the Dutch settlers, who were, as a general
rule, contented with the existing order of things, they being slow,
stolid, industrious, and usually thrift}-. They cared more for the
profit of the trade they were pursuing, than for the amenities of life,
so that wdiat are now known by the general name of public im-
provements possessed little attraction for them. What if it required a
week to make the journey down the river to New York, were there not
more weeks coming and was it not a pleasant trip? So slow was the
process or change in those early times that in Ills the place was de-
scribed by a traveler as little else than a fortified village, with unpaved,
dirty and irregular streets. Most of the residences were situated on
the margin of the river, the lower end of State street, and on Court
street (now Broadway). A few stores were on the present Chapel
37
290
street. In the middle of State street and in Broadway were all the
public buildings — the town house, two churches, the guard house, and
the market. On the river were three docks — lower or King's dock,
middle and upper docks. The docks must have been of the most prim-
itive character and of recent construction, for the records show no
mention of them until some years later. The Common Council took the
initiatory steps towards providing suitable wharves in October, 1727,
when an ordinance was adopted requiring that the "freeholders of the
city who held lands or ground fronting on the east near or to the Hudson
river, be directed to produce their titles to the same, in order that the
Common Council may be better enabled to consider of finding out the
proper ways and means for docking and regulating of streets on the
east thereof, along the Hudson river, and that such titles be produced
in Common Council at the city Hall on the 10th day of November
next." As against this, Kalm, the Swedish traveler, from whose
writings we shall have further occasion to quote, visited Albany in
1749, and said: "The Hudson river at Albany is from twelve to
twenty feet deep; that there is as yet no quay made for the landing of
yachts, because the people feared it would be swept away in the spring;
that the vessels come pretty near the shore and receive their cargoes
from two canoes lashed together."
The scarcity of water or its impure character occupied the attention
of the authorities at an early date, about which Kalm, from whose
writings we have already quoted, said :
The water of several wells in this town was very cool about this time, but had a
kind of acid taste which was not very agreeable. On a nearer examination I found
an abundance of little insects in it, which were probably monoculi.
After a description of these insects he continues:
I think this water is not very wholesome for people who are not used to it, though the
inhabitants of Albany who drink it every day say they do not feel the least incon-
venience from it. I have several times been obliged to drink water here, in which I
have plainly seen monoculi swimming; but I generally felt the next day something
like a pea in my throat, or as if I had a swelling there.
The water question was under discussion in 1760, and on April 3d of
that year a petition was presented to the mayor and council, praying
for the right to bring water in pipes from the hills, collect it in reser-
voirs and establish pumps. After a hearing the board adopted the fol-
lowing resolution :
Resolved, That the petitioners have an instrument drawn, including their petition ;
291
that the Mayor will sign the same and cause the Seal of the City to be thereupon
fixed by virtue of this resolution.
It was many years later before an adequate supply of wholesome
water was provided for Albany. Wells were long used and doubtless
with evil results. Morse's Geography, published in 1796, has the fol-
lowing on the subject :
The well water in this city is extremely bad, scarcely drinkable by those not accus-
tomed to it. It oozes through a stiff blue clay and it imbibes in its passage the fine
particles common to that kind of soil. This discolors it, and when exposed any
length of time to the air it acquires a disagreeable taste. Indeed all the water
for cooking is brought from the river, and many families use it to drink. The
water in the wells is unwholesome, being full of little insects, except in size, like
those which are frequently seen in stagnated water.
The city ultimately obtained a satisfactory water supply, which is
described in later pages.
The inhabitants of the city in 1800 were obtaining their drinking
water from wells, though something must have been accomplished
prior to that time towards a water supply for the extinguishment of
fire. In the year in which the charter was granted (1686) there was a
fire, concerning which the records have the following:
It has been found by experience that the bringing of water of the fountains from the
hill has not only been of great use to the inhabitants for water, but the only means
of quenching the late fire, which otherwise, by all probability, would have destroyed
the whole town.
A well was sunk in Jonker (now State) street in l(J!)o, though
whether there were others prior to 1712 is not known, but in that year
(1712) one was constructed in the First ward, about twelve yards from
the east side of the market house, and another on the north side of
Cross street. Two years later three more were added, one in each of
the three wards. In the mean time something had been accomplished
towards providing apparatus for use in extinguishing tires. An old
record of October 15, 1094, names certain fire officials called " Brant-
masters," and continues:
It is ordered, and found very requisite yt ye Aldermen of each respective Ward
Shall cause to be made two Brantleere [fire ladders] a greate one and a little one.
with yron hooks, and yt in time of one month, and cause to be brought to a ready
place in case of any occasion whatsome ever, and they to bring in their accounts.
In L706 a primitive fire department was organized by the appoint-
ment of certain " Fy re-masters, " which is described further on.
The Dongan charter conferred the right of establishing ferries across
292
the river between the city wards and Greenbush. A ferry had, how-
ever, been in existence since the year 1642, which is claimed by some
authorities to be the oldest established ferry in the United States.
The ferry landing on the Albany side was a little north of the Beaver-
kill, which emptied into the river at what is now the termination of
Arch street ; the Greenbush landing- was directly opposite. The first
ferry boat was a mere scow which was propelled with setting poles,
being, however, large enough to carry horses and wagons, while a
smaller craft was used for passengers. The first ferry-master was
Hendrick Albertsen, who also built the first ferry house on the Albany
side of the river. He was succeeded by Jacob Janse Stall, who settled
at Beverwyck in 1630, and who held the post until 1657. At that time
and for many years after the date of the Dongan charter, no charge
was made by the authorities for the right of operating.
Owing to the slope of much of the land on which stood the early Al-
bany it is probable that the unpaved streets could be kept in much bet-
ter condition and with considerably less labor than would have been
possible upon a level. The old records contain frequent allusions to
sidewalks and to measures for promoting cleanliness in the streets, but
paving did not come until many years later. It was ordered in the
Common Council March 12, 1694, that " every householder shall make,
or cause to be made, eight foot ground before his own house, fronting
on the streets, paved with stone, under a penalty after the first of June,
of every week, of six shillings." This refers, of course, merely to a
paved sidewalk. In 1695 the sum of ,£50 was raised by the Common
Council for thus paving sidewalks. In 1817 a number of streets were
ordered to be paved, but it is difficult to distinguish in the early records
between sidewalk paving and street paving.
A few of the ordinances of the Council in the early years are inter-
esting. In 1686 it was decreed that every Saturday morning each in-
habitant should clean the street in front of his dwelling and that no filth
should be thrown in the street. Only a few years after the granting of
the charter the following ordinance was passed:
Resolved, That an ordinance be issued forth that all the respectable inhabitants
within said city do severally clean the streets from the dung, dust, chips and filth
before their houses or lots in the said streets; and that all wood and stone, except for
present building, or cooper's wood, be removed out of the said street before the 15th
of April next ensuing, on penalty of paying for every default afterwards by them
made, the sum of six shillings to the use of the Sheriff or any Constable who shall
sue for the same. An that hereafter, if any dung, dust, chips or filth shall be found
1
HOWARD N. FULLER.
293
(on any Saturday after twelve o'clock noon) lying in the said streets against the house
or lot of any person within the said city, that such person shall pay, also, for such
default and contempt, the like sum of six shillings, to be sued for as aforesaid. And
that hogs or swine belonging to any of the said inhabitants be ringed with one ring
in the nose before Saturday night next, and remain ringed from that time ; and if the
hog or swine of any person as aforesaid shall be found not ringed, the owners of such
hog or swine shall pay for every such default or neglect the sum of six shillings to
the Sheriff or Constable who shall sue for the same.
Another ordinance forbade driving through the streets faster than a
walk, under penalty of three shillings. In writing of the streets of Al-
bany in 1749, Kalmsaid:
The streets are broad and some of them are paved. In some parts they are lined
with trees: the long streets are almost parallel to the river, and the others intersect
them at right angles. The street which goes between the two churches is five times
broader than the others, and serves as a market place. The streets upon the whole,
are very dirty, because the people have their cattle in them during the summer
nights.
On the early maps of Beverwyck only a few streets are mentioned,
but in early conveyances the following names appear: Broadway was
called Cow, de Breede (or Broad), Lower Hondlaers, and Brewers
street; Hudson avenue was Spanish street; Green south of Beaver was
Esplanade or Plain street; north of Beaver it was the Voddemart, or
Rag market, and Cheapside; Chapel was Berg street; State was Jon-
kers street, and South Pearl was De Klyne street. After the charter
of 1686 the city was divided into three wards, the first of which em-
braced all that part of the city south of Exchange and State streets;
the second the territory north of State and west of James streets; the
third the portion north of State and Exchange streets and east of James
street. When State street was laid out it was made of unusual width
for those times, to accommodate the old Dutch church which stood in
its center. The map of L792 shows it 149 feet wide at Pearl street
and gradually increasing in width until it is 158 feet at Lodge street,
but from Broadway to the river it was very narrow as it is to this
day.. This broad street ascending straight up the hill has been an
impressive one from the first. Spafford's Gazetteer, L813, describes it
as a grand avenue in the heart of the city, " where its opulence is to be
displayed, where taste shall vie with taste, architect with architect, age
with age, in perpetual succession." It was an unpaved avenue until
1796.
Perhaps the best description of Albany in about the middle of that
294
century is from the entertaining pen of Mrs. Grant, in her delightful
Memoirs of an American Lady (1704), as follows:
The City of Albany stretched along the banks of the Hudson. One very
wide and broad street lay parallel to the river, the intermediate space be-
tween it and the shore being occupied by gardens. A small but steep
hill rose above the center of the town, on which stood a fort, intended (but very ill
adapted) for the defense of the place and of the neighboring country. From the foot
of this hill another street was built, sloping pretty rapidly down till it joined the one be-
fore mentioned, that ran alongthe river. This street was still wider than the other. It
wasonlypaved on each side, the middlebeing occupied by public edifices. These con-
sisted of a Market-place or Guard-house, a Town Hall, and the English and Dutch
churches. The English Church, belonging to the Episcopal persuasion, and in the dio-
cese of the Bishop of London, stood at the foot of the hill at the upper end of the street.
The Dutch Church was situated at the bottom of the descent, where the street ter-
minated. Two irregular streets, not so broad, but equally long, ran parallel to
those, and a few even ones opened between them. The town, in proportion to its
population, occupied a great, space of ground. The city, in short, was a kind of
semi-rural establishment. Every house had its garden, well, and a little green be-
hind. Before every door a tree was planted, rendered interesting by being coeval
with some beloved member of the family. Many of these trees were of prodigious
size and extraordinary beauty, but without regularity, every one planting the kind
that best pleased him. or which he thought would afford the most agreeable shade to
the open portico at his door, which was surrounded by seats and ascended by a few
steps. It was in these that each domestic group was seated in summer evenings to
enjoy the balmy twilight or the serenely clear moonlight.
This picture of rural simplicity has, however, a reverse side of busi-
ness activity that was not so carefully noticed by Mrs Grant. The
business advantages of the place were attracting residents quite rapid-
ly, the population of the county in 1723 having reached 6,501, which
had increased in 1731 to 8,703, and was in 1790 3,500 in the city alone.
The Common Council on July 31, 1753, made an order that the pave-
ment between the houses of Jacob Lansing and David Schuyler in the
Third ward, be raised, so that the water that came down from the hill
between those houses " may vent itself through the lane or street, and
so down to the river."
In 1754 the council fixed the following rates of ferriage across the
river:
For every person, if single. . . 3 coppers
" if more than one 2 coppers
" " head of cattle . 9 coppers
" " cwt. of beaver or skins 4 coppers
The ferry-masters were directed to run their boats from sunrise to
295
eight o'clock in the evening-. At this time the ferry was in charge of
Barnardns Bradt and Johannes Ten Broeck, who had paid the city jQo for
its use and privilege. From that date until 1786 the ferrymen were
Harmes Gansevoort, Philip John Schuyler, John Courtney, John Brom-
ley, Thomas Lotridge, Dirck Hansen and Baltus Van Benthuysen. At
stated times the council advertised that the right of ferriage would be
sold to the highest bidder, a course that could be profitably adopted by
the authorities in granting franchises in modern times and which has
been followed in some cities in recent years. From 1754 to 1786 the
amount paid for the ferry privilege ranged from £5 to ^130. In the
last named year a new ferry house forty by fifty feet in size was built
by Baltus Van Benthuysen, and the city corporation issued the follow-
ing schedule of rates:
Man or horse, ox or cow.. 9d.
A calf or hog 2 coppers
A sheep or lamb 2 coppers
For every wagon, or two horses with its loading, provided the same re-
mains on the wagon ._. 2 shillings
For every cart or wagon drawn by four horses or oxen, with or without
loading 3 shillings
And 6d. for every ox or horse above that number
For every chaise or chair or horse Is. (id.
For every full chest or trunk 4 coppers
For every empty chest or trunk 2 coppers
For every barrel rum, sugar, molasses, full barrel 4 coppers
Articles of agreement were entered into November 15, 1768, between
the city corporation and Stephen Van Rensselaer, under which the
latter agreed that within three months of the granting to him bv the
Crown of letters patent giving him exclusive ferry privileges over the
Hudson between Bears' Island and Cohoes, he would grant to the city
the exclusive ferry privileges " from the mouth of a certain creek, com-
monly known as De Vysele Kill, on the south of the city limits, to
lands of 11. Van Schack; with one acre of ground, to be taken by said
Corporation in such position as it shall think most convenient to them,
joining to and on the north bounds of John Van Rensselaer." Two
years later (1770) the ferry to Greenbush was leased to Thomas Lott-
ridge for three years at ^30 a year, he to make a dock fourteen feet
wide.
At a meeting of the Common Council held Jul}- L0, [756, the follow-
ing important resolution was adopted:
296
Resolved, That the Clerk draw a deed to the Minister, Church Wardens and
Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the City of Albany, for them and their suc-
cessors, in trust forever, for a piece of ground for a burial place, lying upon the hill
adjoining the fort, agreeable to a map made by John R. Bleecker, and that the Mayor
execute a deed, and cause the City Seal to be thereupon affixed in behalf of the
Corporation.
It has been stated herein that by the Dongan charter the title to all
the land within the city corporation was vested in the mayor, recorder,
aldermen and Common Council. Under their right to sell, which was
thus conferred, a great many transfers were made in early years, some
of which are of historical importance. The first deed executed by the
city corporation is dated November 1, 1687, the year after the charter.
It conveyed land to Dr. Godfredius Dellius, pastor of the Dutch church.
On account of its early date and its quaint wording we quote the con-
veying clause :
To All Christian People to whom these presents Shall Come, the Mayor, Alder-
men, and Commonalty of ye Citty of Albany Send Greeting in our Lord God Ever-
lasting. Know ye that for and in consideration of ye sum of three hundred an ninty
pounds currant money of this province to them in hand paid, at and before ye en-
sealing and delivery hereof, by Doctor Godfredius Dellius, Minister of ye Reformed
Nether Dutch Congregational Dutch Church, Albany, a certain piece or parcel of
land commonly called or known by ye name of Pasture, Situate, lying and being to
ye Southward of ye said Citty, near ye place where ye Fort Stood, and extending
along Hudson River till it comes over against ye most northerly point of ye island,
commonly called Marston Gerrittsen's Island; having to ye east Hudson River, to
Ye south ye manor of Renslarewck, to ye west of highway leading to ye Towne, Ye
pasture lots in ye occupation of Martin or Marston Geritsen, and the pasture lot in
ye occupation of Casper Jacobs, to the north of ye several pasture lots in ye occupa-
tion of Robert Sanders, Myndert Harmons, and Evert Wendell, and ye Several
Garden lots in ye tenure and Occupation of Killian Van Rensselaer and Abraham
Staats. Together with All and Singular ye profits, commodities and appurtenances
whatsoever to ye said Pasthur Piece or Parcel of land and Premises, or any part or
parcel thereof Belonging or in any way appertaining to or with the same, now or at
any time heretofore belonging or own'd occupied, enjoyed as part, parcell or mem-
ber thereof, and All deeds, Evidences and writings Touching and Concerning the
premises only.
This deed was signed by Peter Schuyler, mayor. Some of these
public lands were sold at auction as seen in the following:
Resohied, By this Board, That the Clerk put up Advertisements that a piece of
land lying on Gallows hill containing between 10 and 11 acres, as per Draft to be
seen at the time of Sale, to be sold at Public Vendue on Saturday, the 20th day of
this current month, by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty at two o'clock in the
afternoon at the City Hall in the City of Albany.
CHARLES F. STOWELL.
297
On the 19th of February, 1761, the council by resolution directed
John R. Bleecker to make a survey of the land described in a petition
of the minister and officers of the Dutch church, leaving room for
highways, for which land the board was to give a deed to the church
in consideration of £50, and a reserve of £20 per annum forever. The
tract thus conveyed contained 153 acres and is described in Bleecker's
survey. In 1762 an important land transaction was consummated in
the transfer of what has been known as the Wendell Patent, a tract in
the heart of the city; the northwest line of this lot extended 1,207 feet
in a straight line ; the southwesterly corner was situated in the center
of the block west of Eagle street, between Hamilton and Hudson
streets; and the northeasterly corner, which was the end of the above
mentioned straight line, terminated on the west side of Lodge street
about 152 feet north of Howard street. The other boundaries of the
tract were irregular, the southeast corner terminating in the corner of
William street, about fifty feet south of Beaver street. In following
the southeast line a bend and corner is situated in the center of the
block between Philip, Grand, Hudson and Plain streets, the other re-
maining corner terminating about ninety-five feet east of Eagle on the
north side of Hamilton street. The original map of this tract is still
in possession of descendants of the patentee, and the outline of the
tract appears on some of the early maps.
The old records show that there was a corporation officer in those
days called the town whipper, who had considerable employment in his
peculiar official capacity. There are frequent instances where he was
complimented for his good work in his particular line. In one case in
1762, when one Rick Van Toper held the office, he was voted live shil-
lings and sixpence, in addition to his regular fees, " for the due and
wholesome manner in which he laid the lash upon the hack of Tiberius
Haines," who had been convicted of beating his wife. ( >n the 30th <>t
January, 1789, the corporation agreed with Benjamin Gable to act as
town-whipper at a yearly salary of £20.
At the beginning of Mayor Cuyler's administration in 1780 8 ques-
tion arose as to the right of the mayor and aldermen, who were by the
charter made ex-officio members of the Supreme Court and the Court
of Oyer anil Terminer, to sit on the bench with the judges of those
courts. When these courts sat on June ■">, L771, they were waited upon
by a committee (appointed by the council), consisting of the mayor
and Aldermen Yates and Ten Broeck, and informed that the mayor,
38
208
recorder and six aldermen intended to sit with them on that day.
After their withdrawal from the court the city officials received a com-
munication from the judges denying their right to sit in such judicial
capacity and concluding as follows :
We cannot conceive that your city charter can be so construed as to render this
honorable Court a Mob, instead of a Bench of Judges with full consideration of their
dignity and responsibility. We have therefore directed the Officers of the Court to
prevent your taking your seats upon the Bench, in case you insist upon so doing.
As a result of this singular contest, the council adopted resolutions
in October, expressing their determination to send a commission to
New York and submit the matter to the colonial authorities. Alder-
man Abraham Yates was selected for this mission, which was probably
unsuccessful, as the records contain no allusion to the sitting of those
officials in those courts; they were, however, members of the Court of
Sessions of the City and County of Albany, as elsewhere explained.
In April, 1774. various changes were made in the city ordinances,
among them being provisions for regulating the ferry between Albany
and Greenbush ; for grading and paving some of the streets; for regu-
lating the line of vessels at the docks and wharves; regulating cartmen
and their carts and the public market; against profaning the Lord's
day; protecting the city from danger of gunpowder; preventing fires
and accidents from fast driving, and many other minor matters.
It will already have been inferred by the reader that by far the most
important business of the Common Council for many years was in rela-
tion to the real property owned by the city corporation or coming into
its possession under the provisions of the first charter. The provision
enabling the corporation to purchase 1,000 acres of low land at "Tion-
deroge " will be remembered. Under this, several Indians in June,
1721, conveyed a tract of eleven morgen of land to Mr. Cinder in fee,
whose heirs obtained from the corporation, April 24, 1769, for ^30 a
conveyance releasing the land. Again, on July 7, 1730, certain Indians
conveyed about the same quantity land to Peter Brower for 999 years;
he on November 29, 1734, conveyed the same to the corporation, and
on April 27, 1749, the corporation leased the land to Peter Brower for
999 years at the annual rent of one skipple of wheat for each morgen.
Other parts of these lands were obtained from the corporation at the
same annual rent, but leaving the larger part of the 1,000 acres the
property of the city. In 1779 the Indians had all removed from these
lands, and they had become occupied principally by refugees and
299
squatters. What to do under these conditions and how to recover the
rights of the city, was an important problem of that time. The whole
question was finally referred to Peter W. Yates, one of the ablest law-
yers of that era. His subsequent report was to the effect that the city and
its successors had an undoubted estate in fee simple in the lands in
question; that although the Indian deeds could not be considered a
part of the title, yet the city's title was paramount to that of any other
claimant.
Other land difficulties soon arose in connection with the large and
valuable tracts owned by the city at Schaghticoke (now in Rensselaer
county). These lands were occupied by tenants who began to neglect
to pay their rents. In order to learn the particulars of the situation
the mayor and aldermen held a meeting at the house of Johannes
Knickerbacker, at Schaghticoke, September 20, 1780, where they sum-
moned the delinquents before them. Various excuses for the non pay-
ment of rent were made, many claiming that none was due. There
was no course left the city authorities but to proceed to extremities,
and Peter W. Yates and John Lansing, jr., were retained and instructed
to bring actions against all the tenants from whom rent was due, which
was done. At a meeting held at the city hall January 30, 1T^4, at
which were present the mayor, aldermen and assistant aldermen, the
following resolution was adopted :
A' V solved, That Peter W. Yates, Esq., be directed to immediately write letters, as
Attorney for the Corporation, to the tenants of this Board at Schaghticoke, and who
were lately prosecuted for non-payment of rent, acquainting them that unless they
pay this winter the wheat stipulated in the agreement for the stay of suits, they
must depend upon being prosecuted.
The resolution explains itself. When the actions were first brought
in L780, the suits were stayed upon agreement by the tenants to pay a
certain quantity of wheat in regular settlement. Many did so, while
Others delayed, and some never paid. It was customary in those times
for the city to receive its rents in wheat and large storehouses were
frequently filled with grain and kept in charge of the chamberlain, who
sold it under direction of the council. In times of scarcity this policy
was of great benefit to the poor, and the sales to those who might be
disposed to speculate were restricted in quantity to each buyer. In
January, 1777, an order is recorded directing the chamberlain "to sell
LOO skepelsof the wheat belonging to the Corporation, at four shillings
sixpence per skepel, to those persons who had demands on the board.
No person to have more than three skepels at a time."
300
In February, 1780, the question came before the Common Council
of surrendering some of the privileges granted by the charter of 1686,
and applying to the State Legislature for others. The matter met
with much opposition and was long discussed, and final action post-
poned until 1787, when on March 21, the act entitled "An Act for alter-
ing the Charter Rights of the City of Albany," passed the Legislature.
The principal changes took from the mayor the right to grant licenses
to tavern keepers, victualers, and all retail dealers in liquors; also the
right of the mayor and the aldermen to have the sole regulation of
trade with the Indians; annulled the provision that a court of Com-
mon Pleas should be held once in every fortnight before the mayor;
and altered the time of election of aldermen, their assistants and the
chamberlain to the last Tuesday in each year.
The city of Albany was now one hundred years old, and at the close
of the war of the Revolution its growth was stimulated and its busi-
ness interests rapidly increased. The enterprising Yankees saw their
opportunity and came in large numbers to supplant the slow methods
of the Dutch with their activity and ingenuity. Up to this time, it
has been written, the city "old as it was, still retained its primitive
aspect, and still stood in all its original simplicity, unchanged, un-
modified, unimproved, still pertinaciously adhering in all its walks to
the old track and the old form. The rude hand of innovation was
then just beginning to be felt; and slight as was the touch, it was
regarded as an injury, or resented as an insult." The Dutch resisted
Yankee encroachment on their trade, but the new element was daily
becoming strong, and before long they were overmatched.
Albany celebrated its one hundredth anniversary on July 22, 178*',.
A meeting of the Common Council was held July 15, in the City Hall,
when the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the 22d instant, being the jubilee of the charter of this city, be
commemorated by a public feast at the City Hall; that a committee of five be ap-
pointed to procure the materials necessary, and to regulate the same.
The committee appointed were Aldermen Philip Van Rensselaer,
Peter W. Yates, and Assistants John W. Wendell, Richard Lash and
Jelles Winne. On the 18th of July this committee reported as follows:
The Committee to whom was referred the mode of celebrating the 22d of July
instant, being the century anniversary of this city, do report that, in their opinion,
the Common Council do convene in the forenoon of that day, at ten o'clock, at the
301
City Hall, and from thence proceed in procession toi;he hill westward of the city,
attended by such citizens as shall choose; that, during the procession, all the bells of
the several churches in this city shall ring; and at the arrival at the place assigned
for the purpose, on the hill, thirteen toasts, and one for the charter, under the dis-
charge of fourteen cannon ; and that a barrel of good spirits be purchased for the
occasion.
This report was accepted and another committee was appointed to
have entire charge of the celebration. When the day arrived an im-
posing procession for that time was formed, which marched up State
street to the grounds formerly occupied by the Old Capitol, where the
ceremonies took place. Later in the day the mayor, alderman and
commonalty of the city partook of a supper served at Lewis's tavern,
where it may be presumed some of that "barrel of good spirits" lent
its inspiring influence to the flow of reason. The expenses of this
celebration were ordered paid by the chamberlain.
The year 1797 saw Albany made definitely and permanently the
State capital. Previous to this time the Legislature had met here on
several occasions, the first being one of the three sessions of the third
Legislature in 1780, the next being a session of the Fourth Legislature,
which also held three sessions, in 1781. Aside from these, however, the
Legislatures up to 1788-89 were held in Poughkeepsie and New York.
The twelfth session was held in Albany; from 1789 to 1793 the meet-
ings were in New York ; the seventeenth session was held in Albany
in 1794, the eighteenth at Poughkeepsie and in New York, the nine-
teenth in New York, 179G, and the twentieth, 1796-7, in New York
and Albany. At this session the question of permanently locating the
State capital was finally settled in favor of Albany. While political
influence and the power of wealth had something to do with this choice,
the chief factors determining the selection were the situation of the
city with reference to the remainder of the State and the natural ad-
vantages of the place. Albany became the capital in the same year
that the United States Constitution was transmitted to Congress for
ratification or rejection. The constitution received bitter opposition
from the Anti Federalists of New York State, with George Clinton at
their head, and of course Albany was the center of the local strife;
but the old governor and his political adherents were destined to defeat.
Prom the adoption of that constitution down to the present time Al-
bany lias been the center of great political influence and power. From
this ancient city into every part of the State have ramified the various
302
parts of the vast and intricate system of political machinery which has
controlled public affairs.
The beginning of the century found Albany city with a population of
5,289, which increased to 9,350 in 1810, these figures being according
to the United States census. The State census in 1814 gave Albany
10,083 inhabitants. This shows the remarkable growth during the first
twenty years succeeding the Revolution. " About 1781," wrote a local
editor, "not more than seventy, at the utmost calculation, shops and
stores were kept in this city, nor had we manufactories of any kind, but ,
depended on importation for every manufactured article. Now [seven
or eight years, later] we behold Market and State streets crowded with
stores, and rents in those streets enhanced to such a degree as to put
houses out of the reach of inconsiderable traders." In alluding to the
business of one day (February 8, 1794), the Gazette said:
On a moderate estimate, it is presumed the purchases and sales of produce and
merchandise exceeded §50,000. Of the article of wheat, between 25 and 30,000
bushels were brought to this market; a quantity far exceeding the receipts of any
one day since the settlement of this country. The price of wheat rose during the
the day from 7s. 6d. to 8s., or the highest price between this and the first of March.
The last mode of purchase is truly novel and must be convincing to the farmer that
the merchants of this city are too independent to form combinations.
Count Liancourt visited Albany in 1795, and has left the following
regarding business interests at that time:
The trade of Albany is chiefly carried on with the produce of the Mohawk
countrv, and extends eastward as far as agriculture and cultivated lands expand.
The State of Vermont and a part of Xew Hampshire furnish many articles of trade,
and the exports chiefly consist in timber and lumber of every sort and description,
potatoes, potash and pearl ashes, all species of grain, lastly, in manufactured
articles. These articles are most of them transported to Albany in winter on
sledges, housed by the merchants, and by them successively transmitted to New
York, where they are either sold for bills on England or exchanged for English
goods, which are in return sent from Albany to the provinces, whence the articles
for transportation were drawn. . . The trade of Albany is carried on in ninety
vessels, fortv-five of which belong to the inhabitants of the town, and the rest to
New York or other places.
This French nobleman was surprised that no vessels had yet sailed
direct from Albany to England, causing a loss to the local merchants
and a gain to the shippers in New York. At the beginning of the cen-
tury the great tide of migration westward, a large part of which passed
through Albany, had begun its flow, and within a few years reached
enormous proportions. In one day in 1795 a citizen counted five hun-
, 303
dred sleighs laden with emigrants. All of this travel through the city
left a constantly increasing profit to tradesmen, and stores multiplied
rapidly. In 1796 there were one hundred and thirty-one stores, almost
double the number of sixteen years earlier, and sixty-eight storehouses.
During the war of 1812, as the reader has already been informed, the
city was one of the principal places for accumulating and transporting
government supplies, for the armies in the West and North. It then
cost from $20 to $30 a ton to transport goods from Albany to Buffalo,
and it was estimated that 9,000 tons were shipped from this port. This
account of trade conditions early in the century may be closed with the
following from the Spafford Gazetteer of 1813:
Situated on one of the finest rivers in the world, at a distance of 200 miles from
the ocean, whose tide it enjoys; with an uninterrupted sloop navigation; and in the
the center of an extensive and fertile country, of which it becomes the natural mart,
Albany carries on an immense trade already, and seems destined to become one of
the greatest inland towns in America. . . . Of the shipping belonging to Albanv
I am not precisely informed, but, agreeable to information derived from the dock-
master, there are fifty Albany sloops that pay wharfage by the year; sixty belonging
to Troy, Lansingburgh and Waterford ; twenty-six from Tarrytown and New York ;
seventy from New Jersey and the eastern States, including twenty schooners, in all
two hundred and six; and about one hundred and fifty from different places have
paid wharfage by the day, being engaged in different kinds of trade, during the
season of 1812, making a total of 356. The quantity of wheat purchased annuallv
in Albany is immensely great ; and good judges have estimated it at nearly a million
bushels. Other grain, and every article of the agricultural and other common pro-
ducts, nearly in the same proportion, swell the aggregate exports from this city to an
enormous amount.
This growing business interests in Albany gave rise to the need
of banking facilities. Prior to 1792 the project of establishing a bank
in the northern part of' the State was much discussed, some favoring it
and many violently opposing it. On the 3d of February of that year a
meeting was called at Lewis's tavern in Albany, at which many leading
capitalists attended for discussion. There was at that time only one
bank in the State, the Dank of New York, the stock of which was fifty
per cent, above par. It was announced in the newspapers that $100,000
in subscriptions could he taken for stock in a new bank. At a later
meeting the project assumed definite form and it was determined
to found a financial institution here with the name of the Albany Bank
and a capital of $75,000, to be divided into rive hundred shar<
$150 each, $15 to be paid on each share at the time of subscribing and
the remainder in three installments. Thirteen directors were to be
304
chosen, nine of whom should be residents of Albany. Jeremiah Van
Rensselaer, Jacob Van Derheyden and Barent Bleecker were appointed
to open the subscription books and close them as soon as five hundred
shares were taken. The books were opened February 17 and in less
than three hours the amount of stock was over-subscribed. As soon as
the books were closed the stock advanced ten per cent, and on
the Saturday following it rose to 100 per cent, advance. A char-
ter was applied for and obtained towards the close of the session of the
Legislature. Further description of this and other banks is given in
later pages. A second bank was established in 1803 and the third in
1811.
While deeply engrossed in promoting the various business interests
and public affairs of the city, the people very properly sought some
means of amusement and recreation. A theatrical company under
management of Hallam Brothers played a season in New York in 1769,
and obtained permission to appear in Albany three times a week for
one month, opening July 3, in "Venice Preserved." Airs. Grant has
recorded that the officers of an English regiment stationed here, played
the "Beau's Stratagem" in a barn in 1700; but the Hallam company
were the first to open a regular season. In 1785 a company came up
from New York and in the Gazette of December 5, announced performan-
ces of "Cross Purposes," and "Catharine and Petruchio. " Permission had
been obtained from the authorities, but before the performances, a
storm of opposition arose against the theatre, and a petition signed by
seventy persons was presented to the officials asking withdrawal of
their consent to the company. But the mayor, recorder and council,
by a vote of nine to four decided that as consent had been given, and
expense incurred by the company in fitting up rooms, it would not be
just to turn them away. The performances were given twice a week
until the latter part of February. In 1803 a company managed by
William Dunlap and Lewis Hallam played in Albany three nights a
week from August 22 to October 27, in a dancing room on North Pearl
street, in the company being the grandparents of Joseph Jefferson, the
comedian. In the spring of 1811 John Howard Payne, then twenty
years old, who is better known as the author of " Home, Sweet Home,"
than as an actor, played an engagement there. In November of that
year an actor named John Bernard came from Boston with the .avowed
intention of establishing a permanent theatre in a building to be erected
for the purpose. At that time there was much opposition among some
305
classes to the theatre as an institution; the theatre in Richmond,
Va., had recently burned with the loss of seventy-one lives, and the
Boston manager was not warmly welcomed in Albany. The feeling
against his project was intense, and a motion was made in the council
to abolish all theatrical performances as a nuisance. The matter was
referred to the committee on law, who made a long report dated Janu-
ary 12, 1812. In the report the opinion was expressed that "a well-
regulated theatre, supported by the respectable portion of society, so
far from being contrary to good order and morality, must essentially
contribute to correct the language, refine the taste, ameliorate the
heart, and enlighten the understanding." The report closed with an
opinion that the council could not interfere with the projected building.
During its erection, which was begun at once, Bernard's company
played in the Thespian Hotel, which was the name of a hall near Clin-
ton avenue. The theatre was situated on the west side of Green street,
south of Hamilton, and was formally opened to the public January 18,
L813, with the plays, "West Indian," and "Fortune's Frolic," the ad-
mission being about the same as commonly demanded now — $1, To and
50 cents, and the opening address being written by Solomon Southwick.
Mr. Bernard managed the theatre for four years, and though he had a
good company met with but indifferent financial success, and in 1S18 sold
it to the Baptist Society who used it for many years for a church. In
L824-5 a theatre was built on the site of the Leland Opera House, a
portion of which is incorporated in the present building, being opened
May L3, 1825, and here many of the great actors of their times have
played. There was also an Albany Museum, established in a small
way as early as 1797, which was continued from 1826 by Harry Meech,
and was removed in 1831 from the corner of Hudson avenue and Broad-
way to the corner of State and Broadway, where in later years theatri-
cal performances were given in connection with the museum.
Between the beginning of the present century and the war of L812
the administration of the city government moved quietly along, the
proceedings involving little of importance. The public revenue for
the fiscal year l?(.t:i was /,'14<; U.v. id. and the city was in debt / t79
Is. %d.
At this time the yellow fever was raging in New York, and collec-
tions were taken up in the Albany churches for the relict' of suffi
the total contributions amounting to $555.87. For a number of years
39
306
there was more or less of this dreaded disease in New York, causing
grave fears that it would be brought up the river to Albany. In 1803
the Common Council, acting as a Board of Health, passed an ordinance
requiring all vessels from New York city to be quarantined for a short
time at a point some miles down the river. There was one death from
the disease in Troy that year, but none in Albany.
When the news of the death of Washington reached Albany, Decem-
ber 23, 1799, the Common Council immediately assembled and recom-
mended the closing of all places of business, directed the tolling of bells
from three to five o'clock, and that the members of the board wear crape
during six weeks. The 9th of the following January was designated as
a day for the observance of public funeral ceremonies, which were most
solemn and impressive. Many of the citizens were then living who had
been present at the reception given to Washington in the city at the
close of the Revolutionary war, and the loss of the great statesman
and general was deeply felt.
In the early years a part of the duty of the Common Council was to
fix the weight and price of a loaf of bread, this being known as "the
assize of bread," and any baker who was detected in selling a loaf that
was below the prescribed weight was subject to a fine of one dollar.
For example in 1799 a loaf weighing two pounds and five ounces, made
from inspected wheat, sold for 8c/., and other weights in proportion.
In 1813, during and on account of the war, flour rose to $11 a barrel,
and the Council adopted an ordinance requiring the flour merchants so
to assize the bread that it would correspond to $9 a barrel. The bakers
complained bitterly at this and called a meeting, at which a resolution
was adopted to the effect that it was inexpedient to longer interfere
with the baking and sale of bread.
It will surprise some readers of to-day to learn that prior to 1818 all
meetings of the council were held behind closed doors. On November
16 of that year the board adopted a resolution that thereafter the meet-
ings should be open to the public. The council at that time occupied
the northeast corner of the first floor of the Old Capitol, all the other
rooms on the first floor being used by the State. It will be remembered
that the city had paid about $34,000 towards the expense of erect-
ing the Capitol. At this time several efforts were made in the council
to pass a resolution ordering the sale of the city's interest in that build-
ing and the Board of Supervisors also discussed the policy of disposing of
the interest of the county to the State. These measures were destined
307
to be postponed for many years, and meanwhile the Council and the
supervisors met in the Old Capitol until the erection of the first city
hall.
With the passing years the city became deeper and deeper involved
in debt, that being the history of most cities in that respect. On
September 30, 1822, the council directed a tax to raise $3,000 with
which to pay the interest on the city debt, and at the same time $6,000
was ordered raised for lighting the streets and for the night watch, and
$8,000 for caring for the poor. The following table shows the condi-
tion of the city's finances at the close of the first quarter of this cen-
tury :
Sinking Fi m>.
City Stock held by Commissioners $6,000 00
Albany Insurance Stock.,.. 2,500 00
Bonds, notes and interest due for lands sold 2,879 67
Cash loaned 4,535 00
" on hand 3,130 88
359 Shares in Great Western Turnpike .' . . . 8,975 00
4(i Shares in Bethlehem Turnpike 1,150 00
Total $29,170
Mayor
Chamberlain
City Superintendent
Superintendent of Alms-house
Overseers of the Poor . .
Police Justice
' ' Constables (2)
Deputy Excise Officer.
City Physician
Clerk of Common Council
Deputy Clerk of Market
Bellringers
;>29,17<> 55
$400 00
5 0
450 00
400 00
200 00
450 00
400 00
200 00
550 00
L50 00
Hill mi
4
Total 13,840 00
Cm Debt.
Funded $205,000 00
Due on bonds to individuals 40,100 00
Small notes unredeemed 10,300 L8
Total $255,400 1"-
Returning for a moment to the year lSls, we find that the Common
308
Council had been authorized by law to fund the city debt, to the amount
of $205,000. On the 14th of April, 1820, a law was passed by the Leg-
islature authorizing the council to sell certain lands belonging to the
city to an amount not exceeding $250,000, on a lottery basis, valuation
being placed on the various lots which were to be the prizes, but the
scheme under this arrangement did not succeed. The council there-
fore, in 1825, applied to the Legislature for permission to sell the lands,
and at the same time for the privilege of raising the remainder of the
fund necessary by selling tickets in a lottery created under the act of
1820, the prizes to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale. This plan
was carried out and called forth much denunciation from individuals
and from the press The New York Evening Post said : ' ' The capital of
the State, with the aid of the Legislature, has become an immense gam-
bling establishment." It is well known that lotteries were favorite insti-
tions in early years for raising money for all sorts of public purposes.
In January, 1814, a law authorized a lottery to raise $200,000 for Union
College, and was favored by Dr. Nott, the distinguished president of
the institution. In May, 1825, the council appointed a committee to
negotiate with Yates & Mclntyre, who had made a proposition to pur-
chase the Albany City Lottery, as the institution was called, for $200,-
000, which arrangement was subsequently carried out, though the pur-
chase price was $240,795, to be paid in five years. The total valua-
tion of the city lands which constituted the basis of this lottery was
$254,385.
For the year ending in October, 1820, the receipts by the chamberlain
were $60,060.19, the expenses $62,004.98. The chamberlain's report
for 1829 showed the gross receipts of the city treasury to be $320,-
878.52, the disbursements, $317,126.15. The heavy expenses of the
year were due in part to the erection of two markets, the beginning of
the City Hall, and large cost of keeping the poor. The population of
the city had now (1830) reached 24,209, having increased to that number
from 12,630 in 1820, and progress was everywhere manifest.
In 1835 the county clerk reported to the Common Council that the
population of the city according to a recent canvass was 13,712 males
and 14,373 females, a total of 28,085, of whom 4,489 were voters.
Erastus Corning was inaugurated mayor of the city on January 1, 1836,
in which year the election of members of the Board of Aldermen took
place in the spring for the first time. Improvements were made that
year in the basin, and the government improved navigation in the river.
309
Of the city debt of more than $250,000 in 1817, there remained now due
only $95,000. The Utica and Schenectady Railroad was nearing com-
pletion and the early opening of an uninterrupted line to Buffalo was
in sight. At this time the Common Council adopted measures to open
a space in the pier between the Columbia and the State street bridges,
and a resolution was also adopted, to allow the Hudson and Mohawk
Railroad to continue its track from Gansevoort street to North Ferry
street.
In 1840 the canvassers reported to the Common Council that the pop-
ulation of the city was 33,627, which number was increased in 1850 to
a little more than 50,000. Previous to 1848 the money raised annually
by tax for the expenses of the city government was usually nearly or
quite exhausted by the 1st of May, in the- temporary loans made in an-
ticipation of the tax levy, a practice which has prevailed in most cities,
but in that year a law was passed by the Legislature doing away with
this method, greatly to the benefit of the city. The reports from 1844
to 1850 inclusive show the following sums of money applicable to the
support of the city government in the years named :
1844.. $19,464.67
1 845 10, 677. 81
1846 _ 6, 797.98
1847.. 793.70
1848 662.:;:.
1849 41,668.78
1850 67,731.34
These figures indicate the great increase in the amounts immediately
available in the last two years, under the operation of the law just
mentioned. The chamberlain's report for 1850 gives the amount of
money received from all sources, inclusive of $41, Mis. ;s which was the
balance on hand, as $695,366.67, and the expenditures, as $627,635.42,
leaving a balance of $67,731.34. The mayor's statement of that year
upon the financial condition of the city has the following:
On the first of May, 1*4S, debt of the city (exclusive of certain loans so amply
secured that they cannot be considered absolute liabilities of the city) amounted to
996.93. Since that date this debt has been reduced $211,764.90; and the exact
amount of the same at this time is $541,132.08.
The assessment rolls in 1849 give the valuation of the taxable prop-
erty of the city as $11,971,263. Such was the condition of the city's
financial affairs in the middle of this century.
310
During this period of growth in municipal affairs, vast changes took
place in other directions. The steamboat came in 1807, to be followed
ere long by the canals and the railroads, all of which were of great
importance to Albany, revolutionizing methods of transportation and
travel, and river commerce was greatly extending, with the greatest
benefit to all industries and trades of the city. Fulton's first steam-
boat, the Clermont, was thus noticed in the Albany Gazette of Sep-
tember 2, 1807:
The north river steamboat will leave Paulus' Hook Ferry on Friday, the 4th of
September, at nine in the morning, and arrive in Albany on Saturday, at nine hi the
afternoon. Provisions, good berths and accommodation are provided.
The through fare was $7. In the Gazette supplement of September
7 appeared the following notice of the first trip of the steamboat to
Albany:
This morning at six o'clock, Mr. Fulton's steamboat left the ferry stairs at Court-
land street dock for Albany. She is to make her passage in 36 hours from the time
of her departure, touching at Newburg, Poughkeepsie, Esopus, and Hudson on the
way. The steamboat arrived at Albany on Saturday afternoon, and this morning
at nine o'clock again departed for New York, with about forty ladies and gentlemen.
The first steamer continued her regular trips, gradually reducing
the time of passage to twenty-eight hours, receiving constantly in-
creasing patronage. Other boats soon followed. The Hudson River
Line was established in 1825, with three boats, and within four years
added three more. The North River Line was established in 1820 and
the Troy Line in 1832. In the next year these three lines were con-
solidated as the Hudson River Association Line, which sailed three
day and three night boats. The People's Line was established in 1S34
in opposition to the day boats of the Hudson River Association, but
was sold in 1835 to the association for $100,000 cash and $10,000 a year
for ten years. The People's Line was revived in 1830 by Daniel Drew,
and within the next twenty- five years bought or built seven or eight
splendid boats, among them the Dean Richmond and the Drew, and
ending with the superb Adirondack of to-day.
By the year 1848 the fleet of sailing vessels on the river had in-
creased to 331 sloops and 284 schooners, and at the end of the suc-
ceeding thirty-seven years (1885) the character and numbers had
changed to to 53 sailing vessels, 113 steam vessels, 175 canal boats,
and SO barges, with a total tonnage of 61,201. The number of canal
boats indicates the importance of the great artificial waterways,
311
which have already been alluded to in detail. Between 1840 and
1850 railroad traffic became an important factor in the general pros-
perity of Albany, bringing hither from the West the immense grain
product for reshipment to New York, and successfully contending
for a large share of the passenger traffic. A great lumber interest
had been created, the receipts of which in the year 1840 reached
1-.' 1,173,383 feet of boards, and 784,310 feet of timber. By 1850
these figures were increased to 425,095,436 feet of boards, and 3,039,-
588 feet of timber. In the year 1840 there were eighty- four saw
mills running in Albany county, though these were only a small factor
in the local lumber business. The iron industry had become large and
the manufacture of stoves, begun in 1808, reached enormous propor-
tions. In 1833 the quantity of iron castings, a large part of which
consisted of stove plates, is given as follows: Howard, Nott & Co.
(manufacturers of the famous Nott stove), 1,000 tons; Bartlett, Bent
& Co., 350 tons; I. & J. Townsend, 300 tons; Rathbone & Silliman,
200 tons; Maney & Ward, 450 tons; a total of 2,300 tons. Besides
this in that year Heermans, Rathbone & Co. sold 750 tons of stove-
plates brought from Philadelphia, and nearly as man}- more were sold
by other firms. The manufacture of brick, begun here in 1708, was
large and at one time reached about 20,000,000 a year. A large brew-
ing interest had grown up which has continued to the present time.
The manufacture of pianos, begun at Albany by James A. Gray in
L825, was successfully continued by himself and with William G.
Boardman, and many other departments of industry were successfully
developed.
The insurance business was begun in Albany in 1811 by the organiza-
tion of the Albany Insurance Company with the following directors:
Elisha Jenkins, Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Isaiah Townsend, Dudley
Walsh, Henry Guest, jr., Charles Z. Piatt, Simeon De Witt, Stephen
Lush, Charles D. Cooper, Thomas Gould. John Woodworth, Peter
Gansevoort, and Christian Miller. The capital stock was $500,000, and
the first president was Isaiah Townsend, an able business man and
good citizen. This old company has continued in successful operation
ever since. The Merchants' Insurance Company was organized in
L824, with a capital stock of $250,000, and having Charles E. Dudley
for its president. The Clinton Insurance Company was organized in
1829, with capita] stock of $300,000. The Firemen's Insurance Com-
pany was incorporated in .April, 1831, with capital stock of $150,000,
312
and with James Stevenson as the first president, while the Mutual In-
surance Company was organized in 1836 and is still in business.
Banking facilities were also extended to meet the demands of increas-
ing business. The Commercial Bank was incorporated in 1823; the
Canal Bank, which failed in 1848, in 1829; the Albany City Bank in
1837 ; the Albany Exchange Bank in 1838. Besides these two savings
institutions were founded, the Albany Savings Bank in 1820 and the
Albany City Savings Institution in 1850.
As the capital of the State and an active business center, Albany has
always attracted a large number of strangers, and is also the tempo-
rary residence for the members of the State government. This fact
will in a measure account for the number and high character of the
hotels of the city, the names of some of which have become familiar
throughout a wide extent of territory. The old American Hotel was
opened in 1838 and for some years had a large patronage. The Delavan
began its long and popular career in 1845 and is still open to the public,
though reduced in its accommodations by fire; the Stanwix was opened
in 1844 and continues to care for hosts of guests, while the Kenmore is
the latest addition.
The principal public improvements and most important proceedings
of the city government during the past forty- five years may now be
briefly summarized. Illuminating gas was first introduced into the city
in 1845 and is now supplied by the Municipal Gaslight Company, which
came into existence by the consolidation of the Albany Gaslight Com-
pany (incorporated in 1841), and the People's Gaslight Company (incor-
porated in 1872). The Fire Department was wholly reorganized in
1848, as described in detail further on, and measures were adopted to-
wards the early development of the sewer system begun in 1854.
The city chamberlain's report for 1860 shows the following figures:
Balance on hand November 1, 1859 § 24,210 31
Receipts for current year. 448,418 58
$472,628 89
Disbursements §423,276 93
On hand November 1, 1860 49,351 96
$472,628 89
Similar statements at the close of each year up to 1870 since the
above date, and for 1880 and 1890, will give the reader a fair knowledge
of the gradually changing financial condition of the city. They are as
follows :
313
Balance on hand November 1 , 1861 $ 40,906 40
Receipts for current year 525,749 14
$566,652 54
Disbursements $463,528 19
On hand November 1, 1862 103,124 35
— ■ $566,652 54
Balance on hand November 1. 1862 _ . $103,124 35
Receipts for current year . . 608,422 86
$711,547 21
Disbursements $607,946 69
On hand November 1, 1863 103,600 52
$711,547 21
Balance on hand November 1, 1863 $103,600 22
Receipts for current year _ . 756,936 82
■ — $863,7:!7 04
Disbursements $796,981 34
On hand November 1, 1864.. 66,555 70
$863,737 04
Balance on hand November 1, 1864 $66,555 70
Receipts for current vear . 905,457 60
$972,013 30
Disbursements $883,210 77
On hand November 1, 1865 88,802 53
8972,013 30
Balance on hand November 1, 1865 $88,802 53
Receipts for current year _ _ 961,026 ?:>
$1,049,829 28
Disbursements. $978,037 71
On hand November 1, 1866 71,791 57
SI, 049, 829 28
Balance on hand November 1, 1867 $78,632 47
Receipts for current year 890,307 19
$968,939 66
Disbursements $871,155 63
On hand November 1, 1868 97,784 03
$968,939 66
Balance on hand November 1, 1868... $97,784 03
Receipts for current year .. $1,367,647 01
$1,465,431 04
Disbursements _ $1,338,109 52
On hand November 1, 1869 127,321 52
$1,465,431 04
Balance on hand November 1, 1869 $127,321 52
Receipts for current year $1,510,538 37
si.i;:!7.s:,!i s!(
Disbursements $1,448,487 36
On hand November 1 , 1870 l S7,:;72 53
$1,637,859 89
Balance on hand November 1, 1871 $366,989 14
Receipts for current year 1,080,323 18
$1,447,812 :!'-'
Disbursements $1,266,410 28
On hand November 1, 1S72 180,902 04
$1,447,812 82
40
314
Balance on hand November 1, 1879 $84,493 01
Receipts for current year. . -. $1,306,457 41
$1,390,950 42
Disbursements §1,296,665 60
On hand November 1, 1880 94,288 82
$1,390,950 42
Balance on hand November 1, 1889 $665,110 29
Receipts for current vear ..- 81,889,106 50
$2 , 554, 2 1 6 7 9
Disbursements 82,029,942 26
On hand November 1, 1890 524,274 53
$2,554,216 79
Balance on hand November 1, 1894 8685,907 96
Receipts for current year 81,983,496 21
82,669,4114 17
Disbursements _. 82,001,602 46
On hand November 1, 1895 667,801 71
82,669,404 17
For the year closing November 1, 1895, the chamberlain's report shows
that the expense of maintaining- the almshouse was $30,715. 07. There
was paid on Washington and Beaver parks, $64,313.88. The board of
health cost $9, 524. 35; the city hall and city building about $10,000;
the city poor, $12,481.46; the fire department, $111,065.15; hospitals,
$22,490.79; police department, $149,272.85 ; street cleaning, $13,000-
27: and street improvements. $42,503.90.
Horse cars were introduced into Albany in 1863, the first car being
run on June 22, of that year. This improvement was the work of the
Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company, which was incorporated
April 16, 1S62, with a capital stock of $240,000. In 1864 the line was
continued to the Albany Cemetery and in 1865 to Green Island. The
Albany Railway Company was incorporated September 14, 1863, with
a capital stock of $100,000. Its first line of track was finished in Feb-
ruary, 1864, extending through State, Washington and Central avenue
to Knox street. This line was extended to West Albany in the follow-
ing year, and other lines were added until the present complete system
was established.
For a number of years the subject of establishing a large public park
in Albany attracted attention and caused much discussion in the public
press and among the people, and in June, 1863, an able paper on the
subject was read before the Common Council. Nothing, however, was
definitely accomplished until 1869, when a law was passed creating a
Board of Park Commissioners for the city and setting apart what was
315
then known as the burial ground property, the old Washington Parade
Ground, the penitentiary ground and the almshouse farm. The Board
of Commissioners comprised John Bridgford, Arthur Bott, George
Dawson, Dudley Olcott, William Cassidy, John Fair, Rufus W. Peck-
ham, jr., Samuel H. Ransom, and John H. Van Antwerp. Plans were
made for improvements on a part of this territory and work began in
L870, under supervision of R. H. Bingham, chief engineer. In the fol-
lowing year the old burial ground was divested of its dead, laid out and
opened to the public as part of the park. Further improvements con-
tinued every year. In 1880 and 1882 additional land was purchased,
including the Knox street property of nine acres, and a tract lying on
Madison and Lake avenues. Washington Park now contains about
eighty-two acres and is one of the most beautiful of its area in the
country.
By an act of the Legislature passed March 16, 1870, the city charter
was largely amended. There had, of course, been many minor changes
in the charter since the city was founded in 108G, but none of very radi-
cal character, and the corporation still retained its original title of The
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany. By the act
referred to this title was abridged to that of the City of Albany. For
the other important amendments the reader is referred to the original
and the present charters, which are accessible in many places in the
city. Still further amendments were made in April, 1883, some of
which were of importance.
As indicated in succeeding pages under separate headings, the history
of Albany during the last half century is a record of continuous ad-
vancement. In the extension and improvement of streets; in beauti-
fying the public parks; in largely adding to the number of its Christian
and benevolent institutions; in building up the public school system
until it is excelled nowhere in the country ; in all the departments of
public works that better the condition of the community at large, and
in the extent and variety of its manufactures, it has more than kept
abreast of its growth in population.
The city of Albany celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of its
existence as a ehartered city in 1880. For some time prior to that the
subject of appropriately observing the day had been considered and
discussed among leading citizens. The matter was definitely brought
up by a resolution offered in the Common Council November It',, L885,
316
by Alderman James B. Lyon, that the celebration of the bi-centennial
be referred to the Committee on Public Celebrations and Entertain-
ments of the council. The city budget of 1886 contained an item of
$10,000 "for celebrating- the bi-centennial of Albany." On December
18, the bi-centennial proclamation was issued by the mayor, A. Bleecker
Banks, and the committee before mentioned, which consisted of Galen
R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James Thornton, and
August Whitman. In response to a call in the proclamation a meeting
of citizens whs held in the council chamber January 6, 1886, where
many local organizations were represented. The proceedings adopted
for the celebration of the centennial in 1786, described on an earlier
page, were read, and a committee of twenty-five citizens was appoint-
ed, with the mayor as chairman, to act in conjunction with the council
committee in carrying out the plans for the celebration. This commit-
tee were A. Bleecker Banks, chairman, Robert Lenox Banks, Lewis
Boss, Anthony N. Brady, Walter Dickson, Franklin M. Danaher, Douw
H. Fonda, Charles E. Jones, Rufus H. King, J. Townsend Lansing,
James H. Manning, Archibald McClure, Edward J. Meegan, John C.
Nott, Michael N. Nolan, Amasa J, Parker, jr., Robert C. Pruyn, John
H. Quinby, Simon W. Rosendale, Samuel B. Towner, William B. Van
Rensselaer, John L. Van Valkenburgh, Daniel W. Wemple, William M.
Whitney, Robert D /Williams, Horace G. Young, John Zimmerman.
Aldermen — Galen R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James
Thornton, August Whitman, John J. Greagan, David J. Norton, George
L. Thomas, James O. Woodward. Robert D. Williams was chosen
recording secretary, and James H. Manning, corresponding secretary
of the committee.
The full account of the proceedings of this committee and of the
celebration itself has been published in a handsome volume of 401
pages, which is in the hands of many citizens of the city and is acces-
sible to all. This fact renders it unnecessary, as it is also entirely im-
practicable, to give more than a very brief outline of the event in
these pages.
The committee above named appointed sub-committees, including
the executive, finance, reception, historical pageant, regatta, military
parade, civic parade, educational day, trades' parade, all nations' day,
fireworks, decorations and monumenting, music, bi-centennial flag and
medal, printing and press committees, with a loan commission, a bureau
of information and accommodation, an auditing board and an advisory
317
committee of 147 members to aid all the others. These committees
met frequently and labored with energy to carry out the elaborate
plans. On March 4, 1886, the executive committee reported that the
celebration should begin on Sunday, July 18, and end on July 23.
Sunday was named as a day of general religious observance, with his-
torical and memorial sermons in the churches ; Monday, educational
da}-, on which the school children were assembled in a public place for
exercises, singing, recitations and addresses, and historic spots were
monumented, with addresses appropriate to the occasion delivered at
each place marked. Tuesday was the day of all nations, devoted to
national sports, exercises and observances, under direction of the Ger-
man, Irish, English. Scotch, French, Italian, Holland and other national
societies ; in the afternoon a regatta, amateur and professional, was
held over the Island course, and a yacht race in front of the city; in the
evening a river parade of illuminated and decorated steamboats, with
music and fireworks. Wednesday was civic da}", and was ushered in
by a national salute of thirty-eight guns; a grand parade of civic
bodies at K) a. m., with a firemen's tournament; in the afternoon there
was a continuation of the regatta, and a canoeing tournament in front
of the city; in the evening a grand historical pageant under colored
fires and electric lights, showing the contrast between past and present,
the growth of two centuries, and placing before the people in living
tableaux the historical events and great men in Albany's history. This
pageant massed, after the parade, in State street at 12 o'clock midnight,
and there amid a blaze of fireworks, ringing of church bells, sounding
of whistles and singing of the national anthem, ushered in the anni-
versary day. Thursday, bi-centennial day, a salute of 200 guns was
given at sunrise, fifty guns being fired in four separate places; a grand
military procession in the morning as escort to orator, poet, guests,
etc., to place of exercises, these exercises consisting of music, invoca-
tion, singing, poems, orations, addresses, etc.; in the evening, fire-
works and municipal reception, Friday, trades and manufacture
parade of all trades' unions, assemblies and Knights of Labor, manu-
facturing and business interests, represented by floats bearing work-
men carrying on their various trades; in the afternoon, grand open air
concert; in the evening singing by Albany societies in the Capitol
Park, with fireworks as a finale.
It can be stated in a general manner that this programme was, in
the main features, carried out in a most successful manner. The van-
318
cms committees arranged plans for the different features of each day's
proceedings and reported frequently to the general committee ; thus
the entire work of preparation moved along harmoniously to its con-
summation. On April 1 it was resolved that the National Association
of Amateur Oarsmen be invited to hold their regetta in Albany during
bi-centennial week, and $1,850 was appropriated to cover the expenses;
this was a substitute for the first proposed regatta.
About the middle of April the committee on the historical pageant
made an elaborate report, which was adopted, and the sum of $10,000
appropriated to carry out its provisions. On April 22 an estimate of
the entire expenses of the celebration placed it at between $35,000 and
$40,000. On the 29th of April, Gov. David B. Hill was appointed ora-
tor, and William H. McElroy, poet of the occasion. On May 6 Mayor
Ranks was succeeded in that office by John Boyd Thacher, and resigned
his chairmanship of the bi-centennial committee; Mr. Thacher was
elected in his place and Mr. Banks was chosen vice-chairman.
During the month of May the work of collecting funds progressed
satisfactorily and a committee of five was appointed to meet with the
committee on celebrations of the Common Council, to appropriate and
distribute the $10,000 given by the city. The sum of $3,000 was ap-
propriated for fireworks; $2,500 for monumenting and decorating;
$1,900 for expenses of the reception committee, and $500 for prelimi-
nary expenses- of the loan exhibition.
On June 10 Walter Dickson, of the committee on monuments and
decoration reported, advising the placing of the following bronze tab-
lets, with appropriate inscriptions, which were given in the report and
which now appear on the tablets in various parts of the city:
No. 1, located 50 feet east of the bend in Broadway, at Steamboat Square. No. '2,
inserted in the exterior surface of the Eagle street wall of the city hall. No. 3, on
the government building fronting State street. No. 4, the first Patroon, placed in
the city hall. No. 5, the Old Dutch church, in the government building adjoining
No. 3. No. 6, Lutheran church, on the South Pearl street face of the city building.
No. 7, First English church, in the wall near the curb, northwest corner of Chapel
and State streets. No. 8, Old St. Mary's, in the wall of the present St. Mary's. No.
9, First Presbyterian church, in the wall of building northeast corner of Grand and
Hudson streets. No. 10, Schuyler Mansion, in front of wall inclosing grounds on
Catherine street. No. 11, Fort Frederick, in sidewalk at the head of State street
on lower edge of Capitol Park. No. 12, Philip Livingston, in Tweddle Building
wall. No. 13, Anneke Janse Bogardus, on front door pier of State street side of
Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank. No. 14, the old Lansing House, in granite block in
front of the present house, corner of Pearl and Columbia streets. No. 15, oldest
319
building in Albany, southeast corner of State and North Pearl street (this building
has since been removed). No. 16, old Elm Tree Corner, on granite block northwest
corner of State and North Pearl streets. No. 17, Vanderheyden Place, in front wall
of Perry Building. No. 18, Lydius Corner, in Pearl street wall on northeast corner
of State and North Pearl streets. No 19, Washington's Visit, in Beaver street wall
northwest corner of Beaver and Green streets. No. 20, First Theater, in front wall
of the original building, the Green street theater. No. 21, First English School-
master, on the High School building. No. 22, Foxenkill, in southern wall of build-
ing northwest corner of Canal and North Pearl streets. No. 23, Beaverkill, in granite
block corner of South Pearl and Arch streets. No. 24, City Gate, in face of north
wall of American Express building, Broadway and Steuben street. No. 25. Manor
House, in granite near the Van Rensselaer business office on Broadwav. No. 20,
Johannes Van Rensselaer, in the wall of the original mansion on the Greenbush
banks. No. 27, Joel Munsell, in gable building 58 and 60 State street. No. 28,
Northwest (late, in budding on North Pearl street, occupied by Johnson & Reillv.
No. 29, Northeast Gate, in granite block in walk in front of the Van Benthuysen
printing office, Broadway. No. 30, First Methodist church, in wall of building cor-
ner of North Pearl and Orange streets. No. 31, Academy Park, in granite block in
the park. No. 32, Washington Avenue, on corner of Capitol Budding. No. 33,
Hamilton Street, on corner building at Hamilton and Pearl streets. No. 34, Dean
Street, in Government Building corner of State and Dean streets. No. 35, State
Street, on old Museum corner. No. 36, James Street, on Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank. No. 37, Eagle Street, on corner building State and Eagle streets. No. 38,
Exchange Street, on north side of government building. No. 39, Norton street,
north side of Beaver Block. No. 40, Franklin Street, corner of Franklin and Mad-
ison avenue. No. 41, Clinton Avenue, corner of North Pearl street. No. 42. Mon-
roe street, south side of Dutch Reformed Church.
The placing of these historical tablets was one of the most important
and useful features of the celebration.
In June it was determined to eliminate Friday from the programme
of the parade, and the Trades' Parade was transferred to Monday, the
19th of July. June 17 was reported the aceeptance of Rev. William
Crosswell Doane, Bishop of Albany, as chaplain of Bi-Centennial Daw
On the '-24th of June the committee on bi-centennial flag presented a
design, which is described and illustrated in the volume before alluded
to. The committee on medals also presented the design that had been
adopted; the scene represents Governor Dongan seated at lbs desk
with Livingston and Schuyler on his either side, commemorativi
the statement that these two men went to Xew York to receive the
charter from Dongan. ' >n the reverse is the inscription, " In memory
of the two hundredth anniversary of the cityof Albany, X. V., L8S
On July 1 the sum of $2,000 was appropriated for expenses of the
military committee; it was also resolved that all persons subscribing -
320
or more to the All-Nations' Day fund should be entitled to a bi-centen-
nial flag; subscribers of $20 two flags; $50, three flags, and $100, four
flags.
On July 13, Amasa J. Parker, jr., presented a resolution which had
been adopted in a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly, to the
effect that the senators and members of the then present Legislature
and all previous Legislatures be cordially invited to meet the legis-
lative committee at the Delavan House July 22, to make such arrange-
ments as seemed desirable. The Senate committee were Amasa J.
Parker, jr., J. Sloat Fassett, John Raines, James F. Pierce, and Ed-
mund L. Pitts. The Assembly committee were James W. Huested,
George S. Batcheller, George L. Erwin, Henry D. Hotchkiss, George
W. Lyon, William F. Sheehan, Michael F. Collins, Thomas McCarthy,
George W. Green, and Edward D. Cutler.
A grand stand was erected, a short time before the opening of the
celebration, on the Capitol grounds opposite the City Hall, with a seat-
ing capacity of 2,500.
The celebration opened auspiciously. The elaborate programme as
carried out cannot be followed here, but the principal events were the
opening of the Loan Exhibition July 5, and the reading of a poem on
that day by William D. Morange, and an oration by Leonard Kip; the
reception of the Caughnawaga Indians on July 17; the services appro-
priate to the event in most of the churches on Sunday, the 18th ; the
parade of industrial interests and the children's exercises on the 19th;
the parade of the nations on the 20th, and their review at the Capitol
by high State officials ; the very interesting exercises of Civic Day on
the 21st; the grand military display and the reading of the poem by
William H. McElroy; the legislative reunion, and the delivery of the
oration on Bi-Centennial Day, the22d.
This hasty glance at this great celebration, perhaps the grandest
ever held for a similar purpose in this country, must suffice for these
pages. It was in every way a fitting culmination of the two hundred
years of the city's history.
Mayors of Albany. — The first mayor of Albany is named in the Don-
gan charter of July 22, 1686. That charter provided for the annual
appointment of a mayor "upon the feast day of St. Michael, the Arch-
angel." By virtue of his office the mayor was also commander of the
militia of the county, and possessed the authority of a justice of the
EDWARD DE L. PALMER.
321
peace, coroner, commissioner of excise, and clerk of the market.
Twenty-six mayors were thus appointed under the Colonial govern-
ment, down to the English accession ; among them were five members
of the Schuyler family, three of the Bleecker family, and three of the
Cuyler family. Following the Declaration of Independence the may-
ors of Albany were for a period appointed by the governor; later and
down to and including 1830 they were chosen by the Common Council.
In 1840 and since they have been elected by the people.
The first mayor was Peter Schuyler, with whose eminent career the reader must
now be comparatively familiar. He filled the office with dignity and ability ; exer-
cised a powerful influence over the neighboring Indians, and for some years held the
office of Indian Commissioner.
The second Mayor was John Abeel, appointed October 14, 1694, who also served
another term, 1709-10. He was recorder in 1702 and held several other local offices.
He died January 28, 1711.
Evert Bancker, mayor 1695-96 and 1707-09, was born January 24, 1665. He was a
merchant of Beverwyck and held several offices, among them master in chancery,
Indian commissioner, and member of assembly. (See civil list.) He was buried
July 10, 1734.
Dirck Wessels, mayor 1696-98, was also the first recorder under the charter of
1686. He was a prominent fur trader, held the rank of major in the militia and was
conspicuous in public affairs. He died September 13, 1717.
Hendric Hansen, 1698-99, held the office of alderman, commissioner of Indian
affairs, and assemblyman. He was buried February 19, 1724. Nicholas Hansen, the
last male representative of this family, died in 1869.
Peter Van Brugh, son of Johannes Pieterse Verbrugge, a leading Holland trader,
was mayor 1699-1700 and in 1721-23. He resided on State street, on the north side,
west of Pearl. He was buried July 20, 1740.
Jans Janse Bleecker, mayor 1700-01, was a blacksmith and later a trader, and also
held the offices of recorder, justice of the peace and member of the Provincial As-
scmoly.
Johannes Bleecker, 1702-03, was brewer and a captain in the militia; was buried
January 12, 1737.
Johannes Schuyler, 1703-06, was the son of Philip Peter Schuyler and brother of
. the first mayor. He was attached to the army of General Winthrop in 1691
as captain, and exhibited great bravery and energy in border warfare. He took an
active part in several important military movements; was alderman several years,
Indian commissioner, in 1705. He died at his home, corner of State and I 'earl
streets, July 25, 1727.
David Schuyler, 1706-07, one of the five sons of David (brother of Philip Peter),
also held the offices of alderman, justice of the peace, and Indian commissioner. He
was twice married and had seven children.
Robert Livingston, 1710 -19, was the first settler of that name in the province from
whom were descended many eminent men. The family is of Scotch descent and
espoused the cause of the patriots in the Revolution. Robert was secretary of Al-
41
322
bany nearly fifty years, 1675-1721, and held other offices. His house stood on the
northwest corner of State and North Pearl streets. He died April 20, 1725.
Myndert Schuyler, 1719-21 and 1723-25. was son of David Pieterse Schuyler, and
also held the office of alderman and other public positions. He was sent in 1720 into
the Seneca country where he succeeded in dissuading the Senecas from further war
upon the Western Indians. He acted as Indian commissioner with signal ability.
He died October 10, 1755.
Johannes Cuyler, 1725-6, son of Hendrick, was a trader and settled in Albany in
1637.
Rutger Bleecker, 1726-9, held also the office of recorder in 1725. He was buried
in the old church August 5, 1756.
Johannes De Peyster, 1729-31 and 1732-3, and 1741-2, was son of Johannes, who
was mayor of New York, and grandson of Johannes, one of the wealthiest and most
influential citizens of that city, who was the founder of the family in this country, which
was of Huguenot origin. The Albany mayor also held the offices of Indian commis-
sioner, member of assembly and was the first surrogate of the county. He died
February 26, 1789.
Hans Hansen, 1731-2, and 1754-6, was a successful trader. He died December 6,
1756.
Edward Holland, 1733-40, was the first man of English descent to hold the office of
mayor. His father, Henry Holland, was in command of the Albany garrison in
1632.
John Schuyler, jr., 1740-41, second son of Mayor John Schuyler, was born in 1697.
One of his nine children was Major-Gen. Schuyler, of Revolutionary fame. .
Cornelius Cuyler, 1742-46, was father of Col. Abraham C. Cuyler, who was mayor
at a later date.
Dirck Ten Broeck was mayor 174G-48. He died in January, 1751.
Jacob C. Ten Eyck, 1748-50, was also a judge of the Court of Common Pleas; he
died September 9, 1793.
Robert Sanders, 1750-54, was a leading merchant and died, probably, in 1795.
Sybrant G. Van Schaick, 1756-61, was a son of Goosen Van Schaick, who was
prominent in the army.
Volkert P. Douw, 1761-70, one of the nine children of Petrus Douw, was born in
Greenbush and married a daughter of John De Peyster, by whom he had ten chil-
pren, among whom was Gen. John De Peyster Douw, a distinguished officer. Dur-
ing Mr. Douw's mayoralty grave responsibilities devolved upon him, but he proved
himself equal to the emergency and conducted public affairs with ability. He was a
jddge of the Common Pleas, 1759-70; recorder, 1750-60; member of assembly, 1757-59;
member of the first Congress, 1775; State senator, etc. He died March 20, 1801.
Abraham C. Cuyler, 1770-78, was the last mayor to serve under royal commission.
He became an open royalist and finally went to Canada, where he died February 5,
1810.
John Barclay, 1778-9, was the first mayor under the State government. He was
president of the Committee of Safety and Correspondence, organized in 1774, and a
man of high character. He died while in office in 1779.
Abraham Ten Broeck, 1779-83 and 1796-99, son of Mayor Dirck Ten Broeck, was
a merchant, and a man prominent iu public life ; was a member of the Colonial As-
323
sembly 1760-65 ; member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, and ranked high as a
militia officer in Revolutionary times. After the war he was State senator, 1780-83,
and judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1781-94.
John Jacob Beekman, was mayor 1783-86, and died December 17, 1802.
John Lansing, jr., 1786-90; was delegate to the convention that framed the
United States Constitution, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1788.
While in New York and about to start for Albany he suddenly disappeared Decem-
ber 12, 1829, and was never after heard from.
Abraham Yates, jr., 1790-96, was one of the Committee of Safety, president of the
Provincial Congress 1775-6, and an active patriot. He died June 30, 1796.
Phillip S. Van Rensselaer, 1796-1816 and 1819-21, had the longest term of any
Albany mayor. He was a son of Stephen Van Rensselaer,
Elisha Jenkins, 1816-19, was the son of Thomas Jenkins, and was also member
of assembly, State senator, and secretary of state, the latter in 1806-09, comptroller
1805-06, and a Regent of the University.
Charles E. Dudley, 1821-24 and 1828-29; settled in Albany in 1819 and engaged in
mercantile pursuits. He was State senator 1823-25; U. S. senator 1829-31. He
died January 23, 1841. His widow was the founder of Dudley Observatory.
Ambrose Spencer, 1824-26, was a graduate of Harvard and an LL. D., studied
law and early in life was called to public office. He was attorney-general 1802-04,
at which time he settled in Albany, coming from Hudson. He was also a justice of
the Supreme Court 1804, and chief justice 1819-23, and a member of congress 1829-
81. He held other local offices and was eminent in his profession. He died .March
13, 1848.
James Stevenson, 1826-28, was long a prosperous and active citizen. He died
July 3, 1852.
John Townsend was mayor in 1829-31 and in 1832-33. He was a brother of Isaiah
Townsend and for a long time his partner in their extensive business operations.
Isaiah settled in Albany in 1799 and John in 1802. The firm of John & Isaiah
Townsend was formed in 1804 and continued until the death of Isaiah in 1838. The
business consisted largely of the purchase and sale of iron, but they also had an
interest in the Troy Nail and Iron factory, in a furnace and machine shop in Albany,
and in other large industries. John was a counselor of De Witt Clinton in the Erie
Canal enterprise; was the founder of the insurance business in Albany; prominent
in the banking business, and in all ways a leading citizen. He died August 26,
I B5 1
Francis Bloodgood, 1833-34, son of Abraham Bloodgood, who was a merchant in
West India trade. He was a graduate of Yale, and studied and practiced law; was
clerk of the Supreme Court, a director and president of the State Bank, and presi-
dent of the Albany Insurance Company. He was a man of high character and
ability. He died March 5, 1840.
Erastus Corning, 1834-37, was born in Norwich, Conn., December 14, 1794, and
died April 8, 1872. During his long life he was one of the leading business men of
Albany and one of its foremost citizens. Beginning in a humble position in the
store of Hart & Smith, he later became confidential clerk for John A. Spent
Co., in which firm he soon became a partner. He remained in the hardware trade
for nearly half a century, with different persons as partners, among them his son,
324
Erastus Corning, jr. He was a leader in establishing the early railroads of the
State, the importance of which he clearly foresaw, and was chosen president of the
New York Central when the consolidation of several lines was effected in 1854. He
occupied similar responsible positions in various other great corporations. In official
life he was alderman in 1828: a Regent of the University; State senator, 1841; dele-
gate to the Democratic national conventions of 1848 and 1852; member of congress
1857-59, and two later terms, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of
1867. In all of these high stations he acquitted himself with signal ability. He was
benevolent and generous with the large fortune which he had accumulated, giving
largely to many of the most useful institutions in the city. Endowed with a high
degree of public spirit, he was ever ready to devote his powerful influence to the ad-
vancement of every good work.
Teunis Van Vechten, 1837-39 and 1841-42, was born November 4, 1785, and died
February 4, 1859. He bore the same given name as his father and grandfather,
both of whom lived in the county, his father having been a merchant in Albany in
1805, on the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane ; later he was admitted to the
bar and was counsel for the old Patroon and his son Stephen. The mayor was for
many years a director and president of the Albany Insurance Company, and was
alderman for several terms.
Jared L. Rathbone, 1839-41, was the first mayor elected by popular vote. He was
a trustee and president of the Albany Medical College, and was prominently con-
nected with the educational, industrial and benevolent interests of the city. He
died in 1845.
Barent P. Staats, 1842-43, was a member of one of the oldest Holland families in
the State. He was born in Rensselaer county in 1796 and died in 1871. He was a
practicing physician in Albany for about fifty years and was eminent in his profes-
sion. He also held the offices of supervisor and alderman.
Friend Humphrey, 1843-45 and 1849-50, was born in Simsbury in 1787 and settled
in Albany in 1811. He was a successful leather dealer and prominent in educational
and religious work. He died March 15, 1854.
John Keyes Paige, 1845-46, was an attorney and clerk of the Supreme Court for
nineteen years before he was elected mayor, and was also president of the Canal
Bank, which failed. He afterwards resided in Schenectady, where he died Decem-
ber 10, 1857.
William Parmalee, 1846-48 and 1854-56, was a native of Lansingburgh, born in
1807, and graduated from Yale in 1826 ; practiced law in Albany ; was city attorney
in 1836; county judge in 1839 and 1847-52; and recorder 1840-46. He died during
his term as mayor, March 15, 1856.
John Taylor, 1848-49, was born in Durham, England, in March, 1790, died in Al-
bany September 31, 1863. He came to Albany in 1793 with his father, whom he
joined in the tallow chandler business. Later he was very successful as a brewer,
and gained great wealth and popularity through his generosity to the poor.
Franklin Townsend, son of Isaiah Townsend, 1850-51, took charge of the Townsend
furnace and machine shop while yet a boy. He served also as alderman and super-
visor, member of assembly and for nine years as adjutant general of the State ; he
was prominent also in the banking business. General Townsend now resides on Elk
street.
325
Eli Perry, 1851-54, 1856-60 and 1862-64, held also the office of alderman and
served one term in Congress. He accumulated a fortune in the meat packing busi-
ness, which he greatly increased by judicious real estate investments. His term as
mayor included most of the war period, during which his duties were arduous and
of great responsibility. These he performed with rare energy and ability and for
many years he was among the foremost citizens of the city. His second election
was contested by John V. P. Ouackenbush and the case was taken to the courts,
Recorder W. S. Paddock acting in the mean time. The case was never tried, Mr.
Paddock serving the term, and Mr. Perry and Dr. Ouackenbush both receiving the
full salary of mayor. Mr. Perry was born December 25, 1799, and died May 17,
1881.
George H. Thacher, 1860-62, 1866-68 and 1870-74, was descended from Rev.
Thomas Thacher, a Puritan and first pastor of the old South Congregational church
of Boston. He was born in Hornellsville, June 4, 1818, and settled in Albany in
1848, where he was successful in the manufacture of stoves, and later of car wheels
and other foundry products. He was a man of indomitable energy, active, public
spirited and ready at all times to co-operate in every enterprise that promised to be
for the public good. The present mayor, John Boyd Thacher, is a son of George
H. Thacher.
Charles E. Bleecker was mayor 1868-70.
Edmund L. Judson, 1874-76, is the grandson of Nathaniel Judson, one of the New-
England immigrants who came to Albany in 1796, and son of Ichabod L. Judson,
who was a prominent Albany business man. He was born November 30, is:i(), and
succeeded to his father's business. He was alderman 1862-66.
A. Bleecker Banks, 1876-78 and 1884-86, is a native of New York city and a mem-
ber of the law publishing house of Banks Brothers. He represented Albany county
in the Assembly in 1862 and in the State Senate in 1868-71, was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1894 and has held numerous offices of trust and honor,
both of a public and private nature.
Michael N. Nolan, 1878-83, a native of Ireland, was member of congress 1881-83,
is president of the Beverwyck Brewing Company, and a man of rare business
sagacity.
John Swinburne was mayor 1883-84. The contest for the office of mayor in 1882
was a very exciting one between Mr. Nolan and Dr. Swinburne and Nolan was de-
clared elected by a small majority, The case was taken to the courts and Nolan
resigned after filling the office about fifteen months and Dr. Swinburne was seated
June 25, 1883. Dr. Swinburne was one of the leading physicians of the city. (See
chapter on the medical profession herein.)
John Boyd Thacher, 1886-88 and 1896 , is a son of George H. Thacher and a
prominent citizen of Albany. Mr. Thacher has held many offices both of a public
and private nature, notably state senator, 1884-86, world's fair commissioner,
L892 98. He still continues with his brother, i'ieorge H. Thacher, the car wheel
foundry established by their father.
Edward A. Maher was mayor 1888-90. Mr. Maher was formerly manager of the
Albany Illuminating Company, and is now president of the Union Railway Company
of New York city.
James II. Manning, 1890 94, is the son of Daniel Manning, the distinguished
326
nalist and politician, of whom a sketch is given in the chapter devoted to the news-
papers of Albany county. James H. Manning received a liberal education and subse-
quently occupied the post of managing editor of the Argus, and is now president of
the Weed-Parsons Printing Company.
Oren E. Wilson was mayor May 1, 1894, January 1, 1896, being the candidate of
the Honest Election party. Mr. Wilson was at the time of his election associated
with the large dry goods house of W. M. Whitney & Co., but is now in the insurance
business.
Schools of Albany.
The reader of Chapter XV has learned something of educational
affairs at large and as they existed in Albany county in early years.
It is there made clear that the education of the young in Albany city
was much neglected prior to the beginning of the present century.
Elkanah Watson has left a record that the schools of Albany in 1788
were mostly taught in the English language; but how many there
were or what their character he did not state. In 1796 the Com-
.mon Council passed an ordinance for the establishment of free schools ;
but it was many long years before anything of a practical nature was
accomplished. The Albany Gazette of November 26, 1804, has an item
of news regarding a school that was taught in a building erected through
contributions for the benefit of helpless female children, where twenty-
three pupils were instructed by a matron in reading, writing, and plain
work. Munsell's Annals of 1810 note the fact that there were no pub-
lic schools in the city at that time, and the corporation was then con-
sidering the project of starting the Lancasterian school, which "is de-
scribed in Chapter XV. In 1813 the record shows that the following
schools were in existence in the city:
Widow Catherine Goheen, 1 Liberty; Widow Esther Bedford, 119 Washington;
Catherine Peck, 39 Hudson; Widow Martha Wilson, 39 Steuben; Miss Brenton, US
State; Catherine B. Thompson, Young Ladies' School, 38Colonie: Sarah McGeorge,
Young Ladies' Seminary, 66 Market ; Mrs. Smith, School, 13 Washington ; John
Nugent, Young Ladies' Seminary, 81 Pearl ; and the following male teachers: Thomas
D. Huggins, 43 and 45 Pearl; John Keys, 57 Church ; Joshua Tinker, 16 Deer; George
Upfold, 8 Van Tromp; William Andruss, 19 Pearl; Robert O. K. Bennet, 67 Pearl;
James W. Blacket, 70 Hudson; John Brainard, 35 Chapel; Joseph Caldwell, 25 Steu-
ben ; Thomas Ennis, 48 Beaver.
Between 1830 and 1865 the schools of Albany do not seem to have
advanced in proportion to the growth and intelligence of the city,
though the causes for this condition maybe difficult to determine. The
first important step towards the founding of the free school system in
327
Albany was taken in 1830 when, on April 17, an act was passed by the
Legislature providing for the annual election of a Board of School Com-
missioners and a Board of School Inspectors, one commissioner and
one inspector to be chosen from each ward. This action divided the
city into nine districts for common schools. The commissioners had
power to appoint three trustees for each school district, and to appor-
tion the money received from the State on the basis of the number of
scholars of school age, and they prescribed the rate of tuition so as not
to exceed two dollars a quarter for each scholar. Under this law the
Board of Supervisors was directed to cause a sum of money to be raised
and paid to the chamberlain of the city for the support of the common
schools of the city. The schools east of Perry street were to be taught
nine months of each year, and those west of that street, four months,
in order to enable them to draw this public money. This was the old
free school system. The several boards of trustees were at that period
compelled to supply the necessary rooms for school purposes for which
no provision had been made by the city authorities. The school in the
first district was kept in a building which had formerly been a stable;
in the ninth district the cellar of the old Universalist church on Herki-
mer street was used for a time and afterwards the basement of a church
on Westerlo street. In district No. 8 the school was taught for some
years in the lecture room of St. Peter's church, while another school
occupied the upper part of the engine house on William street. The
other schools were most of them located in equally undesirable quar-
ters.
In 1832 the first school building, excepting the Lancaster school, was
erected by the trustees of district No. 2. at a cost of $22,000; being
three stories high, and containing four large school rooms, two halls, and
a room for an engine company. It stood at 218 State street, and was
Bold in 1884, when the present building on Chestnut street, known as
No. 2, was erected at a cost of about $37,000. George H. Benjamin is
the present principal of this school, and has twelve teachers under him.
In the year 1838, after the Lancaster school had been abolished, a
new impulse was given to educational affairs in Albany by the erection
of eight new school buildings, as follows: No. 1, 310 South Pearlstreet,
three stories, 312 seats, cost $13,000. No. 3. at 7 Van Tromp street,
three stories, 200 seats, cost $13,000, sold in L882. No. 1, at :>:. Union
street, three stories, 206 seats, cost $11,000, sold in L882. X". :>. at 172
North Pearl street, three stories, 29G seats, cost $13,000, sold in 1882,
328
and the present building erected.* No. 7, at 56 Canal street, three sto-
ries, 300 seats, cost $11,000. No. 8, at 157 Madison avenue; three sto-
ries, 338 seats, cost $17,000; rebuilt in brick in 1880, with 448 seats at
a cost of $25,000. No. 9, corner of South Ferry and Dallius streets,
three stories, 210 seats, cost $12,000. No. 10, at 182 Washington ave-
nue, three stories, 312 seats. No. 18, formerly at No. 6, and located
at the junction of Madison and Western avenues, originally one story,
a second added in 1870, cost originally $7,000. The change in the
number of this district was caused by alteration of the city school limits,
leaving that school out of the jurisdiction of the Board of Education
and placing it under control of the trustees west of Perry street;
thereupon the school on Second street (Arbor Hill) in 1840, took the
number 6.
The sum of money thus expended in 1838 for school buildings was
about $110,000, affording accommodations, with those of the buildings
erected in 1832, for 2,783 scholars; but at that time there were at least
7,000 children of school age in the city. While very many of these
attended private schools (as they were forced to do in order to obtain
education), the utter inadequacy of school facilities in the city at that
time is apparent. Nothing further was done until 1840, when the
old school No. 6 was erected at 105 Second street.
In 1844 a law was passed authorizing the creation of the Board of
Education, to be elected by the people and to take the place of the
former Board of Commissioners and trustees. In 1854 school No. 24
(formerly No. 11), at 417 Madison avenue, was erected. It was en-
larged in 1868, and on completion of the Grammar School adjoining
the number was changed, the latter school taking the old number and
No. 24 going to the old building. The present school No. ^24 was
erected in 1893 on Delaware Square, near the corner of Delaware and
Madison avenues, at a cost of $47,000; it seats 700 and is under charge
of Jennie A. Utter, principal.
In 1850 School No. 12, corner of Washington avenue and Robin street,
was erected as it stands at present, at a cost of about $75,000; it seats
1,000 and is under E. E. Packer, principal.
At this time there were thirteen public schools in the city, besides
academies, while there were seventy private schools, some of which were
excellent, while many were inferior and insignificant. In the year 1856
there were registered 6,813 scholars in the public schools, which was
329
nearly double the number for which there were proper accommoda-
tions; at the same time 5,292 attended private schools. This condition
called out in the report of the Board of Education for 1857 a statement
that the public schools were wholly inadequate and led to the erection
of several new structures. School No. 16, 201 Hudson avenue (the
Wilberforce school for colored children), was opened in 1858, with ac-
commodations for 143 scholars; it ceased its existence as a distinctive
colored school in 1874 and was sold in 1883. During the period of
1850-58 the school buildings from No. 1 to 10 inclusive, excepting No.
0, were enlarged and improved by the addition of another story or more
recitation rooms. In 1858 the Common Council purchased the old State
Arsenal, corner of Broadway and Lawrence street,- for $10,800, and re-
modeled it into a school building for 594 scholars, at a cost of $7,300.
This is now No. 13. The arsenal was erected in 1799. A. Elizabeth
McCarthy is principal.
School No. 14, at No. 70 Trinity Place, was built in 1801 substan-
tially as it at present stands, at a cost of $$5,000. This was the last
school building erected under the supervision of the old Board of Edu-
cation. James L. Bothwell, A.M., is principal of this school, which
seats 804.
By act of the Legislature, passed in 1800, the Board of Education was
given the title of the Board of Public Instruction. The new board took
charge of the schools and under its subsequent supervision the school
system of the city has been developed to its present magnificent propor-
tions. At that time the value of the school property was estimated at
$187,000, while the annual expense of maintaining the schools was
about $09,000. The new board was confronted by the same conditions
that had surrounded their predecessors — the great lack of school ac-
commodations. Moreover, there existed at that time a feeling ol
serious opposition among the people to the expenditure of much money
for public improvements, while the condition of the currency and of
business generally was unsettled through the effects of the war. The
need of a higher department of education in which more advanced
studies could be pursued was imperative, and led to an effort to estab-
lish a free academy. A majority of the board and many progressive
citizens favored this plan, and on December 11, L866, a bill was pre-
sented to the Legislature for this purpose. The Common Council and
a large body of prominent citizens opposed the measure. Upon a thor-
ough examination of the law of L806 it was discovered that the board
42
330
was amply clothed with authority to establish such an academy, with-
out further legislation, and measures were promptly adopted to carry
out the plan. The board leased Van Vechten Hall on State street,
where the Normal School had formerly been held. The Free Academy
was opened in September, 1868, with Prof. John E. Bradley, principal,
and 141 pupils. The other teachers were Charles W. Cole, A.M. (now
superintendent of schools of the city), Samuel B. Howe, A.M., Mary
Morgan, and Rebecca I. Hindman. Soon afterward Mr. Howe re-
signed and Charles A. Home, A. M., was chosen in his place. The
hall was soon found inadequate for the attendance and other rooms
connected with the premises were engaged and occupied. In 1870 the
rooms over the Harris livery stable on Maiden Lane were fitted up, anc
in 1873 those in the second story, formerly a part of a carpet store, wen
adapted to school purposes. The academy prospered and was placet
under visitation of the Regents of the University in 1873, at whicl
time its name was changed to the Albany High School. In 1873 then
were 130 academic scholars in the High School; this number gradually
increased until 1896, the report of which year shows that there were 800.
The High School was continued in Van Vechten Hall until 1876, when
the western part of the present splendid structure was erected. It has
a front on Eagle street of eighty seven feet, 135 feet on Steuben street,
120 feet on Columbia street, and ninety-two feet in rear. The cost
of the building with the addition erected in 1893 was $185,000. John
Edwin Bradley was chosen as principal of the High School and was
succeeded in 1886 by the present incumbent, Oscar D. Robinson, A.M.,
Ph. D. The following table shows the enrollment in the High School
from its establishment to 1896:
Year.
1868-69..
Whole
number of
pupils.
141
Increase.
Decrease.
Year.
1882-83.
Whole
number of
pupils.
591
Increase.
7
Decrease
1869-70..
209
68
1883-84.
607
16
1870-71 . .
279
70
_.
1884-85.
608
1
1871-72..
314
35
1885-86.
622
14
1872-73..
328
14
1886-87.
623
1
1873-74..
.... 362
34
1887-88.
646
23
1874-75 . .
429
67
1888-89.
646
1875-76..
494
65
1889-90.
698
52
1876-77 . .
532
38
..
1890-91 .
758
60
1877-78..
580
48
1891-92.
765
7
1878-79..
581
1
1892-93.
794
29
1879-80...
595
14
1893-94.
..773
21
1880-81..
583
12
1894-95 .
..812
39
..
1881-82..
584
1
1895-96 .
800
12
331
The number of "Academic scholars" — that is, those holding Re-
gents' preliminary certificates — in the institution each year since it was
received under the visitation of the Regents, has been as follows:
1872-73 130 1884-85. 527
1873-74 250 1885-86 531
1874-75 320 1886-87 534
1875-76 348 1887-88 512
1876-77 401 1888-89... 562
1877-78 447 1889-90.... 629
1878-79 455 1890-91 672
1879-80... 501 1891-92 643
1880-81 466 1892-93 643
1881-82 471 1893-94 643
1882-83 473 1894-95 728
1883-84 : 491 1895-96 721
The Albany High School occupies an enviable position in the educa-
tional world ; being admittedly in the front rank of the secondary schools
of the country. Its varied and elastic courses of study offer opportu-
nities for choice in lines of work that permit special preparation for all
walks in life, thus meeting the needs of the great majority of its pupils
who must end their scholastic career with the High School, and that also
afford the best facilities for preparation for collegiate and professional
study. Evidently the success of such an institution must largely de-
pend on the organization of the elementary schools from which it draws
its students. The elementary public schools of this city are organized on
a broad and generous plan, in accordance with the best educational
thought of the day, and are equipped with skillful instructors and the
most approved apparatus and material in all grades.
Returning to the other schools of the city, we find that No. 15,
corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets, was erected in 1871, the cost
of the building and lot being $91,000. This was the first school build-
ing erected in the city on modern plans and now seats 040 scholars.
Levi Cass, A. M., is principal.
School No. 17, corner of Second avenue and Stephen street, was
erected in 1856 by the town of Bethlehem. It came within the city
limits in 1870. The present building was erected in I sis and has a
seating capacity of 440. Its cost was $15,000. Martha P>. McFarland
is principal.
The school formerly situated in West Albany, and then known as
No. 1 '.i, was erected by the town of Watervliet, but came within the city
332
limits in 1870, and was abandoned in 1875, and School No. 21, at 666 Clin-
ton avenue was erected to take its place. This building seats 854, and
cost $48,000. P. H. McQuade is principal.
What was formerly school No. 20, on Mohawk street, was erected in
1872, but was sold in 1880, and the present brick two story structure,
corner of North Pearl and North Second streets was erected to take its
place. The building seats 668 and cost $18,000. Ernest A. Corbin,
A. M , is principal.
School No. 22, at 292 Second street, is of brick, two stories and base-
ment, and was erected in 1874 at a cost of $24,000. It seats 440. Mary
A. Simpson is principal.
School No. 25 was erected in 1878, corner of Morton and South Swan
streets, at a cost of $15,000. It is two stories, brick, and seats 440.
Julia Cordell is principal.
School No. 11, at 409 Madison avenue (before mentioned in connec-
tion with No. 24), was erected in 1873 at a cost of $50,000. The build-
ing is of brick, three stories, and seats 640. Lewis H. Rockwell, A.M.,
is principal.
In 1882 school buildings Nos 3 and 5 were sold and the Tabernacle
Baptist church, North Pearl street, was purchased and converted into
a school building, at a cost of about $35,000. It is now known as No.
5, and seats 584. Thomas S. O'Brien is principal.
The present School No. 6, at 105 Second street, was erected in 1893,
at a cost of $50,000. Almond Holland is principal. School No. 7, at
165 Clinton avenue, was erected in 1886; it is of brick, three stories,
and cost $30,000. It seats 600, and C. E. Franklin, A. M., is prin-
cipal. The present School No. 8, at 157 Madison avenue, was erected
in 1881, at a cost of $25,000. It is of brick, two stories, and John E.
Sherwood, A. M., is principal. The present School No. 10, corner of
Central avenue and Perry street, was erected in 1890, at a cost of $37,-
000. It is of brick, two stories, and seats 440. Mary E. Howard is
principal.
The following statement shows the number of schools in the city
and the number of scholars registered in each from 1857 to 1895 in-
clusive:
t\
333
Year.
1857..
1858 . .
1859..
I860..
1861..
1862 . .
1863..
1864..
1865..
1866..
1867..
1868..
1869..
1*70 ..
1871 ..
1872 . .
1873 . .
1874 . .
1875..
L876 _
Number
of
schools.
Registered
number.
Yes
12
6,529
1877
13
7,760
1878
13
7,832
1879
14
8,395
1880
15
9,182
1881
15
9,614
1882
15
9,507
1883
15
8,917
1884
15
8,850
1885
15
8,924
1886
15
8,880
1887
15
9,414
1888
16
9,665
1889
16
9,933
1890
22
10,939
1891
24
12,060
1892
24
12,327
1893
25
12,460
1894
25
13,773
1895
24
13,941
1896
Number
of
schools.
'^tered
number .
24
14, -112
25
14,024
26
14,632
26
14.049
26
13,976
26
13,984
26
13,914
24
13,708
24
13,720
24
13,410
24
1:3,410
24
13,580
24
13,616
23
14,389
23
14.412
22
13,914
22
13,655
21
13,491
21
13,522
21
13,418
Connected with the city schools is an admirable kindergarten system
which is now under supervision of Frances C. Hayes. There are
eighteen of these schools, all of which are well attended. The follow-
ing table shows their condition for the school year, from September,
1895, to June, 189G:
Schools.
No. 1
Number
of boys
register'd.
40
Number
of girls
register'd.
38
No. 2 ..
24
31
No. 3
30
33
No. 4..
23
33
No. 5
29
22
vr p ( A. M.
21
24
No. 6 -
I P. M
16
is
No. 7
20
18
No. 8
25
19
Schools.
No. 10 27
33
No. 12 32
No. 13 .. 18
No. 15 40
No. 20 44
No. 21.. 29
No. 22 30
No. 24 34
No. 25 in
501
Xumber Number
of boys of girls
regisd ter'd.
is
32
07
32
20
35
47
19
535
The grand proportions of the public school system may be judged
from the present total valuation of the buildings and lots devoted to
public education, namely, $1,030,000.
The Board of Public Instruction was reorganized March Is. L892,
the membership of the body being reduced from twelve to seven in
334
number, and other desirable changes effected. Following is a list of
the officers of the board since its organization in 1866:
Presidents.— *John O. Cole1, 1866-1869; George W. Carpenter, 1869-1871;
*Charles P. Easton, 1872; *Addison A. Keys, 1873-1874; *Charles P. Eastern, 1875-
1880; Herman Bendell, 1881-1882; Alden Chester, 1883; *George B. Hoyt, 1884;
Peter J. Flinn, 1885; Oren E. Wilson, 1886; James M. Ruso, 1887; William P. Rndd,
1888; Henry W. Lipman, 1889; Charles H. Gaus, 1890; Michael F. Walsh, 1891;
William L. Learned, 1892.
Superintendents of Schools.— *Henry B. Haswell,2 1866-1869; ■•John O. Cole,*
1869-1878; Charles W. Cole, A. M., Ph. D., 1878.
Superintendents of Buildings. — *John G. Treadwell,4 1872-1879; Alexander
Sayles, 1879-1885; *Hugh J. McDonald,5 1885-1886; Robert Parker, 1886-1887;
John H. Oliver, 1887-1892; Thomas H. Dwyer, 1892.
The following is a list of the members of the Board of Public Instruc-
tion since its organization in 1866 :
When
chosen. Term of service.
1866 *John O. Colef8 1866-1869
1866 George W. Carpenterf. .1866-1872
1866 Michael Delhantyf 1866-1869
1866*Charles P. Eastonf 1866-1881
1866 *Paul F. Cooperf 1866-1868
1866 John G. Tread wellf7 ....1866-1872
1866 *Charles Van Benthuysenfl866-1868
L866 -Stewart McKissickf 1866-1868
1866 *James L. Babcockf 1866-1873
1866 ^Bradford R. Woodf8
1866 *Jacob S. Mosherf ■' 1866-1868
L866 William C. McHargf.... 1866-1873
1866 -Howard Townsend1 ° -1866
1867 *Porter L. F. Reynolds.. .1867-1870
1868 Joseph Lewi 1868-1880
1868 -Robert H. Waterman1 *_ 1868-1872
1 868 * Warren S. Kelly 1868-1871
L868 William L. Learned 1868-1869
When
chosen. Term of service.
1869 Barnet B. Sanders 1869-1875
1869 Daniel V. O'Leary1 -'.... 1869-1 872
1869 William L. Learned 1869-1870
1870 *John Tracy1 3 1870-1871
1870*Daniel L. Babcock 1870-1876
1871 *Arthur C Quinn14 -1871
1871 -Alfred Edvvards15 1871-1872
1872 Daniel V. O'Leary 1872-1874
18721*Thomas Hayes ...1872-1875
1872 »Addison A. Keyes 1872-1875
1872 John McKenna 1872-1873
1872*Charles Senrick 1872-1874
1872 *George B. Hoyt 1872-1886
1873 James J. Franklin 1873-1875
1873 -James H. White 1873-1876
1873*John V. Lansing 1873-1874
1874 *Samuel Templeton 1874-1883
1874 Joseph P. Morrow 1874-1877
* Deceased.
t Appointed by the act creating the Board— the first four named to serve for three years, the
second four for two years and the last four for one year.
i Resigned October 4, 1809, and elected sup- 8 Registered June 1,1800, without taking
erintendent. his seat.
2 Died in office August 10, 1809. •' Resigned June 1, 1868.
s Died in office January 4, 1878. 1 ° Died in office January — , 1867.
4 Resigned March 3, 1879. 1 1 Resigned April 15, 1872.
6 Died in office January 21, 1886 l s Resigned April 15, 1872.
6 Resigned October 4. 1869. * 3 Resigned July 0. 1871.
v Resigned July 1, 1872. i * Died in office September 12, 1871.
1 6 Appointed by the Mayor.
335
When
chosen
1884
1884
1884
1885
1885
Term of service.
Oren E. Wilson 1884-1892
Edward A. Durant, Jr.9. 1884-1886
Peter A. Stephens 1884-1888
Francis B. Delehanty. . .1885-1886
Robert G. Scherer 1885-1886
1885 "John Neil, Jr. 10 1885-1886
1885 Edward Phillips _„ 1885-1886
1886 Fred C. Ham.... 1886-1889
1886 William F. Hourigan.... 1886-1 889
1886 *William F. Reddy 1886-1890
1886 William P. Rudd 1886-1892
1876 Charles H. Gaus 1886-1892
1887 •••Cornelius D. Mosher11 ..1887- 1890
1888 William Reynolds 1888-1891
1888 Michael F. Walsh 1888-1892
1888 James J. Fitzsimmons... 1889-1892
1889 Agnus McD. Shoemaker. 1889-1892
1889 Bowen Staley 1889-1892
1890 Stephen J. Bergen 1890-1892
1890 John L. Goodley 1890-1892
1891 George H. Guardineer.. 1891-1892
When
chosen. Terra of service.
1874 John Kautz... ....1874-1877
1875 Daniel V. O'Leary1 1875-1877
1875 Peter J. Flinn 1875-1887
1875 *Isaac Edwards2 .1875-1879
1876 Timothy D. Keleher ...1876-1879
1876 *James Morris 1876-1879
1876 William Morgan 1876-1882
1877 Daniel Casey 1877-1878
1877 Henry W. Lipman 1877-1892
1877 -Charles A. Robertson3.. 1877-1880
1878 John H. Lynch4 1878-1883
1879 John A. McCall' 1879-1885
1879 Linzee T. Morrill6 1879-1881
1779 Andrew S. Draper 1879-1881
1880 Douw H. Fonda7 ..1880-1885
1880 Herman Bendell 1880-1886
1881 Alden Chester ..1881-1884
1881 Charles E. Jones 1881-1884
1881 James M. Ruso. 1881-1892
1882 He ny T. Sanford 1882-1885
1883 Robert D. Williams 1883-1889
1883 Edward J. Graham8.. ..1883-1885
The following have constituted the Board of Public Instruction since
its reorganization March 18, 1892. Full term of office seven years.
Term of service.
William L. Learned)...... (Appointed for seven years) 1892
Andrew S. Draper1- _. (Appointed for six years) 1892-1894
John II. Lynch (Appointed for five years) 1892
Herman Bendell (Appointed for four years) 1892
William J. Maher (Appointed for three years) 1892
Charles H. Gaus13 (Appointed for two years). 1892-1894
James M. Ruso (Reappointed Jan. 1. 1894) 1892
Howard X. Fuller1 ' ... (Appointed vice Draper) 1894-1894
Angus McD. Shoemaker1-"' (Appointed vice Gaus) 1894
Lewis B. Hall (Appointed vice Fuller) 1894
Harlau P. French (Appointed vice Maher) 1S9C,
* Deceased.
1 All of the first seven date from January i, [893, but actual service begrn March 18,
i Resigned February 81, 1877. '■' Resigned June n. i-v,
- Died in office March 86, 1879 "' Died in office July 87, 1881
1 in office April 1, 1880. • ' Died in office Septemb.
' Resigned July Hi, 1863 i - Resigned April 30, 1894.
•'• Resigned December 1, 1884. I --1 Resigned May ;, 1894.
• Resigned September 18, 1881 ' ' Resigned October 29, 1894.
i Resigned September 28, 1885. I » Appointed vice Gaus, resigned May :, 1894
- Resigned May 18, 1885. •
336
Religious Institutions.
The first ecclesiastical organization in Albany was the First Re-
formed Dutch church, the society which now worships in the First
Reformed church, corner of North Pearl and Orange streets, and is
one of the two oldest in the country, the other being the Collegiate
Reformed church of New York city. The first minister of this faith
was Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who was sent over by the Patroon
in 1642. This church was maintained chiefly from the public rev-
enues until after the English accession when, in 1686, one hundred
acres of land were granted it. During more than 140 years the services
were conducted only in Dutch. The first church edifice of this society
was built near Fort Orange on what is now Steamboat Square, and
Church street received its name on account of its proximity to this ed-
ifice. That building was only 34 by 19 feet in size and its cost was
about $32 in the money of to-day. In 1656 a new church was built
near the intersection of the present State street and Broadway, which
was in use until 1715, when a larger edifice was erected. This stood
for ninety-one years, and many engravings of it are in existence. It
was nearly square, the roof sloping to each of the four sides, with a
belfry and spire at the apex. The site of the old church was finally
sold to the city for $5,000, and the materials of the building were used
in erecting the Reformed church in Beaver street. The present First
Reformed church edifice was erected and dedicated in 1799, its outer
appearance remaining much the same as at first. The interior has been
changed materially in 1820, 1850, and 1860. Mr. Megapolensis was
pastor until 1649 when he was succeeded by Gideon Schaets, who served
the church for more than twenty years and was a prominent man in
the community. Pastors since have been:
Revs. William Niewenhuysen, 1675; Godfriedus Dellius, 1683-99; Johannes Petrus
Nucella, 1699-1702; Johannes Lydius, 1703-09; Gualterus Du Bois, 1710; Petrus Van
Driessen, 1712-39; Cornelius Van Schie, 1739-44; Theodoras Frelinghuysen, 1746-60 ;
Eilardus Westerlo, 1760, 90; John A. Livingston, 1776; John Bassett, 1787, 1805;
John B. Johnson, 1796, 1802; John M. Bradford, 1805, 20; William Linn, 1808; John
DeWitt, 1813-15; John Ludlow, 1823-33; Thomas E. Vermilye, 1835-39; Duncan
Kennedy, 1841-55; Ebenezer P. Rogers, 1856-62; Rufus W. Clark, 1862-83; J. Wil-
bur Chapman, 1885. The present pastor is Rev. Edward P. Johnson.
A Second Reformed church was organized and until 1816 formed,
with the one above described,, the First Collegiate Dutch Church of the
City of Albany. When they finally separated into two distinct bodies,
337
two church buildings were in use, the one above described and a sec-
ond one in Beaver street, which was erected very early in the present
century. This was at first known as the South church, and later, when
the third society was formed, as the Middle church. The church prop
erty in Beaver street was subsequently sold to the city for a market
site and the present church edifice was built on Madison avenue, on the
corner of Swan street, in 1881. At the time of the separation the pas-
tors in charge were Revs, John M. Bradford and John De Witt, of whom
the latter became sole pastor of the Second church. Edward G. Selden,
the present pastor, took up his charge in October, 1893.
The Third Reformed church was organized December 19, 1834,
mainly through efforts of Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. D., then pastor of the
Second church. An edifice was at once erected on the north corner of
Green and South Ferry streets, which is still in use, though the interior
has been altered and thoroughly renovated. A two- story chapel has
also been erected. The first pastor was Rev. Edwin Holmes. The
present pastor is Rev. W. N. P. Dailey, who began his labor in May,
1891.
The Fourth Reformed church (German) is situated on Schuyler
street below South Pearl, and was organized in 1855. The first pastor
was Rev. H. F. Schnellendrussler. He remained until 1864, when
he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Neef. The present pastor is Rev.
Henry Miller.
The First Lutheran church of Albany was formed very early in the
history of the city, the exact date not being known. Lutherans are
mentioned as living here in 1644, and ten years later are spoken of as
strong enough to support their own church, though receiving much
opposition in early years from the Reformed church element. There
was certainly a congregation in Albany in 1656. In the next year Rev.
John Ernest Goetwater came over to serve two congregations, one at
New Amsterdam and one at Beverwyck, but he was made to return by
the same ship. In 1660 a subscription was made for the support of a
clergyman of their own, and in 1664 it is known that a permanent or-
ganization was in existence. The first church edifice was built on Pearl
street between what is now Howard street and Beaver street, facing
Pearl, which was standing in L674. It is not known just how long it
was used, but in the Annals we read that in 1795 "there is in Albany
a Dutch Lutheran Church of a Gothic and very peculiar shape." This
43
338
may have been the second edifice and in it in 1786 was organized the
second synod in America. The edifice preceding the present one was
erected on that site during the pastorate of Rev. F. G. Mayer in 1816,
and cost $25,000. Among the early pasfors of this congregation were
Rev. Jacob Fabritius, the first. In 1671 Rev. Bernardus Arensius as-
sumed the place. In 1703 Rev. Justus Falckner preached here, and at
his death in 1723 Rev. William Christopher Berkenmeyer assumed the
pastorate. From that time until 1806 Revs. Michael Christian Knoll,
Henry Moeller, Mr. Schwerdfeger, A. T. Braun, Mr. Groetz, and John
Frederick Ernst occupied the pulpit. Since that date the pastors have
been Revs. F. G. Mayer, who served thirty-seven years from 1807;
Henry N. Pohlman, twenty three years; S. P. Sprecher, I. Magee, and
the present pastor. The present edifice was erected in 1871 at a cost
of $85,000.
The congregation of the Lutheran Tabernacle was organized pn Jan-
uary 1, 1893, and have purchased a lot on Clinton avenue, where a
church edifice will be erected in the near future. John G. Henry is
the pastor, having been installed in September, 1892.
Besides these Lutheran societies, the Germans of Albany have six con-
gregations of the Evangelical Lutheran denomination. The Church of
the Evangelical Association was incorporated in 1817 and the first
house of worship was erected on Grand street. The second one stood
on the corner of Clinton and Nucella streets. The present church, on
the north side of Elm street between Grand and Philip streets, was
built in 186!). The first pastor was Rev. John Wagner; the present
one, Rev. P. C. Braunschweiger.
St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran church was organized
in L854 under the pastoral charge of Rev. William A. Frey, who is still
in charge of the congregation. The church edifice is situated on
Fourth avenue, corner of Franklin street.
St. Paul's Evangelical church, Western avenue, was organized by
the separation from the First Lutheran church of a part of the mem-
bership, under the pastorate of G. Fr. Stutz, who still occupies the
pulpit. The church edifice was erected and first occupied in 1872, the
congregation having worshiped prior to that year in the building now
used by the Albany Law School.
St. John's Evangelical church, Central avenue, was organized in
1857, and the church edifice was erected in 1859. The first pastor was
Rev. Ernest Hoffman who labored with the church nearly thirty years.
The present pastor is Rev. Bernard Pick.
339
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church, 58 Alexander street, was
erected soon after the organization of the society. The building has
since been extended ten feet in rear and greatly improved in the in-
terior. A new parsonage was built in 1894. Rev. John Flierel is the
present pastor.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was organized
in 1888, and the church edifice was erected soon after; it is situated on
Lake avenue near Western avenue. Rev. John C. Seegers, the pres-
ent pastor, began his charge over the congregation in March, 1895.
Churches of the Episcopal denomination are among the oldest in Al-
bany. In 1G75 Rev. Nicolaus Van Rensselaer, son of Killian Van Rens-
selaer, the Patroon, was a contemporary of Rev. Gideon Schaets (before
mentioned), then pastor of the Reformed church. Mr. Van Rensselaer
had received holy orders in the Church of England, on which account
serious differences arose between him and his collegue. The matter was
taken to the Governor and Council and there decided in Mr. Van Rensse-
laer's favor. He remained in Albany until his death in 1G78. Episcopal
chaplains at Fort Amsterdam occasionally visited Albany and held
services for the benefit of the few English families and the English gar-
rison in Fort Frederick, which stood on the site of St. Peter's church
until 1704, when Rev. Thoroughgood Moore was sent by the English
vSociety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, on mission
work to the Mohawk Indians. He remained in Albany one year, but
without making much progress in converting the natives, and held
regular services in Fort Frederick. In 1702 Rev. John Talbot spent a
few weeks in Albany and held divine service. In 1708 Rev. Thomas
Barclay, who was chaplain at Fort Frederick, organized a parish and
held services six years in the Lutheran chapel, which stood on the site
of the old City Building, corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets. On
October 21, 1714, a piece of ground in the middle of what is now State
street, next below Fort Frederick, was granted by the English crown
for an English church and burial ground. The Common Council re-
monstrated against the erection of a church edifice there, but without
effect, and the building was opened for services in November, 1716.
It was built of blue stone and was 58 by 42 feet in size. Mr. Barclay
continued his unselfish labor in Albany and Schenectady, and among
the Indians until 1721, when his pay of ^50 a year was withdrawn by
the English society before named. The parish in Albany was named
340
St. Peter's, and in 1727 Rev. John Miln assumed charge of the church,
and about the same time a parish school was opened under John Beas-
ley's teaching, which was conducted many years. In 1738 Rev. Henry
Barclay, son of the first rector, and a native of Albany, who had been
laboring among the Mohawks, succeeded his father as rector of St. Pe-
ter's. He remained until 1740, when he accepted the rectorship of
Trinity church in New York, where he died in 1764. In 1750 Rev.
John Ogilvie was called to St. Peter's. When, in 1758, the French and
Indian war had somewhat scattered his congregation, he became a
chaplain in the army going on General Amherst's expedition and on that
of Sir William Johnson in the next year, 1759. Resigning in December,
1760, he still remained with the army until 1764, and died ten years
later in New York. In 1751 the tower of St. Peter's was erected and a
clock and bell placed therein, both of which were brought from Eng-
land. Rev. Thomas Brown succeeded Mr. Ogilvie as rector, and was
followed in 1768, by Rev. Harvey Munro. Under his administration
the parish prospered, the church was repaired, and an act of incorpora-
tion obtained under date of April 25, 1769. The church was closed
during most of the Revolutionary period. On May 1, 1787, the vestry
elected Rev. Thomas Ellison rector. He was an able man and died in
the midst of his usefulness in 1802, just after preparations had been
made for the erection of a new church, of which the plans had been
drawn by Phillip Hooker, a prominent architect of Albany. The build-
ing was finished in the summer of 1803, the consecration taking place
October 4, 1803, under the rectorship of Rev. Frederick Beasley, who
resigned in 1809. He was succeeded the next year by Rev. Timothy
Clowes, who acted as officiating minister for a time and was made rector
in 1811. A controversy arose over the disposition of the income from
church lands in which he took part, and this led to his temporary suspen-
sion from the ministry in 1817, when Rev. William B. Lacy succeeded
him at St. Peter's, who was in turn succeeded in January, 1833, by Rev.
Horatio Potter. In 1821 the spire of the church edifice was erected and
in 1831 a rectory was built, which was superseded ten years later by
another on the corner of Lodge street and Maiden Lane. Dr. Potter
remained with the church twenty- one years and was succeeded in De-
cember, 1855, by Rev. Thomas C. Pitkin. In 1858, the foundations
of the church having become unstable, a new edifice was contracted
' for, after plans by Upjohn & Co., of New York, and the present church
erected and consecrated October 4, 1860. Rev. Mr. Pitkin was sue-
RT. REV. WILLIAM CROSWELL DOANE, D.D., LL.D.
341
ceeded in 1862 by Rev. William T. Wilson, with Rev. William Tatlock,
associate, but both resigned in 1866, and in the next year Rev. William
Crosswell Doane accepted the charge. In December, 1868, Dr. Doane
was elected the first bishop of Albany by the primary convention of
the diocese, his consecration taking place February 2, 1869. He re-
signed the rectorship in that year, but remained with the church until
Easter, 1870. His successor was William A. Snively, who resigned in
1874, when the present rector, Rev. Walton W. Battershall, was in-
stalled on September 29, of that year. Under his administration the
church has been progressive and successful. In 1876 the parish house
was erected on Lodge street, for Sunday school, charitable and social
purposes. In the same year the church tower was built as a memorial
to the late warden, John Tweddle, and supplied with a beautiful chime
of bells. Since that time the arrangement of the chancel has been
altered, and new chancel windows, altar and reredos provided, with
other interior improvements. The church property is valued at $250,-
000. Connected with St. Peter's church is the St. Peter's Orphan
Home, which was organized in 1864. After a few years devoted to the
care of orphan children the Home was incorporated under the name of
the Albany Juvenile Retreat, but the rector having received assurances
of support, took the institution under parish charge, and in October,
1804, it was reorganized under its present name. A board of mana-
gers was chosen from the women of the congregation, and a matron
appointed. In 1805 a commodious building was erected at 59 Chapel
street; this was sold to the Albany Savings Bank in 1873, and in the
next year the trustees purchased the house No. 1 Pine street. This
was rendered unsuitable in 1883 by the erection of the City Hall, and
the household was transferred to No. 2 Madison Place. The school
and home have accomplished great good. The present handsome rec-
tory of the parish, adjoining the church, was built in 1895.
St. Paul's parish was organized November 12, 1827, though services
had previously been held in a school room on South Pearl street. Rev.
Richard Bury was the first rector, through whose efforts and those of
the vestry a lot on South Pearl street was purchased, a church erected
and consecrated August 24, 1829, being then known as St. John's
church. Mr. Burey resigned in 1830 and was succeeded by Rev.
William Linn Keese, who served for three years, greatly extending
the parish, but resigned on account of ill health. Rev. Joseph II.
Price was the third rector and was succeeded in is:;; by Rev. William
342
Ingraham Kip, D. D. In 1839 the church property was sold and a
theatre property on the same street purchased, the building being re-
fitted and consecrated in 1840. Dr. Kip was elected bishop of Califor-
nia in 1853 and was succeeded by Rev. T. A. Starkey, D. D. He oc-
cupied the pulpit until 1858, and in April, 1859, Rev. William Rudder
was called. During his rectorship the Pearl street church was sold and
in 1862 the present property on Lancaster street was purchased. Rev.
J. Livingston Reese succeeded Mr. Rudder in June, 1864, and in
December of that year the church was consecrated, the rectory being
added in 1867, while the Free Chapel on Madison avenue was opened
in 1808 and the parish house in 1883. Extensive improvements have
been made in the church itself from time to time since its erection.
The present rector is Rev. F. G. Jewett.
The first meeting with reference to the organization of Grace Church
was held Sexigesima Sunday, 1846, in a room over a store at the cor-
ner of State and Lark streets, under the auspices of Rev. Maunsell
Van Rensselaer, who had been for some time in charge of St. Peter's
in the absence of the rector. Services were continued in this room until
Sunday May 24, of that year, when a meeting was held to perfect the
organization and adopt the name, and at which Rev. Mr. Van Rens-
selaer was chosen rector. At the close of -that year the congregation
accepted the use of the Spring street mission building, which had been
tendered them. On February 11, 1847, the lot on the corner of Lark
street and Washington avenue was purchased for a church site, and
the corner stone of the edifice was laid September 10, 1850, and on
Christmas day of that year the first service was held in the building,
though it was not wholly finished, and was not consecrated until De-
cember 15, 1S52. In June, 1873, the building was removed to the cor-
ner of Clinton avenue and Robin street, and a rectory was built in 1874
at a cost of $9,000. The church has been much improved since, par-
ticularly in 1884, 1892 and 1894, resulting in a new transept and choir,
a new roof, and the guild-hall and a choir room. The rectors since
Mr. Van Rensselaer have been Revs. John Alden Spooner, James R.
Davenport, Theodore M. Bishop, Philander K. Cady, Edwin B. Rus-
sell, James Hutchings Brown, William A. Snively, Thaddeus A. Snively,
C. W. Knauff, David L. Schwartz, William H. Bown, and George D.
Silliman.
Trinity church, Trinity Place, was organized in 1839, and leased the
Presbyterian (Cameronian) church on Westerlo street until 1841. In
343
1842 a frame edifice was built on the corner of Herkimer and Franklin
streets, and in 1849 the present church building- was erected, since which
time the chancel has been rebuilt and other improvements made. The
present rector is Rev. Russell Woodman, who began his service in 1888.
The Holy Innocents' Church society was organized February 15,
1850, and the handsome church, corner of North Pearl and Colonic
streets, the gift of the late William H. De Witt, was consecrated in
September of the same year. During the rectorship of Rev. Richmond
Shreve, which began in 1888, the parish added to its property by the
purchase of a rectory on Ten Broeck street. Rev. Mr. Shreve resigned
July 31, 1896, and was siicceeded by Rev. A. Randolph B. Hagerman.
the present rector.
The Cathedral of All Saints was incorporated by act of the Legisla-
ture March 27, 1873, and on All Saints' day in 1872 the building at
first used for cathedral purposes, and which was originally an iron
foundry, was first occupied for religious services. On the festival of
All Saints in 1881 the bishop announced the purpose of at once begin-
ning the erection of the cathedral, and at a meeting held in November
23, 1881, the bishop, Erastus Corning, and Orlando Meads were ap-
pointed a committee to select a site. It was also resolved to raise the
sum of $150,000 for building purposes, exclusive of cost of site, and a
subscription book was opened with James Moir (acting under Gen. S.
E. Marvin, treasurer of the chapter) as treasurer. On April 30, 1883,
the plans of R. W. Gibson, architect, were adopted for the edifice, and
on November 28, 1883, the grounds donated by Erastus Corning, valued
at $80,000, were accepted for the site, and work on the structure soon
began. At a meeting held March 24, 1884, it was resolved to lay the
corner stone on June 3, and at the same meeting a special subscription
was authorized for the columns of the building, to stand as memorials
of eminent churchmen. These columns are twenty-four in number and
cost over $1,000 each. When the day arrived for laying the corner
stone the subscriptions had reached nearly $100,000. The edifice was
carried to its present partial state of completion within the year.
Methodism was first established in Albany county in L788, although
services in this faith had been held, probably, as early as 1766 in Al-
bany by Capt. Thomas Webb, of the British army. He was then
stationed here as barrackmaster and having been converted to Method-
ism in his own country, held family prayers at which some of his neigh-
344
bors attended, and probably preached in the streets. In February,
1767, he was in New York where he labored as an evangelist. The
pioneer Methodist preacher to labor regularly in the local field was Rev.
Freeborn Garretson, a native of Maryland, one of the earliest Methodist
preachers of American birth. He went to New York in 1788 and en-
gaged in the revival work that was then spreading northward.
Francis Asbury, who had been elected bishop in 1771, and Mr. Gar-
retson were assigned with a number of other young men to this district,
the bishop himself passing over the territory once each three months.
Albany soon became an important point in this field and Mr. Garretson
obtained permission to preach in the City Hall. It can be easily imag-
ined that the new doctrine, which had received more or less opposi-
tion wherever planted, received little encouragement in Albany, espe-
cially from the'clergy of other denominations, so that Mr. Garretson
wrote on July 1, 1770, that " Albany still appears to be a poor place for
Methodism." The following day he met a few friends in a private
dwelling and united them in a society under Methodist discipline,
and in the evening preached to them in the City Hall. Within the
next two years a house of worship was built on the southeast corner of
North Pearl and Orange streets. This church and society were incor-
porated in 1784 as the Methodist Episcopal Church of the City of Al-
bany, with John Bloodgood, Abraham Ellison, Isaac Lawson, Elisha
Johnson, William Fradenberg, Nathaniel Ames, and Calvin Chessman,
trustees. In 1812 a new church edifice was built on Division street, the
old one being occupied for a time by a Baptist congregation, and finally
in 1882 being sold to the Scotch Presbyterians. The first preacher
stationed at Albany after it was taken from the circuit was Joel
Ketcham, after whom changes in pastors were frequent, as is cus-
tomary in this denomination. In 1813 it was proposed to found a Sun-
day school, but as the older members of the church frowned upon
the proposition as a desecration of the day, the project was temporarilv
abandoned in favor of a liberal circulation of tracts. The school was,
however, finally established through the efforts of a woman, a Mrs.
Brockway, who in 1816 had organized a day school and added Sabbath
services. The church was slow in growth, its membership of forty per-
sons in 1790 being only a little more than one hundred in 1811. In
February, 1812, two lots on the south side of Division street, a little
below South Pearl, were purchased and there a new church was erected
and first used in 1813, the membership then being 153 white persons
REV. WILLIAM GRIFFIN, D. D.
345
and sixteen blacks. The introduction in 1829 of the policy of renting
seats caused great dissatisfaction and led to the withdrawal of a consid-
erable number of the congregation, who rented a hall on the corner of
Pearl and Columbia streets and obtained preachers from the Water-
vliet circuit, and in February purchased a large building on the east side
of Pearl street near the site they had occupied. Here a revival soon be-
gan which greatly enlarged not only the Methodist church, but ex-
tended its influence among other denominations. At the Conference of
1834 a third church was organized — the Wesleyan Chapel in the southern
part of the city. In 1835 the membership of the three societies was
440 in the first; 435 in the second (called Garretson Station), and -ill
in the Wesleyan. Another church was now authorized by the Confer-
ence called the West Station. The organization was effected by mem-
bers of the Division street society and the Garretson Station, who
united in the purchase of a small house of worship which the Primitive
Methodists had built on State street, above the Capitol. This society,
feeble at first, soon increased in numbers and in 1845 purchased a site
on the corner of Washington avenue and Swan streets and there erected a
new edifice. The society, through lack of wisdom in financial manage-
ment, finally became reduced in number and heavily encumbered with
debt. In 1839 the Wesleyan Chapel was burned. This organization
had also become involved in debt and small in number, largely through
its anti-slavery proclivities and activity, so that the property was sold to
pay debts and in May, 1842, the society disbanded; but on the follow-
ing vSabbath (May 27) the teachers of the Sunday school met and deter-
mined to reorganize, which they did at the Ferry Street M. E. church.
While still under pressing difficulties Thomas Schuyler joined the con-
gregation and relieved their financial burdens. In 1843 the Division
Street church found a more eligible site on Hudson street between
Philip and Grand and built a new edifice which they occupied within
the same year. A parsonage has been erected in connection with the .
church property, and the church building has been extensively im-
proved, particularly in 1865. The fifth Methodist church in Albany was
organized in 1848, succeeding the formation of a class on Arbor Hill.
In the year 1854 the Albany Methodist Sunday School Union was formed
which within a few years established five schools — one on Central
avenue, one at West Albany, one called the South Mission, on Benja-
min street, one at Bath, and one at East Albany, the two latter being
across the river. Some of these formed the nucleus of later churches.
44
346
In 1870 a remarkable revival was experienced in the Central avenue
chapel, conducted by a number of zealous laymen and the missionary
who had been appointed in 1868. At the ensuing Conference a second
missionary was appointed with special charge of the Central avenue
congregation, which had a membership of ninety at the close of the first
pastorate in 1873. Meanwhile the West Station, or Washington Street
church, which was merely a mission in 1853, had prospered, funds had
been raised, and in 1867 a fine edifice was erected on the corner of
Lark and Lancaster streets. It took the name of Trinity M. E. church
and was dedicated in December, 1875. Within the past four years the
interior of the church has been somewhat changed and redecorated. In
1881 the Garretson Station congregation, which had in the mean time
erected its second church building, united with the Central avenue
congregation. Separate worship was kept up, however, until the com-
pletion of the new church edifice, situated on the corner of Clinton and
Lexington avenues, in 1883-4, which took its present name of St. Luke's.
In 1869 the Broadway Mission and the Arbor Hill congregation were
united under the name of Grace church, and a lot was purchased on the
corner of Ten Broeck street and Livingston avenue, where a temporary
structure was built which was superseded a few years later by the present
edifice. When the pressure of business establishments began to crowd
upon the church property of the Methodists and Presbyterians on Hud-
son avenue, it was realized that a removal must be made. The latter
congregation finally built their new church edifice on the corner of State
and Willet streets, at the northeast corner of the Park, while the Metho-
dists purchased the building previously occupied by the Presbyterians,
at the same time selling their own property. The Ferry Street church
prospered and in 1863 sought a better location, a site being purchased
on the corner of Westerlo and Grand streets where the present Ash
Grove church was erected, with a parsonage adjoining.
The fourth church society organized in Albany was in the Presby-
terian faith, the organization having been perfected in 1762. Preach-
ing had been maintained for about two years previous to" that date by
supplies sent by the New York and Philadelphia Synods, among whom
were Revs. Hector Alison, Andrew Bay, William Tennant, Abraham
Kettletas, John Smith, and Aaron Richards. The site for the first
church edifice was purchased in 1762 and in the next, year the society
was recognized as an incorporated body. The church was at first
347
connected with the Dutchess County Presbytery, organized in October,
1762, but in 1775 it was transferred to the Presbytery of New York.
The first church edifice was erected in 1764, on the lot on Gallows Hill,
on a site bounded by Beaver street on the north, Hudson street on the
south, William street on the east, and Grand street on the south, and
was a plain wooden structure, painted red, and having a bell tower
surmounted by a spire. This was occupied until about 1795, in which
and the following year the second edifice was erected on South Pearl
street on the site occupied in recent years by the Beaver block, at a
cost of about $13,000. This building was sold to the Congregational -
ists in 1850 and the congregation removed to their third church on the
corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street, which was erected in 1849-
50, at a cost of $15,000, the lot having been purchased two years
earlier, and which was opened for service March 10, 1850. In 185G this
building was sold to the First M. E. Society (as before stated) for $25,000,
and in 1883-4 the fourth church of this society was built on the corner
of vState and Willett streets, fronting Washington Park, and with its
session house cost about $110,000. William Force Whittaker is the
present pastor.
On the third Monday in July, 1813, certain subscribers to a building
fund for a new Presbyterian church met and appointed James Kane,
John L. Winne, Joseph Russell, Nathaniel Davis, and Robert Sedg-
wick, trustees. Work was at once commenced on a building, which
was opened for worship in September, 1815, and over which Rev. John
Chester was installed as the first pastor November 8, 1815. On De-
cember 3, John L. Winne, John Boardman, Chester Bulkley, and
Uriah Marvin were chosen ruling elders of the church. This society
was greatly prospered under Dr. Chester's administrations, the mem-
bership reaching 365 in 1829. Among the pastors of this church was
Rev. William Buell Sprague, 1829-69, eminent as the author of " The
Annals of the American Pulpit," a work of nine volumes.
The third Presbyterian church in Albany, now known as the Second
Presbyterian church, was organized by a number of members from the
First church and some from the Associate Reformed church, in 1817.
An edifice was soon erected on Montgomery street, which was occu-
pied until 1844, when it was sold to the Bethel Society, the present
church, corner of Clinton avenue and North Pearl street, being dedi-
cated December 3, 1845. The first pastor was Rev. Hooper dimming.
The fourth Presbyterian church was incorporated December 1,1-
348
the edifice of which, on the north side of Broadway, was erected in
1829, and dedicated May 30, 1830; but this was taken down in 1865 and
the present church erected in 1866. The first pastor was Rev. Edmund
N. Kirk, the present being Rev. David O. Mears. During a few years
past this society has erected a permanent building for the Viaduct
Mission, which it established, and has considerably improved the
church itself.
The fifth Presbyterian church in Albany was organized in 1831, the
first meeting being held in the City Hall, the first pastor being Rev.
Alonzo Welton, whose services began in 1832.
The sixth Presbyterian church in Albany was organized as a result
of a prayer meeting held in December, 1855, in a room on what is now
Livingston avenue, and in October of the next year a Sunday school
was organized. The work continued until the spring of 1868, when
Rev. John R. Young was employed as a missionary to aid in organiz-
ing the church. His place was taken in May, 1868, by Rev. Amos
Hammond Dean, and the organization was perfected December 8, of
that year. The church edifice on Second street was completed in the
fall of 1871 and dedicated on November 16. Rev. Leslie R. Groves is
the present pastor.
The State Street Presbyterian church was organized in 1860, with
Rev. Alexander S. Tombley as pastor, and the present church edifice
was erected and dedicated October 12, 1862, since which time it has
been little changed. Rev. John McC. Holmes is the present pastor,
having served the church since 1877.
The West End Presbyterian church was built in 1877 on the corner
of New York Central avenue and Third street. The first pastor was
Rev. Robert Ennis, the present being Rev. George N. Earner. Within
a few years past the main audience room of the edifice has been en-
larged and the interior otherwise improved, and a chapel has been
added to the building.
Madison Avenue Presbyterian church was -organized and a temporary
building erected in 1888, which was occupied until 1894, when it was
enlarged to meet the increasing numbers of the congregation. A new
and handsome edifice in pressed brick is now (1896) in process of erec-
tion, which is due to the untiring efforts of Rev. Charles A. Richmond,
the present pastor.
The United Presbyterian church in Albany had its inception as early
as October, 1800, when the society was connected with the Presbytery
349
of Montreal, the first pastor being- Rev. John McDonald, who con-
tinued until 1819 and died in Albany. In 1820 the church was trans-
ferred to the Presbytery of Cambridge and Rev. James Martin became
pastor, continuing to 1842. The first church edifice stood on the cor-
ner of Chapel and Canal streets and was occupied in January, 1802. A
new edifice, situated en Lancaster street near Eagle, was erected in
1860 and opened on the first Sabbath of 1861. In May, 1858, the As-
sociate and Associate Reformed churches were united to form the
United Presbyterian Church of North America, and this congregation
then took its present title. Rev. S. C. McKelvey is the present pastor.
The first meeting of Baptists in Albany was held January 1, 1810,
by Joshua A. Burke, Salem Dutcher, John Gray, William Penrey,
Charles Boyington, Tamer Page, Betsey Burke, Catharine Gordon,
Margaret Jones, Elenor Penrey, and on January 23, 1811, a church or-
ganization was perfected with twenty-one members. In 1818 what was
then known as the Green Street Theater was purchased, refitted and
occupied many years as a place of worship, until in 1852 a site on the
corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street was purchased and there the
present edifice was built at a cost of $20,000. The building was ex-
tensively improved in 1865. Rev. De Witt T. Van Doren is the pres-
ent paster.
The Tabernacle Baptist Church is an outgrowth of a mission formed
in 1856, consisting of a few members of the society now constituting
the Emmanuel Baptist church, who met in a building on North Pearl
street. The rapid growth of the society led to its organization in Oc-
tober, 1859, under the present title, and in 1875 the site of the present
edifice was purchased, a new church built and dedicated February 14,
1877. The first pastor was Rev. Justin D. Fulton, the present being-
Rev. Thomas M. Eastwood.
Emmanuel Baptist church was organized in 1834 and bore the name
of the Pearl Street Baptist church until 1871. The first pastor was
Rev. Bartholomew T. Welch, D. I)., who had during the seven pre-
vious years preached to the First Baptist church, but was released from
that pulpit to form the new church, whose first edifice was erected on
North Pearl street and cost $4<;,000. In 1869-70 the present church
was built on the north side of State street, between Swan and Dove
streets, and was dedicated in February, 1871, the tower being added in
1883, a gift from Mrs. Eli Perry in memory of her husband. The
350
entire church property cost about $220,000. Rev. Wallace Buttrick is
the present pastor.
Calvary Baptist church was organized January 16, ,1860, under the
name of Washington Avenue Baptist church, and was first under pas-
toral charge of Rev. Wm. P. Everett, but the rapid early growth of the
congregation led them to purchase the church on Washington avenue
which had been built for the German Baptists, and February 4, 1865,
the society purchased the State street Baptist church building (corner
of High street), and took the present title. That building was occu-
pied until 1880 when it was demolished and the present edifice erected.
The State Street church, mentioned above, was organized in 1845, and
in the same year built the edifice which was finally sold to the Calvary
church. Rev. Joseph F. Elder is present pastor of the Calvary church.
The Washington avenue German Baptist church, situated on Wash-
ington avenue, was purchased in 1859, and sold within a few years to
the Roman Catholics. The first pastor was Rev. William P. Everett.
The German Baptist church, situated at No. 252 Washington avenue
was organized and the edifice built and dedicated in 1854. Rev. A.
Yon Pattkammer was the first pastor. In 1892 a new front to the ed-
ifice was erected. Rev. A. M. Petersen is the present pastor.
Hope Baptist church, on Clinton avenue, originated in a mission,
and was regularly organized in 1891, when the present beautiful brick
edifice was erected and dedicated. Rev. Henry S. Potter is pastor.
The organization of Roman Catholic churches in Albany followed
closely upon the work of the Jesuit missionaries. On October 6, 1796,
a meeting was held in Albany at the house of James Robichaux, where
an organization was effected which was soon followed by incorporation,
the certificate of which is on file in the county clerk's office and is signed
by Lewis Le Coulteaux and David McEvers, and is witnessed by Se-
bastian Visscher and Archibald Yates. The first church edifice was
erected on the site of the present St. Mary's church, the corner stone
being laid in 1797 by Thomas Barry, then a prominent merchant. St.
Mary's is older than any other Roman Catholic parish in this State ex-
cepting St. Peter's in New York city. The entrance to the first St.
Mary's was on Pine street and the interior was about fifty feet square.
Among the early clergy who officiated over this congregation were Rev.
Fathers Thayer, Whelan, O'Brien, and La Yalenure. Rev. D. Maho-
ney was here in 1806-7; Father James Buyshe in 1808; Father Hurley
in 1809 ; Father Weddin in 1810-11 ; FatherO'Gorman in 1812-13. Others
351
served the parish from time to time until 1816. Father Charles Smith,
formerly a Methodist, was called and served the congregation until
1836. The first Roman Catholic Sunday school was formed in 1828.
The demolition of this first church building began September 14, 1829,
and the corner stone of a new edifice was laid on October 13, the church
being opened fur service August 29, 1830. It fronted on Chapel street
and was entered by high steps, and contained a school room in the
basement. A dwelling on Lodge street adjoining the rear of the church
was used at first for an orphan asylum and afterwards as a rectory. In
1847, when the Diocese of Albany was set off from that of New York
Bishop McCloskey ruling over it became its first bishop, and St. Mary's
became his Cathedral. The edifice, while perhaps sufficient for the
period, was rather poorly constructed and did not long suffice for the
rapidly increasing congregation. Several priests succeeded Father
Smith as rectors for short periods until Bishop McCloskey's administra-
tion began in 1846, when he took charge in person, assisted by Fathers
Edgar P. Wadhams and Thomas Doran, until' finally in September,
1866, Father Clarence A. Walworth began his long pastorate. Upon
his appointment it was apparent that a new church edifice was a neces-
sity. A new incorporation act was procured March 25, 1863, changing
the name of the church to St. Mary's Church of the City of Albany,
and all the property passed to the new trustees. A subscription for a
new edifice was started and the city conceded to the society twenty feet
of land on the eastern side of the site. Association Hall was tempo-
rarily occupied during the erection of the new edifice, the corner stone
of which was laid August 11, 1867. The structure was so far com-
pleted by February 16, 1868, that it was then used for services, and
was dedicated by Bishop Conroy March, 14, 1869. St. Mary's parish
originally included all that part of the Diocese of Albany lying in the
valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk, but at the present time it is
only one of Albany's twelve parishes. In 1839 St. John's church on
South Ferry street was bought from the Episcopalians and all the south-
ern part of the city was set off to that parish. In 1843 the section of the
city north of Clinton avenue was constituted a third parish called St.
Joseph's and a new edifice was erected on the corner of North Pearl
and Lumber streets. Next followed the formation of a parish for the
new Cathedral, built-in 1852 on Eagle street, which left St. Mary's lim-
ited on the south by Beaver and Lancaster streets; and finally, in 1858,
St. Patrick's parish was formed with a church on Central avenue, tak-
352
ing from the old mother church the territory west of Knox street.
Since then St. Mary's parish has not been changed.
The corner stone of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was
laid July 2, 1848, by Archbishop Hughes, and on November 21, 1852,
the building was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. The cost of the
structure was $180,000. It is a magnificent building and its twin spires
attract attention from the east and south for a long distance, but much
still remained to be done to the structure when Bishop McCloskey suc-
ceeded to the archbishopric in 1864. Rt. Rev. John J. Conroy succeeded
Bishop McCloskey as bishop of Albany and filled the station twelve
years, and he was followed by Rt. Rev. Francis McNeirny on October
16, 1877. Under Bishop Conroy little was done on the cathedral, but
since his administration and under that of Bishop McNeirny, the in-
terior has been provided with a new chancel for which the apse was
extended thirty feet; the seven bays beautifully decorated; a reredos
of great beauty added to the transept; handsome stained windows put
in, and new altars built. Bishop McNeirny died January 2, 1894, and
was succeeded on July 2, 1894, by Rt. Rev. T. M. A. Burke.
The diocese of Albany includes territory bounded on the north by the north line of
Warren county, and portions of Herkimer and Hamilton, north of the northern lines
of the townships of Ohio and Russia in Herkimer couuty; on the east by Massachu-
setts and Vermont ; on the south by the southern line of Columbia, Greene and
Delaware counties ; on the west by the western line of Otsego and Herkimer and
part of Hamilton.
It has an estimated Catholic population of 130,000, ministered to by 159 priests.
It has ninety-two churches with resident pastors, and forty without; forty-five chap-
els, eighty stations; eight academies, and select schools, with 1,300 pupils; thirty-
eight parochial schools with 13,000 pupils; seven orphan asylums; two homes for the
aged; two hospitals; two houses of the Good Shepherd.
St. John's Catholic church was founded in 1837, with Rev. J. Kelly
in charge, the first place of worship being on the corner of Herkimer
and Franklin streets, but, July 1, 1839, the present church, on the cor-
ner of South Ferry and Dallius streets, was purchased from St. Paul's
.society. The parish has been at different periods in charge of priests
who were or became eminent in the church, among them the present
Bishop Ludden.
St. Joseph's Catholic church was organized in 1842 to meet the wants
of the residents in the northern part of the city, and measures were at
once adopted for the erection of a church edifice on the corner of North
Pearl and Lumber streets, the corner stone of which was laid July 25,
-+- VJVvvr^M X. i^\ \^v*A\^_
UU>
353
1842, and the building consecrated May 7, 1843. The first regular pas-
tor was Father John J. Conroy, who was installed March 25, 1844, and
under whom the parish made rapid progress. He erected what is
known as the Girl's Orphan Asylum, on North Pearl street, built a
parochial residence, and established a school for both boys and girls.
The church soon became inadequate for the congregation and a new
site was purchased, bounded by Ten Broeck, First, and Second streets,
for $45,000. Ground was broken for the present edifice in the fall of
1855 and the corner stone was laid June 1, 1856, in which year the
structure was completed. In 1865 the Holy See appointed Father Con-
roy bishop of Albany, but he, however, retained the title of rector of
this church until 1874. When Bishop Conroy took up his permanent
residence at the Cathedral in 1866, he left the Rev. T. M. A. Burke in
charge of St. Joseph's. Father Burke was appointed pastor in 1874.
During the administration and pastorate of Father Burke a commo-
dious school for boys was erected, the church and grounds were im-
proved and beautified, a large and handsome parochial residence was
built, and more than $100,000 of debt was paid. Father Burke remained
in charge of St. Joseph's until December 6, 1396, when he removed to the
Episcopal residence on Madison avenue. From this parish have been
taken the parishes of the Sacred Heart (North Albany) and St. Patrick's.
Father Joseph H. Mangan is now in charge of this church. The Church
of the Holy Cross (German), corner of Hamilton and Philip streets, was
erected in 1849-52, and was consecrated in the latter year during the
rectorship of Father Noethen. He remained with the church until
1878 and was succeeded by Father Ottenhaus, who is still rector. Al-
though the church has been a prosperous one, it was in later years
greatly reduced by withdrawals to form other congregations, which
were the Church of Our Lady of Angels, 1868; Church of the Assump-
tion, 1869, and Our Lady Help of Christians, 1880.
St. Ann's parish was formed in 1866 from the Cathedral parish and
St. John's; its first priest was Father Thomas Doran, who had pre-
viously been in charge of St. Mary's. The corner stone of St. Ann's
was laid in 1867 and the edifice was dedicated December 20, 1868, the
site, on the corner of Fourth avenue and Franklin streets, having been
donated by John Tracy, who with Thomas Kearnan, John Carmody,
and James Coyle, were the trustees. The congregation has always
been zealous in advancing the church and in establishing connecting
45
354
societies, among which are Sunday School Union, St. Vincent de
Paul's, and a Ladies' Aid Society. Father Terry is now the rector.
Church of the Assumption. — On January 1, 1868, the French Cana-
dians of Albany founded the St. Jean Baptist society with twenty- five
members, its objects being to aid sick members and provide a fund
from which to pay a certain sum at death. In 1869 there were 130
French Canadians in Albany without church accommodations, and this
led to the immediate erection of their church on the corner of Dallius
street and Fourth avenue. In the spring of 1871 the residence ad-
joining the church was bought for $4,000. The parsonage was erected
in 1876 and cost $8,000. Father Alphonse Villeneuve is the present
pastor.,
The Catholic congregation bearing the name of Our Lady Help of
Christians is an outgrowth of the Holy Cross church, and was organ-
ganized in 1873 by Father Teodore Noethen, vicar-general for the
Germans of the Albany diocese. The church property on Second ave-
nue was purchased in 1873 and a frame building then standing was
converted into a chapel and a school was soon opened in connection
and taught by John Hess, which is now in charge of the Sisters of St.
Francis of Syracuse. In June, 1874, Father Stephen A. Preisser was
placed in charge of the congregation, and the corner stone of the pres-
ent church was laid June 28, 1880, and the dedication services are held
August 28, 1881. Father Bernard Schoppe is the present rector.
Our Lady of Angels Church (German), on Central avenue at the cor-
ner of Robin street, was erected in 1868, soon after the organization of
the society, the first priest being Father Francis Neubauer, who con-
tinued until 1877. In 1887 the church was considerably improved, and
in 1892 a convent was erected adjoining. Rev. Fidelis M. Voight is the
rector.
St. Patrick's church, the organization of which in 1859 has been
alluded to, is situated on the corner of Central avenue and Perry street,
having been erected in 1868 and consecrated on August 30th of that
year. The first priest in charge was Father McGough, who began his
work in 1859. Father P. J. Smith is the present priest.
The parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was formed August 5, 1884,
by Bishop McNeirny, who appointed Father Francis J. McGuire the
first rector. The site of the present church on Walter street was pur-
chased at a cost of about $7,000, but for temporary use a chapel was
built on Erie street. The necessity for larger accommodations was
355
soon felt and the present new church was begun in July, 1876, and the
church was dedicated May 23, 1880. The property was valued at
nearly $100,000. Father McGuire is still in charge of the parish.
In 1849 thirteen citizens of Albany joined in the purchase for $20,-
000, of the church which had long been occupied by the First Presbyte-
rian society, corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets. After being
repaired it was first used for Congregational purposes April 7, 1850,
the sermon being preached by Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. D., and the
10th of July of that year a Congregational church was organized with
eighty-one members. On December 10, 1850, Rev. Ray Palmer, D. D.,
was installed over the church, his pastorate continuing until I860, when
his successor, Rev. William S. Smart, began his long charge. The last
sermon in the old church was preached February 8, 18C8, after which
Association Hall was used during the erection of the present edifice, on
the corner of Eagle and Beaver streets, which was dedicated October
14, 1869, having cost with the site, $130,000. Rev. J. Brainerd Thrall,
the present pastor, was installed in March, 1894.
The Second Congregational church was organized in 1862, but was
dissolved in the following year. The Clinton Avenue Congregational
church was organized, their church being on Clinton avenue, of which
Rev. Francis A. Strough is pastor. The chapel of the church was
partly burned in the fall of 1895 but was at once rebuilt.
The First Christian church was organized in 1881, and a building was
erected on Chestnut street, between Lark and Dove, the first pastor
being Rev. E. C. Abbott. The Rev. P. A. Canada is at present in
charge.
Besides the foregoing churches of Albany, the Hebrews have three
religious organizations: Beth El Jacob, 28 Fulton street, Rev. Albert
Kauterivitz, rabbi; Beth Emeth, on Lancaster street, organized L850,
Dr. Max Schlesinger, rabbi; Sons of Abraham, South Ferry street,
Rev. J. Block, rabbi.
An Unitarian society was incorporated in Albany in 1842, and ser-
vices were held in various places, until finally the society purchased the
edifice of the Methodists on Division street, which they sold in 1869,
since which time they have had no active existence.
The Universalists, also, had a society and held meetings from about
1825, and built their first church on Herkimer street in 1829, and a
second in 1833 on Green street. Their present church is situated on
the corner of Jay and Swan streets.
356
There ars a number of patriotic hereditary orders and societies in
Albany, and probably they have a larger membership than those of
any other city of its population in the country. Prominent among these
is the Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, which
was organized in 1893 and chartered December 3, 1895. Following
is the muster roll of this Chapter:
Baker, George Comstock. — Great-great-grandson of Private Reuben Baker, Barn's
Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, 1781.
Balch, Dr. Lewis. — Great-grandson of John Jay, member and president of the Con-
stitutional Congress, 1774; member of New York Provincial Convention, 1775; mem-
ber of Committee of One Hundred, 1775 ; colonel 2d Regiment New York City Militia ;
member New York Council of Safety ; prepared draft of Constitution of New York,
1777; chief justice, 1777-9.
Banks, Maj., Robert Lenox, jr. — Great -great-grandson of Jedediah Turner, private
in Captain Fitch's Company of Independent Volunteers, Connecticut.
Barker, James Franklin. — Great great-grandson of Lieut. Walter Swits in regiment
commanded by Col. Seth Warner.
Barnes, John O. — Great-grandson of Artificer Benjamin Johnson, Captain Saxton's
Company, Colonel Mason's Regiment, Connecticut Militia.
Bartlett, Dr. Ezra Albert. — Great-grandson of Chief Justice Josiah Bartlett of New
Hampshire, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Boutelle, Frank Warren and Frederick A. — Great-grandsons of Ebenezer Boutelle.
drummer at Lexington.
Brandow, Frank Hammond. — Great-grandson of Joel Tuttle, private in Connec-
ticut Volunteers.
Bridge, Charles Francis. — Great-grandson of Col. Ebenezer Bridge, captain in Col.
John Witcomb's Regiment, Massachusetts Minute-men, " Lexington Alarm;" colonel
27th Regiment Massachusetts Continental Infantry, April 30, 1775; 2d major, 8th
Regiment, Worcester County Militia, Col. Abijah Stearns, February 6, 1776; lieuten-
ant-colonel Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment, June 3, 1775; colonel Massa-
chusetts Militia, August 1, 1775; member of Massachusetts Provincial Congress,
1775.
Browne, Hon. Goodwin. — Great-great-grandson of Joseph Hopkins, civil officer
committee State of Connecticut.
Bulkeley, Alpheus Tompkins. — Great-great-grandson of Stephen N. Tompkins,
corporal in Captain Sage's Company. Col. Henry Ludington's 7th Regiment New
York, was granted a pension for services by Congress, October, 1833.
Byington, Charles Sperry. — Great-grandson of Justus Byington, private in Capt.
Ambrose Sloper's Company, Connecticut Militia, New Haven Alarm, 1779.
Byington, William Wilberforce. — Grandson of Private Justus Byington, Capt. Am-
brose Sloper's Company, Connecticut Militia.
Chapin, Josiah Dexter.^Great-grandson of Private Abel Chapin, Capt. Charles
Colton's Company, Massachusetts Militia, 1776.
Clark, Seth Henry. — Great-great-grandson of Abel Lines, Capt. Samuel Peck's
Company, 5th Battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, Connecticut troops, Col. William
Douglass, June-December 25, 1776, at Long Island and White Plains.
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% 357
Corbin, Prof. Ernest Albert Morrison. — Great-grandson of Clement Corbin, private
in Captain Chandler's Company, 11th Regiment Connecticut Militia.
Culver, Dr. Charles Mortimer. — Great-great-grandson of Sergeant David Culver,
sr. , 4th Connecticut Regiment, Continental line ; also great-grandson of Private David
Culver, jr. , 4th Connecticut Regiment, Continental Line; also, great-grandson of
Private Comfort Bullock, who participated in battle, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
Continental Line.
Curtis, Dr. Frederick Cotton. — Great-grandson of Private Abel Curtis, Capt. John
Woodbridge's Company, Col. John Brown's Regiment, Berkshire County Mass.
Militia, July 8-26, 1777, served at Ticonderoga; private in Capt. Ebenezer Cook's
Company, same regiment, September 22-October 4, 1777; private in Capt. Ezra
Whittlesey's Company, same regiment, October 14-17, 1780.
Douglass, Charles H. — Great-great-grandson of Major Oliver Root, Colonel Burns' s
Regiment, Massachusetts Line, at Saratoga, October, 1777.
Durant, Clark Terry. — Great-great-grandson of Private Allen Durant, Colonel
Gardinier's Regiment at Bunker Hill and Lexington.
Elmendorf, William Burgess. — Great-great-grandson of Private Abraham Elmen-
dorf, Capt. Frederick Schoonmaker's Company, Col. Levi Pawling's Regiment, Ulster
County Regiment, August 1, 1777; also private in Capt. Tobias Van Bemen's Com-
pany, Col. Cornelius Wynkoop's Regiment, New York Continental Line.
French, Harlan Page. — Grandson of Jonathan French, private in Captain Goss's
Company, Colonel Nicholas's Regiment, with General Stark at Bennington, July 20,
1777.
Gibbons, Eugene Campbell, — Great great-grandson of Lieut. -Col. Samuel Camp-
bell, 1st Battalion Tryon County Militia, 1778 and 1781, a member of Tryon County
Committee of Safety.
Griffith, William Herrick. — Great-great-grandson of Col. Rufus Herrick, captain
of Colonel Holmes's 4th Regiment, New York Line, 1775-6; colonel Dutchess county,
New York, Exempts, 1779; also, great-great-grandson of Capt. Israel Piatt, Dutchess
County Regiment, at Kingsbridge, 1776; also, great-great-grandson of Lieut. Daniel
Knowlton, Connecticut Continental Line. Engagements: Long Island, Harlem
Heights, White Plains, Fort Washington, Fort Trumbull, and Horseneck ; twenty-
three months a prisoner of war on Long Island, and on prison ship "Jersey;" an in-
timate friend of Washington; also, great-great-great-grandson of Major Robert
Freeman, captain in Col. David Sutherland's 6th Regiment, New York Line, 1775,
major in same regiment, 1776; also, great- great-grandson of Sergeant Jonathan
Freeman, Capt. Benjamin Pelton's Company, Col. Philip Van Cortlandt's Regiment,
New York Line; also, great-great-grandson of Private Wm. Griffith, Capt. Joel
Mead's Company, Col. Henry Ludington's Regiment, 7th New York Line.
Hale, Hon. Matthew, 1st Regent of the Chapter. — Grandson of Col. Nathan Hale,
captain New Hampshire Militia; "Lexington Alarm;" major 3d Regiment New
Hampshire Line, 1775; lieutentant-colonel 2d Regiment New Hampshire Line,
1776; colonel of same, 1777; prisoner of war, Hubbardton, \'t., 1777, and died a
prisoner of war at New Utretcht, Long Island, September 23, 1780; also, grandson
of Ephraim Eddy, Capt. Joshua Eddy's Company, 14th Regiment, Massachusetts
Line, Col. Gamaliel Bradford ; private and corporal in Capt. Caleb Gibbs's Company.
Washington Life Guards, March, 1777-March, 1780; also, great-grandson of Joseph
Safford, Vermont Militia, 1780. Mr. Hale died March 25, 1897.
358
Hastings, Hon. Hugh. — Great-great-grandson of Corporal Joseph Jewell, Captain
Ballard's Company, Colonel Frye's Regiment, New Hampshire Continental Line;
served six years.
Herrick, Frank Castle. — Great-great-grandson of Col. Rufus Herrick, captain in
Colonel Holmes's 4th Regiment New York Line, 1775-6; colonel Dutchess County
N. Y. Associate Exempts, 1779.
Hoyt, Albert Ellis. — Great-great-grandson of Thomas Chandler, first secretary of
Vermont.
Husted, Prof. Albert Nathaniel. — Grandson of Private Thaddeus Husted, Connec-
ticut Militia Regiment, Continental Line.
Judson, Capt. Albert Lewis. — Great-grandson of Adjutant Nathaniel Judson, pri-
vate in Capt. Joseph Smith's Company, 5th Connecticut Continental Regiment, Col.
David Waterbury, May 9-October 13, 1777, at St. John's, Canada; private Connec-
ticut Militia, 1776, served one month at New York; private and sergeant-major in
Colonel Lewis's Regiment, Connecticut Militia, 1776, served four months; private
in Connecticut Militia, 1777, served three months; private in Capt. John Yeats's
Company, Col. Samuel Whiting's Regiment, Connecticut Militia, October 2-22,1777;
adjutant 1st Regiment, 4th Brigade, Connecticut Militia, September 25, 1778-80.
Laimbeer, Hon. Francis Effingham. — Grandson of Private William Pinto, Connec-
ticut Militia, New Haven Alarm, July 5. 1779.
Lawyer, George. — Great-great-grandson of Jacob Lawyer, ensign 15th Regiment,
Albany County N. Y. Militia, Col. Peter Vrooman ; also, great-great-great-grandson
of Lawrence Lawyer, sergeant 1st Regiment Albany County N. Y. Militia, Col. Peter
Vrooman.
Leonard, Edgar Cottrell. — Great-great-grandson of Capt. Nathaniel Gardner of
Massachusetts Militia in the battle of Bennington; also, great-great- great-grandson
of Private Stephen Savage of Middletown, Conn., who served through the war; also,
great-great grandson of Private Jacob Fenn, 1st Regiment, Connecticut Continental
Line.
Livingston, Phillip, (Honorary member. New York city). — Great-great-grandson
of Hon. Philip Livingston, member of Continental Congress, 1774-78; signer of the
Declaration of Independence; president New York Provincial Convention, 1775;
member New York Committee of One Hundred, 1775; member of New York Provin-
cial Congress, 177G-7 7.
Mills, Charles Hood. — Great-grandson of George Mills, private Captain Hubbard's
Company, Massachusetts Militia, 1776, with Arnold's expedition to Ouebec taken
prisoner, chained to a log with ten others, exchanged in 1777; later private in Captain
Webster's Company, Col. Fellows's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia.
Munson, Samuel Lyman. — Great-great-grandson of Stephen Munson, private in
Captain Durkee's Company, Wyoming, Pa.
Murphey, Elijah Warrener. — Great-grandson of Corporal Daniel Murphey of Col.
Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment; served at the siege of Boston and until
end of the war; also, great-great-grandson of Private Jonas Coolidge of Massachu-
setts Minute Men; served at Bunker Hill, siege of Boston, and Ticonderoga, where
he died in camp.
Nellis, Dr. William Jacob. — Great great-grandson of Private Peter Nellis, 2d Reg-
iment, Tryon County, New York, Militia.
SAMUHL L. MUNSON,
359
Newman, Charles, and Major John Ludlow. — Great-grandsons of Lieut. James
Lyman, Phineas Wright's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, 1777, at Stillwater and
.Saratoga; Northfield, Massachusetts Militia, 1779, at Ticonderoga; Murray's Regi-
ment, Massachusetts, Militia, 1780; served on the Hudson.
Noble, Henry Harmon. — Great great-grandson of Asahel Noble, member of Com-
mittee of Inspection and Correspondence, New Milford, Litchfield County, Conn.
Norton, John Treadwell. — Great great-grandson of Major Ichabod Norton, Cap-
tain Mott's Battalion Connecticut State Troops, 1776; in Northern Department under
Gates, 1776-7; major 15th Connecticut Militia Regiment, Hooker's, 1779; also great-
great-grandson of John Treadwell. member of Connecticut Assembly.
Parsons, Hon. James Russell, jr. — Great-great-grandson of Surgeon Jonas Fay,
M. D., Col. Ethan Allen's Regiment, Green Mountain Boys, 1775 at Ticonderoga;
appointed by Massachusetts to muster troops at Ticonderoga, 1775; surgeon Col.
Seth Warner's Regiment, additional Continental Infantry, 1776; clerk of Dorset
Convention, 1776; secretary convention to form Constitution of Vermont, July, 1777;
agent for Vermont to Continental Congress, 1777, 1779, 1781, 1782; member of Ver-
mont State Council, 1778-84; judge Vermont Supreme Court, 1782; judge of pro-
bate, Vermont, 1782-87.
Parsons, John D., jr. — Great-grandson of Corporal Henry Browne, New Jersey
Line.
Peltz, John Dewitt. — Great-great-grandson of Capt John L. De Witt, 1st Regi-
ment Dutchess County N. Y. Minute-men, Col. Jonathan Van Ness, October 17,
1775; captain 1st Regiment Ulster County N. Y. Militia, Col. Abraham Hasbrouck,
January, 1776.
Pierce, George William. — Grandson of Joshua Johnson, minute man; also, great-
grandson of Col. Samuel Johnson, 4th Massachusetts Militia.
Pruyn, Col. Augustus. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn, Capt. John N.
Bleeker's Company, Col. Jacob Lansing, jr.'s 1st Regiment Albany County N. Y.
Militia, October 20, 1775.
Pruyn, Col. John Van Schaick Lansing. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn,
Albany County Militia, 1775; also, great-grandson of Quartermaster Christopher
Lansing, Albany County Militia, 1775-8.
Pruyn, Robert Clarence. — Great-great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn ; also,
great-great-grandson of Abraham Yates, jr., member New York Provincial Conven-
tion, 1775; member New York Provincial Congress, 1775-7; member New York
Council Safety and Appointment, 1777-8; member New York Senate, 1779-90.
Pumpelly, John Hollenback. — Great-grandson of Col. Elizur Talcott, 6th Regiment
Connecticut Militia, 1775-6.
Read, Gen. John Meredith, former consul-general to France, former U. S. minis-
ter to Greece, knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, etc. — Great-grand-
son of His Excellency George Read, one of the six signers of the Declaration of
Independence who were framers of the Constitution of the United States; president
of Delaware; president of the Constitutional Convention of that State; judge of the
Admiralty, 1782; United States senator; twice elected chief justice of Delaware;
also, great-grandson of Brig. -Gen. Samuel Meredith, major 3d Battalion, Philadel-
phia Associators, Col John Cadwalader, 1775; major 3d Battalion, Philadelphia Mil-
itia, Col. John Nixon, 1777; brigadier-general Pennsylvania Militia, April 5, 1777,
360
at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Valley Forge; also, great-
grandson of Lieut. Isaac Marshall, private Capt. Moses Parker's Company, Chelms-
ford Mass. Militia, " Lexington Alarm;" private Capt. Zaccheus Wright's Company,
Colonel Brooks's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, at White Plains; private Capt.
John Minot's Company, Col. Josiah Whitney's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, May
10, 1777; lieutenant 2d Company, 7th Division, Middlesex County Mass. Militia,
1780; also, great-great-grandson of Thomas Cadwalader, examining surgeon Penn-
sylvania Militia, 177G.
Read, Major Harmon Pumpelly and John Meredith. — Great-great-grandsons of His
Excellency George Read, one of the six signers of the Declaration of Independence
who were framers of the Constitution of the United States; president of Delaware;
president of the Constitutional Convention of that State; judge of the Admiralty,
1782; United States senator; twice elected chief justice of Delaware; also great-great-
grandsons of Brig. -Gen. Samuel Meredith, major 3d Battalion, Philadelphia Asso-
ciators, Col. John Cadwalader, 1775; major 3d Battalion Philadelphia Militia, Col.
John Nixon, 1777; brigadier-general Pennsylvania Militia, April 5, 1777, at Tren-
ton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Valley Forge ; also great-great-grand-
sons of Lieut. Isaac Marshall, private Capt. Moses Parker's Company, Chelmsford
Mass. Militia, "Lexington Alarm;" private Capt. Zaccheus Wright's Company, Col.
Brooks's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, at White Plains; private Capt. John
Minot's Company, Col. Josiah Whitney's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, May 10,
1777; lieutenant 2d Company, 7th Division, Middlesex County Mass. Militia, 1780;
also, great-great-great-grandsons of Thomas Cadwalader, M. D., examining surgeon
Pennsylvania Militia, 1776.
Rice, Col. William Gorham. — Great-grandson of Private Joseph Rice, Capt. Robert
Oliver's Company, Col. Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental
Line, April-December, 1775.
Richardson, Rev. Leonard Woods. — Great-great-grandson of Rev. Joseph
Wheeler, private in Captain Stone's Company. Colonel Prescott's Regiment, Massa-
chusetts Militia.
Richmond, Adelbert G. — Great-grandson of Private Thomas Hart, Captain Stod-
dard's Company, Colonel Hooker's Regiment, Connecticut Militia, on duty at White
Plains and along the Hudson, 1777.
Root, Dr. Arthur Guernsey. — Great-grandson of Corporal Jonathan Root, Massa-
chusetts Continental Line.
Sage, Dean. — Great-grandson of Chaplain Rev. William Linn, D. D. , 5th and (ith
Battalions Pennsylvania Continental Infantry, February to December, 1776.
Sanford, Roscoe Conkling. — Great-great-grandson of Private Joseph Sanford, Col-
onel Hooker's Regiment, Connecticut Militia.
Sanger, Hon. William Cary.— Great great-grandson of Richard Sanger, member
Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 1775; also, great-grandson of Lieut. Joseph
Requa, Dubois's Regiment New York Levies, to reinforce the army, 1780.
Sard, Grange. — Great-grandson of Private Joseph Russell, Capt. William Two-
good's Company, Col. Thomas Nixon's Regiment, 6th Massachusetts Line, 1777-79;
sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Haywood's Company, same regiment, January-De-
cember, 1780.
Scudder, Myron Tracey. — Great-grandson of Col. Nathaniel Scudder, M. D.,
>
GEN. FREDERICK TOWNSEND.
361
member of New Jersey Council of Safety, 1775-6 ; member of New Jersey Legisla-
ture and speaker of Assembly, November, 1776; member of Continental Congress,
1777-79; colonel 1st Regiment Monmouth County N. J. Militia, November 28, 1778.
Killed in action near Shrewsbury, N. J., October 16, 1781.
Shoemaker, Angus McDuffie, and James Duncan. — Great grandson and great-
great-grandson of Private Gottfried Shoemaker, Van Rensselaer Regiment, New
York Line ; siege and capture of Saratoga.
Slingerland, Cornelius H. — Great-great-grandson of Ensign Robert Andrews,
Captain Colton's Company, Colonel Brewer's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental
Line.
Stedman, Francis W. — Great-great-grandson of Corporal Amos Hooker, Colonel
Leonard's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental Line.
Townsend, Gen. Frederick. — Great-great grandson of Samuel Townsend, member
of New York Provincial Congress, 1775-7; member of committee to draft the Consti-
tution of New York, 1777; paymaster 5th Regiment, New York Line, Col. Lewis
Dubois, June 25, 1777-January 1, 1778.
Treadwell, Col. George. Curtis. — Great-great-grandson of Gov. John Treadwell of
Connecticut.
Tucker, Willis Gaylord, M. D. — Great- great-grandson of Stephen Tucker, corporal
in Captain McClellan's Company, Woodstock, Conn., lieutenant in command of 6th
Company of 11th Regiment of Militia at New York in 1776.
Van Allen, Theodore Frelinghuysen Collier, M.D. —Great-great grandson of Col.
Frederick Frelinghuysen, New Jersey Militia ; major in Colonel Stewart's Battalion
New Jersey Minute-men, February 15, 1776; captain Eastern Company of Artillery,
N. Y. State troops, March 1, 1776; colonel 1st Battalion Somerset County N. J. Mili-
tia, February 28, 1778; member New Jersey Provisional Congress, 1775-8; member
Continental Congress, 1778 and 1782-3.
Van Antwerp, John Henry. — Great-grandson of Lewis Simon Van Antwerp,
member of Committee of Correspondence and Safety, Schaghticoke, Albany count)-,
N. Y., 1776.
Vander Veer, Edgar Albert, M. D. — Great-great-grandson of Jacob Dievendorf,
captain in 1st Company, 5th Battalion, Tryon County, New York, Militia.
Van Heusen, John Manning. — Great-great-grandson of Joseph Manning, private
in Captain Olney's Company, Angell's Regiment, Rhode Island, 1780 and 1782.
Van Tuyl, George Casey, jr. — Great-great-grandson of John Van Tuyl, corporal
in Lansing's Company, Orange County Regiment, New York Line.
Viele, Maurice Edward. — Great-grandson of Col. John Knickerbocker, Albany
County Militia, 1775-8.
Wadhams, Frederick Eugene. — Great-grandson of Ebnezer Bostwick, private in
Capt. Elizur Warner's Company, 7th Regiment Connecticut Line, Col. Hcman
Swift; corporal same company, and sergeant same company.
Wallace, Major William Addison. — Great-grandson of Abijah Thompson, Capt,
Samuel Belknap's Company, Woburn, Massachusetts, Militia, at Lexington and Cam-
bridge, 19 April, 1775; also, great-great great-grandson of Private Rowlandson
Bond, Captain Warner's Company, Colonel Collins's Regiment, Massachusetts Line,
1777-80; also, great-great-grandson of Capt. John Wisner, captain of Florida and
46
3G2
Warwick Company, Orange County Minute-men, Col. Isaac Nichols's Regiment,
March, 1776.
Warner, Gen. James Meech. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Joseph Little, Welch's
Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers; joined the Northern Army at Saratoga,
September 28, 1777. Gen. J. M. Warner died March 16, 1897.
Wetmore, Prof. Edward Willard. — Great-grandson of Surgeon Ellis Willard;
private Massachusetts Militia; at Boston, April, 1775; hospital surgeon, New York,
1775-9; surgeon in military hospitals at Boston, 1780 5.
Whitney, William Minott. — Grandson of Brig-Gen. Josiah Whitney, one of the
"Boston Tea Party," December 16, 1773; at Concord, April 19, 1775; lieutenant-
colonel of Col. Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Continental Regiment at Bunker Hill
and Siege of Boston, April to December, 1765; colonel of Massachusetts Militia be-
fore Boston, January to April, 1776; colonel of "Colony" Regiment raised to fortify
the town and harbor of Boston, April, 1776 — January, 1777; colonel in command of
Massachusetts Militia, Rhode Island Alarm, April, May and June, 1777, and Ben-
nington Alarm, August, 1777; at Saratoga, September and October, 1777; member
of last Provincial Legislature, 1779; member of convention that framed State Con-
stitution for Massachusetts in 1780; member of first State Legislature in 1780, and
also those of 1788 and 1789; promoted to brigadier-general, July, 1781.
Williams, Captain Chauncey Pratt. — Great-grandson of Jehiel Williams, corporal
in Captain Tilden's Company, engaged at Bunker Hill; enlisted from Connecticut.
Williams, Robert Day. — Great-grandson of Corporal Isaac Foot, gunner 2d Regi-
ment Connecticut Artillery, Col. John Lamb, 1777; corporal same, 1780.
Woodruff, Hon. Timothy Lester, Lieutenant-Governor of New York State. — Great-
grandson of Private Samuel Scott, Capt. William Judd's Company, Col. Samuel
Wylly'sM Regiment, Connecticut Line, served on the Hudson May 1, 1777-January
1, 1778.
Youngman, Hon. Yreeland Houghwout. — Grandson of Private John Youngman,
Wingate's New Hampshire Militia Regiment; private, also, in Frye's Company, 3d
New Hampshire Line; at Saratoga, Monmouth, and Valley Forge; and Harry
Vreeland Youngman, great grandson of above.
Following" are lists of members of other organizations of the charac-
actei under consideration, which have been prepared for this work:
Order of tJie Cincinnati. — J. Howard King, Richard Varick De Witt.
Sons of the American Revolution. — William H. McClure, Archibald Jermain lie-
Clure, William Herrick Griffith, George Comstock Baker, Captain C. C. Cussick,
Captain Chauncey Pratt Williams, Hon. Erastus Corning, Dr. Frederick Joseph
Cox, Hon. James A. Roberts, William N. Stetson, John N. Cutler, Hon. Edward T.
Bartlett.
Society War of 1S12 in the State of New York. — Henry Harmon Noble, William
Herrick Griffith (Pennsylvania Society), George Comstock Baker, Elijah Warriner
Murphey, James William Cox, jr., Frederick Eugene, Wadhams, James Duncan
Shoemaker.
V. S. Daughters of 1812. — Mrs. Henry Harmon Noble.
Society of Colonial Wars. — There are thirty-six members, nearly all of whom are
members of Sons of Revolution.
363
Military Order of Foreign Wars of the U. S. — Henry Harmon Noble, George
Lawyer.
Military Order of the Members of the Loyal Legion in Albany. — Major Richard
L. Annesley, Lieut. John M, Bailey. Judson Hooker Bailey, 2d class, Major Herman
Bendell, Major Charles J. Buchanan, Col. Stephen P. Corliss, M. H., Lieut.-Col.
Frank Chamberlain, Eugene T. Chamberlain, 2d class, Capt. Louis Dietz, Lieut.
Bertold Fernow, Lieut. William Kidd, Henry M. Kidd, 2d class, Capt. Charles R.
Knowles, Gen. Selden E. Marvin, Selden E. Marvin, jr., 2d class, Lieut.-Col. An-
drew E. Mather, Major John S. McEwan, Major John L. Newman, Lieut.-Col. Dud-
ley Olcott, Capt. John Palmer, Ensign Clarence Rathbone, Capt. Oscar D. Robin-
son, Gustavius C. Sniper, Lieut. Col. Alexander Strain, Lieut. David A. Teller,
Major Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Franklin Townsend, 3d class, Gen. Frederick Townsend,
Frederick Townsend, jr., 2d class, Major Albert Vander Veer, Edgar A. Yander
Veer, 2d class, Capt. Samuel B. Ward, Lieut. Andrew G. White, Major Bradford
R. Wood, Major George H. Treadwell, George Curtis Treadwell, 2d class. Col. Fred
Phisterer, Gen. Nathaniel Wales, Mass. Commandery; Gen. Robert Shaw Olliver,
Mass. Commandery; Edward Bowditch, 3d class, Mass. Commandery.
Ancient Chivalric and Heraldic Order of Knights of Albion. — Major Harmon
Pumpelly Read, Director-General and Herald; William Herrick Griffith, Registrar
General and Genealogist,
Older of Old Citard, Chicago. — George Comstock Baker, William Herrick
Griffith.
Daughters of the Cincinnati. — Mrs. Abraham Lansing.
Society of the Colonial Dames of America. — Mrs. Erastus Corning, Mrs. Selden
E. Marvin, Mrs. Anna Parker Pruyn, Miss Hybertie L. Pruyn, Mrs. William Gor-
ham Rice.
Society of Colonial Dames of State of N. Y. — Mrs. William H. McClure, Mrs.
John DeWitt Peltz, Miss Mary B. S. Tibbets, Mrs. Garret A. Van Allen, Mrs. Will-
iam Bayard Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Mrs. James W. Cox, jr.
BANKS.
This city lias always been the home of banking institutions of high
character and ample means. Failure in such institutions have been
comparatively few, while the facilities afforded by them to tradesmen
and manufacturers have been liberal and progressive. The first dis-
cussion, as far as known, relating to the establishment of a bank in
Albany took place in Lewis's tavern on February :!, 1792. At that early
date the need of a bank in the northern part of the State was felt.
there being but one in the whole State. At a subsequent meeting plans
were outlined, the name, Bank of Albany, settled, and the capital fixed at
$75,000, in five hundred shares, with a board of thirteen directors, nine
of whom should reside in Albany. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Jacob
Van Derheyden and Barent Bleecker were to open subscription books
364
in the following- week and close them when five hundred shares were
taken. The books were opened February 17, and the stock was over-
subscribed in less than three hours. After the books were closed offers
of ten per cent, advance on the stock were made, and within a week it
rose to one hundred per cent. Considerable difficulty was encountered
in obtaining a charter, and the price of the stock fluctuated somewhat
until towards the close of the legislative session, when the act of incor-
poration became a law. The first board of directors was elected June
12, 1792, as follows: Abraham Ten Broeck, Cornelius Glen, Stephen
Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Maley, Abraham Van
Vechten, Henry Cuyler, John Stephenson, James Caldwell, Jacob Van
Derheyden, Goldsboro Banyar, Daniel Hale and Elkanah Watson. Mr.
Ten Broeck was elected president of the bank, and business was com-
menced on the 16th of July. The incorporating act limited the bank
capital to $260,000, but in February, 1 794, it was increased to $540, 000, in
L35 shares. In 1832 the charter of the bank was extended to January,
1855, at which time, for the purpose of more widely diffusing the stock,
its par value was reduced to $30 and the number of shares proportion-
ately increased. The bank was at first located in an old Dutch edifice
in North Pearl street, but in 1794 a bank building was erected and oc-
cupied until 1810, when a second building was erected by the bank on
the corner of State and Broadway. This was demolished in 1832 in
widening State street, and the bank removed to No. 42 State street,
and from there to the Merchants' Bank building, where it remained
until 1861. The presidents of this bank from 1792 to 1861 were Abra-
ham Ten Broeck, 1792-98; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1798-1806; Philip
S. Van Rensselaer, 1806-10; Dudley Walsh, 1810-14; John Van Schaick,
1814-20; Barent Bleecker, 1820-10; Jacob H. Ten Eyck, 1840-61.
During this period of seventy years there were only four cashiers,
namely: Garret W. Van Schwaick, 1792-1815; John Van Zandt, 1815-
32; Jellis Winne, jr., 1832-49; E. E. Kendrick, 1849-61.
This bank failed on May 11, 1861, at a time when the utmost con-
fidence was felt in the institution and $100 shares commanded $150 in
the market. It resulted from a combination of causes from which four
Albany banks failed in that year. Adam Van Allen "was appointed
receiver of the bank and closed up its affairs.
New York State Bci)ik. — This institution owed its existence largely
to Elkanah Watson, and was incorporated and began business in 1803.
The original directors were: The State comptroller, Elisha Jenkins,
365
John Tayler, Thomas Tillotson, Abraham G. Lansing, Peter Ganse-
voort, Elkanah Watson, John R. Bleecker, Francis Bloodgood, John
Robison, Gilbert Stewart, John De Peyster Douw, Richard Lush and
Thomas Mather.
At a meeting- of the directors on March 25, 1803, John Tayler was
chosen president, and John W. Yates, cashier. The bank began busi-
ness on September 7. Opposition to the incorporation of this bank
was very bitter, especially from the officials and prominent stockholders
in the Bank of Albany. The original capital was $460,000. It is at
the present time $250,000 and the surplus is an equal amount.
John Tayler continued president until his death in 1829. He was
succeeded by Francis Bloodgood, who died in 1840, the last survivor of
the original board of directors. Rufus H. King was elected president
in 1840 and remained as such until his death in 1867. He was suc-
ceeded by Gen. Franklin Townsend. J. Howard King was elected
president in 1879. John W. Yates died in 1828, and was succeeded as
cashier by his son, Richard Yates, whose successor was Aaron D.
Patchin. J. B. Plumb succeeded Mr. Patchin, who was succeeded by
John H. Van Antwerp. He was followed by D. W. Wemple. In 1850
the charter of the bank expired, when it closed up its business, paying
back to its stockholders their capital with a handsome surplus. Under
the same name, with new articles of association, and under the general
banking laws of the State, it commenced business on January 1, 1851.
Nearly all the old stockholders subscribed for equal amounts in the
new association. In 1849 the capital in this bank was reduced to
$369,000. The new bank began with a capital of $350,000. In 1892
the bank gave back to stockholders fifty per cent, as an extra dividend.
The present cashier is Willis G. Nash, who took the position in 1888.
J. Howard King, president; J. H. Van Antwerp and Ledyard Cogs-
well, vice-presidents; John H. Van Antwerp, J. Howard King, Fred-
erick Townsend, James H. Pratt, Marcus T. Hun, Henry K. McHarg,
Ledyard Cogswell, William Bayard Van Rensselaer, Edward N. Mc-
Kinney, Nelson H. Salisbury, James Ten Eyck, J. Townsend Lansing
and Rufus H. King, directors.
Canal Bank. — This institution was incorporated in 1829, with a cap-
ital of $300,000. The first directors were John T. Norton, Jeremiah
Clark, Edward C, Delavan, Lyman Root, Israel Smith, John I. God-
frey, Aaron Thorpe, David Wood, Henry L. Webb, James Goold,
Alexander Marvin, Edwin Croswell, James Porter, Richard V. De Witt,
Lyman Chapin.
366
From 1829 to 1835 John T. Norton was president. John Keyes
Paige succeeded him, who a short time after was followed by Joseph
Russell. The last president was Robert Hunter. Theodore Olcott was
was the first and only cashier of this bank.
The failure of this bank in Jul}7, 1848, was memorable as the first
failure of a banking institution in Albany. It was closed by order of
the comptroller, and a commission appointed to examine into the affairs
of the bank. No irregularity was discovered.
Mechanics' and Farmers Rank. — This institution was incorporated
March 4, 1811, and opened for business July 29, 1811. By the act of
incorporation, the following were named as directors : Samuel South-
wick, Benjamin Knower, Elisha Dorr, Isaac Denniston, Benjamin Van
Benthuysen, William Fowler, George Merchant, Thomas Livingston,
Giles W. Porter, Willard Walker, Walter Weed, Peter Boyd, Isaac
Hutton, Spencer Stafford and John Bryan. This bank was chartered
ostensibly for the benefit of the mechanics and farmers of Albany
county, and its charter provided that none but farmers and mechanics
should be elected as bank officers; but some years after, application
was made to the Legislature for an amendment to the charter, so as to
authorize the election of president and directors without reference to
the pursuits or employments in which they may have been engaged.
This bank was first located on the site of the post-office building.
It is a memorable fact and one that for a time created some uneasiness,
that the entire first board of directors were Democrats. It had been
understood that two Federalists would have a place on the board, and
a substitution was made a little later.
The first president was Solomon Southwiek, who filled the office un-
til 1813, when he was succeeded by Isaac Hutton. Isaac Hutton was
succeeded by Benjamin Knower in 1817, who remained president until
1 s : 5 4 , when financial embarrassments having caused his resignation, he
was succeeded by Charles E. Dudley as president pro ton., February
3, 1834. At the election in June of this year, Ezra Ames was elected
president and Charles E. Dudley, vice-president. This seems to have
been the first vice-president ever elected by this bank. Ezra Ames
filled the office of president until 1836, when Thomas W. Olcott having
resigned the office of cashier, was elected president, which office he
held until his death in 1880. As a clerk, cashier and president Mr.
Thomas W. Olcott had been connected with the bank for the long pe-
riod of sixty-nine years, besidestwo or three years passed in the Colum-
367
bia Bank of Hudson, N. Y. , a period of time almost beyond parallel in
this country. At his death, in 1880, he was succeeded by his son
Dudley. There is no record of the election of a vice-president from
the date of the death of Charles E. Dudley in 1841, until 1844, when
Samuel S. Fowler was chosen. He was succeeded by William H. De
Witt, who held this office until January 1, 1853, the date of the expira-
tion of the charter of the old Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. From
this period, until June, 1865, the bank had no vice-president, when Mr.
Thomas Olcott, resigning- the position of cashier, was elected vice-
president, which office he held until his death in 1873. From this date
until January 1, 1879, there was no election of vice-president, when
Dudley Olcott having resigned as cashier was elected to that office.
He held it until March, 1880, when he was succeeded by John J. Ol-
cott, who now holds the position.
Gorham A. Worth was the first cashier, which position he held until
1817, when he resigned to accept the position of cashier of the Branch
Bank of the United States, at Cincinnati, Ohio Thomas W. Olcott
was appointed to the vacancy and held the position until June 7, 1836,
when he was succeeded by E. E. Kendrick. E. E. Kendrick held the
office until February 23, 1849, when he was succeeded by Thomas Ol-
cott, who resigned the position in June, 1865. Dudley Olcott was his
successor in the office, until January 1, 1879, when he was succeeded
by George G. Davidson. At the time of the appointment of Thomas
W. Olcott as cashier, in 1817, the bank's capital had become impaired,
owing to the financial troubles growing out of the depression following
the close of the last war with Great Britain ; but from this date, the
financial history of the bank has been one of unvarying prosperity.
At the expiration of the charter of the old bank January 1, 1853, the
stockholders received about 115 per cent., besides their stock in the
new bank, which was $350,000. The first charter expired in 1833 and
was renewed for twenty years. At the expiration of the second charter,
1853, the bank closed its affairs, dividing its surplus, and went into
operation again with the same officers. During the war of the Rebel-
lion it again wound up its affairs, and went under the national bank
system; this was abandoned in 1868. Thomas W. Olcott, to whom must
be credited a large share of the success of this institution, is by general
consent acknowledged to have been the great banker of Albany.
The present capital of this bank is $250,000, and it has a surplus of
nearly a million dollars.
368
National Commercial Bank. — A bill for the incorporation of the Com-
mercial Bank of Albany was passed by the Senate of the State of New
York on March 30, 1825, and by the Assembly on April 8, 1825, and
became a law by the signature of Governor De Witt Clinton on April
12, 1825. The following- were named as commissioners in the bill, and
constituted the first board of directors: AVillard Walker, Joshua Tuffs,
George W. Stanton, Lewis Benedict, William Cook, David E. Gregory,
vSeth Hastings, Ira Jenkins, Joseph Alexander, Robert Gilchrist, Rich-
ard Marvin, John Townsend, Asa H. Center.
The directors of the bank were for a time enjoined from opening on
account of the dissatisfaction of the subscribers with the distribution
of the capital stock, but August 29, 1826, the chancellor decided that
the bank might go into operation so far as to issue bills and discount
notes, but prohibited any transfer of stock, or making any loan or
pledges on stock. A meeting of the board of directors was held at
Knickerbocker Hall on the evening of May 23, 1826, at which all the
directors, with the exception of William Cook were present. At this
meeting the board was organized and Joseph Alexander was elected
president. On July 13, 1826, Henry Bartow was appointed cashier.
The bank began business September 5, 1826, with a capital of $300,-
000, and continued until the expiration of its charter on July 1, 1845,
and under an extension of its charter until July 1, 1847, when it was
reorganized under the general banking law of the State. On May 31,
1865, the bank was chartered under the act of Congress as a national
institution, and was reorganized and began business under that act Au-
gust 1, 1865. It continued under this charter for twenty years, until
May 31, 1885, when an extension of the charter was granted to May 31,
11)05. The capital stock was increased to $500,000 February 1, 1855,
and on June 10, 1875, was reduced to $300,000, in shares of $100 each,
the amount of the reduction being paid to the stockholders. On Jan-
uary 13, 1880, the number of directors was reduced to nine, and on
September 10, 1887, the number was again changed, so that it should
not be less than five nor more than fifteen.
Mr. Alexander was succeeded in the office of president by the follow-
ing persons, who were elected at the dates given: John Townsend,
June 7, 1832; John L. Schoolcraft, August 31, 1854; Ezra P. Prentice,
June 13, 1860; Robert H. Pruyn, November 24, 1875; Daniel Manning,
March 4, 1882; Robert C. Pruyn, May 23, 1885.
Vice-presidents: Seth Hastings, June 18, 1836; John L. Schoolcraft,
369
October 28, 1839; Andrew White, June 16, 1855. The death of Andrew
White, in 1857, made a vacancy until the election of Robert H Pruyn,
November 2, 1872; Robert L. Johnson, November 24, 1875; Daniel
Manning, April 9, 1881; Robert C. Pruyn, March 4, 1882; Nathan B.
Perry, November 20, 1885; Grange Sard, April 11, 1890.
The following cashiers have been appointed : Henry Bartow, July 13,
1826; James Taylor, October 21, 1835; Andrew White, March 17, 1854;
Powers L. Green, June 16, 1855; Visscher Ten Eyck, July 7, 1858;
Eliphalet Wickes, August 11, 1862; James Martin, February 24, 1866;
Edward A. Groesbeck, April 30, 1873.
Assistant cashiers: James Martin, August 11, 1862; Edward A.
Groesbeck, November 2, 1872; Edward J. Hussey, December 1, 1891.
The present board of directors: Abraham Lansing, Simon W. Rosen-
dale, Robert C. Pruyn, Grange Sard, Robert L. Fryer, James H. Man-
ning, Hamilton Harris, Horace G. Young, Anthony N. Brady, Charles
Tracey, William H. Weaver, William J. Walker. This bank has been
the depositary of the State of New York for nearly sixty years.
Albany City National Bank. — This staunch institution was organized
as the Albany City Bank April 30, 1834, with capital of $500,000. It
began business on October 1, of that year, with Erastus Corning, presi-
dent; Samuel S. Fowler, vice-president; Watts Sherman, cashier.
Charles L. Garfield was appointed clerk in October, 1836 ; in June, 1837,
he was appointed teller in place of Moses B. Wright, and held that po-
sition many years. In 1840 the bank purchased from Joel Rathbone
his store at 47 State street, and converted it into a bank building.
Watts Sherman continued cashier until 1847, when his health failed
and he was given a vacation in Europe, Henry L. Lansing taking the
position in his absence. In October, 1850, John V. L. Pruyn was
elected vice president. In July, 1851, Mr. Sherman resigned as cashier
and Henry H. Martin was elected to the position. The charter of this
bank expired January 1, 1864, and it was immediately reorganized
under the National Banking Laws with the same officers and capital.
The stockholders were then paid eighty per cent, in addition to their
regular dividends, and the sum of $90,000 of the undivided profits of
the old bank was carried as a surplus fund of the new one. On June
1, 1885, the charter of the bank was renewed with its present title. In
December, 1870, Mr. Martin resigned as cashier and Amos P. Palmer
was selected as his successor. Erastus Corning died in April, L872,
and was succeeded as president by his son, Erastus, who still holds the
47
370
office. Father and son have served the bank in the capacity of presi-
dent for a period of sixty-three years up to the present date (1897). In
March, 1873, work was begun on a new bank building on the same site,
and it was occupied in June, 1874 In February of that year the direc-
tors reduced the capital of the bank to $300,000. In November, 1877,
John V. L. Pruyn, one of the oldest officers of the bank, died and Eli
Perry was elected vice-president in his place. Upon the death of Mr.
Perry George H. Thacher succeeded to the office of vice-president, and
after his death his son, George H. Thacher, was elected in his stead.
The present officers are Erastus Corning, president; George H. Thacher
and George I. Amsdell, vice-presidents; Jonas H. Brooks, cashier;
Joseph S. House, assistant cashier.
National Exchange Bank. — This bank was organized in 1838 as the
Albany Exchange Bank, with capital of $311,100, and privileged to in-
crease it to $10,000,000. It was among the earliest associations under
the general banking act passed in April of that year. Its first board
of directors was composed of John Q. Wilson, who was elected presi-
dent, George W. Stanton, Alfred Douglas, Galen Batchelder, Fred-
erick J. Barnard, Lansing G. Taylor, John Thomas, Robert Hunter,
Oliver Steele, Henry Greene, John M. Newton, James McNaughton,
Giles Sanford, Samuel Stevens, Robert L. Noyes. Soon after organ-
ization, and before business was commenced, John Q. Wilson and
Robert Hunter resigned as directors, and Ichabod L. Judson and Gay-
lor Sheldon were appointed to fill the vacancies. A vacancy thus
occurring in the office of president, George W. Stanton was elected
president and filled the office until his death in April, 1841.
Some unfortunate speculations in the early history of this bank and
the loss of money through other bank failures, weakened its credit so
that at the outbreak of the Civil war its stock was offered at seventy
cents on the dollar. Careful management by its officers, however,
averted serious trouble, and when, in 1865, the affairs of the institution
were wound up preparatory to forming it into a national bank, a
creditable showing was made. On January 4, 1865, it became the
National Albany Exchange Bank, with a capital of $300,000. Chaun-
cey P. Williams, who had acted as receiver of the former bank, was
appointed cashier; William Gould, president; William G. Thomas,
vice president. Mr. Gould was succeeded as president by Ichabod L.
Judson; he by Chauncey P. Williams. He died May 31, 1894, and the
office was filled by John D. Parsons, jr., the present president. In
371
1875 Theodore L. Scott succeeded Mr. Williams as cashier; he died in
February, 1881, and was succeeded by Jonas H. Brooks. The latter
was succeeded in 1891 by John J. Gallogly.
In view of the expiration of the charter of the bank on the 10th of
January, 1885, the directors decided to not apply for the extension of
its corporate existence, but recommended the formation of a new
national banking association. Under direction of C. P. Williams,
Lansing Merchant and A. V. De Witt the institution was given its
present organization, the National Exchange Bank of Albany. The
present paid up stock is $300,000; ' the surplus, $60,000.
Merchants' National Bank. — This institution was incorporated under
the name of the Merchants' Bank January 19, 1853, with capital of
$250,000. The first board of directors was John Tweddle, Billings P.
Learned, Richard Van Rensselaer, Matthew J. Hallenbeck, Gilbert L.
Wilson, Maurice E. Viele, Henry P. Pulling, Joseph N. Bullock, John
Sill. The bank began business at No. 59 State street April 7, 1853,
with John Tweddle, president; John Sill, cashier. On April 22, 1805,
the institution was organized as a national bank with its present title.
In 1801 it was removed to its present quarters, No. 458 Broadway. In
1870 Richard Van Rensselaer became president, and was succeeded by
the present incumbent, J. W. Tillinghast in 1880. Nathan D. Wendell
was made cashier in 1804, and was succeeded by J. Irving Wendell in
1880. Nathan D. Wendell became vice-president in 1880 and held that
office until his death in 1880, when he was succeeded by John G. Myers,
the present incumbent. The present capital and surplus of this bank
is $400,000.
Union Bank. — This institution was first organized under the general
banking law as the Bank of the Union, June 8, 1853. It began busi-
ness January 1, 1854, at No. 35 State street, with a capital of $250,000.
The first board of directors was composed of Billings P. Learned, Gil-
bert C. Davidson, William N. Strong, Chauncey Vibbard, Amos P.
Palmer, Charles Coates, George H. Thacher, William L. Learned,
John H. Reynolds, Daniel D. T. Charles, Alfred Wild, Le Roy Mowry
and Adam Cottrell. Billings P. Learned was the first president of this
bank, holding the position from the date of its organization to the time
of his death, April 10, 1884, when he was succeeded by his son, Bill-
ings P. Learned.
John F. Batchelder was the first cashier, holding the office until his
resignation in 1857, when he was succeeded by Adam Van Allen, who
resigned in 1801, and was succeeded by Amos P. Palmer.
372
In the early part of the year 1865, the stockholders of the Union
Bank decided to abandon their organization under the State law, and
organize under the National Bank act; and March 8, 1865, it was au-
thorized to continue business, under the title of the Union Bank of Al-
bany, for twenty years. At the expiration of its charter, March 8,
1885, by agreement with the stockholders, this bank was satisfactorily
closed and its affairs liquidated in full. Shortly after its organization
as a national bank, a bank building was erected at No. 446 Broadway,
which was occupied until the expiration of its charter. The last cashier
was James C. Cook, who held this position from 1870.
Bank of the Capitol. — This was one of the four banks that failed in
1861, to which allusion has been made ; one of them has been described.
The Bank of the Capitol was incorporated in 1853, with a capital of
$300,000. The first directors were Thomas Schuyler, M. H. Read,
John G. White, Adam Van Allen, A. D. Shepard James Van Nostrand,
Matthew Vassar, Alfred Noxon, and Noah Lee. The latter was chosen
president, and was succeeded by Thomas Schuyler, and he by John G.
White. Horatio G. Gilbert was the first cashier, and was succeeded
by John Templeton. The bank failed May 18, 1861, when M. H. Read
was appointed receiver.
The National Bank was another of the four failures and went into
operation in 1856, with a capital of $600,000, and the following directors:
William E. Bleecker, Albion Ransom, James C. Kennedy, Richard J.
Grant, Samuel W. Burnett, Charles Adams and Robert C. Martin.
William E. Bleecker was chosen president, and Robert C. Martin,
cashier. Both of these officers remained in their positions until the
failure of the bank May 23, 1860. James Edwards was appointed
receiver.
The Bank of the Interior was the fourth one of those which failed in
1861 and was incorporated in 1851. Josiah B. Plumb was its principal
founder and was elected president, with John F. Batchelder, cashier;
both men were in office at the time of the failure, May 1, 1861. Orlando
Meads was made receiver.
First National Bank. — This bank was organized January 26, 1S64,
and began business on the 25th of the next month. It was the first
bank in Albany organized under the national system and became the
financial agent of the government for receiving and disbursing its funds
in this vicinity. Thomas Schuyler was the first president, and Adam
Van Allen the first cashier. The directors were Thomas Schuyler,
373
Garret A. Van Allen, Matthew H. Read, Charles H. Adams, and Frank
Chamberlain. Matthew H. Read was chosen president in 1869 and
continued such until his death in 1883, when he was succeeded by Adam
Van Allen. He died in 1884 aud was succeeded by Garret A. Van
Allen. The present cashier, S. W. Rowell, has handed in his resigna-
tion to take effect May 1, 1897, and up to the date of this writing his
successor has not been appointed. The directors besides Mr. Van Allen
are William M. Whitney, C. S. Merrill, John M. Bailey, Horace S. Bell,
Noel E. Sisson and John A. Dix. The capital of the bank is $200,000;
surplus, $100,000, and it has paid to stockholders since its organization,
$750,000.
The Hope Bank. — Organized and incorporated under the general
State law, began busines in 1863 with $100,000 capital. James Hen-
drick was president and William Young, cashier. It was continued
under these officers until 1874, when it was discontinued and the stock-
holders paid in full. In the same year it was succeeded by the Hope
Banking Company, of which Mr. Hendrick was president. This in-
stitution was discontinued in 1877.
Albany County Batik — This institution was incorporated under the
State banking law, and commenced business May 15, 1871, in Tweddle
Hall building. Removed to present building corner State and South
Pearl streets, January 16, 1883. Capital, $200,000. Its first board of
directors was composed of Jacob Learned, B. W. Wooster, Theodore
D. Smith, A. W. Brumaghim, Royal Bancroft, Elvin Taylor, Francis
N. Sill, Cornelius Smith, Joseph Mann, Henry A. Fonda and John
Templeton. Jacob Learned was president from 1871 to 1878, when he
was succeeded by B. W. Wooster. John R. Cornell now holds that
office. John Templeton was the first cashier. The present cashier is
Win. N. S. Sanders with George C. Lee, assistant. James Moore is vice-
president. Directors, John R. Carnell, James Moore, Jacob Leonard,
James Mix, Seth Wheeler, Lansing Hotaling, Albert V. Bensen, Clif-
ford D. Gregory, John J. White, Frank C. Herrick. The capital of
this bank is $250,000.
The Park Hank of Albany was organized in 1889 with capital of
$100,000. It has been prudently conducted and now has a surplus of
$25,000. The officers are Grange Sard, president; Robert C. Pruyn,
first vice-president; James D. Wasson, second vice-president ; Charles
H. Sabin, cashier.
374
SAVINGS BANKS.
The Albany Savings Bank is the second oldest savings bank in this
State and was organized through efforts of William James, Charles R.
Webster, Jesse Buel, John Townsend, and Joseph Alexander, who
petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation. The act was
passed March 25, 1820. The first officers of the institution were
Stephen Van Rensselaer, president; William James, first vice president;
Joseph Alexander, second vice-president; John Townsend, third vice-
president; Charles R. Webster, Jesse Buel, Thomas Russell, Volkert
P. Douw, William Durant, Douw Fonda, Simeon De Witt, Peter Boyd,
John Spencer, John L. Winne, William McHarg, Matthew Gill, Har-
manus Bleecker and Sylvanus P. Jermain, managers, none of whom
received directly or indirectly, pay for their services. The first meet-
ing of these officers was held May 16, 1820, at the Chamber of Com-
merce room, when Sylvanus P. Jermain was appointed secretary; and
a short time after, John W. Yates was made treasurer.
The first deposit was made June 10, 1820, the money being received
at the New York State Bank, with which the Savings Bank had made
arrangements for the safe keeping of its funds. The deposits received
this day amounted to $527. The first depositor was Joseph T. Rice, a
silversmith. The arrangements made with the New York State Bank
continued until 1828, when a contract was made with the Commercial
Bank to keep and invest the funds of the Savings Bank. In 1872 the
business of the Savings Bank was conducted in the rooms formerly
occupied by the First National Bank. It occupied its own building,
No. 89 State street, in May, 1875, but is about to remove to a new
structure, corner of Maiden Lane and North Pearl street.
Mr. Van Rensselaer was succeeded as president, in 1840, by John
Townsend; in 1854, by Gerrit Y. Lansing; by Rufus H. King in 1863;
by Harmon Pumpelly, in 1867; by Henry H. Martin, in 1882. J.
Howard King is now president, with Marcus T. Hun, vice-president.
John W. Yates was succeeded as treasurer, in 1844, by James Taylor;
by Visscher Ten Eyck, 1861; James Martin, 1869; Henry H. Martin,
1874; Theodore Townsend, in 1882.
This institution is one of the strongest in the State and has always
had the confidence of the community. Its deposits have increased from
about $14,000 in the first year until its assets now amount to nearly
$20,000,000, with a surplus of about $2,250,000.
The Albany City Savings Institution was incorporated on March 29,
GEN. SELDEN E. MARVIN,
375
1850, and began business in the Albany City National Bank build-
ing, No. 47 State street. The first trustees were Erastus Corn-
ing, sr , John Taylor, James Maher, Lansing Pruyn, James Kidd,
James McNaughton, John V. L. Pruyn, William Humphrey, Watts
Sherman, John T. Norton, James Goold, Samuel Pruyn, Henry H.
Martin, John Knower, John McKnight, William Boardman, John G.
White, Ellis Baker, Christopher W. Bender and Thomas Noonan. The
first president was Erastus Corning, sr. , who was succeeded by his son,
Erastus Corning. Selden E. Marvin now holds that position. Watts
Sherman was the first treasurer and was succeeded by Henry H. Mar-
tin. In 1874 Amos P. Palmer took this office and was succeeded by
Russell C. Case. The present treasurer is William S. Hackett. John
E. Walker and Horace S. Bell, vice-presidents. The deposits and sur-
plus amount to $2,740,582.71. The present trustees are: Selden E.
Marvin, Rodney Vose, George I. Amsdell, Francis H. Woods, Charles
R. Knowles, James W. Cox, jr., John E. Walker, John E. Palmer, Geo.
H. Thacher, E. De L. Palmer, Albert Hessberg, Horace S. Bell, Ed-
ward J. Gallien, J. H. Brooks, John Bowe, P. N. Bouton.
The Mechanics' and Farmers'1 Savings Bank was incorporated April
12, 1855, and commenced business in the Mechanics' and Farmers'
Bank building. Thomas W. Olcott was its first president. He was
succeeded by his son, Dudley Olcott, who still holds the office. Both
Thomas W. and Dudley Olcott held the office of secretary, of which
the present incumbent is George G. Davidson. Charles Newman is
vice-president, and Horatio N. Snow, accountant. The surplus on
July 1, 189G, was $357,085.67. The deposits are nearly $2,000,000.
The Albany Exchange Savings Bank was incorporated in April, 1850,
with James McNaughton, president, and Joseph M. Lovett, treasurer.
The office of president has been held by William G. Thomas, Isaac A.
Chapman, John E. McElroy, and William Dalton, the present incum-
bent. In 1869 Chauncey P. Williams was elected treasurer. The
present treasurer is Abraham V. De Witt, John DeWitt Peltz is first
vice-president, and James McKinney second vice-president.
The National Savings Bank was incorporated May 6, 1868, and began
business in June of the following year. The first president was Eras-
tus Corning, sr. , who was succeeded by John H. Van Antwerp in L872 ;
he has held this position ever since. Albert P. Stevens was the first
treasurer, and he also has held the office to the present time. John G.
Myers and G. A. Van Allen are vice-presidents. On January 1, 1897,
its deposits and surplus reached the total of $8,443,594.56, exhibiting
376
a continuance of growth, year by year, measuring the confidence
reposed in it by its depositors in a most assuring and satisfactory man-
ner to its officers and trustees. Economy in its administration is
evidenced by the fact that its president, Mr. Van Antwerp, has from
the first declined holding the presidency as a salaried position.
The Home Savings Bank, located in its new building, No. 13 North
Pearl street, in this city, was incorporated May 10, 1871. William White
was the first president, holding the office up to the time of his death in
January, 1882. He was succeeded by John D. Capron, who held the
office until May, 1891. Peter Kinnear was then chosen to succeed
him, and held the office until January, 1806, when he was succeeded by
the present incumbent, James Ten Eyck, of the firm of Bacon, Stickney
& Co., also past grand master of Masons in this State. Edmund L.
Judson was treasurer from the organization of the bank up to the time
of his death in April, 1890, when he was succeeded by the present
incumbent, John D. Capron. The other officers are David A. Thomp-
son, first vice-president; John H. Farrell, second vice-president; and
Samuel L. Munson, secretary. The deposits on January 1, 1897,
amounted to $1,604,204.23. The surplus on the same date was $91,-
719.80.
The Albany County Savings Bank was incorporated April 30, 1874,
with Jasper H Pratt, president; who was succeeded by the present in-
cumbent, Jasper Van Wormer. John Templeton was the first treasu-
rer, and was succeeded by William N. S. Sanders, the incumbent. Al-
bert V. Bensen has been secretary from the incorporation. Seth
Wheeler, James Mix and F. C. Curtis are vice-presidents. Amount
due depositors January 1, 1896, $4,359,892,45; surplus, $200,226.33.
MANUFACTURES.
While Albany has gained a high position as a center of political in-
fluence, in art and educational affairs, and in the character of its financial
institutions, it has also attained prominence through the number and
importance of its manufacturing industries.
The iron industry in its various branches is one of the oldest and most
important in the city. What is now the Townsend Furnace and Ma-
chine Shop Company was established in 1807 by John and Isaiah Town-
send, who were succeeded in 1838 by John Townsend alone, who was
followed in 1849 by Franklin and Theodore Townsend. In 1856 Frank-
lin Townsend became sole proprietor, and in 1867 admitted George P.
:. :f§T!
:
flllHHI
JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP.
377
Jackson to a partnership. In 1871 Rufus K. Townsend, grandson of
Isaiah, took his father's place in the business, and in July, 1882, upon the
death of Mr. Jackson, became sole proprietor. Rufus K. Townsend died
in December, 1895, and his father (Franklin) again assumed control of the
business and organized a stock company with the above title and the
following officers: Ledyard Cogswell, vice-president; John T Brad}-,
secretary and treasurer; Ezra Loughren, superintendent.
The iron foundry of Isaiah Page & Son was established by the senior
member of the firm in 1832, and occupied its present site in 1850. Will-
iam B. Page became a member of the firm in 1883, and two years later
Isaiah Page died. For more than fifty years this establishment has
conducted a successful and honorable business.
The car wheel works now operated by Hon. John Boyd Thacher
and his brother, George H. Thacher, jr., merit notice. This busi-
ness was founded by George H. Thacher in 1852, and during many
years some of the leading railroads in the country, including the
New York Central, were supplied with wheels from this foundry. The
Albany Saw, Steel and File Works, conducted by E. F. Decker & Bros.,
was established by Pruyn & Lansing (Robert H. Pruyn and Charles B.
Lansing) in 1855. This firm was succeeded in 1879 by Lansing & Co.,
and they by the present firm in 1892. The name of the works sufficiently
explains its character. Other iron industries have been conducted by
Storks & Pruyn (established 1848), and operated later by Prince & Ott;
Sullivan & Ehler, steam engines; James McKinney & Son, the Albany
Malleable Iron Works, E. D. Ransom & Co., and others.
During many years Albany was the headquarters of stove manufac-
turing in the United States, and the industry is a prominent one at the
present time. Stoves were made here as early as 1827 by H. Nott &
Co., and from that time onward the industry rapidly advanced. The
great establishment of the Perry Stove Co. was started in 1837 by
Treadwell & Perry and for fifty years carried on a large business. For
reasons that need not be entered upon here the business was placed in
the hands of Selden E. Marvin as receiver in 1895.
Rathbone, Sard & Co., manufacture the celebrated Acorn stoves and
ranges, and have branches in Chicago, Detroit, and Aurora, 111. The
business was established in ls:>5 by Gen. John F. Rathbone, who is
still president of the company. George Sard is vice-president and man-
ager, and Edward Bowditch, secretary and treasurer. About 700 men are
employed in Albany and 500 in Aurora. The Littlefield Stove Com-
48
378
pany was organized in 1865 by D. G. Littlefield, who is now president
of the company, with H. C. Littlefield, as treasurer. D. G. Littlefield is
the inventor of the first successful base-burning stove. Among other
firms that have been represented in this industry are the Albany Stove
Company, organized in 1868; the Ransom Stove Company, Carroll &
Co., the Albany Co-operative Stove Company, and several individuals.
The brewing industry in Albany had its inception in the early years
of the city's existence, and before the granting of the Dongan charter,
Arent Van Corlaer making ale here in 1661. In 1695 Ben C. Corlaer
and Albert Ryckman were "authorized and directed to brew, for the
use of the Common Council, three pipes of beer at ,£10 13.s\" Another
early and prominent brewer was Harme Gansevoort who died in 1801. '
At about the same period a Mr. Gill was producing 150 barrels a year
aru3 boasted of the great quantity. At the present time there are
manufactured in the city approximately half a million barrels of malt
liquors annually, Robert Dunlop was an early brewer, as were also
John McKnight, and Andrew Kirk, the latter on the site of the present
Capitol City Brewery. Among the leading brewers of ale and lager in
the city at the present time is the Beverwyck Brewing Company, which
had its inception in a plant established in 1845 by James Quinn; this
brewery now has an annual product of 100,000 barrels of lager and 80,-
000 barrels of ale. The Albany Brewing Company had its inception in
1797 and now has a malting capacity of 150,000 bushels and produces
more than 100,000 barrels of ale and porter annually. The Taylor
Brewery was started in 1822 and is still in successful operation. The
Fort Orange Brewing Company was formed in 1839 and was succeeded
by the present Capitol City Brewing Company. In 1842 William Ams-
dell founded the ale and porter brewery now conducted by his son,
George I. Amsdell, the annual capacity of which is about 100,000 bar-
rels. Other brewers of importance are Quinn & Nolan, the Hincklc
Brewing Company, the Dobler Brewing Company, and the Hedrick
Brewing Company, all of which are comparatively large producers.
Intimately connected with this industry is the malting interest, in which
John G. White and his son, Andrew G, John Tweddle, J. W. Tilling-
hast, Thomas McCredie, William Appleton, Story Brothers, William
Kirk and others have been prominent.
The lumber industry, which is both manufacturing and mercantile in
character, has for many years been a prominent factor in the business
interests of the city. The Swedish traveler, Kalm, noted the fact that
GEORGE I. AMSDELL.
379
vast quantities of white pine existed in this region in 1749, from which
the early merchants and others sawed valuable lumber. The Patroon's
early saw mills, on the creek that bears his name, have already been
mentioned; they were in charge of Barent Pieterse Coeymans and Jan
Gerritsen for a time, and in 17G3 the former bought a large tract of
land twelve miles south of the city, on which mills had already been
built. In De Liancourt's notes of travel in 1795, he places timber and
lumber first among the exports from Albany. In 1840 there were
eighty-four saw mills in operation in Albany county; but the sale of
local lumber soon became only a small part of the traffic of this city.
In early years lumber was rafted and boated on the upper Hudson and
the Mohawk from Northern and Central New York and here loaded on
sloops and sent down the river. Two lumber yards were early estab-
lished, one at the foot of South Ferry street and the other between
Ouackenbush street and Lumber street (now Livingston avenue). With
the opening of the canals the business received a great impeUis. Lum-
ber was brought here in immense quantities and the wharves were
used for its temporary storage. These soon became inadequate and
slips were cut from the canal towards the river and the lumber piled
along their banks. In the course of time the Lumber District, as it is
termed, occupied about one and a half miles of river front and contained
numerous slips running east and west. There were also erected large
sawing and planing mills and other wood working establishments. In
1840 the receipts of lumber and timber were 124,173,383 feet of the
former, and 784,310 of the latter, valued at over $2,000,000. This
quantity was increased in 1850 to 425,095,436 feet of lumber and 3,039,-
588 of timber, valued at $6,800,213 The highest value in boards and
scantling received was recorded in 1853, the figures being $6,299,617.
In 1860 the valuation was a little more than $5,000,000. In 1870 the
receipts of sawed lumber by canal were 415,000,000. In 1880, 362,000,-
000. After that time the quantity was considerably increased for a
few years. The trade was at its height from 1880 to 1885, when about
500,000,000 were annually received by about thirty-five to forty firms.
I hiring that period by far the larger part of the receipts were from
Michigan and Wisconsin, the receipts from' Canada having gradually
diminished. In the past ten years the business as a whole has fallen
off largely, until at the present time there are less than twenty large
dealers, handling from 200,000,000 to 250,000,000 feet annually. The
decline is due to changes in business methods, under which mill owners
380
consign directly to market, driving out the middle men. Unfavorable
discrimination in railroad freight rates, too, has had an unfavorable in-
fluence against the business.
The Board of Lumber Dealers was organized in 1863 and was incor-
porated in 1869. It has been instrumental in maintaining equitable
business principles among dealers, disseminating valuable information
and adjusting difficulties. It is entirely impracticable here to give a
detailed account of the many companies and individuals who have been
connected with this great industry in Albany. Among them have been
Whitlock & Fassett, who began in 1832, and were succeeded by Will-
iam N. Fassett; Douglas L. White & Co., Dalton & Kibbe, Moore &
Zimmerman, W. H. Weaver & Co. (whose business was founded in
L862 by William McEchron, J. Ordway, James Morgan, A. M. Adsit
and W. H. Weaver), Rathbun & Co. (established in 1845 by Joshua
Rathbun), Rodney Vose (began in 1853), Maltbie & Simons (succeeded
by Simons & Richards), Gratwick & Fryer, L. Thompson & Co.,
Hughson & Co., Mattoon & Robinson, J. O. Towner & Co., Arnold &
Co., J. Benedict & Son, William N. Callender, Truman D. Cameron,
J. W. Dunham & Co., Charles P. Easton & Co., Fogg, Patton & Co.,
John H. Gordon, Hand & Babbitt, Hubbell & Hill, Harvey Hunter,
John Krutz, W. C. Many & Co., T. Miles & Co., Morgan Lumber
Company, Thomas Murphy, J. R. Nangle, Charles B. Nichols, Phil-
lips & Dunscomb, H. W. Sage & Co., Saxe Bros., Robert Scott, Smith,
Craig & Co., Henry Spawn, Staples & Van Allen, P. Van Rensselaer
& Co., Van Santford & Eaton, C. Warren, David Whitney, jr., N. R.
Wilbur & Son, C. H. Winne and Waine & Andrews.
The manufacture of agricultural machinery has been a considerable
industry in Albany. The Wheeler & Melick Company was founded in
ls:;o and for many years were the leaders in this line of business, the
value of their annual product reaching $500,000. The agricultural
and machine works of Peter K. Dederick & Co. also carry on a large
industry, manufacturing the Dederick patent hand and power presses,
and many other kinds of apparatus for farmers' use.
The manufacture of pianos was begun in Albany in 1825 by James A.
Gray. In 1837 he took as a partner William G. Boardman, the firm
name being Boardman & Gray. The business was successful and from
1840 to 1860 the firm was among the leading piano manufacturers of
the country. In 1877 William J. Gray, son of the founder of the busi-
ness, became a member of the firm. Mr. Boardman died in 1881 and
381
the business was continued by the Grays. In 185:5 Marshall & Traver,
two practical workmen from the Boardman & Gray factory, began
making- pianos, and two years later were succeeded by Marshall &
Wendell. In 1882 the firm, under the title of the Marshall & Wen-
dell Manufacturing Co., was incorporated, with Henry Russell, presi-
dent; J. V. Marshall, superintendent; Harvey Wendell, manager and
treasurer, and John Loughren, secretary. This business is still in exist-
ence, the present officers of the company being Jacob H. Ten Eyck,
president; Thomas S. Willes, vice president ; Edward M. McKinney,
manager and treasurer, and James L. Carpenter, secretary.
William McCammon was an early manufacturer of pianos in Albany
and his instruments acquired considerable reputation. Upon his death
in 1881 the business was continued by his son, Edward McCammon,
who finally removed it to Oneonta a few years since.
While there are very many other branches of industry profitably
pursued in this city, this brief glance at some of the more prominent of
the past and present ones will suffice to show that as a manufactur-
ing center Albany is not far behind other cities of its size.
WATER SUPPLY.
The first notice in the city records of a proposed water supply, other
than wells, occurs under date of 1794. An advertisement was then
published asking for proposals for supplying the city with water
through an aqueduct from a spring " at the Five-Mile House on the
road to Albany." No further notice of this matter appears in the re-
cords. Two years later the Legislature passed an act to enable the
corporation to establish a water supply, but this, too, failed of accom-
plishment. In 17(J? Benjamin Prescott received from Stephen Van
Rensselaer a grant of the Maezlandt Kill, and he laid a line of wooden
log conduits from the fountain head. For some unexplained reason
the grant must have reverted to Van Rensselaer, who, a few years
later, transferred all the rights on that stream to the water company.
The Albany Water Works Company was incorporated in 1802 with a
capital of $40,000. The first trustees were Stephen Lush, Philip Van
Rensselaer, and John Tayler. The work of laying iron and wooden
pipes through the principal streets was immediately commenced, and
the Maezlandt Kill continued to be the source of supply until L837,
when that stream failed to meet the demands made upon it and the
382
Middle Brook was drawn upon. Within a few years both streams proved
inadequate, and in 1845 a part of the Patroon's Creek was purchased by
the company. Meanwhile in 1844 the capital of the company was
increased to $80,000, and in the same year the Albany Hydrant Company
was incorporated, with John Townsend, John K. Paige, Bradford R.
Wood, James D. Wasson, Barnum Whipple, Rufus W. Peckham, and
Peter Gansevoort, trustees. This company caused extensive investi-
gation and surveys to be made for the purpose of providing a better
water supply, but nothing further was done.
A long- existing sentiment among progressive citizens that it would
be wise for the city to own its own water works culminated in the sub-
mission of a bill to the Legislature by the corporation, which became
a law April !», 1850. This law empowered the council to appoint a
board of five water commissioners, whose most important duty at that
time was to make the necessary investigations and report upon the
most feasible plan for establishing adequate water works for the city at
a cost not exceeding $000,000. The first water commission comprised
James Stevenson, Erastus Corning, John Townsend, John Tayler and
Robert E. Temple. The commission entered at once upon their task
and had examinations made of the Hudson River, Patroon's Creek, the
Normans Kill and the lakes on the Helderbergs. Plans were finally
devised and reported which met the approval of the council. On Au
gust 23, 1850, all the sources of water supply owned by the old com-
pany were purchased for $150,000, and most of the wooden pipes were
superseded by iron, but the old method of obtaining water by gravita-
tion was continued some years, the supply being the Maeztland Kill,
with a further source which was adopted in 1851. This was provided
by building a dam about six miles west of the city where three streams
united to form the Patroon's Creek, thus creating a body of water since
called Rensselaer Lake, covering full forty acres of land and holding
about '200,000,000 gallons. From this lake an egg shaped brick con-
duit four feet high and nearly four miles long, was built to Bleecker
reservoir, with a capacity of 30,000,000 gallons. In the same year two
other reservoirs were built a little east of West Albany, which took the
names of Upper and Lower Tivoli Lakes, the upper one being for stor-
age and the lower for distribution. These received their supply from
water entering the creek east of Rensselaer Lake. From the lower
lake a 24-inch main was laid to the intersection of North Pearl and
Van Woert streets, where the water entered the distributing mains.
383
This was the system of water supply up to 1875, and included iron
mains all through the city east of Bleecker reservoir.
Before the year last named, however, the demand upon the water
supply was so great, owing to growth of the city, that several water
"famines occurred, and it was evident that something must be done for
relief. The Hudson River was now brought forward and discussed as a
proper source of supply, and thorough analyses and investigations were
made to determine its purity. O. F. Chandler, Ph.D., made an analysis
of the water in 1872 and said : "I have no hesitation in recommending it
as a suitable and proper source of supply." This decision he supported
in 1885, when asked by the water commissioners if anything had taken
place since his first analysis to lead him to change his first opinion.
The plans of the water commissioners for the adoption of the river as
a source of supply were carried out in in 1875, the water being taken
from beyond the pier, carried into a well chamber six feet in diam-
eter and eighty feet deep through a copper wire screen of one hundred
meshes to the inch, and thence through a culvert below low water
mark. From this well chamber was extended a tunnel five feet in
diameter and nearly nine hundred feet long under the basin to the
pumping works, corner of Montgomery and Ouackenbush streets,
where engines were established which operated pumps to force the sup-
ply into Bleecker reservoir. While this plan gave an abundant supply
to the district east of Bleecker reservoir, there were more elevated
parts of the city that received no benefit from the new arrangement.
To improve the conditions another reservoir was built in 1878 on Pros-
pect Hill with a capacity of 7,000,000 gallons, and into this water is
pumped from the Bleecker reservoir. The use of water from the Hudson
River continued to cause discussion for a number of years, many intel-
ligent persons insisting that it could not possibly be wholesome On
November 17, 1884, the Common Council passed a resolution requesting
from the water commissioners a detailed statement of their information
concerning the possible sources of water supply for the city, and of
their reasons for adopting the plan of pumping water from the Hudson.
The board reported February 2, 1885, as follows:
This Board has no prejudice in favor of the river water, or against any other source
of supply, and if it can be shown that a better source of supply exists, it will gladh
take all practicable measures within its power to secure it.
The report adds that judging by experience and by the numerous
384
tests made, the river is the only practicable and attainable source of
supply.
The water subject continued to be agitated and before long an addi-
tional supply was needed to meet the increasing demand of the city. In
accordance with a law of 1885, a special water commission was appointed
consisting of Samuel Hand, president; Albert Vander Veer, secretary;
Archibald McClure and Owen Golden, "to make inquiry as to the
available sources of supply of pure and wholesome water for the city,"
and if the present supply was decided to be the best available, what
method could be adopted for purifying it. On November 30, 1885,
this commission recommended to the council 1st, That the supply then
obtained from Patroon's Creek and Sand Creek by the Tivoli Lake be
gathered and transmitted to the Tivoli main, the cost of which would
not exceed $230,000. 2d, " That a contract be-made for a new supply
of 10,000,000 gallons daily, to be delivered at Quackenbush street pump-
ing station, from the flats between the Troy road and the Hudson River
north of the city, at or about in the locality of the well from which the
water has been tested, to be furnished by the patent improved gang-
well system of William B. Andrews & Bro.," the cost of this improve-
ment not to exceed $450,000.
The commission further recommended in the event of the council not
approving of this plan, an alternative as follows: A new intake at a
point in the Hudson River about 2,500 feet above the present intake,
a new main from the pumping station to Bleecker reservoir, and addi-
tional pumps, with extensive facilities for aeration and filtration, and
the abandonment of Tivoli Lake, the estimated expense of all this
being $750,000.
In their report to the council for 1886 the water commissioners again
recommended the purchase of another and more powerful engine. At
that time the consumption of water was exceeding the capacity of the
pumps by more than twenty- five per cent. Although Tivoli Lake had
been in one sense condemned, it was indispensable during 1886, as it
was furnishing about one-fourth of the city supply. The report of the
board for 1887 called for increased pumping capacity. On the 6th of
January of this year Robert L. Banks, president of the Board of Water
Commissioners, sent a communication to the water committee of the
council, stating that the commissioners recommended such action by
the council in its recommendations to the Legislature as would result
in mutual action with the commissioners. That even if the driven well
385
project authorized by the law of 1885 should be successful, an unneces-
sary provision in the law of 1884 restrained the commissioners from
taking any progressive steps, after an engine had been contracted for
and land purchased for the completion of the plant. The commission-
ers' report for 1887 states that the engines already contracted for were
completed and installed, but that the city was under fearful risks of water
famine and destructive fire — a condition caused largely by the unnec-
essary provisions of the law before alluded to. The two new engines of
5,000,000 capacity, contracted for under the previous law, were finished
in 1888.
On March 16, 1891, a special water commission consisting of Dr. Albert
Yander Veer, Hiram E. Sickels, Owen Golden and John G. Myers, report-
ed the driven well project a failure, and that in anticipation of this con-
tingency they had made investigation as to the possibility of adopting
some other source of supply at reasonable cost. They reported that the
feeling against the use of river water for drinking purposes had not abat-
ed. One portion of the city, the eastern, where the supply was from the
new reservoir, was comparatively free from typhoid and other diseases,
which were then so prevalent as to amount to an epidemic in that part
of the city south of Pearl street, which drew its supply from the river.
This commission made careful examination of two sources of supply
which alone seemed available; one, the streams and small lakes in
Rensselaer county, east of the Hudson, and the other the Normanskill
and its tributaries. On account of the great cost of adopting the first
named source, the Normanskill was strongly recommended for adoption.
The commission submitted an estimate of the cost of using this source,
and further stated that the quality of the water compared favorably
with that then being taken from the new reservoirs.
On December 28, 1891, the same commission submitted a report on
tlie Normanskill, giving its flow, degree of purity, and suggesting meth-
ods for using it, adding, that by measurements and examinations mack-,
" we are the more firmly convinced that the Normanskill will furnish a
city supply amply sufficient and of good quality, and that a resort to it is
the best, the most practical, if not the only practical, solution of the
problem, how to give the city of Albany a better supply of water.
Various expert opinions were secured as to the excellence of this water
late in that year and early in 1892; but on January Hi, L892, the water
committee of the council reported t<> that body that the project recom-
49
386
mended by the special commission ought not to receive their sanction,
and therefore reported adversely upon the project.
The Board of Water Commissioners appointed in May, 1892, report-
ed to the council December 5, 1892, that one promising source of water
supply had been overlooked, which was Kinderhook Creek, which has its
source in a number of streams rising in the mountainous district along
the boundary of Massachusetts and New York. The commissioners
submitted plans for the adoption of this source and estimates indicat-
ing that it could be made available for the sum of $1,600,000. The
water was examined by experts and pronounced superior. On Decern -
18, 1893, Frederic P. Stearns, consulting engineer of Boston, reported
to Hon. Elnathan Sweet, president of the water commissioners, that
the Kinderhook Creek water was of excellent quality for all purposes,
and that a supply from it would cost about $72,000 less annually than
a supply from the Hudson, if properly filtered.
Two of the pumps, before alluded to, and ordered from Milwaukee
are at the present time in use, and all other plans for a better water
supply were abandoned up to the present year, 1897, when there is a
bill before the legislature authorizing the city to expend $500,000 for
an elaborate filtration system for the present supply. In 1896 a new
building for the water works on Montgomery street was erected. Will-
iam H. Weaver is now president of the board and George I. Bailey,
superintendent.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Something has already been written of the fact that Albany made
some effort towards protection from fire as early as 1694, through a
body called Brant-masters, who used brantleere (fire ladders) and hooks.
In December, 1706, the city had a primitive fire department, whose
members were called " fyre-masters. " In that year the records show
that William Hogan, Anthony Coster, William Jacobse, Johs Claese,
Jan Evertse, and Jacobus Schuyler were appointed to that position for
one year; they were to examine chimneys, and " where they find chim-
neys extraordinary foule, to fine ye owner in ye summe of three shil-
lings." These fyre-masters were continued many years, and in 1726 cer-
tain fines were imposed upon any person refusing to serve in that office.
At a council meeting, November 24, 1730, it was ordered that "hooks
and ladders be made with all speed and kept within convenient places
within the city for avoiding the peril of fire."
ELNATHAN SWbHT
387
No engine was owned in the city until February, 1732, when steps
were taken resulting in purchasing "the Richard Newsham engine,
fifth size, with six feet suction pipe and forty feet leather hose pipe."
This engine was soon received in the city with great rejoicing and con-
stituted the only means of extinguishing fires for many years. The
engine was kept in a shed on what is now the corner of Beaver and
South Pearl streets. The second engine (probably) was purchased in
England by Harmse Gansevoort in 1763, for $397. 50, and in 1792 another
engine was in use in the city which was a superior machine for that
period. At that time the engine house was at the northwest corner of
the old English church on State street. On January 26, 1801, the Hand
Barrow company was organized with the following officers: Garrett
Bogart, superintendent; John Cuyler, sub-superintendent.
The engine companies constituting the old fire department were or-
ganized as follows: No. 1, Januarys, 1801; No. 2, January 15, 1801;
No. 4, July 1, 1805; No. 5, February 1, 1807; No. 6, June 25, 1810;
No. 7, November 11, 1811; No. 8, December 13, 1813; No. 9, October
24, 1814; No. 10, March 13, 1815; No. 11, January 6, 1840; No. 12,
May 22, 1843; No. 13, October 1, 1855; No. 15, April 16, 1866.
Hose Company No. 1 was organized, October 1, 1838; Engine No. 1
was reorganized into a hose company, November 13, 1854, known as
Hose No. 2; Hose Company No. 3 was organized October 1, 1855; En-
gine No. 4 was reorganized into Hose Company No. 4, November 13,
1854. On July 9, 1810, men were detailed from other companies to
serve as Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. On April 13, 1813, Hook
and Ladder Company No. 1 was regularly organized, and on January
28, 1813, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 was organized.
March 6, 1843, the council passed a law regulating the duties of chief
engineer and fixed his salary at $600 per annum. On the 27th of No-
vember, 1848, a law was passed which entirely reorganized the depart-
ment. It was also ordered that no wooden building should thereafter
be erected in any part of Albany east of Lark street.
Hand engines only were used in the city until July 1.3, L863, when
the council authorized the purchase of a steam fire engine, to be locat-
ed on Capitol Hill at the house of No, 4, the cost not to exceed $3,500.
On the 4th of April, 1864, a company was organized for this engine,
with thirty members, and J. C. Cuyler was made foreman, William Mix,
jr., first assistant, William J. Shankland, second assistant, and Edward
Leslie, clerk. During the fall of the same year two other steamers
388
were purchased, the Putnam and the Thomas Kearney. The effective
service rendered by these engines soon produced a change in public
sentiment, and in 1867, on the application of the.council, the Legislature
passed a law authorizing the council to reorganize the department to
use steam engines, and to make appointments based upon merit by
which certain tenure of office was assured the appointees, thereby in-
suring effective service. The council's action was taken March 16,
1807, and the law was passed by a vote of 13 in the affirmative to 4
negative. On April 15, 1867, the council appointed the following com-
missioners under the law: George Cuyler, Lansing Pruyn, Thomas
Kearney, M. V. B. Winne, J. C. Cuyler, the last named being appointed
secretary.
wSection four of the law of 1867 conferred upon the commissioners
the entire control and management of the department, and immedi-
ately upon their appointment they took the necessary steps to initiate
the work of reorganization. The old department consisted of eighteen
companies, with a complement of between seven hundred and fifty
and eight hundred men, three steamers, seven hand engines, six hose
carriages and two hook and ladder trucks. It was in a demoralized
condition, and utterly inadequate for the purposes of its organization.
The introduction of steamers in 1864 tended to impair the efficiency of
the hand service, and the hand engines were virtually retired. Al-
though the membership of the department numbered upwards of eight
hundred, the attendance at fires seldom exceeded two hundred. The
spirit of the old volunteer system, in former times so thorough and
effective, was broken, and while there were some few who were prompt
in the discharge of their duties as firemen, the majority absented them-
selves from fires. The law reorganizing the department reduced the
number of companies to seven, and the entire working force to one
hundred and fifty officers and men. It provided for five steamers and
two hook and ladder trucks. There were but three steamers in the
department and none of them was in perfect working order. To re-
duce the force under the circumstances would have been unwise, and
have left the property of the citizens unprotected. The commissioners,
therefore, immediately ordered a steamer from the Amoskeag works,
which was delivered in June, 1867. It was at once put in service, in
charge of a new company, to be known as Steamer Company No. 4, and
on the 1st day of July, 1867, several of the old organizations were relieved
from duty. The steamer Putnam was subsequently removed to Arbor
389
Hill, to the house formerly occupied by Hose 9, and a new company or-
ganized for it, and known as Steamer Xo. 2. The McQuade steamer was
placed on Washington avenue, though it was temporarily located in a
barn on Willett street near State street, until necessary alterations could
be made to the house of Engine 5. A new company was also organized
for it, known as Steamer No. 1. The Kearney steamer was allowed
to remain in its old location, and was placed in charge of a new com-
pany, known as Steamer Xo. 3. Subsequently the commissioners or-
dered a second Amoskeag steamer, which was completed and deliv-
ered in the city in August, 1867. As soon as it had been accepted, it
was temporarily located in the house formerly occupied by Engine 8, on
Madison avenue. A company was organized for it, known as Steamer
Xo. 5. This steamer was afterwards removed to the house formerly
occupied by Engine 11, on South Pearl street, when the necessary alter-
ations were completed. Before the 1st day of September, 1867, all
of the old companies were relieved from duty, excepting Engine com-
pany 13, the commissioners deeming it unwise to discharge them from
service until another steamer could be procured, to be located in the
house on the corner of Jefferson and Swan streets. To complete the
equipment of the department, four substantial tenders were purchased.
On the 2d day of September, 1867, the board of commissioners decided
to locate a steamer in the house of Engine 13, and ordered another from
the Amoskeag works. A new organization was formed for it, known
as Steamer No. 6. The addition of this company increased the force
to one hundred and sixty-nine officers and men. Truck 1 was located
in the old house on Westerlo street; Truck 2 was located in the old
house on Clinton avenue, near Chapel street, the horses being kept
in the house of Hose 2 on Chapel street, which was temporarily fitted
up as a stable. A new building was erected on Clinton avenue, west
of Hawk street, for this truck, which was completed about January 1,
L868. Subsequently the commissioners ordered one more Amoskeag
engine, which was received December 1, 1867, to take the place
of the McQuade steamer. The Common Council directed the com-
missioners to sell such apparatus, etc., not including real estate, be-
longing to the old department, as in their judgment was not required
for tlie uses and purposes of the new department. The commissioners
advertised the sale by auction, which took place on the 30th day of Au-
gust, L867, and realized the sum of $5,358.55. Some of the old appar-
atus was retained and afterwards disposed of when an opportunity
presented itself.
390
During the year 1871 two more Amoskeag engines were ordered to
take the place of the Putnam for Steamer Company 2, and the Kearney
for Steamer Company 3. The Putnam and Kearney were then held in
reserve.
A destructive fire on June 20, 1873, prompted the commissioners to
add to the apparatus of the department, and two more steamers were
purchased and two companies organized, as noted further on. On the
29th day of January, 1883, the department was again reorganized, pur-
suant to chapter 382 laws of 1882. In the reorganization the commis-
sioners were compelled to drop from active service many faithful and
efficient men, the total number under the new law being fixed at 102,
which was seventy-six less than under the old law. With two or three
exceptions, the appointments were all made from the ranks of the old
department. The foremen, without exception were all reappointed, as
were the four assistant engineers.
The dates of organization of the various companies comprising the
present department are as follows: Steamer 4, July 1, 1867; Truck 2,
July 2, 1867; Steamers 1, 2, and 3, July 13, 1867; Steamer 6, Novem-
ber S, 1867; Steamer 7, September 22, 1873; Steamer 8, November 1,
L873; Steamer 9, July 2, 1888; Steamer 10, November 1, 1802; Truck
1, July 13, 1867; Truck 3, July 2, 1888.
The Fire Alarm Telegraph was put in operation on the 3d of June,
18-68. The officials in charge of this branch of the service are as fol-
lows: John M. Carroll, superintendent; George Stanwix and Terrance
F. Hagan, operators; William R. Martin, lineman; William J. Toomey,
battery man.
Following is the official list from the organization in 1867 to the
present time:
Engineers— James McQuade, chief, from April 20, 18G7, to July 25, 1886, when he
died. Joseph C. Griffin, assistant from June 7, 1867, to date. John C. Mull, assist-
ant from June, 1867, to June 1, 1885, when he retired. George E. Mink, assistant
from June 7, 1867, to April 5, 1887, when he resigned. Arthur McShane, assistant
from June 29, 1870. D. A. Ronan, assistant from July 1, 1870, to June 11, 1871,
when he resigned. Patrick M. Mulcahy, assistant from June 11, 1871, to March 12,
is7:i, when he resigned. William K. Clute, assistant from March 12, 1873, to May 1,
1887, when he resigned. M. E. Higgins, assistant from June 1, 1885, to August 3,
1886, when he was promoted to chief, which position he now occupies. Matthew C.
Clark, assistant from August 3, 1886, to July, 1896, when he retired. Thomas S.
Jones, assistant from April 5, 1887, to date. Joh» J. Hughes, assistant from May :!,
L887, to date.
On February 10, 1896, by act of the Common Council, the depart-
391
ment was again reorganized, and thirty-four call men were replaced by
permanent men as follows: Steamer No. 1, four men; No. 3, four
men; No. 4, eight men; No. 5, four men; No. 6, four men; Truck 1,
five men; Truck 2, five men.
The present Board of Fire Commissioners is as follows: Hon. ]ohn
Boyd Thacher (mayor), president ex officio. James McCredie, Rich-
ard Y. De Witt, Richard Lawrence, Henry Patton, and Lewis J. Miller,
clerk of the board.
Valuation of Fire Department Property.
Real estate . $1 63, 000 00
Apparatus 61,490 00
Furniture, fixtures, etc ..33,000 00
Fire-alarm telegraph apparatus, fixtures and supplies 67,000 00
Horses, harness, etc 20,000 00-
Hose, fixtures, tools, etc. ... 31,000 00
Repair shop and supply department.. .12,000 00
Total §387,490 00
Permanent and Call Forces of the Fire Department with Compensation.
Salary per
Permanent. annum.
1 Chief §3,000
1 Permanent Assistant Engineer 1,000
1 Clerk ...1,500
1 Supervising Engineer 1,500
1 Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph. . 1,500
1 Assistant Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph 1,340
2 Operators Fire Alarm Telegraph, each 1,000
1 Lineman Fire Alarm Telegraph _ 900
1 Battery-man and Janitor Fire Alarm Telegraph 720
1 Superintendent Hose and Supply Depots 1,200
1 Assistant Superintendent Hose and Supply Depots 720
10 Engineers of Steamers, each . _ 1,080
10 Fireman of Steamers, each 720
10 Drivers of Steamers, each 720
24 Permanent Hosemen 720
10 Permanent Laddermen . . 720
3 Tillermen of Trucks, each 720
3 Drivers of Trucks, each 720
3 Permanent Laddermen of Trucks, each 720
1 Relief Engineer 1 ,080
1 Relief Fireman. 720
1 Relief Driver 720
1 Relief Truckman _ 720
392
Call.
1 Secretary of Board $1,000
1 Veterinary Surgeon (including medicines) 600
1 Department Physician . 500
3 Assistant Engineers, each 400
10 Foreman of Steamers, each 300
3 Foreman of Trucks, each . 300
56 Hoseman of Steamers, each 200
23 Call Laddermen of Trucks, each _ _ _ . 201 1
187 Total
The Albany Fire Department is now one of the most efficient in the
State. This fact is shown by the very limited fire losses of the year
from November, 1895, to November, 1896, the amount of which was
only $40,000.
POLICE.
Prior to 1851 there was no police department, as the title is now un-
derstood in Albany. For more than a century and a half good order
was maintained by the constables appointed by the Common Council,
though they were sometimes termed police constables. The charter of
1686 designated one high constable and three subordinates with the
title of constable, one from each ward, to be appointed annually. This
practice continued until 1737, when the number was increased to two
from each ward. These officers also collected taxes, kept the public
pound, and one or more were required to be on duty on Sundays. For
many years it was not a salaried office, the small pay consisting of
certain fees. Anthony Bries was high constable in 1696, the first one
named in the records. He was followed by William Hogan and Jo-
hannes Harmesen. In the early part of the present century the title
police constables began to be used for these officers, although their
character had not been changed. In 1827 the constables asked the
council for increased pay, as their duties then occupied nearly or quite
their whole time.
Under certain legislative acts of 1851 a police force was organized
on substantially the same basis of the present organization. It then
consisted of a chief, four captains, four assistant captains, forty police-
men, four doormen, and six constables. John Morgan was the first
chief of police. The cost of maintaining the department for the year
1852 was $27,000. A reorganization of the force took place in 1856,
under which some needed changes were made. In 1872 still another
393
reorganization took place, nnder chapter 278 of the laws of that year,
which provided that the mayor -should be an ex officio member of the
Board of Police Commissioners. Other features of the act provided
for the removal of commissioners by the Common Council; for filling
vacancies in the board; that certain court attendants be appointed from
the patrolmen ; and for the payment of traveling expenses in connec-
ts »n with the department. At the present time the department is entirely
under the control of a non-partisan board of police commissioners, four
in number, in addition to the mayor, who is ex officio president. The
city is divided into five precincts, and the police force has been grad-
ually increased as necessity demanded until it now numbers: the chief,
six captains, fifteen sergeants, 133 patrolmen, four detectives, five
station house keepers, four court officers, a property clerk, a surgeon
and a matron. The salary list of the force for 1894-5 amounted to
$137,316.82, and the other expenses increased this sum to $150,000.
The receipts were about $7,000, chiefly from the police office.
In 1820 a resolution was offered in the Common Council intended to
abolish the salary of the police justice, as it was claimed that the office
was a sinecure. The resolution was lost and the board then chose
Philip Phelps and Tennis Slingerland, police magistrates. Since then
John Cole (father of Charles W. Cole, present superintendent of
schools), Kane, Cicero Loveridge, Isaac N. Comstock, Sylvanus
H. H. Parsons, John W. McNamara, William K. Clute, Martin B.
Conway, now surrogate judge, John C. Nott, Myer Nusbaum, John
Gutman, Peter a Stevens since 1890, and Daniel Adler, who succeeded
John Gutman in the autumn of 1894, both now on the bench, have held
the office.
50
394
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TOWN OF WATERVLIET (NOW COLONIE), WEST TROY (NOW
WATERVLIET CITY), GREEN ISLAND AS TOWN AND
VILLAGE, AND THE CITY OF COHOES.1
The town of Watervliet (changed to the town of Colonie in 1896) is
the mother of towns in Albany county. The Manor of Rensselaerwyck
was divided into the east and west districts on March 5, 1779, the Hud-
son River separating the two districts. The west district was defined as
all that part of the manor lying north of an east and west line from
Beeren (Baeren) Island north to Cumberland county, excepting the city
of Albany.
The town of Watervliet2 was erected March 7, 1788, and included the
territory of the west district of Rensselaerwyck, with certain govern-
ment lands in its northeastern part which were transferred to purchasers
direct from the English crown by deed. One of these old deeds is in
possession of the Van Denbergh family, to one of whom it was given,
as noticed further on ; it is written on parchment, bears the great wax
seal of the crown, and is dated October 21, 1697.
From this great town of Watervliet, with its somewhat indefinite
boundaries, was set off Rensselaerville in 1790 (then embracing what is
now Berne and a part of Westerlo) ; Coeymans in 1791 (then including
a part of what is now Westerlo); Bethlehem in 1793 (then including
what is now New Scotland); Guilderland in 1803, and Niskayuna in
1809. Besides these territorial changes, the original town has under-
gone several others of importance. That part of the city of Albany
lying north of Patroon and Quackenbush streets was incorporated as
' It will be observed that the town histories in this volume succeed each other as nearly as
possible in chronological order as to the dates of the formation of the towns. This arrangement
is believed to be preferable to placing them in alphabetical order for reasons that are apparent,
and chiefly that historical continuity is thus preserved.
2 The name, Watervliet, is Dutch and derived from water and vlatke, the latter meaning level
plains or flats; it was applied to the level lands along the river which are subject to overflow;
hence "overflowed flats," or water-vlakte. The last syllable has been corrupted into " vliet."
395
the town of Colonie March 31, 179 1, and reincorporated March 30,
1801. On the 9th of April, 1804, this territory was incorporated as a
village,1 and on April II, 1808, it was erected into a town by act of
Legislature. Colonie existed as a town until February 25, 18 15, when
it was divided and a part annexed to Albany, and the remainder to the
town of Watervliet. In 1870 a part of the town of Watervliet, which
had been included in the old boundaries of Colonie, was annexed to
Albany. The city of Cohoes was set off from the town of Watervliet
in 1869. The other territorial changes which have been made within
the past two years will be noticed further on.
The surface of this town is chiefly upland and rises to a height of from
200 to 300 feet above the Hudson River. The declivities of the uplands
are broken by many gullies which have been worn out by the streams.
The intervale extending along the river with a width of about half a
mile, has a rich and fertile alluvial soil and is frequently overflowed by
freshets. The soil of the uplands is a light and sandy loam. Quarries
of the graywacke stone furnish excellent building and flagging material.
Bog iron ore has been found in a few localities, and there are several mild
sulphur and chalybeate springs within the town, the waters of which
have been used to some extent. The principal streams in the town,
aside from the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, are Patroon's Creek and its
tributaries in the southern part, the Sandy Kill, Lisha's Kill, Town
Branch, Schauline Creek, Donker Kill, Dry Branch, Ralger Kill, and
Red Creek.
At Cohoes the Mohawk flows over a rocky declivity seventy eight
feet high, about half of which distance is nearly perpendicular. The
banks above and below the falls are high and precipitous. Here an
immense water power has been developed and applied to extensive
manufacturing industries.
1 In reference to the village incorporation the following is quoted from the session laws of
1804: "An act to vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of thai pari of the
Town of Water Vliet, in the County <>f Albany, commonly called the Colonic, which was ini
rated, April 9, 1804, as follows: 'Lying on the west bank of Hudson's River, in the northeast
bounds of the City of Albany, extending north about three-fourths of a mile to Mill Creek;
thence west one mile up along said creek; thence southerly with aline parallel to the said rivet-
till it strikes the north bounds of said city; thence easl to the place of beginning.' " The village
was to elect rive persons as trustees, who were empowered to maki by-laws, levy taxes and per-
form other duties; a treasurer, collector and five assessors were also to
holders. The lirsi town meeting was held at the house of William Kane, in April, 1809, no records
of which can be found.
396
The Champlain Canal was opened southward to the village of Water-
ford in November, 1822, and fully completed in September of the fol-
lowing year. It extends from Lake Champlain to the Erie Canal at a
point a little north of West Troy. The Erie Canal, finished in 1825,
crosses the eastern part of this town in a northerly and southerly direc-
tion, passing through Cohoes and West Troy. It rises from the Hudson
through Cohoes by a series of eighteen locks to the most northerly
portion of the town, 188 feet above tide. There it crosses the river
into Saratoga county in a stone aqueduct 1,137^ feet long, twenty-
six feet high, which rests on twenty-six piers.
The first settlements in the territory now included in the town of
Watervliet, as well as in other parts of the great Manor of Rensselaer-
wyck, the trading operations carried on by the pioneers in early years,
and their relations with the Indians, have been quite fully treated in
earlier chapters. The richness and beauty of the lands along the Hudson
and Mohawk Rivers, and their proximity to Fort Orange, which gave them
protection, early attracted settlers to this immediate region. The first
of these located north of Albany along the river as far as the site of
Fort Schuyler, which became a part of West Troy. A map of the Van
Rensselaer Manor, made in 1767, shows that at that date there were
only 148 families located west of the Hudson River. Within the terri-
tory now embraced in the town of Watervliet the following names ap-
pear on that map : Those along the Hudson from Albany to the mouth
of the Mohawk were Jeremiah Schuyler, Peter Schuyler, Col. Philip
Schuyler, Peter Cluet (to the westward of the Schuylers), Jonas Sharp,
Guy Young, Hans Van Arnum, Jan Outhout, Henry Bullsing, Cornel-
ius Van Denbergh, and Wirt Van Denbergh. Thosealong the Mohawk
from its mouth northward were Jonas Outhout. Abram Van Denbergh,
Cornelius Van Denbergh. Lansing, Henry Lansing, Cornelius On-
derkerk, Douw Fonda, Franz Lansing, Dirk Hemstraet. At the Boght
were Hans Lansing, William Liverse, Jan Douwve Fonda (with Fred-
erick Clute and Wynans on colonial lands). Along the Mohawk
west of the Boght were Daniel Van Olinda, Jacob Clute, Bastian Visher,
Jacob Freltie, Diederick Scheffer, Martys Bovee, Fransway Bovie, Hans
Heemstraet, Bastian Cregier, Duyvepagh, Simon Groet, Hans
Cluet, Robert Canier. In the northwest corner were Consaloe,
397
Hans Consaloe, Isaac Truax, The following lived over the Manor line:
Cluet, John Schuyler, Nicholas Hallenbeck, and Glen Braat. On
the sand road to Schenectady were John Richies, at the Knil ; Christie
at the Sandbergh, and one family at the Verfbergh.1 This list gives a
clear idea of the early comers who leased lands of the Patroon and laid
the foundation of homes.
The old Schuyler mansion is still standing on the west bank of the
Hudson River, near the southern boundary of West Troy. It was erected
about 1768, and replaced and stands on the old foundation of the still
earlier building that was burned. The first structure was erected
probably before 1700. In 1672 Philip Schuyler, father of Col. Peter
Schuyler, purchased a large tract of land of the Patroon, which included
territory within the southern limits of what became West Troy and ex-
tended over part of the flats still farther south. These flat lands were used
for agricultural purposes as early as 1642, and were occupied from that
date to 1660 by Arent Van Curler, and after him by Richard Van Rens-
selaer. On September 14, 1691, Peter Schuyler, son of Philip, married
Maria Van Rensselaer, sister of Killian Van Rensselaer, the Patroon,
and in April, 171 1, took up his residence in the mansion. At that
time the main road from Albany ran between the residence and the
river. For a time during Col. Schuyler's occupancy of the mansion
public safety was greatly endangered by French and Indian hos-
tility, but through Colonel Schuyler's friendship and influence with
the latter, serious outbreak was averted or mitigated. This fact gave
him a commanding position in the colony. Hence, when it was decided
to send a delegation of Indian chiefs to England, to see the sovereign
of that nation and thus gain their further alliance, Col. Schuyler was
selected to accompany them. After considerable difficulty the chiefs
consented to go, provided their friend, in whom they implicitly trusted,
would be their escort. The expedition was in every way successful
and the chiefs were much gratified with their reception by Queen Anne
and her court. The English sovereign desired to confer knighthood
upon Colonel Schuyler, an honor which he respectfully declined as out
of keeping with his present habits and surroundings. In [719 Philip
1 The reader will ni>i Dames, which lias materially changed in
recenl years.
398
Schuyler, eldest son of Colonel Peter, married Catalina Schuyler, his
cousin, whose father had been for a number of years mayor of Albany.
Upon the death of his father Philip Schuyler became owner of the lands
and the mansion, and rose to prominence in public affairs; was a mem-
ber of the Colonial Assembly, a colonel in the army and the first per-
son to raise a body of soldiers in the interior of the province to join in
the French and Indian war. Colonel Philip Schuyler died in February,
1758, leaving a widow, but no children. The property was devised to
the widow during her lifetime and thereafter to go to his nephew, Peter
Schuyler, who was an orphan and who had lived with the Colonel. The
old mansion has always remained in the Schuyler family and is still a
landmark of great interest.
With few exceptions the early settlers were Dutch, and in the fore-
going list are found many of the names of families that have ever since
been prominent in this vicinity and many whose descendants are still
among the foremost men of Albany and Rensselaer counties. Of some
of these it is proper to speak more in detail.
The Lansing family is descended from Hendrick Lansing, of the town
of Hasselt, Province of Overyssel. He had a son, Gerret,1 who was an
early settler at Beverwyck and died before October, 1679. This Gerret
was father of Hendrick, Gerrit, and Johannes (sons), and Hilletie, who
married Storm Van Derzee, son of Albert Andriesen Bradt ; Alltie,
who married Gerrit Van Slichtenhorst ; Gysbertie, who married Hen-
drick Janse Roseboom. From these children have originated the vari-
ous Lansing families of the country. Hendrick Lansing, son of the
first Gerret, was in Albany as early as 1666, and died in July, 1709.
He had a son Jacob who married Hellina Piuyn ; Jacob died in 1792
and his wife in 1827. Their son Hendrick J. married Lena Wynne in
1769, and their other son, Benjamin, married Mary Tymerson. The
children of the last named couple were Peter, who married Catharine
Norris ; Helen, who married Lewis Morris ; Henry B., who married
Eliza Putnam and afterward Sarah Knight ; Cornelius T., who married
Catharine Gillson and afterward Caroline Steers. This family settled
at Lisha's Kill and constitute one branch of the Lansing family.
1 This name is spelled in the records in several different ways, leaving the writer no alterna-
tive but to follow the same course.
399
Col. John V. A. Lansing came here in 1791 or 1792, married Harriet
Verplank and settled on the farm occupied in recent years by his grand-
son, Vischer Lansing. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons
married four daughters of Cornelius Groat, and the daughters married
respectively Richard J. Pearse (second, Garret L. Winne), Sebastian
Pearse, Jacob Weaver, and Jacob C. Lansing.
Gerret and Ryckert-Claas Van Vranken, sons of Claas Van Vranken,
early took up lands in Niskayuna and from them descended many fami-
lies of that name. Pctrus Van Vranken, a great-grandson of Gerret
Van Vranken, married a daughter of Dirk Groat, from which family
came the Watervliet descendants of that name.
Jacob Lansing, who had previously married Hellena Huyck, came from
Holland about 1700. He had a son John who settled in the vicinity of
the Boght, on the farm owned in recent years by Egbert Lansing.
Gerret, son of Rutger Lansing, settled on the Mohawk River above the
falls. There, in 1795, near the site of the Cohoes dam, Isaac D. F.
Lansing, a descendant, erected a large two-story brick house, and made
other improvements.
Isaac Fonda, born in Holland in 171 5, came early to this country
and in 1749 married Cornelia De Friest. He became the owner of
landed interests, portions of which still remain in possession of his de-
scendants. These are traced through his son, Isaac I., and his descend-
ants, Isaac I., jr., Cornelius I., James V. V., Daniel D., and Charles
Fonda. A part of the old Fonda house, built before the Revolution, is
still attached to a dwelling on the homestead farm. In that small room
Richard Kloet kept a tavern in Revolutionary times, and there is a
tradition that General Washington was once a guest in the old house.
Gerardus Kloet, Hendrick Rider, Jocob Lansing, and Dirk Bradt, occu-
pied lands adjoining those of the pioneer, Isaac Fonda. Other Fonda
families were those of Henry I., Isaac H., and Douw. The latter came
with his wife from Holland, and the family is now represented by de-
scendants of his sons, Abram and Douw.
Daniel Van Olinda was another early resident of the town and ob-
tained a tract of land from John De Puyster, which is described in a deed
given to Isaac Fonda.
The government lands alluded to on a preceding page, came into
400
possession of Peter P. and Gerret Van Denbergh, sons of Peter Van
Denbergh. In 1805 Peter P. gave a partition deed to his sons, Douw,
Peter G., Isaac G., and Cornelius G. Portions of this property have
remained in possession of descendants of these families to the present
time.
Jacob Cluet and his sons, Johannes J. and Jacob, were early settlers
and owned a farm north of Town-House Corners. This property passed
by deed from Stephen Van Rensselaer to Luykes Witbeck February 27,
1769. The latter had three' sons, Abram L., Gerrit, and John; from
these have descended the families of that name. The homestead has
been occupied in recent years by John L. Witbeck, grandson of John.
The land deed before alluded to was witnessed by Lucas Van Vechten,
Nicholas Cluet, and Cornelus Wendell. The names of many others
of the early and later settlers in this town will appear as we proceed.
A conspicuous element in the development of this town are the
Shakers, who began their settlement in 1775, northwest of the center
of the town, where they leased lands of the Patroon. The settlement
was founded by Ann Lee, a native of Manchester, England, where she
was born in 1726 ; she came to America with a few followers when she
was thirty-eight years old, claiming to be directed hither by a special
revelation. Her companions in immigration were her husband, Abra-
ham Stanley, her brother William Lee, James Whittaker, John Hock-
nell, Richard Hocknell, James Shepherd, Mary Partington, and Nancy
Lee. Arriving in this country, they sought temporary employment
wherever they could find it, at the same time planning to establish a
permanent home. For the latter purpose John Hocknell and William
Lee came into this county and arranged for their land, while the others
remained temporarily in Albany. Soon after their arrival Mother Ann
Lee separated from her husband, Abraham Stanley, on account of his
misdoings. John Hocknell returned from England with his family,
December 25, 1775, and was met in New York by Mother Ann. They
remained there until the following February and then came to their
lands in Watervliet and spent the summer in clearing portions of it and
establishing their home. They labored zealously and held their meetings
there three and a half years, when they were ready to give their testi-
mony to the world in the spring of 1780. In this year their member-
401
ship was increased and many came to their meetings from a distance,
particularly from New Lebanon. Remaining non-combatants in the
then existing war, they were accused of being traitors and Mother Ann
and a number of her followers were placed in prison in Albany. The
result of this action was not what was anticipated, for it served to create
sympathy for the unoffending Shakers. Regarded as fanatics and en-
emies of the country, it was next sought to put an end to the sect by
separating Mother Ann from her followers. About the middle of
August, 1780, she was sent down the river, landed at Poughkeepsieand
imprisoned. In the following December those who had been imprisoned
at Albany were released without trial, and immediately visited Mother
Ann. Through their prompt and persistent intercession she was re-
leased about the last of December of that year, thus ending Shaker per-
secution in this State.
It was to be renewed, however, in another locality. In May, 1781,
Mother Ann and part of her followers visited Harvard, in Massachu-
setts. There the old charges were reiterated and new ones of living in
debauchery and practicing witchcraft were brought against them. The
consequences were not unlike those experienced in Albany; much
sympathy was awakened for the Shakers, their testimony was extended
and numbers joined the faith. In July, 1783, they returned westward,
visiting the other societies. In 1784 the society suffered a great loss,
first in the death of Elder William Lee. in July, and later, on Septem-
ber 8, in the death of Mother Ann Lee. Elder James Whittaker suc-
ceeded her in the ministry and the society continued to prosper. In
the fall of 1785 the first house of worship was erected, which is still
standing. Father James (as he was called) died July 20, 1787, and was
succeeded in the ministry by Joseph Meacham and Lucy Wright, the
latter being the first appointed leader in the female line. Under their
ministration the people were gathered into a united body and gradually
assumed church relations with the New Lebanon Shakers, finally
uniting all their interests, spiritual and temporal.
The society now comprises four so-called families, known as the
Church family, the North family, the West family, and the South family,
numbering in all about 300 persons. The society owns about 3,000 acres
of land, which is under excellent cultivation and well stocked. The dwell-
51
402
ings, offices, stores, shops and farm buildings are plain, substantial
structures and well kept. Water power and steam are used for manu-
facturing purposes, and all Shaker products bear a high reputation in
markets.
Their belief may be substantially epitomized as follows ; They believe
in the second coming of Christ ; that all will become heirs of Christ
when fitted by self denial ; that Jesus became the Christ at his baptism ;
in a life of consecrated celibacy; in non-interference in politics, non-
resistance and non-combativeness in war. Their moral training is
strict in every direction ; this with industry and sobriety has brought to
them a high degree of prosperity. A post-office with the name,
"Shakers," was established many years ago, and the settlement is a
place of considerable resort in summer, over the Shaker road from
Albany.
With the close of the Revolutionary war the New England element
came into the population of this town, as it did to some extent in other
parts of the county, bringing the characteristics of enterprise, activity
and thrift which have distinguished them wherever they have settled.
Public improvements were rapidly inaugurated, schools and churches
multiplied, manufactures were established and the never ceasing march
of progress began.
Although the territory of this town was not directly invaded by the
British during the war of the Revolution, it will be correctly inferred
that the inhabitants felt the most lively interest in the struggle, and
many took an active part therein. The gallant career of General Schuyler
is well known and has already been touched upon in these pages.
Among others who participated in the war were Henry Ostrom, who
was a captain of militia; and Jacob and Gerret Lansing. So too in the
war of 1 8 1 2, Watervliet furnished the required quota of men, either by
volunteer or draft. The names of the following men who took part in that
war are recorded : Andrew Chadwick, Henry Runkle, Frederick Roff,
Tohn G. Lansing, John Van Aernum, Lansing Fonda, John Cory, David
Turner, John Steenburgh and his brother, Timothy Hodgeman, Stephen
Culver, Jeremiah and Gerret Clute, and Wynant Van Denbergh. In
the late war of the Rebellion, also! the patriotism of the town was
403
clearly demonstrated in the promptness with which response was made
to each of the calls of the government for volunteers, the conspicuous
features of which period have been treated in an earlier chapter.
The close of the war of the Revolution found the people of the country
ready and willing to enter upon public improvements, as well as to labor
with renewed energy for the founding of peaceful and happy homes. One
of the earliest of the large undertakings which had a marked influence
upon this immediate locality was the construction of the canal and locks
of the Northern Inland Lock and Navigation Company, chartered in
1792, which has already been described in these pages. It was a fore-
runner of the Erie Canal. What was known as the old Cherry Val'ey
Turnpike was placed in the control of a corporation through legislation
in 1798, though the road extending from Albany to Cherry Valley,
Utica and Rome, had been in use many years previous to that date.
The first act was soon repealed and in 1799 a second one was passed
chartering a corporation to improve the State road, as it was called,
from the house of John Weaver in Watervliet to Cherry Valley. The
incorporators were William North, John Taylor, Abram Ten Eyck,
Charles R. Webster, Calvin Cheeseman, Zenas Penio, Ephraim Hudson,
Joseph White, Elihu Phinney, and Thomas Machin.
In the spring of 1802 a bill passed the Legislature constituting John
Lansing, jr., Stephen Van Rensselaer, Stephen Lush, Dudley Walsh,
Garret W. Van Schaick, Daniel Hall, John Taylor, Abraham Oadthout
(Oothout) and Joseph C. Yeates, a corporation to construct a turnpike
between the cities of Albany and Schenectady; the capital stock was
$200,000. This road was not to interfere with the old State road be-
tween these cities. It was a costly turnpike and then the best highway
in the country. For many years it was a source of profit, in face of the
fact that it cost in all about $180,000; but the building of the Erie Canal
lessened its importance and greatly curtailed the freighting by wagon.
It is stated that in 1803 there were on the line of this road twenty-eight
taverns of various kinds, to the open doors of which the old stages and
the hundreds of wagons which traveled westward and return, drew up
for refreshment.
The Troy and Schenectady Turnpike Company was incorporated
404
April 2, 1802, by George Tibbits, Ephraim Morgan, Abraham Oothout,
and their associates. This turnpike was constructed and was largely
used for travel and freight, until the canal and the railroads robbed it of
much of its usefulness.
An act incorporating the Watervliet Turnpike Company was passed
March 31, 1828. Thomas Hillhouse, Jeremiah Schuyler, Robert Dun-
lap and their associates were authorized to construct a road " from the
north boundary line of the city line of Albany to the upper ferry oppo-
site the city of Troy." This turnpike was constructed in first class
manner and became a very popular drive.
Among the plank roads of this town was that of the Watervliet
Plank Road Company, which was incorporated and the road built in
1850; it extended from Buffalo street north through Broad street (now
Broadway) to Auburn street, where it crossed the canal and thence on
to Cohoes. The road never paid dividends and was abandoned after ten
years of use.
The Albany and Mohawk Flank Road Company extended across a
part of the town of Watervliet and was built previous to 1850. It was
one of the last of those highways in the State to be abandoned, which
took place April, 1896.
What is now Broadway in West Troy was originally a turnpike road
and was called the Whitehall Turnpike, and also the Northern Turn-
pike. It was an important thoroughfare and one of the early post
routes.
Manufacturing operations in this town, outside of those described in
the history of West Troy (now Watervliet city), Green Island and
Cohoes, have not been very important. In the early years of settle-
ment saw mills were numerous and several small grist mills were erect-
ed. Many of these have passed away. The Shakers had a grist mill
and a saw mill very early in the century. Caldwell, Frazier & Co. had
a factory and a Mr. Muir a cloth works on Mill Creek as early as 1803.
The Lansings had a saw mill on Lisha's Kill. Other grist and saw
mills were built at an early period on Town Creek near its junction with
the Mohawk. On the same stream, near Watervliet Center, a woolen
factory was established and operated by the Waterburys. Truman G.
Younglove built in 1866 a large brick straw board mill just below the
405
Cohoes Company's dam and near the city line. There were situated
also lime and cement kilns and the Lansing grist mill. The lime
and cement works were started in 1869 by the Capitol Lime and
Cement Company, composed of Truman G. Younglove, George Stew-
art, and David T. Lamb, of Waterford, and Henry Dunsback, of
Crescent. The grist mill was originally owned by Gerrit Lansing and
later by I. D. F. Lansing.
The oldest settled hamlet in this town is Boght (or Groesbeck's Cor-
ners) in the northeastern corner in the bend of the Mohawk, from
which it takes its Dutch name. This locality and the vicinity of the
Aqueduct were settled by Van Den Bergh, Van De Mark, Fonda,
Clute, Van Vranken and Lansing families in the early years, and later
by William Groesbeck, the Simons, Godfrey, Roff, Dunsback and Runkel
families. North of the Boght is the aqueduct, where a post office of
that name is located, and farther north is the Dunsback Ferry across
the Mohawk. John Van De Mark kept an early tavern here. There
is little business at these points.
Town House Corners (known in later years as Van Vranken's and
still later and down to the present time as Latham's Corners) is a hamlet
at the crossing of the Loudonville road and the Troy and Schenectady
turnpike, six miles north of Albany. This neighborhood was early
settled by Van Den Bergh, Witbeck, Van Olinda, Van Vranken. Oothout,
and Markle families. Early taverns were kept by Joseph Yearsley and
Myndert Van Denbergh. Dr. Jonas Wade settled here in 1806 and
was a successful physician and useful citizen many years.
Watervliet Center is a small hamlet, with post-office by that name,
in the north central part of the town, on the Troy and Schenectady
turnpike, two miles north of the Shaker settlement. There has for
many years been a small mercantile business here and a few shops.
The vicinity was early settled by the Witbeck, Orlop, Van Vranken, Groat,
P'ero, Fraley, Sickles, and Fort families, the latter at Fort's Ferry.
Later comers were the Chamberlains, Gallagers, Weatherwax, Cragiers,
and Lewis Morris; the latter came about 1835, built a hotel, a store
and several shops of which he was proprietor. The woolen factory of
Henry Waterbury, before mentioned, was near here on the Town Creek,
and on the same stream near Fort's Ferry were the Shaker mills.
406
Lisha's Kill is a post-office and hamlet in the northwestern corner of the
town, on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike, nine miles from Albany.
The first settler here was Jacob Lansing, from whom are descended
many families of that name. Another settler here was John V. A.
Lansing, who came in 1792, and has many descendants in this vicinity.
Others were the Van Benthuysen, Ostrom, Van Zandt, Groat, Bulson,
Campbell, and Stanford families. Charles Stanford kept a tavern
on the turnpike as early as 1803, and was an enterprising and useful
citizen, and father of Ex-Senator Stanford of California. The post-office
was established about 1830, with Lewis Morris postmaster ; he also kept
a store. Jacob Morris succeeded him and was followed in 1848 by
Peter Lansing, who held the office nearly forty years. Mr. Lansing
was long a successful merchant.
Newtonville is a post-office and hamlet on the Loudon road four
miles north of Albany. The post-office was established here in 1850
and the place called Newton's Corners, in honor of John M. Newton,
who settled here about 1840, built a dwelling and afterwards a store
in which he conducted a successful business. John Holmes was the
first postmaster and held the office for more than thirty years. John
H. Kemp was a later merchant, and here was established the wagon
manufactory of James* Brewster ; he settled first at Ireland's Corners,
farther south, and removed to Newtonville in 1876, when the firm was
James Brewster & Son. Later it was James Brewster's Sons (James C.
and William H.)
Passing south on the plank road one reaches the hamlet that was form-
erly called Ireland's Corners, from Elias H. Ireland, who obtained lands
in 1832 from Mr. Van Rensselaer. The name of this pretty village was
changed to Loudonville in 1 87 1 , with post office of the same name, in
honor of Lord Loudon. It is believed that this road was used prior to
the Revolution. Jonathan Seeley Ireland, father of Elias H., had settled
in this vicinity prior to 1 832 ; he was a Methodist preacher. Charles T.
Ireland and John Ruby were also early settlers. Dr. Peter B. Noxen
located here soon after Elias H. Ireland and practiced during the re-
mainder of his life. Mr. Ireland conducted a hotel and carried on a
mercantile business in which he was successful. He died in 1870. The
post office was established about 1850, with Elias H. Ireland, postmaster.
407
Loudonville is now one of the most attractive suburbs of Albany and
many fine residences have been built by persons whose business is in
the city.
What is now known as West Albany was formerly called Spencer-
ville. It is a point of considerable manufacturing importance lying
north of Patroon's Creek and just west of the city line. It has long
been the site of extensive shops of the New York Central Railroad, and
also of extensive stock yards. The stock business was commenced here
about 1 847 by William Wolford and a Mr. Gallup, on Washington avenue
who transferred their business to the Troy road at the old Bull's Head.
Later it v as removed to what is now the end of Central avenue and
carried on by Hunter & Gallup. About i860 the business was removed
to West Albany where extensive buildings and sheds were erected.
Allerton, Dutcher & Moore were for some years proprietors of the
yards, but in November, 1868, they transferred their business to East-
man Brothers. The post-office here was established in September, 1862,
with Joseph Mather, postmaster The business transacted here has
decreased in recent years.
Between Albany and Troy is the railroad station called Menand's,
from Louis Menand, who established his present large horticultural gar-
dens and green-houses here in 1842. The Schuyler, Ten Eyck, Gor-
way, Glen, Jermain and Hillhouse families were among the early settlers
in this vicinity. The grounds originally intended for the State fair are
situated at this point. It is now a thickly settled district, many fine
residences having been erected.
Churches in the Town of Watervliet (uoiv Colonic.) — For many years
in the early settlement in this town the Reformed Dutch church was the
only organized religious body. In 1642 Rev. Johannes Megapolensis
came to Albany and labored in this region. For seventy- five years
this faith was the ruling one in this colony, and for 140 years services
were conducted in the language of Holland. In 1716 the first Epis-
copal church west of the Hudson River was established, which was fol-
lowed by the first Presbyterian church in 1761 or 1762 The New
York Charter of Liberties contained the following : "No person pro-
fessing faith in God by Jesus Christ shall at any time be in any ways
disquieted or questioned for any difference of opinion." There is the
408
very foundation stone of freedom of religious thought and belief. The
Dutch company was bound to give churches local government ; officers
were to be appointed by the directors and council and were invested
with religious privileges, as shown by the following: "No other relig-
ion was to be publicly tolerated, save that taught and exercised by the
authority of the Reformed church in the United Provinces." Member-
ship in the churches was largely controlled by ministers, and civil and
religious obedience was exacted from all. The Dutch and the English
colonists contended for religious liberty. Churches were slow to
organize in districts at all remote from Albany, for reasons that are ap
parent in the slow progress of settlement, and the poverty and ever
present necessities of the pioneers, and the disturbed condition of the
country through many long years. They met for worship, but gen-
erally in private dwellings, and the interchange of religious experience
and thought at such meetings had to suffice.
The organization of the Reformed churches in Watervliet took place
before it was constituted a town, and those of other denominations soon
followed. The Boght Reformed Dutch church in the northeastern part
of the town was organized at a very early period. A petition signed
by forty-two persons was presented to the Classis of Albany Feb-
ruary 22, 1784, and the organization was effected April 14 of that year.
It is probable that the Niskayuna church was organized about 1760,
but soon after the organization of the congregation at the Boght the
two congregations were under one pastorate. The first Consistory
of the Boght church were David Fero and Isaac Fonda, elders ; Abram
A. Fonda and Gerrit I. Lansing, deacons. Rev. E. Westerlo, of Al-
bany, was in charge of this church for some time, and in 1790 Rev.
John Demarest assumed the pastorate of the two churches. The rec-
ords during his ministry are written in Dutch. He closed his labors in
1803 at which time the connection between the two churches ceased.
Changes in the pastorate were somewhat frequent after that. In 1806
measures were adopted for the erection of a new church building, which
was completed in the following year. It stood on the road which now
forms the western boundary of Cohoes. This was used until 1847,
when the present church was erected. The land on which the parson-
age was built had been given to the church a hundred years earlier.
409
Eight acres were donated to the society and the Patroon afterwards
gave twenty-five acres on the south side of the manor line; this land
was sold in later years. The building of the new church at the Boght
caused disagreement over the site and as a consequence twenty-two
members were dismissed ; they organized the Church of Rensselaer
in the same year and built a house of worship at Van Vranken's Cor-
ners. Anniversary exercises were held commemorating the centennial
of the Boght church on April 12, 1884. The following list of the per-
sons constituting the original church is appended for its value in show-
ing who were residents of this locality at that early date :
Francis Lansing, Gerrit, Evart, Mans, Wynant, Peter, Petras, Cornelius C, Cor-
nelius :5d and Nicholas C. Van Denbergh, Gerrit Wendell, Luycas Witbeck, Jacob
Van Olinda, Johannes Lansing, Rutgers Lansing, Johannes Clute, Isaac Fonda,
Isaac H. Fonda, Timothy Hutton, Henry Fero, Christian Fero, David Fero, Jacob
I. Lansing, Dirck Heemstraat, Charles Heemstraat, Isaac Onderkerk. Andrew On-
derkerk, Johannes Fonda, Gerrit Clute, Isaac J. Fonda, Francis Cramer, Hendrick
Wendell, Abram A. Fonda, Noah Gillet, Gerrit I. Lansing, Abraham II. Lansing,
Jacob Lansing, Dirck Clute, Hendrick Fonda, Jacob D. Fonda, Abraham L. Wit-
beck, Abraham Onderkerk.
The first officers of the Rensselaer church, before named, were Mar-
tin Van Olinda, E. J. Lansing and A. W. Van Denbergh, elders;
Obadiah Van Denbergh, Nicholas V. V. Van Denbergh, and Henry
Van Alstine, deacons.
The people in the Lisha's Kill neighborhood in the northwestern part of
the town attended the old Niskayuna church for many years and until
about 1850. At that time the old church was sadly out of repair, and
when the question arose of expending a considerable sum of money to
place it again in good condition the inhabitants at Lisha's Kill disap-
proved, and on November 16, 1852, application was made to the Classis
of Schenectady by forty-eight members of the old church for the priv-
ilege of forming the Reformed Dutch Church of Lisha's Kill. The
organization was effected December 5 of that year at the school house
in district No. 8, and Abraham V. P. Lansing and Jeremiah Ketchum
were chosen elders ; and Joseph Consaul and Cornelius Lansing, deacons.
In the next year (1853) a brick church was erected, and in 1859 a
parsonage was built. In 1868 an addition of fifteen feet was made to
the length of the building.
410
The Baptist church at Newtonville resulted from missionary work
performed by R. M. Pease just before i860. In that year John M.
Newton, a generous citizen of Newtonville, donated a piece of land for
the church and on it a brick edifice was built. The society went out of
existence in 1869 and the property was sold.
Records of the beginning of the Congregational Society and Church
of Watervliet bear date of May, 1859. The first trustees were Van
Buren Lockrow, John Frost, Peter Steers, James Cramer, Daniel P.
Sigourney, and Henry Woolley ; Rev. James G. Cordell was the first
pastor. A church was erected which was burned May 25, 1865, but
immediately rebuilt. On December 20 of that year a resolution was
adopted " that the society assume the name of the Presbyterian Society
of Pine Grove." On February 5, 1867, the church was accepted by the
Presbytery of Albany and named "The Pine Grove Presbyterian Church
of Watervliet," and on March 29 it was thus organized by Rev. William
H. Carr, who was its pastor for a time. The elders were Van Buren
Lockrow and Daniel P. Sigourney. The church has at intervals been
without a regular pastor.
Intimately associated with the religious institutions of this town is the
Home for Aged Men, situated just north of the city line on the Van
Rensselaer boulevard. The founding of this benevolent institution was
due largely to early efforts by Mrs. Elizabeth McClure, Mrs. William B.
Gourley, and Mrs. Cornelius Ten Broeck, with William Sawyer's co-opera-
tion. After interest in the matter was thoroughly awakened a meeting
was held in November, 1875, at which a sermon appropriate to the subject
was preached by Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D.D , and the announcement was
made that at a previous meeting an organization had been effected and
officers elected. Subscriptions were persistently sought and by the
autumn of 1876 the sum of $18,000 had been accumulated. On Octo-
ber 6, 1876, the Home for Aged Men was incorporated, with the fol-
lowing trustees: John Taylor Cooper, Maurice E. Viele, William Saw-
yer, S. Visscher Talcott, Dudley Olcott, Ebenezer Halley, William Van
Antwerp, Benjamin W. Arnold, James H. McClure, James B. Jermain,
Jeremiah Waterman, and David A. Thompson. Of these John Taylor
Cooper was elected president; James B. Jermain and Jeremiah Water-
man, vice-presidents; Dudley Olcott, treasurer; David A. Thompson,
411
secretary. On the 16th of November, 1876, the trustees purchased the
present site of Mrs. Harriet Day Perry, paying $1 1,000 for the dwelling
and about four acres of land ; this amount was increased to $20,000 by
needed changes and improvements. The Home was dedicated March
28, 1878, and has accommodations for about thirty inmates.
At the time of the erection of the town of Watervliet there was no
school system in existence. Facilities for acquiring education were lim-
ited to scattering transient schools, usually miserably taught, with here
and there a so-called private school, where some young man, oftentimes
a preacher, who had received a little better education than his immediate
associates, endeavored to eke out a slender income by teaching.
In 1795, Albany county received from the State ^"1,590 for school
purposes, which was properly divided among the several towns. This
was the first effective step towards founding the free school system and has
has been described in Chapter XVI. In September, 1813, this town
was subdivided into twelve school districts. This number has been
repeatedly changed, gradually increasing, except as it may have been
decreased by reduction of the town area. In i860, for, example, there
were twenty-nine districts, while at the present time there are only twenty-
six having school houses. The towns of Watervliet, Knox, and Guilder-
land now constitute the third school commissioner district of the county.
The last report of the commissioner for the district states that many of
the school buildings of the district had undergone repairs in the pre-
ceding year, and he believed they compared favorably with those of
any district in the State.
WEST TROY— CITY OF WATERVLIK1
What has been for many years known as the village of West Troy,
but which has very recently been made the new city of Watervliet, is
situated opposite Troy city, on the west bank of the Hudson River and
extending northward to the southern " sprout " of the Mohawk, which
there empties into the Hudson forming Green Island. West Troy was
incorporated April 30, 1836, taking within its boundaries what had
previously been known as the villages of Gibbonsville, Port Schuyler,
and West Troy. Of these three only Gibbonsville was incorporated.
412
Port Schuyler was that part of the present village (or city) lying south
of the arsenal property, the land being a part of the farm of John
Schuyler and Peter Schuyler, which was purchased in 1827 of them by
Willard Earl, Jabez Burrows, Abijah Wheeler, David Wheeler, Enoch
Burrows, Gilbert C. Bedell and Jonathan Hart. These purchasers
formed the Port Schuyler Company, who, after the purchase, laid out
the land in village lots. This settlement was known still earlier as the
village of Washington, the settlement of which began at an early period,
as the Reformed Dutch church was organized at a meeting held in the
village of Washington in 18 14.
Gibbonsville was that part of West Troy lying between Port Schuyler
on the south and Buffalo street on the north, the land having been
originally owned by James Gibbons, an Albany merchant, who laid it
out in lots and gave it his name. The settlement grew and in 1824
was incorporated. It was governed by the usual village officers until
1836, when the act incorporating it was repealed by the act creating
the village of West Troy.
The trustees of Gibbonsville, elected each succeeding year, were as
follows, the first named in each instance being chosen as president at
the first meeting of the board:
1827, Elijah Ranny, Edward Learned, Isaac Chapman, James T. Morrison, Moses
Tyler; 1828, Amos Larcom, Moses Tyler, William G. Groesbeck, David Morrison,
Isaac H. Williams; 1829, Daniel T. Wandell, Isaac Chapman, David Wheeler, Moses
Tyler, Charles Learned; 1830, Jonathan II. Dyer, Hiram M. Hopkins, Levi Lincoln,
Moses Tyler, James T. Morrison; 1831, Isaac Chapman, Ephraim Baldwin, Hiram
M. Hopkins, William P. Hall, David Wheeler; 1832, William G. Groesbeck, Moses
Tyler, .Smith Ballon, Jonathan H. Dyer, Zachariah Graver; 1833, Isaac Chapman,
Henry Thalhimer, Zachariah Craver, John Tisdall, Leonard Hannnm; 1834, Isaac
Chapman, Charles Learned, John B. Chollar, Eben Jones. Benjamin Brown; 1835,
Edward Learned, Martin Witbeck, John C. Green, Jonathan H. Dyer.
Previous to its incorporation West Troy was that part of the present
village lying north of ISuffalo street and south of the northern boundary
line established by the act of incorporation. This was the old line
dividing the farms of John Bleeker x and Volkert Oothout. The West
Troy site was originally the farm of John Bleeker and was purchased of
him in 1823 by a number of capitalists associated as the West Troy
Company. The deed transferred about 400 acres of land, with some
1 In the old records this name is spelled as here; in later times it has been spelled " Bleeeker."
MERLIN J. ZEH, M. D.
413
small reservations, to George Tibbetts, Nathan Warren and Richard
Hart, of Troy, and Philip Schuyler, of Saratoga, as trustees; their
associates were Esaias Warren, Stephen Warren, Jacob Merritt, George
Vail, Samuel Gale, Ebenezer Wiswall, Elias Pattison, Philip Hart, jr.,
John D. Dickinson, John P. Cushman, John Paine, Theodore F. French,
and William Hart. The consideration was $45,000. That part of the
tract lying east of West street was laid out in village lots and streets,
while the remainder was laid out in so-called farm lots of ten to twenty-
five acres each ; most of the latter lots have since been subdivided and
built upon. At the date of the purchase there was no building on the
tract of any account excepting a small two-story tavern ; this stood
on the site of the Rath block of recent times, and may have been
erected before the Revolution. The act incorporating West Troy di-
vided the village into four wards and the first village election was or-
dered to be held on the first Tuesday in May, 1836. It was so held
and the following persons were elected president and trustees: Presi-
dent, Edward Learned ; trustees, Thomas Evans, Jonathan Hart, First
ward; Isaac Chapman, Hiram M. Hopkins, Second ward; Samuel E.
Ford, Henry Kimberly, Third ward ; Abram Van Arnam, jr., Joseph
Twist, Fourth ward. The number of votes polled at this election was
476. The inspectors of election were Alva W. Rockwell, David D.
Abrams, and Albert S. Blackman, First ward ; Isaac Chapman, Martin
Witbeck and John C. Green, Second ward ; Samuel E. Ford, John T.
Van Alstyne and Andrew Meneely, Third ward ; Abel W. Richardson,
Abraham Van Arnam, jr., and Alexander S. Lobdell, Fourth ward.
All of these early officials were then leading men in the community.
For some years after its incorporation the village grew quite rapidly.
The establishment in Gibbonsville of the United States Arsenal in 1813,
the opening of the Erie Canal through the place and its enlargement,
which was in progress in 1836, contributed to the prosperity of the new
village. The first purchase of the United States from Mr. Gibbons
comprised twelve acres; to this was added thirty acres more in 1828;
the price of the first tract was $2,585, and of the second, $9,622. The
deed of 181 3 mentions Beaver street and Albany street, showing that
some part of that village was laid out prior to that year ; but most of
the survey of lots and streets was made in 1828. In what was the vil-
414
lage of Washington (afterwards Port Schuyler) a canal, known as the
lower side cut, was constructed from the river to the Erie Canal. Later
the proprietors of West Troy constructed a canal, beginning at the
south side of the side-cut at Union street between Broadway and the
Erie Canal, and extending south to the north side of Genesee street,
where it turned and ran into the Erie ; there a dry dock was built. This
canal was ultimately filled up. The West Troy people also contem-
plated another canal to begin at the west side of the Erie at Union street,
extending through that street to West street, through West to the South
side of Genesee, where it was to turn east and extend into Burlington
street, thence through Burlington to Canal street (now Central avenue),
and thence east through Canal street to the Erie. It was never built,
but the intention is commemorated in the extra width of Union, Bur-
lington and Canal streets. The first weigh lock for the Erie Canal was
built in 1825 on the south side of Union street a little west of Broad-
way, and the weighing was done by the measurement of water drawn
from one reservoir to another, in one of which the boat was stationed.
It did not prove reliable and was soon superseded by scales of a crude
pattern; these were followed in 1853 by the present improved weigh-
lock. The canal was so far completed in October, 1823, as to allow
boats to run from Gibbonsville to Rochester. This is shown by the
following from the Troy Sentinel of October 10, 1823 :
The opening of the Erie Canal on Wednesday, October 8, 1823, was celebrated by
the people of Troy in the following practical manner. When the procession of boats
from the junction of the northern and western canals had passed on to Albany,
according to the order of arrangements previously made, the Trojan Trader, a west-
ern freight boat, came down to the bridge near the Gibbonsville basin, opposite this
city, and took on board the first load of merchandise sent from the Hudson west on
the Erie Canal. ... As the side cut into the river opposite to Troy was not yet
done, and as the junction canal, though completed and tilled with water, could not
yet be opened, so as to permit the Trojan Trader to come around by Waterford,
down the Hudson, to be loaded at the wharf, it became necessary to transport the
goods on wheels across the river to the place of embarkation on the main trunk of
the canal. Accordingly, in the morning, this necessity being intimated to the car-
men of Troy, with an alacrity highly honorable to their public spirit, they volun-
teered their services with one accord, to take the goods over. After loading their
teams, they proceeded in two divisions to the two ferries, and being, through the
liberality of Mr. Vanderheyden, the proprietor of the two ferries, taken across in his
horse boats, toll free, they had the goods all on the bank of the canal by five o'clock.
Several of our citizens lent their assistance to load the boat, and at two o'clock the
415
Trader, having on board upwards of twenty-five tons of merchandise, with her flag
flying, and amid the cheers of assembled Trojans, started for the west. The Trojan
Trader is commanded by Captain Brace ; she is bound for Rochester, and on her flag
are painted the following words: "From Troy; the first western boat loaded at
Hudson River."
These three villages which formed West Troy in 1836 would have
doubtless been more active through the influence of the canal, had it
not been for the fact that as a rule all first- class passengers going to or
from Albany did not pass through the village ; they took or left the
boats, as the case might be, at Schenectady, between which place and
Albany ran a regular line of coaches, which shortened the time required
to make the trip on the canal.
The side cut opposite to Troy, mentioned in the foregoing extract,
was finished on Saturday, November 15, 1823. In the afternoon the
locks were ready, the water was let in, and the packet Superior, with a
large party of citizens on board, passed through and crossed the river
to Troy ; two freight boats followed, one loaded with staves and the
other with wheat.
It has been incidentally stated that there were two ferries across the
river when the canal was opened. One of these was at the foot of
Ferry street, and was called the Gibbonsville ferry ; the other was at
the foot of Canal street (now Central avenue), which was called the
West Troy ferry. Both of these were undoubtedly owned at one
period by Derrick Y. Van Derheyden. The West Troy Ferry was sub-
sequently purchased by the West Troy Company. The date at which
it was established is unknown, but Van Derheyden purchased the land
on which the city of Troy stands in 1707, and the ferry may have been
established soon afterward. In 1794 it was being operated by his son,
Jacob D. Van Derheyden. It was over this ferry that the American
troops crossed in 1777 to take part in the battle at Stillwater.
In 1807 Daniel T. Wandell, of Troy, established what is known as
the Middle Ferry, from a point near Buffalo street, to a point on the
Troy side a little south of Division street. This ferry was sold in 1810
to Derrick Y. Van Derheyden, who thereupon discontinued it. For
some time prior to 1834 Mr. Wandell was superintendent of the Gib-
bonsville and the West Troy ferries. Some of the early ferry boats
were operated by horse power, the horse being stationed on the boat
41G
and supplying the power that turned the paddles. This kind of boat
was the invention of a Mr. Langdon and was first used in 1819. The
first steam ferry boat was run over the West Troy ferry by Mr Wandell
about 1833 ; but it did not prove successful and was abandoned. Soon
after the purchase of the Van Derheyden ferry by the West Troy Com-
pany, they purchased also the Gibbonsville ferry and discontinued it,
their intention being to force the line of travel farther up town.
The three ferries now running are, the oldest at the foot of Cen-
tral avenue, commonly known as the Mark Ferry; another from the
southerly point of Green Island near the foot of Union street, owned
by Thomas Rath, John Reiley and Joseph McLean ; and the third from
a point a little north of North street, near the Arsenal ; this one is
owned and operated by Clark W. Delano and Frederick T. Hathaway.
The iron highway bridge at the foot of Genesee street to the foot of
Congress street in Troy was built by the Troy and West Troy Bridge
Company, incorporated April 23, 1872 ; the bridge was completed Oc-
tober 1, 1874, the entire cost being $350,000.
West Troy was in early years a center of a large river business in
both passenger and freight traffic on sailing vessels called either sloops,
schooners or scows, according to their style of construction. Passenger
traffic by sailing vessel was abandoned before the village incorporation
in 1836; but from about 1830 to 1845 an immense trade was carried
on in lumber, which came down the canal, was unloaded here and re-
loaded on the sailing vessels for points further down the river. About
130 of these vessels were engaged in this business at one time at this
village. The docks were situated north of Genesee street and south of
Buffalo street. Between those streets at that time the river front was
not filled in. The following is a list of vessels of West Troy, with the
names of their masters :
Sloops. — American Banner, Capt. Thomas Rafferty ; Active, Capt. Butler Hubbard ;
Burlington, Capt. Silas Betts; Samuel Brewster, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock; Belve-
dere, Capt. Peter Hicks; Commodore Rogers, Capt. James Warford ; Clarissa, Capt.
George Collins; Clinton, Capt. Robert Robinson; Currier, Capt. Thomas Anderson ;
Conveyance, Capt. Stephen Washburn, sr. ; David D. Crane, Capt. Asahel W. Gil-
bert; Don Ramone, Capt. Harlow Rhodes; Fox, Capt. Stephen Washburn, sr. ;
Henry Gage, Capt. William Lobdell ; Highlander, Capt. William Crawford; James
North, Capt. William Foot; Juno. Capt. John Silliman ; Kinderhook, Capt. James
Warford; Leader, Capt. William Wood; Jane McCoy, Capt. Andrew Foster ; Martha
417
Ann, Capt. James Hardy; Minerva, (.'apt. John King; William Mayo, Capt. Meneely
Hitchcock; Mechanic, Capt. Isaac Hubbard; North America, Capt. Daniel Curtis;
Miriam, Capt. Isaac R. Getty; Pilot, Capt. John King; Ranger, Capt. David King;
Peter Ritter, Capt. Charles Mead; Superior, Capt. Isaac R. Getty; Shepherdess,
Capt. Patrick Lamb; Senator, Capt. Isaac Hitchcock; Pierre Van Cortlandt, Capt.
Jacob Young; Robert Wiltsey, Capt. William Harvey; John Ward, Capt. Alfred
Mosher.
Schooners, — Thomas H. Benton, Capt. John Garrahan ; Ballston, Capt. William
Wood; Cadmus, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock; Eleanor, Capt. John Evertsen ; Isaac
Merritt, Capt. James Wood; Mary Anna, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; Meridan, Capt.
Henry Evertsen; Miller, Capt. Medad Wood; Commodore Porter, Capt. Richard
McLaughlin; Regulator, Capt. Henry Finch; Andrew Stewart, Capt. Asahel W.
Gilbert; David Smith, Capt. James Farrell; Stranger, Capt. Edward Lane; Ann S.
Salter, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; Caleb Wright, Capt. Jonathan Patridge.
Scows. — Grampus, Capt. Washington Mowry; Hercules, Capt. James Hitchcock ;
Ohio, Capt. Hiram Tinslar; United States, Capt. Stephen Washburn, jr.; Globe,
Capt. James Hillis.
Of the captains above mentioned only a few now remain residents of
this village, the greater number having died, while a few have removed.
Among those now living and residing here may be mentioned Isaac
R. Getty and Asahel W. Gilbert.
Captain Getty was born at Lansingburgh, Rensselaer count}', N. Y ,
November 24, 1807, and began his life upon the river when seventeen
years of age, and came to West Troy to reside in 1838. He followed
the river for fifty-five years, and is now the oldest river captain residing
in this village. At different times during the period of fifty-five years
during which he was upon the river he was master of seven different
sailing vessels and of eleven different steam vessels.
Captain Gilbert was born in Troy in 18 19, and followed the river
from 1829 to 1870, coming to West Troy to reside in 1 845. During
the time he followed the river he was at different periods captain of ten
different sailing vessels and five steam vessels. He also built and sold
a number of sailing crafts.
The village of West Troy was divided into four school districts, each
ward constituting a district, the First ward beino district No I ; the Sec-
ond ward district No. 2 ; the Third ward district No. 20, and the fourth
ward district No. 9. This system was established in 1S13. The first school
house in district No. I was in what became Port Schuyler ; that for district
No. 2 in Gibbonsville ; that for district No. 9 was out in the country.
No. 20 was created some years later from No. 2. With the growth of
53
418
the village additional school buildings were erected and the West Troy
Union School district was formed. There are now two school buildings
at Port Schuyler; two in the Second ward ; one each in the Third and
Fourth wards, and one leased at Port Schuyler and one in the First
ward.
The first fire department in West Troy consisted some thirty years
ago of three hand engines and two hook and ladder companies, with
names as follows: Rip Van Winkle Engine Company No. I, Protection
Engine Company No. 2, and Conqueror Engine Company No. 3 ;
Hercules Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and Spartan Hook and
Ladder Company No. 2. The old hand engines long ago went out of
service. From the date of the incorporation of the village down to 1881
the fire department was under control of the trustees of the village. In
that year a board of fire commissioners was created by act of the Leg-
islature. There are at present in existence the Oswold Hose Company
No. 1, organized in 1859; the Michael Kelly Hose Company No 2,
organized in 1870; Thomas Mclntyre Hose Company No. 3, organized
in 1873; Protection Hose Company No. 4, organized in 1878; S J.
Gleason Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, organized in 1872. The
first steam fire engine was purchased by the village in 1864 and the
company organized to take charge of it was called James Roy No. 1.
In 1867 a second steamer was purchased and James Duffy Company
No. 2 organized to take charge of it. In 1873 the third and last steamer
was purchased and Martin Tierney Company No. 3 organized.
The West Troy Water Works Company was incorporated in 1876,
the supply being taken from the Mohawk in the extreme northeast part
of the town, whence it is pumped into a reservoir on the hill about a
mile west of the Arsenal ; from thai it flows by gravity through the vil-
lage mains. The cost of the system was about $275,000, and the water
is largely used. The first board of directors of the company were
George R. Meneely, Alfred Mosher, George M. Wiswall, Jesse C. Day-
ton, Lorenzo D. Collins, John Reiley, George Tweddle, William B.
Williams, Richard S. Lobdell, and George B. Mosher. The company
has recently been reorganized, with new officers, and is planning for
large extension of the system. With the introduction of this water
419
supply the steam fire engines of the village were largely disused, though
two of them are at the present time kept in commission on account of
the weak pressure of the water in the mains.
West Troy was without a regular organized police force until 1865,
when the Capitol Police District was organized under legislative act,
embracing Albany, Troy, Schenectady, West Troy, Green Island, Lans-
ingburgh, Cohoes and Greenbush with certain parts of the towns of
Watervliet and North Greenbush. This district was divided into the
Troy Division and the Albany Division ; West Troy was included in
the Troy Division, over which John M. Landon was the first deputy
superintendent. The first officers and patrolmen were as follows:
Captain, Lansing Clute ; sergeant, Abram E. Lansing; patrolmen, C.
Spencer Loomis, Richard Crooks, Martin V. B. Jones, James Smith,
Charles H. Cary, John W. Decker, and Patrick Rogers. By a legisla-
tive act of 1870 the Capitol Police District act was repealed as far it
applied to this village and the West Troy police force was established.
The village electors were authorized to elect four police commissioners,
the first board being Ebenezer Scoville, John I. Winne, William C.
Durant, and Isaac R. Getty. This board organized the force with James
O. Wood, captain, and Sylvan us K. Jefferson, sergeant. The force now
comprises twelve men.
The building known as Corporation Hall was erected in 1864 at a
cost of $20,000. It contains apartments for the fire department, the
meeting room of the trustees, etc.
The West Troy Gas Light Company was incorporated in January,
1853, by Richard S. Lobdell, A. V. Barringer, Morgan L. Taylor, Al-
bert Richards, and E. H. St. John, the capital stock being $100,000. In
the previous year John Lockwood and A. V. Barringer, under the firm
name of John Lockwod & Co , obtained from the village an exclusive
franchise to lay gas mains in the streets and build gas works. In No-
vember, 1853, this company assigned its rights to the West Troy Gas
Light Company. In the same year the company obtained a franchise
to lay gas mains in the streets of Green Island. In February, 1S53,
Albert Richards was elected president of the company; Morgan L.
Taylor, secretary, and Richard S. Lobdell, treasurer. On April I, 1854,
William L. Oswald was appointed superintendent of the company. The
420
company manufactured gas until 1876, when it discontinued and began
buying its gas of the People's Gas Light Company of Albany. In De-
cember, 1887, the Municipal Gas Company of Albany purchased the
property of the West Troy Company, the People's Gas Light Com-
pany having meanwhile become merged in the Municipal Company.
The first newspaper printed in the village. of which there is any rec-
ord was the West Troy Advocate, founded in September, 1837, by
William Hollands. He died in 1853, when his son, William Hollands,
jr., continued the paper until July, 1864, when it was discontinued. In
January, i860, Allen Corey began the publication of the Albany
County Democrat, and continued it until July, 1 884 In May, 1 880, James
Treanor started the Watervliet Journal. In July, 1884, he purchased
the Albany County Democrat, consolidated the two papers under the
name of the Journal and Democrat, and continued connected with the
publication until his death in 1896. At this time the firm of Treanor
& Hardin carry on the business. The paper is a well edited and pros-
perous journal.
A newspaper called the Palladium was published for a time about
1832 by the Warren Brothers, who also conducted a book and sta-
tionery store.
The first bank in the village was incorporated in 1836, with the name
of the Watervliet Bank, and the following officers: John C Schuyler,
jr., president; Edward Learned, vice-president; Egbert Olcott, cashier;
Gerrit T. Witbeck, teller ; George M. Wheeler, clerk ; the capital stock
was $100,000. This institution failed in 1841. The National Bank of
West Troy was incorporated under the State laws in February, 1852,
and began business on May 1, of that year, with the name, Bank of
West Troy. The capital stock was $200,000. The incorporators were
John Knickerbacker, James Van Schoonhoven, James Roy, E. Thomp-
son Gale, John Cramer, Joseph M. Haswell, William Sands, George H.
Cramer, and Ferdinand J. Suydam ; these men constituted the first
board of directors and the following officers were chosen : Ferdi-
nand J. Suydam, president ; George H. Cramer, vice-president; Albert
C. Gunnison, cashier. In 1853 Mr. Suydam was made cashier and
held the position until 1858, when he resigned and was succeeded by
G. B. Wilson, who held the place about nineteen years. He was sue-
JAMES BLUNN.
421
ceeded by Benjamin McE. Schafer, who held the position until his
death in 1880, when the present cashier, Arthur T. Phelps, was ap-
pointed. In 1853 Dillon Becbe was elected president and was suc-
ceeded in 1856 by Joseph M. Haswell, who held the office until his
death in 1871. James Roy was then chosen, and* was succeeded in
1876 by Thomas A. Knickerbacker, the present incumbent. The insti-
tution was changed to a national bank in 1865 and the name changed
to the National Bank of West Troy, with capital stock of $250,000. In
1877 this was reduced to $150,000, and in 1893 to $100,000.
West Troy has been and still is a manufacturing center of large im-
portance. Fortunately situated for shipping purposes, and with a num-
erous population near at hand from which to obtain employees, several
large industries have been founded in the village and are still success-
fully conducted. In the southern part of the village are the mills now
operated by Roy & Co., for the manufacture of various kinds of woolen
cloths and shawls. Of this company Benjamin Knower is president;
John F. Roy, treasurer, and F. B. Durant, secretary. The capital is
$500,000. These mills were founded by James Roy about 1847 ; he was
of Scotch birth and came to America in 1835. Not long afterwards he
formed a partnership with John Knower and began the manufacture of
woolen shawls, for which a number of workmen were brought from Scot-
land. Other kinds of goods were afterwards added to the products of the
mills. The establishment now embraces three mills and employs about
700 hands The firm of Roy & Co. was incorporated in 1 87 1 , by James
Roy, John Knower, and Peter Roy, for the manufacture of builders'
hardware, and carried on a large business until 1895, when the works
were closed up. James Roy was a man of prominence and public spirit
and accomplished much for the welfare of the village. He died in 1878.
The Meneely Bell Foundry, which has a reputation extending through-
out the country, was established by Andrew Meneely in 1826. He
had learned the trade of brass founder and began the manufacture of
civil engineer's instruments in what was then Gibbonsville. He also
made town clocks and finally church bells. His business increased and
in 1835 he took Jonas V Oothout in partnership ; the latter withdrew
in 1841 and in 1849 Mr\ Meneely took as partner his son, Edwin A., the
422
firm name being Andrew Meneely & Son. The senior of the firm died in
1 85 1, and the business was continued by Edwin A. and George R.
Meneely. Soon after the death of the elder Meneely the whole atten-
tion of the sons was given to the manufacture of bells. In 1874 George
R. Meneely withdrew from the business, and Edwin A. has since died.
The present firm comprises Mrs. E. A. Meneely and Andrew H.
Meneely.
George R. Meneely carries on a brass foundry, in company with his
son, Charles D., who came into the business in 1888, for the manufac-
ture of a patent journal bearing for cars, engines, etc. It has great
merit and a large sale.
The Covert Manufacturing Company was organized in Troy in 1873,
the members being James C. Covert, Madison Covert, Henry Wakeman,
and Scudder Wakeman. In 1879 the business was removed to West
Troy, and soon afterward the Wakemans withdrew. In 1893 Madison
Covert withdrew and James C. Covert is now sole proprietor. About
eighty hands are employed in the manufacture of saddlery hardware
and wrought iron chains
In 1 83 1 Sanford S. Perry established the pottery now situated on the
corner of Washington and Schenectady streets, the factory at that time
being situated on Champlain street fronting the Erie Canal. In 1845
Nathan Porter and Robert H. Fraser purchased the pottery and removed
it to its present location. About a year later Mr. Fraser died and was
succeeded in the firm by his brother, George B. The firm continued a
successful business for eighteen years, when it was dissolved and the
establishment was sold to George H. Seymour. From him it passed to
the present owners, Shepley & Smiths.
The J. M. Jones' Sons horse car works were founded as a wagon
manufactory in 1839 by Henry W. Witbeck and John M. Jones, under
the style of Witbeck & Jones. The business continued until 1863,
when Mr. Witbeck withdrew and George Lawrence took his place.
The manufacture of horse cars was then begun and the making of wag-
ons was soon abandoned. In 1864 Mr. Lawrence withdrew from the
business and Mr. Jones associated his sons with himself In February,
1882, John M. Jones died, and since that time his son, Walter A. has
died, leaving John H. Jones in charge of the works, the firm name re-
maining the same as before.
JAMHS C. COVHRT.
423
On the site of the Y. M. C. A. building a Mr. Kilgour built a saw and
planing mill in 1852, and was succeeded in business by Ufford & Latham,
and they by James Kerslake in 1873. He continued in business until
his death in July, 1892. The factory finally gave way to the present
handsome Y. M. C. A. building which was erected in 1892.
Lewis Rousseau, senior member of the later firm of Rousseau & Har-
rington, established a planing mill in 1834, and soon took as partner
Mr. Easton, who continued as such for twenty-eight years. Arvin W.
Harrington succeeded him as a member of the firm under the style of
Rousseau & Harrington. Mr. Rousseau died July 2, 1884, after a long
and active life. This mill was subsequently burned. A large planing
mill and lumber business is now conducted by Harrington & Co., for
whom A. W. Harrington and J. H. Harrington are managers.
By the act of the Legislature of May 26, 1896, the city of Watervliet
was erected, embracing the former village of West Troy, with the ex-
ception of a small section at the southern end. This act provided that
the village officers then in power should hold their places until January
1, 1897 ; they are as follows :
President, M. J. Day; trustees, First ward, S. V. Feary, one year, Charles M. An-
gus, two years; Second ward, W. C. Baxter, one year, J. J. Bennett, two years;
Third ward, James H. Foley, one year, J. P. Bridgman two years; Fourth ward,
G. H. Mitchell one year, Robert Williams two years; William J. Shaughnessy, cham-
berlain ; William Lynch, Henry Crall, William H. Cronkhite, assessors; Daniel
Knower, Charles F. Polk, John D. Brown, William Fitzgerald, police commissioners;
Stephen V. Sturtevant, E. A. Foley, George Witbeck, William Foley, lire commis-
sioners; Charles II. Fort (president), Thomas Cavanaugh (secretary), Michael E.
Gunnen, James D. Maloney, Thomas E. Coggins, Derwin Mitchell, Thomas F. Ma-
bar, board of health ; Dr. P. E. Fennclly, health officer.
The presidents of the village elected in each succeeding year have
been as follows :
is:;?, Martin Witbeck; ls:'»s, Miron R. Peak; 1839 Andrew Meneely; 1840, Martin
Witbeck; 1841, Samuel Wilgus ; L842, Miron R. Peak; 1843, Andrew Meneely; 1844,
Albert T. Dunham ; 1845, Albert Richards; 1846, Archibald A. Dunlop; L847, Albert
T. Dunham; ISIS, Daniel C. Stewart; 1849, lk-man Mather; 1850, Daniel C. Stew-
art; 1851, Samuel Crawford; 1852, Morgan L. Taylor; 1853, Lorenzo I). Collins;
18.r)4, George B. Fraser; 1855-56, Martin Witbeck; 1857, Samuel II. Waterman;
1858, James Roy; 1859, James Brady ; I860, George R. Meneely; 1861, William Os-
wald; 1862, Peter A. Rogers; .1863, James Duffy ; 1864-65, Francis Beebi L866 61
424
James Hamil; 1868, William B. Williams; 1869, Terrence Cummings; 1870-71, Perry
Robinson; 1872, Joseph M. Lawrence; 1873, Terrence Cummings; 1874-75, Michael
Riley; 1870-77, Patrick Lane; 1878, Robert P. Tunnard; 1879-80, Joseph McLean;
1881, George B. Mosher; 1882, John H. Hulsapple; 1883, William E. Cox; 1884,
Patrick Lane; 1883, Terrence Cummings. The term of office being for one year.
The ;people of the villages of Washington and Gibbonsville early-
adopted measures to provide themselves with public religious instruc-
tion. One result of this action was the organization in 1 8 14 of the
Reformed Protestant Dutch church of Washington and Gibbonsville by
the Classis of Albany. Peter S. Schuyler was chairman and Volkert
D. Oathout1 clerk of the organizing meeting, which was held in the
school house in Washington village March 19, 18 14. Mr. Schuyler
and Mr. Oathout were elected elders, and Samuel Phillips and Stephen
Conger, deacons. The Consistory of this church united with that of
the Reformed Dutch church at the Boght in the town of Watervliet,
and Rev. Robert Bronk preached alternately in the two places. Mr.
Bronk labored in the two churches about twenty years, when he re-
signed his charge at the Boght and devoted his whole time to the vil-
lage church until 1834, when he resigned. The first church edifice was
dedicated July 10, 18 16, more than a year having been devoted to its
erection. The building stood on the west side of Broadway a little
north of North street on ground donated by John Schuyler, jr. and
James Gibbons. As time passed and it was seen that most of the con-
gregation of this church resided north of the Arsenal, it was deter-
mined to build a new house of worship in a more convenient locality
A lot was accordingly purchased on the cornerof Washington and Buffalo
streets, and the corner stone of a new edifice was laid in August, 1839
The building was finished and dedicated in the following year, the cost
being about $13,000. Services were held for a few years in the old
church in the morning and in the new church in the afternoon and
evening. The former was commonly called the South church and the
latter the North church. The parish was divided in 1844 and soon
the old church was sold on account of financial embarrassment, it
being purchased by Clarkson F. Crosby. On the 18th of June, 1844,
the "South Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the village of
1 This name in early years was sometimes spelled as here.
425
West Troy" was organized with Philip S. Schuyler, Robert Dunlop
and John C. Schuyler, elders, and David Moore and Stephen C.
Dermott, deacons, and thirty-six members. This congregation pur-
chased the old church of Mr. Crosby, and on July 25 called Rev. Theo-
dore F. Wyckoff to the pastorate ; he remained about ten years. In
1 87 1, the old church building having become entirely inadequate
for the congregation, steps were taken to provide better accommoda-
tions. At this time Hon. James B. Jermain sent to the Consistory a
proposition to build a new church at his own expense under the fol-
lowing, among other, conditions: 1. A change of site and the pur-
chase of a lot by the congregation. 2. The furnishing of the building
when completed, including organ, by the congregation. 3. The edifice
to be a memorial building in memory of Sylvanus P. Jermain (father of
James B.) and of his family. This proposition was promptly accepted,
and the site on the corner of Groton and Middle streets was purchased.
The present beautiful church was finished in November, 1874, and dedi-
cated December 30, of that year. During the year 1874 the tower
was added to the edifice, and in J 878 the chapel was added. It is the
finest church property in the city, the building having cost about
$100 000. By a vote of a majority of its members this church in 1885
severed its relations with the Reformed church and became connected
with the Presbytery of Albany.
In 1840 the "North Church," as it theretofore had been known,
changed its corporate title to "The North Reformed Church of West
Troy," Rev. Dr. O. H. Gregory remaining pastor, and continuing to
act until 1870. In 1865 the chapel was erected. The society still has
an active existence.
Trinity Episcopal church was organized in 1834, mission services
having been held for two years previous thereto by Rev. Dr. David
Butler, of Troy, in a school house on the west side of Burlington street.
The two families of Raymond Taylor and James Lobdell formed the
nucleus of the congregation. The first vestry of the church were the
rector, Rev. James Tappan ; wardens, James Lobdell and A. S. Black-
man ; vestrymen, Raymond Taylor, John Mason, Glover Blackmail,
Edgar Botsford, Gilbert C. Bedell, Thomas Evans, John Worthington,
and Jonathan Hart. A brick church edifice was built in 1837 on the
54
426
west side of Salem street, which was consecrated June 4. Owing to
the inconvenience of reaching this church from the northern and central
parts of the village, a new society was organized November 19, 1838,
and called St. Luke's. Rev. Washington Van Zandt was called to serve
this congregation, and a church was built later on the north side of what
is now Central avenue. After a few changes in the pastorate, Rev.
William H. H. Bissell was called to the rectorship of both Trinity and
St. Luke's. In 1844 the Salem street church was sold and was sub-
sequently burned. In September, 1845, Rev. Joshua Weaver became
rector and on January 10, 1848, the present church then just completed,
was consecrated. During the rectorship of Rev. Joseph S. Saunders,
1863-67, the three story brick rectory north of the church was erected.
In 1875 a mission chapel, in connection with the church, was erected
on Groton street, and called St. Gabriel's chapel. In 1878 another
mission chapel was built on Ford street, and named St. Andrew's. The
church edifice was enlarged in 1865 by a wing on the south side.
In 1877 it was further enlarged by an organ chamber. In 1882 a chapel
was built on the rear of the church lot.
St. Patrick's Catholic church was organized in 1839, and in the fol-
lowing year a lot was purchased on the corner of Burlington and Union
streets, whereon a church was erected in 1840. The congregation was
organized and the building erected under the superintendence of Rev.
John Shannahan, of St. Peter's church, Troy. The first priest in charge
was Rev. James Quinn. In February, 1850, Rev. Thomas A. Kyle,
then in charge, organized St. Bridget's church. Rev. William F. Shee-
han became priest of the church in October, 1868, and has faithfully
ministered to the congregation up to the present time. The old church
edifice having become unsuitable for the needs of the congregation, a
site was purchased on Ontario street and in July, the corner stone of
the present beautiful edifice was laid.
St. Bridget's Catholic church was organized and built in 1850 under
the supervision of Rev. Thomas Kyle, who was then in charge of St.
Patrick's church. The church is situated on the corner of Salem and
Mansion streets. Rev. William Cullinan was the first priest in charge
of this parish, and was succeeded in May, 1883, by Rev. James A.
Curtin, under whose direction extensive improvements were] made to
427
the church edifice. In the fall of 1883 the property, corner of Salem
and Mansion streets, was purchased by this church, whereon a rectory
was established in the dwelling with a school in adjoining buildings un-
der charge of the Sisters.
The Washington Street Methodist Episcopal church was organized
in April, 1831, with Daniel T. Wandell, William Tucker, William P.
Hall, Amnion Hammond, and David I. Dutcher, trustees. These
trustees were by resolution given the title of the "Trustees of the Gib-
bonsville Station of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of
Watervliet." They purchased of Ebenezer Prescott a lot corner of
Washington and Ferry streets and built a small one-story edifice. This
was enlarged in 1840 and in the next year a vestry was erected on the
same lot; this was converted into a parsonage in 1857. ^n the spring
of this year the old church was sold and removed and the present
church built on the site ; the first service in the new church was held
in January, 1858. The old structure was purchased by John M. Jones
and became the machine shop connected with the Jones car works. In
1883 a steeple, bell and clock were added to the new church, and the
parsonage was extensively improved. In 1849 a number of the mem-
bers of this society in the upper part of the village organized the Ohio
Street Methodist Episcopal church ; after this the former title of the
earlier church was dropped and the present one taken — the Washing-
ton Street M. E. church.
The Ohio Street Methodist Episcopal church, before mentioned, was
organized in the spring of 1849 by Alexander S. Lobdell, Ashael Pot-
ter, Edward Mallory, R. E. Gorton, and Otis Wood, an on June 5 of that
year the church purchased the property on the southwest corner of
Ohio and Ontario streets (commonly called the Bethel church). The
small wooden church there standing was burned November 19, 1849,
and in the following spring the corner stone of a two-story brick struc-
ture was laid, while Rev. I. F. Yates, the first pastor, was in charge. In
1 88 1 a brick parsonage was built, adjoining the church. In 1895 this
church was greatly improved at a cost of about $10,000.
The " First Particular Paptist Church and Society of Gibbonsville
and West Troy," commonly called the First Baptist church, was organ-
ized at a meeting held March 14, 1827, when the following trustees
428
were elected : Edward Learned, Thomas Shrimpton, Jonathan Caulkins,
Hiram M. Hopkins, and Cyrus Kenney. The society consisted at first
of seventeen members. This church site comprises four village lots on
the corner of Ohio street and Central avenue, which were a gift by Philip
Schuyler and others as trustees of the West Troy Company. The first
church edifice was built in 1829, and was a small wooden structure.
This was used until 1842, when it was sold to a French Catholic congre-
gation and removed. The second building erected was of brick and
fronted on Canal street. This served its purpose until 1870, when it
was demolished and the present edifice erected. A parsonage, erected
in 1847, adjoins the church The first regular pastor, Rev. Ashley
Vaughan, began his services in July, 1830. In the summer of 1867
the Sunday school of this church organized a mission Sunday school
in the Port Schuyler part of the village, which continued actively until
1875. In 1869 the school organized a mission school on Green Island
which continued to 1873, when it was made an independent organiza-
tion.
The First Presbyterian church was organized February 12, 1834,
when Hiram Hopkins, Horace L. Dann, and Henry Kimberly were
chosen trustees. On the 27th of that month the society organized as a
Congregational church, which seemed a preferable form of government,
and by September of that year a house of worship had been completed.
This was of wood and stood on the southwest corner of Ohio and Ontario
streets. In 1835 the church government was changed to the Presbyte-
rian and the name altered to that given above. Two other changes of the
same character were made, the first a few years after the one just mention-
ed, by which the Congregational form was again assumed, and the second
on August 26, 1839, when it again became Presbyterian and joined the
New School Presbytery of Troy. Between 1845 and 1875 no regular
pastor was employed. On June 5, 1849, the struggle to properly main-
tain the church decided the trustees to sell their house and lots to the
Ohio Street Methodist Society, as before stated. The society then re-
mained dormant until about 1875 when the present brick edifice was
erected on the north side of Union street near Ford.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary (French Catholic) was or-
ganized by Rev. Eugene Rey, and the corner stone of the first church
429
edifice, on the corner of Stafford and Buffalo streets, was laid September
ii, 1 88 1. This church was burned April 2, 1885. The present building,
was erected on the same site.
GREEN ISLAND (VILLACxE AND TOWN.)
Green Island originally constituted a part of Rensselaer Manor and
with what was called Jan Gownson Island and land opposite thereto on
the west bank of the sixth sprout of the Mohawk and extending back
one-half an English mile, comprised the farm or " Bowery " called
Turkee. This farm was sold by Killian Van Rensselaer to Col. Peter
Schuyler on May 6, 1708, the consideration being one-tenth part of the
annual crops of the farm. Maria Schuyler the colonel's wife, was a sister
of the Patroon. On June 8, 1 7 1 3, Schuyler sold the Turkee farm to
Hendrick Oothout of Albany, a carpenter, for ,£850 New York money.
Green Island remained the property of Oothout and his descendants
until the early part of the present century, when George Tibbitts became
the owner of 262 acres of the northern part, which is about two- thirds
of the whole.
In 1835 the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad Company built its
bridge from the island to Troy and the first train of cars passed over it
on October 8, of that year. A little later the company erected a wooden
bridge connecting the island with West Troy, and opened the roadway
across the island which became and now is Albany street; this was the
first public street opened. Previous to these improvements the island
had little importance. Until 1854 the cars were drawn by horses from
the island terminus of the bridge to the Troy House in Troy; in that
year a second bridge was built adjoining the first and locomotives took
the place of horses in crossing it, while the first bridge was repaired and
given up to teams and pedestrians. On May 10, 1862, the eastern half
of the old bridge was burned, but at once rebuilt with wood. In 1879
the western half was rebuilt of iron and in 1884 the eastern end was
likewise renewed.
In 1823 the State constructed a dam across the Hudson River from
Green Island to Troy, its completion being duly celebrated. This dam
is 1,100 feet long and nine feet high. At its eastern end was built a
sloop lock with a length of 1 14 feet, a width of thirty feet, height of
430
twenty- five feet and nine feet lift. In the year 1849 work was begun
by Daniel Hartnett, James Brady, and Ephraim Baldwin of West Troy,
under State direction, on a dyke and pier, the first at the northern end
and the second at the southern end of the island. The dyke was so
located as to turn the water of this sprout of the Mohawk into the Hud-
son, while the pier at the southern end acts as a dam and raises the
water in the large basin thus formed several feet. At the southern end
of the pier a lock was built through which boats pass from the basin to
the Hudson. This work was finished in 1852. In carrying out these
improvements the former bluff, eight to ten feet high, along the east
side of the island, was cut away to obtain dirt. Human bones and
other evidences of early occupation were found while making this
excavation. Prior to 1850 that part of the island south of Albany av-
enue was in a wild state and was used for picnic grounds. Thither the
remnant of the St. Francis Indians came in the summer months to camp
and sell their baskets and other goods. In 1840 was begun the con-
struction of the Troy and Schenectady Railroad, which crosses the
island, the first trains on which ran about November 1, 1842. At this
time there were only six dwellings on the island, a small school house,
a saw mill at the State dam, and a few shops.
After these various improvements Green Island was rapidly settled
and eventually a village was built up and called by the name of the
island itself. This village was incorporated April 5, 1853, and on the
1 8th of June of that year the first election was held and the following
officers elected : Trustees, Stephen Viele, Jacob Yates, Robert Bo-
gardus, Warner Groat and Alexander Morrison, the latter being chosen
president of the board. Other officers elected were two assessors, a
collector, treasurer, clerk, street commissioner, poundmaster, and two
fire wardens. On May 12, 1869, a new village charter was granted by
the Legislature, which more fully met the needs of the people. Fol-
lowing is a list of the presidents of the village from its incorporation to
the present time :
1853, Alexander Morrison; 1854, James Remington; 1855, Stephen Yiele; 1856,
James Remington ; 1857, Charles M. Parker; 1858, James Torrance ; 1859-61, Thomas
Stantial; 1862, Jonas Clute; 1863-4, William M Strong; 1865, John Miller; 1866-7,
James Glass; 1868, William E. Gilbert; 18(19-70, Henry S. Marcy; 1871-73, James
Glass; 1874, Edgar Gardner ; 1875-77, Benjamin F. Manier; 1878, William M. Tor-
431
ranee; 1879, William E. Keating; 1880, William Bliss; 1881, Thomas H. Richardson;
1882, James Torrance; 1883-87, Joseph Hines; 1888, George A. Van Bergen ; 1889-90,
Joseph Hines; 1891-92, Thomas H. Richardson; 1893-6, Carroll Coon; 1895 s. E. J.
Gilbert.
Green Island was originally school district No. 23 of the town of
Watervliet. On November 17, 1854, the inhabitants met and voted
that it be made a union free school district, and a board of education
was elected consisting of Joseph D. Eaton, Stephen Viele, James Glass,
"William C. Rodgers, and Edmund J. Gilbert. As the population in-
creased new school buildings were erected, the first on Hudson avenue
in 1865, of brick, and the second at the corner of West and Arch
streets, built in 1879. In connection with the latter is a circulating
library containing 1,625 volumes.
The public peace of Green Island village was originally maintained
by the Capital Police before mentioned, and the village with Cohoes
constituted a precinct or division. The Green Island police was organ-
ized in June, 1871, the trustees having received legislative authority
therefor. The force now comprises a captain and two patrolmen.
A newspaper called the Green Island Review was started in January,
1879, by Henry L. Gilbert, and continued to September, 1884, when he
sold out to W. A. Cole and L. H Weeks; they changed the name of
the paper to the Albany County Herald and continued it for a time,
but finally discontinued publication.
In early years the village depended on the Troy Fire Department to
extinguish its fires, the village paying a stipulated annual sum therefor.
After the establishment of the West Troy Water Works, that company
extended its system into this village and supplied water until the spring
of 1884. In the spring of 1878 the village fire department was organ-
ized, comprising the William E. Gilbert Hose Company (organized in
1873) and the John McGowan Hose Company. When the village
ceased using the West Troy water, as stated, a steam fire engine was
purchased and a company organized under the name of Gilbert Steamer
Company No. 1. For the use of this engine several cisterns were con-
structed at convenient points, and docks and piers were built on the
river bank upon which the engine could be placed and take its supply
from the stream.
The Troy and Cohoes Horse Railroad Company was organized in
432
February, 1862, its line extending through George street in this village.
Cars began running from the eastern approach to the railroad bridge
to the Champlain Canal, on October 10, 1863. Like almost all other
street railways this road is now equipped with electric cars and the
island is thus connected with Troy, West Troy, Cohoes, and Albany.
After the opening of the first railroad and the gathering on the island
of a considerable population, it became a manufacturing point of im-
portance. The great car shops of Eaton & Gilbert, citizens of Troy,
were built here in 1853, for many years, and until recently, employing
a large number of hands. The works have been in the hands of a
receiver for some time past.
The Torrance Iron Company, George L. French, president ; C. A.
McLeod, vice-president, and N. H. Squires, secretary and treasurer, is
successor to the Green Island Malleable Iron Works, founded in 1852
by William Torrance. In the company later were associated John O.
Merriam, J. W. Lawrence, and William M. Torrance. Malleable and
grey iron castings of all kinds are made.
The Franklin Iron Works were established in 1865 by Thomas S.
Sutherland, who successfully carried on the business and later took
his son into partnership. About 120 hands are employed in the
manufacture of almost everything in which boiler plate and sheet iron
is used.
The Pinkerton Iron Works were established by Robert Pinkerton in
1879, for the manufacture of steam boilers, bleachers, tanks, etc. The
company is now composed of Robert Pinkerton and Abram Mull.
The manufacture of blinds and doors was established on a large
scale by Crampton & Belden in 1867, and still continues, employing
upwards of 200 hands.
The Trojan Car Coupler Company was organized in 1891, with a
capital of $300,000. Howard H. Burden, president ; Palmer C. Rick-
etts, vice-president ; Alfred H. Renshaw, treasurer and general man-
ager ; Eugene Seitz, secretary. The company is successfully engaged
in the manufacture of a patent car coupler.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Green Island was organized in
1853, meetings being held for some time in the school house. The
433
present church edifice was completed in the spring of 1854. The first
pastor was Rev. J. L. Cook, and the first class leaders were Hinkley
Davis and Joshua Coleburn. The parsonage was built in 1863. I'1
1875 the church was enlarged by increasing its length at the front. The
society still leads a prosperous existence.
The First Presbyterian church was organized April 18, 1853, follow-
ing the adoption of resolutions by the session of the Troy Presbyterian
church recommending such action. The site on the west side of Hud-
son avenue was purchased and a small wooden church erected, which
was dedicated February 28, 1854. The society was organized on the
same day with seventeen members, and James Remington, George
Beach and Stephen Viele were elected elders. On March 16 following
James Torrance, William F. Adams, William H. Lansing, Fred Kean,
and Joseph D. Hardin were chosen trustees. The old church was
used until 1866, when it was removed and the present church edifice
erected.
St. Joseph's Catholic church was organized in 1869, and a house of
worship was erected at a cost of $5,000. A little later the parsonage
and grounds were provided at a further cost of $9,000. The first priest
in charge was Rev. J McManemy, who was succeeded by Rev. Thomas
Connelly. Within the past five years a new church has been erected at
a cost of about $40,000.
St. Mark's Episcopal church was formed in November, 1865, chiefly
through the efforts of Rev. Edgar T. Chapman, then assistant rector of
St Paul's church, Troy, who became rector of St. Mark's as soon as
organization was perfected. The erection of a church was at once be-
gun on the east side of Hudson avenue, the cost of the church and chapel
being $17,000. In 1880 the chapel was enlarged and in 1884 a rectory
was built for the society by Uri Gilbert at a cost of $6,000.
When the town of Colonie was erected June 7, 1895. as before de-
scribed, Green Island and West Troy were left in existence as the town
of Watervliet. This was a condition of affairs that could not long con-
tinue. The inhabitants of Green Island, with their own village govern-
ment to support, and with a limited area, felt that they were unjustly
burdened with taxation for the benefit of those living in West Troy.
55
434
This led to the passage of an act of the Legislature, under date of May
21, 1896, creating the town of Green Island, embracing in its limits the
whole island, and leaving the former village corporation in e'xistence.
An election was held on June 9, 1895. and the following town officers
chosen :
Supervisor, Carroll Coon ; clerk, William F. Miller; assessors, William J. Morrison,
John Rouhow, Edward Heffern ; overseer of the poor, E. J. Gilbert ; collector, George
W. Wilcox; justices of the peace, John Conway, four years, Luther G. Plnlo, three
years, John P. Hayner, two years, William C. Harter, one year.
COHOES.1
Many years before the turbulent waters of the Cohoes falls turned a
wheel, the locality finds historical mention. Rev. Johannes Megapo-
lensis, who settled in Albany in 1642, wrote as follows to his friends in
Holland :
Through this land runs an excellent river, about five hundred or six hundred paces
wide. This river comes out of the Mahakas country about four miles north of us.
There it flows between two high rocky banks, and falls, from a height equal to that
of a church, with such a noise that we can sometimes hear it with us.
A little later, in 1656, Adrian Van Der Donck was here, and the
account of his visit thus alludes to these falls :
The other arm of the North river runs by four sprouts, as we have related, to the
great falls of the Magnas Kill (Mohawk river), which the Indians name the Chahoos,
and our nation the Great Falls, above which the river is again several hundred yards
wide, and the falls we estimate to be one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet
high. The precipice of firm blue rock. . . The Indians, when they travel by
water and come to trade, usually come in canoes made of the bark of trees, which
they know how to construct. When they come near the falls, they land, and carry
their boats and lading some distance below the falls, and proceed on their voyage;
otherwise they would proceed over the falls and be destroyed.
The Irish poet, Thomas Moore, visited this spot in 1804, and followed
his usual course by celebrating the event in a poem. It closes as
follows:
Oh, may my falls be bright as thine !
May heaven's forgiving rainbow shine
Upon the mist that circles me,
As soft as now it hangs o'er thee !
'This name has been spelled in various ways, such as Chahoos, Cahoos, Cahhoos, Kahoos,
Chohos, Cohoez, and Cohos. It is an Indian name of unknown significance, and speculation upon
its real meaning is useless.
JAMHS B. MCKEE.
435
The territory now covered by the city of Cohoes formed part of the
Van Rensselaer Manor and part of the lands belonging to Mrs. Illetie
Van Slyck Van Olinde, a half-breed, and wife of Pieter Danielse Van
Olinde, Her land was given to her by the Mohawks in 1667, the
southern line of her possession being the Manor avenue road of the pres-
ent time, which extends west from the falls to the Boght.1 To the
south of this road were the lands of the Patroon. It will be seen that
most of the original village was on the Van Rensselaer land. On the
north side of the Mohawk was the Halve Maan (Half Moon) patent.
The islands at the mouth of the Mohawk came early into possession of
Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, who died in 1676. Subsequent
occupants of that part of the present city were Guert Hendrickse Van
Schoonhoven, Harmon Lieverse, and Roeloff Gerritse Van DerWerken.
Beginning at the north line of the Van Rensselaer Manor (Manor
avenue), the colonists under the Patroon were the Heamstreet, Onder-
kirk, Lansing, Fonda, and Clute families, some of whom have already
been alluded to. The Patroon prudently reserved from settlement a
strip of land below the falls on the west side of the river, which subse-
quently became of great value as a site for factories.
A part of the Van Olinde estate, north of Manor avenue, has been
sold in city lots, a considerable part passed into the possession of
James Morrison in recent years, and part went into the estate of the
late Isaac D. F. Lansing. In the deed of the lands next north of Manor
avenue from Daniel Van Olinde, who was next in succession to the
original owner, to Walran Clute, there was granted a privilege to build
one or more saw mills and " a grind mill." This was the inception of
the great manufacturing interests of Cohoes.
As a village Cohoes was of little importance until after 1830. In
that year it contained only about twenty houses. In 1740 the Lansing
family owned a saw mill near the site of the Cohoes Company's dam.
A grist mill was built just south of the saw mill at a later date and the
two were operated for some years by Gerret Clute and Rutger Lansing
as partners. A grist mill was at an early period erected on the Clute farm,
a short distance above the falls. Another grist mill, subsequently trans-
formed into a carding mill, was situated on the Heamstreet farm, opposite
' Boght is the Dutch for "bund," referring here to tin- bend in the Mohawk River.
436
Simmons Island. In 1811 the Cohoes Manufacturing Company pur-
chased sixty acres of land extending from the bridge south to a point
below the site of the Episcopal church and between Mohawk street
and the river. A wing dam was built to supply water power and a
screw factory was established. Most of the employees came from New
York, and several tenements were built for them. Regarding these
early operations Spafford's Gazetteer of this State has the following:
About three miles north of Gibbonsville [West Troy] there is a bridge across the
Mohawk, a short distance below the Cohoes falls. Since the above was written a
manufactory of screws of iron for wood work, erected on the lower sprout of the
Mohawk near the Cohoes bridge, has got into successful operation. Works are
about to be added for drawing the wire from which the screws are formed, when the
iron will be taken in the bar and manufactured into screws, now made of foreign
wire. The machinery is all driven by water, and is said to be very ingenious, the
invention of a self-taught artist, Mr. William C. Penniman. Some samples of the
screws which I have seen appear to be well formed, and they are cut with great dis-
patch. These works are owned by an incorporated company with a sufficient capi-
tal, and are situated directly opposite Lansingburgh, and about ten miles below
Waterford.
This screw factory was burned in 1827, the corporation failed in 1829,
and the property passed to the Cohoes Company by sale. While this
screw factory was in operation the manufacture of writing paper was
begun here in Gerret Clute's mill. That building had previously been
used as a grist mill and afterwards for the manufacture of flannel. The
proprietor of the paper mill was Elisha Sheldon. A small cotton fac-
tory was also established previous to the organization of the Cohoes
Company, by the De Milt Brothers, of New York ; they also made
shovels and other implements, the establishment being managed by
Collins & Jones.
The real prosperity of Cohoes began with the existence of the Cohoes
Company, described a little further on, and was greatly enhanced by
the organization of the Harmony Manufacturing Company in 1836.
So rapid was the growth of the place between that year and 1848. that
in the latter year measures were adopted for incorporation. At a pub-
lic meeting a resolution was adopted favoring such action, and a com-
mittee of five was appointed to carry out the plans. The committee
was composed of Egbert Egberts, William N. Chadwick, John Van
Santvoord, Jeremiah Clute, and Henry D. Fuller. Charles A. Olmsted
437
was afterwards added to the committee. The vote of the electors for
and against the measure resulted in 346 in favor of incorporation and
26 against. The first election was held June 12, 1848, and the follow-
ing officers elected :
Trustees, Alfred Phelps Joshua R. Clarke, George Abbott, Henry D. Fuller,
William Burton,1 Joshua R. Clarke being chosen president of the board ; asses-
sors, Henry En Earl, John P. Steenberg, William H. Hollister; treasurer,
Charles A. Olmsted ; collector, John B. Harrison ; clerk, John Van Santvoord ; pound-
master, Isaac F. Fletcher; fire wardens, Jacob Upham, Henry Van Auken, John
McGill, William Osterhout, and Abram Ostrom.
The successive presidents of the village were Henry D. Fuller, William F. Carter.
X. W. En Earl, William N. Chadwick, Henry E. Landon, Sidney Alden, George H.
Wager, Murray Hubbard, Augustus Ellmaker.
At this time the population of the village was about 4. 000 and there
were evidences of future growth on every hand. The post office was
established in 1832. Schools were in successful operation, the first one
in this locality having been opened at the Boght in 181 3; while the first
in the city limits was opened later on the corner of Oneida and Mohawk-
streets and taught by one O'Neil. A second was soon built on the site
of the school afterwards known as the slate-yard school house. In 1828
a new school was located in a building in which a boarding house had
been'kept, on Oneida street, near the site of the old freight house. The
next one was a brick building built in 1847 on tne corner of Canvass
and Oneida streets.
A fire department had been established through the purchase of a
hand engine by subscription in 1835, which was named Excelsior No. 1.
A larger hand engine was bought of the Albany department in 1847,
and in 1 848, the year of incorporation, the village purchased a good
hand engine, hose cart and hose at a cost of $675. Two fire companies
were formed named respectively Parmelee Engine Company and Cat-
aract Engine Company, and Luke Bemis was made chief engineer. The
first engine house was also built in 1848, and has been occupied in
recent years by the Campbell Hose Company. Mohawk Engine Com-
1 William Burton was born in Schenectady March 29, 1809, learned tin; carpenter's trade, and
a it i r various occupations, se1 tied in Cohoes in is In, when its population was only about 1,800. He
le conspicuous in public affairs as well as in business circles and < 1 i « 1 much for tin- develop-
ment of Uu- village and city. He joined John M. Tremain in tin- manufactun
afterwards carried on the business alone. He held various local offices and was prominently con-
nected with the banks and other institutions.
438
pany was formed in 185 1, and occupied an engine house just south of
the Miller house.
Other public improvements followed rapidly, while business enter-
prise especially in the direction of manufactures, here found a remark-
ably profitable field. By i860 the population had reached a little more
than 6,000, and city incorporation began to be discussed. Finally on
the 15th of April, 1869, an act of incorporation passed the Assembly
and on May 19 became a law. The first election under the city
charter was held April 12, 1870, resulting in the election of Charles H.
Adams, mayor, and the following aldermen : David J. Johnston, Egbert
Lansing, George Campbell, Moses S. Younglove, Bartholomew Mulcahy,
Walter Witbeck, Charles F. North, and Charles Hay. School commis-
sioners chosen were Frank Reavey, Daniel Simpson, William Burton,
E. N. Page, A. M. Harmon, Jonathan Hiller, William Travis, William
S. Crane. The new administration appointed the following officials:
Superintendent of streets, Norris North; Chamberlain, Leonard Cary; excise
commissioners, Henry D. Fuller, Edwin Hitchcock, George H. Wager; water com-
missioners, Henry Brockway, John Clute, Abial M. Harmon; city physician, C. E.
Witbeck, M. D. ; superintendent of cemetery, D. F. Manning; pound master, Alex-
ander Brown; sealer of weights and measures, Charles Egan ; fire wardens, William
Clough, William Doty, E. S. Gregory, Richard Shannon.
The following have held the office of mayor: Charles H. Adams, 1870; David J.
Johnston, L872; Henry S. Bogue, 1874; David J. Johnston, 1876; William E. Thorn,
1878, 1880; Alfred Le Roy, 1882, 1884; Mr. Le Roy died while in office and Charles
F. Doyle filled the unexpired term; John Garside, 1836-92; Henry A. Strong, to
1896, and James H. Mitchell, elected and present incumbent.
With the inauguration of the city government and the founding of
many great industries, progress was rapid. Educational advantages
were increased through the election under the act of 1850 of the follow-
ing school trustees: S. H. Foster, Jacob Travis, William Burton,
George W. Miller, Abram Lansing, and William Binns Besides the
early schools already mentioned, there was one kept for a time in the
basement of the Reformed church, and in 1855 there was a school on
the East Harmony, one on the West Harmony, and one on Columbia
street ; large school buildings have since been erected in these locali-
ties. The White school house was built in 1870, and in 1873 the Pleas-
ure Ground school house, corner of Bowery and Elm streets was
erected. The Lincoln avenue school house was built in 1875 and the
439
one on Van Schaick's Island was bnilt in 18S2; this building was
enlarged in 1893-94, and in 1895 a new building was erected on the
island. In this year also a new school house was erected on Gainer
street.
The Egberts High School was founded through the munificence of
Egbert Egberts, by a trust placed in control of the Protestant pastors
of the city. He presented them a large building on White street which
had been used for a boarding house and also gave them the first and
second tenement houses on Remsen street north of Egberts Hall, the
rent from which was to be devoted to supporting the school. The in-
stitution was named the Egberts Institute. The income proving in-
sufficient, the trustees rented the Institute to the Board of Education in
August, 1868, the board agreeing to maintain a school of the same
grade as the Institute, and being given the privilege of using the
lower stories of the building for young scholars. Thus was established
what became the Egberts High School and which has ever since been
conducted upon a high plane. In 1893-4 the school was remodeled
and enlarged, physical and chemical laboratories were added and the
courses of study improved. The teachers of the former Institute were
Rev. Alexander B. Bullions, 1864-5; Charles P. Evans, 1865-6; Rev.
A. J. Bingham, 1 866-8. The principals of the High School have been
W. H Nellis, Robert Hardie, E H. Torrey, Oliver R.Steves, A. J. Robb,
George E. Dixon, and George M. Strout. The chairmen of the Board
of Education have been Truman G. Younglove, elected in 1856 and
re-elected in 1858; George H. Wager, James H. Masten, Samuel H.
Foster, Murray Hubbard, Isaac Hiller, Murray Hubbard again, William
Stanton, Henry Aird, and Harry G Calkins.
Night schools are maintained by the Board of Education and are
largely attended by those scholars who must labor through the day.
A kindergarten was established a few years since and the attendance
has been most encouraging.
In extending the fire department to meet the wants of the growing
city, the first steam fire engine was purchased in 1867 and presented to
the authorities by Charles H. Adams. A company was formed to take
charge of it and an engine house was built on Oneida street east of
Canvass. In the same year the Harmony Company purchased a
440
steamer which is now known as Johnston Steamer Co. No. 2. John
McCreary Steamer No. 3 was the latest organized. Since the final
completion of the water works and the placing of numerous hydrants
throughout the city, the necessity for fire engines has greatly diminished.
What was formerly the George H. Wager Hook and Ladder Company
is now the J. H. Mitchell Company; it was originally formed in 1865.
The Edwin Hitchcock Hose Company, formed in 1869, is now the
J. D. Leversee Company No. 1 ; the former Eagle Hose Company No.
3 is still in existence as No. 2, while the Cascade Hose Company No. 3,
is located on the island. There have been many minor changes in
the different companies, which cannot be followed here. Since 1879
the fire department has been controlled by a board of fire commis-
sioners.
The Cohoes Water Works Company was incorporated in 1855, with
the following commissioners: Charles M. Jenkins, Hugh White,
Alfred Wild, Egbert Egberts, James Brown, Joshua Bailey, William N.
Chadwick, William Burton, Henry D. Fuller, Andrew D. Lansing, Jenks
Brown, and Truman G. Younglove. The capital stock was $50,000.
Nothing was accomplished under this incorporation, and in the follow-
ing year an act was passed, " to provide for a supply of water in the
village of Cohoes." The commissioners named were Alfred Wild,
Charles H. Adams, Henry D. Fuller, William F. Carter, Joshua Bailey,
and Truman G. Younglove. The village was empowered to issue bonds
to the amount of $60,000. A reservoir was constructed on Prospect
Hill with capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, into which water was pumped
from the Cohoes Company's Canal No. 1. Five miles of sheet iron and
cement pipe were laid in the streets. This supply sufficed until 1869,
when an enlargement of the system was made by building a new reser-
voir with a capacity of 8,000,000 gallons. This reservoir is 190 feet
above the central part of the city, giving ample pressure. New pumps
were provided and the pipe system extended. In 1883, 8,000 feet of
iron pipe was laid in Mohawk, Remsen, and Main streets, and new and
more powerful pumps were placed in the pump house, the cost of these
and the other improvements then made being $-60,000. The works are
under control of a board of water commissioners
In July, 1865. the Capital Police Law, before referred to, went into
FRANK BROWN,
441
effect, creating two police districts called the Albany and the Troy dis-
tricts. Cohoes was included in the latter district. Previous to that
time the peace of the village had been maintained by constables. Under
the new arrangement a station house was established in Hayward's
building and William Buchanan and John McDermott were chosen the
first sergeants. On the 6th of May, 1870, a law was passed providing
1 for a separate police force for the city. A larger force was appointed
and has since been controlled bv a chief and a board of police commis-
sioners.
On February 21, 1894, an act passed the Legislature providing for
the erection of a new city hall in Cohoes. Under this act the mayor
was authorized to appoint six persons as a board of commissioners, with
power to purchase a site and build and furnish a city hall, in which
should be located all the public offices, a station house and jail. The
bonds of the city were to be issued to the amount of $: 00,000,
payable within forty years, beginning fifteen years from date of issue ;
not less than $4,000 to be paid annually on the principal after 1909.
The commissioners appointed were B. F. Clarke, George Campbell,
James H. Mitchell, H. C. Fruchting, Murray Hubbard, and Hugh
Graham. The board organized May 1, 1894, H. C. Fruchting being
elected chairman. A site was purchased in September of the Suarez
estate, for which $24,700 was paid. Contracts were let to different
persons for parts of the structure, aggregating $63,744.54, and the work-
was promptly begun. The building was finished in 1896, and is an
honor to the city.
The extensive manufacturing establishments of Cohoes are due
largely to the splendid water power and to the Cohoes Company for
their great work in making the power available. This association
was incorporated as a hydraulic manufacturing company March 28,
1826. The original capital was $250,000, and the trustees were Peter
Remsen, Charles E. Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, jr., Francis Olm-
stead, Canvass White, Henry J. Wyckoff, and David Wilkinson. It is
probable that Mr. White was the originator of the idea of forming this
company; he had served as engineer in the construction of the Erie
Canal and must have appreciated the value of the falls for manufactur-
ing purposes. He was chosen the first president of the company ; Mr.
56
442
Van Rensselaer, vice-president, and Mr. Wyckoff, secretary. The com-
pany purchased a tract of land of I. D. F. Lansing, for $12,495,
Mr. Lansing reserving sufficient water from the mill privilege for four
run of stone. Other lands also were purchased below the falls on
the south side of the river, and both above and below on the Water-
ford side. The company now owns the entire water power of the river
from half a mile above the falls to a mile below, with a total fall of
120 feet. The first dam built by the company was of wood and sit-
uated above the falls; it was erected in 1831, but was carried away by
ice on January 10, 1832. Another was immediately built below the
site of the first, but was also partially destroyed by ice in 1839 and re-
built in the same year. The existing stone dam was built in 1865 and
is one of the most costly and most substantial structures of its kind.
The gate house was finished in the following year ; it is of brick,
218 feet long, with front tower thirty-one feet high and a main
tower forty-three feet high. The dam is 1,443 feet in length and was
build directly below and connected with the old dam, thus giving it
additional strength. The cost of the dam and appurtenances was
$180,000. The engineer of this great work was William E. Worthen,
of New York city, assisted by D. H. Van Auken. engineer for the com-
pany. John Bridgford, of Albany, had the contract for its construc-
tion. By means of this dam the entire flow of the Mohawk can be
diverted from its channel to do the bidding of the manufacturers. The
water passes through, and is used from, five different canals, the first of
which was constructed in 1834, is three-quarters of a mile long and
has a fall of eighteen feet. The second canal, finished in 1843, is one-
third of a mile long, with a fall of twenty-five feet. The third is half
a mile long, with a fall of twenty-three feet and was partly constructed
in 1843, the remainder being taken from the old Erie Canal and brought
into use in the same year. The fourth and fifth canals are each half a
mile long, with twenty feet fall, and were finished in 1880. It will be seen
that these canals, each having a different level and all being connected,
make it practicable to use the water six different times. The available
power thus created is estimated at 10,000 horse power, and it is sold to
manufacturers at $20 per horse power per annum, including a quantity
of land proportioned to the amount of power taken. The officers of
443
the Cohoes Company are Charles C. Birdseye, president ; William E.
Thorn, treasurer ; David H. Van Auken, secretary.
The Harmony Mills Company is only second in importance to the
Cohoes Company itself. This company was incorporated in 1836 under
the name of the Harmony Manufacturing Company, the name being
given in honor of Peter Harmony, the first president and the founder
of the company. Associated with him were Henry Plunkett, Peter
Remsen, Francis Olmstead, H. J.Wyckoff, P. H. Schenck & Co., James
Stevenson, Joseph D. Constant, William Sinclair, Van Wyck Wickes,
Eliphalet Wickes, Le Bron & Ives, Teunis Van Vechten, John Hough-
ton, Charles O. Handy, Francis Griffin, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Ellis
Winne, jr., Hugh White, Henry Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, jr.,
and Benjamin Knower. Many of these were among the leading busi-
ness men of that time. The company purchased a tract of land a
quarter of a mile south of the falls and in 1837 erected a brick build-
ing 165 by 50 feet, four stories high, equipped with water wheels, etc.,
at a cost of $72,000 ; three brick blocks of tenements were built at the
same time. The mill was supplied with cotton machinery and the
manufacture of cotton cloth began. For causes that cannot be ex-
plained here the business was not profitable for a number of years
after its establishment. Changes took place in the ownership and at in-
tervals determined efforts were made to change the condition of affairs.
Finally in 1850 a compulsory sale of the mills was made and the prop-
erty was purchased by Garner & Co., of New York, and Alfred Wild,
of Kinderhook. At that time the annual product of the mill was
1,500,000 yards of print cloth and 2t;o hands were employed. The
new proprietors placed the entire management of the mill in the hands
of Robert Johnston, a man of thorough practical knowledge of the
business, executive ability of a high order, great industry, and entire
devotion to the interests of his employers.1 He very soon inaugurated
an era of prosperity and eventually made the Harmony Mills the
largest and most complete cotton factory in America. He early as-
1 Robert Johnston was born in Dalston, England, February 1, 1m>;. He began working in cot-
ton mills when a mere child and became an expert spinner. lie crime to this country in 1830 and
worked in Providence mills until 1834, when he wenl to Valatie, Columbia county, N. V., and for
sixteen years had charge ol a mill. Hi/ theremade the firsl muslin-de-laine produced in this
country. In 1858 lie removed to Coho< s.
444
sociated with himself his son, D. J. Johnston, who entered the com-
pany's office at the age of sixteen years and became one of the pro-
prietors in 1866.
In 1853 an addition was built on the old mill 340 feet long, 70 wide
and four stories high, with a capacity of 30,000 spindles. This, with the
old mill is designated as Mill No. 1. In 1857 Mill No. 2 was erected about
half the size of the original plan ; it ran for five years with 20,000 spindles,
and was then extended to 48,000 and employed 800 hands In 1844
the Cohoes Company built a cotton mill near the south end of their
canal 200 feet long, four stories high, and in 1846 they erected another
similar structure sixty feet north and parallel with the first; these
two mills were afterwards connected by a central tower 60 by 70 feet,
six stories in height, making a building 500 feet long with capacity of
32,000 spindles. This mill, now known as the Ogden, or No. 4, passed
through various hands and in i860 was purchased by the Harmony
Company, who overhauled it and increased its capacity. The Strong Mill,
or No. 5, was built at the intersection of Mohawk street and Canal No. 3 ;
the original structure was erected in 1849 by William N. Chadwick, who
operated it for about ten years. The Harmony Company purchased it in
1865, remodeled and enlarged it until eventually it had a capacity of
13,000 spindles The north wing of the Mastodon, or No. 3, mill was
built in 1&66-67. The name "Mastodon " was given it from the find-
ing of an almost perfect skeleton of a mastodon in a deep pot hole
opened while excavating for the foundations of the mill, sixty feet be-
low the surface. The bones were presented to the State. The south
wing of this mill was built in 1872, and the whole comprises a continu-
ous building 1,185 ^eet 'onS> 7^ wide, with five stories and a mansard
roof. The central tower is eight stories high and terminates in four
smaller towers 128 feet high ; four smaller towers also stand equidistant
on the wings. The machinery is driven by five turbine wheels aggre-
gating 2,100 horse power. The mill is supplied with the latest and best
cotton machinery in the world, comprising 2,700 looms, 351 warp spin-
ning frames, and other requisite machinery. It has 130,000 spindles,
produces 100,000 yards of cloth every sixty hours and is in every way
the most complete cotton mill in the world.
In 1872 the company purchased the paper mill just south of No. 2
445
which had been operated by the Van Benthuysens for many years. It
was enlarged, a mansard roof put on, and a tower built at the south end,
making a building 250 feet long, 60 feet wide, and four stories high.
This mill was supplied with machinery and used in the manufacture of
seamless cotton bags. The company also operated for a number of years
and up to 1872 a small mill at the head of Remsen street, on Canal No. 4,
which was called the Egberts mill. In 1872 the machinery was removed
to the Strong mill. The mills of this company are supplied with auto-
matic fire extinguishers at a cost of over $30,000. Repair shops for
machinery, carpenter shops, etc., give employment to a large number
of hands. Two large storehouses with a capacity of 6,000 bales of cot-
ton stand near the railroads, and the cotton used annually by the six
mills aggregates 25,000 bales, from which are made 8,000,000 yards of
cloth.
Thomas Garner, the real founder of these mills, died in October,
1867. He was born in England in 1805; his son, William T. Garner,
succeeded him in the presidency of the company. William T. Garner's
career was brought to an untimely end on June 20, 1876, by the cap-
sizing of his yacht. In 1867 Alfred Wild retired from the company and
was succeeded as agent by William E. Thorn, of New York, who be-
came also one of the proprietors and removed to Cohoes. After the
death of William T. Garner, his brother in-law, Samuel W. Johnson,
then one of the firm, was elected to the presidency. While he was
hunting on December 9, 1 88 1 , on Long Island, his gun was prema-
turely discharged, wounding him so severely that he died four days
later. In May, 1882, John Lawrence, of New York, was elected presi-
dent. Upon the death of Mr. Lawrence William E. Thorn was elected
president and treasurer of the company. John E. Priest is superin-
tendent.
This great company has ever shown an appreciative wisdom in the
treatment accorded their employees. During 1866-68 nearly $300,000
were expended in building tenement houses, grading streets, planting
trees, making sidewalks, etc., which transformed the locality from open
fields to thickly settled streets. There are more than 700 tenements
with from four to ten rooms each, which are rented at a much lower
rate than they would command in other hands ; the)- are rented to none
446
but employees of the company. Over the company's office is a com-
modious hall, 40 by 100 feet, where the Harmony Union Sunday school
meets every Sabbath ; this school was established nearly forty years
ago and has always been numerously attended. As a consequence of
its beneficent policy with its employees the company has had little of
the often prevalent labor trouble. In April, 1882, in consequence of
trade conditions then existing, two weeks notice was given of a ten per
cent, reduction in wages. On April 26, when the bells were rung no
one appeared to go to work. For the next eighteen weeks the great
mills were idle, with little exception, at the end of which time hands re-
sumed work on the company's terms. Six months later every loom
and spindle was in operation, many of the old hands who had sought to
better themselves elsewhere having returned ready to work. In Feb-
ruary, 1891, in consequence of the refusal of the company to grant ten
per cent, advance in pay and one hour for dinner, a strike was inaug-
urated ; it ended ten days later, the company granting fifty minutes for
dinner and the advance asked.
The manufacture of knit goods is one of the most important industries
of Cohoes though conducted under depressing trade conditions at the
present time. Egbert Egberts is given credit for the founding of this
line of manufactures in this country. He began experimenting on a
power machine for making knit goods at Albany in 1831, and called to
his aid Timothy Bailey, a young mechanic. The knitting machine had
already been invented, and one was purchased in Philadelphia by Mr.
Bailey and brought to Albany ; his contrivance was applied to it and a
fabric made by turning a crank. Removing now to Cohoes, Joshua
Bailey became interested in the invention and water power was applied
to the machine, eight of which were built by Timothy Bailey and put
in operation. Carding and spinning yarn soon followed and thus the
foundation of the great industry was laid. Secresy was maintained for
some time, the doors being fastened with spring locks. Even Gen.
George S. Bradford, who operated the factory on contract, was com-
pelled to bind himself not to enter the knitting room. This first mill
stood on the ditch just north of the site of the later Erie mill ; it was
afterwards removed to a building near the site of the Troy Manufactur-
ing Company. The second mill was built by Mr. Egberts in 1850, on
Iv-i &
*■ 409-
JOSIAH G. ROOT.
447
the corner of Remsen and Factory streets. In 1852 Thomas Fowler
placed knitting machinery in a building previously occupied by Timothy
Bailey, and in the same year Mr. Egberts transferred his mill to Charles
H. Adams. About this time Mr. Bailey organized a knitting company,
making three separate establishments in 1853, which were employing
750 hands and producing 45,000 dozen goods annually. Mr. Adams
occupied the Watervliet Mill until 1862, when he leased the building to
Alden, Frink & Weston and built on Ontario street. This industry in-
creased in magnitude and importance at a rapid rate, and while some
few did not not meet with anticipated success, the majority prospered.
An account of the mills in operation at the present time will necessarily
embrace a history of the business of the past to a great extent. The
Egberts mill was operated by Charles H. Adams until 1870, from which
time it was conducted by John Wakeman until 1881, Mr. Adams still
owning the property. Wakeman was succeeded by Neil & McDowell
for a short time. It is now operated by a company of whom J. D.
Lawrence is president, and John Donahue, secretary. The company
was organized in 1893, with $50,000 capital, and now employs 150
hands.
What is now the Victor Knitting Mill Company operates a mill which
was conducted from i860 to 1880 by Henry Brockway. The present
company succeeded, with J. A. Brooks, president and treasurer ; George
P. Gray, secretary ; P. H. Kane, superintendent.
The Tivoli Hosiery Mills were established in 1855 by Josiah G. Root.
In 1863 the firm became J. G. Root & Sons, and from 1869 to 1874 the
style was J. G. Root's Sons, when the present organization, the Root
Manufacturing Company, began its existence. Andrew J. Root is pres-
ident and trustee ; Charles Douglas, secretary ; Thomas Kennedy, sup-
erintendent. About 500 hands are employed.
The Globe Mill began operations, with Le Roy & Lamb, proprietors,
in 1872, and has continued to the present time. Mr. Lamb died in
January, 1885, and in 1890 a partnership was formed by Amelia White,
W. B. Le Roy, M. A. Becker, and R. N. Vandervoort. A second mill
was built soon afterwards; 325 employees.
The Star Knitting Company has been in existence many years. On
January 14, 1895, the capital was increased from $50,000 to $2C 0,000.
448
Andrew M. Church, president; A. I. Whitehouse, secretary; George
H. Morrison, treasurer; David M. Ranken, superintendent; 175 em-
ployees.
The Ontario Mill, before mentioned as having been established by
Chadwick & Co., was operated until 1888, when the Cohoes Knitting
Company was organized, with a capital of $25,000. M. T. O'Brien,
president and treasurer; Thomas Kilduff, secretary. About 125
employees.
The Kensington Mills, formerly operated by Root & Waterman, were
taken by the Hope Knitting Company, which was organized in Janu-
ary, 1 89 1, with a capital of $100,000. James O'Neil, president; J. H.
Shine, treasurer; Peter McCarty, treasurer; 175 hands.
The Ranken Knitting Company, established by Henry S. Ranken,
was one of those that were not successful. After its failure the plant
was purchased by the Halcyon Knitting Mill Company, which was
organized in 1895 D)' William Nuttall. About 150 hands are em-
ployed.
J. H. Parsons & Co., were among the large manufacturers of many
years ago. In December, 1884, the Parsons Manufacturing Company
was organized, with J. H. Parsons, president, who still holds the office.
In January, 1895, William A. Nuttall, then vice-president, retired from
the company, as also did Charles H. Disbrovv, then secretary. Samuel
Parsons, son of J. H. Parsons, succeeded to the office of secretary.
About 200 hands are employed.
The Erie Mill was operated for many years under M. E. Moore &
Co., the original proprietors. They were succeeded by William Moore,
and he by Moore & Tierney on September I, 1895 ; 140 employees.
What is known as the Granite Mill is now operated by the William
Moore Knitting Company, and employs about 150 hands
What is now the Mohawk River Mill was formerly operated by W.
H. & D. Aiken and by W. H. Aiken & Co. The firm of Aiken
& Davitt was organized in January, 1896, and employs about 125
hands.
The Riverside Mill, operated some years after 1867 by H. S. Bogue,
is now in possession of H. Bochlowitz, who took it in 1886, and employs
more than 200 hands.
449
The Paris Mill was formerly the Clifton, operated by George E.
Brockvvay. It was taken by John H. Murphy in the fall of 1891, and on
January I, 1896, the firm of John H. Murphy & Co. was formed. They
employ 135 hands.
The Pearl Knitting Mill has been operated for about ten years by
John ¥. Quinn, but did not take its present name until five years ago.
About 175 hands are employed.
The Pacific Hosiery Mills are operated by Clark & Holsapple, in the
manufacture of merino shirts and drawers.
J. A. Nuttall conducts the Empire Mill, employing 125 hands, and
1 Iorrocks & Van Benthuysen are proprietors of the Atlantic Mill, which
employs 120 hands.
Among the large number of mills that have from one or another cause
been closed are the Standard Hosiery Mill, by Newman & Adams ; the
Elk Mill, by A. Paul ; the American Hosiery Mill, by Gregory &
Hiller ; the Crown Knitting Mill, by Thompson & Lefiferts; the Anchor
Hosiery Mill, by C F. North & Doyle; the Eclipse Mill, by Wood,
Pierce & Co ; the Enterprise Mill, by John Scott & Son, which is now-
being closed up.
Besides the two leading industries which have just been described,
Cohoes has not been deficient in other lines of manufacture. It is only
a comparatively few years since the manufacture of axes and other edged
tools was an important industry. Daniel Simmons was the pioneer in
this business, beginning it about sixty years ago; he had been a black-
smith in Albany, where he made a few axes by crude methods. When
the discovery was made in 1825 that cast steel could be used for such
purposes with refined borax as a flux he promptly adopted the dis-
covery in making axes and soon acquired an extended reputation. In
1826 he removed to Berne, Albany county, obtained water power and
erected a small plant, with trip hammers and other machinery. When
these facilities became inadequate he removed to Cohoes, where he
founded the early establishment that became known throughout the
world for the excellence of its product. In 1843 White, Olmsted & Co.
started a second edged tool factory, which continued to 1857. A third
factory was established in 1863 by Alden, Frink & Weston, under the
firm name of W. J. Ten Eyck & Co.; this was on the site of the rolling
57
450
mill. The business failed in 1866 and a new company, the Ten Eyck
Manufacturing Company was organized, with David Cowee, president ;
George R. Seymour, treasurer ; R. H. Thompson, secretary, and W. J.
Ten Eyck, superintendent. This firm closed up their business in 1872,
and the factory, after being taken and operated for a short time by Will-
iams, Ryan & Jones, and then by Sheehan, Jones & Ryan, was burned
in January, 1873. Sheehan, Jones & Ryan moved into the pipe factory
building on Saratoga street, and continued several years longer, with
various changes in the constitution of the firm. The business was finally
closed up. A new Ten Eyck Manufacturing Company was formed in
February, 1876, by Abram, Albert, and Jonas Ten Eyck, D. H. Clute,
and George Carrigan. Their works were near the south bounds of the
city and continued in operation until October, 1877. In March, 1880,
the Cohoes Axe Manufacturing Company was formed by George Camp-
bell, John Clute, J. H. Parsons, William S. Gilbert, and Ethan Rogers.
This was a successful establishment for a number of years, when the
business was closed up. No edged tools are now made in Cohoes.
In 1856 the Cohoes rolling mill was built, originally to produce steel
and iron for the Simmons axe factory. In 1863 Jonas Simmons and
E. N. Page in partnership built a puddling furnace and a heating
furnace. The capacity was soon doubled to twelve tons of iron in
twenty-four hours. On March 1 1 James Morrison purchased the Sim-
mons interest and the firm of Morrison, Colwell & Page was formed.
Under this management the business rapidly increased, and at the time
of the fire of January 5, 1883, they had ten double puddling furnaces,
one scrap furnace and four heating furnaces in operation ; also six axe
poll machines the cost of which with the royalty was $65,000. The
entire works were rebuilt in substantially their present form immediately
after the fire, and with a capacity of 25,000 to 30,000 tons of finished
iron annually, of a very superior quality. Mr. Page, the superintendent,
is eminently qualified for his position and much of the success of the
mill must be attributed to him. The present firm consists of the Mor-
rison estate, Thomas Colwell, and E. Page.
The copartnership existing under the name of the Empire Tube
Works was formed in January, 1872, by B. T. Benton and James More-
head, of Brooklyn, A. B. Wood, of New York, and James Morrison and
451
Thomas Colwell, of Troy. In that year they built the mill on North
Saratoga street and began the manufacture of wrought iron pipe in the
winter of 1873. Mr. Benton died soon afterward and the mill was
rented to Albert Smith and James Morehead, who formed a partner-
ship as Albert Smith & Co.; this partnership was dissolved May 1,
1874, Mr. Morehead retiring. A. G. Curtis, of Troy, purchased an in-
terest and took charge of the manufacturing. The business was success-
ful until 1876, at which time a pipe combination was formed which
leased the mill from the firm for the purpose of closing it. Thereupon
Albert Smith & Co. sought a new location and in July of that year Mr.
Curtis bought the ground formerly occupied by the old Ten Eyck axe
factory and the firm began the erection of a new rolling mill. Three
months later the new plant was in operation with greater capacity than
the old one. From that time until 1880 the business continued with
moderate success, all branches of the iron business being in a depressed
condition. At this time James Morrison bought Albert Smith's inter-
est and the firm name was changed to A. G. Curtis & Co. New life
was infused into the concern, prosperity returned to the iron trade, the
plant was enlarged, new machinery was added and an era of pronounced
success began. On January 25, 1883, Mr. Curtis died in Florida, and
the firm was organized as Curtis & Co., consisting of Henry Aird, Mary
M. Curtis and John Donn. Mr. Aird became associated with the firm
January 1, 1878, as foreman, and soon mastered every detail of the
business; in recent years the establishment has been practically under
under his direction. The value of the annual product is more than
$500,000.
The works of the Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Company were
commenced by William T. Horrobin in 1868 where they are still situ-
ated. In 1877 the business passed to Robert Johnston, and from him
to his son, David J. Johnston. He died in October, 1894, and the busi-
ness is now in his estate. Jerome Garland is general manager. From
sixty to ninety hands are employed in the manufacture of cotton ma-
chinery and several kinds of special machines.
Campbell & Clute Machine Shop. — The firm of Campbell & Clute
was formed January 1, 1863, by George Campbell and John Clute,
both practical mechanics. They are still in business on the same spot
452
whereon they began, making a specialty of knitting machinery. Mr.
Clute has perfected a machine for knitting silk, and another for knitting
a peculiar worsted fabric. From thirty to sixty hands are employed.
Tubbs & Severson started a machine shop in 1873. Mr. Severson
retired in 1878 and Mr. Tubbs continued the business. After several
other changes the firm of Harrobin & Vincent was formed and took
the shop, but recently failed. The firm is now Tubbs & Hall. The
building occupied by them was built by Harris Brothers in 1868. Gen-
eral machine work is carried on.
What is known as the old Lansing mill is now occupied by the Troy
and Cohoes Shirt Company, of which George E. Gardner is president;
Joseph A. Leggett, vice-president; James A. McPherson, jr, secretary;
George H. Morrison, treasurer. The company has been only recently
formed and manufactures the Cycle and T. & C. brands of shirts, col-
lars and cuffs.
The Cohoes Furniture Company, C. R. Trost, proprietor, was estab-
lished in 1879, and soon became an important industry. A large busi-
ness has been done in the manufacture of desks, as well as in furniture
for household use.
Besides these various important industries a considerable business is
done in the manufacture of paper boxes, sash, doors and blinds, knit-
ting needles, cotton batts, etc. On the island are located the Rensse-
laer Scale Works, the Cascade Knitting Mills (operated by G. H. Mc-
Dowell & Co.), the Continental Knitting Company, the Wilson Box
Company, and some other minor establishments, all of which contribute
to the wealth of the city. The island was formerly in the Fourth ward
of the city, but in 1895 was made the Sixth ward by itself.
Cohoes was without banking facilities until 1859, when what is now
the National Bank of Cohoes was organized with capital stock of $100,-
000. The first officers were Egbert Egberts, president ; James M. Sill,
cashier; Egbert Egberts, Daniel Simmons, T. G. Younglove, William
Orelup, jr., William G. Caw, W. F. Carter, J. G. Root, John Sill and
C. H. Adams, directors. The institution was made a national bank
May 31, 1865. Its capital was increased from $100,000 to $250,000 in
August, 1872. In March, 1862, Murray Hubbard was chosen cashier
;'jf**$£m*
JOHN C. SANFORD.
453
in place of Mr. Sill. In March, 1869, Mr. Adams was made president,
Mr. Egberts having died. In 1893 Mr. Adams was succeeded by D. J.
Johnston, and the latter was followed January 12, 1895, by John L.
Newman. Murray Hubbard was succeeded as cashier December, 1895,
by George R. Wilsdon. This bank now has a surplus of about $100,000
and profits of over $60,000.
The Cohoes Savings Institution was incorporated in April, 1851, by
Charles A. Olmstead, Truman G. Younglove, Egbert Egberts, Hugh
White, Daniel Simmons, I. D. F. Lansing, H. D. Fuller, W. F. Carter,
Abram Lansing, Joshua Bailey, William N. Chadwick, Teunis Van
Vechteh, Andrew D. Lansing, Harmon Pumpelly, Edward E. Kendrick,
William Burton, Joshua R. Clark, Jeremiah Clute, and Miles White.
The institution began business August 15, 1853. Egbert Egberts was
chosen president; T. G. Younglove, treasurer, and Edward W. Fuller,
assistant treasurer. The bank has now on deposit about $1,740,000.
The president is William T. Dodge, who succeeded William Burton ;
and Charles R. Ford, treasurer.
The Manufacturers' Bank of Cohoes was organized March 21, 1872,
with a capital of $100,000, and the following officers: President, Will-
iam E. Thorn; vice-president, J. V. S. Lansing; cashier, N. W. Frost;
directors, William E. Thorn, J. V. S. Lansing, D. H Van Auken, George
Campbell, J. W. Himes, Jacob Travis, D. J. Johnston, N. J. Clute, Will-
iam Moore, Alfred Le Roy, P. R. Chadwick. Business began July 8,
1872 Mr. Thorn was succeeded in the office of president by J. V. S.
Lansing, and the latter was followed by George Campbell, the present
incumbent. William Moore is vice-president, and Le Roy Vermilyea,
cashier. This bank has undivided profits of nearly $100,000.
The Mechanics' Savings Bank was incorporated in March, 1873, and
opened for business soon after in the rooms of the Manufacturers' Bank.
The first officers were as follows: President, Robert Johnston ; first vice-
president, John Clute ; second vice-president, William Stanton ; secre-
tary, William S. Smith ; treasurer, Abner J. Griffin ; assistant treasu-
rer, Leonard J. Groesbcck. The institution has had a career of pros-
perity. John Clute succeeded Mr. Johnston as president, and William
Stanton succeeded Mr. Clute as first vice president; Rodney Miller
succeeded Mr. Stanton as second vice-president. Le Roy Vermilyea
454
succeeded William S. Smith as secretary, and James S. Clute succeeded
Mr. Goesbeck as assistant treasurer. Mr. Griffin still holds the office of
treasurer.
The first newspaper in Cohoes was the Cohoes Advertiser, a Whig
organ, which was started February 9, 1847, by Alexis Ayres and Will-
iam H. S. Winans ; Mr. Ayres was the editor. One year later the lat-
ter retired and Isaac D. Ayres took his place. The Cohoes Journal and
Advertiser succeeded the Advertiser in February, 1848, with Ayres &
Winans, publishers, Mr. Winans, editor. On January 1, 1849, this
paper was succeeded by The Cohoes Cataract, a Republican paper, pub-
lished by Stow, Silliman & Miller (Chauncey Stow, Horace B. Silliman,
Stephen C. Miller); the two latter acting as editors. In March, 1849,
Mr. Stow retired and Silliman & Miller continued until September,
185 1, when they sold out to J. H. Masten, who continued the publication
until July 15, 1871, with the exception of two years and five months
when it was under control of A. F. Onderdonk and A. S. Baker. On
the date last named Mr. Masten sold out to William Bean, who with
A. E. Stone, were the proprietors until the paper suspended publica-
tion December 31, 1881. Its publication was resumed October 20,
1883, by William Seaport, who continued until August, 1884, when it
finally suspended. The Daily Dispatch was started by Mr. Seaport in
1884, as an independent paper, and continued it until September, 1885,
when J. & M. Wallace, the present proprietors, purchased the estab-
lishment.
The Cohoes Daily News was started September 22, 1873, by Edward
Monk. On June 1, 1874, he took as partner Samuel Sault, but July
22, 1879, J. H. Masten purchased Mr. Sault's interest. Mr. Monk retired
April 2, 1 88 1, and Mr. Masten continued the publication until October,
1884, when he sold out to W. K. Mansfield. On June 1, 1896. a stock
company was formed with a capital of $5,000, and J. D. Leversee,
president ; W. K. Mansfield, secretary ; W. S. Clark, treasurer. The
News supports the Republican party, is ably conducted and has a large
circulation.
The Cohoes Republican was started July 15, 1892, by the Republican
Publishing Company. This is a daily Republican organ and is ably
edited by John Spence.
455
The Sunday Regulator was established March 2, 1879, with Williams
& Webb, proprietors, and John Spence, editor. On August 14, follow-
ing, Samuel Sault purchased Mr. Williams's interest and Mr. Spence
gave up the editorship. Samuel Sault left the office in November,
18S0, and William Webb continued the publication until his death in
the fall of 1 88 1. Alexis Wager then took his place as publisher and
on January 1, 1882, purchased the establishment. He continued until
December, 1894, when he sold out to the present publisher, Mitchell
Rosenthall. The Regulator is Republican in its politics.
There is a large French element in the population of Cohoes and
there have been several newspapers printed in their native tongue.
Among these have been the Journaldes Dames, a literary paper edited
by Virginie Authier, which existed for about six months in 1875-6 ; the
L'Avenir National, a Democratic organ, started in Troy and removed
to Cohoes October 15, 1875, under management of Louis G. Le Boeuf,
and discontinued August 11, 1876; the La Patrie Nouvelle, a Repub-
lican paper, started February 16 1876, by the Authier Brothers, and
and the Journal de Cohoes, started January 3, 1877, by Pierre Lucas
with Arthur E. Valois, editor, which was suspended a few months
later. The existing French paper is the LTndependent, which was
started December 22, 1894, by L H. Bourgengnon. It is a Republican
organ and is successful.
Cohoes has had the usual number of more or less ephemeral publica-
tions to which only a brief reference is necessary. The Cohoes Weekly
Democrat was published for four months from January 27, 1866, by
Michael Monahan. A second paper with this name was started Sep-
tember 17, 1870, by D. Cady and John H. Atkinson; James F. Kelly
bought Cady's interest in the following November, and in August,
1873, Mr. Atkinson retired, Mr. Kelly continuing until February 21,
1879, when the establishment was burned and the paper suspended.
The Cohoes Independent was published for sra months from July 4,
1872, by Robeit Johnston and Charles S. Pease. The Cohoes Daily
Bulletin, the second daily in the city, began June I, 1875 < >t was
Democratic and was conducted by J. H. Atkinson and J. Barlow
Luddy ; the paper suspended December 13, 1875. The Cohoes Daily
Eagle succeeded the Daily Bulletin on January 22, 1876, with David
456
Williams, proprietor, and J. Barlow Luddy, editor; it was discontinued
May 26, 1876. The Northern Herald, a Sunday paper, was first issued
by Williams & Egan, September 3, 1876, and suspended April 30.
1877. The first number of the Cohoes Daily Courier, a Democratic
organ, appeared July 10, 1877, under the management of William
Keeden, who was succeeded by James F. Kelly in the following Oc-
tober, who published it in connection with the Weekly Democrat, be-
fore mentioned. He sold the paper to William Webb and John Spence
April 1, 1878, but it passed back again into his hands February 15,
1879 On the 2 1st of that month the plant was partially burned and
a removal was made to what became the Tubbs machine shop and there
the paper was published until May 17, 1879. The Cohoes Daily
Times, Democratic, was first issued from the Democrat office, August
4, 1879, with James F. Kelly, Dr. O. H. Clark, and John Scott, pro-
prietors. Dr. Clark and Lucius Maynard were editors; the paper sus-
pended the following November. The Daily Eagle, independent, was
started by Lucius Maynard September 12, 1879, and sold at a penny;
it lived only a few months. The Cohoes Leader (Sunday) commenced
publication September 14, 1879, with Spence & Aitkin, proprietors,
John Spence, editor; it suspended in June, 1880. The first issue of
the Weekly Register, Democratic, was published November 29, 1879,
by Clark & McNiven, Dr. Clark, editor. It suspended in March, 1880.
The Weekly News made its first appearance April io. 1880, and was
published for one year by Monk & Masten. The Daily Regulator was
published for six months in connection with the Sunday Regulator, be-
ginning April 19, 1880, by Webb & Sault. The Cohoes Sunday Re-
publican, A. Craig and A. K. Miller, proprietors, Mr. Miller being
editor, was published from June 27, 1880, to November of the same
year. The Cohoes Sunday Globe, independent, Patrick White, pub-
lisher, was issued for six weeks from August 21, 1881. The Cohoes
Daily Herald, independent, appeared May 20, 1882, with Monk &
Duffy, proprietors and editors, but suspended January 27, 1883.
St. John's Episcopal Church. — This parish was organized May 2, 1 83 1
David Wilkinson and Hugh White were chosen wardens, and Hezekiah
Howe, Otis Sprague, Albert S. Wilkinson, fames Faulkner, John Van-
457
dervverken, Matthias Williams, Samuel H. Baldwin, and Luther M.
Tracy, vestrymen. The first church edifice (it was also the first one in
Cohoes), was consecrated on May 12, of the same year. It stood on
the south side of Oneida street, between Mohawk and Remsen streets,
the land being donated by the Cohoes Company. During the first ten
years the pulpit was filled by clergymen from Waterford, after which
time Rev. David I. Burger became its first rector. In April, 1863,
steps were taken toward the erection of a new church, the corner stone
of which was laid June 9, 1870, on a site at the intersection of Can-
vass and Mohawk streets. The building was of gray stone, the entire
cost being $60,000. This beautiful structure was burned September
6, 1894, and on June 3, 1895, the corner stone was laid for a new
stone edifice on the same site, which building is now in process of
erection.
Reformed Church. — The Reformed Dutch church of Cohoes was or-
ganized on the first Wednesday of November, 1837, w'tn twelve mem-
bers. On the 19th of that month the Consistory was constituted by
the ordination of John Vanderwerken, Abram Weidman, and Daniel
Simmons, elders, and William Renwick and James Safely, deacons. In
May, 1838, Rev. William Lockhead was called as pastor of this church
and the Waterford church. The first church edifice was completed in
1839, and in January, 1840, Rev. John Van Buren was called to the
pulpit. In April, 1859, the first house of worship was demolished and
a new structure was erected on the site and dedicated April 1 1, i860,
the cost of which was $30,000. Rev. Charles N. Waldron, who began
his pastorate in 1849, served the church for thirty years. This society
is now strong and has a large membership.
First M. E. Church. — This society was organized in May, 1839, un_
der Rev. Elias Crawford, pastor, and Rev. Charles Sherman, presiding
elder of the district. Meetings were held for a year in a school house
and in dwelling houses, and in 1840 the first house of worship was built
where the Clifton mill was afterwards located. This was a small wooden
building and sufficed for the congregation until 1848, when a new brick-
church on Remsen street was erected at a cost of $12,000, the site
having been donated by the Cohoes Company. This church was used for
about ten years, when the growth of the society demanded a more com-
458
moclious building. In May, 1859, it was voted to tear down the church
and erect a new one on the site. This was completed and dedicated
February 22, i860.
First Baptist Church — Baptist meetings were held in Cohoes as early
as 1838, and in January, 1839, Jonn Duncan, a licentiate of the Still-
water church, was secured as regular preacher. His labors were suc-
cessful and on April 29th of that year a call for a church organization
was issued. At a council held May 25, 1839, such an organization was
approved, including the ordination of John Duncan as pastor. For
the greater part of the year services were held in the dining room of the
Harmony boarding house, after which a meeting place was found in a
building on Mohawk street. In January, 1840, land was obtained of the
Company and a small church erected. This was used for ten years,
when a second church was built on land of the Company on Mohawk
street facing White street, for which a perpetual lease was granted ;
this church was of brick, and determined effort was necessary to pay for
it. It was finally completed and dedicated April 28, 1852. In 1846 a
brick parsonage was erected. The society now began to grow rapidly
and by 1872 a larger church became a necessity. About $10,000 was
accordingly expended in rebuilding to meet the requirements. The
church is now in a prosperous condition.
The Presbyterian Church. — The First Presbyterian church of Cohoes
was organized August 10, 1839, by a committee from the Presbytery
of Troy. Fourteen persons assented to the faith, and Levi Silliman
and Timothy Bailey were chosen elders, and Maltby Howell, deacon.
Services were held in Mr. Silliman's dwelling and afterwards in their
church edifice on the corner of Remsen and Factory streets. The ed-
ifice which formerly stood on the site of the new church was built in
1849, an<^ enlarged in 1869. A lecture room was erected in 1865 and
enlarged by a two story addition in front in 1877; this was a gift by
H. B. Silliman. The parsonage adjoining the church was erected in
1865. A splendid new stone edifice is now in course of erection, to
which Mr. Silliman has contributed about $60,000, and the society has
raised $25,000 for a chapel and church house for social purposes. The
corner stone was laid in June, 1896, and the edifice will be completed
in 1897. The congregation is large and the society active.
459
St. James M. E. Church. — What was known as the Park Avenue
M. E. church was organized in 1876 with twenty-nine members. Dur-
ing the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Rose, on March 29, 188 1, the society
disbanded and on April 6 of that year a new church was organized
with the name of St. James. A new edifice was built on the corner of
McElwaine avenue and Walnut street.
St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church. — The first pastor of this
church came to Cohoes in 1847, anc* under him the Catholics began
public worship in a dilapidated dwelling. On November 18, 1847, tne
corner stone of a church was laid on land given by the Harmony Com-
pany. The church was completed under the ministration of Rev. Ber-
nard Van Reath, who remained here six years. He was succeeded by
Rev. Thomas Daily, and he in 1855 by Rev. Thomas Keveny, who
continued until the time of his death in 1882. Soon after his arrival the
lots west of the church were purchased for $1,200 and a pastoral residence
erected. Three other lots were soon afterward added to the property.
The land for the Catholic Cemetery was purchased in 1857 and improve-
ments begun. In 1859 Sisters from the Mother House of St. Joseph,
in Carondelet, Mo., came here and established schools in connection
with the parish. A residence_was purchased for them on Mohawk
street. When the time came that a larger church was needed, land
was purchased opposite the old edifice and there on August 15, 1863,
the corner stone of the present church was laid. The old church was
remodeled into a school building, with a hall above for the Young
Men's Literary Association. To better accommodate the schools and
the Sisters, the house occupied by the pastor was improved and the
Sisters transferred thither, while in the rear of the Sisters' house an
academy was built for young ladies of the congregation, and in rear
of the new church a fine house was erected for the clergy. On Febru-
ary 2, 1876, a fierce gale of wind struck the city and among other dam-
age done by it was the destruction of the steeple of this church and
eight of the nine bells in the chime. By vigorous effort a new-
steeple higher and more beautiful than the first was completed in the
following year. This church cost about $100,000.
St. Joseph's French Church. — On August 23, 1868, Rev. L. II. San-
gon was sent to Cohoes by Bishop Conroy to establish a French church.
460
He was successful and on October 9 the corner stone of a house of
worship was laid. The building was dedicated December 12, 1869,
with the above name. A pastoral dwelling was built in 1871. The
church was not substantially built and in June, 1874, it was demolished
and on August 23 of the same year the corner stone of a new edifice
was laid. The building is of stone and brick. When Rev. L. M. Dugast
assumed the pastorate in 1879 he found about sixty children of French
parentage attending a school with a single lay teacher. At his request
the Sisters of St. Ann's, of Lachine, near Montreal, established them-
selves in this parish, and in November a fine brick convent was opened
for them, which cost $17,000. The attendance is very large. Soon
afterward a school for boys was opened in a brick edifice erected for
the purpose. Several other societies have been established in connec-
tion with the church, all of which contribute to the general welfare of
the French population.
Church of St. Agnes, Roman Catholic. — A temporary house of wor-
ship was erected for this church and opened in November, 1878, and
Rev. John F. Lowrey was sent to take charge of the congregation in
September of that year. A parochial residence was built soon after-
ward, and the lots opposite were purchased as a site for the permanent
church. The old church was subsequently burned and the present
edifice erected. A farm was purchased for a cemetery and dedicated
September 26, 1883.
461
CHAPTER XIX.
THE TOWN OF RENSSELAERVILLE.1
This town derived its name from the first Patroon, Stephen Van
Rensselaer, to whom a charter or grant of land, known as Rensselaer-
wyck, embracing, with other lands, the county of Albany, was made
in the year 1630.
The first settler in Rensselaerville was Apollos Moore, a veteran of
the Revolutionary war, who immigrated from Pittsfield, Mass., and
settled upon a piece of land about two miles east of the site of the
present village of Rensselaerville. He came on foot, while his wife rode
a horse (which cost five dollars) and carried all their goods. Mr. Moore
became a leading citizen, was a justice of the peace, supervisor, and
finally a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Albany county, which
last office he held until he was seventy years old. He was a man of
marked character, of much learning, and made an able judge.
In 1787 Joseph Lincoln, John Rensier and several brothers named
Hatch settled in the northern part of the town, and soon afterwards
one of the Hatch brothers built there the house which was known for
many years thereafter as the " Hatch house," while a little way south
of where the village of Rensselaerville now stands was erected the
store-dwelling house and small tannery of Peckham and Griggs. This
was at that time known as " Peckham's Hollow," and was on the farm
afterwards owned by a Mr. Lester (now Joseph Pullman's). It was
here the Hon. Rufus W. Peckham, the elder, the noted lawyer and
judge, was reared and spent his boyhood days while teaching school.
The first settler in what grew to be the village of Rensselaerville
was Samuel Jenkins, who came there February 22, 1788, and in the
following April erected the first dwelling house and a little later the
first grist mill.
1 By Norman W. Faulk, esq.
462
Another pioneer, who came to the southwestern portion of the town in
1790, settling near the village of Preston Hollow, was Capt. Daniel Shay,
at that time a well known personage, being no other than the leader of
the famous "Shay's Rebellion" in Massachusetts. His son, Daniel
Shay, was later a merchant and justice of the peace at that village.
Major John Edwards, a Revolutionary soldier, at the close of the
war settled at Preston Hollow, where he spent the remainder of his
days.
In the southwestern part of the town, near Potter Hollow, Gerardus
Drake, a prominent member of the Society of Friends, settled in 1803.
This society increased in number and soon a church was founded at
Potter Hollow. John Drake, himself an influential Quaker, came to
the same place in 1808, and lived near Gerardus, while Abram and
Jeremiah Young and Aaron Winne settled in the same vicinity in
1790.
Michael Brand, a German, came during the Revolution from Scho-
harie county and settled in this town on land in lot No 225, which is
now the farm of William Chapman. About 1783, at which time there
was but one dwelling in the village of Rensselaerville, John Coons, from
Columbia county, squatted on lot No. 1 18, and Silas Sweet came from
West Stockbridge, Mass., and settled about one mile from Rensselaer-
ville village.
In 1770 Derrick Vandyke settled upon a piece of land upon the flats
just above the village of Preston Hollow, now occupied by John Hess,
and was the first settler in the southwestern part of the town. Tradi-
tion has it that during the Revolution he was a Tory. At this time
there were five footpaths or trails used by the Schoharie Indians, the
main path beginning at Catskill and following the creek of that name
up to its source at the vlaie, and running thence to Middleburg, pass-
ing through the site of Preston Hollow. Over this route now runs the
Schoharie turnpike. This path was traversed by the Indians of the
Stockbridge and Schoharie tribes, the former tribe being in the habit
of camping for weeks on what is now Coon's meadow in Preston Hol-
low, during their fishing season in the Catskill Creek.
The most prominent stream of Rensselaerville is Catskill Creek, which
rises in Schoharie county and runs southerly through the southwestern
463
portion of the town, emptying into the Hudson at Catskill. The re-
maining streams are Eight and Ten Mile Creeks, both in the eastern
part of the town and which join just south of Medusa.
There are four villages in the town, and two hamlets.
Preston Hollow, the largest village, is situated in the Catskill valley
near the mountains of that name, in the southwestern part of the town,
on Catskill Creek, its population being about 600. The first settlers
here were Andries Huyck, on lot No 84, and Sebastian Smith, on lot
No. 66. The founder of the village was Dr. Samuel Preston, who
in 1798 erected the first frame dwelling in the village. Of the many
prominent early citizens and business men in the village were Micah
Humphrey, the Shays — Daniel and Daniel, jr., Alvin Devereux, father
of Hon. Horace T. Devereux, James G. Clock, David Davenport, Eben
and Benjamin White, Phineas Holmes, Robert W. Murphy, the Ricker-
sons, Dr. Bela Brewster, Lawrence Faulk, Nathaniel Rider, Melancthon
Smith, David Faulk and Samuel Coon, who are long since deceased.
Lawrence Faulk was a learned and successful attorney and counselor at
the Albany bar. His successor was his son, Norman W. Faulk, who is
still engaged in practice in this village. Preston Hollow contains two
fine churches — a Baptist and a Methodist Episcopal — and a large hotel,
the Park Hotel, of which Mr. Murphy is proprietor, a flourishing school
and a classical institute.
Medusa is a village in the southeastern corner of the town on
Ten Mile Creek, and was settled by Uriah Hall and his son Joshua
about 1783, whence the name it bore for many years of Hall's Mills.
Uriah Hall and his son took a lease from the Patroon of many lots cov-
ering the site of the village and vicinity, and erected the first grist mill
and dwelling here. Joshua Hall continued in business here until 1806,
when he was accidentally killed by a tree falling upon him, while he
was chopping wood on one of his farms.
In 1785 Joseph Hall settled upon the farm afterwards owned by
Willett Mackey and now occupied by his son, Alex. W. Mackey, at the
east end of the village. Job Tanner was an early settler, as were Will-
iam R. Tanner, who was far many years a leading citizen, a justice of
the peace and supervisor, and Daniel Doolittle.
The village numbers about 150 inhabitants, has two churches —
Methodist and Christian, a hotel and store.
464
Rensselaerville is a village in the northeastern part of the town, and
was founded February 22, 1 788, by Samuel Jenkins, who erected at
that time the first grist mill and soon thereafter the first frame dwelling
house. He was the father of Jonathan Jenkins, who became a practic-
ing lawyer there, and grandfather of Hon. Charles M. Jenkins, a
wealthy and retired lawyer of Albany. Daniel and Josiah Conkling
were early settlers, Daniel carrying on tanning and a boot and shoe
manufactory. Asa and Philo Culver, Wheeler Watson, whose son,
Malbone Watson, became an eminent lawyer at Catskill and rose to be
county judge and Supreme Court justice, and Rufus Watson also settled
here at an early period. Other residents of the village who were prom-
inent in this locality were Arnold B. Watson, a son of Josiah Watson,
was president and main stockholder of the Unadilla Bank, Rev. Samuel
Fuller, the first pastor of the Presbyterian church here, who lived on
the farm where the late Hon. William Aley lived and died and Henry
Stone, an able lawyer and poet, was the successor to Jenkins. Still
others were Dr. Piatt Wickes who studied medicine with Dr. Hyde and
became his successor dying a few years ago at a ripe old age, a man of
sterling character ; Charles L. Mulford, successor to the Daytons, and
John S. Huyck, men who became wealthy and were honored by their
fellow citizens ; Eli Hutchinson, the merchant, and Franklin Frisbie, who
died a number of years ago. Judge John Niles, who moved from Coey-
mans, and O. H. Chittenden both lawyers here, the former becoming
a county judge and the latter surrogate of Albany county, and later
Dr. Gilbert Titus, who for many years was justice of the peace. The
Episcopal church here was organized February 20, 181 1, by Rev. Sam-
uel Fuller; the Baptist in 1797 and the Presbyterian in 1793.
In the cemetery of the village stands a monument to the memory of
the many brave soldiers from this town who lost their lives in fighting
for their country, at the dedication ceremonies of which Hon. Lyman
Tremain, of Albany, delivered a masterly oration.
Potter Hollow, which was settled in 1806, is a small village of about
one hundred residents, lying in the extreme southwestern part of the
town. It has a post-office, store, union church, and a hotel. The
founders and earliest business men were the Potters — Timothy R. and
Samuel. Potter Palmer, the well-known Chicagoan, was born and
465
grew to manhood here, his father, Benjamin Palmer, being a farmer
and a highly respected citizen, who served many years as justice of the
peace.
Cooksburg is a hamlet having a grist mill, hotel and two drug stores,
and lies south of Preston Hollow and north of Potter Hollow, being
one mile from each.
The town organization of Reusselaerville dates back to 1 791 . Berne
was taken from it in 1795, and a part of Westerlo in 18 15, leaving
Rensselaerville to occupy the southwest corner of what was known as
the Manor of Rensselaerwyck. The town was surveyed in 1786 and
divided into square lots of 160 acres each. It is eight and a half miles
on the south and east lines, and six on the north. The west line is
irregular and about nine miles in length. The general slope of the
land, though broken by high rid es, is south and east, the northwest
corner of the town being about the highest land between the Hudson
on the east, the Mohawk on the north and the Schoharie on the west.
A military road from Athens (then Lunenburg), Greene county,
passed through the southern part of the town, and was crossed by a
road from Beaverdam, now Berne, a little east of Andrew Asher's
house on lot 225. Another road, originally an Indian trail but used
for transporting military stores, crossed the town farther north, being
now known as the " Basic Path." These roads were, in the early days,
so covered by underbrush as to be passable only for ox teams.
The first settlers found on Ten Mile Creek what had been a Tory
camp, built of logs in wigwam style, and another on the ground now
covered by the Rensselaerville Pond. These settlers appear to have
built their houses on the highest point of their land, and to have traced
their paths from cabin to cabin by means of blazed trees, which tree-
marked paths were the beginning of our present roads from hilltop to
hilltop With the country now cleared of its forests these roads, with
an elevation of 1,400 or 1,500 feet above the Hudson River, give fine
views of the surrounding country.
A map of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, made for the proprietor by
J. R. Bleecker in 1767, shows no inhabitants, dwellings nor roads with-
in the limits of the present town. Bleecker says that the south line of
the manor was located by a line of marked trees, according to a survey
59
466
made by Edward Collins in 1735. From the map and field notes of
William Cockburn, who divided the southwestern part of the manor
into lots in 1786-7, it appears that at that time about sixty- seven emi-
grants had commenced improvements, and about fifty nine dwellings
had been erected, all probably in the prevailing styles of log architec-
ture, within the limits of the present town. These were located chiefly
alono- and near the roads designated as the Old and New roads from
Freehold to Schoharie. The Old road entered the town on lot 17, the
southeast corner of the town, and passed northwesterly through the
town. The New road entered on lot 1 1 and by a northerly course
joined the Old road on lot 224, then partly improved by Andrew Asher.
Over these roads the settlers seem to have come in from the south and
progressed mainly to the north and west.
We give below the number of lots upon which some improvements
had been made, from the map made by Cockburn in 1786, with the
names of the men, then called squatters, who led the attack upon the
dense forests of this wild region :
Lots5 and 6, Jeremiah Young; 7, Peter Plank; 8, Peter West; 9, Charles Edwards
11, Gershom Stevens; 24, Hendrick Young; 25, Peter Shoemaker; 26, Peter Becker
37, William Showerman ; 43, Peter Emerick ; 45, Peter Basson ; 47 and 67, John Ellis
56, Peter Miller; 66, Bastian Smith; 70, Samuel Howe; 84 and 85, Andrus Houck
88 and 89, Curtis Cleveland andjesse Pierce; 90, Abel Mudge; 92 and 102, Smith and
Johannes Hagadorn and Peter Houck; 103 and 104, Derrick Vandyke; 108, John
Pierce; 109, Sylvester Pierce ; 125, Abner Tremaine; 127, Caleb Prince; 128 and 148,
Daniel Mudge; 131, Daniel Cooper ; 145, Thomas Farrington ; 147, Samuel Martin
and Josiah Skinner; 149, George Van Beuren ; 167, Levi Green; 168 and 187, John
Coon; 169 and 170, Jonathan Skinner; 185 and 186, Neal McFalls; 186, Thomas
Brown; 186, Adam Coon; 188 and 189, 208 and 209, Reuben Bumpis, Philemon Lee
and Hezekiah Dibble; 204, Kendrick Rhoda and Samuel Nichols; 206, Gamaliel
Palmer; 207, John Nichols; 209, Cook; 210, Bela Cook; 223, Jonathan Edmonds:
224, Alanson Saxton and log meeting house; 225, Andrus Asher and Michael Bryant;
225, 245 and 246, Ashbel Culver; 226, 245 and 246, John Resegue; 227, Nathan Hatch;
227, Jonathan Crocker; 243 and 244, Widow Becker; 247, Daniel Cooper; 263, James
Borthwick; 267, Joseph Lincoln; 267, John Rancear; 261 and 281, James Broyce;
282, John Herren; 283, 303 and 304, John Hunter; 302 and 303, Samuel Ramsey;
350, George Ramsey; 351, John Connell.
The improvemants indicated on this map are small clearings, trees
enough being cut down to put up a log house.
There was some dread of Indians among the early settlers and events
showed that the fear was not unfounded. Two lads, sons of Mr. Prie,
467
who lived in the northern part of the town, were taken prisoners by
the Indians about the time of the massacre of the Deitz family in Berne.
They had set out to go to Berne, when they were seized, marched back
by the Basic path in sight of their father's house, and carried away and
kept prisoners by the Indians for many years. These Indians, under
Brant at this time, came down past the site of Preston Hollow and
camped on the site of Cooksburg, and thence passed on over the hills
to Blenheim and thence to Schoharie. They were followed by armed
men, who, however, were unable to overtake them.
The first town meeting of which we have any record was held in 1795 ;
Peter West was chosen supervisor, David Crocker town clerk, Benja-
min Frisbie and Peter West overseers of the poor, Ariel Murdock, Mel-
etiah Hatch and Ansel Ford commissioners of highways, L. Nathan
Spaulding, Elijah Murdock, Josiah Skinner and Apollos Moore asses-
sors, David Brown, Alexander Mackey, Noah Ellis and Joshua Doane,
constables, Alexander Mackey, David Brown, Noah Ellis and Joshua
Doane, collectors, Asa Hudson and Meletiah Hatch fence viewers, Da-
vid Crocker pound-master. In the following year there were nineteen
licenses recognized in town.
The first religious organization in Rensselaerville was that of the
Baptists in Preston Hollow, whose organization dated 1790. Elder
Winans was the first pastor.
The first Presbyterian organization in the town was in 1793, formed
by Benjamin Frisbie, Alanson Saxton and Nehemiah Lord, their place
of worship being a log house on what is known as Mount Pisgah, near
the village of Rensselaerville. The Rev. Samuel Fuller was their first
pastor, a Connecticut man of high education and a graduate of Dart-
mouth College. A meeting house was built about 1795 by a Dutch Re-
formed society in the southern part of the town on a ridge of land known
as Oak Hill ; among the early pastors of which were the Rev. Mr. Van
Zandt and Rev. Mr. Ostrander. This church stood near the present
residence of Mrs. Julia Hall, being on lot 9. The Baptist society com-
posed of those liviii" about Rensselaerville village built their meeting
house in that part of the original town which was set off to Berne, so
that, although most of the early settlers around this village were Bap-
tists, they had no meeting house in the village until 1830. The Revs.
Beman and Crocker were among their first pastors.
468
The present meeting house of the Methodists was built in Rensselaer-
ville in 1839 They also have a church in Preston Hollow and one in
Medusa. The Quakers, who were very numerous in early times, have
nearly disappeared from the town; they formerly had three meeting
houses in or near the town, of which the one located at Potter Hollow
has been reconstructed as a union church.
In 1802 the Schoharie Turnpike Company was incorporated, whose
road passed through the village of Preston Hollow in the southern part
of the town, while in 1805 the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Com-
pany was incorporated to build a road from Albany to Brink's Mills
which runs through Rensselaerville village.
Supervisors of the town of Rensselaerville have been: 1795, Peter West; 1818,
Asa Calvard; 1819-21, Eli Hutchinson; 1823-23, 1832-33, Nathaniel Rider; 1824,
Isaac Gardner; 1825, Joshua Gardner; 1826-27, Wheeler Watson; 1828-29, 1840, Joseph
Connor; 1830-31, John Niles; 1833 35, Charles L. Mulford; 1836, James Reid; 1837,
Samuel Niles; 1838-39, Lewis M. Dayton; 1841-42, Benjamin E. Mackey; 1843,
James G. Clark; 1844, Shadrach R. Potter; 1845-46, Valentine Treadwell; 1847-48,
Stephen M. Hallenbeck; 1849-50, 1852, 1854, William Aley; 1851, Daniel A. Mackey;
1853, Benjamin F. Sayre; 1855-57, Norman A. Ford; 1858-59, Andrew Felter;
1860-61, James E. Mackey; 1862-67, George H. Laraway; 1868-70, William Mc-
Givney; 1871-72, William R. Tanner ; 1873-75, Horace T. Devereux; 1876-80, Albert
T. Moore; 1881-83, H. Sayre; 1884-87, 1893, Jacob B. Norwood; 1888-92, Lewis
Kenyon; 1894-95, G. M. Hallenbeck; 1896, Abram S. Coon, term two years.
Of the many who have or are now worthily representing their native
town, we may record the names of Mortimer M. Jackson, judge of the
Supreme Court of Wisconsin ; Addison C. Niles, judge of the Su-
preme Court of California ; Rufus W. Peckham, judge of the Court of
Appeals, New York ; Malbone Watson, judge of the Supreme Court ;
James Lamoreux, Robert VV. Murphy, judges of Albany county ; Mar-
cellus Weston, judge of Montgomery county ; Hiram Gardner, judge of
Niagara county ; Horace T Devereux, Valentine Treadwell, Stephen
M. Hallenbeck, Almeron S. Cornell, William Aley, Robert B. Watson,
Henry Jenkins, J. W. and L. H. Babcock, members of the New York
Assembly. In addition to the above we should add Judge Joseph J.
Bradley of the Supreme Court of the United States, who was born in
that part of the original town which was set off as Berne ; Judge A.
Melvin Osborne of the Supreme Court of New York ; and Judge
Lyman Tremain, attorney-general of New York, who was born just over
469
the town line in Durham. Mr. Potter Palmer, of Chicago, and Arnold
B. Watson, of Unadilla, now deceased, were natives of this town.
Norman W. Faulk, of Preston Hollow, a lawyer, who read law in the
office of Daniel S Dickinson and with Peckham & Co. at Albany, was
admitted to practice in 1852, and went to Hastings, Mich., where he
practiced his profession and became a leader at the bar, and being for
a number of years judge of the Recorder's Court. He was born at
Preston Hollow, where he now resides, enjoying a practice in this and
adjoining counties.
The following list of occupants and actual first tenants in the town
under Van Rensselaer, the Patroon, with lots and leases, are of interest.
The names in italics indicates those who were occupants before the
manorial survey and allotments were made. It will be noticed that
the oldest leases were of lots 54, 94 and 134, made September 10, 1787,
but the date of the lease does not in every case indicate when the oc-
cupancy commenced, as this, in most cases, was many years before the
lease was taken.
Lot No. 1, which is the southwest corner of Albany county, was occupied by Elisha
Bates; no lease found ; 3, Josiah Morris, July 12, 1796; 3, Nathan Smith, June, 1788;
4, Stephen Bolles, July 0, 1791; 5, Jeremiah Young and John Wafen, July 18, 1803;
0, feremiah Young and Peter Plank, July 14, 1788; 7, Peter Plank (grist mill),
March, 1793; 8, Peter West, August 29, 1794; 9, Charles Edwards (meeting house),
June 28, 1795; 10, Charles Edwards, July 18, 1803; 11, Gershom Stevens (saw mill),
October 2, 1787; 12, Joseph Dickson, October 2, 1787; 13, Jonathan Pratt, October 2,
17S7; 14, Peabody Pratt, May 29, 1789; 15, Samuel Rider and Elihu Gifford, Feb-
ruary 15, 1799; 16, John Lautman, March 10, 1788; 17, Henry Spickerman, Decem-
ber 26, 1794; 21, Benjamin Brand, July 12, 1796; 23, Henry Young and Aaron
Winne, June 6, 1796; 24, Henry Young and John Walker, July 2, 1796 ; 25, Peter
Schoonmaker, March 13, 1788; 26, Peter Baker, January 26, 1796; 27, Joseph
Andrews and Hendrick I 'lank, jr., November 4, 1797; 28, Johannis Row, July 9,
17SS; 29, Martiuias Hommel, October 30, 1801; 80, Edward Taylor and Joshua
'1 bomas, June 21, 1791 ; 8.1, Levi Tracey and Thomas Shadbolt, May 19, 1806; 32. Elonzo
Jennings and Reuben Treadwell, July 13, 1796; 33, William A. Tanner, February
■!C>, 1805; 34, Joseph Hall, July 4, 1807; 35, Jonathan Bedford, January 30, L808;
86, George Ben, March 10, 1788; 37, John Gardner, April 17, 1795; 41, Abraham
Young (east part), July 12, 1796, (west part), Reuben Hill, September 29 1795; 42,
Wilhelmus Wolf and Peter Emerick, December 8, 1795, 43, Peter Emerick, January
27, 1796; 44, Michael Schoonmaker, January 17, 1789; 45, Peter B as son isaw mill),
April 20, 1798; 46, Philip Scholder, February 14. 1792; 47, John Ellis, July 22, 1788
(new lease to Daniel Tuttle December 5, L835); Is, Barent Burhans, November 9,
L801; 49, Ezekiel Hull March 2,1789; 50, Amos Mosher and Benjamin Worth,
470
August 23. 1805; 51, Sanford Tracey, August 24, 1805; 52, James Mackey, February
21, 1805; 53, (grist mill and saw mill), Fitch Lamphere, September 30, 1797; 54, John
H. Garrison, September 10, 1787; 55, Jacob and Wessels Strope, June 7, 1803; 56,
Alexander Campbell, August 13, 1806; 61. Hendrick Moore, July 12, 1796; 62, Hen-
drick Bewe, January 30, 1796; 63, Joseph Row, June 16, 1788; 64, John Wolf, jr.,
June 17, 1795; 65, Sebastian Schmit, November 7, 1792; 66, Martinus Shuldis, June
30, 1792; 67, Charles Morat, October 24, 1789; 68, Charles Morat, December 13,
1789; 69, Henry Person, October 2, 1787 ; 70, Samuel Hoiv and Samuel Cleveland,
October 2, 1787; 71, William and Solomon Mackey, Augusts, 1791; 72, Jeremiah
Parce, July 13, 1796; 73, John Cox, April 25, 1788; 74, Samuel Combe, jr., February
23, 1797; 75, Andrew Spickerman, February 10, 1803; 76, William Campbell, March
3, 1813; 81, Abram Hallenbeck, jr. (west part), November 21, 1788: 81, (east part),
Michael I. Hallenbeck, February 24, 1789; 82, Samuel Potter, July 9, 1792; 83,
Wilhemus Wolf, August 13, 1791; 84, Samuel Preston and Micah Humphrey (.saw-
mill), May 8, 1804; 85, Samuel Burgess and Samuel Preston, April 10, 1794; 86,
Timothy and John Boardman, jr., January 20, 1801; 87, Jonas Kelsey, July 13, 1796;
88, Alexander Mackey and Jonas Kelsey, February 9, 1796; 89, Johannes, Conradt
and Benjamin Briggs, April 25, 1795; 90, Enoch and Silas Sayre, April 5, 1793; 91,
Barent and Abraham Dubois, September 1, 1792; 92, Johannes Hagadorn, July
14, 1788; 93, Samuel Combe, jr., February 23, 1797; 94, Conradt Showerman, Sep-
tember 10, 17s7; 95, John Dunham, July 13, 1796; 101, John Hallenbake, February
3,4796; 102, Noah Russell and Samuel Potter, January 7, 1804; 103, Henry Win
Dyke and Thiel Rockefeller, January 25, 1797; 104, Henry and John Van Dykex
January 25, 1797; 106, John G. Spencer and Thomas Farrington, January 11, 1793;
106, Jesse Nichols, July 23 1800; 107, John YVinans and Muritie Eamon, January
2:;, 1795; 108, Lawrence Faulk (west part), September 6, 1793; 108, Jonas Kelsey, s.
one-half, March 3, 1789; 109, Josiah F. Dean, April 25, 1795; 110, Titus Palmer and
Lawrence Dubois, June 18, 1804; 111, William Connolly and George Wright, Decem-
ber 18, 1795; 112, Nathan and Sylvanus Lounsbury, July 13, 1796; 113, Peter
Rivenberg, May 12, 1804; 114 and 115, Jeremiah Snyder, May 12, 1817; 121,
Russell Humphrey (west part), August 26, 1794; 121, Henry Kontshman (east
part), December 16, 1793; 122, Christian Brand and John Badgers, January 9,
1794; 12:'., Peter Bradt and James Gleason, July 9, 1793; 124, Page Harri-
man, December 23, 1788; 125, Robert Goff and Saunders Haynes, January 3,
1805; 126, Joshua Gardner and John Hand, February 21, 1805; 127, Elijah Hicks,
March 4, 1795; 128, Jacob Copland, June 15, 1799; 129, Aaron and Jared Mudge,
October 2, 1 7s? ; 130, John P. Knickerbocker, June 16, 1795; 131, Allen Durant, Feb-
ruary 26, 1799; 139, George Dipple (saw mill), September 18, 1787; 133, Benjamin
B. Durkie, December 18, 1794; 134, Hendrick H. Garrison, September 10, 17^7;
141, Joseph Birchard, February 28, 1800; 142, David Alger, February 19, 1793; 143,
David Alger and Josiah Marshall, October 20, 1796; 144. Lora Lomis and John F.
Emta, April 13, 1793; 145, Thomas Farrington, April 28, 1789; 146, John Lennon
and Obadiah Wilde, February 20, 1796; 147, Elisha and William Sheldon, January
26, 1795; 53, lease for grist mill and saw mill to Fitch Lamphere in 1797, who sold
January 2, 1798, to Uriah Hall; 148, Jesse Sammus, September 2, 1795; 149, Hezekiah
Jopping, May 15, 1795; 150, David Crocker, jr. (west half), December 17, 1789; 150
471
(east half), Uriah St. John, September 24, 1793; 151, Joseph Lee, November 13,
1787; 152, Peleg Peckham, February IT, 1709; 153, Henry Campbell, part, Decem-
ber 31, 1811; 154, Timothy and John Boardman, jr., February 13, 1807; 161, Apollos
Moore, west part, May 29, 1798; 161, east part, Warner Barnes; 102, Hezekiah
Beach and Amos Alger, January 27, 1801; 163, Henry Hopping, July 7, 1788; 164,
David Reddington and Jeremiah Hand, October 14, 1794; 165, Johannis Felter, Jan-
uary 21, 1799; 166, William Murdock, April 24, 1795; 167. Daniel Tanner, April 19,
1797; 168, 169, 170, Johannes Coons, July 15, 1788; 171, Apollos Moore, March 5,
1805; 172, Uriah Chapman and Dyck Marcraback (a colored fiddler), July 15, 1796;
17:;, Sunderland Pattison and Jonathan Pearce, April 17, 1795; 181, Beta Phelps,
and Thomas Pears, east part, November 19, 1787; 121, Peter H. Smith and Michael
Harder, west part, November 10, 1794; 182, Asa Phelps, October 2, 1787; 183, David
Allworth and Cornelius Van Aken, January 9, 1831; 184, Samuel Greenleaf, and
Abraham Bernett, May 23, 1803; 185, S. Callender and B. Hall, February 11, 1795;
186, Adam Coons, Elisha Murdock and Thomas Brown, February 11, 1795; 187,
Adam Coons, July 15, 1788; 188, Philemon Lee, November 10, 1787; 189, Reuben
Bumpus, October 2, 1788; 190, Aaron Hunt, September 28, 1803; 191, Henry Spann,
February 9, 1797; 191, Charles Mead and Wheeler Watson, December 26, 1795; 201,
George Rivenbergh and J. Hallenbeck, February 22, 1803; 202, Abel Ford, Septem-
ber 30, 1793; 203, Jacob Charlier, September 8, 1797; 204, Elias Ames and Gad Hall,
March 20, 1794; 205, John Owen and Philo Camp, August 18, 1788; 200, Thomas
Brown and Alanson Saxton, July 15, 1788; 207, Gamaliel Palmer and Henry Lewis,
October 10, 1800; 208, Joseph Woodford and William Hatch, January 28,
1795; 209, James White and Daniel Lindley, January 13, 1799; 210, David Bailey,
211, William Wightman and Thomas Lee, December 3, 1788; 212, Jonathan Fish,
March 5, 1801; 221, David Hess, June 28, 1806; Joseph Woodworth. January 3o!
1806. and David Newcomb, September 16, 1796; 222, Ariel Murdock, Novem-
ber 15. 1787; 223, Amos Beecher, July 20, 1803; 224, Congregational church; 225,
east part, John Frisbie, July 22, 1801, and west part, Michael Brant, May 2. 1797;
226, Ashbel Culver, February 1, 179s; 227, Samuel Fuller, Melatiah Hatch and Josiali
Watson, May 11, 1797; 228, Asa Woodford and Melatiah Hatch, March 4, 1795; 229
Samuel Jenkins, William King and Wheeler and Thomas Watson, February 20, 1799;
230, Elijah and Eber Sweet, June 6, 17ss; 231, Apollos Moore, January 1798- 241
Enoch and Sylvanus Cooper, May 6, 1794; 242, Samuel Nichols and John Owens.
February 7, 1798; 243, Christian Becker, January 21, 1794; 244, Joseph Lincoln;
215, Daniel Conklin, jr., west half, March 29, 1812, Amaziah Palmer and Samuel
Nichols, March 4, 1790; 247, John Couse, February 23, 1797; 218, sold to Jonathan
Jenkins, west part, and to Charles Pierson east part, and others, pond, etc.; 249
Hans Winegar, April 25, 1788, and second lease March 12, 1803; 250, Henry and
Josiah Conkling, May 2s. 1798; 251. Josiah Haverman, January 24, 1790; 261, i
kiah Watson and JobSisson, west part, January 15, 1800, east part, to Jabez Sisson
and Christopher Shreve, May 7, 1795; 202, Lating Day and William Borthwick
December 22, 1806; 263, fames Borthwick, January 28, 1796; 201. Daniel Lamoree,
January 9. 1795; 265, Reuben King, May 19, 1795; 266, Nicholas Cornell, [une 9.
1785; 207, Rufus Watson, August 28, 1822; 268, Jonathan Crocker, jr., March 111,
1795; 269, Daniel Conkling, jr., May 28, 1798; 270, Daniel Conklin-. May 28, 1798;
472
281, George Bell and George Cogshall, January 22, 1800; 282, Isaac Cowles, May 9,
1788; 283, William and Charles West, March 22, 1792; 284, Benjamin Frisbie and
Elisha West, October 31, 1794; 285, Thomas and Benjamin Frisbie, jr., February 35,
1796; 286, Thomas Watson, February 22, 1792; 287. Joseph Sisson, February 13,
1795; 288, Salmon Sandford and Weston, April 25, 1795; 289, Asa and Barnabas
Rice, March 8, 1796; 290, Michael Boomhover and Valentine Casman, December 23,
1799; 301; Joseph Rollo, April 11, 1791; 302, John H. Bushnell, March 29, 1798; 303,
Daniel Sears, January 20, 1806; 304, John Sisson, June 6, 1796; 305, Alfred Hislop,
April 18, 1788; 306, John Raymond and George Sisson, December 14, 1796; 30T,
Shubel Bouton and Shubel Bouton, jr., July 25, 1803; 308, Martin Campbell, June 6,
1788; 309, John Abel and Caleb Sanford, February 24, 1796; 310, Samuel Frink and
ane Solomon Sanford, December 4, 1804; 311, Steadman Fox, February 5, 1810; 349,
Edmund Watkins and Solomon Seaman, May 29, 1793; 350, Peter Frisbie, November
11, 1824; 351, George Sanford, September 27, 1797; 352, Christopher Almy, January
30, 1809; 353, Joseph Hopkins, May 7, 1802; 354, Reuben Crosby, May 13, 1789; 355,
Salter Pullman, February 19, 1788; 356, Nathan and Seth Young, March 14, 1805;
357, Pardon Kelsey, June 4, 1790; 358, Elisha and Philander Goodrich and Caleb
Sanford, September 7, 1796; 359, Jonathan Crocker, January 14, 1796; 360, Ephraim
and Samuel Lindsley, February 25, 1795, in the northeast corner of the present limits
of the town.
CHAPTER XX.
THE TOWN OF COEYMANS. '
The town of Coeymans is situated in the southeast corner of Albany
county, and includes within its boundaries Baeren (Barren) Island and
about one-half of Shad Island It was erected from the mother town
of Watervliet March 18, 1 79 1 , and was the second town formed in the
county. When the town of Westerlo was erected in 18 15, a small sec-
tion of Coeymans was set off to it. Coeymans has an area of 32,570
acres, and received its name from Barent Pieterse Coeymans, the pat-
entee. The surface of the town consists of an upland rising 200 to 400
feet above the river, which is broken by hills and ridges rising 100 to
400 feet higher. The soil on the levels is alluvial in character, mixed
with sand and clay and very productive. In the western part of the
town its consists of gravel and clay. As a whole the town is well
' This name is found spelled in various ways — Koeymans, Koymans, Koeyeraans, and the cus-
tomary way; in Holland it was probably Kojiemans.
473
adapted to the growing of the usual farm products and the common
fruits. Geologically there is little of importance in this town. A stra-
tum of marble or limestone extends across it from north to south three
to four miles from the river, and this has been quarried for building
purposes. Some blue stone is found and a quarry was formerly worked
at Mossy Hill. The principal streams are Coeymans Creek, which en-
ters the town from Bethlehem in the eastern part and empties into the
Hudson at Coeymans Landing. The Hannakrois flows in from West-
erlo and crosses this town in a southeasterly direction, passing through
Indian Fields, Stephensville, and Coeymans Hollow, and supplying
excellent water power. It enters Greene county near Achquetuck;
and then making a long bend again enters Coeymans near the south-
east corner of the town and empties into the Hudson a little below Coey-
mans Landing. These streams flow through narrow valleys which are
bordered by steep hills through which they have cut gorges in some
places. These two streams have numerous small tributaries, and Coey-
mans Creek makes two falls at Coeymans village aggregating seventy-
five feet in height, which supply a water power that has been utilized
for years past. Some of the small streams in the northern part of the
town disappear into sink holes and again come to the surface after flow-
ing some distance through subterranean channels. Moulding sand has
been found in some parts of Coeymans and was formerly shipped in
large quantities.
The first permanent occupation of land in this town by white men
took place more than 125 years before its civil organization in 1 79 r .
Among the Dutch immigrants who came over to secure the advantages
offered by the Patroon, was Barent Pieterse Coeymans, who arrived in
1636 and immediately entered the service of Mr Van Rensselaer at
a yearly salary of thirty guilders. Coeymans was accompanied by his
three brothers, David, Jacob, and A rent. Barent Coeymans worked in
the Patroon's grist mill until 1645, when he took charge of the saw mills
belonging to Mr. Van Rensselaer, which were in the northern part of
the present city on Patroon's Creek. In this work he was assisted by
Jan Gerritsen, and each received a yearly salary of 150 guilders and in
addition three stivers for every plank sawed by them. Coeymans re-
mained thus employed until 1647. Previous to 1650 ('<>(. vmuns lived
GO
474
south of Patroon's Creek, but in 1655 he took a ninteen year lease of a
farm of "maize land" at twenty four guilders a year. In 1657 he
secured a lease of the Patroon's mills for nineteen years, at the expira-
tion of which he leased the mills on the Norman's Kill for thirteen
years.
With the expiration of this lease in 1673 Mr. Coeymans purchased
from the Indians a large tract of land, extending eight to ten miles on
the river and twelve miles back into the country. For this tract, which
embraced what became the town of Coeymans, he obtained a patent
from Governor Lovelace. It was a valuable purchase at that time,
especially as it carried with it excellent water power, and on the creek
north of Coeyman's Cryn Cornelissen and Hans Jansen had already, as
early as 165 1 built a saw mill. Of course this tract fell within the
boundaries of the Van Rensselaer Manor and the Patroon sought to
establish his title at law. After protracted litigation the matter was
finally arranged in 1706, by an agreement on the part of Coeymans to
receive title from the Patroon and pay a small annual quit rent. This
title was confirmed by patent from Queen Anne August 6, 17 14.
The following extracts from the Patent and from a conveyance of
one of the islands in the river, possess peculiar interest in this con-
nection, the cession of the patent being defined in part as follows:
From "a certain creek or kill lying and being on the west side of Hudson's river
to the north of a place of the Indians called Kax-hax-ki, stretching in length to the
highest place where Jacob Flodden did used to roll down timber, named by the na-
tives Scen-tha tin, to the island belonging to John Byers, and into the woods as far
as the Indian Sachem's right goes."
Yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, unto the same Kilian Van
Rensselaer, his heirs and assigns, the yearly rent or sum of nine shillings, current
money of New York, at upon the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in lieu of all
other rents, dues, duties and services, for or in respect of all premises or any part
or parcel therefore, as by the said indenture relation to them being had more fully
and at large appear.
Following is the conveyance alluded to:
On the 10th of April, 1(572, Yolkert Janes conveys all his rights and ownership to
Barent Pieterse (Coeymans) in the island named Schutters, lying below Beeren
Island, and included in Coeymans' patent, dated August 14, 1671.
Barent Pieterse Coeymans married a daughter of Andries De Vos
and was the father of five children — Andries, Samuel, Peter, Arriantje
475
and Jannetje. The first named was born in Albany and married a
daughter of Dr. Samuel Staats, and later became a resident of New
Jersey, where descendants of the family are still found Samuel, also
born in Albany, August 3, 1670, married Katrina Van Schaack, and
resided many years in the great Coeymans stone house which still
stands at the Landing; he had no children. Arriantje was born in
Albany October 19, 1672, and remained single until she was fifty- one
years old, living with her brother Samuel. She finally married David
Verplank, who was then only twenty-eight years old ; they had no
children, and the mother died April 4, 1743. Verplank inherited a
portion of her estate, and was twice married after her death and became
the father of David, Johannes, Arriantje, and Isaac D. Peter Coey-
mans was born in Albany and married Elizabeth Graveret (or Greve-
raad), by whom he had two children — Menjae, who became the wife of
Andreas Whitbeck, and Elizabeth, who married Jacobus Van Allen.
Peter's first wife died and he married, second, Charlotta Amelia Daw-
yer, who was mother of three children — Garritje (married John Bar-
clay) ; Ann Margaret (married Andries Ten Eyck), and Charlotte
Amelia (married John Jonas Bronk). Peter Coeymans resided in the
old stone house until his death on April 30, 1736, when he was buried
on Baeren Island. Many descendants of Peter through his five daugh-
ters, lived in this vicinity, but none of the name of Coeymans are left.
Barent, the patentee, is believed to have been buried on land now
owned by Peter Whitbeck, the belief being chiefly founded on the
fact that in a partition deed a part of this land is reserved for burial
purposes. The old Coeymans stone house is now owned by Dr.
Johnson.
The Coeymans Creek, before mentioned, is the same stream that
bears the Indian name, Onisquethau, described in the history of New
Scotland, both names attaching to it in these later years. The creek
has the two falls mentioned, before it empties into a small bay leading
to the Hudson At the bottom of the lower fall is an old mill, long
idle, and a building known as the old stone house, which is constructed
of field stones, with brick gables. Two other buildings similarly con-
structed still stand at the Landing, all three being probably more than
a hundred years old.
476
The level lands west of the village were in early years called
Achquetuck, and here the early settlers were Andreas and Lendert
Witbeck, whose families have been prominent in the town and county
for many years. Daniel Traver and Balthus Keefer settled to the north
of Indian Fields near what became known as Keefer's Corners, and
nearby A. Searls and John and T. Witbeck built homesteads at an
early date. The names of many other pioneers will appear as we pro-
ceed, and the list of prominent families and their biographies is greatly
extended in Part III of this volume. The town records go back only
to 1 8 1 1 , which leaves the proceedings for twenty years unaccounted
for. John T. Van Dalston was the first supervisor of whom there is
record and Archibald Stevens the next, being chosen in 1 8 1 8. His
successors to the present time have been as follows:
1819-21, John N. Huyck; 1822-25, Israel Shear; 1826-28, Abraham Verplanck ;
1829-31, Andrew Witbeck; 1832-34, Henry Niles; 1835-37, Cornelius Vanderzee ;
1838^0, Jonas Shear; 1841-43, Garret Whitbeck ; 1844-45, John Mead; 1840-47.
El well Blodget ; 1848-49, John Vanderzee ; 1850-51, Nathaniel Niles; 1852-53, Willet
Serls; 1854-57, Garrit Whitbeck; 1858-59, John B. Shear; 1860-61, David A. Whit-
beck; 1862-63, Jonas Shear; 1864-65, Peter Keefer; 1866-71, John B. Shear; 1872-
73, Cornelius Vanderzee ; 1874-75, Nelson Schermerhorn ; 1S76-77, John H. Powell;
1878-80, John A. Hunt; 1881-82, Estes H. Strevell; 1883, Lansing Shear; 1884,
Horace Blodgett; 1885-86, Richard S. Blodgett; 1887-88, Alton Van Derzee; 1889-
90, Estes H. Strevell; 1891, Richard S. Blodgett; 1892-93, Alton Van Derzee; 1894-
95, Noble H. Bronk.
The first Coeymans dwelling, the so-called Castle, was torn down
about 1833. It stood on the corner of Westerlo and First streets, hav-
ing walls of great thickness which were pierced with loop holes. The
building faced the Hudson River and was erected very soon after Coey-
mans made his purchase from the Indians. Down to the time of its
removal it contained many relics and keepsakes of the old family, among
them being an old picture of the property, made probably 150 years
ago or more. It shows the present stone house, a small mill back of
the site of the late grist mill, a plaster mill to the northward over an
artificial rock- cut which served as a water-way, another saw mill on the
crown of the rocks, and another grist mill on the opposite side of the
creek. The last named mill stood until 1830. The old stone house
and the other property passed to the Ten Eyck family through Peter
Coevmans.
477
The history of this town is a simple record of gradual progress and
improvement in agriculture, the advancement of educational interests,
the promotion of religious institutions, and the establishment of such
mercantile stores as were needed for the community. In common with
all communities dwelling on or near a great river, the inhabitants were
intensely interested in the progress and final determination of the war
of 1812, but there is no record of how many of them fought in its bat-
tles. Many of the roads through this town were opened and consider-
ably improved previous to the beginning of the present century. As
population increased the number of road districts was augmented, turn-
pike companies were organized, and stage and post routes were estab-
lished. The Hudson River has, of course, always been a much-traveled
highway northward and southward, supplying an easy and economical
means of reaching the principal local market at Albany. It was about
1820 when the stage routes were established the stage companies having
contracts for carrying the mails. Previous to that time the mails had
been commonly carried by post riders. A turnpike company was early
incorporated in this town for the construction and maintenance of a
highway from Coeymans through Coeymans Hollow, Indian Fields, and
thence through Dormansville and Chesterville in the town of VVesterlo,
and on to the old Delaware turnpike, a distance of about eighteen miles.
The first division, about eight miles, was incorporated in 1850 as the
Coeymans and Westerlo Plank Road Company, the charter extending
thirty years. In i860 the roadway of plank was taken up and broken
stone substituted, since which time the stone road bed lias been farther
extended and it is now one of the best highways in the county. The
charter of the company was renewed in 1880 for thirty years.
The school districts of Coeymans at the present time are fourteen in
number with a school house in each, the whole together with Bethle-
hem and New Scotland constituting the first school commissioner's dis-
trict of Albany county. There is no graded school, high school or
academy in existence at the present time. The Coeymans Academy,
established in 1858 by Fletcher Blaisdell, Theophilus Civil and Peter
Seabridge, and having for its first teachers Misses C. B. and Emma
Brace, was not successful and like many other similar institutions was
abandoned with the great improvement of recent years in the district
478
schools. Previous to 1880 Acton Civill made an effort to found an
academy at Coeymans village. In the western part of the place, on the
high ground he erected a massive brick and stone structure in ample
grounds, and in 1882 added a building which was to be used as a board-
ing house. His own ill health and other causes led to the abandon-
ment of all his plans before a school was opened. The buildings are
still standing and unoccupied.
In the war of the rebellion Coeymans furnished her various quotas
of volunteers for the armies of the Union, but the law providing for
the preservation of a complete list of those who went out from the
town has been unheeded.
The town of Coeymans was without a railroad until 1883, when the
New York, West Shore and Buffalo line was completed, and though
the mercantile interests of small villages and hamlets are generally
much affected by the building of railroads, and pre frequently totally
or in part destroyed ; it cannot be said that those of this town have
suffered very much in this respect. The trade of Coeymans Landing is
retained partly on account of its water front and its connection with
Albany by the river, while at Ravena Junction, which is one mile from
the Landing, an enterprising village has sprung into existence almost
wholly on account of the railroad and furnishes an excellent point for
marketing the surplus products of the country. The necessity for a rail
connection with Albany by the West Shore road led to the building of
the line from this point, direct to the city, while the main line passes a
little to the northwest of the city through Bethlehem, New Scotland,
and Guilderland.
The Coeymans Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated August
16, 1859, and has done a large local business, to the great advantage of
its members and policy holders.
The Grove Cemetery Association at Coeymans was incorporated in
1848, through the efforts of Acton Civill.
The Indian Fields Cemetery was incorporated in January, 1872. The
following were the first officers : President, William S Cole; vice-presi-
dent, Andrew H. Witbeck; treasurer, Joslin Nodine ; secretary, John
N. Verplank ; Judson Lamoreaux, Abram Witbeck, William J. Lamo-
reaux, and George C. Lamoreaux. The cemetery contains about five
acres.
479
Among the physicians who have practiced in this town are Drs. Ely,
Smith, Spaulding, Hand, Van Alstyne, Van Allen, Herrick, Holmes,
Blodgett, and Clement ; Dr. Benjamin B. Fredenburg settled here in
1826 and passed a long and active life in the town ; Dr. Andrew Huyck,
settled at the Hollow in 1838 ; Wesley Blaisdell, and Andrew Van Ant-
werp also practiced medicine here; Dr. F. C. Mosher, located at the
Landing about 1848, and Dr. H. N. Johnson, settled at the same place
about 1 8S 1 , practiced his profession and also conducted a drug busi-
ness ; Dr. C. C. Willis, is well known locally as a dentist; Dr. G. E. El-
mendorf settled at Stephensville in 1876, while Dr. F. A. Rivets, located
at Indian Fields in 1880.
The village of Coeymans Landing (Coeymans post-office) retains
perhaps more of its ancient appearance and spirit than any other vil-
lage in Albany county. There is an air of antiquity and quaintness
about some of its streets and buildings that lends a charm to the place
and makes it a much sought resort. These are in strong contrast with
the modern business establishments of J. N. Briggs and other enter-
prising men. Many of the streets are crooked, and along and among
them are placed dwellings and shops with little regard to the order fol-
lowed in villages founded in recent years. The western part of the
place, situated upon the higher ground, is more modern in its charac-
teristics and here are many beautiful residences, surrounded by at-
tractive grounds. Among the first settlers at the Landing were Andreas
and Lendert Witbeck, and the Ten Eyck, Van Allen, Verplank, Bronk,
Barclay, Hotaling. and Van Daalston families. A little later came the
Waldron and the Huyck families; one McMichael, a very early -mer-
chant ; James Teft, who kept a public house ; Oliver Lawton, John
Fanning, Palmer Utter, Joseph Hazelton, Levi Blaisdell, and others,
whose descendants have been foremost in promoting the best interests
of the village. Some of the early mills built at this point to utilize
the valuable water power have been mentioned. They have all passed
away and given place to other and later industries. What were known
as the Cedar Point Mills were built by Conrad Ten Eyck many years
ago, and connected with them was a plaster mill and carding factory
which long ago disappeared. A flouring mill owned or operated at
different periods by Isiael Lawton, Briggs & Colvin, A. Willis, is now
480
the property of Henry Johnson. It has been idle a number of years.
A large mill is operated at the present time by John N. Briggs, as part
of the large business interests controlled by him on the river. No man
has done more in recent years for the up-building of this place than he.
He is a heavy dealer in coal and ice and is the lessee of Barren Island,
to which he has given the name Baerman Park. Here he has made an
ideal pleasure ground which is visited by hundreds of excursion parties
every season from Albany and elsewhere.
Among past and present business men of the village are William B.
Hull & Co., general merchants, a business now conducted by Andrew
Van Derzee & Son ; Baumes & Brother, former dealers in groceries,
crockery, etc.; W. VV. Snyder, former boot and shoe dealer ; W. H.
Keller, former grocer ; Powell & Johnson, present dealers in drugs and
medicines; Alfred A. Sherman, fancy goods and stationery; J. B.
Holmes, tin shop and hardware; A. Vandyck, harnessmaker ; L. E.
Gould and Charles Zeigler, meat dealers ; Henry Slingerland, forward-
ing and commission business; H. Long & Son, grocers; C. B. Clow,
furnishing goods. Among the attorneys who have practiced here in
the past were S. Springsted and J. M. Harris, and Charles Thompson.
C. M. Tompkins is in practice at the present time.
The Hotaling Hotel has long been owned and conducted by Richard
S. Hotaling. The Gedney House, formerly the Union, has been kept
for many years by Samuel Gedney. The Tobin House, formerly the
Whitbeck House, kept by Verplank Whitbeck, is now run by George
Tobin. The American House is kept by Gilbert Cronk.
The first newspaper in Coeymans was established in 1863 by Gilbert
C. Vincent under the name of the Coeymans Gazette, who sold out in
the fall of 1864 to Willard Pond. It soon after passed into the hands
of Henry Bronk, and subsequently to McKee & Springsted. In De-
cember, 1869, Mr. Springsted sold his interest to his partner, Thomas
McKee, who continued the publication until 1871. In that year Mil-
ler & Sherman established the Coeymans Herald. Mr. Miller soon sold
his interest to his partner, who a little later sold out entirely to S. H.
& E. J. Sherman, who have continued the publication ever since.
Ravena, (formerly Coeymans Junction). — The junction of the two
branches of the West Shore railroad was made about a mile west of
JOHN N. BRIGGS.
481
Coeymans Landing, on the stone road before described. The place of-
fered a beautiful site for a village and prompted energetic men who
foresaw the importance of the point, to invest money liberally in im-
provements. Of these men one of the first and most active was
Peter Pulver. As soon as the railroad station and necessary build-
ings were erected in 1883, he built a hotel and restaurant and three
•dwellings. This was the nucleus of the village. Other dwellings soon
followed and in 1884 he erected the large three story brick block for
stores and hotel, which is now called the Pulver House, the present pro-
prietor of which is C. E. Gage, who took it in December, 1895. Mr
Pulver also built another brick block near the hotel, for a store with a
public hall above. The village grew very rapidly within the succeed-
ing five years. Stephen Vincent built what was the Temperance Hotel
but which is now called the Vincent House, kept by E. Slater since
May, 1895. General stores have been established by Willis Bentley
Elias Sweet, and Almeron Roberts. Truman Carhart deals in boots
and shoes; A. M. Strevell, also Mr. Allen, in hardware, and William
Melton in fancy goods. A large amount of cider and vinegar are made
here by the Albany County Produce Company. An excellent school
is conducted in the village, which is included in district No. 3, and three
teachers are employed. The postmaster of the village is Elias Sweet
The name of Coeymans Junction was never satisfactory to the inhab-
itants of the village, and in 1893, through the efforts of C. M. Barlow
and the Rev. R. G. Fenton, the name was changed by the post-office
department to Ravena. The village now contains about one thousand
inhabitants and is fast growing in population and improvements A
franchise is about to be granted for a better supply of water for fire and
sanitary purposes.
Ache-que-tuck is a hamlet locally known as Peacock's Corners, hav-
ing a post office, situated about two miles west of the railroad station of
Ravena. Here is located the old stone house of the Ten Eyck family,
built long before the Revolutionary war, and the old brick residences of
the Verplancks and the Witbecks, all of which families settled at an
early date in this immediate vicinity. Other pioneers here were the
Van Derzee, Shear, Wiltsie and Schoonmaker families. In past years
there were grist and saw mills, a tannery and a flax mil), on the Haana-
ci
482
krois Creek, which were the property of Isaac D. Verplanck. An ex-
cellent farming district extends from this point to the eastern extremity
of Coeymans Hollow described in old deeds as Hagh-a-tuck, which is
the Indian name, and far to the northward. A general store is now
kept here by Charles Corts, and a hotel by David Baumes.
Coeymans Hollow is a hamlet about in the center of the town, with
a post-office of the same name opened in 1840 with John B. Shear as-
postmaster. The Hollow extends a distance of about two miles along
the Haanakrois Creek, and was settled almost contemporaneously with
Coeymans settlement farther east. The Verplanck and Witbeck fam-
ilies, John Blodgett, Josiah Hinckley, Gerrit Witbeck, Jonas Shear,
Jedediah Davis, and John Colvin were among the pioneers in the Hollow.
There was in early years considerable manufacturing done here, the
power supplied by the creek being utilized. Francis DeLong, Gerrit
Witbeck and a Mr. Oberman manufactured hats here many years ago.
A crrist mill and saw mill, and a cloth works were owned and operated
by John Blodgett and a Mr. Leslie. At the upper end of the village
Verplanck had a grist mill and saw mill, which were destroyed by a
freshet, after which the dam and raceway were utilized in recent years
by Andrew Carey to drive machinery for turning hubs and spokes, but
this industry has also dissapeared. About 1860-62 several flax mills
were established on the creek, but were soon abandoned. All manu-
facturing operations have disappeared, and little business of any kind is
carried on.
Alcove (formerly called Stephensville) is a hamlet next to the west-
ward of Coeymans Hollow and practically a continuation of it though
having a post-office with the name of Alcove, and takes its name from
Archibald Stephens, a former owner of mills here. One of the
pioneers at this place was Casparus Ackerman who came in 1790 and
soon afterward erected the first mills, which in course of time passed
into possession of Mr. Stephens. The present mill is a large stone
structure and is owned by Bennett T. Briggs. The Valley Paper
Mills and the saw mill of Amos D. Briggs are situated here near the
stone road. These were burned about 1890 and not rebuilt. About
1844 Ephraim Andrews erected a carding and cloth mill here which
was enlarged a few years later by John E. Andrews and converted
483
into a wrapping paper mill. In 1854 Mr. Andrews and W. S. Briggs
introduced steam and other modern improvements and machinery. In
1 87 1 the firm of W. S. Briggs & Sons (Newton S., Ralph B., and Amos
D.) was formed and existed three years, when the property was trans-
ferred to Amos D. Briggs, who in 1883 made extensive improvements
and enlargements. Three-fourths of a mile south of these mills is the
post-office and the residence of W. S. Briggs, owner of the stone mill
before mentioned. Just above the Valley Mills, over eighty years ago,
was a saw mill and near by was the tannery of Daniel Tompkins. The
only mercantile business is a general store conducted by Green Brothers.
Indian Fields is a hamlet with a post-office of the same name in the
western part of the town. Among the early settlers here were John
and Thomas Witbeck, W. Searles, George Lamoreaux, Jedediah Davis,
Daniel Green, Daniel Wickham, Gideon Schofiel, Josiah Hinckley, and
the Huyck, Tompkins, and Robins families. In early years Isaac Ver-
planck built a saw mill and afterward carding mills were started. At a
later date Houck & Trenchard operated a cloth works and a saw mill.
These were converted into a foundry by Huyck & Norris, who sold out
to Caleb Snyder. A foundry and wood working shop is now con-
ducted by Norris Brothers. Stores are kept by Odelon Adriance and
Vincent Snyder, and a hotel by Frank Ingalls.
Keefer's Corners is a small cluster of dwellings in the northwest cor-
ner of the town, which received its name from Balthus Keefer, who set-
tled here in 1 79 1 , but two other families having preceded him to this
point. Other early settlers were Daniel Traver, Jacob Schermerhorn,
Dampa Mead, Stephen Hanes, George Lamoreaux, and the Lanson and
Hogan families. The post-office was established in 1842, with Peter
Keefer postmaster. The office was abandoned some years ago. There
is no business of any account here at the present time.
The early Dutch and Huguenot immigrants who constituted so large
a portion of the early settlers, not alone of this town, but of the whole
of Albany county, were eminently religious in their character and
habits. Indeed, this fact was one of the incentives that prompted them
to seek new homes in a far-off country ; they longed for a land where
religious intolerance and opposition could not reach them. It is clear
that these people worshipped their creator both in private and in public
484
when they had established their homes, and long before any church
organization could be perfected, at least nearer than Albany. This
condition continued probably until after the close of the Revolutionary
war. With the advent of peace and its blessings, new elements were
added to the population from New England, whose religious beliefs and
habits, while perhaps not less ardent and active than those of their Dutch
predecessors, were widely different in other respects. Methodists, with
their intense religious zeal came in and stirred to their depths the more
lethargic temperaments of the Dutch and organized some of the earliest
churches of which records remain in this town.
The first Methodist Society, organized by Rev. John Crawford, be-
gan its existence in 1788 or 1789, there being twelve members in the
class with Freeborn Garretson as presiding elder. The first house of
worship, a stone structure, was built in 1791-92, two and a half miles
west of Coeymans village, and is believed by many to have been the
first Methodist church on the west side of the Hudson River. The
congregation during many years included members from Bethlehem,
Coeymans, New Baltimore, and adjoining towns. The first trustees
were James Waldron, Lewis Civil, Wilhollamas Row, Jacob Spring-
sted, Isaac C. Huyck, Ephraim Holbrook, Peter Hogan, Nathan Will-
iams and James Selkirk. Levi Blaisdell was the first clerk and Lewis
Civil the first sexton. Among the earliest members were Hugh Jolly,
Samuel Jolly, John Ten Eyck and his wife, Levi Blaisdell and his wife,
Hugh Crumb, James Selkirk, Dr. Clement, and Jacob Springsted.
These were among the pioneers of Revolutionary times and the men
and women who labored to lay the foundation of the community in
morality and good citizenship. From this early church others branched
off as more central situations were needed.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Coeymans Landing was founded
by the same society that worshipped in the old stone church. The edifice
in use at the present time was built in 1835-36, but has been improved
since its erection. The property is valued at more than $15,000
The Methodist Episcopal church at Coeymans Hollow was founded
as early as 1794, when Bishop Asbury preached in a barn and formed
a society with John Blodgett and his wife, William Green and his wife,
Elizabeth Wickham, Charlotte Garritt, and a Mr. Gedney as members.
485
These devoted people met in dwellings or barns, and later in the school
houses until 1832, when they erected the present church. The society
has always been active and progressive.
A Methodist Episcopal church was early organized at Keefer's Cor-
ners, an offshoot of the Manhattan Hook Society at Copeland Hill.
James Laird and Ebenezer Osborn were early preachers on this circuit.
A house of worship was erected which continued in use until 1845,
when it was taken down and the material used in erecting the present
edifice for which land was donated by Francis Osterhout.
The Reformed Protestant Dutch church of Coeymans was organized
March 5, 1 793, giving the believers in that faith in this town a religious
home of their own. The first church was erected in 1797, about a mile
west of Coeymans Landing proper, of which Rev. Jacob Sickles was
the first pastor, serving from 1797 to 1801, when he was succeeded by
Peter Qverbagh. Other pastors have been Revs. Ralph Westervelt,
Samuel Kissam, Staats Van Santvoord, Abram Fort, Thomas A. Amer-
man, Thomas Edwards, James Murphy, James A. H. Cornell, Philip
Peltz, William P. Davies, Hugh B. Gardiner, Isaac Collier, Louis H.
Bahler, Elias Mead and others of recent years. The first church was
demolished some twenty years ago and the present one erected on
Church street in Coeymans village.
The FMrst Baptist Church of Indian Fields was organized in 1872
with the following trustees: Marcus R. Griffin, Albert Powell, Joslin
Nodine, Franklin Tompkins, Jared Griffin, Judson Lamoreaux, and Jas-
per Witbeck, jr., who were prominent citizens of that vicinity. The
church has languished in recent years and has had no regular pastor.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church is situated on Church street,
Coeymans Landing, the congregation having been organized in 1852
by Francis Hurley. The church property consists of the substantial
church, a parsonage, and cemetery of about five acres. The congrega-
tion has been connected with the churches at Coxsackie and Athens.
The Christian church of Ravena was organized and held services for
about a year previous to 1890-91, when they erected their present neat
church edifice. The Methodist Episcopal church of Ravena was or-
ganized in 1894, and erected its frame church building in the same
year. The German Lutheran church of Ravena was organized in 1895
486
and erected a house of worship at the same time. These three recently
formed societies are actively engaged in good and effective work in this
enterprising village.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM.
The reader has been made familiar with the history of the voyage of
Henry Hudson up the river that forms the eastern boundary of Albany
county in 1609. The history of this town begins with that event, for
the English navigator halted on the bank of the river within the borders
of the present Bethlehem. On an island off the bluffs of the stream now
called Normanskill (by the IndiansTawasentha) some of Hudson's crew
camped through a night, and were there visited by a number of the
natives on the following morning, whose friendly demeanor both sur-
prised and pleased the Europeans. After interchanging some articles
of trade, and a little friendly intercourse, Hudson and his crew sailed
away homeward. The account of the early operations of the United
Netherlands Company, the building of Fort Nassau on Castle (now Van
Rensselaer) island \r 1614, its partial destruction by high water and the
erection of another on the mainland near the Normanskill, need not be
repeated here. Nearly or quite all of the temporary settlements made
by the Dutch traders prior to 1623, in which year Fort Orange was
built on the site of Albany, were made on Bethlehem territory. Per-
manent settlement began here in 1630, the year following the issue of
the charter to the Patroon, Kilian Van Rensselaer, when Albert Andri-
essen Bradt located at the mouth of Tawasentha. He was father of
eight children. Soon after his arrival he leased the mill privileges on
the Normanskill and built mills. His son, Albertsen, succeeded him
in possession of this lease, for which he paid an equivalent of about $ 1 50
a year. Later, in 1673, he was succeeded as lessee of the farm which
the father had occupied by his brother, Slingerlandt. To this family
must be accorded the honor of being the first settlers west of Albany.
487
Members of the family and their descendants soon penetrated the neigh-
boring wilderness, took up and improved farms, built houses, and have
ever since been well known among the residents of Albany county.
A few other permanent settlers located in what is now Bethlehem
prior to 1700. Among them were the families of Garret and Jan Van
Wie, William Van Allen, Adam Winne, the Ten Eycks, Slingerlands,
Francis Winne, Philip Schuyler, the Vroomans, and Van Derzees. These
and a few others settled along the Hudson River and the Normanskill.
On the map made for the Patroon appear the following names, most
or all of whom probably became settlers between 1 700 and 1 750;
Rensselaer Nicoll, Bett)r Van Ostrand, Janes Taylor, Gerret Van Der
Berg, Cooper, William Van Bergen, Abram Slingerland, Philip Schuy-
ler, Wouter Slingerland, Koenrad Louck, John Van Dusen, Adrian
Bradt, Staats Seger, Jacob Louck, John Rosebooms, Gerret Van Allen,
Hans Slingerland, Tunis Slingerland, Lawrence Wormer, Gerret Seger,
jr., Jacob Coper, Jan, Storm, and David Bradt, Dirk Vanderwilliger,
Konradt Koen, Isaac, Omie, and Christian La Grange, Tunis Hough-
taling.'
From 1750 to 1800 conditions of trade, agriculture and social sur-
roundings underwent great changes, gave a great impetus to settlement,
and brought in a more mixed class of immigrants. The accession to
power of the English, and later the tremendous changes wrought by
the Revolution all tended to bring into Albany county people of other and
very different nationalities. The names of settlers alone are sufficient
indication of this fact. Irish, Scotch and English elements became con-
spicuous in the populating of the region. Thus during the period just
mentioned came Hugh Waters, Archibald and William McCormick,
Andrew Cunning, Nicholas See, Christian Bender, I. Bussing, Jacob
Kimmey, Peter McHarg, John Soop, Patrick Callanan aud Solomon
Luke, with the families named Patterson, Ramsay, Becker, Haswell,
Babcock, Wiltsie, Mosher and Aarnout. It is possible a few of these
settled outside of the present boundaries of this town, and in what is
now New Scotland, but nearly all of them were resident in Bethlehem
after the close of the Revolutionary war.
Meanwhile, on March 12, 1763, the town of Bethlehem was erected
1 The spoiling of these names is according- to t he
488
from the original town of Watervliet, and included all of what is now
New Scotland, and a part of Albany, the latter having been set off in
1870, leaving this town with an area of 31,583 acres. The surface of
the town comprises a narrow flat along the Hudson River, backed in
the main with steep bluffs rising from fifty to 150 feet, with here and
there an elevation rising from 200 to 400 feet. The declivities are
broken by deep and rugged channels, the most conspicuous of which
is that of the Normanskill, along which in places the series of under-
lying rocks are laid bare and nearly upright. In these rocks are seen
the sandstones, limestones and graywackes that are familiar in that lo-
cality. Back of the bluffs stretches a rolling upland, with sandy ridges
and rounded knolls. Near the mouth of the Normanskill was the Indian
burial place of Tawasentha. This curious natural mound is connected
with the diluvial formation by a narrow rock or peninsula, and, accord-
ing to excellent authority, was a spot sacred to sepulture from the
earliest time, and gave the natives their name of the stream.
Other principal streams besides the Normanskill are Coeyman's creek,
and the Vlamanskill, both of which have afforded considerable water
power, which in early years was utilized for mills and a few other in-
dustries.
The soil of Bethlehem is a sandy and clayey loam, mixed with gravel.
Along the river lowlands and on the islands it is a rich alluvium. The
mixed farming of earlier times has been superseded to a large extent in
parts of the town by gardening to supply the wants of residents of the
city. Fruit culture has also received attention, small fruits having been
made quite profitable on account of the nearness to a good market. A
large number of farmers have also become milk producers for the city
market. A few have given particular attention to improvement of stock
in recent years, some of whom have had fine herds. Erastus Corning was
a large breeder of Hereford and Jersey cattle, in which he is succeeded
by his son ; the late John S. Perry bred Guernseys; Abraham Fitch,
C. C. La Grange, George H. Treadwell and others engaged successfully
in this business.
Castle Island took its name from the fact that the stockade fort was
built upon it in 16 14, as a protection to the Dutch traders. The island
was leased to Martin Gerritsen in 1668. In more recent years it was
489
given the appropriate name of Van Rensselaer, and upon it were located
the extensive plants of the Albany City Iron Works and the Jagger
Iron Works, both of which are now idle. Other parts of the island
have been cultivated in gardens.
Some of the roads that pass into or through the town of Bethlehem
bear a close relation to the early history of the region surrounding Al-
bany city. What has always been known as the Albany and Bethle-
hem Turnpike Road, was incorporated April 9, 1804, under that title,
with a capital of $34,800, which was a large sum for such an under-
taking at that time. The road is a continuation of Pearl street, Albany,
passes through Kenwood and across the Normanskill ; thence south to
just below the Abbey hotel, and by a fork to Bethlehem Center, a dis-
tance in all of about five miles. It has one toll gate, and the modern
road bed is of broken stone. It constitutes a pleasant and picturesque
drive.
This old turnpike connects at Bethlehem Center with the South Beth-
lehem Plank Road, which extends through Becker's Corners and thence
southwest to South Bethlehem, six miles. The road was incorporated in
July, 185 1, with a capital of $12,000, with John B. Vanderzee, Barent S.
Winne, Phillip Kimmey, James Schoonmaker, and John A. Sickles,
directors: John Soop, secretary and treasurer. On February 28, 1881,
the board of supervisors renewed the charter of the company for thirty
years. The plank of which this road was constructed during the plank
road era that prevailed throughout the State have been superseded by
broken stone.
The Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company was chartered March
2, 1805, to construct a road from Albany to Otego, in Otsego county.
The road crossed the town of Bethlehem, passing through the Upper
Hollow, and thence to Adamsville (now Delmar), and on across the
town of New Scotland, the southeast corner of Berne and the northwest
corner of Westerlo. The first directors were Samuel Lansing, Abraham
Hun, Isaac Needer, Hollis More, Asa Starkweather, Hugh Orr, and
Stephen Judd. This road was extensively traveled many years, but
was abandoned as a turnpike in 1863.
The Albany, Rensselaerville and Schoharie Plank Road Company
was granted a charter March 25, 1859, with a capital of $100,000. The
62
490
original directors were Franklin Frisbee, Lansing Pruyn, David H.
Casey, Bradford R. Wood, Jacob Settle, John I. Slingerland, Joseph
Hilton, Reuben Wyngar, Charles B. Gordon. The use of plank on a
large part of this road was abandoned some years ago. The road
passed from Albany northwest to Hurstville, thence southwest to Sling-
erlands, and on across this town and New Scotland.
The Albany and Susquehanna railroad extends across the northern
part of this town, commencing at the Kenwood bridge, with stations at
Adams Station (now Delmar), and Slingerlands, and thence into the
town of New Scotland. It was opened for travel in 1863. The West
Shore railroad passes across the western part of Bethlehem by two
tracks. The Athens and Saratoga road, which passed across the south-
west corner and was opened in 1865, now constitutes in part the main
line of the West shore road, a branch track of which extends from
Coeymans Junction (Ravena) along the river to Albany.
The proximity of the territory of this town to Albany and its lack of
water power, prevented the development of extensive manufacturing
interests ; but a few industries of importance were established some
years ago on Van Rensselaer Island. Of these the Corning Iron Com-
pany was incorporated May 12, 1870, with the following officers: Ira
Jagger, president; Albion Ransom, vice-president and treasurer;
Charles E. Sackett, superintendent ; Erastus Corning, jr., A. P. Palmer,
Charles B. Lansing, Charles Van Benthuysen. A very extensive and
costly plant was erected and the first iron produced in 187 1. In July,
1873, the name of the organization was changed to the Jagger Iron
Company. Ore was brought mostly from Essex and Oneida counties,
and Connecticut, and about 40,000 tons were used annually.
Near the above described works and on the northern end of the
island were established the works of the Albany City Iron Company,
which was organized in 1878. Two blast furnaces were erected with
a capacity of 30,000 tons of pig iron annually. This plant was operated
only a few years.
Some minor manufactures have existed in the past at Kenwood,
which are noticed further on.
At about the time of the closing of the late war, and on November
3, 1865. the Bethlehem Cemetery Association was organized with the
491
following officers: John Van Allen. M. D., president; Jacob Hotaling,
vice-president; Rev. J. Lansing Pearse, secretary; John H. Booth,
treasurer; George C Adams, superintendent; Robert Frasier, A.
Crocker, George M. Bender, John M. Hotaling, directors. The grounds
of this cemetery comprise about thirty acres situated four miles west
from Albany, and have been tastefully laid out and improved for its
purpose.
Elmwood Cemetery is controlled by an association which was organ-
ized in September, 1861 ; the grounds contain ten acres and are situat-
ed on the Bethlehem plank road near the First Reformed church.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is situated at South Bethlehem, and was es-
tablished in connection with the Methodist church in 1863. The land
was a gift from John Callanan and comprises nine acres. The first offi-
cers were Jehoichim Spaun, president; L. C. Tuttle, treasurer; Fred-
erick Schaupp, secretary. Besides these cemeteries, the cemetery of
the congregation Bethel is situated a mile south of the city on the river
and has been in existence since 1838 ; Calvary Cemetery of St. John's
Catholic church of Albany is situated at Bethlehem Center, containing
seventeen acres ; the German Catholic Cemetery of the Church of the
Holy Cross of Albany is near Bethlehem Center, and the Evangelical
Protestant Cemetery of the church of that name at Albany, is at
Hurstville, and was incorporated in 1853.
There are no large villages in this town, although there are ten post-
offices, as follows : Bethlehem Center, South Bethlehem, Slingerland's,
Selkirk, Cedar Hill, Decker's Corners, Delmar (formerly Adam's Sta-
tion), Normansville, Glenmont, and Hurstville. Most of these are
mere hamlets which have gathered about the post-office, or an early
mill, or a store and a few shops. Besides these post-offices there is a
small village of Kenwood (formerly known as Lower Hollow), which is
practically a suburb of Albany and is connected with it by trolley cars.
So thickly placed throughout the town are these numerous hamlets
that their description substantially constitutes the modern history of the
locality.
Bethlehem Center is situated four miles south of Albany on the old
Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike. Some of the first settlers here were
Joshua Babcock, from whom the locality was early known as Babcock's
492
Corners, James Gibbons, Job Gardner, and the Davis family. Minor
business interests and institutions have existed here many years and at
the present time consist of a hotel kept by Charles Seeley ; the post-
office, school house, blacksmith shop, and a Bellingerite church now
seldom used.
South Bethlehem (formerly Janes's Corners) is ten miles from Albany
on the Bethlehem turnpike before mentioned, and now a station on the
West Shore Railroad. Early settlers here were William Janes, John
and Henry Callanan, Ambrose Wiltsie, and the Kimmey, Mosher and
Coffin families. A tavern was opened here in early years by Elishama
Janes. The well known Callanan, saw, grist and cider mills were sit-
uated here, but just over the town line in Coeymans ; they originally
belonged to Philip Kimmey and were an important industry, but are
no longer operated. In early times a tannery was in operation here
which was built about 1825 on the farm of John and Isaac Coffin ; it
was operated many years by Robert Carhart, afterwards by Cornelius
Waggoner, and still later by Frederick Schaupp ; it was burned in
1883. The post-office was opened in 1874, and William McGee is the
present postmaster. The late Henry and Peter Callanan owned here,
just over the Coeymans line, a large quarry and stone-crushing plant,
from which a large product is now taken out by the Callanan Road Im-
provement Company. Two stores here are kept by E. C. Palmerand Peter
Ginder respectively. A few shops complete the industries of the place.
The old Methodist church, one of the oldest in the county, was recently
remodeled into a more modern structure.
Slingerlands is a pretty village, which in recent years has been chosen
as a place of residence in the summer seasons by a considerable num-
ber of families from the city, from which it is distant seven miles on the
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. The Albany and New Scotland
road passes through the village. The name of the post-office here was
formerly Normanskill, was established in 1852 by W. H. Slingerland,
who was postmaster many years, and the name changed in 1870 in
honor of the Slingerland family, which was the most prominent in this
section of the town. John I. Slingerland was long a leading citizen ;
he was actively engaged in business and held several local offices. He
had a son John, who was also prominently identified with the interests
JOHN I. SLINGERLAiNh.
493
of this section, and was father of C. II. Slingerland, who now carries
on a large printing business in the place. W. H. Slingerland, ex-mem-
ber of assembly and a prominent civil engineer, is also a resident.
The name applied to the railroad station was in recognition of his
valuable services for the company. Albert I. Slingerland, another
member of the family, who died in the summer of 1896, owned a large
amount of real estate, built the Methodist church and a large part
of the dwellings in the village. There is a pleasant hotel in the
village, with the name Home Lawn Hotel, which was formerly the resi-
dence of J. W. Mattice ; it is now kept by Rufus Zeeley A store is
kept by S. Dickson, who began business here in 1885. B. F. Allen &
Co. were merchants and succeeded in 1895 by Archer La Grange, who
has been postmaster twelve*years. Jacob Brate formerly kept a store
in the village. Charles F. Dietz operates a saw mill and cider mill
three-fourths of a mile from the village, towards Delmar. There are
the usual small shops here, and a Methodist church.
Four miles from Albany, on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad,
is Delmar, formerly Adamsville, or Adams Station. The nucleus of
the village was a large hotel built in 1836 by Nathaniel Adams, from
whom the place received its early name. He also made other perma-
nent improvements. The Flagler, Waters, Erwin and Bussing families
were early settlers here. A post-office was opened in 1840, and Mr.
Adams was appointed the first postmaster. A small mercantile inter-
est has existed since that time and is now represented by two stores,
one kept by M. J. Blanchard, and the other by Paddock & Patterson.
There are two churches in the place. Within a few recent years this
pretty suburban village has become the place of residence of numerous
families from Albany and elsewhere. This feature of its growth prom-
ises further advancement. Through the influence of these new-comers
the name of the place was changed a few years ago to Delmar.
Normansville is a hamlet where a post-office of that name has been
established in recent years, which was formerly called Upper Hollow,
in distinction from Lower Hollow, or Kenwood. The hamlet is situ-
ated on both sides of the Normanskill, and through the water power
supplied by that stream considerable manufacturing came into existence
here in early years, some of which survived to later times. The Nor-
494
manskill at this point has cut a deep ravine through the soil and down
to the rock, over which it flows with a gradual descent. At the time
of the construction of the Albany and Delaware turnpike it passed
across this ravine on a wooden bridge ; this was carried away by a
freshet in 1868, and the town erected an iron one in the next year, the
turnpike company having given up the toll road. The construction of
that road and the opening of a toll house at the west end of the bridge
led Isaac Stiles to open a tavern for the accommodation of travelers on
the turnpike. Soon afterward and about 1820 he erected a saw mill,
into a portion of which was placed machinery for carding wool and
dressing cloth, and for cutting dye-woods. S. Congdon and A. B.
Sweet were later owners of these mills, which were nearly destroyed by
a freshet while in possession of the latter. He rebuilt and engaged in
manufacturing straw paper. At a later date the property passed to F.
Hinckle, who began manufacturing potato starch. This business was
finally abandoned.
On the west side of the creek, below the bridge, James McCormick
built a grist mill about 1820. Nathaniel Sawyer was a later owner,
and put in carding and dye-wood machinery. The property subse-
quently passed to Henry Arnold, and was ultimately burned. Mr.
Arnold rebuilt and sold to other persons, the mill finally becoming the
property of Heman Hardy, who put in wrapping paper machinery and
has since carried on that business, excepting at intervals. A hotel is
conducted at Ncrmansville by Charles Smith.
Kenwood, or Lower Hollow, is a suburban village built up below the
falls of the Normanskill and near where it enters the Hudson. Settle-
ment at this point was coincident with that of Albany, beginning writh
that of Andriesen Bradt, who built a mill here in 1 630 which remained
in possession of members of the family until 1678. After the close of
the Revolution the Van Rensselaers built mills here for grinding, saw-
ing lumber, wool carding, cloth dressing, etc. These mills passed under
ownership of many persons and eventually were abandoned or burned.
A large knitting mill was operated for a time in more recent years, which
was burned and a factory for the manufacture of felt cloth and blankets
established, which was also destroyed by fire a few years ago. The fac-
tory has not been rebuilt. A large flouring mill was erected about 1884
495
south of the bridge, which is now a part of the estate of Mrs. Sarah R.
Townsend and is operated by Frank Chamberlain who took possession
in 1892. A store is kept here by Thomas and John Cook, and a hotel
by P. J. McManus.
What is known as the old Cherry Hill mansion was formerly the res-
idence of Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer. That family owned most of
the lands in this immediate vicinity in early years. Mount Hope, a
commanding elevation rising to the west of the Hudson, was long the
property of Ezra P. Prentiss, who made many improvements on his
farm and its appurtenances. Joel Rathbone was long a resident of Ken-
wood, and gave it its romantic name. The village is connected with
Albany by electric cars.
Hurstville, formerly called Log Tavern, is a mere hamlet two miles
northwest of Albany on the Albany and New Scotland road. It was
given its former name from the fact that a log tavern was kept by one
of the first settlers, named Hagadorn. Later it took the name of Hurst-
ville from William Hurst, who settled here in 1861. Urban Van Hart
and William Gilbert were early settlers here. A hotel is kept by Will-
iam Hurst; there is no other business.
Selkirk is a post-office and hamlet, and a station on the West Shore
Railroad in the southeastern part of the town, and takes its name from
two or three Selkirk families who settled there The post-office was
opened in 1883. and a store is kept by M. E. Skinner. Many Albanians
have summer residences here.
Becker's Corners is a post-office seven and a half miles from Albany
on the Albany and South Bethlehem road, and takes its name from the
Becker family, of which Albertus W. Becker, long the postmaster, is a
member. A hotel, blacksmith shop, and toll gate with a dozen resi-
dences make up the hamlet.
Cedar Hill is a post office and hamlet eight miles below Albany on
the river road and three fourths of a mile from the landing. The Nicoll,
Winne, Van Wie, Sill and Cooper families settled here early. The place
takes its name from the cedar trees that once grew in the vicinity.
Quite extensive docks have been constructed at the river, where ice is
shipped in large quantities, and produce is bought and shipped. Barent
Winne is engaged in this business Winne & Riker and the Kimmeys
followed the same business earlier.
496
Glenmont is a station and post-office on the West Shore Railroad
about a mile below Albany. Considerable moulding sand is shipped
from here. There are no stores or other business interests in the place.
The early school houses in this town, like those in neighboring com-
munities, were built in almost every instance of logs, and the teaching,
as well as the accommodations, was primitive and unsatisfactory. One
of the first of the log school houses in Bethlehem was situated on the
Nicolls farm, at Cedar Hill. It was in existence almost or quite at the
beginning of the century, and it is a tradition that the scholars were
permitted to go out of doors to witness the first passing of Fulton's
steamboat up the Hudson in 1807. That was then the only school
house between the Coeymans line and Albany, and the district was so
large that five have since been organized from it. Among the names
of early teachers of Bethlehem are found those of Wallace, McCracken,
Van Huysen, Goodhue, Talmage, Davis, Bennett, Smith, Nelson, Jacob
K. Marshall, Hezekiah Burhans, Daniel Haynes, and others. Bethle-
hem, with Coeymans and New Scotland, now constitute the first school
commissioner district of the county and contains, as it has for many
years past, fourteen districts, with a school house in each. In recent
years the school buildings have been greatly improved, some being
built of brick, and all are comfortable and convenient.
The church organizations of Bethlehem date from the last century,
the earliest one being the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church,
which later became the First Reformed Church, which was organized in
1793. In the next year Solomon Van Rensselaer gave this society 100
acres of land, which has been known as the parsonage farm. Christian
Bork was the first pastor of whom there is record. It is not known just
when the first church building was erected, and the present one has
been in use many years. In 1841 a Reformed church was erected at
Adamsville (or Adams Station) At that time many members of the
Union Reformed Church, at Unionville, who lived at considerable dis-
tance from their church, proposed the erection of a chapel at Adams-
ville. Nathaniel Adams generously donated an acre of land for a
church site and the chapel was erected. Preaching was maintained as
a branch of the Unionville society. . In 1847, forty four members of
the Unionville society petitioned for the organization of a church at
497
Adams Station. On January io, 1848, the Consistory of the Union-
ville society resolved to grant the request of the petitioners, to deed to
the Adamsville people the church property there, and also to appoint
two commissioners to report their proceedings to the Classis. The or-
ganization of the new society was then perfected. Elders Leonard G.
Ten Eyck, and Peter Hilton, and Deacons William H. Slingerland and
Joel Van Allen, of Union church, were constituted a distinct consistory
for the new church, and on February 3, 1848, they certified to the title
of the organization as The Second Reformed Dutch Church in the town
of Bethlehem. In March, 1848, a call was extended to Rev, John A.
Lansing, who came and served the society twelve years. During his
pastorate and in 185 1 the parsonage was built on land adjoining the
church edifice. The church itself was enlarged and improved in 1859,
and again in 1879. In 1884 an addition was built for the use of the
Sabbath school and social purposes.
In the year 1822 a number of churches seceeded from the Reformed
Dutch Church through differences in doctrine, and organized them-
selves into the Classis of Union, with the title of True Reformed Dutch
Church. About 1827 a society of this organization was formed in
Bethlehem. The church edifice was erected near Bethlehem Center in
1854. The first pastor was Henry Bellinger and he remained with the
church fifty years. The first church officers were Peter Kimmey, Storm
Vanderzee, and David Kimmey. The Classis of Union is composed of
six churches, one in each of the counties of Albany, Fulton, Mont-
gomery, Rensselaer, Rockland, and Schoharie.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem was organized Novem-
ber 3,1835, by Rev. John H.Campbell, D D., and Rev. William P. Davis,
with fifty- three members. The first pastor was Rev. William P. Davis,
who was ordained in December, 1835. The first house of worship was
erected in the same year; it was enlarged and refitted in 1869 at a cost
of $4,000. A parsonage belongs to the church. The property is situ-
ated about one and a half miles west of Hurstville. The first elders of
the society were Jonathan E. Walley, John R. Bullock, Volkert V.
Bullock.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Adams Station was organized
about 1830, and a house of worship was erected in 1833. Rev. Henry
G3
498
Williams was the first pastor. Among the early members were Helmes
Hotaling, Daniel Clark, John Oliver and his wife, Benjamin Holmes
and his wife, William Coughtry and his wife, James Sigsbee and a Miss
Patterson. In 1850 a second church was built east of the school house ;
it was taken down in 1871 by a portion of the congregation causing a
division in the church. This resulted in the building of another Metho-
dist church at Adamsville in 1873. The first pastor of the new organ-
ization was Rev. Peter B. Harrower. When the division just referred
to was made, or soon afterward, the part of the congregation that did
not leave the old society erected a church at Slingerlands. The edifice
is of brick, with Sabbath school and lecture room, and cost $9,000
The first officers of this society were David Couse, John Wademan,
Robert Frasier, Hezekiah Van Buren, David Winne, John Ostrander,
and William Simmons. Rev. D. B. McKenzie was the first pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church at South Bethlehem, is the out-
growth of the first society of this faith organized in the town. In No-
vember, 1823, was dedicated the first church edifice, which stood a
short distance east of Becker's Corners. In 1824 the following trustees
were chosen : Robert D. Carhart, president ; Isaac S. Wright, treas-
urer; Joel Squires, secretary; John Ten Eyck, Hugh Jolly, William
Cooper, Joshua Poor. Bradley H. Glick was the first preacher. In
1845 this building was taken down and the materials in part used in
the erection of another church at South Bethlehem, which was dedi-
cated in 1846. The first trustees of this society were Hugh Jolly, Jehoi-
chim Spawn, Hercules Baddo, Charles Chapman. Cornelius Waggo-
ner was secretary and treasurer, and the first pastor was Reuben H.
Bloomer.
A Free chapel was erected in 1877 near Cedar Hill, which was used
by Christians of any denomination.
499
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWN OF BERNE.
The town of Berne lies upon the Helderberg Mountains on the west-
ern border of the county, and is the central one of the three western
towns. Along the northern part is a ridge that rises abruptly from the
Foxenkill in three spurs which bear the local names of Grippy, Irish
Hill, and Uhai ; the first of these names has an unknown origin ; the
second is from the number of Scotch- Irish settlers in that vicinity, and
the third signifies high garden, from the Indian language. The south-
ern and western parts of the town are hilly, with rocky ravines among
the highlands, in the beds of which flow small streams. The principal
streams are the Foxenkill and the Switzkill; the first rises in the
eastern part of the town and flows westerly, partly underground, to-
wards Warner's Lake, and thence into Schoharie Creek. The Switzkill
rises in Westerlo, flows northward and empties into the Foxenkill. On
these streams have been built extensive saw mills and grist mills neces-
sary for the community. Along the banks of the creeks the soil is very
fertile; on the hillsides is found excellent grain land, while among the
mountains it is in many places light and suitable only for meagre
pasturage.
The Beaverdam, so called, divided into the upper and lower, extends
from the East Berne to the West Berne hamlet. The dam itself was
on the Foxenkill, at a point near the residence of George Schell, and
early gave its name to the Dutch church in that vicinity and to the
villages along the valley.
Warner's Lake covers about one hundred acres and is situated a mile
north of the hamlet of East Berne; it took its name from Johannes and
Christopher Warner, who early settled on its banks and the descendants
of whom still live in the vicinity. Thompson's Lake, which received its
name from John and William Thompson, is about one hundred acres
500
in extent and lies in the extreme northeast part of the town, extending
over into the town of Knox. This lake has in recent years become
quite a popular resort.
Mineral springs of considerable importance exist in Berne, two of
which are mentioned in an early geological report. These are on land
owned in recent years by Jacob Hochstrasser. The water is strongly
sulphurous. Other springs of similar character are in the valley of the
Switzkill and there is also one on the farm of Thomas J. Wood. At
Riedsville is a spring.impregnated with carbonate of iron and sulphureted
hydrogen.
The town of Berne was apportioned from Rensselaerville March 17,
1795, and included the territory of the town of Knox, which was set off
from Berne February 28, 1822. The territory of Berne was a part of
the Van Rensselaer Manor and now contains 38,942 acres of land.
In the strife between the Tories and Indians and the patriotic colo-
nists, at least two stockades were built within the limits of what is now
Berne; one of these was near the Petrus Weidman house in Berne vil-
lage, and another on the Adam I. Deitz farm in the Switzkill valley.
This town was the scene of a bloody deed during the Revolutionary
war that distinguishes it in that respect from all the other towns of
Albany county. Johannes Deitz, the pioneer, was an ardent patriot
in the cause of independence ; his family were his wife, his son and his
son's wife, with four young children, and with them was a man servant
and a boy named John Brice. This family were massacred by Indians
and tories in 1780. The grist mill of Jacob Weidman was then the only
one at all near and was about five miles from the scene of the massacre.
The Brice family, then living at Rensselaerville, sent their young son Robert
to this mill with a grist; with him were several other lads on a similar
errand. Evening approached before the grinding was finished and all
the boys excepting young Brice decided to remain with the miller all
night. The farm of Johannes Deitz was situated midway between the
mill and the Brice home, and when the lad reached that point he con-
cluded to remain all night and enjoy the company of his brother John.
As the boy reached the gate of the lane leading to the Deitz house an
Indian sprang out of his concealment, seized the horse's bridle and led
the animal directly towards the house. As they passed the barn the
501
lad began to realize what had taken place, for he saw the dead body of
Mr. Deitz prostrate and covered with blood, while between the barn
and the house lay the bodies of Mrs Deitz. the son's wife, four children
and a servant girl. About fifteen Indians were busy in their work of
plundering the house. Capt. William Deitz, son of Johannes, and the
boy John Brice, were tied to a near-by apple tree.
Finishing their terrible work, the Indians set fire to the building and
then started with their prisoners and horses along the path towards
Rensselaerville. The first night they camped within a mile of the Brice
residence, and on the morning of the second day continued on to
Potter's Hollow, Oak Hill, Middleburgh, Breakabeen, Harpersfield,
through the Susquehanna valley, and eventually reached Canada.
When news of the massacre reached the Schoharie garrison, scouting
parties were at once sent out and in the pursuit, when near Middle-
burgh, the Indians were so closely pressed that several were wounded
by the scouts and their horses and plunder were abandoned. The
sufferings of the prisoners on their long journey were almost indescriba-
ble. To his physical torture was added the mental horror to Captain
Deitz of seeing the scalps of his family dangling before his eyes. The
trials of this journey and his losses and sorrow so broke him down that
he died at Niagara while in confinement. The two Brice boys returned
home after an absence of three years. The bodies of the massacred
family were buried in one grave by Lieut. Johan Jost Deitz, a relative,
sent from the lower fort for the purpose, on the eastern side of the line
wall of the Pine Grove cemetery.
Settlement was begun in this town by eight families named Weidman,
Zeh, Ball, Deitz, Knieskern, Shultes, Bassler, and Hochstrasser. Jacob
Weidman is believed to have been the pioneer of party ; he came from
Berne, Switzerland (from which fact the town received its name), with
his wife and four sons and settled here as early as 1750. The party
were guided to their destination along the trail leading towards Scho-
harie by an Indian. They finally reached the site of Knox village,
where a difference of opinion arose as to who should be recognized as
the leader; from this incident came the name " Fechtberg," or fighting
hill, applied to that locality. There is good authority for believing that
this dispute led to a division of the party, some yoing on to Schoharie and
502
the remainder settling in Berne. This presumption does not conflict
with the common belief that this town was settled from Schoharie, as
it is known that some of the families who located in that county returned
to Berne.
Jacob Weidman took up lands on the banks of the Foxenkill, on the
site of Berne village, a tract of several hundred acres. He was a practical
miller and selected his location with a view to establishing saw and
grist mills, which he did as soon as practicable. Weidman's Mills
were known as early as 1787, and were a great convenience to the
pioneers. The mill property consisted of thirty acres of land and was
leased to Mr. Weidman, in 1790, for sixteen years at a rental of £j ; at
the end of that term it was again leased for ten years at a rental of £30.
Mr. Weidman was a prominent citizen and one of the founders of the
Reformed church.
Frederick Bassler, the pioneer, was from Basle, Switzerland, and was
one of the Palatinates who left his country to escape religious intoler-
ance. The family in this country continued to represent the high char-
acter and influence that distinguished them across the ocean.
Of the other pioneers, the Deitz family settled for the most part in
the valley of the Switzkill and they and their descendants were reputa-
ble in the community. Hendrick Ball, the head of the family of that
name, settled on the farm occupied in recent years by Stephen Ball.
Hendrick Knieskern settled where Jacob Knieskern lived. The Zeh
family located mostly along the Foxenkill from what is known as the
Boarding House to the village of East Berne.
Matthias Shultes, the head of that line in this region, took up over
400 acres of land along the northeast side of the West Mountain on the
road passing the John and Allen Shultes farm.
Jacob Hochstrasser was a man of superior intellect and energy and
exercised a strong influence on the community in early days. He was
the first supervisor and the first justice of the peace of his town, and
owned a large tract of land where the White Sulphur Springs House
stands.
Following these pioneers, whose coming heralded civilization and
the peace and prosperity of later days, came other elements of citizen-
ship. In 1 790 three Scoth- Irish families named Hay, Young and Curran
503
settled a large tract of land on Irish Hill, the beginning of a useful part
of the community. The Filkins and Conger families came a little later,
the latter occupying land in and near Reidsville.
After the close of the Revolutionary war the New England element
came into the town with the advent of the Gallup, Whipple, Crary,
Brown, and Williams families. Samuel Gallup came from Groton,
Conn., in 1786 and purchased a large farm near the Whipple Cemetery
in what is now the town of Knox. His son Nathaniel became one of
the most conspicuous citizens of the town ; was town clerk fourteen
years, a justice nineteen years, and the ancestor of numerous descend-
ants who have been prominent in the community.
Malachi Whipple came from Stonington, Conn., about 1793, and
passed a useful life on what was long known as the Whipple farm.
This was long considered the model farm of Albany county and took
several premiums at fairs. In 1825 Mr. Whipple removed to Berne
village, where he purchased the grist mill property and other real
estate, and together with William H. Ball and Lyman Dwight built a
carding and fulling mill. Mr. Whipple held many positions of trust.
Miner Walden came from Vermont in 1797 and became a useful citi-
zen of Berne. He established what was probably the first carding
machine, and also carried on a mercantile business. He was many
years a justice of the peace and was universally respected.
Moses Patten was from Londonderry, N. Ii., and came to this town
in 1820. He was a graduate of Union College and had studied law.
He served as town clerk, justice of the peace, supervisor, school com-
missioner, and was for many years a merchant at Berne village. Being
elected surrogate of the county Mr. Patten moved to Albany, where he
died in 1867, after a busy life. James Patten, brother of Moses, was a
graduate of Bowdoin College, studied law, and settled in Berne in
1829. He held various town offices, and with his brother formed the
mercantile firm that was so long successful. Later in life he gave his
attention to the management of a fine farm. He died at his home in
Berne in 1886.
Col. Jesse Wood was the first of this family to settle near Berne vil-
lage. He was from Long Island and very early in the century settled
In the eastern part of this town, where he afterwards became a prom-
504
inent citizen. He rose to the rank of colonel in the war of 1812, and
held the offices of supervisor and member of assembly. In 1837 he
sold his homestead and moved to a farm near the village of Berne.
John M. Wood was his nephew and was adopted by him. The latter was
father of Thomas J. Wood, one of the leading citizens of the town.
Jacob Settle was engaged in mercantile business in Berne from 1812
to 1864, in which he was uncommonly successful. He was prominent
in public affairs, held the offices of justice, supervisor, member of as-
sembly, and was for thirty five years postmaster. It was largely through
his influence that the plank road was constructed through this town
from Schoharie, and connected with the Albany road. He was in
every way a public spirited and valuable citizen.
These pioneers and their associates laid well the foundations of the
later prosperity of the town, established its industries and founded its
simple government. Of the dwellings built in the early years, succeed-
ing the first log houses, there are some still remaining that are worthy
of mention. The house in which Thomas J. Wood now resides bears
the date of 1795, with initials, P. F. The dwelling once occupied by
Frederick Zeh was erected about the same time, and so was that of
Nathaniel Gallup. The house formerly owned by the Widow Fairlee
and now owned by the Mattice brothers, in the village of Berne, was
built as a tavern in 1809, and was used as a recruiting station in the
war of 18 1 2. The largest and finest of the early residences stood on
the site of the Jacob P. Warner dwelling, and was built about 1800 by
Petrus Weidman ; it contained ten fire places, five rooms in the cellar
and large halls.
Of the business industries of the town the store of Johannes Fischer
was probably the first, and was conducted in the building occupied in
recent years by Thomas J. Wood. Stephen Willes, one of the Connec-
ticut pioneers, established a store in town as early as 1800; he is re-
membered as a shrewd and successful merchant, and his place of busi-
ness was on the site of the Hiram Warner residence, a mile from the
village of East Berne, where he built a large dwelling in the New Eng-
land style; his business increased rapidly and he soon erected a store
across the road. Near by was an ashery and a tannery. On the north
side of the creek he established a whisky distillery, a very necessary
505
institution in those times, and saddle, harness and shoe shops. In 1825
he opened a second store in the village of East Berne, to compete
with Albert and Benjamin Gallup. Major Willes held several town
offices and was member of the assembly.
In 1803 Dr. Almeric Hubbell, who was son in-law of Petrus Weid-
man, began conducting a store on the site of the Edward Settle resi-
dence. Miner Walden, who has been mentioned, began his mercantile
life in the basement of a house that is now a part of the E. V. Filkins
estate. Johan Deitz kept a store on the site of the Peter Bassler resi-
dence in 1 8 1 2, and in 1 8 1 6 took Jacob Settle into partnership ; they did
a large business, and it is said that fourteen barrels of potash sold by
them that year in New York netted over $600.
The first mill in town, that of Jacob Weidman, was situated near the
site of the later grist mill of Francis Becker. Mr. Weidman also had
a saw mill near by. Another mill was built soon after the first by Johannes
and Christopher Warner, near the site of the East Berne school house,
being built probably as early as 1765. About 1790 Jacob Post, one of
the pioneers, erected a mill near the site of West Berne village, and Asa
Culver (or Culvard) had a cloth mill at about the same time at what is
now South Berne. Other factories for the carding of wool and manu-
facture of cloth in early days were those of Miner Walden and William
H. Ball. Around these various early industries sprang up the hamlets
and villages which became the centers of such trade as was required by
the people.
Francis Becker's mill, before mentioned, is still in operation in Berne
village, having been built by Malachi Whipple in 1832, and does a large
grinding business. The mill of Moses A. Gallup, at East Berne, is the
largest in the county outside of Albany. It was planned and built by
Clark, Decker & Gardner in 1858, for Truman Eobdell ; it is five stories
high, has four run of stones, an immense overshot wheel and all the
appurtenances of a modern grist mill. Mr. Gallup has also a saw mill
and a shingle mill.
The mill of Jacob Miner Hochstrasser is on the site originally occu-
pied by a building erected previous to the beginning of the century, in
which was first a carding machine, then a shoe peg factory, and later a
plant for grinding and finishing axts; still later it was a furniture
64
506
factory and at last about fifteen years ago was transformed into a grist
mill, which was operated by both steam and horse power. It was
burned down but soon rebuilt and passed from the ownership of Truman
Lawton to Leslie Allen, and from him to Mr. Hochstrasser.
A mill was built at South Berne in 1855 and rebuilt by Elias Zeh in
1884; it was burned in 1895. The foundry conducted in former years
by Henry Engle was afterwards used for a tannery in which John
Rossiter, Jacob D. Settle and Oscar Tyler carried on business. It was
next used as a furniture factory and finally as a saw mill, and is now
owned by Watson Chesebro. It is located at Berne village.
In the history of the town of Watervliet and Cohoes is found an ac-
count of the axe factory of Daniel Simmons after it was removed from
Berne. Mr. Simmons settled in Berne as a blacksmith in 1831, com-
in<r from Bethlehem. He began business in the shop of Henry Engle,
but soon turned his attention to the making of axes on his anvil, ham-
mering them out by hand. He made them so superior to others then
obtainable that he soon acquired an extended reputation. He gained
the confidence of responsible men, among whom were Jacob Settle,
Malachi Whipple, Jacob Weidman, Moses Patten, Johan Jost Deitz and
William Schnell, who supplied him with capital to establish a large concern.
A large building was erected in 1825 on the north side of the creek, a
trip hammer put in and a prosperous business started. A second build-
ing for a tempering shop extended across the stream, and a third, which
ultimately became the lower grist mill, was the place where the grinding
and polishing was done. A fourth structure, one hundred feet long was
erected in 1830, which contained a triphammer, forges, etc. Twenty-
one forges were at one time in operation, and two hundred men were
employed. Large quantities of charcoal were used, giving employment
and a source of income to many of the inhabitants. In the height of
his business here Mr. Simmons purchased the Fischer farm and occu-
pied it, with his brothers, Baltus and Jonas. He also erected the build-
ing once used by E. M. Shultes as a tavern. The Simmons axes found
ready sale over a wide extent of territory, some of them being shipped
as far away as Africa and Asia. But the transportation problem was
a serious one, and the larger the business grew, the more onerous was
the burden; the firm became heavily involved and in 1833 made an
507
assignment to Moses Patten, and Simmons soon moved to Cohoes, where
he died in 1881. Many of the best men of the village were left almost
penniless by the failure. The firm of Coates & Smith, merchants,
abandoned their store after the failure.
The character of agriculture in this town has not materially changed
from early times. Mixed farming is the rule. About twenty years ago
there was some effort made to establish dairying and especially cheese-
making, on a more extensive basis. A cheese factory was built in
1878 on the farm of Thomas J. Wood, near Berne village. The busi-
ness was promoted by James VV. Hart, who had followed it in Madison
county. This factory was successful and is still in operation. A
second factory was built at East Berne in 1884, f°r the manufacture of
both cheese and butter and was for some time in charge of Mr. Hart ;
but it was abandoned.
The village of Berne is situated on the old Weidman mill property,
which consisted of thirty acres in the northern part of the town, and
was known as Beaverdam for some years after the first settlement. In
18 1 7 Henry Engle opened a tavern here west of the site of the Walter
Whipple residence. This house was called Corporation Inn and was
long a popular resort. The village was also known for a time as Cor-
poration. The name Berne was given when the post-office was estab-
lished in 1825 Jacob Settle established a store here in 18 17, and the
business descended to Theodore Settle, who still conducts it Charles
E. Deitz's store was started by Moses Patten in 1828, and for many
years was conducted by Moses and James Patten and came into the
hands of the present owner in 1859. The store of Shultes & Adams
was built for a hotel by Daniel Simmons in 1824, and was kept in
recent years by E. M. Shultes, who took it in 1859; the property is
owned by Mrs. Ira Fairlee. The store now occupied by J. W. Hart &
Son was built for a grocery by Oscar Tyler in 1840. He was succeed
ed by Samuel H. Davis, who continued in trade until his death in 1874.
The property was soon leased to Rhinehart & Hochstrasser, who were
followed by the present proprietors On the site occupied by a fur
hat factory in early years, conducted by Conrad Truax, a tailor shop
was later established with which a mercantile business was afterwards
connected. William Ball carried on the business in recent years, but it
508
was finally closed up. Rhinehart & Shultes's store was erected in
1872 by Joseph Wilsey, who had a saloon there and was succeeded by
N. H. Dayton and Edwin Wilsey in the grocery trade. The present
proprietors bought the property and in 1878 began trade in boots and
shoes, clothing, and watches and jewelry. The store of George Hallen-
beck was built by Daniel Wright in 1838, who had a furniture store and
did undertaking. Isaac Hallenbeck continued the business from 1852 to
1872 ; the building was burned down but rebuilt by the present pro-
prietor. Ira Witter is the sole hotel keeper of Berne. There is another
hotel, which is now empty, that was built by Z. A. Dyer, whose son,
James B , was its last proprietor, running it down to 1895.
Other business men of this village were : blacksmiths, Uriah G. Davis,
1865-85; Sylvanus Weidman, 1882-85; and Anthony Carey from
1885. John Hochstrasser, stoves and tin ware, 1865-85 ; saddlery and
harness, Esli Whipple and his son, Walter, from 1840; E. V. Filkins
attorney, 1851-55; John D. White, from 1881 ; physicians, Isaac S.
Becker, 1857; Wallace E. Deitz, from 1883.
The hamlet of West Berne is situated on the Lower Beaverdam in
the northwestern part of the town and near the site of Post's mill It was
formerly called Mechanicsville, about 1830-35, from the numerous me-
chanics residing there. It then took the name of Peoria, given it by
Paul Settle, the miller, who owned property in Peoria, 111. When the
post office was established it was given the name of West Berne. The
oldest residence in the place is that of John D. Haverly, which was built
by William Shultes about 1800. Levi Ewings manufactured hats here in
1850, on the site of the present harness shop. The grocery of William
Posson was established in 1824 by Peter Settle, and that of the Wool-
ford Brothers by Paul I. Cannaday in 1854. Charles Blade kept a
store here for some years. Taverns are kept by Joseph Lee and G. W.
Steiner. Albert Becker keeps a grocery and is postmaster.
The village of East Berne is situated on the Foxenkill, a little
northeast of the center of the town. It first bore the name of Warner's
Mills and took its present name when the post-office was opened
in 1825. Locally it has been called Philley, a name given it by
Elnathan Stafford who kept a tavern in 1820 and sent to Philadel-
phia for his liquors. Nathaniel, Albert and Benjamin Gallup began a
509
mercantile business here in 1825, and in opposition Stephen Willes be-
gan trading on the opposite side of the street. Albert Gallup bought
out Willes soon afterward and formed the firm of Seabury & Gallup,
who continued trade until 1842, when they were succeeded by Adam J.
Warner, who kept a store and hotel together. This business is still fol-
lowed ,and has been for many years in the Willsey hotel, kept by E. B.
Willsey. The business of Nathaniel and Benjamin Gallup passed
through several changes in ownership and finally to Z. A. Dyer in 1857;
from him it passed to his son-in-law, Frank Strevell, in 1 87 r . The lat-
ter still keeps a store, as also does Justin Dyer, who is postmaster. Z. A.
Dyer was in the practice of law here many years from 1854.
South Berne is a small hamlet in the southern part of the town on the
site of the old mill property of Asa Culver. These mill buildings were
burned a few years ago. This place was called Centreville previous to
1825, and also has the local name of Mud Hollow, from the swampy
nature of the soil in that vicinity. John P. Snyder began a grocery
business here in i8i7,and Daniel Lounsberry carried on a tannery. In
1882 Alexander McKinley, previously a wagon maker, opened a tavern.
A little 'ater Zebulon Holdridge opened a blacksmith shop and Ebene-
zer Denison had a grocery and an ashery. Henry H. Lawson began
trade here in 1828 and James Babcock in the next year. Moses Barber
built a carding mill in company with James Parish, in 1830, and manu-
factured satinet cloth. The store conducted in recent years by North-
rop & Ball was built in 1866 by Joseph Deitz for a wheelwright shop.
The store conducted by J. Swarthout was built in 1835. There is very
little present business here ; George Sellick and Elias Zeh have small
stores.
The hamlet of Reidsville is situated in the extreme southeastern part
of the town, and took its name from Alexander Reid, who settled there
in 1828, and opened the first tavern. About the same time Frederick
Ward and James Anderson established a store, the firm afterwards be-
coming Ward & Conger. Alfred Hungerford kept a store in later
years.
In common with other towns in this county the records of early
schools are of the most meagre description. It is known, of course, that
there were early schools of primitive character taught in various parts
510
of the town, generally in log buildings for a number of years, when the
first frame school buildings took their place. One of the old log school
houses stood near the site of the old Lutheran church. Another was
remembered by old residents as being built of unpeeled hemlock logs
with a roof slanting only one way and made of bark. The changes
in the character of school officers in early years has been described in an
earlier chapter. In 1812 a resolution was adopted in this town that
" there shall be five hundred dollars raised in the town of Berne for the
use of common schools in said town, to be appropriated to regular men's
schools that will bear the inspection of a school committee." This was
very liberal and progressive action for that early period. Changes
were made as needed in the number of school districts; but for many
years it has remained practically stationary. There were twenty one
districts in 181 3 and the number was the same in i860; at the pres-
ent time there are twenty with school houses. In 18 13 only $300 were
appropriated for the town schools, and in 18 16, when there were thirty
districts, only $494 were appropriated. This amount has gradually
increased to about $2,000. The record embraces, of course, Berne
and Knox until the latter was erected as a town.
The establishment of the great Simmons axe factory led the inhabit-
ants to look for a bright future for their town, one of the results of which
was the founding of an academy in 1833 ; but the failure of the factory
led to the abandonment of the plans after the timber for the building
was on the ground. A select school was organized in 1882 which was
placed under control of the following trustees: E. V. Filkins, president ;
Thomas J. Wood, George H. Reinhart, Charles E. Deitz, Peter S. Ball,
and Edwin M. Shultes. A room for the school was fitted up over the
store of Theodore Settle and it was placed in successful operation under
Elmer G. Story, principal.
The first religious organization in this town was the Reformed church
of Beaverdam, which was formed in 1763, under the ministry of Rev.
Johannes Schuyler, who was then in charge of the Schoharie church.
The first consistory were : Adam Deitz, Jacob Ball, Jacob Weidman,
and Caspar Stiner, elders; Johannes Deitz, Caspar Stiner, Hendrick
Ball, and Roedolph Casman, deacons. A small log church was built
in 1765, on the site of Pine Grove cemetery, which stood until 1786,
511
when it was superseded by a frame structure. This was used until 1830,
when it was taken down and the material divided between the two con-
gregationsat Berne and Beaverdam. This was wholly missionary ground
until 1 82 1. Rev. Mr. Schuyler occupied it for thirteen years until 1779,
after whom came Rev. George W. Schneyder, who continued until 1790.
Other missionaries followed until 1821, when Rev. Cornelius Bogardus,
the first regular pastor, was called. During his ministry the church
farm was greatly improved. During the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Van
Wagenen, 1 826-1 831, two churches were erected, and not long after-
ward the two congregations, Beaverdam and Berne village, were sep-
arated and with two consistories held the farm in common. Pastors fol-
lowing Rev. Mr. Van Wagenen were Abram H. Myers, R. D. Van
Kleek, William Demarest, Edwin Vedder, John C. Van Liew, Edward
Miller, during the pastorate of the latter of whom the Beaverdam church
was repaired at a cost of over $1,000. On January 1, 1857, the parson-
age in Berne was purchased, the church there paying $1,200, and that
at Beaverdam, $300. The membership of the united churches is 250.
The Lutheran church was organized about 1790, and a house of
worship was soon afterward built on a farm midway between East
Berne and Berne villages ; this farm was deeded to the congregation by
the Patroon in 1797. The original trustees of the church property
were Christian Zeh, Frederick Wormer, and Christian Zandt. The
services and the records were in German until 1802, when English was
adopted. The first missionary pastor was Rev. August Frederick-
Meier. Other missionaries succeeded until 1828, when this church and
one in Guilderland were united and a call was given to Rev. Adam
Crounse ; he accepted and served the congregation for nineteen years.
Under his ministry the present brick church was built. During the
pastorate of Rev. S. Curtis, 1 836-1 850, the parsonage was purchased.
During the ministry of Rev. James Lefler, 1 868-1 876, a separate house
of worship was erected in East Berne and dedicated in 1872. Two
other churches have grown from this one — St. John's at East Berne,
arid the Lutheran church at Gallupville in Schoharie county.
The Second Reformed church at Berne was organized March 15,
1826, by a committee appointed by the Albany Classis. Twenty-three
members were then received by certificate from the church at New
512
Salem, and the following officers were ordained: Elders, Jacobus Van
Deusen and John Shafer ; deacons, Cornelius Secor and Peter B. Winne.
Until 1838 the church was served wholly by missionaries; in that year
Rev. Hart E. Waring was called, and under him forty- one were re-
ceived into fellowship. At a meeting held about this time a resolution
was adopted uniting the two churches, the Second Berne and the Onis-
quethau, and the combined congregations called Rev. Staats Van Sant-
voord. The connection between the two societies was broken in 1841,
and a union formed between the Berne church and the Presbyterian so-
ciety at Knox. A joint call was then made upon Rev. Joseph Knies-
kern, who served four years. This society is locally called the Secor
church from its having been organized in the dwelling of Daniel Secor,
and from the number of families of that name in the vicinity.
The Methodist Episcopal church of South Berne was organized about
1 81 2, as the result of camp meeting revivals. Rev. Mr. Stead was the
first pastor and supplied this church and one at Rensselaerville. The
first house of worship was built a little south of Zeh's grist mill
and was in use until 1870, when a new building was erected, which is
the one used at the present time.
There was a Methodist church at Reidsville which was organized in
1830 and had a feeble existence. The Methodist church at Berne
village was organized July 11, 1845, and tne house of worship erected
soon afterward. The first trustees were Thomas Miller, Datus E.
Tyler, Oscar Tyler, George Possing, Franklin Smith and Abram Ball.
The society was actively promoted in its early years by Dr. H. K.Willard
and Abram Ball, who acted alternately as president and secretary of
the society until 1862. After that the church was maintained largely
through the work of George E Shultes. The society has not been in
active existence for some years.
The First Christian church of this town is situated in Reidsville and
was organized December 26, 1821, with fifteen members. In 1823
through a revival there were forty- nine members added. After a period
of decline the congregation was again enlarged with thirty seven mem-
bers through a revival in 1 832. In the following year the present church
was built. About 1840, under the pastorate of Elder James Conkling,
jr., another revival added sixty-four to the membership. In 1841 a
513
new confession of faith was signed by 156 members, taking the title,
"Christian" as their only name and the Holy Scriptures as their only
written rule of faith and practice. The society has ever since main-
tained an active existence and now numbers nearly one hundred
members.
The Second Christian church was organized September 13, 1836,
through the efforts of Elder A. L. Taylor. Meetings were held in school
houses until the present church edifice was built ; it was dedicated Oc-
tober 15, 1836, and has since been extensively remodeled and im-
proved. The church is situated in the extreme southwest part of the
town, owns a parsonage and has more than one hundred members.
The Christian church of South Berne was organized in the Friends
meeting house, east of the village, February 16, 1854, with twenty-four
members, under the ministry of Elder Calvin Southwick. In the
following year the old store north of the James Cornell building was
purchased by four of the church members and services were there held
until the completion of the present church edifice in 1864. Under the
ministry of Elder D. P. Warner, 1 856-1 869, the society prospered, but
in the past ten years it has declined.
The supervisors of this town from its organization to the present time
have been as follows :
Jacob Hochstrasser, 1795, 1799; Amos Jones, 1796; Johan Jost Deitz, 1797, 1798,
1801-1807, 1812, 1813, 1818; Benjamin Fowler, 1800; Abel Hinckley, 1808, 1809;
Joshua Gallup, 1810, 1811; Malichi Whipple, 1814-1817, 1821, 1831, L832; Gideon
Taber, 1819, 1820; Jesse Wood, 1822, 1823; Stephen Willes, 1824 ; James D. Gard-
ner, 1825, 1826, 1835; Chester Willes, 1827; Henry H. Lawson, 1828, L830; Albert
Gallup, 1829; Daniel Simmons, 1833; Lawrence Van Deusen, 1834; Moses Patten,
1836-1838; John Warner, 1839; Jacob Settle, 1840, 1841; Henry I. Devoe, L842, 1843,
I860, 1861; Oscar Tyler, 1844, 1845; Samuel H. Davis, L846, L847, 1856, 1857; John
I. Bogardus 1S48; Daniel G. Fisher, 1849; Henry A. Van Wie, 1850, 1851; Jackson
Kin-, 1852, 1S53; Silas Wright. 1854, 1855; Z. A. Dyer, 1858, 1859; David Conger,
1864, 1866; William D. Strevell, 1868; David S. Dyer, 1865; Adam J. Warner,
1867; James A. Reamer, 1868; Alfred Hungeford, 18<>9, 187(1; William Zeh, 1871
George H. Reiuhart, 1874, 1875; Frederick W. Conger, 1871 1881; Thomas J.
Wood, Istg, 1882-1887; Isaac White, 1888, 1889; Thomas J. Wood, 1890, 1891, 1892;
Calvin S. Dyer, 1893-95; Wallace A. Peasley, 1896-present time.
65
514
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE TOWN OF GUILDERLAND.
Guilderland is the central of the three northern border towns of Albany
county, and was formed from the town of Watervliet on February 26,
1803, and contains about 33,000 acres, nearly 30,000 of which are im-
proved. The surface of this town is greatly diversified. In the west-
ern part the Helderbergs rise to a height of eight hundred feet above
the valley levels, their walls in places being very precipitous. In the
central part the surface is undulating, while in the eastern part there
are the sand ridges that characterize all that region. The principal
streams are the Norman's Kill and its branches, the Bozen Kill (a name
derived from " Boos," angry, because of its rapids and falls), Black-
Creek, Wildehause Kill, and Hunger Kill. The lower course of the
Norman's Kill in this town is through a narrow ravine, with steep clay
banks. The soil of the town is light and sandy in the eastern part, and
gravelly loam mixed with clay in the western part.
In accordance with the law erecting the town the first town meeting
was held on April 5, 1803, at the house of Henry Apple, and the fol
lowing officers were elected :
Supervisor, Nicholas V. Mynderse; town clerk, Peter C. Veeder; assessors, Isaac
Van Aernam, Abraham Veeder, Peter Relyea; commissioners of highways, David
Ogsbury, Frederick Crounce, Charles Shaver; overseers of the poor, Jacob Van
Aernam, Simeon Relyea; collector, Henry Ostrander; constables. Frederick Seger,
Asa Hutchinson, Peter Tarpennmg, Jasper Hilton; poundmaster, Volkert Jacobson ;
fence viewers, Nicholas Van Patten, Asa "Hutchinson, Peter Traber, Robert Grey;
overseers of highways, Jacob La Grange, Peter La Grange, Thomas Mesick, Nicho-
las Van Patten, John Groat, Peter Traber, Amos Goodfellow, James M. La Grange,
Isaac Van Aernam, Benjamin Wilbore, James Piatt, John Murray, Walter Vrooman,
Adam Hilton, Matthias Hallenbeck, Peter Bowman, George Brown, Abraham Veeder,
Ezra Spalding.
The usual regulations were adopted at that meeting for the simple
town government. Fence viewers were voted $1.25 per day, and $30
515
bounty was voted for killing wolves. The election of senators and
assemblymen in the town took place on April 26—28 of that year; the
records show that for senator 72 votes were given for John Tayler; 67
for John Woodworth ; 67 for Simon Veeder ; 67 for Edward Savage;
67 for Thomas Treadwell ; 46 for Stephen Lusk ; 47 for Moses Vail ;
47 for Daniel Paris; 47 for Ebenezer Clark; 44 for William Bailey.
In the vote for assemblymen 66 were given for James Emmott; 66
for M. Schermerhorn ; 66 for John Beekman, jr.; 66 for John Jost
Deitz ; 66 for Peter S. Schuyler; 66 for Moses Smith; 1 for Nathan
Stanton ; 3 for John Jackson ; 96 for Peter Gansevoort, jr.; 97 for Henry
Quackenbush ; 96 for Nathan Dayton; 94 for John Jackson, jr.; 96 for
Nathaniel Gallup ; 97 for Isaac D. Ver Plank ; 1 for Nathan Gallup, and
1 for Peter Gansevoort.
Settlement in this town was considerably advanced previous to the
Revolutionary war, at which time there had come in families named
Crounce, Van Wormer, Severson, Van Aernam, Fredericks, Van Pat-
ten, Groat, Livingston, Winne, Becker, Ogsbury, Truax, Van Alstine,
Van Valkenburg, Henderson, Hart, Barckley, Hilton, Fryer, and
others. Many of these names are familiar ones in the town at the
present time. By the beginning of the present century the territory
in this section was well populated and mills and stores, schools and
churches, and the clustering hamlets that later became villages had
been established. As will be seen by the character of the names of
early residents, most of the settlers were Dutch, from whom came the
great rmijority of the pioneers of the county. The following list gives
the names of all residents of this town in 1803 who were qualified to
serve as jurors, and of course includes almost or quite all of the male
mature residents, of whom all those not otherwise designated were
farmers :
Job Earls, Abraham Bartlett, Abraham Van Wie, Simon Relyea, Leva Relyca,
Isaac W. Fryer, David Relyea, jr., George Brown, Peter Veeder, Christian Truax.
jr. (innkeeper), Lawrence Van Kleeck, Abraham Turk, John Banker, John Joice,
James La Grange, John Van Schaick, Jonas Smith, Petrus Van Patten, Abraham
Kelder, Jclles Truax, Albeit Van Heusen, Abraham Spoor, Andrew Murray, Ezra
Spalding, Frederick Myuderse, Robert Dollar, James Irwin, Reuben Earls, Peter La
Grange, John Devoe, David Bogardus (carpenter), Jacob C. Truax, John Beebe,
William Davis, Peter Wurmer, John Fryer, Aaron Wurmer, Isaac A. Wurmer,
Amos Goodfellow, Michael Van Schaick, Peter McDougall, Christopher Batterman
516
(innkeeper), Peter Becker, Henry Shaver, Nicholson Severson, John Shoudy (black-
smith), George Van Arnum, Henry Van Arnum, Frederick Crounce, Conrad
Crounce, John Crounce, Martin Blessing, Matthias Hallenbeck, Nicholas Winne,
John Mann, Garret Long (carpenter), Nicholas V. Mynderse (merchant), Henry
Jacobson, Peter I. Livingston, Michael S. Frederick, Matthias Frederick, Jacob Rel-
yea, John Bloemendall, Jacob La Grange, Samuel Covenhoven, Peter Van Aucken,
Cornelius Van Valkenburgh, Barent Van Waggoner, David Ogsbury, Henry Apple,
Peter Traber, Charles Traber, Henry Shoudy, Volkert Jacobson, Adam A. Vrooman,
Nicholas A. Sixby, Thomas Beebe, John Weaver, jr., Philip Schell, Henry Van
Schoonhoven, John X. Clute James Platto, Jacob N. Clute, Evert Van Arnum,
George Scrapper, Andrew Spaarbeck, William Snyder, James Ray Charles Shaver,
Martin Spearbeck, Isaac J. Van Arnum, Jacob Sitterly, Benjamin Wilbore, David
Wilbore, James Shaw, Robert Grey, John Douglas. Simeon Lanehart, Henry Lane-
hart, Thomas Van Arnum, John Jacob Van Arnum, John Lanehart, Obediah Cooper,
Jacob M. De Forest, Garret O. Lansing, John M. Van Der Pool, Henry Van Auken,
Levy Van Auken, John Howard, Adam Hilton, George Severson, John Hilton, Daniel
Wolford, Henry I. Schoonmaker, Henry Van Beuren, Charles H. Huner, Peter X.
Van Patten (merchant), Michael Barclay, James McKee, Nicholas Beyer (innkeeper),
William Hilton (carpenter), Philip Fetterly, John Whetsell, Benjamin Walker,
Thomas Beaver, Vincent Springer, Benjamin Howe, Benjamin Howe, jr., John F.
Quackenbush, Abraham P. Truax, John Ramsay, Frederick Ramsay, Philip Ram-
say. Richard Ward, Christian Caley, jr., Bartholomew Sharp, John Sharp, John
Waggoner, John Vine, Nathan Fitch, Thomas Mezeck, John Schell, William Von
Arnum, Isaac Hallenbeck, Jacob Totten, John Ward, Silas Hotan, Peter Relyea,
George Van Nest and Stephen Pankburn.
A similar list, compiled in 1824, included the following names:
George Batierman, Jonathan Brown, Simon Brodt, Thomas T. Beebe, Abijah
Beebe, William S. Beebe, Martin Blessing, Adam Blessing, Peter Bloomindall, Adam
Bloomindall, Abram Bartlett, jr., John Beebe, Jacob Bensen, Jonathan Becker,
Thomas W. Beebe, James Cassidy, Henry Cram, Philip Crounce, jr., Nicholas Crounce,
Conrad Crounce, John Crounce, Jacob X. Clute, John X. Clute, William Clute, Chris-
tian Caly, Adraham Cass, John Chase, Wilhelmus Devoe, Henry Frederick, Matthias
M. Frederick, John I. Fryer, Jacob Fryer, William Fisher, Henry R. Furbeck, Abra-
ham Fryer, Cornelius Goodfellow, Simon Grote, Jellis Gray, Peter Hilton, Jr.,
Gershom Hungerford, Isaac Hallenbeck, Jacob Hallenbeck, David Hart, James
Hilton, Robert H. Howard, William Humphrey, James Houghton, Henry Jacobson,
Jonathan Johnson, Frederick Kunholtz, Christopher Kunholtz, Jacob I. La Grange,
Aaron Livingston, James M. La Grange, Peter I. Livingston, Peter Livingston,
John I. Livingston, Andrew La Grange, Peter D. La Grange, Simeon Lanehart,
Michael Lanehart, John F. Mynderse, John McKown, Jonathan Mynderse, Myndert
Mynderse, John Mann, Cornelius Mann, John Merrick, Thomas Ostrander, John D.
Ogsbury, David Ogsbury, jr., Peter Ogsbury, Andrew Ostrander, Barent Ostrander,
Samuel Ostrander, Christian Ostrander, Stephen Pangburn, William Pangburn, jr.,
David Pratt, Isaac Quackenbush, John F. Quackenbush, Jacob Quackenbush, Myn-
dert Relyea, Jacob D. Relyea, David Relyea, David L. Relyea, Levi Relyea, Giles
517
Riggles, David P. Relyea, Adam Relyea, Peter D. Relyea, John Shoudy, Martin I.
Siver, Jonas Smith, Jacob Spoor, Joseph Spoor, William Spoor, John Shoudy, Jr.,
Nicholas Severson, Frederick Severson, George Severson, Adam Scrafford, Henry
C. Shover, Christian Scrafford, Jacob Sitterly, Peter Shaver, John Sharp, Tunis
Slingerland, Andrew Sharp, John H. Shaver, Jacob Schell, Abram Sitterly, Nicholas
Snyder, Charles Scrafford, Charles Traber, F. Van Valkenburgh, Albert Van Heusen,
John Van Husen, John Van Valkenburgh, Volkert Veeder, Simeon Veeder, Myndert
Veeder, Nicholas P. Van Patten, Thomas Van Aernam, George Van Aernam, Henry
Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas A. Van Patten, Henry Van
Aernam, John I. Van Patten, Simon Van Auken, John Van Waggoner, Richard
Van Cleeck, Gershom Van Valkenburgh, Henry I. Vine, Aaron A. Van Wormer,
Jeremiah Van Auken, Jacob Van Auken, Abraham Vanderpool, Cornelius Wormer,
Peter Wormer, Noah S. Wood, JohnWeitzel, Cornelius H. Waldron, Peter Walker,
Jesse White, Peter Waggoner, John Westfall, John Ward, John W. Ward, Andrew
I. Ward, Richard Walker, Jacob Weaver, John I. Weaver, Andrew Wilkins, James
Wormer, Frederick Waggoner.
One of the prominent early industries of Albany county was estab-
lished in this town in 1792. A company was formed and a factory
built at the site of Guilderland hamlet for the manufacture of window
glass. It appears that the proprietors soon found themselves without
sufficient capital, and application was made to the State for a loan. In
1793 this was granted to the amount of ,£3,000 for eight years, during
three of which no interest was to be paid, and after that five per cent.
The company prospered and made plans for the founding of a large
manufacturing center. In 1796 the land around and near the factory
was laid out in streets and lots and the name of Hamilton given to the
place, from the great statesman, Alexander Hamilton. Spafford's Gaz-
etteer of 18 13, says :
Guilderland contains a factory where are made 500,000 feet of window glass
annually.
But it requires fuel to make glass, and as the wood was cleared away
from that vicinity, heavy expense was incurred in drawing it from a
distance, so that the business became unprofitable and the factor}' closed
in 1 8 1 5
As roads were gradually laid out and improved, post routes and
stage lines were established, and the old taverns were opened on the
roadsides at frequent intervals. Jacob Aker, kept one of the early inns
at the site of French's Mills in 1 800. At that point, also, Peter French
built a factory at the beginning of the century and cloth works were
established in 1795 by Peter K. Broeck.
518
The excise record for the first year of the existence of the town as a
civil organization, possesses interest of its own. The licenses were then
granted under authority of a resolution "That licenses and permits for
retailing strong and spirituous liquors be granted to the following per-
sons at the following rates of excise : "
Christopher Batterman, on the Schoharie road, $6.50.
John Weaver on the State road, §7.50.
Philip Sehell, on the State road, $7.
George Severson, on the Schoharie road, §7.50.
Nicholas Beyer, on the Schoharie road, §5.50.
John Danker, on the Schoharie road, $6.
Peter Bowman, on the State road, §5.50.
Frederick Seger, on the Schoharie road, $5.
Peter Traber, on the road to Schenectady, §5.
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, (permit.)
Nicholas V. Mynderse, (permit.)
Isaac Vrooman, on the Schoharie road, §5.
Simeon Relyea, (permit.)
John F. Quackenbush, on the State road, $5.
Jacob Totten, on the State road, §5.
Henry Apple, on the Schoharie road, §9.
Frederick Friedendall, on the Schoharie road, $6.
James D. La Grange, on the Schoharie road, §6.50.
Abraham P. Truax, on the State road, $6,
At the meeting at which these licenses were granted, Nicholas V.
Mynderse was present as supervisor of the town, and Volkert Veeder,
Peter C. Veeder, James Henderson, and Lawrence Schoolcraft, justices
of the peace. Other persons to whom licenses were granted only a
little later were Peter Van Patten, Wait Barrett, Benjamin Home, Fred-
erick Ramsay, Ezra Spaulding, Christian Truax. and Gerrit G. Van
Zandt. This may appear like a large number of licenses for one new
town, but it is accounted for by the numerous early taverns on the prin-
cipal roads, the general habit of drinking liquor in families at that period,
and the fact that most groceries, as well as taverns, sold liquor in those
days.
Besides the glass and cloth factories that have been mentioned, the
principal industries of the town in early years, and almost the only ones
aside from farming, were the operation of saw mills and grist mills.
Lumber was needed just as soon as it was possible to supplant the first
log houses with frame structures, and that was long before the begin-
519
ning of the present century. The Spafford Gazeetteer of 1813 states
that at that time there were one hundred looms working in this
town, making 25,000 yards of cloth annually. All of these long ago
disappeared with the centralization of manufactures in large cities. The
Batterman family had a woolen factory at Sloan's in early years, which
subsequently became a hat factory, then a cotton batting factory, and
lastly a foundry. The grist mills known as Becker's and Veeder's were
patronized by many even from a considerable distance in early times.
The number of saw mills in this town was limited in comparison with
the other towns, for the reason that timber was scarcer and not of much
value for lumber; but there were several built in very early years,
which long ago fell into decay.
The records of the schools of Guilderland previous to about 18 13 are
of the most meagre description. All that can be said of them is that
they were established as early as possible after the first settlements
were made, were generally inferior in facilities, and often taught by
ministers of the gospel, in dwellings or rude log houses.
The first school officers chosen in the town were the following, elect-
ed at a town meeting held in 181 3: John Schoolcraft, Samuel R.
Campbell and John Weaver, jr., commissioners of schools ; Andrew
Ostrander, Henry Heath, and Cornelius M. Watson, inspectors of
schools.' Among the early teachers in Guilderland were Joseph Bell,
John Rawle, Abijah Beebe, William Gardner, Hubert Pratt and Henry
Switcher. In 18 13 the town was divided into eight school districts.
This number was gradually increased as population became more
numerous, until in i860 there were twelve districts, and at the present
time there are fourteen that have each one school house. Guilderland
with Knox and Watervliet constitute the third commissioner's district
of Albany county.
The oldest settled hamlet in this town gathered around the " Glass
House," as it was termed, from the glass factory there, until the name
of Hamilton was substituted in 1796. In later years it took the name
of Sloan's from the family of that name, who lived there and did much
1 The changes made in the titles of school officials in the county at large and other important
details are given in Chapter XV of this work.
520
for the advancement of the place, but the village is now called Guilder-
land, and the post-office bears that name. It is situated east of the
center of the town, on the " Great Western Turnpike," eight miles
from Albany. A conspicuous element in this community was the Bat-
terman family. Of this family John, a man of good ability, energy
and industry, long manufactured and repaired wagons and farming im-
plements. Christopher Batterman, also a man of high character and
good business ability, engaged in mercantile business in which he was
markedly successful. He was a general in the State militia, and held
the office of sheriff of this county. George Batterman was a man of
uncommon physique and strong mental capacity He managed two
farms successfully, kept the hotel afterwards so well known as Sloan's,
operated a flouring mill and satinet factory, in all of which operations
he was successful. His hotel frequently had as many as fifty transient
guests for many successive days. His arduous tasks at last overtaxed
his strength and he died from paralysis, after having accumulated a
fortune. Henry Sloan married Mr. Batterman's daughter and came
into possession of the hotel property, which was, however, soon after-
ward burned, but was promptly rebuilt by Mr. Sloan, substantially as
it now exists, and under his management it became even more popular
and widely known than while owned by its former landlord. It sub-
sequently passed under the management of George B Sloan, son of
Henry, and is now kept by Mr. Van Tyle. The foundry at this place,
which has been alluded to, was first owned by William Fonda, passed
into the hands of Newbury & Chapman, and is now operated by Jay
Newbury. The grist mill that was for so long a time in operation is
now out of use. Frank J. Spur formerly kept a store, which is now
conducted by De Graff & Voorhees. Dr. Abram De Graff is post-
master and also a successful physician.
The village and post-office of Guilderland Center is situated on Black
Creek near the center of the town. It was formerly locally known as
Bangall, a name said to have been given it from the somewhat rude
character of a part of the inhabitants, but if this is true the appellation
has long been undeserved. A branch of what is now the West Shore
Railroad, passes through the place, and its opening gave an impetus to
the business interests of the village. The village practically includes
521
the site of the old French's Mills, which are still a part of the French
estate but are not now running. The old woolen factory is also aban-
doned, having last been operated by E. Spawn & Co., of which firm
Mr. Spawn is still living at an advanced age. The manufacture of
cider and vinegar formerly conducted by A. V. Mynderse, is still con-
tinued by his son, William B, William D. Frederick also has a vinegar
factory which was formerly operated by his father, Michael H. Fred-
erick. Peter Tygert carries on the manufacture of sash and doors and
has a planing mill, which were previously owned by his father, A. J.
Tygert. F. Tygert, a former merchant, was succeeded by Ogsbury &
Martin, and the same business is now carried on by Elva Young in a new
location, the former store having been burned. P. Petinger conducts a
general store, and William A. Petinger is a maker of and dealer in boots
and shoes. George W. Livingstone has a harness shop, Charles Brust,
son of William, is a carriage manufacturer, Hugh Livingston, tailor,
William Young, shoemaker and postmaster. G. A. Hallenbeck & Co.
have a large cigar factory here. John P. Bloomingdale, who is still living
at an advanced age, should not be forgotten as one who has accom-
plished much in past years for the building up of this village.
There are two hotels here, one of which has been kept by Samuel S.
Fowler for eleven years past, and which was owned by him long pre-
vious to that. The other, the Center House, was formerly owned by
Michael Frederick and is now conducted by his son, William D.
The largest and most prosperous village in Guilderland and one of
the most active in Albany county is Altamont (formerly Knowersville),
which is situated to the westward of the center of the town and on the
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. It is beautifully located at the
foot of the Helderbergs, amid picturesque scenery, and has in recent
years attracted to the near by mountain sides numerous wealthy citizens
of Albany who have built beautiful summer homes. The name of
Knowersville came from the Knower family who were early settlers
here and identified with the early business interests of the place. Their
homestead was somewhat remote from the present business center and
that portion of the town is distinguished from the newer part by the
name of Old Knowersville. It was there that Jacob Aker kept a
tavern in Revolutionary times, and a woolen factory was in operation in
G6
522
i8oo. The place had little importance until the building of the railroad,
the first passenger train of which from Albany to Central Bridge in
Schoharie county passed through this place on September 1 6,. 1863.
At that time there were only two farm dwellings on the lands that now
constitute by far the larger part of the site of Altamont In the spring
of 1864 a store was erected by Becker & Hilton. This has since been
conducted by Albert Ward, Crounse & Hilton, Mynderse & Pangburn,
who occupied it in April, 1883, and is now conducted by F. & W. S.
Pitts. Several residences and the railroad station were built before the
close of 1864. In 1868 another store was erected and opened by Ira
Witter, who soon sold out to Joseph W. Wright, who in turn leased
it to Abram A. Tygert, and this is now kept by J. Snyder. A little
later a third store was built, which was managed for a time by Crowe,
Davenport & Crowe, Davenport & Fredericks, and is now conducted by
A. A. Tygert. Rev. N. Klock built a store some years ago and ran it
for a time. A tin and stove store was opened by W. H. Lay, who was
succeeded by Osborn & Taber, who in turn were followed by the pres-
ent proprietor, Ira Secor. A furniture store and undertaking business
was started in 1877 by John Thierolf, which was transferred in 1885 to
Ogsbury & Vanderpool, who were succeeded by M. F. Hallenbeck, the
present proprietor.
In 1867 the Union Hotel was built and for a time was under manage-
ment of George Severson. Andrew Warner next had it for about a
year and was succeeded in 1869 by John Stafford, who kept it many
years. It is now called the Commercial, and is managed by Mrs. Eggle-
ston. The former Knowersville House was built in 1876 by James
Ogsbury, who occupied it a short time, when it was sold to Adam
Wetherwax. It is now called the Altamont House and is conducted by
lames O. Stitt, the recent Democratic nominee for county treasurer.
In 1874 Henry Lockwood built a carriage factory which was occupied
by Van Benschoten Brothers up to 1880, and then by Van Benschoten
& Warner. It was burned down but was rebuilt by Mrs. Van Ben-
schoten and is now occupied by Warner & Van Benschoten. William
H. Van Benschoten established a harness shop in 1870, and was suc-
ceeded by Frank Decker; the present harness shop is kept by Charles
Beebe. Nathaniel Sturges is a well established jeweler, having been in
the trade for twenty years past.
523
Adam Sand was formerly a prominent business man of this village
and was succeeded by his sons, who formed the firm of Sand Brothers.
The saw and planing mill established by Philley, Elsass & Warner, also
came into the hands of Sand & Son, who added a grist mill, but this is
now operated by J. C. Ottman.
Altamont has become an extensive hay market, and is also a shipping
point for other products from a wide extent of territory. Many firms
have been, and several are now, large buyers of hay in this place,
among whom are Ira Fairlee, Isaac Reamer, Edwin Clute. Sand
Brothers, and Crannell Brothers are extensive dealers in coal, lumber,
stone, building materials, etc.
Among the physicians who have practiced at different points in Guild-
erland have been Dr. James S. Low, who came in 1820; Dr. Frederick
Crounse, 1833; Dr. Jonathan Johnson, an early practitioner ; Dr. An-
drew Wilson, who was for twenty-four years in practice in this town;
Dr. Barrows (at Sloan's) and Dr. Abram De Graff; Dr. Thomas Helme,
long in practice at McKownsville ; Dr. Jesse Crounse, Dr. R. F. Barton,
Dr. Andrew C. Crounse, and Dr. I. S. Becker, in Altamont.
Hiram Griggs became a resident of Knowersville in 1862, and has
pursued the practice of law ever since. He is a leading and public
spirited citizen, and has been called to several important positions. He
was supervisor for ten years, has been president of Altamont village
since December, 1890, and was member of assembly for three years.
Atchison Miller has also practiced law successfully in this village.
About the year 1877 Rev. N. Klock began publishing the Golden
Era in Knowersville, which he removed to Mechanicsville five years
later. In July, 1884, David H. Crowe established the Knowersville
Enterprise. Soon afterwards the Enterprise Company, consisting of
John D. Ogsbury and Junius D. Ogsbury, acquired the establishment
and have continued the publication since. The name of this village was
changed to Altamont, from the high mountain peak near by, on October
1, 1887, at which time the name of the Enterprise newspaper was
changed to correspond.
The visitor to this pretty village is struck by the general air of pros-
perity everywhere seen. Nearly all of the streets are bordered with
stone sidewalks; a waterworks system was established in the fall of
524
1892, at a cost of nearly $20,000, bringing pure spring water to all the
principal streets; new dwellings abound, good schools are maintained,
and the community as a whole is intelligent, progressive, and well gov-
erned. Mr. Merrill, of Albany, resides in what was formerly the Ku-
shaqua Hotel on the mountain side above the village. Others who
reside here during the summer are Judge R. W. Peckham, Mayor
Thacher, James D. Wasson, Charles L. Pruyn, Mrs. Cassidy, Edward
R. Cassidy, J. B. Groot, and Col. Henry C. Cushman.
The officers of Altamont village for 1896 are as follows:
Hiram Griggs, president ; trustees, James Keenholtz, Lewis E. Fowler, George W.
Davenport ; clerk, I. Knower Stafford ; treasurer, John Johnson ; commissioner,
Robert Hurst ; water commissioners, Montford A. Sand, Dr. I. S. Becker, Henry A.
Wilber, Joseph Snyder, Nathaniel Sturges, Junius Ogsbury; health commissioners,
Adam Sitterlee, Michael F. Crowe, Matthew Tice; health officer, Dr. Rufus S.
Barton.
A hose company is maintained with thirty members, of which J. L.
Smith is foreman, and M. A. Sand, assistant.
The Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association was organized in
1893 and held their first fair in that year, which was a gratifying suc-
cess. The association is incorporated and belongs to the Central New
York Fair Circuit, comprising Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Coble-
skill (town), and Schoharie counties. The officers of the association are
as follows :
I. H. Reamer, president; C. M. Frederick, vice-president; J. O. Stitt, treasurer;
Silas Hilton, secretary; Edwin Clute. superintendent. Directors: I. H. Reamer,
L. E. Fowler, James Keenholts, M. A. Sand, C. M. Frederick. H. S. Gilbert, Edwin
Clute, Charles B. Warner, M. F. Hellenbeck, Edward Becker, J. O. Stitt, W. E.
Deitz, Henry Bins.
The association has a fine park containing all necessary buildings with
a track just outside of the village of Altamont.
Dunnsville is a hamlet and post office in the northern part of this
town, which took its name ftom Christopher Dunn, who was the origi-
nal owner of lands here. A small business has always been conducted
in the place. A hotel formerly conducted by Samuel Robinson is now
kept by William Wagner. Frederick Joos is a blacksmith, and a store
is kept by William Blessing.
Fuller's Station is situated to the north of the center of the town on
525
the West Shore Railroad, and has attained such growth as it has largely
on account of the railroad and through the efforts of Hon. Aaron Fuller,
from whom it takes its name. Of the two hotels built here by Sanford
S. Ford, one was kept by him and subsequently burned. The other is
now kept by John Friday. Samuel Van Allen long kept the store
which is now in the hands of his son Richard The firm of Tygert &
Martin, hay dealers and commission merchants, was succeeded by
Thomas Tygert.
McKownsville is a post-office and small settlement in the southern
part of the town, and takes its name from the McKown family who set-
tled there at an early period and became prominent in town affairs. A
hotel is kept by William Witbeck.
Guilderland Station is a small hamlet, without post-office, where Will-
iam Schoolcraft has a store.
Meadow Dale is a post-office and small hamlet in the extreme south-
ern part of the town.
Closely following the opening of settlement in the various localities went
the missionary preachers, patiently doing their duty, and gathering the
believers together in meetings held in dwellings, barns, or in the open air,
and establishing the enduring foundations of the later churches. Many
of these were of the Lutheran faith, and one of the earliest ministers of
that denomination to labor in Guilderland was Rev. Peter N. Sommers,
who began his work in 1 743. He passed his whole life in the field, preach-
ing throughout a wide extent of territory, and being beloved wherever he
went. No regular organization was effected in this town until October 13,
1787, when St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church came into exist-
ence, with Rev. Heinrich Moeller as the first pastor. At the first com-
munion service, August 1 1, 1788, there were present fifty-eight com-
municants. After a short term of service by a Rev. Mr. Mayers Rev.
Adam Crounse was called in 1828. He preached to this congregation
and to the one in Berne for thirty five years, and made this church one
of the strongest in the Synod. As a result of the great revival of 1832,
100 new members joined the church. Other revivals of little less impor-
tance followed in later years under the energetic and effective labors of
Mr. Crounse. He died while with this church on May 13, 1864. Mr.
Crounse was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Lake, and he by David Swope in
526
1869. By this time the old church building which stood about midway
between Guilderland Center and Knowersville, neither of which villages
had a church of its own, was in great need of repair. After much dis-
cussion it was determined to abandon the old site and erect a house of
worship in each village, with separate congregations. John Mann
donated a church lot in Guilderland Center, and Conrad Crounse gave
one in Knowersville. The two churches were built simultaneously
at a gross cost of $20,000, the one at the Center being consecrated in
February, 1872, and the other in the following month. After the
division of the congregation the Knowersville church took the name of
St. James, and the church at the Center the name of St. Mark's. Both
have maintained an active existence ever since. While the question of
building new churches was being agitated, the Methodists purchased a
lot at Knowersville and arranged to erect a house of worship, but the
successful outcome of the plans of the Lutherans caused them to aban-
don their plans
Of the Reformed church in this town there is no record earlier than the
pastorate of Rev. Thomas Van Heusen, who was called here in 1795, and
remained for thirty years, but it is known that there were services held
here in this faith many years earlier. Mr. Van Heusen established
the church upon a solid foundation, but left it shortly before his
death. He is buried at New Scotland. He was succeeded by Rev.
Dr. Hardenburgh, who remained only a few months, and was followed
by Rev. Robert Blair, who also left after a short time, and after two or
three other short pastorates, Rev. William P. Davis was called. He
was well known here from his assistance at several revivals, and from his
successful labors at the Glass House. In 1834 the old Red Church, as it
was termed, gave place to a more modern and commodious house of
worship, which was built by subscription in 1867. Meanwhile, in 1856,
the parsonage on the church farm of fifty acres which had been given by
the Patroon, was enlarged at an expense of $1,600. Rev. Mr. Davis was
succeeded in 1869 by Rev. S. L. Gamble, whose pastorate was a long
and successful one. The society was subsequently divided and new
church edifices were erected, one at Altamont and one at Guilderland
Center.
The Hamilton Union church of Guilderland was organized in the
527
Presbyterian faith, and so remains, but is now in use by that sect and
the Reformed sect in the vicinity of Sloan's (or Guilderland) in the east-
ern part of the town. The organization was effected March 25, 1824,
by a committee from the Albany Presbytery, with seventeen members.
The first pastor was Rev. Judson Buck, who was installed October 19,
1825. The church was erected in 1833, ar>d dedicated January 30,
1834.
Methodist preaching began almost at the commencement of the cen-
tury in Guilderland, meetings being held in dwellings, and later for
a long period in the school house near Fuller's Station. About 1852
a spirited revival began and the need of a church was felt. It was
finally decided that a house of worship should be built at the Glass House
(Guilderland village) in the eastern part of the town. Land was do-
nated by George C. Batterman and an edifice was erected thereon at a
cost of about $2,000, which was dedicated in the autumn of 1852. On
the 1 8th of April, 1853, a church organization was effected, with the
following trustees: Henry Spawn, John Arnold, Giles Reagles, Isaac
Pearl, Robert D. Carhart, Elijah Chesebro, William Powell, William
Chesebro, and M. Y. Cheesebrough. In May of the next year the par-
sonage was purchased. In 1866 the church building was improved by
raising it and making a basement chapel beneath, and a gallery was
built across the end of the audience room. Again in 1874 further
improvements were made in the structure.
The Methodist Episcopal church of McKownsville is situated about
a mile west of the Albany city line, where a church edifice was erected
in 1866, an acre of land having been presented for the purpose by John
McKown. This society has been under the same pastoral charge as the
Guilderland church.
The State Road Methodist church was organized in 1864 by Rev.
E. E. Taylor, with a membership of thirty, and in the following year a
house of worship was erected at a cost of $4 000. Its first pastor was
Rev. John N. Short since whose day the society has had a prosperous
existence.
Following is a list of the supervisors of Guilderland from its organiza-
tion to the present time, with the years of their election :
1804-1805, James Henderson; 1N06-1S08, Peter Van Patten; 1809, Robert Gray;
1810-1811, David Bogardus; 1812, Aaron Grote; 1813 24, William McKown;
528
30, George Batterman; 1831-32, Aaron Livingston; 1833-39, Christopher Batterman;
1840-41, Henry Sloan; 1842^5, Peter Shaver ; 1846-47, John Fuller; 1848-49, Jacob
I. Fryer; 1850-51, Elijah Spawn ; 1852-53, W. Vine; 1854-56, George Y. Johnson;
1857-59, Henry Hilton; 1860, Leonard Wilkins; 1861-66, Stephen V. Frederick;
1867-76, Hiram Griggs; 1877-80, John C. Grant; 1881-84, Aaron Fuller; 1885-87,
Benjamin Crounse; 1888-89, David Relyea; 1890-92, Howard P. Foster; 1893-97,
Peter Walker.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE TOWN OF WESTERLO.
Westerlo is situated upon the southern border of the county, near the
center of that line, having the towns of Coeymans and Rensselaerville
respectively on its eastern and western boundaries. It was formed
from these two towns, March i6, 1815, being the seventh town erected
in the county. It was named in honor of Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, who
came from Holland in 1760 and was pastor of the Reformed Dutch
church at Albany.
The civil history of Westerlo dates from April 4, 181 5, when the first
town meeting was held at the house of William Beardsley, at which
John Gibbons was chosen moderator and other town officers were
elected.
The surface of the town is broken and hilly and generally inclines
toward the south, the banks of the streams being steep and irregular and
the valleys mere narrow ravines. The soil is a sandy and gravelly
loam, interspersed with clay and underlaid with " hardpan." The town
contains no very high land, the highest point, which is in the northern
part of the town, being eight hundred feet above tide.
The streams are the Hannakrois Creek, flowing through the northeast-
ern corner ; the Basic1 Creek, rising in the extreme northern part of the
town and flowing south through Chesterville and South Westerlo, with
Fly and Wolf Creeks, and other small streams as tributaries ; and Eight-
mile Creek, flowing south through the western part of the town into
1 Low, flat.
529
Rensselaerville and emptying into Ten-mile Creek. There is a small
lake near Van Leuven's Corners, the outlet of which is the source of the
Switzkill.
In the very early days the asheries were a prominent industry and
served as an incentive for clearing much of the dense wilderness. Trees
were felled, burned and the ashes gathered and taken to the ashery and
sold or exchanged for family supplies.
Some manufacturing is done in and near the village of Westerlo, but
for the most part the inhabitants are engaged in the pursuit of agricul-
ture.
The first mills were those erected by Lobdell and Baker in 1795, and
were situated a short distance south of the site of Chesterville on Basic
Creek, on lots 328 and 200 of Van Rensselaer's patent, across the stream
from the spot where now are the mills of Orville Lobdell.
At South Westerlo were formerly a tannery and asheries belonging
to the Smiths, who afterward erected a grist mill. This mill passed
through the hands of several owners, and is now operated by D. M.
Wooster. W D. Calder's mills for the manufacture of flannels, cassi-
meres, satinets and yarns are also located here on Basic Creek. At this
place, also, are a fruit evaporator owned and run by Cunningham Bros.,
and the factory of the South Westerlo Elgin Creamery Company,
makers of butter. The grist and saw mills of William A. Dickson &
Son are on the Hannakrois Creek near Dormansville. Saw mills are
numerous ; Darius Lockwood on Wolf Creek ; Samuel Snyder on Eight-
mile Creek ; and Henry A. Ford on Basic Creek, the latter mill having
been built in 1870.
About 1812 a Mr. Jenks had a carding mill on Basic Creek below
Chesterville, which was destroyed by fire. Another was built in its
place by George Wiltsey and operated by Drum & Possom, who later
converted it into a turning shop and finally into a grist mill, remains of
which yet exist.
A. S. Green owns and operates a fruit evaporator at Chesterville.
Here, also, are quarries of graywacke, which furnish an excellent flag-
ging and building stone. Another important industry in this village
is bee culture.
The principal crops are hay, rye, corn, oats and buckwheat, while
67
530
dairy farming and sheep raising are profitably followed by many, though
the latter industry has greatly diminished in late years. A great deal
of fruit has always been raised since the early days, and of late years its
cultivation has been stimulated by the erection of evaporators.
It is impossible to ascertain who were the first settlers within the
present limits of Westerlo, or when they came, but it was certainly some
time before the Revolution that men pushed into the wilderness and
commenced making homes for themselves here.
Jacob Ford came from the Hillsdale district in Columbia county in
1795, and settled on lot 369, and later on lot 318, now in possession of
Henry A. Ford.
Adam St. John, of Scottish origin, came from Old Paltz to Westerlo
in 1790 and settled at Lamb's Corners, having originally come with the
Huguenots from Holland. He and four of his brothers were soldiers in
the Revolutionary war, and were at Yorktown at the surrender of Corn-
wallis. Many of their descendants still reside in the town.
Jehial Lamb came from Massachusetts and settled in the southwestern
part of the town about 1793, and Jacob Ingalls moved herefrom Rhode
Island about the same time. Descendants of these two families live
near Lamb's Corners.
Isaac Winston settled near Chesterville, and while serving in the war
for independence was taken prisoner and held for eighteen months.
Stephen and Solomon Mabey came from Rhode Island soon after the
Revolution and settled at South Westerlo. Samuel Mabey was born
here October 20, 1792, and died August 14, 1870, on the same farm.
His son, S. E. Mabey, lives near South Westerlo.
Dr. Jonathan Prosser came from Dutchess county in 1788 and settled
on the farm now occupied by Henry Simpkins. Lodowick and Jacob
Hanes, Germans, settled at an early day on Basic Creek near Dormans-
ville. Josiah Hinckley, another Revolutionary soldier, took up in 1783
the farm now owned by his grandson. At this time there were but
eight families in the town.
John Gibbons, born 1766, lived at New London, Conn., and during
the Revolutionary war drove an ox team and helped to remove the
military stores during the night from New London to a place of safety.
He removed to Rensselaer county after the war, and in 1795 came
531
to Dormansville. His son, Ransom H. Gibbons, was born in 1802
and located at Dormansville as physician in 1826, after studying with
Dr. Zina Lay and Dr. Hyde and attending a course of lectures at Fair-
field and having been licensed by the censors of Herkimer county. He
died in 1890, leaving one son and one daughter who is now the wife
of Rev. Luther Peck, of Scranton, Pa.; the son, Edward, is still living
at Dormansville. Isaac Rundell settled at South Westerlo in 1780 on
the farm now owned by his grandson, Darius Rundell.
Nathaniel Gale, with his father, Thomas, and his grandfather, John,
moved to Westerlo from Tarrytown, Westchester county, in 1800, and
took up their abode in a log house. Nathaniel's son, John W., is still
living on the old place near Dormansville.
The early physicians of Westerlo were Drs. Zina W. and Josiah Lay,
Jonathan Prosser, Erastus Hamilton, who became an assistant surgeon
in the war of 181 2, Peleg Peckham, P. S. Brigham, Willis A. Alston,
Hiram Barber and George Holmes.
Among other early settlers were William Haverland, William Bird,
James Arnold, Abram Becker, Rev. Reuben Stanton, who was a sur-
veyor and received for his services one hundred acres of land, Jared
Reynold, Daniel Lockwood and William Wheaton.
Chesterville (Westerlo post office), one of the hamlets of the town,
is situated about one mile north of the center of the township, on Basic
Creek, fifteen miles from Coeymans Landing and twenty miles from
Albany. It was named after Rev. John Chester, who was formerly pas-
tor of the Second Presbyterian church of Albany. The post-office, one
of the first in the town, was established about 1827. Previous to this
letters and papers were delivered by post- riders once a week, by Squire
Brown and a man named Peck, who are still remembered by a few of
the inhabitants. Now the mails are received daily, the present post-
master being George J. Graham. Chesterville is the earliest settlement
in the town. It was here that Philip Myers located before the Revolu-
tionary war, while Granr and Eadie had an ashery and kept a store in
1798. Moses Smith followed as a merchant, tavern-keeper and manu-
facturer of potash. Nicholas Lapaugh and Henry Puree were also
tavern-keepers, and Jeremiah Green operated a tannery. The hamlet
now contains fifty dwellings and two hundred and twenty-five inhab-
532
itants. There are two churches — Reformed and Baptist — a school house,
one hotel of which Charles Haverly is the proprietor, and four stores —
A. S. Green & Son, general merchandise ; Perry Swartout, sundry mer-
chandise ; Hiram K. Jones, dry goods and groceries ; Gilbert Ander-
son, hardware and tin ; two blacksmiths and two wheelwright shops,
one general undertaker, two shoe shops, paint shop, and a millinery and
dressmaking shop. The legal profession is represented by A. D. War-
ner, attorney and counselor at law, while the doctors are John N. Brad-
ley and Arthur A. Vibbard. A Masonic lodge was established here
about 1820, with the following persons as members : James Sackett,
Sylvester Ford, George Prindle and Nicholas Lapaugh. The Good
Templars instituted a lodge here in 1878, which has been abandoned.
South Westerlo (post-office) is situated in the south central part of
the township, between Basic and Wolf Creeks. It was first called
Smith's Mills, after David Smith. The name was changed in 1827,
when the post- office was established with Thomas Saxton as post-
master, who held it thereafter for twenty-nine years. He came here
when fourteen years old, served as clerk for his uncle, Thomas Smith,
and continued in business until 1859. Among the early settlers and
business men were Thomas Smith, general merchant, distiller and manu-
facturer of potash ; and Messrs. Bemet, Wheaton, Cross, Storer, Stan-
ton, Reynolds, Lockwood, Slauson and Trowbridge. South Westerlo
now has some twenty-seven dwellings and one hundred and thirty resi-
dents, and contains a Christian church, school house, wheelwright and
blacksmith shop. D. J. Bishop is the postmaster, while stores are kept
by L. S. Lockwood and Stuart & Robbins. Here is also the Cottage
Hotel, of which A. M. Kipp is the proprietor.
Dormansville (post-office) is in the east central part of the town, and
was named in honor of Daniel Dorman, who was the first postmaster in
1832. Among its first settlers were W. Tomkins, William Ward and
Lewis Husted, who kept a public house. Here is still standing what is
left of the first square frame school house built in the town. Formerly
Hiram and Erastus Gibbons were proprietors of the Dormansville Hotel
and dealers in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. The
hotel business has been abandoned, but the other branches are con-
tinued. Dell Powell is the present postmaster. Dormansville contains
533
some fifteen dwellings, a Methodist church, school house, two stores,
a paint shop, and wheelwright and blacksmith shop run by W. S. Ward.
Van Leuven's Corners, named after Isaac Van Leuven, an early set-
tler, is a small hamlet on the Delaware turnpike in the northern part
of the town. It formerly had a tavern, mills, tannery and other enter-
prises, but these are all abandoned now. William Beardsley, John
Preston and James Sackett were tavern-keepers. Here John Preston
had a tannery and currying shop which was continued by Luther Pres-
ton until his death, but is now abandoned. Mr. Preston was also a school
teacher, and the author of " Every Man His Own Teacher." James
Sackett, a colonel in the war of 1812, was a prominent business man
and a Mason. Van Leuven's Corners was first called Sackett's Cor-
ners, after him, and later Preston's Corners. William Beardsley at
one time kept a tavern here, and after moving to Albany was elected
sheriff". Gideon Wood made spinning wheels here many years ago in
the house where Peter Van Leuven now lives. Among other early set-
tlers were Josiah Jones, who came to this neighborhood from Claverack
at the age of fourteen years, when there was but little cleared land.
Lamb's Corners, a small neighborhood in the southern part of the
town, was settled by Jehial Lamb, Adam St. John, Jacob Ingalls, Hez-
ekiah Roardman and Thomas Jencks, who came from New England
about 1790. Descendants of the first three of these families are quite
numerous. Here are a Methodist church, school house and blacksmith
shop.
Westerlo Center, or Thayer's Corners, is a small hamlet containing a
blacksmith shop run by Charles Hempstead. A store and tavern were
formerly kept by a Mr. Thayer. The chief families of the neighbor-
hood are the Winegards, Atkins, Hanes, Wiltseys, Lockwoods, Stan-
tons and Reynolds.
The early settlers who came from New England and the adjoining
counties on the river were filled with religious zeal and ardor and were
not long in organizing religious societies. The first society was formed
as early as 1793 in the township of Rensselaerville, and in 1796 the
first church was built. In 1826 the Methodist Episcopal church at
Dormansville was organized, and in 1840-41 the present church edifice
was dedicated by Rev. M. Hedstrom. The building was remodeled in
534
1895 at a cost of $1,700. Among its pastors have been the Rev.
Messrs. S. Wright and Turner. There is at Lamb's Corners a Metho-
dist church called " Olin Chapel " in honor of Dr. Stephen Olin. A
class was formed here eighty years ago, led by Thomas Smith and Al-
exander Lamb, at whose house, now occupied by his son, Asbury
Lamb, meetings were held. Meetings were held in the school house
previous to the erection of the present frame church in 1853, when
Alexander Lamb, Amos Fish and Ludlow St. John were elected
trustees.
The society of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo was formed at
the house of Isaac Winston, May 26, 1800, in what was then the town
of Rensselaerville. The original members were Roswell Beckwith,
Aaron Baker, Isaac Winston, Isaac Lobdell, Thomas Martin, Benjamin
Martin, James Slade, Sarah Winston, Miriam Lobdell, Cynthia Baker,
Lois Slade, Judith Stanton, Eleanor Martyn, Mary Spaulding and
Lydia Mollison. Four candidates were received and baptized into its
fellowship on the day after its organization.
The First Baptist society of the township of Westerlo met at the
school house nea. Zina W. Lay's on January 11, 1820, for the purpose
of electing officers and to incorporate as " The First Baptist Society"
of the town of Westerlo. Deacon William Bentley and James Slade
were chosen presiding officers and Sylvester Ford, James Jaycox, Will-
iam Bentley, James Slade, Isaac Lobdell, jr., and Knight Bennett were
elected trustees. The site for their first church was obtained from
George Pinney, being part of lot 238 and covering thirty-five one-
hundredths of an acre, at an annual rental of fifty dollars to him and a
further payment to the Patroon, proprietor of the Manor of Rensselaer-
wyck. The society sold this piece of ground March 28, 1853, and pur-
chased the present site of Archibald S. Green. The church has had
altogether nineteen different pastors.
The Reformed church located at Westerlo was organized in 1793.
A Baptist society was organized at South Westerlo and a church
edifice erected between 1808 and 1810, and among the early elders
were Josiah Baker and William Stuart. Rev. Reed Burritt came to
this church about 1820 and ministered for more than ten years. In
the mean time the Old and New School societies had a controversy
535
over the control of the affairs of the church which resulted in the suc-
cess of the New School, which had the society incorporated. Messrs.
Crocker, Mudge and Stanton are among those who have served this
church as ministers. The membership gradually decreased until the
society finally disbanded and sold its church building in 1847, at which
time the old church was moved out of the village.
The Christian church of South Westerlo was organized in 1820 by
the Christian churches of Rensselaerville, Coeymans, Berne, Baltimore
and Freehold. In the year 1824 the society erected a church building
which was used as a house of worship until sold to O. L. Hannay,
when it was converted into a public hall where the society of Good
Templars used to meet. In 1833 Anthony Hanes, Nathaniel Holmes
and Cyrus Wheaton were trustees ; Joshua Nelson, moderator, and
Thomas Saxton, clerk ; Abraham Hagen, Robert P. Derbool and
Anthony Hanes, deacons. In 1872 the society purchased the old
tavern property of William Showers and erected the present house of
worship and parsonage at a cost of $13,000.
There is also an Episcopal church in the northern part of the town
which was organized in 1875. This is something of a union church,
however, as all Protestant denominations are at liberty to hold services
there at their pleasure.
There are three corporate cemeteries in the town. The Westerlo
Rural Cemetery Association was organized in October, 1871, with
William V. L Lapaugh, president, George E. Disbrow, vice-president,
Charles Lapaugh, secretary and treasurer, Lewis C. Lockwood, John
Sherwood and Joseph Babcock, trustees. The cemetery is located one
mile north of the village and contains two and three-fourths acres of
land. The Hannakrois Rural Cemetery was organized in 1879 with the
following officers : Edward Gibbons, president ; William Applebee, vice-
president ; Minor Gibbons, secretary and treasurer; Henry Simpkins,
John G. Ward and Allen Kniffen, trustees. The cemetery contains
two acres of land and is located one mile east of Dormansville. The
Westerlo Central Cemetery Association was incorporated January 12,
1882, with these officers: Robert L. Simpkins, president: L. L. Lock-
wood, secretary; Darius Rundell, treasurer. There are other burial
grounds in the town, notably the one at Van Leuven's Corners, where
Col. James Sackett is buried.
536
Westerlo and Rensselaerville of Albany county and Greenville and
Durham of Greene county constitute the " Farmers' Fire Insurance
Association," which was incorporated under a special act of the Legis-
lature, April, 1857, and of which Darius Rundell is director and agent.
Schools were established in the town at an early date, and one passing
through the town cannot but notice the fine school buildings of the pres-
ent day. Apollos Moore and Robert O. K. Bemet were teachers before
the township was organized, and John Mott, a Quaker, taught a select
school many years ago on the farm of R. Cartwright, for the education
of the Quaker sect, which was then quite numerous, though he did not
exclude other sects. After Mott died Henry Lawson taught the
school, and after him John Preston for a time. Gideon St. John taught
school for twenty-seven years, and Truman Ingalls for many years,
holding also an evening grammar school. Heman Crocker, Solomon
Trowbridge, C. Stewart, Moses Scott, Levi Holmes, Miss Bush and
Miss Ann Lawson were among the teachers of years gone by.
There are two physicians in the town — John N. Bradley, a graduate
of the Albany Medical College, 1875, and Arthur A. Vibbard, who
was graduated from the New York Homeopathic Hospital in 1894.
Many men from this section did gallant service in the war of the
Revolution, but inasmuch as the township was not formed until after
the war, it is not possible to obtain a record of their names. Some
who fought in the war of 18 12 were Joseph Babcock, T. Witbeck, James
Sackett, Col. Elliot St. John, William and Alexander Mackey, Walter
Huyck, John W. Prosser, Nathan Clark, Abram Hageman, James and
Abram Hawley, Benjamin Stanton, Caleb Tompkins, Carpenter Bishop,
and Martin Lambert.
There is no record of the soldiers of the Rebellion.
537
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN OF KNOX.
This town is situated in the northwestern corner of Albany county,
is the smallest in area in the county, containing a little more than
26,000 acres, and with one exception (New Scotland) was the latest one
formed. It was erected from Berne on February 28, 1822, and re-
ceived its name from the celebrated Colonel Knox, of Revolutionary
fame. The eastern part of the town constitutes a part of the Helder-
berg region, while the town as a whole consists of a high plateau,
broken by a few hills, and with a northern and western inclination.
The Bozen Kill forms the northeast boundary of the town, and this,
together with Beaver Dam Creek in the southern part, with their trib-
utaries, are the principal streams. A part of Thompson's Lake ex-
tends into the town in the southeastern part. (See history of Berne.)
The soil is principally gravel and clay, over "hardpan," and in many
parts is fertile and well adapted to mixed farming. Hay is produced
in large quantities and marketed at Altamont. The surface of the
town was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally
pine, hemlock, birch, maple, ash, oak, and basswood, but this has, for
most part, been cut off.
The town records of Knox were burned in 1850. rendering it im-
possible to give the proceedings of the first town meeting or the names
of officers previous to that year. The names of the supervisors from
that time to the present are given on a later page. The first of these
was Malachi Whipple, an early settler and prominent citizen. At the
annual town meeting of 1850 Michael Lee, Daniel Gallup, Abraham
Batcher and Stephen Merselis, jr., were present as justices of the peace,
and Fphraim N. Bogardus acted as clerk. For that year the following
officers were elected :
Lyman Witter, supervisor; John G. Crary, town clerk; Samuel O. Schoonmaker,
68
538
justice of the peace; John H. Tand, superintendent of schools: Anson Tols, collec-
tor; Gurdon Gallup and Conrad Batcher, overseers of the poor; John Posson, asses-
sor; Jacob P. Hane, commissioner of highways; Peter Schoonmaker, Alexander
Crounse and John Allen, jr., inspectors of election, district No. 1; John Finch,
Bemsby Williamson and Jacob Auchempaugh, inspectors of election, district No. 2;
Gilbert Gage, Joel Gage, John C. Cannady and Elisha White, constables.
At that time the house of Henry Barclay was called the Town
House, and the place for holding the next town meeting. Knox was
then divided into fifty-six road districts, with the following overseers of
highways :
John Posson, Jacob Crounse, Hiram Thousand, Evert M. Barckley, David W.
Sturges, Archibald Scott, Peter Swan, 2d, James Finch, Rodney Wilder, Philip
Gifford, Jacob Truax, Henry Dutcher, William Davenport, Benjamin Lee, Matthias
Barckley, Jehiel White, John F. Sternburgh, Conrad Batcher, John Bassler, Fred-
erick Clyckman, John Oliver, Orange Beeman, Henry W. Williams, Thomas Staf-
ford, John V. Schoonmaker, Robert Hurst, S. Flansburgh, Stephen Hungerford,
Ebenezer Gallup, Alexander Crounse, Amos Crary, William Williamson, Eldridge
Chesbro, George W. Stephens, John G. Gallup, Isaac N. Crary, Frederick Zeh, John
T. Beebe, James Armstrong, Henry Tarpenny, David Van Auken, Cornelius Wool-
ford, Adam Snyder, Henry F. Orelup, Joseph A. Haswell, Azor Gallup, Abraham
H. Onderdonk, Edward Settle, Jacob Bronk, Jacob Kipp, Elias R. Williams, Sylves-
ter Allen, Israel Walker, John H. Sand, and Frederick Orelup.
Some of these names, as well as other lists which will appear, indi-
cate the Dutch element in the populatian, through descendants of some
of the earliest families of the towns. Details of the Dutch settlement,
prior to the Revolution are almost entirely wanting. It is known that
many of the pioneers espoused the royal cause during the Revolution
and removed to Canada after the success of the American colonists, but
Capt. Jacob Van Aernden's name has come down as one of the loyal
Whigs of that time. The improvements made in this section prior to
the Revolution consisted almost wholly of clearing part of the land for
tillage and the establishment of a few mills, churches and schools. A
Lutheran church was organized about 1750, and settlement had pro-
gressed considerably by that time, but the names of most of the Dutch
pioneers are lost in the past.
After the Revolutionary war settlers began to come in from New
England, among the very first of these being Samuel Abbott and An-
drew Brown, from Connecticut, who were soon followed by from twenty
to thirty others from the same State. The more prominent of the fam-
539
ilies that came prior to the town organization in 1822 were the Brown,
Todd, Williams, Denison, Crary, Chesebrough, Gallup, Frink, Taber,
Coates, Gage, Weitzel, Pinckney, Williamson, Bassler, Saddlemire,
Haverly, Zimmer, Engle, Schoon maker, Swart, Sand, Clickman, Keen-
holtz, and Batcher families. All through the early history of the town,
as far as it is accessible, many of these names appear and some of them
have been represented by descendants down to recent times. These
New England settlers brought with them the habits of industry and the
religious tenets of their forefathers and early established a Presbyterian
church, as described further on. Amos Crary, Hiram Gage, Egbert
Schoonmaker and Nathaniel Swan were operating saw mills prior to
1825, and a little later Malachi Whipple, Daniel Crary, and a Mr. Van-
decar had mills, but most of these long ago passed out of existence. A
small grist mill was early in operation on a little stream in the northern
part of the town, but that also has disappeared, and the inhabitants now
take their grain to Berne and Altamont. In quite recent years Swart
& Saddlemire, Frederick Bassler, and Bemsley Williamson were operat-
ing saw mills, the mill of the latter being now in possession of his son,
George J. Williamson. In 1831 Alexander Crounse moved into Knox
from an adjoining town and erected a tannery on the main road through
the town west of Knoxville, and for many years did a large business in
manufacturing harness and upper leather. The great changes in the
leather trade and the centralization of the industry elsewhere finally re-
duced the income of this tannery, and Mr. Crounse transferred it to his
son, Eugene G. Crounse, who erected an addition for a feed mill in 1884.
Still later he abandoned tanning and built a steam saw mill which went
into operation in 1893.
Gideon Taber was a pioneer and one of the first shoemakers in the
town. He was a native of New London, Conn., and a son of Quaker
parents. On account of his non-combatant belief he went to Canada
during the Revolution and for a time had command of a vessel on Lake
Champlain. Upon the return of peace he came back to Knox and went
about among the families as an itinerant shoemaker, according to the
custom in early times. He was thrifty and subsequently established a
small tannery, where he made leather for his own trade and for harness
making. He was elected justice of the peace and in 18 18-20 served his
540
constituents in the Assembly. The old Taber homestead ultimately
passed into the possession of his grandson, Charles Clute.
Nathan Crary began the manufacture of wooden pill boxes in Knox
early in the century, supplying some of the largest pill makers in. the
country. The business finally passed to his son, John G. Crary, and
was also taken up by others. At the present time John M. Quay and
Sanford Quay are conducting the business.
Among the more prominent families who came into the town or were
already settled here between about 1825 and 1850, were those of Mal-
achi Whipple, Dr. Erastus Williams, Egbert Schoonmaker, Frederick
Bassler, Potter Gage, Alexander Crounse, Charles Chesebro, David Van
Auken, Perez Frink, Henry Denison, P. Witter, Isaac Barber, Daniel
Chesebro, John Gallup, Wright Skinner, Dow Van Derker, Henry
Williams, Cyrus Chapman, Henry Dane, Daniel Gallup, Joseph Gallup,
Samuel Russell, Gurdon Gallup, and the Seaburys. Descendants of
many of these are still prominent in the town.
Among the leading citizens of later days are Henry Barckley, Elisha
White, John C. Cannady, Joel and Gilbert Gage, Jacob Auchampaugh,
Bemsley Williamson, John Finch, John Allen, jr., Peter Schoonmaker,
Alexander Crounse, John G. Crary, Charles G. Frink, Denison Crary,
Jacob P. Hane, John Posson, Conrad Batcher, Gurdon Gallup,
Anson Tols, John H. Hand, Samuel O. Schoonmaker, Lyman Witter,
Frederick Orelup, John H. Sand, Israel Walker, Sylvester Allen,
Elias K. Williams, Jacob Kip, Jacob Bronk, Edward Settle, Abram
H. Onderdonk, Azer Gallup, Joseph A. Haswell, Henry F. Orelup,
Adam Snyder, Cornelius Woolford, James Armstrong, Henry Tar-
panny, John T. Beebe, Frederick Zeh, Isaac N. Crary, John G.
Gallup, George W. Stephens, William Williamson, Eldridge Chesebro,
Amos Crary, Ebenezer Gallup, Stephen Hungerford, Robert Hurst,
S. Flansburgh, Thomas Stafford, John V. Schoonmaker, Henry W.
Williams, Orange Beeman, John Bassler, Frederick Clyckman, Matthias
Brackley, Jehial White, Conrad Batcher, John F. Sternburgh, John
Posson, Jacob Crounse, Evert M. Barckley, Hiram Thousand, James
Finch, Peter Swan, 2d, Archibald Scott, David W. Sturges, Rodney
Wilder, Philip Gifford, Benjamin Lee, Henry Dutcher, Jacob Truax
and William Davenport.
541
The comparatively modern history of Knox contains very little of
importance in incident or progress aside from the peaceful advance in
agricultural methods, improvement in schools, roads, bridges, etc. In
the war of the Rebellion, from her somewhat remote situation, the town
responded patriotically to the calls of the government for volunteers.
As early as September, 1862, the electors authorized their supervisor
to borrow $1,800 to be paid in a bounty of $100 to each volunteer of
the quota of the town under one of the early calls for troops. This
action was succeeded later by equally prompt and generous proceed-
ings. Seventy seven volunteers went from the town to fight in the
battles of the Union, many of them members of the most prominent
families, and of these many never came back to receive the honors that
awaited them.
It is a tradition that previous to the beginning of the present century
there were two primitive schools taught in log school houses in Knox.
One of these probably stood on the site of Knoxville, and the other
near West Township. It is possible that there were others of which all
traces are lost. The town was divided into districts long before it was
separated from Berne, the number of these being twelve in i860, thir-
teen in 1880 and at the present time again twelve with a school house
in each. Knox, Guilderland, Colonie and Green Island form the third
school commissioner district of the county.
The Knoxville Academy was organized under the State laws about
1830, by Gurdon, Gardiner, and John Gallup, Dr. Elisha Williams,
Jesse Tyler, and perhaps others. A suitable building was erected and
in common with many other similar institutions that were founded in
early years in small villages, enjoyed for many years a large patronage.
Its teachers were as good as could be obtained and many of its students
went out to occupy distinguished positions in life. While this academy
has kept up its corporate existente down to the present time, it has not
been in active operation since soon after 1880. The opinion has been
entertained that the success of this old institution for a long period acted
to the disadvantage of the district schools, retarding their advance-
ment.
542
Several professional men of considerable prominence have had their
residence in Knox. Dr. Erastus Williams, long a leading citizen, was
the first resident physician and had a large practice during the first
third of the century. Dr. Moses Brovvnell was his contemporary and
successor, and Drs. John Van Allen, Zeh, Sigsby, Johnson, and others
came in later years. Azor Tabor, born in 1799, and who died in 1858,
was the only lawyer who ever practiced in this town.
Knoxville, with post-office named Knox, is a hamlet in the central
part of the town, where in past years a small mercantile business has
been conducted, and the few shops necessary for the convenience of the
inhabitants are kept. I. W. Chesebrough was a former merchant here,
who sold out some eight years ago to Elam Williams, who is still in
business and is now also postmaster. Henry Barckley was a merchant
from about 1848, and was succeeded by his son, E. L. Barckley, now
county treasurer. There is no hotel in the place or in the town.
West Township is a post-office and small hamlet in the eastern part
of the town, where a grocery is kept by Willis W. Witter. James
Finch is postmaster, but besides this there is no other business of any
account. There is a station with the name of the town in the extreme
north part on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad.
The first church organization in this town was of the Lutheran faith and
was organized before 1750, in which year the first church and school
house was built. Rev. Nicholas Sommer, the enthusiastic pioneer in
this region, had already preached to congregations for about five years,
after having taken up under the church patent law a farm of forty-two
acres. The first building was about twenty feet square and served its
purpose many years. In August, 18 10, another lot was purchased,
and in the succeeding fall the old building was moved upon it and re-
modeled. In the spring of 1828 the old church was demolished and a
new frame structure erected and partly enclosed, but the church officers,
some of whom were Lutheran and some Reformed in belief becoming
involved in a dispute, resigned and the society was broken up. In
December, 1829, a number of the former members, with others, met
and reorganized and chartered the Zion's Lutheran and Reformed church
of the Helderberg and the church building was soon completed. In
1839 dissentions again arose and the Reformed members withdrew and
543
built the church at Secor's. On October 13, 1839, Rev. Adam Crounse,
more fully organized Zion's Lutheran church at Knox, with fifty-one
members. In 1850 the present church was erected, while the parson-
age was built about 1868. Rev. Henry Moeller preached to the old
congregation from 1790 to 1800, and Rev. Adam Crounse, who per-
formed so much successful and unselfish pastoral work in this section,
was preacher from 1830 to 1844, in connection with Berne and Guilder-
land.
The Reformed church of Knox had its origin in the Presbyterian
church which was formed in 1825. Services had been irregularly held
for some years previous, under the auspices of the settlers from New
England. In 1825 Rev. J. Judson Buck was called and was soon in-
stalled over the congregation here and also Hamilton Union congrega-
tion. At that time there were fifty-five members in this congregation.
The elders were Erastus Williams, Isaac Barber, P. Witter, and Henry
Denison. Mr. Buck remained steadily with the church about three
years and for two years after that probably acted with the congregation
in church affairs. No regular pastor was employed as his successor,
but several preached occasionally, and the society languished. The
Dutch Reformed settlement was increasing in the town and the subject
of reorganizing under that faith was freely discussed. This was finally
done and the church was received into the Classis of Albany September
20, 1842, with the name of the First Reformed Dutch church of Knox.
Thirty-one members of the former congregation were dismissed to form
the new one, and the following consistory were chosen : Daniel Chese-
bro, Joseph Gallup, Gurdon Gallup, Henry Williams, jr., John Van
Allen, Michael P. Cavart, Charles Clute and John Possom. Henry
Williams was chosen treasurer and John Van Allen, clerk. This re-
organization was affected under the ministry of Rev. Joseph Kneiskern.
The original house of worship was a plain wooden building, and stood
a little below the present church, which was built forty years ago.
There are three Methodist Episcopal churches in Knox, but their
records are so incomplete that little of their history is known. It is
probable that Rev. William Brown was the first Methodist preacher in
the town. He is buried in the little plot formerly used, and the record
on the headstone says he was born in October 24, 1758, and died April
544
25, 1 834. His wife was Mary Chesebro. In early days the church at
Knox village was connected with those of Berne, Reidsville, Middle-
burgh (Schoharie county) and Schoharie, to form the Berne circuit.
Among the first members of this town were Joseph Hunting, F. Dom-
inic, Levi Van Auken, and Christopher Chesebro. The first house of
worship stood about a mile east of Knox village, and was taken down
when the present one in the village was erected in 1851. Another
church was built at about the same time at West Township. The third
one was erected in 1841 in the eastern part of the town.
A Baptist church known as the Church of Berne previous to 1825
was organized early in the century. In 181 2, when Rev. N. H. Ripley
was pastor, it had a membership of 105. Soon after this date the con-
gregation was without a regular preacher for twelve years, when Rev.
Samuel Hare was called and preached eight years, up to 1832. During
the pastorate of Rev. S. G. Tower, which began in 1850, a frame
church was built at West Township. The society was fairly prosperous
until about 1878, when it began to decline and was soon reduced to
very few members. It finally became extinct as far as holding services
is concerned.
Following is a list of the supervisors of Knox from 1850 to the
present time, with the years of their election :
1851, Lyman Witter; 1852-53, Stephen Merselis, jr.; 1854-55, Henry Barckley;
1856-57, John Keenholtz; 1858-59, Samuel Gallup; 1860-62, Samuel Warm; 1863,
John Keenholtz; 1864-65, Ira Van Auken; 1866-72, Peter Schoonmaker; 1873-
74, Hiram Gage; 1875-77, J. M. Chesebro; 187s, William J. Haverly; 1879-81,
I. W. Chesebro; 1882, William J. Haverly; 1883-85, Charles G. Frink ; 1885-87, Ed-
ward L. Barckley, 1888-90, Sanford Quay; 1891-92, William J. Haverly; 1893-95,
Sanford Quay.
545
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF NEW SCOTLAND.
This is the Central town of Albany county, and the latest one erect-
ed, having been taken from the town of Bethlehem by act of the Legis-
lature April 25, 1832, and containing about 27,000 acres of land. The
act erecting the town gives the following description of its eastern
boundary:
From and after the passage of this act, all that part of the town of Bethlehem, in
the county of Albany, lying west of a line beginning at a point six miles west of the
Hudson river, in the south bounds of the town of Guilderland ; thence on a southerly
course, parallel with the Hudson river, to a point in the north bounds of the town of
Coeymans, six miles west from the said Hudson river, and all lying west of said line,
shall be a separate town, to be known by the name of New Scotland.
The surface of this town is widely diversified. The Helderberg moun-
tains rise along the western border in picturesque beauty, while the
eastern parts are high, rolling and broken by ridges and hills. The
soil is clay and gravelly loam, and fertile and productive farms are
found in many localities. The principal streams are the Normans Kill,
which crosses the northeastern corner only ; Vly Creek, a tributary of
the Normans Kill in the northern part ; Vlaaman (or Flaman's) Creek,
in the eastern part; and Onisquethau Creek, which flows across the
southern part from west to east. Black Creek touches the northwestern
corner. Lawson's Lake is on the Coeyman's line in the southwest
part, a small sheet of water, the outlet of which falls into a deep cavity
and flows onward through a subterranean passage to a cavern, the
natural features of which possess a great deal of beauty. Near Cope-
land Hill in the same locality are some remarkable sink holes, five to
eight feet in diameter and extending down through the soil and the
lime rock to a depth of ten to twenty feet, and being connected by sub-
terranean streams. Near Clarksville are two caves which extend respec-
tively an eighth and a half mile underground, with streams flowing through
546
them. In the southwestern part of the town is situated a sulphur
spring. The highest point of land in New Scotland is in the western
part, in the Helderbergs, where it rises 1,823 feet above tide. Here form -
erly was located a station of the United States Coast Survey. From the
summits of these mountains and hills views of great beauty, extending
over a wide area, are obtained.
Hay is the principal crop in New Scotland and has been for some
years, while the cereals, potatoes and fruits are grown extensively. In
recent years many hop yards have been planted. The farmers of the
town are fully abreast with modern methods and are rewarded with
adequate returns for their toil.
The territory now embraced within the boundaries of New Scotland
is a part of the Van Rensselaer Manor, and a portion of it was included
in the Jan Hendrickse Van Baal purchase of the Mohawk Indians, de-
scribed in an earlier chapter. Van Baal made his purchase in 1660,
and soon afterwards sold half of his tract of about 69,000 acres to Jan
Hendrickse Vroman, who in 1686 sold the same to Omie de La Grange
for one hundred beaver skins. In 1 7 16 Omie de La Grange and Johannes
Simonse Vedder purchased the remainder of the patent from the heirs
for £250. The first settlements were made in this section on the Nor-
mans Kill about 1700 by the La Granges and Koenradt Koens Sev-
eral families in the vicinity of New Scotland took their leases from these
families as early as 17 16. Against these settlers the Patroon began
legal proceedings to invalidate their title ; the litigation was tedious and
prolonged, but was ultimately, on July 6, 1776, decided in favor of the
Patroon ; the families of Simon J. Vedder, Arie (or Aurie) La Grange,
and Volkert Veeder, with sixty- three others, now found themselves de-
prived of their estates, after having been in peaceable possession ninety
years.1
The first settler on the Onisquethau flats in this town was Teunis
Slingerland, who came from Holland and purchased nearly 10,000
acres of land. The date of his arrival is not definitely known, but was
about 1660. The deed of his land is said to have been signed by three
Indian chiefs. Teunis Slingerland married Engeltje, daughter of Albert
Andriesen Bradt, built a dwelling and soon afterward established mills.
' Historical sermon by Rev. James G. R. McCliire, pastor of New Scotland Presbyterian church.
547
His selection of lands was wisely made and the tract embraced what
subsequently became excellent farms, portions of which remained in
possession of descendants of the pioneer until recent years.
In 1685 a deed was given to Teunis Slingerland and his son-in law,
Johannes Apple, by three Mohawk chiefs, of the Wolf, Bear and Turtle
clans, for certain lands ; this deed is interesting as the following extract
shows :
Sago-a-di och-qui-sax, To-ho-daa-vve, Ro-jen-dre, Tap-in-dan-e-go, Ro-jon-jow,
So-ha-ayn-tow-anne, being empowered by all the sachems of the three races of the
Maquaes, and by On-i-gho-cen da, one of the principal owners, for and in considera-
tion of the following goods, to wit, one piece of shrift, three casks of rum, three
kettles, three shirts, hundred and fifty hands white wampum, and one bag of pow-
der, sell, transport, convey, &c. . &c. , to Teunis Slingerland and William Apple, his
son-in-law, their heir 5, &c. , a certain tract of land lying on the north side of a cer-
tain creek called O-nits-quat-haa, to the westward of Albany, lying behind Norman's
Creek, about sixteen miles into the woods, and marked on the east and west end by
a Wolf, Bear and Turtle, &c.
Barent Pieterse Coeymans set up the claim that this land lay within
his patent purchased of the Mohawks at Catskill in April, 1673 ; the
Mohawks disputed this and Coeymans subsequently relinquished his
claim. The tract probably contained about 10,000 acres. Slinger-
land's deed was signed in presence of Peter Schuyler, Garret Bauchry,
and William Teller, and is on record in the Albany county clerk's
office.
Between 1700 and 1750 a considerable number of settlers came into
what is now New Scotland, bringing with them the customs of the old
world and the industrious hardihood of the race they represented.
Storm and Jan Bradt, and a family of Segers were in the town contem-
poraneously with Mr. Slingerland, and their descendants have been
conspicuous in the history of the community. Among others who
arrived during this period were Francis Moak, Jacob Hellenbeck, An-
dries Houck, David Delong, Jonathan lloogtaling, Isaac Pryce, Adam
and John Long, W. Van Atten, John Mead, Hallers Thompsons, Al-
bert Bradt, Conradt Hoogtaling, William Van Allen, and Albert Sling-
erland.
Down to 1755 most of the settlers on the lands of the Patroon were
occupying their farms without leases ; they were little more than squat-
ters, and had made slow progress in improvements, probably by reason
548
of their somewhat uncertain tenure. About this time the Slingerlands,
who had made more extensive improvements than others of their neigh-
bors, established the mills at Clarksville. During the period from 1750
to 1775 there was a large influx of settlers from Scotland, Ireland and
England, introducing new and varied characteristics and customs.
Among the pioneers of that period were Hendrick Bouse, Johannes
Seger, Derk Terwilger, Nicholas Sigsbee, Henrick Albright, John Wade-
man, Samuel Taylor, George Reid, George Swan, Ebenezer and John
Wands, William and Charles McCulloch, David and William Allen,
Fuller, William Pangburn, John Patterson, Samuel Ramsey and
his sons, James McMullin, William Kirkland, Anthony Wayne, Samuel
Erwin, Antone Slingerland, and families of McBride, Moak, Jackson,
McCoughtry, Bruce, Valk, Lenox, Conger, Ingraham, and Lamphere.
Most of these names in themselves indicate the change in the nation-
ality from their predecessors.
Immigration, which had practically ceased during the Revolutionary
period, began again after the close of the war. Property rights being
settled, industry protected, a market provided for crops, together with
the attendant blessing of peace, gave encouragement to settlers already
located and stirred the enthusiasm and ambition of the adventurous.
Some of those who came into the town between 1775 and 1800 were
Johannes Markle, Frederick Reinhart Fuller, Benjamin Van Zandt,
Conrad Bowe, John Furbeck, Benjamin Winne, Mathias Young, Nich-
olas Van Schaack, M. and F. Van Wormer, Elias Mattise, John Martin,
John Stalker, Mathias Winne, Richard Radliff, and the Johnson, De
Reamer, and Smith families. These names are mostly well known in
this county and descendants of many of them have been prominent in
the public affairs of the town and successful in their various occupations.
It may properly be recorded here that Dr. Samuel Dickson of this town
served as member of Congress in 1855 ; John McEwen and Henry
Fitch, both born in New Scotland, were elected to the office of sheriff;
John R. Radley and William J. Reid served as associate justices ; David
D. McCulloch as commissioner of schools, and Edmund Raynsford,
Aaron Van Schaack, David G. Seger, Frederick Mathias, John Reid,
Harman Van Derzee, Henry Creble, Peter Slingerland and Hiram
Becker, Smith O'Brien and Joseph Hilton as members of Assembly.
549
The early schools in this town were like those in other localities al-
ready described — taught in private houses, frequently in the dwelling
of the teacher, later in log school houses widely scattered, and finally
in the neat frame buildings of later days. Some of the teachers in the
territory of New Scotland in the first years of the century were Charles
McCulloch, Harmanus Van Huysen, Edmund Raynsford, Francis Seger,
James Wands, 2d, Horace Emery, William Hooster, James Patterson,
James McElroy, Peter De Long, Ann Lawson, and a Miss Hoyt.
After the distribution of the so-called school money the character of
the schools at once became better and their number increased. The
number of school districts increased somewhat after the first division
was made until in i860 there were fifteen. At the present time there
are sixteen with school houses. New Scotland with Coeymans and
Bethlehem constitute the first district of Albany county.
Following is a list of the supervisors of this town from its organization
to the present time :
1833-38, James Reid; 1839-40, Aaron Van Schaick ; 1841-44, William Murphy;
L845-46, CoonradMathias; 1847-49, Robert Taylor ; 1850-51, John McEwen ; 1852 53,
John Mathias; 1854, William Van Allen; 1855-56, P. V. W. Brooks; 1857-58, James
Slingerland; 1859, Samuel Rowe; 1800, James Sliugerland; 1801, Henry Crounse;
1862, James Slingerland; 1863-64, John R. Taylor; 1865, David Callanan ; 1866-67,
Nicholas A. Belong; 1868, Samuel Patton; 1869, Nicholas B. Houck; 1870, Alonzo
B. Voorhees; 1871-76, Robert Taylor; 1873, Tuenis Slingerland; 1874, Henry M.
Meed; 1875, Teunis Slingerland; 1876-80, D. V. S, Raynsford; 1881, Henry H.
Meed; 1882-83, Hiram Becker; 1884-85, Charles Wood; 1886-88, William J. Reid;
1889-92, Joseph Allen; 1893, A. W. Witbeck; 1894-5 Albert Vanderpoel.
The village and post-office of New Salem is situated a little north-
west of the center of New Scotland, at the foot of the Helderbergs on
the old Heaverdam road, which later became the Albany and New
Scotland plank road. The mountain just west of the village is 1,700
feet high, and over it the road passes into the town of Berne. Settle-
ment was made on this site as early as 1770, about which date Seth
Price, Christian Bradt, a family of Van Valkenbergs, and perhaps a few-
others came in These were soon followed by John Stalker, John
Wamp (or Wemple), Obadiah Cooper, Benjamin Van Zandt, a family
of Crouslers, and others. Alexander Stather built a large house in
1807 for a tavern, which is still standing, though unoccupied, and was
owned for many years by Jacob Seger. Johannes Markle kept a pub-
550
lie house a half mile south of New Salem as early as 1792. About
1806 the little village began to grow; new dwellings, a church, and a
tannery, operated by Beriah Chesebrough, were built. When bark
gave out the tannery was converted into a saw mill, with water power;
later a steam engine was put in and a feed mill added. The buildings
were finally burned. About the year 1800 a saw mill was established
on Spring Creek near the village on what was the Winne farm. About
1830 Aaron Van Schaack built a large store and tavern. The post-
office was opened soon after the formation of the town and the former
local name of Punkintown was dropped for the better one of New
Salem. Aaron Van Schaack was the first postmaster. The building
erected by him is now used as a temperance hotel by David O. Young.
In 1839 David C. Segar built a store which was rented to Thomas D.
Bennett, but which is now used as a harness shop. The store building
of J. M. Erwin was erected in 1875. There is a steam saw mill and
grist mill at Cold Spring built in 1887 by Peter Albright. The first
grist mill of the Slingerlands has been mentioned ; it was on the
Onisquethau, east of Clarksville, and was probably the first one in this
town. It was on the farm occupied in recent years by Conrad C.
Crounse, where there is a fall of about forty feet in the stream. The
mill was in operation, according to the best authority, about 1750 and
probably stood many years ; it was long the only mill in the neighbor-
hood and was used by the inhabitants of a wide area Another grist
mill was built in early years on the Michael Slingerland farm, which in
recent years has been superseded by a saw mill operated by Mr. Sling-
erland. On Vly Creek, to the north of New Salem, a grist mill was
built in 1 83 1 by the La Granges and continued in operation down to
recent years. A man named Grant had a carding mill in early years
on a little stream south of the Andrew Allen place and north of the
turnpike.
Clarksville is situated on the plateau in the southwest part of the
town, and takes its name from Adam A. Clark, who settled there about
1822. Early settlers at this point were William Bose (or Bouse), Sam-
uel Ingraham, who kept a tavern in the upper part of the village, and
Joseph Bright, who kept a tavern where George Fuller now resides.
At a later date Henry L. Mead settled there, became a prominent citi-
551
zen, held the office of justice of the peace and was postmaster of the
village. The name of the place was originally Bethlehem, when New
Scotland was a part of that town. Not long after the year 1800 Har-
manus Bogardus came from Feura Bush and settled at this place, erect-
ed buildings and kept a public house, the dwelling now occupied by the
widow of Michael Flansburgh having been built by him for Mr. Mead.
A man named Jenkins kept another early tavern. After the charter of
the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company in 1805 and the improve-
ment of the road, travel greatly increased from Rensselaerville, and as
Clarksville was about half way between that place and Albany, it be-
came a convenient and popular stopping place. About 1822 Mr.
Bogardus sold his property to Adam A. Clark, who continued the
business many years. The tavern is now owned and kept by John T.
Smith. One of the early log school houses was in this place, and
Francis Seger and a Mr. Taylor were among the early teachers. In
1 84 1 Peter L. Houck built a saw mill on the Onisquethau, which he
operated many years, and which has since become the property of
Frederic R. Gardner. In 1845 Rushmore Bennett and John Murphy
built a saw mill and flouring mill, run at first by water power, to which
steam was afterwards added. It subsequently passed into the posses-
sion of Robert McLaughlin, was burned and was rebuilt as a feed mill,
which is still in his possession. There has always been a small mer-
cantile business here, though much of this has gone to Albany and else-
where since the opening of the railroad. A general store is kept bv
Clinton Bagley, and there is also a granger's store doing an active
business. Besides the John T. Smith Hotel, others are kept by Arthur
Ilouck and George Fuller.
New Scotland is a small hamlet and post-office in the northeastern
part of the town. Its name, like that of the town itself, is derived from
the many early Scotch settlers here. A post-office was opened here as
early as 1765, with Adam Ilolliday, postmaster; he was succeeded by
Kdmund Raynsford, who was a prominent citizen for fifty years. Some
of the early settlers in this immediate vicinity were Jacob Moak, An-
thony Wayne, Henrick Bouse and William McCulloch, who established a
tannery near the plank roak. In common with most other hamlets that
were settled at an early period in this region, when the mails were
552
carried on horseback or by stages and merchandise and produce were
carried to market in the same slow manner, numerous public houses
were kept here, and men named Christie, Bellamy, Holliday, and Wayne
were at different times engaged in this business. A hotel, the property
of Mr. Raynsford, was kept in recent years by Mrs. George Reid and
her son. The present hotel of the village is conducted by John Bensell.
On the premises now owned by John Slingerland, Peter Rushmore es-
tablished at an early date a tannery. The original log school house of
the place was succeeded by one of better character which in turn was
replaced in 1866 by the present one. A store has recently been built
and is kept by J. M. Whitbeck, on the West Shore Railroad which
passes near the village. Dr. John H. Fitch has long been and still
continues the practice of medicine here.
Feura Bush is a small hamlet in the southeast part of the town, near
the Bethlehem line The post office here was formerly named Jerusa-
lem. It is a station on the West Shore Railroad, but has never had
much business. Two stores are kept, one of them having recently been
opened by George Rantoup. There is a considerable market here for
hay and straw.
Unionville is a hamlet with a post-office, named Union Church, in
the eastern part of the town near the Bethlehem line. Here taverns
were opened in early years, one by Christian Houck, another by David
Chesebro. The Bradt, Haller, Long, Wademan, Sigsbee, and Radley
families were early settlers in the vicinity. Peter Stoner kept an early
tavern on Stony Hill, and Dr. Dennick kept one between Unionville
and Clarksville. The post office was discontinued some fifteen years
ago, but later again opened. The hotel of the village is now kept by
William Wemple.
Wolf Hill is a post-office about two miles west of New Salem, and up
to 1896 another post-office was in existence on the Beaverdam road
under the name of Helderberg.
Onisquethau, with the local title of Tarrytown, is a hamlet about one
and a half miles south of Clarksville, It is said to have received its
local appellation from the fact that there was once a large building
known as " the Castle " in which was kept a tavern which became a
resort of idle and dissolute persons who would " tarry " there until un-
553
seemly hours. John Mead, David DeLong and one of the Lampheres
were early settlers, of whom Mr. Mead kept a tavern. Robert Mayhew
kept a store and tavern in the old castle, and it was he who dug the
channel which drains Lawson's Lake. Other public houses were form-
erly kept by John J. Hoogabome, Thomas Austin, and Solomon Russell.
At the time of the construction of the Erie Canal, large quantities of
stone were quarried near this point, which perhaps accounts for the un-
usual number of public houses, as many workmen were employed at
that time.
Callanan's Corners post-office is in this town in the extreme south-
eastern part, a portion of the hamlet being in Bethlehem and a portion
in Coeymans. It took its name from two brothers who were early
settlers at this point. A store has been kept here for many years and
a few shops.
The village of Voorheesville is situated centrally east and west near
the northern boundary of the town at the junction of what are now the
Albany and Susquehanna and the West Shore railroads. Its business
importance has been chiefly attained since the opening of these roads.
The village takes its name from Alonzo B. Voorhees, who built one of
the first dwellings before the completion of the Albany and Susque-
hanna Railroad. It is a pretentious residence, was subsequently owned
by S. V. R. Hoes, and is now the property of Charlotta Coughtry.
Peter Wormer built and kept the first store, and William Spore erected
a fine residence south of the railroad. The post office was opened in
1868, with James A. Reid, postmaster. After the completion of the
second railroad, making the junction at this point, Conrad Fryer built
and opened a large hotel which is still in existence, while another pub-
lic house is kept by Morris Harris. The mercantile interests of the
place are represented by Joslin Brothers, hardware, etc., of whom E.
D. Joslin is postmaster, J. B. Wands & Son, Cummings Brothers, Levi
Wood & Co., L. S. Schell, Thomas Brewster, Crannell Brothers, and
Frank Bloomingdale, who is a large dealer in hay and grain. A feed
mill is operated by L. S. Schell, and Hotaling & Hicks formerly operated
a steam saw mill which has, however, since gone to decay. A second
one was built by W. S. Swift, but was burned in 1896. Mr. Swift also
had a lumber yard which is now a part of the large business of the
554
Crannell Brothers. The Empire Cider and Vinegar Works is another
prosperous establishment and is under the able management of A. E.
Corey. An excellent graded school which has two departments, is
maintained in the village and is now under charge of E. H. Parker, as
principal.
Among the earliest physicians resident in what is now New Scotland
were Drs. Clark, Dennick, Day, and De Lamater. Dr. Clark died about
i8i4andwas buried with Masonic honors. Subsequently came Dr.
Thomas Lloyd, and a little later Dr. Samuel Dickson, the latter being
long a prominent citizen and being elected to Congress in 1854, while
Dr. John H. Becker practiced in this town until his death. Dr. John
H. Fitch, whose name has been mentioned, is a great-grandson of Will-
iam Allen, who was a member of one of the Scotch families that set-
tled early in this town. Dr. Milton B. Lamb came about 1855 and
practiced until 1866. Dr. Valentine Dennick resided between Clarks-
ville and Unionville, was an early postmaster, and also kept a tavern.
Drs. Schermerhorn, Holmes, and Ingraham were settled at Clarksville.
Later physicians were Drs. Conrad J. Crounce, M. S. Dayton, Israel
Day, Henry Sager, G. V. Voorhees, A. Oliver, Hiram Crounse, and
Dr. Fred Surbrie.
The many Scotch and Irish settlers in this town were bred in the
Presbyterian faith and in their new homes in this strange land brought
with them the religious beliefs of their ancestors. The earliest religious
organization in New Scotland of which there is authentic record was
that which became later the New Scotland Presbyterian church. About
the year 1776 a Presbyterian missionary visited New Scotland village
and held a service in the open air. While here he laid the foundations
for the latter church, which was organized in 1787 by the Presbytery of
Suffolk, afterward called the Presbytery of Long Island. In 1789 the
church was transferred to the Presbytery of New York. In 1790 the
Presbytery of Albany was established and held its first meeting No-
vember 9, 1 79 1. At that meeting New Scotland petitioned for sup-
plies, and three ministers were named who should each give one Sab-
bath. In 1792 Rev. Mr. Lindsley preached on eight Sundays, but
from this date until March, 1795, there was no stated preacher. A call
was then extended to Rev. Benjamin Judd and he was installed in Sep-
555
tember, 1795. The Lord's Supper was celebrated for the first time on
the second Sabbath in Ma)', 1796, with twenty-two communicants, at
which time David Allen and Michael Bruce were elders. The first
board of trustees, chosen in February, 1791 , were Thomas Burn-
side, Peter Cutchen, James Henderson, John Jackson, John McCough-
try, and John Vorns. In 1791 a house of worship was built and in
1795 the parsonage was occupied by Rev. Mr. Judd. He was soon
dismissed and Rev. John Arnold was installed in November, 1798. He
preached about three years, after which the church was without a pas-
tor until October, 1807, when Rev. Thomas Holiday was called. The
fourth pastor was Rev James McDonald, who was ordained and in-
stalled in October, 1832 His successors were Revs. Robert Knell, a
supply; Reuben Sears, 1836-45 ; Gains Mills Blodgett, supply, 1846-
56; John James Cameron, 1857-60; Samuel L. Gamble, 1861-67;
James William Edie, 1868-70; William G. Handy, 1871-74; James
G. J. McClure, 1874-79; William H. Ford, 1880-82; Dewitt C Rocke-
feller, 1884. During the pastorate of Mr. Blodgett in 1848 the old
church edifice was taken down and a new one erected, which was con-
siderably enlarged in 1869, and in 1877-78 a basement was built for
use as a chapel and for Sunday school. The real estate of this church
was a gift from the Patroon, and consisted of about 156 acres of land.
The land was part of the farm owned in recent years by Robert Moak,
and being distant from the church, was exchanged with Jacob Moak,
who owned 734 acres adjoining the original church lot. In June,. 1795,
the Patroon gave his consent to the transaction, and Jacob Moak took
the church farm. On February 6, 1844, Stephen Van Rensselaer gave
the trustees a quit claim deed for this farm, and on February 27, 1872,
the remaining part of this property was sold to D. V. S. Raynsford.
In September, 1877, the parsonage was burned and a more modern
one erected.
Reformed churches in this town are situated at Feura Bush, New
Salem, Clarksville, Union and Onisquethau. Although Dutch settlers
were in this town as early as 1650, there are no existing records of an
organized church among them until 1780. Previous to that year the
inhabitants doubtless went to Albany to worship, and later perhaps to
Schenectady. From 1780 to about 1785, services were probably held
556
at Jerusalem, (Feura Bush), and records show that in 1786 Dirck Ro-
meyn of Schenectady passed through the town, preaching and baptiz-
ing, the people gathering together to hear him at Helderberg, Salem
and Jerusalem, and after him came Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen in 1794.
Meanwhile in 1790 an organization was perfected and a church built
between Union and Jerusalem. With the incoming of a more intelli-
gent class of farmers and the increase in the number of inhabitants,
religious services were held with more regularity and were numerously
attended. In course of time it was felt that a more central location was
desirable, and a new church was erected in 1825 at Feura Bush, which
hasbeen used up to a recent date. Rev. Mr. Van Huysen died in 1 833 and
is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The present house of worship
at Jerusalem has been repaired and improved at various times. The
Salem Reformed Church was intimately connected with the Feura
church in its early life. There was probably an organization here as
early as 1794, and the people received the ministrations of both Rev.
Dirck Romeyn and Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen. In 18 13 a perma-
nent organization was made, with the lollowing first officers : Benjamin
Van Zandt, John Terwilliger, John Van Etten, Jacob I. Hallenbeck,
Frederick Fuller, Jeremiah Cronssler, John A. Severson, and David
Van Etten, and a church building was erected on land given by Stephen
Van Rensselaer. This building was used until 1844, when it was taken
down and a new one erected on the site, by Wilhelmus Young, Fred-
eric Markle, Frederick Fuller, and Peter L. Houck, who were the
building committee. This edifice served its purpose for about thirty
years, when the present handsome church was built at a cost of about
$10,000 in 1875. It stands on a new site, and the old church property
was purchased by Abram Mann.
The Reformed church of Union was organized in 1825 from the
Jerusalem and Salem congregations. The first pastor was Rev. Ira C.
Boice, who preached also at Salem. The present church was built soon
afterward, the property being valued at about $5,000. The Reformed
church of Onisquethau is the successor of a Presbyterian society which
was organized by the Presbytery of Albany in 1824, a church being
built in the following year, when Rev. Thomas Holliday was pastor.
In 1839 the church and property passed into possession of the con-
557
sistory of the Reformed church and took the new name and government.
The building was extensively improved in 1884.
The Reformed church of Clarksville was organized in 1853 by Rev.
Staats Van Santvoord, with seven members, Rev. Jasper Middleton
being the first pastor, and a house of worship was built in 1853 at a
cost of $2,400, and is still in use.
The first Methodist preacher who labored in this town was Rev.
Freeborn Garrison, an itinerant. Services were held by him and others
at intervals until about the year 1820, when the first Methodist society
was organized under the name of the Black Creek Methodist church, in
the northwest part of the town. A house of worship was erected at
about the same time and was used, with various improvements, until
about 1890, when it was taken down and removed to Voorheesville and
rebuilt in modern style, in which place a prosperous society had been
previously organized.
The Methodist Episcopal church of New Salem was organized in
1850 and a house of worship erected in the same year on land purchased
from Abram Mann in the north part of the village. Among the prom-
inent workers in the early organization were Ebenezer A. Fitch, Alan-
son Van Auken, and Andrew J. Smith.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Clarksville was organized in i860
by Rev. S. S. Stillman, who was its first pastor, and the church was
erected in the next year at an expense of $4,000. The society has had
a prosperous existence ever since.
A Presbyterian church was organized in Voorheesville and the pres-
ent handsome church edifice erected in 1886.
PART II
BIOGRAPHICAL.
SK &
HAMILTON HARRIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HAMILTON HARRIS.
No name is more conspicuously associated with the bar of Eastern New York
than that of Hon. Hamilton Harris, of Albany, and few lawyers have brought to
their profession a more energetic mind, a more fortunate combination of legal and
scholarly acquirements, or stronger or more practical administrative abilities. Mr.
Harris is of English and Scotch descent, his parents being natives of this State and
pioneers of Preble, Cortland county, where he was born May 1, 1820. Receiving a
good preliminary education in the common schools of his native town and at the
Homer and Albany Academies, he was graduated from Union College in 1841, and
while yet a student manifested a strong inclination for the law. His collegiate
career marked him as a classical scholar, and he distinguished himself at the com-
mencement exercises by a very able and admirably delivered address. Upon grad-
uation he entered the law offices of his brother, Hon. Ira Harris, afterward one of
the ablest and most eminent of the judiciary of the State and a United States sen-
ator, of Albany. Mr. Harris was admitted to the bar in 1845 and immediately be-
gan active practice in the capital city, where he has ever since resided. He rapidly
acquired a high reputation as an able, accomplished lawyer, and for many years has
been a leader of the Albany bar. In 1848 he formed a copartnership with Hon.
Hooper C. Van Vorst, which was dissolved in 1853 by the latter's removal to New
York city, where he became a judge of the Superior Court. Soon afterward he asso-
ciated himself with Hon. Samuel G. Courtney. In 1857 he became a partner of Hon.
Clark B. Cochrane and Hon. John H. Reynolds, both of whom were elected to Con-
gress during this connection. This firm, which was one of the strongest legal co-
partnerships that ever existed in Albany, ended with Mr. Cochrane's death in 1867,
but Mr. Harris and Mr. Reynolds continued until the latter's death in 1S75. Mr.
Harris has now associated with him in practice his son Frederick, William P. Rudd,
and Edmund C. Knickerbocker.
In the fall of 1853 Mr. Harris was elected district attorney of Albany county, and
served until January 1, 1857. During his administration of that office he con-
ducted a number of noted criminal trials, prominent among them being The People
vs. Hendrickson, 10 N. Y. Reports, 13; McCann, 16 N. Y. Reports, 58; and
those of Phelps, McCrosseu, Dunningan, and Cummings. As a pleader Mr.
Harris has won great distinction throughout the State. He masters every detail
of fact, pays close attention to the conduct of a case, and though in manner
gruff, and, to a certain extent, dictatorial, is kind, dignified, quiet, and honest.
He is earnest and powerful, imbued with the highest principles of the law, and
possesses a winning personality. The numerous reported cases in the Supreme
Court and the Court of Appeals, argued by him, show in some degree the extent
and the magnitude of the legal business in which he has been engaged and the
important questions of law which he has argued.
Early in life Mr. Harris became prominent in the Whig party in Albany county,
advocating its measures on the platform and with his pen with such fidelity and
ability that he soon was recognized as a leader in both county and State. In 1850
he was elected member of assembly, and was largely instrumental in securing the
State Library and the improvement of the State Capitol. He was also, during that
session, a member of the joint committee of six to call State conventions and con-
struct a new party platform, which was one of the first steps in the formation of the
Republican party, of which he has always been one of the strongest and ablest
champions. From 1862 to 1870 he was a member and from 1864 to 1870 chairman of
the Republican State Committee, and from 1862 to 1864 he was also chairman of its
Executive Committee. A prominent writer has said of him: " His keen intuitions
and his rare skill as an organizer, with a singular union of discretion with boldness,
render him a natural leader of men." As a delegate to many State and National
Conventions he was active and strongly influential in sustaining the measures of his
party. Hon. James G. Blaine, in his " Twenty Years of Congress," after recount-
ing the action of Mr. Harris in the National Convention of 1868, speaks of him as
"a man of marked sagacity in political affairs." In 1865 Mr. Harris was elected
president of a new Board of Capitol Commissioners and served until 1875 with abil-
ity and success so marked that he has been frequently termed " the father" of that
great measure which resulted in the erection of the present Capitol in Albany. A
contemporary newspaper, in commenting upon the subject, said: "Let the people
of Albany remember that to Hamilton Harris more than to any other man they are in-
debted for the New Capitol from its inception in 1865 to its progress in 1879," while
the Troy Daily Times editorially stated that he was " the father of this structure,
which is to rank foremost among the majestic buildings of the world."
In 1875 Mr. Harris was elected to the State Senate, and as chairman of the
Finance Committee, of the Committee on Joint Library, and of the Select Commit-
tee on Apportionment his labors were useful and exhaustive. He always took a
prominent part in the discussion of leading public questions, and his arguments
never failed to command respect and attention. In 1877 he was re-elected State
senator by a large majority, and two years later he declined a re-election. Among
his senatorial addresses which have passed into history are those touching the New
State Capitol, on the question of convict labor, on the Grand Army bill, on the
question of historical societies holding real estate for preservation and monumental
purposes, on higher education, on sectarian appropriations, and on taxation. In
1884 he ran as one of the Republican electors on the State ticket.
Mr. Harris possesses keen literary taste and culture and great ability as a writer,
lecturer, and public speaker. Several of his addresses have been published, notably
" Politics and Literature," "The Tower of London," and " Self -Effort." He has
a large and valuable library of general literature, numbering about 3,500 volumes,
while his law library contains nearly as many more. On March 10, 1885, he was
unanimously elected a member of the Regents of the University of the State of New
York.
A man of handsome and commanding presence, of sound physical constitution,
and of capacious intellect, Mr. Harris's popularity is well merited. As a forensic
and political orator he occupies a high position in the history of the city, the State,
and the country, and as a citizen he enjoys universal confidence and esteem. He
has great knowledge of human nature and keen perception of character. His
loyalty and patriotism are among his chief characteristics and he has won a lasting
place in the history of his adopted city.
CHARLES TRACEY.
Hon. Charles Tracey descends from a long line of influential Irish ancestry, and
has achieved through his own personality a more than local prominence in business
and political affairs. His father, John Tracey, a man of high character, came to
this State from Canada in consequence of the so-called Patriot war in 1837. Settling
in Albany he became officially connected with many financial and charitable institu-
tions, was esteemed and respected as a citizen, and on one occasion was candidate
for State senator. He died in the capital city July 12, 1875. The death of his wife,
Maria, occurred in 1880.
Charles Tracey was born in Albany on the 27th of May, 1847, and was graduated
from the Boys' Academy in 1866. While there he became deeply interested in ele-
mentary military tactics, and was elected captain of the battalion of cadets. In 1866
he started on atrip through Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land, visiting the chief cen-
ters of art, history and science. There he entered the Pontifical Zouaves and served
two years. He returned to Albany in 1869, but in 1870 went to Rome, Italy, where
he was captured and retained some time as a prisoner during the siege of that city.
Returning to the United States again, after his release, he was for a time engaged
in business in New York, where he organized the Catholic Union, which soon had
over 10,000 members, and of which he was the first secretary. After his return from
Europe Pope Pius IX conferred upon him, in recognition of his military services, the
order of St. Gregory the Great, with rank and title of chevalier.
General Tracey finally returned to Albany where he has since resided, and where
he soon became an active and influential member of the Democratic party, whose
principles he has always upheld. He also held several honorary offices, and was
aide-de-camp with rank of colonel on Governor Tilden's staff and commissary-gen-
eral of subsistence under Governor Robinson. His high personal qualities, his well
known executive ability, and his ardent devotion to true Democracy eminently fitted
him for responsible positions, and with unusual rapidity he won distinction and
honor in his party's councils. In 1887 he was nominated for representative in con-
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Congressman Kane, and was elected
by 1,659 majority over Hon. John M. Bailey, Republican. There was also a labor
candidate in the field. In Congress he served on various importaut committees,
pushed forward succesfully a number of needed measures, and was especially active
in the establishment of the Watervliet Arsenal, making a speech in June, 1888, in
6
support of a liberal appropriation for " the continuance of the manufacture of large
cannon at Watervliet." This act was passed and became a law in September of that
year, and was mainly due to the efforts of General Tracey. September 22, 1888, he
was renominated for Congress and in November was again elected, this time by a
majority of 2,306. His second term was marked by conspicuous effort. He origin-
ated the project to deepen the Hudson River to permit sea-going vessels to ascend
to Albany and Troy, and introduced bills (which became laws) to change the designs
on United States coins, to make Albany a port of immediate transportation, for relief
of the State of New York to refund $42,000 duties paid on arms in 1868, for the relief
of enlisted men in the ordnance corps, allowing them to collect bounties, and to
enforce the eight-hour law on government premises. In 1890 he was unanimously
renominated and re-elected to Congress by a majority of 5,078, and during his third
term in that body served with the same fidelity and increased usefulness to his con-
stituents.
General Tracey is actively identified with many business and other institutions of
Albany. Since its organization in 1886 he has been president of the Columbia Dis-
tilling Company, which he had managed for ten years previously, and which was
founded by his father in 1838. He is also vice-president of the Consolidated Car
Heating Company of Albany, a life member of the Burgesses Corps, and a member
of the Catholic Union, the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs, the Albany Press Club,
the Dongan Club, and the Manhattan and Reform Clubs of New York city. He has
been manager of St. Peter's Hospital since 1882, is a trustee of St. Agnes's Cem-
etery and the Albany Savings Bank, and a director of the National Commercial
Bank of Albany. He was appointed a trustee of the House of Refuge at Hudson,
N. Y., by President Cleveland, who also tendered him a diplomatic position as min-
ister abroad, which he declined. General Tracey is a public spirited citizen, a good
organizer of measures, a pleasing and forcible public speaker, and a man endowed
with attributes of a high order. During the presidential campaign of 1896 he was
especially conspicuous, serving as the New York member of the Democratic National
Committee of the sonnd money wing of his party.
General Tracey was married in 1883 to Miss Hermine, daughter of Colonel Duches-
ney, of Montreal, Canada. They have had five children: Marie T., Charles, jr.,
Philip D., John, and James (deceased).
PETER KINNEAR.
The history of Albany embraces the careers of many men who by their own in-
domitable pluck and perseverance have achieved success in one or more of the
numerous industries, but probably none has won higher distinction as a manufac-
turer and promoter of manufacturing and other enterprises than Peter Kinnear, who
has been actively associated with a number of the city's leading establishments for
about forty years. Born in Dundee, Scotland, April 24, 1826, he early imbibed the
sturdy characteristics of the land of Wallace, and Bruce, and Burns, and received
a good practical education in his native town, where he subsequently served a six
years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade. Plis love for Scotland's banks and
PhlhK KINNHAK.
braes was strong, but his ambition to make a name and place among men was
stronger still. In 1847, when scarcely more than a youth, he started for America,
but at the very outset met with an accident which nearly cost him his life. Un-
daunted, however, he continued the journey and soon found himself a stranger in
the metropolis of this country. He tried to obtain employment at his trade in New
York, Rochester, and Toronto successively, but failed, and then turned to such
work as came in his way. During one winter he was employed in cutting timber
in a Canadian forest. Returning to the United States he again unsuccessfully
sought employment at his trade in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica, but
upon arriving in Albany he entered the employ of William Orr, proprietor of a
foundry at No. 64 Beaver street. This establishment was started more than sixty
years ago by Lewis Aspinwall, who was succeeded by Mr. Orr, who in turn was
succeeded by Orr & Blair, with himself at the head of the firm. In 1872 Mr. Kin-
near purchased Mr. Orr's interest and finally became the sole successor of the firm
of Blair & Kinnear. In May, 1884, Mr. Kinnear bought two lots known as Nos. 64
and 66 Beaver street, corner of Grand, and made extensive improvements to the
property. His business increased steadily, and the great variety of goods which he
manufactured under the head of brass castings consisted of innumerable pieces of
brass, bronze, composition, nickel, white, and other soft metal castings, steam cocks
and valves, brass work for breweries, steam engine and plumber brass work, etc.
His goods were used for countless purposes, and his establishment soon became the
most important and extensive of its kind in Albany or Eastern New York.
Perhaps the most noteworthy industry with which Mr. Kinnear has been con-
nected is the Albany Billiard Ball Company, the most unique and only one of its
kind in the world. This company was organized by him in 1875 and was the
legitimate successor of the Hyatt Manufacturing Company, which was formed in
1868, and which was the pioneer in the attempt to make composition billiard balls.
It is not necessary to go into the details of the trials and failures of the original
organization in its experiments to produce billiard balls by pyroxiline, and later
celluloid, that would replace ivory. Suffice it to say that thousands of dollars and
much valuable time were lost with little or no practical results until the present
company was formed. Since then, by the t se of perfected machinery invented by
J. W. Hyatt, the company has successfully manufactured billiard balls more perfect
than ivory and far less expensive. Mr. Kinnear's connection with the enterprise
dates from a time when failure and disaster seemed imminent. He had faith in
the industry, and mainly through his skillful business management and practical
ability soon won the highest success. At considerable personal trouble and no small
self-sacrifice he invested and induced others to do so, and the results have more
than vindicated the wisdom of his advice and his sound judgment. He has been
president and treasurer of the company since its organization, and has personally
conducted its affairs.
Mr. Kinnear has also been prominently and officially connected with many other
important manufacturing and commercial enterprises of Albany. No man has taken
a greater or a more active interesj, in the city's industrial affairs, and no one has
worked more steadily, more earnestly, and more effectively to advance them. Hi
has ever been the first to welcome and encourage new industries, and through his
efforts and advice many important manufacturing establishments have found a
8
permanent home in the Capital City and are now contributing to its welfare and
prosperity. He is an able business man, enterprising, public spirited, and progres-
sive. In all movements which promise general benefits his counsel is sought and
valued, while support is both substantial and effective. He was connected with the
South End Bank and served as its president for three years,
Mr. Kinnear has also been an influential factor in politics and in the affairs of local
government. Originally a Whig, he was one of the earliest to enlist in the cause of
Republicanism, of which he has ever since been a staunch supporter. Imbibing
from his native land a strong love of freedom he was a firm believer in American in-
stitutions before placing his feet upon American soil, and this belief and love early
led him to take a foremost position among the abolitionists in the great slavery
agitation. Before and during the war of the Rebellion he loyally supported the
Union. He was for two years a member of the Board of Supervisors and has sev-
eral times been the nominee of his party for alderman of his ward, which is over-
whelmingly Democratic. Personally he is one of the most popular and best known
men in Albany. He is a thorough -going American, takes a deep interest in all
public questions, and exerts his influence and freely uses his means to promote those
industries which contribute to the support of the workingman, among whom he
proudly numbers himself as a practical mechanic.
While in Canada Mr. Kinnear was married in 1849 to Miss Annie Gilchrist, a
native of Scotland.
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE BYINGTON.
The Byingtons in the United States are descended from two brothers, John and
Willliam, who came to this country from England in the early part of the seven-
teenth century. The family dates back to the twelfth century, and its ancient coat
of arms can still be found among the descendants. In America its members have
always been active, influential, and industrious citizens, holding positions of honor
and distinction in the civil, social, military, and business life of their respective
communities. Justus Byington, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born
in Great Barrington, Mass., April 17, 1763, and served as a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary war. His son, Rev. John Byingion, was born in Hinesburg, Vt. , October 8,
1798.
William Wilberforce Byington, youngest of seven children of the Rev. John, was
born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence couuty, N. Y. , December 26, 1840, and attended the
district school at Buck's Bridge, West Potsdam, working at intervals on his father's
farm. During the winter of 1856, when sixteen years of age, he taught school, and
then went to Battle Creek, Mich., where an elder brother resided, and where he at-
tended the public schools, teaching winters. In 1861 he entered the Michigan State
Normal School at Ypsilanti, at that time one of the first and best known Normal
Schools in the country, and was graduated therefrom in one year. After teaching
for a year in Battle Creek public schools he secured, by competitive examination,
the position of junior principal of the Barstow Union School in Detroit, and
shortly afterward, while but twenty-five years of age, was made principal of one
of the largest educational institutions in the same city.
While teaching in Detroit he was married, December 26, 1865, to Kate M. Preston,
at Battle Creek, Mich., Miss Preston having just graduated from Kalamazoo Col-
lege, Mich. After teaching successfully for five years in Detroit, Mr. Byington de-
cided to engage in business, which was unselected at the time he resigned his posi-
tion. The resolutions passed by the Detroit School Board on receipt of his resigna-
tion contained not only a laudatory expression of their esteem and respect, but the
very highest encomiums on his character, ability, and success as a teacher. He
selected the insurance business and went vigorously to work. For three years up to
186!) he labored in various places in the West, mainly in St. Louis and in Indian-
apolis, Ind. In 1869 he received a tempting offer to remove to New York city,
which he did and shortly afterwards was made the State agent for New Jersey for
the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and removed from New York to
Newark, N. J., where he resided for ten years. He filled this position of State agent
with great credit for a period of three years, when he resigned to accept the position
of superintendent of agencies of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of
Newark, N. J. Several years were spent by him in vigorous travel, during which
nearly all the agencies of the company were revised and a number of those most im-
portant at the present day were created. After a very successful service in this
cepacity he determined to create an agency for himself, and with that end in view
he removed, in the latter part of 1882 to Albany, where he has since resided. He
came to the capital city as State agent for New York and Vermont for the Mutual
Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, X. J., and now has one of the largest
and most successful life agencies in the country, having general offices in Albany.
Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
Soon after taking up his residence in New York, Mr. Byington became an active
and vigorous factor in the literature of life insurance and particularly in its statis-
tics. For some time he published a life insurance chart, covering the business of all
the companies for periods of ten years. This chart was long the standard of author-
ity among solicitors. He was also for about fifteen years the insurance editor of the
New York Independent, where his weekly articles on various phases of the business
attracted much attention. He still writes occasionally for this paper. After locat-
ing in Albany he ceased regular work for the press, but has written much in a gen-
eral way. In 1886, at the request of General Taylor, editor of the Boston Globe, he
wrote an article, historical and statistical, filling thirty-two columns of that journal,
and when published in pamphlet form it had a circulation of over 200,000 copies.
Since that time he has written many articles for the Globe by special request.
Mr. Byington has always taken an active interest in fishing matters and in protec-
tive societies, and for some fifteen years his summers were spent on the St. Law-
rence. He organized the Anglers Association of the St. Lawrence River and was
its secretary, and afterward its president. This organization is known as one of the
most successful protective associations in the country. He is still one of its most
prominent members, and is also a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Society of
the Sons of the Revolution, and the Albany Camera Club, of which he has been
president for several years. To him is due in a large measure the success and pres-
ent flourishing condition of the last named club, which has long received his able ser-
vices and guidance.
B
10
LOUIS E. BLAIR, M. D.
Dr. Louis E. Blair, son of Nathan and Elizabeth Blair, was born in Lee, Mass.,
October 9, 1857, and in 1864 moved with the family to Albany, where his parents
still reside. Dr. Blair was educated in the public and grammar schools of Albany,
and was graduated from the High School in 1875. He entered Dartmouth College
in the fall of that year, and pursued a four years' classical course at that famous
seat of learning, graduating with the degree of A. B. in the class of '79. He was
one of the honormen and commencement speakers of his class. While at Hanover,
N. H., he also began his medical studies under the preceptorship of Prof. C. P.
Frost, dean of the Dartmouth Medical College.
Returning to Albany in 1879 he entered the office of Dr. John Swinburne and con-
tinued his medical course at the Albany Medical College, receiving his professional
degree in 1881. About this time Dr. Swinburne began his famous surgical work at
the Swinburne Surgical Hospital and Dispensary and Dr. Blair joined his staff and
afterwards became his first assistant. He was associated with Dr. Swinburne for
nearly five years. The opportunities for study and practice which the Swinburne
Hospital afforded have seldom been equalled, many thousand patients being treated
here annually. In 1884 Dr. Blair went to Europe for travel and study and pursued
a post-graduate course in the hospitals of Germany and Austria, devoting especial
attention to the diseases of the ear. nose and throat. Returning to Albany in 1886
he has since successfully practiced as a specialist in the above diseases. Dr. Blair
has already won for himself a splendid reputation, and his consultation practice
covers a wide field. He is a frequent contributor to the medical journals, and has
written many valuable medical essays. Lippincott's new Encyclopedia of Ear,
Nose and Throat refers to his work. His original contributions on the cause and
successful treatment of asthma and hay fever attracted marked attention. He is a
member of the New York State Medical Society and the Albany County Medical
Society.
On the 10th of March, 1886, Dr. Blair was married to Miss Lillie, daughter of
Joseph Mann, of Albany. They have one child, Florence E.
WILLIAM BARNES, Jr.
William Barnes, Jr., was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., November 17, 1866,
and is a son of William Barnes, the first superintendent of insurance of the State of
New York. His mother was Emily Weed Barnes, a daughter of Thurlow Weed,
founder and for many years editor of the Albany Evening Journal and the most
conspicuous figure in State politics during his time. Mr. Barnes obtained a good
preliminary education in the Albany Academy, graduating therefrom in 1884. In
the fall of the same year he entered Harvard College and took the degree of A. B.
from that institution in 1888. In December, 1888, he purchased the Albany Morning
Express, and in April, 1889, a majority of the capital stock of the Journal Company,
publishers of the Albany Evening Journal, and as president of the Journal Com-
pany, has since conducted these newspapers with uninterrupted success.
t
11
Mr. Barnes has taken for several years an active part in the politics of the State,
and for some time has been a recognized leader of his party in Eastern New York.
In 1892 he was elected a member of the Republican State Committee for the Con-
gressional district composed of the county of Albany, and has been re-elected to that
office each year since. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican National Con-
vention at St. Louis. He is a public spirited citizen, taking a keen interest in every
movement affecting the general welfare, and as a journalist holds a high place, both
in business and literary circles. He is prominently connected with various organ-
izations of his native city.
On the 12th of June, 1888, he was married to Miss Grace Davis, daughter of
William Henry Davis, of Cincinnati, O.
CHARLES H. PORTER, M. D.
Ciiari.es Hogeboom Porter, A. M., M. D., was born in Columbia county, X. Y.,
November 11, 1834, of English and Dutch ancestry. On his father's side he is descend-
ed from John Porter, who came from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1637. The
records in England give John Porter's descent in the sixteenth generation fromWill-
iam de la Grande, a Norman knight, who came to the army of the Norman duke at the
Conquest A. D. 1066. He acquired lands near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England.
His son Ralph (or Roger) became "Grand Porteur" to Henry I, A. D. 1120 to 1140, from
which he derived the name Porter. John Porter, with his wife and children, settled in
Windsor, Conn., in the year 1637 and was at once treated as a man known and re-
spected. He was put upon a committee the same year and was made a constable in
1639, then a high and responsible office. He was for that period a man of considerable
substance, as appears by his will, printed in the public records of Connecticut. He
died in Windsor in 1647. Of the sixth generation was Rev. David Porter, D. D. ,
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who in early life served in the army of the
Revolution and afterwards was for twenty-eight years the pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Catskill, N. Y. The first of Dr. Porter's maternal ancestors living in
America was Evert Luycassen, who was from Amsterdam, Holland, and who was in
Beaverwyck in 16.57. As early as 1665 he purchased land from the Indians in Kin-
derhook. Dr. Porter was educated principally in Philadelphia, Pa., and New Haven,
Conn. He received the degree of A. M. from Yale College in 1855 and the degree
of M. D. from the Albany Medical College in 1861. In the latter institution he was for
some years professor of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence and also filled similar
positions in other medical colleges. In 1862 he served as assistant surgeon of the
6th Regt. N. Y. Heavy Artillery, remaining with the latter command until it was
mustered out in 1865. During these years he was always in active service, par-
ticipating in the various campaigns of the army of the Potomac, and the army of
the James, etc. At times he was detached from his regiment, serving as inspector
and medical director of army hospitals. From 1867 to 1892 (excepting 18*5 to 1SS8), ho
served as pension examining surgeon. He was commissioned brevet colonel, N. Y.
State Volunteers, February 13, 1866. Since 1866 he has lived in Albany in active
practice as a physician. For many years his studies have been largely directed to
12
state medicine and medical jurisprudence and to the practical solution of important
questions relating to these sciences. He has frequently been summoned as an ex-
pert witness in cases of alleged poisoning and injuries and has been at times ap-
pointed by courts to examine and report upon the mental condition of prisoners. In
contested will cases his aid has frequently been sought to determine the mental con-
dition of the testators and so also in other cases where the sanity of individuals has
been called in question and in which large monetary interests were involved.
WILLIAM BEATTIE.
William Beattie, of the well known Beattie Machine Works, located on Amity
street, Cohoes. Cohoes, with his rare genius, has contributed to mechanics new
inventions which have opened an era of possibilities heretofore unknown in their
business. This benefactor of his fellow men was born at Albany in 1851. He was
the son of Walter Beattie, a machinist. He acquired his knowledge of machinery
with John Rogers & Son, manufacturers of engines and other machinery at Albany,
N. Y. After coming to Cohoes in 1871, he was associated with several of the leading
machine shops and mills until 1893. In 1893 he established the present enterprise,
the products of which are demanded throughout the United States, Canada and many
foreign countries. Mr. Beattie is sole manufacturer of Beattie's patent loopers, and
other valuable patents on machinery used in the manufacture of the Norris patent
turning machines for shirt bosoms, collars and cuffs, tabs, bands, etc., McCreary's
rib-cutter, experimental work and and knitting machinery. In 1895 he erected a
new and commodious building fully equipped with all requisite machine tools, oper-
ated by steam power. He makes experimental work a specialty, and has taken out
five patents himself. Mr. Beattie has been water commissioner for twelve years,
and was a member of the Board of Health prior to that time. He is a member of
Cohoes Lodge and Chapter, also a member of Apollo Commandery of Troy. He was
married Januarv 1, 1872, to Ellen Ayres of Cohoes. They have three children:
Walter J. is draughtsman and bookkeeper in his father's establishment, William II.
and Grace M.
HERMAN MYERS.
Herman Myers was born May 18, 1824, in Cassel (formerly of the Kingdom of
Hesse), Germany. His mother died when he was scarcely six years old, leaving his
father, then a poor struggling farmer, with five small sons and a daughter to support.
In his youth young Myers was apprenticed for four years to the trade of a dyer and
colorer which he learned thoroughly. While still a very young man he was drafted
into the German army to serve in the Kingdom of the then Hessian Prince, who
was ruler of the city of Cassel and its surrounding country. Young as he was he
rose rapidly as an officer, and by reason of his fine soldierly qualities within a short
time was selected and became Guard of Honor to the reigning prince at the 'Palace
WILLIAM BLATT1E.
13
of Williamshohe in Cassel, then quite an honor and distinction. (This was the
same palace where in later years Napoleon III was confined.)
After five years of army service he emigrated alone to America, hoping thereby
to better his condition as well as that of his father and brothers. Coming directly
to Albany after landing on American soil, a poor lad with but eleven dollars left in
his pockets on arriving in the capital city, but with health, indomitable will, and
energy, he at once began business life in a very small way, making Albany his per-
manent home. Not more than six months had elapsed after his arrival when he
visited Fulton county, N. Y., where he really laid the foundation of his future stand-
ing and success. Within a few years thereafter Mr. Myers opened a jewelry store
at 386 Broadway, Albany. He began on a small scale, gradually increasing his
stock until before his retirement in 1860, he had one of the largest wholesale and
retail jewelry establishments in the city.
No man is better known by the older inhabitants of Fulton county even to this day
than Herman Myers. There he is loved, honored, and respected. And during the
fifteen years he was engaged in the jewelry business not a single month passed but
he visited the people of that county, and especially the cities of Gloversville and
Johnstown, where his name for honesty and integrity had become so well known and
established that it was then a well-known saying " that no jewelry store could then
exist there, for Herman Myers sold three-fourths of all the goods in his line pur-
chased in Fulton county." No sooner had Mr. Myers laid the foundation of a com-
petency here than he at once sent to Europe for his father, four brothers and sister.
He started all his brothers in business for themselves, and also several distant rela-
tives, whom he brought from his old German home, one of whom now ranks among
the foremost of all merchants in New York city.
Retiring from active business in 1860 it was not until 1865 that Mr. Myers again
embarked in business, associating with him a Mr. Busley in the wholesale manufac-
turing of ladies shoes, under the firm name of Busley & Myers, with a factory at
Nos. 13 to 25 Church street Albany. Mr. Busley attended solely to the manufactur-
ing and Mr. Myers to the buying, selling and financial part; and for a period of seven
years their factory was one of the largest here, making on an average two thousand
shoes per day. In 1872 Mr. Myers finally retired from all active business and has
since devoted all his time to his real estate. He now ranks among the large owners
of real estate in the capital city.
In 1854 Mr. Myers was married to Sophie Kohn, a native of the well-known Koha
family of Bamberg, Bavaria. They have an only son, Max Myers, the well-known
lawyer of Albany.
Never accepting nor holding any office, though often requested so to do in financial
institutions in which he is a stockholder, Mr. Myers's counsel and advice are con-
stantly sought. As a judge of real estate he has no peer. Herman Myers is the
very epitome of a self-made and self-educated man. Belonging to no societies or
clubs except the Masonic order and also a life member of the Littauer Hospital of
Gloversville, Fulton county, he loves his adopted home and its institutions and is
ever ready to assist in doing what good he can to all, irrespective of creed or sect,
in his quiet unobtrusive way. One thing can also truthfully be said of him: To
Herman Myers alone belongs the chief honor of the possession by its congregation
Of the new beautiful Jewish Synagogue on Lancaster street, erected at a cost of over
14
$130,000. As chairman of the purchasing and building committee he selected and
bought the church lot, selected the architects, and was instrumental in the erection
of the temple, than which no finer one can be found in New York State.
MAX MYERS.
The legal profession of Albany includes many a bright and honored name in the exhi-
bition of those manly, upright, and progressive qualities which command the respect
and esteem of all good citizens, and prominent among this class of studious, substan-
tial, earnest workers in the walks of professional and business life is the well known
lawyer, Max Myers, the subject of this sketch. Born in Albany on the 18th of Octo-
ber, 1855, he is of Hebrew parentage, and is one who is proud of his race and his
ancestry. He is the only son of Herman Myers, a native of Hesse-Cassell, Germany,
who in early life found his way to the free soil of America and made the capital city
of the Empire State his residence. The mother of Max Myers is Sophie Kohn,
whose ancestors for three generations back were natives and residents of the quaint
old cities of Bamberg and Nurenberg, Bavaria, where they were, each in their time,
prominent merchants and bankers. Even to this day her brothers are still the lead-
ing bankers of Nurenberg. The career of Herman Myers affords another notable
example of the success that may be achieved under our free, benign government by
a steady perseverance in the line of industry and honorable dealing. When Herman
Myers came to American shores he found himself almost a penniless young man, but
with willing hands and a hopeful heart he began the race of an industrious life in a
very humble way and with many obstacles stretching along his path. His pecun-
iary success was marked at every step, and before many ytars had passed he
had gained a competency. Steadily pursuing his progressive course in financial
walks he has come at length to be one of the largest real estate owners and
foremost citizens of Albany. And deservedly have his efforts been crowned with
rich and abundant success, for Mr. Myers is a man of incessant labor, untiring
energy and enterprise, and incorrupted integrity — a treasury to any individual or
nation. He is a friend and advocate of the best and most promising institutions of
his adopted city, and is highly esteemed by all who know of his gentle, worthy, and
noble qualities.
From his earliest youth Max Myers evinced a studious disposition and a great de-
sire for establishing an intellectual and business fabric. He was at first carefully in-
structed by private tutors, and afterward, when scarcely nine years of age, became
a pupil in Professor Cass's Classical Institute in Albany. Young as he was he now
began to realize the truthfulness of old Lawrence Sterne's remark, that " the desire
for knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it."
Inspired by such a feeling he entered with great zest and pleasing anticipations the
Albauy Boys' Academy. In this excellent time-honored institution he pursued his
various regular studies with true devotion during a period of five years and was
graduated with honor in 1871, at about the age of sixteen, being the youngest in his
class.
After finishing his academical education he went abroad and visited some of the
15
most famous places in the Old World, drawing stores of information from every ob-
ject he saw and every occurrence he met with, thus enlarging his mind, cultivating
his taste, and increasing his enjoyment for the beautiful and sublime in nature. On
returning home Mr. Myers had fully decided upon the choice of a profession, and in
187.") he entered the celebrated old law office of Smith, Moak & Buchanan, where he
was rapidly advanced in his knowledge of the law under the profound oral instruc-
tions of its distinguished members. He was a faithful and diligent law student, and
read with avidity the best legal text books, besides numerous other treatises on gen-
eral subjects embraced in the magnificent law library of the late Hon. N. C. Moak,
upon whose death he delivered on September 19, 1892, a most fitting and eloquent
eulogy. And to this gentleman of high professional ability and vast literary acqui-
sitions Mr. Myers doubtless owes something towards the cultivation and development
of his own well known taste for universal literature. While remaining with this firm
he also took a thorough course of lectures at the Albany Law School, from which he
was graduated in 1880, taking the degree of LL.B. The five years he spent with
Smith, Moak & Buchanan were years of deep study, rare intellectual pleasure, and
lasting profit, upon which he will always look back with pride and satisfaction.
After leaving the law school Mr. Myers began for himself the general practice of
the law, and succeeded in establishing an excellent reputation as a thorough, pains-
taking lawyer, a safe, candid, and conscientious legal adviser. His specialty in the
law department has been in investigating, and expounding cases pertaining to Surro-
gate's Court, and to the law and practice of voluntary assignments; and in this field
he has been uniformly and eminently successful. One of his earlier and most mem-
orable efforts was in connection with the contested will case of the late J. H. Hidley,
of Albany, in which $90,000 were involved. Hundreds of other cases of less note he
has carried to a speedy and satisfactory issue and settlement on his part. He has
likewise gained wide distinction as counsel for the Accident Insurance Company of
North America, settling many hundred claims. Mr. Myers now devotes his attention
to office practice, and to the management and care of large estates, for which he is
admirably adapted and perfectly responsible. He has been and is now the executor
and administrator of vast estates involving many hundred thousand dollars. Like
bis father, he is himself a large owner of real estate and has inherited from the
old stock a thorough knowledge of the same, hence he is often called upon and his
judgment requested in the investment of moneys and of estates.
In 1887 Mr. Myers made a second tour abroad, combining pleasure with study.
He remained six months in Europe, visiting most all places of interest from the
borders of Russia to the French coast and from the Adriatic to the North Sea. He
possesses a vigorous constitution, a most active temperament, and a quick, clastic
Step, and is ever attentive to business demands. He belongs to no societies, clubs,
nor organizations except the Masonic order. He has an utter aversion to politics
and political life, and has declined various offers of trust and responsibility in this
line, even refusing a directorship in one of the city's leading banks, in which he was
a heavy stockholder.
Mr. Myers is a close student of human nature, a keen observer of men, a born
financier, and though comparative young in years his advice on men and affairs has
been and is constantly sought by many prominent merchants and bankers. He is
ready in conversation, and has a friendly, social, benevolent nature, with a just sense
16
of what is right, and an integrity that is unimpeachable. His word is as good as
his bond. His love of books is a marked feature of his busy, useful career. Besides
possessing an excellent law library he has gathered around him one of the largest
and finest miscellaneous collections of books in the city, His taste runs in the di-
rection of rich, rare, standard volumes and choice editions, and in the calmer hours
of his life he finds a world of pleasure in poring over his literary treasures; for
reading and study is his life from which he would not be debarred. He is not only
a well read lawyer, but thoroughly posted on all general historical, biographical,
literary, and scientific topics.
In 1888 Mr. Myers was married to Miss Pauline Fisher, an estimable and accom-
plished young lady of Logansport, Ind. , and their pleasant home at No. 12 First
street, Albany, is the center of true domestic happiness and hospitality. They have
one son, Daniel Herman Myers, who was born March 16, 1889.
JAMES BLUNN.
James Blunn, who with his brothers, Thomas and William, was the builder of
many of the older brick buildings of West Troy, is a son of Charles Blunn, a
central figure in the early development of West Troy. He is a mason, having
acquired the trade in his native country, England, where he was born in Warwick-
shire in 1823. He came to West Troy in 1847, where his father had been located for
nineteen years. He was in partnership with his brothers until their death, even in
their abstinence from tobacco and intoxicants. Mr. Blunn built the Watervliet Ar-
senal, his brothers William and Thomas being his partners. In early life he was a
maker of gelatine, working for the proprietors of what is now known as " Coxe's Gela-
tine," ofwhich George Nelson was the original manufacturer. Mr. Blunn has been
married three times, and has four daughters, one of whom is Mrs. J. C. Covert, sr. , of
this place ; one Mrs. F. W. Covert, of this place ; the other is Mrs. Eugene Linn of
East Troy; the youngest daughter, Caroline I., by his present wife, who was Edith
Shackelton, niece of the late Robert Inwood of Troy.
FRANK BROWN.
Frank Brown is a resident of Cohoes since 1859, and is now retired from active
business life, an aged and respected citizen. He was a self-made man, full of energy
and courage. He obtained an ordinary school education in Prussia, where he was
born in 1824, and there learned the spinner's trade. On coming to America in 1850
he followed his trade and in 1860 came here, opening a cotton batting shop, continu-
ing in the business for ten years. In 1869 he bought the Miller House block, the
hotel in which he conducted for seven years. Though a Democrat he is very liberal
in his political views. His wife was Alice Longtree, of English birth, who died in 1864,
leaving one son, Francis W. Brown, born in 1863. He is a noble young man and
held in high respect by all who know him ; he lives with his father and has charge of
EDWARD MCCREARY.
17
the real estate interests. November 21, 1865, Mr. Brown married Miss Magdalena
Fierstohs, of Canton, Ohio. He is a director of the Manufacturers Bank of Cohoes,
and a member of the German Catholic church.
EDWARD McCREARY.
Edward McCreary, president of the Albany County Board of Supervisors, is a
Republican, and represents the Fifth ward of the city of Cohoes in that body. He
was born in Malone, Franklin county, N. Y. , September 15, 1847. Five years later
he moved with his parents to Cohoes. He was educated in the public schools of that
city. In 1862 he entered the Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Shop as an appren-
tice. A year later he went to Scranton and served his time as a machinist. He
returned to Cohoes in 1866 and entered the machine shops of the Harmony Cotton
Mills. Soon after he engaged with his brother, the late John McCreary, in the man-
ufacture of Pin Napping and Brushing Machinery. Mr. McCreary is the patentee of
several valuable pieces of knitting machinery and an automatic fender for electric
cars. His father was overseer of the spinning department in the Ogden Mills, was a
soldier of the 54th N. Y. Regt., and was killed during the war. Mr. McCreary is
interested in military matters and was for many years captain of the well known
Adams Zouaves. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., and presi-
dent of the John McCreary Steamer Co.
GEN. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER.
Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver was born in Boston, Mass., September 13, 1847. He
always evinced great interest in military affairs; his education tending to develop
his natural taste. He received a thorough training in the Military School of Mal-
borugh Churchill at Sing Sing, N. Y. , and went directly from it into the volunteer
service, receiving a commission as second-lieutenant in the 5th Massachusetts Cav-
alry, September 27, 1864. Although but seventeen years of age he was almost
immediately placed in command of his troop, and was in his first action within two
weeks after receiving his commission. While serving before Petersburg he was
selected by General Cole to be his aide-de-camp and appointed A. D. C. Cavalry
Brigade, 3d Division, 25th Army Corps. On September 3, 1865, he was appointed
by General Clark to be assistant adjutant-general of the Third Division, 25th Army
Corps, then serving in Texas after the close of the war. On the recommendation
of his superior officers he was commissioned second-lieutenant, 17th U. S. Infantry,
February 23, 1866, and after a short service in New York harbor was again ordered
to Texas with his regiment as acting adjutant, and later received his promotion as
first lieutenant 26th Infantry. At his own request he was transferred to the 8th U.
S. Cavalry, and appointed first lieutenant of that regiment May 7, 1867, and ordered
to the Pacific Coast, where he served for three years in California, Oregon and
Arizona in the various Indian wars at that time, and was promoted captain October
c
18
31, 1869. After leaving the army lie returned to the East and moved from Boston
to Albany. Becoming interested in the development of the National Guard he ac-
cepted the colonelcy of the 10th Regt., August 25, 1873, assistant adjutant-general,
9th Brigade, July 11, 1878; brigadier-general and inspecto- -general of the State of
New York, January 1, 1880; brigadier-gysneral, 5th Brigade, January 10, 1883; briga-
dier-general, 3d Brigade, December 30, 1890, a position which he still holds, an
almost unbroken line of service for thirty-four years.
In social and civil life General Oliver has long been prominent in the city of Al-
bany, where he has resided many years. He became a civil service commissioner of
the city in 1894 and a police commissioner in 1895, and in promoting the welfare of
the municipality he is active and persevering. He was president of the Mutual Boat
Club, the Albany Tennis and Republican Unconditional Clubs, and the National
Lawn Tennis Association ; and is first vice-president of the Albany Vigilance League ;
and a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Press Club, the Albany Club, the Country
Club, the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Association of the
Armvof the Potomac, and the Cavalry Association, and governor of Albany Chapter
No. 1, Order of Patriots and Founders of America. In business he is associated
with Rathbone, Sard & Co., one of the largest stove manufacturing concerns in the
United States.
GEN. SELDEN E. MARVIN.
Gen. Selden Erasti rs Marvin is a son of Hon. Richard Pratt and Isabella (New-
land) Marvin and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. V., August "Jit.
1835. He is a lineal descendant of Reinold Marvin, a native of England, who came
to America with his family and his brother Matthew in 1635, and settled first in
Hartford, Conn., afterward in Farmington, and finally in Saybrook, where he died
in 1662. Lieut. Reinold Marvin, son of Reinold, was born in 1634, settled in Lyme,
Conn., and was one of the committee to divide the town of Saybrook in 1665. He
died in 1676. His first wife was Jemima Belcher and his second wife Sarah .
Reinold Marvin, of Lyme, son of Lieutenant Reinold, was born in 1669, was a rep-
resentative to the General Court from 1701 to 1728, and died in 1737. He married,
first, Phebe , and second, in 1708, Martha Waterman. He had a son, Deacon
Reinold Marvin, who was born about 1701, married, first, in 1725, Mrs. Sarah Lay,
and second, in 1746, Mrs. Mary Kellogg, and died in 1761. Dan Marvin, son of Deacon
Reinold, both of Lyme, Conn., was born in 1731, married in 1762 Mehitable Selden.
and died in 1776. Selden Marvin, the son of Dan, was the first of the family to
settle in Chautauqua county, N. Y. He was born in 1773 and died in 1832. In 1798
he married Charlotte Pratt, of Saybrook, Conn. ; his second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth
Vandenburg. Hon. Richard Pratt Marvin, son of Selden by his first marriage, was
born in 1803, and held several offices of trust and honor. He was member of as-
sembly in 1835, represented his district in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Con-
gresses; and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, under which
he was elected a justice of the Supreme Court, an office he filled with great credit
and dignity for nearly twenty-five years. He died in January. 1892, widely respected
and honored. In 1834 he married Isabella Newland.
19
Gen. Selden E. Marvin was educated in the public schools and academy of James-
town, N. Y., and at Professor Russell's private school in New Haven, Conn. He
then became bookkeeper and teller in the Chautauqua County Bank, in his native
town, and remained there until 1862, serving the last three years as cashier. In
July, 1862, he was appointed adjutant of the 112th N. Y. Vols, and on the 17th of
that month "was mustered into the United States service. He served in that capacity
and as assistant adjutant-general of Foster's Brigade, with the Army of Southern
Virginia, through the Peninsular and Charleston campaigns, until September, 1863,
when he was appointed additional paymaster U, S. Volunteers and was assigned
to duty in the Army of the Potomac. He filled this position till December 27, 1864,
when he resigned to accept the post of paymaster-general of the State of New York on
the staff of Gov. Reuben E. Fenton. Upon Governor Fenton's re-election General
Marvin was appointed adjutant-general of the New York State Militia. As paymaster-
general he had, in the execution of the laws for the reimbursement of bounties paid
by the localities in the State to fill quotas established by the general government, and
for the equalization of the excess of years on calls for troops prior to the last call of
December, 1864, a difficult and arduous task. The sum required and paid for this pur-
pose was 827,000,000, and its disbursement necessitated the exercise of a careful, dis-
criminating judgment to protect the interests of the State and render full justice to the
several localities. As adjutant-general he inaugurated and carried into practical effect
reforms in the National Guard which were greatly needed, and which, with subsequent
reforms instituted by his successors, have placed this splendid body of citizen sol-
diery upon a firm and efficient foundation for every service that may be required of
it. During his service in these capacities he maintained his residence in Albany.
After his term of adjutant-general expired he engaged in banking in New York
city, being a member of the firm of Morgan, Keen & Marvin until the spring of
18?:J), when they dissolved. His chief operation as a banker in the metropolis was
the placing of Northern Pacific securities on the market, in which he was eminently
successful. On January 1, 1874, he went to Troy, N. Y., as the representative of
Erastus Coming's interest in the iron and steel business carried on by the firm of
John A. Griswold & Co., and while there organized the Albany and Rensselaer Iron
and Steel Company on March 1, 1875. This corporation was a consolidation of the
establishments of John A. Griswold & Co. and the Albany Iron Works, and General
Marvin was elected a director and the secretary and treasurer. On September 1,
1885, this concern was succeeded by the Troy Steel and Iron Company, which went
into the hands of a receiver in 1893. General Marvin continued as director, secre-
tary, and treasurer of the company until its business was closed up November 1,
L895. On June 17 of that year he was appointed receiver of the Perry Stove Com-
pany of Albany, which position he still holds.
As a business man of recognized ability General Marvin has long been actively
and prominently connected with a number of important enterprises. He was for
several years a trustee and vice president of the Albany City Savings Institution
and since June 1, 1894, has been its president. He has been a director of the Hud-
son River Telephone Company since 1892 and president since February. 1894, and
was the chief organizer and principal promoter of the Albany District Telegraph
Company, of which he has been a director and the president since the incorporation
on July 1, 1*95. He is a member of the Stair Board of Charities, having been ap-
20
pointed by Governor Morton on Mai-ch 27, 1895, and is also a member of the chapter
and assistant treasurer of the cathedral of All Saints, treasurer of the Diocese of
Albany, treasurer of the Board of Missions, treasurer of the Aged and Infirm
Clergy Fund, treasurer of the Fund for Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergy,
treasurer of the Fund for Theological Education, and treasurer of the Clergy Re-
serve Fund. He is an influential member and trustee of the Corning foundation, on
which is built St. 'Agnes' s School, the Child's Hospital, St. Margaret's House, Grad-
uate Hall, and the Sister's House in Albany. He is also a member of the Board of
Managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Epis-
copal church in the United States, a prominent member of the Fort Orange Club,
and actively connected with several other institutions of the capital city.
General Marvin was married on the 24th of September, 1868, to Miss Katharine
Langdon Parker, daughter of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker, » of Albany. They
have had six children: Selden E., jr. (military secretary, with the rank of colonel, on
the staff of Gov. Levi P. Morton), Grace Parker, Langdon Parker, Edmund Roberts,
Richard Pratt (deceased), and Katharine Langdon.
THE NEWMAN FAMILY.
Charles Newman, when a young man, came with his widowed mother from near
Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and settled in Albany, then a city of 1,000 or 2,000
inhabitants. As early as 1770 he established himself in the wool and leather trade on
Broadway, near State street, where the business has ever since been conducted by
the family.
Henry Newman, his son, was born in Albany September 20, 1780, and upon reach-
ing a responsible age entered his father's establishment, of which he subsequently
became sole owner. This business he personally conducted at No. 457 Broadway,
the present location, for about seventy years. He died May 24, 1874, at the
advanced age of ninety-four, probably being at that time the oldest native of
Albany. His career was one of uninterrupted success, and he exemplified the sterl-
ing qualities of industry, perseverance, steadfastness of purpose, and strict honesty,
in his business and in private life. His word was always good; his integrity was
never questioned; his character was above reproach. Modest and unassuming
in his manners, he enjoyed unbounded confidence and the highest respect, and
was often urged to accept positions of honor and public trust, but always de-
clined them in view of the higher duties recognized as due to his family and his
business. ■ One of his chief characteristics was unswerving fidelity to duty in every
department of life. He was an exemplary Christian, a loyal friend, and a true citi-
zen, taking a keen interest in the advancement of all public affairs and the prosper-
ity of his native city. In politics he was a staunch Democrat and never failed to
vote. For more than thirty years he was a trustee and treasurer of the First Lutheran
church, whose financial prosperity was largely due to his sagacity and foresight.
He was one of the first shareholders and long a director of the Mechanics' and Farm-
' See sketch of Judge Parker in this volume.
JOHN L. NEWMAN.
2L
ers' Bank, and for many years an active member of the Albany Fire Department.
Mr. Newman married Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, sister of George and William
Humphrey, old-time merchants of Albany, and after her death he married Miss
Mary A., daughter of Aretas and Jane (Humphrey) Lyman, of Sand Lake, Rensse-
laer county, N. Y. Mary Lyman was descended from (1) Richard Lyman, born at
High Ongar, England, in 1380, who came with Elliott, the missionary to the Indians,
in the ship Lion to New England in 1631. Her great-grandfather, Capt. Joshua
Lyman, born February 27, 1704, died September 11, 1777, was fourth officer at Fort
Dummer under Captain Kellogg between 1728 and 1740, active in the French and
Indian wars, captain in Col. Israel Williams's regiment in the campaign of 1759, and
held important offices in Northampton and Northfield, Mass., being selectman from
1747 to 1768. Her grandfather, Col. James Lyman, born June 9, 1748, died January
2o, 1804, entered the Revolutionary army as corporal in Capt. Samuel Merrimau's
company of Col. Phineas Wright's regiment September 22, 1777, was present at the
battle of Saratoga and Burgoyne's surrender, served at Fort Ticonderoga, became
lieutenant in Capt. Seth Pierce's company of Colonel Murray's regiment at Claver-
ack and West Point in October, 1780, being there at the time of the Arnold treach-
ery, ranked as colonel in 1795, and was selectman of Northfield from 1782 to 1804.
Capt. Aretas Lyman, father of Mrs. Newman, was born in Northfield February 4,
1773, and settled in Sand Lake, N. Y., where he conducted a lumber and milling
business. Henry Newman was survived by his wife and nine children.
Charles Newman, his eldest surviving son, was born in the capital city April 21,
1828, received his education in the Boys' Academy, and read law with J. & I. Ed-
wards. He was admitted to the bar about 1849, but soon afterward associated him-
self in business with his father, becoming successively the latter's partner and suc-
cessor. In 1866 his brother, John L. Newman, became a partner with him, retiring
in 1880, when his sons, William Page and Henry Newman, were admitted under the
firm name of Charles Newman & Co,, making the fourth generation of the family
that has been connected with the house, which has had a continuous existence of
more than one hundred and twenty-five years, being the oldest wool house in the
United States. Charles Newman is one of Albany's representative business men.
He is a director in the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank and vice-president and trustee
of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank, was formerly president of the Albany
and Watervliet Railroad, was trustee for some years of the Second Presbyterian
church, and is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, a charter member of the
Fort Orange Club, and a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., and Temple
Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. In 1850 he married Mary E. Page, daughter of Rev. William
Page and Francis Sheldon Page, and their children are Mrs. Willis G. Tucker,
William Page, and Henry Newman.
Major John Ludlow Newman, son of Henry and Mary A. (Lyman) Newman, was
horn in Albany on the 21st of February, 1836, was educated at the Albany Academy,
and when eighteen entered his father's wool and leather store, with which he was
identified for twenty-six years. In 1866 he became a member of the firm of Charles
& John L. Newman, under which name the old established wool business of his
father was conducted until 1880, when he withdrew and engaged in the manufacture
of woolen goods at Cohoes, N. Y. , in partnership with William P. Adams. The firm
of Newman & Adams consumed about half a million pounds of wool annually and
22
employed a large force of skilled workmen. Major Newman retired from active
business in 1891, after a successful career covering thirty-seven years. He is presi-
dent of the National Bank of Cohoes, having been a director since 1878 and vice-
president since 1893 until his election to the presidency in January, 1895. This is
the oldest and most successful banking institution in Cohoes.
Being a descendant of ancestors who had fought in the French and Indian wars
during the Colonial times, and in the War of the Revolution, Major Newman felt it
his patriotic duty to " fight in defense of the flag " in the Civil war. In 1862 he re-
cruited a company for the Forty-third New York Volunteers, and with the regiment
joined the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Army Corps (General Sedgwick's),
as captain of his company. He served under McClellan in the Army of the Potomac,
and also under Burnside at Fredericksburg December 13-15, 1862, and under Hooker
in the Chancellorsville campaign May 2-4, 1863, being wounded in the charge on
Marye's Heights on May 3. On this occasion Major Newman was recommended for
honorable mention in " General Orders" for gallantry and bravery. On May 4 he
was at Salem Church fight and Banks Ford, and on June 9 in another skirmish at
Fredericksburg. Then commenced the memorable Pennsylvania campaign, culmi-
nating in the decisive and brilliant victory at Gettysburg. Major Newman's regi-
ment, the Forty-third New York, commanded by Lieut. -Col. John Wilson, held in
this battle an important position near Wolf's Hill, at the right of the Union line, in
front of the confederate General Ewell, and participated in that terrible battle of
the 2d and 3d of July, 1863. November 7 he was at the battle of Rappahannock
Station and November 27 at Locust Grove. He participated in the Mine Run
campaign, and in the spring of 1864 made a forced march with the Sixth Corps to
Madison Court House. He was promoted major of the Forty-third regiment and in
June, 1864, was honorably discharged. He received the "Gettysburg Medal" from
the State of New York.
He was one of the first members of the Albany Zouave Cadets (now Co. A, 10th
Battalion N. G. N. Y.) in 1861, an organization which had the proud record of send-
ing eighty commissioned officers to the Union army. Some years afterward he was
elected vice-president and later president of the Old Guard, an organization formed
of men and officers of the old Albany Zouave Cadets, and has ever since been one of
its leading members. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion
of the United States, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and the Society of the
Sixth Army Corps, of which he was elected vice-president during the reunion at
Gettysburg. He is a charter member of George S. Dawson Post, No. 63, G. A. R.,
and was appointed ordnance officer on the staff of Gen. T. Ellery Lord, Third Brig-
ade, N. G. N. Y., but declined the honor. He is a member of the Sons of the Revo-
lution through his great-grandfather, Col. James Lyman. He was vice-president
and curator of the Albany Young Men's Association, a trustee of the Albany City
Homoeopathic Hospital, a trustee of the First Reformed (Old North Dutch) Church,
and secretary of the old Albany Club. Many of these positions he resigned when he
engaged in business in Cohoes. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, a trustee
of the Albany Historical aud Art Association, and has always taken an active in-
terest in the advancement and material welfare of his native city, where he has
always resided.
Major Newman was married on the 8th of October, 1872, to Miss Evelina Egberts
23
Steele, daughter of Oliver Steele, of Albany. Mrs. Newman's mother was Anna
Egberts, a daughter of Anthony Egberts, a descendant of Rip Van Dam, one of the
early colonial governors of New York ; she was a sister of Egbert Egberts, a mer-
chant of Albany and " the father of the knitting industry of the United States," be-
ing the inventor of the knitting machine and a wealthy manufacturer of Coin ics.
Major and Mrs. Newman have two children: Clarence Egberts Newman and Evelyn
Newman.
Rev. Frederick Mayer Newman, youngest son of Henry Newman, was born iu
Albany October 81, 1840, was educated at the academy and Professor Anthony's
Classical Institute, and in I860 entered Union College, from which he received the
degrees of A. B. and A. M. He wasgraduated from Princeton Theological Seminary
in 1867, and for two years was missionary pastor at Port Henry, Essex county, having
been licensed and ordained by the New York Presbytery. He spent a part of the
year 1871 traveling in Europe, and for four years thereafter was pastor of the First
Presbyterian church of Saratoga Springs. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Society
of Union College and the Albany Institute, a life member of the Albany Young
Men's Association, and a member of other honorary societies. Since 1880 he has
resided in Albany, being engaged in literary pursuits.
JOHN I. SLINGERLAND.
The Slingerland family of Albany county, of which Hon. John I. Slingerland was
one of the most distinguished members, is descended from (1) Teunis Corneliuse and
Engeltie Albertsie (Bradt) Slingerland, of pure Dutch stock, who emigrated to
America from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1650. He was one of the first settlers of
Beverwyck (Albany), Kenwood, and Onisquatha (Slingerlands), where he purchased
from the three tribes of Indians represented by the signs of the Wolf, Bear, and
Turtle about 10,000 acres of land located in what are now the towns of Bethlehem
and New Scotland. Much of this land is still owned and occupied by his posterity,
large tracts of it having always remained in the name. He was born iu 1617. His
second wife, whom he married April 9, 1684, was Geertie Fonda, widow of fan
Bicker. The line of descent from the original pioneer to the subject of this sketch
is as follows: (2) Albert, born 1666, died 1731, married Hester Becker; (3) Johannes,
of Onisquatha, born 1696, married 1724 Anne Slingerland; (4) Albert, of Onisquatha,
born 17:$:}, died 1814, married 1760 Elizabeth Moak ; (5) John Albert, born 1768, died
1850, married Leah Brett; and (6) John I., of Slingerlands. These and others of the
family were mainly agriculturists — prosperous, substantial citizens, respected and
esteemed, and prominent in the affairs of their several localities.
lion. John I. Slingerland was born March 1, 1804, in New Scotland, Albany county;
when a young man he took up his residence at Slingerlands (in the town of Bethle-
hem), which place was named after the Slingerland family, and received a good com-
mon school education. As a business man he devoted nearly his whole life to agri-
cultural pursuits, residing on the site of his birth — the old family homestead. I [e ac-
cumulated a handsome competency, and was universally respected and esteemed, Di it
honored only by those who enjoyed his acquaintance but by all who knew of him He
24
was honored for his social qualities as well as for his Christian faith. His was an un-
usually warm heart, and his purse was always open to the wants of suffering humanity.
To the rich and poor, high and low, he was their friend, their leader — ever faithful and
conscientious in the discharge of duty, and true to the best interests of his community
and its inhabitants. No man was ever more popular among his constituents, and
probably no man in the county stood so high in public esteem and confidence. As
an illustration of his great popularity it is cited that, on one occasion, when he was
a candidate for Congress, he received every vote in one of the towns of his district.
He was honest; his word was never questioned; and even his political opponents
accorded him that confidence which unswerving honesty always merits.
Mr. Slingerland was one of the foremost politicians of his time — not in the sense
in which the word politician is now used, but along the lines of honorable leadership,
pure and unselfish in its motives, and ennobling because of its lofty aims and public
benefaction. In 1843 he was a member of the Assembly, and in I860 he again rep-
resented the first assembly district of Albany county in that body. In 1847-49 he
was a member of the 30th Congress from the thirteenth Congressional district. He
served with distinction in these bodies, winning for himself lasting credit and honor,
and for his constituents a number of measures for their permanent good. In each
position he was faithful, honest, straightforward, and upright. In the trying times
of slavery agitation he never lost sight of the fundamental principle of freedom,
to which his votes and influence were ever directed, and to which he made every
other political course subordinate. . Loyalty to country and home was one of his chief
characteristics. In a ringing letter of August 12, 1856, he boldly and fearlessly de-
nounced " those twin relics of barbarism, polygamy and slavery, ' and advocated the
election of John C. Fremont for President — an act which placed his name among the
founders of the Republican party. His public life was unstained, his honor unsullied ;
and he exemplified those convictions bequeathed to him by an ancestry who poured
out their blood in the cause of liberty and conscience.
Locally Mr. Slingerland was ever active in advancing public interests. He was
one of the principal founders of the village of Slingerlands, named after his family,
and was chiefly instrumental in securing the post-office and other institutions. But
his greatest effort in this respect, and one that overreached all others in its subse-
quent benefits, was the Susquehanna division of the D. & H. railroad, which he,
more than any other man, secured for the place. He zealously labored for the con-
struction of this line along its present route, locally and in the State Legislature,
by having bills passed, appropriations, &c. ; and to him is due the chief honor of
successfully attaining the desired ends. He died, where he had always lived, on the
26th of October, 1861.
Mr. Slingerland was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Van Derzee, who
bore him three children; John, deceased; Harmon Van D., of South Bethlehem ;
and Miss Maria of Albany. By his second wife, Sally Hall, he had Elizabeth (Mrs.
Adrian Safford), of Albany, and William, of Slingerlands. John Slingerland, a
farmer on a part of the old homestead, was a prominent Republican, a good public
speaker, and a highly respected citizen. He married Betsey, daughter of Joel Wicker
Andrews, a manufacturer who made the steam apparatus which ran in Charles R.
Van Benthuysen's printing-office in Albany the first steam printing press in America.
She was a descendant of Lieut. Robert Andrews, an officer in the Revolutionary
A. B. VAN LOON, M. D.
25
war, and of John and Mary Andrews, who came from Ipswich, England, to Farm-
ington, Conn., in KM! I. They had three children: Cora E. (Mrs. Clinton Cook), of
New Scotland; Cornelius H., of Slingerlands; and John I., who died young.
Cornelius H. Slingerland, born in Slingerlands, April 23, 1861, received a private
school education, and when seventeen began learning the printer's trade with George
Wilkinson in Albany. Two years later he established his present printing-office in
Slingerlands, where he has successfully built up, from a modest beginning, a pros-
perous general commercial printing business. He is a Republican, and a member
of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., of Albany, and of the Sons of the Revolution.
In April, 1883, he was married to Miss Nellie B. Mattice, of Slingerlands, a
lineal descendant of one of the members of the Boston tea party. They have one
daughter, Mary.
ARTHUR B. VAN LOON, M. D.
I>k. Akthi r B. Van Loon, eldest son of William H. and Caroline M. (Stark) Van
Loon, was born in Albany, December 28, 1868, and is of Holland Dutch descent.
His father, a native of Troy, N. Y., has been for several years an active citizen of
Albany. His mother was descended from General Stark of Revolutionary fame. Dr.
Van Loon was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read medicine with
Dr. W. E. Milbank, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1891,
delivering the class oration. He was graduated from the New York Homeopathic
Medical College in 1892 and for one year was interne in Ward's Island Hospital.
While in New York he took a special course in the Carnegie Laboratory (connected
with Bellevue College), and in 1893 began the active practice of his profession in
Albany; since then has made gynecology a speciality. He is a member of the surg-
ical staff of the Albany Homeopathic Hospital, a member of the Albany County
Homeopathic Medical Society, the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society
and the American Institute of Homeopathy. April 11, 1895, he married Caroline S.,
daughter of the late John Phillips, of Albany.
M. J. ZEH, M. D.
Mi ki in J. Zi.ii, M. D.,a physician of Watervliet, N. Y., who, though a young man,
has become eminently successful in his profession. He was born in the town of
Knox, Albany county, August 2, 1867. He is the son of the late Elias Zeh, a prom-
inent farmer of Knox. His mother was Annie E. Osterhout of the well known
pioneer family, named elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Zeh received his preliminary education at the Knox Academy, after which he
taught school for a short time. He next read homeopathy with Dr. Tuck, asuccess-
ful practioner of Berne, N. Y. In 1885 lie studied pharmacy and eclecticism with
Dr. Archie Cullen, late of West Troy, passing the State Board of Pharmacy Feb-
ruary, 1887.
o
26
In 1886 he read medicine under the supervision of Dr. Shiland of West Troy, and
the late Dr. John Swinburn of Albany, and entered the Albany Medical College,
where he pursued a full course, graduating March 21, 1889.
The following month he began practice in West Troy, where he is held in high
esteem.
In 1890 he married Miss Charlotte B. Cullen, a sister of Dr. Archie Cullen. He
has one son, Arthur P., and a daughter, Florence J. Dr. Zeh is a member of the
following societies: New York State Medical Association, the Medical Association
of Troy and Vicinity, the Rensselaer County Medical Society, the I. O. O. F., the
Wyoma Council Royal Arcanum, the Troy Yacht Club, Olympian Senate, Knights
of the Ancient Essenic Order, associate member of the Walter A. Jones Post, G. A.
R., and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He has held the office of city physician for
the past three years.
ISAAC W. VOSBURGH.
The late Isaac W. Vosburgh, of Albany, was a lineal descendant of Abram
Pieterse Vosburgh, who came from Holland and settled at Beverwyck (now Albany)
in 1652. With this original ancestor came three brothers, who located in Kinder-
hook, Claverack, and the Mohawk Valley respectively. Abram P. married Gertruy
Pieterse Koeymans, or Coeymans, and had a son Isaac, who married Anna Janse
Goes in 1686. Abraham, son of Isaac, married Geertje Van Den Berg in 1719, and
their son Isaac, born 1720, died 1785, married, in 1759, Catherine Staats Dort. Their
son, William Vosburgh, born 1772, died 1839, was a contractor, and in 1799 married
Mary Mcl'onald. Mr. Vosburgh was therefore descended from one of the oldest
Holland Dutch families of Albany, and from his ancestors inherited a liberal meas-
ure of their thrift and noted characteristics.
Isaac W. Vosburgh was born where his ancestors had lived for four generations,
in Albany, on the 21st of December, 1801, his parents being William Vosburgh and
Mary McDonald. He received a common and private school education, and on
February 3, 1823, became a clerk in the hardware store of George Humphrey, who
in 1825 was succeeded by the firm of Humphrey & Co. Mr. Vosburgh remained
with this concern for six years. On January 1, 1829, he formed a partnership with
Lansing Pruyn and Abram F. Wilson and purchased the hardware business then
conducted by John Pruyn and located where the post-office building now stands.
The firm of Pruyn, Wilson & Vosburgh conducted a successful trade until 1842, when
Mr. Wilson retired and the name was changed to Pruyn, Vosburgh & Co. This co-
partnership continued business until 1860, when Mr. Vosburgh retired permanently
from active life, being at that time one of the oldest hardware merchants in Albany.
The last store occupied by his firm was the east half of the store now owned by the
Albany Hardware and Iron Company on State street.
Mr. Vosburgh, during a long and active career, was uniformly successful, and re-
tained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He took a deep interest in
the welfare of his native city, was prominently connected with several charitable
and commercial institutions, and gave liberally of both time and means for the ad-
27
vancement of public interests. He was one of the founders of the Dudley Ob-
servatory and served as treasurer from its inception until about 1882, when he re-
signed on account of ill-health. He was also one of the originators of the Albany
Rural Cemetery, was a trustee from its organization until his death, and was for
many years chairman of its executive committee. He was long a trustee of the
Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank and of the Second Presbyterian church. In
politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican, but never sought nor ac-
cepted public office. During the war of the Rebellion he staunchly supported the
Union, and although at that time he was beyond the age limit and could not have
been drafted, he nevertheless recruited and equipped and sent a substitute for each
member of his family, who served with honor in the nation's cause. Mr. Vosburgh
died in Albany, September 29, 1888.
He was married in 1841 to Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of Wiley Fletcher, of Al-
bany, a descendant of William Fletcher, who came from Yorkshire, England, to
Concord, Mass., in 1630. She was born in 1818 and survives him. Their children
were Mrs. William Irwin and Mrs. Caldwell R. Blakeman, of New York city; Mary
McD. and Miles Woodward Vosburgh, of Albany; Fletcher Vosburgh, who died
July 30, 1895, at the age of thirty-nine; and two who died young. Miles W. is a
general shipping agent in Albany, conducting the business established by the late
William McElroy in 1840.
SAMUEL BALDWIN WARD, M. D.
S \mi el Baldwin Ward, M. D., son of Lebbeus Baldwin and Abby Dwight (Par-
tridge) Ward, was born in the city of New York on June 8. 1842, and is of English
descent. His great grandfather, Samuel Ward, born August 27, 1724, moved from
Virginia to Morristown, N. J., where he married Mary Shipman, and where he died
April 15, 1799. Silas Ward, son of Samuel, was born in Morris county, N. J., in
1767, and died in 1862. He married Phoebe Dod of a New Jersey family distin-
guished for its literary and scientific attainments. Lebbeus Baldwin Ward, their
son, was born April 7, 1801, and died in New York city June 15, 1885. He was a
man of practical education, of studious habits, of trustworthy judgment and of
great mechanical ability. He erected the Hammersley Forge in New York and
won a wide reputation as a builder of engines, and later as a manufacturer of heavy
wrought iron forgings. He was an early commissioner of the metropolitan board of
police, a member of the State assembly in 1851, and a member of various commis-
sions appointed by the municipality of New York to construct important city works.
With his brothers John D. and Samuel S. he also built the first steamboat and the
first railroad ever operated in Canada, the firm doing business in Montreal from
about 1820 to 1838. Lebbeus Baldwin Ward married Abby Dwight Partridge, who was
born in Hatfield, Mass., the daughter of a noted clergyman, and whose ancestors
were descended from the best Puritan Pilgrim stock.
Doctor Ward received his earlier education in private schools. When fifteen he
entered the freshman class of Columbia College, and after a four years' course was
graduated from that institution in 1861 with third honors. He then entered the
28
office of that celebrated physician, Dr. Willard Parker, a close friend of the family,
and in 1861 and 1862 attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons. But his patriotism led him to temporarily abandon student life and en-
list in the war for the Union, where he united service with professional interest. In
1862 he became a medical cadet, U. S. A., and the Medical Department of George-
town University in 1864 conferred upon him the degree of M. D. The two years
thus spent afforded him a wide practical experience in army hospitals around Wash-
ington, and enabled him to reap that reward which comes from faithfulness to duty
and skill in practice. In 1863 he became Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., and
soon after his graduation was commissioned by President Lincoln an Assistant Sur-
geon of U. S. Volunteers. In the autumn of 1865 he returned to New York and in
October embarked for Europe, where for twelve months he studied medicine and
surgery in some of the largest hospitals of the Old World. Returning at the end of
this period to his native city he engaged in the active practice of his profession, and
was soon chosen professor of surgery in the Woman's Medical College of the New
York Infirmary. He also became attending surgeon of the Northern Dispensary,
consulting surgeon of the Western Dispensary for Women and Children, visiting
surgeon to the Presbyterian Hospital, and in 1872 Assistant Surgeon with the rank
of captain of the 7th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y.
In May, 1876, Doctor Ward removed to Albany, where he has since resided, and
where he has won the highest reputation as a physician and surgeon and universal
esteem as a citizen. Soon after his arrival he was chosen professor of surgical
pathology and operative surgery in the Albany Medical College, and later professor
of the theory and practice of medicine in the same institution, which position he still
holds. He also became attending surgeon to the Albany and St. Peter's Hospitals.
He is a member of the Association of American Physicians ; a member of the Albany
County Medical Society; a permanent member and ex-president of the New York
State Medical Society; secretary and treasurer of the executive committee of the
State Normal College ; a trustee and vice-president of the Dudley Observatory ; a
a trustee of the Albany Female Academy ; ex-president of the State board of survey ;
one of the civil service examiners for State medical officials ; president of the Fort
Orange Club; member and ex-president of the Albany Camera Club, and a member
of the American Climatolcgical Association. He was also for some time a member
of the Albany board of health, and is connected with several other scientific and
social organizations, including the Northwest Medical and Surgical Society, of which
he was secretary in 1874-76. He is now attending physician to the Albany City
Hospital and consulting physician to St. Peter's Hospital and the Albany Orphan
Asylum. In 1864 he received the degree of A. M. in course from Columbia College
and in 1882 that of Ph. D. ex-konore from Union University.
Doctor Ward has contributed a number of articles on medicine and surgery to
the leading medical journals of the country, and is an authority on many subjects
akin to his profession. In 1879 he first visited the Adirondack region, and ever since
then he has been enthusiastic in the development of the sanitary advantages of that
vast wilderness. His investments in the Saranac Lake country have been consider-
able, and as both a citizen and an officer he has addressed himself to the work of
forest preservation.
29
In 1871 Doctor Ward was married to Miss Nina A., the accomplished daughter of
William A. Wheeler of New York city, who died in October. lss:J,, leaving three
children.
JAMES C. COVERT.
James C. Covert, proprietor of the Covert Manufacturing Company of West Troy,
N. Y. , was born in Seneca county, N. Y. , in 1835. After receiving a substantial ed-
ucation in the public schools, he devoted his attention to the harness trade and be-
came a thorough practical harnessmaker and manufacturer. For a number of years
he was in business in his native town after which he went South, traveling through
the different Southern States, with headquarters at Nashville, Tenn., where he re-
mained several years, until just before the Rebellion, when he returned North and
established himself in business in Seneca county. Mr. Covert is possessed of great
inventive genius, having taken out over fifty patents on his different inventions and
not only has he patented valuable inventions, but has, unlike most inventors, per-
sonally manufactured, introduced and established a large and lucrative business on
his articles. In 1868 he patented his famous bolt harness snap, which revolutionized
the snap trade throughout the United States and to-day these snaps are standard
throughout the world, and they have been largely imitated. In 1873 the Covert
Manufacturing Company was formed in Troy, N. Y., and in 1879 the business was
removed to West Troy, Albany county, where the company erected a large estab-
lishment adapted particularly to the manufacture of their goods and to which plant
there has since been many large and substantial additions. The business was com-
menced upon a comparatively small scale, but their goods are now recognized as
being standard and are shipped to every civilized country in the world. Their goods
consist of Covert's celebrated harness snaps, swivel snaps, open-eye bit, chain and
trace snaps, snaps and thimbles for horse and cattle ties, abjustable web and rope
halters, and rope goods, consisting of rope halters, horse and cattle ties, halter leads,
weight and hitching cords, hammock ropes, lariat tethers, picket pins, and also ad-
justable soldering irons, rod post hitchers and chain goods consisting of breast,
halter, rein, post, trace and heel chains, hitching posts, balling irons, safety gate
hooks, pant stretchers, wagon jacks, etc.
Mr. Covert is also the owner and manufacturer of the famous Dr. Bury Medicines,
being the sole proprietor of the Dr. Bury Medical Company of West Troy, N. Y.
These medicines consist of lung balsam, catarrh snuff and camphor ointment.
These remedies were invented by an eminent French physician who used them ex-
tensively and successfully in his practice, both in France and the United States.
In 1889 a company was formed under the title of the Dr. Bury Medical Company,
who began the extensive manufacture and sale of the Dr. Bury Remedies.
Under the skillful management of Mr. Covert the business has grown in propor-
tions and the remedies are now used in all sections of the country. Mr. Covert is a
careful, shrewd business man and attends strictly to business, almost every detail
at which comes under his direct personal supervision. Although not a politician he
has held several offices of public trust and takes a deep interest in all public improve-
30
ments. He was one of the commissioners intrusted with the adoption and construc-
tion of the new and extensive sewerage system of the village of West Troy and was
recently appointed one of the water commissioners of the city of Watervliet. He is
a member and elder of the Reformed Presbyterian church and takes a prominent
and active part in all its affairs and is also one of the directors of the Young Men's
Christian Association. He stands very high in the Masonic fraternity, having held
office in the different bodies and is Past High Priest of Hudson River Chapter, R.
A. M. He is a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., Hudson
River Chapter No. 262, R. A. M. of West Troy, N. Y. ; Bloss Council, No. 14, R. &
S M. ; Apollo Commandery, No. 15, K. T., Troy, N. Y. ; Albany Sovereign Consis-
tory thirty-two degrees, A. A. R., also Oriental Temple N. M. S., of Troy, N»Y.
RUFUvS H. KING.
Rufus H. King died in Albany, N. Y., July 9, 1867. Mr. King was a native of
Ridgefield, Conn. His father was an officer in the army of the Revolution, his
name being associated in history with that of Major Andre as the officer to whom
the British spy was delivered by his captors, and who had charge of him until he
was executed.
Mr. King came to Albany in 1814, and in partnership with his brother-in-law,
William McHarg, as a dry goods merchant, established a reputation for capacity and
integrity which laid the foundation for enduring prosperity and ultimate fortune.
He became a director in the New York State National Bank at an early day and
more than twenty years ago succeeded the late Mr. Bloodgood as its president, soon
after which he withdrew from his mercantile business and devoted himself to bank-
ing and to the purchase and sale of stocks. He was also president of the Albany
Savings Bank and the Albany Insurance Company. The marked prosperity which
has attended all these institutions furnishes sufficient evidence of his financial
ability.
There was not in the State a more thorough merchant and banker than Rufus H.
King, or none more extensively known, esteemed and confided in. The financial
officers of the State through all changes were accustomed to avail themselves of
Mr. King's knowledge and judgment as to the time and character of their loans.
His experience and advice, always cheerfully given, saved hundreds of thousands
of dollars to the treasury.
He was a life-long intimate friend and associate of Thurlow Weed ; and though
not at all the politician that Mr. Weed was, they were fast friends. No man so much
as Mr. King, perhaps, had to so great an extent the full confidence of Mr. Weed.
In his temperament Mr. King was particularly a man of business. He devoted
himself sedulously to those occupations for which he was especially fitted; and
though having many opportunities for public preferment, he avoided them with al-
most morbid dislike. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, a true friend, and
an upright and honest citizen. The most scrupulous integrity marked every trans-
action in which he was engaged. He made hosts of friends and no enemies. Gen-
erous to the last degree, he always saw the best qualities of those with whom he
ATTILIO PASQUIN1.
31
came in contact; and was probably incapable of nourishing such a sentiment as
animosity.
Mr. King early in life married Amelia Laverty, daughter of Henry Laverty of
New York city.
ATTILIO PASyUINI.
Attillo Pasquini, one of the leading contractors and builders of Albany, was
born in the village of Nava, about one mile from the city of Lucca, Italy, on the 6th
day of January, 1849. His father was also a native of Nava, while his mother's
birthplace was the village of Santa Maria Colle, two and one-half miles from Lucca.
Mr. Pasquini received a common school education, and at an early age learned the
trade of mason in his native country. He soon sought a wider field for the exercise
of those progressive qualities which have characterized his life and upon attaining
his majority decided to come to America. Leaving Italy on the 3d of May, 1871, be
arrived in New York city on the 7th of the following month (June), and immediately
settled in Albany, where he has since resided. Here he readily found employment
at his trade, which he pursued for several years.
He rapidly acquired a high reputation among both workmen and contractors, and
in time became a contractor himself, a business in which he has won uniform suc-
cess. He is now an extensive mason, contractor, and builder, doing work in differ-
ent parts of the State. In the capital city he has erected many of the largest and
finest buildings, among which may be mentioned the Harmanus Bleecker Hall, the
New York State Armory, the Albany County Bank, the D. & H. C. Co.'s building,
public school No. 7, John H. Day's and the Bensen buildings, Our Lady of Angels
Convent and remodelling its church, one of St. Agnes's School buildings on Elk
street, St. Peter's Rectory, two handsome residences for Messrs. Walker and Gibson
on State street, the Hudson River Telephone building, and a large number of other
structures, including many dwellings of almost equal prominence. Among the
numerous buildings erected by him outside the city of Albany are the Twenty-third
Regiment Armory in Brooklyn, the largest in the State; power houses for the Brook-
lyn City and Newtown Railroad Company of New York; depots for the D. & H. C.
Co. at Plattsburg, Mechanicsville, and Slingerlands; depots for the F., J. & G. Rail-
road at Johnstown and Gloversville; and a Catholic church at Castleton, N. Y. He
has also built a number of fine residences in various parts of^the State; among them
being Mr. Denton's at Middletown, R. C. Pruyn's at Altamont, and Charles Ellis's
at Schenectady. He is now (January, 1897) erecting three large buildings for the
Manhattan State Hospital on Ward's Island and a power house for the North River
Electric Light and Power Company in New York city. These and others too numer-
ous to mention show the energy with which Mr. Pasquini has prosecuted the busi-
ness of contracting, and are monuments to his industry, enterprise, and executive
ability.
He is an active member and treasurer of the Albany Republican League, a promi-
nent member of the Albany Burgesses Corps and the I »ongan Club, and a member
and for one term president of the Italian Columbus Society. Though born and
32
reared under Italy's sunny skies, in a land of caste and royalty, he is at heart a thor-
ough American, a lover of personal freedom and of free institutions, and a staunch
supporter of the Republican principles typified by this government. He is not only
active in promoting the welfare of his countrymen wherever he finds them, but is
loyal to the best interests of mankind and influential in the prosperity of the city of
his residence.
On the 28th of January, 1875, Mr. Pasquini was married in Albany to Miss Magda-
lena M. Hufnagel, by whom he has five children; Louis J., Attilio M., Elizabeth C,
Margaret F., and Angelina M.
COL. SELDEN E. MARVIN, Jr.
Col. Selden Erastus Marvin, jr., eldest son of Gen. Selden Erastus and Katharine
Langdon (Parker) Marvin, was born in the homestead of his maternal grandfather,
the late Judge Amasa J. Parker, on Washington avenue, in Albany, on the 1st of
December, 1869. He attended the Albany Academy and from there entered St.
Paul's School at Concord, N. H., where he took quite an active interest in athletic
sports. As a member of one of the football teams of that institution he received an
injury which resulted in his return to Albany, where he re-entered the Albany
Academy and graduated therefrom in June, 1888. He then spent one year at the
Hopkinson School in Boston, and in the fall of 1889 entered Harvard University,
from which he graduated in full course with the degree of A. B. in 1893. While
there he was treasurer and president one year each of the University Glee Club.
Upon his graduation he returned to Albany and was appointed instructor in English
at the Albany Academy, and gradually increased the scope of his work there until
he also taught Latin, German, and elementary subjects. At the close of the fall
term in December, 1894, he resigned this position to accept at the hands of Gov.
Levi P. Morton the appointment of military secretary, with the rank of colonel, on
the governor's staff, the duties of which he assumed on January 1, 1895. He has
ably and creditably filled this important office since that date.
Colonel Marvin is a member of the Fort Orange, Press and Country Clubs, of
Albany, and for many years has been especially active and deeply interested in
musical affairs, being a prominent member of the choir of All Saints Cathedral. He
studied music for four years in Boston under A. R. Reed, a pupil and an intimate
friend of William Shakespeare, the celebrated authority on the Italian School of
Vocal Culture, of London, England.
FREDERICK EAST< >N.
Frederick Easton is a son of the late Hon. Charles P. Easton and was born iu
Albany, on the corner of Clinton avenue and Chapel street, on the 5th of January,
1860. Hon. Charles P. Easton was born here October 24, 1824, and died March 3,
1885. For many years he was a leading business in Albany's great lumber district,
COL. SHLDtN E. MARVIN, JR.
FREDERICK HASTON.
33
being the founder and head of the firm of C. P. Easton & Co. He was also a pub-
lic spirited citizen who devoted himself untiringly to the educational interests of the
community. In religious and charitable undertakings he was equally zealous, and
an entire generation of the city's young men will recall with pleasure his dignified
but genial presence, and especially his liberality and unceasing efforts in the ad-
vancement of public school methods.
Frederick Easton has spent his life in the immediate neighborhood of his birth-
place. He received his early education in public schools Nos. 6 and 15, and after
completing the grammar course attended the Delaware Literary Institute at Frank-
lin, Delaware county. On returning to Albany he associated himself in the whole-
sale lumber business under the firm name of C. P. Easton & Co., his partners being
his brothers William and Edward, with whom he has since continued. On the death
of the father these sons succeeded to this business and have conducted it with marked
ability and success, maintaining a credit and an integrity unsullied.
For nearly ten years Mr. Easton was a prominent member of Co. A, 10th Regt.,
now the 10th Battalion, but owing to pressing business obligations he resigned from
active service and is now a member of the Old Guard Albany Zouave Cadets. He
has been an active member of the Capital City Club since 1872 and is now its pres-
ident. In the campaign work of this organization he served as lieutenant under
Capt. A. W. Pray in 1884 and as chief of staff under Captains Albert Judson and
Newcomb Cleveland in 1888 and 1892 respectively. He is also active in Masonic
chcles, being a member of Masters Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton
Council, Temple Commandery, and Cyprus Shrine. He is a member of the Fort
Orange Club and the Benevolent Order of Elks, and was twice elected secretary and
treasurer of the Albany Board of Lumber Dealers. He was manager of the Young
Men's Association for three years under President Richard L. Annesley and served
as its vice-president one term. During Major Manning's term of office Mr. Easton was
a member of the committee that conducted the Columbian celebration in Albany,
leading the third assembly district organization. On January 22, 1895, he was ap-
pointed by Governor Morton superintendent of public buildings of the State of New
York, which position he now holds.
Mr. Easton is a public spirited citizen, and takes a deep interest in all that concerns
the welfare and ulvancement of the community. In politics he has always been an
ardent Republican, and his advice and counsel in party affairs are sought and valued.
Enterprising, progressive, and influential, he worthily represents those sterling
principles of manhood and citizenship his honored father so diligently carried out.
WILLIAM HERRICK GRIFFITH.
William Herrick Griffith was born at Castleton-on-Hudson, Rensselaer County,
N. Y. , 27 January, 1866. He is descended from an illustrious and distinguished
ancestry. His father, the late Edwin Hairy Griffith, a Banker and a man of prom
inent position, born in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., 1 December, 1830, married early in
life Mat r Lou isa Knowlton, daughter of George Washington and Sybil Ann (Rowe)
KnowJton. He was founder of the National Bank of Castleton, to which place he
■
34
removed in 1865, and was officially connected with that institution and prominently
identified with the interests of the place until a year before his death, which occurred
at Albany, N. Y., in May, 1875, upon his return from a sojourn in Denver, Colorado,
whither he had gone for the improvement of his health. His father was Smith
Griffith, of Nassau, N. Y., an elder in the Presbyterian Church at that place, and
who held nearly all the official positions of prominence in the gift of the Town. He
was born 22 February, 1793; died 18 January, 1878; his father being Major Joshua
Griffith, who served with credit in the War* of 1812; and his grandfather, William
Griffith, a Revolutionary Soldier, who was a direct lineal descendant of Llewellyn,
last King of Wales, who was beheaded by the English in 1282, and who was the son
of Griffith, also King of Wales. Lemira Herrick, wife of Smith Griffith, above, and
paternal grandmother of Mr. Griffith, subject of this sketch, was second in lineal
descent from Colonel Rufus Herrick, an officer of the New York State Continental
Line in the Revolutionary War ; seventh in lineal descent from Sir William Herrick,
of Leicester, London, and Beau Manor Park, England, and, eighteenth in lineal
descent from Eric, King of Danes. The arms which she made use of were granted
to Sir William Herrick in the reign of Elizabeth and are described as follows:
"Argent; a fesse vaire, or and gules." — Crest — "A bull's head couped argent, horned
and eared Sable, gorged with achapletof roses ppr." Motto — " Virtus omnia nobili-
tat."
The Griffith arms are the same as those of Griffith of the Royal House of Wales,
of whom the persons of the name already mentioned in this sketch are all lineal
descendants, and therefore entitled to use the arms.
Mr. Griffith's lineal paternal ancestors intermarried with the New England Colonial
families of Paine, Smith, Perrin, Trask, Leonard, Avery, Denison, Stanton, Stark-
weather, Lord, Thompson, Peck, Marvin and Chickering, and the Piatt, WTood and Scud-
der families of Long Island. Of these female lines the Paines, Perrins, Averys, Deni-
sons, Stantons, Lords, Pecks, and Platts possessed and used Coat armor which be-
longed to them by descent from the original armiger. Mr. Griffith's mother, as
mentioned early in this sketch, is Mary Louisa (Knowlton) Griffith. She was born at
Greenbush-on-Hudson, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 26 March, 1833, and is now living in
Albany. She belongs to the Historic New England family of Knowltons, to which
belonged many of the bravest soldiers and illustrious statesmen of the New World.
General Nathaniel Lyon, of Missouri, was a prominent member of this family who
fell in the Civil War, and whose death the nation mourned. Col. Thomas Knowl-
ton, younger brother of Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton, of Connecticut, great-grand-
father of Mrs. Griffith, and whom she represents in the Daughters of the Revolution,
was an intimate friend of George Washington, who in lamenting his untimely death
at the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776 said: " The brave Knowlton has fallen. He
would have been an honor to any country." The State of Connecticut has appre-
ciated and shown honor to his memory by erecting a bronze statue of heroic size
just in front of her State Capitol at Hartford. To this family also belongs Sir Charles
Tupper, the last Prime Minister to Canada. The first of this name to come to America
was Capt. William Knowlton, who early in the seventeenth century sailed from Ches-
wick, England, with his three sons, in his own ship, and landed at Nova Scotia. One
son, John, removed to Ipswich, Mass., and from him are descended the most illustrious
descendants of the name. Mrs. Griffith's father was the late George Washington
35
Knowlton, ninth in descent from Captain William, above, and her mother, Sybil
Ann (Rowe) Knowlton, now living. Mrs. Griffith's paternal and maternal ancestors
intermarried with the New England Colonial families of Farnham, Burton, Ford,
Russell, Pinder, Wilson, Bennett, Allen, Holt, Jewett, Sterling and Freeman, and the
German Palatinate families of Rovve and Winegar. Of these lines the Farnhams,
Fords, Pinders, Aliens, Holts, Sterlings and Freemans possessed and used Coats-of-
arms which had been used in their families for generations. Mary Louisa (Knowlton)
Griffith's arms and those in use by her Knowlton ancestors for generations are regis-
tered as follows in Her Majesty's College of Heraldry and Arms at London under the
name "Knowlton," viz.: "Argent, a chevron gules, between three ducal coronets
sable." Crest — a demi lion rampant ppr. Motto — " Vi et Virtute."
After the death of his father at Albany in 1875, Mr. Griffith (subject of this sketch)
entered the Albany Academy, which he left (after also receiving private instruction
from a private tutor, Rev. Charles H. W. Stocking, D. D.), to enter Yale College in
the Fall of 1886. He was unable to complete the Classical Course, owing to ill health.
Upon leaving College he traveled extensively throughout England, Scotland, Ger-
many, Holland, Belgium, Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, making his sojourn
in these countries an occasion to study continental customs. While abroad he con-
tributed many articles and papers bearing upon archaeology and the life and customs
of the nations of the Old World to American journalism. Many of these articles were
published in American papers, chiefly the "New York Home Journal." Upon his
return to Albany Mr. Griffith accepted a responsible position in the First National
Bank of that city, which he occupied for six years, finally tendering his resignation as
Bank Bookkeeper to embark for himself in the Fire Insurance business, in which
occupation he is now actively engaged, representing the " United States Fire Insur-
rance Company, of New York,' and "The Royal of Liverpool." His office is at No.
37 Maiden Lane.
Mr. Griffith is an enthusiast upon and deeply interested in all matters of History
and Genealogy, and has done much to farther their interests in his native City. He
is an active, working official of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution,
and to him is due in a great measure its success and prosperity. As its treasurer and
secretary he has been one of the few who have by their efforts made it the successful,
prosperous and conservative organization it has lately become. He is also identified
as Registrar-General and Genealogist with the oldest, most conservative, hereditary
order in the United States known as " The Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order
of Knights of Albion." This order was instituted by Sir Edmund Plowden, of
Delaware and Virginia, in 1043. It became dormant just before 1700, but has lately
been revived, and is about to be legally incorporated. It already promises to be the
most conservative hereditary male order of American origin. Mr. Griffith is con-
stantly engaged in genealogical and historical work of some sort, being employed at
present in compiling a Genealogy of the Knowlton and Griffith Families, besides
many papers and articles which he contributes now and then to the various Historical,
Hereditary and Literary Societies and Orders in which he enjoys active member-
ship.
He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Knowlton Association in America, one of the
largest and most powerful family organizations in the country; secretary of Philip
Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution ; is a resident and active member of the
Albany Historical and Art Society, The Albany Institute, and The New England
Historic Genealogical Society of Boston ; and a Corresponding Member of the Con-
necticut Historical Society. He is also an hereditary member of nearly all the
patriotic hereditary orders, representing in each the following ancestors:
Order of the Cincinnati, Lieut. Daniel Knowlton.
Sons of the Revolutioon, and Sons of 'the American Revolution, Col. Rufus
Herrick, Captain Israel Piatt, Lieut. Daniel Knowlton, Major Robert Freeman,
Sergt. John Freeman, Private Wm. Griffith.
Society of the War of 1812, Major Joshua Griffith.
Society of Colonial Wars, Capt. George Denison, Capt. John Denison, Capt.
James Avery, Capt. John Stanton, Capt. Epenetus Piatt, Sergeant Daniel Knowlton,
Stephen Paine, Thomas Stanton, John Pinder, Joseph Ford, Bozoan Allen, Samuel
Leonard and Stephen Herrick.
Order of the Old Guard of Chicago, New York Commandery, Colonel Herrick,
Captain Denison, and Major Griffith.
Order of Founders and Patriots, John Knowlton, 1839; Lieut. Daniel Knowlton,
1776.
Mr. Griffith is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having been raised to the
degree of Master Mason in Masters Lodge No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, at
Albany, 8 October, 1895. In religious belief he is a Protestant Episcopalian, being
a communicant of All Saints' Cathedral, Albany, in charge of Rt. Rev. William
Croswell Doane, D.D., S.T.D., Bishop of Albany.
Mr. Griffith was married, 3 February, 1892, to Miss Grace Elizabeth Clute, daugh-
ter of Hon. Matthew Henry Robertson, Deputy Superintendent of Insurance of
New York, and Elizabeth (Clute) Robertson, his wife. He has one child, a daughter,
Margaret Frances Griffith, born 27 December, 1892.
JOSEPH LEWI, M. D.
Joseph Lewi, M. D., who has been in active practice in Albany since 1848 was
born in Radnitz, Austria, August 17, 1820. His parents, Elias and Rosa (Resek),
were born in the same place. He was one of a large family of children and while
he attended the preparatory schools at Pilsen, helped to defray the expenses of his
education by teaching. From the Gymnasium or High School in Pilsen he went to
the academy at Prague where he took the higher classical course and began the
study of medicine. In order to be near and have the advantages of the larger
clinics, laboratories and medical museums and of the more thorough school, he went
to the Vienna University where he continued his studies under the guidance of the
great men of that time, among whom were: Rokitanski, Hebra, Schuh, Hyrtl, Op-
polzer, Skoda, Rosas, and other authorities. He was an industrious and conscien-
tious student and a hard worker in the calling of his choice, but not to the exclusion
of literature, music and the classics towards which he always had a leaning, and in
the company of Solomon Mosenthal, Leopold Kompert and Moritz Hartmann, who
were his intimate friends and who all became famous in the world of letters, he
found ample opportunity to cultivate and to develop his literary tastes. After being
:;;
graduated he returned to his native town where he practiced his profession about
one year, and then at the outbreak of the March revolution with which he was in
sympathy, but the success of which he doubted, he came to America hoping to find
in the great republic of the West a better and more congenial field for his knowl-
edge, and knowing that in the republic he would not be brought face to face continu-
ally with the despotism and intolerance which were characteristic of the Austria of
that day.
Dr. Lewi came to Albany at once on his arrival in America and has been a resi-
dent of the city ever since. He soon acquired a large practice, a high standing in
the medical profession and the respect of the community, and while his knowledge
as a physician secured for him his large practice and place among his professional
brethren, his literary merits made him a delightful companion and his patriotism a
model citizen. Coming from a country in which prejudice and intolerance, reigned
and where a spirit of darkness precluded a better state of affairs, he, like all the bet-
ter class of immigrants of that day, was naturally appreciative of the democratic
institutions of the United States. He looked upon slavery as the national shame
and even before he became a citizen he raised his voice in opposition to the institu-
tion. Hejoined the forces which were led by Greeley, Beecher and Garrison, helped
to rock the cradle of the Republican party and cast his first vote in a general elec-
tion for the Fremont and Dayton electors, and he takes much pride now in saying
that he has voted for every Republican candidate from Fremont to McKinley.
When the Civil war broke out the surgeon-general appointed a commission consist-
ing of Drs. Thomas Hun, Alden March and Mason F. Cogswell to examine physicians
for the volunteer service, to which commission Dr. Lewi was made an adjunct mem-
ber, and when in the dark days of the Rebellion the armed enemies in the field ex-
pected aid and assistance from their sympathizers in the North he became one of the
organizers of the United League.
Dr. Lewi is an ex-president of the Albany County Medical Society and the senior
member of the Board of Censors of the State Medical Society. He has devoted much
time to the Albany Hospital on the staff of which he is still consulting physician.
He never aspired to public office but accepted the position of member of the Board
of Public Instructions for a term of three years. He served in the position with
characteristic conscientiousness and was returned as his own successor three times,
and after a service of twelve years declined a nomination.
He was married in New York city in 1849 to Miss Bertha Schwarz of Hesse Cassel,
the daughter of Josepeh Emanuel Schwarz, a theologian and composer of sacred
music. Mrs. Lewi is an ideal woman, a model wife and mother. Fourteen children
blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Lewi, of whom nine are married. Of the six
sons, two have followed their father's profession. One, Dr. Maurice J., practices in
New York and is the secretary of the State Board of Medical Examiners, and the
youngest, Dr. William G., is in practice in Albany where he is a member of the
Albany Hospital staff and a lecturer in the Medical College. One son, Theodore
J., is a pharmacist; Isidor is a writer on the staff of The New York Tribune, and
Edward J, and' Franklin L. are in business. Of the eight daughters the oldest, Wil-
helmine, married Dr. Herman Bendell, who was a student in Dr. Lewi's office, and
Martha Washington married Dr. Alois Donhauser, who was a graduate of the
38
Albany Medical College and died in Albany while in charge of the United States
Signal Service in that city.
GEN. FREDERICK TOWNSEND.
Gen. Frbderick Townsend, son of Isaiah and Hannah (Tovvnsend)Townsend, was
born in Albany on the 21st of September, 1825. The original ancestor of this branch
of the family in America was Henry Townsend, who, with his wife, Annie Coles,
and two brothers, John and Richard, came from Norfolk, England, to Massachusetts
about 1640. Soon afterward they were among the earliest settlers of Flushing, Long
Island, where a patent was granted to John Townsend and others by Governor
Kieft in 1645. Political and religious difficulties with the old Dutch governor, Peter
Stuyvesant, soon forced the Townsends to remove to Warwick, R. I., where they all
held municipal office and became members of the provincial assembly. In 1656 they
obtained, with others, the patent of Rustdorp, now Jamaica, and once more attempted
a settlement on Long Island, but in the following year Henry, a leading spirit in the
colony, was arrested, imprisoned and fined "one hundred pounds Flanders" for
harboring Quakers in his house — an act which illustrates the persecution borne in
those days by the denomination of Friends. This unjust treatment caused Henry
Townsend and his brothers to remove in 1657 to Oyster Bay, L. I., then only par-
tially in the jurisdiction of New Amsterdam. Here Henry died in 1695. General
Townsend's maternal great-great-great-grandfather, James Townsend, was deputy
surveyor-general of the province. His great-grandfather, Samuel Townsend, was
actively engaged in the English and West India trade until the war of the Revolu-
tion, and had also served in the Provincial Congress in 1775. At the close of the
war he resumed his seat and continued in public life until his death in 1790. He was
also a State senator and a member of the first Council of Appointment under the con-
stitution of 1789. In 1776 he was one of fourteen members of the Fourth Provincial
Congress appointed " to prepare a form of government for the State." This com-
mittee reported March 12, 1777, and on April 20, the first constitution of the State of
New York was adopted. General Townsend's maternal grandfather, Solomon Town-
send, conducted a large iron business in New York city, having extensive iron works
at Chester, Orange county, and Peconic River, Suffolk county. He served several
terms in the State Legislature, being a member thereof at the time of his death in
1811. The general's paternal grandfather was Henry Townsend of Cornwall, N.
Y., who married Mary Bennet, and died in 1815. Isaiah Townsend, son of Henry,
was a prominent merchant of Albany, where he died in 1838, aged sixty-one. He
married his cousin, Hannah Townsend, of New York city.
Gen. Frederick Townsend first attended a private infant school m Albany and
afterward the Boys' Academy. Later he was sent to Bartlett's Collegiate School at
Poughkeepsie for two years, and at the early age of fifteen entered Union College,
from which he was graduated in 1844. He then read law in the office of John V. L.
Pruyn and Henry H. Martin (Pruyn & Martin) in Albany, and was admitted to the
bar at the general term of the Supreme Court in this city in 1849. After completing
his studies he spent several years in travel, visiting first the gold fields of California
30
and other places in this country and then going to Europe. In 1854 he returned
home and in 1856 began the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of
Townsend, Jackson & Strong. He also turned his attention toward another sphere
of usefulness. He had long manifested a strong attchment for military science, for
which he had a natural taste. Mastering the general details he became an author-
ity on military tactics. He was made captain of Co. B, Washington Continentals.
He also organized and became colonel of the 76th Regiment of Militia, and later was
captain of the Albany Zouave Cadets (Co. A, 10th Battalion, N. G.). With consum-
mate skill he successfully placed these organizations upon a high plane of efficiency
and discipline1 and no man was more respected or esteemed. In the year 1857 he
was appointed by Gov. John A. King adjutant-general of the State of New York.
At this time the old militia system of the State had, with few exceptions become
wholly disorganized and useless. General Townsend immediately set about its re-
organization, infused new life and vigor in the regiments, and successfully raised the
system to a degree of efficiency worthy of the Empire State. In his first annual
report, the first one prepared in many years, he made recommendations to the com-
mander-in-chief which were speedily put into practice. In 1859 he was reappointed
by Gov. Edwin D. Morgan, and continued to give his undivided attention to the
great work he had so faithfully inaugurated. In 1861 he promptly tendered his ser-
vices to his country, and in May was commissioned colonel of the 3d N. Y. Vols.,
which he organized, and which he gallantly commanded on the battlefield of Big
Bethel on June 10. On August 19 he was appointed by President Lincoln a major of
the 8th U. S. Inf., one of three new battalion regiments of the regular army, and
was assigned to duty in the West, where he joined the forces under General Buell
and later those under General Rosencrans. He commanded his troops in the recon-
noissance at Lick Creek (or Pea Ridge), Miss., April 26, 1862, at the siege of Corinth
on April 30, and in the occupation thereof on May 30. On October 6 he was in the
advance of the Third Corps, Army of the Ohio, driving the rebel rear guard from
Springfield to near Texas, Ky. He also participated in the battle of Perryville or
Chaplin Hill, Ky., October 8. After the first day of the battle at Stone River, Tenn.,
from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, he was placed in command of the left
wing of the regular brigade, all his senior officers having been shot except his brigade
commander. He was also in the affair of Eagleville, Tenn., March 2, 1863. In all
these various engagements he displayed great bravery and heroism, and was suc-
cessively brevetted lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general in the regular
army. In May, 1863, he was detailed as acting assistant provost marshal-general at
Albany, where he remained until the close of the war, being promoted in 1864 lieu-
tenant-colonel of the 9th U. S. Inf. Obtaining a leave of absence he again visited
Europe, and returning in 1867 was ordered to California and placed on the staff of
General McDowell as acting assistant inspector-general of the department, in which
capacity he inspected all the government posts in Arizona. In 1868 he resigned his
commission and returned to Albany, where he has since resided.
General Townsend has been a director of the New York State National Bank and
of the Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike Company since 1864; a trustee of the Albany
Orphan Asylum since 1879; a trustee of the Dudley Observatory since April 22, 1880;
and a trustee of the Albany Academy since May 11, 1886. He was a trustee of Vas-
sar College from June 27, 1876, until November 28, 1892, and of Union College from
40
July 17, 1876, to July, 1887, resigning each position on account of a pressure of other
duties. In all these capacities his services have been of great value, not only in the
line of business management, but in the equally important sphere of progress and
moral elevation.
In 1878 he was elected brigadier-general of the 9th Brigade N. Y. S. N. G., which
post he resigned to accept the appointment by Governor Cornell of adjutant-general
of the State of New York, an office he had formerly filled with such remarkable
ability and efficiency. Again turning his attention to the development of the State
military system he inaugurated and successfully established a number of improve-
ments which to this day are in active use. Among the important measures which
he organized and perfected was the " camp of instruction " at Peekskill, N. Y. This
worthy enterprise was originated, inaugurated, developed, established, and organized
in detail by him, and to him is due the sole honor of its present existence. He formu-
lated and carried out the idea, personally directed and supervised the movement from
its incipiency to its actual and final establishment, and was the chief guardian and de-
veloper of its earlier welfare. He also provided the present service dress uniform
for all the troops in the State. These and other innovations in the militia were car-
ried out and perfected by him against strong opposition and in the face of many
difficulties, but the wisdom of his judgment and foresight has often been vindicated
in the efficiency of the National Guard on occasions of riot and disorder. The prin-
ciples inaugurated and laid down by him are now the mainstay of the various militia
organizations of the Empire State.
General Townsend is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Society
of the Army of the Cumberland, and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the
United States, and Society of the Sonsof the Revolution. In 1880 he was nominated
by the Republicans and elected presidential elector, and as a member of the Electoral
College cast his vote for James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur for president and
vice-president. He has never taken an active part in politics, though often urged to
do so, but he has been distinctively a military man, imbued with the highest sense
of patriotism and the loftiest principles of a soldier.
November 19, 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah, only daughter of the late Joel
Rathbone, a prominent merchant and banker of Albany. They have two children:
Sarah Rathbone Townsend, the wife of Gerrit Y. Lansing, of Albany, and Frederick
Townsend, jr., who was graduated from Harvard College in 1893 and is now a stu-
dent at the Cambridge Law School, class of 1897.
GEORGE L. STEDMAN.
Geor<;e Lavatkr Stedman descends on his father's side from Thomas Stedman,
who settled in New London, Conn., in 1649. One of his ancestors, while command-
ing a company of dragoons, was killed in the Pequot war. His father, John Porter
Stedman, who married Thais Hooker, was a prominent manufacturer and banker of
Southbridge, Mass., where he served as assessor, selectman, etc. The Hookers de-
scended from Thomas Hooker of Hartford, Conn. , and one of the line, Amos Hooker,
grandfather of Mr. Stedman's mother, died in the Revolutionary army in the siege
41
around Boston. Mr. Stedman's mother was a direct descendant of Kenelm Winslow
of the Plymouth Colony. George L. Stedman, born in Southbridge, Mass., Novem-
ber 3, 1831, was graduated from Brown University in 1856, came to Albany the same
year, attended the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He
read law with Shepard & Bancroft, and after the dissolution of the firm was asso-
ciated with S. O. Shepard many years. He was later a partner with Osgood H.
Shepard until January, 1885, and then with David A. Thompson and Arthur L.
Andrews till January 1, 1890, his sou George W. also becoming a member of the
latter firm in December, 1887. January 1, 1896, Mr. Stedman and his son formed
the present firm of Stedman & Stedman. Mr. Stedman was the nominee on the
Republican ticket for State senator and in 1893 for delegate to the State Constitu-
tional Convention, but was defeated by small majorities. He has taken a very active
interest in the affairs of the town of Colonie, where he has lived many years and
drafted the law by which the town was separated from Watervliet and has since
been its legal adviser. Upon the separation the committee in charge of the matter
suggested several names for the new town, but finally left it to the pleasure of Mr.
Stedman to name the new town, which he did; giving it the present name of Colonie.
He is president of the New York Baptist Union for Ministerial Education (the legal
body of the Rochester Theological Seminary) and the Hudson River Baptist Asso-
ciation north, a trustee of Colgate University and Emmanuel Baptist church of Al-
bany, and prominent in Baptist circles. In 1863 he married Adda, daughter of the
late George A. Woolverton, of Albany, and they have four sons: George Woolver-
ton, Frank White (see sketch elesewhere in this volume), John Porter and Charles
Summer. George W. Stedman, born in Albany, September 9, 1864, was graduated
from the Albany Academy in 1882 and from Rochester University in 1885 (is presi-
dent of his class), read law with Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, and was graduated
from the Albany Law School with first honors and admitted to the bar in 1887.
Since December. 1887, he has been associated in practice with his father. Ou the
formation of the town of Colonie (June 7, 1895), he became a justice of the peace
and a member of the town board. He is a trustee of Colgate University and was
the first president of the Alumni of the Albany Academy, an office he has held
since its formation in 1895. John Porter Stedman, born in Watervliet (now
Colonie) April 7, 1872, was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1890, and has
sitae been interested with his brother, Frank W., in the coal business. Charles S.
Stedman was born in Colonie, November 6, 1874, was graduated from the Albany
Academy in 1892 and from Brown University in 189G, and is now a law student with
his father and brother. While at Brown University he was editor-in-chief of the
Brown Daily Herald and a correspondent of the Boston Globe and Albany Journal.
These sons have a peculiar relation to the war of the Revolution, for while Silvanus
Wilcox, the great -great-grandfather of these four brothers, was participating in the
battle of Saratoga, his son, afterward known as General Wilqox, their great-grand-
father, was in the battle of Oriskany.
r
42
GEORGE ROGERS HOWELL.
George Rogers Howell, State archivist, was born in the town of Southampton,
Long Island, N.Y., June 15, 1833, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Rogers) Howell,
highly respected citizens of that place. The first American ancestor of the family
was Edward Howell, of Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire, England, who came to
Boston with his family in 1639 and soon afterward became one of the earliest settlers
of Southampton, the first town settled by the English in the State of New York.
The old stone manor house of Edward Howell is still standing at Marsh Gibbon and
inhabited as a residence.
Professor Howell first attended the district school and the Southampton Academy,
and very early manifested a great love for books and a strong desire to master vari-
ous languages. In 1851 he entered the sophmore class of Yale College, then under
the presidency of T*heodore Woolsey, D.D.. and was graduated from that institution
with honor in 1854. He then spent several years in teaching in academies, but con-
tinued in private those studies which proved most congenial, especially the sciences
and languages. Deciding finally upon the ministry he matriculated in September,
1861, at Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1864.
For about two years he was engaged in ministerial work in Western New York. An
incident now occurred which turned his attention to more purely literary pursuits.
The 225th anniversary of the settlement of Southampton was to celebrate in 1865,
and Mr. Howell, who had already gained a high scholarly reputation, was invited
by his townsmen to deliver the address on that occasion, to which he consented.
This effort was so well received that in 1866 it was enlarged and printed under the
title of " The Early History of Southampton, Long Island, with Genealogies." A
second edition, of 473 pages, was published at Albany in 1887. In 1865, on the
recommendation of Dr. Macauley, of Philadelphia, Mr. Howell was offered a profes-
sorship of Latin or Greek in a college in Iowa, but his engagements compelled him
to decline. As a further inducement to obtain his scholarship in the West the presi-
dency of the same college was offered and declined for the same reason. In 1872,
on the suggestion of Dr. S. B. Woolworth, he was engaged, on account of his lin-
guistic attainments, as assistant librarian in the New York State Library at Albany,
and during the illness and on the death of Dr. Homes in November, 1887, he was
acting librarian of the general library. His connection with this immense collection
of books embraces a period of nearly twenty-five years. He possesses acknowledged
ability in classification, cataloguing, and arrangement, a most intimate knowledge
of books in all departments, and a rare discrimination in selecting suitable or desira-
ble volumes. He has been also for several years secretary of the Albany Institute,
before which he has read many able papers on scientific subjects, some of which have
been published in the " Transactions."
Professor Howell was married on the 18th of August, 1868, to Miss Mary Catherine
Seymour, daughter of Norman and Frances Hale (Metcalf) Seymour, ofvMount Mor-
ris, N. Y. They had one son, George Seymour Howell, who died at the close of his
junior year in Harvard University, in March, 1891.
W. HOWARD BROWN,
4:;
W. HOWARD BROWN.
W. Howard Brown, son of Rev. Samuel R. Brown, D. D., was born in New York
city April 27, 1852, and descends from one of the old and prominent families of Con-
necticut. Dr. Brown, born in East Windsor, Conn., in 1812, was graduated from
Vale College about 1833 and subsequently from the New York Theological Seminary,
and was sent to Macoa and later to Hong Kong, China, under the British Morrison
Educational Society. He remained there through all the dangers of the opium war,
and brought home with him four Chinese boys, all of whom were graduated from
Yale College and became, respectively, a Chinese minister at Washington, president
of a large fleet of Chinese merchant steamers, Chinese consul-general at San Fran-
cisco, and a practicing physician in Canton. The latter was a graduate of a medical
college in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the only native Chinese who ever practiced
medicine among Europeans in the Orient. About 1859 Dr. Brown went to Kana-
gawa, Japan, under the auspices of the Reformed Church Mission, and was the first
chaplain of the American Legation in that country, the ports of which had just been
opened to foreigners. He held this position for several years, and was also president
of the Asiatic Society. He was the first to institute government schools in Japan,
was chairman of the committee which translated the Bible into the Japanese lan-
guage, and remained until he became the oldest European in that country. Return-
ing to Orange, N. J., in 1878, he died in June, 1879, while on his way to attend a
reunion of his class at Yale College. He married Miss Elizabeth Goodwin Bartlett,
daughter of Rev. Shubael Bartlett, for fifty years a Congregational minister at Scan-
tic, Conn. She died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890, leaving four children: Julia M.,
born in Macoa, China, now of Yokohama, Japan, the wife of J. Frederick Lowder,
chief interpreter and stepson of Sir Rutherford Alcock ; Robert Morrison Brown, burn
in Hong Kong, China, and now of New York city; W. Howard Brown, of Albany;
and Harriet W., wife of Judge Samuel E. Williamson, of Cleveland, Ohio.
W. Howard Brown received his earlier education in Yokohama, Japan, where he
became a fluent Japanese scholar as well as a thorough student of the English
branches. While there he was for six months a guest of the captain of the British
fleet engaged in making the admiralty charts of the coast of Japan. His residence
in that enterprising country, with its Oriental customs and traditions, made a lasting
impression upon his youthful mind and was productive of much good. Returning
to America he finished his studies in the preparatory school for Yale College at Hart-
ford, Conn., and then became the first interpreter to the officers of the Japanese
prince, Satsuma, who were sent to the United States for the purpose of studying the
English language and American customs and institutions. It was in this capacity
that Mi*. Brown's early training in Japan proved both useful and profitable. In Is 76
he engaged in mercantile business in Albany and continued successfully for three
years. In 1879, having directed his attention to the field of life insurance, be was
made the manager of the Albany district of the Travelers Insurance Company, of
Hartford, Conn., which position he has since filled with great credit and ability.
Mr. Brown has also been prominent in military affairs, in which he has long taken a
deep interest. He joined the Tenth Regiment N. Y. N. Q. in 1868 and served as
private, corporal, and sergeant for twelve years. Later he passed successfully the
competitive examinations for promotion to tirst lieutenant and quartermaster of the
14
battalion, which office he now holds. He is a director in the Marshall & Wendell
Piano Forte Manufacturing Company (limited), has been prominent in the Young
Men's Christian Association, and was for several years an officer and member of the
First and Second Reformed churches and their Sunday schools, and is now a mem-
ber of the last named church. In politics he is a Republican. He is vice-president
of the Albany Musical Society, and a member of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.,
Capital City Chapter, No. 242, R. A. M., and Temple Commandery, No. 2, K. T.
In 1879 Mr. Brown was married, first, to Miss Saraphine de K. Townsend, of New
York city, who died in 1888, leaving one son, Samuel R. He married, second, in
November, 1895, Miss Kate Westcott Rider, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
BENJAMIN W. WOOSTER.
Benjamin W. Wooster was born in Albany county on the 24th of March, 1820, and
is a son of David and Polly (Woodbury)Wooster, who came from New Hampshire to
the county of Albany in 1816. He was liberally endowed with those traits of perse-
verance and thrift which characterized the sons of New England parentage, and
after receiving a good common school education became an apprentice at cabinet
making, at which he served faithfully for four years, and for which he had strong
natural tastes. His parents' limited means forced him in early youth upon his own
resources, but with a determination at once rare and commendable he rapidly
acquired great skill and won approval from all who knew him. Finishing his ap-
prenticeship in 1843 he opened a small store in South Pearl street, Albany, where his
close attention to business, his pluck, industry, and honorable dealing, and the ex-
cellent style and finish of his manufactured goods brought him success and substan-
tial prosperity. Here he prosecuted a constantly increasing business for eight years,
or until 1851, when he erected a four-story building at Nos. 57 and 59 South Pearl
street to accommodate the growing demands of his trade. He enlarged the capacity
of this structure from time to time, conducted his cabinet-making business with
marked success, established a wide reputation as a manufacturer of the highest class
of work, and devoted his energies and his mechanical skill to building up a trade
not only in this section but in many of the Eastern States. He attained what he set
out as a youth to accomplish, a foremost place as a manufacturer of artistic house-
hold furniture. His work has always been noted for its beauty, durability, and
ornamental design, and numerous specimens of it have for many years graced the
finest homes, hotels, banks, offices, etc., in this as well as in other localities. His
estublishment has long been the leading one in the furniture trade of Albany, where
his active life has been spent. As a designer and decorator of private and public
buildings Mr. Wooster has won the highest reputation, which is due largely to his
love of the, beautiful in art, his excellent judgment in appropriate and harmonious
ornamentation, his long experience as a manufacturer, and his careful and constant
oversight of his work. In July, 1889, he occupied the present handsome store at
Nos. 36 and 38 North Pearl street, which was built by him for the sole use of the
business.
While Mr. Wooster has devoted his time chiefly to his private business interests
B. W. WOOSTER.
45
he has nevertheless taken an active part in furthering the material welfare of the
city of Albauy and is prominently identified with its growth and prosperity. As a
citizen he has always been progressive, sustaining every movement which promised
general benefit. He was one of the founders in 1871 of the Albany County Bank
and became its vice-president, a position he held for seven years, or until 1878, when
he was elected president. He served in this capacity till 1891, when he resigned,
leaving the institution as it now stands — one of the best, soundest, and most useful
in the city. During his administration as president a savings bank became neces-
sary to the other financial developments and was added, and the result of this move
is a flourishing savings department with deposits aggregating over 8400,000. The
Albany County Bank was originally quartered in the old Tweddle Hall, where it
was burned out. The board of directors then purchased the site and erected the
present handsome bank building on the corner of State and South Pearl streets,
where for over 200 years stood the historic Staats house, one of the earliest Dutch
dwellings in Albany and the last to disappear. Many other offices of honor and
trust have been offered to Mr. Wooster, but he has declined them, prefering to give
his whole attention to his large furniture business, in which he has attained the
highest degree of success. In 1878 he erected a handsome brick residence on the
corner of State street and Western avenue, fronting Washington Park, and most
beautifully furnished its interior with furniture of his own designing.
Mr. Wooster was married, first, in 1845, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Levi Steele.
Albany, who died in the fall of 1860, leaving two daughters. In 1852 he married,
second, Miss Katharine M., daughter of the late Thomas Wright, of Elmira, N. Y.,
and they have had six children, of whom four are living.
SAMUEL L. MUNSOX.
Samuel Lyman Munson descends, paternally and maternally, from the purest and
earliest Puritan stock, his father's family settling in New Haven and his mother's,
the Lymans, in Hartford, Conn., where they lived for several generations. His first
American ancestor, Thomas Munson, came, it is supposed, from England in 1621,
and was one of the founders of the New Haven colony. Mr. Munson's father, Garrv
Munson, of the eighth generation in this country from the pioneer Thomas, was a
man of noble impulses, of remarkable industry, and of very considerable ability.
He held several public offices, was a farmer, a wool dealer, and a manufacturer, and
imparted to his children those sterling traits of character which have distinguished
the family name. He married Harriet Lyman, a lineal descendant of Richard
Lyman, another Puritan who, as early as 1635, was one of the little band that left
Boston and founded the present city of Hartford, Conn. Her father, Samuel Lyman,
was a colonel stationed at Boston in the war of 1812.
Samuel L. Munson was born in Norwich (now Huntington), Mass., June 1), 1844,
was reared on the parental farm, and received his rudimentary education in the
common schools of Huntington. When twelve years of age he entered Williston
Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., where he pursued his studies for three years. He
then became a clerk in a large dry goods store in Boston, but after an experience of
46
two years in mercantile life he was compelled on account of his health to return to
the farm. In 1863 he came to Albany and obtained a situation as commercial trav-
eler for Wickes & Strong, manufacturers of clothing, his territory lying principally
in the West. In 1867 he resigned this position, in which he had met with unusual
success, and forming a copartnership with J. A. Richardson and L. R. Dwight,
under the firm name of Munson, Richardson & Co., established a linen collar man-
ufactory, of which he became sole proprietor in 1869. Through Mr. Munson's able
business management this enterprise proved successful from the start. It was
founded upon a modest scale, but by rapid strides increased to immense proportions,
and within a few years larger and more convenient accommodations became neces-
sary. In 1884 he purchased the old Hudson Avenue Methodist church, which he re-
modeled and enlarged for the manufacture of shirts, collars, cuffs, lace neckwear,
etc. This building, which was opened and occupied by the business on December
21, 1885, is 140 by 68 feet and five stories high, and is equipped with the best ma-
chinery and conveniences. Between 400 and 500 persons are employed, and the
goods find a sale in almost every State in the Union as well as abroad. This was
among the first industries of the kind started in Albany, and has grown until it is
now one of the largest and most successful in the State, employing a thousand per-
sons. In 1889 he erected another shirt factory at Cobleskill, N. Y.
Mr. Munson is a representative business man. He is a trustee and secretary of
the Home Savings Bank, a trustee and chairman of the committee on manufactures
of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, the original treasurer of The Pure Baking
Powder Company, a trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed church, and formerly
a director of the National Exchange Bank. He is a member of the Sons of the
Revolution, through his great-grandfather, Stephen Munson; a life member of the
New England Society; and a member of the Fort Orange Club of Albany and the
Colonial and Republican Clubs of New York. He is also prominently identified
with several literary, Masonic, athletic, and social organizations of Albany, is a great
lover of literature and collector of books, and has traveled quite extensively.
In 1868 Mr. Munson was married to Miss Susan B., daughter of Lemuel J. Hop-
kins, of Albany, and they have four sons and two daughters: Harriet Lyman, Ed-
ward Garry. Paul Babcock, Samuel Lyman, jr.. Amy Treadwell, and Robert. The
eldest son is associated with his father in business, the second is a member of the
class of 1897 of Yale University, and the third, Samuel L., jr., is a student at Harvard
University, class of 1900.
BENJAMIN MARSH.
Benjamin Marsh, son of Seymour and Mary (Gage) Marsh, of Oxford, N. H., was
born in Palatine Bridge, N. Y.. on the 10th of February, 1817. He inherited many
sterling characteristics and received in early life a good common school education,
and the excellent qualities with which he was endowed were used for noble and use-
ful ends. In 1832, when a lad of fifteen, he came to Albany and entered the employ
of Chauncey Johnson, one of the leading jewelers and watchmakers of the city on
what was then South Market street, now Broadway. In 1838 he commenced business
"T:
A
T. HOWARD LEWIS.
47
for himself at the old location, which is now the printing house of J. Van Benthuv-
sen, and subsequently moved to Douw's building, where he finally sold out to Henry
Rowlands. About 1880 he resumed business at Nos. 79 and 81 North Pearl street,
taking as his partner Frederick W. Hoffman, under the firm name of Marsh & Hoff-
man. Here Mr. Marsh continued in the jewelry, watch and diamond trade until his
death on March 28, 1896, when he was succeeded by Mr. Hoffman.
Mr. Marsh was one of the leading jewelers and representative business men of
Albany, and throughout a long and successful career won the respect and confidence
of his fellow citizens. His character, his integrity, and his business reputation were
unsullied and above criticism. He was public spirited, kind, generous, and benevo-
lent, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. In his home and among his
family he found his greatest enjoyment, and it was there that his best characteristics
were displayed. He was first and last an honest man, a simple but noble citizen,
and a friend whom every one revered. He was one of the oldest members of the
Burgesses Corps, serving under Captain Bayeaux in the anti renters' little disturb-
ance in the Helderbergs. He was also an exempt fireman, a member of Temple
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and one of the founders of the Jagger Iron Companv. of
Albany. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican, but never accepted
public office, though often urged to do so.
( )n October 5, 1848, Mr. Marsh was married to Miss Ruth Picket Camp, of Dur-
ham, Conn., who died April 20, 1896, three weeks after the death of her husband.
They are survived by four children.
, T. HOWARD LEWIS.
In this brief summary of points in the career of T. Howard Lewis, general agent
at Albany of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, it should be said,
as excuse for any omission, that a biography of more pretension could best convey
the lesson of his life of industry and intelligent management, which is full of instruc-
tion to all. His career, though only fairly begun, shows that honesty, capacity, and
power to " hustle" receive their reward at last, and in good measure. For the past
twelve years he has been associated with the Mutual Life, and during that time has
displayed much wisdom in the management of his affairs.
Mr. Lewis was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 6, 1869, and received Ins edu-
cation in the schools of that city. Being desirous of entering commercial life he
secured an appointment from the home office of the company in 1885, when but fif-
teen years of age. His first duties consisted of running errands for the various
departments of the company. He was advanced from time to time to various posi-
tions in the company's service, and on January 1, 1898, at the age of twenty-three,
was appointed a general agent of the company for Delaware, Virginia, and Eastern
Maryland, with headquarters at Wilmington, Delaware. The Mutual Life never
had a general agent in that territory before, and of his work in 1898 and 1894 the
statistician of the company published in a report the following flattering statement
relative to his efforts in that field for those two years:
'•The Mutual Life record in Delaware under the the agency of T Howard Lewis
48
is another illustration of what can be accomplished in the life insurance field by en-
ergetic, intelligent, and faithful attention to the business of getting applications
through competent solicitors. In two years the new business done has been increased
to more than ten times as much as it was in 1892, while the insurance in force has
been more than doubled. In 1894 the insurance issued was $1,944,500, and in 1892 it
was §174,500. Thus the gain of issue in two years was $1,770,000. December 31,
1894, the insurance in force was $2,730,000; in 1892 it was $1,266,360. The gain of
insurance in two years was $1,464,540.
"There are several interesting lessons connected with the Mutual Life's agency
work in Delaware during the last two years that ought to be observed and utilized
at this time. In 1892 this company did only nine per cent, of the total done by all
the companies operating in the State ; and the Equitable and New York Life both
did a larger amount than the Mutual Life. In 1894 the Mutual Life did fifty-two per
cent, of the total, twice as much as the Equitable, and six times as much as the New
York Life. In 1892 the Mutual Life had only 16.5 per cent, of all the insurance in
force in the State, and stood number four in the list of twenty companies, the Equi-
table, the Penn Mutual, and the Provident Life and Trust being ahead. But in 1894
it was raised to the head of the list and held twenty-seven per cent, of the total in
all companies, it being ahead of the Equitable by $600,000, of the Penn Mutual by
nearly $1,200,000, of the Provident Life and Trust by $1,300,000, and of the New
York Life by $1,900,000. This business was obtained by legitimate soliciting meth-
ods and push, and without controversy with other companies. The total new busi-
ness done in the State was increased by $1,800,00 in two years, of which increase
the Mutual Life secured ninety-eight per cent. The total insurance in force in all
companies was increased by nearly $2,500,000, of which the Mutual Life secured
three-fifths, and the balance was distributed among the smaller companies."
This remarkably large volume of business written in such a limited field resulted
in the transfer of Mr. Lewis to a larger one in New York State, with headquarters in
Albany, in January, 1895. He succeeded the old agencies of D. L. Boardman &
Son and afterward Henry F. Boardman. This general agency is one of the oldest
of the company, and since assuming charge of his new territory Mr. Lewis wrote
during the year 1895 more than four times the amount of business written in 1894.
This ratio has been proportionately increased during 1896. He has a large staff of
special and local agents, and maintains a branch office in Troy, besides offices in
smaller cities and towns throughout Eastern and Northwestern New York.
Mr. Lewis was married in April, 1895, to Miss Jennie B. Lindsay, of Wilmington,
Delaware, daughter of David Lindsay, who is prominently identified with the large
paper manufactory of the Jessup & Moore Paper Company, of Wilmington, New
York, and Pniladelphia. >
WILLIAM M. NEAD, M. D.
Dr. William M. Nead is the second son of a family of three sons and two daugh-
ters of Gabriel and Mary (Eckerman) Nead, both natives of Pennsylvania, and was
born in the town of Lodi, Medina county, Ohio, November 30, 1859. He is of
f
49
Dutch descent. His father followed at different times the occupations of photogra-
pher, stone mason, and meat dealer, and died in Lodi, Ohio, June 30, 1877, leaving
a widow who still survives. Dr. Nead was graduated from the Lodi public and high
schools, and for about a year taught the district school at Homerville, Ohio. Soon
afterward he began the stud)' of medicine in the office of Dr. A. E. Elliott, of Lodi,
with whom he remained about two years, pursuing his studies nights and teaching
school during the day to pay his expenses. In September, 1882, he entered the
Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College and was graduated therefrom with the de-
gree of M. D. in March, 1884. During the next two years he was associated in prac-
tice with Dr. W. G. Pope, of Keeseville, Essex county, N. Y. In 1886 he removed
to Albany, where he has since practiced his profession with marked success, not
only discharging every obligation which he had contracted for his education, but
acquiring in the brief space of ten years a handsome competency. In the spring of
1895 he built his present residence and office at No. 205 State street.
Dr. Nead is a member of the medical staff of the Albany City Homeopathic Hos-
pital; is a member and in 1895 was president of the Albany County Homeopathic
Medical Society; and has been a prominent member of the New York State Homeo-
pathic Medical Society since 1891 and of the American Institute of Homeopathy
since 1892. He is also a member and past chancellor of Chancellors Lodge No. 58,
K. P. ; examining surgeon and past commander of Albany Tent No. 362, of the
Maccabees; ex-senator of Albany Senate No. 641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic
Order; member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M. ; and a member and
trustee of Trinity M. E. church.
On July 24, 1890, Dr. Nead was married to Miss Linnie M., daughter of Ruins
Prescott, of Keeseville, Essex county, one of the largest furniture manufacturers and
builders in Northern New York. They have two children: Marjone Amanda and
Prescott Eckerman.
DAVID C. FITZGERALD.
David C. Fitzgerald, son of Maurice and Mary (Cregan) Fitzgerald, was born in
Limerick, Ireland, June 8, 1868, and is a lineal descendant of one of the most dis-
tinguished Irish families (the Geraldines), having among his ancestors men whose
biographies are among the brightest glories of Ireland's history.
The family seat of the branch of the great Geraldine family, of which the object
of this sketch is a descendent, has been established in Limerick since early in the
fourteenth century. Mr. Fitzgerald completed his preliminary education in the
Royal University of Ireland, Dublin, where, in 1888, the degree of Bachelor of Arts
was couferred on him. In 1890 he received the degree of Barrister at Law at
Oxford, after which he seriously considered entering service in the British army,
for which he had studied, until attracted by the world-wide fame of the Albany bar,
with several prominent members of which he was already on close acquaintance, lie
settled in this city, and in 1891 was admitted to the bar of New York State, having
previously in 1S86 declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States.
His career as a student was particularly brilliant and distinguished him as a young
G
50
man of extraordinary intellectual powers and oratorical ability, which his distin-
guished achievements at the bar and in public life, since his advent into the business
world, has more than confirmed. He has an extensive foreign legal practice, in
connection with which he travels extensively in both hemispheres, and has success-
fully handled many cases involving millions of dollars, showing himself, on every
occasion, an able and successful lawyer and a brilliant orator. In politics he is a
Democrat, not of the partisan type but on principle, and has on several occasions
been honored by his party to which he has rendered invaluable services.
He is of athletic mould with an indomitable will and a vigorous constitution, and
the possessor of numerous trophies of victories won by him in the athletic arenas
of his college days; he is quite an equestrian and has been the hero of several
life-saving incidents, in a manner that has made conspicuous his brave and generous
nature and gained him the love and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Indeed Mr. Fitzgerald's distinguished life career of the past, with his extraordinary
physical and intellectual powers, and temperate habits of life, marks him as pre-
eminently a man of the future and a citizen of whom the capital city might well be
proud.
EDWARD J. MEEGAN.
Edward J. Meegan, son of Thomas and Sarah Meegan, was born in the city of
Albany on September 28, 1846. His parents were natives of Ireland, whence they
came to this country in 1824, settling first in Boston, Mass. About 1826 they re-
moved to Albany, where they died. Mr. Meegan early evinced a strong love of
learning, and also as a youth displayed those qualities which make the successful
man. Attending St. Joseph's parish school he became a close student and thor-
oughly mastered the elementary principles of a general education. From the first
he was determined to become a lawyer, but owing to the limited pecuniary means
of the family he was obliged to rely mainly upon himself for the prosecution and
completion of his literary and professional studies. When only thirteen years of
age he registered as a student at law in the office of Edwards & Sturtevant, then a
prominent firm at the Albany bar. He remained with them nearly seven years,
and also pursued his legal studies under Isaac Edwards, who was afterward presi-
dent of the Albany Law School, The law had for the young student no drudgery,
but a mine of wealth which he explored and mastered with remarkable quickness.
He was indeed a born lawyer, imbued with the highest principles of the law as a
science. Upon attaining his majority in 1867 he was admitted to the bar, and open-
ing an office in Albany he immediately entered upon the active practice of his pro-
fession.
Mr. Meegan had passed with great credit through his studentship, which was full
and unconditional, and during that period he had with his own hands conducted
many hundred cases through all the intricacies of the Code. When he commenced
practice for himself he wTas therefore a trained and experienced lawyer, and signal
success at once attended his efforts. He has been a lifelong Democrat. In May,
1869, he was elected corporation counsel, and on entering upon the duties of that
E. J. MEHGAN.
51
office was confronted with a large amount of unfinished work. He continued in the
position until 1874, and saved for the city during his official career more than half a
million of dollars. In tlffis capacity he had gained a large experience in the man-
agement of city cases, and when he resumed his private practice he was retained as
counsel in many of this class of cases, in every one of which he was successful. He
has won a wide reputation as an able civil and criminal lawyer. He is also a distin-
guished orator, a great lover of books, and the owner of a well-selected private library.
His law library is one of the largest if not the largest in the State.
Mr. Meegan was- married, first, on September 5, 1878, to Miss Katie E. Welch, of
Albany, who died in January, 1884. September 24, 1886, he married, second. Miss
Mary Mattimore, of Albany, by whom he has had two daughters and two sons, of
whom one daughter is deceased.
JOHN N. BRIGGS.
John N. Bkiggs is a son of Albert N. and a grandson of Newton Briggs, who
came to Coeymans, Albany county, from Sherman, Conn., in 1804. Mr. Briggs was
born in Coeymans, N. Y., in 1838, and received a practical common school educa-
tion. In 1866 he married Elizabeth M., daughter of James and Maria Trego, of New
Baltimore, N. Y. He has always been a resident of his native town. In 1865 he
purchased his father's business, viz., general store and North River blue stone, which
he successfully continued for ten years. In 1877 he sold out his mercantile business
at Coeymans and engaged in the coal trade at Albany, N. Y., which he has since
conducted, having yards in both Coeymans and Albany. In 1879 he purchased
and fitted up Baerena Park, a beautiful plat of ground on Baeren Island, near Coey-
mans Landing, which he has made popular and attractive as a summer resort for
picnickers and excursionists. In 1881 he engaged in the ice business, and has facili-
ties for storing 100,000 tons of ice annually in his houses in Coeymans, which he sells
at his own'depots in New York city. He has invented and patented several valuable
facilities for the use of ice men, which have come into general use throughout the ice
producing belt. Mr. Briggs is general superintendent of the ice cutting tools and
machinery of the Consolidated Ice Company of New York city, which harvests and
sells annually over 2,000,000 tons of ice. Is one of the incorporators and president
of the Callan Road Improvement Company of Albany, and is a dealer in North
River blue stone. He is a man of sound judgment, of quick and accurate percep-
tion, of indomitable energy, and devotes to each of his various business enterprises
personal supervision. He has been uniformly successful in business, is highly
esteemed and respected by all who know him. He is a charter member of Onesque-
thau Lodge No. 804, F. & A. M., of Coeymans, and as a citizen is public spirited,
progressive and influential.
A2
ELNATHAN SWEET.
Elnathan Sweet, ex-State engineer of the State of New York, represents the
sixth generation in each of which the name Elnathan has figured prominently. The
family dates back to the colonial period of Rhode Island where many of its members
distinguished themselves in civil, military, and commercial life. His great-great-
grandfather, Elnathan Sweet, removed to Dutchess county, N. Y., whence Elna-
than, a son of the latter, found his way about 1760 to Stephentovvn, Rensselaer
county, where he became an extensive farmer, and where Mr. Sweet's grandfather
and father, both named Elnathan and both farmers, were born. The latter was
born November 22, 1796, married Chloe Cole, and died in June, 1879. His wife's
death occurred in 1872, at the age of sixty-eight. He was a noted Baptist minister,
preaching mainly in Adams and Cheshire, Mass., and during the last twenty years
of his life in Stephentown, N. Y. He had four children, of whom the subject of this
sketch was the youngest.
Elnathan Sweet was born in Cheshire, Berkshire county, Mass., November 20,
1837, and received his preliminary education in the public and private schools of
Stephentown, N. Y., and Hancock, Mass. In 1859 he was graduated from Union
College, where he pursued a course of civil engineering. For about one year there-
after he was a deputy under Ward B. Burnett, surveyor-general of the State of Ne-
braska. Returning home he was married and at once engaged in civil engineering
as assistant on various railroad projects, with headquarters in Stephentown. In
1864 he went to Franklin, Pa., where he engaged in general engineering, developing
oil wells, coal mines, etc., and where he remained until 1868, when he moved to Chi-
cago and prosecuted his profession. In 1869 he was appointed chief engineer of the
Rock Island and St. Louis Railway (now the Rock Island & St. Louis division of the
C. B & Q.), with headquarters in both Chicago and St. Louis. He built this line
two hundred and thirty miles in length in about twelve months, and in 1871, after
its completion, was also made superintendent. He held both positions until 1872,
and during the year 1871 was also consulting engineer of the Rockford Central and
the Cairo and St. Louis Railroads.
In 1872 he formed a partnership with James R. Young, of Chicago, under the firm
name of E. Sweet, jr., & Co., and engaged in railroad construction, continuing until
1875. During that period they built most of the Northern Pacific Railway from the
Red River of the North, across Dakota, to the Missouri River : several bridges in
Chicago, and a part of the tunnel at West Point, N. Y., for what is now the West
Shore Railroad. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor Tilden expert engineer for
the commission for investigating the abuses on the New York State canals and was
engaged in those complicated affairs until the spring of 1876, when he was appointed
division engineer, which position he held until the spring of 1880. The work of the
Tilden commission was chiefly directed to the discovery of the abuses which had
become flagrant in the letting and in the carrying out of contracts for the various
engineering works involved in enlarging and improving the State canals. The pro-
fessional experience and accomplishments of Mr. Sweet enabled him to exercise a
salutary influence in directing this work in the most effective manner, and his labors
m formulating many of its important reports have contributed to the extensive and
53
permanent reforms which have since characterized this department of the State ad-
ministration.
Mr. Sweet resigned as division engineer of the canals in the spring of 1880 and
resumed the business of railroad construction with his former partner, James R.
Young, with offices in New York city. This partnership continued until 1883, their
business being principally the building of the New York, West Shore and Buffalo
Railroad for a distance of about fifty miles in Greene, Albany, and Orange counties,
finishing the West Point tunnel, and constructing a part of the New York, Susque-
hanna and Western Railroad from the Delaware River west. In 1883 he was nomi-
nated by the Democrats and elected State engineer, and in 1885 was re-elected to the
same office, serving in all four years. During Mr. Sweet's connection with the engi-
neering department of the State as division engineer and State engineer he made on
a large scale exhaustive experiments to determine the laws governing the resistance
of vessels propelled in narrow waterways, upon which the proper design and proba-
able capacity and economy of canals depend. A discussion of these experiments and
the laws of propulsion derived from them were published by him in the Transactions
of the American Society of Civil Engineers for I8ri9, and constitute the most impor-
tant contribution existing in this branch of engineering literature. He also during
that period thoroughly investigated the problem of connecting the great lakes with
the Hudson River by a ship canal. His paper on this subject, read before the
American Society of Civil Engineers in 1884, with the discussions upon it, published
in the Transactions of that Society for 1885, are of the highest authority on canal
questions.
As State engineer Mr. Sweet's efforts were strenuously exerted to restoring to the
engineering department of the State government the control of all engineering
questions and matters in which the State was concerned, many of which had
formerly been entrusted to irresponsible commissions or to other departments of the
State administrations; and it is largely due to his labors that the office of State en-
gineer now exercises most of the functions appropriate to the usefulness and diguitv
of that constitutional office.
Since the expiration of his second term as State engineer on December 31, 1887,
Mr. Sweet has successfully followed his profession as a civil and consulting engi-
neer and also as president and trustee of the Hilton Bridge Construction Company.
In the prosecution of structural engineering he has introduced many improvements
in the design of movable bridges and bridges of long spans, the most notable per-
haps being the combination of the arch and the cantilever in the same structure
originated by him and first used in his design for the great bridge connecting Capi-
tol hill with Arbor hill in Albany, and which has since been extensively copied in
Europe and this country.
Mr. Sweet has lived in Albany since 1875, and is not only well known as an emi-
nent civil engineer, but has long been prominently identified with many of the city's
enterprises and efficiently active in promoting its welfare and advancement. He
was a trustee of the sinking fund and a memberof the finance board of the city from
1889 to 1892, and in July, 189G, was reappointed to these positions. He was a mem-
ber of the water board from 1892 to 1SJM, and is a director in the Albany City Rail-
way. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the University
Club of New York, and the Port < (range Club of Albany.
51
September 20, 1860, he was married to Marion Rose, daughter of Jonathan Rose,
of Stephentown, N. Y. They have had six children Marion Rose, Marguerite,
Helen M., Elizabeth, Chloe, and Elnathan, jr., the latter bearing the name Elna-
than without break into the seventh generation of the Sweet family in America.
JAMES B. McKEE.
James B. McKee, the popular and genial postmaster of the city of Cohoes, has held
this important office since 1894. He was brought to this place when an infant by his
father, Hugh McKee, and has led an active and political life in local affairs. He
was one of the last village trustee before Cohoes was made a city in 1869. He is a
Democrat and served two years as alderman. In 1874 he was elected a member of
the School Board, serving four years, and in 1873 was appointed to the position of
foreman on the Erie Canal, which held until 1880. He was later appointed to the
same position on the canal and afterwards was superintendent of the canal for five
years. Mr. McKee was born at West Troy in 1843. He was the son of a builder
and his business life was begun with his father as a carpenter after his education at
the Catholic Parochial School. He was ambitious to succeed in life and by perse-
vering efforts became contractor and builder. A notable event of his life was the
signing of the Father Matthew Temperance Pledge in 1850, a time of great excite-
ment, which pledge has been faithfully kept nearly half a century.
EDWARD B. CANTINE.
Edward B. Cantine, agency director for the Albany district of the New York
Life Insurance Company, is a son of Col. George A. and Marion J. (Cook) Cantine,
and was born in Rutland, Vt, August 4, 1860. He descends from a sturdy line of
French Huguenots of illustrious origin, his first American ancestor being Moses
Cantine, who fled from Bordeaux, France, to England, at the time of the revocation
of the Edict of Nantes, and afterward came to this country. He received, with
others, from Queen Anne, a large grant of land in what is now Ulster county, N. Y.,
where the family became prominent in civil, social, and military life, many of them
becoming associated with the political history of the State. Gen. John Cantine, a
son of Moses, was conspicuous as an officer and legislator during the Revolutionary
period, while Matthew Cantine was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775,
1776, and 1777 and also a member of the first Council of Safety. The Civil List of
the State of New York contains the names of several of the Cantine family who for
long periods filled positions as Congressmen, senators, assemblymen, judges, etc.
Moses I. Cantine, son of Gen. John Cantine, was for a time public printer of the
State of New York. He and Martin Yan Buren married sisters, and his daughter,
Miss Christina Cantine, a niece of Van Buren's, presided at the White House dur-
ing the latter's administration as president. Many of the family enjoyed high social
distinction in this country and abroad. Col. George A. Cantine, father of Edward
bbWAKb B. CANTINt.
55
B., is widely known throughout the country as a soldier, orator, and lecturer. He
served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, being identified with the 7th Vt.
Vols., and subsequently in the Sequestration Department. He also served as assist-
ant quartermaster-general on the staff of Gen. Sylvester Bering and was later pro-
moted assistant inspector-general with the rank of colonel. After the war he settled
in Rome, Oneida county, and finally m Newburgh, N. Y. , where he now resides.
Edward B. Cantine was educated in the public schools and academy of Rome,
N. Y., and finished at Cazenovia Seminary. He then entered the employ of the
wholesale grocery house of Alfred Ethridge & Co., of Rome, and continued as trav-
eling salesman for nine years. In 1890 he came to Albany as manager of the Al-
bany office of the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1892, after the election
of John A. McCall as president of the company, Mr. Cantine was made agency
director, which position he still holds, having charge of the business in the counties
of Albany, Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie. He is one of the best known insur-
ance men in Eastern New York, and has directed the affairs of the New York Life
in this section with great credit and ability.
Mr. Cantine has also taken an active interest in the welfare of the Republican
partv, which has honored him with several positions of responsibility. He has been
for three years clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Albany county and in 1892 rep-
resented the 13th ward of the city in the Common Council. In 1893 he was the un-
successful candidate for member of assembly from the Third assembly district, then
as now a stronghold of Democracy. He has been chairman of the executive com-
mittee of the Albany County Republican organization since 1895, and is also chair-
man of the General Republican Committee of the city of Albany. He is a promi-
nent Mason, being a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City
Chapter, No. 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple
Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and Cyprus Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He
is also a member of the Elks, the Unconditional Republican and Capital City Clubs,
Albany County Wheelman, Y. M. C. A., and the Albany Club, of which he is a
member of the house committee. He is public spirited, enterprising, and progressive,
and takes a lively interest in all that concerns the welfare and advancement of the
community.
GEORGE I. AMSDELL.
George I. Amsdell is of English descent, and on his mother's side traces his an-
cestry to the Pilgrim band of the Mayflower. His father, William Amsdell, was
horn in Cambridge, England, in 1797, came to America in 1818, and in 1820 settled
in Albany, where he died in 1870. He was a brewer and maltster. His wife. Abi-
gail Millard, was born in New Paltz, Ulster county, X. Y.. in 1803.
Mi. Amsdell was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., September 3, 1827, and received Ins
education in the public schools of Albany and at boarding schools in Chatham and
Bloomingdale, N. Y. When fifteen years of age he entered the brewery of John
Taylor in Albany and later was employed in the brewery of Reed Brothers, of Troy.
In these two establishments he laid the foundations of a successful brewer and malt-
56
ster, which he supplemented by six years' experience — from 1845 to 1851 — in his
father's brewery in Guilderland, Albany county. In 1851 he formed a partnership
with his brother, Theodore M., under the firm name of Amsdell Brothers, and
started the nucleus of his present brewery on the end of the lot bounded by Jay,
Dove, and Lancaster streets in Albany. In 1856 they erected the present malt
house, which with the brewery, stables and storage buildings has frontages of 354
feet on Jay and Lancaster streets and 150 feet on Dove street, the main building
being five stories high. The capacity of the plant is about 360 barrels of ale daily
and 125,000 bushels of malt per annum. George I. Amsdell personally superin-
tended the malt department and his brother acted as brewer until 1870, when their
business had increased to such extensive proportions that both thenceforward de-
voted their energies solely to the management of the concern. In October, 1892,
the firm was dissolved, George I. Amsdell becoming the sole proprietor, and in this
capacity he has since conducted with uniform success one of the oldest and largest
breweries and malt houses in the capital city, having also a large distributing depot
in New York, on Thirty-fourth street, since 1883. which is in charge of his son,
George H.
Mr. A.msdell has always been an ardent Democrat and was for four years alder-
man of the Ninth ward, but excepting this has steadfastly declined public office. He
is, however, actively identified with several important institutions of the city, being
one of the founders and a director of the Capital City Insurance Company, a trustee
of the Albany City Savings Institution, and a director and vice president of the
Albany City National Bank. He was a member of Co. B, Albany Continentals, and
later of the Tenth Regiment N. Y. N. G., serving altogether twelve years.
Mr. Amsdell has twice married. September, 1847, he married Miss Esther J.
White, of Albany, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters. In
August, 1875, he married Miss Dora C. Roraback, of Albany.
HOWARD N. FULLER.
Howard N. Fuller was born in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y. , October
29, 1853. His lineage is most honorable, notable and interesting. The blood of the
patriots and founders of our country flows unsullied through his veins. His ances-
tors, in both lines, made much of our nation's history, and contributed largely to the
permanent establishment of those essential principles of civil and religious liberty
upon which our government is founded and thereby secured to us the proud enjoy-
ment of their beneficences.
Mr. Fuller is the son of William Fuller and Lydia Allen Swezey. On the paternal
side he is a direct lineal descendant of Thomas Fuller, one of the immortal Mayflower
band of 1620, whose descendants achieved wide distinction in the realms of theology,
medicine and law. On the maternal side he is the great-great-grandson of Jonathan
Dickinson, the founder and first president of Princeton College, and through Jona-
than Dickinson's wife, his great-great-grandmother, Joanna Melyn, he is a lineal
descendant of Cornells Melyn, the powerful and humane patroon of Staten Island,
who resisted so effectually the selfish and unwarrantable tvrannies of Governors
57
Kieft and Stuyvesant. Jonathan Dickinson's father was Hezekiah Dickinson, born
February 27, 1636, and his grandfather was Nathaniel Dickinson, born in England
near the close of the sixteenth century. The lives and deeds of the Dickinsons are
inseparably interwoven with the colonial period of our republic. Many of them were
killed in the Indian warfares, but the progeny was numerous, and those who sur-
vived became distinguished in statecraft, literature, art and science. Gen. Horace
Dickinson, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon. Don M. Dickinson, belong to the same line.
Mr. Fuller is a great-grandnephew of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Com-
modore Matthew Calbraith Perry, and is immediately related to the Bigelows, Bel-
monts, Sergeants (Phila.), Burnetts (N. J.), Runyons (N. J.), and Greens, (N. J.), one
of whom, John C. Green, has made munificent gifts to Princeton College in memory
of his great-grandfather. Judith, the sister of Eastman Johnson, the celebrated artist,
is Mr. Fuller's great-aunt. Mr. Fuller's great-grandfathers, Josiah Wilson and John
Anderson, served in the Revolutionary war and in the war of 1812.
Mr. Fuller received his earliest education in the primary school of New Baltimore
and at the Coeymans Academy. When fifteen he entered Rutgers College Grammar
School at New Brunswick, N. J., with his brother Perry J., who is now a prominent
lawyer in New York city. A year later he matriculated at Rutgers College, and
after a regular course of four years was graduated from that institution in 1874.
While in college he acquired no little fame in literary work. In 1873 he won the junior
Philoclean literary prize and in 1874 secured the senior prize for English composition.
He not only was a great lover of classical and English literature, but also of athletic
sports, and in 1873 was delegated to meet representatives of Yale, Harvard. Princeton,
Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania, at New York, to make rules and regu-
lationsto govern collegiate football playing, and the rules then adopted still govern this
sport in American colleges. At college Mr. Fuller also exercised his poetical genius,
writing among other pieces a song entitled " On the Banks of the Old Raritan,"
which has ever since been the standard college song of old Rutgers, and in which
his name will live so long as the stones of that time-honored institution stand one
above another.
Returning from college Mr. Fuller began in 1875 the publication of the New Balti-
more Sun, which he continued about a year. In 1876 he came to Albany and with
his father and two brothers, under the firm name of William Fuller & Sons, engaged
in government contracting and dealing in building materials. While following
this business he also pursued for one year a course in both law and medicine, and
for another year thereafter, or until the death of its proprietor, managed and edited
the Greenbush Gazette. Since then he has been successfully engaged in business.
It is in the literary field, however, that he has won fame and honor. Acknowl-
I as a clever writer, and possessing a genius unlimited in style and scope,
he is equally happy in serious and humorous composition. For two years he wrote
the column of witty paragraphs for the Yonkers Gazette and at the same time con-
tributed to the leading humorous periodicals of the country. Among his lyric
poems is that of "God Bless the Little Woman," the sentiments of which were
suggested by Mrs. Garfield's tender watchfulness over her husband after he had
fallen by the assassin's bullet. Afterward, in a personal note, she gracefully ex-
pressed her thanks to him for the song which had not only touched her own heart
but that of the nation. His touching tribute to the martyred president, " The Heart
u
58
of the Nation is Sad To-day," and his poem on the death of General Grant found
wide publicity and achieved for him added fame. He is also the author of " The
Dear Old Home," a popular sentimental song sung by Thatcher, Primrose & West's
minstrels, and the " Bi-Centennial Hymn," which was written by request of the
committee on arrangements and sung by thousands of school children and in the
city churches during the memorable celebration in Albany a few years ago. He has
also done considerable literary work of a serious and religious character. His
poetical efforts are mainly lyrical and pastoral, and reveal the true poetic instinct.
In all he displays a sympathetic impulse, a pure religious fervor, or an inspiring pat-
riotism. His versified and prose writings are characterized by that simple diction,
that pleasing imagery, that original thought and graceful style which appeal to the
hearts of his readers and inspire noble actions.
Mr. Fuller has always taken an active part in politics, and in nearly every cam-
paign since 1876 has addressed political meetings in behalf of the Republican ticket.
In 1885 he was elected alderman of the Eleventh ward and served a term of two
years, refusing a renomination. For three terms he was president of the Albany
Unconditional Republican Club, being at that time the only man re-elected to this
office during the club's permanent existence. He was one of the originators and chief
promoters of the National League of Republican Clubs, and in 1890 was his party's
candidate for mayor of the city. His successful opponent, the Hon. James H. Man-
ning, very gracefully appointed him commissioner of public instruction, which office
he held until forced to resign by the increased exactions of business occasioned by
the death of his father and his brother, De Witt A., who were associated with him.
He is prominently connected with several social and literary organizations, is a Free
Mason, arid a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
GEORGE HORNELL THACHER.
George Hornell Thacher, vice-president of the Albany City National Bank, and
one of the proprietors of the extensive car-wheel manufactory of the city, was born
in Albany on the 20th of November, 1851. He comes from a genuine New England
ancestry, many of whose members were influential and noted personages in the
history of the old Bay State. He is a son of the late Hon. George Hornell Thacher,
who was born in Hornellsville, Steuben county, N. Y., on the 4th of June, 1818, and
whose mother was a daughter of Judge Hornell of Hornellsville, after whom the
town is named. The elder Mr. Thacher married Ursula Jane Boyd, and they were
the parents of the Hon. John Boyd Thacher and George H. Thacher. Mr. Thacher's
ancestors, extending back in a direct line from his father, were Samuel Olney
Thacher, born February 9, 1789, who married Martha, daughter of the Hon. George
Hornell, 1814; Nathaniel Thacher, who was born in 1767, and who married Lydia
Place, of Gloucester, R. I., in 1787; Samuel Thacher, born at Middleboro, Mass., in
1717, who married Mrs. Sarah Kent in 1758; Peter Thacher, of Middleboro, Mass.,
born in 1688, who married in 1711, Margaret Mary, daughter of Samuel Prince,
of Boston, a minister who was graduated from Harvard College in 1796; Peter
Thacher, born at Salem, Mass., in 1651, who married Theodora, daughter of Rev.
GEORGE H. THACHHK.
59
John Oxenbridge, of Boston, who was also a graduate of Harvard College in 1671,
and a minister; and Rev. Thomas Thacher, born in England in 1620, married
Elizabeth Partridge, 1643, the original member of this branch of the Thacher family
in America, who became a distinguished divine and first pastor of the Old South
church of Boston.
George H. Thacher, the subject of the present sketch, obtained his earlier instruc-
tion at a private school in Albany kept by Professor Whitbeck. At the age of thir-
teen he went to Williamstown, Mass., where he was placed under the tuitio
Professor Griffin, an able and successful teacher, and by him was carefully prepared
for college. In 1868, at the age of sixteen, he entered Williams College in the class
of '72, the celebrated Mark Hopkins being the then president of that institution.
After leaving college Mr. Thacher took a short business course in Bryant & Stratton's
Commercial College, and then entered the car-wheel manufactory of his father as an
apprentice and clerk. He afterwards acted as foreman of the establishment. Al-
ways of an inventive and progressive turn of mind he was ever on the alert for ways
and means by which he might cultivate as well as qualify his tastes in the mechanical
arts. In 1880 he struck out for Colorado in the early and stirring days of Leadville,
as the representative of some eastern stockholders in the mining business, and there
his native born energy was not idle. He entered with great zest and alacrity into
the mining operations himself, remaining in this field of labor during the years 1881,
1882 and 1883.
Returning to Albany in the autumn of 1883, a short time after the death of D. S.
Lathrop, one of the partners in the firm of Thacher, Lathrop & Co., he was made a
partner in the concern, and since the death of his father in 1887 he has, in connection
with his brother, John Boyd Thacher, conducted the business under the old name of
George H. Thacher & Co. In 1887 he succeeded his father as a director in the
Albany City National Bank, becoming vice-president of that institution in 1889. Mr.
Thacher is a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, trustee of the First Re-
formed Dutch church, trustee of the Fort Orange Club, a member of the Albany
Canoe, Camera, and Country Clubs, and in the Masonic Fraternity has attained to
the 32°. In May, 1892, he was appointed a water commissioner of the city of Albany
by Mayor Manning, but after vigorous though futile efforts to give to the city a new
and abundant supply of pure and wholesome water, he resigned the office December
1, 1894.
Of a rather slender physique, but inheriting a vigorous constitution, Mr. Thacher
is a gentlemen of pleasing address, easy in his manners, cordial in his friendships,
generous in his impulses, with a happy faculty of conducting successfully business
matters, and a supreme and lasting love for outdoor sports and pastimes of the pres-
ent day.
In college Mr. Thacher was a skillful boxer, oarsman, ball-player, swimmer, and
skater, and to this day retains much of his athletic excellence. He has also attained
high rank as an amateur musician, playing the 'cello with rare taste and ability, and
some of his musical compositions are of great merit. I lis knowledge of banking as
well as of business matters is extensive and deep. His judgment is sound and dis-
criminating, and among the industrious, useful and progressive citizens of Albany, in
whose welfare he has taken a lively interest, no name shines with fairer luster than
than that of George H. Thacher.
60
In 1880 Mr. Thacher married Emma Louise Bennett, of Albany. They have five
children living: George H., jr., John Boyd, 2d, Thomas Oxenbridge, Kenelm
Roland, and Edwin Throckmorton. The family reside at 111 Washington avenue.
RT. REV. WILLIAM CROSWELL DOANE, D. D., LL. D.
The Rt. Rev. William Crosswell Doane, D.D., LL. D., bishop of Albany, was
born in Boston, March 2, 1832, the son of George Washington Doane, who was
in that same year elected bishop of New Jersey. The family is descended from
Deacon John Doane, who came over from England in one of the three first ships to
Plymouth, Cape Cod, between 1620 and 1623. He lived at Plymouth until 1644,
when he with six other families moved to Eastham, Cape Cod, which they founded,
and in which Deacon Doane was one of the most influential members of the com-
munity, serving on important committees and in various executive capacities. The
first Bishop Doane, of New Jersey, was one of the most distinguished men in the
Episcopal church of the United States. He served as a young man as the assistant
rector of Trinity church in New York, became a professor in Washington College, at
Hartford, Conn., and was rector of Trinity church in Boston at the time of his elec-
tion to the bishopric. He was the founder of St. Mary's Hall, for girls, and of
Burlington College, for boys in Burlington, N. J., the author of many sacred songs
and fugitive verses, and of strong and eloquent sermons which have been published.
William Croswell Doane resided in Burlington until the year 1863. He graduated
from Burlington College in 1850, with honors, delivering the English oration and the
poem at the commencement, and immediately afterward began the study of theology.
He was tutor and assistant professor of English literature in Burlington College, from
which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Theology in 1857. He was
ordained deacon by his father in 1853 and priest in 1856; was his father's assistant in
the rectorship of St. Mary's church, Burlington ; founded and had the care of St. Barn-
abas's Free Mission in that city, and became rector of St. Mary's in that place on his
father's death in 1859. In 1864 he became rector of St. John's church, Hartford, Conn. ,
and in 1867 he was called to be rector of St. Peter's church in Albany, succeeding
the Rev. William T. Wilson. In these several charges the son had shown qualities
of power and learning, inherited from the father, which proved his fitness for the
high place, and he was called to be the first bishop of the Albany Diocese, being
consecrated February 2, 1869.
During the quarter century the number of clergy in Bishop Doane's jurisdiction
has grown from sixty-eight to one hundred and thirty. This diocese, over which he
now holds sway, is largely missionary ground, containing 20,800 square miles and
including the nineteen counties of Northern New York. A number of beneficent in-
stitutions have been established in the diocese. The more noteworthy are St. Agnes
School, the Child's Hospital and St. Margaret's House, all of this city. It is to these
institutions particularly that Bishop Doane has given greatly of his time and efforts.
The St. Agnes School was established first, and its home is valued at $150,000.
The land was given by the, late Erastus Corning and it is called the "Corning
Foundation for Christian Work." This institution, started in 1870, is for the education
61
of girls, being similar to other female colleges. It accommodates 225 pupils.
Tuition fees are §500 a year, though daughters of clergymen are educated at a less
cost. Features of the school aside from its delightful building, are the library and
the collection of geological specimens.
The Child's Hospital, located for thirteen years in a smaller building, and now in
a large new one at the corner of Elk and Hawk streets, cares for one hundred chil-
dren, eighty of whom are under treatment. The institution is absolutely free to
every sick child and to cripples, and they may come from anywhere. It is sup-
ported by money paid by different cities for poor support, by a small endowment and
by private subscriptions.
A nursery for babies — St. Margaret's House — was established in 1884, in connec-
tion with the Child's Hospital. Here eighty foundling babies and orphans are cared
for every year. All of this work is in charge of the Sisterhood of the Holy Child
Jesus, which cares, also, for the St. Christina Home in Saratoga, where girls are trained
for domestic service. The Diocesan Sisterhood was organized by Bishop Doane in
1873.
All Saints' Cathedral is the chief glory of the bishop's work as a founder. For
thirteen years the old Townsend foundry, which had been fitted up, was used as a
church. Finally, on land given by the present Erastus Corning, the present cathe-
dral was built. The corner stone was laid on June 3, 1884. Though the exterior is
only partly finished, 8450,000 has been spent on the cathedral. Its interior finish is
grand and imposing. Massive stone pillars, beautifully carved, divide the audi-
torium into three sections. The altar is a solid block of Carlisle stone, twelve feet
long, and rests upon a separate solid foundation of stone built up from the ground.
In the choir aisle and sanctuary are a mosaic pavement and four mural mosaics,
among the most beautiful features of the building. The furnishings and windows,
with the architectural beauty of the place, make this one of the notable cathedrals.
Three thousand persons can be seated comfortably in it. All seats are free, and the
church is supported entirely by free will offerings. There is now no debt, the last
$75,000 having been raised in 1892.
The most important work the bishop has done outside of his diocese is that in re-
lation to the revision of the prayer book. For six years he was chairman of the
committee on revision. His efforts were so thoroughly appreciated that in the gen-
eral convention held in Baltimore in 1892, the following resolution offered from
the standing committee on the revision of the prayer book, was unanimously adopted:
Wiikreas, By action of this house in passing upon the fifty-two resolutions which
propose various alterations in the book of common prayer, the work of revision lias
been on the part of this house finally completed; therefore
Resolved, That this house desires to recognize and gratefully record its sense of
the gracious goodness of God and the overruling presence of the Creat Head of the
church, in that during nine years past the revision of the book of common prayer has
proceeded, and has at last reached a conclusion in a spirit of forbearance, harmony
and practical accord.
Resolved, That in thus recognizing the divine guidance in this important, deli-
cate and difficult matter, this house desires also to mention, with cordial appreciation,
the untiring and painstaking labor of those who have borne the burden of leadership
in this movement; and pre-eminently in this regard, the Bishop of Albany (the
62
Right Rev. Dr. William Croswell Doane), whose unfailing courtesy, patience and
considerateness have so greatly facilitated this happy consummation.
Bishop Doane is a man of strong personality. His vigorous intellect makes him
one of the most prominent, perhaps the most prominent of the American bishops,
with an influence that radiates far beyond the limits of his own diocese. Affable,
kindly and courteous in his personal intercourse, scholarly and refined in his tastes
and culture, dignified and eloquent in the pulpit, a man of strong spirituality, and
withal of practical affairs, he has built up, here in Albany, an influence for good, for
activity in church work, which is felt and responded to beyond the limits of his own
denomination.
Like most men of large activities, Bishop Doane finds abundant time for reading
and writing. He retains his knowledge of and interests in the classics, and is inter-
ested in all the intellectual movements of the age. Surrounded by a large and well
assorted library, he loves the companionship of books, works readily with his pen,
and is a frequent contributor of verses which possess a high order of literary merit,
among them the familiar -'Sculptor Boy." His sermons are polished, thoughtful
and direct, and bear the stamp both of the culture and spirituality of the man. Many
of his poems have been published, as have also a number of his sermons, his annual
addresses to the diocesan convention and his addresses to the graduating classes
of St. Agnes. In addition to these, he has issued: " The Life and Writings of
Bishop Doane of New Jersey," four volumes; " Questions on Collects, Epistles, and
Gospels of the Church's Year, and Their Connection;" " Songs by the Way," poems
by Bishop Doane, sr. ; " Mosaics; or, the Harmony of Collect, Epistle, and Gospel
for the Christian Year," which was published in 1882. He frequently contributes
to the "North American Review" and other standard publications. He was elected
a regent of the University of the State of New York in the winter of 1892, the candiv
date of both parties in the Legislature. In September of that year he was elected
vice-chancellor, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Upson, made chancellor to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of George William Curtis.
No bishop of the American church has received such honors abroad as Bishop
Doane. By invitation he preached at Edinburgh, in 1884, a sermon commemorative
of the one hundredth anniversary of the consecration of the first bishop for Amer-
ica at Aberdeen — the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Seabury. In 1892 he received degrees
at the hands of Oxford and Cambridge, the first American to have two such marks
of distinction bestowed upon him at the same time. For several years he has been
designated by Bishop Williams to officially visit the American churches abroad.
At the Triennial convention of the church at Minneapolis October, 1895, Bishop
Doane was elected chairman of the House of Bishops. He is consequently called
"the assessor of the Primus."
Bishop Doane is known to all Albanians and is admired and loved. He is a strik-
ing figure on the street. Albany has no more public spirited citizen and every good
movement commands his sympathy and co-operation. His stirring speech at the
organization meeting in the City Building of the committee of fifty, is well remem-
bered. He has on many occasions spoken from the platform in behalf of practical
temperance and his appearance before the legislative committees on measures affect-
ing the moral side always ensure a warm champion of the right.
JOHN V. L. PRUYN, LL. D.
63
Bishop Doane bears his age well. He is as vigorous to flay as he was twenty-five
years ago and his voice has lost none of its strength and charm.
JOHN V. L. PRUYN, LL. D.
Hon. John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn,1 known as John V. L. Pruyn, was born
in Albany, June 22, 1811, of Holland -Dutch ancestry. The family has resided in
Albany for over two centuries and has held positions in the city government. The
subject of this sketch, after studying at private schools, entered the Albany acad-
emy in 1824 and completed a full course of study. The famous Theodoric Romeyn
Beck, M.D., LL. D., was principal of the academy at this time. Immediately after
leaving the academy, Mr. Pruyn entered, as student, the law office of the late James
King, who was one of Albany's eminent lawyers and distinguished citizens. In this
office Mr. Pruyn's habits of order, system and thoroughness were brought to a per-
fection which he retained through life. He became Mr. King's principal and confi-
dential clerk, and remained as such for some months after his admission to the bar.
He was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court of the State of New York and
a solicitor in the Court of Chancery on January 13, 1832. The latter court made him
a counselor May 21, 1833, and the Supreme Court January 17, 1835.
While he was in Mr. King's office, Mr. William James, the father-in-law of Mr.
King, died, leaving a large fortune. The will was contested and the case was one
of the famous litigations of the day, involving the whole subject of trusts and pow-
ers under the then new revised statutes of the State. Questions of the gravest im-
portance were submitted to and called forth the highest abilities of the lawyers en-
gaged, of whom Mr. Pruyn was one. Many of the most distinguished counselors in
the State took part in this litigation; among them the three revisers, John C.
Spencer, Benjamin F. Butler and John Duer; Samuel A. Talcott, Henry R. Storrs,
Harmanus Bleecker (of whom hereafter), Daniel D. Barnard, Mr. .Sibley and Mr.
King himself.
About 1833 Mr. Pruyn formed a partnership for the practice of the law with Henry
H. Martin, who had been a fellow student in the office of Mr. King. In is:;:; Mr.
Pruyn was appointed by Governor Marcy an examiner in chancery, and in 1830 a
master in chancery; and upon receiving the latter appointment, Chancellor Wal-
worth designated him as injunction master for the third circuit — a position which
placed him next in official position to the vice-chancellor of the circuit. For main-
years Mr. Pruyn's business was chiefly in the Court of Chancery, a court, which,
however, went out of existence by the adoption of the new State constitution in
1846. He was occupied very laboriously, and it may be safely said that few persons
enjoyed the confidence of Chancellor Walworth to the extent that Mr. Pruyn did.
The chancellor sent to him many references, and it is believed never overruled any
of his reports. In 1848 Mr. Pruyn was admitted to practice as attorney and coun-
selor in the United States Supreme Court. In 1834 the Albany City Bank was in-
1 This name is pronounced in one syllable, as if written Pryne, a corruption of one of the
Dutch pronunciations of the name, which, as nearly as we can express it, is Proyn.
64
corporated, with Mr. Erastus Corning as president and Mr. Watts Sherman as
cashier. Messrs. Pruyn and Martin were the counsel to the bank, but in 1851 Mr.
Martin became its cashier.
Mr. Pruyn became a director and was afterwards its vice-president. After Mr.
Martin became connected with the bank, Mr. Pruyn formed a partnership with John
H. Reynolds, one of the most brilliant lawyers of the day.
About this time occurred an act which gave evidence of the confidence reposed in
Mr. Pruyn.
Harmanus Bleecker (alluded to above), one of Albany's distinguished citizens, an
eminent lawyer, member of Congress during the War of 1812, and during the presi-
dency of Honorable Martin Van Buren United States minister to Holland, died in
July, 1849.
It had been Mr. Bleecker' s intention, as an unmarried man, to leave the whole of
his estate— about eighty thousand dollars, in those days a very considerable fortune
to some public object for the benefit of the city of Albany. When in Holland,
however, he married a Miss Menz, daughter of an official at The Hague. His
wishes were not relinquished upon his marriage and were fully concurred in by his
wife. Upon his death the property went to her with the verbal request that, he having
no children, she would at her death dispose of it in some way for the benefit of the city.
Mrs. Bleecker for a period resided in Albany, but before long she married Henrich
Coster, a Dutch gentleman, and returned with him to Holland. Previous to their
departure, Mr. and Mrs. Coster united in an absolute conveyance of the whole prop-
erty to Mr. Pruyn, reserving only life estates to themselves, and trusting that at the
expiration* of those estates, he would carry out the wishes of Mr. Bleecker.
In April, 1851 ('Laws of New York,' 1852, chap. 318), the Legislature, at Mr.
Pruyn's request, enacted a law drawn up by him by which the Bleecker estate wras
absolutely protected from any contingency to which his private affairs might be ex-
posed. This law also gave Mr. Pruyn power to transfer the estate in whatever man-
ner he might see fit. Mr. Coster died some years ago, but Mrs. Coster survived Mr.
Pruyn, and upon opening the latter's will in 1877, it was found that the property
was left to Mr. Amasa J. Parker of Albany, "in the confident belief that he will
carry out the views of Mr. Bleecker as fully and completely as I was requested to
do." Mrs. Coster, who resided at Arnheim, Holland, died in 1886. The estate, dur-
ing Mr. Pruyn's administration of over a quarter of a century, and of Judge Parker's
administration of more than ten years, has largely increased in value.
The citizens of Albany having raised fifty thousand dollars, Judge Parker has
transferred the Bleecker fund to the Young Men's Association for Mutual Improve-
ment in the city of Albany. A large public hall, costing two hundred thousand dol-
lars, is to be erected, and called the Harmanus Bleecker Hall. The buildings be-
longing to the Bleecker estate, and which were occupied by the association, have
been conveyed to it. Thus Mr. Bleecker's name is perpetuated, and an existing in-
stitution preserved and strengthened.
The partnership with Mr. Reynolds lasted until 1853, when Mr. Pruyn's relations
to the railway system of his State interfered so greatly with his law practice that he
was obliged to relinquish it.
In 1835 Mr. Pruyn was chosen a director of, and counsel to, the Mohawk & Hudson
Railroad Company, which was organized by the Patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer,
65
Mr. George William Featherstonhaugh and others. This was the first railroad in
the .State, if not in the United States, its charter having been granted by the Legisla-
ture in April, 1826. In 1847 the name of this company was changed to the Albany &
Schenectady Railroad Company.
He was also connected with the Utica & Schenectady Railroad Company, which
was chartered in 1833, as counsel and treasurer. He also was president of the Mo-
hawk Valley Railroad Company, which was organized in 1852.
These and other railroads formed a system extending from the Hudson River at
Albany and Troy to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. By an act of the Legislature passed
April 2, 1853, any two or more of these railroad companies were authorized to con-
solidate and form a new corporation to be called the New York Central Railroad
Company. The railroads forming the new corporation were ten in number, and
the consolidation agreement between them was drawn up by Mr. Pruyn. This in-
volved probably as large, if not larger interests than had before been embraced in
any one transaction not made by the government in this country. This instrument
was for years most carefully scrutinized by various counsel, but never questioned.
It was a remarkable instrument, and in the words of Mr. Martin, Mr. Pruyn's former
partner, " this could not have been done by any ordinary man."
Mr. Pruyn was a director of the New York Central Railroad Company and its gen-
eral counsel until 1866, when the road passed into the control of the Vanderbilts.
The Hudson River Bridge Company, at Albany, was chartered by the Legislature
in 1856 for the purpose of bridging the Hudson at Albany. The right thus given
was questioned and for many years the matter was in the courts, up and down, and
became one of the causes celebres of the country. Mr. Pruyn took part in it, and
associated with him were many distinguished counsel, among whom was Mr. Brad-
ley, now a justice of the United States Supreme Court. The case was finally argued,
in the Supreme Court of the United States by Mr. Pruyn alone for the bridge com-
pany, and the dcision in its favor virually ended the great controversy of many years'
standing in different parts of the country as to the right to bridge navigable streams.
It may not be out of place here to allude to the celebrated Sault Ste. Marie Canal,
Michigan (St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company). This very important work, with
its two enormous locks, was carried through a very trying period while Mr. Pruyn
was its financial officer. Mr. Erastus Corning, the president of the company, stood
by Mr. Pruyn, and to these men as much as to any others is due the success of the
undertaking.
Mr. Pruyn was connected, directly or indirectly, with some of the leading financial
and railroad enterprises of the country. He was a trustee of the Mutual Life In-
surance Company of New York from its foundation, and was for many years the only
surviving member of the original board. He was also a director of the Union Trust
Company of New York and had declined the offer of its presidency.
Mr. Pruyn, although always interested in political life, never held political office
until after he was fifty years old. He was a Democrat of the old school, and when
the Civil war broke out he at once took sides with the North as a conscientious 1 >em-
ocrat and a loyal citizen.
In the autumn of 1861 he was elected State senator. He did u<>t seek the nomi-
nation and accepted it only upon the condition that neither he nor any of his friends
should be called upon to contribute, directly or indirectly, any money to control the
i
66
vote ef any elector. At the close of the session he gave his salary to the poor of
Albany.
It was about this time that the law was passed, at the instance of Mr. James A.
Bell, Mr. Pruyn and others, for the building of the new Capitol. Mr. Pruyn was one
of the original commissioners and remained a member of the commission until 1870.
At this period the board was reorganized, and Mr. Pruyn not being in harmony with
the very unfortunate political influences of the time was not included in the new
commission. He and his friends, for reasons not necessary to enumerate, regarded
his being dropped as a very high compliment to him.
Mr. Pruyn laid the first stone of the foundation of the new building on July 7,
1869, in the presence of Governor Hoffman (now deceased), the State officials and a
few friends. He made some appropriate remarks, which he closed as follows: "Here
may wise laws be enacted ; here may purity and integrity of purpose always mark
the action of executive power ;Jiere may justice, the attribute of Deity, be inflexibly
administered, and may Almighty God blessthe State and prosper the undertaking."
Mr. Pruyn was a representative in Congress from the Albany district twice ; first in
the Thirty-eighth Congress (1863-65), as successor to Erastus Corning, resigned, and in
the Fortieth Congress ((1867-69). In Congress he served upon several important
committees — the ways and means (before it was divided), claims, Pacific Railroads,
joint library and foreign affairs. In the Thirty- eighth Congress he was unanimously
chosen by the Democratic members from New York to present, on their behalf, to
the House of Representatives a resolution of censure of the executive authority for
closing the offices and suspending the publication of the New York World and.
Journal of Commerce newspapers. In this Congress he made, among others,
speeches in opposition to the Confiscation act; against the centralizing influence of
the Currency bill; in favor of the reciprocity treaty with Canada, and upon the
abolition of slavery. In the Fortieth Congress his principal speeches were on the
treaty-making power, under the Alaska treaty with Russia; on the reconstruction
acts, he being opposed to military rule in the Southern States; on the Diplomatic
Appropriation bill ; on the resumption of specie payments, and against the impeach-
ment of President Johnson. In this Congress, on the part of the House, he was
chosen a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution in conjunction with the Hon. Luke
P. Poland of Vermont, and the late President Garfield, at that time a member from
Ohio. On the first election of General Grant, Mr. Pruyn was appointed with the
Hon. James F. Wilson of Iowa, a Teller of the House, and in conjunction with Mr.
Wilson and Senator Morton of Indiana, he was one of the committee to inform Gen-
eral Grant of his election. Mr. Pruyn's remarks upon that occasion, referring chiefly
to those holding office, were warmly endorsed. Mr. Pruyn did excellent work in the
fields of philanthropy and education. In 1831 he was elected a member of the Al-
bany Institute, which, as the successor of societies previously organized and consoli-
dated, is really one of the oldest literary and scientific societies in the State. In it
he held various positions, including that of President, to which he was elected about
1857 and held until his death.
In May, 1844, at the age of thirty-three he was appointed a Regent of the Univer-
sity of the State of New York, and in January, 1862, was chosen chancellor. He
was regent for thirty-three years and chancellor (up to the time of his death) for over
fifteen.
G7
The Regents perform a very useful work, comparatively but little understood. The
Board of Regents was organized by the Legislature in 1784, but important changes
were made in 1787. The university is similar in idea to those of Oxford and of Cam-
bridge, except that the institutions composing it are scattered throughout the State
instead of being concentrated in a single city, The educational institutions of the
State (colleges and academies) are under the visitations of the Regents, and the
Regents conduct certain examinations known as the preliminary and higher academic
examinations. The Regents have the power to confer degrees above that of master
of arts. Unfortunately the usual Baccalaureate degrees, as well as most of the de-
grees in medicine and law, can be and are conferred by the several colleges. It is
hoped, however, that the time will come when all degrees will be conferred by the
central body. The excellent work that this body has done of recent years is largely
due to Chancellor Pruyn
Mr. Pruyn was also a member of the executive committee of the State Normal
School at Albany, and president of the Board of Trustees of St. Stephen's College at
Annandale, New York — a training school of the Protestant Episcopal church.
The establishment of the State Commissioner of Charities was recommended by
Governor Fenton upon Mr. Pruyn's suggestion. From the time of its organization,
in 1867, until his death, he was, with a slight interruption, its president. He was
also at the time of his death president of the Board of Commissioners of the State
Survey, He had been a member of the Centennial Commission, but resigned before
1876. He was a member of the association for the codification of the law of
nations, of the New York Historical Society, of the Wisconsin Historical Society, of
the American Geographical and Statistical Society, of the Literary Fund Society of
London, of the Union and Century Clubs of New York, and of other clubs and
societies.
Mr. Pruyn received the degree of master of arts in 1835 from Rutgers College, and
in 1845 from Union College, and in 1852 that of doctor of laws from the University
of Rochester.
Originally brought up in and an officer of the Dutch Reformed church, he subse-
quently joined the Protestant Episcopal church, and was at one time a vestryman of
St. Peter's church, Albany. In all church affairs he took a deep interest and his
views were essentially broad.
Of his personal character it is for his friends to speak. A writer in the Albany
Evening Times, November 21, 1877, says:
It may be added, however, in the language of one who has known him intimately from boy-
hood, that amid all the many virtues of John Y. L. Pruyn, his pre-emineni characteristic was
"Is this just? is this honest?'' was the first question with him always, and the one
whieh, answered, decided his course. lie was always gentle, and was never known to speak ill
of anyone, however much he might differ witli him or be abused. The saying so common was of
him strictly true: " He had not an enemy in the world." He led a life of personal purity and in-
tegrity, unsullied by even so much as a rumor of anything to the contrary. The wise counselor,
the prudent, conscientious public servant; prominent in all things tending to dignify ami elevate
the human race; given to boundless hospitality; a kind, sympathizing, sincere friend; a loving,
indulgent husband, father ami brother; in all things the man of integrity, conservatism an.:
sense; such is the record of John V, I.. Pruyn. In all that pertains to those " things which i
good report," it is a proud record for any man to leave a :< .ill may well study, and
may well aim to equal.
Mr. Pruyn died November 21, 1877, at Clifton Springs, New York, where he had
68
gone in October to take the mineral baths for a complication of disorders. A son by
his first wife, his second wife and two daughters survive him.
JONAS H. BROOKS.
The ancestry of Mr. Brooks's family is traced to Captf (1) Thomas Brooke, who
came from England and settled at Watertown, Mass., in 1630-31, at the time of the
formation of the Massachusetts Bay colony under Governor Winthrop. He was ad-
mitted freeman December 7, 1636, and about the same time he became one of the
founders of Concord, Mass. He was a captain in the local militia, constable 1638,
appointed 1640 under law to value property at Concord, a representative or deputy
to the General Court at Boston eight years, between 1644 and 1662, and commissioner
under authority of this court to regulate the liquor trade among the Indians. He owned
a large tract of land in Concord, and at one time controlled the fur trade among the
Indians, by purchase of grant from the court, in the Concord district. In 1660 he
purchased, with his son-in-law, Timothy Wheeler, 400 acres of land in Medford for
£404 sterling, and the most of this tract has been continuously owned by his de-
scendants in the Brooks name. Capt. Thomas Brooke (this style of spelling is
f.Aind in the King's Court records at Boston) died in Concord, May 21, 1667. He
was married in England (where two if not three of his children were born) to Grace
) who died May 2, 1664. They had at least four sons — Joshua, Caleb, Ger-
shom, and Thomas, jr. — and one daughter, Mary, who married Timothy Wheeler.
These sons originally spelled the name Brookes, but by mutual agreement in 1680
dropped the "e," and ever since the present style, Brooks, has uniformly prevailed.
(2) Joshua Brookes (later Brooks), a tanner and a resident of what is now Lincoln (then
Concord), Mass., was probably born in England, and on the 17th of the 8th mo, (Octo-
ber), 1653, was married to Hannah Mason, of Watertown, daughter of Hugh Mason,
a tanner, deputy to the General Court and a commissioner against the Dutch in
1664. Joshua was admitted freeman May 26, 1652, was a deacon in the church for
many years, and died prior to April 16, 1697. He had eleven children, of whom (3)
Daniel Brooks, the fourth, born November 15, 1663, married Ann Meriam August 9,
1692, and died October 18, 1733, at Concord, where his tombstone is still standing.
She died January 24, 1757. Daniel was an ensign in the militia, and a prominent
man, selectman 1716 to 1719, 1725 to 1729, and a large landowner in Concord and
Lincoln. He had eleven children, of whom the sixth, (4) John Brooks, born February
12, 1702, married, January, 1728, Lydia Barker, daughter of John and Elizabeth
Barker of Concord, Mass., born June 18, 1711 ; he died March 6, 1777, she died June
3, 1802, aged ninety-one ; both are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery (tombstone) at Acton
(a part of old Concord), Mass. John was for many years a deacon in the church at
Acton and a selectman of the town, and assessor several years. December 21, 1772,
he was on a committee from his town to consider the state of the rights of the colon-
ists and the violation of said rights and report a draft of such votes as they shall
think proper, and was a cousin of Col. Eleazer Brooks, who commanded the minute-
men at the North Bridge at Concord, April 19, 1775, and ordered them to fire on the
British. He also had eleven children, of whom (5) Charles Brooks, the third, born at
69
Concord April 6, 1732, lived, after his marriage, in Marlboro until 1704, and then
purchased lands and moved to Princeton, Mass., where he died in March, 1798. In
1757 he was a member of Lieutenant Maynard's Company of Marlboro, and was at
Fort William Henry when it was captured by Montcalm, being one of the 700 out of
the 2,500 American troops who escaped the massacre that followed by Montcalm's
Indians. In 1773 he was one of a Committee, appointed by the town (Princeton), of
Correspondence "to reply to a letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Boston,
showing infringement upon and violation of our Rights and Liberties (by the mother
country)." On April 20, 1775, he marched as a member of minute-men in Capt
Joseph Sargent's Company, Colonel Sparhawk's regiment, to Cambridge, in response
to the Lexington-Concord alarm of April 19; in service sixteen days. June 2, 1775,
was chosen ensign of Alarm Company. 1777, one of a committee (town of Princeton)
"to make an everage of the money and servisesof the present war." 1778, treasurer
of the town. 1779, on committee of three "to borrow the money to pay the men
which may be engaged for the Army." 1779, September 9, on standing committee
"to procure money from time to time to pay men which shall be called for the defence
of their country." The town records also show the following:
"To Enoch Brooks, Treasurer, You are hereby required to pay to Capt. John Mirick, Lt.
Charles Brooks and Josiah Davis, a committee appointed by the Town to procure money to pay
the soldiers as encouragement for to enter into the Continental or State servis, the sum of Eleven
thousand three hundred and forty four pounds.
" l'.i \j. Holdex,
"Sadev M
" Paul Matthews,
"July 1. 1780. Selectmen."
'• For value received, I the subscriber, promise to pay the sum of eleven hundred pounds, in
the present currency, to be paid in three months, for a hors for the Continental servis, and if not
paid then to be on interest till paid, as witness my hand. CHARLES BR( k iks.
. " Princeton, July 13, 1780."
September 11, 1780, on treasurer's account, "Lt. Charles Brooks, one day pro-
curing horses for the Continental army;" again in 1783 for same services. He
took an active part in raising men and supplies to carry on the Revolutionary
war and was one of the most loyal supporters of the colonies. November 24,
1757, he married Mary Hapgood (born June 4, 1740, died August 16, 1808), daugh-
ter of John and Abigail (Morse) Hapgood, of Marlboro. They, too, had eleven
chlidren, of whom the fifth, (I!) Jonas Brooks, born in Princeton December Hi,
177(1, died there October 7, 1805, was a builder, contractor and farmer. Jonas
was active in public affairs, was for many years a justice of the peace, settled as ad-
ministrator a large number of estates, and was especially noted for his great physical
endurance and strength. With his brother John H. he was arrested for debt in re-
fusing to pay the town tax for the support of the State church, as was customary in
those days. He successfully defended his positio i in the courts, and since then no
tax has been levied for church purposes in the towns of Massachusetts. At this time
he belonged to the Congregational Society. Afterward he and his brother and two
other men organized and built the M. E. church there and continued in its support
until his death. He married, first, October 30, 1794, Lydia, daughter of Aaron
Temple of Boylston, who was born February G, 1775, and died October 29, 1819. In
May, 1822, he married second, Nancy, daughter of Samuel Davis of Oakham, M
70
who died September 14, 1868, aged eighty-six. Of his ten children (7) Moses Brooks,
the seventh, was born in Princeton, Mass., July 19, 1808, and married, January 19,
1832, Sophronia, daughter of Ethan Greenwood, of Hubbardston, Mass., who was
born June 18, 1810. In the southern part of Princeton, the town of his birth, is a
station called Brooks (named after the family) on the Boston, Barre and Gardner
railroad, now a part of the Boston and Maine system, the depot being the old home-
stead built by Jonas Brooks in 1810 or '11. In 1835 Moses Brooks moved to Rutland,
Mass., but in 1851 returned to the parental home in Princeton, and in 1856 came to
Oxford, Chenango county, N. Y. In 1862 he settled in the town of Unadilla, near
Rockdale, N.Y., where his wife died December 7, 1889, and where his death occurred
November 12, 1893. Their children were Charles Aaron, born March 11, 1833, died
August 18, 1835; Jonas, born March 9, 1835, died January 10, 1843; Edward, born
May 19, 1837, was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in
1862, entered the U. S. army as assistant surgeon the same year, and died in the
service April 19, 1866 ; Sarah Sophronia, born November 4, 1839, married December
30, 1867, Edwin R. Barnes of Norwich, N. Y., and died February 1, 1877, leaving
two children, Lenora Sarah, since deceased, and Charles Edward, of Norwich;
Moses Walter, a practicing physician of Sidney, N. Y., born November 4, 1841,
married Abigail Peet, of Hunter, N. Y. , and was graduated from the medical de-
partment of the University of Vermont at Burlington in 1879; Jonas Hapgood, the
subject of this sketch; and Charles Greenwood, of Mount Upton, N. Y., born De-
cember 23, 1849.
Jonas Hapgood Brooks, the eighth in lineal descent from the pioneer, Capt.
Thomas Brooke, was born in Rutland, Worcester county, Mass., January 5, 1848,
and came with his parents to this State in 1856. Here he spent his early life on the
farm and attending the district schools and Oxford Academy, where he developed
those native talents which distinguish the scholar. He gave special attention to
medicine, which he expected to adopt as a profession and practice with his eldest
brother, Edward, who was then a surgeon in the army. But the death of the latter
in 1866 changed his plans, though he has never forgotten his love for medical science.
In the winter of 1866-67 he taught school at Guilford, N. Y., and in the fall of 1867
resumed his studies at Norwich Academy, where he obtained a teacher's certificate,
as he also had the preceding year at Oxford. The following winter, 1867-68, he
taught the school at Rockwell's Mills in the town of Guilford, and in the spring of
1868 became a clerk in the First National Bank of New Berlin, N. Y., where in Jan-
uary, 1869, he was chosen teller, a position he filled with credit and satisfaction until
he resigned in December, 1873. He was also a director in this bank during his last
year there. In December, 1873, he accepted the appointment of teller of the National
Albany Exchange Bank, of Albany, and on the death of its cashier, Theodore L.
Scott, on February 22, 1881, succeeded him in that position, which he held until the
bank was closed on the expiration of its charter in January, 1885. On the formation
of the new National Exchange Bank of Albany (which succeeded the old institution),
in which he with Chauncey P. Williams, the president, took the active part, Mr.
Brooks was elected the cashier, and discharged with fidelity the arduous duties of
that office until November 6, 1889, when he was chosen a director and cashier of the
Albany City National Bank, which positions he still holds. In December, 1889, he
was also elected a trustee and treasurer of the Albany City Savings Institution, but
71
subsequently resigned the treasurership. While cashier of the National Exchange
Bank he was also a trustee in the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, but resigned this
post November 6, 1889, to give his whole attention to the affairs of the two institu-
tions with which he is now connected,
Mr. Brooks has always been a staunch Republican, has taken a deep interest in
political affairs, and in 1886 was a delegate to the Republican State Convention at
Saratoga. He was for two years treasurer of St. Peter's church and in January,
1890, was elected trustee and treasurer of the Corning Foundation for Christian
Work in the Diocese of Albany, which positions he still holds. This organization, in
which he has manifested deep interest, and of which Bishop Doane is the head, em-
braces the supervision and care of St. Agnes School, the Child's Hospital, St. Mar-
garet's House, and the Sisters' House, and is one of the most worthy benevolent in-
stitutions in the State. Mr. Brooks was a foundation member of the Fort Orange
Club in 1880, and has been a member of the Unconditional Republican Club of
Albany since about 1875, being its treasurer during the Garfield campaign. lie is
fond of athletic sports and outdoor exercise, has won several prizes at the Rensse
laerwyck Rifle Range, is an extensive reader on historical and scientific subjects,
and is a close observer and student of human nature and natural scenery. He has
devoted much time to genealogical research, and has in his possession copies of wills
and settlements of estates of seven generations of his family in America.
Mr. Brooks was married on January 22, 1889, to Miss Frances S., daughter of the
late Samuel Patten, of Albany, and Julia, daughter of William Newton. At
the wedding were Mr. Brooks's parents, who three days before had celebrated
their fifty-seventh marriage anniversary. They have had two children : Edward,
who died in infancy, and Julia Newton Brooks, born July 10, 189:5. Mr. and Mrs.
Brooks have traveled quite extensively, both in this country and in Europe. In the
winter of 1895 they were among the passengers who had a thrilling experience on
board the ill-fated steamer Cienfuegos, which on February 4 was wrecked and lost
off Harbor Island, one of the group of the West Indies.
MATTHEW HALE.
Hon. Matthew Hale, born in Chelsea, Vt. , June 20, 1829, is a descendant of
Thomas Hale (married Joan Kirby), a yeoman of Watton- at-Stone, Hertfordshire,
England, who died in October, 1630. Thomas Hale, jr., born at Watton-at-Stone in
L605, came to America in 1637 and settled in Newbury, Mass., where Ik- died De-
cember 31, 1682. His son Thomas was born in England, November 18, 1633, died
in Newbury, October 22, 1688, leaving a son, Dr. Thomas Hale, a physician of 11..
erill. Mass, who died in 1732. Moses Hale, son of Thomas, was born in 1703, settled
in New Hampshire and died in 176',). His son Nathan, born in 1743, served in the
Revolution as colonel of a New Hampshire regiment and died on Long Kland. a
prisoner of war, in 1780. Harry Hale, a son of Col. Nathan, was born in 1780,
settled in Chelsea, Vt., was many years clerk of Orange county, member of the
Legislature, state bank commissioner, captain of militia, a merchant, mill owner
and farmer and died in 1861. He married, first, Phoebe Adams, who bore him
72
eleven children. By his second wife, Lucinda Eddy, he had seven children, the
youngest being Matthew. She was a direct descendant of Miles Standish and John
Alden of the Mayflower, through a son of Standish, who married a daughter of John
and Priscilla (Mullens) Alden.
Matthew Hale attended the Bradford (Vt.) Academy, was graduated from the
University of Vermont in 1851, and read law in Elizabethtown, N. Y., with Kellogg
& Hale (the latter being Hon. Robert S. Hale, a member of Congress and Regent of
the University, and Matthew's elder brother). Admitted to the bar at Salem, N. Y.,
in 1853, he began the practice of his profession in Poughkeepsie with his brother
Henry, and continued with Gen. A. B. Smith. In 1859 he removed to New York
city and became a partner of Lot C. Clark. Returning to Elizabethtown, N. Y.,
in December, 1863, he formed a partnership with Judge A. C. Hand (his father-in-
law and one of the first justices of "the Supreme Court elected under the constitution
of 1846) and Richard L. Hand, under the firm name of Hand & Hale.
Mr. Hale was elected a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1867
and served on the judiciarv committee of that body. In 1867 he was elected State
senator. In 1868 he removed to Albany and with the late Samnel Hand and the
late Nathan Swartz, formed the law firm of Hand, Hale '& Swartz which, on the
admission of Charles S. Fairchild, became Hand, Hale, Swartz & Fairchild. This
was dissolved in 1875. Afterwards Alpheus T. Bulkeley and Hon. Esek Cowen were
his partners. The present firm of Hale, Bulkeley & Tennant consists of Mr. Hale,
Alpheus T. Bulkeley and Albert C. Tennant.
In 1883 Mr. Hale was the Republican candidate for justice of the Supreme Court
and in that year the University of Vermont conferred upon him the honorary de-
gree of LL.D. He is a distinguished writer and speaker and eminent lawyer, and
was one of the organizers of the New York State Bar Association, of which he has
been president.
He has been counsel in many important cases, and within the last year has sue
cessfully argued in the Court of Appeals a case involving the effect of the civil serv-
ice provision in the Constitution of 1894, in which he obtained a decision giving
full force and effect to such provision as against an attack made by the superintend-
ent of Public Works; also a case in favor of the Adelphi Club of Albany, in which
it was held that the license law of 1892 did not apply to social clubs; also the Albany
Police case, in which an act, passed by the Legislature in 1895 making a total change
of the Albany police force, was held to be unconstitutional and void.
He was a charter member and trustee of the Fort Orange Club, is a trustee and
vice-president of the Albany Savings Bank, member of the Reform Club of New
York city, and at one time was vice-president of the Commonwealth Club of New
York and president of the United Chapters of the Phi Beta Kappa. In politics he is
Independent and has been for many years. He is one of the executive committee
of the National Municipal League, is president of the Citizens' Association of Al-
bany; president of the Albany Vigilance League; president of the New York State
Civil Service Reform League and of the Albany Association on the same subject.
In 1856 he married Ellen S., daughter of Hon. A. C. Hand. She died in 1867, and
in 1877 he married, second, Mary, daughter of Col. Francis L. Lee, of Boston, Mass.,
by whom he has three daughters and two sons,
HUGH HASTINGS.
73 -
HUGH HASTINGS.
Hugh Hastings, State Historian, third son of Col. John Hastings was born in Al-
bany, July 22, 1856. Colonel Hastings was born in Ireland in 1824, .came with his
parents to Albany in 1831 and died here June 3, 1887. At the breaking out of the
war of the Rebellion he was engaged in the job printing business in the old Museum
building. April 19, 1861, he organized Co. B, 18th N. Y. Vols., was commissioned
its captain April 24, was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 7th N. Y. H. A., Septem-
ber 8, 1862, and was honorably discharged July 29, 1864. Afterward he was editor
of the Albany Knickerbocker until August, 1877, when he retired. He married Mar-
garet, daughter of Henry L. Jewell, of Albany, and their children were John, Hugh,
David, Warren, Mary (widow of Lewis H. Van Antwerp), and Jennie, who survive,
and Henry J., William, Frank and Margaret, deceased.
Hugh Hastings was educated in the Albany public and High School and the Cass
Academy, and began journalistic work on the old Knickerbocker, founded by his
uncle, Hugh J. Hastings, September 3, 1843. In 1874 he joined the staff of the New
York Commercial Advertiser, of which he became city and financial editor and where
he began his career as a writer on political subjects. In October, 1885, he joined the
World's staff, and in 1886 became its Albany correspondent, but in 1887 was placed
in charge of its Washington bureau. In 1888 he was placed in charge of the New
York State Political Department of the New York Times, for which he described the
Johnstown flood of 1889 and the Homestead and Buffalo strikes of 1892.
On the creation of the office of State Historian, he was appointed and entered
upon his duties April 30, 1895, and has ably organized that department. His first
report, transmitted to the Legislature March 3, 1896, clearly shows the work he has
in view, the permanent preservation of New York's most important war records,
covering a period of 125 years. Excepting those of 1884 he has attended every na-
tional and New York State political convention since 1878. April 5, 1883, he mar-
ried Elizabeth Rehrer Dock of Harrisburg, Pa,
REV. WILLIAM GRIFFIN, D. D.
Few men have been more deservedly prominent and popular in the work and his-
tory of the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church than Dr. Griffin. He
was well educated and endowed with a clear and logical brain, possessed broad sym-
pathies and positive convictions and he was perforce of his mental and moral or-
ganization a man of action as well as ideas, early attaining prominence as a leader
among his brethren.
Three times he was placed in charge of districts and four times elected to repre-
sent his conference in the General Conference. Though retired from the active work
of the ministry several years ago, he has always kept in touch with the needs of the
world and the work of the church, and no worthy object ever appealed to him in vain
when it was in his power to grant the desired assistance.
To the cause of education he has always been a ardent friend and liberal supporter.
.i
74
Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., credits him with the endowment of its
" Chair of Philosophy" and Syracuse University with having endowed its professor-
ship of " History and Political Science."
Cazenovia Seminary, where Mrs. Griffin had been both pupil and preceptress, was
made the recipient of §25,000, to endow the chair once occupied by her and to per-
petuate the memory of the place where she had passed not a few of the sunniest days
of her life. Generous contributions have been made to other educational institutions.
But history will undoubtedly show that at Round Lake he has accomplished the
crowning work of his life.
In 1886 he was elected president of the association, and most worthily has he filled
the position for more than a decade and most generously has he contributed to the
development of its growing educational work. Here he has had ample field for his
versatile genius, broad sympathies and indomitable perseverance. Up as by magic
have sprung a summer school with its varied departments of music, art, archaeology,
oratory, modern and ancient languages, theology, and a popular assembly of wide
range in up to date subjects.
Here, also, has been established a flourishing academy and an exceptionally fine
museum of art and archaeology.
Though eighty years have rolled past him, time has dealt most kindly with his
vigorous physique and left little impression save in his whitened locks. Living roy-
allv in years and deeds and memories, he is yet planning larger things in the inter-
ests of his beloved Round Lake.
JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP.
John Henry Van Antwerp is a lineal descendant of Daniel Janse Van Antwerp
(married Maritie, daughter of Simon Groot), of Holland, who settled in Beverwyck
in 1661. Daniel J. Van Antwerp was a proprietary settler of Schenectady, where
several of his children were killed or taken prisoners to Montreal when that town
was burned by the French and Indians. He was a fur trader and a member of the
Dutch church, giving on June 23, 1715, the land on which the Reformed church of
Schenectady now stands. Mr. Van Antwerp's grandfather, Daniel Lewis Van Antwerp,
1771-1832, of Schenectady and later of Albany, was a member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1801, member of the Legislature for Saratoga in 1808-10, and district
attorney in 1811 for the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Montgomery
and Schoharie, being appointed March 9, 1811, by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins. When
Albany county was erected into a separate district, April 21, 1818, he was reap-
pointed by Gov. De Witt Clinton, June 11, 1811, his commissions in each case being
unlimited, but continuous during the pleasure of the Governor and Council. He
was brigade quartermaster in the war of 1812, member of the Legislature for Sche-
nectady in 1818, and judge of the Court of Justices in 1820. His son, William Van
Antwerp, 1799-1829, was a prominent lawyer of Albany, married Sarah Meadon,
and had four children: John Henry, William Meadon, Daniel Lewis, and one, a
daughter, deceased.
John H. Van Antwerp, born in Albany, October 12, 1823, received a private school
75
education and began his business life as a clerk. He was one of the founders and
original trustees of the National Savings Bank of Albany, and has been its president
since May, 1872, shortly after its organization. He has also been connected with the
New York State National Bank since July 17, 18-17. first as corresponding clerk, and
from January 1, 1856, as cashier, until 1880, when he resigned to become first vice-
president, which position he now holds.
John H. Van Antwerp married Martha Wiswall in August, 1842. They have two
children living, Kate Josephine, wife of J. R. Stanton, paymaster United States
Navy, and Henrietta W., wife of Major J. W. MacMurray of the U. S. Army; and
one son and daughter deceased. Mrs. Van Antwerp died in August, 1880. Mr. Van
Antwerp and wife early became members of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Albany,
of which for many years he has been and is senior warden. He was one of the
originators of the scheme for the creation of Washington Park, Albany, and one of
the commissioners named in the act of the Legislature creating it ; was the first pres-
ident for thirteen years of the board during the formative period of the park, and
subsequently declined a reappointment by the mayor at the expiration of his last
term of service.
Socially he is a member of the Manhattan and St. Nicholas Clubs of New York
city, Fort Orange Club, and the Country Club, city of Albany; also a member of the
Holland Society, Sons of the Revolution, Fellow of the American Geographical So-
ciety of the city of New York, and the Albany Institute. As a financier he has for
half a century been connected with the banking interests of Albany, and has shown
himself to be of acknowledged ability, which is indicated by the standing of the
institutions with which he has been connected in his official capacity as director
or officer, and the length of time he has remained in connection with them.
He was a member of the New York State Board of Charities for over eighteen
years; it being an unsalaried office Often when duties in other directions claimed
his. time he cheerfully devoted it to the interest of the State and early called atten-
tion to the necessity of some restriction by the government of unsupervised emigration
from Europe to this country.
LUCY ANN PLYMPTON.
Miss Lucy Ann Plympton, since 1879 principal of the Albany Female Academy,
is of English descent, both her paternal and maternal ancestors coming to Medfield,
Mass., in 1G39. In each case the original estates in that town have never been owned
outside the family. She was born in Shrewsbury, Mass.. May 6, 1834, and spent her
earlier years in her native village, attending the public and private schools and the
academy and developing a natural talent for study. She finished a course at the
New Hampshire Conference Seminary, taught for two years in grammar and private
schools, took the degree of Mistress of Liberal Arts at the New Hampshire Female
College, and became a teacher rn the Newbury (Vt.) Seminary. When the Rebellion
broke out she returned home, but soon took charge of the girls' department in the
Troy Conference Academy for one year, when she became lady principal of Ripley
College, which position she resigned in 1S(!7. In 1869 she was elected principal of
76
Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pa., where she spent six years, coming thence to
Albany, where she has since resided. Here she started a private enterprise known
as Miss Plympton's School for Young Ladies, which in 1879 was merged into the
Albany Female Academy, over which she has since presided as principal. (A de-
tailed sketch of this historic institution appears elsewhere in this volume.) Miss
Plympton's long and faithful service in the academy has placed her among the fore-
most educators of the time. She represented as a delegate the Dana Natural Histol^
Society of Albany in the International Geological Congress at London in 1888, was
an early officer and has continuously been chairman of the educational committee of
the Young Woman's Christian Association, and is actively interested in all move-
ments which tend to advance and educate not only her sex, but mankind.
CHARLES J. BUCHANAN.
Charles J. Buchanan was born of Scoth-Irish ancestry in New Berlin, Chenango
county, N. Y., December 27, 1843, and received his preliminary education in the
common schools and academy of his native town. Of studious habits he was ambi-
tious to acquire the benefits of a college course, but the breaking out of the war of
the Rebellion fired bis youthful ardor and patriotism and caused him to enlist in the
Union cause. In the autumn of 1861 he enlisted as a volunteer in the 1st Regiment
of U. S. (Berdan's) Sharpshooters and joined the army of the Potomac, in which he
served with distinguished gallantry for three years, rising to the rank of first lieu-
tenant and acting adjutant. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, from
Yorktown in 1862 to Appomattox in 1865, among them Hanover Court House, the
Seven Days' Fight before Richmond, Antietam, Wapping Heights, Fredericksburgh,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Har-
bor, Deep Bottom, the mine explosion at Petersburgh, Weldon Railroad, the siege of
Petersburgh, etc. He was never away from his regiment until his final discharge and
was never sick nor wounded while in the service. At the close of the war in 1865 he
accepted an appointment as clerk in the Quartermaster-General's office at Washington
and for a time was stationed at Fort Snelling, Minn. After about a year he resigned
this position to complete his academic studies, which his enlistment had interrupted.
In 1867 General Hancock offered him a lieutenancy in the regular army, which he
declined, and this same year he was appointed by President Johnson a cadet to the
U. S. Military Academy at West Point, where he made valuable use of his time. In
October, 1870, he resigned his cadetship to study law, which he had contemplated for
several years. Entering the offices of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, one of the ablest law
firms ever known in Albany, he was admitted to the bar at the January General
Term, 1874, and the next year became a partner in this firm.
This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Bancroft in January, 1880, when
the firm became Smith, Moak & Buchanan. Upon the death of Mr. Smith in Decem-
ber, 1884, the firm of Moak & Buchanan was formed. These several firms enjoyed
large and successful practices, having important and intricate cases in the various
courts. Mr. Moak died September 17, 1892, since which time Mr. Buchanan has con-
ROBERT H. MCCORMIC, JR.
77
tmued the practice of the law at the same offices occupied by his former partner-
ships.
Mr. Buchanan has always taken great interest in military affairs. On July 2,
1889, he delivered the oration at Gettysburg on the dedication of the monument
to the 1st Regiment of U. S. Sharpshooters, which was subsequently issued in pam-
phlet form and is replete with interesting historical facts and reminiscences. He is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic; has been first vice-president and a
member of the board of managers of the Young Men's Association (a literary insti-
tution founded by Amos Dean); is a life trustee of the Young Men's Association;
is a trustee and secretary of the board of trustees of the Albany Law School ; is a
trustee of the National Savings Bank of Albany ; has been for several years a member
and treasurer of the board of commissioners of Washington Park ; is a member of the
Fort Orange and Albany Clubs; and of the St. Andrew's Society; and of the Albany
Burns Club(of which last named club he has been president); and the Buchanan Society
of Scotland. He is judge advocate, with the rank of major, of the 3d Brigade, N. G.
N. Y. He was active in raising the Harmanus Bleecker Hall fund, and has always
taken a keen interest in the advancement of the city of Albany, with so many of
whose institutions he is so prominently identified. In politics he is a staunch Repub-
lican. He is public spirited, patriotic and progressive, and liberally encourages all
worthy public movements. Mr. Buchanan is a member of the first class of the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, which, as is well known, is
composed of those who were commissioned officers in the war of the Rebellion.
In October, 1875, Mr. Buchanan was married to Miss Caroline Van Yalkenburg,
daughter of the late Isaac Yan Yalkenburg, of Xorthville, Fulton county, N. Y.
ROBERT H. McCORMIC, Jr.
Robert H. McCormic, Jr., was born January 30, 1870, in the city of Albany, X.Y.
In the line of the paternal ancestry he represents the seventh generation of his fam-
ily in America, in each of which the eldest son bore the name of Robert, he being
the seventh Robert in direct line. His ancestor who immigrated to America was born
of Scotch-Irish parentage in Londonderry, Ireland, and immigrated to America in
172") in company with John Woodburn, the great-grandfather of Horace Greeley.
They were among the original settlers of Londonderry, N. II., from whence the
McCormic family moved and settled the town of Londonderry, Yt. Mr. McCormic's
great-great-grandfather served in the Revolution and was one of the participants in
the battle of Bennington under Stark. On his mother's side he represents the
twelfth generation of his family in America. I lis maternal ancestor, Cornelius Van
Ness, was born of Dutch parentage upon the Havendyek in Holland and came to
America in 1642 and settled at Greenbush. X. V. The family spread rapidly and
later generations settled upon large tracts of land in Columbia county, near Kinder-
hook. The family contained many lawyers, some of whom became noted.
Mr. McCormic's great-great-grandfather, John P. Van Ness, was born in the Clav-
erack district in 1770. was educated at Columbia College and was subsequently ad-
mitted to the bar. He was elected to Congress in 1801, and afterward became
78
mayor of Washington, D. C, and president of the Bank of the Metropolis. He had
two brothers, William P. and Cornelius P. Van Ness, who were also distinguished
lawyers and jurists. Cornelius P. was admitted to the bar in 1804. Later he moved
to Vermont, became United States district attorney, collector of customs, member
of assembly, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, twice governor of Ver-
mont and finally minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary to the court of
Spain. William P. was one of the leading lawyers of his time and became judge of
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He was
one of the seconds for Burr in the famous Hamilton and Burr duel. He owned
" Lindenwald" at Kinderhook, N.Y., which he afterward sold to Martin Van Buren,
who read law in his office. He was also a colonel in the war of 1812 and a member
of the Constitutional Convention of 1821.
Mr. McCormic's great-grandfather, Jesse Van Ness, was a farmer and served as a
captain in the war of 1812. He owned a large tract of land between Castleton and
Muitseskill in Rensselaer and Columbia counties, portions of which remained in the
possession of the family until quite recently.
Mr. McCormic's father, Robert H. McCormic, was born at Coxsackie, N. Y., but
passed the days of his youth near Windham, Vt., graduating from Burr Seminary at
Manchester, Vt. He served as a captain in the late Civil war on the Union side.
He is living and is now and for some time past has been engaged in the insurance
business. Mr. McCormic's mother, Carrie Van Ness, was born at Stuyvesant, N.Y. ,
and graduated from Coeymans Academy at Coeymans, N. Y. She died August 20,
1875, and her mother, Amanda Van Ness, immediately removed to Albany, N. Y.,
and assumed the responsibility of caring for the two motherless children, Mr. Mc-
Cormic, then but five years old, and his sister Grace E., then three years old, who is
now a teacher in one of the public schools at Yonkers, N. Y. At the age of seven
years young McCormic entered public school No. 12 of Albany and graduated with
honors, receiving a graduation diploma, scholarship diploma, and Regents' certifi-
cate. He entered the Albany High School, chose the classical course and graduated
therefrom in 1888. He was a member of the Philologian Society and held several
important offices therein. After graduating from the High School he entered the
insurance office of his father. He left this employment for a brief period in 1888 to
accept the position of bookkeeper in closing up the business of the clothing house of
Joseph Gardner in Albany, and then returned again to his father's office. While
with his father he began to read law and on the first day of September, 18S9, en-
tered upon a regular clerkship under the instruction of the late William A. Allen,
who occupied the same offices. On the 18th of April, 1891, he entered the law office
of County Judge J. H. Clute as a minor clerk. His progress there was rapid and he
was soon made managing clerk of the office and on the 15th of September, 1892, was
admitted to practice law. He continued to occupy his position of managing clerk
after his admission to the bar and also practiced law himself, and in a short time
had acquired a very fair practice. On the first of April, 1896, just subsequently to
the retirement of Judge Clute from the bench, he entered into a partnership with
the judge under the firm name of Clute & McCormic, with offices at 5-15 Tweddle
building, Albany. This partnership has since continued.
Mr. McCormic takes an active interest in politics and is at present the secretary
79
and treasurer of the Second Assembly District Committee of the Republican organ-
ization of Albany count}'.
He early became affiliated with secret societies and is now the sitting vice-grand
of Clinton Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F., and the junior seneschal of Albany Senate No.
641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, of which senate he is a charter member.
He is also a past captain of Frederick Townsend Camp No. 1, Sous <,f Veterans, and
has held nearly all the important positions in the State body of that organization
and has been a delegate to the national body.
On October 31, 1894, he married Estelle N., daughter of Horace R. Lockwood of
South Westerlo, N. Y., who was educated in Greenville Academy, located at Green-
ville, N. Y., and the State Normal and Training School at Oswego, N. Y. He has
no children.
CHARLES F. STOWELL.
Charles Frederick Stowell, son of Thomas P. and Henrietta (Fowler) Stowcll,
was born in Owego, N. Y., February 28, 1853, and descends from an English family
who emigrated to New England in the early history of this country. Thomas P.
Stowell was prominent in the fire insurance business, being connected with the
JEtna. Fire Insurance Company for about twenty years; he lived in Rochester, N.Y.,
where he died in February, 1896.
Charles F. Stowell was educated in the public schools and Free Academy of Roch-
ester, was graduated as a civil engineer from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
at Troy in 1879, and for five years thereafter was associated in a professional capac-
ity with Charles Hilton and the Hilton Bridge Construction Company, bridge build-
ers. In 1884 he was appointed as bridge engineer of the New York State Board of
Railroad Commissioners and held the position until 1892. His duties consisted ot
examining plans and strains of all railroad bridges in the State and reporting as to
their safety. The results of his valuable labors were published by the board in 1 S'.U ,
in a volume of 1,880 pages, and covers outline sketches of every railroad bridge then
in the State, with the strains of each member of the bridge, a tabulation of sizes of
each member and recommendations for strengthening where weakness was found.
As a result of that report probably one-half of the railroad bridges in the State were
strengthened or rebuilt, and since then no railway bridge in New York lias broken
down.
Since 1892 Mr. Stowell has been a consulting bridge engineer and is now a mem-
ber of the firm of Stowell & Cunningham. He is a member of the American Society
of Civil Engineers. October 10, 1882, he married Emily A., daughter of Thomas
Blossom, of Canandaigua, N. Y., a prominent railroad man and identified with the
Rochester Water Works. They have two children : Grace Elizabeth ami Thomas
Charles. Mrs. Stowell's family were early Puritan settlers of Massachusetts and
prominent in public life. Her grandfather, Col. William Blossom, was a noted bote]
keeper in Canandaigua.
80
HOWARD VAN RENSSELAER, M. D.
Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D., son of Bayard Van Rensselaer, was born in
Albany on the 26th of June, 1858, and descends from one of the oldest and most re-
spected families in Eastern New York. Killian Van Rensselaer, the original ances-
tor, a merchant in Amsterdam, Holland, and a member of the Dutch West India
Company, availed himself, about the year 1630, of the privileges offered by the As-
sembly of XIX and the commissioners of the States-General, passed in 1629, by
which all members of the company who planted a colony of fifty souls over fifteen
years of age were to be acknowledged patroons of the New Netherlands. He further
perfected his title to the lands thus granted by purchasing them from the Indians.
These purchases embraced a territory extending along the Hudson River, for
twenty-four miles back on each side, from Baeren Island to Cohoes Falls, Fort
Orange only being reserved by the West India Company. Killian Van Rensselaer
died in 1648, and his son Johannes succeeded him. The latter is believed to have
come here, and in 1642 to have built the mansion at Greenbush, which is still stand-
ing. His son Killian and the son of his brother Jeremiah, also named Killian, set-
tled here, and to these two Killians were given the English patents in trust for their
grandfather Killian. Killian the son of Johannes died without issue and the grant
was confirmed to Killian the son of Jeremiah, who was succeeded by his son Stephen,
whose eldest son Stephen became the seventh patroon, or lord of the manor, and
died in 1769, just after the completion of the present manor house in North Broad-
way. Stephen Van Rensselaer, son of the last named Stephen, was born in New
York city in 1764, his mother being Catharine, daughter of Philip Livingston, one
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. General Ten Broeck, his uncle,
had the management of the estate until he attained the age of twenty-one. Mr.
Van Rensselaer attended school in Albany, the Kingston Academy, and Princeton
College in 1782, and in 1783 married Margaret, daughter of Gen. Philip J. Schuyler,
who died in 1801, leaving a son Stephen. His second wife was a daughter of Judge
Patterson, of New Jersey, of the U. S. Supreme Court. He was member of assembly
in 1789, 1808, 1810, and 1816, State senator from 1791 to 1795, lieutenant-governor
from 1795 to 1801, colonel of State cavalry in the war of 1812, member of Congress
from 1822 to 1829, chancellor of the university in 1835, and for twenty-two years a
canal commissioner and for fifteen years president of the board. He died in the
manor house January 26, 1839. His son Stephen married Harriet Bayard, of New
York, and died in 1868. Their son Bayard, who died in 1859, married Laura, daugh-
ter of Marcus Tullius Reynolds, who survives him. Both were natives of Albany,
and the parents of the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Van Rensselaer, at an early age, was placed in the State Normal School at
Albany and later in the Albany Academy. In these two institutions he developed a
deep love for the pursuit of knowledge and won a warm place in the affections of his
teachers and companions. After leaving the academy he spent three years in a pri-
vate boarding school in Catskill and six years in St. Paul's School at Concord, N. H.,
where he gave special attention to scientific study, and where he took a yearly testi-
monial for high standing, two literary prizes, and the school medal, the highest
honor given by that institution. There he also took an active part in athletics, be-
HOWARD VAN RHNSSbLAER, M. D.
81
ing president of the Athletic Association and stroke in the successful school crew.
He was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. from Yale Scientific School in 1881, and
also spent some time in the Yale Art School, taking a literary prize. At both Yale
and St. Paul's he made records in walking contests.
Having completed his literary studies he immediately entered the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons of New York City and received the degree of M. D. in 1884. He
became an assistant in the Chambers Street Hospital and a student in a post-gradu-
ate medical school, and on competitive examination secured a post as interne in the
in the New York Hospital, where he remained eighteen months. The years 1887
and 1888 he spent in Europe, where he studied in the hospitals of Berlin, Paris,
Vienna, Munich, London, Edinburgh, and other cities, and also visited the noted
art galleries of the Old World. Returning to America in February, 1889, he began
the active practice of his profession in Albany and was at once appointed visiting
physician at St. Peter's Hospital and attending physician at the dispensary of the
Child's Hospital. In the following autumn he became instructor in nervous diseases
and diseases of the chest at the Albany Medical College, and in December was made
attending physician to the Hospital for Incurables. In January, 1890, he was elected
visiting physician to the Home of the Friendless and in June was called as lecturer
on materia medica at the Medical College. In 1891 he was appointed lecturer on
diseases of the heart and lungs in the Albany Medical College. In 1892 he was
chosen editor of the Albany Medical Annals. In 1893 he was elected attending
physician in the City Hospital, and was also made president of the Country Club.
In 1894 he was appointed associate professor of materia medica in the Medical Col-
lege. In 1895 he was elected as State medical examiner for the Civil Service Com-
mission. In 1896 he was promoted to the associate professorship on thereapeutics,
and was also made associate professor on general medicine in the Albany Medical
College.
Dr. Van Rensselaer, besides visiting and studying abroad, has traveled exten-
sively on the American continent, and possesses an interesting fund of reminiscence
and learning. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Albany County Club,
the Calumet Club of New York, and the Berzelius Society of Yale Scientific School.
ANTHONY N. BRADY.
Anthony N. Brady, who for many years has been prominently identified with
various gas and electric street railway enterprises of the State, was born, a son of
Nicholas and Helen (Malone) Brady, in Lille, France, August 22, 1843, and came
with his mother to this country in 1845, settling in Troy, N. V., where he received a
thorough public school education. He first engaged in the tea business in Albany,
Troy and Cohoes, and subsequently became a contractor in all kinds of work,
executing among his numerous contracts the stone work of the Hawk street viaduct
in Albany.
In 1885 Mr. Brady became interested in the gas business and later in electric
street railway enterprises, and since then he has been actively and prominently con-
nected with various large corporations of this character. These enterprises are
K
82
associated with the progress and development of a number of the chief cities of the
Empire State. He is president of the Municipal Gas Company of Albany, vice-
president of the Albany and Troy City Railway Companies, and a director in several
other gas and electric street railway corporations operating in the States of New
York, Indiana, Rhode Island and Illinois. He is also a director in the Commercial
National Bank of Albany, and served that city for several years as a fire commis-
sioner, being first appointed by Mayor Nolan. He is a member of the Albany and
Fort Orange Clubs of Albany and of the Manhattan and New Club, the Downtown
Association, and the Fifth Avenue Democratic Club of New York city. He has
never sought public preferment, but has always taken a lively interest in every
movement affecting the general welfare and advancement.
Mr. Brady was married in 1866 to Miss Marcia A. , daughter of Harmon Myers, of
Bennington, Vt. They are the parents of six children, and reside in Albany.
JOHN A. DELEHANTY.
John A. Delehanty was born in Albany, N. Y., May 18, 185K, and received his
earlier education in the public schools and Free Academy of his native city. He
was graduated with honor from Union College in 1877, read law in the office of Hon.
Simon W. Rosendale, ex-attorney general, and was admitted to the bar in Septem-
ber, 1879, when he at once began the active practice of his profession. In 1881 he
was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany county by District Attorney D.
Cady Herrick, and held that position until Judge Herrick became corporation coun-
sel of the city of Albany in May, 1886, when he resigned to accept the appointment
of assistant corporation counsel under Mr. Herrick. Upon Judge Hernck's elevation
to the Supreme Court bench on January 1, 1892, Mr. Delehanty succeeded him as
corporation counsel, and continued in that capacity until May 1, 1894. He was
appointed corporation counsel January 1, 1896, and is the present incumbent of the
office.
The office of corporation counsel is perhaps the most important and responsible
position connected with a municipal government, as the incumbent of the office is not
only required to represent the corporation in all litigation in which it is interested,
but the relations between the various departments are determined and regulated
under his advice and direction. The subject of reform in the method of governing
municipal corporations which is now attracting such widespread attention is a prob-
lem, to which Mr. Delehanty has devoted much time and study. His experience has
made him a firm believer in and advocate of the theory that the most businesslike
administration of city affairs depends upon the concentration of the exclusive power
of appointment of all subordinate officers in the chief executive, thus imposing
responsibility where it rightfully belongs. With this idea in view during his connec-
tion with the city government he has been instrumental in effecting legislation which
has entrusted such power in the mayor of Albany to a greater extent perhaps than in
any other city in the State of New York ; in fact it now applies to almost every de-
partment of the city government. He is also the author of a proposed charter for a
city government which follows this doctrine to its fullest extent and provides for de-
JOHN A. DELEHANTY.
JAMES M. BORTHWICK.
83
partments each under the management of a single individual instead of boards and
commissions as now generally administered. Although the measure has not as yet
become a law, the plan proposed has received favorable comment from students of
municipal reform, who are of the opinion that it will in a great measure solve this
much vexed question. The commissions appointed by Governor Morton to report
uniform charters for cities of the second and third class have reported proposed
charters, based upon the plan which Mr. Delehanty devised incorporating therein
many sections of his proposed charter in their entirety without change of language.
During the administration of the office of corporation counsel by Mr. Delehanty
the city has been unusually successful in its litigations. His great experience in
corporation law has been valuable and useful in his private practice, and he has
been successful in a large number of cases involving intricate points of municipal
law.
Mr. Delehanty is a member of the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs, and takes an
active interest in the welfare of his native city. He was married in 1884 to a daugh-
ter of the late Hon. Daniel Manning of Albany, and they have two children: Mar-
garet Manning Delehanty and Raymond Manning Delehanty.
JAMES M. BORTHWICK.
James M. Borthwick, son of William D. and Maria (Russell) Borthwick, was born
on a farm in Broome, Schoharie county, January 29, 1849, was educated in the com-
mon schools and when seventeen began teaching a district school, an occupation he
followed winters until 1874. In 1875 he engaged in mercantile business in Hunters-
land, N. Y., and continued until the spring of 1877, having for one year Holmes
Wiltsie as a partner. Selling out he became a clerk for G. B. Russell 'at Clarksville,
Albany county, one year and then spent two years on the farm and two years as a
general merchant at South Berne.
In 1882 he came to Albany and, forming a partnership with George B. Russell,
engaged in the grocery, flour and feed business. Five years later he sold out to Mr.
Russell and went to Coeymans Junction (now Ravena) as a general merchant, being
also postmaster. In 1890 he sold out to Bentley & Shultes, and for a short time en-
gaged in real estate operations. Returning to Albany in September, 1890, he became
proprietor of the Pearl Street House, which he sold in 1891 to John .G. Myers. On
May 1, 1891, he became proprietor of the Kimball House on Washington Avenue,
which he has since conducted.
He has always been an active Republican, a delegate to several political conven-
tions, and in 1895 was elected county clerk of Albany county, over Joslyn Nodine,
receiving the largest majority (1,032) of any man on the ticket. He is a member of
Middleburg Lodge No. 663, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M.,
De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. \- S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T.,
Cyprus Temple, N. (). M. S., and the Republican Unconditional Club and was sonic
time a member of the Jackson Corps.
In 1869 he married Chanty, daughter of Cook Sisson, of Iluntersland, Schoharie
county, and they have two children: Acton S. and Blanche M.
84
JOSIAH G. ROOT.
Josiah Goodrich Root, manufacturer, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., May 28,
1801. He was descended from an old Northamptonshire (England) family. His
father being a farmer, the boy worked on the farm in the intervals of attendance at
the town schools. At this period Pittsfield was becoming a home of woolen manu-
facture, looms for the making of broadcloth having been set up there in 1804. Mr.
Root entered one of these mills and soon acquiring a practical knowledge of the
business he started for himself, setting up a small mill for dyeing and finishing
goods. When wool spinning and weaving were transferred from the homes of the
people to large establishments, Mr. Root devoted himself to setting up machinery
and starting mills for other parties.
In 1833 he was employed to set up the machinery of a new woolen mill at Water-
vliet, N. Y. , of which he became manager, operating it with success for the next
three years. This was the nucleus of the extensive establishment of James Roy &
Co. In 1836 Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany, the patroon, who had been running
flour mills, desired to engage, instead, in woolen manufacture, and built the Tivoli
Mills, engaging Mr. Root as manager, a position the latter continued to hold until
1839, when he became proprietor. For sixteen years thereafter he was well known
as a woolen manufacturer. Then the city of Albany purchased the control of the
water of the patroon' s creek for the purpose of supplying the city of Albany with
pure water, and this necessitated the closing of his mills.
He purchased the hosiery business and machinery of Thomas Fowler, at Cohoes,
about the same time and became the largest manufacturer of knit underwear in the
United States. He made many improvements in this manufacture by the introduc-
tion of new machinery, and about 1859 erected a new and larger building, called the
Tivoli Knitting Mills, one of the best appointed in the country, and received his
sons, Andrew J. and Samuel G., into partnership under the firm name of J. G. Root
& Sons. In 1869 the senior partner retired, the business being thereafter continued
under the firm name of J. G. Root's Sons. Samuel Gilbert Root, the elder son, was
born in Pittsfield, Mass., June 26, 1826, and Andrew Josiah Root, the younger, in
Albany, January 12, 1834.
The panic of 1857 caused a general stoppage of the cotton and hosiery mills at
Cohoes, but only for two weeks. In 1874 the firm suffered a loss of nearly §200,000,
as well as a grave interruption of their business by the complete destruction of their
mills by fire. This fire occurred when the operatives, about 350 in number, were all
at work, but fortunately the fire escapes proved entirely adequate, and no employee
was in any way injured. A new building was immediately erected, called like its
predecessor, the Tivoli Hosiery Mill. It was built in the most substantial manner,
provided with every reasonable safeguard in case of fire, and furnished with all the
improved appliances for heat, light and ventilation.
January 1, 1875, the concern was reorganized as a corporation under the name of
the Root Manufacturing Company, with Josiah G. Root president; Andrew J. Root,
treasurer and general manager; Samuel G. Root, superintendent; George Water-
man, jr., secretary. New facilities have since been added through the purchase of
the Mohawk mill.
85
The subject of this sketch established, in 1859, the bank which is now the National
Bank of Cohoes; he was one of the original directors and afterwards vice-president
and acting president. He enjoyed in the highest degree the respect of the com-
munity in which he resided. Josiah G. Root died February 2, 1883.
In 1881 S. G. Root withdrew and A. J. Root succeeded to the entire business,
which has since been again enlarged by the addition of another mill to the plant,
making in all three mills with an annual production of 81,000,000, and giving em-
ployment to 550 operatives. The Root Manufacturing Company manufactures ex-
tensively the famous "Tivoli Standard" all wool and merino knit underwear, which
is unrivalled for quality, finish, durability and uniform excellence, and has no superior
in the American or European markets. The present officers of the company are
Andrew J. Root, president and treasurer; Charles H. Douglas, secretary; Charles F.
Root, superintendent.
JACOB H. CLUTE.
Judge Jacob H. Clute was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, XV.,
March 16, 1827, and is descended from Holland Dutch stock. The Clutes are a very
old Albany county family. Mr. Clute has always been a resident of Albany county ex-
cept for a period of six months, when he was about nine years of age, during which
time his parents lived in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady county. He was born
on a farm and has always retained his affection for the life of the agriculturist. He
still has a well kept farm within a mile of his birthplace where he spends a portion
of his time. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the district school of his
town and then went to Schenectady where he entered the old Schenectady Lyceum,
an advanced grammar school At the age of sixteen he began to teach school and
study law.
He early displayed that aptitude for the law which has characterized his whole
professional career and long before he was old enough to be formally admitted to the
bar was winning suits in the justices courts. In 1851 he was admitted, and in De-
cember of that year opened a law office in Blunts building, now the Globe Hotel.
From that time to the present he has steadily built up a large practice and has won
for himself an enviable reputation at the Albany county bar.
In 1863 he received the nomination for county judge and was elected by a flatter-
ing majority. Four years later, when his term expired, his ability and integrity up-
on the bench were recognized by his fellow citizens, and he was again elected for
another term of four years. After his second term expired Judge Clute confined
himself to the practice of his profession and although numerous nominations were
within his reach he steadily declined them. He has always been an earnest and re-
liable adherent to Democracy and has done appreciative service for the party. In
1889 he was again nominated and elected to be judge of Albany county for a term of
six years, which term expired in 1895. He has been a familiar figure in various
National, State and county conventions.
He has a pleasant city home as well as one in the country. Few men are better
known or more highly respected. Since his third term as county judge. Judge Clute
has attended strictly to the practice of his profession in his office in the Tweddle
80
building. In April, 1896, he formed a partnership with Robert H. McCormic, jr.,
under the firm name of Clute & McCormic.
RICHARD W. BRASS.
Richard W. Brass, son of Charles W. and Anna (Bay) Brass, was born in Brook-
lyn, N.Y., January 28, 1861. His father, a native of Bremen, Germany, engaged in
mercantile business in New York city and died in Brooklyn in April, 1863, aged
forty-six. In 1869 his widow moved with the family to Binghamton, N. Y., where
and in Munich, Germany (where they lived from 1863 to 1868), Richard W. received
his education.
Mrs. Anna Brass was a daughter of Dr. John W. Bay and a granddaughter of Dr.
William Bay, both prominent Albany physicians. His maternal great-great-grand-
father was Dr. Samuel Stringer, also a noted Albany physician, who was held in
high repute in the British army and later in the American Revolution. In 1775 Dr.
Stringer was a member of the Albany Committee of Safety and was subsequently
appointed by Congress director-general of hospitals in the Northern Department,
and accompanied the troops to Canada. He was a charter member of Masters
Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Albany, and its master from 1768 to 1781, and in 1776 pur-
chased the site upon which the new Masonic Temple now stands, deeding the prop-
erty eventually to his lodge. He married Rachel Van Der Heyden, of a prominent
Albany family.
John Bay, father of Dr. William, was born in Maryland in 1743, became a lawyer
and a member of the Albany Committee of Safety in the Revolutionary war, and died
in Claverack, N. Y., in 1818. Dr. William married Katherine Van Ness. Their son,
Dr. John W. Bay, married Eliza Treat, a lineal descendant of Robert Treat, the
loyal defender of the Charter of the Colony of Connecticut when surrender of same
was demanded by Governor Edmund Andros by direction of King James, and for
nearly thirty years governor of Connecticut. Her father was Judge Richard S.
Treat, of Albany, a great-grandson of the colonial governor, and the son of Rev.
Joseph Treat, born 1734, died 1797, who was commissioned chaplain of Colonel Mal-
colm's regiment May 6, 1776, being at that time pastor of the First Presbyterian
church of New York city.
Richard W. Brass remained in Binghamton until April, 1882, beginning the study
of the law there with M. J. Keeler. Coming to Albany he completed his legal studies
with Judge A. B. Voorhees and was admitted at Saratoga in September, 1883. May
1, 1884, he formed a partnership with Judge Voorhees, which continued for four
years. Since then he has been associated with E. W. Rankin.
He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, a member of the Albany
Camera Club, the Unconditional Club, the Albany Burgesses Corps, and the Wash-
ington Continentals, and for five years has been a director and treasurer of the Bran-
dow Printing Co. He was also for several years a trustee of the estate of Catherine
W. Van Rensselaer under the will of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Bleecker. He is a
Republican and at one time was a candidate for justice of the City Court.
June 2, 1886, he married Harriet C, daughter of Jacob Neville, a merchant of Mid-
dleburg, N. Y., and they have had four children: Harold Neville, Gertrude Stringer,
(deceased), Janet Elizabeth, and Karl Van Ness.
RICHARD W. BRASS.
NATHANIEL B. SPALDING.
87
NATHANIEL B. SPALDING.
Nathaniel B. Spalding is of English descent, the first of that name, Edward
Spalding, having come to this country about the year 1620 from Lincolnshire, ling-
land, and settled in Braintree, Mass.
The name it is said received its derivation from "Spall" English meaning shoul-
der; and "ding" to strike. It is supposed the name originated in the middli
when battles were fought hand to hand, and the two handed sword found in th<
of arms of the name, seems to strengthen this view.
The subject of this sketch is of the eighth generation descended from said Ed-
ward Spalding, and was born in Saratoga, N. Y., in 1863, the youngest son of the Rev.
N. G. Spalding, a prominent clergyman of that place. His mother was Miss Harriet
Dorr, daughter of the late Dr. Russell Dorr of Chatham, a collateral relative of
Thomas W. Dorr, the champion and fearless leader of the movement known in his-
tory as the "Dorr Rebellion," which so called rebellion asserted and finally estab-
lished the principle that manhood and not property was the proper and essential
basis upon which should rest the right of suffrage, in the Commonwealth of Rhode
Island. Mr. Spalding is a brother of Dorr Spalding, now deceased, Harriet Mabel
Spalding and Dr. Warren Clyde Spalding of New York city. During his childhood
the family removed to a suburb of Albany, N. Y. , and at the age of fourteen he en-
tered the Albany Boys' Academy, where he remained several years, later joining
the senior class of the Union Classical Institute at Schenectady, N. Y., from which
he was graduated in 1881. He entered Union College the same year becoming a
member of the class of 1885 and taking the classical course.
Finding it impossible to expend the time necessary to complete an academic course
he subsequently withdrew from his class and entered upon the study of law in con-
nection with teaching, completing his studies at the Albany Law School, from which
he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
In the following year he began the practice of law at Albany where he has since
resided and devoted his time strictly to his chosen profession.
In 1891 he married Miss Matilda Garretson Galbraith, daughter of Judge Thomas
J. Galbraith, an able and distinguished lawyer of the West, whose decisions on the
many intricate questions affecting mines and water rights have been widely quoted.
In 1892 Mr. Spalding was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts, thus prepar-
ing himself for more varied fields of professional activity.
He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association and has member-
ship in several local and out of town clubs, societies and alumni organizations. He
is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Spalding is a polished and forceful speaker. His addresses upon public occa-
sions have been highly commended and have gained for him a place among the
gifted and eloquent young orators of the city.
In politics he has always been a staunch and unswerving Democrat, having held
active membership in the Young Men's Democratic Club and other political so,
Mr. Spalding has never been a candidate for office though always taking a keen
interest in politics. During President Cleveland's first administration he was
appointed to an office under the Treasury Department, but was unable
88
it as it necessitated his removal from Albany and the abandonment of his profess-
ional interests, which were already growing large. He has devoted himself un-
tiringly to his profession and has gained a wide reputation in the department of
practice to which he has mainly devoted his energies. Among the notable matters
with which he has been professionally identified was the claim of the United States
against the government of Venezuela, which came before the International Court
organized at Washington in 1894 by which an award of over half a million was ren-
ered the following year in favor of the American claimants.
In 1895 Mr. Spalding formed a partnership in the practice of law with Mr. S. J.
Daring, which has since continued under the firm name of Spalding & Daring.
EDWARD De L. PALMER.
Edward De L.- Palmer, son of Amos P. and Hannah B. (Crafts) Palmer, was born
in Newtonville, Albany county, March 19, 1848. Amos P. Palmer, born in Otsego
county in 1820, came to Albany county about 1837, was for many years a fire brick
manufacturer and later a banker, and died in 1894.
Edward De L. Palmer received his education mainly at Newtonville under the
father of the late President Chester A. Arthur. For eight years he was associated with
his father's firm in the manufacture of fire biick; later he was for nine years chief
clerk and private secretary to James W. Eaton during Mr. Eaton's incumbency as
superintendent of construction of the new Capitol; and for two years thereafter he
was a member of the firm of J. W. Eaton & Co., contractors and real estate dealers.
When Mr. Eaton began to withdraw from active business, Mr. Palmer assumed the
real estate department and is now one of the leading real estate operators in the city.
He is a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, treasurer of St. Peter's Epis-
copal church and a member of the Fort Orange club.
In 1876 he married Sarah, daughter of Gad B. Worthington, of Batavia, N. Y., and
they have three children : Worthington, Florence and De Lancey.
GARRET A. VAN ALLEN.
Garret Adam Van Allen, fire underwriter and financier, was born in Albany,
N. Y., February 28, 1835, the oldest son of Adam Van Allen, a wholesale lumber
merchant and banker of that city. The Van Aliens are of Dutch descent, their an-
cestors having resided in Albany county for fully two centuries. Garret A. Van
Allen was educated in the Albany Academy. After some experience as bank clerk,
he, from 1857 to 1860, occupied the position of deputy county treasurer of Albany
county. In 1859 he became prominently identified with the organization of the Com-
merce Insurance Company, of which he was secretary from 1859 to 1867, when he
became vice-president, which office he held until 1884, when he succeeded his father
as president. Fire underwriting may, therefore, be said to have been Mr. Van
Allen's life business, and in that profession he passed through various experiences,
89
such as the Chicago (1871) and Boston (1872) conflagrations, in which the Commerce
Insurance Company paid over $500,000 in losses. In that connection he has also
been prominently identified with the National Board of Fire Underwriters, holding
positions in its executive committee and being chairman of its Incendiarism and
Arson Committee for several years. In 1864, becoming impressed with the value
and importance of the national banking system, Mr. Van Allen so urged its advan-
tages upon the gentlemen with whom he was associated in the Commerce Insurance
Company, that, with four of them, he became one of the five incorporators and first
directors of the First National Bank of Albany. He has been a director of that in-
stitution since 1864; vice-president from 1876 to 1884; and in September of the latter
year succeeded his father as president. Mr. Van Allen has been a prominent mem
ber of the American Bankers' Association ; was vice-president for New York State in
1889-1891 ; and was elected a member of its executive council at New Orleans, La.,
in November, 1891, for three years. He is vice-president of the National Savings
Bank of Albany, treasurer of the Capital City Malleable Iron Company, and has also
been identified with a number of important business enterprises; and is a member
of the Holland Society, Fort Orange Club, and Albany Institute. Mr. Van Allen
was married on September 6, 1860, to Elizabeth Morgan Barker, of Newport, R. I.
They have one daughter, Mrs. Anna V. A. Jenison, whose husband is secretary of
the "Commerce" and associated with Mr. Van Allen in other business enterprises.
In politics he has always been a Republican, and has held elective offices twice, be-
ing fire commissioner from 1874 to 1878, and alderman from 1888 to 1892.
JOHN C. SANDFORD.
John C. Sandford is the owner and originator of the Fashion Knitting Mills of
Cohoes. He established that industry after having been burned (Hit of the dry
goods business, which he had conducted there for some years. He was educated in
the common schools of Passaic county, N. J., where he was born in 1841. He acquired
the blacksmith's trade and came here in 1870, engagingin'thecarnage-niakingindustry
for seven years. Later he entered the insurance and real estate business, then the
paper box manufacture, operating box shops at Cohoes, Troy and Amsterdam. He
was at one time president of the Adams Steamer Company, also a member of the
Taxpayers Committee. In 1884 Mr. Sandford declared allegiance to the Prohibi-
tion party, was boycotted by the Republicans, and being independent he advertised
boycotted goods for sale. He was a member of the M. E. church about forty years,
but withdrew from it after election in 1896, because the bishops voted a license ticket
and for a man for president that leased property for a saloon.
THEODORE TOWNSEND,
Theodore Townsend was born in Albany, October 9, L826. His father, John
Townsend, came here from Orange county, X. Y., early m the present century and
90
became a business partner with his elder brother, Isaiah, who had previously ar-
rived. The partnership thus formed continued for more than thirty years, until the
death of the latter. During all of this time the brothers lived from a common purse,
supporting large families, acquiring a common fortune and both attaining high and
honorable positions in the community. John Townsend married a daughter of Am-
brose Spencer, long chief justice of the Supreme Court of New York. She was a
noble Christian woman, beloved by her family and all who knew her.
Theodore Townsend was educated at the Albany Academy, the Poughkeepsie
Collegiate School and Union College. In the spring of 1846 he engaged in the
foundry and iron business with his cousins, Franklin and Frederick Townsend, suc-
ceeding to the establishment which had been started and long carried on by their
fathers. Frederick withdrew the same year, but Franklin and Theodore continued
partners for ten years, when the latter retired to enter into partnership with Lewis
Rathbone and Joseph P. Sanford, in the manufacture of stoves. He remained in
this business until September, 1862, when he was appointed by President Lincoln
United States collector of internal revenue for the counties of Albany and Scho-
harie which office he held until December, 1869.
On several occasions he was invited by the authorities at Washington to consult
with them, and was complimented by them for the able and business-like manner
in which his duties were discharged, and which gave to his district the reputation of
being with one other the model one among 200 or more in the United States. As
Mr. Townsend was not a politician he finally resigned, an act which was greatly
regretted. He had collected and paid over §20,000,000. During a part of his
term he was also receiver of commutation money for drafted men and in this capacity
more than half a million dollars passed through his hands. Being the father of four
motherless children, he sent a substitute to the Union army.
In January, 1870, he became connected with the Albany Insurance Company, the
second in age in this State, being incorporated in 1811, the firm of I. & J. Townsend
having been the first subscribers to its stock, the former being president for over a
quarter of a century and the latter vice president and president many years. During
his active management he maintained the high reputation and integrity which the
company has always enjoyed. He resigned as manager in 1882 and is now vice-
president.
In 1882 he was elected treasurer of the Albany Savings Bank, also the second
oldest of its kind in the State, having been chartered in 1820, his father being one
of the original incorporators as a vice-president. He still holds this responsible
position.
December 18, 1851, he married Miss Louisa Mickle, daughter of Hon. Andrew H.
Mickle, formerly mayor of New York. She died August 3, 1862, and June 15, 1865, he
married Miss Mary Lathrop Sprague, daughter of the Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague,
for forty years the distinguished minister of the Second Presbyterian church of
Albany. Mr. Townsend has had four children, of whom the eldest married in 1889
Winthrop Scudder, of Brookline, Mass. She died in 1890. Two daughters still
reside with their father. His son, John Townsend, of St. Paul, Minn., married Miss
Mary Learned Cook, daughter of the late James C. Cook. Mr. Townsend was an
alderman in 1853 and 1854, was president of the Young Men's Association in 1852,
and is now a warden of St. Peter's church.
THOMAS SLAVIN.
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FREDERICK J. H. MERRILL.
Frederick James Hamilton Merrill was born in New York city, April 30, 1861.
His early education was received at Charlier Institute and other schools. In Octo-
ber, 1880, he entered the School of Arts at Columbia College and in October, 1882,
he entered the School of Mines at the same college. In June, 1885, he was grad-
uated with the degree of Ph. B. From 1885 to 1887 Mr. Merrill was assistant
on the geological survey of New Jersey, and from 1886 to 1890 he was fellow in
geology at Columbia College. In June, 1890, he received the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy, and the summer of that year was spent in visiting the principal natural
history museums of Europe. He was assistant state geologist of New York from
October, 1890, to June, 1893. In December, 1890, he was appointed assistant director
of the New York State Museum during 1892 and 1893, and was director of the Scien-
tific Exhibit of the State of New York at the World's Columbian Exposition. In
June, 1894, Dr. Merrill was appointed director of the New York State Museum. He
is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a fellow
of the Geological Society of America, a fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences,
and is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the American
Society of Naturalists, the National Geographic Society, and of the Brooklyn Institute.
Dr. Merrill has published many important articles in leading scientific journals in
connection with his profession, and several bulletins of the New York State Museum
on the subject of the Mineral Resources of this State. In 1887 he married Miss
Winifred Edgerton, of New York city, and they have two children : Louise Edgerton
and Hamilton.
THOMAS SLAVIN.
Thomas Si. .win, though a native of Waterford, N. Y., where he was born Octo-
ber 20, 1833, has been a lifelong resident of Cohoes. His reminiscences of the
place in its infancy are very interesting, and he is regarded as a personal land-
mark and a compendium of data concerning the early times. His testimony is re-
garded as unimpeachable in cases involving boundaries and conditions of half a cen-
tury ago. Here has been the scene of his early struggles in business life, for Mr.
Slavin is a self-made man; being one of seventeen children he early assumed the
responsibility of earning a livelihood.
He was the eldest son of Michael Slavin, a man well known in both counties, and
whose home was ever a haven to the hungry or weary traveler — of whom there were
many in those early days. Father and son did teaming for the large flour mills
which then flourished in this vicinity. In 1865 he established a coal business, and
in 1869 removed to No. 135 Saratoga street, where he still conducts, together with
his son, Thomas Slavin, jr., the most successful coal and gram business in the city.
His eldest son, Charles J. Slavin, he established in the coal busini using
street some ten years ago.
In 1859 Mr. Slavin married Elizabeth Brcnnan, of Troy. Of tins union five chil-
dren survive: Charles J., Thomas, jr., Mary, Helen and Sara. Mr. Slavin's aim
92
has been not to amass a fortune, but to aid his fellow-men in and beyond Cohoes,
where his name is associated with every movement for the welfare of the people,
city and dear old Albany county.
LOUIS STERN.
Louis Stern was born in Germany on the 22d of February, 1847, and came to
America with his parents, M. A. and S. Stern, in 1854. The family first located in
New York city, but in 1855 removed to Albany, where the father was engaged in
the jewelry business until his death in 1866. Mr. Stern received a thorough educa-
tion in the public schools of the capital city and at the Albany State Normal School,
and when fourteen became a clerk in a large dry goods store in Petersburg, Va. ,
where he remained until 1863. He then went to Memphis, Tenn., and later to Mobile,
Ala., being engaged in the dry goods trade in those cities.
In 1867 he removed to New York city, and with his brother Isaac, under the firm
name of Stern Brothers, established a dry goods business on Sixth avenue, between
22d and 23d streets. This enterprise, founded in a modest way and being confined
strictly to the dry goods trade, formed the nucleus to the firm's present establish-
ment, which was moved to the site it now occupies on 23d street, between Fifth and
Sixth avenues in 1878. The firm now consists of three brothers, Louis, Isaac, and
Benjamin, the latter being admitted in 1886. Another brother, Bernhard, was also
a partner for several years prior to his death in 1888.
Mr. Stern, in co-operation with his brothers, has built up one of the largest and most
successful dry goods establishments in New York, and from the first has confined it
strictly to the retail dry goods and upholstery trade. The name of Stern Brothers
has a wide reputation throughout the United States. They employ nearly 2,000
people, and carry an extensive line of high class imported and domestic goods, and are
noted for fairness and reliability in all business transactions. Mr. Stern is an active
Republican in politics, taking a keen interest in the welfare of his party, and is a
member and the third vice-president of the Republican Club of New York. He is a
director of the Bank of New Amsterdam of New York'city, a member of the Chamber
of Commerce, New York Geographical Society, and first vice-president of the Albany
Society of New York, an organization to which many former Albanians belong, and
which ably fosters their interest in the capital city though engaged in business in the
metropolis. Besides these he is prominently identified with several other social, civil,
and commercial institutions, and as a citizen is public spirited, liberal, and enter-
prising.
WILLIAM C. VAN ALSTYNE.
William C. Yan Alstyne, son of Thomas W. and Sarah E. (Pease) Van Alstyne,
was born in Albany, N. Y., December 7, 1846. He is a lineal descendant of Henry
Van Alstyne who was knighted by Otho II, emperor of Germany, and who assisted
LOUIS SThRN,
93
at the coronation of Otho III, by Pope Gregory V, in A. D. 983, and whom he
served in the wars against Henry III of France. Henry remained in Flanders and
his descendants have lived in Belgium and Holland to the present time. A branch
became Protestants, represented in this country first by John Martense Van Alstyne,
who left Gand (Ghent), Belgium, in 1635 and finally settled the village of Ghent, near
Kinderhook, Columbia county. One of Mr. Van Alstyne's ancestors was the first
president of the Board of Trustees of the village of Kinderhook, and a cousin of his
now (1896) occupies the same position. The original grant in heraldry was by Otho
II, and a re grant was published by Marie Therese, empress of Austria, January 17,
1771. The father of the subject of this sketch, Thomas W. Van Alstyne, was a mer-
chant and sheriff of Albany county from 1858 to 1861.
William C. Van Alstyne was educated at the State Normal School at Albany and
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1864. He was assistant treasurer of the
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, and was for a time in the emplov in a similar
capacity of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company's Railroad. In 1872 he moved
to Chicago to accept an official position with the Michigan Central Railroad ; in 1880
he was obliged to return east on account of illness, and he accepted the position of
general manager of the Lebanon Springs Railroad, which position he resign.
1886. Since then he has been engaged in the manufacturing business as secretary
and manager of the Standard Emery Wheel Company. Mr. Van Alstyne is also a
dealer in emery and kindred supplies.
He is a member of the Holland Society of New York, the Camera Club of Albany,
Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Beaverwyck Lodge No. 261, I. O. O. F., the Albany
Institute, and of the Emmanuel Baptist church of Albany. In 1869 he married Mary
Warren Carter, of Albany.
JAMES NEWTON FIERO.
J imes Newton Fiero, dean of the Albany Law .School, was born May 33, 1*47, in
Saugerties-on-the Hudson, Ulster county. He is the son of the late Christ.
Fiero, who in 1853 organized the 20th N. Y. Militia, which was known during the
Rebellion as the 18th N. Y. Vols., and under Col. George W Pratt achieved a most
honorable career at the front. Christopher Fiero was colonel of this regiment from
its organization until his retirement in 1858. J. Newton Fiero's paternal grandfather
was Dr. Abraham Fiero, a noted physician. His paternal grandmother, Eliza
Gillespy, was of Scotch descent. I lis maternal grandparents were of Holland stock,
descendants of the Van Schaicks and Van Slykes. The name fiero is probably of
Spanish origin, from settlers in Holland at the time of the Spanish conquest. The
first record of the name in Ulster county is attached to an old document during the
early days of the Revolution, protesting against the arbitrary action of the British
toward our people for the maintenance of their rights as American citizens. J. New-
ton Fiero after attending the district school, entered the Delaware Academy at
Delhi, then under Prof. John L. Sawyer. He subsequently became a student in the
Cherry Valley Academy and for a brief period was a member of Rutgers Col
but m January, 1865, entered the sophmore class of Union College at Schenectady,
94
from which he graduated with honors in 1867. Mr. Fiero studied law with Hon.
William Murray, of Delhi, a distinguished justice of the Supreme Court. In May,
1879, he was admitted to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court at
Binghamton. After remaining in the office of his preceptor a few months he re-
turned to his native village and began a successful legal practice. In January, 1872,
he went to Kingston and formed a partnership with Reuben Bund, remaining at
Kingston until 1891, when he removed to Albany and entered into partnership with
Gen. Amasa J. Parker taking the place of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker in the
firm. In 1887 Mr. Fiero published his first law book, treating of "Special Proceed-
ings in the State of New York" and followed it in 1888 by "Special Actions." These
books are now standard works upon the subjects treated, a new edition of the
latter having been published early in 1897. He was chairman of a committee to
draft an act to facilitate the business of the courts of this State. At a recent meeting
of the American Bar Association he was appointed chairman of a committee to
investigate into the expediency of a scheme for uniformity in legal reporting and to
recommend a remedy for existing difficulties. He is now chairman of a special
committee of that association on Uniformity of Procedure. Mr. Fiero has won a
wide and enviable reputation in his persistent efforts in the law reforms in our courts
of justice. In January, 1891, he was retained by Messrs. Knevals, Cox and Basselir,
forest commissioners, as leading counsel in the investigation ordered by the Assem-
bly as to the management of the forests, which resulted in the complete exoneration
of the commissioners; he was also counsel for the commission in matters relating to
the Catskills. Mr. Fiero has been a member of the faculty of the Albany Law
School for several years, lecturing upon practice and pleading, and in 1895 was
elected dean of the institution. In 1892 he was elected president of the New York
State Bar Association and was re-elected in 1893. He was chairman of the commit-
tee on law reform, succeeding David Dudley Field. In politics he has always been
a pronounced Republican. He began stump speaking in the Grant-Seymour canvass
in 1868 and has been in every important campaign since. He was for many years
a leading member of the Ulster County Republican Committee, and for a considera-
ble period its chairman. He is a member of the Fort Oiange Club and the Univer-
sity Club of New York city. In 1870 he married Miss Jennie Sands McCall of Delhi,
and they have three children: Maude Goodrich, Clifford B., and Harriette A.
WILLIAM J. WALLACE.
Hon. William James Wallace, judge of the United States Circuit Court for the
Second Judicial District since April, 1882, is a son of E. Fuller and Lydia (Wheel-
wright) Wallace, early settlers of Syracuse, N. Y., and was born there April 14, 1838.
He was prepared for college with the view of entering Dartmouth, from which his
father was graduated, but having decided upon the law, pursued a course of general
studies in lieu and having special reference to that profession under Hon. Thomas
Barlow, of Canastota. Subsequently he entered the law department of Hamilton
College, of which Prof. Theodore W. Dwight was then the preceptor and was gradu-
ated and took his degree from that institution in 1858. On the day he became
95
twenty-one years of age, Judge Wallace commenced the practice of his profession in
Syracuse in copartnership with Hon. William Porter. Later he was associated with
Levi W. Hall, Hon. William C. Ruger and Edwin S. Jenney. In 1873 he was elected
mayor of Syracuse on the Republican ticket. In March, 1874, President Grant ap-
pointed him a judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of
New York to succeed Hon. Nathaniel K. Hall. In April, 1882, Judge Wallace was
appointed by President Chester A. Arthur judge of the United States Circuit Court
for the Second Judicial District, comprising the States of New York Vermont and
Connecticut, which exalted office he still holds. Judge Wallace has exercised the
duties of his judicial positions with great dignity, honor and credit. In 1876 Hamil-
ton College conferred upon him the degree of LL.D., and in 1883 Syracuse Univer-
sity presented him with a similar honor. Judge Wallace married, first, Miss Joseph-
ine Robbins, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who died in 1874, and in 1878 he married Alice
Heyward Wheelwright, of New York city. Judge Wallace and his family have re-
sided in Albany since 1893.
WILLIAM L. LEARNED, LL.D.
Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., eminent lawyer and jurist, was born at New
London, Conn., July 24, 1821, of English ancestry. His father was a lawyer and finan-
cier of great ability. When sixteen years of age, Judge Learned entered Yale Col-
lege, graduating four years later with high honors. He was noted as a fine classi-
cal scholar, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. He was admitted to
practice at Rochester, N. Y., in 1844 settled in Albany, and during the earlier years
of his professional practice was associated with Gilbert L. Wilson and James C. Cook.
In 1870 he was appointed justice of the Supreme Court and was later elected to that
office for a term of fourteen years. At the end of that term he was re-elected. He
was appointed presiding justice of the General Term in 1875, and held that office till
disqualified by age. In 1874 he was made a member of the faculty of the Albany
Law School and was for years the honored president of that body. His opinions as
presiding justice of the Supreme Court evince great vigor and acumen. In 1878 he
was accorded the degree of LL.D. by his Alma Mater.
ALDEX CHESTER.
Hon. Alden Chester, youngest son of Alden Chester (born iu New London,
Conn., May 36, 1803, died in Westford, X. V., March 1, is.">7), was born in Westford,
Otsego county, September 4, 1848, and descends from Capt. Samuel Chester, who
came from England to Boston and settled in New London in Hi:!:!. Judge Chester's
mother, Susan G. Draper, descended from James Draper, who came from England
to Roxbury, Mass., about 1643.
Judge Chester was educated at the Westford Literary Institute, taught therein and
became clerk in a store in his native village. When eighteen he was made telegraph
operator on the old Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. He graduated from Columbia
College Law School in 1871, was admitted in May of that year and came to Albany,
where he formed a law partnership with his cousin, Andrew S. Draper. From 1876 to
1882 Hon. William S. Paddock was a member of the firm, under the name of Paddock,
Draper & Chester; since 1887 Judge Chester has practiced alone. In 1874 and 1876
he was deputy clerk of the Assembly; for several years he was a member and secre-
tary of the Republican General Committee of Albany county ; has been a member
and president of the Board of Public Instruction, and was appointed assistant United
States attorney for the Northern District of New York in 1882; resigned in 1885; was
appointed by Governor Morton in 1895 member of the commission to prepare a uni-
form charter for cities of the second class, and in November "of the same year he was
elected justice of the Supreme Court for the term of fourteen years.
RT. REV. THOMAS BURKE.
Rt. Rev. Thomas Burke, M. A., was born in 1840, and is the son of the late Dr.
Ulric Burke, of Utica, N. Y. He was educated in the school and academy under the
charge of the Christian Brothers in Utica, later in the college of St. Michael at
Toronto, and entered St. Charles College, Maryland, in 1856. Cardinal Gibbons,
Archbishop Kain of St. Louis, and the rector of the Catholic University of Washing-
ton, Bishop Keane, were students at the latter institution during Bishop Burke's
term. Upon graduating from St. Charles, Bishop Burke entered St. Mary's Semi-
nary, Baltimore, Md., where he was ordained on June 30, 1864, which conferred on
him the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Theology.
He came at once to Albany and remained about two months with Cardinal Mc-
Closkey at the Episcopal residence, and was appointed as assistant at St. John's
church, Albany, on September 4, 1864. He remained at St. John's until April 4, 1865,
when he was transferred to the assistant pastorate of St. Joseph's church. In 1874
he was appointed pastor of that church, which pastorate he held until appointed
bishop of Albany in 1894.
In 1884 Father Burke was appointed theologian by the Most Rev. Apostolic Dele-
gate in the Third Plenary Council at Baltimore, in which he distinguished himself
by his eloquence and learning.
The ceremony of his consecration took place on Sunday, July 1, 1894, at the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and was a most notable event. His Grace
the Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan of New York was the consecrator, and the assist-
ing consecrating prelates were Rt. Rev. Bishop McOuadeof Rochester, and Rt. Rev.
Bishop Ludden of Syracuse. The ceremony on the occasion was one of the grand-
est and most solemn that ever took place in this country.
In 1871, while at St. Joseph's, he was instrumental in having erected for school
accommodations for boys the commodious structure situated on the corner of North
Pearl and Colonie streets. It was largely through Bishop Burke's effort that the
Hawk street viaduct was erected.
Bishop Burke is a scholar, a forcible preacher, and an authority in theological law.
He spent the summers of 1871 and 1889 in Rome. In 1890 he was made a Knight of
97
the Holy Sepulchre by authority of Pope Leo. Immediately after his consecration
as bishop he was made a Knight of the Grand Cross of Jerusalem. In 1887 he was
appointed vicar-general of the diocese of Albany.
As an educator Bishop Burke has a remarkable record, particularly in the i
lishment of flourishing schools, which include St. Joseph's Male and Female Acad-
emy, which has a well-deserved and wide reputation for excellence.
LEVI P. MORTON
Hon. Levi Parsons Morton was born in Shoreham, Vt, May 16, 1824. Mr.
Morton is a son of Rev. Daniel 0. Morton, a Congregational minister, and is de-
scended from George Morton, who came to America from England in the ship Ann
in 1628. Mr. Morton's mother was Lucretia Parsons, whose father and grandfather
were both clergymen, and he was named after her brother, who was the first Ameri-
can missionary to Palestine. Owing to the small salary paid Mr. Morton's father,
only the elder son had a college education, Levi Parsons having to content himself
with a common school education.
When Mr. Morton was about eight years old the family removed to Springfield,
Vt., and four or five years later to Winchendon, Mass., where he first earned money
by ringing the bell of the church m the town in which his father preached. At the
age of fifteen he was employed in the country store of Ezra Casey at Enfield, Mass.,
where he remained two years. Then he taught a country school. When seventeen
he entered the store of W. \Y. Esterbrook at Concord, N. H. In 1*40 he was
made manager of a branch store at Hanover, the seat of Dartmouth College Two
years later he was given an interest in the store. For six years Mr. Morton re-
mained in Hanover, each year gaining in experience and knowledge. Mr. Ester-
brook was forced to suspend shortly after Mr. Morton became a partner, and J. M.
Beebe, of New York, the chief creditor, assumed charge and was so much pleased
with Mr. Morton that he gave him his support.
In 1849 Mr. Morton went to Boston, where, as a partner of Mr. Beebe he carried
on the dry goods business under the firm name of Beebe, Morgan & Co. In 1S.">4 he
removed to New York and founded the dry goods house of Morton, Grinnell & Co.
Mr. Morton's partner in the firm of Morton & Grinnell was the son of Hon George
Grinnell, a member of Congress from Massachusetts. The later failure of the firm
was largely due to the repudiation of Southern paper in lsiil
Near the close of I860 Mr. Morton became a banker, the firm name being L, P.
Morton & Co. One of the members of the firm, Charles W. McCune, withdrew in
1863. In 1868 George Bliss became a member of the firm, the name being changed
to Morton. Bliss & Co. The same year a joint banking house was formed in Lon-
don, that of Morton, Rose & Co, the leading partner being Sir John Rose, late
finance minister of Canada. It was through the efforts of these two houses that a
syndicate was formed to assist the United States in resuming specie payments, and
by their floating five per cent, bonds, it is estimated they saved the government
000,000. Mr. Morton's linns also exerted an influence in bringing about the removal
M
98
of the ill feeling between Great Britain and the United States by settling the Ala-
bama claims satisfactorily.
In 1878 Mr. Morton was elected to Congress and his influence in financial matters
was very great. In 1880 President Garfield appointed him minister to France. Mr.
Morton hammered the first nail in the construction of the Statue of Liberty and de-
livered a speech on June 15, 1884, accepting the statue on behalf of the American
government. The commercial relations between France and the United States ran
smoothly during Mr. Morton's term. June 25 1888, Mr. Morton was nominated for
vice-president on the Republican ticket and was elected the following November.
After his term as vice-president Mr. Morton traveled and returned in the summer
of 1894. September 18, 1894, Mr. Morton was nominated for governor upon the
first ballot of the Republican State Convention at Saratoga, and was elected the fol-
lowing November.
Mr. Morton has been twice married. His first wife was Lucy Kimball, and they
had no children. In 1875 Mr. Morton married the daughter of William J. Street,
and they have five children, all girls. Mrs. Morton has been of great help to her
husband during his political career and her sweet smile and cordial manner are
lovingly remembered by all who have met her.
JAMES BARCLAY JERMAIN.
The name of this venerable Albanian will long be cherished as that of a truly
noble philanthropist. Modestly regarding himself as but a custodian of great wealth,
he has dispensed his charities with a liberal hand, yet wisely. He is the son of Syl-
vanus Pierson and Catherine (Barclay) Jermain, and is descended from a long line
of English and Scotch ancestry. He was born in Albany, August 13, 1809. His
father settled in Albany at the beginning of the present century, and for many
years was a commission merchant in that city, gradually accumulating a large prop-
erty.
Deprived of his mother's care by her death in 1816, James became the protege of
his uncle, the Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime, by whom he was prepared for college. He
entered Middlebury College in 1824, subsequently attended Yale, which he was
obliged to leave on account of ill health, and later entered Amherst, from which he
was graduated in 1831. Soon after leaving college he began the study of law, and in
1836 was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
In 1842 he married Miss Catherine Ann Rice, of Cambridge, Washington county,
N.Y. She bore him five children, of whom three daughters are now living. Mrs.
Jermain died in 1873.
Upon the death of his father in 1869 a large inheritance came into Mr. Jermain's
possession and to his wise dispensation ; to this duty he brought a cultured mind in
its matured strength and a noble heart. For the cause of practical Christianity, as
well as for a family memorial, he erected at Watervliet the Jermain Memorial
church, a structure of grace and beauty and an enduring monument. Bereft
of an only son, a young man of great promise, in 1883 he endowed as a memorial
the Barclay Jermain professorship in Williams College, his alma mater. Mr. Jermain's
99
local benefactions have been many and munificent. One of the most admirable of
them is the Home for Aged Men on the Troy road, of which institution he has been
the chief founder and patron. The magnificent Y. M. C. A. building in Albany will
long and fittingly commemorate the almost princely generosity of its founder. The
Pairview Home for Friendless Children owes its existence and continued usefulness
mainly to Mr. Jermain. It is beautifully situated on the hill above Watervliet, and
is designed to shelter one hundred children.
It is hoped that years may yet be granted to a life so marked by unostentatious
philanthropy, and by the promotion of practical Christianity and the best interests
of humanity.
In 1S92 Williams College conferred upon Mr. Jermain the degree of LL.D,
HERMAN BENDELL, M. I).
Dr. Herman Bendell is a son of Edward and Hannah (Stern) Bendell, both na-
tives of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in Albany, X. Y., < >ctober 28, 1843. His
father, who was born in 1809, came to this country in 1838, and died in 1891. His
mother still survives. Dr. Bendell received his rudimentary education in the public
and select schools of his native city. He read medicine with Dr. Joseph Lewi
(whose sketch appears in this volume) and at the Albany Medical College, which he
left May 28, 1861, to enter the United States service as hospital steward of the :!9th
X. Y. Vols. On September 1 of that year he was appointed acting assistant sur-
geon in the United States army. Returning to Albany early in the winter of 1862,
he received in December the degree of M. D. from the Albany Medical College, and
almost immediately rejoined his regiment at the front. On February 24, 1863, he
was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and on Janu-
ary 3, 1864, he became surgeon of the 86th X. V. Vet. Vols,, in which capacity he
served until the close of the war. On May 18, 1866, he was brevetted lieutenant-
colonel of New York Volunteers for faithful and meritorious services.
Dr. Bendell served in the field with his regiments, participated in nearly all the
battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, and during the last campaign of that
victorious army was in charge of its depot field hospital. He was also present at
Lee's surrender at Appomattox, and thus closed a brilliant military record extending
over a period of four years. After the close of the Rebellion he entered upon the
active practice of his profession in Albany, where he continued successfully until
1869, when he was appointed by President Grant as superintendent of Indian affairs
for the Territory of Arizona. In is?:! lie resigned this posl to accept at the hands of
President Grant the appointment of United Mates consul to Denmark, where he not
only served his country faithfully and efficiently for two years, but where he also de-
voted considerable time to the study of ophthalmology and otology in the University
of Heidelberg, receiving a special degree of proficiency in these branches. Return-
ing to Albany in 1876 lie lias since practiced these specialties with uniform sm
For two years Dr. Bendell was lecturer on physiology at the Albany Medical Col-
lege, and he is now clinical professor of otology in that institution. He is ophthalmic
and aural surgeon on the stall' of the Albany City Hospital and at St. Vincent's and
100
St. Francis De Sales's Orphan Asylums, medical adviser of the Jewish Home Soci-
ety, and surgeon of the Third Brigade, N. G. N. Y., on the staff of Gen. Robert
Shaw Oliver, having been first appointed to this position in 1886 on the staff of Gen.
Amasa J. Parker. He is a member and in 1893 was president of the Medical Society
of the State of New York; a member and in 1884 president of the Albany County
Medical Society ; a member and in 1885 president of the Alumni Association of the
Albany Medical College; a member and past master of Washington Lodge No. 85,
F. & A. M. ; and a member of Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton
Council No. 22, R. & S. M., George Dawson Post, No. 63, G. A. R., and the military
order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
He is a prominent Republican, and has always taken a deep interest in educa-
tional matters, especially in the sanitary care of school houses and school hygiene,
in which he has rendered valuable service to the city. From 1880 to 1886 he was a
member of the Board of Public Instruction of Albany and for two years served as its
president. Upon the reorganization of the board in 1892 he again became a member
and still continues in that capacity. He was appointed by Mayor Thacher for a
term of seven years in January, 1897. He is widely respected and esteemed as one
of Albany's most successful surgeons and professional men, and enjoys the confidence
of all who know him.
In September, 1813, Dr. Bendell was married to Miss Wilhelmine Lewi, eldest
daughter of his medical preceptor, Dr. Joseph Lewi, of Albany, and they have three
children: Joseph Lewi Bendell, Myra Lewi Bendell, and Berta S. Bendell.
ABRAHAM LANSING.
Hon. Abraham Lansing, son of Christopher Yates Lansing and Caroline Mav
Thomas, was born in Albany February 27, 1835. He attended school in Berkshire
county, Mass., and afterwards the Albany Boys' Academy, and entered Williams
College in the sophomore class of 1852, and was graduated with the degree of A. B.
in 1855. He then studied law in his father's office, and entered and was graduated
from the Albany Law School, and admitted to the bar in 1857.
He was appointed city attorney of Albany in 1868, and was the first reporter
of the Supreme Court under authority of law, having been appointed to that position
in 1869, under act of that year, by the governor, attorney-general and secretary of
state, and published the first seven volumes of the series of decisions of that court,
known as Supreme Court Reports. In 1874 he was appointed by Governor Dix as
acting state treasurer. In 1876 he was appointed corporation counsel of Albany,
and in 1882 was elected upon the Democratic ticket by a majority exceeding that of
any predecessor of his to the office to represent Albany county in the State Senate.
He was chairman of the railroad committee of the Senate and member of the finan-
cial committee, and was actively identified with the passage of the act providing for
a State Railroad Commission, and in the other important measures, which come be-
fore the railroad committee of the Legislature during his term.
He interested himself in the enactment of the act called the new Albany Charter,
and succeeded against most determined opposition in carrying that measure through
THOMAS J. VAN ALSTYNE.
101
the Senate in 1882, and subsequently in 1883, when it became a law. He interested
himself in the remodeling of the scientific departments of the State, formed and
carried through the acts which accomplished that result, and placed the Capitol and
different buildings of the State at Albany in the control of a single superintendent.
He took charge of the measure in the Senate which provided for the reservation anil
establishment of the State Park at Niagara Falls, and earnestly advocated that
measure upon the floor of the .Senate.
He has been for many years a director of the National Commercial Bank, and in
term of service is the senior director of that bank, and also its counsel. He is a trus-
tee of the Albany Savings Bank, a member of the Board of Park Commissioners of
Albany, a trustee of the Albany Boys' Academy, one of the governors of the Albany
Hospital, a trustee of the Albany Medical College, a member of the Board of Trus-
tees of the Albany Rural Cemetery, and of the Board of Trustees of the Dudley
Observatory, and was a foundation member of the Fort Orange Club, one of its first
Board of Trustees, and a member of its first House Committee. He was much inter-
ested in the formation of that club, drew its charter, and made the draft of its con-
stitution. Mr. Lansing is also a life member of the State Geological Society, a
member of the Century Association, and of the University Club and Bar Associa-
tion of New York city.
At the laying of the corner stone of the present City Hall he spoke for the county
and city. He received the statue of Robert Burns for the Park Commission, and
made an address on the inauguration of the present Dudley Observatory on behalf
of its Board of Trustees, and at their request. He is a member of the Holland So-
ciety, and of the Albany Burns Club. Mr. Lansing was an active Tilden Democrat
and at one time chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He has been iden-
tified with the Tilden wing of the Democratic party, and has done some work in the
advocacy of its cause.
His father was a lawyer, a native of Albany, and son of Abraham G. Lansing,
who also held the office of state treasurer for many years, both by appointment and
election, and other public offices, in the early days of the city, and was the brother
of Chancellor John Lansing, jr. Mr. Lansing married Catherine, a daughter of Peter
( 'lansevoort.
THOMA*S J. VAN ALSTYNE.
Hon. Thomas J. Van ALSTYNE, who has been active in business intercourse with the
citizens of Albany county for nearly fifty years, has so identified himself with its ad-
vancement that its history would be incomplete without reference to him. In line
of ancestry Mr. Van Alstyne traces, without break, citizenship in America, on both
paternal and maternal side, back as early as 1686. John Martin Van Alstyne was a
freeholder in Fort Orange as early as 1 ('>.">;, from which time his lineal descendants
direct, down to the subject of this sketch, have been freeholders in either one of the
three adjoining counties of Albany, Columbia, and Schoharie, and the descendants
from this same head are to be found in several other counties of this Stal e and many
Otherparts of the United States. Samuel C.ile, Mr. \ ae's firsl (American)
102
maternal ancestor, was freeman and freeholder in Haverhill, Mass., early in 1640.
All of these first immigrants were intelligent and thrifty farmers who by industry
and frugality acquired wide stretches of real estate and considerable personal prop-
erty, which was mostly transmitted to their children, and became a fitting incentive
to them to emulate such example of their parents. As these men were successful
in their endeavors, public spirited in thought and action, so have their descendants
been good citizens and loyal to their fellows, — especially so at the period of the
Revolutionary war. Two of the great-grandfathers of Mr. Van Alstyne did service
in council and in the field ; William Van Alstyne having been captain, and Moses Gile
a member of the Standing Committee of Correspondence of the county of Charlotte,
Vt., and at fifty-eight years of age, having done service in the field in the regiment
commanded by Colonel Marsh. Mr. Van Alstyne's grandfather, Thomas Van Al-
styne, at the age of sixteen enlisted and served in the regiment commanded by Col-
onel Clyde. This manifestation of active loyalty by both extremes, advanced age
and comparative youth, is, and should be considered, unchallengeable grounds for
pride in patriotic ancestry. In the late Rebellion, while Mr. Van Alstyne was pre-
vented by business interests and domestic obligations from entering the field in
person, he placed in the service on behalf of the Union a representative, and was an
active supporter of the government, so far as his influence could be exerted, in the
vigorous and speedy prosecution of the war.
Mr. Van Alstyne is the son Dr. Thomas B. Van Alstyne (formerly an eminent
physician and prominent citizen of the locality in which he lived), and Eliza Gile.
his wife, late of Richmondville, Schoharie county, N. Y. , at which place he was born
July 25, 1827. Blessed with a vigorous constitution even in infancy, and continually
growing and developing in physical strength and activity, he spent the first seven
years of school life in the village school when in session, mastering the limited in-
struction there imparted, and during vacation baiting the tiny fishes of the brooks,
or hunting the squirrel and partridge in the neighboring mountain forests — being in
these times free from care, and in the full enjoyment of all those things that con-
stitute happiness in the boy.
At the age of thirteen years, the boy, while visiting the house of his brother-in-
law, a minister of a Baptist church in Cayuga county, conceived the purpose of ac-
quiring advanced education, and became a student in the academy at Moravia, dis-
tant three and a half miles from Locke. Seven miles was, by choice, the regular
school-day walk of the young student for months. After a year spent thus at Mo-
ravia, and a period at a select classical school, he became a student at Hartwick
Seminar}', where he completed his preparation for college. With six others from
the same school he matriculated in Hamilton College, from which he graduated in
1848, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1851 that of Master of Arts.
In the college course his class standing was good, and he especially excelled in
mathematics. In addition to the regular college course Mr. Van Alstyne with a
few others, took a private course in law, under the instruction of Prof. Theodore W.
Dwight, who subsequently became eminent as an instructor in the Law Department
of Columbia College of New York.
In 1848 Mr. Van Alstyne entered the law office of Messrs. Harris and Van Vorst,
of Albany. By diligent attention to the business of the office he was enabled, with
his knowledge of the principles of law before acquired, to pass, before the close of
103
the year, a satisfactory and successful examination for admission to practice in all
the courts of the State, the late Hon. John II. Reynolds, Hon. John K. Porter and
)rando Mead, esq., comprising the examining committee. Mr. Van Alstyne, how-
ever, retained his desk in the office of Harris <fc Van Vorst until 1850, continuing
,'ith the exception of business personal to himself and his father, study and practice
is a student, devoting a reasonable portion of the time, however, to travel and va-
cation. After opening an office for public practice, he continued by himself until
is,"):!, when he was invited to and formed a partnership with Mr. Matthew McMahon,
with whom he was associated for four years. The firm did a large and diversified
business, Mr. McMahon being the confidential adviser of the 1'relates of the Dio-
cese of the church of which he was a member, and Mr. Van Alstyne managing the
legal details of the business and the trials of causes.
In 1858 Mr. Van Alstyne formed a copartnership with Mr. Winfield S. Hevenor,
which has continued down to the present time — making the firm the oldest in con-
tinuance of any in Albany. When this firm commenced business Ira Harris, William
B. Wright, George Gould and Henry Hogeboom were justices of the Supreme Court
for the Third Judicial district (embracing the county of Albany), and a large pro-
portion of the court business of the firm for years was transacted before these
justices. The firm remains, and its members have survived all of these eminent
men, and have seen of their respective successors, Judges Peckham (the elder),
Miller, Danforth, Westbrook and Osborn yielding to the inevitable, gathered by the
scythe of death, Judges Iugalls and Learned retired from the bench on account of
age, and the younger Peckham promoted to the position of justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States, leaving at this writing Messrs. Parker, Edwards, May-
ham, Pursman and Chester as justices of the Third Judicial District, all of whom,
except Judge Mayham, are much younger than the subject of this sketch. The busi-
ness of the firm of Van Alstyne & Hevenor was large from the first, embracing most
of the branches of the law. Roth members being self-reliant and capable, they con-
ducted all matters entrusted to them without help of counsel. They adopted as
rules of action, never to give advice unfounded on actual or assured fact, or unwar-
ranted in law; never to appeal from a just verdict upon the merits, though a reversal
OB account of error might be had and might result in a new trial (the final result in
such cases generally ending in mulcting the client in greater loss in money, time
and anxiety).
In politics Mr. Van Alstyne has always been a Democrat. Prior to the war o
Rebellion he was a Freesoiler on principle, but recognized the rights of the slave-
holding States under the constitution, and approved their maintenance under the
law. War supervening, based upon the institution of slavery, lie urged its vigorous
prosecution with the certain abolition of slavery as an incident.
In 1871, at the solicitation of many citizens of the county, Mr. Van Alstyne con-
sented to become a candidate for the office of county judge on the ticket of his ;
and was elected, receiving the largest vote east for any candidate on the tickel
assuming the duties of his office he adopted strict rules for conducting the business
of the court, thereby effecting an immediate and needed reform in that tribunal.
The court calendar during the twelve years of his service as county judge was
the number of causes tried before him nearly equaling the number of those tried at
the Albany Circuit, ami were as varied and difficult in nature Very few verdicts
104
were reversed for mistrial, and very few decisions of his were set aside as being
against the law.
In 1882 Mr. Van Alstyne was tendered, without solicitation, the nomination for
Representative in Congress. It was accepted in the sense of duty; and he was
elected by a most flattering vote. On taking his seat in the 48th Congress, he was
appointed a member of the Committee on Claims, and also on the Committee on Ex-
penditures of the Department of Justice. In the former committee the reports will
show the activity of the new member, and the passage of bills resting upon them
testifies to the correctness of his conclusions. In the latter committee, the two
printed volumes of the reports exhibit the extent of labor and inquiry expended by
its members, resulting in the reform of many evils in administration in many im-
portant branches of the service, and in saving much unnecessary expenditure of
money to the country. He was also on the Special Committee of three (Messrs.
Springer, of Illinois, and Stewart, of Vermont, being his associates), appointed to
investigate charges of improper conduct on part of the United States marshal for
the Southern District of Ohio at the Congressional election of 1884.
Mr. Van Alstyne had secured the confidence and cordial friendship of the ablest
and best members of the House, and was renominated by acclamation to succeed
himself. The election in 1884 was the first in fact after the reform in State offices
introduced by Governer Cleveland had become operative, requiring the conducting
of the affairs of the public on business principles. It generated an opposition to the
party, which, aided by the fact that the opposing candidate for Congress, Hon. John
Swinburne, was one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of the State, and one of
the most philanthropic and charitable citizens of the district, resulted, without fault
of Mr. Van Alstyne, and without implied condemnation of him, in a tidal wave in
his defeat and for the success of his opponent. If he had been continued in the
House of Representatives his influence in that body, already great, would have been
more effective ; but he accepted the result of the election more as a favor than as a
loss, and thereafter refused a further tender of nomination and retired from politics,
against the wishes and earnest protestations of the chiefs of his party.
Mr. Van Alstyne has been thrice married — first, in 1851 to Miss Sarah Clapp,
daughter of the late Ruel Clapp, of Albany. Of this marriage one son survives,
Mr. Thomas Butler Van Alstyne, lawyer and fruit grower, residing in Southern Cal-
ifornia. Secondly, in 1876 to Miss Louisa Peck, a daughter of the late Samuel S.
Peck, of Albany; and thirdly, in 1886 to Miss Laura Louisa Wurdemann, daughter of
W. W. Wiirdeman, esq., of Washington, D. C. Of this latter marriage one son aged
nine years is living.
Mr. Van Alstyne is a member of Emmanuel Baptist church of Albany, as has been
each of his wives. He is also a member of several orders and societies, but was
never a devotee or habitue of the social society of the day so attractive to and patron-
ized by many. He has a well selected library of over six thousand volumes of mis-
cellaneous books, to which he gives constant nightly attention, and from which he
gleans richer and less wearying enjoyment than could be derived from the social
whirl. He is still in full vigor and perfect health, with a fair prospect of being per-
mitted to survive many years in future.
ISAAC G. PERRY.
105
ISAAC G. PERRY.
Is,\A( G. Perry, architect and commissioner of the State Capitol, is of Scotch
descent and was born in Bennington, Vt., March '24 1822. His father, Seneca Perrv.
a native of White Creek, Washington county, N. V., was a carpenter and joiner by
trade, and died in 1808, his wife, Martha Ann Taggart, a native of Londonderrv. X.
H", and an ardent member of the old Presbyterian church, having died in 1860. Mr.
Perry's grandparents were Valentine and Patient (Hays) Perry, both of White
Creek, N. Y.
When a lad of seven years Mr. Perry moved with his parents to Keeseville, Essex
county, N.Y., where he attended the village school and served an apprenticeship with
his father at the trade of carpenter and joiner. He soon mastered the business and
won a local reputation as an architect, and for several years successfully prosecuted
the work of contracting and building on his own account. In 1852 he moved to New
York city and opened an office at No. 229 Broadway, where for twenty vears he
carried on a steadily increasing architectural business. In 1857 he received a com-
mission to furnish the plans and superintend the construction of the New York State
Inebriate Asylum at Binghamton, a fine specimen of castellated Gothic architecture,
which won for him a wide and permanent reputation. He also designed and erected
many other notable buildings in Binghamton, including the First Baptist church, the
Centenary M. E. and Congregational churches, St. Patrick's church, the Phelps
and First National Bank buildings, the McNamara, Hagaman and Perry blocks, the
High School, Hotel Bennett, the Phelps mansion, and numerous others of equal
prominence. His works extended throughout and beyond the Chemung Valley.
In 1872 Mr. Perry removed to Binghamton in order to be nearer the scene of his
labors, and thenceforward his work was pushed into adjoining cities and towns with
a vigor which has characterized all his undertakings. At Scranton, Pa., he built the
Lackawanna court house, the Dickson Manufacturing Company's machine shops, the
Second National and the Scranton Trust Company's Banks, the library edifice-
many dwellings, such as those of Hon. Joseph H. Scranton, jr., and the Messrs.
Linnen and Green. In Wilkesbarre, Pa., he designed and erected the First Natiaual
Bank, the opera house, several blocks, and many residences, including those of
Charles Parish and Stanley Woodward. At Port Jervis, N. Y., he built the Hutch
Reformed and Catholic churches, the Farnum & Howell block, and a number of
private and public edifices. This is but a small portion of the work designed and
executed by Mr. Perry, but it furnishes an idea of the wide and varied demands upon
his services, which were sought in many Western States and in other sections of the
east. It has been estimated that at times the work in his office aggregated $1,000,-
000.
On March 80, 1883, Governor Cleveland appointed Mr. Perry the regular commis-
sioner of the State Capitol at Albany, under a new law creating a single commis-
sioner to have " entire charge of the interests which had heretofore been confidi
a board of commissioners," and six days later this appointment was confirmed by the
Senate. The office was conferred upon him without solicitation, and .•
ablv received by the press 'if all political parties. Since then he has most ably
administered his duties, superintending the work with commendable energy, dili-
N
106
gence and fidelity. Much of the interior arrangement and decoration as well as the
principal exterior embellishments of that immense structure are due to his artistic
taste and skill, and many of the designs are his own creations. He has not only
established the highest reputation as a first-class builder, but he has won merited
praise as an accomplished architect, and is deservedly styled the master of his pro-
fession. He is also the architect of the new armory building on the corner of Wash-
ington avenue and Lark street.
Mr. Perry was married in December, 1848, to Miss Lucretia L. Gibson of Keese-
ville, N. Y.
CHARLES H. PECK, A. M.
Charles H. Peck, the son of Joel B. and Pamelia Horton Peck, was born in Sand
Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1833. He is the oldest of a family of nine chil-
dren, six of whom are now living. During his early years his father was engaged
in the manufacture of lumber. Accordingly in his youth he was in close association
and familiarity with the trees of the forests that surrounded his home. When he
was five years old he commenced his educational course by attending the district
school. This was at that time kept in a log school house whose furnishings were of
the most primitive character. As soon as he was old enough to be of assistance in
the saw mill, his school days were limited to the winter season, his help being re-
quired in the mill during the summer.
When eighteen years old he entered the State Normal School at Albany, from
which he graduated at the end of the year. While here he joined a voluntary class
in botany, taking this study as an extra, since it was not at that time included in the
regular course of study, These few lessons awakened in him a love for botanical
pursuits that never afterwards left him. By such trifling and apparently almost ac-
cidental circumstances the whole future course of life is sometimes changed. This
love of botanical science afterwards proved to be the controlling power in his life
work.
The winter succeeding his graduation found him in chargeof a large district school
in the town of Poestenkill, Rensselaer county. The next summer he accepted a
clerkship in a general country store, but long hours of labor and close confinement
soon impaired the health of a constitution never very robust, to such a degree that
he was obliged to change his occupation. This he did without much reluctance,
determining to take a course of study in college that he might be better prepared for
some more agreeable field of labor. Having pursued the necessary preparatory
studies in the Sand Lake Collegiate Institute, he entered Union College in 1855.
He took the regular classical course, and was one of three members of his class to
whom was awarded what was then known as a Nott Prize Scholarship, This was
an honor granted to those only who sustained a special rigid examination in the pre-
paratory studies, and it was continued only as long as its recipients maintained a
certain high standard of excellence in their studies and deportment. During his
college course his botanical inclinations supplied much of his recreation. Instead of
playing foot ball with his fellows on the college campus, he sought communion with
107
his plant friends in the fields and woods. In these rambles many treasures were
gathered to enrich his small but gradually increasing herbarium. In this study he
received instruction from the late Professor Pierscn, not only in the class room but
also sometimes in the field, for it was the custom of the professor to be a leader and
a companion of his scholars in their excursions after material for study. He grad-
uated in 1859 and three years after received the degree of A. M. from his Alma
Mater.
Scarcely had he finished his college course when he was offered a position as
teacher of classics, mathematics and botany in Sand Lake Collegiate Institute, where
four years before he had been a student. This position was accepted and proved so
satisfactory that an opportunity, which was offered some time afterward, to teach in
a more prominent position of learning, was declined.
About seven years were spent in teaching here and in Albany. While in the latter
place he formed the acquaintance of the Hon. George W. Clinton, a member of the
Board of Regents of the University. Judge Clinton was a good botanist himself,
and interested in the improvement and extension of the State Herbarium, a part of
the State Museum of Natural History. Through his instrumentality, Mr. Peck was
employed to do this work and to add to the Herbarium specimens of the cryptogamic
flora of the State, but few of which plants were then represented in it. Upon the
passage of the law recognizing the geologist and paleontologist, the botanist and the
entomologist, as constituting the scientific staff of the State Museum, he was ap-
pointed as botanist of the staff, which position he now holds. By his labors the num-
ber of plant species represented in the Herbarium has been trebled, and it is now-
one of the most complete and extensive local collections in the country. His duties
have required him to devote much time to the investigation of the fungi which con-
stitute by far the most extensive and intricate branch of the cryptygamic flora. ( >f
these plants he has described many new species and added vastly to the scientific
value of the Herbarium by placing in it the type specimens of these new species.
His investigations of the fleshy fungi, especially, have been so thorough and exten-
sive, that he has become a recognized authority in this department of botany. By
experimental trials of their edibility he has added many species to the list of useful
and edible mushrooms. There are few mycologists in this country who have not
been at some time or who are not now his correspondents. Many of them have re-
ceived more or less assistance from him in acquiring a knowlege of these plants.
At the present time he is in almost daily receipt of specimens of fungi from various
parts of the country. These are sent for identification or as data for the solution of
some problem in regard to their character, quality or edibility.
His literary productions are not extensive, consisting chiefly of several papers on
botanical topics read before the Albany Institute, contributions from time to time to
the Country Gentleman, replies to botanical queries therein and his annual reports
made to the Board of Regents and published in the Museum Reports. These now
exceed twenty-five in number, but some of the earlier ones are out of print. They
are eagerly sought by botanists and especially by mycologists. The application for
copies of the one containing the report on the edible and poisonous mushrooms of
the State were unprecedented in number, scores of them being received even before
the issuing of the report. They came from various parts of the country and indii .
IDS
a wide spread interest in the subject and an evident desire for information in this
practical branch of botany. ♦
In 1861 he married Miss Mary C. Sliter of Sand Lake. He has two sons, Harry
S. and Charles A. Peck, both of whom are now engaged in mercantile pursuits. He
is fond of his home and takes much pleasure and recreation in his garden at Menands.
By experiments in it, he derives from it aid in solving or in verifying many problems
in plant life and plant diseases. He is naturally modest and retiring in his disposi-
tion, shrinking from the excitements of public life, averse to extravagant pretensions
and ostentatious display, contented to labor on quietly and faithfully in his chosen
field and to add what he can to the sum of human knowledge and human happiness.
He is an active member of several scientific societies, an elder in the Presbyterian
church, a Republican in politics, but has never held nor earnestly sought an elective
civil office. He is decided in his own political and religious opinions but tolerant of
others who hold different views.
CHARLES WHITNEY CARPENTER.
Charles Whitney Carpenter is descended from an old Albany family, his paternal
grandfather, Henry, being a life-long resident of that city. His father, George W.
Carpenter, who still resides in Albany at the age of eighty-six, was educated at
the Albany Academy and afterward became one of its professors; later he was for
over twenty years the city surveyor, and subsequently was superintendent and engi-
neer of the Albany Water Works for over forty years and an active member of the
Board of Education for more than twenty-five years, being most of that time its
president. He married Mary Ann Burton, who died in 1877.
Charles Whitney Carpenter was born in Albany, N.. Y., March 13, 1847, and
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1864. He was subsequently a clerk in the
wholesale grocery store of E. C. Batchelder & Co., of Albany, until June 10, 1869,
when he went to New York city and accepted the position of cashier and bookkeeper
for J. N. Perkins & Co., brokers, in Wall street. Eighteen months later he entered,
as a clerk, the well known establishment of R. Hoe & Co., with whom he has ever
since remained, becoming in a short time their correspondent, confidential clerk,
and salesman.
The firm of R. Hoe & Co. was founded by Robert Hoe about the year 1804 under
the name of Robert Hoe & Co., and is the largest printing press manufactory in the
world. Many changes have occurred in the firm, by death and from other causes,
since Mr. Carpenter became associated with the house, and on January 1, 1888, he
was admitted to partnership. The firm now consists cf Robert Hoe, Theodore H.
Mead, and Mr. Carpenter. R. Hoe & Co. have gained a world-wide reputation in
the manufacture of printing presses of every size and description, ranging in price
from about $1,000 to the great combined newspaper and color press costing S55.000.
Wherever printing is done their name is known. They also manufacture immense
quantities of cast steel circular saws, which go to every country on the globe. In
their New York establishment they employ from 1,400 to 1,500 men, manufacturing
almost everything used by the printer, excepting type, ink, and paper. Here also are
CHARLES W. CARPENTER.
109
about 300 apprentice boys under competent instructors and professors. In the
London works some 600 men are employed, making presses for England and her
colonies.
Mr. Carpenter is an able business man, and has always been a staunch Republi-
can, following, in this respect, in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and
brother. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution through his father's maternal
grandfather, Mr. Mascraft, and is also a member of the New England Society and
the Union League and Grolier Club of New York.
On October 16, 1869, he was married to Miss Caroline Bowne Smith, a great-
granddaughter of Walter Bowne, who was mayor of New York city from 1829
They have had eight children: Arthur and Jessie, deceased; and Lilian, George W.,
2d, Florence, Charles W., jr., Adele, and Beatrice.
RUFUS W. PECKHAM.
Among the landmarks which give prominence to Albany county it is impossible
for the historian to overlook the name of Rufus W. Peekham. The court proceed-
ings and public affairs of the county bear testimony to the activity and prominence
of a member of the bar by that name at a period more than half a century ago; the
history of his further public career of honor and prominence is preserved in the
records of the Supreme Court, and of the Court of Appeals of this State, of botli of
which he was a vigorous and able member.
To the present Rufus W. Peekham no higher praise can be given than to say that
he is a most worthy successor to his ancestor in whose footsteps he follows. He
seems to have inherited the mental as well as physical characteristics of his father.
Born in Albany in 1838, the present Rufus W. Peekham was admitted to the bar
and engaged in the active practice of the profession. He soon developed the quali-
ties of an advocate, and many important trials occupied his attention, not only at
the Albany Circuit, but in contiguous counties.
As district attorney of Albany county his prosecutions were marked by a fearless
discharge of duty; as corporation counsel of the city of Albany he conducted the
legal affairs of the city with eminent success, besides being largely instrumental in
forming a new charter containing many reforms.
The energetic and sturdy advocacy of his views, his unswerving loyalty to friends,
the reliance to be placed on him by associates, his ability as a vigorous leader in
debate, made him a conspicuous figure at political gatherings; he was prominent in
the counsels of his party, and a champion in the contests of Democratic conventions.
As a public-spirited citizen he was interested in local institutions, and participated
in their administration, as a governor of the City Hospital, as a bank director and
park commissioner. His independence in politics was frequently made manifest.
His voice publicly and privately was always heard in the interest of clean politics
and for good and pure government.
In 1884 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, and while his admire:
gretted his retiring from practice, believing that his greatest Held for personal suc-
cess and public service lay in his career at the bar. his great qualification for the
110
judiciary was made manifest. He was most efficient as a trial judge. In 1887 he
was elected to the Court of Appeals, and his written opinions with which the reports
of that court abound, are further proof of his judicial ability. In 1895 he was ap-
pointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, of which he is now a
member. His attainments as a lawyer, his lofty personal character and intellectual
perspicuity, so marked a characteristic, have already won for him an exalted posi-
tion among his associates, and his standing is of the highest among the distinguished
members of that august tribunal.
While his place of residence is nominally at Washington, D. C, the long recesses
of the court are spent in Albany county, at his summer home in Altamont, on the
side of the Helderberg Mountains.
GEN. EDWIN A. McALPIN.
Gen. Edwin A. McAlpin was born in New York city, June 9, 1848, and is the son
of. David H. McAlpin, the president of D. H. McAlpin & Co., one of the largest to-
bacco establishments in the country. General McAlpin attended the public schools
in New York city and later was graduated from the academy at Andover, Mass. He
early showed his love for the military by enlisting, when a mere boy, as a drummer
boy in the war of the Rebellion, but was of course prevented from serving, being
under age. In November, 1869, he enlisted in the 7th Regt. N. Y. ; in 1872 was
elected corporal; was elected first lieutenant of the 71st Regt. in November, 1873,
and captain in 1875; major in August, 1875; resigned from the 71st Regt. in the fall
of 1882 to accept a captaincy in the 7th Regt. : elected colonel of the 71st Regt. in
May, 1885, and resigned his commission in June, 1888; in the spring of 1888 was
elected.colonel of the 71st Regt. Veterans Association. Gen. McAlpin is a man of
large fortune and is very liberal. He is director of the Eleventh Ward Bank and
director of the Sixth National Bank of New York city and of the firm of D. H. Mc-
Alpin & Co. of New York city. He owns a delightful summer residence at Lake
Brandreth. Since 1878 Gen. McAlpin has lived in the village of Sing Sing and he
has contributed largely to its development. In 1884 and 1888 Gen. McAlpin was up-
on the Republican electoral ticket in the State of New York and in the year General
Harrison was elected, he received the largest number of votes. General McAlpin
was president of the Republican State League for three years, and was appointed by
Gov. Levi P Morton adjutant-general of this State June 1, 1895. The wife of Gen-
eral McAlphin was a Miss Brandreth of Sing Sing.
JOHN R. VAN WORMER.
John R. Van Wormer is a member of an old Albany family, the original American
ancestor of which was Henri Van Wormer, who, with a brother, came from
Wormer, Holland, about 1655, and first settled in New Jersey, whence he moved to
this locality. From here a member of the family removed to the Lake George region,
JOHN K. VAN WORMHR.
Ill
long prior to the Revolution, and there Abram Van Wormer, grandfather of John R.,
was born, his father Henry being a lieutenant in the Continental army during the
Revolutionary war in a company of the 14th Albany County Regiment. Abram
served in the War of 1812, on the Canadian frontier, and subsequently settled in
Jefferson county, N. Y. He had a son Rufus, who married Eunice E. Bullock, of
Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., and they were the parents of the subject of this
sketch.
John R. Van Wormer was born in Adams, Jefferson county, March II, 1S40, and
received first a thorough preliminary education in the public schools of his native
town. There he also attended the Hungerford Collegiate Institute, an academy of
excellent reputation, and meanwhile learned telegraphing, a business he followed for
many years in various places. In 1869 he became a member of the faculty of the
Hungerford Institute, having charge of the military department until 1872, when he
went to Oswego in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The
same year he was made the Oswego correspondent of the New York Times, which
supported General Grant for president as against Horace Greeley, the candidate of
the Liberal Republicans and Democrats. Hon. De Witt C. Littlejohn, of Oswego,
was an ardent partisan of Greeley's, and became a candidate for member of assembly
in Oswego with a view to aiding the cause he espoused. He was defeated and I )aniel
G. Fort was elected. This episode terminated Littlejohn's public career. During
that campaign he was also active on the stump, making political speeches which
attracted wide attention. He had previously had, from youth up, considerable
experience as a public speaker and debater, and his talents now formed a wider
field as a campaign orator and correspondent.
Late in the year 1872 Mr. Van Wormer came to Albany (where he had spent much
time since 1868) and remained here in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph
Company until January, 1878, doing also considerable newspaper work and stump
speaking and taking an active part in Republican politics. When Hon. George B.
Sloane was elected speaker of the Assembly in 1876 Mr. Van Wormer became his
private secretary. In the fall of 1877 he was appointed the Albany correspondent
of the New York Evening Post, but in January following he resigned this position
to become private secretary to U. S. Senator Roscoe Conklingand clerk of the Senate
committee on commerce, of which Mr. Conkling was chairman. He filled these
positions for about one year. Early in 1879 he was made chief clerk of correspond-
ence in the New York post-office under Postmaster Thomas L. James, and in 1881,
when the latter was appointed postmaster-general, he became his private sec-
retary and soon afterward chief clerk of the post-office department at Washington.
I In January 1, 1882, Mr. James resigned and returned to New York with all theglory
and distinction he had won in the famous Star route cases, which he had successfully
carried through, and in the credit for doing whicli, Mr. Van Wormer shared as the
active executive officer of the Post-office Department during this trying pi
Mr. Yan Wormer returned also, and was made teller of the newly organized
Lincoln National Bank, which commenced business January 12, lvx.' in a build-
ing opposite the Grand Central depot. This hank now has deposits aggr<
ing about |10,000,000. The Lincoln Safe Deposit Company was organized and
in July, 1883, occupied the substantial budding erected for the purposi al 32 88
4'Jd street, New York city, and since then Mr. Yan Wormer has been il
112
and general manager. Hon. Thomas L. James is president of both institutions,
which now occupy the same structure. The Deposit Company, which has a capital
of $1,000,000, was the pioneer in the United States in the construction of absolutely
fire-proof safe deposit and warehouse buildings. Besides the building containing
the huge deposit vaults they have four large warehouses, erected in 1884, 1891, 1894,
and 1896 respectively.
Mr. Van Wormer, as general manager of this immense property, has shown marked
business ability, and has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has
come in contact. During an active life he has enjoyed the acquaintance and confi-
dence of the leading men of the country— of statesmen, financiers, authors, news-
paper men, lecturers, politicians, etc. He achieved distinction as a correspondent
and no little renown as an orator, especially on political subjects. He is the vice-
president and a director of the Brooklyn Warehouse and Storage Company, which
was organized in 1892, and which has a large building on the site of Dr. Talmadge's
original tabernacle at Schermerhorn street and Third avenue, Brooklyn. He is also
a director of the Schermerhorn Bank of Brooklyn, and a member of the Union League
Club, of which he was secretary in 1892 and 1893, and of whose house committee he
is now chairman. He is a member of the Lotos Club, the Republican Club, and the
New York Athletic Club, all of New York city, being a member of the finance and
building committee of the latter organization, which is erecting a handsome new
club house at 59th street and Sixth avenue. He is also a member of the St. Nicholas,
the Holland, the New England, and the Albany Societies, all of New York, and the
Sons of the American Revolution.
TIMOTHY L. WOODRUFF\
Hon. Timothy L. Woodruff was born in New Haven, Conn., August 4, 1858.
His ancestors fought in the Revolution and he is a member of the Sons of the Revo-
lution, His father was a member of the House of Representatives from 1855 to the
close of the Civil war. Mr. Woodruff received his preparatory education at Phillips
Exeter Academy and entered Yale University in 1875 and was graduated in 1879 as
Bachelor of Arts, and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1889. After leaving
Yale he took a course at Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In Jan-
uary, 1881, after a year's clerkship, he was admitted to the firm of Nash, Wheton &
Co., now the Worcester Salt Ccmpany, of which he is treasurer. He took up his
residence in Brooklyn, N. Y., in the spring of the same year. In 1887 he was the
proprietor of the Franklin, Commercial, Nye and Waverly stores and two grain ele-
vators. In 1888 he was made a. director and secretary of the Brooklyn Grain Ware-
house Company. In 1889 he became one of the proprietors of the Maltine Manufac-
turing Company of New York, of which he is now president. He was one of the in-
corporators of the Kings County Trust Company, the Hamilton Trust Company and
the Manufacturers Trust Company of Brooklyn. He is a director of the Merchants
Exchange National Bank of New York and a member of the New York Chamber of
Commerce. In 1881 and 1883 he was a member of the executive and advisory com-
mittees of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club. He was a member of the Repub-
113
lican State Convention of 1885 and has been a delegate to nearly all State and local
conventions ever since. In 1888 he was a delegate to the convention at Chicago, and
in 1889 and 1890 he was a member of the Republican State Committee. Mayor
Wurster, upon assuming office, appointed him Commissioner of Parks of Brooklyn.
He was also a delegate to the convention at St. Louis which nominated William
McKinley. Socially, Mr. Woodruff occupies a very prominent place in Brooklyn and
is a member of all the fashionable clubs and societies. He is also a member of the
Union League and University Clubs of New York city. In November, 1896, he was
elected lieutenant-governor of New York State. His wife was Cora C. Eastman,
daughter of the late Hon. H. G. Eastman, at one time mayor of Poughkeepsie, N. Y
They are both members of the Presbyterian church. They have one son, a student
at Paul's School at Concord, N. H.
THEODORE E. HANCOCK.
Ilo.s. Theodore E. Hancock was born in 1847, in the town of Granby, Oswego Co.,
N. Y. He is a descendant on his mother's side from Roger Williams. His paternal
ancestors were natives of Massachusetts, from which State his father emigrated
about 1836 to Oswego county. He attended the public schools and the Falley Sem-
inary, where he prepared for college. He entered the Wesleyan University in 1867,
and was graduated with honors in 1871. While at college he was a diligent stu
dent of the classics and mathematics and showed great skill in logic and debate.
After leaving the University he studied law in the office of the Hon. Edward T.
Bartlett, now judge of the Court of Appeals. He also took a course of study in the
Columbia Law School of New York and in 1873 was admitted to practice in all the
courts of this State. He chose Syracuse, N. Y., as his home and commenced his
practice there. He met with great success and for many years he has been the
senior member of the firm of Hancock, Beach, Peck & Devine, now Hancock,
Hogan, Beach & Devine. In 1889 he was elected district attorney for the term of
three years. In 1893 he was nominated to the office of attorney-general of New
York State and was elected by a majority of 21,290. He assumed office January 1,
1894, and in 1895 was re-elected by a plurality of 94,758. He is a member of the
' >dd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
In 1880 he married Martha B. Connolly, of Pittsburg, Pa., and they have two
suns and one daughter.
WALTER DICKSON.
The subject of this sketch was born at Albany, X. Y. His father, James I »ickson,
and mother, Margaret Leitch Russell, were natives of Scotland, the former of Pe<
near Edinburgh, the latter of Hamilton, near Glasgow. Walter Dickson is the
eighth successive generation of this old Scottish border name. His mother '
o
114
descendant of Major Andrew0 Leitch, who fell at Harlem Heights in 1776, fighting
under Washington. Walter's school life was spent at Prof. Anthony's Classical In-
stitute, and the Albany Academy. He excelled in boy's sports, and very early evinced
a taste for drawing and construction. William Ellis, then the principal architect
in Albany, having seen some of the boy's handiwork, prevailed upon his (Walter's)
father to have him study in his office. Later the boy entered the office of William
L. Woollett, of Albany, also prominent in his profession, and finally completed his
studies in New York city. He held the office of resident architect of the new Fed-
eral Building at Albany for years and it was completed under his supervision.
Ambitious for agreater field, he associated himself in 1887 with Frederick C. Withers,
an old and well known architect of New York city, their practice being largely in
public buildings. They are at present erecting many for the city of New York.
Mr. Dickson is a member of twenty years standing of the American Institute of Archi-
tects, and also of the Architectural League, and has been president of the Depart-
ment of Architecture of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences.
From boyhood he has been a student of history and of places of historical interest
around him, which his published articles and tales of Old Albany attest to. In fact,
antiquities are his hobby. He was placed at the head of historical committee of the
Albany Bi-Centennial Celebration of 1886, and it was through his efforts that the
memories of many places and events of historical interest in Albany were perpetu-
ated by the the bronze tablets now seen about the city, the importance of which was
so eloquently set forth at the time by an eminent Roman Catholic divine, who said:
" When the noise of smoke and cannon, and the glitter and music of parade, and the
brilliant effusions of inspired oratory will have all passed away, these bronze tablets
indelibly inscribed with history will be the only imperishable thing left to tell the
story of Albany's Bi-Centennial."
Mr. Dickson has been identified with many of Albany's institutions. He succeeded
his father as president of St. Andrew's Society, was president of the Young Men's
Association, commandant of, and closely identified with the Albany Burgesses
Corps. He was one of the original curlers of Albany, and one of the citizens who
introduced the steam fire engine into this city. He was also a member of the Fort
Orange Club, and the designer of the great Albany Army Relief Bazaar, and the
first president of the first Electric Illuminating Company in Albany. He is at pres-
ent an officer in the Albany Society of New York, and in addition to the other or-
ganizations with which he has been associated, has been for more than thirty years
a 32° Mason.
Mr. Dickson married Fanny Louise Guest, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. , a descendant of
an old Albany family, and has three sons and two daughters. His only sister, Jean
Agnes Dickson, was the wife of William H. Tayler, both of whom are now deceased.
J. TOWNSEND LANSING.
J. Townsend Lansing is a descendant of (1) Frederick Lansing, of Hassei, Hol-
land, who came to New Amsterdam (New York) with three sons and three daughters
and probably settled in Rensselaerwyck about 1650. Gerrit Frederick Lansing (2),
115
his son, was no doubt the progenitor of all the Lansings in America. The line
Gerrit, born in Hassel, Holland; (4) Jacob Gerritse, 1681-1707, who built the old
"Pemberton House;" (5) Gerrit J.; (6) Abraham G., 1756-1844; (7) Gerrit Y., 1783
1862, member of the State Legislature, chancellor of the Regents of the University
of New York, and member of Congress, married Helen Ten Eyck; (8) Charh
married Catharine Clinton ; and (9) J. Townsend.
John Townsend Lansing, born in New Haven county, Conn., was educated in
Albany and in 1866 engaged in the manufacture of saws with Robert C. Pruyn and
James Goodwin, under the firm name of Pruyn & Lansing, succeeding the fathers
of Messrs. Lansing and Pruyn. They continued this business until 1878 and also
manufactured files under the name of the Sheffield File Works and were interested
in the embossing company.
Since 1878 Mr. Lansing has been interested in the care of trusts, estates and real
estate and has often acted a6 administrator. He is a director in the New York State
National Bank, the Albany Insurance Company, the Public Market Company and
the Wheeler Rent and Power Company; a trustee of the National Savings Bank, the
Dudley Observatory, the House of Shelter, the Albany Medical College, the Charity
Organization Society, the Albany Historical and Art Society, the City Mission, and
the Young Men's Christian Association ; and is a member of the Fort Orange Club
of Albany, the Reformed Club of New York, the Holland Society and the Old Guard
Albany Zouave Cadets. He is also identified with several other organizations of the
capital city.
In 1870 he married Helen Franehot Douw, daughter of Yolckert P. Douw of Al-
bany.
JOSEPH ALBERT LINTNER.
Joseph Ai.iu.im Lintner, Ph. D., of German descent, is a son of Rev. George
Ames Lintner, D.D., who was born in Minden, Montgomery county, X. Y.. in 1796,
was graduated from Union College in 1817 and was pastor of the Lutheran churches
of Schoharie, Middleburg and Cobleskill for many years. Prof. Lintner was horn
in Schoharie, February 8, 1822, attended the Jefferson Academy, was graduated
from the Schoharie Academy in 1837 and spent ten years in mercantile pursuits in
New York city, where he also prosecuted his studies under the Mercantile Library
Association. He contributed scientific articles to the Tribune and other newspapers,
and returning to Schoharie in 1848, engaged anew in mercantile business. 1
he began a collection of insects, and in I860 removed to Utica, where for seven
he manufactured woolen goods. Meanwhile he had steadily pursued his sci-
entific studies, for which he had a natural taste and unusual capacity. In 181
became zoological assistant in the State Museum of Natural History at Albany; in
he was appointed by Governor Cornell State en torn lss"> he was
placed on the scientific staff of the museum, a position he still holds. He has writ-
ten about 1,000 papers on scientific subjects, published eleven annual Reports on the
Injurious and other Insects, of the State of New York, and is wide'.
one of the foremost entomologists of the world. His services in the inter<
116
culture and allied pursuits have been of great value to both the State and nation.
He is a forceful speaker, an accomplished writer and a man of not only high scien-
tific, but of rare personal attainments. In 1884 the Regents of the University of the
State of New York conferred upon him the honorary degree of Ph. D. He was
president of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, and the Association of Economic Entomologists, two years each,
has been president of the department of natural science in the Albany Institute
since 1879 and is a member of the American Entomological Society, the Entomo-
logical Society of Washington, D. C, the Entomological Society of Ontario, Canada,
the New York Academy of Sciences, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, the
Cambridge Entomological Club, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Davenport,
Iowa, the Oneida Historical Society, the Kansas State Horticultural Society, the
New York State Agricultural Society, the Musee Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de
Beige, Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, and Societe Entomologique de
France, and since August 21, 1873, fellow of the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science. October 2, 1856, he married Frances C, daughter of Hon.
Holmes Hutchinson, of Utica, N. Y. Their children are George A., of Minneapolis,
and Charles H. of St. Paul, Minn. ; and Mary C. and Laura B., of Albany, N. Y.
JAMES H. WILSON.
James H. Wilson is one of the foremost temperance leaders in the city of Cohoes
and a faithful member of the Baptist church, in which he has served as trustee for
the past three years, and as superintendent of the Sunday school he has been very
successful. He is prominent in the I. O. G. T., and assisted in organizing the Tem-
ple of Honor in 1873, and was a charter member of both4 organizations. He is also
a member of the A. O. U. W., and is serving as a trustee. As a director of the Y.
M. C. A. he is serving his fifth year, and also does mission work on Van Schaick's
Island, where he was one of the early settlers. In politics he is a Republican, and
is serving his third term as school commissioner, and is also a valued member of the
Masonic fraternity.
He was born in 1854 at Lowell, Wis., and is a son of James S. Wilson, a contract-
ing carpenter. He lived at Clifton Park until twelve years of age, when he came to
Waterford and assisted his father (who died in 1894, and his mother in 1891).
He came to Cohoes in 1868, and in 1878 became engaged with Leggett & Son, paper
box manufacturers, with whom he remained until May, 1885, when he purchased the
business and has since successfully conducted the same.
In 1892 he organized the Continental Knitting Co., of which he served as president
until he severed his connection with the company in December, 1894.
In 1875 he married Adelaide Delanoy, by whom he had two children. The daugh-
ter, Frances D., died in 1892 at the age of sixteen ; she was a talented musician and
highly respected. The son, William J., was born in 1887.
J. H. WILSON,
117
A. BLEECKER BANKS.
Hon. A. Bleecker Banks was born in New York city, March 7, 1837. He comes
from old Revolutionary stock and is a son of David Banks, who founded a law book
publishing house in New York city in 1804 and a branch at Albany soon after, of
which branch Mr. A. B. Banks has been the manager since 1858. Mr. Banks was
educated at the public and private schools and Columbia College, New York city.
He was a member of assembly from Albany county in 1862, State senator, 1868-71,
and mayor of Albany city. 1876 to 1878 and also 1884 and 1885. He was instru-
mental during his first term as senator in securing the first appropriation for the new
State Capitol, establishing Washington Park and legislating a new charter for his
city. When mayor he inaugurated the granite block pavement and improved sew-
erage systems, which has made Albany one of the best paved and drained cities of
the State. It was through his plans and management that the Bi-Centennial of Al-
bany city was carried on to its final success. He was a delegate to the Democratic
National Convention at Chicago in 1884, and aided in nominating Grover Cleveland
for president; he was also a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1894.
He is an active member of the firm of Banks & Brothers, law book publishers, Al-
bany and New York.
CHARLES W. LITTLE.
Charles W. Little is a descendant of George Little, the founder of the Newbury
family of this name, who came in 1640 from Unicorn street, near London Bridge,
England, and settled in Newbury, Mass. Mr. Little was born in Albany, February
4, 1850. His father, Weare Coffin Little, was the sixth in descent from George
Little, and was born July 31, 1806, in Maine. In 1827, while acting as the western
representative of the firm of Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, Mass., he established
in Albany, the law publishing house of W. C. Little & Co. He died February 20,
1885, after a long and successful business life; his uprightness and integrity having
gained him the regard and esteem of all who knew him. C. W. Little's mother was
Elizabeth Latimer, and her grandfather, Col. Jonathan Latimer, who served in the
Connecticut forces during the Revolutionary war, was present at Bunker Hill and
Stillwater and also fought in the French and Indian war. Mr. Little was educated
at Professor Anthony's Classical Institute and the State Normal School in Albany.
After leaving school he entered his father's law book publishing house and upon the
death of his father in 1885, became the sole proprietor. He is a member of the Fori
Orange and Unconditional Republican Clubs, a life member of the Young Men's As-
sociation and of the Young Men's Christian Association. December 81, 1872, be
married Edith, daughter of Samuel B. Herbert, of London, England, who was a
direct descendant of the Earl of Pembroke. They have three daughters Milla A..
Edith H. and Elizabeth W.
118
RALPH HORNBY.
Ralph Hornby, now retired from active life, took up the machinist trade upon
coming to Cohoes from England, where he was born in 1829. His early manhood
was spent as a cotton weaver, but on coming to America he entered the employ of
Campbell & Clute, remaining with them twenty-six years, holding the position of
foreman for the last twelve years.
Mr. Hornby, from a poor boy, by economy, hard work, and perseverance, has ac-
cumulated a substantial fortune. He is practically the father of the Fifth ward of
Cohoes. having built the first house in that ward. He has been largely instrumen-
tal in the development and upbuilding of that part of the city.
November 19, 1859, he married, in England, Jane Bell, of Preston, Lancashire,
Eng., who has borne him six children, but two of whom are living: Elizabeth and
Ellen.
FRANCIS H. WOODS.
Hon. Francis H. Woods was born in Albany, his parents emigrating here from
county Longford, Ireland, early in the present century. He received his education
at Capt. Michael O Sullivan's school and the Albany Boys' Academy, where he won
the principal's prize for his essay on " Mahomet." He soon began to take an active
part in the public duties of life and while a delegate from Engine Company No. 11,
was elected president of the Albany fire department in 1865 and by his prudent
management secured the stability of the relief fund. In 1865 he was admitted to
the bar, having studied in the office of Warren S. Kelly and subsequently going into
partnership with ex-Judge James A. McKown.
His political career began in 1867, when he was elected to the Assembly by a
handsome majority and served with credit on the committee on judiciary. In 1873
he was elected a justice of the Justice's Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death
of Dennis B. Gaffney. He was again elected for a full term by 3,000 majority and
again for a third term without opposition, 5,000 Republican ballots being cast for
him. After an honorable and impartial career, Mr. Woods retired from the Justice s
Court in 1883. On this occasion many members of the bar united in presenting him
with a handsomely engrossed testimonial.
In the fall of 1883 he was unanimously nominated, by his party for the office of sur-
rogate and was elected by a commanding majority. He discharged the duties of
that office for the full term of six years with credit to himself and satisfaction to the
public. On his retirement every newspaper in the county made him the subject of
a laudatory editorial notice, commending him for his industry, courtesy, learning
and integrity.
The period of Mr. Woods's incumbency as surrogate is the brightest chapter in his
career, as it is one of the most honorable and creditable in the county history. In
1890 he served as a member of the State commission appointed by Governor Hill to
revise the judiciary article of the constitution. He is now serving as postmaster of
RALPH HORNBY.
119
the city of Albany and has shown a progressive spirit in the management of that
office, where his unusual executive ability findsa good field of display. His appoint-
ment was made on the suggestion of President Cleveland, with the approbation of
Senator Hill.
As a Democratic orator, Mr. Wood's most notable work was in Mayor Nolan's
campaign, in the various addresses he made while accompanying Mr. Manning and
the Democratic Phalanx to the Chicago convention which nominated Grover Cleve-
land ; at the great Fort Plain meeting with Mr. Apgar, being the first Cleveland
meeting in the interior of the State. He displayed great activity, was at his best in
scores of out door gatherings in the campaign of 1888, and accompanied John Boyd
Thacher in a part of the novel cruise of the boat Thomas Jefferson down the Erie
Canal, making speeches of electric power at Schenectady, West Troy and Albany
from the bow of the boat. In the campaign of 1892, as president of the Mills Club,
he displayed notable activity on the stump. He is a born orator; his appearance on
the platform is indicative of power and ability. He is an intelligent lawyer, a lover
of books and a sound adviser.
JOHN F. RATHBONE.
John P. Rathbone was born in Albany, N.Y., October 9, 1819. He was educated
in the Albany Academy and the Brockport Collegiate Institute. His father died
May 13, 1833. The following year he united with the Baptist church in Brockport,
and within a year thereafter he left school and became a clerk in Rochester, X. Y.
In 1837 he returned to Albany, first in the employ of Jared L. Rathbone, and then
becoming clerk in Joel Rathbone's foundry in the south part of the city. In 1840 he
went into business with S. H. Ransom, with Joel Rathbone and Jared L. Rathbone
as special partners. In 1845 he built a stove foundry in Albany, which with the ad-
ditions since made is one of the largest in the world. He is now at the head of the
firm of Rathbone, Sard & Co. Early in 1861 Mr. Rathbone was appointed brigadier-
general of the 9th Brigade of the National Guard. State of New York, and on the
opening of the Albany depot for New York State volunteers, he was appointed its
commandant. On being relieved from the command General Rathbone was highly
complimented, not only by the adjutant-general, but by the commander-in-chief,
Governor Morgan. In ls(i7 General Rathbone resigned his position as commandant
of the 9th Brigade. January 1, 1873, he was appointed adjutant-general by Gov.
John A. Dix, with the rank of major-general and served with credit to himself and
advantage to the State. He is one of the founders of the Albany Orphan Asylum of
which he has been president and trustee for many years; president of the Board of
Trustees of the Dudley Observatory, also of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Al-
bany; one of the Park Commissioners, and trustee of t lie Albany Rural Cemi
and president of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Academy. He was tor fifty
years the superintendent of the Emmanuel Baptist Sunday school and is president of
the Board of Trustees of the church, lie founded the Rathbone Library of the Uni-
versity of Rochester, of which he is a trustee, and contributed $40,000 to us funds.
120
ALBERT P. STEVENS.
Albert Parsons Stevens, son of Isaac and Maria C. (Parsons) Stevens, was born
in Springfield, Mass., April 10, 1835, and descends from Col. Thomas Stevens, of
the Devonshire line, through Cyprian Stevens, who came to this country in 1660 and
was one of five who purchased from the Indians, in 1686, a tract of land twelve
miles square, comprising what is now the town of Rutland, Mass. Cyprian's de-
scendants were residents of that town for more than 150 years. On his mother's
side Mr. Stevens is in the direct line of descent from William Bradford, who came
over in the Mavnower in 1620, and was the second governor of Plymouth Colony.
Joseph Stevens, son of Cyprian, was one of the first selectmen and assessors of
the town of Rutland, was the first town treasurer, one of the committee to set off
the land, a deacon in the church and a captain in the militia. Isaac Stevens was
born in Rutland, Mass., August 8, 1795, and died July 31, 1835.
Albert P. Stevens, his son, came to Albany in October, 1853, and took a position
as clerk in the Albany Exchange Bank, then in the second story of the Exchange
building, on Broadway and State streets, where the present post-office building
stands. He was connected with several banks in the city until 1869, when he be-
came secretary and treasurer of the National Savings Bank at the organization of
that institution. He has continuously held these positions ever since. He is prom-
inent in religious and charitable organizations and is a member of both the board of
trustees and the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association, and
was the president for four years. He was treasurer of the Albany City Tract and
Missionary Society for many years, and was treasurer of the Albany County Bible
Society for nearly twenty years and is now its president. He is a member of the
First Presbyterian church and one of its trustees, is treasurer of the Presbytery of
Albany, member of the permanent committee on synodical aid of the Synod of New
York, and a member of the Fort Orange Club.
December 30, 1856, he married Emma Henrietta, daughter of the late Thomas
McMullen, a prominent citizen of Albany; she died February 12, 1891, and they
had three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons, Clarence W. and Frederic B.,
are living.
YERPLANCK COLVIN.
Verplanck Colvin was born in Albany, N. Y., January 4, 1847. His first name
is derived from the family of his father's mother, one of the oldest families of
Albany county of ancient Dutch lineage, while his family name is of the oldest
English origin, though his paternal great-grandfather came to this country from
Scotland. John Colvin was this paternal great-grandfather. He was born in Scot-
land in 1752, settling at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, in 1772, where he married
Sarah Fuller (descendant of one of the Fullers who came over on the Mayflower) in
1774, and subsequently removing to Coeymans, Albany county, he purchased a farm.
In 1810 he was chosen a member of the State Assembly. Johannes Verplanck, also
a great-grandfather of Verplanck Colvin, was a descendant of Abraham Verplanck,
121
who came from Holland when there were only fifteen houses in the present city of
New York, and was commander of Dutch forces there under Governor Kieft in the
war with the Indians. It was in the house of the Verplancks at Fishkill that the
Society of the Cincinnati was formed. Verplanck Colvin's father, Hon. Andrew J.
Colvin, studied law in the office of Martin Van Buren and Benjamin F. Butler, and
was corporation counsel of the city of Albany; district attorney of the county, and
State senator. In 1861 he was the first State senator to speak for the defence of the
Union and was chosen by the New York Legislature to be president of the joint
assembly receiving Abraham Lincoln, the president-elect.
Andrew J. Colvin married as his second wife Margaret Crane Ailing, daughter of
Prudden Ailing and Maria Halsey Ailing, of Newark, N. J. It was at the residence
of Col. John Ford, uncle of Maria Halsey Ailing, that Gen. George Washington, by
invitation, made his headquarters in Morristown, N. J., during the Revolution, and
John Ailing, of Col. J. Baldwin's Regiment of the Continental army and great-
grandfather of Prudden Ailing, in another regiment (of whom Mr. Colvin is a lineal
descendant), assisted in the defence of the city of Newark, fighting face to face with
the British. General Prudden and General Ebenezer Foote, who were personal
friends of General Washington, were also relatives of Mr. Colvin's mother.
Verplanck Colvin attended the Albany Academy and subsequently studied law
in his father's office, practicing in the minor courts and was successful in all the
cases entrusted to him. The law, however, did not please him, as he was mathe-
matically inclined and preferred scientific research and engineering; and, in 1865, he
began those scientific explorations of the then unknown Adirondack wilderness which
became of such importance. In winters he gave more attention to scientific study
and in 1868 organized a very successful course of free scientific lectures in the State
Geological Hall at Albany. In 1869 he made a careful study of the topography and
geology of the Helderberg mountains and publishect a description of that region m
Harper's Magazine. In 1870 he explored the Cough-sa-gra-ge, or Dismal Wilder-
ness of the Indians, and made the first known ascent and measurement of Mt.
Seward and other high peaks; and during the winter of this year he traveled exten-
sively in the Southern States. In 1871 he made the journey across the great plains
of the far West, passing through Chicago the day before the great tire, and crossing
Kansas in the midst of the herds of innumerable buffalo. In Colorado he studied
tlii- geology and mineralogy of the gold and silver mining districts and asp<
the highest peaks of the Snowy Range, returning through the Black Hills, Wyoming
and Nebraska. Subsequently he wrote and illustrated an article for Harper' i
azine which he entitled the " Dome of the Continent." and from this article arose
the name of "Dome State" for Colorado. In acknowledgment of his Colorado ex-
plorations Mr. Colvin was elected an honorary member of the Rocky Mountain Club
of Denver, an appointment only conferred upon a few of the explorers of the high
snowy ranges of the Rocky Mountains, being associated with Gen. Philip Sheridan
in this honor.
In is?.!, recognizing the need of a careful survey oi New York, for the preserva-
tion of its land boundaries and forests protecting the water supply. Mr. Colvin went
before the Legislature and succeeded in having made the first appropriation for the
State survey in the Adirondack region, and he thus was the first to make any tri-
angulation of New York under the authority of the State government. He this
p
122
year traced the Hudson River to its highest pond-source, Lake Tear-of-the-Clouds,
which he was the first to visit, geographically locate, name and describe. This is
now accepted as the true source of the Hudson River. In this year, also, Mr. Colvin
was the first to suggest to the Legislature the construction of an aqueduct from the
upper Hudson in the Adirondacks as a source of water supply for New York city
and the cities of the Hudson valley. From this time Mr. Colvin has continued in
the employment of the State as superintendent of this survey.
In 187o lie was appointed one of the commissioners of State Parks, Gov. Horatio
Seymour being president thereof, and Mr. Colvin having been the first to recom-
mend to the Legislature the Adirondack Park as a forest preserve in a previous
report made to the Regents of the State University. During this year Mr. Colvin
extended the exploration of the wilderness over great areas in the western unex-
plored section ; but, in 1874, the work almost ceased, on account of the financial
panic.
In 1875 the surveys were continued, Mr. Colvin personally making the first true
measurement of Mt Marcy, the highest mountain peak in the State of New York,
with leveling observations on a rod read by vernier to the thousandth part of a
foot. In 1876 larger appropriations were made and the work continued. During all
the years following, he has sustained a reputation second to none for careful and
systematic engineering and surveying, and his services have been of great value to
the State and science at large.
In 1881 he was engaged by the faculty of Hamilton College to lecture on higher
surveying and Geodetic Engineering, but on completing his first course of lectures
retired from this work, finding teaching to be a monotonous employment.
In 1882 he was chosen one of the New York State delegates, with the then Gover-
nor Cornell, to attend the first American Forestry Congress, where Mr. Colvin read
one of the most important papers
In 1883 a law was passed by which he was given full charge of the New York State
Land Survey.
In 1888, when the ten and twelve-inch cannon for the coast defense of the United
States were ordered by the government, Mr. Colvin showed, in a clearly written
paper, that Albany was the one unconquered State Capital of the United States,
and hence, probably the most secure location for the new gun foundries was at the
Watervliet Arsenal near Albany. The United States Congress adopted Mr. Colvin's
views as conclusive, and he was called into consultation by the ordnance officers of
the U. S. A. and was present at the assembling of the first great gun at said arsenal
by special invitation. The Burgesses Corps of Albany, in recognition of Mr. Colvin's
services in urging the location of the gun foundry near Albany, presented him with
a sword which Mr. Colvin justly prizes.
Mr. Colvin is a member of many scientific societies. He is president of the Albany
Institute, perhaps the oldest scientific and literary society in New York if not in the
United States, having held its sessions while the British flag yet floated over the
fort at Oswego, and this society having had as its first president Robert R. Livings-
ton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the committee
which drew that memorable document. Gen. Simeon De Witt, chief engineer on
the staff of General Washington, Prof. Joseph Henry, the first to send telegraphic
signals by electricity, Mr. Bloodgood, to whom Ericsson the builder of the Monitor
123
attributed the invention of the revolving iron clad turret, the Van Rensselaers,
Pruyns, etc., were former officers of the Institute.
Mr. Colvin is a life member of the American Geographical Society and of the
American Institute of Mining Engineers, and honorary member of the Club Alpine
Prancais of Paris, through his membership in the Rocky Mountain Club, honorary
member of the Adirondack Club, a foundation member of the Fortnightly Club. lit-
is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an hon-
orary member of the British Society for the Advancement of Science of London, Eng-
land, a corresponding member of the Appalachian Mountain Club of Boston, Mass.,
honorary president of the Adirondack Guides Association, etc., as the chief emp
of the guides. His numerous reports to the Legislature are an authority on the
questions with which they deal. He' has delivered numerous lectures and written
many papers on scientific subjects, engineering, astronomy, geology, chemistry and
physics, besides articles in the magazines. His portable boat for explorations, his
improvement in telescopes and his recent discovery of a method of securing the
mean temperature of the atmos])here independently of thermometer, by observation
of the velocity of sound, were notable discoveries.
In 1891 Mr. Colvin was nominated for the office of State engineer and surveyor
receiving 538,000 votes and running 4,000 ahead of his ticket.
In 1893 Mr. Colvin represented the State of New York in the reception of the Duke
and Dutchess of Veragua, the descendants of Columbus, enjoying the pleasant expe-
riences of traveling with them among the mountains and lakes of this State, and was
given a dinner at the Hotel Waldorf in New York by the duke and duchess, on the
evening of the departure of the distinguished descendants of the discoverer of Amer-
ica for Europe, Col. J. Y. L. Pruyn, of the Governor's staff being the only othei
guest on this occasion.
In 189") Mr. Colvin was reappointed superintendent of the State Land Survey, an
office which he still holds, and in which he is given special power and authority to
locate the boundaries of lands, especially of the great counties, towns and townships,
his decisions being prima-facie evidence in the courts.
Mr. Colvin has never been married.
LUTHER TUCKER.
Li iiii.k Ti i kee was born in Brandon, Vt., May ;, 1802. At the age of fourteen
he was apprenticed to Timothy C. Strong, a printer of Middlebury. Mr. Strong re-
moved to Palmyra, N. Y., in 1817 and took the young man with him, but they did
not remain long together, the separation coming two years later, before Mr. Tucker
had quite finished his apprenticeship. Mr. Tucker then started out for himself ami
in the prosecution of his work, visited, difring five succeeding years, various points in
the North and East, and the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and New
York. In the spring of 1825 he entered into partnership at Jamaica, Long Island,
with Henry C. .Sleight, whose business was chiefly the publication of standard works
for New York houses. Some of the volumes then published are now in the pi
sion of his sons, bearing the imprint of Sleight & Tucker. In 1823 Mr. Tucker had
124
passed through Rochester, N. Y., and although the place was then very small, he
was much impressed with the location. He witnessed there the first crossing on the
aqueduct, over the Genesee, of the Erie Canal. When looking for a wider field than
that at Tamaica, he went to Rochester and 'at the earl}- age of twenty-four he began
the publication of the Rochester Advertiser, the first daily newspaper established on
this continent west of the city of Albany. Its first number appeared October 27,
1826, and it at once attracted attention. January 1, 1831, he established the Genesee
Farmer, while still continuing the Daily Advertiser The circulation of the Genesee
Farmer rapidly increased, notwithstanding the establishment of the Cultivator at
Albany, by Judge Buel, under the auspices of the State Agricultural Society in 1834.
Mr. Tucker's paper had the larger circulation of the two. In 1839, after purchasing
a farm near Rochester, he sold the daily paper, which still exists as one of the lead-
ing journals of Western New York, under the name of the Rochester Union and Adver-
tiser. Mr. Tucker then intended that farming and the publication of the Farmer
should occupy all his time, but before a single season, Judge Bud's death at Albany
left the Cultivator without a head and Mr. Tucker was induced to combine the two
papers. The number of the paper for January, 1840, was published from Albany
and bore the title of "The Cultivator; a consolidation of Buel's Cultivator and the
Genesee Farmer." The publication is still continued by one of his sons and a grand-
son, under the old firm name, Luther Tucker & Son, the paper (now called "The
Cultivator and Countrv Gentleman") being very much the oldest agricultural period-
ical of any class in this country. Mr. Tucker died of pneumonia, Sunday, January
20, 187:1.
LUTHER H. TUCKER.
Luther Henry Tucker, son of Luther and Mary (Sparhawk) Tucker, was born in
Rochester, N. Y., October 19, 1834. His parents were of English descent and New
England birth and ancestry dating back into the seventeenth century. At the time
of his birth his father was engaged in the publication of the Rochester Daily Adver-
tiser (a journal still widely popular and influential in this, its seventy first year) and of
the Genesee Farmer, both which papers he founded, the Advertiser being the first
daily established west of Albany and the Farmer the first really practical agricultural
weekly in the world. The death of Judge Buel of Albany, conductor of the
Cultivator, which occurred in 1839, gave Luther Tucker the opportunity of acquir-
ing that paper and the good will of the New York State Agricultural Society, of
which body the Cultivator was regarded as in some sense the organ ; and he estab-
lished himself at Albany, bringing his family with him, in time to consolidate his
new purchase with the Genesee Farmer for the first issue of the year 1840, calling
the remodeled journal by the broader name. Here his son began school life, study-
ing at the Albany Academy and one or two smaller institutions, and entering the
sophomore class at Yale College before he had reached his eighteenth birthday.
Although obliged to leave his college course unfinished, he took high junior honors,
became eligible to election to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, and the faculty-
granted him the honorary degree of A. M. with the rest of his class.
125
The premature return from college seemed to be necessitated by the state of
affairs at home. When, in addition to the monthly Cultivator, Luther Tucker
started an agricultural weekly, the Country Gentleman, he was not successful in
securing for the business management of the venture such assistance as he shortly
found to be absolutely needful. He had himself little aptitude and less liking for
business details and financial plans. The son appreciated the situation and felt
there was just one course for him to pursue — abandon his studies and thoughts of a
strictly professional career and lend his aid to the management of the papers. So
he left college in the middle of junior year and took charge, in January, 1854, of the
financial side of his father's affairs, becoming, December 1, 1855, a partner in the
firm of Luther Tucker & Son. And it was chiefly owing to his efforts that the new
paper, the Country Gentleman (with which the Cultivator was finally merged), proved
a financial success.
During the following thirty years he devoted himself to the paper with unremitting
energy, assuming at the death of his father in 1873 the editorial as well as the busi-
ness management. In the beginning he taught himself bookkeeping by the rapid
absorption of the contents of one or two manuals of the art that happened to be at
hand, and ultimately devised a special system of accounts for his special needs
which has proved in the highest degree satisfactory, though probably quite unlike
anything in use anywhere. And every department of the business came under his
scrutiny and largely into his personal care. Economies were rapidly effected, the
circulation of the papers was pushed by every means then known, order was brought
out of chaos, and business prosperity began.
But he also early entered into the editorial part of the work, and found himself
equally successful in this sphere, and fast winning wide reputation. In the summer
of fSfiO, after seeing what he could, in brief visits here and there, of the best Ameri-
can farming, he spent some months in Europe (agricultural operations m this coun-
try being at that time modeled on foreign practice after a fashion hardly conceivable
bv the present younger generation of American farmers) and detailed his observa-
tions, first in letters to the Country Gentleman, and afterwards in a contribution to
the nineteenth volume of the "Transactions of the State Agricultural Society," and
in a series of lectures on English agriculture in a course of agricultural instruction
at New Haven (delivered in I860) which attracted wide attention and aided ma-
terially in the subsequent development of the Sheffield Scientific School. It lias
seemed surprising that he was able to collect, in so short a time, and particularly
in countries like France and Germany, whose languages he was compelled to ac-
quire by periods of study that most persons would consider utterly inadequate —
Such a wealth of the practical ami accurate information on agricultural practii i
which the trip was undertaken, selecting with rare judgment the points most likely
to In- useful in the United States.
( >f other literary work, outside' of that constantly done m the office of the Country
Gentleman, Mr. Tucker preserved no record, being absolutely careless of his reputa-
tion as a writer and speaker, and keeping no copies of a number of lectun
essays of his that were at one time and another printed. In 1865, at the time when
Congress distributed the public land fund for the establishment of colleges of agri-
culture and the mechanic arts, Rutgers College at New Brunswick, N. I . received
its share, and Mr. Tucker was appointed professor of agriculture in the first an
126
ment of the faculty and delivered a full course of lectures. He was compelled to
resign his chair, however, at the completion of his course, because of more pressing
duties at home.
In 1858 Mr. Tucker was elected treasurer of the State Agricultural Society (as had
been his father, ten years before), and entered at once actively into the management
of that body. He brought to official duty the same habits of unbounded energy,
scrupulous accuracy, and the constant aiming at improvement and expansion, that
characterized his operations as a publisher ; and the rapid increase in the financial
resources of the society which followed his election was certainly due in considerable
part to the good management of the treasurer's office and to the sound judgment of
the treasurer himself in the councils of the governing board. He resigned this office
on the death of his father in 1873, when he became senior member of the firm (the
original title remaining unaltered), that occurrence throwing upon him the heavy
burden of the editorship in chief of the paper and adding greatly to his responsibili-
ties. The executive committee accepted the resignation "with great reluctance,"
according to a minute made at the time, adding that the office had been filled by
him "most acceptably and efficiently."
So passed thirty active and successful years — years however in which there was at
first no opportunity, and afterwards but little thought, of recreation or pleasure.
He did, it is true, make two or three flying visits to warmer climes like Florida and
Cuba to escape the opening of our northern spring, and he took occasionally a few
days at the seashore and the springs in summer. But for the most part he was per-
petually at his post.
In the autumn of 1884, however, when he* had just passed his fiftieth birthday, this
unremitting application began to tell. A heavy cold, neglected at first, refused after-
ward to yield to treatment, and brought about a condition of general malaise that
rendered exertion of 'any kind most irksome; and at last, one gloomy dav toward
the close of the year — a busy day it was, too, when the editor-in-chief had his hands
and his head especially full — he found himself absolutely unable to go on, and left
the office for rest and medical advice, expecting that a few days at home would
make him all right again.
But his condition had become so serious that a winter in Nassau was necessary,
and even this did not restore his former health. The following winter (1886) was
spent in Bermuda, and from January to June, 1887, he traveled in Southern Europe
and Great Britain. For some years following shorter trips were taken ; another
foreign tour in 1895. So although these years were shadowed by semi-invalidism,
there were great alleviations in the larger leisure and opportunities for travel and
observation. His life, in short, seemed enviable, and would have been so indeed,
had he succeeded in recovering completely his lost health. But this was not to be.
A complication of disorders caused him trouble, and gave anxiety to those who loved
him,— sometimes more, and sometimes less, but never entirely absent after the first
break down. Toward the end of February, 1897, the symptoms of acute Bright's
disease suddenly developed, and on Tuesday, February 23, he passed away peace-
fully and painlessly.
Mr. Tucker was one of the trustees of the Albany Savings Bank, treasurer of
the board of trustees of the Albany College of Pharmacy, and a vestryman of St.
Peter's church.
127
November 28, 1865. at St, George's Manor, L. [., Mr. Tucker was married to Cor-
nelia Strong Vail, daughter of Harvey Wentworth Vail and Anne (Jdall \Tail of
Islip, L. I. His wife survives him and four children, Luther Henry, jr., Cornelia,
Wentworth and Carll.
The following are among the resolutions passed at Mr. Tucker's death by the
various bodies with which he was connected:
At a special meeting of the board of trustees of the Albany Savings Bank, called
to take action in regard to the death of Luther H. Tucker, the following minute was
adopted :
The associates of Luther II. Tucker, who for nearly fourteen years has been a trustee <>f this
bank, desire to express their sincere sorrow for the loss of one who lias so long and so ablv as-
sisted in the management of this institution, and to bear testimony to the faithfulness with which
he has met the responsibilities of the position.
While unobtrusive in manner, he was always firm in his advocacy of every measure which he
believed would subserve the best interests of the depositors, and his associates felt that they
could depend upon him for advice and council whenever needed.
Totiis family, so sadly bereaved, they extend their sympathy in this hour of trial, and as a
manifestation of their respect will attend his funeral in a body.
At a meeting of the vestry of St. Peter's church, Albany, February 28, 1897. an
entry was directed on the minutes of the board, in respect to the death of the late
Luther H. Tucker, as follows:
The rector, wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter's church have received with profound sorrow
the announcement of the death of their friend and associate, Luther H. Tucker. They deeply
mourn, in this event, the loss of a trusted and greatly esteemed officer of the church, and of a fel-
low citizen of rare attainments, widely extended influence and estimable life and character, and
they direct that the following brief record of his earthly career shall be entered in their min
transmitted to his family, and given to the press for publication.
Somewhat more than forty years ago Mr. Tucker, then barely twenty years of age, came
with a brilliant record for scholarship from Yale College, his Alma Mater, back to his honic.it
Albany, quietly dropped into his seat in the editorial sanctum of the Country Gentleman, by i he-
side of that of his distinguished father, Luther Tucker, the founder, proprietor and editor of that
sheet, and at once addressed his attention diligently, and with great zeal, to the especial news-
paper work of that agricultural organ.
Sonic twenty years later, when Luther T inker, the senior, having conducted the papei
through his untiring and determined labors to a useful a prosperous career, rested from his
arduous duties, the son stepped from the seat which hael been at his lather's side into the vacant
place at the head, and became, as his father before him, manager and editor-in-chief. The
prise expanded and grew with the efflux of years, under the intelligent management which
shaped its editorial work, and guided its business affairs, and it became more and tflore, as it
continues to be to-day, the most important and reliable of the agricultural periodicals of tin's
country.
In the editorial work of the Country Gentleman; in the study of those branches of useful and
practical knowledge which were incidental and essential to that work; in literary pursuits, foi
which he had especial fondness and adaptation; in the enjoyment of tin- pleasures of an affluent
and delightful domestic life, and of a generous hospitality; in the pleasure of a constant ■
mi travel and in the rational enjoyments of human existence. Mr. Tinker's life was ;
and has closed with the record of a career of undeviating zeal and industry, and of a beneficial,
although seemingly impersonal influence upon human society which is seldom the lot of indi-
vidual men to exert.
The honors which he achieved in more public employments were those obtained throuj
oasional nor, editorial literary productions in the earlier period of his career; bj a ■
tares on agricultural subjects at Yale College; through his connection with Rutgei
its professor, for a brief period, of agriculture, a position resigned as im i
torial duties at Albany, and through his connection with the NTew York §1 -lltural
Societv for some time as its most efficient treasurer.
128
I 01 fifteen years he had been a member of this board, constantly devoted to the interests of
St. Peter's church; a judicious and reliable counselor in its affairs and a ready benefactor in its
needs.
At a meeting of the board of trustees of the Albany College of Pharmacy, Feb-
ruary 25, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved- That in the death of Luther H. Tucker, who from the founding- of the college had
been a member of this board and its treasurer, we have suffered great and serious loss. We
shall miss his wise counsel, unswerving loyalty and substantial aid. We extend to his bereaved
family our sincere sympathy, and direct that this resolution be suitably published and spread
upon the minutes of this board.
At a meeting of the Yale Alumni Association of Eastern New York at Albany,
February 24, the following was adopted:
The friends of Mr. Tucker entertain pleasant memories of their associations with him in the
past, and they appreciate the honor which his literary work has conferred upon his Alma Mater.
In later years he showed his affection for the college by sending to it his eldest son, to be edu-
cated there. The association desire to express to his widow and children their heartfelt sym-
pathy in their hour of trial and loss.
GEN. JOHN G. FARNSWORTH.
John Gosman Farnsworth was born in Elmira, N. Y., January 21, 1832. His
parents were Marshall L. Farnsworth and Joanna B. Gosman, his wife. His father
was born March 12, 1798, was graduated at Union College in 1825, and on June 30,
1830, married Joanna B. Gosman; he died November 27, 1838. He was a faithful
minister of the Congregational church. General Farnsworth traced his descent to
both English and Holland Dutch sources. On the paternal side he was descended
from members of that sturdy body of Puritans who made a home on the rugged
shores of Massachusetts more than two and a half centuries ago, and among
whose children and children's children were many whose names became prominent
in the Revolutionary, literary and theological history of the early days of this
country, On his mother's side he came from the earliest Dutch settlers of New
York.
General Farnsworth was the recipient of a practical education, having pursued in-
telligently and faithfully his studies at the academies in Ithaca, N. Y., and Albany,
supplemented by a course at Pittsfield, Mass., fitting him thoroughly for the active
duties and responsibilities of life. His first business enterprise was in the wholesale
lumber trade as a member of the firm of J. O. Towner & Co., which for many years
carried on an extensive business. Here Mr. Farnsworth found active employment
for his mind, and gradually absorbed those correct and systematic business prin-
ciples which in later years made him so valuable a servant in the public service.
When, in 1861, the crash of civil war pealed over the land, shattering the con-
tent of thousands of homes, and plunging into chaos the business of the country,
young Farnsworth felt moving within him a new and theretofore untried sentiment.
A firm Democrat of the Jacksonian school, he was none the less a patriot and sup-
porter of the administration to which he was politically opposed. If his country
needed his services in the suppression of the Rebellion, he was ready to devote them
to the full extent of his power.
129
On the 14th of April, 1802, he was appointed by President Lincoln to the post of
of captain and assistant quartermaster and assigned to duty in the Army of the
1'otomac. In this position he found ample scope to employ the knowledge gained
in his business experience, and so well did he apply it that from July. 1S<">2, to
August, 1883, he served as chief quartermaster of the Fourth Army Corps under
.M;il.-Gen. E. D. Keyes. From August, 1803, until January, 1864, as a member of
the staff of Gen. M. C. Meigs, quartermaster-general of the U. S. army, he accom-
panied the latter on a tour of inspection through the western departments, and was
present with him during the siege of Chattanooga and at the desperate battles of
Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain.
From February, 1864, to November of the same year General Farnsworth was in
command at Wheeling of the principal supply depot of the quartermaster's depart-
ment of West Virginia, and from November, L864, to September, 1865, he was chief
quartermaster of the department of West Virginia with headquarters at Cumber-
land. October 23, 1865, upon his own application, he was mustered out of the
United States service and returned home to engage in his former business. 1 1 is
record throughout the Rebellion was untarnished; on the contrary his whole career
was characterized by faithfulness, energy, and the brilliant faculty of always being
ready, and his brevets of major, lieutenant-colonel ami colonel of United States
Volunteers were but small tokens of recognition of the worth of his devotion and
labor.
September 21, 1868, he became connected with the military service of the State,
and until 1871 was colonel of the 10th Battalion, National Guard. January 1, 1883,
Governer Cleveland appointed him adjutant general of the State, and in this
capacity he proved his ability as an administrative military officer. 1 Hiring his in-
cumbency the National Guard improved in strength, discipline and efficiency, and
the Camp of Instruction (established by General Townsend in 1882) was made .
manent feature; under General Farnsworth's direction the site near Peekskill was
purchased for this purpose and is now known as the State Camp; also, during his
term, a new service uniform was adopted, a new military code became a law and
new regulations were adopted. . On the request of General Farnsworth in 1S84, the
United States War Department permitted the use of one of the forts at New York,
for a brief period, to be occupied by a regiment from that city for the purpose of
instruction in the handling and firing the heavy sea-coast guns, the success of which
tour proved its wisdom ; the practice was continued during his administration.
At the close of his official term, General Farnsworth was placed on the super-
numerary list of officers, subject to call to duty when required, an instance of which
occurred in 1890, when he was sent to Syracuse to take command in suppressing the
threatened railroad difficulties at that point.
In 187H he was appointed one of the commissioners of Washington Park and
served as such nine years. In 1880 he was placed in charge of the prosecution of
war claims of the State of New York against the United States, an office he fill'
the time of his death, and in which he succeeded in collecting about $8,000,000. He-
was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United Stati
the Fort Orange Club, the Masonic order, and several other organizations.
In 1850 General Farnsworth was married to Miss Sarah V. Gourlay, daughti
Q
130
William B. Gourlay, of Albany. They had two children: John Farnsworth, married
and a resident of Plattsburg, and a daughter, Emma.
General Farnsworth died from a stroke of paralysis, at the Arlington Hotel,
Washington, D. C, April 6, 1895. He contracted a heavy cold the previous winter,
which developed into a protracted attack of the grip. In the hope of being able to
drive the disease from his system he went to Washington six weeks before his
demise, and was followed two weeks later by Mrs. Farnsworth, who was by his bed-
side when he expired.
His funeral was notable, not only in the numbers and. prominence of those in at-
tendance, but in the impressive solemnity of the service, and accompanied, as it was,
with all the honors that should be paid to a gallant soldier, an upright and faithful
official and good citizen. St. Peter's chnrch never held within its walls a more
sympathetic body of mourners, and the unspoken sorrow was visibly impressed upon
the face of every one present.
The following tribute to General Farnsworth is taken from resolutions passed by
the Commandery of the State of New York, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of
the United States:
1 ' On the evening of April 6, 1895, there passed suddenly from life's activities here to
the life beyond one whose mainspring of action was intense loyalty to duty and to
friends. Gentle by nature and simple-hearted, trustful yet cautious, generous of im-
pulse and with straightforward singleness of purpose, doing the right because it was
right without thought of his own advancement and interest, a lovely, honest, brave
character, he died deeply lamented by his immediate friends, who were legion, and
by a greater multitude with whom, through many years, he had been thrown in
familiar official intercourse. The tributes of intense respect showered upon his
bereaved family were silent witnesses to the manly life of one who never turned his
back on a friend nor faltered in the performance of duty or in any proper sacrifice
to aid others. Unselfish to the last degree, he was blind to the ingratitude of others.
His eyes beheld always the better and bright side of human nature.
" Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow,
And ciuite forget their vices in their woe;
Careless their merits or their faults to scan,
I lis pity gave ere charity began.
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride,
And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side."
GEORGE H. CURREEN.
George H. Curreen, son of John and Sarah (Moure) Curreen, was born in Albany,
N. Y., May 27, 183G. His maternal great-grandfather, Hans Collenberg, came from
Holland and located in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, and built a house
where the Reformed church school house now stands. His paternal great-grandfather
came from Nova Scotia. Mr. Curreen attended the public schools of the city of
Albany, and learned the trade of stonecutter with George Belden in Greenbush, N.Y.
He remained with him four years and then started in business for himself. The
GEORGE H. CURREEN.
131
panic of 1857 caused him considerable loss and he moved to Ballston Spa, N. Y.,
where he worked for O. D. Vaughn at the trade he had learned, until the breaking
out of the war.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 115th N. Y. Vols, and was made first sergeant
upon the organization of Company C. At the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Va., to
Stonewall Jackson, Sept. 25, 1862, where with his Regiment he was made a prisoner,
Sergeant Curreen saved the regimental colors, the only colors of the 12,000 troops
that were saved from the enemy. He was wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida,
February 20, 1864, and received promotion to second lieutenant from Governor
Horatio Seymour, the commission dating from the battle of Olustee. He was again
wounded June 30, 1864, at the Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va., and thereupon was
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. Many times he was sent North by Gen.
( ). A. Gilmore on special service. He was mustered out of the service at Albany,
X. Y., in December, 1864, and in 1865 Governor Fenton commissioned him captain
of the National Guard in recognition of his many noble acts. Mr. Curreen is now
a member of Post 644, G. A. R., and has held at different times all the offices of
the post. He was also on the staff of Gen. Lucius B. Fairchild when he was com-
mander-in-chief of the G. A. R.
After the war Mr. Curreen located in Greenbush, N. V., where he had charge of
the police force, then under the Capital City Police Commission, associated with
Chief Shepard and Superintendent Allen. He subsequently went into business
again and owned and controlled the Monumental Architectural Works. He re-
mained in Greenbush until 1891, when he removed to his present location, No. 154
Madison avenue, Albany. He held public office in Greenbush several times. He
is a member of the Liederkranz Singing Society and of the Trinity M. E. church, in
which he has held many important offices. June 1, 1857, he married Sarah A. Near
of Albany, and they had five children: George B., Lewis M., Grace R., Ida F. and
Fred M. Mrs. Curreen died Mav 12, 1895.
ISAAC H. MAYNARD.
Hon. Isaac H. Maynard was born in Bovina, Delaware county, N. Y., April 9,
1838. His paternal ancestry were of English origin, his great-grandfather emigrat-
ing to this country from the north of England in 1740. His maternal ancestors were
Scotch. His earlier years were passed on his father's farm and in attendance at the
district school. In 1854 he entered the Stamford Seminary, where he prepared for
college, entering Amherst College in 1858 and graduating with honors in 1862. In
the study of Greek he took one of the Mather prizes and for his proficiency in extem-
poraneous debate during his college course, he received one of the Hardy prizes.
He delivered the German oration at the Junior exhibition and was one of the moni-
tors of his class. He pronounced one of the English orations at the commencement
and was valedictorian.
Two months after graduating he entered the law office of the late Hon. William
Murray, afterwards judge of the Supreme Court at Delhi, N. V., and was admitted
to the bar in 1863. He practiced law in Delhi in 1865, when he removed to Stain-
132
ford, Delaware county, and formed a partnership with his cousin, F. R. Gilbert,
afterwards judge of the Supreme Court, which continued until January, 1878. Mr.
Maynard was elected supervisor of the town of Stamford, and in 1870 was re-elected
and made chairman of the board. He was largely instrumental in securing the in-
corporation of the village by special act of the Legislature and was the author of its
charter. He was elected the first president and was re elected unanimously for ten
successive years.
In 1875 he was elected a member of the Assembly and in 1876 was re elected. He
was an active supporter of Governor Tilden in the presidential contest of 1877, and
was always among the foremast leaders of the Democratic party. In 1877 Mr. May-
nard was elected county judge and surrogate of Delaware county and served a full
term of six years. In 1883 he was the Democratic candidate for secretary of state.
January 1, 1884, he was appointed by Attorney-General O'Brien, deputy attorney-
general, which office he held until the following June, when he was called by Presi-
dent Cleveland to assume the duties of second comptroller of the United States
Treasury. April 1, 1887, he was appointed assistant secretary of the treasury, to
succeed Charles S. Fairchild, who had been made secretary upon the retirement of
Daniel Manning. He resigned this position March 5, 1889, but remained at his desk
until April 1, at the, request of Secretary Windom.
On May 22, 1889, he was appointed by Governor Hill, one of the commissioners to
revise the laws of the State of New York and while engaged in this work, he pre-
pared the original draft of the revised corporation laws of the State. January 1,
1890, he was again appointed deputy attorney general by Attorney-General Tabor
and re-appointed January 1, 1892, by Attorney-General Rosendale.
On January 19, 1892, he was honored by Governor Flower with the appointment
as associate judge of the Court of Appeals, in place of Judge Earl, who had been ap-
pointed chief judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Ruger, and he was
reappointed January 1, 1893, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge Andrews
to be chief judge. In the latter year he was nominated by the Democrats to succeed
himself, but was defeated. Upon his retirement from the bench, January 1. 1894,
Judge Maynard resumed the practice of the law in Albany, in connection with his
former partner, Judge Gilbert, the firm being Maynard, Gilbert & Cone. He was
an eminent jurist and a lawyer of great learning, and his native sagacity, his long-
experience and intimate knowledge of men and affairs greatly enhanced his useful-
ness as a judge of the highest court of the State. He died in Albany June 12, 1896,
leaving a widow and one daughter, who reside in Stamford, N. Y.
NOEL E. SISSON.
Noel E. Sisson was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y., on the 23d
day of January, 1821. In those days in the country it was always a hard struggle
for a livelihood, and Noel, appreciating this fact, and being slender in physique and
not very robust, at the early age of fourteen left the farm and parental roof, with
consent of his parents, and went to work in a store at Hunter's Land, where his
NOEL E. S1SSON,
133
employer, who had been a schoolmaster, promised him teaching in books and instruc-
tion as his compensation.
The boy soon found, however, that the promised instructon was mainly confined
to the manual labor he was expected to perform in the store and daily chores.
He remained in this place about a year; but during this period young Sisson em-
ployed all his spare time at his books.
The next few years of his life were spent in working, going to school and teaching
school; always striving to get an education and better his condition in life. With
this end in view, at the age of twenty-four, in 1845, he did what so many others have
done, and what so many are still doing; he came to the city — to Albany, full of ardor
and full of hope, with a firm determination to succeed in life
At this time the method of taking pictures by photography was in its infancy, and
Mr. Sisson, after carefully studying the process and becoming familiar with the art,
entered into the business at the corner of Maiden Lade and Broadway. Subse-
quently he enlarged his business and dealt in photographers' supplies, etc., and
built up a large trade, which he continued at this place with great success for four-
teen years.
About this time Mr. Donald MacDonald, a sturdy, worthy Scotchman and friend, had
just returned from a visit abroad, where he had found his brother making gas meters,
and believing that it would be a profitable venture to enter into in this country, he
came to Mr. Sisson, his old friend, and asked him to loan him a thousand dollars.
Mr. Sisson, knowing Mr. MacDonald to be an honest, worthy man, and wishing to
aid him, kindly advanced the sum required.
A little later on, another loan was applied for and freely given. Mr. MacDonald
had started his manufactory in a small shop on Lancaster street, employing but a
few men. The business grew, but money was wanted, and Mr. MacDonald came to
Mr. Sisson and asked him to take a half interest in the business and furnish the
necessary capital.
The arrangement was made and the firm of D. MacDonald & Co. was formed in
1859, and still continues. The elder MacDonald is dead, but his son has succeeded
to his father's interest.
The little shop of 1859 has grown to a fine stately building, running through from
Lancaster to Chestnut street, in 1897 giving employment to some 2Q0 men.
Mr. Sisson has twice married; his first wife was Miss Emaline Griffin, daughter'of
Dr. Griffin, of Middleburgh, N. Y. He has two children : a daughter, Eleanor, the
wife of Mr. Daniel C. Bennett, and a son, Frank N. Sisson. The second wife was
Miss Anna Bogardus of Albany. Mr. Sisson has long resided at 92 Lancaster street.
in one of the pleasantest residences in Albany, with large grounds in the rear, where
in the summer time it is his delight to spend a portion of his time in his well culti-
vated garden and among his beautiful roses and flowers.
Mr. Sisson is a director of the First National Bank of Albany, and of the Commerce
Insurance Company of Albany. He is also president of the Gas Light Company of
Bath, Steuben county, X. Y. . and a charter member of the Fort Orange Club of
Albany.
Mr. Sisson is a plain, quiet, unostentatious man, with habits of industry and per-
severance, genial manners, sturdy honesty and square dealings in all his business
affairs; whose word among his associates is always as good as lus bond ; thrifty and
, 134
saving in the early period of his life, and when in after years well earned compe-
tency came, generous and liberal to old friends and worthy charities; a man of keen
perception and far seeing intuition in business affairs that has made him a valued
adviser to many friends, and a wise counselor to his associates in the companies and
corporations with which he has been officially connected ; upright character, honesty
and integrity, all these are happily united and firmly welded in the life and char-
acter of the subject of this sketch.
Now in his after years, when his sun has passed the meridian, and he looks back
along the paths of his labor and life's work with supreme happiness and contentment,
how pleasant must be the satisfaction to him that he has not lived in vain ; that while
making himself and his family happy and prosperous, he has also contributed to the
happiness and prosperity of others; that he has been instrumental in giving honora-
ble employment to thousands of men, with fair and reasonable remuneration, and
that by so doing he has largely aided in making many happy homes and contributed
to the prosperity of the city of his adoption.
This, in brief, is the story of Mr. Sisson's life, and it presents a fruitful chapter to
the young men of the present age, full of useful lessons and instruction for their
benefit and guidance.
DANIEL MANNING.
Hon. Daniel Manning, son of John, was born in Albany, August 10,1831, and died
there December 24, 1887. He received a good public school education and when twelve
years of age entered the office of the Albany Argus, where, by his natural abilities,
he rose gradually through the various grades until he became manager of the paper.
In 1873 he was elected president of the Argus Company, which position he held until
his death. He devoted much study to our banking system, became well versed in all
great financial matters and was an authority on different questions in this depart-
ment. He was a trustee of the National Savings Bank, became vice-president of
the National Commercial Bank in 1881 and at .the death of Hon. Robert H. Pruyn
in 1882, was elected president of the latter institution. He also gave much attention
to railroad matters and was especially interested in the Albany & Susquehanna line.
His political career was a most brilliant one, beginning about 1872, and for many
years he was the recognized leader in Albany of the Democratic party. He was a
member of the State Democratic Conventions from 1874 to 1884, a member of the
Democratic State Committee from 1874 to 1885, secretary of the same in 1879-80
and chairman from 1881 to 1884, and a delegate to the National Democratic Conven-
tions of 1876, 1880, and 1884, serving as chairman of that body in 1880 and of the
New York delegation in 1884, when Grover Cleveland was first nominated for the
presidency, an event largely due to the political sagacity and bold leadership of Mr.
Manning. In March, 1885, President Cleveland appointed him secretary of the
treasury at Washington, which position he resigned in April, 1887, in consequence
of failing health. The last official appointment which he accepted was the presi-
dency of the Western National Bank of New York. As an able and sound financier
and as a successful politician, his name will live in the pages of American history
135
through coming generations. In 1853 Mr. Manning married Mary Little, who died
in 1882. There were four children: James Hilton Manning, so long identified with
the Argus, and Frederick Clinton Manning, a prominent engraver of Albany, arc
his sons; and two daughters, Mary E., wife of Jules C. Van der Oudermeuluen ;
Anna, wife of John A. Delehanty. November 19, 1884, he married Mary Margarctta
Fryer, daughter of William J, Fryer, of Albany.
JOHN M. BIGELOW, M. D., Ph. D.
John M. Bigelow, M.D., Ph.D., was born in Albany on the 22d day of August.
1847, and descends from one of the oldest and most respected families in American
colonial history. His ancestors migrated from Braintree, Essex county, England,
and settled near Boston, Mass., soon after the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620. From
that time until the present they have been conspicuous in professional, commercial,
civil, military and social affairs, many of them holding high official posts in the army,
the State and the nation. They were especially prominent in developing the early
history of New England and in shaping the destinies of the Massachusetts colony.
Among Dr. Bigelow' s ancestors are Dr. Jacob Bigelow and Dr. Henry J. Bigelow,
D.C.L., of Boston; Hon. John Bigelow, secretary of state; Harriet Beecher Stowe,
the famous authoress; and Hon. Alpheus Bigelow, justice of the Supreme Court; and
many who were active as soldiers, officers or civilians during the war of the Revolu-
tion. On his mother's side he is of pure German stock, being a descendant of Jacob
von Zimmer, a general in the army of Frederick the Great, who settled in America
in 1732. Another famous ancestor was Frederick Basslaer, a professor in the Univer-
sity of Berne, Switzerland, who came to the United States in 1740. The late T. S.
Doolittle, D.D. , LL.D., vice-president of Rutgers College, was also connected with
the family.
Dr. Bigelow's great-great-grandfather, Dr. Josiah Bigelow, of Weston, Mass., was
born in 1730 and died in 1810, and was a prominent physician, as was also his son,
Dr. Uriah Bigelow, of Worcester, N. Y., who was born in 1765 and died in 1842.
His grandfather, Dr. Uriah Gregory Bigelow, sr., of Worcester, and son of Dr. Uriah,
was born in 1794, married Miss Henrietta Barnes in 1816, became a member of the
New York State Medical. Society, and died in 1850. Dr. Bigelow's father, Dr. Uriah
Gregory Bigelow, jr., was born in Worcester, N. Y., in 1821, married Lovina von
Zimmer in 1843, settled in Albany in May, 1844, and died here in February, 1872; he
was at one time president of the Albany County Medical Society, curator of the
Albany Medical College, member of the New York State Medical .Society, and was
one of the leading physicians of the city.
Dr John M. Bigelow inherited the sturdy characteristics and rare mental endow-
ments of this splendid ancestry, and ably represents the fifth of five generations of
talented physicians and surgeons. From early youth he has worked assiduously,
first, to secure an education, and afterward to practice those principles which hard
and continued study enabled him to master. He was graduated from the Albany
Boys' Academy with full diploma in 1863 and won several prizes, among them the
Van Rensselaer classical medal. In 1864 he entered the junior class of Williams
136
College, where he made rapid progress in his studies, and from which he was gradu
ated with the degree of A.B. in 1866. Soon afterward he began the study of medi-
cine at the Albany Medical College and later entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of New York city, and received the degree of M.D. from each institution
in 1870. He became a practicing physician in Albany, by license in 1869.
Dr. Bigelow was among the first physicians in the United States to make a specialty
of diseases of the throat and nose, in the treatment of which he has had a wide and
valuable experience. There are few practitioners in the State who are better known
or enjoy- a higher reputation. His work in colleges and hospitals has been varied.
He was professor of materia medica and therapeutics and of diseases of the throat
and nose in the Albany Medical College from 1870 to 1896, when he resigned the
former chair to devote his attention to the latter. He has been attending physician
to the Albany City and St. Peter's Hospitals since 1870, and the Old Men's Home
since 1874, and is now attending physician and surgeon for the diseases of the throat
and nose to each of these institutions. In therapeutics he is a recognized authority
in this country. His lectures, which are mainly extempore, embody the most ad-
vanced and tenable thoughts and facts of the science and art of medicine of the
present age, and the remark is often made that they have the finish of a book. They
are certainly combined with and illustrated by a long and successful practice, and
are remarkable for their command of language and clear, concise presentation of the
subject. His connection with the Albany Medical College has been of inestimable
value to that institution and to the hundreds of students who have pursued their
professional education under his able and conscientious teachings.
Dr. Bigelow was county physician in 1871, has been president, and for twenty-seven
years a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and is a member of the New
York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has been a
member of the International Medical Congress, was one of the honorary presidents
of the Pan-American Congress, and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha
Delta Phi college fraternities, and of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., of Albany.
He is a life member and ex-president of the Young Men's Association, an honorary
member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, a charter member of the Albany Club, an
associate member of the Albany Press Club, a member of the Unconditional Repub-
lican Club, and an honorary member of several other organizations. In March, 1892,
Rutgers College conferred upon him the degree of Ph.D. He is one of the most
charitable, public spirited and benevolent of men, kind hearted, companionable and
sympathetic, and is always ready to relieve distress and encourage worthy enter-
prises. He is a large property owner, is one of the substantial and foremost citizens
of Albany, and is universally esteemed and respected as a gentleman and highly
honored as a physician.
On February 14, 1874, Dr. Bigelow was married to Miss Sara A., daughter of the
late Thomas P. and Amelia T. Crook, of Albany, where she was born January 19,
1848. She died September 21. 1879. Their only son and child, Albert Stewart Bige-
low, died November 26, 1876.
137
JOHN H. FARRELL. »
John H. Farreli. was born on the banks of the Hudson River, near Albany, Sep-
tember 1, 1839, and was educated at No. 8 public school in Albany and the
Christian Brothers' Academy in Troy. When fifteen he entered the employ of
Hugh J. Hastings of the Albany Knickerbocker and remained with him nearly two
years; he then entered the employ of Luther Tucker, editor of the Country Gentle-
man and Cultivator, where he remained until January, 1870. In 1863 he accepted
an appointment to edit the telegraphic dispatches for the morning and evening
papers in Albany and continued to do this until January, 1870, when he resigned
and succeeded Daniel Shaw as city editor of the Albany Argus. The Sunday Press
was started in May, 1870, by E. H. Gregory, J. H. Mulligan, John T. Maguire,
Myron H. Rooker, James MacFarlane and John H. Farreli. In September, 1870
the first three named persons sold their interests in the paper to Mr. Farreli and on
June 1, 1871, he retired from the Argus to devote his energies to the Sunday Press,
which was in 1877 made a daily. In August following Mr. Farreli purchased the
Knickerbocker and consolidated it with the Daily Press. In March, 1891, after
twenty-one years' partnership, Mr. Fan-ell sold his one half interest in the Press and
Knickerbocker and Sunday Press to his partners for $50,000 cash, and after a brief
rest purchased the Evening Union. During the summer of 1891 he purchased the
Albany Sun and Evening Times and combined the three dailies in one called the
Times-Union. Mr. Farreli' s ability as a newspaper editor has been acquired bv an
exceedingly active daily experience, covering the entire period of his manhood. He
was one of the founders of the United Press and has been its vice-president, and has
also been a member of the executive committee of the New York State Associated
Press. He was one of the founders of the American Newspaper Publishers' Asso-
ciation and for several years has been a member of its executive committee. He was
president of the New York State Editorial Association in 1895-96; is a vice-president
of the Home Savings Bank of Albany; a director in the Albany City National Bank
and the Commerce Insurance Company; and is a trustee of St. Agnes Cemetery, St.
Vincent Male and Female Orphan Asylums of Albany, and the Albany Hospital for
Incurables. He was a charter member of the Fort Orange Club, and is deeply inter-
ested either as officer or stockholder in several enterprises in the city of Albanv.
In June, 1869, Mr. Farreli was married to Miss Mary V. Gibbons, of New York
and they have three sons and four daughters: James C. Farreli, the eldest son is
manager of the Argus; John F. , the second son, is a lawyer, while Joseph A. is on
the editorial staff of the Times-Union.
JAMES W. COX, M. I).
James William Cox, M. D., son of Thomas and Sally (Bump) Cox, was horn Feb-
ruarys, 1828, in Gilbertsville, Otsego county, N. V., where his paternal ancestor,
Joseph Cox, from England, settled in 1787. Thomas was a soldier at Sackett's Har-
bor in the war of 1812, while his father-in-law, Jacob Bump, of Uxbridge, Mass.,
K
138
served in the Colonial war, was present at the assault and capture of Quebec, and
signed, with others, the "Association Test" of 1776. The Cox family were prom-
inent farmers in Otsego county.
Dr. J. W. Cox was educated privately under Rev. James Hughes and at the Gil-
bertsville Academy and when eighteen began teaching school at a salary of
$10 per month. His father died when he had reached the age of twenty and he was
obliged to attend to the farm. When twenty-one he was elected superintendent of
common schools on the Whig ticket and about the same time began the study of
medicine with Dr. Charles Sumner of Gilbertsville. In the fall of 1848 he came to
Albany and completed his medical studies with Dr. Henry M. Paine, the eminent
homeopathist and was graduated as M. D. from the Albany Medical College in Jan-
uary, 1852. For two years he was associated in practice with his last preceptor. In
1854 he opened an office on the northeast corner of Maiden Lane and Chapel street,
and in 1862 moved thence to No. 109 State street, where he died June 9, 1896.
He was a man of rare mental attainments, ranked high among the leading home-
opathists of the State and was successful and widely respected. He was a senior
member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, a member of the New York
State Homeopathic Medical Society, a founder and president of the Albany County
Homeopathic Medical Society, a prime mover in establishing the Homeopathic
Free Dispensary in Plain street, and was one of the founders of the Albany City
Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary, of which he was consulting physician at the
time of his death. He was continuously in charge of the homeopathic ward at the
Child's Hospital; was a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in Mas-
ters Lodge No. 5; was a Whig and later a Republican and in 1863 served as United
States medical examiner in Albany to examine recruits, and was a charter member
of the Fort Orange Club.
In 1854 he married Hannah M., daughter of Joseph Thomas and Hannah (Thorpe)
Gilbert, and granddaughter of Abijah Gilbert, the founder of Gilbertsville. She
was born in 1830, and died March 16, 1885, leaving four children: Caroline Gilbert,
wife of Frederick Harris, an attorney; James W., jr., born in April, 1859, now
president of the Albany Felt Company; and Drs. Frederick J. and Edward G., who
succeeded their father in practice.
Frederick Joseph Cox. M. D., born June 27, 1866, was graduated from Greylock
Institute at South Williamstown, Mass., in 1885, from Williams College in 1889, and
from the Albany Medical College in 1892, having read medicine meanwhile with his
father. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the New York
State and Albany County Homeopathic Medical Societies, the sons of the American
Revolution and the Fort Orange Club, and visiting physician to the Albany City
Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary.
Edward Gilbert Cox, M. D., was born February 6. 1868, was graduated from Grey-
lock Institute in 1887 and matriculated at Williams College in the class of 1891. He
was graduated as M. D. from the Albany College in 1893, is a member of all the
societies to which his brother, Dr. Frederick J. Cox, belongs and is attending sur-
geon to the Albany City Homeopathic Hospital and secretary and treasurer of
the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society; vice-president New York State
Homeopathic Medical Society. In October, 1892, he married Mary L. Adams of
Albany-
139
SAMUEL HAND.
Samuel Hand was born in Elizabeth town, Essex county, N. Y. , May 1, 1833. He
acquired his early education from his father, Augustus C. Hand, for a time a justice
Of the Supreme Court, and from Robert S. Hale, who were both men of scholarly
tastes. At fourteen he entered the college at Middlebury, Vt., which he left after
two years to go to Union College, from which he was graduated in 1851. He then
returned to Elizabethtown, studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar,
where he practiced until 1859, when he went to Albany and formed a partnership
with J. V. L. Pruyn, who retired from practice, however, a year later. After a short
time Mr. Hand was taken into the firm of Cagger & Porter, and upon the election of
Mr Porter as judge of the Court of Appeals, succeeded to the appellate work of the
firm which was at the time large, as it was in great measure the inheritance from
that of Nicholas Hill, when the firm had been that of Hill, Cagger & Porter. Mr.
Cagger was accidentally killed in 1868 and Mr. Hand again found himself alone,
though this time with a large practice.
In 1809 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Matthew Hale, to which
were added later Nathan Swartz and Charles S. Fairchild. In 1881 Mr. Hand dis-
solved his partnership with Mr. Hale, who was at the time the only other member of
the firm, and he continued practice alone until he stopped altogether, shortly before
his death, May 21, 1886.
Mr. Hand's practice as a lawyer was almost from the first largely confined to ap-
pellate work, in which he attained great skill and a high repute. During the ten
years preceding his death it is probable that no lawyer was retained in as many cases
before the Court of Appeals as he, and he was probably the last of a long line of
able lawyers in Albany who could devote themselves wholly to this cream of legal
practice in the court of last resort ; since by the increased facilities of travel lawyers
can now take charge of their own work in this court, and so can save the expense of
counsel to their clients and gain reputation for themselves. It would be needless to
enumerate the most important cases in which Mr. Hand wasengaged, because nothing
is more ephemeral than the interest which any individual case occasions, though it
be of high importance to the parties and involve an important point of law. Perhaps
the Parish will case and the suit of the State against the canal ring may vet be gen-
erally remembered.
In 1863 Mr. Hand was appointed corporation counsel of Albany to succeed Clinton
Cassidy, and in 1869, reporter to the Court of Appeals, a position which he held until
|872, when he resigned after reporting six volumes, in order the better to conduct
his increasing practice at the bar. In 1876 Mr. Hand declined an appointment by
Governor Tilden as justice of the' Supreme Court, but in June, 187S, he accepted an
appointment by Governor Robinson as associate judge of the Court of Appeals, in
the place of Judge Allen, who had died, and he held this office until the end of that
year, being the youngest man but one who had held the position. He failed of the
Democratic nomination for the election in the ensuing November owing to the oppo-
sition of Tammany Hall, of which John Kelly was at the time the leader, and from
that time he held no further public office.
Mr. Hand came of a strongly Democratic family and was always a staunch sup-
140
porter of that party. He was an intimate friend of Governor Tilden, who wished
him to run for governor in 1876, after Horatio Seymour had declined the nomination,
when Tilden was running for president. The leaders decided to nominate Mr.
Hand, but he declined and Lucius Robison was nominated and elected. In 1875 he
served as a member of a Commission on Reform of Municipal Government, of which
Senator Evarts was chairman. It was as a member of this commission in advocating
the restriction of the suffrage in cities that Mr. Hand incurred the enmity of Tam-
many Hall which proved fatal to his nomination for the position of judge of the
Court of Appeals. He was also intimate with President Cleveland while he was
governor and was one of his trusted advisers at the same time.
In 1885 Mr. Hand was appointed upon a special water commission for Albany and
was president of the same. He was one of the first vice-presidents of the New York
State Bar Association and its second president for two terms. At the time of his
death he was president of the Chi Psi Alumni Society of this section and a governor
of the Fort Orage Club. In 1884 he received the degree of LL. D. from Union Col-
lege. In April, 1863, he married Lydia Learned, daughter of Billings P. Learned,
by whom he had two children, a daughter and a son. His widow and children all
survived him.
Mr. Hand was a man of good scholarly and literary attainments, in this respect a
distinct exception to many lawyers who attain high eminence at the bar. He accumu -
lated a large private library, containing some books of rarity and beauty, which
was particularly strong in history and biography. He delighted especially in fine
engravings and good editions, of which he acquired a number, and at one time he
edited De Bury's Philobiblion, a little work in which his own tastes gave him a
ready sympathy. His conversation was varied and showed humane learning, cer-
tainly without any pedantry. Particularly obnoxious to him was the loose and
careless use of language, as for example in th? form of "slang." and perhaps in his
endeavor to use lauguage with a nice taste and conscientious intelligence did he
show most that real culture which is seldom a characteristic of men of affairs. He
took great pleasure also in music and had fine discrimination for that which was
excellent. It may well be doubted whether at the time of his death there was in his
city a man who excelled Mr. Hand at once in his professional success and his
culture.
JOHN G. BURCH.
John G. Burch was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1827. He is a son of
Henry and Susan (Garvey) Burch, and is descended from a long line of English an-
cestors. The Burch family left the mother country previous to the Revolution and
came to America to seek a fortune. They possessed courage and perseverance and
after settling in New Jersey soon displayed these characteristics. Ebenezer Burch,
the grandfather of John G. Burch, won distinction as a soldier in the Revolutionary
war. Henry Burch fought in the war of 1812. Both Mr. Burch's grandfather and
grandmother received a pension and his father received a very handsome bounty,
richly deserved. Mr. Burch attended the common schools and when just of age re-
JOHN G. BURCH.
-3.^1
141
moved to Albany where he cast his first vote for old General Taylor for president in
1848. Railroading was a new enterprise in those days, and so, anxious to associate
himself with a growing business, Mr. Burch connected himself with the Central Rail-
road as a master painter. For twenty-five years he worked for this company and
was a witness of its steady growth to become the greatest road in the world. Mr.
Burch was foreman of the first gang of men at West Albany, which has since
become noted for its large railroad yard, and consequently he was a pioneer of
West Albany. He has seen West Albany grow from nothing more than a huckle-
berry bush to its present size, as he says. Mr. Burch's keen foresight led him to
believe that in time West Albany would grow to be a prosperous suburb of Albany,
inasmuch as the railroad business was increasing so rapidly. He therefore decided
to open a general trading store and in 1873 entered the business of selling groceries
and provisions and in connection with the store, a coal and wood yard. His was the
first store of its kind opened on that hill and the first coal and wood yard west of
Lark street. He was associated with Mr. George W. Gibbons as a partner for eleven
years. The business increased so rapidly that after a time Mr. Burch gave up the store
and confined himself to selling coal and wood exclusively, which business he is engaged
in to-day. In 1871 Mr. Burch was elected to represent the Ninth ward in the Com-
mon Council of Albany. After the expiration of this term, he was re-elected and
chosen president of the board of aldermen. While Mr. Burch was president of the
board, occurred the mayoralty- election when George H. Thacher, Democrat, ran
against Edmund L. Judson, Republican. The Democrats counted Mr. Judson out
and he took it to the courts. Mr. Thacher, then mayor, fearing an unfavorable de-
cision, resigned. As a consequence, Mr. Burch had the honor of acting as mayor
until the election of the following spring. Mr. Burch made many friends while act-
ing as mayor and displayed rare executive ability. With the exception of his first
vote, which was cast for a Whig, Mr. Burch has voted the Republican ticket from
Fremont to McKinley. Inasmuch as Mr. Burch was one of the first settlers and the
first storekeeper in West Albany, he has acquired considerable property there. No
work of a public nature, such as paving of streets or laying of drains or sewers, is
attempted without first consulting him. He holds a leading place among property
owners. In 1890 he took his son, George Seward, in partnership with him. He is
no club or society man, for he believes all his time belongs to his business and his
family. He is very domestic in his tastes. In 1853 he married Miss Mary A. Green
of Clinton, Oneida county. Her family originally came from Connecticut Their
family consists of two daughters and three sons.
JAMES A. McKOWN,
Hon. James A. McKOWN, who has won for himself a prominent position at the Al-
bany bar, was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, X. V., March 31,
1819. His father was Absalom McKown, a prominent and highly esteemed citizen
of Albany county. His mother's maiden name was Edith Le Grange, daughter of
John Le Grange, esq., a man of high standing in his day. The advantages ol
142
young McKown for obtaining an education were confined principally to the common
district school. In his youthful days our present system of general education was
unknown and institutions ranking above the common schools were few, but he
utilized to the fullest extent every advantage he had. He obtained a very good
practical education with which he attained his success in life through his own un-
aided efforts. He therefore belongs to that large and valuable class of men with
which the legal and generally all professions abound — self-made meri. He early de-
cided to become a lawyer, and to bring that to pass he directed every energy. In
recognition of his intelligence, sound judgment, practical good sense and legal in-
formation, he was quite early in life elected a justice of the peace at (uiilderlaud,
serving in a very acceptable manner for the almost unprecedented long period of
eighteen years. His eminent services as a justice of the peace were fully recog-
nized, not only by the people or Guilderland, but by the people of the county at
large, and this, in 1852, brought him forward as a candidate for the office of associate
judge of Albany county. He was elected by a good majority and took his seat on
the bench of the County Court and Court of Sessions. In 1853 he was again a can-
didate and was re-elected. His judicial term extended two years, and was very ac-
ceptable to the people of the county. Mr. McKown was a close, industrious and
appreciative legal student, but he did not apply for admission to the bar until 1853,
when, on motion of that distinguished jurist, Hon. John K. Porter, he was admitted
to practice in all the courts of this State, and in 1865 he was, on motion of Ira
Harris, admitted to the United States Supreme Court. In April, 1856, Mr. McKown
made the city of Albany his residence, where he has continued to reside from that
time down to the present. His judicial mind and method prepared the way for his
election to the office of surrogate of Albany county. This event took place in the
fall of 1855. The duties of this office are important and difficult. No judicial posi-
tion is more so than that of surrogate. It requires a peculiar caste of mind and
much depth of learning to successfully discharge the duties of the office. We can
truly say that Mr. McKown displayed ability, learning and industry of a high order.
His administration was therefore very successful and he retired from the office with
the good wishes and good opinion of the bar and the public. In his practice he has
no specialty, but has conducted a general legal business with success, and has al-
ways surrounded himself with a respectable and profitable clientage. His long
identification with the Albany bar, his high and upright character, his honorable
course as a practitioner, have given him an eminent place in his profession. Mr.
McKown belongs to the Republican party, and though he believes most thoroughly
in the principles of that party, yet he is not bigoted. He is not nor ever has been a
seeker after office or place. He favors the Baptist church and is a member of Wads-
worth Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1837 he was united in marriage to Miss Alida Van
Valkenburgh, by whom he has one daughter living, Mrs. William A. Amsdell.
AMASA J. PARkbR.
143
AMASA J. PARKER.
1807—1890.
Amasa J. Parker was born at Sharon, parish of Ellsworth, Litchfield county, Conn.,
on the 2d of June, 1807, and died at Albany, N. Y., May 13, 1890. His father, the
Rev. Daniel Parker, was a Congregational clergyman settled for twenty years in
Watertown and Ellsworth, Conn. The subject of this memoir was descended, on
both sides, from families distinguished in the history of New England, that had been
settled there since the earliest days of pilgrim immigration, sharing in the perils of
Indian warfare and, at a later day, in our Revolutionary struggle. His maternal
grandfather, Thomas Fenn, who resided at Watertown, Conn., was for more than
thirty sessions a representative in the Legislature of his State.
The Rev. Daniel Parker removed into this State with his family when the son was
nine years of age, and the latter continued to reside in State of New York afterwards
during his whole life.
Great pains was taken by his father with his education and under the care of his
father and of other eminent teachers, and with very close study on his part, he had,
at the age of sixteen, completed with great thoroughness a full collegiate course of
study, but outside the walls of a college.
In June, 1823, when but sixteen years of age, though having the personal appear-
ance of more advanced age, he was appointed principal of the Hudson Academy,
located at the city of Hudson, an institution chartered by the Regents of the Univer-
sity of this State, and entered immediately upon the duties of the position. He re-
mained there four years, and on the 1st of May, 1827, resigned his place to prosecute
the study of the law and lit himself for admission to the bar. During the last year
of his service in the academy, he had entered the office of Hon. John W. Edmunds,
but his duties elsewhere gave him but little time for his legal studies.
He was eminently successful in his labors as principal of the academy. Under his
charge the institution rose to distinction and was attended by students from different
and distant parts of the country, many of whom were prepared for college at an ad-
vanced standing, and for the business of life under his instruction. He resigned his
trust with the various departments of the academy full of students and in the height
of its prosperity, because he felt that the time had come for him to devote his whole
attention to the necessary preparation for his intended professon.
An incident occurred when he was in charge of the academy worthy of mention.
A rival and successful institution existed in a distant town of the same county, to
promote the interests of which its friends urged that the principal of the Hudson
Academy was not himself a graduate of any college. To put such an objection at
rest the subject of our notice in the summer of 1825 presented himself at Union Col-
lege and submitted to an examination for the whole college course of study, and
graduated with the clas of 1825. The singular fact occurred, that one of his own
former students graduated with him in the same class.
Oil resigning his place at the academy in May, 1827, Mr. Parker proceeded at once
t<> 1 »clhi, Delaware county, in this State, and entered the office of his uncle, Amasa
Parker, esq., an eminent lawyer, who had been established there many years, and
continued as a student in that office till his admission to the bar in October, L828.
144
He then entered into copartnership with his uncle, and the firm of A. & A. J. Parker
became well known to the profession throughout the State, and was not dissolved
till Mr. Parker was appointed to the bench in March, 1844.
During all that time, Mr. Parker was engaged in a large professional business,
perhaps more extensive and varied than that of any other country law office in the
State. He soon acquired a professional standing that secured him a large practice
as counsel in the highest courts of the State. He attended quite regularly the Cir-
cuits of Delaware, Greene, Ulster and Schoharie counties, and occasionally those
held in Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties, and sometimes in other counties
more distant, as well as the stated terms of Chancery and of the Supreme Court,
as the printed reports of those courts show. It has been said, by those acquainted
with the subject, that at the time of his appointment to the bench he had tried more
cases at the Circuit than any other lawyer of his age in the State.
Mr. Parker always insisted that his success in establishing a large practice as at-
torney and counsel was owing more to his promptness, system and method than to
any other peculiar talent. It was the rule of his life never to fail to answer a busi-
ness letter on the same day on which it was received — to send to his client a check
for money collected by the first mail, and never to fail to keep an appointment at the
precise time fixed for it; and this latter practice, he never omitted on the bench,
having never failed to open his court at the precise hour appointed. In this way,
he enforced the most punctual attendance of counsel, parties and witnesses, and by
it he was enabled to accomplish much more business. An incident is related as
having occurred, which illustrates how well this habit was understood and relied on
by the profession. Judge Parker was engaged in holding, as vice-chancellor, a Court
of Chancery at the Capitol, at Albany. The hour of opening was ten o'clock, and
many counsel were assembled in the court room, seated round the circle of the bar,
some minutes before the appointed time, occasionally looking at the clock, and as
the hand came near to the hour of ten, watching to see what seemed to them almost
certain, that the judge would, for once, be late. It was a matter of discussion, and
as there was but a minute left, a bet was made by two prominent members of the
bar, of whom the late Judge Peckham, then in full practice, was one, that the judge
would be late. But the judge entered and took his seat as the clock was striking,
and Judge Peckham won the bottle of wine.
During the fifteen years that Judge Parker was engaged in practice, before he was
appointed to the bench, he mingled somewhat actively in the political contests of
the day. He could not well do otherwise, in a county so famed as Delaware in the
history of politics, and in which the people had been so long trained by Gen. Erastus
Root, who was always an active partisan and leader. In the fall of 1833 he was
elected by the Democratic party to the Assembly without any opposition, and
served in 1834. In 1835 he was elected by the Legislature of this State a Regent of
the University of the State. He was then twenty-seven years of age, and was the
youngest person ever elected to that distinguished trust. He held it for nearly ten
years, and resigned it when appointed to the bench. In November, 1836, he was
elected to the Twenty-fifth Congress to represent the district then comprising the
counties of Delaware and Broome. This time also he ran without opposition, no
candidate being nominated by the opposite party. He entered upon the duties of
the office at the extra session held in September, 1837, and served during the three
145
sessions of that Congress. These were exciting and sometimes stormy sessions.
The sub-treasury measure was proposed by Mr. Van Buren at the extra session of
1837 and was warmly advocated by Mr. Parker and others, but it did not secure the
support of all the Democratic members. Upon it Congress was very nearly divided
and questions were frequently decided by the casting vote of the speaker, Mr. Polk.
It was not till at a later Congress, when the measure had become better understood,
that it was passed into a law, and it still remains in force, its wisdom being now ad-
mitted by all parties.
During his service in Congress Mr. Parker was actively engaged in the duties it
imposed, on committees and in the discussions in the House. His speeches on the
Mississippi election case, on the sub treasury bill, on the public lands, on the Cilley
and Graves duel and on other subjects are reported in the proceedings of that Con-
gress. Hiram Gray, Richard P. Marvin, Henry A. Foster, Arphaxad Loomis, John
T. Andrews and Amasa J. Parker were the last six survivors from this State of that
memorable Congress.
Mr. Parker was not a candidate for re-election, and at the close of his term re-
turned to the practice of his profession.
In the autumn of 1839 he was nominated as a candidate for the State Senate to
represent the Senatorial district then corresponding nearly in boundary to the Third
Judicial district of this State. There were two vacancies to be filled, in addition to
the term then expiring. There were, therefore, three senators to be chosen. The
year before, Alonzo C. Paige had been elected by less than fifty majority. But on
this occasion the three Democratic candidates were all defeated by a majority little
more than normal.
In the spring of 1834 Mr. Parker was appointed district attorney of Delaware
county, which place he held for three years and till the expiration of his term, and
was not a candidate for reappointment.
The later incidents of Judge Parker's life are more familiar to our readers. He
was appointed by Governor Bouck circuit judge and vice-chancellor of the Third
Circuit, on the 6th of March, 1844, and immediately removed to the city of Albany,
where he resided till his death. He held that office till the spring of 1847, when it
was terminated by the adoption of the constitution of 1846. He was then elected in
the Third Judicial district a justice of the Supreme Court of this State for a term of
eight years.
At no time in the history of this State have the judicial labors devolving upon a
judge been more difficult and responsible than those he was called on to discharge
during his twelve years of judicial service. It was during this time that the anti-
rent excitement, which prevailed throughout a large portion of his judicial district,
was at its height. It crowded the civil calendars with litigations and the criminal
courts with indictments for acts of violence in resisting the collection of rents.
The trial of " Big Thunder" before Judge Parker at Hudson, in the spring of 1845,
lasted two weeks, and the jury failed to agree. When the next Court of Oyer and
Terminer was held in that county, Judge Parker was engaged in holding the court
in Delaware county, and Judge Edmonds was assigned to hold the Columbia Oyer
and Terminer in his place. At that court " Big Thunder" was again tried and was
convicted and sent to the State prison.
In the summer of 1845, Osman N. Steele, under sherifl of Delaware county, while
s
146
engaged with a judge in his official duties in the collection of rent due from Moses
Earle at Andes, in that county, was violently resisted by about 200 men, armed and
disguised as Indians, and was shot and killed by them. Intense excitement pre-
vailed in the county. A great struggle followed between those who resisted and
those who sought to enforce the laws. On the 25th of August, 1845, Governor
Wright declared the county of Delaware in a state of insurrection, and a battalion
of light infantry was detailed to aid the civil authorities in the preservation of order
and the making of arrests. At the inquest held on the body of Sheriff Steele and at
a county General Sessions, the whole subject was fully investigated. Some indict-
ments were found for murder, but most of them were for manslaughter and lesser
offenses. Over two hundred and forty persons were indicted, most of whom were
arrested and in custody awaiting trial at the then approaching Oyer and Terminer.
The regular jail and two log jails, temporarily constructed for the purpose, were
filled with prisoners. Under these discouraging circumstances and with armed men
stationed in the court room and throughout the village to preserve order, Judge
Parker opened the Oyer and Terminer at Delhi on the 22d of September, 1845. We
find a brief statement of these proceedings and an extract from the charge of Judge
Parker to the grand jury in the history of Delaware county, by Jay Gould, published
in 1856, and dedicated to Judge Parker.
We have heard Tudge Parker say that, as the time for that court was approaching,
he hesitated as to whether he should hold the court himself in the county with the
citizens of which he had so long lived and been so intimately associated, or whether
he should not rather ask the governar to assign some other judge to the duty who
was an entire stranger to all concerned ; and, in his doubt, he wrote for advice to his
former student and life long friend, the Hon. Lucius Robinson. In answer, he was
urged by all means to hold the court himself, and he was told that if some other
judge held the court he might, perhaps, adjourn the court after two or three weeks
of trials, leaving most of the cases untried and the jails still filled, which he was sure
Judge Parker would not do. Judge Parker hesitated no longer, but proceeded at
once to the discharge of the duty.
After charging the grand jury, he gave notice, that, whatever time it might take,
he should continue to hold the court till every case was tried and the jails were
cleared.
The indictments were prosecuted by the district attorney appointed by John Van
Buren, then attorney-general, and by Samuel Sherwood, a distinguished member of
the bar, then of New York, but who formerly resided at Delhi, and the prisoners
were defended by able counsel, among whom were Samuel Gordon, Mitchell Sanford
and Samuel S. Bowne.
John Van Steenbergh was first tried and convicted of murder. Edward O'Connor
was next tried with a like result. Both men sentenced to be executed on the 29th of
November then next. Four others were convicted of felony and sent to the State
prison for life, and thirteen men sent to the State prison for different terms of years.
A large number who had been engaged in resisting the sheriff, but who had not been
disguised, pleaded guilty of misdemeanors. Some of these were fined, but as to
most of them, and as to some who pleaded guilty of manslaughter, sentence was
suspended and they were told by the court they would be held responsible for the
future preservation of the peace in their neighborhoods, and were warned that if any
147
other instance should occur of resisting an officer, or of a violation of the statute
which made it a felony to appear for such purpose, armed and disguised, they would
at once be suspected and might be called up for sentence. Under this assurance,
they were set at liberty, and it is but justice to them to say that they became the
best possible conservators of the peace, and that no resistance of process by violence
has ever since occurred in that county.
At the close of the third week of the court all the cases had been disposed of. No
prisoners were left in jail, except those awaiting execution or transportation to the
State prisons. The military were soon after discharged and the log jails taken down,
ami peace and good order have since reigned in the county.
A report of the trial of Van Steenbergh, with a note referring to the business of
that court, will be found in 1 Park. Cr. Rep., 39.
The sentences of Van Steenbergh and O'Connor were subsequently commuted by
Governor Wright to imprisonment for life, and about a year later all those in the
State prison were pardoned by the successor of Governor Wright.
Great credit was awarded to Judge Parker for his successful discharge of the
delicate and difficult duties devolving upon him at the Delaware Oyer and Terminer,
and the next commencement the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by
Geneva College.
As has been stated, Judge Parker's services as circuit judge and vice-chancellor
terminated in 1847 by the adoption of the new State Constitution of 1846, under
which an elective judiciary succeeded to the exercise of the judicial power of the
State. In all the counties of the Third judicial district meetings of the bar were held
and complimentary addresses to Judge Parker were signed, approving his judicial
course.
Judge Parker's term of service as a justice of the Supreme Court expired on the
Slst of December, 1855. His opinions in cases pending in that court will be found
in the first twenty-one volumes of Barbour's Supreme Court Reports. In the year
1854 Judge Parker served in the Court of Appeals and was there associated with
Judges Gardner, Denio, Alexander S. Johnson, Allen and others. His opinions in
that court are reported in the one and two volumes of Kernan's Reports. Among
those most worthy of reference is the case of Snedeker vs. Warring, reported in 2
Kernan, 170, a case which attracted much attention at the time, for the reason that
it presented a very nice question and one that had not been before decided either in
this country or in England. It was finally decided on the authority of cases adjudged
under the civil law on the continent of Europe. It involved the question whether ;i
statue, colossal in size, erected as an ornament on the grounds in front of a country
residence and securely attached to the earth by its weight, was real or personal
(property. The case was argued by very able counsel and it happened, by the prac-
tice of the court in turn to fall to Judges Johnson and Parker to write opinions. At
the close of the argument, as the judges were separating for the day, in a few words
of consultation that took place between the judges who were to write, Judge Johnson
said he had an impression that the statue was real property. Judge Parker said
his impression was that it was personal. A month later, after both the judges had
spent much time at the State Library in examining the authorities, but without hav-
ing again spoken together on the subject and after each had written his opinion
ready to be read and discussed at the next meeting of all the judges, Judge Parker
148
met Judge Johnson and said to him, " I have changed ray opinion and have come to
the conlusion that the statue is real property ;" and Judge Johnson said in answer
"and I have changed my opinion and have concluded it is personal property."
When the meeting of the judges was held for consultation soon afterwards both
opinions were read and after discussion, the vote stood four and four, and thus it re-
mained till near the end of the year when on further discussion and consideration,
five voted with Judge Parker and two with Judge Johnson, and the case was decided.
Judge Parker was nominated by the Democratic convention for re-election in the
autumn of 1855. Ambrose L. Jordan was the candidate of the Republican party,
then newly organized, and George Gould was nominated by the " Know-Nothing" or
American party. Prominent members of the last named party proposed to nominate
Judge Parker, but he declined being a candidate for a nomination by that party. A
very small vote was cast for Mr. Jordan, but Judge Gould was elected. That was the
year when the American or "Know-Nothing" party, suddenly springing up, swept
the State by large majorities. Judge Parker ran very largely ahead of his ticket,
being beaten by the American candidate by only about a thousand votes, while the
State officers on the American ticket in the same judicial district had a majority
of several thousand.
Judge Parker then resumed the practice of his profession at Albany and he con-
tinued in it. He was repeatedly offered nominations afterwards for the Supreme
Court and the Court of Appeals, when the Democratic party, to which he belonged,
was in the majority in his district and in the State, but he always declined, saying he
had done his share of judicial service and preferred thereafter the independent prac-
tice of his profession.
In the fall of 1856 Judge Parker was nominated by the Democratic State Conven-
tion for the office of governor. The opposing Republican candidate was John A.
King. Erastus Brooks was the "American" candidate. Though Judge Parker re-
ceived several thousand majority in the judicial district where he was beaten the year
before by about a thousand majority, he was defeated in the State and Governor
King was elected in the State by a heavy majority. Mr. Buchanan, who was elected
president that year by the votes of the other States and against whom the majority
in the State of New York was nearly ten thousand votes more than the majority
against Judge Parker, who ran largely ahead of his ticket, tendered to the latter
offices of distinction, which the latter declined, and later in his administration he
nominated him for United States district attorney for the Southern District of New
York, and the nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate, without refer-
ence, but Judge Parker refused to qualify, preferring his own private professional
practice.
In the fall of 1858 the Democratic State convention again nominaied Judge Parker
for the office of governor. His Republican opponent was E. D. Morgan, and Gov-
ernor Morgan was elected by about 17,000 majority, though Judge Parker was again
largely in advance of the rest of the ticket. After that time Judge Parker was not a
candidate for any office, except that he was elected, in 1867, a delegate from the
county of Albany to the State Constitutional Convention, in which he figured in the
years 1867 and 1868 as a member of the judiciary and other committees. The judi-
ciary article framed by that convention was the only portion of the constitution finally
adopted by the people.
149
On Judge Parker's retirement from the bench, he engaged at once in the practice
of his profession at Albany, taking into partnership, in I860, his only son, Amasa J.
Parker, jr., and adding to the firm, in 1876, ex-Judge Edwin Countryman, under the
name of Parker & Countryman. He devoted himself with great industry and success
to his professional duties. He had a great love for his profession and for the princi-
ples upon which the law and its administrations are founded. He was engaged in a
large professional practice and in many of the most important cases that have come
into the courts, as is shown by the State and Federal Reports. Among the most
notable litigations in civil cases was the question of the right to tax National Banks,
which he argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, on the employment
of the city of New York, reported in 4 Wallace Rep., 244, and in this State the title
of Trinity church to property in the city of New York, the Levy will case, reported
in 23 N. Y., 97, the famous controversy between the Delaware and Hudson Canal
Company and the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and that of the boundary line be-
tween the States of New York and New Jersey, reported in 42, N. Y. Rep., 283. He
early engaged in criminal cases and his defense of Cole for the murder of Hiscock,
and his acting in two or three other murder cases were exceptional. He declined a
retainer of 85,000, offered him to act as council in the defense of Tweed.
With the late Judge Ira Harris and Amos Dean, he engaged, in 1851, in the found-
ing of the Albany Law School, which established a high reputation under their
government and care, and he continued for about twenty years one of the professors
of that institution, and resigned only because of the pressure of his professional
practice. He had found time, while on the bench and afterwards, for preparing for
the press some law books, which he thought needed, among which were six volumes
of Reports of Criminal Cases. He also, assisted by two other gentlemen of the pro-
fession, edited the fifth edition of the Revised Statutes of the State.
He was an earnest advocate of the reforms inaugurated in the State Constitutional
Convention of 1847, by which the Court of Chancery was abolished and law and
equity powers were vested in the same tribunal, and the practice of the courts sim-
plified. He visited Europe in 1853, while similar reforms where under consideration
in England, and at the request of Lord Brougham, he addressed the Law Reform
Club of England, at its annual meeting, and explained to its members the results of
his experience on the bench in regard to the changes that had been made in this
State, and especially as to the administering of law and equity in the same court.
In politics he was, throughout his whole life, a Democrat, and before he went on
to the bench, and after he left it, an active member of the party. Believing thor-
oughly in the principles of that party, as founded by Jefferson, and that their success
was indispensable to the welfare and prosperity of the country, he advocated them
with earnestness, and always with due respect for the judgment of those who din
from him.
He labored strenuously to avert the catastrophy of civil war, and presided at the
famous State Democratic Convention held at Tweddle Hall in Albany, in February,
1861. He always believed afterwards, as he believed then, that with temperate
council on the part of the Republican leaders, then about entering upon the control
of the Federal government, civil war could have been avoided; but when the first
blow was struck at Fort Sumter, and the Rebellion was thus inaugurated, he did not
hesitate to regard the die as cast and became at once an earnest advocate of a vig-
150
orous prosecution of the war on the part of the government, and freely contributed
his own money and time to the raising of men and means for that purpose.
But while he did that he protested earnestly against what he deemed the gross
abuse of power practiced for merely partisan purposes, by high Federal officials, in
the making of unnecessary arbitrary arrests of northern men, whose only offense
was an honest and independent difference of opinions and a free expression of it on
subjects of mere party differences, in no way involved in the prosecution of the war
to put down the Rebellion. This tyranical exercise of power and gross violations of
the right af personal liberty he stoutly resisted and not only denounced it on the
stump, at the hazard of his own personal liberty, but he freely gave his own profes-
sional services to obtain redress for such wrongs.
A notable instance of this character occurred in the case of Patrie vs. Murray,
tried at the Greene Circuit in June, 1864, by Judge Parker as counsel for plaintiff, in
which a jury, composed of men of both political parties, gave to the plaintiff for
such an arrest and false imprisonment a verdict of $9,000 damages. An attempt
was made to remove this case, after verdict and judgment, for retrial into the United
States Circuit Court, under an act of Congress that had been conveniently passed
for the purpose of defeating such recoveries. Judge Parker insisted that the act
was unconstitutional, being in violation of the seventh article of the amendments of
the United States Constitution, and under his advice the State authorities refused to
make a return to the writ of error. Application was then made to the United States
Circuit Court to compel the return, and on demurrer peremptory mandamus
was adjudged. To review that judgment a writ of error was brought by Judge
Parker and the case was removed into the United States Supreme Court, held at
Washington. It was first argued in that court in February, 1869, by Judge Parker
for the plaintiff in error, and Mr. Evarts, then attorney-general of the United States,
for the defendant in error. The judges were divided upon the question and ordered
a reargument, which took place in February, 1870, Attorney-General Hoar then ap-
pearing for the defendant in error. The judgment of the United States Circuit
Court was then reversed and the unconstitutionality of the act of Congress was
established. The case is reported in 9 Wallace, U. S. Rep., "27-1.
During a long life of professional labor Judge Parker never lost the tastes ac-
quired early in life for classical study and literary pursuits, and he was in the habit
of setting apart a stated portion of his time for such purposes He enjoyed an oc-
casional return to the reading of the Greek and Roman authors and those, with the
attention given to the current literature of the day, and a mingling in the duties of
social life, afforded him an agreeable relaxation from the severer studies and a
healthful change to the mind. These tastes brought him into connection with the
educational institutions of the State, in several of which he served for many years
as a trustee.
Among other duties of that character he was for many years president of the board
of trustees of the Albany Female Academy, president of the board of trustees of
the Albany Medical College, a trustee of Cornell University and one of the gov-
ernors of Union University.
Judge Parker married, in 1834, Miss Harriet Langdon Roberts, of Portsmouth,
N. H., and of a large family of children— Mrs. John V. L. Pruyn, Amasa J. Parker,
151
jr., Mrs. Erastus Corning and Mrs. Selden E. Marvin, all residents of Albany, still
survive.
When a member of the assembly in 1834 Mr. Parker, as chairman of a select com-
mittee, made an elaborate report urging the establishment of a State hospital for
the insane, which led to a more full consideration of the subject by the people,
though it was not until several years afterwards that the first State hospital for the
insane was established. Doubtless it was owing to the interest Mr. Parker had
taken in the subject that he was afterward appointed by Governor Kenton in 1867
one of the managers of the Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane at Pough-
keepsie, a trust which he held till 1881, when he resigned, and Governor Cornell ap-
pointed his son, Amasa J. Parker, jr., in his place, who served until January 1, 1897,
and he was then succeeded by his second son, Lewis R. Parker.
AMASA J. PARKER.
Amasa J. Parker, the only surviving son of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker and
Harriet Langdon Parker, was born in Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., on May 6,
1843. In the following year, Judge Parker having been appointed Circuit Judge
and Vice Chancellor of the Third Circuit, moved to Albany, where the son has
ever since resided.
His early education was pursued in the schools of Miss Margaret Cassidy and
Messrs. Wrightson, and later at the Albany Academy, and in the fall of 1860 he en-
tered the sophomore class at Union College, graduating in July, 1863. Mr. Parker
began the study of the law at the end of his junior year at college and in September,
1863, he entered, as a student, the law office of Cagger, Porter & Hand at Albany,
with whom he remained for nearly two years.
Mr. Parker graduated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and in the latter part
of the same year was admitted to the bar, and became the law partner of his father
on the first day of May, 1865, which continued until the death of Judge Parker on
May 13, 1890, in all a period of over twenty-five years. From 1876 until 1888, ex-Judge
Edwin Countryman of Cooperstown, N. Y. , who had moved to Albany for that pur-
pose, was associated with them under the firm name of Parker & Countryman.
In 1891 Mr. J. Xewton Fiero of Kingston, N. Y., came to Albany and became the
partner of Mr. Parker, continuing as such until 1895. Since that time he has had
associated with him his two sons, Amasa J. Parker, jr., and Lewis R. Parker, though
no partnership exists between them.
Mr. Parker has been very active in the practice of his profession for over thirty
years, practicing in both the State and Federal Courts and taking part in numerous
important and well known cases, such as Jackson vs. Lake Shore and Michigan South-
ern Railroad Company, Hooghkirk vs. the I >. & II.. Laning vs. the New York Cen-
tral,Conway vs. dale, Dunlop vs. Dunlop and McChesney vs. the Panama Railroad
Company.
Mr. Parker was one of the organi/.ers of the famous Union College Zouaves, at
Schenectady in April, 1861, and served in same. After graduating from college he
was enrolled in the National Guard at Albany and in 1866 was commissioned aide-
152
de-camp, with the rank of major on the staff of Gen. John Taylor Cooper, the com-
mandant of the Third Division.
In 1875 he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Regimept and two years
later was unanimously elected its colonel. He was in command of that regiment
during the railroad riots of July, 1877, and the regiment under him reached a strength
of eight hundred and fifty men.
Mr. Parker served as president of the National Guard Association of this State, upon
its re-organization, from 1878 to 1880 and is the only officer who has filled the posi-
tion for more than one year. On the re-organization of the National Guard in Au-
gust, 1886, he was elected brigadier-general of the Third Brigade N. G. S. N. Y.,
with headquarters at Albany, and served in that capacity until the end of December,
1890, when he resigned. During the period of his command the Third Brigade took
part in the Washington Centennial celebration in New York City, April 29, 1889, and
in that great parade of nearly fifty thousand troops, the Third Brigade was awarded
the highest credit mark for its appearance and discipline by the U. S. Army Board
sent to New York by the Federal Government. The brigade on this occasion num-
bered nearly two thousand eight hundred men.
Mr. Parker was elected to the Assembly in 1882, receiving a majority larger than
the number of votes cast for his opponent, and in 1886 and 1887 served in the State
Senate, and has since then been twice re-elected to that body, serving in the sessions
of that body continuously from 1892 to 1895 inclusive, and subsequently declined a
renomination. When he entered the Senate in January, 1886, he instituted public
hearings in the City Hall, Albany, on all local measures in the Legislature before the
Senator and four Assemblymen from Albany county. This plan enabled every citizen
to attend and learn all about the measures affecting Albany county or any portion of
the same and to discuss their merits or demerits.
Naturally, Mr. Parker, during his legislative services of seven years in Assembly
and Senate had much to do with military and local matters, as well as with general
legislation.
In the Assembly of 1882 he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs.
and with the aid of the principal National Guard officers of the State revised and
greatly simplified and strengthened the Military Code.
The same year he took a prominent part in the obtaining of appropriations, build-
ing of State Armories, the adoption of the State service uniform and the establish-
ment of the State Camp at Peekskill. Later on in the Senate, during his six years
of service there, he did much for the National Guard in the way of general appro-
priations, equipment, building and repairing of State Armories, and rifle ranges, im-
proving the Military Code and in strengthening the military force in many ways.
He was, in 1887, the originator and principal projector of the new State Armory,
at Albany, obtaining an official condemnation and sale of the old State Arsenal,
procuring the first appropriation from the State for the building as well as a most
liberal sum from the county of Albany for the site for said Armory,'and on his return
to the Senate in 1892, during that and the three subsequent years, he obtained further
large State appropriations for its extension, completion and equipment.
In regard to local legislation for his district, Mr. Parker was always active, and
during his service in the Legislature, never failed to give these matters his best
efforts.
153
In 1882, in the Assembly, he introduced the first bill for the construction of the
Hawk street viaduct. He introduced later in the Senate the bill for the construction
of the Northern Boulevard and with others succeeded in passing the bill, and later
the amended Northern Boulevard law, which obviated the objections of several
elements, which had been hostile to this great project.
The Albany Basin bill and many other bills affecting the health and welfare of
Albany county and the cities of Albany and Cohoes, received Mr. Parker's close
attention and became laws.
Mr. Barker is president of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Law School and as
such one of the governors of Union University; a trustee of the Albany Medical Col-
lege and also of St. Agnes School ; a trustee of the Union Trust Company of New
York and a director of the Albany City National Bank. He succeeded his father,
who had served since 1867 as a manager and was made president of the Board of
Managers of the Hudson River State Hospital (for the insane) at Poughkeepsie in
1881, and remained such until January, 1897, when he insisted upon retiring.
Mr. Parker has been prominently connected with the Young Men's Association for
many years, and is a member of the Board of Life Trustees and was one of the most
active Albanians in projecting the plan and in procuring funds to build Harmanus
Bleeker Hall, and is the chairman of the Hall Committee of that Board of Trustees.
Mr. Parker married in 1868, Cornelia Kane Strong, of New Orleans, La., who died
December 17, 1883, leaving surviving six children, two sons and four daughters, of
whom a son and daughter are married.
ALBERT VANDER VEER, M. D.
The subject of this sketch, Dr. Albert Yander Yeer, has attained a prominence in
his profession which places him far along in the ranks of its recognized leaders. He
was born in the village of Leatherville, town of Root, Montgomery county, N. Y.,
July 10. 1841. His father was an energetic and successful business man, whose tan-
neries gave the name to the place.
Dr. Vander Veer's early education was received at the public schools of Canajo-
harie and Palatine, and at the Canajoharie Academy. When eighteen years of age
he began the study of medicine with the late Dr. Simeon Snow, of Curry town, N. Y.
After a year's work on the rudiments he came to Albany and entered the office of the
late Dr. John Swinburne. During the years 1801 and 186- he attended the lectures
of the Albany Medical College, from which so many physicians of prominence have
been graduated. In the spring ol 1862 he became one of the original " one hundred,"
was commissioned as a United States Medical Cadet, and ordered to report for duty
at Columbia College Hospital, Washington, D. C. While at this post he attended a
course of lectures at the National Medical College, from which institution he received
the degree of doctor of medicine in December, 1862, afterward receiving the same
degree from the Albany Medical College. After graduation Dr. Vander Veer was
commissioned assistant surgeon of the Sixty sixth Regiment, New York State Vol-
unteers, and joined his regiment at Falmouth, Ya. , just after the first battle of Fred-
T
154
ericksburg. During and after the battle of Chancellorsville, he was detailed as one
of the surgeons in charge of an operating table at the 1st Division, Second Army
Corps Hospital, having as his assistants men much older than himself, but who were
not accustomed to surgical work. In June, 1864, Dr. Vander Veer was promoted
surgeon with the rank of major. He served with his regiment until the close of the
war and was mustered out September, 1865. Undoubtedly the' extensive practice in
surgery he obtained during this period largely influenced him to make that his life
work.
Upon returning to New York he attended a full course of lectures at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, and in the spring of 1866 established himself in Albany as
a general practitioner. In July, 1869, he was called to the chair of general and
special anatomy in the Albany Medical College, and was also appointed attending
surgeon Albany Hospital. At this time he became attending surgeon to St. Peter's
Hospital. Several of our leading literary institutions now gracefully recognized his
intellectual qualities by the bestowment of their honors. In 1882 Williams College
gave him the degree of A. M., and in 1883 Hamilton and Union Colleges that of Ph.D.
In January, 1882, he was appointed professor of surgery in the Albany Medical
College and at the present time is professor of Didactic, Abdominal and Clinical
Surgery. He has given much time and study to the advancement of this institution,
in which he has a keen interest. On the death of Dr. Thomas Hun, in 1896, Dr.
Vander Veer was appointed Dean of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College, an
honor worthily bestowed.
He has spent several months, at various times, in earnest study abroad, visiting
the great centres of medical instruction, where he watched with absorbing interest
the brilliant operations of renowned surgeons and specialists. Duringhislast sojourn
in Europe he was accompanied by his wife, formerly Miss Margaret E. Snow, daugh-
ter of his old preceptor, and his eldest son Edgar. While in England he was enter
tained by Mr. Lawson Tait, whose fame as a surgical specialist is known all over the
world. During this trip he also read a paper before the International Medical Con-
gress at Copenhagen.
In addition to being a very active working member, and ex-president of both the
County and State Medical Societies, Dr. Vander Veer is also a member of the Boston
Gynecological Society, the British Medical Association, the Southern Surgical and
Gynecological Association, an active member of the American Association of Obstet-
ricians and Gynecologists, an ex-president, one of the executive officers of the Pan-
American Medical Congress, having attended the recent meeting in Mexico and
presented a paper. He is also vice-president of the Holland Society of New York,
Albany Branch, and has had conferred upon him the order of " Oranje-Nassau "
by the Queen of Holland. Dr. Vander Veer is also a member of the Military Order
of the Legion of the United States. He has recently been appointed a delegate
to the Loyal British Medical Association at Montreal.
As the power to grant certificates to physicians and surgeons educated in New
York State is entirely in the bands of the Board of Regents of the University of the
State of New York, the medical profession were naturally interested in having a proper
representative of their profession in the board; therefore, the election of Dr. Vau-
der Veer as a Regent of the University in 1895 was hailed with great pleasure by his
many friends, not only in this locality but in the neighboring counties. Since his
DR. CHAKLhS t. JUNES.
155
election he has still continued to be, as he was previously, an earnest advocate of
higher education in each and every profession.
To all of these duties hegives some portion of his time systematically divided. In
addition he is busily at work every possible moment upon his college lectures or
gathering in writing the results of his varied surgical experiences for the benefit of
his professional brethren.
Among the subjects upon which Dr. Vander Veer has lectured or written are the
following, most prominent and recent: — " Some Personal Observations on the Work
of Lawson Tait," "The Use of the Curette in Uterine Surgery," " Uterine Hemor-
rhage, Puerperal and Non-Puerperal," " Managementof Cancer in the Uterus, Com-
plicated with Pregnancy, with Repcrt of a Case," " Hystero-Epilepsy, with Report
of Cases," " Retro-Peritoneal Tumors; Their Anatomical Relations, Pathology,
Diagnosis and Treatment," "Tubercular Peritonitis," "Report of Cases of Cho-
lecystotomy with Special Reference to the Treatment of Calculus Lodging in the
Common Duct," " The Relation of the Board of Health to the Public," " Appendi-
citis, the Relation of the Physician and Surgeon in the Care of Cases," " Comparison
Between Perineal and Suprapubic Cystotomy," "The Medico-Legal Aspect of Ab-
dominal Section," " Extra-Uterine Pregnancy," " Fifty Years in the History of the
Albany Medical College," "Concealed Pregnancy, Its Relations to Abdominal Sur-
gery," " The Relation of the Abdominal Surgeon to the Obstetrician and Gynecolo-
gist," " Intestinal Obstruction," " Report of Cases of Coeliotomy Performed at the
Albany Hospital from July 15, 1893, to November 1, 1895," " Report in Abdominal
Surgery, Being an Analysis of 1-45 Operations not Previously Reported, Done Upon
the Ovaries, and Uterine Appendages, with Special Remarks as to Preparation of
Patient, Place of Operation, Use of Drainage, Treatment and Results," " Report of
Seven Cases of Abdominal Surgery in which the Murphy Button was Applied,"
" Tuberculosis of the Female Genital Organs (Including Tuberculosis of the Kidney),''
" Uterine Fibroids Complicated with Pregnancy," etc., etc.
The pressure of increasing professional duties does not prevent Dr. Vander Veer
from taking an active interest in municipal affairs, and the value of his services as a
member of the Board of Health, the Historical and Art Society, etc., is fully recog-
nized. He is also an elder in the First Presbyterian Church.
Whatever of eminence Dr. Vander Veer has attained has been secured by close
application, unremitting labor, and a determined following of those inclinations
which in his youth led him to choose for his own the responsibilities of the silent
profession.
Honored by his associates, beloved and respected by his patients, Dr. Vander Veer's
career may well be emulated by all young men who are ambitious to secure for them-
selves the approval of their fellows and the emoluments which come, of necessity, to
the leaders in any profession.
CHARLES EDMUND JONES, A. M., M. I).
Charles Edmund Jones, A. M.. M. I)., is a son of the late Dr. E. Darwin [ones,
and was horn in Albany on February 15, 1849. After graduating from tin- Albany
15G
Academy in 1866 he entered Hope College at Holland City, Mich., and was graduated
from that institution in 1870 and also took the degree of M. A. in course in 1873,
when he delivered the master's oration. He read medicine with his father, was
graduated from the Albany Medical College with the degree of M. D. in December.
1872, and subsequently attended one course of lectures at the New York Homeo-
pathic Medical College, graduating therefrom in March, 1873. He went abroad in
the summer of 1875 and remained one year, spending the greater part of that time
in attendance at the Vienna General Hospital, where he pursued special courses of
study. He visited Europe again in 1878, being absent six months, attending the
World's Exposition at Paris, and acting as special correspondent of the New York
Evening Express.
For many years Dr. Jones has been a greater part of the time officially or semi-
officially connected with various positions of public trust and responsibility, the
duties of which he has uniformly discharged with fidelity, zeal, and marked effective-
ness. He became a member of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society in
1873, was elected its secretary in 1874, and served as its president in 1885, 1888, and 1889.
He was elected a delegate from the county society to the New York State Homeopathic
Medical Society in 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877. Prior to his last visit to Europe he was
delegated by special resolution to represent the Albany County Homeopathic Medical
Society at the World's Homeopathic Congress held in Paris in August, 1878, and also to
meetings of other homeopathic medical societies which he might have opportunity to
attend. Since beginning the practice of his profession m Albany in 1873 Dr. Jones
has taken an active interest in the City Dispensary and Homeopathic Hospital, and
has devoted to its work and service a large share of his time, money, and influence.
He has ably assisted in its management, has supported all measures designed to
promote its financial prosperity, and has been a member of its medical staff since
1873, and a member of its executive and supervising committee since 1884. Since
November, 1876, he has had charge of the department of diseases of the throat and
respiratory organs.
Dr. Jones has been a permanent member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of
the State of New York since 1878, and was elected its president in February, 1895.
He has been for several years chairman of its bureau on throat and lung diseases,
and has presented reports embodying a vast amount of important data gathered as
a result of months of original investigation and painstaking research. He became
a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1874 and of the Albany In-
stitute in 1876. He was elected a member of the City Board of School Commission-
ers for a term of three years, and during this service secured the appointment of a
permanent committee on hygiene, which became a very influential branch of the ex-
ecutive department of public instruction. He was a foundation member of the Fort
Orange Club, and for a number of years has been a member of its Board of Trus-
tees. In 1886 he was appointed a member of the Bi-Centennial Committee of
Albany, which was required to perfect and conduct arrangements for celebrat-
ing the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the city. Following this he was
appointed a member of the committee having in charge the preparation, loca-
tion, and permanent preservation of more than twenty bronze tablets designed to
identify and describe the history of certain localities and important events. These
tablets were placed on various buildings, and perpetuate those historic names and
157
incidents which mark the growth of Albany as a burgh and citv. In 1880 Dr. Jones
was made a member of the citizens committee appointed to commemorate the open-
ing of the new capitol building, and in 1893 he was appointed by the Civil Service
Commission a member of a Homeopathic Examining Board to examine and deter-
mine the fitness of candidates for the position of assistant physicians at homeopathic
hospitals for the insane. He was appointed by Governor Flower in June, 1894, a
member of the first board of managers of the Craig Colony for Epileptics and reap-
pointed by Governor Morton in 1895. He has been a member of Masters Lodge No.
5, F. cv A. M., since 1872, and is also a member of Capital City Chapter No. 242,
R. A. M.,and an Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite mason, 32d degree.
Among the many notable papers and essays which Dr. Jones has contributed to
the medical literature of his time, the following titles are selected as showing the
breadth of scope, research, and versatility of his work: " Pathology and Treatment
of Diabetes," to which the McNaughton prize of §100 was awarded by the faculty of
the Albany Medical College; "The Throat in Song and Speech," illustrated by
photographic slides; "The Differential Diagnosis of Diphtheria and Membranous
Croup;" "Tubercular Laryngitis and Cancer of the Throat;" "The Climatic
Treatment of Pulmonary Consumption and Chronic Bronchitis; " " The Treatment
of Laryngeal Tuberculosis;" and "New York's Leadership in Medical Education,"
the latter being delivered by him as the president's annual address before the New
York State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1896.
Dr. Jones has won distinction in his profession because of an inflexible purpose,
persistently carried out through years of effort, to acquire an exact and thorough
knowledge of all the practical details of applied medicine. With industry and en-
thusiasm he has never failed to avail himself of all the resources of standard litera-
ture, and the best appliances for the diagnosis and treatment of disease, more par-
ticularly the diseases of the throat and chest, of which he makes a specialty. He is
unmarried.
JOHN PALMER.
Hon. John Palmer, secretary of state, is a son of John, who died in the Civil war
in 1863. He was born of English parentage in Staple ton, Staten Island, N. Y.,
March 22, 18-12, and in 1843 went with his parents to England, where he lived ten
years, two of which were spent with his grandfather on the Black Sea, where he wit-
nessed the siege of Sebastopol. He spent three years in a semi-military school neat-
Liverpool and in 18.">:i returned with the family to America and learned the trade of
fresco painting, meanwhile finishing his education at Bryant & Stratton's Business
College in Albany September 10, 1801, he enlisted as private in Co. B, 91st N. Y.
Vols., was commissioned captain March 1, 180."). and was mustered out witli the reg-
iment July 3, 1865, being brevetted captain N. Y. Y. His first service was in the
department of the Gulf, where lie displayed great bravery at Port Hudson in the
Red River campaign. He was afterward transferred to the Army of the Potomac
and at Five Forks received injuries from a falling horse from which he has never
recovered. In 1865 he resumed his trade as painter and frescoer, in Albany, which
158
he has since followed. In 1866 he became a charter member of Lew Benedict Post
No. 5, G. A. R., and in 1884-85 was department commander. He was elected com-
mander in chief of the National Commandery of the G. A. R. in 1891, when he led
a column of 60,000 veterans through the streets of Washington. He was prominent
in the erection of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, N. Y., and is president of the Board
of Trustees and has been indefatigable in promoting the interests of veterans of the
war. He has always been an active Republican, casting his first vote for Lincoln in
1860, and in 1893 was unanimously nominated by his party for secretary of state and
elected over Cord Meyer, Democrat, by 24,484 plurality. In 1895 he was re-elected
to this high office over Horatio C. King by a majority of 90,146.
In 1867 Mr. Palmer married Maggie Moore of Albany and they have one daughter
and three sons.
JOSEPH W. TILLINGHAST.
Joseph Wilbee Tillinghast, son of William Tillinghast, was born in Albany,
January, 1835, and descends from an old New England family. William Tillinghast,
a native of Wickford, R. I., was for many years a well known business man of
Albany, where he died in 1881. As a member of the firm of Wickes & Tillinghast,
he was engaged in the manufacture of sperm oils, and individually he was a director
in the National Commercial Bank. J. W. Tillinghast was educated in the Albany
Academy, was a clerk for Wickes & Tillinghast from 1852 to 1870, and from time
until 1886 was engaged in the malting business, as a member of the firm of Tweddle
& Co. On June 24, 1868, he became a director in the Merchants National Bank of
Albany; on April 17, 1875, he was chosen vice-president; and on May 1, 1880, he was
elected president, which office he still holds. He is also a trustee of the Albany
Savings Bank, a foundation member of the Fort Orange Club, and prominently con-
nected with several other corporations and institutions. He is in every sense of the
word a representative business man. In 1859 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of
the late John Tweddle, one of Albany's most enterprising citizens. They have three
children: Frederick, William and a daughter.
GEORGE N. BEST.
George N. Best, son of Thomas and Magdalene (Rosenberger) Best, was born in
the province of Ouebec, Canada, June 13, 1845. His parents were natives of the
United States and moved to Canada to engage in farming. Mr. Best attended the
public schools and at the age of seventeen moved to New York State, settling at
Saratoga Springs. He worked on a farm one year and desiring to enter commercial
life he availed himself of an opportunity to go into the lumber business. He made his
home with his brother and engaged in transporting lumber from the western part of
New York State to New York city. His abilities were soon recognized and war-
ranted his Idling, for several years, the position of foreman for C. D. & R. English,
GEORGE N. BEST.
THURLOW WHhD BARNHS.
1 :.0
timber dealers and lumber forwarders. Subsequently, Mr. C. D. English died and
Mr. Best entered into partnership with Mr. R. English. The name of the firm re-
mained the same as it was before Mr. English's death. This firm carried on an ex-
tensive business, doing government contract work on Lake Champlain and also en-
gaging in the ice business. While connected with this work, Mr. Best made his home
in Schuylerville for five years. In 1878 he moved to Castleton, N. Y. , and English,
Best, and a Mr. Washburn bought Campbell Island in the Hudson River opposite
Cedar Hill. Here ice houses were erected and a large ice business was carried on.
In 1881, English and Best bought the property on which Mr. Best now lives ami
erected a mammoth ice house on the bank of the Hudson. In 1884 Mr. Washburn
sold out his interest in the island to English and Best, who thereupon formed a co-
partnership. In 1887 this firm commenced doing business in New York city under
the name of the Cedar Hill Ice Company. In 1890 Mr. English sold his interest in
the ice business to a Mr. Sherman and a Mr. Carmen, who became partners with Mr.
Best. In 1894 Mr. Best bought them out and continued the business alone. In Feb-
ruary, 1896, he discontinued the New York business, having sold it to the Consolidated
Ice Company, who contracted with him to purchase his ice for a term of years. Mr. Best
is now enjoying a large, well paying business and lives in a palatial residence over-
looking the Hudson River at Cedar Hill. He has twenty-five acres of land, used for
gardening, and also owns considerable property in Saratoga county. He is president
of the Albany and Castleton Ferry Company, and is an elder in the Reformed church
of Bethlehem. October 15, 1867, he married Ursula Lockrow of Saratoga. They
had one son, Harvey A., who managed the New York office and who died in 1894
in his twenty-sixth year.
GEORGE S. HASWELL, M. D.
Dr. George S. Haswell was born in 1868 and is a son of Isaac M. Haswell, who
is a farmer. Dr. Haswell was graduated from the Troy High School in 1889, and
then from the Albany Medical College in 1892. lie began his practice in New York
and then settled in Watervliet, where he has won the confidence of a large circle of
people of his native town. Dr. Haswell, although so young, is a Mason of the < >rder
of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. lie was
elected coroner of Albany county in November, 1896. In 189;! he married Alice,
daughter of Edward II. Wiswall, of Colonic, by whom lie lias one daughter, Mil-
dred.
THURLOW WEED BARNES.
Tin ui.ow Wii.D Barms is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from
Thomas Barnes, who came from England and distinguished himself in the Indian
wars around Hartford, Conn., about 1630. On Ids mother's side he is
from Nathan Weed, a Revolutionary soldier of Stamford, Conn., and the grand-
160
father of Thurlow Weed, a soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Weed was distinguished
as the great Whig and Republican leader of New York and the life-long friend of
William H. Seward. His services are well remembered as a member of the so-called
political firm of Seward, Weed, and Greeley, and also in connection with the admin-
istration of President Lincoln, who sent him to France and England in 1861 to avert
the recognition by those countries of the Southern Confederacy.
Mr. Barnes is a son of William Barnes, sr., and Emily Weed, his wife, and was
born in Albany, June 28, 1853. On graduating from Harvard University in 1876 he
took an editorial position on the Albany Evening Journal, and soon afterward was
elected president of the Young Men's Association of that city and also of the Albany
County Republican Committee. He held the latter position two terms, and took an
active part in politics and in the management of the newspaper, which was founded
by his grandfather as a political organ in 1830. Mr. Barnes was one of the founders
of the Fort Orange Club, in which he still retains his membership. He was active
in the National Guard as a member of the 10th Regiment, and held the position of
first lieutenant on the staff of Gen. Amasa J. Parker In 1886 Mr. Barnes took up
his residence in Boston, Mass., where he lived for five years as a member of the
well known publishing firm of Houghton, Mifflin & Co., his work in the firm being in
the department of literary criticism.
Mr. Barnes has made extensive journeys, including a trip around the world, and
has spent two winters in India. Soon after the death of his grandfather he wrote a
Memoir of Thurlow Weed, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. He is
the owner of the published works of William H. Seward that were originally edited
by George E. Baker. Of late years Mr. Barnes has been a resident of New York
city, where he is a member of the Republican County Committee and of the Harvard,
Metropolitan, and other prominent social organizations. He was a delegate to the
Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896.
HENRY LUEKE.
There are few residents of the city of Albany of German birth and parentage
who have done more for this city and whose name and memory will live longer than
that of Henry Liieke. He was born in Brakel, Westphalia, Prussia, February 1,
1808, and is a son of George and Margaret Liieke. George Liieke was a custom tailor
by trade and it must be borne in mind that the trade of his choice in those days de-
manded more care and study and closer application than the same trade does to day.
In the making of fine habits and uniforms George Liieke was looked upon as the
leader in the town of Brakel. The first eleven years of Henry Liieke's life were not
very promising. He was a sick boy during that time, but the tenderest care of his
loving parents and the best medical attention overcame the ravishes of disease.
When he became sufficiently strong he began his studies at the public school and con-
tinued them until he was fourteen years of age. During those few years he was
very attentive and ranked with the highest in his class, displaying both docility and
ability, characteristics which went a great way toward forming a suitable founda-
HENRY LUEKE.
161
tion for his later years. It was contrary at that time for those learning a trade in
Europe to travel about from one country to another. Henry Lueke chose his father's
trade and in accordance with the custom above mentioned, he started at the early
age of fifteen to thoroughly acquit himself for his trade. He traveled through Ger-
many, Austria, Hungary and Poland, apprenticing himself to the best custom tailors,
and then went to London to put the finishing touches on his education. While
at London he learned how to make the most exquisite habits then in vogue,
and the dazzling uniforms then used in the army and navy. But while preparing
to earn a livelihood he did not forget to educate the other sides of his nature. He
learned the English language and studied the customs of the people and in every
way sought to ennoble his character. The styles of England were not the only ones
he studied. During the three years spent in London he visited Paris and acquired
the language and styles of dress there. He therefore had visited the three greatest
cities for setting the style to the world — Berlin, London and Paris. With the knowl-
edge of his business thus acquired Mr. Lueke felt competent to carry it on anywhere.
America, to which many of his fellow-countrymen had gone and succeeded, appealed
to Mr. Lueke as being the most desirable place to start in business. Consequently
in 1837, he left London and sailed for the New World. He arrived at New York city
and spent six years there following his favorite vocation. He did a magnificent
business making uniforms for the army and navy officers and ladies' riding habits.
In those days a New Yorker was not considered well dressed unless his suit was from
Liieke's. In 1843 Mr. Liieke removed to Albany, N. Y., and located on Liberty
street as a custom tailor. Subsequently he moved to South Pearl street shortly be-
fore the war broke out. In 1848, at the time of the great fire, he lost almost every-
hing, and again in the panic of 1857 he had considerable trouble, but despite these disas-
ters his fine work brought him custom and he was able to recover his losses. April 7,
1871, he retired from business at the age of sixty-three with a substantial competence.
He had friends by the score He was very saving, yet at the same time liberal in his
gifts to the worthy distressed. He invested largely in real estate in Albany, the in-
come from which now supports him. He is temperate in his habits, yet withal en-
joys the good things of life which he has so hard earned. So strict was he in his business
that when asked to go out for a few moments' enjoyment during business hours his
answer always was, " No, I am expecting a customer." Mr. Liieke possesses a very
strong constitution, and even to-day reads the daily paper by gaslight without
glasses. He is actively identified with Holy Cross church and was its treasurer for
thirty-four years. He has never meddled in politics, but has always voted the Demo-
cratic ticket and has been a subscriber to the Argus ever since he came to the city.
Me is at present a member of the board of trustees of St. Agnes Cemetery and is the
only surviving member of the original board which was composed of sixteen mem-
bers. In 1837, in New York city, Mr. Liieke married Miss Catharine W. Rodemeir,
who was a schoolmate of his. In ( >ctober, 1887, Mr. and Mrs. Liieke had the
pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding. Mrs. Liieke died in December, 1890.
Two daughters survive her, Adelaide, the wife of Rupert Spang of Syracuse, N. V.,
and ('.ertrude, who ably manages her father's property. Mr. Liieke prefers his home
and church to any club life and derives most of his enjoyment from reading history.
lie is a very fluent speaker on this, his favorite topic. He knows the history of
U
162
Europe thoroughly for the past two hundred years and prides himself on being able
to trace the relationship between all the royal families.
SIMON W. ROSENDALE.
Simon W. Rosendale was born in Albany in 1841, coming of a German family,
and reads and speaks German fluently. His father, Sampson Rosendale, was a
native of Bavaria, and his mother of Saxony. His parents came to this country in
1837, and made Albany their home. Mr. Rosendale was educated in one of the
public schools and became a student of the Albany Academy and by his aptness for
learning and geniality of his disposition and his successful application he gained the
highest esteem of his teachers and classmates. In 1857 he entered the law office of
Courtney & Cassidy, then an important legal firm, suspending his law studies to
finish hisgeneral education in the halls of the Barre.Vt., Academy, from which he grad-
uated in 1861, and on his return to Albany was admitted to the bar in 1862. Within
a year he was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany, and rendered valuable
aid to that office. In 1868 he was elected recorder by a large majority. He was ap-
pointed by Mayor Nolan corporation counsel, resigning the office in 1882 on account
of his extensive law practice. He has been a member of the law firm of Peckham,
Rosendale & Hessberg, which upon the election to the Supreme Court of Hon. Rufus
W. Peckham became and now remains the well known firm of Rosendale & Hess-
berg. In 1884 he was again appointed corporation counsel by Mayor Banks. He is
prominently identified with the legal and commercial interests of the State and with
many local organizations, being a director of the National Commercial Bank, the
National Savings Bank, the Albany Railway Company, the Albany Hospital, and
was for years treasurer of the New York State Bar Association. He is also a trustee
of the Albany Medical College (Union University). He has long been a representa-
tive of his people, willing to give his time, talents and money in aid of Jewish char-
itable and religious interests, and has been identified with many movements in
prominent organizations connected with Judaism. He was for many years promi-
nently identified with the order of Benai Berith, and for ten years the president of its
National Court of Appeals. He has presided over the convention of the United He-
brew Congregations of America, and is a member of its National Executive Com-
mittee. He is a member of the executive committee of the Jewish Publication Soci-
ety of America, and presided at its initial meeting in Philadelphia. He is also vice-
president of the recently organized American Jewish Historical Society.
In 1891 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for attorney gen-
eral of the State of New York, on the same ticket with Governor Flower, and was
elected by a very flattering majority. He is now engaged in the practice of the law.
In the discharge of the manifold and arduous duties of attorney-general, it may
at least be said that Mr. Rosendale's administration was successful and met with
public approval.
GEORGE A. HOUSE.
163
GEORGE A. HOUSE.
George A. House, well known in both business and political circles, is one of the
most enterprising men of Cohoes, his native city. After graduating from the High
School in 1870, he at once accepted a position with H. R. Grant & Co., in the hard-
ware trade. In connection with his duties in the store he acquired a knowledge of
telegraphy. On the dissolution of this firm he was appointed manager of the West-
ern Union Telegraph office at Cohoes, which position he held until 1883. In that
year he resigned and became the Cohoes representative of Samuel Blaisdell, jr., &
Co., cotton and wool dealers, Chicopee, Mass. Almost immediately perceiving the
necessity of a warehouse in Cohoes he perfected his plans and then forming a co-
partnership with C. M. Blaisdell, a member of the firm of S. Blaisdell, jr., & Co.,
carried the new venture to a successful issue. In 1894 C. M. Blaisdell disposed of his
interest to his wife, Mr. House retaining his equal position. In 1895 Mr. House
individually built the Younglove Avenue Warehouse. Mr. House is a very influential
political leader, standing unswervingly in the Republican party. He has served as
fire commissioner, filling the vacancy caused by the death of the Hon. D. J. John-
ston, general superintendent of the Harmony Mills. He is a member of Cohoes
Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., life member of Cohoes Chapter, R. A. M., life member
of Bloss Council of Troy. R. and S. M., past orator of Royal Arcanum, past grand
Cohoes Lodge, I. O. O. F., member of Cohoes Business Men's Association, member
of Cohoes City Club, and Pafraets Dael Club of Troy.
He was born in 1853 of Holland ancestry and was the son of Moses House, who
came here as early as 1850, a shoemaker by trade. He was also a private banker
and real estate dealer.
WINFIELD S. HEVENOR.
Winfield S. Hkvenor (of the firm of Van Alstyne & Hevenor) is the eldest son of
Robert D. Hevenor and Eliza C. Folger, his wife, and was born at Rhinebeck, X.V.,
June 24, 1831. On his father's side he is a lineal descendant from some of the
earliest German settlers of Dutchess, Columbia and Ulster counties, and of the
mountainous regions of Pennsylvania and Virginia; on the side of his mother he is
a descendant from Peter Folger, the brother of the mother of Benjamin Franklin,
and also from one of the original Van Loons, who were among the earliest and most
prominent settlers of Greene county, N. Y., and from whom the present village of
Athens took its ancient name of Loonenberg. Mr. Hevenor was educated in the
common schools of the town, and at Rhinebeck Academy, under the instruction of
Professors Bell, Marcy, Dow, Schuyler, Smith and Covert, all foremost, in their
time, among the educators of Dutchess county. No academy in the State, in those
days, turned out better scholars than did Rhinebeck Academy; and many of the
young men educated there have become prominent in professional and business life,
and in the military service of the country. At the age of sixteen Mr. Hevenor had
been fitted in the ordinary English branches, in higher mathematics and the
164
sciences as then taught, as well as in Latin and Greek, to compete creditably with
many graduates of the colleges of the day, and under the tuition of Mr. Covert
especially, had acquired a taste for, and a knowledge of, the rules of composition
and declamation, which have since proven of great value and assistance to him.
Thus equipped, and determining to waive the opportunity offered him by his father
and friends to proceed with an advanced college education, he commenced, and for
two years was engaged in, teaching common schools in the neighborhood of his
birthplace; and then, in September, 1849, upon the urgent solicitation of his old
schoolmate, Hon. George Wolford (formerly county judge of Albany county, and
afterwards deputy superintendent of insurance), he came to Albany and took up the
study of law with Messrs. Tabor & Joyce, and continued his studies with them, and
with Messrs. Learned & Wilson, until he was admitted to practice in September,
1852. During his studentship with the latter firm he was also an attentive member
of the first class of the Albany Law School (now merged in the Law Department o;'
the University of Albany), under the instructions of Hon. Ira Harris, Hon. Amasa
J. Parker and Amos Dean, esq., the founders and first professors of that now noted
school ; and he refers with conscious pride to the fact that the recommendation for
his admission to practice as a lawyer bears the signatures of those eminent men.
Mr. Hevenor's life, since his admission to practice, has been an active and busy one,
professionally and otherwise. He served as assistant district attorney of Albany
county under Hon. Andrew J. Colvin and Hon. Samuel G. Courtney during their
respective terms as district attorney; afterwards filled one term as justice of the
peace of the town of North Greenbush ; was three years a member of the Board of
Education of Union Free School District No. 6 of that town, serving one year each
as clerk and president of the board; was afterwards for two years president of Bath-
on-the-Hudson, and for several years served as attorney for the. village of Green-
bush. This constitutes his official life. In each position he was faithful, energetic
and competent, and met the approval of the public. In the spring of 1858 Mr.
Hevenor, after having been a partner of Mr. Colvin for several years, entered into
copartnership with Hon. Thomas J. Van Alstyne (afterwards county judge of Albany
county, and later a member of congress from the Albany district), under the firm
name of Van Alstyne & Hevenor. The firm located in Douw's building, in Albany,
and has ever since continued, as a firm, in the practice of law in the same building.
It is now the oldest unbroken law or business firm in the city of Albany, and prob-
ably the oldest in the State. Messrs. Van Alstyne and Hevenor are the oldest sur-
viving tenants of the building. Their practice has been large, varied and usually
successful. In 1878 Mr. Hevenor married Christina Pottenburgh, eldest daughter of
Capt. Henry Pottenburgh, who for many years was connected with the Old Night
Watch, and afterwards with the uniformed police of the city of Albany. Four
daughters are living, born of this marriage, to wit: Mrs. Maria Folger Colman,
wife of Rev. Charles Colman, Baptist clergyman, of Germantown, Pa. ; Mrs. Nancy
Eliza, wife of Dr. J. Wilton Barlow, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Ina Van Alstyne, unmar-
ried; and Mrs. Robertina L. Leech, artist, widow of the late Samuel D. Leech,
journalist; the- latter two children are now residing with their parents. The only
son of the marriage, Robert Henry Hevenor, who died in early childhood, had he
lived till this time, would have been about thirty-three years of age. Although Mr.
ELIAS SWEET, JR.
165
Hevenor received his first Sabbath school instruction from the noble daughter of the
pioneer Methodist minister, Rev. Freeborn Garretson, he early in life, after investi-
gation, adopted the creed of his paternal ancestry, that of the Lutheran church, and
still holds the same religious views. In politics he has been for many years, and still
is, an active and unswerving Democrat, and has many times advocated the principles
of his party with tongue and pen. During the war of the Rebellion he was a " War
Democrat," and was often called upon and found ready to address large gatherings
of people in favor of " a vigorous prosecution of the war." In family and social life
he is genial, social and kindly hearted, and has many friends. As a public speaker
he is plain, argumentative and forcible, rather than ornate or sophomoric. Among
his published addresses several orations delivered by him in his younger days, at
different times, and a few memorial addresses delivered at meetings of the bar of
Albany, have received great commendation; and his eulogy upon General Grant,
pronounced at Round Lake, N, Y , shortly after the death of the general at Mount
McGregor, was said to be among the finest and best addresses delivered in memory of
the great chieftain. As a writer, Mr. Hevenor wields a facile pen, and his many
contributions (political, historical and literary) to newspapers of Albany and other
counties, have been warmly welcomed by the publishers, and read with pleasure
and approval by their readers. Mr. Hevenor's present residence is at Bath-on-the-
Hudson, N. Y.
ELIAS W. SWEET.
Elias W. Sweet, son of Albrow and Mary (Wickham) Sweet, was born in the town
of Coeymans, Albany county, X. Y., September 16, 1830. Mr. Sweet enjoyed the
limited education of the public school of his day and took up farming as his life work.
He lived at Baltimore, X. Y., for fifteen years on a farm of sixty acres and subse-
quently purchased a farm at Stanton Hill, where he resided two years, In 1*07 he
moved to a farm adjoining the one where he now lives in Aquetuck, town of I
mans. In 1869 he purchased the farm on which his residence stands and since that
time lias worked the two farms, comprising 163 acres. September 30, 1852, Mr.
Sweet married Eliza Ann Armstrong of the town of Coeymans. She died January
3, 1888, leaving four children: Elias, jr., Phoebe, Maria and Charles. Mr. Sweet is
a Methodist by profession.
JOHX BOYD THACHER.
John Boyd Thacher, mayor of the city of Albany, was born on September 11,
1847, at Ballston Springs, X. Y., and is the eldest son of George II. Thacher. who
was for many years mayor of Albany.
John B. Thacher, was educated under private instruction, and in 1865 entered
Williams College, and was graduated therefrom with honors in 1869. He then en-
tered his father's foundry at Albany and learned the trade of moulder. He also
learned bookkeeping in Folsom's Business College. Mr. Thacher, in company with
his brother, George II. Thacher, still continues to operate the extensive foundry,
known as the Thacher Car Works, being one of Albany's leading industries.
166
Mr. Thacher began his public career in 1883, when he was elected to the State
Senate from Albany county, and during his term of office was an active supporter of
all labor measures. Since that time Mr. Thacher has been constantly in the public
eye as a politician, having taken the stump during both of the Cleveland campaigns.
He conducted the Albany bi-centennial with great success, and in 1895 became
mayor of the city of Albany, of which office he is now the incumbent.
Mr. Thacher was united in marriage in 1872 with Emma, daughter of George C.
Treadwell, esq., of Albany.
Mr. Thacher holds high rank in the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the few men
in Albany who have attained the thirty-third degree. He is past master of Masters
Lodge No. 5, and has held exalted positions in the other Masonic bodies of Albanv,
and is also a member of the Democratic Phalanx. Mr. Thacher gained considerable
prominence during 1893 as a commissioner of awards at the World's Fair at Chicago.
He is also the author of " Charlecote/' a work treating on Shakespeare and the
drama, and several other works of merit.
BAREXT T. E. BRONK.
Barent T. E. Bronk was born in the town of Coeymans, Albany county, N. Y.,
June 1, 1834. He is a son of John Bronk and Gerritie Vanderzee, and comes from
two of the oldest families in Albany county, the Ten Eycks and the Coeymans, after
whom the place Coeymans is named. Mr. Bronk's paternal grandmother and great-
grandmother were Ten Eycks, and his great-great-grandmother was a Coeymans.
On the maternal side the line of descent is also through the families of Ten Eyck
and Coeymans. The records of the town show that Andres Ten Eyck married Ann
Margreta Coeymans, whose daughter Charlotte married Conrad Ten Eyck, whose
daughter Maria married Jonas Bronk, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. In
1636 Barent Pieterse Koyemans (Coeymans) entered the service of the first patroon,
and from this Koyemans Mr. Bronk is descended in the way above shown. The
founders of this republic always strove to perfect methods for educating the young,
and when practicable every son was sent to the best school that could be found.
Inasmuch as the facilities were so meagre at the place of his birth, young Bronk
was sent away to school. He attended the academies at "Westfield and Lenox, Mass.,
and there obtained a magnificent preliminary education that was to fit him to acquire
the position he later attained in the business and social world. After leaving school
he returned to his father's farm opposite where the Pulver House is now located at
Ravena, N. Y., and here he conducted the farm with his brothers Jonas, Noble H.,
and Eugene. Eugene, rilled with an ardent desire to serve his country, enlisted in
the Northern army during the Rebellion and his life paid the penalty. There is now
a G. A. R. Post in Coeymans named after him. In 1860 Mr. B. T. E. Bronk moved to
his present farm about one mile north of Coeymans. This farm, .consisting of
four hundred and seventy-five acres, he subsequently inherited from his great-uncle,
Barent Ten Eyck. Since 1860 Mr. Bronk has lived on this farm enjoying a true,
simple life. He is a home-loving man and divides his time between his home and
his church, the Reformed church of Coeymans, of which he is an elder. January is,
1865, he married Sarah Ann Mull, who died leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, the
BARENT T. E. BRONK.
'
F. H. FISK, M. D.
167
wife of Dr. Powell of Coeymatis. February 12, 1880, Mr. Bronk married his present
wife, Melissa Van Vliet.
D. CADY HERRICK.
The Hon. D. Cadv Herrjck was born in April, 1847, at Esperance, Schoharie
county, N. Y. , and is a son of Jonathan R. Herrick.
D. Cady Herrick was educated in the public schools of Albany, N. \\, whither his
parents had removed in 1853. He was later sent to boarding school, and finished his
studies at Anthony's Classical Institute. He then studied law with Gen. Lyman Tre-
main, and the elder Peckham, at Albany, then took a course in the Albany Law
School, from which he was duly graduated, and was admitted to the bar of the State
of New York in 1868.
From that year until 1870 he was engaged in the offices of Hungerford & Ilotaling
in the further prosecution of his studies of the law. In the latter year (1870) he en-
tered upon an active career in the practice of his profession at Albany. lie first
became prominent in his defense of the murderer, Emil Lowenstein, receiving the
highest of praises for his powerful and eloquent appeal to the jury, from the judge,
jury and the public. Although the prisoner was convicted, Mr. Herrick gained
through this case a reputation which brought him clients in numbers and laid the
foundation of what promised to be a successful practice.
In 1880 Mr. Herrick entered politics and was nominated for and elected district
attorney, and renominated and re-elected to that office in 1883. In 1886 Mr. Herrick
resigned his position as district attorney to accept the appointment of justice of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York to fill a vacancy and is still serving in that
capacity, his term of office expiring in 1905. Mr. Herrick has held prominent posi-
tions in the Democratic party ever since his entrance into politics in 1880.
In 1873 he was united in marriage with a daughter of Daniel Salisbury.
FRANK H. FISK, M. D.
Frank H. Fi.sk, M. D., son of Daniel, was born in Salisbury, Conn., August 6,
1854, and when young removed with his parents to Bridgeport, in the same State.
He descends from an old Massachusetts family, and on his mother's side isdeso
from the Chambers of Greenfield, Mass. He attended and was graduated from the
public schools of Bridgeport, and then entered and was also graduated from Barnum's
Academy, a celebrated institution for higher learning in that city. Later he was a
student for a time in the academy at Wilbraham, Mass. Deciding upon medicine
as a profession he went, while yet a youth, to Springfield, Mass., and entered the
office of a leading practitioner. He subsequently studied with physicians in New
Haven, Boston, and Albany, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College
with the degree of M. D. in 1 881, since which time he has been in active practice in
this city. As a surgeon he has won a reputation, and has performed many difficult
and dangerous operations. Dr. Fisk is a member of the Albany County Medical
168
Society and of the several Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternal organizations of
Albany.
GEORGE STORY.
George Story is the son of Richard J. and Elizabeth (Rix) Story, both natives of
England, and was born in Albany, N. Y., December 15, 1854. His father came to
Albany about 1835 and early engaged in the grain trade; eventually he established
himself in the malting business, and died in 1892 at the age of eighty-six. His
mother also died in 1892, aged eighty.
Mr. Story was educated in School No. 14, on what is known as Trinity place,
Albany, and commenced to earn his own livelihood at the age of fifteen. Since then
his career has been one of almost unceasing activity and constant effort. With
indomitable perseverance, combined with good judgment, sound common sense, and
excellent business ability, lie rose step by step in responsible capacities and event-
ually achieved a high place as an enterprising and successful citizen. He overcame
difficulties with remarkable adroitness, filled important positions with great credit
and satisfaction, and won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in
contact. His independent disposition, his great firmness and directness of purpose,
his executive ability, and his energy and force of character enabled him to surmount
all obstacles and attain distinction in financial and business affairs.
In 1869 he entered the employ of Churchill & Dennison, photographers, and after-
ward of Frank Chamberlain, commission merchant, in Albany. In 1872 he entered
the Merchants' National Bank of Albany, where he remained until 1885, being ad-
vanced through the various positions to that of paying teller. He then engaged in
the brewing and malting business in his native city as a member of the firm of
Granger & Story, from which he withdrew in 1891 to accept the position, in New
York, of first assistant national bank examiner, which he held until 1893, when he
was made assistant cashier of the National Hank of Deposit of that city. Soon after,
this institution succumbed to the financial depression of that year and went into the
hands of a receiver, with whom Mr. Story remained until the business was wound
up and every depositor paid in full, with interest. He then became chief clerk of
the Third National Bank of New York city, but resigned that position July 1, 1894,
to accept a responsible post in the State Banking Department at Albany. His ex-
perience in banking affairs, and his thorough knowledge of finance, enabled him to
meet and discharge every demand upon his services with unusual satisfaction,
especially in the examination of savings banks, to which he was assigned. In the
fall of 1895 he again went to New York city and established himself in the manufac-
turing business, at 62 Reade street, as president and treasurer of the firm of Story,
Barber & Co., manufacturers of bicycle lamps, in which he has since continued,
maintaining his residence, however, in Albany.
Mr. Story, in connection with Dr. M. J. Lewi and Frank Sabold, founded, in about
1893, the Albany Club of New York city, composed of Albanians, and now one of the
prominent social organizations of the metropolis. In 1896 he met with a serious
affliction in the loss of his eyesight, caused no doubt by his eonscieniious devotion to
work in the banking department and its action upon his naturally nervous temper-
ament, and since then he has been obliged to relinquish active business.
GEORGH STORY
169
EUGENE BURLINGAME.
Nothing in the catalogue of "civic virtues" has, perhaps, so largely contributed
to the high municipal reputation of the city of Albany and enabled her to conserve
her status, in a moral as well as in a geographical sense, as Capital of the Empire
State, as the recognized ability and exemplary character of its legal fraternity. No
higher standard of forensic excellence is anywhere exhibited, and nowhere else are
the hands of counsel cleaner or freer from taint. No suspicion of shadiness or
questionable methods in the practice of the profession is here permitted and nothing
in the nature of the shyster's business is allowed to hamper the proceedings of court.
Here the annual reunion of the State Bar Association occurs and here the Albany
lawyer is justly presented as the exemplar and ideal of all that is admirable and
imitable in the profession. The leaders of the bar in Albany have erected this
standard in themselves and the names of many of national reputation may be found
upon the guidons that mark off the avenues of fame and fortune in this free republic.
Among them, occupying an honored position in the working and active ranks of
the body as well as in the counsels of the leaders is found the name of Eugene,
Burlingame.
With as much the force of fact as that of incidence it was observed by a reputable
journal of Albany in reference to his nomination for the position of district attorney
at the last State election: " The election of Mr. Burlingame means for Albany city
and county honest elections and the capable and efficient administration of the duties
of the office." The moral of this significant utterance is found in the fact that
Eugene Burlingame is now (in 1897) serving the third year of his term of district
attorney. This expression of public opinion might serve as the epigraph of his
memoir, though it would not cover or include all his higher characteristics. It is
not as the prosecuting attorney of a district or the representative in that capacity
of a political party that he is best known, but as the conscientious advocate, the
able counsel and the scholarly gentleman. In many other ways is he known in
social and domestic life and all redounding to his credit, but they do not come within
the scope or necessary limitations of this article.
Eugene Burlingame was born in Willett, Cortland county, N.Y., January 24, 1847,
and is the son of Westcott and Melinda (Eaton) Burlingame, and is descended of
good New England stock both on the paternal and maternal side. The genealogical
tree is of no fanciful growth, for its roots "spread deep and wide through pilgrim
soil." His earliest American ancestor of the male line was Roger Burlingame, who
came from England some time prior to 1650 and was known to be a resident of
Stonington, Conn., as early as 1654. He resided at Warwick, R. I., in 1660, and
later at Providence, in the same State. The line is followed from Roger Bur-
lingame through Thomas, Joshua, Eleazer and Altitius to his father, Westcott, and
himself, while the history of his grandmother's ancestry in the same line runs back
into many of the old and prominent Rhode Island families. She was the daughter
of Augustus Ellis and Desire Slocum, and was the sixth in descent from the family
of the latter name. The subject of this sketch also traces his descent through his
grandmother on the paternal side, through the Hull and Dyer families to Mary
Dyer, who suffered martyrdom at Boston " for conscience sake " in 1660. Thomas
V
170
Burlingame, the son of Roger, married Martha Lippitt, daughter of Moses and Mary
(Knowles) Lippitt, and Eleazar, Mr. Burlingame's great-great-grandfather, married
Rhoda Briggs, of an old Rhode Island family. His mother was Melinda Eaton, a
descendant of William and Jane Eaton, of Dover, England. Nicholas, the son of
William, who was born in 1573, was warden of St. Mary's church, Dover, and mayor
of his native city. His son John, Mr. Burlingame's first ancestor on the maternal
line who came to this country, was born at Dover in 1611 and with his wife and chil-
dren came to America in 1635, settled in Dedham, Mass., and became the founder
of the " Dedham Eatons." The descent in this line is continued through John to
his son Thomas, who married Lydia Gay in 1697, settling in Woodstock, Conn., to
Nathaniel, who married Esther, daughter of Capt. John Parry, in 1704, to Elijah, to
John, who married Lydia Preston, to Melinda, the mother of our district attorney.
In a single maternal line the ancestry of this distinguished Albanian is traceable
to George Bunker, after whom Bunker Hill was named, for he was the owner of the
top of that historic mound one hundred years before it had been made memorable
by the famous battle of the Revolution. This is history to be proud of. The lineage
in this direction is followed from George to Martha Bunker, who married John
Starr, to Lydia Starr, who married Nathaniel Gay, to Lydia Gay, who was married
to Thomas Eaton. The late Prof. Amos Eaton of Troy, N. Y. , identified with the
earlier history of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his son, the late Gen. Amos B.
Eaton, U. S. A., his grandson, the late Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College,
Hon. Dorman B. Eaton, of New York, and Gen. William Eaton, distinguished for
services at Tunis, were all descended from this stainless stock.
Coming to his immediate, ancestors it will be of interest to state that his grand-
father, Altitius Burlingame, was born at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, September
27, 1790, and with his great-uncle, Arnold Thomas and their families, removed from
their native place to Willett in the State of New York in 1809. They were among
the earliest settlers of that town. Mr. Burlingame's father, born in 1806, was, con-
sequently, only three years old at the time. Grandfather John Eaton — the other
side — and great-uncles Peter Eaton and Robert Tennant with their families removed
to Willett from Cherry Valley, N. Y., about 1814. His mother, Melinda Eaton, was
born at Cherry Valley, November 6, 1812. The locality where they settled has since
been known as " Eaton Hill." The marriage of Melinda Eaton and Westcott Bur-
lingame took place at Willett, N. Y., March 27, 1836, and the issue included five
children: Miles Eaton, Ogden, Lydia, Lucy Agnes and Eugene (all now living,
June, 1897.) The late Anson Burlingame was descended from the same stock.
Although the early training and subsequent career up to the time of his entrance
into public life, of Eugene Burlingame, had not been unusually eventful, they were
not unmarked by circumstances that were, in a measure, in the nature of events that
" cast their shadows before." In all were evinced the " mens propositi tenax" — the
quiet determination to prove worthy of the best traditions of family and race. His
early education was received in the public schools of his native town, followed by a.
two years course at the Cincinnatus Academy in Cortland county. In 1866 he en-
tered the State Normal College at Albany and was graduated with honor in July,
1868. It is worthy of record that at the close of his studies in this institution he
accepted the position of principal of the Athens Union School, and though hardly
yet having attained the years of manhood conducted it so successfully for a period
171
of two years tb at his resignation at the end of that time was a source of general
public regret in that section.
But the ambition of the young teacher soared beyond the contracted limits of the
class hall, and within the vast domain of the legal profession he discerned a broader
view for his aspirations and a wider field for his talents. In the general scope of
hisearlies studies the literature of the law had for him a peculiar fascination, and it
was not as a callow or uninformed neophyte that he entered the Albany Law School
in 1870, being then in the twenty-third year of his age. As it always happens with
the adventurous soldier of fortune in any field, he found competent helps at hand.
Among them was the eminent Isaac Edwards, then dean of the college, and Judge
Ira Harris, a famous lecturer on constitutional law. Among the existing faculty
also were numbered Judge Amasa J. Parker and Judge William F. Allen of the
Court of Appeals. Under such distinguished instructors the earnestness and apti-
tude of young Burlingame were brought into play and so rapidly responded to their
broad and liberal treatment that in a little over a year he obtained the degree of
LL.B., and was ready for practice. But with the wisdom so rare at his years he
realized the importance of the most thorough preparation before entering upon his
professional work, and entered the law office of Newkirk & Chase at Hudson, N. V..
an admirable school for a young lawyer, where he thoroughly familiarized himself
with the business features of his calling. By his ready intelligence and willingness
to work he won the confidence of his associates and was intrusted with much im-
portant business of the concern. Thus, fully equipped for the forensic arena, he
entered, in 1872, on the full and formal practice of the profession, in partnership
with Charles W. Mead of this city. After five years of legal collaboration, during
which he performed very important professional work, he opened an office for him-
self at No. 452 Broadway. It may be noticed in this connection that while he is
frequently consulted and as counsel tries many cases for other attorneys, he has
made it a custom to try and argue his own cases and generally with pronounced
success. He enjoys at present one of the largest and most lucrative practices in this
part of the State, being engaged on one side or the other in most of the important
causes tried in our courts.
March 29, 1875, he married Emma Patten Watson, the accomplished daughter of
the late Hon. Rufus W. Watson, a prominent lawyer of Catskill, N. Y. They have
four children living: Eugene Watson, Elizabeth Jenkins, Francis and Westcott.
A fifth, Harriette Sylvia, died in infancy.
There is little room to touch upon the manners or methods by which Mr. Burlin-
game has attained his remarkable eminence at the bar, but through each and all of
them is discerned the dominant note of carefulness and the abiding sense of respon-
sibility. " For conscience sake " appears to be his motto as well as that of his mar-
tyred ancestor and he is prompt to apply it to the light as to the weightiest case with
which he may be entrusted. In direct and cross examination his questions are form-
ulated with scholarly precision. Impressed with the conviction that truth and accu-
racy are one and indivisible and that the gravest issues often hang upon apparently
the most trivial questions, he is wont to weigh his words with the greatest delibera-
tion and insist upon the most direct and definite answers. Although a master of
technique he treats the witnesses with the utmost fairness. His end and aim is to
get at the truth and elicit it in the interests of justice. Even in his capacity of Dis-
172
trict Attorney he has been known to turn the search light of truth upon the case of
the people and by interposing on behalf of the accused, but with no diminution of
the dignity of the office, has often stopped an expensive and unjust prosecution. In
the less restricted sense of speaker and advocate his language is refined and elegant
but always within the comprehension of his hearers. His reasoning is logical
and incisive, but he has never recourse to glittering sophisms to compass the end of
the public prosecutor. His eloquence is the eloquence of truth ; his force the force
of conviction. In bearing he is calm, dignified and impressive and entirely free
from any of the ad captandum methods sometimes known to the profession. He is
the type of the classical orator cast in the practical mold of the modern lawyer. His
oratory is aided by a charming personality, graceful action and quietly fervid man-
ner. He is, altogether, an attractive and commanding figure in the front rank of his
profession.
Mr. Burlingame's position in politics is somewhat unique. While distinct in char-
acter from the hustling partisan, he is looked upon by his party as the ideal repre-
sentative of Republican polititics and is highly trusted and esteemed in that capacity.
This is exemplified by the fact that in 1884 he was chosen chairman of the Albany
County Republican Committee and in 1887 was elected a member of the Republican
State Committee. In 1891 he was one of the Republican counsel in the celebrated
election cases of that year, involving as they did the election of four State senators
and the consequent control of the State Senate, and rendered valuable and efficient
service in the interest of honest elections and good government. " Certainly," said
Mr. Burlingame, in the course of an able argument during these remarkable trials,
"as citizens, not as partisans, we are all interested in keeping those avenues that
lead up to the exercise of the greatest right and duty of an American citizen pure
and undefiled."
As an evidence of his influence in literary, social and religioi" circles it goes in
the record that he was President of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1884
which is justly regarded as a great honor, inasmuch as the society with its library
and hall, has, for many years, been intimately associated with the literary life of
Albany. He is also a member of the Albany Historical and Art Society, President
of the Burns Club and member of the Fort Orange and Press Clubs and member of
the State Bar Association. He is Past Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.,
and also trustee of that Lodge. He is a director and counsel for Fairview Home for
Friendless Children, a director of the Charity Organization Society of Albany, and
Vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Albany. He is a Curator of the Albany
Institute, the leading literary and scientific society of Albany, and member of the
faculty of the Albany Law School, lecturing on Real Property and Criminal Law.
Physically Mr. Burlingame is slightly above the middle size, of a compact and well-
knit frame and with clean cut regular features. His bright blue eyes have a direct
and searching light in them that seek first to know you and being satisfied beam
kindly upon you His manner is courteous and cordial with a very nice sense of
situation and a blending of dignity and benevolence that impresses the stranger and
endears him to his friends. Albany is justly proud of Mr. Burlingame, as a citizen,
lawyer and public official.
PART III.
FAMILY SKETCHES
FAMILY SKETCHES
Stark, Moses, son of Myer and Barbette (Nussbaum) Stark, was born in Albany,
February 11, 1851. His parents came from Germany in 1840 and first settled in
North Adams, Mass., whence they moved about 1842 to Albany, where the father
died in 1889. Myer Stark was for many years a dry goods merchant. Of his seven
children four sons are living: Bernard, born January 1, 1846, now a manufacturer of
ladies' wrappers; Moses, the subject of this sketch; Leopold, born in October, 1854,
a bookkeeper for his brother Moses ; and Louis, born May 24, 1856, a member of the
New York Tailoring Company. All reside in Albany. Moses Stark was educated
in the public and German schools of Albany, was for three years a clerk for Mann,
Waldman & Co., and in April, 1868, formed a partnership with his brother Bernard,
under the firm name of B. Stark & Co., and engaged in the fancy dry goods business
in the old Tweddle Hall building. In 1882 they removed to No. 13 North Pearl
street, where they made extensive improvements, putting in a large millinery de-
partment, and where they were burned out in the fall of 1895. The business was
then divided, Moses Stark continuing the millinery branch, which is located in the
Y. M. C. A. building at the corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets. It is one of
the best known establishments of the kind in Albany. He is a member of Wash-
ington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., and Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B., and a
charter member of the Adelphia Literary Club. March 22, 1874, he married Minnie,
daughter of Morris Herman of Albany, who died August 26, 1889, leaving three
children: Herbert M., Mae and Hattie.
Seelmann, Andrew G., was born in Albany, N. Y., May 6, 1861. His parents were
George and Rosa (Drach) Seelmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Seelmann was edu-
cated in the Holy Cross School and Christian Brothers' Academy of Albany and
took an evening course at the Albany Business College. After finishing his educa-
tion he entered the law office of Wickes & Gutmann and while there was admitted to
the bar in 1882. June 8, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of the money order
department at the Albany post-office and held the position until March 1, 1890. He
then opened a law office at No. 93 State street and later moved to No. 69 State
street, where he is now located. In 1891 Mr. Seelmann was clerk to the Assembly
Committee on Judiciary and Codes, and in 1892 was clerk to the Committee on
Judiciary and Railroads. He was president of the German Lyceum during its ex-
istence and was one of the organizers and is now president of the German Young
Men's Democratic Club. He is a member of the executive committee of the Dem-
ocratic Association of Albany county and is also a member of the Democratic Pha-
lanx, the Catholic Union and the C. B. A. Alumni. His business is chiefly real estate
law, and Surrogate's Court practice.
Brewster, Frederick C, son of Cortland and Rachel (Mors) Brewster, was born in
Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 11, 1860. He was educated in private
schools and was graduated from Claverack College in 1879 and from the Troy Busi-
ness College in 1880. He then went as bookkeeper to the office of his uncle and
grandfather, lumber dealers, West Troy, where he rapidly rose to the position of
confidential clerk. In January, 1894, he opened a real estate office at No. 1595
Broadway, West Troy, and purchased the insurance agency of Clute & McAllaster.
Mr. Brewster has been a member of the Troy Citizens Corps for fifteen years, having
served ten years as an active member in the National Guard and five years as a
member of the Old Guard. July 20, 1887, Mr. Brewster married Eliza, daughter of
John H. Crocker of West Troy.
Armstrong, Rev. J. B., was born at Johnsburg, N. Y., in 1854, and a son of
J. W. Armstrong, who was a farmer of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was twenty years
of age when he decided to enter the ministry, and was graduated in 1876 from
Fort Edward Institute. He taught several years in the public schools, and then
natural science at the Troy Conference Academy, and also taught higher mathe-
matics. In 1883 he took his first charge at Ames, Montgomery county, where he re-
mained for three years. Thence he proceeded to East Greenbush, then to Johnson-
ville and to West Troy in 1891, where he is pastor of the Third Avenue M. E. church.
He is a man of rare attainments, of liberal views, and is an eloquent speaker. Dur-
ing his sojourn here he has labored faithfully and effectually for the upbuilding of
the church of God. Among the fruits of his pastorate may be noticed a vigorous
growth in all departments of the church work, largely increased membership and a
new and modernized temple of worship.
Toner, J. Seymour, was born in Green Island, Albany county, in 1860, and has
always been a resident of that village. He was educated in the public schools there
and at an early age became a member of the village fire department, of which he
has filled all the positions connected with same and for one year was chief engineer.
He served four terms (eight years) as village trustee, the longest term served by any
man, although a Democrat in a village having a large Republican majority, he re-
ceived flattering majorities at each election. He has been connected with the account
department of Cluett, Coon & Co., of Troy, for sixteen years, and is now occupying
the position of paymaster for that concern.
Dayton, Lewis W., son of Jesse C. and Carrie L. (Weed) Dayton, was born in
New York city, March 24, 1866, and is of English descent, his original paternal an-
cestor in this country, Ralph Dayton, having come from Bradfordshire, England, in
the seventeenth century and settled at East Hampton, L. I. Major Nathan Dayton
moved from Long Island in 1800, and settled on a farm near Rensselaerville, Albany
county. Lewis W. Dayton's grandfather, Samuel, lived at Rensselareville until
1850, when he moved to Watervliet, now the town of Colonie, and established the
old homestead where Lewis W. Dayton now lives. His son, Jesse C, was engaged
in business in New York city when Lewis W. was born and moved to Watervliet,
Albany county, in 1870. He was a staunch Democrat and represented Albany
county as State senator for one term and was supervisor of the town of Watervliet
from 1872 to 1878. Lewis W. Dayton was graduated from the Albany Academy in
1884 and spent one year as clerk in the Anchor Iron and Steel Works in Kentucky.
He returned to Albany county and engaged in farming in the town of Watervliet
until 1895, when he was elected justice of the peace of the town of Colonic. He is a
member of the Citizens Corps of Troy and also a member of the Sixth Separate Com-
pany, N. G. S. N. Y., and is an active member of the Farmers' League and was its
corresponding secretary for two years. Mr. Dayton was very active in the dividing
of the town of Watervliet into the town of Colonie and has always been an earnest
worker in the Republican party.
Carroll, George H., owns and conducts a grocery at No. 74 Oneida street, which
his father, the late William C. Carroll, established in 1850. The latter, a pioneer
here, came from New Hampshire, and was the leading grocer of his day. He was
also a central figure in the development of the city of Cohoes, and an advocate of all
matters pertaining to the advancement of his fellowmen. His death occurred in
1884, aged seventy-four years. George H. is a native of Cohoes, born in 1851, and
was associated with his father in the grocery business, and since his death has con-
tinued in the mercantile business. His wife was Sarah Harwood of Schaghti-
coke, N. Y.
Reavy, Frank C, has been one of the leading undertakers of Cohoes since 1870.
His father was John Reavy, a merchant who went from Montreal when Frank was
born in 1843, to Chicopee, Mass., in 1844, coming here in 1858. Mr. Reavy began
business life at fifteen years of age. After remaining in the cotton mills for a few
years he learned the carpenter's trade, spending three years in New York at the
business before establishing for himself. He served as school commissioner, super-
visor, city hall commissioner, and many minor offices. He is a member of the Busi-
ness Men's Association, of the A. O. U. W., the A. O. H., and K. of C.
Courchaine, William, was born in St. George, P. V., in 1856, and is a son of Will-
iam Courchaine, coming here in 1863. In 1865 he entered Harmony Mills, remain-
ing until twenty-two years of age as a weaver, later he peddled vegetables, and in
1880 established his present grocery. He served his first public office as hospital
commissioner. Mr. Courchaine is president of St. Jean Baptist Society; it is a
social and benevolent organization. He has for nine years been trustee of the
Church of Sacre Coeur. He is supervisor of the Sixth ward of the city of Coin its,
and proves a very efficient and popular official.
Conway, Cornelius, is the elder son of the late Hugh Conway, a life-long resident
of Cohoes. The latter at the time of his death, January 14, 1896, was operating in
the partnership of Mr. Hugh Graham, the largest and finest grocer)' in the city.
They came to the present location, 13 and 15 Willow street, in 1884, and erected the
large and commodious double store. Mr. Conway began business as a humble clerk
for Graham & Stanton, but in 1871 he purchased Mr. William Stanton's interests.
Mr. Graham retired soon after the death of Mr. Conway andthe firm is now known
as Conway & Co.
Heney, William H., was born in Oldham, England January 31, 1863. Two years
later he came with his parents to this country ; after a two years' residence in Water-
6
ford, N. Y., they removed to Troy, N. Y., remaining there about five years. They
then took up their residence in Cohoes, which has since been the home of the subject
of this sketch. At the age of nine years he entered the Harmony Cotton Mills as an
apprentice, continuing his education in the night schools. Mr. Heney has since been
employed in various mills in various capacities, and since 1893 has been superintend-
ent of The Hudson Valley Knitting Co., of Waterford, N. Y. He was inspector of
election of the Fourth ward for two years, and in 1893 was elected supervisor, being
re-elected in 1895. Mr. Heney is a member of Egberts Lodge No. 50, Knights of
Pythias, having served as chancellor commander, also as district deputy of the
Twenty-eighth District in 1894. He joined the Seventh Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y.,
in 1882; after serving five years as quartermaster-sergeant and the same length of
time as first sergeant, he applied for and received an honorable discharge in 1892.
In 1888 Mr. Henry won the Woodward competitive drill medal, the presentation
speech being made by Hon. D. B. Hill, then governor of the State.
Sessions, Charles E., and Lewis E. Sessions, are residents of Cohoes for half a
century and are sons of the late John B. Sessions, who by trade was a mason and
who came here in 1847. Charles E. was born in Troy in 1842, and in his early years
worked in the Harmony Mills. Lewis E. was born in 1846 in Troy, and in his early
years was a butcher. In 1859 Philip, an elder brother, established the business at
the present location.
Canton, Charles N., late postmaster of the city of Cohoes, and for twenty years
past a prominent citizen of that city, was born at West Troy, February 10, 1853.
His first American ancestor was Albert Canton, who emigrated from Bordeaux,
France, about 1811, and settled at Brattleboro, Vt. He was a soldier of 1812. Mr.
Canton is one of five sons of the late Louis Canton, a contractor, who located at
West Troy about 1836. He, himself, lived at West Troy until about twenty-one,
having learned the builder's trade. In 1875 he married Miss Mary F. Carpenter, of
Cohoes, lately deceased. In 1884 he was appointed sealer of weights and measures,
and was postmaster of the city from 1890 to 1894, being succeeded by James B. Mc-
Kee, the present incumbent. Mr. Canton is largely interested in the wholesale trade
of ice. In 1895 he purchased the Peltier hotel property in Colonie, on the beautiful
and historic Loudon ville road, transforming it into the " Cottage Lawn," a pictur-
esque and popular summer resort.
Smith, Oscar, Capt., was born in Howard, Steuben county, N. Y., June 15, 1840.
He received a public school and academical education. In 1801, when only fifteen,
he enlisted in Co. G, 13th N.Y.Yol. Inf., and served eighteen months; he re-enlisted
in January, 1804, in Co. H, 13th N. Y. H. A., as sergeant and served until the close
of the war in June, 1805. He was in many engagements of the armies of the
Potomac and the James; wounded at the first battle of Fredericksburg, December
13, 1802. Returning from the war, then but nineteen years of age, he engaged in
the sewing machine business in New York city, but removed to Albany in 1808.
Here he continued a large wholesale sewing machine and lumber business until
June, 1892; since then, he with his son, under the firm name of Oscar Smith & Son,
have carried on a successful wholesale wood, baled shavings, excelsior, sawdust and
charcoal trade. Mr. Smith is connected with several of Albany's business, political
and social organizations; is president of the Novelty Knitting Co., a trustee of the
Tennessee Land Company, a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., a char-
ter member of Chancellors Lodge, K. P., a charter member of the Albany Club, a
past commander of Post No. 5, G. A. R., ex-president and member of the Albany
Unconditional Republican Club; a member of the Press Club; also for about eight
years commander and now a life member of the Albany Burgesses Corps.
Harris, Melville A., is a native of Albany, born January 16, 1857, and a sun of
Samuel C. Harris, who came to Albany from New York city in 1833, and for many
years was engaged in the manufacture of woodenware. His father was alderman of
the Thirteenth ward for six years and president of the Common Council. His mother
was Sarah, daughter of Abram Staley of Albany. Mr. Harris was educated at the
public schools and Free Academy, now known as the High School, and first asso-
ciated himself with his father as a manufacturer of and dealer in woodenware. In
1880 he accepted a clerkship in the street commissioner's office and shortly afterward
in the corporation counsel's office and so continued until May 1, 1894. In June fol-
lowing he was appointed by Louis W. Pratt to his present position of United States
gauger. He is an active Democrat and a member and for several years financial
secretary of Fireman's Lodge No. 343, A. O. U. W. In 1878 he married Louisa E.,
daughter of Henry Launsbach of Albany, and their children are Annie Louise,
Frederick Staley and Sarah.
Muhlfelder, Isidor, was born in Albany, December 24, 1858. His father, Louis
Muhlfelder, who was a native of Bauerbach, Germany, came to Albany about 1850;
engaged in mercantile pursuits and subsequently removed to Ballston Spa, N. Y.,
where he was a merchant and one of the proprietors of the Ballston Spa tannery.
Later on he again removed to Albany and became a member of the wholesale millin-
ery firm of S. Nusbaum & Co., and in February, 1884, was one of the founders of the
present wholesale dry goods firm of Heiser, Muhlfelder & Co. He died February 23,
1893, leaving him surviving four children, namely: Joseph Muhlfelder, who is con-
nected with the above firm ; David Muhlfelder, a well known attorney of Albany ;
Bell Pareira, wife of Aaron Pareira; and Isidor Muhlfelder, the subject of this
sketch. Isidor Muhlfelder was educated in the public schools of New York city and
Albany, and was in 1874 engaged as a salesman with S. M. Yalkenburgh & Co., of
Albany, with which firm he remained for ten years and in 1884 he, together with
Solomon A. Heiser and Louis Muhfelder, founded the present firm of Heiser, Muhl-
felder & Co., of which he is one of the two surviving members. In March, 1889, he
married Pina Fleischman, and they have two children, Leo and Elsa, and he resides
with his family at 126 Lancaster street in Albany. He is a prominent member of
several clubs, lodges and societies and is one of the leading business men of the city
of Albany.
Williams, George A., M. D., was born in the town of Columbia, Conn., March 13,
1861. His parents were George and Jerusha (Cohn) Williams, and both were the
youngest of seven children, respectively. Dr. Williams is descended from a long
line of ancestors, among whom was Roger Williams. Dr. Williams spent many
years in preparation for his profession and studied at Yale University, New Haven,
and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also received instruction
under Dr. Kingsley, the fonnder of the New York Dental College, and he has two
dental diplomas, one from the New York Dental College, conferring upon him the
degree oi D. D. S., and the other of Master of Dental Surgery, from the New York
State Censors. In 1890 Dr. Williams was graduated from the Albany Medical Col-
lege, receiving the degree of M. D., and since then he has practiced in Albany. He
is a thirty-second degree Mason and has all of both the York and Scottish Rite de-
grees. He is also a member of the A. A. O. N. M. S. and is a member of all the
Odd Fellow orders, having passed all the chairs. For two years he was instructor on
the heart and lungs at the Albany Medical College and also instructor in materia
medica in that institution. Dr. Williams is also a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa
Society and the Albany County Medical Society.
Tibbitts, Lorenzo B., son of William and Abigail (Seaman) Tibbitts, was born in
Ballston, Saratoga county, N. Y., November 12, 1847, was educated in the Jonesville
Academy and came to Albany in 1866 as superintendent of the gardens and grounds
of Moore & Furgeson. In 1867 he was appointed a member of the Albany police
force and served for fifteen years. In 1882 he engaged in the milk and dairy produce
business on the corner of Green and Division streets, where he has since continued.
In 1891 he started his present livery and boarding stable on Liberty street, succeed-
ing M. H. Teater, and since July, 1893, has also had a contract with the United
States Government for the transfer of mails between the Albany post-office and the
various stations. He has been an active Republican, was for a time vice-president
of the Consumers' Ice Company, and is a member of Wadsworth Lodge F. & A. M.,
Capital City Chapter R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Cyprus Tem-
ple N. O. M. S. In 1869 he married Matilda A., daughter of Sylvester Van Home,
of Oneida, N. Y. , and their children are William S., Cora B., Lorenzo J., Arthur
and Lotta.
Shaw, Andrew, son of John and Elizabeth (Moore) Shaw, was born in Albany, N.
Y. , October 12, 1846. He is of Scotch ancestry, his father having come from Scot-
land to America in 1836. Mr. Shaw received his education in the public schools and
in Prof. Lawson's Classical Institute, after which he started to learn the plumber's
trade with Edward Kearney, with whom he remained one year. In 1864 he enlisted
in Co. A, 91st N. Y. Regt. N. Y. Vols. March 31, 1865, he lost an arm at the battle
of Gravelly Run, Va. , which necessitated his returning to Albany, where he remained
in Harris Hospital three months. In 1868 Mr. Shaw was made tallyman at the
building of the stock yards at West Albany. After a short time he obained a situa-
tion as gate keeper at the Capitol building, then just commenced. From there he
went into the employ of the Albany Gas Light Company, where he served as valve-
man for twenty years. In March, 1888, he resigned that position and formed a
partnership for carrying on the coal business, with William L. Dresser, of Lee, Mass.
They located at No. 150 Grand street. Subsequently Mr. Dresser sold his share to
William McArdle, and for two years the firm was Shaw & McArdle. In 1894 Mr.
McArdle withdrew and since that time Mr. Shaw has conducted the business. He is
a member of the Unconditional Club, Lew Benedict Post No. 5 G. A. R., and the
Jackson Corps. He was married in 1886, his wife being Maude C. Chamberlain, of
Morris, Otsego county, N. Y. They have one son, William Reid Shaw.
Pratt, Louis W., a brilliant young lawyer and collector of internal revenue, is a
son of Daniel J., and A. Eliza (Whipple) Pratt, was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., August 14, 1862, and moved with his parents to Albany in 1865,
Daniel J. Pratt was assistant secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of
the State of New York from 1864, until his death September 12, 1884. He was the
founder and developer of the present system of regents examinations and was the
author of "Annals of Public Education of the State of New York" and "Bound-
aries of the State of New York," two works of wide importance and usefulness. He
was secretary of the New York State Boundary Commission and the Albany Insti-
tute, the first secretary of the New Capitol Commission, and the secretary of the
Commissioners of the New York State Survey from its organization until his death.
He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1851 as valedictorian of his class, and
the prizes on that occasion were divided between him and Charles Dudley Warner.
Louis W. Pratt was educated in the Albany public and high schools and was gradu-
ated from Williams College, of Williamstown, Mass., with honors in 1883. He be-
came a student in the law offices of Parker & Countryman, took a course of lectures
at the Albany Law School, was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his pro-
fession in 1885. In 1888 he formed a law partnership with Gaylord Logan, with
whom he is still associated. Mr. Pratt is one of the editors of the revision of the
New York Court of Appeals Reports. In 1888 he was elected alderman at large and
in 1890 was re-elected. In November, 1898, he was appointed by President Cleve-
land collector of internal revenue, which office he now holds. During the last few-
years he has made more political speeches than any other local politician. He is a
lover of good books in all departments of literature and science, a thoughtful student
and an accomplished scholar, and well versed in all the intricacies of the law. Mr.
Pratt is a member of the Fort Orange and Orange Clubs, of Masters Lodge No, 5,
F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter, R. A. M. and the Albany Lodge of Elks.
November 5, 1885, he married Geraldine F., youngest daughter of the late Thomas
Schuyler, president of the First National Bank and a prominent citizen of Albany.
They have four children : Marion, Helen, Schuyler and Geraldine.
Bayard, Andrew Herbert, M. D., only son of Augustus Willard and Isabella
(Browne) Bayard, was born at Leeds, Greene county, N. Y., October 11, 1867. The
Bayards came to America about 1620 and are direct descendants of the renowned
French warrior De Chevalier Bayard. When an infant his parents removed to
Cohoes, N. Y., and his home was there until 1880, when he moved to Albany, N. Y.
He was educated in the Albany Academy, was lieutenant in the military department
and received the principal's prize for English composition, three consecutive years,
and graduated in the class of 1886 ; he then took up the study of medicine in the
Albany Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1889, was president of his
class in 1886-7 and is now historian. Dr. Bayard subsequently took a post-graduate
course at the New York Polyclinic and was assistant to Dr. R. C. M. Page, professor
of the practice of medicine, and other special training under prominent teachers,
served as assistant surgeon in the old Chambers Hospital, N. Y., since then he has
practiced in Poughkeepsie and Bath-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. In 1892 he returned to
Albany, N. Y., and at present is recognized as one of the leading young practition-
ers in the city, enjoying a lucrative practice and was elected county physician in
May, 1896. Dr. Bayard is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity of Union
University, Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. &- A. M., Albany Council No. 1,560, Royal
Arcanum, surgeon of the Albany Burgesses Corps, Capital City Republican Club
b
10
and the Albany County Medical Society. October 15, 1890, he married Orlena A.
Hunting, eldest daughter of Dr. Nelson Hunting of Albany, N. Y., and they have
one son, Roy Hunting.
Ainsworth, Danforth E., the subject of this sketch, was born at Clayton, Jefferson
county, N. Y., November 29, 1848. He was educated at Pulaski Academy and Fal-
ley Seminary, and in the early years of his life was a teacher in the common schools
of the State. He read law with the Hon. Henry L. Howe, and was admitted to the
bar in 1873. He then resided at Sandy Creek, Oswego county, N. Y., where he con-
tinued in the active practice of his profession as a partner of Hon. Henry L. Howe
until 1878 when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Ainsworth continued the prac-
tice of law at Sandy Creek until the year 1885 when he was elected to the Legisla-
ture, representing the second district of the county of Oswego. He represented
that district in the Legislature during the years '86, '87, '88 and '89, during the two
latter years serving as chairman of the Committee upon Appropriations in that body.
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1892, and served during the years of '93,
'94 and '95, the two latter years being chairman of the Ways and Means Committee
and Republican leader of the House; also serving upon the Committee of Judiciary,
where his experience as a lawyer made him a strong man upon the committee. He
was always a forcible and ready speaker, taking an active part in all debates of the
House. It was largely owing to his support and advocacy that the reform legisla-
tion of the city of New York passed the Legislature in the session of 1894. The
policy of the two parties as represented by the passage of this legislation and its
veto by Governor Flower contributed in no small degree to the Republican tidal
wave of 1895. Upon the election of Hon. Charles R. Skinner as State Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction, Mr. Ainsworth was selected as his deputy, and is at pres-
ent serving in that capacity.
Victorin, Anthony, was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1850, of French parentage.
His early education was obtained in Vienna and later he completed a course in the
Polytechnic of Vienna, in the mean time devoted two years to practical work. After
leaving the Polytechnic he was engaged in an extensive establishment at Gratz,
Austria, for the manufacture and repair of locomotives, railroad cars, etc. , as
draughtsman, foreman and superintending engineer; later he was in the employ of
the Austrian government as inspector of railway material. The last few years of
his residence in Europe were devoted to the construction and equipment of industrial
establishments in Austria and France. In 1880 he came to the United States where
he has been eminently successful. His first engagement here was as civil and me-
chanical engineer in the construction of the buildings for the Chicago Sugar Refin-
ing Company. In 1884 he accepted the position as mechanical engineer at the West
Point Foundry, where his duties were the designing and constructing of factories for
the production of machinery and heavy ordnance, and in the early part of 1886 he
was engaged as mechanical engineer of the Army Ordnance Bureau in Washington.
In the fall of 1887 Mr. Victorin was transferred to Watervliet Arsenal, where his
knowledge and skill have been devoted to the building and development of the pres-
ent great gun factory, and designing, constructing and perfecting the gigantic ma-
chinery for the manufacture of heavy ordnance. His well known work here ranks
him as second to none in the engineering fraternity. Mr. Victorin is a member of
11
the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engi-
neers, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, the Engineers Club of New York, the
Pafraets Dael Club and Laureate Boat Club of Troy, and the Fort Orange Club of
Albany; he is also an honorary member of the Troy Citizens Corps. Socially he is
a man of great popularity, a gentleman of pleasant manners and an entertaining
conversationalist. He is proud of his allegiance to his adopted country and is a
thorough American in his citizenship.
Gartland, John L., son of James and Elizabeth Gartland, was born in Manchester,
England, July 4, 1853, and was graduated from Kneller Hall, a military school of
music in Hounslow, in 1872. Meanwhile he was for ten years a member of the 3d
Battalion, 15th Regiment of Foot, English army, which he entered in 1863 and in
which he served a part of the time as musician, being stationed at Gibralter, Malta,
Jersey (Channel Islands), Aldershot and Gosport. In 1873 he came to Portland, Me.,
where he followed his profession as a band musician. In 1874 he removed to Johns-
town, N. Y., and became leader of the Johnstown Band and a dealer in books and
stationery. He came to Albany in 1881 as a member of the old Austin Band and in
1884 was elected leader of the 10th Regt. Band, a position he held ten years. In
1894 he organized Gartland' s Military Band of twenty five pieces and has since been
its leader and conductor. January 1, 1896, he formed a partnership with Joseph
Gioscia and organized Gioscia & Gartland's orchestra of twenty-five members.
These two bodies are the leaders in military band and orchestral circles in Eastern
New York and have filled many noted engagements. Mr. Gartland is also musical
director of the First Lutheran church, and a member of Wadsworth Lodge, Temple
Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery and Cyprus Temple of
Masons. In 1879 he married Josephine, daughter of Charles E. Peckham, of Johns-
town, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Peckham Gartland.
Payn, Edgar M., son of Samuel N. and Margaret (Mernfield) Payn, was born in
Albany, N. Y., in December, 1838. Mr. Payn's ancestors were English and settled
near Lake George, N. Y., before the Revolution and took a very active part in the
war. He was educated at Professor Anthony's Classical Institute in Albany, and
before completing the course, left the institution and went South, where he was em-
ployed as an assistant laying out and superintending the dredges improving the
James and Appomattox Rivers, in Virginia. When the Rebellion broke out he was
obliged to return North and entered the employ of his father, a contractor for river
and harbor improvements. Mr. Payn was also in the employ of the State of New
York superintending the building of dykes and dredging on the Hudson River. In
1871 he formed a partnership with William Bruce, the firm name since that time
being E. M. Payn & Co. They have improved many harbors and rivers in the east
as far as the Capes and in the South more extensively. In 1871 Mr. Payn married
Ida Schermerhorn of New Baltimore, N. Y., and they have three daughters: Edna,
Cora and Florence.
Hallenbeck, William Henry, son of John Henry and Mary (Beebe) Hallenbeck,
was born in the town of Knox, Albany county, July 30, 1859, and is of Holland
Dutch descent. His great-grandparents were early settlers of Albany county and
his father, a son of Abraham, was born in Guilderland; all were farmers. Mr. Hal-
lenbeck finished his education in School No. 8, Albany, whither his parents moved
12
in 1868, and where they still reside. He clerked in a grocery store for about five
years and on August 15, 1876, became a clerk for J. & J. Doran, woodenware dealers,
with whom he remained until February, 1889. In March, 1889, he established his
present wholesale and retail millinery business at No. 92 South Pearl street. He is
a member of Peabody Lodge No. 32, K. P., Albany Division No. 2, Uniform Rank,
K. P., Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Mountaineer Lodge No. 321, I.O.O.F. ;
he is also a member and was formerly trustee of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Aid and
Accident Association of Piqua, Ohio. February 24, 1880, he married Elizabeth,
daughter of John William Schweiker of Albany and they have two children: Sadie
Louise and Robert William.
McDonough, Joseph, so widely known throughout the country by antiquarians and
lovers of valuable books as " ye old booke man" of Albany, was born in 1834 in Kil-
kenny, Ireland. His rare taste for books was inherited from his father, James Mc-
Donough, a man of vigorous intellectual powers, who after extensive travels abroad,
became a school teacher and finally drifted into the second-hand book trade. About
1845 he opened a book stand in Liverpool, England, and continued there until his
death in 1860. The maiden name of the mother of Joseph McDonough was Mary
Hawthorne, a descendant of one of Cromwell's soldiers who had become proprietor
of some land in the vicinity of Kilkenny, where young McDonough was early in-
structed in the elementary branches of knowledge by his father. He first entered
his father's bookstore and when about nineteen started out with a book stall for him-
self in Liverpool. His financial success was assured from the first and in a few
years he accumulated a large stock of books. When Henry G. Bohn, the eminent
old bookseller and publisher of London visited Liverpool in 1858 he complimented
Mr. McDonough by saying that he had the best store of the kind in England. In
1870 he came to America and soon settled in Albany, where he began business with
a small book stall on State street. He moved several times from small stores to
larger ones, and was very successful. In 1886 he started a branch in New York city
and issued catalogues of old books regularly. In 1890 he returned to Albany and
established himself in his present elegant quarters at Nos. 53 and 55 State street.
Much of Mr. McDonough's stock of books is secured by his attendance at auction
sales of private libraries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and the regular
book trade sales in those cities. He deals extensively in general literature, making
a specialty of books relating to America, and has a large trade with the numerous
public libraries and historical societies in the West and South. One of the grand
secrets of his success as an accomplished bookseller is his wide knowledge of bibli-
ography, a science which he carefully studied in England as early as 1860. Perhaps
there is no man in Albany better acquainted with this subject than he. With the
date of publication, the best editions and real value of the vast collections of literary
treasures from the earliest periods down to the present time, he is perfectly
familiar.
Courtney, Dickinson, son of Joseph and Mary (Gray) Courtney, who came to Al-
bany from Ireland about 1830, was born in the capital city, August 10, 1850. His
father, who died in 1854, was a prominent Democrat, served as alderman of the
Second (now the Fourth) ward and several terms as city assessor and was engaged
in the grocery and building stone business. His mother died in 1882. Mr. Courtney
13
attended the public schools and the Albany Academy and in 1865 entered the attor-
ney-general's office, where he remained seven years, becoming chief clerk. In
February, 1872, he entered the employ of Hiram E. Sickels (who died in July, 1895),
State reporter, and has ever since been connected with that office. In 1877 he mar-
ried Louise A. Weaver of Albany, and they have one son living: Dickinson Court-
ney, jr.
Gutmann, John, a native of Albany, born December 14, 1853, is the son of John L.,
who was born in Doerbach, Prussia, Germany, came to Albany in 1851 and died here
in July, 1889; he was a moulder, superintendent and director of the Albany Stove
Company and president of St. Joseph's Benevolent Association ; his wife, Elizabeth
Hensel, died March 8, 1870. John Gutmann was educated in German private
schools and the Christian Brothers' Academy, graduating in 1869, and also attended
the Albany Business College. He read law with Henry N. Wickes, was graduated
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1874, and practiced in
partnership with Mr. Wickes until 1882. Since then he has followed the profession
alone. He was justice of the Justice's Court about four and a half years, police jus-
tice from 1884 to 1894, has been delegate to several Democratic conventions and is a
member of various German organizations. In January, 1876, he married Theresa
Kresser af Albany, who died in 1880, leaving two children: John H. and Julia T.
He married second, in 1883, Christine E. Weber, a native of Kingston, N. Y., and
their children are: Loretta C, Anna M. and Elizabeth C.
Oppenheim, Leo, born in Albany, July 4, 1856, is a son of Gerson Oppenheim, who
died in 1886, highly respected by his fellow-townsmen and deeply mourned by his
appreciative children, who have since been singularly fortunate in carving out for
themselves enviable names in their respective lines of endeavor. Gerson Oppenheim
was a successful merchant, a well known Odd Fellow and occupied many positions
of trust in the community and in the synagogue of which he was one of the helpful
pillars. During the panic of 1857 many of the senior Mr. Oppenheim's co-religion-
ists withdrew their money from the banks and placed it in his hands for safe keep-
ing; that he was scrupulously faithful to the trust thus forced upon him was one of
the reasons for the esteem in which he was held. Leo Oppenheim is up to date,
fin de siecle, as a merchant and as an artictic designer of men's wear; his store is
said to be the most tastefully arranged, luxuriously fitted up and bountifully stocked
tailoring establishment north of New York city. With other environments, Leo
Oppenheim might have made name and fame as an artist; as it is, his love of the
beautiful as the highest principle and the highest aim of art, expends itself in en-
deavoring, artistically, to clothe his fellow men, in hiding their deformities and in
bringing out their silent good points. His ambition is to dress people well in har-
mony with their form aud build ; that he succeeds is evidenced by the increasing
number of his fastidious patrons.
Rogers, W. Seymour, son of Samuel and Gertrude A. (Snyder) Rogers, was born
in Hudson, N. Y., July 12, 1854. He is of Holland-Dutch descent on his mother's
side and English on his father's side, being a descendant of the original Rhode Island
Rogers, who came to America early in the fifteenth century. He received his educa-
tion at the Hudson River Institute and Claverack College aud subsequently worked
three years in a paper mill owned by his uncle, Harper W. Rogers, at one time
14
mayor of Hudson and member of assembly. Mr. Rogers moved to Albany in 1876
and engaged in the poultry and game business, which he has since followed. In
1876 he married Maggie Miller, daughter of W. Ellsworth Miller, of Claveraek, Co-
lumbia county, and they have two children: Elsie D. and Lola.
True, George M., is a descendant of Puritan ancestors and was born in Holderness,
N. H., Augusts, 1856. His parents were Joseph F. and Mary B. (Watson) True.
He received his education in the common schools and at the New Hampton Literary
Institution, after leaving which he was superintendent of schools in the town of
Holderness, at the same time studying law with James L. Wilson of Ashland, N. H.
He was graduated from the Albany Law School in May, 1881, and has since prac-
ticed law at No. 82 State street, Albany. He was married August 29, 1881, to Mary
A, Wood, of Albany. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M.,
and Albany Senate No. 641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He is one of
the attorneys for the State Department of Agriculture.
.Stern, Henry E., son of Emanuel and Clara (Kaufman) Stern, natives of Germany,
was born in Albany, April 8, 1857. His father, a shoemaker and later a real estate
dealer, who died in 1877, settled in Albany about 1842 and became a prominent Re-
publican, being a member of the general committee of the old Whig party. Mr.
Stern was educated in the public schools and Free Academy, was graduated from
the Albany Business College in 1873, read law with I. & J. M. Lawson and was ad-
mitted to the bar at Saratoga in September, 1878. Since then he has been in the
active practice of his profession. In 1878 he became a member of Mount Carmel
Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F., and rapidly rose in the order to vice-grand in January,
1879, and noble grand in June following, being the youngest man ever elected to the
latter post in Albany. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the
State since 1880. He is a past master of Washington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M.,
past president of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B., and Albanian Lodge No. 102,
I. O. S. B., a member of the Adelphi Club, a manager of the Jewish Home Society,
and was for several years a member of the finance committee of congregation Beth
Emeth. In 1888 he was nominated by the Republicans for justice of the city court,
but was defeated by a small majority. October 30, 1883, he married Fannie Kas-
tanienbaum, of Albany, and they have one son, Manning Nathan Stern, born De-
cember 18, 1884.
Kimmey, Edson, manager of the Postal Telegraph Company at Albany, is of Hol-
land Dutch descent and was born March 15, 1867, being the son of Philip and Jane
A. (Hotaling) Kimmey. His father, an eminent citizen of Albany, was born in 1810
and died in 1893; he was State boiler inspector under Gov. John A. Dix and in the
fifties was a large property holder at Kimmey's Corners, in South Bethlehem, where
he built the first saw and grist mill, the tall chimney of which, recently blown up by
dynamite, was a landmark for many years. Edson Kimmey was graduated from
the Albany High School in 1885 and shortly after took up telegraphy being first em-
ployed by the Commercial Union Telegraph Company, under whose direction he
opened several branch offices in Northern New York. Later he accepted the man-
agership of the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph office at Long Branch and soon after*
ward became operator and clerk for the district superintendent of the same company,
in New York city. Later he and several others incorporated the New York and
15
Long Island Telegraph Company, which was the first extension of telegraph facili-
ties ever put on Long Island in opposition to the Western Union. He was shortly
afterwards chosen a director and still holds his interest in this capacity. He soon
accepted a position as chief operator and was made district manager of various pos-
tal offices in New York city. When the latter company absorbed the Commercial
Union, he was selected as manager of the Albany office, which position he now holds.
Mr. Kimmey was married in 1892. He has been prominently connected with the
political interests of Albany. He is a member of Masters Lodge, F. & A. M., and is
identified with the business affairs of the city.
Butler, Walter Burdett, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 17, 1857, and is a
son of Benjamin Francis Burdett Butler, who was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire,
England, in 1810, came to America in 1840, and died in Brooklyn June 16, 1874.
The latter was professor of languages in the Brooklyn Female Academy, Flatbush
Institute, and the author of Butler's Spanish Teacher, French Speaker and several
other educational works. Mr. Butler was educated in the grammar and private
schools of Brooklyn, came to Albany October 1, 1872, and was graduated from the
Albany Business College in 1875. He was bookkeeper for W. F. Hurcomb & Co. for
six years. In 1879 he went to Colorado and spent one year in mining, being assist-
ant secretary of a mining company in the Ward district. In 1880 he returned to
New York city as bookkeeper for D. W. Richards & Co., and in the fall of that year
came to Albany, where he was made cashier of the old Commercial Telephone Com-
pany. In 1883 this company was merged into the Hudson River Telephone Com-
pany and Mr. Butler was continued as cashier until 1893, when he was made the
secretary and auditor. He is secretary of the Albany District Telegraph Company
and a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. , Capital City Chapter No. 252,
R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M.. Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T.,
and Cypress Temple N. of S. M. ; he is also a member of Co. A of the Old Guard,
Albany Zouave Cadets, the Young Men's Democratic Club and the Albany Masonic
Relief Association. He has often appeared as expert accountant before courts and
in other capacities. In October, 1882, he married Adda May, daughter of John
Kennedy, jr., of Albany.
Fitzsimmons, James J., is the son of James, a native of Ireland and was born De-
cember 6, 1852, in Albany, where his father, a blacksmith, settled in 1826. The
latter died here in 1882. Mr. Fitzsimmons attended the public schools, and also the
Christian Brothers, was for two years employed in a leather store, and in 1870 was
graduated from the Albany Business College. After teaching for a time he entered,
in 1872, the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company, with whom he remained
until 1885, as cashier of the Albany and later of the Bridgeport, Conn., offices. He
was then engaged in the retail shoe business in Albany three years. In 1890 he be-
came cashier of the Westchester Telephone Company and in 1893 was elected treas-
urer of the Hudson River Telephone Company, which position he still holds. He
has also been treasurer of the Albany District Telegraph Company since its organ-
ization. He was school commissioner from 1889 to 1892; is a member and vice-
president of the Catholic Union; and is financial secretary of Cathedral Council,
No. 55, C. B. L., and a deputy state chancellor of that order, and a director in the
Safety Loan and Building Association. November 30, 1876, he married Margaret
T., daughter of John Lamb, of Albany and they have six children living.
16
Wagner, John, son of J. George and Nancy Wagner, was born in Rochester, N.
Y., Jan. 31, 1858. He received a public school education and became a clerk in a hat
store in his native city, and later was made manager of the hat and cap department
of the Bronner Clothing Company, of Buffalo, where he remained five years. In
January, 1884, he came to Albany and formed a partnership with Joseph Belser, sr.,
as Belser & Wagner, and engaged in the retail dry goods business. Five years later
he withdrew and bought out John M. Foil, furniture dealer at No. 308-310 South
Pearl street, which he has since continued. In 1890 he started a branch furniture
store under the style of the Albany Furniture Company; in 1895 he also opened a
furniture store in Troy. He is president of the Commercial Co-operative Union Bank
of Albany, of which he was one of the founders, and the first vice-president. He is
a Republican and was alderman of the 5th ward one term. He is member of Gut-
tenberg Lodge, F. & A. M. and Temple Chapter, R. & M. In 1882 he married
Catherine, daughter of Joseph Belser, sr. , of Albany.
Hartnett, Daniel J., son of William, was born in Albany, November 7, 1845. His
father came from Ireland to Albany in 1825 and was engaged in the meat business
until shortly before his death in 1876, owning at one time the Fishslip Market at the
foot of Columbia street and was burned out in the big fire in 1848. When fourteen
Mr. Hartnett associated himself with his father and continued thus most of the time,
until 1870, when he engaged in the meat business alone. In 1878 he moved to the
corner of Chapel and Canal streets and in 1890 to No. 95 North Pearl street, where
he carries on a large retail business. He was one of the organizers of the Retail
Merchants Association and served as its vice-president and secretary; he was one of
the organizers of the Retail Butchers Association, was president during its existence,
and was one of the principal organizers of the reorganized association ; he is also a
member of the Knights of Columbus, and is well and favorably known to or by cit-
izens of the city, has repeatedly refused political positions preferring to devote his
entire time to the furthering of his business.
North, Charles F., of the firm of North & Doyle, proprietors of the well-known
Anchor Hosiery Mills. The family is of English origin. In 1640 two brothers first
settled in Connecticut, where Mr. North was born in 1844, at Collinsville, a son of
Morris North. He never entered school after seven years of age, the time when he
came to Cohoes, but worked in a mill until twenty years of age. He then sold ma-
chinery to the mills, in exchange for knit goods, which he again sold. As a demand
for paper boxes in which to ship knit goods increased, he began the manufacture of
them, conducting an extensive factory. Later he became a partner of the Anchor
Hosiery Mills, and with Charles F. Doyle built mill No. 1 in 1881, and in 1887 mill
No. 2, and in 1890 mill No. 3. Mr. North also carries on a stone and sewer pipe
yard, building a large store house in 1884 and another in 1894. He has also served
officially in county affairs, and was the first alderman under city government in
1869. He later officiated as alderman for two years, and in 1874 as city chamberlain
for four years. In 1879 he was appointed fire commissioner, which appointment he
has since held. He has been a member of the Reform church since 1869.
Weidman, Reuben L. , is a descendant of Jacob Weidman of Switzerland, who
was one of the first settlers in Berne, Albany county, N. Y., where he built the first
house, the town being named after his native city, Berne, Switzerland. He also
17
built a saw and flouring mill at what was long known as Weidman's Mills. Jacob
Weidman was the father of one son Felix, who was the father of Daniel, Jacob,
Paul and Felix. All these four generations lived in Berne. Daniel Weidman when
fifteen became clerk in a general store in West Berne, and when sixteen came to Al-
bany as clerk for Peter Van Wormer, and later for F. W. Ford & Son. Afterwards
he attended the Knoxville and Gallupville Academies, was clerk in a dry goods store
in New York city, joined his uncle in mercantile business in Gallupville for six years
and thence came to Albany in 1845 and was the founder of the present house of
Weidman & Co. He remained in the wholesale grocery business until his death,
May 13, 1886. His son George D. was born June 29, 1842, entered the army in 1861
as orderly sergeant, became brevet major of volunteers and captain of Co. F, 10th
Regt., X. G. S. X. Y. He died March 17, 1883. Reuben L. Weidman is a son of
Felix Weidman, a physician and surgeon whose practice extended over a period cov-
ering about forty-five years. He was one of the best known and most successful
practitioners in his section of the county. The subject of this sketch was born at
Central Bridge, X. Y. , October 1, 1848. For a number of years he was engaged in
the grocery business in Gallupville, X. Y., and was also for a time in the employ of
D. Weidman, Sons & Co., as traveling salesman. A short time previous to the death
of his uncle, Daniel Weidman, he became a member of the firm. October 5, 1888,
Mrs. E. Eugenia Daw, a daughter of Daniel Weidman, was admitted under the
present firm name of Weidman & Co. Thomas R. Ward, jr., was admitted March
1, 1894. Mr. Weidman enlisted August 17, 1864, in Co. I, loth X. Y. Cav., and did
special duty until discharged May 8, 1865. He is a member of George Dawson Post
Xo. 63, G. A. R., and also of Mt. Vernon Lodge Xo. 3, F. & A. M. He was married
October 4, 1870, to Miss Helena Hunting. They have one daughter, Miss Caroline
Weidman.
Menand, Louis, has been a commanding figure in horticultural circles for a num-
ber of years. He has been named "The Grand Old Man" of the gardener's craft
in this county. He is now in his eighty-ninth year. He came to America in 1837
and enjoys a retrospective view of American horticulture, extending over a period of
sixty years. Mr. Menand continued to reside among his beloved flowers at Albany.
He is mentally alert and active as ever. His personal recollections as originally
published in the American Florist, from which we quote, are overflowing with a
personality which is both charming and unique. Mr. Phelps says well of Mr. Me-
nand's autobiography that contains " the natural philosophy of one who was always
a lover of liberty, and a student alike of books and nature." His life has shed fra-
grance and beauty that will endure as long as flowers grow and gardens bloom.
McElveney, Daniel, was born of Scotch-Irish ancestry in the province of Ulster,
north of Ireland, in 1839, came to Quebec, Canada, with his parents in June, 1841,
and when thirteen was apprenticed to the confectionery trade in that city. After
serving three yearsof his seven years as apprentice, he came in August, 1855, to
Albany, where he entered the confectionery establishment of Benjamin M. Briar e,
the famous caterer. In 1858 he entered the employ of S. De Lagrange, confectioner
and fancy cake baker, with whom he remained fifteen years. In the spring of 1874
he purchased the old John Martin bakery on the corner of South Pearl and Herki-
mer streets and six years later bought the property No. 97 South Pearl street, where
18
qe has since conducted a fancy bakery, confectionery and catering establishment
with marked success. A few years later, having associated with him his two sons,
he purchased the property No. 105 North Pearl street and opened a branch store.
Mr. McElveney has been for forty-four years connected with the various branches of
the catering business and throughout his active career has been uniformly suc-
cessful.
Laventall, Julius, born in March, 1832, in Bovendon, Hanover, Germany, came to
America in August, 1854, settling in Albany and opened a small jewelry store on
South Pearl street, in 1857. In June, 1865, having sold this business, he bought of
S. M. Valkenburgh the Ladies' Bazaar, on the corner of South Pearl street and
Hudson avenue. In 1857 he also purchased the property; and in 1876, built the
present building, where he carries an extensive line of ladies and children's furnish-
ings and shoes. He is a member and ex-president of Shiloh Lodge, I. O. of B. B.
and of Arnon Lodge, I. O. of F. S. and has represented both in their respective
Grand Lodges of the United States. He is a member and past noble grand of Mt.
Carmel Lodge, I. O. O. F., member of Washington Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M., was
manager of the Jewish Home and has been a trustee of the Congregation of Temple
Beth Emeth since 1873, and was1 its vice-president for eight years, its president in
1883, and chairman of the building committee during the erection of the present
temple, on the corner of Lancaster and Swan streets. He was also one of the
organizers and for the first two years a director of the South End Bank. In 1858 he
married Miss Sarah Swartz of Albany, who died, leaving two daughters: Mrs. H. W.
Foreman of Albany, and Mrs. Daniel Stern of Brooklyn. In 1863 he married
second, Hannah, daughter of M. Hydeman of Albany, and they have two sons:
Louis Julius, born January 28, 1866, and Edward Simon, born June 13, 1874, both of
whom are associated in business with their father.
Romeyn, Theodore F., born in Amsterdam, N. Y., is a son of Henry S. and Agnes
(Van Epps) Romeyn, and was educated in the public schools and academy of his
native town. He spent two years in Canada and nine years in Wisconsin, as a bridge
builder. In 1865 he came to Albany and engaged in box manufacturing at No. 214
Hudson avenue; he manufactured all kinds of wooden boxes, cases, etc. He was
one of the organizers of The Pure Baking Powder Company and its secretary. He
married Mary Conde, of Glenville, Schenectady county.
Star Knitting Company, The, was established in 1866, and its products have at-
tained the highest reputation for superiority of material, fashion and finish. The
Star Mills are comprised in a group of substantially constructed brick buildings, ar-
ranged with special reference to convenience and dispatch of work and economy of
production. The main building is four stories high and 65x105 feet in dimensions,
and the other buildings adjoin the main structure. Water power is used to drive the
machinery and an auxiliary steam engine is also employed. The mechanical equip-
ment includes nine sets of cards, 2,160 spindles, 38 knitting cylinders, and forty
sewing machines, and all the appliances in use are of the latest improved character,
employment being given to one hundred and seventy-five skilled operatives. The
products consist of fine wool, worsted and merino knit underwear of the best grades
for both ladies and gentlemen, and the output averaging about 40,000 dozen per
annum, is distributed direct to the trade through the United States. Medals and
19
diplomas were awarded this company for superiority of knit underwear exhibition.
The officers of the company are Messrs. Andrew M. Church, president; Thomas
Dickson, treasurer; A. I. Whithouse, secretary, and Charles T. Boughton, general
manager. An office is maintained at No. 43 Leonard street, New York city.
Swatling, James H., the well known wholesale and retail dealer in paints, wall-
paper, and decorations, located at No. 50 Oneida street, Cohoes, established the
business here in 1868. He is of English descent, born in the town of Watervliet in
1848. His early manhood was spent on a farm, but he acquired the painter's trade
at Saratoga Springs, where he resided four years. In 1890 in association with A. G.
Tanner, he erected the "Excelsior Knitting Mill," devoted to the manufacture of
ladies' and children's ribbed underwear. He has been on the Board of Health and
served in many minor offices.
Fletcher, Jones A., son of Benjamin and Polly (Kidder) Fletcher*; was born April
2, 1835, in Woodstock, Vt. He was educated in the public schools and seminary of
Woodstock and learned the trade of painter, which he followed until 1861, when he
enlisted in the 8th Conn. Regt., in which he was a sergeant. After the war he set-
tled in Troy, N. Y. , where he followed his trade until 1873, when he moved to Green
Island, Albany county, and opened a grocery store nearly opposite where he is now
located. In 1886 he erected the building in which he is now doing business. Mr.
Fletcher is a member of Post Tibbitts G. A. R. , of Troy, and Green Island Lodge
No. 360, I. O. O. F. In 1860 he married Rachel Van Leuvan, of Troy, N. Y., and
they have one son, Fred.
Hickey, William F., the well known attorney, was born at Moriah, N. Y., in 1857.
He was the son of Thomas Hickey, a contractor, who was largely interested in local
mining. William was educated in the Sherman Academy, at Moriah, and about the
time of attaining legal majority began the study of law with B. B. Bishop, at Moriah,
forming a law partnership with him three years later which existed for three years.
Then Mr. Hickey practiced his profession at Port Henry until 1889 when he located
in Troy. Mr. Hickey resides in Green Island and has taken an active interest in
local affairs, especially in opposing the recent threatened annexation of Green Island
to Troy, and in the erection of the new town of Green Island. Mr. Hickey is now
village attorney for the village of Green Island, having held that office for ten terms.
McGrath, Michael, was born in Ireland in 1825. His father was Thomas McGrath,
by trade a blacksmith. Michael learned the same trade in the old country, and when
a young man emigrated to America. He settled in Green Island, where for the past
fifty years he has been a prosperous man in the grocery business and at his trade,
and has been a familiar figure. He has served his town as trustee and was treas-
urer of the Board of Education, and has for many years been a pillar of St. Patrick's
church, and a lifelong Democrat.
Becker, De Witt E., son of Francis and Almira (Torrey) Becker, was born in Gal-
lupville, Schoharie county, August 6, 1863, and finished his education at Hartwick
Seminary in 1881. Coming to Albany in that year he was employed by Burhans
& Sutherland and two years later by Burhans, Sutherland & Co. In 1883 Mr.
Burhans severed his connection with the above firm and started in business again
with Mr. Becker as partner. In 1887 the firms of David Bradt & Co. and Burhans
20
& Becker consolidated, making the firm of David Bradt, Becker & Co., carrying on
a general produce commission business, dealing specially in poultry, eggs and butter.
Mr. Becker came to Albany without any capital and with the combined efforts of his
partners, David Bradt and William J. Skillicorn, a very large and lucrative business
was built up at their present place of business, 386 Broadway. The building is a four
story brick and contains the latest improved cold storage and freezing rooms. In
addition to their cold storage plant the firm rent cold storage rooms in Chicago, Buf-
falo and New York, the building in which they are located not being large enough
to accommodate their business. The firm is considered by all who know them to be
the largest wholesale dealers in poultry in Albany. Mr. Becker was elected two
terms in succession president of the Albany County Wheelmen without opposition.
He ie also director and secretary of the Consumers Ice Company. In 1887 he mar-
ried Emma E. A., daughter of David Bradt, of Albany, who died in 1890. In 1893
he married her sister, Harriet Myers Bradt. Mr. Becker has just finished a hand-
some residence on Western avenue, corner of Allen street where he now resides.
A'an Meter, Archibald, son of Edmund and Jennett (Loyd) Van Meter, was born
in New Scotland, Albany county, March 13, 1825, and about 1828 moved with his
parents to the city of Albany, where his father died soon afterward. The family
originally came from New Jersey ; the father of Holland and Scotch descent, and the
mother of Scotch descent. Mr. Van Meter was educated in the public schools of
Albany and as a youth, first engaged in gardening. In 1844 he engaged in the meat
business, in which he has ever since continued, being located at No. 278 Hudson
avenue, since 1877. For several years he has had a large wholesale trade, but now
carries on a retail business exclusively. He is member of Wadsworth Lodge, No.
417, F. & A. M.
Palmer, Frank Rockwell, son of Amos P. and Martha E. (Newton) Palmer, was
born in Albany, N. Y., November 21, 1868. He is descended from a long line of New
England ancestors, the first of whom came to America early in the seventeenth cen-
tury, and all of whom served most gallantly in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars.
He was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1888 and entered the employ of the
Albany City Savings Institution, where he rapidly rose to his present position of
teller. Mr. Palmer inherits a great liking for the military, as his record shows. In
the Albany Academy he was first sergeant of Co. A, later captain of Co. A, and
upon graduation was major of the battalion of Albany Academy Cadets. In No-
vember, 1888, he enlisted in Co. A, N. G. N. Y., in 1889 was promoted to sergeant,
in 1893 to lieutenant and in 1896 was elected captain. Mr. Palmer is a member of
Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.
Hendrie, James H., born in Albany. October 19, 1855, is a son of George and
Margaret (Haddow) Hendrie, the former of whom came to Albany from Scotland
about 1853 and died here in 1892, being for many years foreman with Smith & Covert,
leather dressers. When fourteen Mr. Hendrie began learning the trade of book-
binder and blankbook manufacturer of his uncle, Robert G. Hendrie, who had es-
tablished business on the corner of Broadway and Hudson avenue in 1867. He re-
mained there until 1879, when he went to Cape Colony, South Africa, and engaged
in gold and diamond mining. Returning to Albany in 1887 he bought out his uncle,
gradually increased the manufacturing capacity fourfold and now carries on a large
21
business as a bookbinder and stationer and blankbook manufacturer. He is a mem-
ber of the Albany Caledonian Club and was its secretary three terms. In Septem-
ber, 1889, he married Emily E., daughter of Henry Miller of Albany, and they have
one daughter: Emalie Miller Hendrie.
Cook, John B., was born in Troy in 1856, and was a son of Robert Cook, who
came from Scotland in 1854 and was in the employ of the Burden Iron Company,
then H. Burden & Sons, in the capacity of foreman until his death in 1873. Mr.
Cook served an apprenticeship to the machinist trade with that company. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools of Troy, and later took private lessons in
mathematics, mechanical engineering and drawing. Mr. Cook has been associated
with the Watervliet Arsenal for twelve years as foreman of the metal work carried
onm the shops east of the canal, and has had charge of the construction of the
plant at the gun shop under the supervision of the constructing engineer.
McNab, Dr. Duncan, son of Duncan and Sarah (Osborne) McNab, was born June
(!, 1870, in Troy, N. Y. , where he was educated in the High School. He was grad-
uated from the Albany Medical College with the degree of M. D. in 1892, and then
took an eight months' course in the New York Polyclinic Hospital and Medical Col-
lege. In 1893 he began his practice in Green Island, Albany county, where he has
since resided. He is a member of the Troy and Vicinity Medical Society, King Sol-
omon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., and Watervliet Lodge, Knights of
Pythias. April 20, 1896, Dr. McNab married Millie, daughter of John B. Groat, of
Green Island.
Soderstrom, Charles E., came from Sweden to America in 1881, then about thirty-
three years of age. In his native country he had learned the trade of machinist,
and soon secured a position with the Albany Iron Works, with whom he remained
for three years. In 1884 he went to Watervliet as a machinist. He was a a member of
the Free church of Sweden, and here in America belonging to the Methodist Epis-
copal church, which granted him the freedom of speaking for his country-people.
Lenway, W. A., was born in West Troy, December 11, 1849. The late Alexander
Lenway, his father, came to West Troy about 1835. The paternal grandfather of
W. A. Lenway came from France. Mr. Lenway was carefully educated at select
schools and at the Troy Business College. He has been officially connected with
canal administrations since 1880, at which date he was appointed chief clerk to
John H. Hulsapple, then a canal collector. Before his association with the canal
departments he was associated in a clerical capacity with F. B. Durant and William
Hollands in the fire insurance line. He spent five years in the D. &• H. freight office
as clerk and was for a time mate of a river steamer plying between Trov and New
York.
Pickett, Robert, youngest son of William and Mary (Egan) Pickett, both natives
of Ireland, immigrating to America about 1823 and 1820 respectively, was born in
West Troy, Albany county, March 9, 1850, and received his education at the parochial
school of St. Bridget's church. His father died in West Troy in 1853, aged fifty-
three, and his mother in April, 1889, aged eighty-seven. They had six sons and
three daughters. When nine years old Mr. Pickett entered the factory of Roy &
Co., and in 1868 began making cartridges in the Watervliet Arsenal. In 1*65 he re-
22
turned to the employ gf Roy & Co. ; in 1869 he was employed on a Hudson River
dredge; in 1870 he entered what is now the Troy and Rensselaer Iron Works;
in 1873 he found employment in the machine shop of the Arsenal; in 1874 he re-
turned to the steel works; and in 1876 he engaged in the grocery business in
West Troy. In 1882 he became a State patrolman under James Shanwahan, and six
years later again opened a restaurant, a business he had followed in 1881-82. No-
vember 18, 1894, he was appointed to his present position as inspector of customs
under John P. Masterson. October 11, 1878, he married Katie, daughter of John
Shaffer of Troy.
Visscher, Edward W., was born in Albany, April 5, 1870, and is descended from
one of the oldest families in this section. Bastiaen Visscher came from Hoorn, Hol-
land, to America, prior to 1644 and settled in what was then Rensselaerwyak, now
Albany. His son, Harmen B., was born there and had a son, Manning Visscher,
whose son Barent J. was baptized in Albany, March 13, 1737. Johannes B. Visscher,
son of Barent J. was born here September 4, 1769 and died April 15, 1825. His son,
John B. Visscher, was born here August 31, 1825, and married first, Ann, daughter
of Abraham R. and Annetje (Visscher) Ten Eyck, and second, Alida, daughter of
Douw and Jane Ann (Lieverse) Lansing. He died January 31, 1890. and was
survived by Edward W. Visscher and William L. Visscher. Edward W. Visscher
was educated in the Albany Academy and in 1887 entered the Mechanics' and
Farmers' Bank, with which he has since been connected. He is a member of the
Holland Society of New York and of the Fort Orange Club. In January. 1895, he
married Miss Mame E., daughter of Eugene P. Palmer of Chicago, 111.
Colburn, E. S., & Son. — Edwin S. Colburn, son of Jonathan Colburn, was born in
Jewett City, Conn., Jannary 5. 1829, and for about thirty years was engaged in farm-
ing at New Baltimore, N. Y., where he still resides. In 1884 he was engaged in the
commission business under the firm name of Colburn & Smith; in 1886 he purchased
part of the present confectionery and ice cream business in Albany, and a partner-
ship was formed under the firm name of Rawson & Colburn, which in 1888, became
Rawson, Colburn & Co. In 1888 this firm was succeeded by Mr. Colburn as sole owner
and in 1894 he admitted his son, Edwin E. to partnership, under the present style of
E. S. Colburn cl- Son.
Hills, James W., was born in Watervliet, now Colonie, in 1841. He is the son of
the late John Hills, of English descent. He has always been engaged in farming
and gardening, and in 1875 purchased the farm of Newton, known as the Newton
place, from whom the hamlet of Newtonville took its name. Mr. Hills is an up-to-
date and enterprising farmer, finding market for his product chiefly at Troy. Mrs.
Hills is a daughter of the late James McDonald of Delhi, Delaware county, brother-
in-law of the late Assemblyman John McDonald of Delaware county. Mrs. and Mrs.
Hills have two sons, Goldsmith and Donald E. Hills. They were educated at the
Troy Academy, State Normal and Albany Business College.
Heidrich, Charles A., born November 18, 1856, in Albany, is the son of John
Heidrich, a native of Germany, who came to Albany about 1854 and died here
in 1886, being a mason by trade and a prominent contractor and builder. After
finishing his education at the Albany Academy, Mr. Heidrich entered the architect-
23
ural office of John Cornelius and remained there five years. Meanwhile in L880 he
had associated himself with his father under the firm name of Heidrich & Son and
continued as a contractor until the latter's death in 1886, when he opened an
architectural office. Since then he devoted his whole time to architecture and
building and since 1882 has done a large amount of contracting, numbering among
his chief efforts the Fourth Reformed and St. Matthew's churches. He is a member
of Gnttenberg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M, Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. and
De Witt Clinton Council No. 22 R. & S. M. July 19. 1882, he married Elizabeth
Herzog of Albany and their children are Dora Elizabeth and Victor Carl.
Waters, M. B. , was born in Duxbury, Plymouth county, Mass., in October, 1831,
and is a descendant of good old Puritan stock. He had none of the advantages of
education so liberal in this day, but he was a great reader and seeker after knowl-
edge and always had a book with him, to which he applied himself during leisure
moments. His mind therefore became stored with very useful information, for he
read only those books from which he could derive practical knowledge and which
tended to strengthen his mind. He began railroading in 1851 on what was then the
Hudson River Road, now the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., and leaving there he went to
the Troy & Boston Railroad, now the Fitchburg Railroad, where he filled such posi-
tions as baggagemaster, ticket agent and freight and passenger train conductor.
He was also the first passenger agent and during the war was stationed in New
York with an office on Broadway. That office was abolished after the war and he
became connected with the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. as passenger train conductor. The
genial disposition and courteous manners which he showed in that capacity, emi-
nently qualified him for advancement and to-day he holds the position of general
passenger agent of the People's Line Steamers on the Hudson River. He has
traveled extensively throughout the United States, Mexico and the West Indies. Mr.
Waters is also a very interesting correspondent and has many times favored the
general public with letters to newspapers describing his travels. He was formerly
president of the Railroad Conductors' Insurance Company of the United States and
Canada and is now an active member of that body. He is also a life member of the
various Masonic bodies, from the Blue Lodge to the Mystic Shrine, and is also a
member of the International Association of Ticket Agents, also a member of the
American Association of General Passenger Agents. He is a very public spirited
citizen and nothing which will improve his home city, Troy, escapes his notice; and
he has written many articles setting forth his views on public matters which have
always carried great weight. Mr. Waters was married October 15, 1866, at North
Dorset, Vt., to a daughter of the Hon. Welcome Allen.
Gleason, James M., was born in Troy, N. Y. , August 25, 1860, and removed to
West Troy and Watervliet in 1865, where he has since resided. He was educated in the
public schools, Troy Christian Brothers' Academy and Troy Business College. At
an early age he became an active member of the West Troy I >ld Volunteer Fire De-
partment and served as foreman of the J. C. Dayton Hose Company, and as assist-
ant chief of the department until its disbandment in 1883, and is an exempt fireman.
Before and since attaining his majority he has taken an active part in politics as an
enthusiastic Democrat and is prominent in his party organization in city and county.
At the Watervliet town election in 1885 he was nominated and elected to the re-
24
sponsible office of collector of taxes and was re-elected in April, 1886. On January
1, 1887, he was appointed deputy court clerk by Hon. Robert H. Moore, county clerk,
and served for three years to January 1, 1890, when he was promoted and appointed
by Hon. A. C. Requa, county clerk elect, to the position of deputy county clerk,
which he held until the expiration of Mr. Requa's term of office December 31, 1892.
On December 4, 1893, he was appointed by Hon. Frank Campbell, State comptroller,
a commissioner to make an examination of the papers, books, records and docu-
ments in the office of the surrogate of Kings county, N. Y., relating to the enforce-
ment of the inheritance tax laws of the State of New York, and at the expiration of
his commission he retired to private life and engaged in business in Albany, N. Y.,
where he is still located. Mr. Gleason was married February 16, 1886, and resides
with his wife, two sons and three daughters, on Sixth avenue, in Watervliet, N. Y.
Godfrey, James H., was born on the site of his beautiful home, in 1841. He spent
his whole life with his father, the late George A. Godfrey, one of the first settlers.
Mr. Godfrey is a farmer and a dairyman, and his home is located so as to command
extended views of the lovely landscape, of which the Mohawk Valley is widely famed.
Baldwin, H. W. , the shoe dealer of 29 North Pearl street, is, like a large propor-
tion of Albany's prominent merchants, a self-made man. His business career com-
menced in New York city, where, when quite a young man, he laid the foundation
for the knowledge which was to be of great benefit to him in conducting an estab-
lishment of his own. He came here from New York in 1888 and started in business
at his present location, succeeding Sherman & Green. By close application and
acuteness in buying goods, he built up his trade to such an extent that up to the
present time he has had to enlarge his store three times, until now he occupies com-
modious quarters fitted up in the most modern style. Mr. Baldwin's last improve-
ment was made about a year ago when he nearly doubled the space of his main
floor. Mr. Baldwin's business acumen is hereditary. His father was one of the
largest lumber dealers in Buffalo and built one of the first houses on the famous
Delaware avenue of that city. Mr. Baldwin was born in Buffalo in 1855, and spent
his boyhood there.
McNeil, Thomas J., was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, in 1860. He is the
son of John McNeil, a linen manufacturer, who came to America with his family
in 1866, and located in the city of Albany, N. Y. In 1872 they moved to Cohoes,
N. Y. McNeil, the elder, was employed by the Harmony Company as an overseer
and cloth expert ; he remained with that company for twelve years, when he re-
signed. After that time, and until his death in September, 1894, he was employed
by the Tivoli Knitting Mill Company. Thomas J. enlisted in the 7th Separate Com-
pany, State Militia, in 1880, being that time twenty years of age. His record in
that company is as follows: Private, May 15, 1880; sergeant, April 18, 1883; first
sergeant, June 18, 1884; second lieutenant, June 20, 1884; first lieutenant, March 15,
1889; resigned (honorable discharge), December 30, 1890; re-enlisted, January 12,
1891 ; corporal, February 16, 1891 ; sergeant, November 9, 1891 ; first sergeant, May
2, 1892. At the present time he is first sergeant of the company and also drill,
master. His rating as drillmaster and tactician is of the highest. He received the
appointment as armorer of the above named company in 1883, which position he
25
now so capably and acceptably fills. He was married January 21, 1885. to Elizabeth
Fisher Hume, a daughter of George Hume of Cohoes, N. Y.
Targett, Alfred E., is a pioneer in the laundry business of Cohoes. his establish-
ment being the first of its kind here. It was first an adjunct to his hat and furnish-
ing goods business organized in 1873, and the washing was done by hand. Now the
extensive establishment contains all the modern machinery of an up-to-date laundry.
Mr. Targett was born in England in 1842 and was the son of Charles Targett. He
came to this country in 1846 and with his parents settled in Danbury, Conn. In
1853 he moved to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm about two years, when he
returned to Danbury, Conn., and worked for a while in a fur factory; then went to
Bethel, Conn., and learned the trade of hat finishing, after which he returned to
Danbury and attended the academy and prepared for college, which he entered in
1862 and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1866 with the degree of
A. B., being a classmate of Hon. George Raines of Rochester. After graduation he
returned to Danbury, Conn., went into the music business and also taught singing
in the public schools, an accomplishment he had acquired with his other studies.
He came to Cohoes in 1872, where he has ever been highly esteemed as a man, and
appreciated for his musical talent. He is an accomplished tenor singer, and sings
in various churches. He served for several years as alderman of the Third ward.
Wheeler, Frederick F., son of John C. and Adaline (Freeman) Wheeler, was born
in Oshkosh, Wis.. February 25, 1859, and was educated at the Vineland, N. J.,
Academy, where the family settled in 1864. In 1882 he came to Albany and the
same year established his present furniture business. He was one of the organizers
of the Albany Chamber of Commerce in 1890, and has since been a director and the
secretary. He organized the South End Bank, was continuously one of its directors
and during the first five years was its first vice-president. He is an associate director
of the National Life Association of Hartford, Conn., was one of the founders and is
vice-president and director of the West End Savings and Loan Association of Albany
and was an originator and officer of the West End Association, designed to effect
improvements in the western part of the city. In politics he has been from youth up
a Prohibitionist, casting his first vote (the only Prohibition vote cast in Cumberland
county, N. J.) for Neal Dow for president in 1880. He has never voted any other
ticket. In 1884 he was elected chairman of the State General and State Executive
Prohibition Committees and served five years, declining further service in this
capacity. During that period the Prohibition ticket received the highest vote ever
given it in this State. He is still a member of the Prohibition State Executive
Committee and in 1896 was elected a member of the National Prohibition Commit-
tee. December 24, 1879, he married Alice Amsden of North Walden, Vt., who died
July 22, 1891, leaving four children : Herbert A., Fannie A., Alice A., and Effie A.
June (i, 1893, he married, second, Hattie Hall of Leslie, Mich.
Long & Silsby. — The carriage manufacturing firm of Long &• Silsby was founded
in 1847, by James Long and Henry W. Silsby, who successfully carried on an exten-
sive business until 1888, when Mr. Long purchased his partner's interest and became
sole owner. Mr. Silsby was a blacksmith and was born at sea about 1815. Mr. Long,
a native of Ireland, came to America in 1824 and spent his active life in Albany. He
36
was a practical wagonmaker and after the retirement of his partner, carried on the
business alone until February, 1892, when his sons, Le Roy Y. and John S., were
admitted. He died in November, following, and since then his two sons have con-
ducted the establishment, which is one of the oldest of the kind in this city. The
original firm name has always been retained. This concern is widely known, has
continuallv enjoyed an extensive trade of the best class and makes a specialty of the
finer work.
Keeler, John, sou of Daniel and Margaret (Murphy) Keeler, was born in Albany,
N. Y., January 7, 1843. He received a common school education and in 1865 went
to work in the restaurant of his brother William, on Green street. In 1871 he suc-
ceeded his brother in the management of the Green street restaurant and remained
there until July, 1884, when he and his brother formed a partnership and opened a
restaurant at No. 56 State street. In 1890 Mr. Keeler again assumed management
of the Green street restaurant and since then his sons, William H. and John, have
been the proprietors of the State street restaurant.
Harris, Julius F., son of Marvin C. and Huldah (Dickinson) Harris, was born in
the town of Queensbury, Warren county, N. Y., January 3, 1839. Thomas Harris,
born in 1576, came from England and ran the ferry from Boston to Winnisimmet and
Charlestown. Joseph Harris, who was directly descended from said Thomas Harris,
the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch lived in the town of Queensbury,
served in the Revolution and originally came from Dutchess county. William D.
Harris, the grandfather of Julius F., was a prosperous farmer living in the town of
Queensbury. Julius F. Harris was educated at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute,
from which he was graduated in 1863. Soon after he removed to Albany, N. Y.,
studied law with Col. William H. King, was graduated from the Albany Law School
in 1882 and was admitted to the bar in the same year. He has since practiced law
in Albany. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and is a class
leader in the Ash Grove M. E. church.
Dreis, L. Theodore A., son of Anthony and Catherine (Geimer) Dreis, was born in
Albany, N. Y. , January 24, 1868. He was educated in the public and private
schools and at the age of eleven years was apprenticed to W. H. Slingerland & Sons,
civil engineers, with whom he remained eighteen years and in addition carried on
quite extensively the real estate and insurance business. Augnst 1, 1896, he went
with the Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Railroad, with whom he is at present.
He is secretary of Co. D, 10th Battalion, N. G. N. Y., and was for three years
financial and corresponding secretary of the Capital City Club and is at present. In
1895 he represented the Capital City Club at the convention of the National League
of Republican Clubs at Cleveland, Ohio, as delegate. He is at present orator
of Germania Council No. 110, C. B. L., recording secretary of the City Club and
president of the Young Men's Society of the Holy Cross church and was the organ-
izer of that body. He has been for four years the Republican president of the Third
district of the Second ward, and at the last primary was re-elected by a vote of 64 to
25. He is also a prominent member of the Republican League. That he is prom-
inent among the young men is assured by the great esteem he is held in and in
society he is a prominent figure. Invitations are refused owing to the surplus of
meetings.
27
Burdick G. Dudley, son of G. W. and Mary Elizabeth (Van Antwerp) Burdick, was
born in Albany, July 19, 1842. He was educated in the public schools and learned
the trade of mason, which he followed until 1878, when he engaged in his present
business of contractor and builder. He built the Tweddle Building, the Dudley Ob-
servatory, the Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Building, the Madison Avenue
Presbyterian church and Wolfert's Roost and many other notable structures. Mr.
Burdick is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. and of the board of
deacons of the State Street Presbyterian church. He served seven years in the old
volunteer fire department and in Co. B, 10th Regiment, N. Y. N. G. December 26,
1876, he married Emma Havard, daughter of John Havard of Brooklyn, N. V., who
died November 24, 1881, leaving a son and daughter, Clarke Havard and Mary
Louise. Clarke Havard died March 6, 1883. October 10, 1884, he married Juliette,
daughter of Epraim Hotaling, of Albany, N. Y.
Wands, John B., was born in the town of New Scotland, X. Y., June 13, 1833. The
first of the Wands to come to America were two cousins, James and John Wands;
they were Scotch Highlanders, and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the
English army and came to Canada to take part in the French and English war
(1754 to 176£), having enlisted as volunteers for three months; they served their
time, and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods of New York
State, toward Albany, and finally located in what is now New Scotland; their settle-
ment dates about 1762. Ebenezer Wands, the grandfather of our subject, was
another of these hardy Scotch pioneers; he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was
also a weaver by trade; he was a cousin of James and John, who had preceded him
a few years to America; he married Mary Ann Miller and came to America imme-
diately after, probably about 1780, and settled on a tract of land, about 400 acres,
which he purchased for two dollars per acre, and began clearing him a home, and
plied his trade winters. He reared eight sons and three daughters; the sons all be-
came tradesmen, some blacksmiths, wagonmakers, carpenters, weavers, etc., and
among them they grew and manufactured everything needed on the farm. He died
when eighty eight years of age. Benjamin Wands, father of our subject and the
fourth son of his father's -children, was born in New Scotland in 1797. He learned
the weaver's trade from his father; he afterward became a farmer, owning a farm of
sixty acres, which he operated, and plied his trade winters. In politics he was first
a Whig, later a Republican, and, though not an aspirant to public office, he mani-
fested an active interest in the electing of his party ticket. His wife was Margaret
Wands, who was born in New Scotland in 1797, daughter of James 2, who was the
son of James 1, the pioneer; they reared live sons and five daughters. He died in
1865 and his wife in 187:;. John B. Wands worked on his father's farm until he was
seventeen years of age, when he went to Albany and engaged as cartman, which
position he occupied for five years; he then accepted a position as porter in a whole-
sale grocery store, where he remained six years, and in 1864 engaged with Mather
Bros., as shipper in their wholesale grocery; he remained with them over twenty-
four years, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to resign his position.
In 1888 he moved to Voorheesville, where he engaged in the retail general mercantile
business, and where he has since remained. Mr. Wands is a Republican in politics.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth Lodge, Albany, in which he
28
often officiated. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, American Lodge,
No. 32, of which he is past noble grand, and was also on the district grand commit-
tee for years. In addition to his other interests Mr. Wands has been for a number
of years interested in the manufacture of soap in Kingston, N. Y. In 1855 he mar-
ried Sarah J. Drew, of Albany, daughter of Robert and Sarah Drew, natives of
London, England, by whom he had three children: Emma, wife of Slater Swift, of
New Scotland ; Grace, wife of Carey Martin ; and Robert B. Wands.
Lord, Edmund J., was born in Lancashire, England, in 1820. At an early age he
came to America and settled in Albany, where he engaged as a clerk in a grocery
store, winning the respect of his employer by constant attention to business and
those traits which foretold his later success. After years of hard work, in which
pluck, perseverance and rigid economy played active parts, he succeeded in saving
sufficient money to start the business with which he has been identified, and in 1841
established a grocery on the northeast corner of Washington avenue and Hawk
street, opposite where the capitol now stands. Possessed of unusual business qual-
ifications, it was not surprising that the work which he had begun on a small scale,
should, in the course of a comparatively few years, increase to such a degree as to
prove highly profitable and remunerative. In 1870 he moved to larger and more
commodious quarters at the northwest corner of Washington avenue and Hawk
street, where he continued in business until his death, September 22, 1895. The
business since then has been conducted by his son, Edmund W. Lord, who inherits
much of his father's business ability. In the constant rush and excitement attend-
ant upon a business life, Mr. Lord never forgot the important duties to be performed
in his home, and it was there the amiable disposition and kind heart were ever mani-
fest. He was a devoted Presbyterian and while he loved his Creator and served
Him as best he could, he did not neglect to practice that charity without which there
can be little religious sincerity. He was also a member of the St. George Benev-
olent Society and several fraternal organizations. As a citizen, Mr. Lord was
highly esteemed and respected. A Republican in principle, he stood ever ready to
give his undivided and active support to his party when the exigencies of the hour
demanded.
Hendrickson, Howard, was born in Albany, November 20, 1859, and is the son of
the late Jacob Hendrickson, who for many years kept a large wholesale grocery on
the dock and died in July, 1879. Mr. Hendrickson was educated in the public
schools of Albany and subsequently entered a job printing office, where he worked
for three years. He then entered the law office of S. W. Whitmore, meantime tak-
ing a course of lectures at the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated
May 25, 1882, being immediately admitted to the bar by the General Term of the
Supreme Court. Opening a law office he commenced the active practice of his pro-
fession, which is varied and extensive. In 1895 he was elected alderman of the Six-
teenth ward and during that year served as president of the Common Council,
receiving the largest majority ever given a candidate in that ward. In politics he is
an influential Republican. He was the organizer of the Commercial Union Co-
operative Bank and at present is its attorney and a member "of the board of man-
agers. He is the owner of considerable Albany real estate. He is a member of
Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., and has passed through all its chairs. He is
29
a member of Capital City Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, De Witt Clinton Council
of Royal Select Masons, Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T. , and of Cypress Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he is also a member of Will-
iam Lacy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F.
Geer, Robert, son of James L. and Prudence Almira (Gallup) Geer, was born in
Norwich, Conn., March 23, 1837. His mother died in 1847. His father was a
cabinetmaker, a builder, and later was engaged in the auction and commission busi-
ness. About 1873 he retired and now lives in Norwich. Mr. Geer received a public
school education ; when fifteen he became a clerk in a drug store in Norwich, and
three years later its owner. In 1861 he removed the stock to Syracuse, N. Y., and
in 1864 sold out. April 20, 1864, he came to Albany as the local representative of the
Salt Company of Onondaga, whose business he has managed ever since, becoming
proprietor in 1871. In 1879 he also engaged in the flour and feed trade with Chester
F. Bouton, as Bouton & Geer, and continued until Mr. Bouton's death in 1886. Thr%e
years later he discontinued this business. In 1892 he formed the Robert Geer Salt
company, incorporated, and has since carried on the old salt business under that
name as vice-president and manager. Mr. Geer has been prominently identified
with several enterprises. He has been a trustee of the Home Savings Bank since
1884 and president of the Homestead Savings and Loan Association since its organ-
ization in 1888. A Republican in politics, he was supervisor of the Fourteenth ward
of Albany from 1880 to 1886, was candidate for member of assembly in 1885, but
withdrew because of a split in the party, and was candidate for senator in
1886, but was defeated by Hon. Amasa J. Parker, although he ran ahead of
his ticket. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City
Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Tem-
ple Commandery No. 2, K. T., Cypress Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and all the Scot-
tish Rite bodies 32°. He is a trustee of the Y. M. C. A., a member and for four
years master workman of Capital City Lodge, A. O. U. W., senior vestryman of
St. Paul's church, for fifteen years treasurer and trustee of the Albany Hospital for
Incurables, and for the past ten years secretary of the Board of Albany Pier Pro-
prietors. In October, 1860, he married Mary Sophia, daughter of William Gere of
Syracuse, who died in 1886, leaving two children: Frederick Lewis and Clara Lovisa.
In October, 1869, he married, second, Rhoda Kellogg Shedd, daughter of Ephraim
Shedd of Jordan, N, Y. She died in December, 1882, leaving one son, Arthur Ham-
ilton. In April. 1884, Mr. Geer married, third, Julia, daughter of Henry Richmond
of Albany.
Flanders, George Lovell, son of Arthur and Mary (Lovell) Flanders, was born in
the town of Parishville, St. Lawrence county, February 29, 1856. He received his
education in the Potsdam Normal School and during the years of 1881 and 1882 he
was a teacher in the Madrid Union School. He studied law in the office of Parker &
Mclntyre in Potsdam, and later was graduated from the Albany Law School and
admitted to the bar and to practice in the United States Circuit Court. In the fall
of 1883 he removed to Albany and in May, 1884, was appointed assistant state dairy
commissioner, at the time of the creation of the department. The title of his office
has since been changed to that of assistant commissioner of agriculture, an office
which he has retained under every commissioner appointed. Mr. Flanders was one
30
of the first to advocate the creation of the department. He is a member of Ancient
City Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arcanum. In April, 1885, he married
Catharine South wick, daughter of William Keeler, of Albany, and they have two
daughters: Lillian Lovell and Marian Southwick.
Friend, Charles M., was born in Albany, November 10, 1869, and is a son of
Meyer and Caroline (Goodman) Friend. Meyer Friend, born in Saxemeinegen,
Saxony, Germany, December 4, 1809, came to Albany about 1838, among the first
Jewish settlers and died here in 1890. He was a jeweler, one of the organizers, vice-
president and trustee of the old Jewish synagogue and a prominent citizen among
his race. He had eight children, the younger being the subject of this sketch.
Charles M. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read law with and
became managing clerk for Eaton & Kirchwey, attended the Albany Law School
and was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 1891. He remained with his preceptors
until January, 1892, when he was made assistant to the second deputy under Attor-
ney-General Simon W. Rosendale, a position he held until December 31, 1893. He
was then associated with Hon. James M. Eaton, district attorney of Albany county,
until March, 1895, when he opened an office for himself. He is an active Democrat,
a member of the Albany Democratic club, secretary of the Adelphi Club, president
of Gideon Lodge, No. 140, I. O. B. B., a member of Capital City Lodge, No. 440, I.
( ). < ). F., and treasurer of Beth Emeth Sunday School. In 1896 he was appointed
special law examiner in the civil service department of the State of New York.
North, Howard C, has been a railroad man since he was twenty-four years old,
and has steadily climbed the ladder of advancement. He entered the service of the
New York & < >swego Midland, now the Ontario & Western, as clerk and telegrapher
in 1874, and in 1875 came to Green Island as an operator for the Delaware & Hud-
son Canal Company. In 1880 he was appointed assistant train dispatcher, and in
1883 chief dispatcher. In 1887, after acting as agent in Green Island for about a
year, he was appointed assistant superintendent of Saratoga & Champlain division,
the important position he now so acceptably fills after a quarter of a century asso-
ciation with the company. He was born at Guilford, N. Y. , July 4, 1852. He was
the son of Erastus B. North, of old English ancestry.
Wiswall. — Among the old families of the town of Colonie, few have been longer
or more favorably known, or more associated with the business and social life of the
locality than Ebenezer Wiswall si\, and his sons Ebenezer Wiswall, jr., and John
Parker Wiswall. Of puritan stock Ebenezer Wiswall, sr., came from Boston about
1810 and became a member of the Farm Companies of South Troy, West Troy, and
Cohoes; his connection with which for nearly fifty years gave him the wide ac-
quaintance with the business men of his time which his descendants still enjoy.
John Parker Wiswall, who died in 1875, the father of Edward H. Wiswall of the
present time, married Sarah Mark, a member of another old English family in
Watervliet. His widow is still living with a married daughter at the old homestead.
Tupper, Horace D., one of the most estimable, enterprising and public spirited
citizens of the town of Colonie. Mr. Tupper's surroundings at his place of business,
at the junction of the two canals above West Troy, attest something of his energy
and originality. He was born at Glens Falls, September 20, 1S44, and by the death
31
of his father, when yet a little boy, was thrown very early upon his own resources, to
which event perhaps must be ascribed some of his rugged and indomitable charac-
ter. In his early years of manhood, he followed boating on the canals, and is still
largely interested in that line of business, but his interests are multiplied. He
operates two saw-mills, two large farms, a brick yard, and the " Crescent" drydock,
beside timbered lands near Lake George and a line of boats, employing 10") men,
also two large wholesale ice houses, one on Mohawk Basin and one at Crescent. In
the midst of all these bustling, exacting interests, Mr. Tupper has found time fin-
much in the way of practical benevolence.
Mills, Charles H., son of Borden H. and Harriet N. (Hood) Mills, was born in
Knowlesville, Orleans county, N. Y., June 21, 1851, and moved with his parents to
Albany in 1857. Borden H. Mills was a member of the wholesale Hour firm of Mills
\- McMartin, on Broadway, and died here in 1873. He was a prominent Republican
leader and alderman of the Tenth ward. Charles H. Mills attended the Albany High
School, was graduated from Union College in 1872, and read law with John M.
Carroll, of Johnstown, N. Y., and was graduated from the Albany Law School and
admitted to the bar in 1873. He practiced in Johnstown until 1875, and since then
in Albany, being since 1889 senior member of the law firm of Mills & Bridge (Charles
F. Bridge). He is a Republican, was president of the Albany Board of Excise in
1895. This board raised the license from sixty dollars to §200, and thereby increased
the city's income from licenses from 847,000 to §114,000. He was president of the
Y. M. C. A. two terms, 1883-84, when funds were raised for the present building,
and during this period was interested in liquidating the old debt and in creating a
large surplus for the association, which he has served as a director since 1882, being
now the oldest member of the board. He is the editor and author of several law
books, a member of the Temple Lodge Xo. 14, F. & A. M., and Capital City Chapter,
No. 242, R. A. M., and a member of the Sons of the Revolution, through his great-
grandfather, George Mills, who served under Arnold, was captured at Quebec and
after six months a prisoner was exchanged, was one of the guard at the execution
of Major Andre, and was with Sullivan through the New Jersey campaign and for
two years United States pensioner.
Macfarlaue, William I)., son of Robert, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Junes, is."):;
Robert Macfarlane, born in Rutherglen, Scotland, came to America in 1835 and died
in Brooklyn, December 20, 1883. He was originally a dyer, but later was senior
editor of the Scientific American for over seventeen years. In 1864 he came to Al-
bany and bought of Mrs. John McDuffy, the old Albany Dye Works, which he con-
tinued until 1874, when he returned to Brooklyn. He was prominent in Albany as
a Scotchman, was president of the Burns Club and St. Andrews Society, and a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F. and Albany Institute. William D. Macfarlane was graduated
from the Albany Boys' Academy in 1872, afterwards learned the business of dyer
with his father, and in 1S74. with his brother, Robert F., succeeded to the proprietor-
ship of the old Albany Dye Works at No. 24 Norton street. This was the first dye
house in Albany, being established by Peter Martin in 1823. Robert F. Macfarlane
withdrew in 1891 and since then William has continued the business alone. He has
about twenty-three branches, of which all but three are located outside the city. He
is a member of St. Andrews Society, the Burns Club, and was for seventeen years a
32
member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, is now and has been a director of the Albany
Musical Association since its reorganization in 1891, also a member of the Uncon-
ditional Club. He is married and has a family of three children two sons and one
daughter.
Lundergan, John, is one of the most respected and oldest residents of the locality.
The trite saying, "that he is a self made man," became invested with fresh signifi-
cance, when applied to Mr. Lundergan. He was born in Ireland, March 16, 1821,
and came to America when four years of age. In 1832, after the death of his mother,
at Montreal, he came to the vicinity of Albany, and has lived here for sixty-four
years. He began life in the most humble way as a farm hand, but was very frugal
and had no bad habits. He was enabled to rent a small tract of land and became
his own master in 1845. In 1848 he went to California via Cape Horn, and returned
via the isthmus. Here he obtained the nucleus of his present considerable fortune,
and soon began to purchase additionals to his original homestead. His most recent
acquisition was the extensive fair grounds situated opposite his home, on the Troy
road. Mr. Lundergan devoted his time to the business, which has occupied most of
his long and useful life, that of extensive market gardening. His youngest son,
Frank, is a dry goods merchant, at New York city. His oldest son. Adrian, man-
ages home affairs. Mr. Lundergan is held in the highest esteem wherever he is
known.
Hobbs, Edward A., son of David and Abigail (Pratt) Hobbs, was born in the town
of Charlton, Mass., August 15, 1838. Mr. Hobbs's ancestors came to America from
England in the early part of the eighteenth century and located in Massachusetts.
His grandfather, Joseph Pratt, was the captain of a Massachusetts company in the
war of 1812. Mr. Hobbs attended the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt.,
in the winter of 1857, and afterward attended the State Normal School for one term.
For three winters he taught school in Columbia county, and in May, 1861, removed
to Albany, N. Y., where he was for nine years engaged in the grocery business at
No. 5 Clinton avenue, the firm name being Hobbs &sBedell. He then moved to No.
7 Clinton avenue, where he was also located nine years, from 1870 to 1879. For four
years he was in partnership with Frank Van Salisbury. Since 1874 Mr. Hobbs has
been engaged in the grocery business alone. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Hobbs bought
the property on the corner of North Pearl street and Clinton avenue and in 1879 he
occupied it and has ever since been located there. He is an active member of the
Fourth Presbyterian church and on May 13, 1889, was elected an elder and has held
the office ever since. He was elected a trustee in 1884, 1887, 1890, 1893 and 1896.
October 21, 1862, he married Celestia A., daughter of Palmer Miller of Schodack,
N. Y.
Grady, Thomas G., is one of the leading merchants of West Troy. In 1881 he
first began the merchant tailor business here, where he has since carried on a large
enterprise. In 1886 he opened a new store, which has advanced his interest in a
most satisfactory manner. He was born in Cincinnati, O. , in 1859, and is a son of
John A. Grady, a hotel keeper, now of Toronto. At the age of sixteen he learned
the tailor's trade at Xenia, O. Mr. Grady is collector of the Society of Royal Arca-
num and enjoys wide popularity among his fellowmen.
33
Gallien, Henry, son of Henry and Eliza M. (George) Gallien, was born in Albany,
N. Y., December 2, 1861. His father was born on the Isle of Guernsey and when
sixteen years of age came to America and located in Albany, where for thirty years
he was in the canal department and State comptroller's office, and for the last fifteen
years that he was there held the offices of second deputy and deputy, holding the
latter office at the time of his death in 1883. Henry Gallien was educated in the
Boys' Academy, State Normal School, Public School No. 11 and the Albany High
School, after which he was for a time in C. H. Van Benthuysen's paper warehouse.
Subsequently he went to the Albany County Bank and the National Commercial Bank,
where he remained eight years, and later was teller at the Park Bank of Albany for
two years. From the Park Bank he went to the Exchange Bank, where he held the
position of teller for three years, and left in 1894, to engage in business with his
brother, E. J. Gallien, dealing in investment securities, with whom he remained one
year. Then after a few months' experience as an expert accountant he was ap-
pointed by Commissioner Lyman, in April, 1896, auditor of the State Excise De-
partment. Mr. Gallien is a member of Ridgefield Athletic Club, of which he is a
trustee, and has held the office of secretary for three years. He was for one term
financial secretary of the Albany Bicycle Club and organized the Albany Count}'
Wheelmen. He held the office of secretary and treasurer of the organization and
subsequently held the offices of president and captain. He represented the Albany
Bicycle Club and the Albany County Wheelmen for several years in the National
Assembly, L. A. W., and is a member of the auditing committee of that body. For
two years he has been treasurer of the Albany Press Club and is a director and
member of the Albany Musical Association. Mr. Gallien is also a Mason, being a
member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A, M.
Blair, Elmer, son of Robert S. and Jane E. (Steen) Blair, was born in Fort Hun-
ter, N. Y., May 13, 1862. He was graduated from the Cobleskill Academy in 1881,
when he removed to Albany to continue his studies, where he became an expert
stenographer. After a short time spent in the office of M. V. B. Bull, he entered
the service of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company as stenographer, and sub-
sequently became confidential clerk to Dudley Farlin and H. S. Marcy, general
freight agent and traffic manager, respectively, of that company. He held this
position for five years, when he became the private secretary of Dudley Farlin, hav-
ing charge of the private interests of that gentleman, which embraced operations
on a large scale in the Lima, O., oil fields, and the developing of the electric light-
ing business in various parts of this State. During this time Mr. Blair personally
established and installed the electric lighting plants of Norwich and Cooperstown,
N. Y., and became the treasurer and general manager of the corporation in each of
those places which controlled its gas and electric lighting facilities. Upon the re-
tirement of Mr. Farlin from active business, Mr. Blair accepted a position, in 1892,
with the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad Company, having charge, under
Chief Engineer William N. Roberts, of the business department of the construction
force of that road, and upon its completion he became the private secretary to Ed-
ward M. Burns, its general manager, and later his confidential agent, having
charge of Dr. William Seward Webb's Adirondack camp site properties, until Jan-
uary 1, 1895. Mr. Blair then turned his attention to the study of law and removed
34
to Rochester, N. Y., where he read law in the office of Harris & Harris and prac-
ticed stenography in the courts until the following September, when he returned to
Albany and became the private secrerary of Col. William Cary Sanger, member of
assembly from the Second Oneida district. He continued in Colonel Sanger's em-
ploy during the legislative session of 1896, and after the passage of the liquor tax
law was appointed chief stenographer to the State Department of Excise. Mr.
Blair was treasurer of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1888, collecting
during his incumbency the .?100,000 building fund for Harmanus Bleecker Hall. On
the expiration of his term as treasurer he was elected manager of the association
for three years. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. ; Tem-
ple Chapter, R. A. M. ; De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M. ; Little Falls Com-
mandery; Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. , of Utica; and Mount Herman Lodge,
I. O. O. F., of Albany. On October 22, 1895, he married Ella L. Holliday of
Oneida, N. Y.
Jewett, Frederick G., son of Harry and Loraine (Goodsell) Jewett, was born in
Owego, Tioga county, New York, in 1846. His ancestors on both sides were from
New England, though his father was born in Putnam county, and his grandfather
and great-grandfather in Dutchess county, New York, the latter (John) having been
a Revolutionary soldier. Frederick was educated in the public schools and at the
Owego Academy. His first employment after leaving school was in the Owego
post-office, which position he left to accept one on the United States Military Rail-
roads in 1864. At the close of the war he accepted service with what was then the
Atlantic and Great Western Railway, now a part of the Erie system, where he re-
mained in various capacities until 1883 ; residing the greater portion of the time at
Jamestown, N. Y. Having been engaged in railroad work in Ohio in the mean
time, he went to Syracuse, N. Y. , in 1890 as manager of the Central New York Car
Service Association which was organized by the railroads of the State at that time,
and in 1893 came to Albany, the offices of the association having been removed here
in September of that year. He is a member of various Masonic bodies ; the A. A.
O. M. S., and of other fraternal organizations. Mr. Jewett married Lucy, a daugh-
ter of Doctor David and Louisa (Ransom) E aril of Tioga county, New York, Mrs.
Jewett being a descendant of Samuel Ransom, a captain in the Continental Army,
who was killed at the massacre of Wyoming, Pa., July 3, 1778.
Sanders, Eugene, son of David B. and Elizabeth (Bennis) Sanders, was born in
Fort Edward, N. Y., February 3, 1864, and received his education in his native vil-
lage. In 1889 he came to Albany as traveling salesman for Rogers & Ruso, dealers
in typewriters and supplies, and two years later engaged in that business for him-
self, continuing until the spring of 1894. In 1893 he also engaged in the bicycle and
supply trade, and since 1894 has given this his whole attention, handling a number
of high grade wheels. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., the
Ridgefield Athletic Club and the Albany County Wheelmen. In October, 1890, he
married Clara E., daughter of Oramel E. Bostwick of Stillwater, N. Y.
McHench, David B., born September 21, 1826, in Albany, is the only son of Will-
iam McHench, born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1789, died in Albany in 1873. William
and his brother ran a grist mill for some years at Kenwood, afterward was connected
with the Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank for forty-two years. He married Margaret
35
Boyd of Schenectady, daughter of David Boyd, the first president of the Mohawk
Bank and was president until his death in 1834. Four children are now living.
David B. McHench, attended the Albany Academy, and when nineteen became a
clerk in a wholesale dry goods house in his native city. Ten years later he entered
the office of a stove foundry and remained about nine years, and for fourteen years
afterward was bookkeeper for a charcoal blast furnace at Richmond, Mass. In
1877 he returned to Albany and shortly afterward established his present business,
paper box manufacturing. He is one of the oldest and best known paper box man-
ufacturers in the city. In 1857 he married Sarah E., daughter of the late Charles
Dillon of Albany, the first manufacturer of fire brick in the State, and they have had
two daughters, Laura (Mrs. Franklin H. Jones also of Albany) and Margaret Boyd,
deceased.
Ellis, Joseph, Whitcomb, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Whitcomb) Ellis, was born
in Springfield, Vt., September 18, 1829. His ancestors were English and lived in the
vicinity of Boston, Mass. He began his school education early and at four years of
age was a pupil in a family boarding school in Perkinsville, Vt. He completed his
preparation for college at the Wesleyan Seminary in Springfield, Vt., and was gradu-
ated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1858, ranking first in mathe-
matics. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and three years later re-
ceived the degree of M. A. After his graduation he engaged in teaching and soon
acquired a reputation as a superior teacher of mathematics. For thirty-five years he
has been teaching continuously in the educational institutions of the State of New
York. He taught in the seminaries at Fairfield, Oneida, Whitestown and in Cook
Academy at Havana, N. Y. (now Montour Falls). While at the latter place he was
appointed examiner of mathematics and science in the New York State Board
of Regents at Albany, N. Y., which position he still holds. Professor Ellis is a mem-
ber of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. February 5, 1863, he married Philena J.
Knox of Knoxboro, Oneida county, N. Y. They have had three children, Mary, now
on the staff of the New York State Library, J. William, a lawyer in Buffalo, and
Clara.
Dvvight, Harvey Lyman, son of Harvey A. and Mary I. (Burton) Dwight, was
born in Albany. N. V., September 14, 1871. He is descended from an old line of
ancestors, the first of whom in this country being one of the settlers of Dedham,
Mass., in 1634. Mr. Dwight received his education in the Albany Academy and was
graduated from that institution in 1888. He then entered into business with his
father at No. 117 Pier, Albany, where he is now employed. December 5, 1889, he
enlisted in Co. A, 10th Batt, N. G. N. Y., and so well did he acquit himself as a
soldier, that he was very rapidly promoted. December 2, 1891, he was appointed a
a corporal; January 25, 1892, a sergeant; and on June 5, 1893, he was appointed ad-
jutant of the Tenth Battalion.
Van Antwerp, Daniel Lewis, son of William and Sarah (Meadon) Van Antwerp
(see sketch of John Henry Van Antwerp for genealogy), was born in Albany, Octo-
ber 6, 1826, and received a public school and academic education. He learned the
trade of bookbinder with A. L. Harrison, who had established himself in Albany
about 1843, and whom Mr. Van Antwerp succeeded in 1852. This is one of the old-
est, as well as one of the best equipped bookbinding and blank book manufacturing
36
establishments in the city, and under Mr. Van Antwerp's able management has en-
joyed a prosperous career. The business for many years has been located at No. 16
James street, where a large trade in all kinds of mercantile and other stationery is
conducted and where printing and engraving are also done.
Angus, Charles H., son of Charles and Mary (Pearl) Angus, was born in Albany,
N. Y. , in 1868. He attended the Albany public and High Schools and learned the
carpenter trade with the firm of Gick & Sayles, with whom he remained five years.
In 1888 he entered the employ of the Albany Venetian Blind Co. as superintendent and
manager, and soon after became a stockholder. In 1889, however, owing to the
pressure of personal business, he sold his interest in the latter business and confined
his attention to overhauling property at Castleton, N. Y. In October, 1890, Mr.
Angus bought from the estate of E. S, Foster, the nickel plating works established
in 1884 by George F. Dodge, and located on Pleasant street. In 1894 Mr. Angus
moved the plant to Nos. 317 and 319, North Pearl street and changed the name to
the Albany Nickel Plating and Manufacturing Works, where he does a general
foundry, machine and plating business, and manufacturing hardware specialties.
August 26, 1889, he married Phoebe M. Vose of Albany, and they have one daughter,
Helen.
Sabin, Charles H., was born in Williamstown, Mass., August 24, 1868. His father
was Thomas Sabin, and his mother, Cordelia Eldridge, was the daughter of Col. Reu-
ben E. Eldridge. The Sabins were early settlers in America, the first coming to America
early in the seventeenth century. Charles H. Sabin received his education at Grey-
lock Institute in South Williamstown, Mass., and in 1886 removed to Albany,
N. Y. For two and one-half years he was employed in the office of Henry Russell,
flour merchant, and for the two years and one-half following, held a clerkship in the
National Commercial Bank. He left the latter institution to accept the position of
teller in the Park Bank of Albany, which place he filled for five years, and on
February 1, 1895, he was appointed cashier of the bank. At the time of his appoint-
ment he was the youngest cashier in New York State. Mr. Sabin has been prom-
inently identified with the Ridgefield Athletic Club as treasurer for four years and as
captain of the foot ball eleven. He is a member of the Young Men's Association
and has been its treasurer for three years ; he is also a member of the Fort Orange
Club and of the Old Guard, Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y.
Allen, Gen. D. Frank, is the son of William and Catharine (Wadleigh) Allen, and
was born in Boston, Mass., December 25, 1843. He is a descendant of English an-
cestors who took part in the founding of the government of the United States. He
lived and worked on a farm until 1860, when he moved to New York and obtained
employment in the house of Elias Howe, the first manufacturer of the sewing ma-
chine, where he was second operator at the time of the breaking out of the war.
General Allen enlisted in New York city and on April 27, 1861, was mustered for
two years as a private in Co. G, 10th Regt. National Zouaves. He served his time
and was discharged May 6, 1863, disabled by a broken down constitution. He was
in the engagement at Big Bethel and took part in the defence of Fortress Monroe,
during the battle of the Merrimac and Monitor. He was on the expedition from
Fortress Monroe to Norfolk, Va., took an active part in the famous Seven Days'
battle in Porter's Corps to the final battle at Malvern Hill, and fought at the battles
37
of Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In 1863 he removed to Albany and entered the pharmacy of Dr. Aaron Griffin and
subsequently acquired the possession of it. He remained there twelve years, when
having sold out, he went into the employ of Judson, Parsons & Haskell, dealers in
spices, and was with them five years, when the company went out of existence, suc-
ceeded by StephenxH. Parsons. After two years spent in the packing department
of Maurice E. Viele's hardware store, Mr. Allen went back to the employ of Stephen
H. Parsons, with whom he remained until May, 1895, when he was appointed as-
sistant adjutant-general of the department of G. A. R., and in May, 1896, he was
appointed acting assistant quartermaster-general of the department of N. Y. G. A.
R. During Albert C. Judson's incumbency of the office of county clerk, Mr. Allen
was a clerk in his office. He has been a member of Lew Benedict Post, No. 5, G.
A. R., since 1884 and has passed all the chairs, being now past commander. He is
a member and past grand of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F. In 1864 he
married Mary E. Reynolds and they have nine children.
Daring, Stephen J., son of Henry and Catharine M. (Beller) Daring, was born in
the town of Wright, Schoharie county, September 15, 1862. He is of German descent,
his great-grandfather having settled in Schoharie county shortly after the Revolu-
tion. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Albany Normal
School in 1883. After graduation he taught school for two years at his native place
and was for four years the principal of public schools at Stuyvesant, Columbia
county. In 1890 he began the study of law with Thorne & Beekman, at Middle-
burg, Schoharie county. Subsequently he took the course at the Albany Law
School and was graduated from that institution in 1893. Since then he has prac-
ticed law in Albany and has his residence at Yoorheesville, Albany county. In
1895 he formed a copartnership with N. B. Spalding, the firm name being Spalding
& Daring. Mr. Daring is a member of Vorheesville Lodge No. 668, I. O. O. F.
June IS, 1893, he married M. May, daughter of Charles G. Clow, of Stuyvesant, and
they have one son.
Garvin, Martin L. R., son of Martin and Mary (Harvey) Garvin, was born in
Charlton, Saratoga county, December 26, 1856. His father was of Irish descent
and his mother of New England ancestry. Mr. Garvin was educated in the com-
mon schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he
moved to Schenectady, N. V., and took a course in Professor Bennett's Business In-
stitute, afterward becoming associated with Professor Bennett in conducting the
Institute, having charge of the bookkeeping department. In 1881 he removed to
Albany, N. Y., where he obtained a position with E. J. Larrabee & Co., bakers, oc-
cupying successively the positions of shipping clerk, foreman and salesman, re-
maining with them nine years. Subsequently he was salesman for Squire, Sherry
& Galushaof Troy, N.,Y., and later had the State agency for Barlow Brothers, print-
ers and publishers, of Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1894 Mr. Garvin was made assistant
manager of the Albany Terminal Warehouse Company and recently he was elected
manager. He is an elder and deacon in the Sixth Presbyterian church of Albany
and is a member of the board of managers of the Albany City Tract and Missionary
Society. March 16, 1881, he married Rebecca Hogan of Troy and they have one
son, Elmer B.
38
Swett, Dr. Joseph B., jr., son of Joseph B. and Emily C. (Gilson) Swett, was born in
Brookline, N. H., March 5, 1865. He is descended from John Swett, who in 1642
came from Oxton, Devonshire county, England, and settled in Newbury, Mass., and
who was also a grantee of the town of Newbury. Captain Benjamin, son of John,
was killed in 1677, in the French and Indian war at Scarborough, Maine. Joseph
Swett, grandson of Benjamin, settled in Marblehead, Mass., and was the first to en-
gage in foreign trade and laid the foundation of the great commercial prosperity
which Marblehead enjoyed before the Revolution. His son Samuel married Anna
Woodbury, niece and adopted daughter of Rev. John Barnard in 1716, and their son
Samuel was also engaged in foreign trade. His son, Henry Jackson Swett, a ven-
erable citizen of Marblehead, was the grandfather of Dr. Joseph B. Swett, jr.
The doctor attended Cushing Academy at Ashburnham, Mass., and graduated
from there in 1890. He then attended the Albany Medical College from which he
graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of M. D. Since then he has practiced in
Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Masters Lodge
No. 5, F. & A. M., and Co. B, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y. He is also instructor in
Obstetrics at the Albany Medical College and attending physician at the Albany
City Hospital Dispensary and to the Dispensary of the Albany City Mission.
Blessing, Adam J., M. D., was born in McKownsville, Albany county, N. Y. ,
vSeptember 5, 1864. He is a son of Martin M. Blessing and Elizabeth McKown,
daughter of John McKown, who was one of the first settlers of McKownsville. The
place was named McKownsville in his honor. Dr. Blessing passed through the
public schools of Albany and attended the Albany High School for three years. He
thereupon commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Yander Veer and in 1886
received his diploma from the Albany Medical College, together with an appoint-
ment to St. Peter's Hospital. He served one year at the hospital and immediately
commenced the practice of medicine, with office at No. 114 Grand street, where he
is now located. Dr. Blessing is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, the
Albany County Medical Society, Clinton Lodge I. O. O. F., Ancient City Lodge F.
& A. M., and Temple Chapter R. A. M. April 5, 1893, he married Lillian R.,
daughter of John L. Staats, and they have one son, A. Yander Veer.
Wadsworth, Paul, was born in Auburn, N. Y. , June 13, 1854. His parents came
from New England and he is descended from Christopher Wadsworth who landed
at Duxburv, Mass., in 1630 and to whom was given by Miles Standish one of the first
deeds executed by him, which now hangs in Plymouth Hall. The Wadsworth fam-
ily is very prominent in New England history and Paul Wadsworth, the subject of
this sketch, is a direct descendant of Captain Samuel Wadsworth, who with his com-
pany of one hundred men, was massacred by Indians at Sudbury, Mass. Mr. Wads-
worth received an academic education at the Auburn Academy and Geneva High
School and in 1868 he entered the telegraph service at Saratoga, N. Y. He held the
positions of operator and manager at different places in the State until the fall of
1871, when he entered the service of the D. & H. C. Co., as operator at Cooperstown
Junction, N. Y., from which point he was transferred to Binghamton, N. Y. , as op-
erator and ticket agent, and when the division superintendent's office was moved to
Oneonta in 1873, Mr. Wadsworth was given the position of train dispatcher. He
was made local freight agent at Albany, N. Y., in 1877 and remained at this post for
39
thirteen years when he was appointed assistant general freight agent and a few
years later general freight agent, which position he now holds. In point of service
Mr. Wadsworth is one of the oldest employees in the railroad department of the
company. He held the position of president of the General Freight Agents Associa-
tion of New England for one year and was also secretary for the same term. He is
a member of a number of traffic organizations and his name appears upon important
committees of same. Mr. Wadsworth is also a member and trustee of the Fourth
Presbyterian church of Albany and is actively identified in church and Sunday school
work. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Transportation Club of New York,
and Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., of Albany. In 1876 he married Susie Walker
of Pittsburgh, Pa., and they have one son and two daughters.
Phisterer, Frederick, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 11, 1830. He
enjoyed a liberal education in the high schools of his native country and while pre-
paring for a course of law study at the University in Tubingen, emigrated to the
United States in May, 1855. He joined Co. A, 3d U. S. Artillery, as a private on
December 6, 1855; was promoted corporal October 12, 1858; sergeant, July 10, 1860,
and was honorably discharged December 6, 1860. He was appointed sergeant major
Eighteenth United States Infantry, July 31, 1861; promoted second lieutenant
October 30, 1861 ; first lieutenant February 27, 1862 ; captain February 15, 1866 ; trans-
ferred to 36th U. S. Infantry July 28, 1866; transferred to 7th U. S. Infantry March
3, 1869, and was honorably discharged at his own request. August 4, 1870, received
the Congressional Medal of Honor for special service at the battle of Stone River,
Tenn., December 31, 1862, received brevets for the battles of Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and Resaca, Ga. His service in the National Guard began as captain of the Gov-
ernor's Guard Ohio National Guard, August 27, 1817, from which position he re-
signed January 27, 1879. He was appointed acting assistant adjutant-general of
New York January 1, 1880, and assistant adjutant-general November 22, 1892.
Norton, David J., son of David and Catharine (Putnam) Norton, was born in the
town of Buel, Montgomery county, August 12, 1832. The first Norton who came to
America, landed at Martha's Vineyard during the early settlements in the sixteenth
century. He subsequently moved into Connecticut, where he became a large land
owner. Some of his descendants are now living in the town of Hebron, Conn. The
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a sharpshooter in the Revolutionary
war, was taken prisoner by the Indians and later was imprisoned by the British.
Toward the latter part of the war he was exchanged. For eight or ten consecutive
terms he was a member of the Connecticut Assembly. David J. Norton was educated
at the district schools and completed the course at the Cherry Valley Academy, after
which he taught school in Schoharie county, N. Y., and in Illinois. He returned
East and after practicing law for a few years, was admitted to the bar in February,
1866, while residing at Sharon Springs. Soon after he moved to Albany, N. Y., and
practiced law with ex-judge Voorhees. This partnership was dissolved after a time
and another formed with William F. Beutlcr, which continued until Mr. Beutler was
appointed assistant district attorney of Albany county. Since then Mr. Norton has
practiced alone. He has traveled extensively and is a writer of great merit. He is
the author of " Enid," an opera given in Albany by the Albany Opera Company.
He has also written many very entertaining stories for Frank Leslie's and
40
other papers and magazines. He represented the Sixteenth ward on the board of
supervisors for one term and was alderman from the Fourteenth ward for two terms,
and while serving as alderman was chosen one of the members of the Committee of
Albany's bi-centennial celebration in 1887. He was also a member of Beverwyck
Lodge I. O. O. F. November 10, 1863, he married Almira Voorhees and they have
two daughters: May and Margaret B.
Walters, Charles, was born at the Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, Albany county,
in 1845. He is a son of the late William Walters, captain and ordnance storekeeper,
U. S. A., who died at New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, New York harbor, in
1864, whilst on duty at that station. Mr. Walters now occupies the position of chief
clerk at the Arsenal; he is an unpretentious citizen, taking no active part in the
affairs of the city of Watervliet, where he now resides. He entered the service of
the government in 1861, and in 1870 came to Watervliet Arsenal to his present posi-
tion, succeeding Isaac I. Fonda, deceased, late of Watervliet.
Wight, Edward, was born in Belfast, Me., in 1835, and is a son of Samuel
Wight, a captain of merchant ships, who died at sea. Mr. Wight was twenty-one
years of age when he became a resident of West Troy. He has' been one of the
leading grocery dealers of West Troy for nearly half a century. His first grocery
and market was located on Canal street, and is now at Twenty-third street, dealing
in hay, grain and cordage, besides the grocery business, and is very successful.
Reiley, Patrick, came to West Troy when twelve years of age, and is one of the
older citizens of this city. He has always resided in the same block, and has conducted
a grocery store here for forty-nine years. He has led an active political life and is
now postmaster. Among the many public offices he has held are school trustee,
village trustee, supervisor, overseer of the poor, and many others. Mr. Reiley was
born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1822, coming to America when seven years of age, and
settling in Troy. He has served thirty-six years as treasurer of St. Patrick's church,
and forty-two years as trustee.
Hart, John W., has been lifelong resident of West Troy, coming here in 1849 from
County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was born in 1842. His father, Patrick Hart,
now dead, was street commissioner here from_ 1869-70. Mr. Hart was educated at
St. Patrick's parochial school, and first peddled papers, learning the cooper's trade later,
at which he worked for fifteen years. He entered the baking business, in which he
is so successfully engaged, in 1892. Mr. Hart has always been interested in the
local affairs of West Troy, and served his fellowmen in many offices of trust and
honor. His first office was that of village trustee from the Fourth ward in 1867-70.
He was village collector in 1878, and chambertain in 1879, being the first one to hold
that office, as the office of treasurer was abolished. He held that office from 1879 to
1885 inclusive, then resigned to take that of county sheriff for three years.
Haswell, John L., is the only son of the late Joseph M. Haswell, who died Janu-
ary 6, 1872. J. M. Haswell came to West Troy from Waterford, Saratoga county,
and took a prominent place in business. He was largely interested in lumber, being
the senior member of the firm of Haswell & Mosher, and at the time of his death was
president of the West Troy National Bank. J. L. Haswell was born at West Troy,
January 1, 1866. He is not at present engaged in any active business, but has large
real estate interests in the West.
11
Hudson, Charles D., born in Troy, N. Y., August 26, 1853, is a son of Daniel
Hudson, who married Mary A. Henry, of Schenectady, N. Y., and who moved in
1837 from Schoharie county to Troy, where he lived to the time of his death. Mr.
Hudson was educated in the common schools of Troy, but when a young man went
to work in his father's box factory and afterwards in the Manufacturers' National
Bank. He subsequently accepted a position as shipper in a collar factory, keeping
up his studies as best he could. In 1868 he entered the law office of Smith, Welling-
ton & Black of Troy, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He at once commenced
practice in the village of West Troy (now the city of Watervliet), Albany county,
where he has been ever since, occupying the same office. He has been reasonably
successful, having in both Rensselaer and Albany counties been engaged in some
important litigations involving large amounts of property. He has conducted a
general law business but has given special attention to the preparation and trial of
causes. He is a Democrat in politics, but never held office. Having a taste for
literature, he has written and published articles on historical and other subjects.
He was married in Troy to Ruth M. Hudson and has one daughter, Mabel R. He is
a member of the Watervliet Club and an attendant of the First Avenue M. E. church.
Scott, Jacob C. E., is of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent, his great-great-grand-
father, John Scott, of New York, being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John,
son of the latter, 1762-1817, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, married Deborah,
daughter of Jacob Klock and settled in Coeymans. Jacob Scott, son of the last
John, was a resident of Albany, born 1793, died 1877, and served in the war of
1812. He married Susan Yarian Smith, cousin of Isaac L. Yarian, mayor of New
York and State senator. William J. Scott, son of Jacob, was born in New Balti-
more, N. Y., in 1817, and has spent his active life in Albany as a gun manufac-
turer and dealer, of the old firm of W. J. & R. H. Scott. He was for many years
prominent in Democratic politics and was foreman of Steamer No. 11. of the Volun-
teer Fire Department. He married Martha Jane Waters, who died in 1880, leaving
six children who survive her. Jacob C. E. Scott, son of William J., born in Albany,
January 13, 1865, was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884, spent some
time at Cornell University and finally entered the employ of the Morning Express,
becoming successively reporter, exchange editior, editor of the Sunday edition and
assistant associate editor. While discharging these duties he attended the Albany
Law School, registering as a law student with Hon. John C. Nott, and received the
degree of LL. B. in 1889. He spent one year as law reporter on the Albany Argus
and in 1890 became private secretary and chief clerk to Mayor Manning, which posi-
tion he held four years. In 1892 he also began the practice of law and since 1894 has
given his whole time to his profession. In 1894 he was appointed a police commis-
sioner and has since been the secretary of the Board of Police. He was president of
the Albany High School Alumni Association in 1805-96. In 1891 he married Irene,
(laughter of John Weller Embler, of Walden, Orange county.
Hessberg, Albert, was born December 13, 1856, in Albany, where his parents,
Simon and Hannah Hessberg, settled in 1845, coming here from Germany. His
father, a retired shoe merchant, is still living at the age of seventy-three. Mr. I Ice-
berg on finishing his academical course at the High School, entered the law office of
Peckham & Tremain, the firm consisting of Hon. Rufus W. Peckham, Hon. Lyman
42
Tremam and his son Grenville. He remained several years with this firm, acting as
its managing clerk. In January, 1878, he was admitted to the bar at the General
Term in Albany, at the first written examination under the new Code of Civil Pro-
cedure. During 1878 death closed the career of both the Tremains, when Rufus W.
Peckham associated himself with S. W. Rosendale and Mr. Hessberg, and the firm
of Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg maintained a high reputation. In 1883 Rufus
W. Peckham was elevated to the Supreme Court bench, when the firm dissolved, and
that of Rosendale & Hessberg formed, which has continued a successful law prac-
tice. In April, 1881, Mr. Hessberg was appointed assistant corporation counsel of
the city of Albany and served during the terms of Mayors Nolan and Banks. In
the winter of 1884 he was named by the Common Council one of the commissioners
to draft new laws and ordinances for the city. In the spring of 1888 he was elected
recorder by a majority of 3,000 and served until 1892, when he was re-elected by a
majority of 6,000 and served until May, 1896. He is public spirited and proud of
the advancement, development and beauty of his native city. He was one who ren-
dered valuable assistance in raising funds for the construction of Harmanus Bleecker
Hall. He is a director of the Park Bank of Albany ; trustee of the Albany City
Savings Institution ; manager of the society for providing a home for aged and des-
titute Israelites ; treasurer of the New York State Bar Association ; a director in the
Cohoes City Railway ; vice-president of the United Charities Organization of Al-
bany; president of the Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company; one of the
managers of the University Centre; member of all the leading Albany clubs and
ex-president of the Bena Berith organization. On the 19th of June, 1889, he mar-
ried Miss Frederika Cohn of Albany and they have two children: Rufus R., and
Ruth C.
Oothout, Volkert J., born in West Troy, N. Y., July 6, 1855, is a son of Jonas V.
and Helen M. (Lobdell) Oothout. Mr. Oothout entered the law office, as a student,
of Elias Van Olinda, counselor at law, of West Troy, and also attended the Albany
Law School, from which he was graduated on May 27, 1881. He was admitted to
the bar on May 28, 1881, and ever since that time has been engaged in the practice
of law at West Troy, now the city of Watervliet. June 30, 1896, he was married to
Sarah E. Blunn. Mr. Oothout is a descendant of Hendrick Oothout, who came from
Holland and settled in Albany, and in 1713 purchased a large tract of land on the
west side of the Mohawk River and settled there. A greater part of the land has
been sold and is now populated with residences and manufactories, and includes the
lands now comprising the village of Green Island, also a portion of the lands lying
between the cities of Cohoes and Watervliet.
Fennelly, P. E., M. D., a well known and prominent physician of West Troy, be-
gan the study of medicine in his native country, Ireland, where he was born in 1848.
He was educated at St. Kyran's College, Kilkenny; in 1867 he came to America and en-
tered the Albany Medical College, graduating in 1869. He began his successful
career as general practitioner here in 1870, and early reached the front rank of
the profession. He is a valued member of the various medical societies and has
been health officer here many years.
Tracey, James F. , son of John, was born in Albany, May 30, <1854. John Tracey,
a native of Ireland, settled in Canada when he was fourteen years old. During the
t3
Canadian rebellion, or " Patriot War," of 1837 he removed to Albany, where he died
July 12, 1875, in his sixty-sixth year. He was a successful merchant and a leading,
respected citizen, and served as a member of the Common Council, the Board of
Education, the Board of Police Commissioners, a governor of the Albany City Hos-
pital and a trustee of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Agnes Ceme-
tery, St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, and the Albany Savings Bank. He was also a
member of the Board of Trade. James F. Tracey was educated partly in the Albany
Academy and partly abroad, and was graduated from Georgetown University at
Washington, D. C, in 1874. He read law with M. T. & L. G. Hun and at the
Albany Law School, class of 1875, and upon his admission to the bar began active
practice in Albany. In 1877 he formed a copartnership with James Fenimore Cooper
and his father, Paul Fenimore Cooper, which continued until 1893, when Albert
Rathbone was admitted under the present firm name of Tracey & Cooper. Paul F.
Cooper died in April, 1895, leaving the three surviving partners to continue the firm's
large law practice. This firm is a continuance of the old law firm of Charles M.
Jenkins and Paul F. Cooper, which at the time of the latter's death was believed to
be the oldest law partnership that had continued without change of name in the
United States, it having existed without the admission of new members for about
forty years. Mr. Tracey has conducted a general law practice with a specialty of
business for banks and estates. He is an active Demcorat and during the first
Cleveland campaign was president of the Young Men's Democratic Club of Albany.
He was president of the Catholic Union two terms and is a trustee of various charita-
ble and other societies. May 10, 1893, he married Lucianne Bosse, of Quebec, Can-
ada, and they have one son, Walter.
Robinson, Walter Foote, M. D. , son of Albert David and Helen (Fay) Robinson,
was born in Albany October 13, I860. His father was appointed paymaster in the
army and moved the family to Washington, D. C, where Dr. Robinson prepared
for Princeton College in Mr. Young's Academy. After graduating from Princeton
with the degree of B. S. , he entered the Albany Medical College and was graduated
therefrom in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He spent one year in the Albany Home-
opathic Hospital and two years in general practice and then for three years made a
specialty of the study of mental and nervous diseases, attending lectures in all the
principal hospitals of Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Heidelberg. In October, 1890, he
returned to Albany, where he has since practiced his specialty of mental and ner-
vous diseases. Dr. Robinson has perfected a number of electrical appliances of
value to the medical profession. He is a member of the American Electro-Thera-
peutic Association, the Albany Medical Society and the Albany Country Club.
Stillman, Dr. William O., of Albany, N. Y., son of Rev. Stephen Lewis and
Lucretia (Miller) Stillman, and grandson of Ethan Stillman, was born September 9,
1856, at Normansville, a suburb of Albany. Dr. Stillman's paternal ancestry were
Puritans, having come to this country in 1686 from England, and early took an active
part in colonial life in Connecticut and Rhode Island. His mother's family came
from Holland a little later and were numbered among the Dutch settlers of the Hudson
River valley. During and subsequent to the Revolutionary war, Eihan Stillman,
who owned a gun factory, manufactured large quantities of rifles for the Continental
arm v. and a number of members of the family on both sides served in its ranks.
44
Dr. Stillman was educated in his native city and received the honorary degree of A.
M. from Union College in 1880. He commenced the study of medicine in 1874, his
medical preceptors being Drs. James H. Armsby, Samuel B. Ward and John P. Gray.
He attended four courses of lectures at the Albany Medical College and received his
degree February 3, 1878, taking the highest honors of his class and several prizes.
Dr. Stillman was associated with the Drs. Strong in the management of their sani-
tarium at Saratoga Springs from 1878 to 1883: at the end of that period he visited
Europe and spent a year and a half in study in the universities of Berlin, Vienna
and Paris and in the London hospitals. Returning to the United States in the autumn
of 1884, he began the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, which city has
since been his residence. The project of a loan exhibition in 1886 to celebrate the
bi-centennial of Albany's city charter, was first proposed by Dr. Stillman and he was
most active in making it a success, as a member of the board of directors and chair-
man of the building committee. From this exhibition he conceived the idea of a
permanent museum, and mainly owing to his initiative, the Albany Historical and
Art Association was incorporated, which institution will soon have a fine building
of its own. As president of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, his
philanthropic instincts have found full play, and much needed legislation has been
secured throgh his efforts to promote humane work in the State. He is also a vice-
president of both the State and National Humane Associations.. Dr. Stillman has
been a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Academy of Med-
icine, the' Medical Society of the State of New York, the Association of American
Anatomists, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the American
Sociological Society and the Albany Institute ; trustee of the Albany Historical and
Art Society; director of the Fairview Home since 1888; president of the Mohawk and
Hudson River Humane Society since 1892; an officer of the Vigilance and Civic
Leagues of Albany; a member of various social and political clubs; and of the order
of Masons and Odd Fellows. He was physician to the Open Door Mission and Hos-
pital for Incurables in 1887 and 1888 ; to the Babies' Nursery and Bathrop Memorial
from 1888 to 1892; to the Home for Christian Workers since 1892; and to the Do-
minican Monastery since 1887. He has delivered several courses of medical lectures
before various bodies and is the author of many contributions to medical literature,
notably on "Neurasthenia," "Cholera," "The Mineral Springs of Saratoga," and
many others. Dr. Stillman married Miss Frances M. Rice, of Boston, in 1880, but
has no other family. He is still engaged in the active practice of his profession in
Albany.
Walker, William J., is a son of John and Frances (Ginn) Walker, natives of the
north of Ireland, who came to Albany about 1843. John was engaged in the cattle
business and died in 1876, aged forty-nine. William J. Walker, born in Albany Feb-
retary 13, 1853, attended public school No. 11 and when fourteen entered the law
office of S. W. Rosendale and in 1869 the store of A. McClure & Co., wholesale drug-
gists. In 1882 he was admitted a partner in this firm, the name of which was changed
in 1889 to McClure, Walker & Gibson, and in 1893 to Walker & Gibson, which it still
bear3. Theirs is strictly a wholesale drug business, covering the territory within a
radius of about 200 miles of Albany. Mr. Walker has been police commissioner since
1894, was the Republican candidate for mayor in 1895, was a delegate to the Repub-
45
lican National Convention at St. Louis in June, 1896, and has frequently been a
delegate to local and State political conventions. He is a member of the Fort Orange
Club, one of the governers of the Albany City Hospital, a director in the National
Commercial Bank and a trustee of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank, the
Madison Avenue Reformed church and the Albany College of Pharmacy. In 1882
he married Ada, daughter of John Craig of Fultonville, N. Y., and they have four
children: William J., jr., Esther, Francis and Helen.
Culver, Charles'M./ M. D., son of Cyrus L.rand;Mary (Bullock) Culver, was born
in West Troy, N. Y., September 28, 1856. His father, a lumber merchant, was born
in Sandy Hill, Washington county, March 29, 1824, came to West Troy in 1850 and
now lives in Albany. Dr. Culver was educated in the public and high schools of
Troy, and was graduated as B. A. from Union College in 1878; while there he was
prominent in athletics and won several prizes. He received the degree of A. M.
from Union College in 1881, read medicine in Schenectady and Albany with Dr.
Thomas Featherstonhaugh (now medical referee in the Pension Department at
Washington.tjD. C), and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1881.
He then went to Europe and studied ophthalmology with Dr. Schweigger, general
medicine with Dr. Frerichs, and general surgery with Dr. Langenbeck, in Friedrich
Wilhelm University, Berlin. In 1882 he went to Paris and studied ophthalmology
with Drs. Galezowski and Landolt, and later pursued the same study in London, re-
turning to America in 1883. He began the active practice of his profession in Al-
bany, where he has since resided. His translations of Dr. E. Landolt's " Refrac-
tion and Accommodation of the Eye and Their Anomalies" was published in Edin-
burgh in 1886; of Landolt's "Cataract-Operation, in Our Time" in Nashville, Tenn.,
in 1892; and of Landolt's work on Strabismus is in course of publication in Phila-
delphia, in the System of Ophthalmology to be edited by Drs. Norrisand Oliver. Dr.
Culver has written several articles which have been published in leading medical
journals. He is ophthalmic surgeon to the Albany Orphan Asylum, member of the
American Ophthalmological Society, the Medical Society of New York State and
the Albany County Medical Society, historian of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of
the Revolution, and a member through three ancestors, and a member of the So-
ciety of the Colonial Wars through four ancestors. May 10. 1887, he married Jessie,
daughter of the late Joel Munsell of Albany, and they have two children: Cyrus L.
2d, and Mary.
Crawford, Charles H., M. D., son of Isaac and Hannah (French) Crawford, the
former a native of Scotland and the latter of Massachusetts and a descendant of
John French of Revolutionary fame, was born March 17, 1851, and was graduated
with the degree of A. B. from the Maryland University at Baltimore in 187:!. He
read medicine with the late Dr. Frank Hamilton in New York city for four years,
taking lectures in the mean time at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He
came to Albany in 1879 and entered the office of Drs. Swinburne and Balch, and
graduated from the AlbanyiMedical College in 1881 ; since then he has practiced his
profession in Albany, giving special attention to diseases of" women and children;
his office is located at 218 Hudson avenue. He is energetic and a hard worker and
enjoys a wide practice among the best people of the city and vicinity, and whose
judgment is considered equal to any in his profession. He is a member of the Al-
46
bany County Medical Society, Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Clinton Lodge
No. 7, I. O. O. F., Chancellor Lodge No. 58, K. P., and Clan Macfarlane No. 22,
O. S. C.
Curtis, Frederic C, M. D., born at Unionville, S. C, October 19, 1843, is of New-
England parentage and a descendant in the seventh generation of Henry Curtis,
who was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, in 1621 and came to America in 1643,
settling in Wethersfield, Conn. For three generations the family resided in Connec-
ticut and subsequently removed to Stockbridge, Mass., where they have since lived.
Rev. L. W. Curtis, father of Dr. Curtis, went South on account of his health when
he was a young man and soon after settling in South Carolina was married to Eliza-
beth Colton, of Lenox, Mass. Two sons were born to them : The eldest, Frederic
C. Curtis, passed his early days in South Carolina, but while a lad removed to
Canaan, N. Y., and subsequently entered Beloit College, Wisconsin, from which he
was graduated in 1866, and in 1860 was awarded the degree of M. A. In 1864 he
entered the U. S. army as a private in the 41st Wisconsin Regiment, Co. B, which
was chiefly composed of Beloit College students. After completing his college
course, Dr. Curtis began the study of medicine at the University of Michigan and
finished it at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, from which
institution he received his degree of M. D. in 1870. He subsequently pursued his
medical studies for a year in Vienna. In 1872 Dr. Curtis began the active practice
of his profession in Albany, in partnership with Dr. W. A. Bailey. He also, the
same year, became a member of the Medical Society of the County of Albany and
was its secretary from 1872 to 1874 and its president in 1878. In 1888 he was elected
by the County Society a delegate to the Medical Society of the State of New York,
of which he became a permanent member in 1882. He was made its secretary in
1889 and still retains the office. In 1883 he became a member of the American Pub-
lic Health Association. He was appointed physician to the Albany Hospital Dis-
pensarv in 1N72, a member of the medical staff of St. Peter's Hospital in 1874,
of the medical staff of Albany Hospital in 1876, lecturer in the summer course of the
Albany Medical College in 1877 and professor of dermatology in the college in 1880.
He is a trustee of the Albany Female Academy and of the Albany County Savings
Bank, and a member of the Sons of the Revolution. In 1884 he married Charlotte
E., daughter of Royal Bancroft of Albany. He has made a number of valuable
contributions to current medical literature.
Davenport, Samuel J., son of Valentine and Maria (Palmatier) Davenport, was
born in Schoharie, N. Y., June 3, 1834, and is a grandson of Samuel Davenport, who
was master mechanic at the Greenbush barracks during the war of 1812. The fam-
ily came from England very early and settled originally on Long Island. Mr. Dav-
enport received a public school education and remained on the paternal farm in
Schoharie county until he reached the age of eighteen, when he came to Albany and
was employed in the lumber district until 1870, being lumber inspector for about
eighteen years. He then engaged in paving streets, as a member of the Scrimshaw
Paving Company, which in 1876 became S. J. Davenport & Company. In 1880 this
firm was dissolved and continued by S. J. Davenport until 1892, when it was
reorganized by Mr. Davenport and his brother, George W. , of Altamont, under
the old firm name of S. J. Davenport & Company, which still continues. In
47
1872 he began street sprinkling on contract, and the firm now carries on a large
business in both lines and also in general contracting. He had the contract for
improving the capitol park in October, 1888, and the following year took up the
business of transplanting large trees. He occupied the "Old Elm Tree Corner"
building at the junction of North Pearl and State streets when it burned and
was the first to occupy the new Tweddle building after its completion. Pie was
one of the principal founders of Grace M. E. church, has been a trustee since its
organization and president of the board since 1876, and was chiefly instrumental
in erecting the present edifice. He is an active Republican and a veteran member
of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. He has a fine and valuable collection of geo-
logical specimens from all parts of the world. In 1858 he married Eliza A. Bur-
banks, who died in 1871, leaving one son, Frank R., who died in 1894, aged thirty-
five. Mr. Davenport married again in 1872 Isabella Wayne, of Iowa.
Davis, Charles Edmond, M. I)., son of Thomas D. Davis, was born near Montreal.
Canada, November 10, 1867, and when young moved with his parents to Waterford,
N. Y., where he was graduated from the Waterford High School. He then engaged
in the drug business, receiving a State drug license in 1889. He read medicine with
Dr. Zeh of Waterford and the late Dr. Swinburne of Albany, and was graduated
from the Albany Medical College in 1891. In 1889 and 1890 he was resident physi-
cian to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and in 1891 he began the active practice
of his profession in Albany. Dr. Davis is secretary of the Albany Board of Pension
Surgeons, instructor in the Albany Medical College, and a member of the City Board
of Health. He served a membership in Co. A, 10th Battalion, N. G. N. V. , and is
now a member of the Old Guard of Co. A, and Hospital Steward of the Battalion.
He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, a delegate elect to the New
York State Medical Society, a member of Masters Lodge, F. & A. M., Temple
Chapter, R. A. M., Flower Lodge, K. P., and the Fort Orange and Albany Camera
Clubs, and a member of the board of directors of the last named club.
Boardman & Gray. — This well known piano firm was founded in Albany in 1837
by William G. Boardman and James A. Gray. Mr. Gray was the practical member
of the concern and was born in New York city in 1814. After serving a regular ap-
prenticeship in piano forte making, he worked for several years as a journeyman
and finally joined Mr. Boardman, who, as a business man, had begun the manufac-
ture of pianos on a small scale. They established a factory, over which Mr. Gray
had the practical supervision, until shortly before his death in 1889, Mr. Boardman
retiring about 1866, and died in 1880. Mr. Gray was among the leaders in develop-
ing the American piano and bringing it to its present high standard of perfection. He
probably contributed more improvements than any other maker in the United States,
and the firm has always made every part of the instrument. The original name of
Boardman & Gray has been continued unchanged and the business is now carried
on by Janus S. and William J. Gray (sons of James A. | and William II. Currier, of
Toledo, Ohio. From 1S77 to 1885 the firm was composed of James A. Gray and his
eldest son, William J. Gray; at the death of the father in 1889 the present partner-
ship was formed. Their pianos have from the first taken a foremost rank among the
best instruments of the kind in the world and are found in almost every civilized
country on the globe.
48
Bacon, Allen H., is a member of the wholesale coffee, spice and tea firm of Bacon,
Stickney & Co., whose business was started at Nos. 7 and 9 Exchange street in
1835 by William Froment and William Prentiss, under the firm name of Froment &
Co. In 1838 they sold out to George L. Crocker, who was succeeded in 1845 by
Luther A. Chase and Moses W. Stickney. The firm of L. A. Chase & Co. continued
the business until 1851, when Mr. Stickney retired and Samuel N. Bacon and Leander
Stickney (brother of Moses W.) were admitted, the name remaining unchanged.
March 21, 1857, S. N. Bacon, M. W. Stickney and L. Stickney became sole proprie-
tors under the firm name of Bacon & Stickneys, and in 1861 they erected a new
building, forming a part of the firm's present quarters on Dean street. On the
admission of James Ten Eyck, March 1, 1865, the name of Bacon, Stickneys & Co.
was adopted. Moses W. Stickney died in February, 1879, and his brother, Lean-
der, in January, 1883. In 1883 a five story building was added to their plant on
Dean street, where a large wholesale trade in coffees, spices and teas is conducted,
being one of the oldest of its kind in the State. The same year Herbert W. Stick-
ney, son of Leander, was admitted. Milton W. Stickney, son of Moses W., was a
member of the firm from March, 1879, to March, 1882, and on March 1, 1888, Allen
H. Bacon (son of Samuel N.) and Samuel W. Brown became partners. Samuel N.
Bacon died September 11, 1889; on October 1, following, the firm was reorganized
and now consists of James Ten Eyck, Herbert W. Stickney, Allen H. Bacon and
Samuel W. Brown.
Cohn, Mark, born in New York city, November 20, 1852, removed with his parents
about 1861 to Albany, where his father, Louis Cohn, was engaged in the wholesale
and retail clothing business until his death in 1877. He was educated in the public
schools and Levi Cass's private school of Albany, read law in the office of Hand &
Hale, Hon. Jacob H. Clute and Peckham & Tremain. He attended the Columbia
Law School and received the degree of LL. B. from the Albany Law School in 1873
and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Since them he has been in the active practice
of his profession. He is a Democrat, a member of the Albany Press Club and in
1892 was appointed assistant district attorney. In 1878 he married Sara Oppenheim
of Albany, and they have two daughters, Olma and Therese.
Foster, Henry S., is a son of John Newton Foster, who was born in Utica, N. Y. ,
June 28, 1836, and came to Albany about 1838, his parents having died while he was
an infant. John X. was apprenticed to the gilding trade in the family of Lawson
Annesley, and later engaged in the picture frame business under the firm name of
Chapin & Foster. From about 1873 he was connected with the fire insurance patrol,
as superintendent. He was member of assembly in 1878, superintendent of the
poor two years, member of Co A, of the Old Guard, and during the panic of 1873
conducted a store for the relief of distressed families. He died April 13, 1895. He
married Mary A. Snyder, who survives, and of their six children Fred H. died De-
cember 27, 1895. Henry S. Foster, born in Albany, July 16, 1865, became a clerk at
the age of fifteen in the office of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany
(incorporated 1836), with which he has ever since been connected, serving as book-
keeper, cashier, etc. On the death of George Cuyler in November, 1893, he was
elected secretary and general manager. He also represents a number of other large
American and foreign fire insurance companies as well as life and accident insur-
49
ance. He is a local director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Associa-
tion, a charter member (1886) of the Empire Curling Club, and has been secretary of
the latter since its incorporation in 1891. He has been prominently identified with,
and a subordinate officer in, the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., is a member of Temple
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., the Albany Club, and other local institutions. The fol-
lowing in relation to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany is quoted from
" The Industries of Albany " :
For sixty years the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of this city has ably demonstrated the
beneficence and usefulness of its policy of fire insurance, which being divested of the purest
commercial element that attaches to that of the great majority of insurance companies, results
in a great saving to its patrons, while at the same time affords them equal safety and positive in-
demnity in case of loss and damage by fire. This company was organized in 1836, and its busi-
ness is a purely mutual one, every policy-holder being a beneficiary in the profits arising from
the business. What the savings bank is in banking, the Miitual Fire Insurance Company is in
lire insurance, and during its long and honorable career it has saved to its customers over $£ ,-
000, while it has paid all just claims for losses that have been incurred. The company insures all
desirable property for one or three years on the cash or note plan, and all its risks are carefully
placed, the business being conducted with the greatest caution. From the last public statement
(dated January 1, 1897, we note that the net cash assets of the company were $183,118.21, which
amount would be entirely used for the payment of claims before the premium notes of $319,-
068.81 would be resorted to. The gross available assets are $502,182.02.) The company's rates are as
Low as any other first-class fire insurance company, and as the profits are divided among the
policy-holders, are in fact much lower than those obtainable elsewhere. The company's line of
business under the able management of the executive committee and of Mr. H. S. Foster, secre-
tary and general manager, has been very desirable.
Mullenneaux, Marcus H., of French Huguenot and English stock, son of Tunis T.
and Mary Wright, was born near Newburgh, N. Y., January 5, 1852; passed his
boyhood on the the farm until fifteen years of age, then taught school several years;
was graduated from the Albany Normal School in the spring of 1873. He taught
natural science and mathematics in Claverack College and Hudson River Insti-
tute until 1877; was graduated with the degree of LL.B. from the Albany Law School
in 1878, read law with Newkirk & Chase of Hudson, and was admitted to the bar in
the fall of that year at the General Term of the Supreme Court in Brooklyn. He prac-
ticed law in Newburgh until 1885, when he accepted the general agency for Eastern
New York of the National Life Insurance Company of Montpelier, Vt. , which posi-
tion he has since held. He is a member of the executive committee of the Life Un-
derwriters' Association of Eastern New York and a director of the Albany Musical
Association. Mr. Mullenneaux has built up a large and satisfied constituency for
his company in the Hudson River valley, notwithstanding the company had not
before been represented by a general agency in this part of the State. In the spring
of L893 he moved his general office from Newburgh to Albany. In 1880 he married
Ella, daughter of Elbert Verity of Brooklyn, and they have two sons: Elbert V.
and Marcus H., jr.
Hollands, William, was born November 4, 1837, in the town of Watervliet, Albany
county, and is the son of William and Mary (Palmer) Hollands. He was educated
in the public and private schools of West Troy and was graduated from the Albany
Law .School in 18(>2. After the death of his father in 1853 he assumed the con-
trol of the West Troy Advocate, which his father had successfully conducted
prior to his death, and continued the publication until its abandonment in L864.
8
50
He was elected justice of the peace of the town of Watervliet for an unexpired
term 1863 to 1865, and from 1865 to 1873 he was engaged in mercantile business with
Thomas and James Scarborough. Mr. Hollands was postmaster of West Troy from
September, 1865, to March, 1878. In 1873 he began the practice of law, which he has
since continued, and is also engaged in the fire insurance business. He is a member
of the Watervliet Social Club and warden of Trinity Episcopal church. October
3, 1867, he married Harriet N. , daughter of Thomas S. Truair, of Syracuse, N. Y.
Hickey, Dennis, jr., is the representative of one of the oldest families of the south
end of Albany, is a son of Dennis Hickey, for forty years a wholesale liquor dealer here,
and who died in 1893. Mr. Hickey was born in Albany in 1867, and was educated at
the Christian Brothers' School. He first entered the grocery business, the manage-
ment of which in 1889 he gave over to a younger brother. In 1890 he opened a large
store in Gloversville, then retured to Albany, locating at the corner of Elm and Swan
streets ; after one year he came to West Troy, and is now proprietor of the United
States Grocery and Provision Co., situated on Broadway and Nineteenth streets.
The success of this establishment attests the energetic capabilities and shrewd busi-
ness policy of its manager.
Hessberg, Samuel, son of Simon and brother of Albert Hessberg, was born in Al-
bany, June 13, 1859, was educated in the public and high schools and in 1876 entered
the telegraph department of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. under Henry R. Pierson,
who was the resident director of the road at that time. In 1879 he became superin-
tendent of the telegraph lines between Albany and Buffalo, a position he resigned
in 1881 to enter the employ of Mr. Pierson, who had engaged in the banking and
brokerage business. In September, 1889, as manager, he opened a banking and
brokerage office in Albany for J. S. Bache & Co., and in April, 1893, became a mem-
ber of the firm. As a business man Mr. Hessberg's career is one of uninterrupted
success. In financial matters his opinion is often sought and highly valued. He
was especially active in reorganizing the Distillers and Cattle Feeding Company in
March and April, 1895. He has been for a number of years a manager of the Young
Men's Association, a member and ex-president of the Adelphi Club, and a member
of the Albany Club. He is prominently connected with several charitable organiza-
tions. February 5, 1896, he married Rose G., daughter of Isaac Brilleman, one of
the leading jewelers of Albany.
Viele, Maurice Edward, is descended from Cornelius Cornelison Viele, who fled
from France to Holland to escape persecution, came to Fort Orange, now Albany,
and subsequently removed to Schenectady, where he resided when that place was
destroyed by the Indians, and whence he returned to Albany in 1670. His son,
Ludovickus Viele, born 1709, married Maria Frear; their son, Jacob, married Eva
Le Fort; and their son, Ludovickus, married Effie Toll. Hon. John L. Viele, son of
the latter, 1788-1832, married Cathalina, daughter of John and granddaughter of
Col. John Knickerbocker, of Schaghticoke, where Col. John raised and commanded
a regiment in the Revolution, participating in the battle of Saratoga. She died in
1837. Hon. John L. Viele was assemblyman from Saratoga county, senator from the
Fourth district, two terms each, and was a Regent of the University of New York at
the time of his death. Maurice E. Viele, his son, born in Waterford, N. Y., May 17,
1823, attended the academy at Lansingburgh and in 1837 came to Albany to finish
51
his education in the academy here. After clerking in Albany and New York, lat-
terly for Boorman, Johnston, Avers & Co., iron merchants, he formed in November,
1845, a partnership with Alexander Davidson, and as Davidson & Viele purchased
the hardware store in Albany of M. Van Alstyne & Co. Mr. Davidson died in 1859
and Mr. Viele continued the business with other parties until 1864, when he became
sole owner. In 1891 he transferred the stock to the Albany Hardware and Iron
Company and retired from active life, being at that time the oldest hardware mer-
chant in the capital city. During his career he bought out six different hardware
concerns. He was an organizer and long a director of the Merchants Bank of Albany,
was for several years a director in the Commercial National Bank, was an organizer
and president of the old Albany Agricultural and Art Association, and has been a
trustee of Rutgers College since 1853, being the second oldest member of that board.
He has been a trustee of the Albany Orphan Asylum since about 1850 and of the
Albany Academy since 1872, was president of the Albany County Bible Society, and
Albany City Tract and Missionary Society several years, and was an incorporator
in 1876 and since 1892 president of the Home for Aged Men. For eight years he has
been a trustee of the Berkshire Industrial Farm at Canaan Four Corners, Columbia
county, and in politics has been a Republican since the formation of that party. In
1850 he married Maria, daughter of Charles De Kay Townsend, M. D., of Albany.
She died in 1889.
Wing, Albert J., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 18, 1859. He was gradu-
ated from Cornell University in 1880, and subsequently entered business life as a
member of the firm of Albert Wing, Sons & Co., wholesale grocers. He was for
several years actively connected with the N. G. S. N.Y., being a captain in the 10th
Battalion, when he received his honorable discharge in 1889. He is a member of
the Fort Orange Club, of which he has been a trustee, and is a trustee of the Albany
City Homeopathic Hospital. Albert Wing, his father, born in Dutchess county
in 1815, came to Albany about 1836 and in 1841 founded on Quay street the pres-
ent wholesale grocery business of Wing Brothers & Hartt. His first partner was
William Cook, the firm being Cook & Wing. They were followed successively
by Cook, Wing & Wooster, Cook & Wing again and Wing & Wooster. On Mr.
Wooster's death in 1871, Mr. Wing became sole owner. In 1873 his son, James
C, was admitted under the firm name of Albert Wing & Son, which in 1876
became Albert Wing, Son & Co., and in 1881 Albert Wing, Sons & Co., by
admitting Albert J. into the firm. Mr. Wing died in May, 1887, and the present
firm name of Wing Brothers & llartt was adopted. Albert Wing was a director in
the First National Bank and one of the leading business men of Albany. He mar-
ried Maria Carle of Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y., who died November
18 1895. They had three children: Kate A., James C. (who died in March, 1893)
and Albert J.
Goold, James, was born in Granby, Hartford county, Conn., in the year 1789.
When he was four years of age his parents removed to Stephentown, Rensse-
laer county, where he remained until he was ten or twelve years of age. In the
winter of 1804 he went to Troy, N. Y., as an apprentice in the bookbinding es-
tablishment of Obadiah L. Penniman & Co. He left Troy shortly after and removed
to 1'ittsfield, Mass., where he entered the carriage factory of William Clark and
52
commenced to learn the trade that was to be his life work. After eighteen months'
service, Mr. Clark failed and Mr. Goold engaged himself to Jason Clapp and com-
pleted his trade. In August, 1809, he went to Coxsackie, N. Y., where he worked
for John R. Vandenburgh. The following winter he attended school at Lebanon,
N. Y., and in May, 1810, after visiting New York, Newark and other places, in search
of employment, he reached New Haven and worked with various firms until the
following December. After a brief visit to his home in Stephentown, he worked for
L. Thrall in Troy. April 15. 1813, he moved to Albany, N. Y., and commenced
business on the corner of Maiden Lane and Dean street, on ground now occupied by
Stanwix Hall. The building was leased from the late Peter Gansevoort; two years
afterward, owing to increased business, Mr. Goold leased premises on Division
street, below Broadway, then known as South Market street. In 1823 he moved part
of his business to new buildings on Union street and in 1836, after having erected a
sufficient number of buildings, he moved the entire plant thither. May 25, 1838,
the works on Union street were totally destroyed by fire, and such was the feeling
of sympathy that a meeting of citizens was called, at which meeting a committee
was appointed which tendered to Mr. Goold a loan of a large amount, without in-
terest, to enable him to re-establish his business;- needless to say, all this money was
duly paid back in the required time. Since the rebuilding at that time the business
has been continued uninterruptedly, with the exception that after Mr. Goold's death,
the plant was moved from Union street to lower Broadway, where it is now located
and doing business under the name of the James Goold Company, William D. Goold
being president. In 1814 Mr. James Goold was married to Elizabeth, daughter of
Samuel Vail. They lived together to celebrate not only their golden wedding, but
the sixtieth anniversary as well. Such was the feeling existing between Mr. Goold
and his employees, that when he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the establish-
ment of the business, they presented him with a silver service. He was one of the
oldest members of the Young Men's Association and served one term in the Common
Council as alderman, having been elected by the Whigs. He was a prominent
member of the Second Presbyterian church. He died October 1, 1879, in his ninetieth
year, having won the respect and esteem of all who met him, and man}' were the
hearts saddened by his demise.
Jones, Andrew B., son of Benjamin G. and Almira E. (Morhouse) Jones, was born
in Whallonsburg, Essex county, N. Y., May 19, 1840, and when very young moved
with his parents to Clintonville, Clinton county, where he received a district school
education. When thirteen he entered a general store as clerk, and when sixteen
spent about six months at the Keeseville Academy. In 1858 he became a clerk in a
general store in Shushan, Washington county, and later was a clerk for George Bristol
& Co., dry goods dealers in Troy, where in 1862 he became bookkeeper and cashier
for Moore & Nims, booksellers, with whom he remained eight years. In the spring
of 1870 he engaged in the wholesale millinery business in Albany, as a member of
the firm of Heller & Jones, but five years later sold out and became a partner in the
Hudson Valley Paper Company, wholesale paper dealers. In the year 1862 Mr.
Jones enlisted as a member of Co. G, 24th Regt. N. G. N. Y., and was later appoint-
ed successively quartermaster-sergeant, commissary of subsistence, and quarter-
master of the regiment. He is a vestryman of St. Paul's P. E. church of Albany.
53
In 1871 he married Alice Louise, daughter of Pomeroy Tucker of Palmyra, N. V. ;
she died June 10, 1891, leaving four children: Lucy Elizabeth, Alice Frances, Flor-
ence Juliette and Sydney Tucker.
Johnson, James C, is of English and Dutch descent and a son of Peter and Abigail
(Verplank) Johnson, and was born in Greene, Chenango county, N.Y., August 28, 18:50.
His grandfather, Isaac I. Johnson, was a farmer in New Scotland. His mother was
a daughter of David I. and granddaughter of Isaac Verplank and a cousin of Hon.
C. J. Colvin, the father of Verplank Colvin, the present State surveyor. Mr. Johnson
was educated in the common schoolsof New Scotland, Albany county; where the family
settled about 1837, and in Albany, whither they moved in 1843. His father died at
Schodack Landing in February, 1881. Pursuing his studies at the Albany Academy he
finished his education at a private school kept by Mr. Helm. He read law with Craw-
ford & Phelps of Cohoes, and with Cole & Geissenheimer of New York city, and was
admitted to the bar in 1853, in the same class with Chester A. Arthur. He practiced
law in New York and Cohoes until 1856, when he came to Albany, where he has since
resided, being associated at different times with W. C. McHaig and Hon. Galen R.
Hitt. In politics he is a Democrat. In October, 1857, he married Lydia A. Palmer-
ton of Ballston, N. Y., who died in 1866, leaving one child, since deceased. He
married, second, in January, 1871, Loretta C. Markle, of New Salem, Albany county,
and they have two children : James Howard and Mary Loretta.
Lawyer, George, is a descendant of Johannes Lawyer, who came from Holland to
Schoharie, N. Y., about 1700 on a surveying expedition, and whose son, Johannes
H., was granted 36,000 acres of land in what is now Schoharie county, by King
George II. The latter was commissioned by Governor Tryon in 1772 ensiy.ii in
Shaffer's Company of Foot and by Sir Henry Moore, Bart., ensign of Grenadiers.
He served as lieutenant in the 15th N. Y. Regt. through the Revolutionary war, as
did also his son Jacob, who was an ensign. Jacob I. Lawyer, son of Jacob, suc-
ceeded his ancestors as a large land owner in Schoharie, and married Nancy Spraker,
who died in 1884, aged 101. Their son, George, who is living at Schoharie Court
House at the age of ninety, owns much of the ancestral grant. Dr. James Lawyer,
son of George, practiced medicine in New York city and at Middleburgh, N. Y., and
was for six years treasurer of Schoharie county, where he died November 26, 1890.
During the Rebellion he was assistant surgeon in Bellevue Hospital. He married,
first, Eliza J. Irwin, who died in 1880, leaving an only sou. George, of Albany. He
married, second, her sister, Mrs. Marion K. Case, who survives. George Lawyer,
born in New York city, September 24, L864, attended Schoharie Academy, was
graduated from Hamilton College in iss,"i, with membership in Phi Beta Kappa, ami
read law with Judge S. L. Mayham, of Schoharie Court House. He was graduated
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in May, L887, spent two years
in the office of Clark Bell in New York city, and in L890 began the practice of law in
Albany as partner of F. E. Wadhams. Since 1802 he lias practiced alone. He is a
foundation member of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution, and has
been its secretary since 1895. He is one of the first members of the Military ( >rder
of Foreign Wars of the United States and of Troop A, Cavalry of New York (in
which he served two years), and of Temple Lodge No. 1 1. F. & A. M. He was ad-
mitted to practice in the United States courts in is'Jn. in 1892 he married Agnes
54
Estelle, daughter of David B. Pershall, of New York city. Their children are James
Pershall and George Irwin.
Moore, Charles H., M. D., was born in Albany December 7, 1857, and on his
father's side is of Quaker descent. His great-grandfather, James Moore, was born
in Albany county in 1750; his grandfather was Joseph Moore, also a native of this
county. His father, Dr. Levi Moore, was born in the village of Quaker Street in Al-
bany county, January, 1827, graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1851 and
practiced medicine in Albany until his death, June 30, 1880. He married Georgenia,
daughter of Adam Todd, the builder of Geological Hall and a prominent Albanian of
Scotch descent. Dr. Levi Moore was one of the best known physicians of his day,
and was presideut of the Albany County and a member of the New York State Med-
ical Societies. Dr. Charles H. Moore was educated in the public schools and High
School at Albany, read medicine with his father, and later with Drs. William H. and
Theodore P. Bailey, and graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1887. He be-
gan practice in Albany and since June, 1889, has been associated with Dr. C. S. Merrill.
In 1888-89 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic, and was also
connected with the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, where he spent much of his
time. Since then he has made a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. He is a
member of the Albany County Medical Society and was made its secretary in 1896;
he is a member of the Albany Camera Club, is assistant eye and ear surgeon to the
Albany City Hospital and the Child's Hospital, and eye and ear surgeon to the Troy
Hospital, also instructor in ophthalmology in the Albany Medical College. In 1892
he married Emma A. , daughter of Walter Gaige, of Albany ; they had one son, Walter
Gaige Moore, who died in August, 1896.
Wackerhagen, William B., is a grandson of Augustus Gunther George Wacker-
hagen, a Lutheran clergyman, who came to this country from Hanover, Germany,
in the latter part of the last century. The latter's son Edward, born in Clermont,
N. Y., in 1825, was a merchant and manufacturer in Greenville and later a manu-
facturer of agricultural implements in Albany and in Racine, Wis., and died in
Albany in 1890. Of his seven children, six are living: Charles Edward of Canaan
Four Corners, N. Y., Charlotte Antoinette of Chicago, William Burroughs of Albany,
Philip Mayer of Racine, Wis., Henrietta Litell of Albany, Kate King of Elyria,
Ohio; Susan Elizabeth, deceased. William B. came to Albany with his parents and
with them removed to Racine, Wis., where he graduated from the high school in
1873, returning in the same year to Albany with the family. After a course in the
Albany Business College he entered in 1874 the employ of Maurice E. Viele, a whole-
sale hardware dealer. Rising rapidly, he was promoted in 1878 to position of buyer,
remaining with Mr. Yiele till June, 1891, when with his present associates he helped
organize and incorporate the Albany Hardware and Iron Company, who purchased
the stock and fixtures and succeeded to a business which had been carried on with-
out interruption for over one hundred years. Of this company Mr. Wackerhagen
has since been secretarv, the other officers being Charles H. Turner, president, and
James K. Dunscomb, treasurer. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Mo-
hican Canoe, the Albany Whist & Chess, the Empire Curling and Albany County
Wheelmen's Clubs, the Ridgerield Athletic and American Canoe Associations of
which he was secretary and treasurer in 1893, and a member of the Board of Man-
agers of the Young Men's Association.
55
Bedell, Edwin A., who comes of Huguenot stock on his paternal and of English
and Dutch stock on his maternal side, is a son of Edwin T. and Rachel A. Bedell,
both of whom died while he was very young. He was born in Albany, October!),
1853, and was reared in the home of his grandfather and the late Philip Phelps, for
more than fifty years the deputy comptroller of the State and well known in financial
and religious circles throughout the country. Mr. Bedell's school life was commenced
under Professor Anthony, continued at the Boys' Academy and completed at the
Western College of the Reformed Church in Michigan, of which his uncle, Rev.
Philip Phelps, jr., was president. His preparation for college was under the private
tutorage of Professor Swan. Graduating in 1873 as the salutatorian of his class, he
entered the Albany Law School and also the law office of Peckham & Tremain, and
was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1874. After spending some time in travel,
he began the practice of his profession. He served five years as one of the assist-
ants to the attorney-general of the State, leaving in 1889 to become one of the assist-
ants reporters of the Court of Appeals. He has had a large experience in the law
and is an expert in the law of copyright and trade marks In 1883 he married Car-
oline E., eldest daughter of Hon. Hiram E. Sickels, the late reporter of the Court of
Appeals. He has had two children, one of whom survives. He is a member of the
Fort Orange Club and is a man of rare literary ability. When twenty years old, he
began to devote his leisure time to the study of sacred music in all its branches, and
later he began the study of hymnology. For many years he has been an active
member of the Madison Reformed church and for twenty-three years has had charge
of its music and been its organist. Some years ago he compiled a hymnary for the
exclusive use of his Sunday school. This was so great a success that he prepared in
1891 the "Church Hymnary," for the church at large, which has met with warm
approval throughout the religious world, its sales running up into the thousands.
Bridge, Charles F., son of Charles and Lucy M. (Tinker) Bridge, was born in
Albany, February 26, 1865. His great-grandfather, Col. Ebenezer Bridge, born
February 3, 1742, died February 13, 1823, served at Lexington as captain of the
Fitchburg Minutemen, and is mentioned by Bancroft as a general at Bunker Hill.
He served through the Revolution and in the Massachusetts Legislature, and was
the grandson of Matthew Bridge, a soldier in King Philip's war. A monument to
Ebenezer Bridge stands at Fitchburg, Mass. The first American ancestor was John
Bridge, of England, who settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1632, and was one of the
founders of Harvard College, where a monument stands to his memory. Charles
Bridge settled in Albany about 1859 and in 1860 became one of the wholesale beef
and pork firm of Hawkins Van Antwerp & Co., which was later changed to Van
Antwerp, Bridge & Co., and still later Bridge & Davis, from which Mi. Bridge re-
tired in 1S84. Charles F. Bridge was educated at the Boys' Academy, received the
degree of A. B. from Union College in 1887, was graduated from the Albany Law
School with the degree of LL B. in 1889, read law with I. & J. M. Lawson, and was
admitted to the bar in September, 1889. In December following lie formed the
present copartnership of Mills v Bridge (Charles II. Mills). He is a Republican, and
a member of the I. O. < >. F., K. A. E. <>., and B. P. O. K . the Sons of the Revolu-
tion, the Order of Founders and Patriots, the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and the legal
fraternity of I'hi Delta Phi. October 14, 1891, he married Elizabeth B., daughter
of Franklin D. Tower, of Albany.
56
Whipple, Walter, was born in the village of Berne in 1846. Malachi Whipple, his
grandfather, was a representative man who came from Stonington, Conn., in 1793,
settling in what is now the town of Knox, and purchased what has ever since been
known as the Whipple farm. His farm in 1820 took the premium as the model farm
in Albany county ; the premium consisted of two solid silver pitchers, silver tea-
spoons, and five silver cups, which are still in possession of different members of the
family; he afterwards received premiums on his sheep and wool and on cloth of his
own manufacture. In 1825 he removed to the village of Berne, purchased a mill
privilege and erected a grist mill. While residing in the town of Knox he repre-
sented that town in the board of supervisors and subsequently represented Berne in
the same capacity. He was also one of the founders of the Reformed (Dutch) church
of Berne. His wife was Percilla Brown and they had thirteen children: Amos,
Polly, William, Diana, Lois, Ann, Ethan, Abel, Sarah, Lucy, Parmelia, Allen and
Esli. Esli, the father of Walter Whipple, was born in Knox in 1820. He learned
the harnessmaker's trade and followed it throughout his enter life. He was five
years old when his father moved to the village of Berne and he spent his life there,
with the exception of live years spent in Cohoes. In politics he was a Republican
and was often proffered nominations for public offices, but always declined the honor.
His wife was Angelica Rosekrans, daughter of Dr. Holmes Rosekrans, of Berne,
and they had one child, Walter. Esli Whipple died in February, 1892, and his wife
in October, 1887. They were both members of the Reformed church, in which Mr.
Whipple had been an officer for many years, and was an elder in the church at the
time of his death. Walter Whipple attended the common schools of the village and
finished his education by attending select schools for several terms. When sixteen
he entered a store at Rensselaerville as clerk, where he remained three years; the
next two years were spent in Albany as a clerk. He then returned home and engaged
in harness-making with his father, with whom he remained until the latter's death;
since the death of his father he has continued the business alone. Mr. Whipple is a
Republican and like his father always refused all public offices. In 1871 he married
Miss Josephine Ball of Berne, daughter of Paul and Maria (Moore) Ball. Mr. and
Mrs. Whipple are both members of the Reformed church, of which Mr. Whipple is at
the present time an officer.
Selkirk, William, was born in 1828 and is the son of Robert and grandson of James
Selkirk, who came from Scotland and settled at what is now Selkirk Station, where
he died leaving six sons : Robert, Charles, Francis, James, William and John. Robert
Selkirk remained on the homestead as a farmer, and was for twenty years one of the
assessors of the town. He died in 1870 leaving four sons: James, John, Jacob and
William, who has been assessor for eighteen years and still holds that office.
Rundell, Darius, born in Westerlo, September 3, 1832, is a son of Jeremiah and
Eliza (Lockwood) Rundell, both natives of Westerlo, where she died in 1849. He
removed to Columbia county, where he died in 1892. He was a Republican and a
member of the Masons in Columbia county. The grandparents of Darius, Isaac
and Hannah (Scott) Rundell, came to Westerlo from Dutchess county and settled on
the farm now owned by Darius Rundell. Darius Rundell was educated at Charlott-
ville Seminary, and farming has been his principal business. He has two farms,
one of 126 acres and one of 128 acres, and a gravel bank at South Westerlo. He is
57
a Republican and held the office of justice for eight years, was elected supervisor in
1886 and has been elected at each succeeding election since (was president of the
board in 1894), having held the office longer than any one man ever did in Albany
county. He is president of Greene County Mutual Insurance Company, director of
Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of four counties, also director in the Village
Fire Insurance Company and a notary public. Mr. Rundell is a member of James
M. Austin Lodge No. 557, F. & A. M., and of Chapter No. 283, R. A. M., and has
been master of lodge ten years. In 1853 Mr. Rundell married Ann Eliza, daughter
of Adam and Eliza (Hunt) St. John, farmers of Westerlo. Mr. and Mrs. Rundell
attend the Christian church at South Westerlo.
Zeller, A., is a son of John Zeller, who came from Germany and settled at Indian
Fields in the town of Coeymans in 1853. Mr. A. Zeller married Henrietta, daughter
of Egbert Stanton, who was a grandson of Reuben Stanton, one of the early settlers
of Westerlo, who had four sons, David, Benjamin, Joseph and Reuben. Reuben
Stanton, jr., had three sons, Egbert, Luman and Reuben W. Egbert Stanton in
early life came to Coeymans, where he married Jane, daughter of Dr. Moses Clement ;
and after carrying on a store for some years, he was engaged the last thirty years of
his life as bookkeeper and salesman of the various freighting firms of Coeymans.
He died in 1880, leaving a widow, one daughter and a large circle of friends. Mr.
Stanton was a representative man of the town.
Conyes, L. E., was born in Rensselaerville in 1849. He is the son of Garret and
the grandson of James Conyes, who came from Germany. Mr. Conyes followed
farming in Rensselaerville until 1886, when, after spending two years in Florida and
California, he came to Ravena and opened a hotel opposite the depot which he now
runs. Since 1893 he has also been in partnership with C. L. Diston in the coal busi-
ness, and also handling brick, sewer pipe and fertilizers. He is a member of Cas-
cade Lodge F. & A. M. , and of the Capital City Chapter of Albany.
Baumes, Mrs. Mary E., is the daughter of John, and the grand-daughter of Am-
brose Wiltsie, who was among the first settlers of Bethlehem, and had nine sons.
John settled on a farm near his father's and died there in 1860, leaving three sons
and six daughters, one of whom, Mary E., married Peter H. Baumes, who was a
farmer of Bethlehem until 1888, when he sold his farm and settled at Ravena, where
he died in 1891, and left three sons: Howard, Hiram and Omar, and two daughters,
Katie and Mary.
Denison, Edward M. — John Denison, after being discharged from the army in the
war of 1813, came to Albany county from Stonington, Conn., and settled in the town
of Knox. In 1818 he married Mary Chesebro, moved to Schoharie county near
Cobleskill, went into the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business, and raised a
family of six children: Gilbert W., Julia A., Mary J., Charles M., Eli and Andrew.
In 1831 he returned to Knox and went on a farm; in 1841 his wife died, and his
death occurred in 1854. In 1843 Gilbert W. Denison came to Watervliet to work at
gardening; in 1847 he married .Sarah Swan ; then had no children ; in 1869 lie bought
a farm near Newtonville; he died in 1895, and his wife in 1896. Julia never married,
but lived with her father, Gilbert, and died in 1892. Mary J. married Petet Chick-
man and died in 1875, leaving a family of four children. Charles M. went west in
l)
58
1844, returned in 1858, married Sarah M. Chesebro in 1864, bought a farm in the
town of Guilderland ; had three children : L. Augusta, Edward M. and William C. ;
in 1880 he sold his farm, moved to Newtonville to work his brother's farm; in 1885 he
bought a farm adjoining his brother's on the east and went into the milk business.
Edward M. lived with his uncle until the latter's death, and then bought the farm ;
in 1885 he married Miss Ida, daughter of Sylvester Pitts of Colonie;by her he has
four children. L. Augusta and William C. are with their father. In October, 1896,
William C. married Jessie Furgurson. Eli served in the war of the Rebellion, was
taken prisoner and died on Belle Island. Andrew is still in Knox engaged in
farming.
Fuller, Aaron, a prominent landmark, was born in the town of Guilderland,
within a mile of where he now resides, in 1832. He is the son of Major John
Fuller, who was born in New Scotland; one of the four sons and two daughters born
to Aaron, and of Scotch ancestry. He was a farmer in New Scotland and his wife
was Margaret McMillin. Major John was a great military man and a member of
the State militia. By vocation he was a farmer. He settled in the town of Guilder-
land and on this land was later located Fuller's Station. He was an active and pub-
lic spirited man and was interested in all town enterprises, and was the founder of
town insurance, and through his efforts were established the first, town insurance
organizations in the State of New York. He was a member of assembly in 1847;
his wife was Harriet Moak, daughter of William Moak ; she was born in New Scot-
land ; they reared six daughters and one son. Mr. Fuller died in 1882, aged eighty
and his wife in 1861, aged fifty- eight. Aaron Fuller attended the common schools
and spent two years at the Schoharie Academy, and as he was the only son, he re-
mained with his father for many years, and then embarked for himself by purchas-
ing his present farm, and for the past thirty years has been engaged extensively in
the hay and straw business at Fuller's Station, where he now resides, having leased
his farm. He has held many important town offices, having served as supervisor
of the town for four years, and one term as commissioner. In the fall of 1881 he was
elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany county in the Assembly.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge, No. 754, and was formerly
a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, of Albany, and has been a member for forty
years. In February, 1862, he married Ada Fitch, who was born in New Scotland,
a daughter of Ebenezer A. Fitch ; she died in August of the same year.
Ryall John. — This honorable gentleman was born in Wales, August 3, 1839. He
is the son of James and Margaret (Kerwick) Ryall, natives of the county of Tipper-
ary, Ireland, who went to Wales in early life shortly after their marriage, and
returned to Ireland about six months after the birth of the son, John. James was a
farmer and spent his early life as a farm foreman. He was one of four sons, George,
Michael, John and James. George went to Australia and the others came to America.
In 1851 Margaret, the mother Of John, left her home in Ireland without the knowl-
edge of her husband and came to America. She communicated her intentions to
her husband as she was about to board the ship in Liverpool ; after arriving in
America she worked, accumulated money, and assisted her husband and family to
join her, which they did in 1853. They spent their remaining days in the town of
New Scotland where he died in 1857, four years after their arrival in America. His
59
wife died February 23, 1895, at the age of eighty-six. To them were born seven
children: John, James, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Thomas, Edward and Margaret.
Elizabeth and Mary died in Ireland at the residence of their grandmother, aged
respectively nine and eleven. John spent his early life at farm work and attended
the common district school winters for a limited number of terms; he being the
eldest, it fell upon him to care for his mother and younger brothers and sisters. In
the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and later re-enlisted in the
same company and served until the close of the war. He was at the siege of Port
Hudson, Five Forks, Petersburg, and Appomattox. His brother James was also a
soldier in the army from the beginning until the close of the war, enlisting as a private
in the 3d N. Y. Vols., and being promoted to a captain; he died in 1881. Mr. Ryall
again engaged in farm work, which he has followed more or less to the present time.
He was elected and re-elected four successive terms of four years each as justice of
the peace. The years 1893-94 he was justice of sessions; he is a United States loan
commissioner for the county of Albany. He is a member of the G. A. R., Lew Bene-
dict Post No. 5 of Albany, also a member of the Veteran League of Albany. In 1864
he was married to Miss Mary Stapleton, daughter of John Stapleton of New Scot-
land, by whom he has had six children: Mina, wife of Garret Bradt, Idella, Mary,
Lillie, who died when seventeen, Estella and Gertrude.
Strevell, A. M., was born in the town of Berne in 1830. He is the son of Harvey
and grandson of Mathias Strevell. who came from Dutchess county to Berne about
1800. Harvey Strevell had three sons; Jason W., who is a prominent lawyer;
Estus H. , who was for some years a merchant at Ravena and died there May 22, 1896 ;
and A. M. Strevell who, in 1857 went to Albany where he was in a store until 1873,
when he returned to Berne and engaged in the farming business until 1885 when he
moved to New Scotland, and in 1889 came to Ravenna and opened a hardware store,
which he has since carried on. He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of
his town, and for nine years served as highway commissioner, and was also a mem-
ber of the State Constitutional Convention in 18T I.
Slingerland, Henry, was born in Albany county in 1830, and began his business,
life as a clerk in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y., and after six years began
business for himself in New Baltimore, which he carried on until 1867, when he came
to Coeymans where he has since conducted business, buying, selling and shipping
hay and other farm products. In 1852 he married Charlotte Houghtaling, whose
father was Anthony C. Houghtaling ; her paternal grandfather was Conrad and great-
grandfather Thomas Houghtaling, a pioneer of Albany county ; and her maternal
grandfather was Jasper S. Keeler. Mr. and Mrs. Slingerland have had five chil-
dren ; two died in infancy, and their three sons are now associated with their father
in business.
Willis, Mrs. Alexander, was the widow of A. E. Willis, who died in 1895. Mrs
Willis was the sister of Fletcher Blaisdell and Dr. Wesley Blaisdell, and a daughter
of Levi Blaisdell who died in 1833; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and
afterwards came and settled in Coeymans; he was a ship builder, and had two sons
and one daughter: Dr. Wesley Blaisdell, and Fletcher Blaisdell, the daughter being
Mrs. Willis, who was married in 1841 and had the following children: David B., of
New York; Alexander B. , who died in 1890; Henrietta and Henry, who died in in-
60
fancy; Charles, who died in 1891; Wilbor, who is a bachelor of Castleton; Sarell,
who is a bachelor and lived with Mrs. Willis, and two daughters, Harriet and Min-
nie. Mr. Willis was a merchant and speculator of Coeymans. Mrs. Willis died No-
vember 27, 1896.
Martin, Peter W., was born in New Scotland in June, 1834. John, the great-
grandfather, was born in Coxsackie; he was left an orphan when quite young; he
was a mason by trade and was a soldier in the English army during the Revolution-
ary war; he settled in the town of New Scotland, before the war, there he worked
at his trade and died in New Salem in about 1816; his wife was Maria Fralick, by
whom he had thirteen children, of whom four were boys. Peter, the grandfather,
was born in this town in December, 1781 ; he was a farmer, and a soldier in the war
of 1812 ; his wife was Christiana Allen, daughter of William and Jennie (Drummons)
Allen, both born in Scotland; they had seven children: Margaret, Isabella, Mary,
Jennie, William, Avery, and John; he died in June, 1852, and his wife died in 1839.
William, the father, was born in New Scotland, October 18, 1806, and came on the
farm he now owns with his parents when he was six years of age ; when he was
thirty years of age he purchased half of his father's farm of ninety-four acres, and in
1851 purchased the other half; since then he has devoted himself to farming ; he
erected all the buildings and made many other improvements; in October, 1829. he
married Mary, daughter of William Moak and granddaughter of Robert Taylor, a
native of Ireland, and their children were Mary, Jane, Peter W., William M., Rob-
ert, Harriet A., Rachael, and Alden, who died when twenty-two years of age; his
wife died April 19, 1880. Peter W. remained on the farm with his father until he
was twenty-four years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself; in 1855 he
moved to Guilderland and bought a farm, where he resided until 1883; he then sold
the farm and moved to Guilderland Center and embarked in the general mercantile
business with J. H. Oggsbury. They continued for several years until the store was
destroyed by fire and his partner went to Meriden, Conn. In 1893 he opened the
store where he is now located. He was elected inspector and is now filling the office
of town clerk. In October, 1858, he married Sarah Ann Perry, daughter of Casper
Perry, of New Scotland, by whom three children have been born: Elveretta, Emma
J., who died when ten years of age, and Levi W.
Leonard, Daniel, was born October 3, 1839, and came to Albany in 1854 from
Springfield, Mass., in which neighborhood his family resided from the settlement of
Springfield in 1636, and where John Leonard, his ancestor, was killed in King
Philip's war in 1676. The family was allied to many of the early Connecticut and
Massachusetts families, Mr. Leonard being in direct descent from Governor William
Bradford of Plymouth. On coming to Albany he took a position in the Mechanics'
and Farmers' Bank, in the building then standing next north of the site of the post-
office, and was made teller of the bank before reaching his majority. In 1867 he
entered the firm of J. G. Cotrell & Co., and in 1878, after the death of J. G. Cotrell,
Edgar Cotrell and Daniel Leonard, who were brothers-in-law, formed a partnership
and continued the business under the style of Cotrell & Leonard until Mr. Cotrell's
death in 1890. The firm now consists of Mr. Leonard and his two sons, Edgar C.
and Gardner C. Leonard and the firm name is retained as Cotrell & Leonard. In
1867 the business required only a three story building at 46 State street and was
61
purely local. In 1870 the firm erected a five story building on the same lot, made
necessary by the growth of its wholesale business. Still larger quarters being neces-
sary the firm purchased and removed to. the present location, 472 and 474 Broadway,
in 1884 ; and from year to year have been compelled to connect upper stories in the
buildings on either side of them until now their business occupies space equal to ten
stories of their present store. Mr. Leonard is president of the Albanv Safe Deposit
and Storage Co. ; vice president and treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. ;
treasurer of the State Street Presbyterian church ; a charter member of Fort Orange
Club; a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and a trustee of the Mechanics'
and Farmers' Savings Bank. He is a man of quiet and reserved manner who finds
his greatest recreation in his family and home life.
Harris, Morris, was born in Albany in 1857, a son of Alexander, who was a native
of Russia, born in 1820; he was an only child and came to the United States when a
young man and settled in Albany. He soon engaged at selling goods throughout
the county, which he followed with success until his death in 1877. His wife was a
native of the same place ; they reared six children ; his wife now resides in New York
city. Morris, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth of his father's children. He
attended the public schools in Albany until fourteen, when he engaged in the ton-
sorial business, and four years later in partnership with a younger brother, under the
firm name of M. Harris & Co., he engaged in the manufacture of cigars, Mr. Harris
acting as traveling salesman, while his brother superintended the manufacturing.
Their business increased in small proportions until they employed from twenty to
thirty makers. This business they followed successfully for seven years. In 1884
he purchased a hotel interest in Voorheesville, closed his cigar business, and since
that time has spent his time catering to the public as hotel proprietor. In 1889 he
purchased his present building, which he converted into the hotel he now conducts.
His house is well known to public travelers, from which he enjoys a most liberal
patronage. His hotel hall has always been used as a court house in that village,
and is noted for the many political conventions held in it since his proprietorship.
In the spring of 1896 Mr. Harris was one of the promoters of the shirt factory in his
village, the capital being subscribed by the resideats; he readily became one of the
stockholders, and was elected treasurer of the company ; also a stockholder in the
Voorheesville Canning and Preserving Co. He is one of the five charter members
who organized the Odd Fellows Lodge in Voorheesville. He was the first represen-
tative of the lodge in the Grand Lodge in October, 1886; also a member of Noah
Lodge F, & A. M.,Altamont, N. V. He married Miss Elizabeth Mendelson, who
was born in Ulster county, a daughter of Jacob Mendelson.
Emery, John W., son of John P. and Betsy (Thing) Emery, was born in Kennebunk,
Me., October 29, 1856. He is a descendant of English ancestors who settled in York
county, Me., early in the seventeenth century. He was educated in the public schools
and in 1874 completed the course of instruction at the Boston Business College.
For the two years following he engaged in the real estate business at Hyde Park,
Mass., and at the end of that time he entered the establishment of S. B. Thing \- Co..
shoe dealers of New York city. He was subsequently sent to branch stores at Syr-
acuse, Auburn and Binghamton. In the latter city be was given the management
of the store and was also manager of the Elmira store for five years, from which city
62
he moved to Troy, N. Y., where he entered the partnership of S. B. Thing & Co.,
and had at that time the supervision of fifteen retail stores. While at Troy Mr.
Emery resided in Lansingburgh, and was elected a member of the Board of School
Trustees of that village. August 1, 1896, he retired from the firm of S. B. Thing &
Co., and purchased the Albany and Schenectady branches, which are now conducted
in his name. July 20, 1881, he married Bessie Linaberry of Binghamton, N. Y., and
they have three children: Wesley M., Samuel B. and Angie E.
Ogsbury, Junius D., and John D.. comprise the Enterprise Company, editors and
proprietors of the Altamont Enterprise, and are kinsmen. Junius D., the senior
member of the company, was born in the town of New Scotland, February 14, 1857.
James, the father of Junius D., was born in Guilderland in 1882; his wife was
Almira Wands and their children were Junius D., Maggie, Stanley, William, Ella,
George and Jennie. He died in 1890 and his wife survives him and resides in Alta-
mont, where thev were both members of the Lutheran church. Junius D. was reared
in the village of Altamont, attended the village school, and when eighteen spent a
year in Michigan with an uncle who conducted a printing office, where he acquired
his first practical knowledge of the art of printing. Upon his return he engaged in
school teaching and clerking for a few years, and in 1885 purchased the Enterprise,
which was then but sixteen months old and known as the Knowerviile Enterprise.
A year later he associated with him his present partner, a cousin, John D. He is an
Odd Fellow and one of the consistory of the Lutheran church. In 1880 he married
Anna, daughter of James Ostrander of Guilderland, and they have five children:
James, Nettie, William, Junius, jr., and Charles. His wife died in November, 1893,
In August, 1S96, he married Margaret J. Bell, a daughter of the late Chauncey Bell,
of Rensselaerville. John D. Ogsbury was born in the town of Guilderland, August
31, 1856. His father, John P., was born in Guilderland, November 7, 1818. In 1839
he married Margaret J. Van Yalkenburgh, a daughter of Johoicam Yan Yalken-
burgh, and their children were Charles A. (who died when two years old). Peter J.,
Mary C. (who died when twelve years old), David Clayton (who went west and be-
came city marshal of Silverton, Col. ; he was called upon in August. 1881, to make
an arrest of a party of ruffians and was fired upon by one of the party and killed;
his body was brought back for interment and now lies in the family cemetery in the
old Helderberg Cemetery), Ella (wife of Peter Yanderpool), and John D. John D.
received a common school education and his life was spent on the farm until twenty-
six years of age, when he went on a canvassing tour through the South and West.
Id 1885 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Altamont, and in
December, 1886, he purchased a half interest in the Enterprise. He is a Republican
and filled the office of the first village tax collector. He is a member of the Knights
of Pythias and the Altamont Reformed church, in which he is deacon. June 1,
1885, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Brunk of Guilderland, and
their children are Bessie Margaret, De Witt Clayton, Milton J., Merlin L., John P.,
and Howard F.
Haswell, Leah E., is the widow of John B. Haswell and daughter of Albert I.
Slingerland, who was one of the builders and promoters of the growth of Slinger-
lands, where he was a farmer and large real estate owner. He was for some years
engaged in the lumber business in Albany, but returned to Slingerlands in 1ST.">.
63
where he remained until his death, in June, 1896. He left two daughters: Catherine
(Mrs. Dr. Frasier of Amsterdam), and Leah E. (Mrs. John E. Haswell), who has re-
mained on the old homestead since the death of her husband in 1880. Mr. Haswed
was a son of Joseph and grandson of Edward Haswell, who was among the early
settlers of Albany county,
Mann, Benjamin A., born in Albany June 7, 1854, entered in the employ of Mann.
Waldman & Co. in 1868. The firm then consisted of Aaron Mann, Isaac Waldman
and Joseph Mann, who founded the business in 1851. In 1884 Benjamin A. Mann
was admitted to the firm. The business originally comprised both dry goods and
millinery; about 1857 the latter department was discontinued, and in 1860 the manu-
facture of cloaks was commenced, and the business was placed upon broader lines,
a wholesale branch being added and the retail and wholesale business was continued
to January, 1896, with unvarying success. In the spring of 1896 the stock was com-
pletely sold and was marked by the retirement from active business of the three
original members of the firm, Aaron Mann, Isaac Waldman and Joseph Mann. The
retail business of the firm was given up and the wholesale only is to be carried on
by Benjamin A. Mann, under the old style and firm name of Mann, Waldman &
Co. The business will make a specialty of hosiery and underwear of all kinds,
domestic and foreign ; Mr. Mann's connection with mills for the many past years giv-
ing him exceedingly favorable opportunities to make satisfactory arrangements. Mi.
Mann is a director of the Alpha Knitting Co., Schenectady, N. Y., and is secretary
of the Hudson River Aniline Color Works of Greenbush, Mass. .Mann, Waldman &
Co. will occupy the old quarters of the wholesale department, namely the third and
fourth lofts over 54, 56 and 58 South Pearl street, which are connected by a passen-
ger elevator with their sample room, 75 Hudson avenue.
Slingerland, Hon. William H., of Slingerlands, Albany county, is descended from
Tunis Cornelius Slingerland, who came from Amsterdam, Holland, to what is now
Bethlehem in 1650, (see sketch of the late Hon. John I. Slingerland in this volume),
is a son of John A. and Leah (Brett) Slingerland, and was born November 13 1820,
and has always lived in his native town, Bethlehem. His chief occupation has been
that of an expert civil engineer and surveyor. He was member of assembly in 1880
and originated and successfully carried through several local and general laws of
great benefit to the people. He was subsequently three times unanimously nomina-
ted for the assembly, but declined the nomination each year, preferring to follow his
profession to entering the field of politics. He was civil engineer of the United
States government building in Albany, and when the stability and permanency of
the beautiful assembly ceiling was in question in 1881-82 and 1887, he was appointed
by the Legislature to take measurements of the new Capitol, make examinations
and report upon any possible defects in the structure. In each of his reports he
challenged the stability of the assembly ceiling, and in the last one warned the as-
sembly of its dangerous condition and requested its removal, while other experts
claimed its permanency. These reports were afterward verified, the ceiling was n -
moved and a new one as recommended by him was substituted. Mr. Slingerland
was also, in 1890, appointed and authorized by the War Department of the United
States government to negotiate for the purchase by optional contracts of the farmers
for one year, of a territory of about 3,500 acres, being one mile in width by ten
64
miles long, comprising parts of the towns of Watervliet and Guilderland, to be used
by the ordnance department for a proving ground in connection with the Watervliet
Arsenal, and his report and map of the territory as selected by him, and options
taken for the same, were unanimously adopted by the War and Ordnance Depart-
ments of the United States government, and Major Scofield of the army, and unan-
imously recommended by them to Congress and for an appropriation to pay for the
land so taken by him; but Congress at that time failed to make the appropriation,
yet it is still thought by the authorities that these lands will yet be taken for that
purpose in connection with Watervliet Arsenal in place of Sandy Hook. He was
one of the chief originators and founders in 1850 of the village of Slingerlands,
named after the family, and secured a post-office and other improvements there.
During the historical pageant of 1894 in Albany, he represented the great ancestor
of the Slingerlands in the reproduction of the installation of the first mayor of that
city. In 1842 he married, first, Elizabeth Wayne, and had five children: John H.,
assistant engineer on the New York Croton Aqueduct, who married Alice Preston ;
George W., superintendent and assistant general manager of the National Express
Company of New York, who married Rosalia Mattice ; Helene, who married Hiram
Bender in 1882 and died in December, 1884; Lizzie W. , who married William H.
Coughtry in 1895, and William H., jr., a civil engineer and surveyor, who married
Alice Bullock in 1896. Mr. Slingerland married, second, in 1868, Maria, daughter of
Andrew Whitbeck.
Cary William M., is a native of West Troy, and was born May 28, 1866. He is the
son of Joseph C. Cary, who served in the Rebellion in the 104th N. Y. Vols., and has
been a compositor on the Times for thirty years. William M. Cary began the up-
holstering business in 1890, which he continued for two years, when he engaged in
undertaking in which he has been successful. He received his education in West
Troy, and is an exempt fireman, and is held in high repute both in social and busi-
ness circles, as a man worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
Tompkins, Charles M., is the son of Alva C, grandson of Abraham W., and great-
grandson of William Tompkins, who came from Dutchess county to Albany county
about April, 1788. Mr. Tompkins, after graduating from the Normal School in 1879,
entered the law office of Newcomb & Bailey, January, 1881, where he read law and was
admitted to the bar in 1884. He then came to the village of Coeymans and entered into
a law partnership with Stephen Springstead, and since the death of Mr. Springstead,
in 1891, has continued the business alone. He married Margaretta, daughter of
Francis Nodine, and has two children: Alva M. and Frances J.
Thayer, Hon. Lewis V., was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., April 28, 1862. His
father was Lewis Thayer, born in Luzerne, Warren county, N. Y., and is now en-
gaged in active business in the city of Troy. His mother was Catherine Van Huesen,
a native of Rensselaer county, who died at the age of forty-four. Lewis V. Thayer
was a studious boy; he first attended the public schools of Troy and afterward the
Business College in that city. After completing a practical education he entered the
employ of the National Express Company as a messenger boy in the cashier's office,
from which humble position he rose to higher positions, finally establishing and
managing express agencies at Plattsburg and Glens Falls, handling large amounts
of money, of which he never lost a dollar. In this capacity he served several years,
65
when, in 1887, he was seriously injured in a railroad accident, which confined him to
his bed for two years and nine months. His recovery, through the aid of the noted
Dr. Sayre, was complete, and was considered almost miraculous, so severe was the
injury to his spine. He ascribes much of the success of his cure to the tender and
faithful care of his devoted wife. After his recovery he engaged with his father in
the livery business, in which he is still interested, with stables and offices in Troy-
Mr. Thayer has always been a firm Republican, though not a politician. In Octo-
ber, 1894, he was nominated for sheriff of Albany county, and was elected by a
plurality of 5,784, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1895. Sheriff Thayer
possesses excellent executive ability, and is endowed with the best traits of character
as displayed in the various walks of a useful, honorable life. He is a member of all
the Masonic bodies, the Elks, the Red Men, the Troy Yacht Club, the Y. M. C. A. of
West Troy and of the Presbyterian church of the latter place. He married on April
30, 1884. Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Robert Hunter, an influential citizen of
West Troy. They have one daughter, and reside at Twenty-fourth street and
Eleventh avenue, West Troy.
Gleason, John H., was born in the city of Troy, February 25, 1857, and was edu-
cated at the Academy of the Christian Brothers, supplemented by a course at Troy
Business College. When about nineteen he began the study of law with A. D. Lyon,
of Troy, afterward entering the office of Judge Landon in that city. After three
years' association with Hon. Galen R. Hitt, he was admitted to the bar early in
1880, and opened an office at West Troy, where his manifest abilities received early
recognition by an appointment to the position of corporation attorney of West Troy,
which he filled for three years with much credit. Joining the ranks of the Albanian
legal fraternity in January, 1892, he continues the active practice of his profession
in the capital city and is now the city attorney of the new city of Watervliet, where
he resides.
Graham, Hugh, one of Cohoes's most prominent business men, began life without
a dollar. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1844. He was brought up to the
hardware, seed and grocery business, a son of a farmer in his native county, and
upon coming to Cohoes in 1864 he accepted a confidential clerkship in a wholesale
grocery. In 1868 he began business for himself on Willow street, as Stanton & Gra-
ham. The grocery business became so extensive that a large, handsome store was
erected. Later his partner sold out to Mr. Conway, who died in 1896 when Mr.
Graham also left the business. In 1888 he purchased the plant of the American
Soap Company, and with Mr. Andrae the industry has become an extensive one,
now known as the "American Soap & Washoline Company," of which Mr. Graham
is president. He is a trustee of the Manufacturers Bank, a member of the City Hall
Commission, one of the first commissioners of the Hospital Commission, an organ-
izer and director of the Cohoes City Railway, president of the New York State Re-
tail Business Men's Association, 1888, and was re elected again in 1892, and presi-
dent of the Cohoes Business Men's Association tour years, 1888 to 1892.
De Freest, Charles R., was born in Troy, X. V., July 24, 1*52, and is a son of
David De Freest of North Greenbush, Rensselaer county, X. Y. He attended the
public schools of North Greenbush and Troy, and graduated from the Troy High
66
School in 1869. He first engaged as a reporter on the Troy Daily Press, where he
he remained two years, resigning to accept a similar position on the Troy Daily
Times. For a number of years he was the city editor of the same paper. Subse-
quently he became editor of the Troy Northern Budget. When the Hon. Edward
Murphy, jr., was elected mayor of Troy, in 1875, Mr. De Freest was appointed city
clerk. He was afterward made deputy comptroller and was connected with the Troy
city government during Mr. Murphy's mayoralty. For eighteen years he was a
member of the Democratic Central Committee from the Third ward in Troy. In
1887 he was made clerk of the Democratic State Committee, which position he re-
signed in 1896. In 1891, '92 and '93, he held the Assembly clerkship. On January
1, 1894, Mr. De Freest was elected secretary of the Board of Railroad Commissioners
and has since held the position with ability and success. He is a vice-president of
the Holland Society of New York city, a life trustee of the Young Men's Association
of Troy and an active member of a number of social organizations.
Flagler, Peter H., was born in the town of Westerlo, in 1840. John, his grand-
father, came from Dutchess county to Albany county and settled in Westerlo on a
farm about 1800. He reared seven children: Peter, Daniel, John, Eli, Julia, Kate,
and Elizabeth. Peter, the father of Peter H., grew to maturity in the town of
Westerlo and was a farmer by occupation. In 1840 he represented his district in the
Legislature. He died in 1866; his wife was Letta Lawrence, daughter of William
Lawrence of Westerlo. Their children were Chester, Morgan, John, William. Julia-
ette, Peter H., and Almira. The mother died in 1893 at the age of eighty-nine.
Peter H. spent his early life on his father's farm, and attended common schools and
Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He began for himself as a farmer, which he fol-
lowed until 1882; in 1866 he came to the town of New Scotland, and removed from
his farm to the village of Clarksville in 1882, where he has since resided. For a num-
ber of years he was a dealer in agricultural implements, and for five years manu-
factured shirts by contract, in the village of Clarksville. By profession he is an auc-
tioneer of about thirty years' experience. During President Harrison's administra-
tion he received his appointment as postmaster at Clarksville, which came as a surprise
to him as he had not applied for it. He takes great interest in educational matters
and is school trustee of his district. He is one of the most active workers on the
proposed Albany, Helderberg, and Schoharie Electric Railroad, and is also one of
the promoters and stockholders of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, from New York to
Ogdensburg. In 1860 he married Miss Julia A., daughter of Elsbree Jones of New
Scotland, by whom one child has been born, Millie, wife of R. Clinton Bagley, who
is a merchant of Clarksville. Mr. Flagler has been superintendent of the M. E.
Sunday school for over twenty years, and is also president of the town of New Scot-
land Sunday School Association. In 1895 he received the appointment of deputy
sheriff and court officer of his town for a term of three years, which duties he per-
formed to the entire satisfaction of all. Mrs. Flagler is a member of the Ladies'
Aid Society.
• Hallenbeck, John E., was born in 1845. He was the son of Abraham and the
grandson of Ephraim Hallenbeck, who came from Holland and settled in Bethlehem,
and died leaving three sons: John, Charles, and Abraham, who came to Coeymans
in 1857, and settled on the farm that J. E. Hallenbeck now owns. Mr. Hallenbeck
67
remained on the homestead and farmed it until 1882 when he moved to Coeymans
Landing, where he has since carried on a delivery and express business. Mr. Hal-
lenbeck has been deputy sheriff of the town for nine years, and is also special trans-
fer officer for the West Shore Railroad. He has one son, G. W. Hallenbeck, who
is associated with him in business.
Lockwood, Leander S., born in the town of Westerlo, November 4, 1833, is the
son of Samuel and Margaret (Swope) Lockwood, both natives of Westerlo. The
parents of Samuel, Ira and Betsey (Utter) Lockwood, came from Connecticut and
were pioneers of South Westerlo. He was a farmer and wheelwright. The mater-
nal grandparents were Frederick and Adria (Whitmarsh) Swope, who lived in
Westerlo and removed to Oneida county, where Mrs. Swope died, when he moved
to Herkimer, then to Oneida county, where he died. The parents of Frederick,
John and Katie (Teeter) Swope, came from Germany when young and settled in
Eastern New York. Samuel Lockwood was a farmer of Westerlo, born in 1800 and
died May 31, 1875. In politics he was a Whig, then a Republican, and a member of
the Christian church. Mrs. Lockwood was born in 1803 and died in 1897. Leander
S. Lockwood was educated at Troy Academy and in 1860 married Hannah, daughter
of Benjamin and Avis (Hunt) Green, of Westerlo; they have five children: Marga-
ret, Ella, Alida, Lillian, and Anna, who died aged nine years. Mr. Lockwood com-
menced his business career as a clerk for S. I. Peabody & Co. of Troy, where he re-
mained four years, then one year for T. Saxton of South Westerlo. He then, in
partnership with Robert S. Cryne, bought out Mr. Saxton in 1859. In 1860 his part-
ner died, and he was then five years associated with J. B. Taetsin the same business.
In 1865 he bought out Mr. Taets and has since conducted the business at the old
stand, where he carries a general line of goods found in country stores. He owns
the old Lockwood homestead of 106 acres, which he carries on. He is a Republican
and a member of J. M. Austin Lodge, No. 557, F. & A. M.
Relyea, Abram, was born in Guilderland, November 19, 1835. David D., his
grandfather, was a native of Guiiderland and a farmer by occupation. He reared
five sons and six daughters, all of whom he provided liberally for. Peter D., his
father, was also a native of Guilderland, born in 1808. He came in possession of
his father's homestead, where he spent most of his life. His wife was Magdalen
Mann, and their children were Mrs. Sarah Miller, Abram, Mrs. Adeline Van Patten,
Mrs. Mary Jane Schermerhorn of Schenectady, Mrs. Catherine Van Buren, and
Emma. He died in 1848 and his wife died in 1882. Abram attended the common
schools, and at his father's death he was twelve years of age, and was obliged to
care for himself. He then went to Cato, Cayuga county, and engaged at farm work,
and also lived in Onondaga county. He later worked at blacksmithing for a short
time and spent five years in Schenectady, and in 1862 came to New Scotland, where
he was on a farm until 1864. He then enlisted in the 11th New York Independent
Battery and served until the close of the war. Upon his return to Voorheesville he
engaged in the meat business and later engaged in carpentry and followed contract-
ing and building until 1H92. He erected the Presbyterian church in Voorheesville,
several of the prominent residences, and some of the stores. He was elected justice
of the peace in the town of New Scotland in 1880, being the first Democratic justice
elected in thirty years. He was constable for some time and was deputy sheriff for
(IS
nine years, and was also court crier in 1895. He has often been chosen delegate to
County and Assembly Conventions, and was chairman of the Democratic town or-
ganization, and is now a member of the general Democratic county organization.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge No. 754 of Altamont, and is
also a member of Temple Chapter No. 5, Commandery No. 2, and the Shrine of
Albany. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, No. 668 of Voorhees-
ville, in which he has passed through several of the chairs and is now trustee and
treasurer, and at one time was treasurer of the Presbyterian church and also of the
Driving Association. In 1868 he married Amelia M. Earl, born in New Scotland
and daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Stalker) Earl. Their children are Charlie
A. and Grace. The Relyeas were originally French Huguenots, who fled from
France to Holland, whence they came to America.
Huested, Dr. Alfred B., son of Reuben (died 1841) and Mahala (Birch) Huested,
was born in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga county, May 15, 1840, and came
with his mother in 1852 to Albany, where he was educated in the public schools and
Boys' Academy. He read medicine with Drs. Armsby and Pomfret and in 1862 be-
came hospital steward of the 113th N. Y. Inf. (afterward the 7th N. Y. Heavy Art.),
with which he remained until 1863, when he returned home, resumed his studies and
was graduated as M. D. from the Albany Medical College. He then passed his ex-
amination before the State Military Examining Board, returned to his regiment
(the 7th H. A.) and in March, 1864, was commissioned assistant surgeon, a position
he held until he was mustered out in Denver, Col., in 1866. Returning to Albany
he entered upon the active practice of his profession, but in 1867 engaged in the
retail drug business on the corner of Hudson avenue and Eagle street, whence he
moved in December, 1886, to his present location on the corner of State and Eagle
streets, admitting at the same time Garrett V. Dillenback as a partner under the
firm name of A. B. Huested & Co. He has been president of the State Board of
Pharmacy since 1884, is a member of the American and New York State Pharmaceu-
tical Associations, was president of the latter two years, and is a member of Temple
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. He was appointed professor of botany and materia
medica in the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1883, and still holds that position. In
1867 he married Margaret A., daughter of Dr. James E. Pomfret of Albany, and
they have three sons: Frank P., James E. and Alfred B.
Witbeck, Andrew H., was born in 1824, and is the son of John W. Witbeck and
grandson of Walter Witbeck, who was one of the early settlers in the northern part
of Coeymans, in Manhattan Hook. John W. Witbeck was born April 10, 1773, at
Manhattan Hook, a little valley in the northern part of Coeymans, about four miles
from where Andrew H. now lives. On the 20th of May, 1795, in company with his
father (grandfather of Andrew H.) he purchased the farm, now the homestead of his
son, Andrew H. The latter lives on the farm where he was born, and where his
father settled, when married, and lived until his death in 1853. He left five sons:
Walter, John, Jasper, Peter and Andrew H., as above, who married Lidia E.,
daughter of Frederick and granddaughter of John E. Powell. They have one son,
John W., and three daughters, Hannah E., (Mrs. Clifton Bedell) Sarah E. and Jen-
nie, (Mrs. A. C. Koonz. )
Baker, George Comstock, was born in Comstock N. Y,, April 29, 1868. He is a
69
son of Isaac V. and Laura D. (Clark) Baker, and is a descendant of John Baker, who
was a soldier in King Philip's war and who lived in Swanzey, Mass. George C.
Baker is the seventh in direct descent from John Baker, the names of those inter-
vening being John (2), John (3), Reuben (1), Reuben (2), Isaac V. (1), Isaac \
Mr. Baker received his preparatory education in private schools and was graduated
from the Granville Military Academy in 1885. The year of 1886 he spent at "Will-
iams College and the years of 1887 and 1888 at Union, taking a partial course in
the arts and literature. While at Union he was class poet and a member of the
Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1889, and
in 1891 was graduated and received the degree of LL. M. from Cornell University.
During 1892 and 1893 Mr. Baker was in the law department at the attorney-general's
office. He is vice-president of the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of New-
York ; registrar of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution ; treasurer of
the Albany Chapter Society of the Colonial Wars; member of the Sons of the Amer-
ican Revolution ; member of the Society of the Old Guard, and a member of the
Fort Orange and Albany Camera Clubs. Mr. Baker is also a thirty-second degree
Mason and holds office in several Masonic bodies. In 1895 he married Mary Louise,
daughter of Jasper Van Wormer of Albany.
Ball, David, was born in the town of Berne in December, 1817. His grandfather
was a native of Berne and his parents were immigrants to America from Switzer-
land. John Peter Ball, the father, was also a native of Berne, born in 1788, and
spent his life as a farmer. Once while plowing in his field, during the war of 1812,
he was suddenly confronted by Indians and taken prisoner on his own horse; after
being gone some time he persuaded the Indians to release him and he returned
home with his horse unharmed. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Bo-
gardus, and their children were Robert, Ephraim and David. He died in 1865 and
his wife survived him several years and died when seventy-eight years of age.
Mr. Ball is one of the leading farmers of the town of Berne. He received a very
limited district school education and when a lad of but fifteen, began life for him-
self. Having a natural mechanical turn of mind, he engaged to learn the carpenter's
trade; this he followed as a journeyman until twenty-five years of age, when by the
financial failure of others, he lost what he had earned. He then married and be-
gan life anew, this time as boss or contractor of carpentry jobs, which he succeeded
in and followed the business over forty years. In connection with this business he
also conducted a farm, and during forty years (from the time he was thirty-live
years of age) by hard and industrious work and practice of strict economy, he
amassed a fortune of over 840,000; from time to time he has added to his real estate
possessions, until he now owns some 590 acres, his homestead containing 200 a< res.
For many years he was an extensive sheep grower, turning off large wool clips. Mr.
Ball was elected commissioner of highways and filled the office for nine consecu-
tive years. His wife was Louise M., daughter of Peter Reinhart, and they had
five children: Caroline (wife of Hiram Wilsey), Christana (wife of Luzene Deitz),
Catharine (wife of John D. White), Ephraim, and Theodora (wife of Dr. Wallace E.
Deitz of Berne); Ephraim resides on the home farm and assists in its management.
His wife was Esterloa Delemarter, and they have two children: Louisa and Mertie.
Albright, Peter S., was born in New Scotland, near New Salem, on the Albright
70
homestead, February 8, 1821. Hendrick Albright (or Albrecht), his great-grand-
father, was born in Germany in 1716 and came to America in 1740 and settled on a
farm of 400 acres, which he afterward divided between his four sons. One of the
farms (the homestead), now owned by Jacob Albright, brother of Peter S., has
ever since been in possession of the Albright family. He (Hendrick) married Han-
nah Foland in 1742, by whom he had seven children. As an instance of his aversion
to the Tory element of his time, it is related that a son-in-law named Strauss joined
the British army during the Revolution. At the close of the war on his return to his
family he was emphatically ordered by his father-in-law to quit America, and
evidently considering discretion the better part of valor, he withdrew to Canada for
the remainder of his days. Hendrick erected a large store house on the homestead
in 1788, which stood for over a hundred years and was finally destroyed by fire in
1894. He died in 1783, and was succeeded on the homestead by his son Jacob, who
was born there in 1762, and where he spent his whole life. Jacob was twice married,
first to Hannah Arnold, by whom he had three children. His second wife was
Elizabeth Wheeler, by whom he had fourteen children. He died in 1829. Isaac, his
son, was born in the old stone house June 11, 1797, and was married in 1820 to Sicily
Simmons, daughter of Peter Simmons of Clarksville, by whom seven children have
been born: Peter S., Jacob, Harriet, Sarah, Emeline, Mary and Isaac. Isaac
Albright, sr., in early life united with the Reformed church of New Salem and was
a faithful attendant until a few weeks before his death. Although a firm adherent
of the doctrine of his own church, he was free from the bigotry common in churches
years ago, and was a firm friend of the persecuted Methodists of the early days.
Following his father and grandfather, he allied himself with the Democrats and was
a firm adherent to the party of his choice, casting his last vote with them. He gave
to each of his sons a farm, and after a long and honorable career died January 21, 1888.
Peter S. remained on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, when he and
his brother Jacob took the homestead farm to work, and were later given each a farm
by their father. In 1854 Mr. Albright purchased another farm of ninety acres ad-
joining the homestead, on which he erected fine and large buildings, where he has
ever since made his home and conducted a successful mixed husbandry. His son is
now occupying one of his farms. In March, 1846, he married Catherine Ellen Hal-
lenbeck, who was born in Bethlehem in 1828, and was a daughter of Ephraim G.
and Mary Magdelene (Bartlett) Hallenbeck. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have eight
children living: Mary M. Moak, born in May, 1848; Sarah M. Jones, born in Novem-
ber, 1849; Isaac S., born in July, 1852; Emeline Fowler, born in March, 1858; Rocelia
Hurst, born in February, I860; George H., born in February, 1862, died November,
1882; Catherine, born in March, 1864; Adelbert, born in March, 1871; and Cordelia
Finch, born in September. 1*7:!.
Boardman, George, born August 10, 1834, in Albany, isthe son of William Boardman,
a native of Wethersfield, Conn., who was supervisor of the Fourth ward of Albany for
several years. George Boardman was educated at the Boys' Academy under Dr.
Beck, and at Prof. Anthony's Classical Institute, and immediately after leaving
school he became a clerk in a hardware store in New York city. After two years he
returned to Albany and entered the employ of N. B. Miles, a hardware dealer, and
three years later became bookkeeper for Warner Brothers & Co., manufacturers of
lime and cement in Troy and Albany. Later he was engaged in mercantile business
in Buffalo and subsequently in Troy until 1877. Meantime he had established, with
his brother Albert, a successful wholesale tea and coffee business in Albany,
and in 1877 removed hither to give it his whole attention. Afterward another
brother, Frank, was admitted under the firm name of George Boardman & Brothers,
which is now styled George Boardman & Brother, the junior partner, Albert, having
died in 1890. They employ a number of traveling salesmen and have a large trade
in the city and vicinity.
Blodgett, William, was born in Coeymans and is the son of Wolsey Blodgett,
whose father settled in Coeymans at an early day and was a farmer. Wolsey Blod-
gett had five sons, and died on the homestead in' 1887. William Blodgett married
in 1874 and in 1877 settled at Bethlehem Center, where he is a farmer and has always
been prominently identified with the town affairs, being elected assessor in 1885,
which office he held for three years. In 1886 he was appointed justice and at the
following election was re-elected and held that office until he resigned in 1896 to
take the office of supervisor of the town, which office he now holds; he was also as-
sociate judge. His wife is Emma, daughter of Frederick Hungerford, and they
have six sons: Burton E., Frederick, Samuel, Charles, Mosher and Arthur. Mr.
Blodgett is master of the Bethlehem Grange No. 137, P. of H.
Classen, Frederick Luke, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., July 7, 1857. He is
of Holland-Dutch and English descent. His grandfather, Hermann Classen, was a
distinguished soldier in the German army, and after the battle of Waterloo, was bv
the Emperor Frederic decorated with the Iron Cross, a mark of the greatest honor.
This cross descends to the oldest son of each generation and is now in the possession
of Dr. Classen. Dr. Classen received his early education in the public schools and
the Albany High School, after leaving which he entered the drug store of Dexter &
Nelligar, and while learning pharmacy there attended the Albany Medical College,
from which he was graduated, receiving his degree in 1881. He immediately opened
an office and began the practice of medicine. In November, 1883, he was appointed
coroner's physician and held the place for three consecutive terms. Dr. Classen is a
member of the New York State Medical Society and the Albany County Medical
Society. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a 32y Mason. lit-
is also a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In July, 1891, he made an ex-
tended tour through Europe. Dr. Classen married Ella J. McCracken, and has one
son, Philip Luke Classen.
Felter, James, was born in Rensselaerville, August 3, 1840, and is a son of Andrew.
born April 27, 1808, and Jemima Felter, he born in Rensselaerville and she in West-
erlo, Albany county. The grandfather was William, a son of Jacob Felter, a native
of Holland who came to America before the French and Indian war and fought in
that war; he died in Kingston, Ulster county. The grandfather of Mr. Felter came
to Rensselaerville and took up land and there died; his wife was Jane Joy, of Eng-
lish descent, a daughter of John Joy of England, and died in Ulster county. The
father was a farmer and lived in Rensselaerville. He sold his first farm and about
1853 bought the farm now owned by Mr. Felter, and died in the village of Rensse-
laerville in 1894, at the age of eighty-six, and his widow now lives at Rensselaer-
ville, aged eighty-two. He was supervisor for two terms, 1858 and 1859, and was
;.•
also commissioner of highways and assessor. Mr. Felter was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools. He is a farmer on the old homestead of 160 acres.
In 1868 he married Mary Eckerson of Seward, Schoharie county, by whom he has
one son, Charles H., born July 29, 1869, educated in the common schools, and is a
farmer by occupation, and also an engineer. February 6, 1892, he married Mary
Brown of Albany, and has one son, Frank, born August 18, 1893. Mrs. Felter is a
daughter of William Eckerson and Jenette Miller, who lived and died in Schoharie
county.
Gove, Ralph A., son of Aurelius Gove, the oldest resident of Loudonville, and one
of the oldest residents of the old town of Watervliet, was born at Loudonville, July
27, 1849. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm; he attended district
school No. 11 from six years of age until old enough to work. He worked on the
farm in the summer and attended school in the winter until 1867, when he attended
the Literary and Scientific Institution of New London, N. H. In 1868 he entered
the grocery store of James Seamans of Brookline, Mass., as clerk and worked for
$100 a year. In 1869 he attended Fulsom's Business College of Albany. In 1871
he opened a grocery store at Loudonville. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster and
has held the office until the present date. In 1882 he was elected commissioner of high-
ways for the town of Watervliet ; for three years he was elected supervisor, and
again in 1889, but prevented from holding office by a fraudulent vote. In 1876 he
married Miss Matilda Van Vranken of Watervliet, by whom he has had two chil-
dren : Florence M., born in 1877, and Ralph, born in 1888. Aurelius Gove, the
oldest resident of Loudonville, was born of Quaker parents at Montpe'lier, Vt, March
28, 1820. His parents moved to Watervliet in 1823 and three years later to Albany,
where his father engaged in the stoneware business. In 1832 they moved to Duane,
Franklin county; returning in 1832 they moved to Watervliet, of which town Mr.
Gove is still a resident. He was educated in the public schools in Albany and was
married in 1843 to Hannah S. Everett, and has lived on the farm for fifty-two years
which he purchased shortly after his marriage. Mr. Gove has taken an active part
in the affairs of the town and has been for several years president of the Colonie
Farmers' League, an organization which was largely instrumental in the division of
the town of Watervliet, and which has done much for the good government of the
new town. Mr. Gove is also well known among boatmen on the Hudson, having
been for many years engaged in buying produce for the New York markets, also in
bringing glucose meal from Long Island to Albany and Troy.
Hartman, Christian, was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1830. He was
a son of Peter Hartman, who was one of three sons born to Peter Hartman. He
was a blacksmith by trade, and his children were Christian, Peter and Henry, the
two former coming to America. Peter came over in 1851 and Christian came in
1857. Mrs. Hartman died when Christian was three weeks old, and his father lived
to be sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Hartman learned and worked at the blacksmith
trade with his father until he came to America. He came direct to Albany county,
where he worked for three years at his trade in the railroad shops. In 1860 he re-
moved to the village of Guilderland, where he established in his present location a
blacksmith shop, in connection with which he later engaged in the manufacture of
wagons and sleighs. He began life in a strange land with nothing but the knowl-
73
edge of his trade ; he has been more than ordinarily successful. He owns two fine
residences and has other property. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Miller, born in
1831, and daughter of Adam Miller, by whom two children have been born: Louis
and John, who now conduct the business with their father. Louis is married and
has one child, Delia. Mr. Hartman has been trustee of the Presbyterian church in
Guilderland and is now filling the office of trustee of the Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Deitz, Charles E., was born in the town of Berne, July 13, 1840, the son of Isaac
and Maria (Shufeldt) Deitz, son of Johan Jost A., son of Adam, who was a son of
Han Henrich, a native of Switzerland. Charles E. was educated in the common
schools and Schoharie Academy and taught school when he was sixteen years old.
After leaving the academy in 1857 he was a clerk in the store of his brother-in-law,
H. Willsey in Berne. Six years after, upon the death of Mr. Willsey, he and his
father purchased the store and stock and continued the business under the name of
Deitz & Son. In 1873 Charles E. purchased his father's interest and has continued
the business to the present time. In 1867 he married Laura J. Ludden, a native of
Virginia, daughter of Rev. A. P. and Marion Caroline (Grove) Ludden and grand-
daughter of Col. John W. Grove of Virginia. They have had seven children : Stan-
ton L. , Rev. Archibald E., Bertha, wife of Everett L. Hevenor, Grace, Leona, Ray-
mond and Marion. Stanton L. married Isabel, daughter of Jacob S. Haverly of
Berne in 1895. Archibald E. married, in 1893, Carrie Secor of Rhinebeck and has
one son, Vernon I. Mr. and Mrs. Deitz are members of the Lutheran church, and
he is a Republican. He has been postmaster during every Republican administra-
tion from Lincoln's time to the present.
Weaver, George B , was born in New Vork city in 1848, and was a son of Hamil-
ton Weaver, a merchant of that city and a native of Oneida county. His boyhood
was passed on a farm near Deerfield, Oneida county. His education was completed
at a private school in Utica ; so rapid was his progress and so complete his grasp of
knowledge in detail, that immediately upon attaining legal majority he received
an appointment in the State Department of Public Instruction and continued for
twenty-five years in that line of work. His duties were largely classical in connec-
tion with the department, and he has become very prominent and efficient in edu-
cational matters in the town of Colonie where his home is situated. He has been
very active in public life and recently served as assessor and upon the town Board
of Education.
Baker Albert W., was born in Greene county. He is the sun of John S. ami
grandson of Schuyler Baker, Mr. Baker's father. John moved to Westerlo in 1*44
He was a farmer and died in 1N77, leaving four sons: Albert, Edward, John and
William. Albert, who is a miller, married Adelaide, daughter of T. S. Robbins of
Westerlo, and after being a miller there for years he came to Alcove where he is in
company with B. T. Briggs and carries on a general milling business.
Bradt, John Van Der Heyden, is an old and prominent landmark of Albany
county, and was born in the town of Bethlehem, now New Scotland, December 26,
L821, The first Bradt dates back in America to 1632, and tin- first one in the town
of New Scotland was Adam, the great-grandfather of John V. D. 11. Bradt. He
with a man named Sager walked from Albany through the woods in search of a
i
74
location on which to build them a home; they found it in Bethlehem and Mr. Bradt
staked off 500 acres near where now stands the village of Jerusalem, erected him
a log house and began to clear the land to make him a home. He was a typical
pioneer, a soldier in the French and Indian war, and reared two sons: Peter A. and
Stoltes, between whom he divided his farm. Capt. Peter A., the grandfather of
John Bradt, was born on his father's homestead in Bethlehem. When the war for
independence broke out he offered his services and was captain of a train of team-
sters. He afterward journeyed to New York winters during the Revolutionery war
to haul government supplies to Albany; it later came upon him to transfer the
Oneida Indians from Albany to Oneida, having under his charge a large number
of teams and wagons loaded with Indians and supplies. He gave the land for the
site of the first church built in Albany Co. , called the Jerusalem church. He was twice
married, his first wife was a Miss Weidman, by whom two sons were born: Adam
and Garrett. His second wife was Mrs. Jane Hunderman, the widow of a Revolu-
tionary soldier, who lost his life in the war, and they had one son: Henry P. He
divided his farm of 250 acres between his two oldest sons, then purchased another
farm of 100 acres in 1802, on which he moved the next year and there spent his re-
maining days with his son Henry. He died in 1826 and his wife lived to be ninety-
six years of age. Henry P., the father of John Bradt, was born in Bethlehem, Jan-
uary, 1796, and was a lifelong and successful farmer and property owner. He pro-
vided each of his three sons with a good farm and in 1843 purchased the Union-
ville Hotel and thirty acres and placed his oldest son there. He acquired much
other valuable property and was a strong and influential Democrat, but not an aspi-
rant to office. He was drafted in the war of 1812 and served several months. His
wife was Magdalene, daughter of John Van Der Heyden of Bethlehem, and their
children were: Peter H.. Maria, John V. D. H., Jane Ann, Magdalene, William H.
and Louisa K. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1863. John Bradt, grew to man-
hood on his father's farm, and when twenty-six years of age, in 1847, began for
himself on his Grandfather Van Der Heyden's farm, it being the will of that grand-
parent that the first of his posterity to bear the name of Van Der Heyden was to
have the farm. In 1845 Mr. Bradt married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Albert V.
D. Z. Slingerland, and in 1867, on account of the ill health of his wife, Mr. Bradt
left the homestead and purchased his present farm at Unionville, where he has
ever since resided. In politics Mr. Bradt has always been a strong and active
Democrat and filled the office of assessor for years. He was a member of the N. Y.
State Militia, was drummer and later drum major. His brother Peter was captain
in the State militia and later general ; likewise was justice of the peace twelve
years and justice of sessions three terms. Mr. and Mrs. Bradt adopted a daughter,
Lilly B., now wife of Cornelius Vanderzee of New Scotland. Mrs. Bradt was born
October 29, 1820, and died on her birthday in 1890. Since the death of his wife
Mr. Bradt has had his daughter and her husband live with him to keep house and
take charge of the farm.
Bailey, Asa, was born in Bethlehem in 1825 and is the son of James and grandson
of Ephraim Bailey, who came from Connecticnt to Bethlehem in 1783 and settled at
Becker's Corners, where he died in 1828 and left eight sons: Solomon, Amos, Reuben,
James, Edmond, Smith, Ephraim and John. James had four sons: Charles, Will-
75
iam, Rensselaer and Asa, who still lives on the homestead where his father settled
in 1836 and died in 1851. Asa Bailey has one son, Richard K., who now carries on
the farm.
Brink, Levi L., was born in Wyoming county, Pa., January 11, 1845. In 1856 his
parents removed to Susquehanna county where he was inured to the life of a farm
lad on his father's farm until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 151st Pa.
Vols. This being a short term regiment he was discharged in July, 1863, but re-en-
listed in September in Co. H, 11th Pa. Vols., and served until the close of the Re
bellion as second sergeant. Returning to the place of his birth he took up the trade
of a general mechanic, and mastered the duties so well that in less than five years
he was employed by a prominent contracting firm as foreman. Tiring of the roam-
ing life of contractors, on March 1, 1883, he engaged with the motive power depart-
ment of the W. S. Railroad, and on January 1, 1885, was assigned to Coeymans
Junction yard as foreman of inspection and repairs, which position he still holds.
He is a member of seversl fraternal orders and a liberal contributor to charitable in-
stitutions, owns a fine home and is considered well to do.
Conger, Hon. Frederick W. , was born in the town of Berne, July 16, 1838. His
grandfather, William Conger, was born in the town of Bethlehem in 1770; he was a
lifelong farmer, spending most of his life in the town of Berne, having gone thither
with his parents; his wife was Margaret McKnab of New Scotland, a daughter of a
Revolutionary soldier, by whom he had eleven children ; he died in 1840, his wife in
1855. Hugh Conger, the father of Frederick, was born on the homestead in Berne
in 1804; he was a farmer and also engaged in the stone industry, owning and oper-
ating his own quarries; he was prominently identified with the Republican party,
filling the office of justice of the peace for several terms and justice of sessions; in
1867 and 1869 he represented his district in the State Legislature; his wife was Han-
nah Ward, who was born in the town of Berne, on the farm now owned and occupied
by Frederick W. Conger. Her father was Frederick Ward, who came from West-
chester county, and their children were Cordelia, Jane, Mariette, Eunice, Frederick
W., Manley W. and Frances M. Mr. Conger was for many years a member of the
Odd Fellows fraternity. Frederick W. Conger attended the common schools and
remained with his parents until he was twenty-two, when he began for himself on
his Grandfather Ward's farm. Here he remained and cared for his grandparents
in their declining years to the time of their deaths, and on this farm he has ever
since resided; he not only owns this farm, but in 1891 he purchased the original
Conger homestead of 112 acres; he also owns a one-third interest in his father's
homestead and quarry of 117 acres. He is an extensive dealer in flagstone, known
as the Helderberg blue stone; he is also one of the Albany County Blue Stone Com-
pany, doing an extensive quarrying and shipping business. Mr. Conger is a staunch
and leading Democrat and for five consecutive years was elected to represent the
town on the Board of Supervisors. In 1868 and '88 he represented his district in the
State Legislature, in 1894 he received the nomination on his party ticket for sheriff
of Albany county, and the times are numerous that he has been chosen delegate to
town, Assembly and State conventions. In 1869 he married Orsavill Cole, who was
born in Berne, a daughter of John and Abigail (Fisher) Cole, and they have two chil-
dren, Hugh and Frank, the former being inspector of election.
Hotaling, John S. , was born in Greene county in 1856 and is the son of William J.
and grandson of Garret, who came from Holland. Mr. Hotaling began life working
by the month on a farm and by economy and hard work, is now the owner of a fine
farm near Bethlehem Center. Mr. Hotaling' s wife was Viola, daughter of Henry
Kulmer, of Bethlehem, and they have three sons and three daughters: J. Walter,
Henry, William, Jessie, Caroline and Mary.
Littlefield, Edgar, jr., is a son of Edgar and and grandson of Abijah Littlefield,
who came from Connecticut to Rensselaer county and engaged in farming. He had
three sons, Alvin, Sanford and Edgar, who settled at West Troy, where he engaged
in the ice business and in 1889 came to Bethlehem where he is now engaged in the
ice trade and farming, being assisted by his son, Edgar, jr., who is foreman for Tilly
& Littlefield. They have the largest single ice house on the river.
Main, James R., was born in Guilderland, where he now lives, September 15, 1845.
He is a son of Dewitt C. Main, born in Guilderland, July 23, 181.8, one of five sons
and four daughters born to John B. , who was born August, 1790, in Stonington,
Conn.; his father was Reuben P., who was a farmer by occupation. John B., the
grandfather, lived for a time in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, and in 1804 removed
with his father to Plainfield, Otsego county, where they settled and worked at team-
ing between that place and Albany ; he later settled in the town of Guilderland
where he became prosperous ; he farmed on a large scale; he was an exceedingly
liberal man and gave largely to those who needed his assistance; his house was al-
ways open to travelers, and he and his wife were grand good people and noted
widely for their hospitality ; he finally died a poor man through his generosity to
others, signing papers for others, the payment of which eventually fell upon him ;
he always concerned himself deeply in public matters and was often chosen as dele-
gate to county and assembly conventions ; his wife was Elizabeth Lloyd ; he died
when eighty -three, she three weeks later at the age of seventy-nine. Dewitt C,
the father of James, was a blacksmith by trade, though devoted most of his life to
farming and lived in the town of Guilderland; he was a good neighbor, an upright
and honest citizen ; his first wife was Marie Riggles, born in the town of Guilderland,
and daughter of Giles Riggles; their children were Charles W. , James R., Shel-
miar D. , and Mary E. ; they were both members of the M. E. church ; his second
wife was Katurah Warner by whom one child was born, Ida. James R., the subject
of this sketch, worked on the farm of his father and attended the common district
school winters until fourteen years of age ; from that time until twenty-five he worked
at home or by the month for others. He lather purchased the farm of fifty-two
acres on which he was born and where he now resides. Having an active desire to
acquire knowledge he let few opportunities pass; he early identified himself with the
Democratic party and took keen interest in public matters; when twenty-six he was
elected tax collector for the town of Guilderland, and was later elected justice, and
was justice of sessions of Albany county during the years 1877 and 1878; in 1890 was
elected school commissioner in the third district of Albany county and was re-elected
in 1893 and is now filling that office. In 1880 he became a law clerk and student. He
registered under J. H. Clute, and was admitted to the bar in 1887; since that time,
in addition to his official duties and the superintending of his farm, he carries on an
active law practice. Mr. Main is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth
Lodge, Albany. In January, 1872, he married Miss Alvira E. Reinhart, who was
born in the town of Berne, a daughter of Alexander Reinhart, by whom he has had
two children: Mrs. Yuba Carhart and Dewitt C. Mr. Main has been one of the trus-
tees of Prospect Hill Cemetery and its secretary and treasurer for many years, and
to whose untiring efforts and influence many reforms and improvements have been
brought about, and the cemetery attained to its high standing. He is also a member
of Iosca Tribe No. 341 Improved Order of Men, and its treasurer. Is also a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and an officer therein.
Springsted, William C, is the son of Henry and great-grandson of Jeremiah
Springsted, who came from England and settled on the farm where the Springsteds
now live in 17!»0, and was a farmer. He died in 1813 and left one son, Stephen, who
died in 1837, and left five sons and four daughters; Jeremiah, Oliver, John, Stephen,
Henry, Lydia, Jane, Sally Ann and Mary. Henry remained on the homestead and
is one of the leading farmers of the town. He has one son, William C, who carries
on the farm with his father, Henry Springsted. He married Elvira Carroll and had
one son and one daughter, William C. and Jane, now Mrs. William D. Fuller.
William C. married Carrie A., daughter of Jeremiah Dean, and has one son and one
daughter, Dean and Jennie F.
Haswell, Dr. George S., was born in 1868 and is a son of Isaac M. Haswell, who
is a farmer. Dr. Haswell was graduated from the Troy High School in 1889, and
from the Albany Medical College in 1892. He began his practice in New York and
then settled in West Troy, where he has won the confidence of a large circle of
people of his native town. Dr. Haswell, although so young, is a Mason of the order
of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He was elected
coroner of Albany county in November, 1896. In 1893 he married Alice, daughter of
Edward H. Wiswall of Colonie, by whom he has one daughter, Mildred.
Saxton, Thomas, born at Saratoga Springs, November 18, 1801, son of Nathaniel
and Susan (Smith) Saxton. Nathaniel Saxton came from Long Island to Saratoga
Springs, where he was a farmer. He spent his last days with his son, Reuben,
in Port Byron, Cayuga county, where he died, aged eighty-nine years and eleven
months. At fourteen years of age Thomas Saxton came to South Westerlo to live
with an uncle, Thomas Smith, and was a clerk in his store. He remained with his
uncle until he was twenty-three years of age, when he bought property in the vil-
lage, erected a dwelling and engaged in mercantile business, which he followed until
1869, when he sold to R .S. Cryneand Mr. Lockwood. After retiring from mercantile
business he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death, which
occurred in 1890 at the age of twenty-eight. He was a Republican and a very strong
temperance man and was for two years supervisor of Westerlo and justice for a num-
ber of years. In 1826 he married Sally Baker, who died February 21, 1860, and he
married again, April 7, 1862, Sarah V. Cryne, who still survives him, and gives this
information. Mr. Saxton was a liberal contributor to all churches, and was a member
of Masonic order. Mrs. Saxton's parents were John and Sarah (Van Vorihas) Cryne,
of Dutchess county. He was a farmer and shoemaker. He came to Sohodack
where he married, and his wife died 1838; he then removed to Westerlo, where he
engaged in the shoe and tanning business. He went u< Wisconsin and engaged in
78
farming, where he died 1876 at the age of eighty-eight. He was a Republican in
politics and a Presbyterian in religion.
Trager, Christopher, was born in Germany and came to America in 1854. In 1859
he came to Bethlehem Center, where he has since carried on a wagon and black-
smith shop; he also bought a farm in 1874, which he still owns. He has three sons
and six daughters: John M. (who carries on the farm), Augustus, George, Anna,
Agnes, Minnie, Louisa, Elizabeth and Maggie. His wife was Elizabeth Lash of
Rensselaer county, N. Y.
Trego, Thomas Markley, A. M., M. D., is the only surviving son of James and
Maria Trego. He was born in the city of New York, August 31, 1847. His ances-
try can be traced back nearly 250 years. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania
on January 1, 1815, is of the seventh generation and descends in a direct line from
his ancestor, James Trego, who was one and the oldest of three brothers and sons of
Peter and Judith Trego, who were born in France about the year 1650. Being
Huguenots and of French extraction, they escaped to England in 1685 during the
persecution and there formed part of the colony of William Penn, emigrating with
him to this country and finally settled in Chester county, Pa. The maiden name of
the doctor's mother was Maria Honghtaling oldest daughter of Thomas C. Hough-
taling of Albany county, N. Y., who is a descendant of a genuine Holland-Dutch
family. His mother, Kathrine Van Bergen, was a descendant of General Salisbury
of Catskill, N. Y. Mr. Houghtailing's ancestors were amongst the earliest settlers
of that county. The same may be said of the ancestry on Mr. Houghtaling's
mother's side, who were of the Van Derzees. The earliest ancestor of this name
occurs as grantee in a conveyance bearing the date April 23, 1652. In the spring of
1852 the parents of Dr. Trego removed to the village of New Baltimore, Greene
county, where he attended the common school. When he was about fifteen years
old his parents sent him to the Brooklyn Boys' Academy, where he remained a year,
and in the fall of 1865 he was placed in the Grammar School connected with Rutgers
College, New Brunswick, N. J. After a year's study he was prepared to enter the
freshman class of the college, and in 1870 was graduated with honor in the class
which celebrated the college centennial. In the autumn of 1870 he commenced the
study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. S. Oakley Van Der Poel of Albany.
When Dr. Van Der Poel was appointed health officer at Quarantine, New York, Dr.
Trego continued his studies with Drs. Thomas and Edward R. Hun of Albany.
Upon leaving the office of the latter after nearly a year and a half of study, he en-
tered that of Dr. Thomas M. Markoe of New York, meanwhile attending lectures in
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1874. After graduation he
returned to Albany, having been appointed resident physician in St. Peter's Hos-
pital. In the fall of 1875 he resigned this position and opened an office for the gen.
eral practice of medicine in Albany. Dr. Trego has greatly excelled in the treat-
ment of the diseases of children and is on the staff of the Child's Hospital, Albany
Orphan Asylum, Babies' Nursery, and St. Margaret's Home. He is also an attend-
ing physician at the Home for Aged Men. In 1881 he was appointed physician to St.
Agnes's School for Young Ladies. In addition to his great and deserved prominence
in the medical profession he also holds a desirable reputation for accomplishments
and broad cultivation in the field of literature. In the summer of 1878 Dr. Trego,
TO
with his father, crossed the Atlantic and visited London, Edinburgh, Paris, Ant-
werp, Belgium, Dublin, Berlin and other famous places. In 1878 he was appointed
one of the district physicians, and in 1887 was appointed coroner's physician for the
city and county of Albany and held the office for three years. In 1881 he married
Jessie, the youngest daughter of George W. Carpenter of Albany. Mrs. Trego died
after fourteen months of married life.
Weeber, Christian, one of the self-made men of property at Loudonville, is of
German birth, having been born at Wuertemburgh in 1839. He was about twenty-
five years of age when he turned his face toward this land of promise, and having
a predilection for the butchering trade, soon found employment in that line in Al-
bany. A business venture in New York resulted in illness and financial disaster,
and he returned to Albany, January 1, 1865, and established himself in business in
a small way. During the succeeding fifteen years he steadily enlarged his trade
and in 1879 was enabled to purchase the handsome place at Loudonville, where he is
now so eligibly situated, with forty-five acres of garden land adjacent. Mr. Weeber
is a citizen of much natural ability and has taught himself to read and write Eng-
lish. He has one son in Denver, Col., and one at Schenectady, both in the market
business, and another son in the bicycle trade at Albany; also two sons and one
daughter at home.
Janes, Franklin H., born in Albany, July 19, 1854, is a direct descendant of Guido
de Jeanes, a general of the F'rench Confederation, who accompanied Henry II
when he left France to assume the English throne, 1154, and who was rewarded by the
grant of the manor of Kirtland, Cambridgeshire, England. William Jeanes or Janes,
a descendant of Gen. Guido de Jeanes, was born in England, 1610, came to America
and arrived at Boston, June, 1637. He was one of the founders of New Haven, the
covenant bearing his signature; also of Northampton in 1656; died September 20,
1690. One of his granddaughters was the grandmother of Samuel J. Tilden. Will-
iam Janes, the father of William G., Charles H., James E. and Franklin H. was
born at Janes Corners, 1806; married Mary A. Hawley; was the founder of Janes-
ville, Wis., and a captain of New York militia under Governor Throop. Franklin
H. Janes graduated at the Albany Free Academy, 1872. He studied architecture in
Boston and Paris, and succeeded to the business of William L. and William M.
Woollett in 1881. He was made a member of the American Institute of Architects
in 1886. Mr. Janes has designed many notable buildings throughout the United
States, and has sent plans to several cities in Europe. His was one of a dozen
names mentioned by the Century Magazine as producing the representative tvpes
of modern American architecture. In 1881 he married Laura, daughter of David
Boyd McHench of Albany. N. V.. and they have one son, David McHench Janes,
born October 10, 1882.
Cole, Ashley W., was born November 22, 1841, in the Forest of Bere, Hampshire.
England. His father died in 1848 and in 1849 his mother came with her family
to the United Slates. Mr. Cole was educated in the common schools, and soon after-
ward worked at the business of manufacturing blacking and ink, and later worked
two years in a brick yard. During the war he enlisted in the 10th Regiment of
New Jersey Yolunteers and at the close of the war, in August, 1865, went into the
oil region of Pennsylvania, obtaining employment at Oil City in running a steam
so
engine pumping an oil well. While so engaged he completed his studies in short-
hand writing, which he had begun in the army. In 1866 he came to New York
seeking employment in journalism, and in August of that year was appointed on
the staff of the New York Herald. Three years later he became city editor and
held that position until his health became impaired. Mr. Bennett then sent him to
the West Indies and South America on a tour which occupied sixteen months. This
journey required him to visit nearly every West India Island and was extended
down the west coast of South America, through the Straits of Magellan -and up the
east coast. Mr. Cole crossed the Andes twice and experienced various adventures
in the form of earthquake, yellow fever and revolution. While at Rio Janeiro he in-
terviewed the Emperor Don Pedro, particularly on the subject of the abolition of
slavery in the empire, the bill providing for which had just been passed by the Bra-
zilian Parliament. Returning to New York he rejoined the Herald staff, and soon
afterward became managing editor of the Evening Telegram. In 1874 he left the
service of the Herald and joined the staff of the New York Times, soon after-
ward becoming financial editor of that paper, and later its Albany correspondent.
In 1882 he became private secretary to the late Rufus Hatch, and was identified with
that gentleman in the Yellow Stone National Park enterprise, which, however,
collapsed in 1884, when the Northern Pacific Railroad went into the hands of a re-
ceiver. Mr. Cole then returned to journalism on the staff of the New York Herald,
and remained there until the fall of 1887, when he resigned to organize the city
staff of the Press and became the first city editor of that paper. In 1888 he went
into Wall street as general manager of the Kiernan News Company, a concern
whose specialty was the furnishing by ticker and bulletins of information to bankers
and railway and financial corporations. In the fall of 1894, shortly after Governor
Morton was nominated for the governorship, Mr. Cole was invited to be-
come his private secretary, and has continued with him in that capacity
until the present time. He has been a member of the New York Press Club
for over twenty years and was twice elected vice-president. He is also a mem-
ber of the 23d Regiment, N. G., N. Y., of Brooklyn and is now assistant chief of
Artillery, State of New York, with the rank of colonel. He has contributed to
various magazines sketches of the civil war, of foreign travel and of the Yellowstone
country.
Carroll, James H., son of John and Jane (Ballard) Carroll, was born in Albany on
the 19th day of September, 1828. His parents were born in Ireland. His father
arrived in this country in 1824, came to Albany the next year, and commencing busi-
ness in a small way, soon followed his brother in the manufacture of burr mill stones,
on Broadway. He also held several positions of trust, and was highly respected.
His death occurred from an accident in 1851. James H., the subject of this sketch,
was educated in the public and select schools of the city, and in 1844, at the age of
seventeen entered the printing office of Joel Munsell and learned the trade, which he
followed for nineteen years. Being of an active political mind, in 1862 he was
elected supervisor of the old Seventh ward, and afterwards a police commissioner of
the city. In 1863 he was appointed to a position in the post office under Postmaster
George Dawson, and on the passage of the capital police law, accepted the captaincy
of the third police precinct, which he held for nearly two years, resigning in 1867,
si
purchasing an interest in the coal business with his brother-in-law, T. C. Rafferty.
He also became interested in the Albany Stove Company, and held the position of
its president and treasurer for several years, and is now one of the executive com-
mittee of St. Peter's Hospital. In 1894 Mr. Rafferty died, when he assumed sole
charge, and has the most complete shed or pockets for coal now in the city. He is
one of the five living members of the original Republican County Committee, and
•is in the enjoyment of good health. On the 28th of August, 1851, he married Jane
Rafferty, daughter of the late Charles Rafferty of the city, by whom he had seven
children, three now living: J. Ballard, Dr. Terence L. and Mary Ann.
Pitkin, Wolcott H., son of John R. and Sophia M. (Thrall) Pitkin, was born in
Brooklyn, N. Y., December 22, 1838. Both parents were from Litchfield county,
Conn. Mr. Pitkin's childhood was spent on his father's farm in Jamaica township,
Queens county, N. Y. In 1849 his mother died and the family was broken up. His
father then made the farm into building lots and incorporated the village of Wood-
ville, later known as Woodhaven, and he had previously incorporated the village of
East New York, now the Twenty-sixth ward of Brooklyn. Soon after the death of
his mother, Mr. Pitkin was sent to live with his uncle who owned a dairy farm in
Torrington, Conn. Here under the good discipline and instruction of his uncle he
learned to do all kinds of farm work and inculcated habits of industry. Schools
were open during the winter months only and inasmuch as the facilities for obtain-
ing an education were so limited, Mr. Pitkin, after a year or two of this farm life,
was sent to Marlboro, Mass., where his father had arranged for him to attend the
public schools and work an hour or two each schoolday and a part of each Saturday
in the large shoe factory of C. D. Bigelow & Bro. In this way he acquired a knowl-
edge of books and of business, and at the age of nineteen, with the advice and as-
sistance of his elder brother, a wholesale dry goods merchant of New York city, he
obtained employment with the wholesale boot and shoe jobbing house of William
Smith, Brown & Co., as junior stock clerk. He remained with this firm until the
war of the Rebellion crippled industries, and stranded his employers' business. He
soon engaged and became interested in the business of the East New York Boot,
Shoe & Leather Manufacturing Co., which was founded in 1858 by his father at East
New York, L, I., with sales department in New York city. Levi B. Howe, repre-
senting his own and the Bigelow and Trask interests, was president, F. Eugene
Pitkin secretary and treasurer, and John R. Pitkin, the father of Wolcott H.. was
vice-president of the company. At this time the company held contracts for the
labor of some one hundred and fifty convicts in the Albany County Penitentiary and
for the labor of two hundred and fifty boys in the Providence, R. I.. Reform School.
Mr. Pitkin was sent to take charge of the work at the latter institution in the latter
part of 1859 and was very successful in his management. He also added another
contract for the labor of the prisoners in the Rhode Island State Prison and estab-
lished another factory in the city of Providence. Early in 1865 the company was
offered inducements to move its plant to Albany, N. Y. The labor of some three
hundred Albany county prisoners, then employed by C. D. Bigelow & Co., was
offered, with additional increase as to the force as required. In l*'Wi Mr. Pitkin
closed the works in Providence and organized six (afterwards ten) work shops in the
Albany County Penitentiary. Later it became necessary to again enlarge and an-
ts
82
other factory was leased in South Broadway. In 1870 it again became evident that
more room could be used to advantage. At this time Mr. Pitkin's brother, George
D., became interested in the company. W. H. resigned his office as president in
favor of his brother, who managed the finance and credit department until his death
in 1886. The property on Hamilton street from No. 222 to No. 236 was purchased
in 1870, and the factory was fitted up and equipped with the latest mechanical de-
vices used in shoe manufacture This business continued until the spring of 1889,
when the contracts for penal labor were closed through adverse State legislation.
This depression caused a reorganization of the company when the following direct-
ors were elected: F. E. Pitkin, W. H. Pitkin, E. D. Allyn, Charles T. Whitman and
A. R. Sewall. Success attended the efforts of the new company until the spring of
1890 when difficulties arose with the labor unions. These were partly settled in
1891, but the financial depression beginning in 1893 made itself felt in the business.
In 1894 and 1895 the business was wound up and all obligations honorably liquidated.
October 20, 1868, Mr. Pitkin married Mary Wood, daughter of Henry C. Southwick
of Albany, N. Y. , and they have two children, Edith Winifred and Wolcott Homer,
jr., now living.
Warner, Jacob A., a well known citizen and landmark, was born in the town of
Berne, March 16, 1828. Christopher Warner, his great-grandfather, was a native
of Germany, came to America with his two brothers, and settled in the town of
Berne, taking up land around what is now known as Warner's Lake. Christopher
Warner, the grandfather, was born in Berne and was a farmer. In 1765 he and his
brother Johannes erected a saw and grist mill in East Berne, it being the second
mill in the town. He reared three sons and four daughters. Henry C. , the father
of John A. Warner, was born in Berne on the homestead near Warner's Lake,
November 14, 1793. In earlv life he was a farmer, but the greater part of his life
was spent at coopering, residing all his life at Berne. His first wife was Lena,
daughter of Andrew Batcher of Knox, and they had seven children : Rebecca,
Samuel, Mary Ann, Elizabeth (who died when three years of age), Hannah, Chris-
topher and Jacob A. His wife died in 1834 and he married Mrs. Lane Cole. He
died in 1854. Jacob A. Warner received a limited common school education, and
when a lad of twelve years of age began work on a farm for others ; when fourteen
he went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until eighteen. He then
learned the mason's trade and followed this for nine years, when he purchased a
small farm in Berne and engaged in farming. After selling this farm he lived two
years in Knox on a rented farm and in 1865 he purchased a farm in the town of New
Scotland. He sold this farm and in 1867 purchased his present farm of 127 acres,
where he has ever since resided. He has been the breeder of many fine horses and
also a dealer in horses, and is an excellent judge of oxen, as he found it profitable for
many years when ox teams were much in use to deal in those animals, buying and
selling many yokes of cattle; later years he has devoted more attention to the breed-
ing of Jersey cattle. In politics Mr. Warner is a Republican and has filled the office
of assessor in his town for fifteen years, and is now filling that office. He has often
been drawn as juryman, having sat on the Grand Jury and United States Grand
Jury. In 1851 he married Sarah, daughter of Lawrence Clyckman, and their chil-
dren were Henrietta (who died when twenty-one), Lawrence and Mary (wife of Charles
83
Fares of Guilderland). Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the Lutheran church
in Knox, where Mr. Warner is elder. Lawrence, his son, now has the management
of the farm and is interested in the breeding of Jersey cattle and fine draft horses.
His first wife was Mary Kipp, second wife, Minnie, daughter of Calvin Beebe of
Knox, and they have one child, Earl. He is a Republican and a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry.
Higgins, John H., was born in New Scotland, February 7, 1844. His father, John
Higgins, was born in England, July 27, 1809. When seventeen years of age he
came to America on account of his health, first settling in Dutchess county, where
he lived two years, then in 1828 came to New Scotland and engaged in farm
work, which he followed many years. His wife was Elizabeth Schermerhorn of
Knox, daughter of Abram Schermerhorn, by whom he had two children: Thomas,
who enlisted in Co. D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and died in Pensacola Hospital in 1862; and
John H. ; John Higgins died in October, 1890, and his wife in November, 1866.
John H. Higgins attended the common district school and remained on the farm
with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began for himself by assuming
charge of a farm for another party and later rented farms for some years. In 1877
he bought his present farm consisting of 102 acres, where he makes a specialty of
dairying and fruit growing, having the finest plum orchard in his vicinity. He has
also devoted much time to breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle and fast horses. In
1863 Mr. Higgins married Mary Ann, daughter of Alex, and Sarah Ann Patterson
of New Scotland, by whom he had two children: Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett of New
Scotland, and William. His wife died April 25, 1873. His second wife was Emily
Albright, daughter of Mrs. Margaret (Hotaling) Albright, and they had one child,
Lulu. Mrs. Higgins died July 12, 1894. William Higgins married Nellie Warner,
daughter of Franklin Warner, of New Salem.
Martin, Robert, was born in the town of New Scotland in 1838. John, his great-
grandfather, was born in Coxsackie, and was left an orphan when quite young. He
was a mason by trade, and was a soldier in the English army during the Revolution-
ary war. He settled in New Scotland before the war, where he worked at his trade,
and later died in New Salem about 1816. His wife was Maria i ralick by whom he
had thirteen children. Peter, the grandfather, was born in this town in December,
1781. He was a farmer and became a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was
Christiana Allen, daughter of William and Jennie (Dremmons) Allen, both of Scot-
land and pioneers in New Scotland. They had seven children: Margaret, Isabella,
Mary, Jennie, William, Avery and John. He died in June 1852 and his wife in 1839.
William, the father, was born in New Scotland, October 18, 1806, and came on the
farm he now owns with his parents when he was six years of age. When he was
thirty years of age he purchased a half of his father's farm of ninety-four acres, and
in 1851 purchased the other half and has since devoted his time to general farming.
He erected all of the buildings and made other improvements on the place. In Oc-
tober, 1829, he married Mary Moak, daughter of William Moak and granddaughter
of Robert Taylor, a native of Ireland. Their children were Mary, Jane, Peter \\\,
William M., Robert, Harriet A., Rachael, and Alden, who. died when twenty-two
years of age. His wife died April 19, 1880. Robert has always resided on the home-
stead; for the past twenty-five years he had charge of the farm, his father residing
84
with him. In December, 1809, he married Amelia Wood, daughter of Arnold Wood
They have two children : Arvilla H., wife of Clarence Harkey of Guilderland, and
Frank W.
Stewart, L. D., born April 10, 1851, is a son of Ebenezer and Catherine (Carpenter)
Stewart, both natives of Westerlo. The parents of Ebenezer were Andrew and
Lydia (Seaman) Stewart, of Albany county, but spent their last days in Greenville,
Greene pounty. Ebenezer Stewart has been a farmer, speculator in stock and wool
buyer; his business is now dealing in wool at South Westerlo, which business he has
followed twenty-five years. He has two children : L. D. Stewart, as above, Susan
S., wife of Clarence S. Gage, proprietor of the Ravena House, Ravena, N. Y. The
parents of Catherine (Carpenter) Stewart were Thomas G. and Janett (Green) Car-
penter, he a native of Stephentown and she of Westerlo. He was a boot and shoe
dealer at Coxsackie, and grocer and farmer in Westerlo. The parents of Janett
Green were Capt. John and Mary (Llewellyn) Green, he of England and she of France.
He was a drummer in the Revolutionary war, and owned a large estate and kept
slaves. The parents of Thomas G. Carpenter were Samuel and Homar (Arnold)
Carpenter ; she was a cousin to Stephen A. Douglass and relative of Benedict Arnold.
In 1888 L. D. Stewart married Josephine, daughter of George W. and Lucy (Rey-
nolds) Robbins of South Westerlo. Mrs. Stewart died April 12, 1893. She was a
teacher of music and educated in Albany. Mr. Stewart has been in the wool busi-
ness with his father, and in 1888 he engaged in general mercantile business at South
Westerlo and carries a complete line as needed in country stores. He is a Republi-
can and has been county committeeman five or six years; he also has been post-
master at South Westerlo.
Waggoner, William S. , was born in the town of Guilderland, November 16, 1855.
The Waggoner name dates back to the early settling of Albany county. Michael
Waggoner, the founder of the name in America, was a native of Germany; he set-
tled in what is now Guilderland, where he took up a tract of some 700 acres of land.
George, the next in line, was born in Guilderland on the homestead near Dunnsville.
Peter, the great-grandfather, was born on the homestead about 1770; his wife was
Hannah Walker, and their children were George, Israel, Nancy, Fulatta, Betsey,
John and Susan. George, the grandfather, was born on the homestead in 1801, and
devoted his life to farming; his wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Winnie, and
their children were Peter G., Jo'hn W., Amanda, Susan M., William, Sarah, Louisa,
Elizabeth and Mary Ann; he died in 1848 and his wife died in 1867. Peter G., the
father, was also born on the Waggoner homestead in 1823; he attended district
schools until sixteen years of age, when, his father becoming an invalid, he took
charge of affairs; after some twelve years he gave the farm to his brother William,
the latter to care for the mother and sisters; he then bought another farm, but later
moved to the town of Bethlehem, where he resided for twelve years; in 1882 he
removed to Guilderland and purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres, near
Guilderland Center, on which he has erected fine and eommodious buildings; he has
served his town for several years as commissioner of highways, and was twice
appointed to take the govornment census of his town; in 1853 he married Evaline, a
native of Guilderland and a daughter of John P. Livingston. Their children are
are Magdalen V., William S. , Rolin, Anna B., deceased, Elon M. and Grace. Will-
85
iam S. received a common school education and when twenty-three years old began
farming on his own account in the town of Guilderland. On this farm he lived for
nine years, when in 1890 he removed to his father's farm which he has since had
charge of. He is now serving his second four years' term as justice of the peace, and
is president of the Guilderland Mutual Insurance Association. In 1878 he married
Emma C, born in Guilderland and daughter of John F. and Ann Eliza (Crounse)
Fryer.
Kibbee, William Backus, son of Austin S. and Anna (Meeker) Kibbee, was born in
Albany, N. Y., February 1, 1852, and was educated at the Albany Academy and
Oberhn College. He is in direct line from Edward Kibbee, who, with his wife Deb-
orah, were living in Exeter, England, in 1611. Their son Edward, with his wife,
Mary Partridge, came to New England in 1040; in 1643 Elisha, the third child of
Edward, lived in Salem, Mass., and in 1682 removed to Enfield, Conn., and was one
of the founders of that town and a large land owner. His son Isaac was the first
male child born in Enfield. He married Rachel Cook, and his son Edward with his
wife, Dorothy Phelps, were among the first settlers of Somers, Conn. Thus it will
be seen that the ancestors of the subject of this sketch played no small part in the
early settlement of the country. The following names of ancestors, with dates of
birth, show the line of descent: Edward, born May 11, 1611; Elisha, September !»,
1648; Edward, February 2, 1670; Elisha, February 25, 1697; Charles, May 11, 17:17 ;
Joel, September 15, 1764; Joel, March 1, 1786; Austin S., November 22, 1822; and
William B., February 1, 1852. About 1875 there was a remarkable gathering at the
old homestead of Horatio Kibbee at Ellington, when ninety children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren sat down together to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of
Mrs. Valorous Kibbee, who was the daughter of Allerton Cushman, and so a direct
descendant of Thomas Cushman and Mary Allerton of Mayflower and Pilgrim fame.
Mr. Kibbee is engaged in the lumber business with his father, Austin S., and they
have one of the largest yards and businesses in the State. Mr. Kibbee married Carrie
Staats, who is a descendant of Abraham Staats, a surgeon, who went to Rensselaer-
wyck in 1642 and who was one of the founders of Albany city. They have three
children: Fanny Abbott, Austin Staats and William Bertram.
Filkins, Edward Vincent. — The late Edward Vincent Filkins was born in East
Berne, on the Filkins homestead, in 1821 of Scotch ' ancestry. His father, Richard
Filkins, was a native of Vermont and came to Berne with his parents about 1792,
and later settled in the eastern part of the town on a farm of 200 acres. He also
owned and operated a saw mill, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, filling the
office of sergeant. He was twice married, and by his first wife six children were
born. His second wife was Catharine Angle; to this union were born fourteen chil-
dren, eight sons growing to maturity. Edward V. was reared on his father's farm
and attended the Rensselaerville and Knoxville Academies, teaching school to pro-
cure means to pay his way. He read law in Delhi and settled in Berne in 1854,
where he spent his life practicing his profession with success and distinction. Pre-
vious to his entering actively into the law practice, he filled the office of school com-
missioner. His law practice was extensive, often being retained on cases which car-
ried him before the higher courts in Albany. His wife was Emma E.. daughter of
Rev. Thomas L. Shat'er and they had three children : Carrie E., Thomas Richard
86
and May S. He died February 13, 1887, and his wife September 23, 1894. The sur-
viving children, Carrie and Thomas, still reside on their father's homestead in the
village of Berne, and they own a farm of 400 acres in Iowa. Miss Filkins is a grad-
uate of Temple Grove Seminary of Saratoga, and for some years afterward devoted
her attention to teaching.
Gise, Peter, was born in Rensselaer county in 1858, and is the son of Peter Gise
(deceased) who came to Bethlehem in 1859 and settled on the farm where Peter Gise
now lives, where he is a successful farmer and dairyman, running a large milk route
in Albany. He married Anna Dorothy, daughter of George Smith, a gardener of
Kenwood, and they have one son and two daughters: Peter, jr., Carolyn and Lulu.
Grey, W. W., son of William C. and Mary (Burrows) Grey, was born in Bedford,
England, in 1851. He received his early education in the Bedford schools and was
apprenticed when very young as office assistant to the Howards of Bedford, Eng-
land, manufacturers of agricultural implements and the inventors of the iron plow.
He remained there until 1871, when he came to America, having been preceded by
his parents. Before leaving England Mr. Grey had been importuned to accept the
position of bookkeeper in the office of Coolidge, Pratt & Co., brewers, of Albany.
In 1872 the business, which is one of the oldest breweries in America, having been
started in 1797, was incorporated under the name of the Albany Brewing Company.
Subsequently Mr. Grey became a member of the company, and in 1890 he was
elected assistant manager, which office he now fills. Mr. Grey is a 32° Mason and is
the potentate of Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has been president of St.
George's Society of Albany for two years and was its secretary seventeen years.
He was commodore of the Albany Yacht Club for three years and was one of the
organizers of the first fencing class in Albany. He is also president of the Erwin
Manufacturing Company of Greenbush, N. Y., and was a director of the South End
Bank. He is a member of the Press, Acacia and Albany Clubs, and also a member
of the Albany Masonic Veteran Association.
Jolley, Hugh, who was born in Galway, Scotland, in 1721, came to this country in
1772. He kept the Abbey Hotel during the Revolutionary war. He had three sons:
Samuel, James and Hugh, who was born in Scotland in 1770 and came to this coun-
try with his father and was a minister. He had three sons: Henry S., Hugh B.
and James W. Henry S. was born in 1807; he married Elizabeth Ten Eyck and
settled the place known as the Crystal Hill farm in Bethlehem; he died in 1845,
leaving three sons: Samuel, Hugh R. and James H. Samuel was born in 1833; he
married Caroline V. , daughter of Frederick Rosekrans. He still remains on the
farm. He has two sons: Orville H. and Harry S., who is on the farm with his
father. Orville H. was born in 1862 and resides in New York city; he has one son:
Orville Blaine Jolley.
Graham, Edward J., son of John and Margaret (Kirwin) Graham, was born in Al-
bany, July 25, 1857, attended the public and high schools, graduating in 1874 and
read law with Hand, Hale, Schwartz & Fairchild and with Attorney-General
Charles S. Fairchild, being also a clerk in the attorney-general's office. He com-
pleted his law studies in the office of Hon. Sidney T. Fairchild. counsel for the N. Y.
C. & H. R. R. R. and treasurer of the Hudson River Bridge Company, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1878. In May, 1885, he went to Washington as private secre-
tary to Hon. Charles S. Fairchild, assistant secretary of the treasury, and remained
with him in the same capacity while he was secretary of the treasury, resigning
in April. 1889. Returning to Albany, Mr. Graham has since been in the active
practice of his profession. In 1883 he was elected a member of the Albany Board
of Public Instruction and served until he went to Washington. He was appointed
a civil service commissioner by Mayor Manning and held the office about one year,
when he resigned. In May, 1893, he was appointed by Comptroller James H.
Eckels national bank examiner for the Northern District of New York, and still
holds that position. He is a member and trustee of the Catholic Union and is un-
married.
Hull, Samuel T., son of Henry G. and Rhoda A. (Corbin) Hull, was born in Rox-
bury, Delaware county, N. Y. , October 20, 1851. His father's ancestors were mem-
bers of an old Connecticut family that served in the Revolution ; one of them hav.
ing been Captain Hull, who commanded the U. S. S. Constitution at the time of her
engagement with the Guerriere. His mother's ancestors, the Corbins, belonged to a
prosperous family in Delaware county and they fought in the Revolution. Mr.
Hull's father was a stock dealer and farmer and died in 1853. Samuel T. Hull was
educated at the Roxbury Academy and at Stamford Seminary, Stamford, N. Y.,
and was graduated from that institution in 1871. He then went to Cobleskill, Scho-
harie county, and studied law with County Judge William C. Lamont, teaching
school during the winters. He left there in November, 1872, and taught school at
Arkville, Delaware county, during that winter, and in March, 1873, he went to
Kingston, N. Y., and entered the law office of ex-Attorney-General Schoonmaker as
managing clerk. Mr. Hull was admitted to the bar in January, 1875, and practiced
law at Kingston until April 1, 1890, when he was appointed bookkeeper of the State
Banking Department at Albany. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of
chief clerk and remained there until May 1, 1896, some months after the resigna-
tion of Hon. Charles M. Preston, superintendent. He then formed a copartnership
with the Hon. Galen R. Hitt, with whom he has since practiced law in Albany. He
was for eight years city judge of Kingston and for four years justice of sessions
of Ulster county. He is Past Grand Chanceller of the order of Knights of Pythias
of New York State; isa member of Kingston Division No. 18, U. R. K. P.. Endow-
ment Section No. 185, K. P., Franklin Lodge No. 37, K. P., and is now Chief Tri-
bune, the head of the judicial branch of the order. Mr. Hull is a Past Grand of
Kosciusko Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F., and a member of Kingston Encampment No.
125, I. O. O. F. He is at present Past Regent of Albany Council No. 1560, Royal
Arcanum, and Senior Seneschal of Albany Senate No. 641, K. A. E. O. He was
superintendent of the engrossing room of the Assembly during the winter of INS;;,
and has several times been a delegate to Democratic State and county conventions.
October 2, 1873, he married Saphronia R. Jones of Kingston, N. Y., and they have
one daughter: Vira R.
Jacobson, Peter, wasbornouhisgrandfather'shomrsuad, September24, 1842. facob,
the founder of the family in America, came from Holland before the Revolutionary
war and settled in the town of Bethlehem, where he engaged in farming. His wife
was Maria Veeder, whom he married in his native place. They reared six children;
ss
Volkert, John, Henry and Simon (twins), Maria, and Jane. Henry, the grandfather,
was born in Bethlehem in 1773. He was a lifelong farmer and from the time he was
eighteen he lived in Guilderland, where he was fairly prosperous. His wife was
Eve, daughter of Henry Apple, who came to America from Germany, and their
children were Maria, Jacob L., Harriet, Nancy, Eve, Henry, Simon, Margaret and
Jane. He died in August, 1853, and his wife, in 1865. Henry, the father, was born
in Guilderland (on the homestead) in 1810, where he spent his entire life. He also
purchased another farm where Peter Jacobson now resides. His wife was Susan,
daughter of Peter Wormer of Guilderland, and their children were Peter W. and
Susan M. His wife died in 1846. His second wife was Catherine Beebe, by whom
he had one child, William H. Henry Jacobson died in 1885, and his wife in 1891.
Peter W. attended the common schools and remained on the farm, working for his
father until his death, when the property was divided and he took his present farm
upon which he has since lived, doing general farming and devoting much attention
to the breeding of Jersey and other high grade cattle. In 1868 he married Harriet,
daughter of Philip Ogsbury of Guilderland, and their children are Charles, Anna,
Henry. Susan, and Hattie Rolena. Mr. Jacobson has been treasurer of the Re-
formed church for eleven years, also has acted as deacon and elder, and has been
secretary of the Guilderland Cemetery Association for several years. His wife has
been treasurer of the Missionary Society for seven years.
Kimmey, John B., is the son of Richard Kimmey, who was for many years en-
gaged in the produce shipping business at Cedar Hill, and was twice member of the
Legislature. He died in 1879 and left two sons: William of New York and John B.,
who remained on the homestead and is a farmer and gardener, and is also postmas-
ter. He has two sons, Myndart V. , and Clarence. Mr. Kimmey' s grandfather was
Frederick, whose father, John Kimmey, came from Holland and settled in Bethle-
hem, j
Lodge, Barrington, was born October 13, 1828, in Dublin. Ireland. Thomas Pip-
piet Lodge, his father, a native of Carlow, Ireland, was of French extraction and at
an early age enlisted in the English army, with which he participated with Welling-
ton in the battles of Waterloo, Salamanca and Victoria. After Waterloo he married
Adelaide Le Dou, of Gaillefontaine, France, and later went to Newfoundlrnd, where
he received the appointment of ordnance storekeeper under the British government
and there Barrington obtained his education iu private schools. In 1852 Barrington
Lodge came to Albany, where he has since resided. He was a clerk in the dry goods
jobbing house of Sheldons & Co. in 1852. In 1861 he formed a copartnership with
Henry B., son of Alexander Marvin Gregory, and engaged in the knit goods busi-
ness under the firm name of Lodge, Gregory & Co. In 1882 the firm became Lodge,
Wilkins & Co., and in 1887 it was changed to B. Lodge & Co., which still continues,
Mr. Lodge's two sons, William S. and Charles V. D., becoming members in 1893.
Mr. Lodge is a great lover of literature, well versed in history, political economy, -
biography and science, and from the age of fifteen has written much for the press.
For poetry and versification he possesses unusual talent and has gained a high repu-
tation in this respect. Such poems as " The Perquisition," "Fate," "Altruistic,"
"Charity," " It might have been," "Chadidja," " The Boulders of Blue Mountains,"
"Normandie," "The Blue Bell," "A Reverie." " Mary March," and many others
89
exhibit high poetical instinct and the wide scope of his genius. In 1854 he married
Annie, daughter of John B. Scott and niece of William B. Scott of Albany. She
died in 1886, leaving the two sons previously mentioned. In 1888 he married Chris-
tina, daughter of Alexander Graham of Newfoundland, whom he had not seen in
thirty years, her home being at Balarat, Australia, during that time.
Lawson, Joseph A., son of Isaac and Elizabeth L. (Steere) Lawson, was born in
Albany, December 13, 1859. The family have lived in Albany county for more
than one hundred years, the old homestead in Watervliet, now Colonie, having been
purchased by his great-grandfather, Peter Lawrence Lawson, from the French
refugee, Marquis La Tour ; it has always remained in the name and is now owned
by a cousin, Joseph C. Lawson. His ancestors fought in the Revolutionary war and
were with the detachment that captured Major Andre. Isaac Lawson, for many
years a prominent lawyer in Albany, was the Republican nominee for justice of the
Supreme Court in 1887. His wife came from an old Rhode Island family of Eng-
lish descent. Joseph A. Lawson was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1878,
with the highest honors. He read law in New York with Marsh, Wilson & Wallis
and in Albany with I. & J. M. Lawson, and took a course of lectures at the Albany
Law School and was graduated from Columbia Law School in New York city in
May, 1882, with the degree of LL. B., and in September of the same year was ad-
mitted to the bar by the General Term of the Supreme Court. He began practice in
New York city, associating himself with the firm of Marsh, Wilson & Wallis. In
1884 he returned to Albany and became a member of the firm of I. & J. M. Lawson
until the fall of 1891, when he withdrew and opened his present office. While a
student at law Mr. Lawson indulged in some newspaper and magazine work, being
connected as editor and proprietor with the Fort Orange Monthly, and later assum-
ing the duties of editor of the Sunday edition of the Albany Morning Express. As
a lawyer, he has been successful and is possessed of sound judgment and forensic
ability. He is a Democrat and has been active as a stump speaker throughout the
State, and from January to October, 1896, served as Mayor Thacher's first clerk.
He is a charter member of the Albany Press Club; a member of the Fort Orange
Club, the Albany Camera, Burns, Whist and Chess, and Young Men's Demccratic
Clubs, the Albany Institute and the Albany County Wheelmen; a sustaining mem-
ber of the Y.M.C.A. ; a member and past master of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.,
and a member of the American Bar Association, and a member and formerly secre-
tary of the New York State Bar Association. He has been a member of the Faculty
of the Albany Law School since 1895. Among his most significant achievements
have been his successes as a postprandial orator and campaign speaker of originality
and force. In June, 1885, he married Ilarriette C, daughter of William E. and
Helen S. Morgan, of Syracuse, and their children are Helen E. and Florence M.
Mears, Edward Norris Kirk, A. B., M. I)., was born in Cambridge, Mass.. July 1,
1870, and is a son of the Rev. D. O. Mears, D. D. , the pastor of the Fourth Presby-
terian church of Albany, X. V. Dr. Mears attended the public schools a! Worces-
ter, Mass., and was graduated from the Worcester Academy in 1888. He then
attended Williams College and was graduated in 1892. Wildcat Williams College
he studied medicine under Dr. L. D. Woodbridge, and after leaving there he spent
one year at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, under
1
90
the preceptorship of Dr. Robert F. Weir. He then came to Albany and studied
with Drs. J. M. Bigelow and A. Vander Veer, and in 1895 was graduated from the
Albany Medical College and received the degree of M. D. He is a member of the
Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and the Albany County Medical Society. He is also
climical assistant in the Albany Medical College and assistant in the genito-urinary
department of the Albany Hospital. June 1, 1893, he married Elizabeth Cooper of
Bennington, Vt.
Marshall, Mrs. P., is the widow of the late Philip E. Marshall, whose death oc-
curred in 1891, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Marshall was one of the earliest
business men of Cohoes, taking up a residence there in 1859. He established a dry
goods business there in partnership with Rodney Wilcox. Later he went into the
lumber trade, which is still owned and operated by his widow. Mr. Marshall was
born at Victory Mills, Saratoga county, in 1830, and spent four years in California
before making his home here, where he became a leading citizen, honored by all
who knew him. He was survived by his widow and three sons: Harry A. (deceased),
Charles E., practicing medicine at Lead, South Dakota, and Frederick W., at home.
Oliver, George, is one of the wealthiest men of Cohoes, inheriting with his six
brothers and sisters a large farm property, which they have sold. He has interests
in many parts of the United States, among which are the Oliver Bros. Grist Mill,
flour and feed at 297 Ontario street, brass and iron bedstead manufacturer at Lock-
port, N. Y., Green Island Knitting Mill, phosphate and fertilizers and oil works in
North Carolina, and the oil business at Atlanta, Ga. He was born at Argyle, N. Y.
in 1839, and was the son of John Oliver, a farmer of Cambridge, who died in 1861.
Mr. Oliver was born on a farm in Washington county, came to Waterford in 1839
and to Cohoes in 1860, building a cider mill in 1862. His wife was Isabella Frink,
who bore him three children: Harrison G., Grace, and Marion Ruth.
Pearse, Harry Seymour, M. D., son of Charles W. and Nellie (Skinner) Pearse,
was born in Elmira, N. Y., November 2, 1870. His father was a native of England
and his mother a descendant af the Puritans. He was educated in the Elmira Free
Academy and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1892. He then
completed a three years' course on the staff of Bellevue Hospital, New York city.
Dr. Pearse is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and of the Society of
Alumni of Bellevue Hospital, New York. June 10, 1896, he married Cornelia Smith,
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Battershall, rector of St. Peter's church.
Goldring, Samuel, son of William, was born December 29, 1864, in West Dean,
Sussex, England, and came to America in 1886. He was for two years foreman of
the gardening department for W. C. Wilson, on Long Island, and in 1888 he came
to Albany and first engaged in the flower business on Western avenue, and six months
later formed a partnership with H. G. Eyres as Eyres & Co. The)' carried on a large
floral business until February, 1895, when Mr. Goldring withdrew and formed a co-
partnership with his brother, Frederick, under the style ol Goldring Brothers.
They have a retail store at No. 30 North Pearl street, and also run the old Font
Grove green-houses at Slingerlands, where they have over 77,000 square feet covered
with glass; they do both a wholesale and retail business. Frederick Goldring came
to America in 1878 and settled in Albany, where he was for eleven years orchid
91
grower for Erastus Corning. Both brothers are members of the Society of American
Florists and of the Royal Arcanum. Samuel Goldring is district deputy grand
regent of the Royal Arcanum and a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A.
M., Temple Chapter, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R & S. M., Temple Com-
mandery, K. T., the Elks and the Albany Press Club. In 1888 he married Miss
Etta, daughter of William Potkora, one of the oldest florists in Albany, and their
children are Edith Frederica and Jessica Louisa.
Stedman, Francis W., son of George L. (see sketch) and Adda (Woolverton) Sted-
man, was born in Albany, December 7, 1867, attended the Albany Academy, and in
1884 became connected with the People's Gas Company, of which George A. Wool-
verton was president, and George L. Stedman was vice-president. When they sold
out he became shipping clerk for Tracey & Wilson, wholesale grocers, and in April,
1891, he entered the firm of T. M. Hackett & Stedman, coal dealers, whom he suc-
ceeded in 1892. Since 1893 he has conducted exclusively a wholesale business, cov-
ering New York and the New England States. He is sales agent for the coal mined
by David E. Williams & Co., a firm composed of the brother-in-law and son of
George B. Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Stedman
is a member of the Sons of the Revolution through Amos Hooker, whose son, John
Parker Hooker, was the maternal grandfather of George L. Stedman, above named.
Amos Hooker was a corporal in the Revolution, and was killed in service. In Feb-
ruary, 1893, Francis W. Stedman married Clara H., daughter of Ralph W. Thacher
of Albany, and they have one son, Woolverton Thacher Stedman. In November,
1896, he became a director and officer of the Albany Art Union of Albany, N.Y.
Nellis, William J., M. D., son of Jacob and Julia A. (Wright) Nellis, was born at
Schoharie Court House, N. Y., September 3, 1855. He was graduated from Scho-
harie Academy in 1873 and then engaged in the jewelry business in Schoharie for
one year. In 1874 he came to Albany as a partner in the drug firm of J. Nellis &
Sons, from which he withdrew in 1876. While there he read medicine with Dr.
John M. Bigelow and graduated from the Albany Medical College in 18" 9; since
then he has been in active practice in Albany. He took post-graduate courses in the
New York Polyclinic Hospital and College, in laryngology and rhiuology and in the
New York Post-Graduate School in clinical medicine, pathology and diseases of the
nose and throat. He is a member and ex-secretary of the Albany County Medical
Society, a member of the New York State Medical Society and chairman of its com-
mittee of arrangements. He is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution, through
his great-grandfather, Peter Nellis, who served in the 2d Regiment Tryon county
militia, from 1779 to the close of the war; a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. &
A. M., the Phi Sigma Kappa, the Fort Orange, Albany Camera, and Albany Coun-
try Clubs, the Mohican Camera Club, and served for three years as Meet surgeon of
the American Canoe Association.
Bell, E. M., M. D., has been a general practitioner at Cohoes since 1893, when he
graduated from the Albany Medical College. He is of French ancestry and son of
Louis Bell, and was born at Ellenburg, N. Y . , in 1866. He had taken an academic
course before entering the medical college, and is thoroughly prepared for his chosen
life work in the healing art. By his untiring devotion to his calling, which he gives,
he has a brilliant future before him. He is at present located at 97 Ontario street.
His wife was Lottie Bennett of Troy, by whom he has one daughter, Edith, three
years of age, and had one son, Clarence, who died in infancy.
Ford, Charles R., is a son of the late George F. Ford of Cohoes, a well known in-
surance and real estate agent, a man well known for his benevolence and a good
citizen. Mr. Ford was born about thirty years ago, and as a boy attended the
public schools of the city, from which he left to accept a position with Joseph
Stevens, the newsdealer, where he became a clerk and acted 'as a newsboy. It
was not long before he received an appointment as general delivery clerk at the
post-office under James H. Masten, the postmaster. Here he served faithfully
for two years until called to a position as messenger in the National Bank in
1884. Mr, Ford served as discount clerk and individual bookkeeper through ad-
vancement until February 1, 1896, when he received the appointment as treasurer
of the Cohoes Savings Institution, one of the most honored positions that can come
to a man, especially one as young as Mr. Ford. It is a position of trust, as the 4,800
depositors, representing nearly 82,000,000 of the people's money, is under his direct
charge. Mr. Ford, while not holding any political position, takes a deep interest in
all public affairs, and is usually found battling for good government. He is record-
ing secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Men's Christian
Association and is one of its charter members. He is also a member of the Business
Men's Association. As an active member of St. John's church, he has always
taken a prominent part in its advancement, and is connected with many of its
societies. Mr. Ford is also a member of the firm of Ford & Sons, real estate and in-
surance agents, 28 Main street, one of the leading agencies of the city, he having
charge of the real estate department.
Foster, E. H., identified with the most successful printing establishment of Albany
county, the well known Foster & Co. printing, engraving and binding, of Cohoes,
Remsen and Factory streets, is a native of Cohoes. He was born in 1849, and is the
son of Samuel H. Foster, a lawyer who came here in 1846 from Albany. The latter'
was for many years president of the Board of Education here, holding the position
at the time of his death. E. H. Foster was educated in the public schools here, and
acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business. He served an apprentice-
ship on the Cohoes Cataract and afterwards became foreman of the composing room
of the Cohoes Democrat. Later he went in business with R. S. Clark of Cohoes;
however, the firm was dissolved and Mr. Foster has controlled the establishment
himself since 1889. Being a man of unusual enterprise, the house stands second to
none in amount or quality of work accomplished. As a citizen Mr. Foster commands
the highest respect and is honored by a host of friends. In 1867 he married Mary
MacKerlie of Amsterdam, N. Y. They are the parents of seven children, three of
whom are living — Fred C, Samuel H. and Eugene A. For four years he was a
member of the Board of Hospital Commissioners of the city of Cohoes.
Hayes, Edward, a civil engineer, is also associated with a fire insurance business.
He graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y,, with the degree of C. E. He
began practicing in 1878 and held the position of city engineer of Cohoes, N. Y. , for
eight years. He is now (1895-1896) the engineer for the Public Improvement Com-
mission of the City of Cohoes, N. Y. He was born in Blossburg, Pa,, in 1S5-J, and
has been a resident of Cohoes since 1856.
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Hay, Miller, city chamberlain, is a lifelong resident of the city, with whose munic-
ipal government his father, the late James Hay, was also closely identified. Mr.
Hay was born in Cohoes in 1849, and after acquiring a good business education, was
for a short time an employee of a sash and blind factory. In 186!* he joined the fire
department, became foreman, afterward assistant chief and then chief for two years;
he then learned the knitting trade and was engaged in the leading mills of Cohoes;
for one year he was engaged in the county clerk's office under Albert Judson in 1871.
In 1872 he was appointed messenger for Senator Charles H. Adams, with whom he
remained two years and for two years was with William B. Woodin of Auburn, in
intimate contact with the State Legislature, and was of great service as an educa-
tional factor afterward. He conducted a confectionery in Cohoes. In 1878 he was
appointed jailer and served four years, and in 1883 was appointed an inspector of
customs at Albany. He returned to Cohoes in 1886 and engaged in the fruit trade,
but on account of ill health he disposed of his business and went to Europe. In
1890 Mr. Hay was appointed to the responsible office of chamberlain for two years,
and was reappointed, and is on his fourth term, making eight years and is the
present incombent; his duties he has discharged with great credit. He is a
member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, also president of the Second Ward Republican
Organization, and has been on the city committee for twenty-one years, of which
time he was treasurer eight years. He was married in 1875 to Anna L. Greene of
Cohoes, and has had four children; those living are Laura C, Leslie M. and Ruth
Eberly.
Lamb, James, whose death in 1885 was so sorely felt in the city of Cohoes, was
one of its most public spirited and benevolent citizens. He was a native of Scot-
land, and came to America in early manhood and located in Mechanicville, working
in a tailor establishment, which he afterwards purchased. He later engaged in the
same business in Troy, aud in 1855 came to Cohoes and entered the employ of R.
G. -Smith. In 1857 he associated with Mr. Leroy, continuing the business for eight
years, and was alone until 1872, when the present Globe Knitting Mill was estab-
lished, under the firm name of Leroy, Lamb & Co. Mr. Lamb was an active poli-
tician, as well as a prominent manufacturer, and was serving his sixth term as
alderman of the Third ward. In the Common Council he was a man of marked
ability and an earnest advocate of all that pertained to the advancement of local
affairs. He was a member of the Sons of Scotia, and was past grand in Egberts
Lodge, K. of P., and also of the I. O. O. F. He left a wife and three children.
McDowell, George H., of the firm of G. H. McDowell <y Co., who built in 1891 the
Cascade Mills on Van Schaick s Island, is one of the most prominent manufacturers
in Cohoes, where he came with his mother when only three years old, his father,
David McDowell, having died when he was an infant. He is of Scotch-Irish descent
and was born at Lansingburgh in 1853. He began business with nothing but his
indomitable courage and presevering efforts with which he surmounted every diffi
culty until he has become one of the most esteemed men of his city. Mr. McDowell
first began as a clerk in the National Bank in 1870, then as bookkeeper until 1881,
when he went into the Egberts Woolen Mills as superintendent. In 1882, with
Rodney Wilcox, he bought the business and continued the manufacture of under-
wear, etc., until 1884, when Mr. Wilcox sold out to Mr. George Neil, who was again
94
succeeded by H. S. Greene in 1889. He was married in 1878 to Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John Clute. They have five children. He is treasurer of the board of trustees
of the First Presbyterian church and a trustee of the Cohoes Savings Institution.
Smalling, L. K., has been a resident of Cohoes since the 1st of April, 1866. He
was born in Windham, Greene county, in 1840; his boyhood was spent at Ashland;
he enlisted in Co. F, 120th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., at Hunter, N. Y., in 1862 serving
throughout the war. He was a corporal and participated in the battles of Freder-
icksburg, Chancellorsville, where he was wounded. His first two years here were
spent as bookkeeper in the office of O. C. Finney, then with Bogue & Wager, and
was afterward bookkeeper for Hilton & Co. He established the present business
for himself in 1883. For one year he was president of the Merchants' Association
and was commander of the G. A. R. Post for one year. Mr. Smalling has been
notary public for fifteen years. His father was Cyrus Smalling, a contractor.
Smith, M. B., chief of police of the city of Cohoes, is a native of Troy, born in 1843,
but has been a resident here since two years of age. He went on the capital police
force in 1869, remaining on the force most of the time since. In 1892 he reached his
present position, and is regarded as a very capable officer, having the esteem of the
force and the citizens. His first relations with the mills was that of spinner, soon be-
coming foreman of that department. He was also foreman of the Mohawk Engine
Company No. 2 of the Volunteer Fire Department, and is a member of Cohoes
Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M.
Weidman, Malachi, though a native of Berne, \T. Y., has been a resident of Co-
hoes for over sixty years. He was born in 1828, and was the son of Abram Weid-
man, who was for years associated with the Silliman's Axe Works. Here he was
first employed after the acquisition of a good business education. Later he con-
ducted a retail meat market and was for some years engaged in the lime and cement
trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. A, 22d Regiment, N. V. Vols., as a private and
after two years in service came home an adjutant. He participated in thirteen
battles and engagements without a wound, though a horse was once wounded under
him. After the war he was for eight years engaged in the wool trade, and for the
same length of time served as chief of police. In 1885 he entered his present busi-
ness, wholesale and retail dealer in lime, cement and sewer pipe. In December,
1863, he married Sarah MaeWha.
Wait, A. IX, who has been reappointed a member of the National Racing Board of
the L. A. W., is one of the most prominent citizens and business men of Cohoes.
He has been a resident here for the past quarter of a century and for fifteen years
has been in the employ of John Leggett & Son, paper box manufacturers, for the past
live years having managed their large establishment. Mr. Wait is a veteran wheelman,
having ridden since 1883. He is a member of the Cohoes Wheelmen, a most flour-
ishing organization. He is well known as a successful race meet promoter and takes
a lively interest in wheeling and everything pertaining thereto and enjoys well de-
served popularity. He was last year a member of the State Racing Board of the L.
A. W. and is now chairman of that body, having recently been appointed to that
position by thief Consul Potter. In politics Mr. Wait is an active worker and al-
though he has never looked for political fame by seeking office he has nevertheless
95
been a faithful worker for the party to which he adheres. Mr. Wait is also a mem-
ber of the Cohoes Lodge F. & A. M., and an active member of the Hiram Chapter,
R. A. M.
Gregory, Hon. Clifford D., judge of the County Court, was born in the city of
New York and liberally educated at La Fayette Institute and Columbia College. He
became an Albanian in 1875 and a student of the Albany Law School, graduating from
that institution two years later. He was for seven years associated with the firm of
Parker & Countryman, and in 1894 formed a copartnership with his late brother,
George Stewart Grego.iv, which continued until the death of the latter in 1888. He
is a Republican in politics, but a politician of broad guage ; his popularity is universal.
His ability as a debater and his forcible and fearless advocacy of commendable meas-
ures, made him an acknowledged leader in the Board of Aldermen, to which he was
first elected in 1888 and again elected without opposition. Judge Gregory is a life
member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and vice-president of the Albany Chapter;
a life member and president of the Albany Club ; a life member of the Fort Orange
Club ; director of the Albany County Bank ; from 1890 to 1894 was president of the
Republican Executive Committee of Albany County; and a life member and presi-
dent of the Ridgefield Athletic Club. He is honored alike in political, professioual
and social life.
Masterson, Gen. John Philip, is the eldest son of Philip and Mary (Dolan) Master-
son, natives of Longford, Ireland, who resided in Albany over fifty years, dying, the
father on April 29, 1877, and the mother September 30, 1877. He was born in Al-
bany, May 6, 1849, was educated in the public and private schools and in 1864 en-
tered the establishment of Taylor & Waterman carpet dealers. In 1867 he became li-
brarian of the Young Men's Association, which post he most creditably filled for five
years, when he was made chief managing clerk in Bradstreet's Mercantile Agency,
then under Samuel Moffat. In the spring of 1874 he was elected a member and secre-
tary of the Democratic General Committee and occupied that position until June,
1896. In 1875 he was appointed clerk in the adjutant general's office under Gen.
Frederick Townsend and held that position four years, receiving while there the title
of '• General," by which he has since been popularly known. In 1879 he was ap-
pointed by the Board of Supervisors clerk of the committee on coroners and physi-
cians, and later as clerk to all the committees of the board, and in 1884 became con-
fidential and chief clerk to the state engineer, a position he held until November 28,
1892. In 1893 and again in 1894 he was appointed police commissioner, but resigned
in the latter year to accept, in September, at the hands of President Cleveland, the
appointment of surveyor of customs of the port of Albany, to succeed Hon. John
M. Bailey, which office he still holds. Since leaving the Young Men's Association
in 1S74, he has been an active, influential leader in the Democratic party. He is a
life member of the Catholic Union, vice-president of the Democratic Phalanx, a great
lover and collector of books, and resides in the homestead in which lie was born at
No. 5 Chestnut street.
Milne, William James, Ph. D., LL.D., was horn in the village of Forres in
the north of Scotland. His father, Charles Milne, was a Scotchman by birth and
a miller by occupation. His mother was Jean Black, distantly related to John
Black, tlie distinguished Scottish journalist. William J. Milne spent the first nine
96
years of his life studying in the parochial school of the Presbyterian church at
his birth place. In the autumn of 1852 Charles Milne with his family came to
America, and after a time settled in the village of Holley, Orleans county. Here
William J. Milne attended the academy; he also spent four years as a clerk in a vil-
lage store and taught school two terms to enable him to prepare for college at the
Brockport Collegiate Institute. In 1863 he entered the University of Rochester and
was graduated in 1868. During his course at college he taught some in the Roch-
ester Collegiate Institute and by his teaching earned more than enough to
meet his expenses at college. During his college course the Brockport Collegiate In-
stitute became a normal school and Dr. Milne was elected professor of ancient lan-
guages. He occupied that position until 1871, when he organized the State Normal
and Training School at Geneseo, N. Y. , and became its principal. There he re-
mained eighteen years and made the school one of the best of its kind in the coun-
try. In the autumn of 1889 Dr. Milne succeeded the late Dr. Waterbury as president
of the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y. , and in the following spring this institu-
tion was chartered as a college to train none but teachers. Dr. Milne has brought
the college into the front rank of the educational institutions of the State. He is the
author of a series of mathematical text books and in addition has contributed many
articles to magazines and educational publications. He has also delivered many lec-
tures on the educational methods of the day. He received the degree of Ph. I),
from the University of Rochester and that of LL.D. from the Indiana Asbury Uni-
versity. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Albany. In 1871 he
married Eliza Jeanet Gates, sister of President Gates of Amherst College, and they
have two children, a son and a daughter.
Ten Eyck, James, was born in Albauy, N. Y., February 16, 1840. He is a son of
Yisscher Ten Eyck, who for a long time was cashier of the Commercial Bank. He
is a descendant of an old and historical family that came from Holland to America
240 years ago. About the year 1800 Mr. Ten Eyck's grandfather, Abraham R. Ten
Eyck, removed to Albany and for a great many years he was prominently identified
with Albany's interests. Mr. Ten Eyck attended the Albany Academy and was
graduated from Burlington College, N. J., in 1855. He passed the examinations
and was admitted as junior at Yale College, but owing to ill health he was compelled
to change his plans. He then started in mercantile life as a clerk in the office of the
Central Railroad. In September, 1857, he left the railroad and entered the employ
of Bacon & Stickney, dealers in coffee and spices. March 1, 1865, he was taken into
partnership and on the death of Mr. Bacon he became senior partner of the firm.
In 1864 he married the daughter of Mrs. Margaret T. Yan Vechten of Albany, but
his wife lived only eight months. Mr. Ten Eyck never married again. He has
done much for the city of his birth and has been connected with all important organ-
izations. He is a member of St. Peter's church and the Fort Orange and Albany
Clubs. He is also a member of the Albany Institute and the only honorary member
of the Acacia Club. In politics he is a Republican and has been chairman of
the General County Committee. He was at the head of the Citizens Committee
that had in charge the reception to President Harrison in 1891. Mr. Ten Eyck offi-
ciated at the laying of the corner stones of the State Armory, Harmanus Bleecker
Hall and the Albany Masonic Burial lot, also of the Burns Monument. April 04,
97
1889, he presided at the jubilee of the Masonic fraternity in celebrating the final
payment of debt on the Masonic Temple of New York city. Mr. Ten Eyck is the oldest
33 Mason in Albany and has been actively identified with the fraternity since his
initiation in Masters Lodge No. 5, November 23, 1863. He was master from 1873 to
1877, having passed all the chairs. June 8, 1892, he was elected grand master of
Masons in the State of New York. He was also re-elected unanimously but de-
clined. Only one man in the world has a larger jurisdiction over Masons than Mr.
Ten Eyck and that man is Prince of Wales. When he was grand master Mr. Ten
Eyck presided over 80,000 Masons. The Prince of Wales, as grand master of Great
Britain has jurisdiction over about 150,000. It is needless to add that in capitular,
cryptic and chivalrous Masonry, Mr. Ten Eyck is held in the highest esteem.
Paris, Dr. Russel C, son of Urias G. and Cordelia E. (Rogers) Paris, was born
August 4, 1859, in Sandy Hill, Washington county, N. Y. His father was an eminent
member of the bar, and for eight years was surrogate of Washington county. Dr.
Paris was one of a large family of children. He attended the Sandy Hill public
schools and at the age of fourteen was appointed cadet midshipman, at the Uuited
States Naval Academy, by Hon. James S. Smart, M. C. He was graduated in 1877
with a high standing and completed the extended course two years later. He stud-
ied medicine one year with the surgeon on the United States ship Constitution, and
in 1880 resigned from the navy and continued his medical studies with his great-
uncle, Dr. E. G. Clark of Sandy Hill for one year. He then came to Albany and
studied with the late Dr. John Swinburne, attending lectures at the Albany Medical
College. He passed the Regents' medical examination in 1883, and has since prac-
ticed in Albany. He is commander of Admiral Farragut Garrison, No. 135, of the
Regular Army and Navy Union, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of
Sandy Hill. In 1889 he married Jessie Nichols of Albany, and they have one daugh-
ter, Grace.
Russell, George H., was born in Rochester, Windsor county, Vt , August 13, 1848,
of New England stock, his ancestors having gone from Northern Massachusetts into
New Hampshire and thence into Vermont, in the days when that State was first
settled. His parents, Horace and Abigail S. (Worcester) Russell, removed to Albany
in 1849, coming by their own conveyance, an uncle, Dr. Andrew W. Russell, being
in practice here for many years and dying in 1871. Dr. Russell's wife was a sister
of James T. Lenox and Lionel U. Lenox, the latter colonel of the 10th Regt. in the
war of 1861-65, James T. being one of the firm of Ubsdell, Pierson & Co., of New
York, who opened the New York store (now W. M. Whitney & Co. I May 7. 1859. In
this store on the first day of its opening, George H. Russell commenced work as a
cash boy, later as a clerk, continuing until the spring of 1863, when his parents re-
moved to Pittsfield, Mass., where his time was spent at the high school and in the
store connected with the woolen mills of L. Pomeroy's Sons. Thence he went as
superintendent of the mills run by Sarsfield & Whittlesey and then was for a time in
the employ of the American Express Company. In 1n<>? he returned to Greenbush
with his parents, his father being for nearly forty years in the employ of the Boston
& Albany Railroad, and at the time of his death in 1889 one of the oldest conductors
connected with the road. Returning from Pittsfield and having finished a course at
the Albany Business College, he was for a year in the employ of Hinckley & Lewis,
98
shippers and forwarders. He was next employed in the office of the tobacco factory
of Benjamin Payn, which he left to go to Westfield, Mass., returning to Greenbush
in November, 1871, where he entered the employ of Charles R. Knowles, then, as
now, a large fire insurance manager of several companies for New York State with
headquarters at Albany. In 1874, after eight months spent in travel in the Western
and Southwestern States, he associated himself with E. J. Knowles, who had been
appointed manager for the State for the Western Assurance Company of Canada.
In 1878 the firm of Knowles & Russell was formed for the transaction of the fire in-
surance business locally and this connection continued until January 1, 1897, when
the firm dissolved and Mr. Russell took over the entire business. He has represented
a large number of companies and has built up a very large and profitable business.
Mr. Russell is also connected with various business enterprises in Albany and Green-
bush. He is a past master of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. &A. M., past high priest
of Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., companion of De Witt Council No. 22, R.
& S. M., and a member of Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T. He is a trustee of the
Albany County Savings Bank, the Albany Camera Club and the Greenbush Meth-
odist Episcopal church and was trustee for the Fourth ward two terms and president
of the village one term, declining a renomination. In 1875 he married Phebe A.
Hermance, a descendant of the old Colurhbia Dutch settlers. They have two chil-
dren: Mabel A. and Clarence H. Mr. Russell has resided for twenty-two years at
No. 14 Third street, Greenbush; he has also a summer cottage at Vischer's Ferry,
on the Mohawk.
Scherer, Hon. Robert G., was born in Albany, March 20, 1861, his father being
George Scherer, a prominent merchant well known for his extensive influence among
his German fellow citizens and his activity in all matters pertaining to their interests.
Mr. Scherer entered the public schools and was also for some time under the instruc-
tion of Prof. Carl Meyer; he also received a thorough business education. He en-
tered the law office of Messrs. Paddock, Draper & Chester (composed of Recorder
William S. Paddock, Andrew S. Draper, now president of the Illinois State Univer-
sity, and Judge Alden Chester) and remained as a clerk during the existence of the
firm. After taking a course at Cornell University, he entered Columbia Law School.
On his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with John F. Montignani, which
continued several years ; he is now senior member of the law firm of Scherer & Downs.
Mr. Scherer has been connected with many important litigations, among which may
be mentioned the McPherson Collateral Tax Matter (104 N. Y., 306), decided ulti-
mately by the Court of Appeals, which became the leading case on the subject; he
was also counsel in the noted case People vs. Gilson (109 N. Y., 389), in which the
Court of Appeals unanimously sustained Mr. Scherer's views. His management of
the Milwain 820,000 bond robbery and his conduct of the Greer Will cases to a suc-
cessfull issue are well known. The Bender Will Case and the extensive assignments
of Ward and Byrnes, Nelson, Lyon, and Sullivan & Ehlers are among others of im-
portance ; he was also connected with the Appell impeachment proceedings before
the judiciary committee of the Assembly in 1895 and secured the acquittal of Judge
Appell. In politics Mr. Scherer has always been a Republican, and in 1889 made a
creditable run for surrogate. From 1885 to 1889 he was a member of the Board of
Public Instruction and introduced many reforms in the school system. He was a
'Ill
member of the State Legislature in 1896 and 1897; in 1896 he served on the judiciary
committee and the committee on codes, and in 1897 was chairman of the judiciary
committee. Mr. Scherer is a member of the Fort Orange Club and of the committee
on law reform of the State Bar Association. In 1883 he married Anna, daughter of
James T. Story of Albany, and they have one daughter, Grace M.
Tucker, Willis G., M. D., son of the late Luther Tucker, editor and agricultural
writer, was born in Albany October 31, 1849. He was educated at the Albany
Academy, graduating in 1866 read medicine with the late Prof. James H. Armsby,
and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1870. During this period he
devoted much of his time to the study of chemistry and other natural sciences. In
1871 he was appointed assistant professor of chemistry in the Aibany Medical College,
and in 1874 and 1875 lectured on materia medica also. When the faculty was re-
organized in 1876 he became professor of inorganic and analytical chemistry, and in
1887 the department of toxicology was also assigned to him. In 1882 he was made
registrar of the college, which position he still holds. Since 1874 Dr. Tucker has
been lecturer on chemistry at St. Agnes School, and at different times professor of
chemistry at the Albany Academy, the Albany Female Academy, and from 1876 to
1887 in the Albany High School. In 1881 he was largely instrumental in founding
the Albany College of Pharmacy, a department of Union University, and has served
it as professor of chemistry and as secretary and president of its faculty. In 1881
he was appointed one of the public analysts to the State Board of Health, and since
1891 has been director of the laboratory of the board. He was one of the originators
of the Alumni Association of the Albany Medical College in 1874 and has ever since
been its secretary. He is a fellow of the Chemical Society of London and is a mem-
ber of various scientific societies in this country.
Whitbeck, Dr. Ansel McK., was born in Columbia county, N. Y., February 16,
1836. His father was Dr. Volkert Whitbeck, for sixty-two years a physician in Hud-
son, N. Y., and his mother, Caroline Rockfeller. Dr. Whitbeck' s ancestors were
Holland-Dutch, who came to America during the early colonization and who played
an important part in the American Revolution. Dr. Whitbeck attended the Hudson
Academy, from which he was graduated in 1854 and then went to Rochester, X. V.,
where he studied medicine for a year. Upon returning to Hudson he engaged in
the drug business continuing the study of medicine with his father, and subsequently
after attending a course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital, New York city, he received
in 1859 a practitioner's certificate from the Board of Censors of Columbia county.
He practiced in Hudson until 1881 when he removed to Albany, where he has since
practiced most of the time, still, however, retaining an office in Hudsoi. He was
examining surgeon during the war and has been city physician and jail physician at
Hudson. In 1855 he married Sarah Edmonds Frary, daughter of Jonathan Frary
and niece of Dr. Frary of Hudson. She died in 1860, and in 1863 he married Eme-
line Ellis of Coxsackie, N. Y., by whom he had two children: Ansel E. and Emma
Louise.
Williams, Chauncey P., son of Josiah and Charity (Shaler) Williams, was born in
Upper Middletown (now Cromwell), Conn., March 5, 1817. He spent his boyhood
days on his father's farm, attending school only in the winters, and showed a deci-
ded liking for mathematics and astronomy. At the age of sixteen he went as a
100
clerk in the employ of his brothers, T. S. Williams & Bros., who were engaged in
commercial business at Ithaca, N. Y. In 1835 he was transferred to the Albany
house of the firm, then under the direction of Josiah B. Williams. In 1839, with
Henry W. Sage as his partner, he succeeded to the business of the Albany house,
also conducting the business at Ithaca and elsewhere. This partnership continued
through a long term of years. Mr. Williams was a student along lines of finance
and practical economics and wrote much on our banking systems and coinage. In
1861, at the commencement of the Civil war, he was asked to take charge of the Al-
bany Exchange Bank, and he met with such success that when the bank closed its
corporate existence asa State institution to become a National bank in 1865, the entire
capital was returned to the shareholders with fifty-four per cent, of the surplus earn-
ings. During the Civil war his bank was made the agent of the Treasury in dis-
tributing the loans of the government to the people. He continued as the financial
officer of the National Albany Exchange Bank, first as cashier and later as president,
during its entire corporate existence of twenty years, from 1865 to 1885. When the
bank closed after having declared regular semi-annual dividends, its whole capital,
with ninety-seven per cent, of surplus earnings was restored to its shareholders. In
1885 the bank was reorganized as the National Exchange Bank of Albany and Mr.
Williams was elected its president. In 1887 he withdrew from the bank and up to
the time of his death had charge of the business of the Albany Exchange Savings
Bank. Mr. Williams was elected alderman of his ward in 1849. The winter of
1875-76 he spent in England, France and Italy, studying the banking system of
those countries. From 1842 to 1857 he was the repeated candidate of the old Liberal
party for Congress from the Albany district. In 1868 he published a "Review of
the Financial Situation of Our Country." In 1875 he read a paper before the Albany
Institute on "Money, True or False," and in 1886 another paper on "Gold, Silver
and the Coinage of the Silver Dollar." In 1878 he contributed to the Albany Jour-
nal a series of papers on "The Greenback Question." October 13, 1887, he deliv-
ered before the American Bankers' Association at Pittsburgh, Pa., an address on
the National Bank and State Taxation. In 1842 he married Martha A. Hough of
Whitestown, N. Y., and they had two sons: Frederick S., who died September 9, 1870,
and Chauncey P., jr., who married Emma McClure, daughter of the late Archibald
McClure of Albany, and three daughters, one of whom died in March, 1877, one the
wife of Robert C. Pruyn, president of the National Commercial Bank, the other the
wife of Timothy S. Williams, formerly private secretary to ex-Governor Flower.
Mr. C. P. Williams died May 30, 1894, while on a pleasure excursion in the North
Woods.
Wands, James M., was born on the farm he now owns in 1844. The first of the
Wands to come to America were Ebenzer and John ; they were Scotch Highlanders,
and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the English army and came to Canada
to take part in the French and English war, having enlisted as volunteers; they
served their time and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods
of New York to Albany, and finally located in New Scotland in 1762. Robert, the
grandfather of the subject, was the son of John, the pioneer. He was a prosper-
ous farmer in the town of New Scotland, owning the farm upon which James Wands
now lives. He reared a large family and lived to be over eighty years of age.
101
Ebenezer, the father of Mr. Wands, is now a resident of Chippewa Falls, Wis.,
and was born on his father's homestead farm in New Scotland in 1811, the third of
six children; he is a farmer; in 1890 he removed to Wisconsin where he owned
property, and has since resided there ; he was twice married; his first wife was
Nancy McBride, and their children were Robert, who died March, 1896; Sarah, Alex,
died in 1888, Ralph, James M., Albert and Alfred (twins), Jennie and Emma. Of
these five of the sons were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Mrs. Wands died
in 1854 and his second wife was Harriet, daughter of Everett Walley of New Scot-
land, by whom he has had five children: Solomon, who died when a young man;
Burnside, who died when he was ten years old; Rufus P., William and Kate L.
His wife died in 1884. James M. Wands went to Voorheesville when eight years
old to live with an uncle, James McElroy, who was a nursery man. When eighteen
he enlisted as a volunteer in Co. D, 113th N. Y. Infantry, under Captain McCul-
lough ; the regiment was later changed to the 7th Heavy Artillery; he served until
the close of the war. His regiment participated in the battles of Spottsylvania,
Wilderness and Seven Days Before Richmond ; the first year he was stationed near
Washington in defense of that city. In the spring of 1864 he was promoted from
non-commissioned officer to second lieutenant. He was also in the battle of Appo-
mattox. He returned to Albany July 4, 1865, and was engaged for ten years as a
foreman for Col. James Hendrick on his farm. In 1885 he purchased the homestead
of his father, consisting of eighty-eight acres of farm land upon which he does gen-
eral farming. He pays special attention to fruit culture, and also takes pride in
breeding high class stock. In 1867 he married Miss Martha Decker of Columbia
county, a daughter of Francis and Lucinda (Petri) I )ecker.
.Stock, Bernard, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 1, 1844. After attend-
ing the public schools he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade in Frankfort-on-
Maine. In 1861 he went to London, Eng. , to improve himself in his trade until
1871, then came to America, and after spending a short time in New York came to
Albany and took a position as cutter for Walter F. Hurcomb, where he remained
eight years, after which he removed to Toronto, Canada, and was manager and cut-
ter for Score & Son, King street, eighteen months, then returned to Albany to suc-
ceed W. F. Hurcomb in his business under the firm name of Lyman & Stock. Since
the death of Lyman he has continued the business at 65 North Pearl street under the
name of Bernard Stock.
Wright, Charles W.,,was born in the town of Berne, January 21, 1844. Samuel
Wright, his great-grandfather, was the first of the family to settle in Berne; he was
born in 1758 and died January 9, 1831. Richard Wright, the grandfather, was born
in Berne, January 28, 1793, where he was a lifelong farmer. His wife was Lydia
Vincent. Joshua B., the father of Charles Wright, was born March 28, 1816, where
he also was a farmer, coming into possession of his father's homestead of 1(10 acres.
He filled the office for some years of commissioner of highways, etc. His wife,
Lucretia Wright, was born in Berne in 1820, and was a daughter of James Wright.
Their children were Wesley, Charles W. and Richard (who died when five years of
age). Joshua R died in 1878 and his wife in 1894. Charles W. Wright grew to
manhood on his father's farrp and attended the common schools of his district and a
term at the Knox Academy, and made such progress in his studies that before he
102
was seventeen years of age he was himself a teacher of a school, which he followed "
winters until August 25, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. L, 3d N. Y. Cavalry, and
served until the close of the war. He was in several skirmishes and raids in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina, and the winter of 1864-65 he was detailed as orderly at
the provost marshal's quarters. Soon after his return home he purchased a farm
and followed farming summers and teaching winters, until he had taught in all
twenty-two terms. During those years he dealt to a considerable extent in clover
seed and since then his farming has occupied most of his attention, his farm consist-
ing of seventy acres. Mr. Wright has from time to time filled the office of inspector
of elections, tax collector two terms, town auditor, and is now filling the office of
deputy sheriff. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge, the Grand
Army of the Republic, Post Charles McCullough No. 645 of West Berne, of which he
was one of the charter members and of which he is senior vice-commander; he has
also rilled the office of adjutant and junior vice. In 1865 he married Elmira Powell,
a native of Greene count)', N. Y. , and daughter of Peter H. and Lucinda (Crandall)
Powell. They have one child, Helen, who married Melville C. Crocker, and has two
children: Minnie and Stanley.
Mackey, Samuel, son of William J. and Eliza (Park) Mackey, was born in the
North of Ireland, December 14, 1846, and came to this country with his parents, set-
tling in Albany, where he attended the public schools, also the old Lawson School
on Clinton avenue. In 1861 he became a clerk in the grocery store owned by Samuel
Pruyn and run by J. M. F. Lightbody, and later as a tally boy in the lumber district;
he was subsequently employed in the Winne & Northrup planing mill until Septem-
ber, 1864, when he left and settled in Troy, N. Y., engaging as a clerk for Smith &
Campbell in the grocery business. April 3, 1865, he enlisted in Troy in Co. H, 192d
Regiment N. Y. V. ; he was mustered out as sergeant at Cumberland, Md., October
2, 1865, and returniug home, was engaged as a clerk for Smith & Campbell of Troy
until the spring of 1871, when he engaged in the retail grocery business in Troy,
buying the store of Israel Bickford ; he sold out his grocery business in 1873 and be-
came a member of the wholesale fruit and commission firm of Bosworth, Mackey &
Co., of New York city, and in 1874 re-engaged in the grocery business in Troy, ex-
cept one year when he traveled for J. T. Wilson & Co., wholesale grocers of New
York city. In October. 1877, he became a traveling salesman for P. V. Fort, Son &
Co., wholesale dealers in fancy groceries and fruits of Albany, and September 1, 1885,
was admitted to partnership, the firm name becoming P. V. Fort, Sons & Co., which on
September 1, 1889, was changed to C. N. Fort & Co. August 24, 1895, Mr. Mackey with-
drew and formed a copartnership with Mr. Lewis G. Palmer in the wholesale grocery
business, under the firm name of Mackey & Palmer. He is a 32 Mason, being a member
of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies of Albany — Apollo Lodge No. 13, Apollo
Chapter No. 48, Bloss Council No. 14 of Troy, and Temple Commandery No. 2 and
Cypress Temple of Albany; he is also a member of Lew Benedict Post No. 121, G.
A. R. September 20, 1871, he married Jennie A. Cary of Troy, and they have one
daughter, Elizabeth A.
Moak, James Nelson, was born on the farm he now owns in 1843. Col. Joseph
Moak, his grandfather, was a native of New Scotland, and was born probably about
the year 1783; he was a farmer by vocation, and a soldier in the war of 1812; he
1(13
owned the farm now owned by James N. ; his wife was Arianna Taylor, daughter of
Robert Taylor, a native of Ireland; their children were Robert, Jane, Frances
Rachel, Eve Ann, Catharine, Harriet and John T. ; he died March 28, 1848, aged
about sixty-five, and his wife died in 1830. Robert Moak, the father, spent his en-
tire life on the farm, to which he added forty acres; his wife was Mary McMillen.
daughter of Alex. McMillen; their children were John M. , Joseph A., William Henry
(who died at eighteen), Harriet and James N. ; he was one of the organizers of the
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and one of the first trustees; he died in 1891, and his wife
in 1865. James N. Moak has spent his life thus far on the homestead farm, except-
ing two years spent in Albany in the shoe business. He attended the common
schools and the Knox and Gallupville Academies. In 1868 he went to Albany, re-
turning two years later to the farm, which he took charge of and worked on shares
with his father, who deeded him the farm to take effect .^n the latter's death. Mr.
Moak has developed a fine stone quarry of excellent building stone. In, 1865 he was
married to Miss Mary J. Gallup, born in Gallupville, N. Y. , by whom he has had two
children : Charles G. and Kittie L. Charles G. is married and in the employ of the
National Express Company, of Jersey City, and has one child, Clara.
Schultes, J. B., was born in Albany county, March 16, 1840, and is a son of Paul
and Anna E. (Bogardus) Schultes, born in Berne and a son of Adam, a son of one
of the earliest settlers of the town of Berne, where he and the grandfather of J. B.
died. The father has been a farmer and a saw mill man. He died in 1886, and his
wife died in 1890. J. B. was reared on a farm and educated in Berne. He located
in Rensselaerville and engaged in the saw and cider mill business. In 1866 he mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth E. Snyder of Berne, and has one son, Arthur, who was educated
in Rensselaerville.
Slausen, Edwin. — Tryansel Slausen, born in Albany countv, N. Y., 1803, was a
son of Eliphalet Slauson, who was one of the early settlers of Westerlo and there
died. Tryansel Slauson was a farmer and spent his life in Westerlo and Rensselaer-
ville, N. Y., where he was a lifelong Democrat. He married Mary Ten Eyck of
Albany, and they had a family of twelve children, five now living: Caroline B.,
widow of Martin Bell, lives on the homestead; Hannah M. Palmer of Greene county,
N. V., William, on the homestead, who married Anna Louisa Haines and has one
daughter; Mary E., widow of William Finch; Lewis, who lives in Illinois, who mar-
ried Wilhelmina Houghton, andhas three daughters; Edwin, born in Westerlo, L841,
and educated in the common schools, is a farmer, and he and his brother William
own the homestead of 100 acres. He is a Democrat in politics and was excise com-
missioner.
Smith, Charles W. , son of Cornelius and Phebe (Clute) Smith, was born in Rock-
wood, Fulton county, March 4, 1849, and came with the family to Albany in 1856.
I lis father was associated with Alfred Yan Santvoord in the steamboat business for
twenty years, and from 1876 until his death, in 1887, was a heavy dealer in ice. 1 It-
was one of the original directors in the Albany County Bank and a trustee of the
First Baptist church for a number of years. After the death of his first wife in 1879
he married Helen M. Sherwood, who survives. Charles W. Smith was educated at
public school No. 8, the Boys' Academy. Cass's Grand Street Institute and the
Albany Business College, and for two years was purser on the steamer Mary Powell,
mi
from Rondout to New York. After three years as bookkeeper for the Albany
County Savings Bank he became associated with his father in the ice business and
on the latter's death succeeded him. In 1892 he was one of the organizers of the
Hudson Valley Ice Company; he became its president in 1893, but resigned in 1894
in order to take the office of secretary, which had become vacant, and at the last an-
nual election held January 5, 1897, was re-elected to the office of president. This
company was incorporated in March, 1892, with a a capital of $50,000 and is three
times larger than any similar concern in Albany, harvesting about 40,000 tons of
ice annually. In 1880 Mr. Smith married Rebecca L., daughter of Shuball Kelly of
Guilderland, Albany county. He has a summer residence about five miles from Al-
bany on the Great Western Turnpike where he resides about five months in the year.
The rest of the year he spends in the city.
Stitt, James O., is a native of the town of Rensselaerville, Albany county, born in
1856. Lovett, the grandfather, was born in the town of Rensselaerville about 1770.
John J., the father, was born in the town of Rensselaerville in 1814. He always
owned and conducted a farm, but was an architect and builder by trade, to which
he devoted most of his attention. He had a wide reputation as a church builder,
having to his credit twenty-eight churches and numerous other buildings. In 1860
he removed to the town of Windham, Greene county, where he was prominently
connected with the political affairs of his town, filling the offices of supervisor and
assessor and many minor offices. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity,
Lodge No. 529. His first wife was Miranda Head, by whom four children were
born: Rozella, Ransom, Sarah, who died when eight years of age, and Salina. His
second wife was Lodema Head, a sister of his first wife, and their children were
James O. and Eunice. He died August 19, 1886, and his wife died February 13, 1895.
Mr. Stitt received his education in the common schools of his town and worked on
his father's farm until fourteen years of age, when his father took him and taught
him the builder's trade. He worked with his father from that time, except one year,
until he was twenty-three years of age. November 24, 1879, he was married to
Annie E., born in the town of Windham, Greene county, and daughter of Patrick
Murray. In 1880 he began for himself by engaging in the hotel business at Indian
Fields, in the town of Coeymans, where he remained for eight years. In 1888 he
rented the hotel in Altamont, and two years later purchased it. Since then he has
made many essential improvements on his hotel. Mr. Stitt is a man especially
adapted for the hotel business, and his genial disposition and years of experience
have taught him what is required to make it pleasant for the patrons of his house.
In 1895 he was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention held in Syracuse, and
of the sixteen years he has been in the business in Albany count}-, thirteen of them
he has been delegate to the county conventions.
Settle, Theodore, was born in the village of Berne, February 24, 1846. The great-
grandfather of Theodore Settle migrated to America from Berne, Switzerland, and
was one of the pioneer settlers in the town of Berne (now Knox). Jacob Settle, the
grandfather of Theodore, was a native of the town of Knox. He was a harness-
maker by trade, which he followed throughout his active life. His last years were
spent in the village of Berne. He married a Miss Hochstrasser, and they had five
children. The father of Theodore Settle, Jacob Settle, jr., was born in the town of
105
Berne in 1792. His parents being poor his education was very limited, and when a
boy he was apprenticed to a Dr. Hubbell to learn the mercantile business and also
was to study medicine ; the failure of the doctor to remain in business left him
without a place, but he found other employment and in 1811 was taken in as a part-
ner in the store business by Col. Johan Jost Deitz. From 1811 to 1864 he was en-
gaged in the mercantile business, building up a trade second to'none in the town.
He represented his district in the Assembly, served as supervisor, justice and town
clerk, was for thirty-five years postmaster, and several years commissioner and in-
spector of common schools. May 7, 1818, he was appointed by Gov. De Witt Clin-
ton cornetist of the 5th Regt. Cav. of the State of New York, in 1821 was commis-
sioned as captain, in 1824 was appointed major of the 31st Regt. and in 1825 was
raised to the position of lieutenant-colonel. He was a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity. His wife was Cornelia R., daughter of Minor Walden, who was one of the
pioneers in Berne, coming from Vermont about 1809. Theodore Settle received his
education in the common schools and spent his early life in assisting m his father's
store. When nineteen years old he engaged as clerk for his brother Charles, who
had succeeded the father in business. After seven years he succeeded his brother
and has since done a very successful business. Mr. Settle has served as town clerk
two terms, postmaster eight years, and was one of the organizers of an Odd Fel-
lows' lodge in Berne, which after twenty years was abandoned. He is treasurer of
the Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Railroad. In 1890 Mr. Settle married Kate
L. , who was born in Guilderland and is a daughter of Jacob and Alida (Hallen-
beck) Mann. They have one child, Howard E.
Van Heusen-Charles Company, The, was founded in 1843 by Theodore V. Van
Heusen and Daniel D. T. Charles, both natives of Albany, and succeeded to the
crockery business of Wardwell & Bordwell at No. 66 State street. In 1844 they
moved to Nos. 62 and 64 State street and in 1856 they purchased the Mansion House
property on Broadway and built the store since occupied by the establishment. The
original firm name of Van Heusen & Charles was changed in 1864 to Van Heusen,
Charles & Co. by the admission of George W. Pierce as a partner. Mr. Charles died
August 1, 1892, and soon afterward the firm adopted is present name of the Van
Heusen-Charles Company. This is the oldest and largest enterprise of the kind in
Albany or Eastern New York and commands an extensive wholesale and retail
trade in fine and ordinary china, bric-a-brac, silverware, lamps, gas fixtures, etc.
Both founders were representative and highly respected business men, and took a
keen interest in the prosperity of their city and its institutions. Mr. Van Heusen,
born in 1818, became somewhat prominent in politics and in 1882 was the Republican
nominee for Congress. He died June 15, 1893. The officers of the Van Heusen-
Charles Company are Charles M. Van Heusen, president; George W. Pierce, vice-
president and treasurer; Leonard Jones, secretary.
Weaver, William J., was born in the town of Coeymans, January 27, 1835, and in
the following year his parents removed to Albany. His parents came firm Oneida
to Coeymans and were also natives of this State. Mr. Weaver received his early
education in the public schools and at the age of sixteen, following the example oi
his brothers, he went to sea on a whaler for a three years' cruise. This, however,
did not satisfy his longing for the sea, and after a brief visit to his home he again
106
embarked on a two years' cruise. Returning again in 1854, he went into partner-
ship with his father and established a steam packing-box manufactory on the corner
of Cherry street and Broadway, continuing in it from that date down to 1871. In
1868 he was elected Democratic supervisor of the old First ward, and in 1869-70 and
1871 he was chosen to represent the Third ward in the Board of Supervisors and
during the last two years served as president of the board. In 1871 Mr. Weaver
was appointed city assessor by Mayor Thacher and has held the position continu-
ously down to the present time. He was once nominated for the Assembly in the
First district, but withdrew in favor of a rival Democratic candidate on the evening
before election. In the year 1869 he brought to the notice of the Board of Super-
visors the great inequality then existing in the State equalization as it affected Al-
bany county, and was at that time appointed chairman of a committee on State equal-
ization, which position he held continuously until 1895. Mr. Weaver was married in
1856 to Mary A. Allen, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are living.
Miller, Henry, jr., is a son of an old and representative citizen, and was born at the
family residence in Colonie, Ma)' 11, 1871. His father, Henry Miller, was of German
birth, and was one of the early settlers here. He has become a very large land
owner and is also interested in ihe sale of various types of agricultural machinerv.
Mr. Miller, jr., now conducts the dairy business, delivering the milk from about fifty
cows, chiefly in the village of Green Island.
Marshall & Wendell Piano Forte Manufacturing Company (Ltd.), The, was
founded in 1853 by John V. Marshall, a practical pianomaker, in James street..
Albany. In 1856 he was succeeded by the firm of Marshall, James & Traver, of
which he was the principal member. This firm was dissolved and he formed a co-
partnership with Harvey Wendell in 1868, under the style of Marshall & Wendell,
and this continued successfully until 1882, when the present Marshall & Wendell
Piano Forte Manufacturing Company (Ltd) was organized and incorporated with a
paid up capital of 8100,000, the officers being Henry Russell, president; Harvey
Wendell, treasurer and manager; and John Loughran, secretary. Mr. Russell sub-
sequently resigned and Jacob H. Ten Eyck was elected president and still holds the
position. In 1892 Thomas S. Wiles was chosen vice-president; Edward N. McKin-
ney. treasurer and manager; and Mr. Wendell, secretary. In 1896 the latter was
succeeded by James L. Carpenter. In 1872 the present building, Nos. 911 and 923
Broadway, was erected and occupied, It has a frontage of 145 feet and a depth of
175 feet. At this time the business was materially increased and the new plant
afforded an enlarged capacity that has ever since been successfully utilized. The
firm manufactures pianos in all kinds of fancy woods, warranting them for five years,
and maintains a large trade throughout the United States and Canada. They make
strictly high grade instruments, finer than were ever made in the history of the com-
pany, and among their agents are many of the largest and most prominent piano
houses in the country. The members are all well known business men, Mr. Wiles
being a director in the Merchants' National Bank and Mr. McKmney a director of
the New York State National Bank.
McDermott, John, superintendent of the Champlain Canal north from Albany fif-
teen miles, is a man who has spent his whole life on canal works, and who helped
build the first water works at Montreal, Canada. The death of his father caused
107
him to early seek his own maintenance, and he began work for contractors on the
canal ; he worked his way up to overseer and foreman in various localities and has
been inspector of locks, also inspector of Champlain Canal repair work. For some
time he was on a Pennsylvania railroad, and during the war had the contract for the
reservoir at Washington, D. C. ; in 1865 he was sergeant of Capital Police, and after-
ward captain. Mr. McDermott was born at Kingston, Ont , in 1829, leaving his na
tive city at the age of thirteen years. His education was acquired at Rochester,
where he went in 1850 to reside with a brother. In 1854 he came to Cohoes and be
gan contracting in the dredging business. He also has the agency of the Phoenix
Insurance Co., and real estate. Officially he has served as alderman for two years,
and as assessor for one year.
Johnson, Edwin S., military storekeeper at Watervliet Arsenal since 1856, was
born at Hudson, N.Y., in 1826. His father was William G. Johnson, also an arsenal
employee for twenty-five years, from 1840 to 1865. The early life sf Edwin S. John-
son was one of considerable adventure, although his boyhood was passed on a farm.
He was a sailor on the deep sea for several years, chiefly on coasting vessels, pi) ing
between New York, Massachusetts and Virginia ports. He first went into the
Arsenal at the outbreak of the Mexican war in 1846, and again in 1860, and received
his appointment as assistant military storekeeper on the 10th of May, 1865, and has
remained in the same place until the present.
Miller, John H., son of John and Mary (Kelley) Miller, was born on a farm in New
Baltimore, Greene county, October 8, 1860, and received his education in his native
town. He engaged in various occupations till about 1886, when he came to Albany
and established a livery and boarding stable en North Pearl street. In 1890 he pur-
chased his present livery and boarding stable on Hudson avenue of John Sanborn.
In 1893 he married Hattie, daughter of John Saulsman, of Albany, who died in
March, 1894, leaving one son, Bhilip J.
Appleton, Joseph L. , M. D. S., son of George and Elizabeth (Garton) Appleton,
was born in York, Ontario, Canada, October 24, 1858. His father, a native of York-
shire, England, came to America in 1836 and died December 25, 1882. His mother,
who was born in Canada, died in March of the same year. Dr. Appleton received a
public school education, came to Albany in 1879, studied dentistry with Dr. E. C.
Edmunds, attended the New York Dental College, and afterward received the de-
gree of M. D. S. from the State Board of Dental Censors in May, 1886. He re-
mained with Dr. Edmunds until the latter's death in November, 1887, when he suc-
ceeded to his practice. He is a member and ex-president of the Third District
Dental Society, has been a delegate to the New York State Dental Society since 1888
and in 1895 was a delegate to the American Dental Association. He is a member of
Temple Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Temple Com-
mandery of Masons, an officer of Grace M. E. church and superintendent of its Sun-
day school since 1894. In 1887 he married Margaret E., daughter of John Q.
Graham of Albany, and they have two sons: Joseph L. , jr , and Andrew Graham.
Brasure, John W., grandson of John Brasure, of Nova Scotia, a Frenchman, and
son of John \V. Brasure, sr. , was born in Albany, June 22, 1859. John W., sr., only
child of John, was born in Hoosick Falls, N. Y., September 11, 1816, came to Al-
108
bany in 1826, where he died October 10, 1892. Apprenticed to Nathaniel Wright he
learned the trade of coach-lamp making, which he followed several years. He was
a member of the police force under Chief Morgan and also belonged to the old Vol-
unteer Fire Department. In June, 1857, he engaged in the undertaking business
and continued until his death. He was married three times and left four children.
He was a member of Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M. John W. Brasure, his son,
was educated in the Albany public and High Schools, and when seventeen associated
himself with his father in the undertaking businees, to which he succeeded on the
latter's death. He is a graduate of three schools of embalming, and a member and
past noble grand of Fireman's Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. ; a member of the New-
York Encampment No. 1, Canton Nemo, and Woodbine Rebekah, I. O. O. F. ; cor-
poral of the Albany Burgesses Corps; member of the Albany County Wheelman ;
charter member of the Capital Lodge Order of the Chosen Friends, and president
of the Albany County Undertakers' Association. He was one of the founders of the
Nawadaha Tribe No. 297, I. O. R. M., which was organized in his office with ten
members, which now has four tribes numbering about 400 members, was its first
sachem, and in August, 1896, represented it at the Grand Council in Saratoga. July
1, 1896, Mr. Brasure married Helen, daughter of William and Mary McCredie of
Albany, and of Scotch descent.
Atkins, John R., is one of the most energetic and progressive business men of
West Troy, and since 1885 has been engaged as plumber, gas and steam pipe fitter,
and is agent for the Boynton steam and hot water heaters. After one year in Roch-
ester at his trade, he spent seven years in Philadelphia as an employee in the
plumbing business. Mr. Atkins was born at Sing Sing in 1854, and is a son of
William Atkins, a grocer. When twelve years of age he removed to Rochester,
where he was educated. In 1878 he came as a plumber to Troy, making his home
at West Troy.
Bender, Matthew, was born in Albany, December 2, 1845, and is a son of Wendell
M., a grandson of Matthew, and a great-grandson of Christian Bender, who came
from Wurtemburg, Germany, and settled in Bethlehem, Albany county, in 1740, and
was a sergeant in the Revolution in Slingerland's Company, Schuyler's Regiment,
3d Rensselaer Battalion. He married Mary Cramer, and had five sons and four
daughters. Matthew Bender, son of Christian, was born in Bethlehem, March 13,
1782, married Elizabeth Ramsey (born March 7, 1789, died December 17, 1839), and
died August 8, 1866. Wendell M. Bender, son of Matthew Bender, was born in
Bethlehem, October 17, 1812, and married, August 11, 1842, Mary Brown (born Feb-
ruary 27, 1823, died October 18, 1854), and died January 10, 1882. Their son,
Matthew Bender, was educated in Professor Anthony's Classical Institute and Pro-
fessor Collins's Private School, and was graduated from Union College in 1866. He
then engaged in the wholesale lumber business in Albany with his father until 1877,
when he accepted a position with William Gould & Son, law book publishers, which
he held for ten years. In 1887 he engaged in business for himself as a publisher
of law books and has since continued with marked success, enjoying a trade all
over the United States. He is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.,
Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M.. and Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T.
July 17, 1867, he married Hannah Louisa, daughter of the late John Thomas, jr.,
109
proprietor of the Premium Mills aud a prominent coffee and spice merchant of Al-
bany. They have had five children: Matthew, jr., and John Thomas, who are
associated in business with their father; Louisa and Bertha (who died young), and
Melvin Thomas, a student at Union College, class of 1900.
Glass, Edwin G., was born in the village of West Troy, Albany county, in 1861.
He received his early education at the Nassau and Mechanicville Academies, and
also completed a commercial course at the Troy Business College, after which he
became a partner in the extensive drug and paint establishment of his father, whom
he succeeded at the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. Mr. Glass still continues
the business, and by careful and judicial management he now enjoys the distinction of
being one of the foremost business men in that part of Albany county. At the
spring election in the town of Watervliet in 189ft he was solicited by his party to take
his initial step in politics, by accepting the Republican nomination for supervisor, and
was elected in a Democratic town by an overwhelming majority over his opponent,
Hon. Terrence Cummings. In 1884 he married Miss Sadie Benedict, the accomplished
daughter of an old and respected citizen.
Nussbaum, Hon. Myer, is a native of Albany, and received a common school edu-
cation. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately formed a copartnership
with George H. Stevens, which continued for four years. He was appointed police
magistrate by Mayor Swinburne in 1884 and served about a year, and in 189",' was
elected member of assembly from the Third assembly district of Albany count v. In
1895 he elected State senator to represent Albany county for a term of three years.
Mr. Nussbaum is actively identified as trustee, or member, with the several charita-
ble institutions and social clubs of Albany. His present law partner, who was ad-
mitted in December, 1895, is Joseph P. Coughlin, who had been for a number of
years his managing clerk.
Chadwick, P. Remsen, whose death in 1891 removed from the city of Cohoes one
of its most prominent men, was a native of New York city, born in 1831. He was
a resident there during the war and went out in the 7th N. V. Regiment first, then
afterwards in the 100th N.Y. Regiment, and again as adjutant-general on the staff of
General Truman Seymour, serving through the entire war. Mr. Chadwick was a de-
scendant from an old English family; his grandfather, Joseph, came from England
in 1799, and settled in New York city. His father, William, built one of the Har-
mony Mills of Cohoes and was one of the founders of the Cohoes Company; lie him-
self was an owner of the Ontario Mills and a well known manufacturer. He was the
first captain of the Seventh Separate Company N. G. S. N. Y. of Cohoes, which he
helped to organize. He left, besides his widow, one son, Robert R. Chadwick. whjo
is engaged in an insurance agency in Albany.
Le Roy, Hon. William B., since his graduation in 1880, at Granville Military
Academy, and two years' previous work at the Highland Military Academy, Wor-
cester, Mass., has been a proprietor of the Globe Knitting Mills, conducted by the
firm of Le Roy & Lamb, of which his father, Allied Le Roy, was the senior mem-
ber. His father was one of the foremost figures in the management of the munic-
ipal affairs of the city of Cohoes, a position he had once before occupied. He was
born at Mechanicville, aud is of French ancestry. He came to this place in 1857
110
and engaged in the hardware business, establishing the first telegraph office in this
city in his store. He was a mason by trade and in later years was a contractor.
The many offices in which he served his county as trustee, alderman, mayor and
assemblyman in 1877, attest the honor in which he is held. William B. Le Roy is
a native of Cohoes, born in 1861. He inherits the sterling qualities of% his father,
and has filled acceptably many responsible positions among his fellowmen. He was
a member of assembly in 1889 and 1890, and afterward police commissioner in
1892-93 and in 1894. He is also prominent in the order of K. of P. and holds high
rank in the Masonic fraternity.
Montmarquet, J. D., M. D., was born in Jersey City, April 22, 1860. He received
his primary education in the public schools of New York and New Jersey, after
which he went to Canada to prosecute his classical studies, where he graduated in
1883; returning to Jersey City, he began the study of medicine in 1886 at Columbia
College, N. V., graduating in 1889. In the fall of that year he came to Cohoes and
commenced the practice of his profession. He has held the office of coroner's phy-
sician. He is a member of the New York State Medical Association, the Albany
County Medical Society and the Troy and Vicinity Medical Association. He is en-
joying a lucrative practice. January 18, 1891, he was married to Wilhelmina Zecher
of Jersey City; he has three children, Marcelline, Theresa and Joseph.
Witbeck, C. E., M. D., is of Dutch ancestry, the family name being originally Van
Witbeck. The first American ancestor, John Thomas Witbeck, settled at New Am-
sterdam, now New York. Mr. Witbeck is the son of Abram Witbeck, formerly su-
perintendent in the painting department in the Watervliet Arsenal, and was born at
West Troy in 1844, and began his medical study at the Albany Medical College, re-
ceiving his diploma in 1866. He located in Cohoes in 1867 where he still practices
his profession. He is a member of the Albany county and of the New Yoak State
Medical Societies, and American Medical Association, and was president of the
Cohoes Medical Association, and was vice-president of the Albany County Medical
Society. He has served eight terms as health officer in Cohoes, been police surgeon,
and also city physician.
Cushman, Col. Harry C, is a lineal descendant of Robert Cushman of the May-
flower, in whose name the charter for Plymouth Colony was granted. Paul Cush-
man, sr. , who came to Albany from Vermont, was one of the first in America to
engage in the potterv business, having an establishment near the site of the present
Park Bank. He married Margaret McDonald, and their son, Paul, jr., born in Al-
bany, December 25, 1822, began his business career in the produce and commission
business, which was finally discontinued. From 1853 to 1869 he was in partnership
with his brother, Robert S., founding the present wholesale importing wine house,
which he carried on until his death, June 3, 1895. He was a director in the Capital
City Insurance Company, a trustee of the National Savings Bank, interested in
railroads and other projects, a member of the Masonic order and a foundation
member of the Fort Orange and old Albany Clubs. He married in 1845, Mary
Jane, daughter of Capt. I. I. Taylor of Oswego, N. Y. , who died in 1854, leaving
two children. January 21, 1856, he married Julia A. C. Blackwell of Richmond,
Va. , who died September 5, 1885, leaving three children, of whom Harry C. is the
eldest. Harry C. Cushman, born in Albany, July 31, 1857, was educated at the
Ill
Albany Academy, and St. John's Military School at Sing Sing; he intended entering
the University of Virginia, where his mother's family had usually attended, but the
effects of an attack of the Roman fever prevented ; after three years passed in travel-
ing, his health being restored, he in 1881 organized and became secretary and
treasurer of the Albany Pharmaceutical (now the Albany Chemical) Company. Three
years later he withdrew and associated himself with his father, in 1885 became a
partner and in 1895 succeeded to the business. He joined Co. A. 10th Regt. N. G.
N. V., February 10, 1879; was made aide-de-camp on Gen. R. S. Oliver's stall, 5th
Brigade, January 31,1883, and was promoted assistant adjutant-general, 3d Brigade,
January 8, 1891, a post he still holds. He is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F.
& A. M., the Albany Institute, the Fort Orange Club, Albany Country Club, the
Reform Club of New York and the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, and
a director in the Park Bank and trustee of the National Savings Bank. June 26,
1890, he married Celia Eli abeth, daughter of Edward Sanderson of Milwaukee, Wis.,
and their children are Paul and Edward Sanderson.
Hurlbut, Gansevoort de Wandelaer, is a descendent of Thomas Hurlbut, who
came from England to Wethersfield, Conn., in 1036, and was a soldier under Lion
Gardner, receiving 10,000 acres of land m Wethersfield, Conn., from (Jueen Anne
for conspicuous bravery in border warfare, and on his maternal grandmother's
side from Harmon Harmense Gansevoort, of Holland, who was in Albany as early
as 1660 and who had a brewery on the site of Stanwix Hall, which property has
always remained in the Gansevoort family. Oldest son of Harmon. Harmense
married Catrina de Wandelaer. Mr. Hurlbut's great-grandfather, Leendert Ganse-
voort, 1753-1810, was prominent during the Revolutionary period, serving as a
member of the provincial Congress, 1775-1777; delegate and president of the Con-
tinental Congress, 1777; assemblyman, 1778-1779; member of the Council of Ap-
pointment, 1781; appointed by Governor Clinton, county judge, 1794-1797; State
senator from 1798 to 1802; probate judge, 1799; member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion, 1801; and colonel of Light Cavalry during the Revolution; he received his
appointment as attorney-at law from the Earl of Dunmore and Governor Tryon. In
1770 he married Hester Cuyler, and his daughter, Catherine Gansevoort, married
Tuenis Van Vechten, the late mayor of Albany, a descendant of Tuenis Dirkse Van
Vechten, who settled in Greenbush, 1636; he was a nephew of the noted lawyer,
Abram Van Vechten, to whose practice he succeeded. A daughter of this marriage,
Catherine Cuyler, was the wife of Elisha P. Hurlbut and mother of Gansevoort de
W. Hurlbut. Elisha Powell Hurlbut, son of Judge Daniel Hurlbut, of Court of
Common Pleas of Herkimer county and member of assembly in 1811-1812 of Mont-
gomery county, was born October 15, 1807, and died September 5, 1889. He became
presiding justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals and a writer
of considerable note. He was largely instrumental in effecting many legal reforms
through the constitution of 1846 and was deeply interested in science. Gansevoort
de W. Hurlbut was born in Newport, Herkimer county, November 8, 1S57, received
an academic education, studied medicine at the Albany Medical College, read law
in Albany with Jenkins & Cooper, and was graduated from the Albany Law School
and admitted to the bar in 1880. He has since practiced his profession in Albany,
and in 1893 was the Republican candidate for recorder of the city. July 6, 1881, he
112
married Kate, daughter of the late Gerrit Van Sante Bleecker, of Albany, and their
children are Catherine Gansevoort and Gansevoort Bleecker. Judge E. P. Hurlbut
had threee other children: Jeanette Cuyler, wife of Morris S. Miller, esq.; Bertha
Van Vechten and Ernest Cole.
Ball, Dayton, son of Dayton and Mary (Phillips) Ball, was born in Lancaster, Pa.,
in 1832. On his father's side he is of English descent and on his mother's side of
Welsh descent. He received his education in the common schools and then entered
the office of the Lancaster Intelligencer, President Buchanan's home organ, where
he remained one year. He then was employed by Jonathan Russell of Philadelphia,
who was a last mauufacturer. In 1854 he entered Bryant & Stratton's Mercantile
College at Buffalo, N. Y. , from which he graduated and in 1861 he removed to
Albany, N. Y., where he obtained the situation of foreman in George H. Graves &
Co.'slast manufactory. In 1865 Mr. Ball was made a partner in the business and
the name of the firm became Graves, Ball & Co. In 1881 Mr. Graves died and the
name was again changed to that of Dayton Ball & Co., the present firm name. Mr.
Ball is a 32c Mason and was commander of Temple Commandery No. 2, Albany, in
1876 and 1877. He has been treasurer of Temple Lodge and is a member of the
building committee of the new Masonic Hall. Mr. Ball is also a member of the
Camera, Albany, Fort Orange and Acacia Clubs. In 1862 he was married to Miss
Catherine A. Forbes of New York city and they had three children: Kate A., de-
ceased, Henry Dayton and Mabel A.
Treadwell, George Curtis, son of Major George H. and Elizabeth S. Treadwell,
was born in Albany, N.Y., August 24, 1872. On his father's side he is a descendant
of a long line of Puritan ancestors, the first of whom, Thomas Treadwell, came to
America in 1636 and settled in Ipswich, Mass. Mr. Treadwell' s great-grandfather
was Governor Treadwell, the last of the Puritan governors of Connecticut and also
the last person serving as chief magistrate, who combined the theologian and the
statesman. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was the late George
Curtis Treadwell. well known as one of the most eminent of the men that have ad-
vanced the welfare of Albany. George H. Treadwell, the father of George C, was
prominently identified with the commercial interests of Albany and was the organ-
izer of the George C. Treadwell Company, and one of the largest stockholders.
George C. Treadwell was educated at Farmington, Conn., and at Sedgwick Institute
at Great Barrington, Mass., where he prepared for Yale University and was grad-
uated in 1893. At present Mr. Treadwell is a trustee and agent for two Treadwell
estates, and is a great lover and student of art. For two years he was secretary and
director of the George C. Treadwell Company. He is a member of the Sons of the
Revolution, Society of the Colonial Wars, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Uni-
versity Glee Club of New York city and of the Signal Corps of the 3d Brigade, N. G.
N. Y., from which he has been recently promoted to Colonel on the Governor's staff,
having been appointed military secretary to Governor Black, January 9, 1897.
Masten, James H., born in Owego, Tioga county, N. Y., May 13, 1828. After re-
ceiving a common school education he learned the printer's trade with Andrew H.
Calhoun. In 1851 he obtained a situation in the office of the Albany Evening
Journal, then under the management of Thurlow Weed and George Dawson. He
was also for a time employed by Joel Munsell. Later he bought the Cohoes Cat-
113
aract, then owned by the firm of Silliman & Miller, and. conducted it successfully for
twenty-five years. Mr. Masten edited the Cohoes Daily News for five years, after
leaving the Cataract. In 1887 he was appointed paymaster of the Victor Knitting
Mills Company, where he is at present. Mr. Masten was postmaster of Cohoes from
1865 to 1886 and has held many local appointive offices. He is a deacon of the First
Baptist church of Cohoes. In 1854 he married Almeda, daughter of Rev. William
Arthur, of Newtonville, Albany county. They have one son, Arthur H., a lawyer,
residing in New York city.
Mulcahy, Bartholomew, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, in 1838. His father was
a carpenter and died when he was but two years old, leaving him to pave his own way
in the world. In 1852 he came to America and directly to Cohoes, where he learned
the carriage-making trade, and he has ever since been a resident. He has been
very successful manufacturing wheels for New York city trade, and during the war
he made gun carriage wheels for the United States government. His first wheel
factory, destroyed by fire in 1864, was located where the Victor Mills stand. He
then removed to the corner of Congress and White. He has been a water commis-
sioner for twelve years and was one of the first aldermen when Cohoes was made a
city in 1869.
Travis, William C, with his brother, Charles S. Travis, has conducted a lumber
business at No. 227 Saratoga street, Cohoes, since 187~, uuder the firm name of
Jacob Travis's Sons. Jacob Travis, the father, was a pioneer here in the lumber
trade, coming to Cohoes in 1846, and the establishment has been of long standing.
In his death, January 8, 1894, Cohoes lost one of its oldest and most honored citizens.
William Travis is a native of Waterford, born in 1833, and one of the first aldermen
upon the organization of the city in 1869. He has been a member of the Board of
Education for two terms. January 18, 1855, he was married to Sarah E., daughter
of Alpha White of Cohoes. They have two children: Frances E., wife of Dr. George
A. Cox of Albany, and Matthew S., who married Louisa Molleur; she died August
3, 1895, leaving four children • Osmond C, Matthew S., jr., William H. and Mary
Louise, deceased.
Crounse, Benjamin, was born in the town of Guilderland, in 1839. He was a sun
of Nicholas, who was born in Guilderland in 1789. Nicholas was the youngest son
of his father's family and came into possession of his father's homestead. His wife
was Elizabeth Severson, and they had three sons and six daughters. Mr. Crounse
died in his eighty-eighth year. His wife survived him about seven years and died
in her eighty-fifth year. Mr. Crounse remained on the farm with his father until he
was twenty-four years of age. He received a common school education, and in .1863
engaged as clerk in a store. Three years later he engaged for himself in the gen-
eral mercantile business, which he followed until 1883. He then sold out his busi-
ness and engaged in the fire insurance business, removing to Albany where he lived
for five years. He still follows the fire insurance business, in connection with which
he superintends his farm of 150 acres, eighty-six of which lies in the village corpora-
tion, Altamont. In 1890 he engaged as traveling salesman for the clothing house
of Babcock, Shannon & Co., of Albany, with whom he is now. During the years
1885-87, he served his town as supervisor and was secretary and treasurer of the
114
Guilderland Mutual Fire Insurance Co. for many years. In 1862 he married Miss
Emma Keenholts, daughter of James Keenholts, and they have had six children:
Allen J., died in 1885 at the age of twenty-one; Edgar, who is a teacher in the Al-
bany Business College; Mimetta, wife of Dr. McHarg, of Albany; Eugene, who is
employed by Babcock, Shannon & Co.. as head bookkeeper ; Milton, who is assistant
bookkeeper and stenographer for the same firm ; and Emma Marion.
Flansburgh, Alexander, was born in the town of New Scotland, November 28,
1846. He received a limited education and grew to manhood on his father's farm
and when twenty-one worked for his father by the month. He subsequently began
for himself on one of his father's farms, in 1881 purchasing the homestead farm of
160 acres on the Helderberg Mountains, on which he lived seven years, when he re-
moved to his father's farm, which he has since managed. He has devoted much
attention successfully to fruit culture. In 1893 he became a member of the Patrons
of Husbandry, Clarksville Lodge No. 781, and in the autumn of the same year was
elected master of the lodge, which office he now holds. He is the only man in Albany
county who is a member of the County, State and National Grange. He has visited
many of the higher lodges throughout the country, at his own expense, for the ben-
efit of his home lodge, and through his efforts and support, the Clarksville lodge in
the spring of 1896 was enabled to purchase a building in the village to hold their
meetings in. In June, 1896, he joined the Patrons of Industry as charter member,
was elected president of Clarksville Association No. 515. When Albany County
Association P. of I. was organized he was elected treasurer and business manager
of the county, and has made it a success for the patrons of the county, of which there
are about 1,200 at this writing. Mr. Flansburgh is a Republican and has served one
year as collector. In 1872 he married Hattie (a native of New Scotland) a daughter
of John and Rachel M. (Moak) O' Bryan, and they have three children ; Margaret L.
(wife of William G. Moak of Westerlo), Clara C. and Charles. Mrs. Flansburgh is
a member of the Clarksville Lodge, Patrons of Husbandry, in which she holds the
office of Ceres; their daughter Clara is also a member of the grange and fills the
office of Pomona. His wife, Hattie, and children, Clara and Charles, are also mem-
bers of the Patrons of Industry. Matthew Flansburgh, his father, was born in New
Scotland in 1818 and has been a lifelong and successful farmer. His wife was Nancy
M. Dunbar and their children are: Emeline, Cordelia and Alexander. John P.
Flansburgh, the grandfather of Alexander, was born in the town of Bethlehem, Sep-
tember 23, 1784, and was a lifelong and successful farmer. He lived in Sharon, Al-
bany county, and subsequently settled'in New Scotland on the Helderbergs and there
spent his remaining days. The last forty-two days of his life was spent fasting,
partaking of nothing but water, believing, as he said, his Maker had commanded
him to stop eating of the fruit of the vine. He died July 14, 1867. In April, 1803,
he married Margaret Kniver, who was a native of Bethlehem, and their children
were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William, Elizabeth, Martha,
Catharine, Cornelia and Garrett ; by his second wife one son was born, James. Jacob,
the great-grandfather, was a native of Holland and spent his active life in the town
of Bethlehem as a farmer. The second great-grandfather and the parent tree of the
family of Flansburgh in America, was a native of Holland and settled in Bethlehem.
He was a farmer and was murdered for his money by the tax collector, Schoonmaker,
115
who seeing Mr. Flansburgh had money, returned in the night with an accomplice
aud asked for cider; while Mrs. Flansburgh was in the cellar after the cider, with
an ax, he killed Mr. Flansburgh, secured the money and fled. He was apprehended,
tried and executed.
Ireland, Francis Asbury, is a member of one of the oldest and most respected
families of the town of Watervliet, Albany county, where he was born May 6, 1824.
He was educated in the common schools and at Schenectady, N. Y., and has always
been a farmer^and resident in the aforesaid town (now called Colonie) where, as a Re-
publican, though never seeking, he has held minor town offices. He has been a trus-
tee of the M. E. church of Newtonville since 1872, and its treasurer for a number of
years. He is the tenth of a family of twelve children of the late Rev. Selah Ire-
land, who was born in the town of Easton, Washington county, N. Y. , m 1785, and
who settled in Watervliet, N. Y., in 1805. Mr. Ireland is a descendant of Thomas
Ireland, his great-grandfather, who was one of the early settlers who founded the
first English settlement in Queens county, Long Island, N. Y., in 1643. Francis
Asbury Ireland was married October 19, 1848, to Christina C. Ten Broeck of Claver-
ack, Columbia county. Their children are William T. B. of Lincoln, Neb., F. Jose-
phine, James M., Ulysses Grant, Cora C. and Zilla A. of Albany county.
Keneston, George, was born September 11, 1853, in Somersetshire, England,
where he was educated, and in 1866 was apprenticed for seven years, in which
he learned the trades of plumber, painter, and glazier; he came to America and
settled in Albany in 1874 and found employment with the firm of Cundall & Brint-
nall, then located at 47 Clinton avenue. In 1876 he married Bridget Newcomb of
Ballston, Spa, N. Y., and their children are seven in number: Joseph William,
Albert Daniel, Frank Leo, Walter James Edward, George, jr., Anna Clara and
Arthur. He started in business in 1878, at 77 North Lark street; in 1880 he moved
to 780£ Broadway, and in 1881 to 161 North Pearl street; in 1890 he moved to 677
Broadway, where he is still located and carrying on the business of house and sign
painting, also dealer in ready mixed paints, oils, glass, etc. In politics is a Repub-
lican.
Lynch, Joseph H., was born in 1845, and his father was James Lynch, born in
Ireland, and was a central figure in the early history of the town of Watervliet.
Mr. Lynch was thirteen years steamboating and during the war was three years on
the tug Tempest in government employ, where he rose from a cabin boy to a captain.
Since the war he ran steamboats about Philadelphia and elsewhere, until he settled
permanently at West Troy. He is a grocery dealer of West Troy and has been
located on the corner of Broadway and Seventeenth streets for twenty-one years.
Pratt, Augustus W., son of John G. and Alida (Walter) Pratt, was born on Van
Schaick's Island, Albany county, June 7, 1843. He is of English and French descent.
His paternal ancestors (three brothers) came to America from England in ls-pj; his
merternal ancestors came to America from France and Germany previous to the
Revolution and did Revolutionary service. His father, John G., was a boatman
on the Hudson River for sixty-six years. Augustus \V. Pratt was educated in the
Waterford, N. Y., public schools and later learned the trade of machinist. In 1860
he went to New York city, where he was employed by Fletcher, Harrison & Co.
116
After a few years spent as engineer on steamboats, he secured the position of re-
tailer for J. B. Enos & Co., with whom he remained four years; he was then made
engineer of Erastus Coming's iron works in Troy and was there seven years, when
he secured the position of chief engineer at the Troy City Water Works, where he
remained three years. April 8, 1892, Mr. Pratt was appointed United States local
inspector of steam boilers and still holds that position. January 10, 1865, he married
Kate S., daughter of John A. Kittell of Hadley, N. Y., and they have one son:
Frank H. On June 1, he was appointed a member and chairman of the Board of
Civil Service Examiners for the Custom House at Albany, N. Y.
Porter, Robert, is a self-made man, and started as a messenger boy twenty years
ago for the company with which he is now connected. He was born at Ballston, N.
Y., in 1860, and was educated in the High School at that place. When about sixteen
years of age he entered the local office of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. While
in their employ he picked up a practical knowledge of telegraphy and soon after
was transferred to Sandy Hill as operator, and was for five years clerk and operator
at Fort Henry. He then became agent and traveling auditor. In May, 1888, he
was appointed to the position he now holds, that of superintendent of the freight
office at Green Island. During his residence at Green Island Mr. Porter has been
active in local affairs. He is interested in educational affairs and is trustee and
president of the School Board. He has developed marked ability and is recognized
as a potent factor in that most worthy cause.
Swift, William, sr., was born in the city of York, England, in 1769. He married
Esther Staber of the same place, and they had three children: Elizabeth, Jane and
William, jr. In 1822 Mr. Swift came to America with his family, settling in Al-
bany, where he engaged in the grocery business, and in 1824 he purchased a farm
in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y., when he gave up his business
and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. His wife died in 1833, and he in
1851. After the death of his father, William Swift, jr., took charge of the farm,
managing it with great success. October 27, 1851, he married Margaret Ann
Wands, of the old Scotch family of Wands, from which the place took its name,
and they had five children: William Slater, Mary Ellen, Charles Henry and Esther
Ann, (one dying in infancy). Mr. Swift died March 25, 1879, in his sixty-eighth
year. At the age of nineteen William Slater took a course at the Albany Business
College and soon after engaged in mercantile business in Albany. December 17,
1879, he married Emma L. Wands, and June 10, 1880, he came to Voorheesville,
N. Y., and engaged in general store trade, which he conducted for seven years,
and then sold the business on account of failing health. April 1, 1888, he engaged
in the retail lumber business and a year later added to the business a manufactur-
ing plant, which he operated with success until October 5, 1893, when his mill was
destroyed by fire. He at once rebuilt on the site a storehouse and continued the
retail business as before until May 1, 1894, when he sold out, and since that time
has been engaged in contracting and building. Mr. and Mrs. Swift have seven
children as follows: Mabel Slater, Grace Wands, Annie Louis, Sarah Drew, Cyrus
Burgess, Emma May and William Raymond (Sarah and Cyrus being twins). I )e-
cember 24, 1883, Charles Henry Swift married Mary Louisa Pearl, and he is living
on the old homestead in New Scotland. Margaret Ann Swift, the mother, is still
117
living at the age of seventy-six, and enjoys good health, living by herself and look-
ing after her household duties.
Shanks, Charles S., son of David W. and Anna R. (Seath) Shanks, was born in
Albany, September 8, 1857. David W. Shanks was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in
1825, came to America in 1846 and settled in Albany, where he conducted an uphol-
stering business till his death in 1817. He was captain of what is now Co. D, 10th
Battalion, a member of the old Albany Beverwyck Club and a Mason. Charles S.
Shanks was educated in the Albauy public schools, became a clerk for Archibald
McClure & Co., and later for his father, and in 1875 entered the employ of Benjamin
Lodge, merchant tailor, with whom he remained until 1889, when he formed a part-
nership with Charles H. Lathrop, under the firm name of Shanks & Lathrop; they
purchased Mr. Lodge's business and now carry on a large merchant tailoring trade.
Mr. Shanks enlisted in Co. B, 10th Regiment, in 1878, was promoted by gradation to
first lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1885. He was elected treasurer of
the Y. M. A. in 1884 and is now one of the board of managers. For two years he
was president of the Albany Wheelmen, which is now the A. C. W. In 1884 he
married Frances C. E., daughter of William Gemmell, of Jersey City, N. J., and
they have one daughter, Margaretta G.
Van Olinda, John L., was born on the farm he now owns in 1832. This farm was
first taken up by Henry Albright in 1740. John L. Hogeboom, the maternal grand-
father, came from the town of Ghent, Columbia county, and purchased this farm
from Henry Albright about 1792. John L. Hogeboorn was born of Holland parents
and reared three children, Lawrence, John and Albertine. Thev were born in
Ghent, Columbia county, the latter being born in 1794, and was the mother of Mrs.
Van Olinda. With the exception of four years spent in the village of New Salem,
Mr. Van Olinda has spent his whole life on this farm, he having bought it from his
father. He has made many improvements, erected a residence and other buildings,
cleared some of the land of the timber, and has devoted considerable time to
fruit culture, principally to peaches, plums, and apples. lie keeps a fine grade
of Jersey cattle. For some years he was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity
but later withdrew. In 1850 he was married to Margaret Wynkoop, daughter of
Abram and Susan (Albright) Wynkoop. John T. Van Olinda, the grandfather of
the subject, was born of Holland parents in the town of Watervliet, Albany county,
N. Y., about 1708. He was a farmer and reared four sons and three daughters. He
later removed to Brewerton, Onondaga county, and there died in 1848, aged eighty
years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Jacob, the father, was born in the
town of Watervliet in 1796; he became a farmer, came to New Scotland, and was
employed on subject's farm by John L. Hogeboom, and later married Albertine, his
employer's daughter, and lived there until after the death of his father in-law. Ik-
later purchased of his wife's brothers their interest in the farm, and here spent his
remaining days. He was thrice married; his first wife was Lydia Ver Plank, by
whom he had three children : Mariah, Julian and Ann Eliza. His second wife was
Albertine Hogeboon ; their children were John L., Lydia Ann, and Albertine. His
third wife was Mrs. Sarah Ann Patterson. He died in L872,
Green, Archibald S., born in Oneida county, N Y.. October 1. 1835, is a sou of
Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Stephens) Green. The maternal grandfather, Archibald
IIS
Stephens, was one of the prominent farmers of Coeymans, and was a magistrate ap-
pointed by the governor. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Green were Quakers
in faith and early settlers of Coeymans, coming from Westchester county. Jeremiah
Green was a merchant at Stephenville, uow Alcove, N. Y., whence he removed in
1831 to Westerlo and purchased the Moses Smith store and there carried on a general
mercantile business until time of death in 1849. He was a Democrat and was justice
of the peace a number of years. He was also a Mason, and was a birthright Quaker.
Archibald S. Green was educated at Cazenovia Seminary, and Knoxville and Gallup-
ville Academies. He was appointed recruiting officer in the Civil war and enlisted
a number of soldiers to the credit of Albany county; was also treasurer for the club
of drafted men and others liable to be drafted from the town of Westerlo, and as-
sisted in disbursing several thousand dollars to these drafted members of the club.
In 1852 he married Sarah, daughter of Charles Cox of Orleans county, N. Y., and
they had three children: George J. and Charles G., who are in business with their
father at Westerlo, and William, who died in infancy. Mr. Green has carried on a
general mercantile business, succeeding his father; he also has about 1,000 acres of
land in Westerlo, which he has to look after. He is a Democrat and was postmaster
under Buchanan. His son George J. is at present postmaster at Westerlo.
Harris, Hubbard C, was born in Grafton, Windom county, Yt. , in 1835, and is a
a son of Jasher and grandson of William, whose ancestors came from England and
settled in Ipswich. Mass., in 1636. Mr. Harris came to Coeymans in 1853, since
when he has followed his trade, that of a mason and contractor, successfully. In
18G0 he married Laura, daughter of Elisha and Charlotte Buckland, by whom four
children have been born, of whom Harry R. and Laura M. are now living.
Keller, Robert B., son of Jacob and Harriet (Dibble) Keller, was born in Hudson,
N. Y., January 7, 1846, and was of Holland and English descent. His grandfather,
Jacob Keller, was born in Holland and came to America in the eighteenth century;
his mother was born in Vermont and descended from an English family. Robert
B. Keller was educated in the Hudson public schools and in 1857 commenced steam-
boating as a deckhand and rapidly rose until he became master of a steam vessel at
eighteen years of age; he continued as such until 1885, when he was appointed
United States local inspector of steam vessels, which position he now holds. In 1872
he married Emma M , daughter of James M. flurd, of Chicopee Falls, Mass., and
they have one son : Robert H.
Livingston & Co.— The business of this well known firm was founded in 1857 by
Hiram Livingston, who in a small store on Green street built up a large wholesale
wine and liquor trade. In 1876 he removed to the present location. No. 76 State
street, and upon his death in 1879 was succeeded by his son, William H. (born 1839),
who in September, 1895. formed a copartnership with Jacob H. Smith (born 1862),
under the firm name of Livingston & Co. The firm carries the finest grade of goods,
caters principally to the drug and hotel trade and is one of the heaviest importers
through the customs warehouse at Albany. Mr. Livingston was deputy collector of
internal revenue under Theodore Townsend, during the Rebellion held a position in
the War Department and was a Mason, a trustee of the Albany County Savings
Bank and a member of the Albany Club. Mr. Smith, son of Henry Smith, who died
in December, 1891, was graduated from the Albany High School in 1881, and from
119
1884 to 1895 was bookkeeper for W. H. Livingston. He was an organizer and the
first secretary of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Sutherland, Charles R., is descended from Joseph Sutherland, who came from
Scotland and settled in Hor.seneck, Conn., where his son Thomas was horn in L736.
Thomas married Barsheba Palmer and died in 1807. His son William, born I >ecember
31, 1791, settled in Kinderhook, N. Y., and died December 31, 1811. Rufus Sutherland,
son of William, was born in 1799, married Sally Nivar, removed to Schoharie, N. Y.,
in 1840 and died in 1849. His sou Michael, born in 1828, married Christina Lawyer
and died February 25, 1888; his wife died in January, 1872. Her family were among
the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. Charles R. Sutherland, son of Michael,
was born in Schoharie, January, 31, 1857, and after attaining his majority spent four
years as clerk in the grocery store of his uncle. Isaac P. Sutherland, in Albany. In
1882 he engaged in the produce commission business as a member of the firm of
Burhans & Sutherland, which in 1883 was succeeded by Burhans, Sutherland ..V- Co.,
which was followed in 1885 by I. P.. Sutherland & Co. In 1838 his brother Willard
J. was admitted and in 1890 the two brothers, Charles R. and Willard J., withdrew
and formed the present commission firm of C. R. & W. J. Sutherland, which also
deals in real estate. Mr. Southerland was a director of the South End Bank and is
a member of Mount Yernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M.,
Temple Commandery K. T., and the Scottish Rite bodies. October 14, 1892, he married
Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William H. Righter of Albany, and their children are
Charles, jr. (deceased), Florence and Hellen.
Sutherland, Willard J., son of Michael and brother of Charles K. Sutherland
(see above sketch), was born in Schoharie, N. Y. , October 10, 1859, and when
eighteen came to Albany as clerk for Haskell & Gallup, wholesale spices, etc., with
whom he remained about three years. Later he was employed by ]. E. Moore,
manufacturer of pills. This position was given up to embark in the retail grocery
business, which was successfully carried on for nearly six years. In the spring of
1885 he sold the grocery business to William H. Righter and became partner with his
uncle, Isaac P. Sutherland and brother, C. R. Sutherland, in the produce commis-
sion business, in which he has since continued, being now a member with his brother
in the firm of C. R. & W. J. Sutherland. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. II,
F. &- A. M. In 1884 he married Anua Stacpole of Albany, and their children arc
Mable, Harry, Libbie (deceased), Clara and Willard J., jr.
Schuyler, Richard P. — The domicile inhabited by this gentleman and his family is
one of the historic landmarks of Albany county; situated at Port Schuyler, near
West Troy, it stands a mute reminder of the generations of Schuylers it has shel-
tered. Partially destroyed by lire, it has been rebuilt, but not essentially modern-
ized and retains some quaint specimens of old Dutch handiwork. Richard P. Schuy-
ler, son of the late Stephen R. Schuyler, was born here in 1S47. A daughter, Miss
Jennie D. Schuyler, an able writer, who values high the traditions of her family,
will contribute to this work some notes upon their genealogy. From a moss-grown
stone in the Schuyler Cemetery, nearby, we quote verbatim ; "In memory of Col.
Philip Schuyler, a gentleman who was emproved in several public enployments, in
which he acted with integrity. He was singularly hospitable, a sincere friend, a
120
kind master, and most tender husband. He lived respected, and died greatly la-
mented, February 16, 1758, aged sixty-two years."
Staats, John M. was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, in 1812 and is the son
of Barrent N. and grandson of Nicholas Staats, who, with two brothers, came from
Holland among the early settlers. Nicholas Staats had four sons: George, Joachim
P., William and Barrent N., who in 1832 settled the farm where John M. now lives.
He died in 1848 and left two sons: Garret B., and John M., who remained on the
homestead and carried on the farm. John M. Staats had two sons and three daugh-
ters. John A. now runs the farm, and the youngest son, Joachim P., died in isx.*>.
Secor, Benjamin M., of Huguenot descent, was born October 27, 1834, in the town
of Berne, Albany county, where his father, Daniel, was born October 18, 1804.
Daniel Secor, a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Berne about 1780 and died there;
his son Cornelius lived and died there and was a colonel in the State militia. Daniel,
son of Cornelius, married - Cornelia Van Zandt and died June 22, 1879. Benjamin
M. Secor was reared on a farm and received his education in his native town and
Warnerville Seminary. He remained on the farm and clerked in country stores
until 1866, when he came to Albany and engaged in the retail clothing business
with L. D. Hutchins. In 1870 he became a clerk for R. C. Davis & Co. and so con-
tinued till January, 1878, when he entered the employ of the late C. G. Craft; Janu-
ary, 1890, he became a partner in the firm of C. G. Craft & Co. Mn Craft died
March 13, 1890, and since then Mr. Secor and Joseph D. Chapin have continued the
business under the old firm name. Mr. Secor is vice-president in the Albany, Hel-
derberg and Schoharie Railway Company, member of Temple Lodge, F. & A. M.,
and has lived in the Thirteenth ward about thirty years. In 1858 he married Arvilla
Strevell of Berne, and they have five children: Effie J., Elva, Laura M., Daniel and
Ida A.
Saul Julius, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1836, came to this country
in October, 1856, and first settled in Catskill, N. Y.. where he found employment at
his trade of clothing cutting. In May, 185S, he engaged in the merchant tailoring
and ready-made clothing business, which he sold out in 1869. In March, 1867, he
moved to Troy and engaged in the same business, which he still continues in that
city. He removed to New York in 1883 and began the manufacture of clothing and
while there, in 1884, established a store in Albany, where he settled in May, 1888.
In the latter year he purchased and extensively remodeled the property, Nos. 51-53
North Pearl street, where he has since built up a prosperous business, carrying in
stock every article in clothing used from head to foot, by man, woman, and child.
In 1893 his sons, Lester J. and Philip C. , were admitted to partnership and the
manufacturing department was moved from New York to Albany. Mr. Saul is an
ex-member of the National Guard, an exempt fireman, a member of King Solomon's
Primitive Lodge F. <S: A. M., and Trojan Lodge I. O. O. F. of Troy. In September,
1864, he married Rachel Cohn, a native of Prussia, Germany. Of their nine chil-
dren four are living: Lester J., Philip C, Rose (wife of Dr. M. J. Lewi of New York
city) and Elka.
Sayles, William, for twenty-three years one of the leading contractors of Albany,
is a son of Thomas and Jane (Stephan) Sayles, and was born on the Isle of Man, May
121
25, 1848. He was educated in private schools and learned the trade of carpenter
and joiner in his native country, noted in recent years as the scene of Hall Caine's
thrilling romances. Mr. Sayles came to America in 1867, arriving in New York city
April 24, and the following day reached Albany, where he has since resided. He
followed his trade as a journeyman until January, 1873, when he formed a copartner-
ship with William H. Gick, under the firm name of Gick & Sayles, and engaged in
contracting and building. This firm has steadily increased the volume of its opera-
tions, until now it is one of the leading concerns of the kind in the city. They have
erected about 300 buildings in Albany, among them the Albany County Bank, Dud-
ley Observatory, Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Block, the Hope Baptist church,
St. Peter's Rectory and the residences of Messrs. Wing, Russell, Rudd, Murphy,
Gregory, Fuller, Waldman, Barber and Reynolds, on State Street, of George W.
Van Slyke, Hon. John Palmer and Benjamin Lodge on Madison Avenue, of Mann,
Waldman and Tracey on Willett Street; of Mrs. Craig in Englewood Place; of
Ogden, Kinnear and Rooker on Lake Avenue; the brown stone row on Lancaster
street between Lark and Willett, and a great many other dwellings, public build-
ings, etc., of equal prominence. They have also built a large number of handsome
structures outside the city of Albany and are well known throughout a wide terri-
tory. Mr. Sayles is a staunch Republican, and in May, 1895, was appointed by
Mayor O. E. Wilson one of the city assessors for a term of three years. He is a
member of Ancient City Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M. He is a member and for ten
years was a trustee of the First M. E. church. November 27, 1878, he married Ellen
Elizabeth, daughter of the late William W. Pearl of Albany county, and they have
three children, Arthur Everett, Agnes Pearl and Mabel Margaret.
Ten Eyck, Jacob H., is a descendant of Coenraedt Ten Eyck, who came from Am-
sterdam, Holland, to New York city about 1650 and was a tanner. The words Ten
Eyck mean "from the oak," the oak being the family's coat of arms. Herman Ten
Eyck of Albany (where the family settled about 1690) was born here in 1793 and died
May 17, 1861, about ten years after he retired from the dry goods business, in which
he was long engaged with an elder brother under the firm name of Jacob H. Ten
Eyck & Co. Herman Ten Eyck married, in 1821, Eliza Bogart of Geneva, N. Y.,
who died in 1853, leaving two daughters and an only son. Jacob H. Ten Eyck, the
son, and the last living male representative of this branch of the family, was born
in Albany, August 17, 1833, attended the Albany Academy and for a few years was
clerk in a bank. In 1856 he went to Cuba and spent three years in railroading. Re-
turning to Albany he raised in 1861 Co. G, of the 3d N. Y. Vols., was commissioned
a captain in the State militia on April 25, and in May was mustered into U. S. ser-
vice. He served nearly two years, being promoted major of the 154th X. V. Vols.,
and stationed in Virginia with the 11th Army Corps. He resigned in 1864 on ac-
count of ill health and since the war has had charge of several estates. Ik- lias been
a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank and a director in the Albany Insurance Com-
pany for about twenty years, is president of the Great Western Turnpike Company
(the oldest corporation of the kind in the State), and is connected with several man-
ufacturing companies in Albany and Troy. He was alderman of the old Seventh
ward two years, one of the founders of the Fort Orange Club, for ten years a mem-
ber of the Volunteer Fire Department, and was long a member of the Albany
P
122
Burgesses Corps, and also commissary of the 10th Regt. In 1867 he married Ma-
tilda E., daughter of G. V. S. Bleecker, a prominent citizen and for many years
alderman of the Third ward of Albany and the father of Charles E. Bleecker, at one
time mayor.
Veeder, Hon. William Davis, was born in Guilderland, Albany county, N. Y.,
May 19, 1835, a descendant of an old Netherland family. He received a common
school and academic education, and read law with Peter Cagger, Nicholas
Hill and John K. Porter. He was admitted to the Albany bar in 1858 and entered
the office of Hon. Henry Smith in that city, where he remained until his removal to
Brooklyn later in the same year, where he has since resided. He soon became active
in politics and has filled with enviable distinction many positions of responsibility
and honor. He represented the First district of Brooklyn in the Assembly in 1865
and 1866. lie was made a member of the Democratic State Committee in 1874,
which position he occupied until 1882. He served in the Constitutional Convention
of 1867-68, and also in that of 1894 on the Committees on Preamble and on Corpo-
rations. In the fall of 1866 he was elected surrogate of Kings county over two
opponents by a majority of 4,500; this office he filled for ten years, or until 1877, and
what is remarkable, not one of his decisions was ever reversed. In the fall of 1876
he was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress by a vote of 17,916 against 10,630 for
Colonel Cavanagh, Independent Democrat endorsed by the Republicans. At the
close of his term he retired from active political work and resumed his law prac-
tice, which had become extensive. Mr. Veeder is an authority on constitutional
law and a specialist in the statutes which relate to trusts, corporations and wills.
Ik- was a member of the Municipal Consolidation Inquiry Commission as to the
Greater New York.
Wirth, Jacob, jr., son of Jacob and Mary Wirth, was born in Albany, N. Y., Feb-
ruary'-', L869. lie was educated in the public schools and at the Albany Business
College. Subsequently he learned the tailor's trade with his father, who for many
years was in business in Albany. Jacob Wirth, jr., was in the employ of William
Illch, as a cutter from 1886 to 1891, when he went to Europe with the Knight Temp-
lars. Upon his return he commenced business at No. 41 Beaver street, where he is
now located. He is a member of Guttenberg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M., Temple
Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.. 1 >e Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Com-
manders No. 2, K. T., Cyprus Temple A. .A. O. N. M. S., and the Acacia and Un-
conditional Clubs. He is at present representing the First ward in the Board of
Aldermen. In June, 1894, he married Katharine Deiseroth.
Winne, Barent S.. son of Barent S. and Ann A. (Staats) Winne, was born in Cedar
Hill, July 20, 1858. The Winne family are of Dutch descent and date their ancestry
back in Albany county to 1684, the line of descent being Barent S., son of Barent S.,
son of Peter W., son of William, son of Daniel, son of Peter, son of Daniel, son of
Peter. Mr. Winne is the seventh generation living on the homestead settled by
Daniel Winne in 1715. Mr. Winne is now engaged in the extensive freighting com-
mission and coal business established by his father in 1860.
Andrews, jr., Horace, was born in New Haven, Conn., March 19, 1852. His an-
cestry includes several of the most prominent founders of the Connecticut Colony,
123
and the Holland settlers of Kinderhook, N. Y. Mr. Andrews's parents were Horace
Andrews and Julia R. Johnson, both of Connecticut. He was educated at private
schools in New York city and New Haven, and at the Sheffield Scientific School of
Yale University, where he received his first and second degrees, the latter (of Civil
Engineer) in 1872. Since then his occupation has been entirely in the line of his
profession. He was engaged on hydrographic work, under the U. S. Coast and Geo-
detic Survey, in 1872 and for several years afterwards was connected with the same
government bureau, first in connection with the survey of the harbor and vicinity of
New Haven, Conn., and afterwards on the east coast of Florida, whence he was
called in 1*78 to accept the position of assistant on the New York State Survey which
he filled till the conclusion of the survey in 1884. Several of the technical papers in
the reports of this survey were communicated by Mr. Andrews. Sanitary investiga-
tions in many parts of the State were next undertaken by him, under the New York
State Board of Health, until his appointment by Mayor Thacher, in 1886, as city
engineer of Albany, which office has been filled by him since his first appointment
up to the present time. Mr. Andrews has been a member of the American Society
of Civil Engineers since 1887 and of the Geometer Yerein of Germany since 1881;
for several years he has been a member of the Fort Orange Club and he is a member
of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church. In 1881 he married Adeleine Louise
Downer, of Hamden, Conn., who died in December 1893. Of his three children, all
of whom were born in Albany, the two now living are Theodore and Bertha A.
Aspinwall, William F., whose charming home near Loudonville, surrounded by
grounds evincing the care and skill of a landscape gardener, cannot fail to attract
the admiration of travelers along the Loudonville road, is the son of the late Lewis
E. Aspinwall, who came to Watervliet in 1848. lie was a brass founder by trade
and noted for inventive genius and skill; but ill health led him to retire to the coun-
try. He died here in 1888, aged seventy years. W. F. Aspinwall was born at
Hastings-on the, Hudson in 1843. He was about years old when his family moved to
Watervliet; since then he has resided here, chiefly engaged in gardening. Mr,
Aspinwall is a musician, chiefly as an amateur violinist, and it is his own tasteful
labors which have beautified the surroundings of his home. A daughter, Miss Mar-
garet, evinces much of the same artistic proclivity; and a sou, William D. Aspin-
wall, a recent graduate of Harvard College, is now occupying a position with a Bos-
ton publishing house. Mr. Aspinwall is a gentleman of quiet and studious tastes,
with no political ambitions. He feels a just pride in the fact that one of his paternal
ancestors was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and it is interesting to
note that the Aspinwall Potato Planter, known the world over, was invented by his
elder brother, L. Augustus Aspinwall.
Bentley, W. — Dr. Richard Bentley, English critic, was born in Culton, England,
in 1(102 and died in 1742. He had two brothers, Thomas and James, who emigrated
to Rhode Island in 1720. James, not liking America, i to England; Tl
remained in America and was the progenitor of a very numerous and respected line
of descendants. Thomas Bentley had three sons: William, Benjamin and Caleb.
Rev. Charles E. Bentley, Baptist minister of Lincoln, Neb., and chairman of the
Nebraska State Prohibition Committee, is a descendant of Benjamin. Thomas
Bentley's son, William, had four sons: Tillinghast, William, jr., Taber and Pardon,
124
Pardon Bentley was the father of eleven children: Margaret, Pardon, jr., Thomas,
William, John, Charles, Augustus, Samuel, Stephen, Elizabeth and Susan. Pardon
Bentley's third son, William, was born in Rhode Island in 1767 and died at Chester-
ville, N. Y., in 1820. He was twice married; by his first marriage he had three
children: Jerusha, Olive and William, jr. His daughter Olive married Peter Cap-
well; their son, Albert C. Capwell, was for many years a prominent lawyer in
Brooklyn, N. Y. William, jr., was a resident many years of Westerlo, N. Y. ; he
was supervisor of the town in 1837 and 1838, and moved to Onondaga county, N.Y.,
in 1840, where some of his descendants still reside. But one of his sons, George, is
living, who resides at Colorado Springs, Col. ; a grandson, Floyd F. Bentley, is
agent for the D., L. & W. R. R. at Baldwinsville, N.Y. William Bentley, sr.'s, sec-
ond marriage was to Abigail, daughter of Elisha Smith of North East, Dutchess
county, N. Y., whence they moved to Chesterville, Albany county, in 1800. Their
children were Amanda, wife of John Winston ; Alva ; Abigail, wife of Reuben
Winston, M. D. ; Harriet, George H., Edward S., Edwin S. and Alexander, all dead
except Alexander, who resides at Greenville, N. Y. Alva Bentley had one son, Jas-
per Bentley, who is a lawyer and resides at Lansing, Mich., and whose daughter is
the wife of J. B. Moore, Supreme Court judge of Michigan. George H. Bentley,
born March 1, 1806, in Chesterville, N. Y., died July 16, 1863. He married Almira
Lawrence, January 30, 1828, and in 1832, in company with his brother Alexander,
engaged in the mercantile business in Chesterville, which was dissolved in 1837.
George H. Bentley then purchased the old homestead, where he resided the rest of
his life. He represented the town in the Board of Supervisors in the years 1854 and
1855. He was the father of Charles Bentley, who was born in Westerlo, N. Y.,
August 22, 1831, and lived on the old homestead until 1883, when he sold it and
moved to Hastings, Neb. ; he now resides at Cambridge, Neb. He married Pris-
cilia, daughter of Samuel G. Baker of Westerlo, N. Y., October 14, 1851, and they
had one daughter and three sons: Fanny Ada, George, Edward W. and Willis.
Charles Bentley was supervisor in Westerlo in 1866-67. Edward W. died June 28,
1866, Fanny Ada died July 19, 1866, and Mrs. Charles Bentley died December 21,
1879. George married Rosella, daughter of Henry L. Tallmadge of Westerlo, and
moved to Cambridge, Neb., in 1883, where he now resides. They have two sons:
Fred E. and Charles L. Willis Bentley was born May 12, 1868, and in 1883 entered
the employment of Ferris Swartout of Chesterville as clerk, in 1887 came to Raveiia
(then Coeymans Junction) and clerked it for James M. Borthwick (now county clerk)
until 1890, when he and an associate clerk, Elvin C. Shults, succeeded Mr. Borth
wick in business under the firm name of Shultes & Bentley, until March 18, 1895,
when Mr. Shultes retired from the firm and the business has since been conducted
by Mr. Bentley. Willis Bentley married Cora B., daughter of William H. Winegard
of Westerlo, N. Y., February 4, 1891, and their union has been blessed with one
daughter, Inez C, born March 19, 1892.
Belser, Joseph, jr., son of Joseph and Barbara (Klett) Belser, was born in Albany,
May 4, 1866. Joseph Belser, sr., was born in Messingen, Germany, March 13, 1836.
He came to America in 1852 and settled first in New York city, then in 1854 he re-
moved to Albany and in November, 1857, engaged in the retail dry goods business,
at what is now No. 352 South Pearl street. He gradually increased his scope of
125
operations until 1884, when he took in his son-in-law, John Wagner, as a partner
under the firm name of Belser & Wagner. This firm continued until 1888, when
Mr. Belser's son, Joseph, jr., became a partner. In 1889 Mr. Wagner withdrew and
engaged in the furniture business and Joseph Belser, sr., Joseph Belser, jr., and
Miss Barbara Belser constituted the firm. In 1890 Joseph, sr., retired and since
then the brother and sister, as Belser & Co., have continued the business. Joseph,
sr., is a member of the Eintracht Singing Society and was for several years its
treasurer. The firm of Belser & Co. now occupy for retail purposes three stores at
Nos. 348, 350 and 352 South Pearl street; they also have three stores for their
wholesale business, which has gradually been built up within the last few years.
Brennan, Edward J., is a grandson of James Brennan, sr., a maltster who came
to Albany from Ireland and died here in 1880, aged eighty-two. James Brennan, jr.,
has been connected with the Albany police force since about 1870. He is a native
of the capital city, as is also his wife, Mary Murtaugh. Edward J., their son, was
born August 17, 1860, in Albany, was graduated from the Christian Brothers' Acad-
emy in 1876 and in 1877 entered the law office of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, being ad-
mitted to the bar in 1881. He remained with his preceptors as managing clerk until
1886, when he was elected justice of the City Court for a term of three years. Since
1889 he has been in active practice of his profession, making a specialty of criminal
law, in which he has been very successful, having freed many well known criminals.
He is a prominent Democrat, has served as delegate to several political conventions
and is a member of the A. O. U. W. January 22, 1896, he married Mary, daughter
of George Schwartz, a well known pork packer and dealer of Albany.
Cummings Brothers. — James and John Cummings were bora in the town of Berne,
June 25, 1857, and May 20, 1859, respectively. They are sons of John Cummings,
who was bora in the city of Clonmell, Ireland, in 1829. He was one of four children
of Patrick Cummings. John, the father, was a miller in his native place. He came
to America and direct to the town of Berne, where he engaged in farming which he
continued until recent years, when he retired to the village of Reidsville and leased
his farm. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. B, 81st Regiment N. Y. Vols., and served until
the close of the war, participating in the battle of the Wilderness, where he received
a wound and lost part of his hand. He was under General Butler in five active en-
gagements. His wife was Ellen Shea, a native of the city of Clonmell, Ireland, and
daughter of Thomas Shea; to them were born five children: James, born June 25,
1857; John, born May 20, 1859; George, born June 1, 1861, and died at the age of
nineteen; Ellen, born in October, 1862; and Thomas, born in December, 1866, and
died at the age of sixteen. James and John were reared to farm life and attended
the common schools and remained at home until they were twenty-four years of age.
when they embarked in business for themselves, their first enterprise being farming
and quarrying, which they followed for seven years. They dissolved partnership,
James remaining at the quarry and John repaired to Albany and engaged in the
stone business from 1891 to 1895. They then moved to Voorheesville and established
themselves in the feed, grain and produce business, and in connection with tin's they
carried on an extensive stone business. James married Ella Van Deusen of Berne,
and daughter of Robert A. Van Deusen. Their children are Carrie and George.
John married Mary C. Ecker of the town of Knox, and daughter of Allen Ecker, by
126
whom three children were born : Thomas, who died when ten years of age ; Edward
and Mary. John is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of Chancellors
Lodge of Albany. The brothers are both stockholders in the Clarksville Telephone
line. John is a stockholder in the Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association;
the brothers are also stockholders in the Yoorheesville Canning and Preserving Co.
De Witt, Abraham Van Dyck, descends from a distinguished line of Holland an-
cestry. Among his earliest ancestors were John L. De Witt, a captain in the Revo-
lutionary war, and Lucas De Witt. Tjerck Claassen De Witt of Zunderland, Holland,
born 1020, was the first of the family to come to this country. He stopped at New
Amsterdam, X. Y., in 1656, settled for a time in Albany and thence removed to
Kingston, where he died February 7. 1700. Mr. De Witt's paternal grandfather,
Rev. John De Witt, was born in Catskill, N. Y., August, 1789, studied at Union
College, and graduated at Princeton in 1809. He was licensed to preach in 1811;
married Sarah Schoonmaker. and was pastor of the old collegiate Dutch church of
Albany from 1813 to 1815 and of the Second Reformed Dutch church from 1815 to
1823. He was then chosen professor of ecclesiastical history in the theological semi-
nary at New Brunswick, N. J., having in 1825 also assumed the professorship of
belles lettres, criticism and logic in Rutgers College. He died at New Brunswick
October 11, 1831. The great-grandfather of A. V. De Witt was John I. De Witt of
Catskill and Saugerties, N. Y., who was born in 1762. He married Mary, daughter
of Peter Breasted, in 1782, and died in 1816. Mr. De Witt's father, Clinton De Witt,
born in Albany in 1*14, became a brilliant lawyer and orator and died in New York
city in 1845. He married in 1835 Elsie, (laughter of Abraham Yan Dyck, a leading
lawyer of Coxsackie, N. Y. She was an accomplished student, read Greek and
Hebrew, and died August 1, 1885. Abraham V. D. De Witt, born in Coxsackie, Au-
gust 11, 1836, was educated in the village academy, and read law with James B.
Sanders of Albany for seven years, being admitted to the bar when twenty-one. He
was then in partnership with his preceptor until 1871, when Mr. Sanders retired. In
1 872 he became a partner of Charles F. T. Spoor, and since the latter's death in
1891 has practiced alone. Mr. De Witt has not only conducted a general law prac-
tice, but has also had the settlement of many large estates. He is a member of the
Fort Orange Club and the Holland Society of New York. In June, 1894, he was
elected treasurer of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank and since then has had the
active management of that institution, devoting much of his time to its affairs. In
January, 1896, he married Grace Hallam Learned of New London, Conn., daughter
of the late Rev. Robert Coit Leonard. A daughter, born to them November 22,
1896, is named Elsie Van Dyck.
Moak John T., was born in the town of New Scotland, on the Moak homestead,
April 27, 1827. He is a son of Col. Joseph Moak, a native of New Scotland and a
farmer by occupation. His wife was Arianna Taylor, daughter of Robert Taylor,
and their children were Robert, Joseph, Jane, Frances, Eve Ann, Catherine, Har-
riet, Rachael and John T. The father, Col. Joseph Moak, died March 28, 1848, the
wife dying previously in 1830. John T. spent his early life on the homestead, re-
ceiving a common school education. When he was twenty-one years of age he be-
gan working at the cabinet trade, which he followed one year; then he worked for a
time at farming and returned to the cabinet_shop again. In 1851 he purchased his
127
present farm, consisting of ninety acres, where he is at present residing. To this he
has added another farm of seventy acres and made many improvements in the prop-
erty. In 1850 he married Margaret Sager, who was born in New Scotland, a daugh-
ter of Conrad and Margaret (Bradt) Sager. Their children were Arianna, wife of
Jeremiah Winne, Melville S. (deceased), Ida L., wife of Edgar B. Ruso. The pater-
nal grandfather of John T. Moak was Jacob Moak, who came from Switzerland
with his two brothers, Francis and Henry, about 1730.
Schubert, Theodore, a popular and well-known citizen of West Troy, was born in
Saxony, Germany, in 1855. He was a son of a weaver, Charles G. Schubert. They
came to America in 1864 and settled at Holyoke, Mass., where Theodore learned
the woolsorting trade, and in 1878 came here as a weaver in the Roy Mills, and
later as a loom adjuster. In 1885 he opened a cafe and retail saloon at 1,299 Broad-
way. Mr. Schubert is prominently connected with numerous local societies, the
West Troy Fire Department, president of the local board of Wine and Liquor Deal-
ers' Association and member of Laurel Lodge, I. O. O. F.
Munson, George S., M. D., son of Stephen and Eunice A. Munson, was born in
Waterford, N. Y. , April 4, 1856, and moved with his parents to Albany in 1858. II is
mother, a native of Westerfield, Mass , who died in March, 1886, was a descendant
of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the theologian and metaphysician of Northampton,
Mass., and afterwards president of Princeton College. His father became an exten-
sive shoe manufacturer in Albany. Dr. Munson was graduated from public school
No. 2 in 1868 and from the Albany High School in 1872, and in 1874 entered Princeton
College, where he took several prizes for oratory, study, etc., and where he was
graduated with honor in 1878. He read medicine with Drs. VanderVeer and Snow,
and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1880, took a special course in
Dr. Knapp's ophthalmic and aural institute in New York, where he remained as first
assistant for two years, and also pursued special courses under Drs. Noyes and
Agnew of that city. In 1882 he began the active practice of his profession in Al-
bany. He has served as ophthalmic surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital, Albany,
ophthalmic and aural surgeon to the Schenectady Hospital and Dispensary, and Al-
bany City Hospital, and is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Fort
Orange Club and Albany Medical Library and Journal Association. He has con-
tributed many valuable papers to medical literature, especially on the treatment of
diseases of eye the and ear. In 1884 he married May S., daughter of George S.
Downing of Albany, and they have one son, born March 31; 1888, and a daughter.
Bloss, Dr. F. S. of West Troy, is a descendant of prominent ancestors in the pro-
fession of medicine, as he is a son of J. P. Bloss, a noted physician of Troy, and
grandson of Richard Bloss, who was a pioneer homeopathist of Troy, and who died
there after twenty-five years of practice. He is also a nephew of Richard 1 >. Bloss,
an active practitioner, now of Troy. Dr. F. S. left Burlington, Iowa, where he was
born in 1857 and came to Troy in 1859. He went to Schenectady, graduating from
the I nion Classical Institute, and entered Union College, graduating in 1881, after
which he entered the Albany Medical College. He first practiced at Troy with his
father, and came to West Troy in 1896. He is a member of the Medical Society of
Northern New York.
128
Patterson, jr., John, is the son of John and grandson of Archibald Patterson, who
settled in Bethlehem in 1810 and died in 1876, leaving six sons: Robert, Andrew,
James, Alexander, William and John, who settled on the homestead. He had one
son, John, jr., as above", who has been, and still is, one of the leading men of the
town, having served as supervervisor from 1889 until 1895. Mr. Patterson, besides
carrying on the farm, has for some time carried on a coal and ice business in Long
Island city, and still has an ice house in Bethlehem that he built in 1878.
Vloebergh, Louis, was born in Belgium, Province of Antwerp, in 1823, where he
learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed until 1857, when he came to Al-
bany where he worked for some time, when he came to Bethlehem Center in 1861,
and has since carried on a shop. He has three sons: Livine, who is in business in
Albany, Augustus and Joseph, who are business with their father, and two daugh-
ters, Mathilda and Cristina.
Moore, William, was born in Ireland, March, 1827. He received a common school
education and in 1846 came to America. He remained for a time in New York city
and then went east and worked in the cloth mills in New Hampshire, Vermont and
Rhode Island. In 1852 he went to Cohoes and worked three years for Egberts &
Bailey, the first knit goods manufacturers in America. Then after learning the
machinist's trade with the Harmony Company, he was for thirteen years machinist
and foreman of the Mohawk River Knitting Mills company, which was an enlarge-
ment of the business of Egberts & Bailey. In 1859 Mr. Moore accepted the manage-
ment of William Mansfield's knitting mills and in 1860 established a mill of his own
on Erie street, known as the Erie Knitting Mill. In 1882 he built the Granite Mill,
on the corner of Ontario and Saratoga streets, to which he gives most of his atten-
tion, but he still retains an interest in the Erie Mill, which is owned by the firm,
Moore & Tierney. Mr. Moore has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity for
forty years and was for one term alderman of the Third ward. In 1892 he married
Sarah A., daughter of James Tierney of Waterford and they have one son, William J.
McHinch, Robert, a prominent and successful farmer and fruit grower of the town
of New Scotland, was born near Belfast, Ireland, September 23, 1847. Alexander,
the grandfather, was a native of Scotland and spent his lifetime there as a farmer.
His brother James came to America and settled in the town of New Scotland, on the
farm now owned by Robert McHinch. James, the father, was born in Scotland, in
August, 1804, and died in August, 1889. He was a successful farmer and left con-
siderable property, which he accumulated near Belfast, Ireland, where he had gone
when a young man and engaged in the manufacture of gas, in connection with which
he owned a farm, which he sublet to tenants. His wife was Mary Lowry, of Ireland,
and their children were Anthony, Robert, Agnes, Jane, and Andrew. His wife died
in 1867, and after some years his sons Anthony and Andrew died. He lived alone
then until 1884, when he converted his property into cash and came to America,
where he spent his remaining days with his son Robert and his daughter Agnes. He
died August 6, 1889. Robert remained with his father and attended school until
nineteen years of age, when he came to the United States direct to his granduncle,
Andrew McHinch, for whom he worked at farm work for one year, and then worked
for other parties for several years, when he went to Illinois and Iowa and remained
for one year, and by the request of his uncle returned to New Scotland and worked
129
hard, and when he had been here ten yeais he had saved 82,000 in cash. In 1876 he
purchased his uncle's farm, the price being $6,000, for which he has paid, and upon
which he has since lived doing general farming, but paying special attention to the
fruit culture. He has since added land and made other improvements, and is now
the possessor of a fine farm and good buildings. In March, 1876, he married Sarah
Jane, born in Bath-on-the-Hudson, and daugeter of Jacob P. and Mary Elizabeth
(Snyder) Elmendorf, by whom one child has been born, Jennie May. Mrs. McHinch
is a member of the Reformed church. Mr. McHinch was elected and le-elected ex-
cise commissioner for three terms, and is now filling the office of assessor.
Kimmey, William, was born in Bethlehem in 1829 and is the son of Daniel, and
grandson of Jacob. His great grandfather came from Germany in 1755 and settled
in Bethlehem, where he was the founder of the family which has always occupied a
prominent position in the town and county. William Kimmey was supervisor of his
town for five years, also town clerk, and was a member of the constitutional conven-
tion in 1894. December 27, 1854, he married a daughter of Frederick Hillebrant,
and they have one son, William R., and two daughters, having lost two sons, John
and Albert.
Frederick, Stephen V., was born in Guilderland on the farm he now owns, March
17, 1831. Christopher, his father, was born in the same place in 1793. He was one
of three sons: Stephen, Christopher and Jacob, and three daughters: Elizabeth,
Mary and Esther, born to Michael, a farmer by occupation, who was also born on
the same farm. He was a son of Stephen, born in Guilderland. His father,
Michael, came from Germany in about 1750 and took up a tract of land of about 900
acres in the town of Guilderland. Christopher, the father of Mr. Frederick, was a
successful farmer and a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was Appolonia Hilton,
daughter of James Hilton. They reared three sons and four daughters. He lived
to be eighty-seven years old and his wife lived to be seventy-eight. Mr. Frederick
received a good common school education, and when twenty-six years of age began
to teach school, which he followed for nine years. In 1861 he was elected supervisor
and was re-elected for five consecutive years. In the fall of 1866 he was elected
county treasurer, which office he filled for three years. He has also filled many
minor offices in his town and was often called upon to draw up wills and settle
estates. He has added to the original homestead until he now owns 600 acres, and
also owns property in Albany, and is an enterprising and successful man. January
14, 1863, he was married to Annie Reid, of Xew Scotland, and daughter of Alexan-
der Reid. Their children are Margaret, Ada and Lona. Mr. Frederick was taught
the Holland language by his mother and still retains a knowledge of that tongue.
Whitbeck, William J., was born in 1838. lie is a sou of John T., and a grandson
of Thomas, who had four sons: William, Stephen, Daniel and John T., who had
four sons: Thomas, John A., Jasper and William J. He is a farmer and lives on a
part of the old homestead. He married Hannah J. Smith.
Couse, David, was born in Bethlehem in 1827 and is the son of David, born in
1808, and grandson of Adam Couse, who came from Germany in 1784 and settled in
Bethlehem and had six sons: John. Matthew, William, Peter, Jacob and David,
father of the subject. Mr. Couse came to Slingerlands in 1839, where he has since
130
been a farmer. He was elected justice in 1872, which office he has held continuously
ever since ; he has also been town clerk and collector and was for some years
assistant assessor for the revenue department. He has four sons: Andrew, David,
Frank and Robert.
Hill & Son. — James Hill, a native of England, settled in Albany about 1827 and
died there in 1838. He was foreman in a large blacksmith shop which stood on the
site of the D. & H. depot, at the foot of Maiden Lane. Cornelius Hill, his son, born
December 18, 1833, in Albany, received a public school education, and has always
been in the fruit and vegetable business. In 1845 he became a clerk in the old
Columbia Street Market and later held a similar position on Van Rensselaer Island.
In 1854 he established business for himself and since 1889 has been located on the
corner of Hudson avenue and Grand street, the site on which Thurlow Weed's man-
sion once stood. In 1884 the firm of Hill & Son was formed by the admission of his
son, James H. Mr. Hill was alderman two years, and is a member of Temple
Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., and Temple Commandery No. 2,
K. T. In January, 1854, he married Mary Mcintosh, and they have nine children
living: James H., Erastus C, William M., George C. (all members of Temple Lodge
F. & A. M.), Isabella, Ida, Elizabeth, Etta E. and Minnie.
Southworth, Dr. Julius B., dates his lineage to the Mayflower Pilgrims of 1020.
His'father, Alden Southworth, who married Betsey Barker, was a prominent manu-
facturer of ( )riskany Falls, Oneida county, a captain in the old State militia and for
twelve years a justice of the peace. Dr. Southworth, born in Oriskany Falls, N. Y.,
February 6, 1849, was educated at Cazenovia Seminary and at Madison University
in Hamilton, and from 1871 to 1876 was a teacher in the former institution and from
the latter date to 1881 was president of the Vermont Methodist Seminary and Female
College at Montpelier. He read medicine with Dr. J. D. Munn of Herkimer county,
was graduated from the medical department of the University of Vermont at Bur-
lington in 1882, and began the practice of his profeseion in Albany, where he has
since resided. From 1885 to 1895 he was literary editor of the Albany Evening
Tournal and since then has held a similar position on the staff of the Albany Argus,
and also done considerable literary work for magazines and other periodicals. He is
a member of the Albany County Medical Society and a charter member of the Al-
bany Press Club. August 22, 1872, he was married at Schuyler's Lake, N. Y., to
Arzelia, daughter of the Rev. Reuben S. Southworth. She died July 30, 1873, and
he married, second, November 28, 1876, Eleanor H., daughter of Dr. J. Dayton
Munn of Van Hornesville, Herkimer county. They have one son, Hamilton Munn
Southworth, born February 11, 1881. Dr. Southworth is an elder in the First
Methodist Episcopal church and has been superintendent of its Sunday school at in-
tervals for the last ten years.
Jones, John H., was born in 1854 and first engaged in the lumber business as.an
employee of a planing mill, but is now an agent for the Rusches Brewing Company
of Troy. Mr. Jones is a local leader in politics and has held various offices. He
was alderman of the Third ward from 1883 to 1890. His younger brother, Thomas
R., who died in 1885, was also a prominent man. John H. was the elder son of
Robert Jones, who, before his death, was the leading shoe dealer of West Troy, and
had for fifteen years been an honored citizen of that place.
131
Herrick, Avery, the widely know blank publisher, is a son of John Jay and Mary
Herrick, and was born in the town of Florida, now Fifth ward of the city of Amster-
dam, N. Y., November 9, 1822, and first became a clerk in the store of Duncan
McDonald of Schenectady, where he was apprenticed to the printing business in
1838 with Isaac Riggs. Coming to Albany in 1840, hecompleted his apprenticeship with
Joel Munsell, at Old Gable Hall, No. 58 State street. In 1848 he married Harriet
Anna Wetsell of Greene county. Commenced the printing business in 1861 at
No. 496 Broadway, Albany, N. Y., where he has ever since continued, and in 1872
succeeded W. C. Little & Co. in the publication of blanks. His present wife is Spedy,
daughter of the late Avery Herrick Belding, of Montgomery county, N. Y.
Harriott, Marvin B., son of John V. and Harriet R. (Colfax) Harriott, was born
in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 6, 1860. His father's ancestors were Scotch and
English and first settled in New York city in 1783. The great hospital at Edinburgh,
Scotland, known as the Heriot Hospital, was founded and endowed by Sir George
Heriot, an ancestor of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Harriott's mother's family
came to America from England in 1740, and his maternal great-grandfather was
Gen. William Colfax, who was the first commander of General Washington's Lite
Guards and afterwards was quartermaster-general on Washington's staff. Through
this line Mr. Harriott is related to the late Schuyler Colfax, vice-president of the
United States, 1869-1873. John V. Harriott was a graduate of the University of the
City of New York, and was president of the Firemen's Fire Insurance Company of
New York at the time of his death in 1874. Marvin B. Harriott was educated in the
Brooklyn private and public schools and at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. After
the completion of his education he accepted a clerkship in a cotton house and subse-
quently took a three years' course in a sugar refinery. For the past seventeen years
he has been a sugar broker, and now represents L. W. Minford & Co., New York,
Swift & Co., Chicago, and the Armour Packing Company, Kansas City, for Albany,
Troy and Northern New York. Mr. Harriott was a charter member of the Schubert
Club. He served two years in Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y., and held all offices up
to and including that of first lieutenant and resigned as such in April, 1896. Dur-
ing his term as first lieutenant he served detail as quartermaster of the battalion and
as commissary of twelve hundred men at Buffalo, N. Y., during the great railroad
strike in 1892.
Goewey, Dr. W. Irving, son of William J. and Eudora (Lewis) Goewev. was
born in Defreestville, Rensselaer county, November 10, 1859, and when fifteen years
of age moved with his parents to his mother's farm at East Schodack, N. Y. He
attended Hartwick Seminary and the academical department of Beloit College in
Wisconsin, and was graduated with honor from Fort Edward Collegiate Institute
in this State in 1888. He taught school at Poestenkill, N. Y., for two terms; two
years and a half at East Schodack, N. Y., and was principal of the Hartford public
school in Washington county for one year, showing exceptional abilitv as a teachei
in all positions. He read medicine with Dr. Arlington Boyce of East Schodack,
N. Y., and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1892, and in March,
1893, began the practice of his profession in Albany at 225 Hamilton street, where
he now resides. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Al-
bany Medical College Alumni Association and the First M. E. church of Albany.
132
February 8, 1893, he married Mrs. Jennie E. Earing, daughter of Mason I. Crocker
of Albany, and they have one son: W. Irving, 2d.
Milwain, James, was born in Bethlehem, Albany county, May 8, 1817, and was
reared on a farm. When sixteen he came to Albany and secured a position as
clerk in the store of Robinson & Douty, dealers in drugs and paints on the site of
the present Milwain building. In 1838 he entered into business for himself, open-
ing a retail hat store at No. 2 South Pearl street, and later on State street, near
Pearl street. In business he was a man of the strictest integrity, well liked by all
who knew him for his sterling qualities. After a quarter of a century as a suc-
cessful retail dealer, he formed a copartnership with Henry Richmond as a whole-
sale dealer in hats and caps at No. 391 Broadway and still later at No. 416 Broad-
way. W. H. Boyce of the present firm entered into the partnership in 1870 and
the firm became Richmond, Milwain & Co. On the retirement of Mr. Richmond
the firm name was changed to Boyce & Milwain, which still continues, the junior
member being James Milwain, jr., Mr. Milwain, sr., retiring about 1887. When a
young man Mr. Milwain took an active interest in politics and affiliated with the
Republican party. He was supervisor of the old Tenth ward two terms, which
was the only political office he ever held. He was also a director in the Commerce
Insurance Co., owned considerable real estate and built the Milwain building on
State street, where the business of the firm has been conducted since January, 1892.
He died March 10, 1892, and was survived by a wife and two daughters (Mrs.
William H. Boyce and Mrs. William A. Smith) and one son, James Milwain. jr.
The latter was born in Albany, educated in the Albany Academy and later became
a partner with his father, to whose interest in the business he succeeded; also is a
director in the Commerce Insurance Company.
Murphey, Elijah W. (son of Coolidge Bliss Murphey and Mary A. Atkins and grand-
son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Bliss) Murphey) was born at Sandy Hill, Washington
comnty, N. Y., February 10, 1840. He was educated at Fort Edward Institute as a
civil engineer. He joined the N. Y. State engineering corps, serving on the Cham-
plain Canal enlargement seven years, becoming first assistant engineer ; afterward
he went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged in the oil business for two years. Iu
1866 he came to Albany and established himself as a manufacturer and dealer in
lubricating oils, which business he still continues. In 1873 he formed with Orlando
P. Liscomb, the present firm of Murphey & Liscomb, and they have branch stores
in Hudson, N. Y., and Springfield, Mass. Mr. Murphey is a trustee and vice-presi-
dent of the Albany Homeopathic Hospital, a director of the Albany Exchange Bank
and treasurer of the First Congregational church. He is a member of the Fort
Orange Club, Albany Unconditionals and a member of the Society of the Colonial
Wars through Vice-Admiral Thomas Gilbert from whom he is seventh in descent;
he is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution through his great-grandfather,
Daniel Murphey, of Springfield, Mass., who served under Colonel afterward Gen.
Rufus Putnam, at Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston, and who married Eliza-
beth Knowlton of Springfield, Mass., and of the Society of the War of 1812 through
his grandfather, Elijah Murphey, who served at the battle of Plattsburgh. In 1865
he married Helen A., daughter of Chauncey Hulburt of Philadelphia, Pa., and they
have four children: Harriet (Mrs. Henry Otis Chapman) of New York city, Martha,
Virginia Hulburt and Chauncey Hulburt.
133
Battershall, Walton W., D. D., was born in Troy, N. Y., January 8, 1840, and is
of English descent. The name was originally spelled Battishill and is probably of
French derivation. His father, Ludlow A. Battershall, was the senior member of a
wholesale grocery house in Troy from 1832 to 1866, when he removed to New York
city. For many years he was president of the Union Bank of Troy and prominently
interested in financial and educational enterprises. His mother, Eustatia Ward,
belonged to a large and respected family which settled in Westchester county. The
subject of this sketch was, at an early age, convinced of his duty to prepare himself
for the ministry and to this end directed his training, He was graduated from Kim-
ball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., in 1858, and continued his studies in Yale
College, from which he was graduated in 1864. While at the college he took the
Vale literary prize medal, one of the Townsend premiums of the senior class, and
delivered the class poem on commencement week. He studied theology under Rev.
Henry C. Potter, M. D., present bishop of New York, at the time rector of St. John's
church, Troy; in which Dr. Battershall was ordained deacon. He subsequently en-
tered the senior class of the General Theological Seminary in New York, from which
which he was graduated in 1866. In the same year he was ordained priest of the
Protestant Episcopal church by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, bishop of New York.
After serving for two years as assistant minister at Zion church, Madison avenue.
New York, he held the rectorship of St. Thomas's church at Ravenswood, N. Y.
from which he was called to Christ church, Rochester N. Y., in ISO!), of which
parish he was rector five years and a member of the standing committee of
the Diocese of Western New York. In 1874 he was called to the rectorship
of St. Peter's church, Albany, N. Y., which position he now occupies. He received
the degree of D. D. from Union College in 1876. Dr. Battershall has been for sev-
eral years trustee of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., a member of the Diocesan
Board of Missions and a delegate from the Diocese of Albany to the Triennial Con-
ventions of the Protestant Episcopal church. St. Peter's church is one of the oldest
and most important in the country, rich in historic associations and the number of
eminent men which have been included in its membership. During the rectorship
of Dr. Battershall the magnificent church edifice has been greatly enriched and
beautified and the parish has shown increased activity as a moral and spiritual
power in the community. October 13, 1864, in .St. Mark's church, Newark, N. Y..
Dr. Battershall married Anna Davidson Williams, who died in Christ church rectory
Rochester, N. Y., September 25, 1872. Dr. Battershall has three children: Fletcher
W., Cornelia Smith and Anna Davidson.
Gaus, Major Charles H., son of John II. and Agnes (Boehm) Gaus, was born in
Zanesville, Ohio, September 1. 1840, and removed with his parents in 1842 to Brook-
lyn, N. Y., where he attended the public schools and also received private tuition.
In 1857 he came to Albany and engaged in the retail drug business, which he has
practically followed ever since. He was first associated with his uncle, Louis Saut-
ter, with whom he was a partner from 1868 to 1872, when he purchased the property
on the corner of Washington avenue and Lake street, where he built his present
block in 1874. His military record begins with the years 1864 and 1805, when he
was detailed, with rank of hospital steward, in charge of the medical stores on Hart's
Island in New York harbor. In 1880 he enlisted in Co, K, 10th Regt, X. G. X. Y.,
134
and in October, 1884, was appointed inspector of rifle practice, 10th Batt, by Col. W.
E. Fitch; was appointed inspector of rifle practice of the Third Brigade October,
1886 by General Parker, and still holds this position, ranking as major, having been
reappointed by General Oliver. He won in 1889, '90, '91 and '92 the Wimbledon
Cup, an international trophy originally presented by the National Rifle Association
of Great Britain to the National Rifle Association of America, to be shot for annu-
ally and to be held by the winner one year. This cup was first won by Major Fulton
in 1876, and has been held by American riflemen ever since. In 1890 Major Gaus
won the military championship of the United States for rifle practice at Creedmoor,
L. I. He is a Republican, was supervisor of the Thirteenth ward in 1874-75, a
member of the Board of Public Instruction five years, being president of the same
one year, and on August 20, 1894, was appointed by Mayor Wilson, street commis-
sioner of Albany. He is a 32° Mason, a member of the Fort Orange Club, a charter
member of the Albany Club, a founder and director of the Park Bank, a director of
the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, and a director of the Albany Mutual Fire In-
surance Company. In 1869 he married a daughter of Leo Kirchner, of Troy, N. Y.,
and their children are Edward Leo and Edith Agnes.
Haskell, William Hervey, is a son of Simeon Parsons and Mary Huntington (May)
Haskell, and comes from good old Puritan stock, being on his maternal side a direct
descendant of William Bradford, the first governor of the colony of Massachusetts.
His ancestors on his paternal side came to this country about 1632, settling at Bev-
erley, Mass. Simeon P., a native of Western Massachusetts, came to Albany about
1820, was a school teacher, merchant and elder of the Presbyterian church. He died
in 1839. His father. Simeon, was one of seven brothers who were Revolutionary
soldiers. William Hervey was born in Albany, February 14, 1832, was graduated
from the Albany Academy in 1849 and first became a clerk in the bookstore of E. H.
Bender. He was for three years a clerk in the Canal Department, and for more
than thirteen years bookkeeper and teller for the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. In
December, 1865, he went to New York as paying teller in the First National Bank,
but the next summer returned to Albany and engaged in the wholesale coffee and
spice business, which he continued until 1880. He was then the general manager of
the Albany agency of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York, till
August, 1894, when he was appointed by Mayor Wilson, chamberlain, which posi-
tion he still holds. He has been chairman of the Republican County Committee, is
president of the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, and one of its incorpo-
rators, is a 32 Mason, being past master and treasurer of Masters Lodge No. 5, and
has for several years a trustee of the Second Presbyterian church. During the Re-
bellion he was a member of the war committee and was active in raising troops. In
January, 1855, he married Jane Strong, daughter of George Davidson of Albany
and of their seven children, five are living: George Davidson, Mary Huntington,
Grace Grant, Harriet Reed and William Hervey, jr.
Horrocks, John, a retired manufacturer and well known resident of Cohoes, is the
son of Samuel Horrocks, who came to America from England in 1849 and to Cohoes
in 1854. The latter was a man of upright character, much beloved by his fellow-
citizens, and was for many years a vestryman of St. John's church. His death oc-
curred February 12, 1892. Mr. Horrocks was born in Hyde, Cheshire, England, in
135
1841, but was educated here. Since entering business life he has been closely iden-
tified with municipal affairs, and has taken an active interest in church, Masonic and
educational matters. He was for many years a manufacturer of knit underwear, of
the firm of George Warhurst & Co., then Horrocks & Van Benthuysen, and later
known as the Atlantic Knitting Company.
Houghton, George H., M. I)., son of Thomas and Hannah (Harrison) Houghton,
was born in the town of Vernon, Oneida county, November 6, 1852. He is a de-
scendant of General Houghton, who was killed at the battle of Albura in the Penin-
sular war. Dr. Houghton attended the district schools until he wasseventeen, when
he ran away from home to the lumber regions of Michigan, where he spent four
years in Michigan, Minnesota and Manitoba and traveled over most of the Western
States, returning east in 1873. He attended the Utica Business College and Whites-
town (N. Y.) Seminary, where he was graduated. He then taught school two years
and studied medicine with Dr. William M. James of Whitestown, N. Y. In 1879 he
entered the Albany Medical College and graduated in 1882, after which he studied
three years in the Swinburne Hospital, Albany, N. Y. , since when he has practiced
in Albany. He is surgeon for the D. & H. and N. Y. C. R. R. Cos. He is a mem-
ber of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M. In 1884 he married Catharine, daugh-
ter of Rev. J. E. Bowen and they have two children, Guy and Oscar E.
Armatage, Hon. Charles H., son of Jared H.,_born in Saratoga county in 1832, and
Rachel Martin, his wife, of New Braintree, Mass., both living in Albanv, was born
in Albany January 30, 1849, and descends from New England ancestry dating back
200 years. His grandfather and great-grandfather were residents of Dartmouth,
Mass. He was educated at the Albany Boys' Academy, and for several years was
assistant superintendent of the Buffalo division of the West Shore line, but resigned
this position to take charge of his father's grocery business and soon became an
active factor in politics. In 1892 he was elected alderman at large and in 1892-9:!,
was president of the Common Council. August 21, 1894, he was was appointed bv
Mayor Wilson superintendent of the almshouse and overseer of the poor, which po-
sitions he has since held. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of Temple
Lodge, De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Chapter, Temple Commandery (of which
he is past eminent commander), and the Scottish Rite bodies, thirty-third degree,
receiving the latter at Boston, September 18, 1894; a trustee of the Scottish Rites,
illustrious potentate of Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, first lieutenant
commander of Albany Sovereign Consistory, sovereign grand inspector-general of
the thirty-third and last degree, and a trustee of the Masonic Hall Association.
September 12, 1893, he was elected eminent grand warden of the Grand Command-
ery, K. T , of the State of New York. While eminent commander of Temple Com-
mandery No. 2 he inaugurated the annual pilgrimage on Christmas day to the Albany
Orphan Asylum, which has been observed every year since. In 1891 he also inaug-
urated the trip of Temple Commandery to Europe, and there he was made a member
of Ouator Coranota Lodge of London. He is also a member of the Craftsman Club
of New York city, vice-president of the Albany Bicycle Club, a manager of the
Acacia Club of Albany, member of the Empire Curling Association, president of the
local branch of the Mercantile Co-operative Bank, a founder of the Albany Mutual
Boat Club in 18G8 and in 1870 won several trophies for rowing on the Hudson. He
13G
is also president of the New Democracy. In 1870 he married Susan Denison of Al-
bany- whose grandfather donated the site on which stands the Leland Opera House.
Their children are Carrie G. and Elmer E.
Downs, Michael B., one of the leading politicians of Cohoes, represents the Fourth
ward in the Albany County General Committee. He is a Democrat, and his first
public office was that of commissioner of police in 1888, which he filled with efficiency
four years. In 1895 he was elected one of the four coroners of Albany county, which
position he at present occupies. Mr. Downs was born at West Troy in 1854. When
two years of age-he removed with his parents to Lock No. 8 Erie Canal, in the town
of Watervliet. He received his education at St. Bernard's Parochial School and
St. Patrick's School. West Troy. He also attended St. Joseph's Academy of Troy
for a short time. In 1870 he moved with his parents to Cohoes, where he engaged in
business as clerk for his father, who opened a canal grocery and provision store at
Lock No. 9, Erie Canal, which he conducted for nineteen years. He is a member
of St. Bernard's church, a member of the Young Men's Sodality, of which he was
prefect and treasurer for four years. He is ex-president and treasurer of St. Bernard's
Sunday School Teachers' Association, charter president of Talevera Council No. 411
C. B. L. and treasurer of Division No. 1 A. O. H., Cohoes.
Clarke, John Mason, M. A., is a descendant of William Clarke, of England, who
came to Dorchester, Mass., in 1637, settled in Northampton in 1656, and was a rep-
resentative at the General Court for seventeen years (see life of William Clarke, by
|ohn M. Clarke, 1892). Descendants of this family still live at Northampton but
various of its branches moved to Lebanon, New London and Saybrook, Conn.
William Clarke, great-grandfather of John M., bought with three others from Phelps
& Gorham, the present town of Naples, Ontario county, and there his grandson,
Noah T., was born in 1817. The latter was for nearly forty years principal of the
Canandaigua Academy and is one of the few survivors of the original University
Convocation. He married Laura M. Merrill, of Castleton, Vt. , who died in 1887.
John M. Clarke, the fifth of their six children, born in Canandaigua, April 15, 1857,
was graduated from the academy in 1874 and from Amherst College in 1877, and for
one year was instructer in geology in the latter institution. He taught a year each
in the Canandaigua and Utica Academies, in 1881-82 was professor of geology in
Smith College, and then spent two years in studying geology, zoology and mineral-
ogy at the University of Gdttingen, Germany. In 1885 he returned to Smith Col-
lege, and thereafter became lecturer on geology at the Massachusetts State College.
In January, 1886, he was appointed by the Regents of the University of the State of
New York to special work on the geological survey, and soon after to his present
position of assistant State geologist and paleontologist at Albany. Since 1895 he
has also been professor of geology and mineralogy in the Rensselaer Polytechnic In-
stitute at Troy. In 1880 Amherst College conferred upon him the degree of M, A
He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the
Geological Societies of Germany and Westphalia, the Imperial Mineralogical Society
of St. Petersburg, and the Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities; and since
1894 has been an editor of the American Geologist. His writings cover a wide field
of technical and scientific literature. In 1887 he married Emma, daughter of Joseph
Juel, of Philadelphia, Pa., who died March 18, 1893, leaving a son, Noah T. Octo-
137
ber 23, 1895, he married Mrs. Fannie (Hoffman) Bosler, also of Philadelphia. Pro-
fessor Clarke's mother, a daughter of Selah H. and Laura (Mason) Merrill, was con-
nected with the families of Elder Brewster of the Plymouth Colony, Jonathan Trum-
bull of Connecticut. John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame. Gov. William Bradford
and John Mason, the Pequod Indian fighter.
Cady, Harvey J., son of Eli F. and Eunice P. (Parish) Cady, was born in Windsor,
Mass., June 10, 1842, attended the public schools and the High School at Huntington,
Mass., and was graduated from the Westfield Academy in 1861; he also took a
course in a business college at Syracuse, N. Y., and became a clerk in the commis-
sion office of Charles J. White, in New York city, who was engaged in shipping
goods South to the army. Mr. Cady finally went South with goods and continued in
that capacity for Mr. White until 1864, when he became a partner in the firm of Mc-
Murray, Hunt & Cady, general merchants of Delhi, N. Y. Three years later Mr.
Cady sold out and entered the employ of Morris Brothers, flour and grain merchants
of Oneonta, N. Y. , with whom he remained eight years, being a partner the last
two years. He was then in the employ of O. H. Hastings <_V- Co., proprietors of the
Cumberland Mills of Oswego, N. Y., for eight years. In 1888 he came to Albany
and engaged in the wholesale flour and grain business. In 1866 he married Minnie
E., daughter of Henry G. Smith, a lieutenant in Ellsworth's Zouves, 44th Regt.. in
the Civil war. She died August 3, 1895, leaving five children: Lizzie P., Pardee
Eugene, Frank Thurber, Annie M., and Minnie E. (who died December 12, 1895).
Townsend, Rufus King, son of General Franklin and the late Anna (King) Town-
send, was a descendant of Henry Townsend, who came from Norwich, England, to
Long Island about 1645. He was born in Albany, March 18, 1853, was educated at
the Albany Academy and afterwards became proprietor of the Townsend Furnace,
a business established in 1807, which has always remained in the family and in active
operation since that time, and of which his father now is the executive head. Very
early in life Mr. Townsend manifested an absorbing interest in everything pertain-
ing to the fire department and spared no pains nor money in the advancement of it.
Later on he offered his services and many times bravely risked his life. April 18,
1892, he was appointed by Mayor Manning a fire commissioner, in which capacitvhe
served faithfully and well up to the time of his death, which occurred December 21,
L895 For several years Mr. Townsend was a member of the Board of Director- oi
the New York State National Bank and also of the Albany Savings Bank. Generous
and genial in disposition, Mr. Townsend gathered to himself many friends, and vet
it can be truly said of him (as of few others of like temperament), that he neither sac-
rificed honesty of action to sympathy, nor permitted a kind and noble nature to be
led into an approval of doubtful measures because of his regard for their author.
He seldom failed in correctness of judgment and never in impressing his associates
with his candor and fairness. By his death the city has lost a faithful public officer.
He was stricken down in the midst of a most brilliant career, but had already won
lasting honor and fame in the hearts of those he had helped and encouraged. ( >u
June 22, 1891, he married Ida Jerone, daughter of the late Avery Smith and Nellie
Corbett Willey of Milwaukee. Wis., who survives him, as does an only child. Anna
Jerone Townsend, born June 30, L892
138
Rogers, Howard Jason, born in Stephentown X. V., November 16, 1861, is a son
of Edwin A. and Laura (Howard) Rogers, and a lineal descendant of Deacon Joseph
Rogers (1), who moved from Rhode Island to Stephentown in 1765. The line from
him is (2) Joseph, farmer, local magistrate and a captain of militia; (3) Joseph,
captain of cavalry in the war of 1812; (4) Alonzo Joseph, one of the earliest seeds-
men in the State; and (5) Edwin A., who enlisted in 1862 in the 125th N. Y. Vols.,
was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania and died from the effects of the wound
in 1*78. In his mother's line Howard J. Rogers is lineally descended from Nicholas
Howard, who came from England to .Salem, Mass., with Endicott in 1628; and from
Gen. Hosea Moffit, a member of the New York Legislature from 1794 to 17C8, sheriff
of Rensselaer county in 1810, and a member of Congress from 1812 to 1817. In 1 S79
Mr. Rogers removed to Pittsfield, Mass., and was graduated from the Pittsfield High
School in 1880 and from Williams College in 1884, winning among other honors the
Graves prize for the best English essay, and taking an active part in athletics. On
leaving college he came to Albany, N. Y., and taught English literature and rhetoric
in the Albany Boys' Academy for eight years, reading law meanwhile with Heyward
& Pruyn. lie was admitted to the bar in June, 1SS7. In 1892 he was made super-
intendent of the New York State Educational Exhibit at the World's Columbian Ex-
position at Chicago; in the latter part of 1893 he became acting secretary for the New-
York Board of (General Managers at the" World's Fair, and as such wrote their elab-
orate report, " New York at the World's Columbian Exposition." April 8, 1895, he-
was appointed deputy State superintendent of public instruction. He was one of the
of the organizers of the Albany Chess Club in 1886 and served as its secretary until
1888 and as president from 1888 to 1890, and is now vice-president of the Albany
Chess and Whist Club. He was secretary of the New York State Chess Association
from 1889 to 1893, and has since been its president. In December, 1887, he married
at New Haven, Conn., Anne North, daughter of Jonathan Turner, and their chil-
dren are Kathryn Howard and Joseph Edwin.
Rockwell Hiram J., son of George T., was born in Luzerne, Warren county, X. Y.,
July 13, 1832, was educated at the Glens Falls Academy, and was afterwards asso-
ciated with his father at the Rockwell House at Luzerne until 1866, when he assumed
charge of the Lake House at Lake George, which he successfully conducted for five
years. In 1871 he built with his brother. Charles L., the Rockwell House at Glens
Falls, which they kept until 1878, when Hiram J. became manager of the Fort Will-
iamt Henry Hotel at Lake George for one season. He was then proprietor of the
American House in Troy for nine and one-half years, being also manager of
the Wayside Inn at Lake Luzerne for seven years. May 14, 1888, he came to Al-
bany as proprietor of the Hotel Kenmore, which was built in 1878 by Dr. James
MeXaughton for Adam Blake, the noted landlord of the old Congress Hall. Later
this popular hotel received several additions and now occupies a whole block, except-
ing Jermain Hall, fronting on North Pearl street. It is the largest and foremost
hotel in Albany, and under the able management of the Rockwells has attained a
wide popularity. In December, 1895, Mr. Rockwell admitted his son Frederick W.
as partner, under the firm name of H. J. Rockwell & Son. Both are members of the
Xew York Hotel Association, of which Hiram J. is one of the originators and
founders, and which he served as treasurer until the spring of 1896.
139
Daubney, William H., is of English ancestry. His father was a remarkable man,
having served for seventeen years in the British Royal Artillery. He was a skillful
swordsman and horseman and taught the art to the nobility. He came to Montreal
in 1$46, and died in 1893 at the age of eighty-one. He was the only man who ever
received a pension from the British Government after becoming a citizen of the
United States. Mr. Daubney spent three years in Montreal, thence to Plattsburg,
where he learned the blacksmith's trade, and came to Troy in 1855 and opened a
shop until 1872; after that he engaged in the news business and book store until
1884, when he went to Virginia for one year. On his return he worked as agent for
the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for two years, and then opened the pres-
ent grocery. Mr. Daubney has been trustee of the Fourth ward twice, and was
canal collector from 1890 up to 1895. He has a fine tenor voice, which be has devo-
ted to the churches, having sung for fifty-three years and at present sings in St.
Patrick's church of West Troy.
Evory Frank H., son of James and Alice J. (Hickok) Evory, was born in Indian
Fields, Albany county, June 26, 1864. His parents moved from Durham, Greene
county, to Indian Fields in 1863, and thence to Albany in 1870, and here Frank H.
received a public school education. His great-great-grandfather came from Holland
to Connecticut in the early history of the country. Here his great-grandfather,
Obadiah Evory, was born in July, 1775; he married Alcha, a daughter of Peter
Vermilyea, whose father Johannes was one of the early settlers of New Amsterdam.
Later Obadiah moved to Durham, Greene county, N. Y. Here seven children were
born, one of whom (Peter) served with distinction as a soldier during the war of
1812. The youngest son, James, married Margaret, a daughter of John W. Welch
and Hannah Van Etten, in 1832, and remained on the old homestead until his
death in 1860. Here James, jr., the father of Frank H., was born in 1839, and
married Alice J. Hickok in 1860. His mother is of an old New England family;
her grandparents were Gideon Hickok and Annie Buckingham on her father's
side, and Roswell Post and Temperance Kirtland on her mother's side. Her father,
David Hickok, who died in 1870, aged seventy-two, was a well-to-do farmer of
Greenville, N. Y., an elder and one of the pillars of the Presbyterian church; he
married Lydia Ann Post, who died in 1883, aged eighty-two, a daughter of Ros-
well, who was a large land and mill owner of Durham, Greene county, N. Y. Frank
H. Evory learned the printer's trade with the Prouty Printing Company, and in L885
entered the employ of Brandow, Barton & Co. On November 1, 1887, the Bran-
dow Printing Company was incorporated with A. S. Brandow president; W. B.
Jones treasurer, and Mr. Evory secretary and superintendent. January 1, ls'.»'»,
Richard W. Brass succeeded Mr. Jones as treasurer; the other officers remained the
same. Mr. Evory is an active member of the Y. M. C. A. and the Tabernacle
Baptist church, and assistant superintendent and chorister of the Sunday school.
Also a charter member of Albany Senate No. fill, K. A. E. O. November -J::. L887,
he married Estella J., daughter of Ithamar Spencer of Albany, and they had two
sons: Clifford Spencer Evory, born September 10, 1889, who survives, and Harold
Evory, deceased.
Morrow, Samuel Roseburgh, M.D., was born in Albany. X. Y., May 6, 1849. He
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1866 and from Yale with the degree of A.
140
B. in 1.870, and received the degree of A. M. from the same college in 1874. He was
tutor at Yale in Greek and mathematics from 1873 to 1876. He then attended the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, from which he received the de-
gree of M.D. in 1878. He served on the house staff of Bellevue Hospital, New
York, from October, 1877, to April, 1879. Doctor Morrow then studied further at
the London Hospital, London ; General Hospital, Vienna, and at Halle until 1880,
when he commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, N. Y. In 1883
he received the honorary degree of M.D. from the Albany Medical College. He has
been lecturer on minor surgery, Albany Medical College, spring term, 1881-82; ad-
junct lecturer to the chair of surgery, 1884-86; adjunct professor of surgery, 1886-88 ;
lecturer on anatomy, 1887-89; professor of anatomy and orthopaedic surgery since
1890; visiting surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital since 1881 ; to the Hospital for Incura-
bles since 1885 ; to the Albany Hospital since 1888; to the Child's Hospital since 1886;
was vice-president Medical Society of the County of Albany, 1886-87. Doctor Morrow
was examiner in anatomy in the State Board of Medical Examiners until 1891, when
the board was abolished. He is a member of the State Medical Society and has con-
tributed several articles to the leading medical journals.
Whitbeck, Henry T., born in Coeymans, December 9, 1847, was a son of William
A. Whitbeck, son of Thomas, who spent most of his days in Coeymans, where he
died. The father of Henry T.' Whitbeck now lives at Coeymans a retired life. His
wife was Annie Tompkins, daughter of fohn Tompkins, son of Daniel Tompkins,
mentioned in this work. To William A. Whitbeck and his wife were born ten chil-
dren, and six are now living. Mrs. Whitbeck died in 1886. Henry T. Whitbeck
was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He has 147 acres
of land on which he has lived since April 1, 1873. In politics he is a Democrat, being
assessor nine years and was elected justice in 1891, which he held four years and re-
elected again in 1895. September 13, 1872, he married Rosalie Gifford, daughter of
John H. and Caroline Gifford of Rensselaerville, N. Y. They have one child, John
H. Mr. Whitbeck is a member of Cascade Lodge No. 427, F. & A. M.
Mickel, Charles, born in Darmstadt, Germany, August 26, 1847, is a son of Eman-
uel Mickel, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, who came to America in 1849. The
father was long engaged in business as a decorative artist in New York city, being
a member of the firm of Delamano, then the largest house of the kind in the coun-
try. He died in Albany in 1891. Charles Mickel was educated in New York city,
came to Albany with the family in 1860 and remained with his father until 1876,
when he established himself in the business of decorating, frescoing, painting, etc.,
and as a dealer in decorative specialties and paper-hanging. He has been located
at Nos. 594-596 Broadway, corner of Columbia street, since 1887. In 1874 he
married Louisa Faroldt of Albany and they have three children : Ezra, Mary and
Ella.
Kelly, James J., born May 3, 1833, in Ireland, came to America about 1850 and
settled in Albany, where he first learned the boat builder's trade, and later the trade
of carpenter, which he has since followed. About 1865 he began contracting and
building. He has considerable inventive genius, and on February 28, 1888, obtained
a patent for a circular show case. In 1893 he invented and patented the "Capital
City dumb waiter," which he manufactures in several different styles and sizes. He
141
has also originated a number of other mechanical devices, and is a member, trustee,
and ex-president of the Carpenter's Union of Albany. In 1801 he married Delia
Kiernan, and they have four children living: John T., Frank J., Mary A., and
Cecelia.
Collin, Capt. T. Campbell, is city edititor of the Cohoes Daily News, of which he
is one of the stockholders, and was for three years superintendent of the Granite
Knitting Mills, with which he had been connected as an employee for fourteen years.
He was born at Leicester, England, in 1856, and brought by his parents to America
the following year. He is a Republican in politics and has advanced to the "front,
now serving his fifth term as alderman from the Fourth ward. In 1890 he was nom-
inated for mayor, and officiated three years as water commissioner. At the twentieth
anniversary of the Seventh Separate Company of the N. G. S. N. V., held in 1896,
he was the only one left of the original members. Since its organization in Febru-
ary, 1876, he has been closely identified with the fortunes of the company, entering
first as a private, and serving in all the grades, gradually rising towards the position
of captain, to which he was promoted in 1890. In 1893 the company presented him
with an elegant gold-mounted sword; he also has a beautiful gold watch, presented
him by the George Campbell Hose Company, of which he was a member for ten
years. He has held many offices in the Masonic fraternity of the highest degree.
Lloyd, Will Lyman, great-grandson of Andrew Lloyd, of East Otis, Mass., and
grandson of Lyman J. Lloyd, a large manufacturer of harness and trunks in Albany.
until his death April 23, 1889, was born in Albany, May 27, 1860; he attended the
public schools and Albany Business College. In 1872 he became a page boy in the
Legislature and continued as page boy until 1878; In 1879 he was appointed messen-
ger to the Assembly Judiciary committee; in 1880 he was made superintedent of the
wrapping department of the Assembly; in 1881 he became a clerk in the New York
Custom House, and in 1882 the Assembly correspondent of the Brooklvn Eagle; in
1883 he was the Assembly representative of the United Press Association, and in
1884 the legislative correspondent of the New York Truth. In January, 1885, he be-
came secretary at Albany to Chauncey M. Depew, and later assistant general tax
agent of the N. Y. Central Railroad which position he still holds. lie is one <>l" the
governors of the Albany Club, a member of the Acacia Club, a life member of Mt.
Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., a member of Capital City Chapter and De Witt
Clinton Council, junior warden of Temple Commandery No. 'J, K. T., a life member
of all the Scottish Rite bodies and Cyprus Temple, N. M. S. He is a noted statisti-
cian, was the originator of the Legislative Red Book and has a valuable collection of
photographs, autographs, etc., largely relating to the State Legislature, with which
he has been identified for twenty-five years. February 21, 1884, he married Ida C,
daughter of Charles Hauptner of New York city, and they have had live children :
Valeria Louise, Gladys Viola, Will Lyman, jr., Clifford Gregory, and Chauncey
Depew. The latter died November 13, 1888, aged one and one-half years.
Pinkerton, Robert, son of James and Mary (Martin) Pinkerton, was born in Bel-
fast, Ireland, in 1841. He was educated in the private schools and learned the trade
of boilermaker in Greenwich, Scotland. In 1862 he came to America, settling in
New York city, and obtained work in the Hutchinson boiler shops in Brooklyn.
After a few years he went to Callao, Peru. South America, where he remained a
142
short time, and returning spent a short period in New York and in New London,
Conn. In 1871 he came to Waterford, N. Y. , where for fourteen years he worked in
the Steam Fire Engine Works. In 1885 he removed to Green Island, Albany county,
where he established himself as a boilermaker. In 1892 he entered into partnership
with Abram Mull, with whom he is now engaged in the manufacture of boilers, under
the firm name of Piukerton & Mull. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the Exempt
Firemen1' s Association, Waterford, Clinton Lodge No. 140. F. & A. M., and Water-
ford Chapter No. 169, R. A. M. In 1863 he married Rachel Adams, of New York
city, .and they have six children: Mary (Mrs. James Sinclair of New York), James
(deceased), John, Robert, jr., Nancy and Joseph G.
Ridgway & Russ. — This is the oldest plumbing firm in Albany and one of the old-
est in the State, having been established in Albany in 1843 by J. & F. W. Ridgway,
who came here from New York city, being located there at 145 Broadway. They
continued business in this city for three years, when the brothers separated, Jonathan
going to Boston and F. W. continuing here alone until his death in 1851, at the age
of thirty-tour. His widow carried orl the establishment for a year or two,
when it passed into the hands of Mrs. Ridgway, Herman H. Russ and Edmund Nes-
bitt, who composed the firm of Ridgway & Co. About sixteen years later Mr. Nesbitt
retired and the firm of Ridgway & Russ was formed. Mrs. Ridgway withdrew
about 1870 and her interest has since been represented by her son, Frederick W.
Herman H. Russ, born in Albany, October 22, 1829, is one of the best known busi-
ness men in tin- State, and has been street commissioner and one of the public
building commissioners of the capital city and is at present a member of the Board
of Health. He is a prominent and highly respected Free Mason, 33d degree, is grand
treasurer of the Grand Chapter R. A. M. , and a charter member of the Albany Club,
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all good citizens. He has been engaged in
business in the firm's present building for fifty years and is now the oldest active
merchant on State street in Albany. Adam Russ, his father, born in Germantown,
N. Y. , in 1774, came to Albany in 1790 and died here in 1863. He was for a long
time inspector and measurer of grain, carried on a large freight business by teams
between Albany and Buffalo until 1825, when the canal was opened, collected State
taxes, served as alderman of the Fourth ward in 1815-16, and was a member and
elder of the Second Reformed Dutch church, now located on the corner of Madison
avenue and Swan street. Mr. Ridgway, born in Albany, July 19, 1849,. has been
connected with the firm for thirty years, is a member of the Masonic order, was for-
merly a member of the National Guard, is a charter member of the Old Guard of Co.
A, 10th Bat., N. G. X. V., and is one of the water commissioners appointed by Mayor
Wilson. He is also a charter member of the Albany Club and one of its board of
governors. He is an active and progressive business man and highly respected.
The firm does a large business in plumbing and heating all over the country and has
executed heavy contracts in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, North Carolina and several other States.
Rochford, W. P., a resident of West Troy, is at present engaged as superintendent
at Tim & Co.'s Shirt, Collar and Cuff Manufactory. He is of French ancestry, born
at Chester, Vt, in 1859. After residing in Montreal and North Bennington for a
short time, he came to Troy in 1874. He had learned the shoemaking trade of his
143
father, Peter Rochford, but went to work at Holmes & Ide's collar shop, also E. L.
Killop's laundry, and spent one year in Richard Davis's laundry. He left Cluett,
Coon & Co., where he had been nearly thirteen years superintendent of the shirt,
collar and cuff laundries, and in 1894 went to Clifton, Staten Island, to engage in
business for himself, laundering new goods only. He has only recently returned here,
where he is well known for his sterling worth and enterprising abilities. Mr. Roch-
ford now owns a custom laundry at Bennington, Vt. which is operated by a resident
manager.
Gallien, Edward J., is the eldest son of the late Henry Gallien, who came to Al-
bany from the Island of Guernsey when a boy and spent the most of his life in the
offices of the canal auditor and State comptroller, covering a period of about thirty
years, during fourteen years of which he was deputy State comptroller. Henry
Gallien's fidelity under all administrations is a part of the financial history of the
State of New York. He died in Jauuary, 1884. Edward J. Gallien was born in the
town of Watervliet, Albany county, June 12, 1858, was educated in the Albany
Academy, Public School No. 11 and the High School. For several years he was a
messenger in the State comptroller's office. He was five years assistant bookkeeper
for the National Commercial Bank and later accountant for the National Savings
Bank. In 1883 he went with several of his brothers to the "Bad Lands" of North
Dakota and started a cattle ranch, but soon returned to St. Paul, Minn., as book-
keeper for the Germania Bank. Returning to Albany, he became bookkeeper for
Barnet Bros. & Aufsesser. wool merchants, and later accountant for the Albany City
Savings Institution, of which bank he afterwards became secretary and treasurer.
In 1893 he established his present business as a dealer in investment securities. He
is a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution and has served for a number of
years as a member of its finance committee. He is a member of the Unconditional
Republican Club. In November, 1880, he married Jean, daughter of the late J.
Wesley Osborn of Albany, and they have five children: Edward J., jr., Winifred
Le Page, Leila Osborn (deceased), Ruth Osborn and Marion Ackroyd.
Frederick, Nathan, was born in the town of Guilderland, August 21, 1851. Mi-
chael Frederick, his great grandfather, was a native of Germany, born in IT",'"), and
migrated to America when a young man, settling in the town of Guilderland on a
tract of 270 acres, which was then a forest, and there made him a home. Mathias,
the grandfather of Nathan Frederick, was born on his father's homestead in Guil-
derland in 1775. He came in possession of half of his father's farm and there spent
his life. His wife was Anna Van Aukcn, and they had four sons and three daugh-
ters. He died June 13, 18-18; his wife survived him many years and died September
28, 1875. Peter M. Frederick, the father of Nathan, was born in Guilderland on the
homestead in 1818. He was the oldest of his father's sons and after the death of his
father took charge of the farm. He and his brother Henry later purchased the farm
from the heirs and they subsequently divided. To his share Peter M. added until he
owned 153 acres; here he raised his family and lives at the present time, and two of
his sons now run the farm. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Hart, and
their children are: Ann Eliza, Mary, William, Sarah, Martha, Nathan, Henry, Al-
fred and Amanda. His wife died in February, 1876, at the age of fifty-five. She
was a member of the Lutheran church; Mr. Frederick is also a member of tlie same
144
church, in which he has officiated as deacon and elder for many years. Nathan
Frederick was educated in the common district schools and left home when twenty-
three and engaged at farming in the town of Coeymans, where he lived but one
year, when he returned to Guilderland and bought a farm in partnership with his
brothex-in-law, J. Oggsbury. After two years he sold his interest in the farm and
removed to Clarksville, and rented the farm of 133 acres which he now owns, and
has since been engaged in general husbandry. Mr. Frederick is a staunch Demo-
crat. He is an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Clarksville Lodge No.
781, in which he is steward and was one of the leading charter members, the lodge
being organized in his house in January, 1893. Mr. Frederick has manifested an
active interest in the progress of the proposed Albany, Helderberg & Schoharie
Electric Railroad, and was also a worker on the proposed New York, Schenectady
& Ogdensburg Railroad, and was with the engineers five months while surveying
the line. In 1878 Mr. Frederick married Miss Elena V. A. McCulloch, daughter of
William and Maria (Slingerland) McCulloch, and their children are Maria, Peter M.,
Garrett and Helen. They are both members of the Reformed church, in which Mr.
Frederick has filled the office of deacon for ten years. Mrs. Frederick was a teacher
in the schools of the town of New Scotland for nine years before her marriage to
Nathan Frederick.
Smelzer, Baxter T., M. D., was born in the town of Lodi, Seneca county, N. V..
March 27, 1852. He attended the common schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Semi-
nary at Lima, N. Y., and Syracuse University, where he was a member of the Psi
Upsilon fraternity. Subsequently he was a student in the medical department of
the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and later entered Bellevue Hospital
Medical College in New York city, from which he was graduated in 1874. He there-
upon commenced the practice of his profession in Havana. N. Y. Dr. Smelzer has
always been an active Republican in politics. He is a member of the Republican
State League and was for several years chairman of the Central Committee. He
was president of the village for a number of years, member of the Board of Educa-
tion for four successive terms, and its president for six years. In 1893 Dr. Smelzer
was elected to represent the Twenty-seventh Senatorial District. While a member
of the Senate he was chairman of the committee to investigate the State Board of
Health. He introduced and ably supported very many important bills, among them
being the Tuberculosis bill and the one maintaining the Public Health law. He is a
member of the Schuyler County and State Medical Associations and the Elmira
Academy of Medicine. In June, 1895, he was appointed secretary of the State
Board of Health, which position he is now filling. In 1876 Dr. Smelzer married
Lucy A. Tracy, whose father, Peter Tracy, was one of the first presidents of the
Chemung Canal Bank of Elmira and president of the Chemung Railroad. They are
the parents of two sons.
Vander Veer, Dr. Albert, was born in the town of Root, N. Y. , July 10, 1841, and
is a son of Abraham H. Vander Veer, who in 1828 built for tannery purposes the
first building in what is now Rural Grove. His paternal ancestors came from Alk-
maar, Holland, in 1639, and first settled in Long Island and then in New Jersey.
His grandmother's ancestors, Vancovenhoven (abbreviated into Conover), were also
Hollanders, and on her father's farm in New Jersey the battle of Monmouth was
145
fought, June 28, 1778. William Vander Veer, relative of Dr. Albert, was an officer
in the Revolutionary war and a surgeon in the war of 1812. Colonel Frederick, a
cousin, and Capt. Garret Vander Veer, a brother, served in the Rebellion. Dr.
Albert Vander Veer attended the Union Free School of Palatine and the Canajoharie
Academy, and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine with Dr. Simeon
Snow of Currytown, N. Y. One year later he came to Albany, entered the office of
the late Dr. John Swinburne, and attended lectures at the Albany Medical College
during 1861 and 1862. In the spring of 1862 he became one of the original " one hun-
dred," commissioned as a U. S. Medical Cadet and ordered to duty at Columbian
College Hospital, Washington, D. C. While there he attended lectures at the Na-
tional Medical College, receiving from that institution the degree of M. D., graduat-
ing (honorary) later from the Albany Medical College. In December, 1862, he was
commissioned assistant surgeon 66th N.Y. Vols., m June, 1864, being raised to grade
of surgeon with rank of major. He served with his regiment until the close of the
war, being mustered out in September, 1865. During 1865-66 he attended lectures
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and since then has
practiced his profession with signal success in Albany. He was appointed to the
chair of general and special anatomy in the Albany Medical College in 1869, and at-
tending surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital. On the reorganization of the Albany Med-
ical College in 1.876 he became professor of the principles and practice of surgery
In 1882 he was appointed professor of surgery and clinical surgerv and still holds
these positions. He is a member of the Boston Gynaecological Society, the British
Medical Association, the International Medical Congress at Copenhagen in 1884, the
British Gynaecological Society, the American Surgical Association, Holland Society
of New York, the American Medical Association, the New York Medico-Legal Soci-
ety, the Albany Institute and the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynae-
cologists. He is a frequent writer and contributor to leading medical journals. He
was a member and president of the Special Water Commission and has been for
many years a member of the Albany Board of Health ; he has also been president of
the Albany County and New York State Medical Societies. Williams and Hamilton
Colleges conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1882, Union College gave him
the degree of Ph. D. in 1883, and the Queen of Holland decorated him with the order
of " Oranje-Nassau," because of his services as vice-president of the local Holland
Society. He is also one of the Regents of the University of the State of New York.
Crandall, George H., prominent among the businessmen of Cohoes and a large
operator in builders' material of all kinds, as well as a manufacturer of furniture.
Mr. Crandall was born at Adams, N. Y., in 1839, of old Connecticut ancestors; his
father, the late John M. Crandall, was an extensive operator in lumber and real
estate in Lewis and Jefferson counties. George H. Crandall first engaged in busi-
ness as a keeper of a general store at Glendale, N. Y., from 1861 to 1868, and then
run a lumber yard for two years at Hoboken, N. J., furnishing material for the
building trades. Then from 1870 to 1872, in Breslau, near Babylon, L. I., buying
agent for all kinds of material to build about 400 houses; and from 1872 to 1878 man-
aging a store and a large saw mill in Lewis county, N. Y., and wholesaling lumber
and all kinds of turned work and dimension lumber, in New York city and vicinity ;
and from 1878 to 1881 engaged in the furniture business, traveling by canal with
146
four canal boats, stopping from three to ten days in each city and town along the
Erie Canal. This was a profitable business, as he could undersell all local dealers,
until they got a special law passed by Legislature allowing each incorporated town
and city to charge him a license of $25 per day ; this he could not stand, and he de-
cided to settle in Cohoes and build a factory and store and manufacture furniture
and sell at retail. The disastrous fire of 1891 was a serious check, but his indomita-
ble energy soon replaced the plant. The Crandalls' career has been characterized
by the qualities which makes success certain and failure an unknown word ; he has
done a good deal in the building line himself, having erected about 100 dwellings in
the vicinity of Cohoes and Lansingburgh.
Bradley, Franklin G., is a grandson of Philo Bradley, an early settler of Berne,
Albany county, and a son of Daniel G. Bradley, for many years deputy sheriff, and
was born in Berne, December 28, 1849. Daniel G. came to Albany in 1857 and was
long a prosperous merchant. He married Arvilla Nelson, and of their nine children
seven sons are living. With the exception cf six years spent on a farm in Guilder-
land, Franklin G. Bradley has been engaged in the mercantile business since he
reached the age of twenty. He established his present grocery and provision store
on Beaver street in 1878 and in 1893 moved to No. 99 Hudson avenue. He is a
member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Fort Orange Council. R. A., and
American Lodge No. 32, I. O. O. F. In 1868 he married Alice M., daughter of
Hiram Gardner of Franklin, Va., who died in 1891, leaving three children: Daniel
G., Jennie E. and Franklin G., jr. He married, second, in 1892, Mrs. Celia (Reed)
Weidman of Summit, Schoharie county.
Gick, William H., son of Robert, was born on the Isle of Man, March 4, 1848, and
came to America with his brother, Robert Gick. jr., in the spring of 1870, settling in
Albany. He had learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in his native country,
and coming here followed it as a journeyman about one year, when he became a
builder. In the fall of 1873 he formed a copartnership with William Sayles (whose
sketch appears in this volume), as Gick & Sayles. This firm has since conducted an
extensive building and contracting business in Albany and vicinity, and many noted
buildings are due to their skill and enterprise. In 1874 he married Mary E. Bulger
of Albany and their children are Annetta E., Alice E. and William H., jr.
Best, John A., one of the most prominent farmers of Colonie, and also largely in-
terested in manufacturing and mercantile life, was born in Watervliet in 1850.
Abraham Best, his father, is now a retired resident of Saratoga county; it is an old
Columbia county family, whose paternal ancestors were from Germany, and on the
maternal sida from Holland. Mr. Best now operates five farms, aggregating 450
acres, chiefly devoted to dairy products. At Crescent Station he has a coal yard,
another at Vischer's Ferry, with a grocery business also. He is a heavy operator in
ice and grain. For about five years he was also engaged in the manufacture of knit
goods at Troy, the firm being known as the Brunswick Manufacturing Company.
Toohey, Edward J., son of John and Bridget (Kennedy) Toohey, was born in
West Troy, Albany county, N. Y., August 23, 1859. His father was one of the
pioneer canal men and kept the Whitehall Packet House at the time immigrants
came by way of Quebec. Mr. Toohey was eduated at the Christian Brothers" Acad-
147
emy in Troy, N. Y., and in 1874 was graduated from Mason College, Terre Bonne,
Province of Quebec. After leaving college he obtained a clerkship in his father's
store at West Troy, where he remained until elected justice of the peace of that
village in 1881, which position he now holds. He is also engaged in the real estate
and insurance business. Mr. Toohey was chairman of the Board of Fire Trustees
of West Troy for two years and is a member of the Young Men's Democratic Club
and was its president for one term. He is president of the Young Men's Literary
Association and a member of the Yestris Club of West Troy.
MacDonald, Pirie, son of George and Margaret MacDonald, was born in Chicago,
111., January 27, 1867; in 1882 he entered the studio of Forshew in Hudson, N. Y. ; in
1889 he came to Albany and opened his present studio at the corner of Maiden Lane
and Broadway. He is unquestionably one of the leading technicians of America,
and as a voucher for this opinion we may mention the fact that twice (in 1884 and
1886) he was awarded the Grand Prize for portraiture by the Photographers' Asso-
ciation of America; he holds seven medals from the same society and two medals
from the National Photographic Society of Germany, and one that was awarded at
the International Photographic Exhibition in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1886, as well
as the Gold Medal for the best portrait by photography in America. Mr. MacDonald
is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F~. & A. M., and of the Albany and Albany
Camera Clubs. In 1891 he married Emilie, daughter B. Van Deusen of Hudson,
N. Y., and they have one daughter, Jessie.
Estes, Capt. Milo D., was born in Clayton, N. Y., September 16, 1841. His father,
Capt. James B., became a sailor when twelve and a captain when eighteen and fol-
lowed the lakes during much of his active life ; he was master of the Niagara, Cata-
ract, Ontario, Rothsay, Sylvan Stream, Pilgrim and Bon Voyage, all well known
Lake Ontario steamers, and now has charge of the ferry between Ontario Beach and
Somerville at the mouth of the Genesee River. Capt. Milo D. Estes after receiving a
common school education at Clayton and Charlotte, became, when twelve years of
age cabin boy on the steamer Niagara and later was cabin boy on the Cataract and
quartermaster on the old Ontario. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the U. S.
Navy as an able seaman and was assigned to the gunboat Montgomery, under
Farragut, cruising in the Gulf of Mexico. After serving one year he returned home
and in February, 1864, enlisted in the 3d N. Y. Cav , from which he was honorably
discharged in December, 1865. Following this he was successively captain of the
tug D. T. Hunt, second officer of the steamer Columbian, superintendent of the
Rochester Iron Company's fleet of barges and captain of the steamers Flower City,
J. F. Maynard, John Thorne, Island Belle and the St. Lawrence. The latter he suc-
cessfully commanded from August, 1884, to September, 1892, making it the most
popular vessel among the Thousand Islands. In the spring of 1895 he came to Al-
bany as superintendent of the Albany and Troy Steamboat Company. He is a
member of Genesee Falls Lodge No. 507, F. & A. M., of Rochester; also a member
of Charles J. Powers Post No. 391, G. A. R., Rochester. In 1890, as captain of the St.
Lawrence, he refused to lower the U. S. flag at Kingston, Canada, in order to sail an
excursion in Canadian waters, an incident which brought him considerable distinc-
tion.
Skillicorn, John H., M.D., son of John and Jane (Cowell) Skillicorn, was born in
148
Albany, N. Y., December 25, 1861. His parents came from the Isle of Man and
belonged to a very old and respected family, his grandfather being a minister, noted
for his eloquence, in the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Skillicorn attended the
public schools and the Albany High School, from which institution he was gradu-
ated, receiving the English prize and first honorable mention for declamation. He
then attended Cornell University, where he took the medical preparatory course and
where he was fitted to enter the Albany Medical College. In 1883 he was graduated
from the latter institution and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, standing
second in his class and receiving special honorable mention for his thesis. During
his course at the Albany Medical College Dr. Skillicorn was also a student in the
dispensary of the late Dr. John Swinburne. After his graduation he was connected
with his alma mater for three years as prosector and also held quizzes. He then
traveled extensively, studying the methods in the different hospitals, and in 1884
settled down to practice in Albany, opening an office at No. 324 Hudson avenue,
where he is now located. Dr. Skillicorn is a frequent contributor to medical and
scientific journals, and is a perfect linguist in German, French, Italian and Spanish.
He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and was one of the first sur-
geons in the world to advocate and operate successfully for appendicitis.
Hermans, Charles W., was born September 4, 1844, in the town of Nassau, Rens-
selaer county, N. Y., and attended the district school until sixteen years of age,
working on a farm during summer vacations. His parents were Daniel and Adeline
(Waterbury) Hermans. In 1860 he went to Marquette, Mich., returning to Albany
in the summer of 1862. On September 30 of that year he enlisted in Co. I, 99th N.
Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, being discharged from Co. A, 22d
Regt., Veteran Reserve Corps, July 11, 1865. He attended Bryant, Stratton &
Folsom's Business College in the winter of 1865-66, and in the spring secured a posi-
tion as bookkeeper with H. B. Silliman of Cohoes. In 1870 he was appointed a book-
keeper in the Manufacturers' and Builders' Bank of New York city and filled all the
positions in that bank up to paying teller. In 1889 he assisted in organizing the
South End Bank of Albany, was elected its cashier and so continued during its ex-
istence. He married in March, 1871, Eliza J., daughter of Ambrose C. Spencer, of
Cohoes.
Bordwell, Mrs. Margaret E., is one of the oldest residents of Cohoes. She came
here with her father, Francis Revell, a native of France, in 1824 from Mechanicville,
where she was born in 1823. She was married in 1845 to Jacob A. Bordwell, a boss
knitter in the cotton mills until his death, which occurred in 1863. He left three
children : Mary Elira, wife of George Cook, of Cohoes ; Esther E., widow of Professor
George Gravis, late of Troy ; and Charles Francis, who conducts a hotel at Detroit,
Mich. Mrs. Bordwell is a well preserved lady and a personal landmark, and has in
her mature years witnessed the growth of Cohoes into a city.
Pratt, Otto M., son of Edward and Emily (Field) Pratt, was born m Earlville,
Madison county, N. Y., August 22, 1851. He attended the Earlville public schools
and at the age of fourteen left home and for twelve years was a clerk in a general
store at Poolville, Madison county, at the end of which time he removed to Albany,
N. Y., and accepted a clerkship with Herrick, Freeman & Smith, boot and shoe
manufacturers. He was associated with this business for twenty years, and in 1885
149
became a member of the firm, when the name was changed to Smith, Pratt & Her-
rick. In 1893 he resigned from this company. Mr. Pratt is now the largest bond
and stockholder in, and vice-president of the Winconsin Land and Lumber Com-
pany, located at and being the village of Hermansville, Mich., with office at Oshkosh,
Wis., owning and operating 42,000 acres of timber lands, three large sawmills,
hardwood flooring factory, 101 dwelling houses, store, market, boarding house, etc.
He is also the owner and proprietor of a shoe store at Fort Edward, N. Y., and owns
considerable real estate at Superior City. In 1876 he married Ida Zenobia Blanchard,
daughter of Taylor Blanchard of De Ruyter, Madson county, N. Y.
Rowe, Wilhelmus, was born in the town of Westerlo January 20, 1836. Wilhelmus,
his great-grandfather, came from Holland and grew to manhood in Dutchess county,
N. Y. After he married he settled on a farm near O-nes-que-thaw, in the town of
New Scotland, and died at eighty-eight; his wife died at ninety; he left two sons,
Conrad and Frederick. Conrad, the grandfather, was born in 1773 and died in 1848
on the farm where he was born; his wife was Sally Hoyt; they reared four sons,
William, Richard, Henry and Samuel, and three daughters. Richard, the father,
was born in 1808 and died in 1891, was also a farmer; his wife was Elizabeth Bogar-
dns, born in the town of Berne and was the daughter of John Bogardus; they reared
three sons, Wilhelmus, John and Conrad, and three daughters. Mrs. Rowe died in
1876. Wilhelmus was a contractor and builder and in 1856 went to Winona, in the
then Territory of Minnesota, afterward to Memphis, Tenn. ; he was in Tennessee at
the outbreak of the Civil war and was conscripted in the rebel army, and after
Beaureguard took command was detailed to guard prisoners from Corinth to Holly
Springs, Miss.; was second lieutenant in a company of Home Guards. Immediately
after the fall of Memphis he made his way north, and three months afterward was
drafted in the Union army, but was exempted on the grounds of having been
in the rebel army. In 1866 he married Elizabeth H. Bennett, daughter of Rush-
more Bennett, of Clarksville, whose father, Daniel Bennett, was born at Stone
near Berkley, Glostershire, England, in 1777, and came to the United States
in 1802; he married Abigail Rushmore of New Salem and settled on a farm
near that village, where he died while still a young man, leaving three sons, William,
Rushmore and Thomas, and one daughter. Rushmore married Emily Whitcomb,
who was a daughter of Roswell Whitcomb, a preacher in the Society of Friends ; his
father had come from Connecticut with pack and ax when Albany county was a com-
parative wilderness, to take up a farm under what was then considered the very ad-
vantageous offer of the Albany patroon, Van Rensselaer; he settled in Berne. Mr.
Bennett was a farmer and mill owner in Clarksville, and built the third house in that
village ; he was a Republican in politics and his name appears on the first Republican
county ticket, the ticket with white letters on a black ground, which gave to the Re-
publican party the name of Black Republicans; he reared one son, Erasmus, and
two daughters, and died in 1875; his wife in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe still reside
on the Bennett homestead, a farm of 200 acres, and have three sons, Erasmus P>.,
born in 1866, R. Burton, born in 1872, and Anson H., born in 1882.
McEwan, Walter, born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to America with his parents,
John and Agnes (Lander) McEwan, in 1849 and settled in Albany. He attended the
public schools and in 1860 entered the employment of the Hudson River Railroad
150
office at East Albany. In 1870 he became a member of the wholesale coffee and
spice firm of Baily, Ford & McEwan. March 15, 1872, he purchased his partners'
interests and in 1876 moved to his present location, corner Maiden Lane and James
street. He has been treasurer of the St. Andrews Society since 1884, and is a
trustee of the Home Savings Bank. In 1873 he married Abby Stuart, daughter of
Stuart McKissick of Albany, and their children are Walter Stuart, Agnes Lander,
Jessie Ellis, George William and Charles Bailey.
Van Schaack, John S., was born in New Scotland in 1834. John, his great-grand-
father, was a native of Holland and came to America and settled in Greene county,
and reared five sons. He owned a fine farm on Coxsackie flats and lived to be
eighty years of age. Albert, the grandfather, was the third son, born in Greene
county in 1853. He was a farmer and settled in New Scotland in 1770. His first
wife was Eva Spore, by whom he had five children, two of whom grew to maturity.
His second wife was Mary Ann Bradt, by whom he had nine children ; all grew to
maturity. He died in 1830. The father was the oldest son by his father's first wife,
born in New Scotland in 1802, where he spent his life as a farmer. He was a volun-
teer soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Sackett's Harbor.
His wife was Sarah Shaver, born in 1809, and daughter of John F. Shaver of Berne.
They reared four children : Mary Ann, John S., Frank and Elizabeth. Mrs. Van
Schaack died in 1888. John S. was reared to farm work and received his education
in the common and district schools and Charlottesville Seminary, and followed farm-
ing all his life up to 1888, when he retired to the village of New Salem. He has
been and is now serving as justice and was postmaster during both of Cleveland's
administrations. He has also filled the office of town auditor and represented his
town as delegate to county conventions and at district and Assembly conventions.
In 1862 he married Amanda M., daughter of Luke Gallup of Westerlo, by whom
three children have been born: Albert, who is a teacher in Texas; Susan and Eli.
Mrs. Van Schaack died in 1881.
McMillen, James S., was born in Schoharie county in August, 1843. Alexander,
the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, born about 1775, who came to America
and settled in the town of New Scotland, where he died at the age of eighty years.
He was a farmer and achieved some note as a politician in his town. He reared
seven sons and four daughters. Aaron, the father, was born in Albany in 1815 and
died in December, 1872. He was a wheelwright by trade, which he followed for
some thirty years. He moved to Grosvenor's Corners, in the town of Carlyle, Scho-
harie county, where he owned and conducted a shop and was fairly successful. His
wife was Margaret Ann Culens, and their children were James S., Nelson B., Helen
M., and William J. The wife survives her husband and lives in Albany with her
daughter. James S. received a limited education and began to care for himself at
the age of fifteen, following different occupations in Guilderland and Bethlehem. In
1869 he purchased his present farm of seventy-five acres and is actively engaged in
mixed husbandry. He was town auditor and is now serving his tenth year as
assessor. In 1871 he was married to Hester L. Snyder, born in New Scotland and
daughter of Jacob Snyder, by whom one child has been born, Franklin J., who
resides at home with his father. His wife was Charlotte Hallenback. They have
three children: Anson, Olive and Allen.
151
Butler, William H., son of David and Laura A. (Smith) Butler, was born in Oneida,
N. Y., January 21, 1860, and was graduated from the Oneida High School in 1878.
He then became a freight conductor on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., and continued
in this capacity and in the depot at Albany in all ten years, when he learned the
trade of clothing cutter and merchant tailor. In 1893 he established himself in the
merchant tailoring business at Nos. 635 and 637 Broadway, Albany, where he has
built up a large and growing trade. Mr. Butler is a member of Mount Vernon
Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., of all the Masonic bodies to and including the 33 . and of
the Acacia Club. In 1880 he married Cora B., daughter of William Foster of -Siloam,
Madison county, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Lenora Belle.
Yerks, George W. , is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, especially on the side
of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Amos Clark, a member of the Van Warts familv.
His parents were William H. and Mary A. (Clark) Yerks and he was born in Union-
ville, Westchester county, February 4, 1843. He received his education at Claverack
Academy and Fort Edward Institute, and he spent a few years in government em-
ploy in New York city, and in 1867 came to Albany where he soon engaged in the
wholesale fancy grocery business at No. 373 Broadway, under the firm name of Ben
jamin & Yerks; whom he succeeded in January, 1S77. In 1888 John J. Taaffe was
admitted under the present firm name of George W. Yerks & Co. The business has
grown steadily and now three stores are occupied. Mr. Yerks has been president of
the Equal Rights Benefit Association since 1893 and is a trustee in the Madison
Avenue Reformed church. In 1868 he married Adeline, daughter of George W.
Benjamin of Albany, and of their children one daughter, Adeline Powell Yerks, is
living.
Rivet, F. A. W., M. D., one of the oldest physicians of Green Island, was born at
Montreal in 1847. His father was a farmer, and when about nineteen he began the
study of medicine at " College Point aux Trembles " near Montreal, graduating from
this institution with honors in 1871. He took a post-graduate course at McGill Col-
lege. Practicing his profession at Au Sable Falls for eight years, and about the
same length of time at Indian Fields, he came to Green Island in 1887. Dr. Rivet
is of the eclectic school of practice. He has been health officer for a long term of
years.
Tompkins, Stephen, was born in Coeymans in 1857, and is a son of Stephen and
Jane (Van Derzee) Tompkins. His grandfather, Daniel C , was a son of Caleb
Tompkins, who came from Dutchess county. The grandfather of Mr. Tompkins
was a tanner for many years at Stephenville, and came to Coeymans Hollow in 1850,
and bought the farm where Mr. Tompkins now lives. He died in 1882. He had
three sons: Alfred D.. Anson, who died in infancy, and Stephen, who died in 1 s.">7 ,
and one daughter, Margaret. Mr. Tompkins is a farmer and one of the most suc-
cessful men of the town. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William S. Cole, and
has two sons: William and Van Derzee.
Reinhart, H. E., though apparently not past the prime of life, is a pioneer set-
tler of Cohoes, coming here in 1853 from Berne, N. V., where he was born in 183*.
He is of Dutch descent, and a son of John Reinhart, a hat manufacturer. Here he
learned the machinist trade, which vocation he followed; having been associated
152
with the Granite Mill of William Moore since 1886. In 1861 he married Marie Oster-
hout of Cohoes, by whom he has one daughter, Elizabeth, wife of William Leroy of
this place.
Kane, Hon. Nicholas T., was born in Ireland in 1846. He came to America with
his parents and settled in West Troy, Albany county, in 1848, and died there Sep-
tember 14, 1887. At an early age he actively entered the field of labor; when seven-
teen he enlisted in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion and served with gal-
lantry and patriotism as a soldier. Returning home he rapidly rose in business
until finally he formed a copartnership with his brother, Pierce Kane, and success-
fully engaged in the manufacture of knit goods, at Sand Lake, Rensselaer county.
About 1883 he also engaged in brewing with Daniel E. and Henry A. Conway of
Troy. In 1882 he was elected town supervisor and held that office several years, be-
ing at one time chairman of the board. In 1886 he was elected to represent his dis-
trict in the Fiftieth Congress, a position he held at the time of his death. He was
chiefly instrumental in locating the government gun factory (one of the largest in the
United States) at the Watervliet Arsenal, and various other important measures re-
ceived his earnest support. He was a member of Post Patrick Kane, No. 312, G. A.
R. , vice-president of the S. G. Gleason Hook and Ladder Company of West Troy,
treasurer of the Wynantskill Knitting Company, and prominently identified with
various other organizations. He was a typical self-made man, charitable, compan-
ionable, public spirited, enterprising and progressive, and enjoyed universal respect
and confidence. In politics he was a staunch Democrat and in every capacity he was
loyal, influential and popular.
McCormic, Robert Henry, represents the sixth generation of his family in Amer-
ica, in each of which the eldest son bore the name of Robert. His ancestor, Robert
McCormic, born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Londonderry, Ireland, was one of the
first settlers of Londonderry, N. II. ; a branch moved thence and settled the town of
Londonderry, Vt. Mr. McCormic's great-grandfather, Robert, served in the Revo-
lution. His father, Robert, who married Rhoda Stevens, was born in Windham,
Vt., but spent most of his life in Greene county, N. Y. , where, at Coxsackie, Rob-
ert H. was born, October 25, 1839, being the only son, his sister being Mrs. Harriet
M. Stark of Paris Texas. She has been a teacher and missionary among the Choc-
taw Indians for forty-five years. Robert H. McCormic was graduated from Burr
Seminary at Manchester, Vt., came to Albany in 1858 and in 1860 joined Co. B, 10th
Regt. September 1, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 44th N. Y. Vols., Ellsworth Zouaves,
rose to the post of captain and was mustered out October 14, 1864. He was with the
Army of the Potomac, participated in nearly all its battles from first Bull Run, was
wounded twice and still carries in his right hip a bullet received at Rappahannock
Station. From 1865 to 1887 he held an important position in the Albany post-office,
and since then has been engaged in life insurance business, being now connected
with the Mutual Life of New York. He became a member of Lew Benedict Post
No. 5, G. A. R., in 1887 and is now a member of L. O. Morris Post No. 121, and is
past commander of both organizations. He has held nearly every office in the State
department of the G. A. R. , being assistant adjutant-general in 1894, and is also past
noble grand of Clinton Lodge No. 7, I. O. O. F. January 1, 1866, he married Caro-
line, daughter of Isaac Van Ness of Stuyvesant, N. Y., who died in 1875, leaving
153
two children: Robert H., jr., and Grace E., graduates of the Albany High School
and State Normal College respectively. In 1894 he married Louise, daughter of
Ephraim House of Albany and for over twenty years a teacher in the public schools.
O'Brien, Dr. Francis J., son of Francis and Catharine (Collopy) O'Brien, was born
in West Troy, June 13, 1860. He was educated in the public schools, the Troy Busi-
ness College, and the New York College of Pharmacy, graduating from the latter in
1882. In 1887 he was graduated from the University of Vermont with the degree of
M. D. From 1883 to 1886 he studied with the late Dr. Swinburne of Albany, N. Y.
Since graduating from the Universty of Vermont he has practiced in West Troy.
Chapman, jr., Edgar T. , is the eldest son of the well known and prominent Epis-
copal clergyman. Edgar T. Chapman was born at West Troy in 1872, on the old
homestead on the Troy and Albany road. Mr. Chapman began the study of law in
1891. He was graduated in 1894 and at once admitted to the county bar under the
most favorable auspices, and began the practice of his profession in Albany. A
younger brother, John K. Chapman, is now superintendent of the freight office for
the N. Y. C. R. R., at West Albany.
Simpson, Anson A., was born at Hillside, N. Y., in 1842. He was the son of Ben-
son Simpson, a merchant of that place, and was educated at Hudson River Institute.
He began life as a clerk in a general store at Craryville. Mr. Simpson has traveled
a good deal and has been engaged in many and various enterprises. In 1865 he
went to the far West, and spent five years in Colorado and California as a miner,
hotel keeper, fruit dealer, etc. In 1870 he drifted to Pittsburg, Pa. , and traveled
for a glass manufacturing company there. He then engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness at Kinderhook Depot, remaining there till 1885, when he came to Troy and be-
came connected with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. now nominally occupying
the position of inspector of signals. He is especially fertile in the line of inventions
and has produced many valuable appliances, which have been adopted and are in
daily use, among others, a time signal, and a life saving fender for motor cars, which
possess peculiar merit and will, without doubt, come into general use.
Fonda, Douw H., son of Garrett T. B. and Rachel (Polhemus) Fonda, was born
September 10, 1831, in Fonda, N. Y., which derives its name from the family. The
first American ancestor was (11 Jellis Douwse Fonda, who came from Holland and
was in Beverwyck as early as 1654. The line is (2) Douw Jellise Fonda, who resided
at Lubberdeland (Troy) in 1676; (3) Jellis Adam Fonda, born in 1668, married a
daughter of Peter Winne in 1695; (4) Douw Fonda, of Caughnawaga (now Fonda),
who served in the Revolutionary war and was killed by the Indians in 1780; (5) Adam;
(6) Douw Adam Fonda, member of the Legislature, died in 1855; and (7) Garrett T.
B. Fonda, who was born in Fonda in 1808. Douw II. Fonda, after completing a
common school education, engaged in railroading. He was then a mere boy. When
thirteen he went to New York city as clerk in a men's furnishing store, where he re-
mained two years. Returning home he finally became a clerk in a general store in
Rome, N. Y., and two years later engaged in railroading, being ticket agent at Pal-
atine Bridge under the later I Inn. Webster Wagner for four years. In September,
1853, he became teller of a bank in Canajoharie and two years later was made cash-
ier, which position he held until 1865, when he came to Albany as a partner in the
t
154
wholesale drug'firm of ?Fonda & Bagley, the founders of the business being Thomas
and Joseph Russell, who were succeeded by a Mr. Pulling, who was followed by J.
H. McClure&Co., whom Fonda & Bagley bought out. During all these changes
the business has been located at Nos. 70-72 State street and No. 13 Norton street
and is the oldest of the kind in the city. In 1877 Mr. Fonda became sole proprietor
and in 1879 he formed the firm of D. H. Fonda & Co., by admitting Henry R. Wright
and William B. French. In 1889 the Douw H. Fonda Drug Company was incorpor-
ated and since then Mr. Fonda has been its president. He is a member of Temple
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and has served as school commissioner two terms. He
married first at Canajoharie, Mary A. French, and after her death he married Ellen
A. Barker of Barry, Vt.
Lochner, Dr. George Emory, was born in Albany, July 19, 1867, and is a son of
Jacob L. Lochner, who for twenty-five years was engaged in the fruit business at
thecorner of South Pearl and State streets. On the maternal side Dr. Lochner is
descended from Revolutionary stock, his mother being Nellie J. Best of Schoharie.
When Dr. Lochner was eight years of age his mother died. His early education
was received at private schools and in Public School No. 11, and was graduated from
the High School in 1885. He then registered with Dr. Albert Vander Veer, under
whose care he studied medicine for three years. He had previously attended clinics
at the City Hospital. While with Dr. Vander Veer he attended the Albany Medical
College, graduating in March, 1888, being honored by selection as historian of the
class. At the competitive examination which followed for appointment to the Al-
bany Hospital, Dr. Lochner outstripped all competitors and the result entitled him
to the place. During the summer of 1888 he continued his studies in New York
city. In September, 1888, he entered the Albany Hospital and served twenty
months as ambulance surgeon and house physician and surgeon. His term expired
in April, 1890, and upon retirement he received a diploma from the staff, gift of
surgical instruments from matron and associates, and a letter of commendation from
the Board of Governors. Leaving the hospital, he began the practice of his pro-
fession at No. 1 South Hawk street. In 1890 he was appointed by Dr. J. M. Bigelow as
an instructor in the Albany Medical College in laryngology and rhinology and the fol-
lowing year by Dr. J. P. Boyd, as instructor in obstetrics and gynaecology and in
anatomy by Dr. S. R. Morrow, which place he still holds. In October, 1891, he re-
ceived the appointment of physician to the Albany Hospital Dispensary for diseases
of women and children. As a member of the Albany County Medical Society he
was, in October, 1891, chosen as its secretary and served as censor in 1893 and 1894.
In 1892 he was appointed physician to the Albany Fire Department. Dr. Lochner
is a member of the alumni associations of the Albany High School, of which he is
now serving as president, and Medical College, and of the executive committee of
the High School; he also belongs to the Press Club, A. K.P., and P.E. K. fraternities;
is also a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.
Burrick, Rev. Julius J., was born in Waereghen, in the diocese of Ghent, Belgium,
in 1858. His early education was acquired under eminent tutors of St. Nicholas
College. His philosophical course was subsequently pursued at the same college,
and his theological at the Seminary of Ghent. Before his assumption of holy orders
and in recognition of his superior talents, he was promoted to the dignity of a pro-
155
fessor's chair, which he held until April, 1892, when, coming to America, he was ap-
pointed pastoral director of his present charge, the Sacred Heart of Mary, French
Catholic church, of Watervliet, N.Y. As a clergyman of marked religious zeal, and
a scholar of broad culture in many languages, he enjoys the merited esteem and
confidence of all his ecclesiastical and secular associates.
Bell, Thomas H., son of George and Martha (Turner) Bell, was born in Carlisle,
North of England, August 27, 1861. He was educated in the public schools and was
for five years a clerk in the bonded warehouse of the County Hotel and Wine Com-
pany, England. In 1880 he came to America and settled in Albany, and through
the influence of his uncle, William Gray, he obtained a situation in the office of the
Troy Steel & Iron Co., where he remained six years. During that time he became
interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association and in 1885 was
one of the prime movers in the organization of the West Troy Y. M. C. A. He was
made president of the preliminary organization and later accepted the office of ex-
ecutive secretary of the permanent organization, and willingly gave his time to the
work free of charge. In 1886, at the solicitation of the general secretary, Frank
Ober, of the Albany Association, and the Rev. George A. Hall, State secretary, he
resigned his position with the Troy Steel & Iron Co. and entered the school for
Christian Workers at Springfield, Mass., to prepare for the general secretaryship of
the Y. M. C. A. In 1887 Mr. Bell was appointed general secretary of the Lansing-
burgh Y. M. C. A., but ill health forced him to resign in the spring of the following
year. He was then appointed assistant to Supt. J. D. Rogers of the Round Lake
Association and remained in that position until 1891, when he entered into partner-
ship with Lee Rivers, in the hardware and electrical supply business, at West Troy,
Albany county. In July, 1893, they dissolved partnership, and since then Mr. Bell
has been engaged in the electrical business, for a time at West Troy and now at
No. 24 Green street, Albany. He is a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75,
F. & A. M., of West Troy, and is also a member of the official board of the First
Avenue Methodist church of West Troy. October 22, 1890, 'he married Louisa W.,
daughter of P. R. Robson of Albany, and they have two children: Ernest B. and
Edith May.
Quinlan, George B., D. D. S., of West Troy, has practiced four years, having
graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He first entered the
New York Dental College in 1889, and was a student of the Troy Business College
before that time. His father, J. W. Quinlan, was a M. E. clergyman, once located
in West Troy, and is now in that field of labor. His great-grandfather came from
Northern Ireland, and was a physician of note in Philadelphia. Dr. Quinlan was
born in Columbia county, N. Y.
Wilcox, George W. , a prominent resident of Green Island, was born at Troy, No-
vember 20, 1854, and is a son of the well known Alans* m Wilcox, who was born at
Amsterdam, N. V., in 1814, and has been a resident of this place for over thirty
years. He was a carpenter by trade, but is now retired from active business.
George Wilcox began life for himself when sixteen years of age by engaging in the
news business aud after rive years went into the grocery business and conducted it
for seventeen years, and is at present not engaged in active business life. He main-
tains a deep interest in the local affairs and ranks high among the prosperous and
156
prominent business men of the town. He has been tax collector and trustee of the
village, and ranks high among the Masonic and benevolent and social fraternities.
Wiswall, Eben S. — This is one of the oldest families in the vicinity. Mr. Wis-
\v all's paternal grandfather came from Newton, Mass., about the first of the present
century, and settled in Troy, engaging in general store business ; in this connection
it is remembered he put in the first soda fountain known here. He afterward owned
a share of the ferry to West Troy, at a period when the boats were operated by
horse power, subsequently purchasing an interest in the other two ferries. The
lower ferries were at that time propelled by means of long poles. Mr. Wiswall was
born in the house which he now occupies, August 19, 1846. The old mansion occu-
pies a commanding eminence overlooking Troy, and is called "Hillside." It was
also the home of his father, Ebenezer Wiswall, who was born at Newtown, Mass.,
in 1818. Most of the land surrounding the old home and comprising the original
Wiswall farm lies within the present corporate limits of West Troy. Mr. Wiswall
was liberally educated at various Massachusetts institutions, and subsequently en-
gaged in farming. In 1885 he took up the manufacture of brick on a large scale, and
now employs thirty men in that industry.
Wiswall, Charles E., was born in West Troy, N. Y. , December 13, 1834, and has
always lived here, except when his business affairs necessitate his extended absence.
He is engaged in steam dredging, and is now operating in the Hudson toward Al-
bany. Elsewhere in the work may be found details, not only concerning his ances-
tors on the Wiswall side, but also of his mother's family, that of Edward. Learned.
Both were very early identified with West Troy and its growth and settlement, and
perhaps of equal prominence in the early annals of the locality.
Durant, Fayette B., was born as Pittsford, Vt., in 1848, and was educated in the
grammar and high schools of Troy. He has been associated with James Roy & Co.,
of Watervliet Mills, since 1875. Previous to that time he had engaged in the insur-
ance and real estate business, having resigned in 1873 from a position as teller in the
National Bank, at West Troy, where he had been employed for eight years. He
was also for three years in the Central Bank at Troy, where his father, William C.
Durant, came in 1855. He is a foundryman and in 1858 engaged in that business at
West Troy, where he is still located.
Arnold, jr., Major Isaac (Ordnance Department), was born in Connecticut and
graduated from the Military Academy, June 17, 1862. He was promoted second
lieutenant of the Second Artillery the same date and was assigned to Battery F.
He joined Battery K, Fourth Artillery, at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, and served
with the same in the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, until after the battle of
Chancellorsville, and was present at the following engagements: Second Malvern
Hill, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and was wounded at the latter
place. He was transferred to the Ordnance Corps, April 27, 1863; he served at
Washington Arsenal, District of Columbia, until about January 1, 1864, when he was
transferred to St. Louis Arsenal, Missouri. From that point he was detached in the
spring of 1864 and sent to Springfield, 111., to arm the one-hundred-day men. After
three or four months he was relieved from that duty and ordered to Hilton Head,
South Carolina, where he served as chief ordnance officer of the Department of the
157
South until the close of the war. Lieutenant Arnold served a short time as assistant
at Allegheny Arsenal, Pennsylvania, and was then assigned to the'command of the
San Antonio Arsenal, Texas, and chief ordnance officer of the Department of Texas;
was promoted captain of ordnance March 7, 1867. From Texas he was ordered to
Springfield Armory, Massachusetts, as an assistant, and moved from there to Alle-
gheny Arsenal, Pennsylvania. He then took six months' leaveof absence, on expiration
of which he was ordered to Benicia Arsenal, California; he was ordered to Indian-
apolis Arsenal in 1878 where he remained over eight years (whilst in command of
the Indianapolis he was complimented in orders by Major-General Hancock, com-
manding Department of the Atlantic, for services rendered in the suppression of
civil disturbances following the strike of railroad employees in 1877). He was pro-
moted major of ordnance, May 29, 1879, and was then sent to command San Antonio
Arsenal, Texas, and was chief ordnance officer, Department of Texas per S. O. 236
and 261, respectively, H. Q. A. 1883, remaining there four years; he was then sent
to Fort Monroe Arsenal, Virginia, per S. O. 223, H. Q. A. 1887, where he was sta-
tioned for two years, and then assumed command of Columbia Arsenal, December
1, 1889, per S. O. 272, H. Q. A. 1889, and superintended the completion of the build-
ings constructed at that post; member of board for the purpose of considering and
reporting upon the subject of field and siege carriages, &c, per S. O. 108 of May 7,
1892; was relieved from command December 14, 1892, and assumed command of the
Watervliet Arsenal, New York, December 19, 1892, per S. O. 290 of December 12,
1892, where he is at present. Now president of board for testing rifled cannon, per
S. O. 119 of May 26, 1893.
Mayell, James H., son of Henry and Elizabeth (Northrop) Mayell, was born Feb-
ruary 5, 1856, in Albany, where his father settled about 1834. His mother died in
1893. Henry Mayell, a native of New York city, engaged in business in Albany as
a dealer in rubber goods March 1, 1853, on the corner of State street and Broadway,
where it has ever since continued. He gradually developed a large wholesale trade
in connection with his retail establishment, and in 1880 admitted his son, James H.,
as a partner under the firm name of Henry Mayell & Son. Upon the father's death
in August, 1890, the son succeeded to the business. Henry Mayell was vice presi-
dent of the Albany City Savings Institution. James H. was educated in public
school No. 8 and since the age of nine years has been connected with the
founded by his father. For two years he was police commissioner under Mayor
Manning. He married Miss Jennie B. Brooksby, in September, 1894.
Pratt, Aaron B., son of Silas and Lydia (Goodell) Pratt, was born in the town of
Lawrence, St. Lawrence county, X. V., January 31, 1833. He was educated in the
common schools and was graduated from the State Normal School at Albany in 1853.
He taught school for one year and then studied law in the office of S. F. Higgins and
Robert H. Wells, of Albany. Mr. Pratt was admitted to the bar in 1854 and has
since been practicing in Albany. In 1895 he formed a partnership with E. W. San-
ford, the firm being Pratt \- Sanford. Mr. Pratt is an honorary member of the Cal-
edonians and a life member of the Young Men's Association ; also a member of the
New York State Bar Association. In 1869 he was supervisor of the Third ward of
Albany, and in 1881 was a member of the New York State Assembly from the city
district of Albany. In 1857 he married Jane C. McEntee, whose sou, Colonel Charles
S. McEntee, performed such gallant service in the Rebellion.
158
Tebbutt, Marshall, was born in Bedford, England, January 20, 1820, came to
America in 1852 and settled in Albany and died there April 14, 1885. He engaged
in the undertaking business with a partner, under the firm name of of Tebbutt &
Vail. This firm was succeeded in 1866 by Tebbutt & Morange and in 1870 Mr.
Tebbutt became their successor ; afterwards he admitted his sons, Marshall W. and
Harry K., who, since their father's death, have continued the business under the
style of M. Tebbutt's Sons. Mr. Tebbutt was a supervisor from the Seventh ward
and was well and favorably known by a large number of Albany's citizens. His
worth as a citizen was recognized and appreciated. He was one of the deacons of
the Emanuel Baptist church. Marshall W. Tebbutt is a member of the Masonic
order, being a 32d degree Mason and Knight Templar; he is also treasurer of De
Witt Clinton Council No. 22, and a member of Cypress Temple, Mystic Shrine. He
was married October 18, 1881, to Elizabeth Greene, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; they have
three children living. Harry K. Tebbutt is also a Mason, and married Jennie Sims
of Albany ; he has five children.
Ten Eyck, Jacob L., was born in Albany, N. Y., July 8, 1864. When four years
of age he went to live with an uncle, after whom he was named, on the old family
homestead. His education was recived at a country district school and the public
schools of Albany. After eighteen months in Albany High School, he went to the
lumber district as tally boy for a firm, and remained one season. He then entered
the employ of T. P. Crook & Co., provision dealers, as assistant bookkeeper, where
he remained three years. While there he helped organize the Young Men's Demo-
cratic Club. He then began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Chase & Dele-
hanty, and while a student was appointed agent of the Barber Asphalt Paving Com-
pany. Through his energies Albany adopted the asphalt pavement. He attended
the Albany Law School but was admitted to the bar before graduating. He formed
a partnership with his brother-in-law, William S. Dyer, which still exists under the
firm name of Dyer & Ten Eyck, one of the leading firms of Albany. During the
session of 1895 Mr. Ten Eyck represented the Third assembly district of Albany
county in the New York State Legislature.
Sabin, W. B., M. D., was born in 1862, and was a son of Dr. Robert H. Sabin, a
well known physician who practiced here for thirty years, previous to his death
seven years ago at the age of fifty-six. Dr. Sabin in his chosen profession not only
follows that of his father, but also that of his great-grandfather, who was a noted
physician of Rockingham, Vt. He began practice in 1882, after graduating from
the Albany Medical College and taking a course at New York Post-graduate School.
He makes a specialty of the diseases of the eye and the ear, and was at one time
associated with Dr. Merrill of Albany, the celebrated specialist. Dr. Sabin is well
known in both political and social circles, and is at present one of the school com-
missioners of West Troy. He is a Mason of the 32d degree and is past master of
Evening Star Lodge No. 75, of which he is treasurer. He is also a member of the
Albany County Medical Society and of the New York State Medical Association.
October 4, 1888, he married Miss Emma L. Dixon of Philadelphia, Pa. ; they have
one daughter named Edith.
Merrill, Cyrus Strong. M. D., son of Edward Henry and Sarah Wilson (Strong)
Merrill, was born in Bridport, Vt., September 21, 1847, received his preparatory
159
education under private tutelage and at Newton Academy, spent one year at Middle-
bury College, and was graduated with honor from Amherst College in 1867. In 1871
he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city
and soon afterward became resident surgeon to the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital,
where he remained a little over a year. In 1872 he went to Europe and spent two
years in Paris, London, Zurich, Vienna and Heidelberg, preparing himself for his
specialty, that of oculist and aurist. Returning in 1874 he settled in Albany, where
he has since resided and successfully practiced his profession, and where he was at
once appointed ophthalmic and aural surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital. Later he occu-
pied a similar position in the Child's Hospital and subsequently took charge of the
eye and ear department of the Troy Hospital. In 1876 he was chosen professor of
diseases of the eye and ear in the Albany Medical College and the medical depart-
ment of Union College, and ophthalmic and aural surgeon to the Albany Hospital,
which positions he has since held. He has frequently contributed valuable papers
to current medical literature, and has a wide reputation in his profession. In 1875
he married Mary E., only child of Hon. Stephen Griffin, 2d, a prominent lumber
dealer in Warrensburg, N Y.
Stevens, George H., son of George and Margaret (Browne) Stevens, was born in
Albany September 28, 1850, and attended school No. 8 and the Boys' Academy. In
1868 he entered Rutgers College and was graduated with high honors in 1872, de-
livering the valedictory. He read law in the office of Hon. Amasa J. Parker for
one year and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1874, being one of the
commencement orators. The same year he was admttted to the bar in Albany. In
November, 1874, he was appointed by John M. Bailey assistant district attorney, an
office he held for three years. For about five years he was a member of the Exam-
ining Board of the Third Judicial Department, being appointed by the Supreme
Court. Being a staunch" Republican he was elected alderman of the Fourteenth
ward in the spring of 1892 and re-elected in 1894, and was noted in the Common
Council for his hard work for economy, honesty, and good government. He is a
member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Fort Orange Club, and the
Empire Curling Club, and from 1876 to 1892 was president of the Capital City Club.
He was also for several years a director of the Ridgefield Athletic Club. In 1880 he
married Mary Hand Ogden, daughter of Edward Ogden of Albany, and they have
one son, Ogden Stevens, born July 30, 1882.
Allanson, James E., is a grandson of Peter Allanson, sr., a carpenter and a native
of Leeds, England, who settled in Albany and died here. Peter Allanson, jr., father
of James E., was born in Albany, in 1811, was also a carpenter and builder and died
here in 1880. He married Jane Easterly. James E., born in Albany, October 23,
1846, was educated in School No. 8, learned the trade of carpenter and was asso-
ciated with his father until the latter's death. In 1880 he engaged in the insurance
business and was secretary of the New York State Relief Association during its ex-
istence. In December, 1888, he organized the Permanent Savings and Loan Asso-
ciation and has since been the secretary and manager. This association represents
$185,000 assets, has paid off about 880,000 matured stock and has experienced a steadv
growth. Its stock matures in about seven years. Mr. Allanson is a member of
Mount Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, Temple Chap-
160
ter No. 5, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest, De Witt Clinton Council No. 22,
R. & S. M., of which he has been recorder since 1872 and is the present incumbent,
Temple Commandery No 2, K. T., past commander, Cyprus Temple N. O. M. S.,
past chief rabbin, and the Acacia Club, and was one of the incorporators and first
secretary of the Masonic Hall Association. He was supervisor of the Fifth ward in
1874. In 1879 he married Susan J. Hewson, who died in March, 1881, leaving one
son, James E., jr. He married second, in October, 1884, Mary C. Hitchcock, who
died in 1886, leaving a daughter, Harriet A.
Brady, John J., son of John and Ann (Farley) Brady, natives of County Cavan,
Ireland, was born in Albany on the 16th of January, 1870. He attended St. Joseph's
Parochial School and was graduated from the Christian Brothers' Academy in 1884
and from Manhattan College in 1888, taking the degree of A. B. The latter institu-
tion conferred upon him the degree of M. A. in 1892. After leaving college he spent
one year in Ireland and in 1890 entered the law office of Judge John W. Walsh and
George T. Kelly. He was admitted to the bar by the General Term of the Su-
preme Court in February, 1893, and at once opened a law office with Judge Walsh
and Mr. Kelly. Mr. Brady is a ready speaker and good debater, a devoted and
constant worker for the societies of which he is a member, and in 1894 was unani-
mously elected national secretary and treasurer of the Catholic Young Men's National
Union of America, which is composed of the various Catholic clubs throughout the
country. This office he still holds, being re-elected in 1895. He is a trustee of the
Catholic Union of Albany, a member and ex-president of Cor Jesu Council No. 84,
C. B. L., ex-president of the Sacred Heart Sodality, a member of the alumni socie-
ties of Manhattan College and the Christian Brothers' Academy, and a member of
the Knights of Columbus. In the fall of 1895 he was elected on the Democratic
ticket alderman of the Ninth ward, and is leader of the Democratic majority in the
Board of Aldermen.
Eaton, Calvin \V., descended from one ot the oldest families of New England (see
sketch of James W. Eaton), is a son of James W. Eaton, and was born in Albany,
July 26, 1842. He was educated at the Boys' Academy and became a clerk in the
old Union Bank, where he rose to the position of teller. In 1871 he engaged in the
wholesale lumber business as a member of the firm of Van Santford & Eaton, and
thus continued until 1886, when he removed to Utica and carried on the same busi-
ness for four years. Returning to Albany in 1890 he has been engaged in the real
estate and the insurance business. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member
of the Masonic bodies of Albany, is past master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.,
and is treasurer of the Lodge of Perfection and also Sovereign Consistory. He is
treasurer of the Acacia Club, a member of the Albany Camera Club and other Albany
clubs, and was quartermaster of the 10th Regt. N. G. N. Y. under General Parker.
October 13, 1864, he married Anna F., daughter of Amos P. Palmer of Albany, and
their children are Mary E., Alice I., James P., and Edward De L.
Walker, Edward, is one of the leading manufacturers of the city of Cohoes, and
has been a resident of this city since 1857, where he first held a position as overseer
of the spinning department in Harmony Mills. In 1875 he engaged in the business
with David Williams, under the firm name of Walker & Williams. As a manufac-
turer of cotton batting he has been located at the present factory, corner of Rensse-
161
laer and Courtland streets, since 1891. Mr. Walker in his busy life has little time to
devote to political matters, yet he has served five terms as alderman and is* now a
member of the Board of Health. He is of New England ancestry, and his mother
was a native of this State. He is a native of Delaware county, born in 1831, and is a
son of Horace Walker, also a native of that county and a lumberman 'on the Dela-
ware River in early life. Mr. Walker's early manhood was spent at his birthplace,
New Berlin and Utica. He is the father of one son and five daughters. : He is a
member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., and of Cohoes Chapter R. A. M.
Ball, Dr. Ogilvie D., son of Joseph S. and Freelove (Mitchell) Ball, was born at
Schuyler's Lake, Otsego county, February 4, 1840, was graduated from Hartwick
Seminary in 1858 and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New
York city, where he remained one year. In November, 1861, he entered the U. S.
volunteer service as medical cadet, attached the 3d N. Y. Light Artillery, and in
1864 was transferred to the line of the same regiment, becoming regimental quarter-
master; later he served in various capacities, being assistant adjutant-general of
North Carolina, and was mustered out in August, 1865, with the rank of first lieu-
tenant. Returning home he re-entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons and
graduated therefrom as M. D. in 1867. He began the practice of medicine at
Schenevus, Otsego county, and served as county coroner for three years. He was a
member and for one year president of the Otsego County Medical Society. In 1874
he came to Albany, where he has since resided. He joined the Albany County
Medical Society in 1874 and has been its censor, vice-president and president. He
is a member of the New York State Medical Society and a member and past master
of Schenevus Valley Lodge No. 592, F. & A. M. ; he was also for several years con-
nected with the Albany Medical College as demonstrator of and adjunct lecturer on
anatomy. In 1871 he married Addie Van Derzee, of Trumansburg, N. Y., and they
have one daughter, Fannie D. Dr. Ball received the honorary degree of A. M. from
Union College in 1376.
Barker, James F., M. D., son of William and Catherine Barker, was born in Sche-
nectady, N. Y.j July 1, 1851, was graduated from Union College as A. B. in 1874 and
as A. M. in 1877, read medicine with Dr. James H. Armsby, of Albany, and graduated
from the Albany Medical College in 1877 under the degree of M. D. He began the
practice of his profession in Albany the same year in partnership with Dr. Armsby,
and since 1879 has continued alone. Dr. Barker is a member and ex-vice-president of
the Albany County Medical Society, a member of the New York State Medical Society,
a member and senior warden of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., a member of Capi-
tal City Chapter, R. A. M., Temple Commandery, K. T., and the Scottish Rites
bodies, a 32d degree Mason ; also a member of Cypress Temple, Nobles Mystic
Shrine; he is also a member of the Albany Unconditional Club, the Albany Club,
and the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, through his great-great-grandfather,
Lieut. Walter Switz, on his mother's side. In 1887 he married Miss May E. Evans, of
Albany.
Cooper, John L., Dr., son of Jacob L. and Mary J. (Core) Cooper, was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., March 17, 1857. He was graduated from the Philadelphia High
School in 1874, attended Pierce's Business College and the medical department of
162
the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the latter in 1877, with the degree
of M. D. He was resident physician in the Philadelphia Hospital for a short time
after graduation and practiced in Philadelphia until 1880, when he came to Albany,
where he has since resided. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society,
Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 243, R. A. M., De Witt-
Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., Cypress
Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. November 3, 1880, he married Anna, daugh-
ter of MatheWjWallace of Albany, and they have two children: John L. and Eliza-
beth W.
Dyer, Zeb A., is a son of David S., a grandson of Bradbury, and a great-grandson
or James Dyer, an Albany county farmer and a Revolutionary soldier. His mother
was Louisa Bell. The family were early settlers of Berne, Albany county, where
Zeb A. Dyer was born December 1, 1860. He received a common school education
in that town and in Albany, learned the trade of cigarmaker and was graduated
from the Albany State Normal School in 1882. He then taught school in Berne and
Guilderland and meantime read law in Albany with John B. O'Malley, and was
graduated from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1885. He at
once began active practice in the office of Isben Hess, then collector of internal
revenue, and in May, 1893, formed a copartnership with Henry S. McCall, which
still continues. He is a leading Democrat, a member of the Democratic General
County Committee and has been a delegate to several political conventions, includ-
ing the judicial convention of 1891 which nominated Hon. D. Cady Herrick for jus-
tice of the Supreme Court. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge, Temple Chap-
ter and De Witt Clinton Council of Masons; past noble grand of Friendly Union
Lodge No. 381, I. O. O. F., of Slingerlands; a member of New York Encampment,
I. O. O. F., and of the Albany Press and Acacia Clubs; and a charter member of the
Albany Club. In 1889 he married Jessie L., daughter of John R. Adams, of Delmar,
Albany county, and they have one son, John Adams Dyer.
Ecker, Terome W. , descends from one of the early families of the Schoharie valley,
one of whom was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. David Ecker, his father,
born in Berne, Albany county, in 1815, was a farmer and died March 17, 1896. His
wife, Mary E., daughter of Adam Saddlemire, also born in 1815, died in February,
1892. One of their sons. Miner, enlisted in the 62d N. Y. Vols., and died from dis-
ease contracted in the service. Jerome W. Ecker, born in Knox, Albany county,
July 21, 1847, was educated at the Knox Academy, the Albany State Normal School
and the Fort Edward Institute and was graduated from the Albany Law School and
admitted to the bar in February, 1872. He afterward continued his legal studies
with Hungerford & Hotaling and since 1877 has been in the active practice of his
profession. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 172d N. Y. Vols., under Capt.
Morgan L. Filkins, and served ten months, participating in the siege of Port Hud-
son and the two expeditions to the Amite River. He is past officer in the subordi-
nate lodge and encampment of I. O. O. F., member of the Grand Lodge and the
daughters of Rebekah, member of Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. of P., Albany Divi-
sion No. 2, Uniformed Rank, K. of P., the Grand Lodge of. this order since 1888,
and Lewis O. Morris Post No. 121, G. A. R. June 12, 1872, he married Charlotte
O., daughter of Jacob Kniskern of Knox, and they have had six children: Nellie G.,
163
Frederick (died aged nine months), George W. (a student at Rutgers College, class
of 1899), Edward, Howard J. and Eva (deceased).
Greene, Dr. Frederick R., son of Warren S. and Celia (Randall) Greene, was born
June 8, 1862, in Petersburgh, N. Y. He was educated at the district school in Peters-
burgh and at Hoosick Falls Academy, and after reading medicine one year with-
Dr. L. B. Newton, of North Bennington, Yt, entered the Albany Medical College in
the fall of 1881, graduating in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He practiced in Peters-
burgh, N. Y., for a year and a half, and in the fall of 1885 located in Albany, where
he is now practicing. Dr. Greene is a member of the Acacia Club, Ancient City
Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Mountaineer Lodge, I. O. O. F., New York Encamp-
ment No. 1, K. P., and the Albany County Medical Society. October 6, 1886, he
married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas R. Blackburn, of Albany, and they have one
son, Frederick R., jr.
Hendrick, James, is the son of a Dutch merchant in the West India trade and on
his mother's side is of English descent. He was born in Walsall, England, October
10, 1825, was brought to America when five years old, and received a private school
education in New York city. He read law in Albany and was admitted to the bar
in 1852, but in 1853 became a local insurance agent here, and in 1859 was, appointed
general agent of the Liverpool & London Insurance Company, which absorbed the
Globe Insurance Company in 1864. Mr. Hendrick was general superintendent of
the Inland Navigation Department of the Mercantile Marine Insurance Company
from 1861 to 1876 and of the same department of the Orient Mutual from 1867 to 1886.
He was president of the board of Lake Underwriters, vice-president of the Atlantic
Mutual Life of Albany in 1868, president of the Albany City Fire Insurance Company
in 1868; has been connected with many industrial, mining and transportation enter-
prises as president or trustee; was associated with J. H. Ramsay, J. Pierrepont
Morgan and others in the celebrated railroad war between Fisk and Gould of the
Erie and the directors of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroads in 1867; was en-
gineer and inspector of the Third Division, New York State Militia, from 1853 to
1860; and was a member of the State Board of Charities under Governor Seymour.
Has also served as president of the Board of Trade of Albany. Latterly he has con-
fined his attention chiefly to his local insurance agency and to his extensive dairy
farm and nurseries at Fort Grove, near Albany.
Hungerford, Sidney A., is a member of an old Berne, Albany county, family, the
first of whom was John, who came from Connecticut. His father, Alexander Hun-
gerford, was born there December 23, 1823, and in 1870 removed to the foot of the
Indian Ladder road, in Guilderland, where he still resides. He had twelve children ;
Daniel, John V. S., Eleanor C. (Mrs.Isaac B. McNary), Morgan (deceased), Lewis A.,
Barbara (Mrs. Peter F. BarkhulY), Myron, Sidney A., Isaac, Mary E. (Mrs. Jacob M.
Chesbro), Chester and Ira. Sidney A. Hungerford, born in Berne, June 11, 1858,
attended the district school, also the old State Normal of Albany, read law with John
Folmsbee and later with Hungerford & Hotaling, of Albany, and was admitted to
the bar November 23, 1883. Since 1884 he has been engaged in the active practice
of his profession, having an office at No. 50 State street. He is an active Democrat,
a member of Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. P., and the K. O. T. M., and councillor
164
of Capital Council, Order of the Chosen Friends. October 28, 1885, he married Eva
A., daughter of John Furback, of New Scotland.
Jones, James, is the eldest son of William Jones, born of Welsh parentage in 1816,
who came from England to America about 1832 and soon afterward settled in Al-
bany, where he died in September, 1889, having long been engaged in the cooperage
business. Mr. Jones's mother, Ellen Cahill, of Irish descent, died in 1861, leaving
six children. Mr. Jones was born in Albany, July 4, 1839. He received a public
school education and while yet a youth became a clerk in the shoe store of George
A. Woolverton & Co. In 1873 he acquired a partnership in the firm and in 1883 suc-
ceeded to the old firm and has successfully conducted the business alone, carrying
on a large wholesale trade at 330 Broadway. July 29, 1875, he married Catherine,
daughter of James Dolan of Albany, and their children are James W. and Mary
T. M.
La Rose, Anthime Watson, son of Anthime F. and Kate (Kappes) La Rose, of
French descent, was born December 6, 1865, in Albany, where his father settled
about 1858, coming from Canada. The latter started with his brother Peter the first
steamboat (freight) line between Albany and Troy. Mr. La Rose was educated at
the Albany Academy and in 1883 engaged in the manufacturing business with his
father. He was graduated from the Institute of Technology at Boston in 1888 and
then spent a year each with Ogden & Wright, architects, and Sullivan & Ehlers,
contractors, of Albany, receiving with the latter practical experience in iron con-
struction. January 1, 1890, he opened his present architectural office. Among the
many structures designed by him are several fine residences and manufacturing
plants and the brew house for the Dobler Brewing Company, recognized as one of
the best of its kind in the State. October 16, 1883, he enlisted in Co. D, 10th Bat.,
N. G. N. Y., was promoted first sergeant October 20, second lieutenant July 10, 1884,
and first lieutenant May 30, 1888, and resigned January 19, 1892. September 20,
1892, he was appointed assistant inspector-general with rank of major, which posi-
tion he still holds. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. ,
Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., the Albany Press and Camera Club and the New
Manhattan Athletic and United Service Clubs of New York city, and an honorary
member of Delta Chapter of the Theta Xi fraternity.
Michel, Fred G., M.D.S., son of Dr. Frederick W. and Saloma (Bergman) Michel,
was born in Boonville, N. Y., July 16, 1851, and was educated in the public schools
of Utica, where the family settled about 1855. He first learned the trade of manu-
facturing jeweler with Jeremiah Gumph of Utica. March 8, 1871, he came to Al-
bany and entered the employ of H. G. Gumph, manufacturer of fine tools, with
whom he remained until 1883. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. S. W.
Whitney, and in 1889 associated himself with Dr. H. L. Whitbeck. In 1892 he re-
ceived the degree of M. D. S., from the State Board of Examiners and in April,
1893, began the practice of dentistry alone. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge
No. 417, F. & A. M., a charter member of William Macy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F.,
and was a charter member and is past chancellor of Flower Lodge No. 336, K. P.,
and was a charter member and is now commander of Albany Tent No. 363, K. O.
T. M. In 1873 he married Charity, daughter of Alanson Hitchman, of Howe's Cave,
165
N. Y., and they have had two children: Emily and George C, both deceased. Dr.
Michel is treasurer and trustee of All Souls Universalist church.
Smith, Dr. Charles H., was born on Madison avenue in Albany, July 14, 1830, and
is a son of John and Sarah (Capron) Smith, natives of New England, who came here
about 1810. John was a gardener and died about 1842; his wife died in 1881. Dr.
.Smith read medicine with Dr. Richard H. Thompson (later health officer of the port
of New York) and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1854. Soon
afterward he was appointed resident physician to the Albany County Alms House,
where he had charge of the cholera patients during that memorable year. The last
case in the institution was his own. After recovering he obtained through Dr.
Thompson an appointment as physician and surgeon on Marshall O. Roberts' steam-
ship line from New York to Havana, New Orleans and Aspinwall. He continued in
this capacity for four years, acquiring a large experience in the treatment of yellow
and other southern fevers, and returning to Albany in 1859 he has since practiced
his profession. In 1864 and 1865 he was acting assistant surgeon in the Ira Harris
U. S. General Hospital, located at the old barracks in Albany county. In 1859 he
opened a drug store, which he has since continued, and which has been located at
246 Washington avenue since 1866. Dr. Smith has been a member of the Albany
County Medical Society since about 1855, was president of the Albany County Phar-
maceutical Association at one time, has served in the old volunteer fire department,
and in Co. F, 10th Battalion, N. Y. N. G., was supervisor of Thirteenth wardforsix
terms, and was president of the Albany Business Men's Association for one year.
He is now serving his third year as a member of the Albany Board of Health. In
1867 he married Lucy, daughter of John Blair of Albany, and they have four chil-
dren: Dr. James E., a graduate of the Albany Academy and the Albany Medical
College, inspector of rifle practice in the Tenth Battalion, and a practicing physician
with his father; Lucy E., a graduate of the Albany Female Academy, the Albany
State Normal College, and the Woman's College of Baltimore, Md. ; Charles H., jr.,
a student of pharmacy associated with his father: and Charlotta J., a student at the
Woman's College of Baltimore.
Toedt, Emanuel B., son of John C, was born in New York city, October 22, 1857)
and was prepared for college, but in 1873 entered the New York office of Fairbanks
& Co., where he remained eight years. He has ever since been connected with this
well-known firm, rising from the humblest to a high post in their employ. In 1880*
he came to Albany to take charge of their books and in 1882 was made manager of
this branch, which position he still holds. The business of the Albany house was
comparatively small when Mr. Toedt assumed charge, but he has successfully in-
creased it eightfold. Since 1890 it has been conducted under the name of the Fair-
banks Company, incorporated. This is the largest scale and mill, factory and rail-
road supply business in this section of the State, and its growth and prosperity are
largely due to Mr. Toedt's able management. Fie is a member of the Fort Orange
Club and an associate member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In
February, 1889, he married Miss Lucy, daughter of Samuel M. Van Santvoonl of
Albany, and they have one daughter, Marian Van Santvoord Toedt.
Whitbeck, Theodore H., D. D. S., of Holland Dutch descent, is a member of an
early Coeymans. Albany county, family, the first of whom was Thomas Whitbeck
166
and his son John T. Thomas, son of John T., married Rachel A. Garrett and they
were the parents of Dr. Whitbeck, who was born near Coeymans, March 31, 1869.
The latter was educated in the public schools and under private tutelage, studied
dentistry with his brother, Dr. Henry L. of Albany, and received the degree of
D. D. S, from the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1891.
Since then he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession in Albany.
He is a member of the Third District Dental Society and of the Albany Press Club.
He is also a knight of the Essenic order.
Walker, John M., descends from the Walker and Burt families, early settlers of
New England, son of Samuel and Mary (Burt) Walker, born in Springfield, Mass.,
June 27, 1838. He was educated at the Springfield Academy and in April, 1861, en-
listed on the first call for troops, in Co. F, 2d Conn. Vols., for three months. He
continued in the service until the war closed as United States inspector of contract
arms, under the War Department, and in 1865 became a traveling salesman for
Milton, Bradley & Co., publishers, of Springfield, Mass., with whom he remained
until January, 1874, when he came to Albany. In November, 1875, he founded the
present business of the Hudson Valley Paper Company, and in 1876 Andrew B.
Jones became his partner. They do an extensive wholesale business in paper, sta-
tionery and printers' supplies. Mr. Walker is a Republican and a member of George
Dawson Post No. 63, G. A. R. In January, 1879, he married Lucy P., daughter of
Charles C. Russ of Albany.
Balch, Lewis, M. D., Ph. D., of English and French ancestry, and eldest son of
Rev. Lewis P. W. Balch, D. D., and Anna Jay, was born in New York city July 7,
1847. His father, born in Leesburg, Va., in 1810, died in Detroit, Mich., while rector
of Grace Episcopal church, in 1874, was for three years a cadet at West Point, was
educated at Princeton College, and for fifteen years was secretary of the House of
Bishops of the United States. His grandfather, Hon. Lewis P. W. Balch, of Lee-
town, Va., was a volunteer at Fort McHenry in the war of 1812, and afterward a
United States judge, and was the son of Rev. Stephen Bloomer Balch, born in 1746,
a graduate of Princeton College in 1774, pastor of a church at Georgetown, D. C,
and died in 1833. Dr. Balch's mother was a daughter of Hon. William Jay, the
second son of John Jay, and a judge of Westchester county, N. Y., one of the founders
of the American Bible Society, and a prominent anti-slavery advocate and died
October 14, 1858. John Jay was the first chief justice of the U. S. Supreme Court,
governor and chief justice of New York, minister to Spain, and a celebrated factor
in national history. Dr. Balch was educated at the Maryland Institute in Baltimore,
the Berkely Institute in Newport, R. I., the Vermont Episcopal Institute in Burling-
ton, and the medical department of McGill University at Montreal. He was grad-
uated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city in March, 1870,
served at different times in the Montreal General Hospital, the old New York Hos-
pital on Broadway, the Children's Hospital on Ward's Island, and the Brooklyn City
Hospital, and began practice in New York, where he was appointed attending sur-
geon to the Northern Dispensary. In 1873 he came to Albany, where he has since
resided and practiced medicine. He has been attending surgeon to St. Peter's Hos-
pital and the Albany City Hospital and surgeon to the Child's Hospital and the Hom-
oeopathic Hospital. In 1876, on the reorganization of the Albany Medical College,
167
he was appointed professor of anatomy in that institution. He^was appointed by
Hon. A. B. Banks a district physician, city physician, and health officer of Albany,
and became secretary of the State Board of Health in 1886. Soon after his gradua-
tion he entered service in the National Guard and was promoted to the post of sur-
geon. In 1870 he married Miss Jane B. Swann, a niece of Governor Swann, of
Maryland, and they have one son, born in 1872.
Cook, Hon. John T., was born in Albany, February 22, 1854, and is [the eldest
child of John and Martha Cook. His father, a native of Boston, Lincolnshire, Eng-
land, came to this country and settled in Albany in 1848. John T. Cook was edu-
cated at the public schools of his native city and in the autumn of 1868 entered the
"Albany Free Academy, ' now Albany High School, where he remained about a
year. After learning a trade he, in 1876, entered the office of Smith, Bancroft &
Moak as a clerk and student at law and prosecuted his studies until 1879, when he
was admitted to the bar at the January term of the Supreme Court. He remained
with Smith, Moak & Buchanan, the survivors of the old firm, until the spring of
1884, when he established an office for the general practice of his profession. He
has edited the " Eastern Reporter" and " English Reports," and in connection with
Irving Browne, then editor of the Albany Law Jouraal, he engaged in preparing
Weed, Parsons & Co's. edition of the reprint of the New York Court of Appeals Re-
ports, which is still under his charge. His annotated edition of the Penal Code and
the Code of Criminal Procedure of New York State is held in high estimation by the
legal profession. The Albany Law Journal says: " Mr. Cook is one of the most ex-
perienced, industrious, and capable law editors in this country and in these two vol-
umes gives admirable evidence of comprehensive research and accurate discrimina-
tion." He has a choice library containing 2,000 volumes, besides a select private
collection of books on general literature. Mr. Cook is the present assistant district
attorney of Albany county, and in 1894 represented the Seventeenth ward in the
Common Council of 1894-96.
Eaton, James Webster, son of James W. Eaton, was born in Albany, May 14, 1856.
His lineage is traced to John and Anne Eaton, who in 1634 settled in Salisbury and
afterward in Haverhill, Mass., where the family lived for several generations. John
Eaton was a soldier in the settlement of Haverhill. Ebenezer Eaton, the great-
grandfather of James Webster Eaton, served in the Revolutionary war under his
brother, Capt. Timothy Eaton. James W. Eaton was graduated from the Albany
Boys' Academy in 1875 and from Yale University in 1879; in the latter year he be-
gan the study of law in Columbia Law School, which he left in May, 1880, to become
professor of Latin in the Albany Boys' Academy, which position he held until his
admission to the bar in 1882. In 1883 Mr. Eaton formed a copartnership with George
W. Kirchwey, a former Yale classmate, which continued until July, 1891. In the
following autumn he was nominated by the Democrats and elected district attorney
of Albany county and held that office until January 1, 1895. He has been instructor
in the department of evidence and contracts of the Albany Law School for some
years, and is engaged in active practice at the bar of his native city. As a lawyer
he is strong in argument, candid and successful; he is strong at nisi prius, still
stronger before the court in banc. It is said that in some respects his characteristics
resemble those of the late Judge Ambrose Spencer. He is a member of Masters
168
Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the Fort Orange Club and other organizations of Albany.
July 18, 1894, he married Mrs. Hortense Willey Vibbard, of Dansville, N. Y.
Andrae, M. , treasurer and manager of the American Soap and Washoline Com-
pany, was born in 1846 in Germany and came to this country in 1856, and took up
his residence in Cohoes and after a short time went to Canada. He returned to
Cohoes in 1860, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. D, 88th N. Y. Vols. Throughout
McClellan's campaign he braved the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, and
then served aboard the United States Ironclad Roanoke. After leaving the gunboat
he was honorably discharged in April, 1864. The next September he enlisted in Co.
A, 175th N. Y. Vols., serving until the close of the war. Returning here he engaged
in the meat market business until 1888, then entered the American Soap and Washo-
line Company at its reorganization. This important industry increased under his
able management. They employ many men, and 100,000 pounds of soap can be
produced weekly, which finds a ready sale from Maine to Oregon among manufac-
turers. A member of the Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., since 1869; member of N. G.
Post Lyon, No. 43, G. A. R., director of the Fairview Home for Friendless Children,
Watervliet, N. Y., since its organization; director of the Mohawk and Hudson River
Humane Society since its organization; vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church for
nine years, and warden for seventeen years ; a member of Diocesan Convention of
Albany for twenty-six years.
Dodge, William T., president of the Cohoes Saving Institution, and for more than
thirty years the leading insurance agent of the city. Mr. Dodge was born in Berlin,
Vt., in 1829. He was of Pilgrim ancestry, inheriting the sterling qualities of heart
and hand characterizing those founders of a noble race. He is emphatically a self-
made man, though so trite a phrase does bare justice to a bank president who began
with a common school education, and who spent his early manhood on the farm
where he was born, and later as a factory operator. Mr. Dodge became a resident
of Cohoes in 1852, and in 1860 he married Miss Sarah Maria Steenburg, who left at
her death in 1883, one daughter, Carolina Jane Dodge. In 1855 he embarked in
business in the flour and feed line, and in 1862 in insurance and real estate busi-
ness, and has for not less than twenty-eight years occupied his present office at
Mohawk and Ontario streets; for nearly forty years he has been a member of the
M. E. church. He was deputy sheriff of Albany county from 1873 to 1875, and
alderman from 1878 to 1880. In 1873 he was elected a trustee of the Cohoes Savings
Institution, and in 1877 a director of the National Bank of Cohoes.
Featherstonhaugh, J. D., M. D., one of the most scholarly and eminent of the med-
ical profession of Cohoes. He was born at Washington, D. C, in 1845. His father
was James D. Featherstonhaugh, a civil engineer. Dr. Featherstonhaugh's boy-
hood was passed in France and England, where he received his preliminary edu-
cation. Returning to America he entered Union College at Schenectady in 1863,
graduating four years later with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He at once began
the study of medicine in the office of the late A. M. Vedder of Schenectady, and was
graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the City of New York in 1870,
and began the practice of his profession during the same year at Cohoes. He has
taken an active part in educational matters and in municipal government, having
served for a number of years as curator to the Albany Medical College, as school
169
commissioner for several terms, and is at present secretary of the Public Improve-
ment Commission of Cohoes. The doctor is a member of the Albany County Medi-
cal Society, and also of the State organization. He was married in 1802 to Caroline
M. Johnston, daughter of the late Robert Johnston, of Cohoes.
McGarrahan, John P., M. D., began his successful practice in his native city, Co-
hoes. He was born there in 1873 and is the son of Michael McGarrahan, super-
intendent of a wool store in Troy, and was educated at Egberts High School, and
at eighteen years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Mitchell of
Cohoes, with whom he was associated for three years. He entered Albany Med-
ical College in 1891, graduating with high honors in 1894, receiving the Boyd
prize in obstetrics. He began practicing his profession July 7, 1894, opening an
office at 72 Vliet street, where he still continues his practice. He is acting physician
for the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a member, also for the C. M. B. A., and
associate member of the Medical Society of Troy and Vicinity. On September 23,
1895, he was married to Mary A. Cooley, daughter of John and Kate Cooley, long
residents of Cohoes. He has one son, John.
Mott, R. H., a prominent merchant of Cohoes, came here when thirteen years old
with his father, B. D. Mott, a tinsmith, and began the tinsmithing business with
him in 1883, as B. D. Mott & Son, store and shop at No. 173 Remsen street At the
death of the father in 1885 this firm was dissolved, then continued as R. H. Mott
until 1888, when he bought out the furniture business at No. 72 Oneida street of T.
P. Hildreth, late of Cohoes, whose daughter Mr. Mott married in 1884. This store
was enlarged and remodeled, making it one of the most modern establishments in
the city, carrying a fine stock of house furnishing goods, draperies, crockery, car-
pets and oil cloth, hardware, stoves and ranges. There are four floors, two of them
100 feet deep, filled with choice goods and operated with all modern methods. The two
younger brothers associated with Mr. Mott are G. F. and Dudley B. ; the firm is
now R. H. Mott & Bros. Mr. Mott was born at Fort Edward, N. V., in I860
Speir, Stuart G., was born in West Milton. Saratoga county. N. Y., May 29, 1SI7.
His father was Robert Speir, a prominent, influential representative citizen, well
known to business men throughout the State. His mother is Elizabeth Vedder
Speir of this city. In 1876 he married Ida Cutler, an Albany lady ; they have a family
of four children : Mabel R., Grace E.. Ruth E. and William Stuart. All are members
of the Madison Avenue Dutch Reformed church, except William, the youngest. Mr.
Speir is deacon in this church In early life Mr. Speir mastered the rudiment-
common school education, graduated from the Ballston Academy in 1802, and from
Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, in ls<ifi. Being an expert bookkeeper
he was appointed assignee by the courts to settle several large estates during 1866,
1867 and 1868. The largest of these was that of Edward C. Koonz, wholesali
retail carpet dealer. Mr. Speir devoted a year to the preliminary study of law, and
graduated from the Albany Law School, class ol L879 80; was admitted to the bar
May 25, 1880. He served as official court stenographer to the Court of Special
Sessions in 1881 and 1882; to the law department of the city of Albany, 1883; also
reported in the various City, County, State and United States Courts. Mr. Speir was
president of the Albany Stenographers' Association in 1**7. This was an organ iza-
170
tion of about twenty stenographers, consisting mainly of the official court reporters
of the city, county and State, and of stenographers connected with the executive,
legislative and judicial branches of the State government, together with a few from
the ranks of those employed in business and professional offices. Mr. Speir being
musically inclined, in early life devoted considerable attention to vocal music, occu-
pying several positions as solo tenor in Albany and Troy churches. On January 10,
1877, he was elected president of the Mendelssohn Vocal Club, a triple quartette of
Albany's best male voices. This popular club for several years catered to the music-
loving public of Albany and vicinity, winning many laurels for its muscial skill. In
Masonic circles Mr. Speir is what is known as a correct ritualist. He was raised in
Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., November 22, 1875; was advanced in that lodge
to the several subordinate places and stations in regular succession, covering a period
of eight years, and was senior deacon two years. He is a Royal Arch Mason in
Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., and also Royal, Select and Superexcellent
Master in De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, this city. On December 14, 1896, he was
elected Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the initial lodge in Ameiica,
constituted in Albany on February 21, 1765, under the title, Union Lodge, F. & A. M.
Sill, John De Friest, was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany count}-, Novem-
ber 10, 1853. He is a son of Francis Nicoll who was born March 18. 1818, and who
removed to Albany in 1854 and established himself in the coal business on the cor-
ner of Grand and Hamilton streets. He represented his ward at different times as
alderman and supervisor and for a long time prior to his death was president of the
Albany County Bank. He died August 23, 1.895. Mr. Sill's ancestors all possessed
that superior type of manhood that shows itself so plainly in the characters of their
descendants. Coming as he does from such a worthy line of ancestors we will men-
tion them in their order: John Sill left England in 1637 and located in Cambridge,
Mass , about eighteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Joseph,
son of John, was born in England in 1636, and was the father of Joseph 2d (born
January 6, 1678) who married Phebe Lord of Lyme, Conn. Next in the order of
descent is Lieut. John Sill who was born February 14, 1710, and died October 17,
1796 He was a farmer at Lyme, Conn., and served in the Revolution. Silas 4th
son of Lieut. John, was born November 17, 1749, and died October 26, 1811. He
was a tanner and shoemaker residing at Silltown, Conn., and was the father of Mai.
Richard Sill of Albany, who was an officer of the Revolutionary army and served as
an aid to Lord Sterling. Judge William N. Sill of Bethlehem, Albany county, was a
son of Major Richard and the father of Francis Nicoll Sill, and grandfather of John
D. :• ill the subject of this sketch, who is also a direct descendant of the Van Rens-
selaers and Nicolls, two of the most prominent and influential families in the
early history of the State. His mother was Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John De
Friest of Greenbush, N. Y She was descended from an old family of Knicker-
bockers living in and near Schaghticoke, N. Y. John D. Sill was educated at
the Albany Normal School and Albany Business College and in 1872 went to the
Albany County Bank as clerk where he rapidly rose to the position of teller. In
1881 Isaiah Page and Francis N Sill bought the D. S. Woods Malleable Iron Works
and John D. Sill left the County Bank to become the manager of the foundry, which
position he now holds, but since his father's death he has acquired his interest. Mr.
in
Sill is a member of the Albany Club. In 187.*) he was married to Charlotte A. Far-
rington of Newburgh, N. Y. They have one one daughter, Florence K.
Read, Major Harmon Pumpelly, traces his ancestry to Edward Read, armiger,
lord of the manor of Beedon in Berkshire, England, high sheriff of Berkshire, 1439,
and back to Thomas de Read of Northumberland. The cavalier Richard Read of
Oxfordshire, with his greatnephews, Sir Compton and Edward Read, defended Barton
Court against the Parliamentarians until it was burned over his head. His great-
grandson, Col. John Read (grandson of Sir Charles, who came to Dublin where he
held estates) born in Dublin, Ireland, January 15, 1688, became a large land owner
in Maryland and Delaware and a founder of the city of Charleston. Hon. George
Read, his son, born September 17, 1733, in Maryland, died September 21, 1798, in
New Castle, Delaware, was the author of the first constitution and the first edition
of the laws of Delaware and signed the original petition to the king of the Congress
of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution of the United States.
Hon. John Read, son of George, was U. S. agent-general from 1797 to 1809. His son,
Hon. John Meredith Read, LL.D., was one of the candidates for the presidency of
the U. S. in 1860, was U. S. district attorney eight years, attorney-general of Penn-
sylvania, solicitor-general of the Treasury Department, chief justice of Pennsvlvania,
one of the most eminent of the leaders of the Freesoil movement which gave birth
to the Repubilcan party, grand master of Masons of Pennsylvania, etc. Gen. John
Meredith Read, son of the latter, born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 21, 1837, was
graduated from Brown University and the Albany Law School, and in 1860 became
adjutant-general of New York and alsoorganized the " wide awake" movement in this
State. He was the first U. S. consul-general to France and Algeria during the Franco-
German war, and at the request of the German government he occuj}ied the same po-
sition for that country. November 7, 1873, he became U. S. minister to Greece. He
later resigned from that position, and for distinguished services on behalf of Greece,
was created by King George a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, the
highest dignity bestowed by that country. April 7, 1859, he married Delphine Marie,
daughter of Harmon Pumpelly of Albany. Their son, Harmon Pumpelly Read born
July 1 ', 1860, was educated at St. John's Military Academy, Sin;< Sing, N.Y., and Trin-
ity College, Hartford, Conn., and spent some time in study abroad. As a Republican,
he has always taken special interest in the laboring classes and in is8r> was nomi-
nated for the Assembly, but was defeated in a Democratic stronghold. He was
president of the Y. M. A. in 1886 and the same year was a member of the civic-
day and tableting committee during Albany's Bi-Centennial celebration. In 1893
he was the vice-chairman of the committee appointed by the mayor of Albany to
receive the Duke of Veragua. He became acting-chairman on account of the absence
of the chairman, Charles Tracey, and upon Major Read alone devolved the whole
responsibility of the public reception and grand tour through the North Woods.
With what success he carried out these various duties is shown in the Duke of
Veragua's own words: "Among my most pleasant remembrances "t America will be
my reception in Albany and trip to the Adirondacks. ' He has taken an active in-
terest in genealogy and history, is quoted as one of the three greatest authorities on
heraldry in this country, and in 1894 was one of the original promoters of Albanv's
historical pageant of December '■'. •"> and 7. January 15, 1895, he was elected Regent
172
of Philip Livingston Chapter Sons of the Revolution, succeeding Hon. Matthew Hale,
the first president. He was inspector of rifle practice in the old 5th Brig., N. G. S.
N. Y. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of France, the Historical
Societies of New York and Pennsylvania and of many other learned societies of
Europe and America. In 1889 he married Marguerite, daughter of the late Jacques
Frederic de Carron oi Franche Comte, France, a descendant of an ancient Huguenot
family. He has been an active Scottish Rite Mason and is looked upon as one of the
most learned of the ciaft in the history of the order. He has made a special study
of the social conditions of the various classes in Europe and America before the
American Revolution, and of the customs and laws relating to the nobility, gentry
and yeomanry of that period. He has been a constant contributor to the press,
writing under various names.
Rickard, Hon. Michael, was born in East Creek, Herkimer county, February 1,
1837. His father was a section boss on the old Utica and Schenectady (now the
Central) road, and lost his life by the cars. Shortly after his father's death Mr.
Rickard was employed as line boy for civil engineers who were surveying the route
for new tracks. Later he was employed as ticket agent at Amsterdam, N. Y., then
clerk in the freight house at Fort Plain, N. Y., and subsequently he went on the
road as fireman. It was not long, however, before he was promoted to the position
of engineer and he soon became one of the most expert in charge of a locomotive.
For some time he was engine dispatcher at Utica, M. Y. , and then went back on the
road, being placed in charge of engines on some of the most important trains on the
Central. He was prominent in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, was one
of the charter members and held various offices. November 14, 1887, he was ap-
pointed a railroad commissioner to succeed John D. Kernan, resigned. Governor
Hill reappointed him for the term of five years on January 29, 1888, and on January
29, 1893, Governor Flower reappointed him for another term. The first Mr. Rickard
knew of his appointment was on November 14, 1887, when he stepped off his engine
at the Union Station and was handed his commission by a friend, who had obtained
it from Governor Hill to hand to the commissioner when he arrived in Albany on his
locomotive. Commissioner Rickard left a widow and four children, who reside in
Albany at his late home, No. 233 Madison avenue. One daughter is the wife of
Fred S. Howell, the well-known broker. Edward H., the elder brother, is employed
by the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad. Another son, Raymond C, is
a stenographer in the office of the car shops at West Albany. Mr. Rickard was al-
ways at his desk in the Capitol when the committee was not in session. He had
many friends among railroad men and was beloved by all.
Wallace, Major William A., son of Dr. James Jefferson and Eliza Thompson (Bond)
Wallace, was born in New York city in the early forties. His father's ancestors came
from Argyleshire, Scotland, and settled in the town of Londonderry, N. H., in 1719.
John Wallace, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of
the founders of Londonderry and he and Miss Annis Barnet were the first couple
married there. His son William was married to Miss Hannah Thornton, a sister of
Dr. Matthew Thornton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His
son, also William, moved to Canada where he acquired 96,000 acres of land, but the
spirit of patriotism led him to relinquish all and at the time of the War of 1812 lie
173
moved to Rochester, N. Y., and was one of the founders of that flourishing citv.
He was married to Miss Ann Doudal, of Orange county, a granddaughter of Gen-
eral Wisner who was a member of Congress, a general in the Revolution and who
died in 1777. Major Wallace's maternal great-grandfather was Joseph Bond who
served three years in the Revolution as a member of a Massachusetts regiment ; and
his maternal grandfather was Abijah Thompson of Woburn, Mass., who was in the
French and Indian war and in the Lexington alarm of 1775. Benjamin Thompson,
a member of this family was knighted by the King of Belgium and took the title of
Count Rumford ; he was governor of Munich ; he left $50,000 to be used to endow a
chair at Harvard University, of which he was a graduate; this chair is now called
the Rumford chair; he was appointed commanding officer of West Point but died
while crossing the ocean to fulfill his commission. Major William A. Wallace at-
tended the Brooklyn Grammar School. At the time of the completion of his educa-
tion the Rebellion broke out, and he enlisted in the 13th Regt. of Brooklyn. After
his return from the war he was made confidential clerk for Claflin & Co., dry goods
merchants of New York. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Albany,
N. Y., where he has since been engaged in the fire insurance business. He is now
first assistant clerk to the Board of Contract. Major Wallace joined George S. Dawson
Post No. 63, G. A. R., in 1876 and has been once its commander, and its adjutant for
eight years. He has been assistant adjutant general of the department of New ^ ork,
G. A. R., under three commanders. For five years he was confidential clerk to Gen.
James M. Warner, postmaster. He has been a Mason for thirty years and is now a
member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Crescent Chapter No. 220, R. A.
M. , of New York city. Major Wallace is also a charter member of the Philip Livings-
ton Chapter, Sons of the Revolution. September 23, 1878, he married Frances lone
Abbe, of Huguenot ancestry. Major and Mrs. Wallace are members of St. Peter's
church.
Cox, James W., jr., was born on the northeast corner of Maiden Lane and Chapel
street, Albany, N. Y., April 14 1859, and is the oldest son of the late Dr. James W.
Cox. He received his education in the Albany Academy, graduating in 1877. He
possessed a very delicate constitution and in order to gain strength he spent four
years in the employ of the Hon. Erastus Corning on his stock farm near Kenwood,
Albany county, N. Y. In 1881 Mr. Corning appointed Mr. Cox as his private secre-
tary, which position he still occupies. In the spring of 1895, Mr. Cox organized the
Albany Felt Company and Mr. Cox was elected its president. He now devotes con-
siderable time to the business. Mr. Cox has been for fifteen years a trustee and
secretary of the Board of Dh-ectors of the Albany City Homoeopathic and Dispen-
sary Association and for fourteen years a trustee of the Albany Citv Savings Insti-
tution, and is the chairman of the Bond and Mortgage Committee. He is a member
of the Fort Orange Club. Society of the Colonial Wars, Sons of the American
Revolution and Society of the War of 1812. In December. 1885, he married Mar-
garet, daughter of Thomas Riggs, of Baltimore, Md. They have three children:
James W., 3d., Thomas Riggs and Margaret Riggs.
Shaffer, Edwin C, was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, X. Y., April 30,
1845. His parents were born in Schoharie county, X. V. ; his ancestors on his
father's side (Shaffer and Weidman) were of Holland and German descent, and mi
174
his mother's side (Possone and West) were of English and French descent, and some
of them served in the Revolutionary war. When the subject of this sketch was
seven years old his parents moved to Schoharie village, where he was educated in
the public school and Schoharie Academy. At twelve years of age he engaged as
clerk in a general merchandise store in Schoharie, where he remained two years.
He then went as clerk in the Schoharie county clerk's office and in 1861 removed to
Albany, N. Y. , where he obtained a situation as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery
house. In 1863 he accepted a position in the office of the paymaster-general of the
State of New York and was there until the close of Governor Seymour's administra-
tion. Mr. Shaffer was an active member of the Albany Burgesses Corps for several
years and was elected financial secretary three consecutive years. In the spring of
1865 Mr. Shaffer was appointed assistant paymaster of the New York Central Rail-
road, which position he retained until 1871, when he was appointed to a clerkship in
the office of Governor Hoffman, where he remained until the latter's term of office
expired in 1873. He then engaged with the D. & H. Co.'s railroad as traveling
auditor and continued in that position until March 1, 1882, when he resigned to ac-
cept the position of general agent, at Albany, of the People's Line of Steamers.
which position he now holds, having been in charge of the Albany end of the line
for fifteen years. Mr. Shaffer is also a member of the Albany Club. In 1869 he
married Fannie Augusta Jenkins, daughter of George Jenkins of Albany. Mrs.
Shaffer was born in the old State Capitol, her father having been superintendent of
the old Capitol for many years.
Walker, Peter, one of the leading and prominent men of Guilderland, was born in
that town September '26, 1844. He is the son of the late Israel Walker, who was also
a native of the same town, a man of sterling qualities and a wise counselor, whose
opinion was often sought in matters where questions both difficult and important
were involved. When but eleven years of age he began to learn the trade of shoe-
making which he followed for many years, but later devoted his attention to farm-
ing. His wife was Maria Van Yalkenburgh, a daughter of Johakim and Rebecca
Van Valkenburgh, who were also residents of this town. Side by side and hand in
hand, they went together through life, and their industry and perseverance were
rewarded by the accumulation of a good property. He died in 1887, his wife in 1894.
The grandfather, Peter Walker, was also born in this town, and for many years
held the office of justice of the peace. He afterward removed to the town of Knox,
where his last years were spent. Mr. Walker received his early education at the
district schools and later at Knoxville Academv. He remained on the farm with his
father until the death of the latter, except four years that he was manager of a gen-
eral store at Altamont; since then he has remained on the farm. He was elected
and filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years (serving two
years as justice of sessions), and resigning that office in 1893 to accept the office of
supervisor. He was re-elected in 1894, and is now filling that office. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, St. George's Lodge of Schenectady, and a member of
the Knights of Pythias. In December, 1870, he was married to Miss Eva Anna
Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Bloomingdale) Keenholts.
Turner, John H., was born in England, June 12, 1821, and is a son of Peter, a son
of Reginald, who lived and died in England at the age of ninety-five. The wife of
i ; 5
Peter Turner was Sarah Lawton, born in England. The parents of John H. came
to America about 1827 and settled in Berne, where he died in 1839 and his wife died
in 1857. John H. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He
had two brothers and three sisters, of whom one brother and two sisters are now
living. Mr. Turner worked out by the day and month for five years, and in 1858
bought the farm of 150 acres which he now owns. In 1845 he married Eliza Norton,
by whom nine children have been born: Sarah A., Emma, Lydia, Newton, Bertha,
Charles (deceased), Wesley (deceased), Channing, and Eliza. Channing was edu-
cated for a physician and died at Oak Hill after practicing for one year.
Yeeder, Peter J., was born in the town of Guilderland, on the Veeder homestead,
in 1831. Volkert Veeder, the great grandfather, was a native of Albany county and
an agent of Stephen Van Rensselaer, and was also an active worker in the coloniz-
ing of this territory. He owned 1,180 acres of land in one body, on the Glass House
and Norman's Kill, which was on the Van Ball's patent He was active and enter-
prising and owned one mile of land on the Norman's Kill and two miles on Glass
House Creek. He reared four sons and three daughters Peter, the grandfather,
was born in Guilderland on the homestead, where he died when thirty-five years of
age. His wife was Ellen Bullock, daughter of Matthew Bullock, by whom five chil-
dren were born: John B., Ellen, Annie and Peter. John B., the father, was born
on the same farm, and died on a portion of this tract, which farm his son William
D. now owns. He spent his life successfully as a farmer and left a good property
valued at 816,000. His wife was Ellen Holmes of New Scotland, daughter of Sey-
mour Holmes, a successful farmer of that town. To them were born three children:
John S. (deceased). Peter J. and William D. He died August 12, 1864, and his wife
died in 1850. Mr Veeder is trustee of the Presbyterian church and was later elected
elder, which office he held up to the time of his death. Peter J. received his educa-
tion at the Charlotteville Boarding School and Princeton Academy in Schenectady
county. In 1854 he entered the junior class at Union College. He returned to the
farm and remained with his father until the latter's death. He then purchased the
personal property and conducted the farm of 148 acres. This he conducted until
1874, when he sold his interest to his brother William, and removed to the village
of Guilderland, and eight years later purchased the property where he now resides
In 1892 he was appointed by Governor Flower as United States loan commissioner,
which position he held for three years. In 1866 he married Emma Weaver, born in
Watervliet and daughter of Daniel Weaver. He has been trustee of the Presby-
terian church for twenty-five years and treasurer for seven years. For a number of
years Mr. Veeder has been retired from active business. The Veeder family dates
back to 1616, when the first Veeder came to America from Holland. He was granted
a large tract of land in what is now Albany county. Van Rensselaer was later
granted a tract of land by the queen, covering the Veeder tract. Van Rensselaer
endeavored to dispossess Veeder, and the litigation thai followed ended in leaving
1,180 acres in the possession of Veeder. Van Rensselaer being English, and favored
by the crown, the arbitrators returned the above decision.
Ferguson, William H., was born in the town of New Scotland in 1845 on the farm
he and his brother Andrew now own. The farm was bought by his grandfather,
Lot Ferguson, in 1812, who was a native of West Chester county, N. V., and bdrn in
176
1764. He came to New Scotland in 1785, where he followed teaching. Here he
met and married Miss Anna Bruce, a native of the place; he then purchased and
settled on a tract of land on Black Creek; meeting with misfortunes on this farm,
he sold it and in 1812 purchased and settled on the farm now occupied by William
H. and Andrew Ferguson ; here he met with unusually good success and accumu-
lated a large property. Hisi children were William, John, Michael, Hannah and
Elizabeth. He died August 17, 1829, and his wife March 5, 1847. William, the
father of William H. Ferguson, was born on his father's farm in 1800; after the
death of his father he purchased the farm of the heirs and spent his life there. His
wife was Jane E., daughter of William and Helen (Murray) Fuller, and their chil-
dren were William H., Andrew, Ellen, Alice, John, Edmund, Margaret and Ada.
He died in 1879 and his wife in 1886. William H. Ferguson attended the common
schools, and a select school two terms. He learned the carpenter's and builder's
trade, also coopering, wagonmaking and millwright work, studied engineering and
learned it practically by running his own engine, and so made himself master of
details in running their extensive cider and vinegar factory. William, Andrew and
John built a new mill in 1865 and put in better presses with large wooden smashers;
the business grew and in 1881-82 the present mill was built, 52 by 54, with a sixteen
horse power steam engine to run the machinery, with the latest improved grinders
and presses, William taking charge and operating it. In 1882 they put in the quick
process for making vinegar and their goods are much sought after. Mr. Ferguson
studied chemistry for twelve years and was a close student of the chemical change
of cider when passing from the juice to the finished cider or vinegar, and became an
expert in that line. He has invented several improvements, which are in use and
greatly benefit the manufacturers. He is a regular correspondent for several jour-
nals which are devoted to the trade and the manufacture of cider and vinegar, and
is considered the highest authority. It is an acknowledged fact that he has defended
the cause of the cidermakers of the United States, without recompense, and has
done more for them than any other man in America. He is a member of the New
York State Cider and Vinegar Association. From 1882 to 1891 he was on the road a
portion of each year, selling and erecting vinegar machines. In addition to the
cider and vinegar factory the brothers run a box factory, in which they use annually
many thousand feet of planed lumber. In 1894 they put in fruit evaporators, with
which they are now doing an extensive business, nearly their entire product going
direct to Germany and France. The homestead they have changed from a grain
and stock farm to a fruit farm. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Odd Fellows,
Voorheesville Lodge, of which he is past grand. In 1868 he married Emma, daugh-
ter of Isaac and Lauraetta (Sprung) Morrison of East Greenbush, and their children
are Lulu May and Nellie Hendrick.
Walker, Charles Ashbel, son of Alphonsoand Jeannette(Judd) Walker, both natives
of Albany, was born in the capital city June 23, 1843. His father was a dry goods
merchant there and died in 1854, aged thirty-five. His mother was a descendant of
Thomas Judd, a colonial settler of Connecticut. Mr. Walker was educated in the
public schools of Albany, and at the outbreak of the Rebellion was clerk to Speaker
Littlejohn of the Assembly and also a member of Co. B, Washington Continentals.
In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Co. I, 5th N. Y. Vols., Duryee's Zouaves, was
17?
promoted corporal, and assisted his regiment in building Fort Federal Hill at Balti-
more. In the spring of 1862 the regiment joined the 5th Army Corps of McClellau's
Army of the Potomac, at Fortress Monroe en route to Richmond, where it partici-
pated in the seven day's fight and where Mr. Walker was wounded at Gaines Mills,
May 27, 1862. At the close of McClellann's campaign he was sent to New York city
with a detachment under Major Hull to raise another regiment of Zouaves to form a
brigade under Gen. G. K. Warren, his old regimental commander. This became
the 165th N. Y. Vols., 2d Duryee's Zouaves, in which Mr. Walker was commissioned
second lieutenant. The new regiment was ordered to the Department of the Gulf
under General Banks and served through the Port Hudson, Louisiana and Texas
campaigns. Mr. Walker was promoted first lieutenant and captain and brevetted
for meritorious service with rank of major by Gov. R. E. Fenton in 1864. He was
then detached and sent to Riker's and Hart's Islands in New York harbor for his regi-
ment's quota of conscripts, and while there was assistant adjutant-general on Gen.
H. W. Wessel's staff, commandant of post and provost-marshal in charge of 3,500
rebel prisoners, whose release he superintended on their taking the oath of allegi-
ance. He was mustered out of service September 15, 1865, and oik returning to
Albany became successively second and first lieutenant of Co. B, Washington Conti-
nentals (now the 10th Regt. N. G. S N. Y.), and was also brevetted captain in the
National Guard. He remained with this regiment until January 1, 1876, when he
removed to New York city, where he has since resided. On October 1, 1866, he be-
came associated with the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad in the freight depart-
ment at Albany. This road is now a part of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co.
system, and of the latter company Mr. Walker has been treasurer since 1890. He
has been in the service of these roads thirty-one years, rising by gradation through
every department. He is a trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank and a member of
the Colonial Club, both of New York city; a member of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion of the United States, a member of the Albany Society of New York,
member of Veteran Associations of the 5th N. Y. and 165th N. Y. Vols, in New York
city, and a director in the Albany & Susquehanna, New York & Canada, Schenec-
tady & Duanesburgh, Cherry Valley, Sharon & Albany, Adirondack, and Rutland
Railroad Companies, and the Adirondack Stage Co. In politics he has always been
a Republican.
De Voe, David, was born December 3, 1837, the oldest of ten children (nine of
whom are living), born to Henry I. and Sarah V. (Winne) De Voe. He attended the
district school until sixteen years of age, followed by two terms at Fort Plain (N. Y. |
Seminary. He then followed farming up to the time of the beginning of the war of
the Rebellion, with the exception of teaching school one winter. Under the first call
for 75,000 men he enlisted on the second day after the call in the 18th N.Y.Vols., Colonel
Jackson's Regiment. He was engaged in both Bull Run battles, both attacks on
Fredericksburg, at South Mountain and Antietam. His father died in April, lS(;-„>,
and he obtained a furlough to come home, thereby escaping the dangers and priva-
tions of the Peninsula campaign, and returned and served his term of enlistment.
being corporal when he was discharged. In L866 he went on a whaling voyage, and
serving ten months left the ship at the Island St. Catharina, Brazil, whence he went
to Montevideo, spent ten months bet ween there and Buenos Ayres and Paraguav,
178
and returned thence to New Orleans, arriying at the latter place April 7, 1868, hav-
ing been gone two years. He has taught school nineteen winter terms, and has
been assessor six years ; in politics he is a Democrat. February 14, 1884, he married
Sarah J. Warner, widow, whose maiden name was Bolster. His mother died No
vember 13, 1891.
Swarthout, William, born in Westerlo, January 10, 1829, was a son of George W.
and Catherine (Patre) Swarthout, and grandson of Peter Patre, and Cornelius Swart-
hout. Peter Patre was a native of Holland and an early settler of Westerlo. Cor-
nelius Swarthout came from Dutchess county to Westerlo in pioneer days. George
W. Swarthout was a farmer of Westerlo and a Whig, then Republican in politics,
and a member of the Dutch Reform church. He died in 1857 and his wife in 1870.
William Swarthout was brought up on the farm and in 1855 married Catherine,
daughter of John Crawford of Westerlo, and they have one son, George W., who
married Annie Adrience, daughter of George Adrience, farmer of Westerlo. George
W. Swarthout works the homestead farm with his father, which consists of 104 acres;
they also carry on a farm of C. Hinckley of 140 acres. In politics they are Repub-
licans.
Gilbert, Edmond J., was born in Troy in 1847, and has devoted much of his time
to the public service of his country. He is a son of A. J. Gilbert and was left moth-
erless at three years of age. When sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company A,
21st New York Cavalry, and endured all the privations of a soldier. He was cap-
tured at Ashby's Ford and incarcerated in Libby prison for three and a half months.
After one year in Panama, with the Panama Railroad Company, as a machinist, he
enlisted in the regular army artillery in the capacity of sergeant major, remaining
for three years. He is a member of the G. A. R , and his private business began
with the Gilbert Car Company, in 1870, where he superintended the machine shops;
he was for three and a half years in Brazil for the same Company as superintendent
of construction. Mr. Gilbert has been collector of the village, and is now president
of the tenth district.
Bloorningdale, John P., an old and highly respected citizen of the town, was born
in 1818. John, his grandfather, was a farmer in Guilderland. He was twice mar-
ried; by the first marriage two sons were born and by the second several sons and
daughters. Peter, his father, was a farmer of Guilderland. His wife was Lydia
Gray, daughter of Robert Gray, who was a hotel-keeper. Their children were Lucan,
Jane Mary, Ann, Lydia, John P., Robert, and Peter. Mr. Bloorningdale remained
on the farm, assisting his father, until twenty-six years of age, when he began for
himself at farming at which he continued many years, with unusually good success.
He added from time to time to his real estate possessions until he owned many farms
throughout the county, and at the time of his death owned five farms containing sev-
eral hundred acres, and also for years was an extensive money loaner. In 1871 he
retired to the village of Guilderland Center, where he owned a large amount of real
estate and there devoted a number of years of his time to the building of residences
and disposing of them. He erected among other buildings a large cigar factory,
which he leased. Mr. Bloorningdale will long be remembered by many to whom he
has rendered financial assistance at opportune times. In 1839 he was married to
Hannah Young of the town of New Scotland, and daughter of George Young; to
179
them was born one son, Joel, of New Salem. His wife died very young, and five
years after her death he married Mary M., daughter of Frederick Crounse of Guilder-
land. She died in 1870. Mr. Bloomingdale died in July, 1896.
White, Isaap, was born in the town of Berne, September 30, 1837. His great-
grandfather, Leonard Berkeman, was an Orangeman, living in the North of Ireland.
Mary, his daughter, while a young girl in her native place, was playing one day on
the dock, at a time when a ship was about to sail for America. Owing to the jeal-
ousy which existed between the Catholics and the Protestants, she was kidnapped.
She was allowed to come on board the ship where she was seized and cast into the
hold and not permitted to come above until the ship was far out to sea. She was
brought to America and sold for her passage. She married James White, an Eng-
lishman, and they settled in town of New Scotland. Frederick White, his grand-
father, was born on his father's homestead in New Scotland. David, the father of
Isaac White, was also a native of New Scotland and was a farmer and speculator in
live stock. He settled in town of Berne, where he owned a large farm. Some years
later he exchanged this farm for another in town of New Scotland and there lived
to time of his death in 1847. His wife was Hannah Schermerhorn of Berne, and
their children were: Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Elias, Frederick, Margaret, Harriet and
Jeremiah. His wife survives him and now resides in New Salem. Isaac White
grew to manhood in New Scotland and attended the common district schools. In
1858 he returned to the towm of Berne with his mother, where she bought a farm ;
he later purchased half of this farm and subsequently the other half, to which he
has added several farms, now owning over 500 acres, the most of which he superin-
tends himself. He was one of the organizers of the Berne Cheese Company, of
which he is now president and stockholder in the factory. Mr. White has repre-
sented his town on the Board of Supervisors two terms and filled other minor offices.
He has provided all of his children with liberal educational advantages, all of whom
are teachers except the youngest. In 18G5 he married Miss Melvina E. Flansburg,
and their children are Elsie, Frank, Elias, Emma and Floyd.
Abrams, John D., was born in Vermont, July 1, 1826. and was a son of Daniel
and Althea Drake, he born in Long Island and his wife in Vermont. They came to
Westerlo in 1827, thence to Rensselaerville, and thence to Greene county, where he
died September, 1879, and she, April, 1878. John D. Abrams was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools. November 16, 1858, he married Caroline
Travis, daughter of David and Susan Root. David Travis was born in Dutchess
county January 21, 1783, and died in Rensselaerville, December 19, 1871; his wife
was born in Greene county March 10, 1790, and died in Rensselaerville February 20,
1877. To Mr. and Mrs. Abrams was born one daughter, Allie S., wife of William F.
Van Valkenburgb of Greene county. Mr. Abrams was a Whig and is now a Repub-
lican. The family attend the Baptist church. Mr. Abrams owns UK) acres of land,
which he bought in 1*7:!.
Fitch, Dr. John H., was born in New Scotland, April 2, 1837. His father, Ebe-
nezer A. Fitch, was a descendant in the sixth generation from Rev. James Fitch,
who emigrated from England in 1638 and was one of the founders of Norwich,
Conn., where he preached over fifty years. The mother of Dr. Fitch was Eliza,
daughter of John A. Crounse and granddaughter of David Martin, a soldier of the
180
Revolution. Dr. Fitch received his education at the New York Conference Semi-
nary, Charlotteville, N. Y., and at the New York State Normal School at Albany,
from which institution he was graduated in 1858. He spent two years in teaching
and in September, 1801, enlisted in Co. D, 48th N. Y. State Infantry. He served
three years, seeing much active service and was honorably discharged in 1864. He
commenced the study of medicine in 1866 and was graduated from the New York
Eclectic Medical College in 1868. He commenced practice in New York city and
was house surgeon of its dispensary, demonstrator of anatomy two years and in 1870
was appointed adjunct professor of anatomy. He removed to Albany in 1872, where
he was surgeon in the Albany Homeopathic Hospital in 1872-73; since 1873 he has
resided in New Scotland. Dr. Fitch has been to some extent a contributor to cur-
rent medical literature, is the author of articles in "The Encyclopedia of Materia
Medica Pura," and in conjunction with Dr. R. E. Kinze of New York, of a work en-
titled " A Monograph on Cactus," published in 1875. He is a member of the Albany
Homeopathic Medical Society and of the International Hahnemann Association ; is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Masonic fraternity. Dr. Fitch was
married in 1874, to Mary, daughter of A. W. Twitchell, of Albany, who died in 1882
and by whom he had one daughter, May. In 1884 he married Melissa, daughter of
James McCulloch, of New Scotland.
Wright, Fred, was born in the town of Berne, January 26, 1861. John S., the
great-grandfather, was a resident of the town of Berne, and was a farmer by occu-
pation and also burned charcoal in large quantities. He reared a large family and
died in 1850 at the age of seventy years. Silas, the grandfather, was a resident of
Clarksville, was born in the town of Berne in 1812, and spent many years of his life
as a miller in different places. He served the town of Berne as supervisor and
held other offices for several terms. Since 1856 he has resided in Clarksville, where
he conducted a mill for many years and later engaged in the mercantile business,
which he continued until he retired from active business life. He was postmaster
for sixteen years and was also [justice of the peace. He is alive and enjoys good
health. Jacob M., the father, was born in Berne in 1836, and spent his early life on
the farm and attended the common schools. His first enterprise was that of a hotel-
keeper in his native town, and during the late war was employed by the Remington
Firearms Company in their factory at Ilion ; later he was janitor at the Normal
School in Albany, where he remained for five years, and then conducted a livery for
some time. In 1878 he removed to Clarksville and erected buildings and put in a
baking furnace and has been interested in the baking business since. He served as
tax collector while in the town of Berne. His wife is Celinda E., born in Berne and
a daughter of John and Charity Bell. To them were born three children: Silas J.,
deceased; Fred, and Charles J., deceased. Fred spent his early life on his father's
farm and attended the common schools and the Albany public schools. He delivered
bread for his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the
cigar business as jobber, doing his own selling. In 1884 he returned to Clarksville,
where he has ever since been engaged in the bakery business. He has also been in-
terested in various enterprises, and officiated as town clerk in 1886. He is a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias, of the National Union of Albany, and Schuyler Coun-
cil No. 705. In 1886 he married Emma, daughter of Martin S. Yan Derzee, and
have one child, Maud.
181
Clapp, Augustus Henly, was born in Albany, August 18, 180"). He is a descend-
ant of Richard Clapp of Dorset, England, whose son Thomas, born 1597, came to
America in 1833. He first settled in Scituate, Mass., but soon removed to Dorches-
ter, Mass., of which town he enrolled as freeman in 1638. In 1049 he was deputy to
the General Court ; died April 20, 1684. His wife's name was Abigail. Their son,
Thomas, born May 15, 1639, died 1703, married Mary Fisher. They were the par-
ents of Samuel, born August, 1682; he married first, Elizabeth Fethers, second
Bertha Dean ; parents of Samuel, born July 6, 1710, married Mary Dean. He repre-
sented his town in the General Court; parents of Noah, born 1747, died November
11), 1820. He married Olive Shepard, who died in 1845 at ninety-one years. They
were the parents of Reuel Clapp, born April 4. 1792, who in early manhood came to
Albany, N. Y., where he became its chief builder and contractor. During the last
thirteen years of his life he was principal proprietor aud manufacturer of Townsend's
Sarsaparilla, in its day a most popular and curative medicine. He died of heart-
failure January 14, 1850. He married, June 26, 1816 Eliza, daughter of Roelof and
Catharine Coon, of Holland descent, by whom six children were born, all of whom
are dead, leaving no descendants. After death of Eliza he married Sarah, sister of
his first wife, December 23, 1830, to whom one daughter, Sarah, was born February
29, 1832, died September 25, 1859, married Thomas B. Van Alstyne 1851 ; left sur-
viving her, son, Thomas B. Van Alstyne, of Tustin, Cal., lawyer and fruit grower.
After the death of his second wife Mr. Clapp again married, January 13, 1836, Hul-
dah Miles, daughter of the Rev. Noah Miles of Temple, N. H. ; she survived her hus-
band and died in her eighty-eighth year, February 12, 1891. Of her marriage four
child'ren were born, two of whom died in infancy: Charles, born February 2, 1839,
died December 13, 1873; Edwin Apollos, born June 19, 1840, died October 13, 1880,
who after receiving an academic education became a druggist and pharmacist; he
served in the Rebellion as assistant surgeon 25th X. V. Vols. ; he married Josephine,
daughter of the late Edward Henly of Albany. Four children, Reuel Frederick,
Augustus Henly, Marie Josephine and Cora Miles, survive. Augustus was educated
in the Albany schools and at fourteen became a clerk in the book store of Bernard
Quinn, with whom he remained twelve years. In May, 1892, he started his present
book, stationery and periodical business.
Bloomingdale, Hon. Frank, was born in the town of Guilderland, in July, 1852.
He is a son of Adam Bloomingdale, who was also born in this town in 1823. He
was one of three sons: Jacob, John ami Adam, horn to Adam, who was a farmer in
Guilderland. Adam, the father, grew to manhood <>n his father's farm, and in 1849,
when twenty-six years of age, went to California to seek his fortune in the gold
mines. He remained in California for four years, meeting with some success, and
returned to New York city, where he remained three years, and then returned to his
native town and engaged in tanning. After some years he removed to Schenectadv
and interested himself in the hay and straw business; ten years later he moved to
Yoorheesville, where he died in April, 1894. He was twice married; his first wife
was Margaret Van Waggoner, daughter of Jacob and Mary Van Waggoner of
Rhinebeck. They had six children, of whom three sons and one daughter grew to
maturity. His wife died in 1*79, at the age of fifty-two. frank was reared to farm
life and attended the common schools. When he was eighteen years of age his
182
father placed him in charge of a hay and straw business, which he conducted for
some time. He was also for a time associated with his father in business in Schenec-
tady. In 1875 he moved to the village of Voorheesville, where he engaged in a
small way unaided in the hay and straw business on his own account. To his busi-
ness he has added other lines, and for a number of years was a dealer in agricul-
tural implements. He has erected several storage houses along the railroad in the
village, and has erected for himself a fine office and residence. In 1894 and 1895 he
was elected to the Assembly. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Voorheesville
Lodge, of which he is past noble grand, and is also a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, Noah Lodge of Altamont, of the Temple Chapter No. 5, Clinton Council
No. 22, and of the Cypress Shrine of Albany, and also a member of the Uncon-
ditional Club, and the Acacia Club of Albany. In 1873 he was married to Caroline,
daughter of Jacob C. Wormer of Guilderland. Their children are Alice M.,
Josephine and William J. In 1880 his wife died. His second wife was Alice,
daughter of Frederick B. La Grange of New Scotland, by whom one child was born,
Frederick A. He has two brothers and one sister living, younger than himself; the
latter is Mrs. Carrie Bradt, now resides at Voorheesville. N. Y. His brothers,
C. A. Bloomingdale and W. C. Bloomingdale, who now reside in Brooklyn, N. V.,
are now considered among the largest commission men in hay and straw and
farmers' produce in Brooklyn, N. Y., and started on their own resources.
Andrae, Paul H.. came to America, when fifteen years of age, from Brutting,
Germany, where he was born in 1856. He was a son of Paul Andrae, a hotel keeper
of that place. Mr. Andrae came to Cohoes in 1871, and engaged in the meat market
of his brother for eight years. In 1879 he opened a meat and vegetable market at
23 White street. In 1881, having erected a new building, including a residence and
a commodious market at £6 White street, he removed his business to his new build-
ing, where he has at present one of the finest meat and vegetable markets in the
city. In his dealing with his fellowmen he is a most honorable and upright man.
He was president for one year of the Business Men's Association.
Keeler, William Henry, son of Daniel, was born in Albany, March 23, 1843, and
received a public school education. When twenty he opened an oyster house on
Green street, which soon became on,e of the most popular and famous in Eastern
New York. This was the beginning of his wide reputation as a restaurateur and
landlord. After successfully continuing the business for seven years he sold out.
In 1872 and again in 1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as alderman of
the Fourth ward and served in all four years. He was street commissioner five
years and in 1882 was elected sheriff of Albany county, which office he held three
years. In 1886 he purchased the building No. 26 Maiden Lane, handsomely remod-
eled it, adding dining rooms and other conveniences and opened it as a restaurant,
which rapidly increased in popularity. January, 1890, he purchased the Broadway
front, remodeled it on a handsome scale and has since conducted the combined
structures as Keeler's Hotel, which now embraces eight buildings and fronts on
three streets, and is the most popular hostelry between New York and Chicago. In
1877 Mr. Keeler married Catherine, daughter of Robert Taylor of Albany, and they
have five children: John D., William H., jr., Rufus P., Grace and Harriet.
Richardson, William J. and Alexander, are sons of William Richardson, who came
183
from Ireland in 1830 and settled the farm where his sons now live. William J. mar-
ried Jennie Ross, who died in 1892, and left three sons and three daughters: George
A., Walter J., William, Anna, Jennie, and Lottie. The grandfather of Mr. Rich-
ardson, John Richardson, came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war.
He was a soldier and returned to Ireland, where he died.
Reynolds, Lewis W., born in Westerlo, is the son of Jared and Delilah E. (Showers)
Reynolds, both natives of Westerlo, and grandson of Lewis and Elizabeth (Husted)
Reynolds, who lived and died on the farm where Lewis W. Reynolds now resides,
and which was bought by his great-grandfather, Jared Reynolds. Jared, the father
of Lewis Reynolds, was a farmer, merchant and hotel-keeper at South Westerlo.
He had a general store and did alarge business in handling farm implements. After
his death in 1892 Lewis W. Reynolds carried on the store until 1892, and the hotel
until 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Jared Reynolds were married in 1864 and had six children:
Jennie, wife of Frank Ingalls, Lewis, Electus, Myra, Jessie and Harry. Mr. Rey-
nolds was a Democrat and deputy sheriff and gave support to the Christian church.
Whitehead, Samuel. — The Moulding Sand Business known as Whitehead Bros.
Co. was established in the year 1850 by Samuel Whitehead, sr. , his sons succeeding
to the business in 1860 and continued the business as a copartnership until 1891,
\vhen it was incorporated in a stock company under the New Jersey laws, with Ly-
dell Whitehead as president, Alfred J. Miller, vice-president, Van Loan Whitehead,
secretary and William H. Smith, general manager. It is the largest Moulding Sand
Company in America, dealing in all kinds of moulding sand, fire sand, foundry clay,
kaolin, cupola and foundry supplies, stove plate moulding sand a specialty. This
company does business in New Jersey and different points on the Hudson River and
on the Erie Canal. Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr. , is one of the members of the firm
having charge of the work at Coeymans, Selkirk and Cedar Hill, N. Y., with his son
Samuel G. Whitehead as asssistant. Samuel G. WThitehead married the charming
Miss Eliza H. Clapper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Clapper of Cedar Hill, X. Y.
Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr., resides with his son and daughter in their beautiful villa
on the banks of the Hudson.
Van Leuven, Peter, born December 2, 1825, is a son of Peter Van Leuveu and
Cathrine (Myers) Van Leuven and grandson of Peter and Catharir.e (Briett) Van
Leuven, who came from Dutchess county, and on the passage across river in a
scow, they were upset and nearly all their goods were lost. They settled a farm
near Chesterville, where they spent their lives. Peter Van Leuven. sr., always fol-
lowed farming, commencing near Chesterville, where he died August 15, 1862, and
Mrs. Van Leuven in 1866. During the war of 1812 he conveyed with his own team
ammunition and provisions from Albany to Sackett's Harbor. Peter Van Leuven,
jr., has been a successful farmer and has made many improvements on the home-
stead, which consists of 162 acres; he also owns 200 acres, part of which he rents.
He is a Republican. In 1891 Mr. Van Leuven married Juliett, daughter of Dr.
Josiah W. Lay of Chesterville, who was a prominent physician there. On the ma-
ternal side Mr. Van Leuven is a descendant of Philip Myers, who was brought to
Coeymans when a small boy by his father from Germany. The father returned for
the rest of the family and was never heard of. Philip was reared by Peter Whit-
184
beck of Coeymans. He came to Westerlo and took a large tract of land and became
one of the most prominent farmers of the town.
Spaulding, Alonzo, born in Westerlo, February, 1825, is a son of Hugh and Mary
(St. John) Spaulding, who were lifelong residents of Westerlo. The grandfather,
Elnathan Spaulding, came from Connecticut to Kinderhook and engaged in farming.
He afterwards removed to Westerlo where he died. He was twenty-five years
justice in Westerlo. Alonzo Spaulding was reared on the farm and educated in the
common schools. He studied law with Rufus Watson of Greenville, then with Ly-
man Tremain, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar and for many years practiced his
profession in Albany county. Mr. Spaulding has always had his residence on the
old homestead, with the exception of four years spent in Rensselaerville and less
than one year in Kingston.
Moore, William J., son of Dr. John and Eleanor (Hagadon) Moore, born in Al-
bany, N. Y. , February 27, 1838, was educated in the public schools and the Albany
Business College, after which he engaged in the gardening business on Van Rensse-
laer Island. His father died in 1862; he then took charge of the latter's business,
settled up the estate, and continued the business until 1886, when he sold out his
interest in the garden to William Glosser. He has leased the Van Rensselaer
Island for the last thirty years. He then bought a farm at Castleton, N. Y., and
conducted it as a horse farm, which he still owns. He then embarked in the livery
business on Hudson avenue and conducted that about four years; then sold out the
business to Mills & Sanborn. February, 1895, he bought the retail department of
the Standard Wagon Co.. located at 447 and 449 Broadway. May, 1896, he moved
to his present location 26 and 28 State street, where he still carries on the business.
May 2, 1888, he married Lillian L. Holmes, and has one son, William J., jr.
McKown, William, was born in the town of Guilderland, July 13, 1842. John Mc-
Kown, his second great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland and founder of the
McKown name in America about 1767. John McKown, his grandfather, was born
in the McKownville Hotel in 1778, and in this hotel he grew to manhood and lived
until seventy years of age. James, the father of Mr. McKown, was also born in the
McKownville Hotel in the year 1814. He assisted his father in the hotel until the
latter rented it, and then moved to the farm, which came into his possession at the
death of his father, where he lived and died. He was an active and successful
farmer and for years was a breeder of cattle. His wife was Sarah Ann White, born
in the town of Guilderland, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah White, formerly of Ver-
mont. They had one child, William. Mr. McKown died in February, 1878, and his
wife died in 1879. William McKown spent his early life on his father's farm, at-
tending the common schools and the Boys' Academy in Albany When he was
eighteen years of age he entered the grocery store of Samuel C. Bradt in Albany,
as clerk, the store standing where the capitol now stands. After two years as clerk
he became a partner in the business, remaining there seven years longer, when, on
account of his father's failing health, he closed out his business and returned home
to take charge of his father's affairs. His father died the next year and he remained
on the farm for fifteen years, when, in 1887, he retired to McKownville, erecting a
fine residence, where he has since resided. He now owns several farms which he
looks after. He was for some time president of the Guilderland Mutual Insurance
185
Association. In 1863 he was married to Levina McMillen, who was born in the town
of New Scotland, a daughter of Alexander and Margaret McMillen. Their children
are James, Margaret, Ella, Jessie, Alexander, Anna, and Eva. The three oldest
died when nineteen, eighteen, and seventeen years of age, respectively. His wife
died in 1890. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (Jacobson) Buchanan, who was
born in the town of New Scotland, a daughter of Jacob Jacobson. She died Sep-
tember 29, 1896.
Hollenbeck, Jerome M., born in the town of Rensselaerville, N. Y., June 15, 1855,
is a son of Charles Hollenbeck, who was born in Columbia county, Jul}' 4, 1810, and
came to Albany county with his parents in 1814, where he was a farmer. He died
August 3, 1894. His wife was Hannah Hess, born August 22, 1815, and died June
21, 1893. Jerome Hollenbeck was educated in Rensselaerville Academy and select
schools and is by occupation a farmer and speculator. October 6, 1880, he married
Ida Cartwright, daughter of Salmon S. Cartwright, and they have two children :
Malla May and Bertha.
Gaffers, Will R., was born on the old homestead in 1863. He is the eldest son of
a family of five children and one of the executors of the late William M. Gaffers.
The latter was born at Albany in 1825, and began life without capital, achieving
substantial success by force of character. He came to Watervliet, now Colonie, in
1850 and purchased a farm, the nucleus of the present large estate of nearly 500
acres. It was he who proposed the name of Colonie for the town, having been
largely instrumental in its separation from West Troy in 1S95. He died May 11,
1896, leaving a widow and five children, all of whom are of age; the widow now re-
sides on the old homestead. W. R. Gaffers is recognized as a rising young man,
having the courage of his convictions and is a fluent speaker, having mastered sev-
eral languages. He is the fifth generation of the paternal ancestry since the first
William Gaffers came from Sippling, Brunswick, Germany, over 100 years ago, and
fought gallantly under Colonel Bremen at Bennington.
Cole, William S., was born in 1832. He was the son of Charles, and the grandson
of Shubael, who came from Rhode Island to Coeymans in 1795. He had seven sons:
Lanson, Nathan, George, Charles, Hardy, David and Merritt. Charles Cole had
two sons: Madison and William S. William S. had one son and two daughters
William, Mrs. Stephen Tompkins, and Mrs. Jessie Hotaling. He bought a farm at
Indian Fields, where he has always been a prominent and successful farmer.
Koonz, John P., was born in the town of New Scotland, November 5. 1S39. His
great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in the town of Westerlo. Peter
Koonz, the grandfather, was born in Westerlo, where he became a farmer and spent
his life. His wife was Catherine Cline, and they had thirteen children. She lived
to be 106 years of age, and when 104 years, without the use of glasses, she hemmed
a linen handkerchief for each of her granddaughters, the needle work on which
would have been creditable to one half her age. .She died in Albany. Samuel, the
father of John Koonz, was born in the town of Westerlo in 18(19. When a young
man he went to Albany and learned the weaver's trade and soon after married
Elizabeth, the only child of Jonathan and Hannah (Van Buren) Folmsbee of New
Scotland. Mrs. Folmsbee was a first cousin of President Martin Van Buren. Im-
186
mediately after his marriage Mr. Koonz moved on to the farm of his father-in-law,
consisting of sixty-two acres, which he took charge of, and later added forty acres
more to the farm, and here spent his remaining days. Their children were Mary,
Hannah, Catherine, Peter (who died when two years of age), Phebe, John F., Abram,
Peter, Samuel (who died in infancy) and Sarah. Mr. Koonz died December 29, 1871,
and his wife in 1888. John F. Koonz grew to manhood on his father's farm and at-
tended the common district schools. When twenty-one he married and began life
for himself as farmer in the town of Guilderland on a rented farm ; two years later
he purchased a small farm of ten acres in the town of New Scotland, and in 1865
purchased his present farm of seventy-three acres, and here has ever since resided.
Since 1875, in connection with his farm, he has been an extensive dealer in fertilizers,
and for four years had his office in Albany, where he had a heavy trade. For fifteen
years he spent the autumns and winters as traveling salesman, in the interest of his
fertilizing business, the balance of the year being spent on his farm. Mr. Koonz is
an active member of the American Protective Association. He has been twice mar-
ried; his first wife was Nancy, daughter of Frederick J. Tygert of Guilderland, by
whom he had seven children: Ellen J. (wife of Jacob Allbright), Libbie (wife of
Fred Nickelson), Samuel C, John E. (who died when nineteen from injuries received
on a railroad), Fannie, Frederick J. and Daisy. Mrs. Koonz died in October, 1888.
In 1891 Mr. Koonz married Miss Jessie, daughter of William Vanderbilt of Iowa, and
they have two children, Harlan and Harold.
Wetmore, Edward Willard, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 5, 1846. He
is a son of Frederick Wetmore and Cornelia Piatt Willard, who was the granddaugh-
ter of Dr. Elias Willard of Albany, X. V., who was a surgeon in the Revolution and
a direct descendant of Simon Willard, the founder of Concord, Mass. The Wet-
mores came from Middletown, Conn., where Amos Wetmore was a captain in the
Connecticut Line in the Revolution. He was the great-grandfather of E. W. Wet-
more. Mr. Wetmore's mother was the fourth in descent from Robert Livingstone,
jr., mayor of Albany and Indian commissioner; and the fifth in descent from Peter
Schuyler, first mayor of Albany. Edward W. Wetmore, the subject of this sketch,
was educated in the public schools of Detroit and the University of Michigan, from
which he was graduated in 1867 with the degree of A. B. In 1870 he received the hono-
rary degree of M. A. from the same institution. In 1869 Mr. Wetmore took a course
in metallurgy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He also took a
two years course in Auburn (X. Y.) Theological Seminary, after which he received
the appointment of instructor in natural sciences in Robert College, Constantinople,
where he remained three years. Since then Mr. Wetmore has been a teacher of
natural sciences with the exception of ten years of business life spent in Detroit and
Connecticut. Since 1891 he has been the professor of natural sciences at the State
Normal College at Albany, N. Y. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fra-
ternity, Sons of the Revolution, Society of the Colonial Wars, Fortnightly and Cres-
cendo Clubs and the Albany Institute. He has always been actively identified with
church, Sunday school andY. M. C. A. work, was for four years the president of the
association in Detroit, Mich., and is now chairman of the educational committee of
the Albany Y. M. C. A. In 1883 he was married to Martha, daughter of William H.
Cox of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they have two children: William Cox and Edward Van
Dyke.
187
Moore, Albert T. , was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., December 1, 1827, son of
Apollos and Deborah (Stone) Moore. His father, Apollos Moore, was born in Pitts-
field, Mass., 1765; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of
sixteen, and served three years. He came to Rensselaerville about 1785, built a
substantial house two miles east of the village, which became his home for life. He
was a prominent man in the town, holding most of the town offices and was ap-
pointed judge of Albany county, which office he held for many years. He was by
occupation a farmer and miller. He died in 1841. Deborah Stone, his wife, was
born in Windham, Greene county, 1788, and died in Rensselaerville, 1857. Their
children were George Stone, Albert Tuttle, and Jerome B. Albert T., the subject
of this sketch, was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and has
always been a farmer by occupation. In politics he is a Demorcrat. For five years
he held the office of supervisor of the town. For the last ten years he has lived a
retired life in the village of Rensselaerville. In 1855 he married Ann B. Knowles,
who was also born in Rensselaerville.
White, John J., son of Isaac and Ann Eliza (Cramer) White, was born in Fulton-
ville, N.Y. , September 4, 1848. His paternal grandfather, Isaac White, moved from
Nine Partners, Dutchess county, to near Duanesburg, X. Y., later to Otsego county,
and in 1828 to Palmyra, N. Y., but finally returned to Duanesburg. Hon. Isaac
White, son of Isaac, was born in Maryland, Otsego county, February 10, 1820, was
educated at Gallupville Academy, taught school, became a merchant in Gloversville
and afterward a farmer in Duanesburg and in 1866 came to Albany and entered the
employ of George A. Wolverton & Co. On October 3, 1843, he married Ann Eliza
Cramer, and in March, 1871, he formed with his son, John J., the firm of Isaac White
& Son and purchased the notion and fancy goods business of George H. Knowlton.
In 1S74 another son, Edgar M., was admitted under the style of Isaac White & Sons.
January 1, 1883, Mr. White withdrew, Edgar M. gave place to his brother, Frank,
and the firm became Isaac White's Sons & Co. In January, 1885, Edgar M. White
again became a member of the firm and in 1887 Addison B. Wells was admitted,
Frank White retiring at this time on account of ill health. In 1890 the business was
closed out and the firm dissolved, and in 1892 John J. White, Addison B. Wells and
Frank J. Wilkins, organized the present firm of White, Wells & Wilkins, from which
Mr. Wilkins withdrew in December, 1894, the other two partners continuing under
the same name. The business is exclusively wholesale dry goods, notions and fancy
goods, and lias been conducted in the present block on Broadway since 1871 and is
the only one of the kind in the city. John J. White was educated at the Gloversville
Academy, came to Albany in 1807 and was a clerk for Mr. Knowlton until 1871. He
is a director in the Albany County Bank and a trustee of the Albany County Savings
Bank. In 1873 he married Anna E. , daughter of Jacob Miller of Albany; she died
in March, 1875, leaving one son, Frederick J., who is associated in business with his
father. In 1870 Mr. White married, second, Charlotte E., daughter of Launcelot
Bew, of Albany, and they have five children: Launcelot Bew (deceased), Mary Bew,
John J., jr., William Bew, and Ruth.
, Groot, James Bleecker, was born in the city of Albany in 1848. He is the son of
Philip Wendell Groot, who was a native of Fonda, Montgomery county, N. V., and
a descendant of the old and widely known Groot family of Amsterdam. He was for
188
many years a broker in New York city. In 1840 he came to Albany and engaged in
the dry goods and real estate business but after a time returned to New York city
and resumed his operations as a broker. His wife was Deborah Sanders, a native
of Schenectady, and a daughter of Barent and Cathalina (Bleecker) Sanders. Mr.
and Mrs. Groot reared three children, two daughters and one son; he died about
1870, and his wife survived him eight years. James Bleecker, the subject, spent
most of his time in early life traveling about for his health ; after a time he studied
law and later engaged in the mercantile business for a time in Albany. In 1887 he
accepted a position as assistant paymaster on the Delaware & Hudson Canal Rail-
road which ne now holds. In 1888 he erected a residence on the mountain side,
above the village of Altamont in the town of Guilderland. In 1893 he erected his
handsome and imposing residence on the mountain side, above the village, a pic-
turesque spot, commanding a beautiful view of the valley At this beautiful residence
he and his sisters make their permanent home. In this home they have old pictures,
furniture, and rare old china, Japanese and Russian tea sets, comprising hundreds
of pieces of the most elegant and antique ware, worth thousands of dollars. All
these articles were inherited as the portion of the estates of Groot, Bleecker, San-
ders, and Van Rensselaer families, from whom they are descended. Mr. Groot is a
natural mechanic and mathematician, and spends much of his time in the manufac-
ture of fine and complicated clocks of his own designing, having a room setoff as his
work shop, which he has well stocked with all the finest and modern tools, etc. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge and Noah Chapter of Altamont,
and is a thirty-second degree Mason of Albany Lodge.
Deitz, Wallace E., M. D., was born in the town of Berne, November 21, 1857.
Col. Johan Jost Deitz, his great-grandfather and founder of the family in America,
came from Switzerland and was one of the first settlers in the town of Berne, coming
there between 1750 and 1760. Jacob, the grandfather, was born in Berne about 1787.
He was a lifelong and successful farmer, accumulating a fine property in the Beaver-
dam Valley. His wife was Mary Elizabeth Zimmer. John G., the father, was born
in Berne in 1836, his early life being spent on his father's farm. In 1878 he removed
to Gloversville, N. Y., where he was engaged in the grocery business for about fif-
teen years, when he retired to the village of Slingerlands, where he died November
17, 1896, and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery of Berne. His wife was Lydia J.,
daughter of John H. Engel, of Berne, and they had eight children: Isadora, Wallace
E., Laura, Charles F., Elmer, Seward, Carrie, and Adella, of whom four survive.
Wallace E. was reared on the farm and educated in the common district school. At
the age of eighteen he began for himself, continuing his schooling winters. Urged
on by his success in his studies, he was soon enabled to secure a certificate to teach.
He was then engaged in teaching and studying until 1877, when he passed the State
examination and soon after entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was
graduated March 3. 1882. He began the practice of his profession in Howe's Cave,
Schoharie county, two years later removing to Berne, where he has since resided,
enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He owns a farm, also a saw mill, which he
superintends. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and the I. O.
O. F., Orion Lodge No. 624 of Gallupville, of which he is past noble grand. In July,
1889, Dr. Dietz married Theodora, daughter of David and Louis (Rheinhart) Ball,
of Berne. They have an adopted daughter.
189
Reid, William James, was bom in New Salem, Albany county, March 6, 1835.
George the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, who came to America, before
1785, and settled in the town of New Scotland. He was a farmer and reared eight
children, and died in 1805. One of his sons, James, was the first supervisor of the
town and held the office from 1833 to 1838. Alexander, the father, was born in New
Scotland in 1801 and spent most of his life here. When a young man he settled
in the town of Berne, where is now Reidviile, which was named in his honor.
Through his efforts a post-office was established and he was appointed postmaster,
and also conducted a store and hotel. He remained there for about six years, when
he returned to New Salem, where he engaged as a wheelwright, which business he
followed until he retired on account of ill-health. His wife was Sophia Thompson,
born in New Scotland, by whom eight children were born: Eliza J., George A., Mar-
garet, Maria, Alexander, William J., Ann and John, Mr. Reid died in 1878 at the
age of seventy-seven, and his wife died in 1869. William J., when sixteen years of
age, began learning and working at the wheelwright trade in his father's shop and
has followed this business since. For many years he manufactured sleighs and
wagoi s and employed several men to help him. After his marriage, in 1850, he
opened a shop for himself and has always met with success in his business. In early
life he manifested a keen and intelligent interest in the political affairs of his town
and county, and when twenty-eight years of age was elected justice of the peace
and filled the office with satisfaction for twenty years. He was justice of sessions
during the years 1872, '73, '81 and '82, and was elected supervisor of the town for
the years 1886, '87, and '88, and since 1883 he has been notary public. He has been
chosen many times as representative to county and State conventions. In 1859
he married Catherine Paterson, daughter of Alexander Paterson, who was born in
New Scotland and is of Scotch ancestry, his grandfather, John, being one of the early
emigrant settlers in this town. Their children are Mrs. Margaret Raynsford of
Jersey city ; Mrs. Mary Moak of the same place; and William P., who is with the
National Express Company at Jersey city.
Bennett, David W , was born in New Scotland, August SO, ls:is. He was the son
of William, who was one of three sons, William, Rushmore, and Thomas, and one
daughter, Ann, born to Daniel Bennett, of England. William became a fanner in
New Scotland, where lie did a large and successful business. His wife was Catha-
rine Bradt, daughter of David Bradt, and granddaughter of Storm Bradt; she was
born on the farm now owned by David W. Bennett in 1814, as was her grandfather.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were born six children: Daniel, David W., Ann, Abbie
(died at twenty years of age), William H., and Hester. Mrs. Bennett died in 1865
and Mr. Bennett spent the last fifteen years of his life in the town of Bethlehem,
and died in 1876, aged sixty-nine years. David W. received his education in the
common district and Albany .schools. He remained on the homestead until he was
twenty-four, when he purchased it of his father; he sold it in 1871, when he pur-
chased of an uncle the original homestead of 113 acres of his maternal grandfather,
where his mother was born, and four years later he removed to Albany, where he
resided one year. For many years lie has made a specialty of high grade fersey
cows. lie has also devoted much of his time to apple culture, and in the mean time
has purchased sixty-eight acres adjoining the homestead. In -IM!! he married .Miss
190
Harriet Perry of New Scotland. She was the daughter of Casper and Amanda
(Meade) Perry; this union was blessed with two children, William C. and Anella.
William C. married Elizabeth Higgins and has one child, Edward J. Daniel Ben-
nett, the grandfather of the subject, was born at Stone near Berkley, England, in
the year 1777. He married Miss Abigail Rushmore of New Salem, and settled near
there on a farm, where he died while yet a young man.
Barber, Morgan F., was born in the town of Berne, April 6, 1849. Lemuel (Bar-
bour) the great-grandfather, was a native of France. Gideon, the grandfather, was
born in Dutchess county. He was a lifelong and successful farmer, and spent the
last thirty-five years of his life in Berne, where he conducted a farm. His wife was
Polly Nelson, and their children were Jesse, Nelson, Charles, Darius, John and
Roxie. He died in 1874 and his wife died in 1868. Charles, the father, was born in
Berne in May, 1825. He was also a lifelong farmer in the town of Berne and Wes-
terlo, but now resides in Berne. His wife was Amanda M., youngest daughter of
twenty-four children born to Richard Filkins by two wives, one of whom was
Catherine Angell. The children of Charles and Amanda Barber were Morgan
F., Oliver J., Sanford H., Perry D. (who died when quite young), Frank, Ida
E., Arthur (who died when young), Loren C, Jennie E., who died when eighteen
years of age, and Fred. Morgan F. was reared to farm life and received his
education in the old Filkins school house in Berne. When sixteen years of age
he began for himself by working at farm work, which he followed until twenty-
two years of age, with the exception of one year spent at carpentry; being
of a speculative turn of mind he then turned his attention to speculating in various
things, such as produce, stock, horses, agricultural implements, fruit, nursery stock,
etc., which he has continued to the present time. In 1877 he removed to the village
of Clarksville and owns a farm and cultivates many varieties of fruits. In 1892 he
established a beer bottling business in Clarksville, is also agent for several large
breweries, and is a jobber in cigars, doing a general wholesale business. During
his nineteen years' residence in this town, seventeen of them have been spent in
public office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge No. 684. In
1871 he married Ruth Emma, born in Westerlo in 1853, a daughter of Nathaniel and
Christina (Wright) Newberry, by whom eleven children were born: Lillian, Ida,
Evelyn, Lora and Cora (twins), Herman, Eugene, Lucy, Clyde, Morgan and Clifton.
Mr. Barber was one of the original promoters and stockholders of the Clarksville
and Furabush telephone line and is now one of the directors of the company.
Becker. Howard, was born in Albany and is the son of Aaron, grandson of Aaron
and great-grandson of Frederick Becker, who with his father, Frederick Becker,
came to Houck's Corners when a boy and died there, leaving three sons: Christopher,
Peter and Aaron. Howard Becker came to the farm where he now lives, near
Jerusalem, with his father in 1857, where they are farmers.
Barckley, Edward L., was born in the town of Knox, June, 1842. Michael Barck-
ley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany, and migrated to America,
settling in the town of Guilderland, a pioneer. Evert Barckley, his grandfather,
was born in Guilderland and spent his life as a farmer, and died there in 1826. He
had one son and several daughters. Henry, the father of Edward Barckley, was
born in the town of Guilderland in 1816, and in early life followed blacksmithing.
191
He subsequently settled in the village of Knox and owned a farm joining the vil-
lage. In 1856 he opened a store and engaged in general mercantile business, but
still operated his farm ; being a man of good judgment and of unusual business
ability, he accumulated a large property. In politics he was first a Whig and later
identified himself with the Republican party. He was elected town clerk and rep-
resented his town on the Board of Supervisors for two terms, and was postmaster
for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
His wife was Magdalene, daughter of Aaron Livingston of Guilderland, and they
had two children, Michael and Edward L. ; the former was lieutenant in Co. K, 7th
N. Y. Heavy Artillery; he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor and died from
the effects of his wound. Henry Barckley was a member of the Dutch Reformed
church, in which he was elder, an active worker and a liberal supporter; his wife
survives him and lives with her son. Edward L. Barckley received his education
in the Knox Academy. He remained at home and assisted his father in the store
and on the farm, receiving thus a thorough and practical education. Years before
the death of his father he assumed full control of his father's business and now owns
the farm of 135 acres and store property. For many years Mr. Barckley has been
prominently identified with the Republican party and is a recognized leader of that
party in his town. The years of 1885, '86 and '87 he represented his town on the
Board of Supervisors, in 1895 received the appointment of penitentiary commissioner
and was postmaster under Harrison. In November, 1896, his party honored him
with the election of treasurer of Albany county. He has often represented his dis-
trict as a delegate to the County, Assembly and State Conventions. November 22,
1865, he married Miss Eunice, daughter of Alvah and Amanda (Tyler) French, and
they have one child, Grace.
Merriman, Willis E., son of Harmon N. and Emelme (Chambers) Merriman, was
born in Carbondale, Pa., May 4, 1843. His father was a lawyer, a graduate of the
Albany Law School, and captain of Co. H, 177th Regt. N. Y. Vols., that went from
Albany, N. Y. He was severely wounded at the first attack on Port Hudson, May
27, 1863, and died at sea while being brought home. On the maternal side, Mr.
Merriman is descended from the Lees who lived in Connecticut and who came to
America shortly after the arrival of the Puritans. Mr. Merriman's parents removed
to Albany, N. Y., in 1847, and he was educated at the Albany Academy and Anthony's
Classical Institute. After completing his education, he obtained a clerkship in the
office of Surgeon-General S. O. Van Der Poel, M. D., April 19, 1861. He remained
there until the close of the war, and on January 1, 1866, was appointed confidential
clerk to State Comptroller Hillhouse, which position he held ten. years. In 1876 lie
was appointed warrant clerk, the principal financial office, and served in that capacity
until the creation of the office of second deputy, to which position he was appointed
in January, 1895, by Comptroller Roberts. Mr. Merriman has been employed in the
State comptroller's office thirty -one years, and in point of term of service, he is one
of the oldest employees of the State. Since 1**4 lie has been a member of the Gen-
eral Board of Examiners of the State Civil Service. He served thirteen years as a
member of Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y., was a charter member of the Old Guard,
Albany Zouave Cadets, and lias' held the offices of secretary and vice-president of
same. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Albany Club. January
192
21, 1875, he married Helen M. Clark, daughter of Francis Clark of Albany. They
have two sons: Willis E., jr., and Porter Lee.
Nicholls, H. A. — Among the business places of Coeymans village the furniture
store of Nicholls & Robbins has supplied a long-felt want. Mr. Nicholls was born
in Massachusetts and in early life went to Michigan. He returned and after grad-
uating from Stamford (N. Y.) Academy in 1885, taught school until 1891, when he
was compelled to retire from that field through ill-health. After spending some time
in Coeymans he opened the above-mentioned furniture store, where is carried on a
general furniture and undertaking business. S. L. Robbins was born in Greene
county, N. Y. His early days were spent on a farm up to the time of his joining in
business with Mr. Nicholls. He graduated after a thorough course of instruction
from the Champion College of Embalming in the class of '96. Both partners are
men of good standing and possess excellent business qualifications.
Van Slyke, G. W., & Horton. — George W. Van Slyke, son of Peter B. and Sarah
(Covert) Van Slyke, both of Holland Dutch descent, was born in New Baltimore, N.
V., September 5, 1831, and moved to Stuyvesant, N. Y., with his parents in 1839.
His first American ancestor, Willem Pieterse Van Slyke, settled in Beverwyck as
early as 1G28. Mr, Van Slyke was an engineer in a lumber mill for six years and
later a general merchant in New Baltimore until 1868, when he came to Albany and
engaged in the manufacture of cigars under the firm name of Gee & Van Slyke. Mr.
Gee retired in 1870 and Mr. Van Slyke continued the business with slight changes in
the firm name until 1880, when Wallace N. Horton was admitted under the style of
G. W. Van Slyke & Co. In 1889 the present name of G. W. Van Slyke & Horton
was adopted. Mr. Van Slyke died August 11, 1891, and since then his widow has
represented his interest in the business, which is one of the best known of its kind
in the country. The firm employs about 175 people and has developed an extensive
trade as manufacturers and jobbers of fine cigars. Mr. Van Slyke was a director in
the First National Bank, a founder, director and vice-president of the Homestead
Savings and Loan Association, an original incorporator and president of The Pure
Baking Powder Company, a member of the Holland Society of New York and the
Albany Club, a trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed church and president of
the board from 1888 till his death, and president of the consistory of that body. In
September, 1864, he married Georgian na Parsons of New Baltimore, who died in
November, 1865. He n arried second, February 3, 1870, Mary E., daughter of Rich-
ard T. and Margaret (Bailey) Hoag, of Albany, who survives him. They had two
sons, George W. and William H., twins, born January 3, 1873, both graduates of
Yale University, class of 1895.
Batchelder, Robert C, son of Rev. Daniel and Lydia (Porter) Batchelder, was born
in the State of Maine, the county and town of Knox, July 4, 1856. His father died
when he was three years old. Young Batchelder, when old enough to attend school,
had to walk three miles, that being the nearest school. At the age of ten years be
had to help work the farm and attended school only in winters. He graduated from
Freedom Academy in 1871 ; he then took entire charge of the farm for three years,
at the end of which time, with his mother's consent, he started out for himself; in
the spring of 1874 he arrived in the city of Boston, that being the next year after
the great financial panic. Positions were hard to obtain; and although young
103
Batchelder was used to hardships and disappointments, yet after a constant effort
for over four weeks without obtaining any thing to do, he was the nearest discour-
aged of any time of his life; he, however, obtained a good position. In 1876 he
went to Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the coal and wood business, and in one
year had established a good trade. In 1877 he sold out his business there to his
brother-in-law, B. F. Wiggins, and came to Albany and located in the same business
at 82 and 84 Arch street. In the year 1873 Mr. Batchelder married Miss Lizzie P.
Hungerford. Iu 1883 he removed his business and took possession of the old estab-
lished coal yards, 697 Broadway, extending through to Montgomery street. In the
fall of 1884 his yards were destroyed by fire. Early the next year he formed a part-
nership with Robert A. Wallace; they carried on the coal and wood business until
1888, when Mr. Batchelder bought out Mr. Wallace's interest and has since that time
carried on the business at 774 Broadway and dockyard foot of Livingston avenue.
In 1893 Mr. Batchelder built a large factory at Hawkesbury, Ont., for manufactur-
ing kiln-dried bundle wood, from which point large quantities are shipped to the
principal New England cities as well as Albany and Troy. In the spring of 1894 he
associated with him in business Mr. Joseph C. McClelland. Mr. Batchelder is a
man of pronounced opinion and prompt action, a firm believer in having proper re-
gard for the rights of others as well as to maintain his own rights. He admires
men of good deeds and thinks that Genl. Grant *vas the good, great man in the,
truest sense; he believes that C M. Depew will go down in history as the greatest
orator of this or any other age, and that he should be honored for the fairness with
which he discusses all matters. Mr. Batchelder is a member of Ancient City Lodge
F. & A. M., Capital Chapter R. A. M., and Temple Commandery No. 2,K. T.
Burdick, Norman, is descended from an old Rhode Island family, his grandfather
being Elkanah Burdick, of Granville, N. Y., born August 6, 1771, died April 21,
1832, who married Martha Worden. His father, Joseph Uriah Burdick, of Dexter,
Me., born in 1808, married Cynthia Morgan. Mr. Burdick was born in Middletown,
Vt. , June 2, 1834, received a common school education, learned the trade of iron
molder in Amherst, N. H., and came to Albany in 1864 as superintendent for Shear,
Packard & Co., stove manufacturers. He continued with them and their successors,
Perry & Co., in the foundry, until 1871, when he became traveling salesman for the
latter firm. From 1877 'to 1881 he had charge of the foundry at Sing Sing prison;
in 1881 he engaged in the manufacture of patent stove specialties in that city, and
in 1883 moved the business to Albany. In 1885 his son, Bainbridge W., became his
partner under the present firm name of Burdick & Son, and in 1888 they moved the
establishment from Green street to the corner of Liberty and Division streets, where
it is now located. The firm also has a slate quarry at Hampton, N. Y., and a large
stock farm of about 500 acres at the same place, where they breed fine trotting
horses. Mr. Burdick has always been a Republican. He is a member of Custus
Morum Lodge, I. O. O. F.. and Post Lull, G. A. R., both of Milford. N. H., and is a
member and past master of Benevolent Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., also of Milford,
He is a member of all Masonic bodies of New Hampshire except De Witt Clinton
Council, Temple Commandery and Cyprus Temple, of Albany. He is a charter
member of the Acacia Club and a member of the Albany Republican Unconditional
Club. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vols., was promoted second lieutenant
y
194
and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged for disability. He married
Mary D., daughter of Otis R. Fisher, of Wilton, N. H., and they have two children:
Bainbridge W. and Ethel (Mrs. Elmer E. Wygant), both of Albany. Bainbridge
Winfield Burdick, born in Amherst, N. H., February 13, 1864, is a member of Wads-
worth Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M., of all the Odd Fellow bodies, of the Republican
Unconditional Club and of the Albany Burgesses Corps.
Springer, J. Austin, son of Adrian Oliver and Jeanette (Squire) Springer, was
born in Utica, N.Y., January 11, 1870. In 1878 his parents moved to Albany, N.Y.,
where he was educated in the public and high schools. Music being his aim, and
with a determination to devote his whole time to its study, he left the High School
in the winter of 1888 and placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Jeffery 'and
John Kautz for piano and Samuel Belding for organ. In June, 1895, Mr. Springer
went to New York to further pursue the study of the piano under William Mason,
Mus. Doc, A. C. M., who is recognized as America's greatest pianoforte teacher.
At the present time he still continues his studies under the valued tutelage of this
great master. In the spring of 1888 he received his first charge in the capacity of
assistant organist of All Saints' Cathedral, Albany, N. Y., which position he held
during the summer of that year during Dr. Jeffery's absence in Europe. The fol-
lowing year he was appointed organist of St. Luke's Episcopal church at Cambridge,
N. Y. In 1889 he went to the First M. E. church at Lansingburgh, N. Y., where he
held the position of organist for three years. His next charge was at the North Re-
formed church of West Troy, N. Y., and in September, 1894, he was appointed or-
ganist and director of music in the First M. E. church of Albany, N. Y. In Novem-
ber, 1896, Mr. Springer was chosen out of eighteen applicants to be the organist of
the State Street Presbyterian church of Albany, which position he still holds, giving
eminent satisfaction in that capacity. On June 13 1890, Mr. Springer was married
to Olive G. Robertson of Albany. He has won for himself distinction as a piano-
forte instructor and exponent of Dr. Mason's method. The "Springer Musicales,"
which are given every season by his pupils, show evidence of his conscientious work
in this department. During the season of 1896-97 he has given a series of lecture
musicales to his pupils on the "Principle of Devitalization as Applied to Artistic-
Piano Playing," and the " Lives and Works of Famous Composers." Mr. Springer
has written many compositions for the piano and voice, his works having been ren-
dered by such organizations as Gilmore's, Sousa's, and the United States Marine
Band of Washington. His latest work, a " Valse Caprice," has been heard in con-
cert and pronounced to be a work of decided originality with rich harmonical treat-
ment. He has also dedicated a "Slumber Song" to Mrs Olivia Shafer of Albany,
and a "Lullaby" to Townsend H. Fellows, solo baritone of Grace church. New
York.
Beutler, William F., was born December 15, 1852, m Albany, and is a son of Frank
Benjamin and Susannah (Stoehr) Beutler, both of whom came here from Prussia,
Germany, in 1848. Mr. Beutler received a public school education and at the age of
eleven years entered the law office of Ira Shafer and Jacob H. Clute, the latter being
county judge of Albany county. In the fall of 1864 Alonzo B. Voorhees formed a
copartnership with Mr. Shafer, and Mr. Beutler continued with the firm until it dis-
solved in 1867 by the removal of Mr. Shafer to New York city. He then remained
195
with Mr. Voorhees, and the firm of Voorhees & Norton, until his admission to the
bar in 1874, when he formed a copartnership with David J. Norton, as Norton &
Beutler, which continued until 1888, and since then he has practiced alone. He was
assistant district attorney in 1878, 1879 and 1880 and assistant corporation counsel
from June, 1883, to May. 1884, and was long a member of the Unconditional Repub-
lican Club, of which he was president in 1886. June 25, 1884, he married Adeline
B., daughter of John W. Bartlett of Chelsea, Mass., and they have one daughter,
Annie Louise, born. March 8, 1886.
Wood, Levi, was born in New Scotland in 1842. Gideon Wood, his grandfather,
was a native of Cape Cod, Mass., born in 1778, a wheelwright by trade, and a manu-
facturer of spinning-wheels. He came to the town of Westerlo, Albany count}',
about 1806, and devoted his time to farming and the manufacture of spinning-
wheels. His wife was Jerusha Atkins, by whom he had four children: Uriah,
Arnold, Anna and Elizabeth. He died in 1861, aged eighty-three years. Arnold
Wood, the father, was born in the town of Westerlo in 1806. He devoted his early
life to teaching and later followed farming ; he removed to the town of New Scot-
land in 1836, where he became fairly well-to-do. His wife was Mary Spencer, born
in Rhode Island in 1806, and a daughter of Anthony, and a cousin of Senator
Anthony Spencer. Their children were William, Levi, Amelia, Charles and Ann
Eliza; the latter died when three years old. Arnold Wood died in 1891, and his
wife resides in New Scotland on the homestead with her son Charles. Levi Wood
received a very fair education, attending the common schools and the Albany Nor
mal. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-one. His first enterprise was
the grocery business, which he established on the corner of Bear and William streets,
Albany, in partnership with Mr. Underhill, under the firm name of Underhill
& Wood. Here he remained for seven years; the four following years were
spent in Connecticut, engaged in the manufacture of paper, when he returned to
Albany and again engaged in the grocery business at the same location, but this
time for himself. He remained here for eight years when he again embarked in the
paper manufacturing business in New Baltimore, Greene county, N.Y. In 1892 he
came to the village of Voorheesville and engaged in the mercantile business, which
he conducts at the present time. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Temple
Lodge No. 14 of Albany, and of the Odd Fellows, Voorheesville Lodge. In 1863
he married Harriet A. Martin, born in New Scotland, and a daughter of William
and Mary A. (Moak) Martin, and their children are Mary Ella, wife of Dr. W. F.
Shaw of Voorheesville, and Frank W., with the National Express.
Chapin, Josiah D., son of Josiah B. and Caroline (Peck) Chapin, was born in
Springfield, Mass., June 12, 1842, and moved with his parents to Albany about 1848
and subsequently to Troy, N. Y., where he received a public school education. He
also attended the Quincy Grammar School at Boston and Bryant & Stratton's Busi-
ness College in Albany. In 1861 he became a clerk in the wholesale and retail
clothing store of Davis, Craft &■ Wilson, witli whom he remained until the firm was
dissolved in 1870. He then continued with R. C. Davis & Co., clothiers, till 1876.
and afterward was engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Troy. January 1,
1878, he returned to Albany and became bookkeeper for C. G. Craft, clothier, and in
1890 was admitted as partner under the firm name of C. G. Craft & Co. Mr. Craft
196
died in March of that year and since then Mr. Chapin and Benjamin M. Secor have
continued the business as surviving partners. The firm manufactures and wholesale
and retails clothing on an extensive scale. Mr. Chapin served in the local militia
about nine years, and is a member of Co. A, of the Old Guard. In 1874 he married
Emily, daughter of Benjamin F. Moseley of Albany, and they have one daughter,
Abbie, who survives.
Hallenbeck, George A., was born in Greene county, N. Y., in May, 1857. Smith
Hallenbeck, his great-great-grandfather, came from Holland with his two brothers
and took up a large tract of land known as the Hallenbeck Patent. Jacob, the
grandfather, was a farmer and spent his life in Greene county; he reared three chil-
dren: George Jacob and Eliza. Jacob, the father, was a mason by trade and for
many years and to the time of his death in 1858 had charge of a turnpike road ; he
had also a contract for and built many of the stone arch bridges on that road. His
wife was Phebe A. Renne, by whom he has had five children: William, Lucy, Mary
(died young), Alice (died young) and George. Mr. Hallenbeck having died when
George was but fifteen months old, his wife kept the family together and cared for
them until she died in 1877. William, the oldest, when but seventeen enlisted in
Co. I, Col. Pratt's Regiment, 20th N. Y. Yols., and was shot dead at the second
battle of Bull Run. George A. began to care for himself when he was quite young;
he first engaged as a drug clerk; when seventeen he began to learn the cigarmaker's
trade, and when he. mastered that he worked for twelve years as a journeyman
cigarmaker; he then began business for himself in Middleburg, Schoharie county,
becoming the successor of J. C. Barst & Co. ; this business he conducted until 1886,
when he removed it to Guilderland Center, where he drew plans and had a place
built especially for himself. He is an energetic business man and public spirited ;
he gives employment to from seven to sixteen men, and has two men on the road
with his goods all the time, and covers about eighteen counties. He has an annual
output of about three-quarters of a million, and his is the leading industry of the
village. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge of Altamount, and Odd
Fellows Lodge of Voorheesville. In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Isadore
A. Yanderburg, daughter of Joseph Vanderburg of Greene county.
Mclntyre, Archibald, son of James and Ann (Campbell) Mclntyre, was born in
Johnstown, N.Y., June 6, 1827. He received his education in the public schools and
Johnstown Academy, and on April 27, 1845, he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he
obtained a clerkship in the grocery store of S. T. Thorn. In 1846 Mr. Thorn sold
out to Richard Bortle, and in 1852 Mr. Mclntyre went into partnership with Mr.
Bortle. This partnership continued until 1862, when Mr. Mclntyre sold his interest
to Mr. Bortle. Mr. Mclntyre then went into the wholesale provision business on
Exchange street, handling flour, butter, cheese, etc. Subsequently he moved to
State street and in 1871 to his present location on Hudson avenue. In 1885 he sold
out and resumed again in 1889. Mr. Mclntyre is a member of Temple Lodge and
Capital City Chapter; he is also a director of the Commerce Insurance Company-
In 1854 he married Jane Anne Bearcroft, and they have seven children, two sons
and five daughters.
McNamara, John W., son of Hugh and Ellen McNamara, who came to America
from Ireland in 1832, was born in Watervliet, Albany county, January 9, 1839, and
19*
moved with the family to Albany in 1844. He was educated in the private schools
of Michael O'Sullivan and the late Thomas Newman and at the State Normal Col-
lege, from which he was graduated in 1858. In 1855 he was selected as an assistant
in the compilation of the State census. He taught school for three years and in 1861
became a law student in the office of Courtney & Cassidy. He finished his legal
studies with L. D. Holstein. On the death of Mr. Holstein in 1864 the business was
continued by Cheever & McNamara until 1868, when the latter formed a copartner-
ship with S. Y. Hawley, which continued until Mr. Hawley's death in 1887. In 1869
Mr. McNamara was elected police justice, vice Hon. S. H. Parsons resigned, and in
1870 was re-elected for a full term of four years. In 1864 he was chosen secretary of
the Albany Railway Company to succeed Mr. Holstein, deceased, and held that posi-
tion until 1880, when he was elected treasurer and general manager, which offices he
still fills. In January, 1881, he became a charter member of the Committee of Thir-
teen. He is first vice-president of the Law and Order League; was long a member
of Mountaineer Co., No 5, of the volunteer Fire Department; was an incorporator
of the Albany Stove Company; was one of the incorporators and a trustee of the
Catholic Union of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum and a member of the advisory board
of managers of St. Peter's Hospital. In 1863 he married Martha J., daughter of
Rev. Frederic Ramsey, of Lawyerville, N. Y.
Page, Edward N., manager of the Cohoes Rolling Mill, has been associated with
the iron industry since he was ten years of age. He was born in England in 1826,
coming to America in 1848; and to Cohoes in 1862, when he became one of the firm
of Simmons & Page (Jonas Simmons). In 1863 James Morrison bought out Jonas
Simmons's interest, and the firm of Morrison, Colwell & Page was then formed, and
the business is still continued under the same firm name and management. Mr.
Morrison died June 11, 1893. Mr. Page is a master of the details in iron and steel
making, and is a man of wide experience in the work, having devoted his whole life
to the closest study of all the branches pertaining to America's greatest industry.
Bell, HoraceS., son of Horace and Jane (Seaman) Bell, was born at Stuvevsaut
Falls, Columbia county, February 8, 1845, and received a public school education at
Castleton, N. Y. His mother died in 1850 and his father in 1858, and in the latter
year he became a clerk in Albany for James R. Iladley, with whom he remained
eight years. In 1866 he purchased of Minor J. Yeeder the retail grocery and grain
business at No. 168 South Pearl street, where he has since been located. In the
same year he formed a partnership with William L. Coffin, under the firm name of
Bell \- Coffin, and so continued until Mr. Collin's death on February 25, 1896, when
he succeeded to the business. Mr. Bell is a director in the First National Bank, a
trustee and first vice-president of the Albany City Savings Institution, a director in
the Equal Rights Insurance Company of Albany since its organization in 1882, one
of the organizers and a director of the Albany County Loan Association, and for
several years an elder in the Madison Avenue Reform church. He was married in
is;:; to Mary, daughter of John McHarg of Bethlehem, N. V., and thev have three
children: Jessie, Horace and Mildred.
Parsons, Francis Marion, of Scotch and German descent, was born in Camillus,
Onondaga county, August 19, 1S-1S. He is a son of David Henry Parsons, a farmer
residing at Weedsport, N. Y. His mother was Emiline Mills, daughter of the late
198
Samuel and Phoebe Mills, of Coeymans, Albany county. Her grandfather, another
Samuel Mills, was a Revolutionary soldier. The grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, Joshua Parsons, came from Scotland and settled in Dutchess county, N. Y.
He later removed to Granby where he was supervisor of the town. In 1866, after a
residence in Granby of seventeen years, the Parsons family removed to Camillus.
Francis M., the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools for some time and
entered the Baldwinsville Academy, meanwhile teaching school in the counties of
Cayuga and Onondaga and working for a time in a Memphis store. While teaching
school he read law with William B. Mills of Weedsport, and in 1871 he was admitted
to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court held in Rochester, N. Y. He
opened an office in Weedsport and soon became the leading lawyer in the northern
part of Cayuga county. In 1879 he was elected special county judge on the Repub-
lican ticket and retained the place for three years. In 1886 and 1887 he was elected
and re-elected to the Assembly where he was both years a member of the ways and
means committee. Mr. Parsons has also been a justice of the peace and has acted
as town clerk for the town of Brutus. About January 1, 1894, he was appointed first
confidential clerk to the attorney-general of the State. July 1, 1894, he was made
deputy attorney-general of the State and now holds that office. He is a member of
Weedsport Lodges of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and of the Unconditional
Republican Club of Albany. He is also a trustee of the Methodist society. In 1871
he married Hattie Eliza Bibbens of Brutus, N. Y. , and they have three children:
Minnie L., Frederick Jay and Eva Hattie. The family residence is at Weedsport,
N. Y
Tucker, Luther Henry, jr., was born in Albany, X. Y., September 9, 1869. He
received Ins preparatory education at the Albany Academy, after which he entered
Vale University and graduated in the class of 1891. While at Yale he was a speaker
in the junior exhibition for the H. J. Ten Eyck Prize. Mr. Tucker was also a speaker
for the De Forest Medal in his senior year, and hence a Townsend prize man. He
was class poet, editor of the Yale Literary Magazine, and a member of the Zeta Psi
fraternity. Immediately after graduation Mr. Tucker sailed for Europe and visited
Ireland, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Holland and Bel-
gium. He returned in December, 1891, and took a post-graduate course at Yale in
1892 and 1893 (Foote scholarship) in English literature; in June, 1894, he received the
degree of A. M. December 1, 1893, he entered the firm of Luther Tucker & Son,
since which time he has been an editor of the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.
March 28, 1894, he married Florence Barnard, daughter of the late Stephen P.
Barnard, M. D., of Hudson, N. Y., and Grand Rapids, Mich. They have one daugh-
ter: Katharine Barnard.
Corliss, Stephen Potter, was born in Albany, N. Y., July 26, 1842, and received his
education there, which was completed about the time of the breaking out of the war
of the Rebellion. He at once enlisted as a private, was promoted through the reg-
ular positions to that of captain, was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel
for great gallantry and distinguished bravery at the capture of the Southside Rail-
road, April 2, 1865, and was also voted a medal by the Congress of the United States
for his conduct at this time; spent about three months in Libby Prison in Richmond,
Va., served upon the staffs of Brig. -Gen. John Ramsey and Major-Gen. Nelson A
199
Miles — with the latter went to Fortress Monroe, Va., to assist in the care of Jefferson
Davis, then a prisoner there; finally upon his own request was discharged from the
United States army, December 16, 1866. Returning to his native city, he was soon
occupied in the pursuits of a mercantile life. March 1, 1866, he entered the employ-
ment of Charles H. Strong, then a wholesale clothier in Albany, N. Y., as a com-
mercial traveler, and covered the territory of Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. In Jan-
uary, 1869, Mr. Strong retired from business and Colonel Corliss was at once engaged
by Messrs. Davis. Craft & Wilson, at this time one of the largest manufacturers of
clothing in our country. He remained through the various changes in this firm until
July 1, 1887, when he entered the service of Hackett, Carbart & Co., of New York,
whom he now represents. He has from the time he entered the ranks of the com-
mercial travelers been a conspicuous member and foremost in advocating and work-
ing for whatever shall tend to add to their good name and advance their interests as
a class; was a charter member of, and for ten years has been president of the Albany
Commercial Travelers Club; is first vice-president Commercial Travelers Home
Association of America, and also holds the same position in the Commercial Travelers
Mutual Accident Association of the United States; is also a prominent member of
the Masonic order, of the military order of the Loyal Legion, and of the Grand Army
of the Republic, of which he was department commander in 1873 and 1874 ; also
served upon the staff of Major-Gen. Joseph B. Carr, who commanded the 3d Division
National Guard of our State; was for years a member of the staff of the Washington
Continentals, and later was captain of Co. B, 10th Battalion N. G. S. N. Y.
Cutler, Edgar A., is the son of Martin L. Cutler, a native of Holliston, Mass., born
in 1819; he came to Albany in 1847. Mr. Cutler comes of old New England stock ;
his great ancestor, John, came from Norfolk, Eng., in 1637, and settled at Higham,
Mass. ; he seems to have been a man of vigorous parts, with a mind of his own, for
he early engaged in the religious controversies which form an essential ingredientin
Puritan life, and suffered in consequence. Simeon, another ancestor, served with
distinction in the Revolutionary war; he joined Washington at Boston, and remained
with the army during its eight years of defeat and victory, and retired with a cold
nel's commission. Jtfr. Cutler, sr. , was engaged in the wholesale and retail millinery
business at the time of his death, March 15, 1S90; he was also trusteeof the National
Exchange Savings Bank, and prominent in the business circles of Albany. He mar-
ried Maria A. Salisbury of Albany, who survives him; they had two sons, Walter S.
of San Francisco, and Edgar A., born in Albany, November 13, 1858. He was edu-
cated in the Albany Academy, and when eighteen entered his father's store, where
he remained as salesman until 1890, when he succeeded to the business. He is one
of the leading wholesale and retail milliners of Albany. The business, which has
been located at Nos. 540-546 Broadway since 1847, is the oldest of the kind in the
State outside of New York, and one of the oldest in the country.
Bowman, Cassius M., was born in Troy, July"-', 1846. He is the son of Joseph
Bowman, the well known veteran collar manufacturer of Troy. Joseph Bowman
came to Troy when twelve years of age from Vermont. He was one of the pioneer
manufacturers of collars in Troy, as early as 1854, but later removed to a farm in
Fulton county. He is, however, a member of the present firm of Bowman & Sons,
manufacturers of linen collars and cuffs, No. 555 to 561 Federal street, Troy. This
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firm was established in 1876 with Cassius M. Bowman and Joseph Bowman, jr., as
active members, and employed about 100 people. C. M. Bowman has been a resi-
dent of Green Island since 1882, and has taken an active part in local government.
Zeilman, Charles H., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 25, 1839. He received
a common school education and later went into the employ of Steele & King, where
he learned the paper hanging business and subsequently served as an apprentice at
the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed at the breaking out of the Rebellion.
August 8, 1861, he enlisted in the 44th N. Y. Vols, and was successively promoted
from the ranks to first sergeant, second and first lieutenant and captain; and com-
manded Company F, the Albany company, from the Peninsula campaign until the
company was mustered out of service in Albany, October 11. 1864. He participated
in most of the battles in which the regiment was engaged, was severely wounded in
the side at Gettysburg, and was slightly wounded in the left arm in the battle of the
Wilderness. He has been a prominent member of the G. A. R. since 1867. January
1, 1865, when the free delivery system was put in operation in Albany, Postmaster
Dawson appointed him as a letter carrier and subsequently to a clerkship in the dis-
tributing department, from which he resigned in the September following, to accept
the position of chief clerk and property clerk of the Capital police force. He re-
mained in that position until September, 1870, and on the fifteenth of that month he
re-entered the postal service under Postmaster Smyth and for nineteen years was
clerk at the stamp window. When Gen. James M. Warner was appointed postmaster
in 1889, Mr. Zeilman was appointed assistant postmaster and has held that position
ever since, having been reappointed by the present incumbent, Hon. Francis H.
Woods. He was a member and secretary of the Board of Civil Service Examiners
for the Albany post-office from its establishment to the time he became assistant
postmaster.
Baxter, William C. , secretary of the David Judson Coal Company of Troy, is the
son of the well known William E. Baxter, an early settler of West Troy, who is
prominently connected with the Warford & Robinson Transportation firm, and owns
several boats. William C. is a native of West Troy, born in 1866; he finished his
education at the Troy Business College, after which he entered the firm with which
he is now identified. Mr. Baxter is a trustee of the Second ward, to which office he
was elected in 1895, by one of the largest majorities ever given in the ward, and re-
elected alderman, November, 1896, under the new city charter. He is a member of
the Watervliet Club of West Troy, secretary of the Troy branch of the Commercial
Travelers' Home Association, a member of the Y. M. C. A., Royal Arcanum, and
Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order.
Happel, Dr. William H., son of John H., and Caroline (Kilzer) Happel. wras born
in Albany, April 22, 1866, and was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884
and from Concordia College at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1886. He taught for one year
as adjunct professor of languages in St. Paul's College at Concordia, Mo., and then
entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1890. In
April of that year he was appointed house physician in the Albany City Hospital
and served eighteen months. In October, 1891, he began the practice of his pro-
fession in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and its
present treasurer, and is a Mason, a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M.,
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Temple Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T.,
Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Scottish Rite bodies. In 1891
he married Irene, daughter of the late Elisha Schill of Ballston, N. Y., and they
have two children: Ralph Schill and Irene Kilzer.
McKinney, James & Son. — James McKinney, son of James and Jane Frances
(Netterville) McKinney, was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, August 29,
1825. His father, a farmer who came to America about 1810, was born of Scotch-
Irish stock in the North of Ireland and was the son of Rev. James McKinney, a
Scotch Covenanter minister. James McKinney, the subject of this sketch, was edu-
cated in the public schools and at the Canajoharie Academy, and in the latter vil-
lage became a clerk in his grandfather's store. When eighteen he began learning
the iron business at Palatine Bridge, N. Y., and in 1846 came to Albany to follow
his trade, which he subsequently followed in New York city for a time. Returning
to Albany in 1857, he formed in that year a copartnership with Abram Mann, and
under the firm name of McKinney & Mann established the first architectural iron
business in the capital city in a building on Lumber street, now Livingston avenue,
near where the railroad bridge now stands. In 1863 the firm removed to De Witt
street, to buildings specially erected for them. In 1867 Mr. McKinney became sole
proprietor, and in 1872 erected and occupied the present plant at Nos. 925-933
Broadway. In 1883 his son Edward N. was admitted as partner, under the firm
name of James McKinney & Son, which still continues. This is the most extensive
architectural iron works in Eastern New York outside of New York city, and fur-
nished a large part of the iron work for the Albany post-office building, the State
Capitol building, the D. & H. C. Co.'s office building, the new Albany Safe Deposit
and Storage Company building, the Dudley Observatory, and numerous other
structures in Albany and elsewhere. Besides executing contracts for heavy struc-
tural work in buildings, such as columns, girders, trusses, etc., this firm makes a
specialty of all kinds of the finest ornamental work in the line of stairs, elevator en-
closures, wrought iron gates, railings, etc. They do a large business in New York
city and vicinity, having put this class of work in many of the largest structures
there. On account of their reputation for fine work they are asked to compete with
the foremost concerns in the country in this line. Mr. McKinney is a vice-president
of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, a director in the Standard Emery Wheel
Company and the Marshall & Wendell Piano-forte Manufacturing Company, Limited,
ami has been a member of the Fourth Presbyterian church for forty years, an elder
for twenty-two years and connected with its Sunday school for twenty-five years.
He is a Republican, and was alderman of the Seventh ward one term. In 1850 he
married Julia A. Poole of Albany, and of their six children three are living. Ed-
ward N. McKinney, their only son, was born in Albany May 17, 1857. Since leav-
ing school in 1874 he has been associated in business with his father, becoming a
member of the firm in 1NSIC Ik- is a director in the New York State National Bank,
vice-president and treasurer of the Standard Emery Wheel Company, secretary and
treasurer of the Albany Terminal Warehouse Company, manager and treasurer of
the Marshall & Wendell Piano-forte Manufacturing Company, Limited, a director in
the Albany Chamber of Commerce, and a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank and
Second Presbyterian church. He was a member of the Albany Building Commis-
202
sion, which erected a number of school houses, engine houses and other public
buildings in Albany. In 1888 he married Marion Louise Roessle of Washington,
D. C, and they have three children.
Hatt, Samuel S. — Among the members of the Albany county bar there are none
.more favorably known than Samuel S. Hatt. His education was obtained at the
Fort Edward Institute, where he prepared for college, and at the Law Department
of Union University, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of LL. B.
In the same year he formed a partnership with Charles W. Mead, which has con- fl
tinued until this day, and is one of the representative and successful law firms of the
State. He has never entered the field of politics, preferring to devote himself strictly
to the practice of his profession. In addition to his extensive practice, however, he
is prominently identified with the business, charitable and educational interests of
Albany. He is a trustee of the Albany County Savings Bank, of the Albany Orphan
Asylum, treasurer of House of Shelter, a member of the Historical Society of Albany
and of the Fort Orange Club, and a trustee and the treasurer of the Emmanuel Bap-
tist church, and an active member of the New York State Bar Association. In pub-
lic and professional life he has always been held in the highest esteem and confidence.
He married into one of Albany's oldest families, a daughter of Dr. Peter P. Staats,
fcr many years one of Albany's prominent physicians, and has one son, now prepar-
ing for college at the Albany Academy.
Ward, John G., was born in the town of Westerlo in the year 1849 and is the pro-
duct of Revolutionary stock, taking his name from Gen. John Ward who achieved
signal military honors in the struggle of the American Colonies for independence.
Mr. Ward also traces his ancestry back to Gov. Daniel Tompkins of this State. Mr.
Ward's father is the Rev. Gilbert Ward, a retired and honored minister of the Meth-
odist church. Mr, Ward's great-grandfather, Nathan Ward, came from Westchester
county in 1797 and was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Westerlo. The
Hon. William L. Ward, congressman from the Westchester District, is a member of
the same family. Mr. Ward's education was obtained at the local school and at Fort
Edward Institute. His father owned large landed interests in Westerlo, and young
Ward remained on the farm for several years, prosecuting his agricultural work
along the most approved lines. He had erected a cider mill on his farm, where he
also had a productive apple orchard. Mr. Ward's business ability could not be con-
fined to his native town and with his clear and judicious insight into the future he
saw that a splendid opportunity was presented for a cider and vinegar factory at
Ravena, formerly Coeymans Junction, a growing and enterprising village on the
West Shore Railroad in Albany county. He removed to Ravena, therefore, and
erected an extensive plant; which, with its improvements in the shape of modern
machinery, etc., is one of the largest institutions for the manufacture of pure cider
vinegar in the United States, turning out 50,000 barrels each year. His eldest son,
Gilbert E., who possesses the keen business instinct of his father, is also interested
in the business. Several thousand carloads of produce also are shipped yearly by
the firm. Mr. Ward married Cecilia, a most estimable woman, daughter of Dr. John
Keefer, and their home has been blessed with five children: Gilbert E., John H.,
Grace L., Walter K., and Raymond; a happier family will not be found anywhere.
Mr Ward's second son, John H., who has not yet chosen his life profession, has re-
203
cently graduated with high honors at Wesleyan University. Mr. Ward is one of the
best known and popular men in Albany county and is well and favorably known
throughout Eastern New York. He is what is called a big-hearted man, and many
are the deeds of charity and kindness to those in need that he performs, always,
however, without ostentation. From the time he cast his first vote Mr. Ward, as a
staunch Republican, always has taken a lively interest in politics and in every con-
test of his party with its opponents he has ever been found doing faithful work for
Republican success. In 1882 he was the nominee of his party for member of con-
gress in a hopeless struggle against Democratic fraud at the polls. Mr. Ward is now
a candidate for the appointment as collector df internal revenue for the Eastern
New York District at the hands of President McKinley, and a look at the political
horoscope indicates that he is to get the appointment, which will be a reward only
in part for his party services. Mr. Ward possesses rare political sagacity, and
with his ability to make and keep friends he is a political power in his county.
His brother, the Hon. Walter E. Ward, who is an ex-member of the Assembly, owes
a great deal of his political success to the unselfish efforts and splendid political judg-
ment of his brother. Mr. Ward is a member of the M. E. church, to whose needs
he subscribes liberally. Public spirited, amiable, and upright in his dealings with
his fellows, he enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him.
Pearsall, G. L., represents one of the younger successful business men of Albany.
While but comparatively young, he has established a business that extends over the
larger part of the United States and Canada, and enjoys an enviable reputation
among not only the business men of Albany, but throughout the country. Mr. Pear-
sall is the son of S. W. Pearsall and Synthia E. Pearsall, and was born at Groomes
Corners Saratoga county, N. Y., September 14, 1865. His father was the inventor
of several photographic processes connected with the old wet plate process, and
for years carried on a successful manufacturing business at Groomes Corners, X. Y.
Mr. G. L. Pearsall came to Albany in 1S86, and after completing his education at
the State Normal College, entered on a business life, the success of which has few
equals. Until 1895 he conducted the photographic business with his present busi-
ness of supplying the photographic trade with electric light enlargements, bromide
prints, crayon, pastels, sepia and water color portraits, also frames, and conducts
one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country. His factory is located on
Fulton street. In 1896 he erected a handsome villa residence on Allen street, Pine
Hills, which is an ornament to the city. In 1888 he married Miss Jennie Willard of
Albany, and they have three children, Marguerite, Hazel Estelle and Willard Will-
ard. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. U7, F. & A. M., William Lacy
Lodge No. 33, I. O. O. F., the Albany Press Club, the Albany County Wheelmen
and Camera Club, is active in politics and alive to all that will benefit and promote
the business interests of Albany.
Stephens, Peter A., police justice of Albany, is a sou of John and Catharine F.
(Allen) Stephens, and was born in Albany, March 1, 1856. His father, who was
born in New York city in 1829, remained here with his parents in 1845 and resided
here till his death in September, 1888. Judge Stephens was educated in the Albany
public schools Free Academy (now Albany High School), read law with Hiram L.
Washburn, jr., and was admitted to the bar at Binghamton, in May, 1877, when he
204
began the practice of his profession in his native city, where he has always resided.
In the fall of 1885 he succeeded John A. McCall, jr., resigned as school commis-
sioner, and in the following spring was elected for a full term of three years. De-
cember 31, 1889, he was appointed police justice, vice Martin D. Conway elected sur-
rogate, and in April, 1890, and 1892, and November, 1895, he was elected to this
office by handsome majorities. He is an able lawyer, a skilled parliamentarian and
a great lover of outdoor sports. His wit and humor are among his chief character-
istics. He is a member, an incorporator and ex-president of the Empire Curling
Club, and a prominent member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and
other fraternal societies. He is married and has five sons and one daughter. The
family of Judge Stephens is an old one in the city of Albany, his paternal grand-
parents, James Stephens and Elizabeth (Devine) Stephens, who were married in the
city of New York in or about the year 1815, having lived and died here, and his ma-
ternal grandparents, John Allen and Mary (Cary) Allen, having been married in
this city prior to 1820 and always resided here.
Haverly. William J., was born in the town of Knox, July 5, 1849. The progenitor
of this line of the family in America was John Haverly, who came from Wurtem-
burg, Germany, in or about 1750, and settled in that part of Berne which is now
Knox, and was a farmer. He had four sons, Karl, Jacob, John, jr., and George.
The son Jacob was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. John I., the
grandfather, was born in Knox in 1783, where he followed carpentry. His wife was
Marilla (born 1797), daughter of Henry Deitz, and their children were Cynthia A.,
Elizabeth, Jacob, Eli and John D. He died December 2, 1866, and his wife August
30, 1891. John D. Haverly, the father, was born in Knox, January 7, 1827, and
attended the common district school. When a boy he worked on a farm by the day
or month; subsequently he worked at carpentry with his father, and also learned
the shoemaker's trade, which he plied winters. When about thirty years old he
engaged in buying and butchering cattle and selling meat ; this he followed seven
years, when he bought and conducted a hotel in the village of Berne, which, two
years later he traded for a farm, upon which the house had been destroyed by fire;
he rebuilt the house, built new barns, wagon house and other outbuildings. In 1867
he disposed of the farm and purchased his present farm of 170 acres in the town of
Knox, where he has ever since resided. His wife was Sophia E.. daughter of Adam
and granddaughter of Mathias Shultes. The latter was the progenitor of the Shultes
family in America and a native of Holland. Their children were Willard J., Isadore
(who died when five years old), Rena and Nina. William J. Haverly has spent most
of his life on the farm, engaged for many years with his father in the breeding of
trotting and road horses, registered stock. They are the owners of the well known
stallion, "Victor Mohawk," whose progeny has produced such satisfactory roadsters.
When a boy Mr. Haverly attended the common schools and two terms at Knox
Academy, taught school when seventeen years old, and later attended the Albanv
Normal School, from which he was graduated in June, 1869. He was then engaged
in the grocery business in Albany for two years, afterwards returning to his father's
farm, in which he took an interest, and followed teaching winters. Since 1874 he
has been a dealer in farm machinery, and since 1890 has dealt in fertilizers. Since
1887 he has followed teaching winter and summer, having taught in all twenty-nine
205
terms. Mr. Haverly has for years been prominently identified with the Republican
party, has filled the office of collector for the town of Knox, and was elected in ls7s
to represent his town in the Board of Supervisors, and again in 1882, 1891 and 1892,
and is present supervisor of Knox. He is a member of the Masonic fraternitv, Berne
Lodge Xo. 684, and was for a number of years an Odd Fellow, until the lodge was
disbanded. In 1888 he married Carrie M., daughter of Theodore Nauright, a native
of Xaurightville, N. J., and their children are Edwin B., May, Elmina D., Theo-
dora N., Nellie L., Ann A. and John W.
Capron, William J., was born in the city of Albany, November 16, 1838. He was
a son of John Capron, who was born in Albany in 1790. He was one of two children,
Sarah and John, born to William Capron, a native of Connecticut, who was a farmer
and a soldier in the war of 1812. John, the father, was a farmer and a dairyman.
He spent his last days in the town of Watervliet. His wife was Sarah Pangborn,
daughter of George Pangborn. Their children were Sarah, wife of Robert Harper,
of Albany; John P., Martha, William J., and Mary. He died in 1S49, and his wife
survived him until 1887. When twenty-one years of age William J. began for him-
self as a farmer, near Guilderland village, which he followed for some twelve years,
when he opened a grocery store in Guilderland, which he conducted for fifteen years,
and in addition to this he practiced as a veterinarian. He later disposed of his
store and devoted his whole time as a veterinarian, at which he had gained a wide
reputation. He was clerk for one term, justice for six years, and was overseer of
the poor for many years. He was also elected constable for fourteen consecutive
years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth Lodge of Albany, and
of the Knights Chapter. He is also an officer of the Humane Society for the pre-
vention of cruelty to animals and children, and has also been a member of the Board
of Health for a number of years. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 10th New York State
Volunteers, which was changed to 177th, and was discharged after three months on
account of sickness. In 1864 he married Margaret Scott, born in the town of New
Scotland, and daughter of Peter Scott; their children are Alice and John H. The
latter is a telegraph operator. Mr. Capron has served his town as deputy sheriff,
being appointed by a Democratic sheriff, which is much to his credit,
Merritt, Mrs. Magdalene Isadore La Grange, poet, was born in the town of Guilder-
land, September 17, 1864, at Elmwood Farm, the homestead of the La Grange family,
originally De La Grange. She is the seventh daughter of Myndret La Grange and
Julia A. La Grange, his wife, second cousins, both descendants of Count Johannes
de la Grange, a French Huguenot, who emigrated from La Rochelle, France, 1656,
a son of whom settled upon the tract of laud, and founded the homestead, which
has since descended from father to son, and where the subject of this sketch was
born. At the early age of eight years she was already writing verses, which were
correct in rhyme. Brought up in a home of wealth and refinement, and surrounded
with all that makes life desirable, spending much of her life out of doors in a coun-
try unsurpassed for its beauty, it is but natural that her work should partake largely of
the religious, and always of nature. She spent three years studying art under the
tuition of Prof. William P. Morgan at the Albany Female Academy, where she was
educated. When but sixteen the editor of a daily pa] hearing her repeat
some of her verses, requested permission to publish them, which was given; since
206
then she has been a contributor to various papers, some of her first poems having
been published in the Brotherhood of Engineers' Journal, whose editor says of her
poems: " They are of the highest merit and worthy to be placed among the finest
songs of the day." She has received kindly encouragement from distinguished
sources, and says the sweetest and most cherished is from Mrs. Frank Leslie, who
was the first stranger to recognize her with words of praise. She is a fine prose
writer and is an occasional contributor to the Christian Work and various other
papers, with short stories and sketches. In 1893 she published a book of her earlier
poems, 'Songs of the Helderberg," of which over 300 copies were sold in Albany
countv in two months. She is one of the poets whose biography appears in "A
Woman of the Century." January 31, 1894, she married Aaron Merritt, of Port
Jervis, N. Y. Mr. Merritt is a locomotive engineer on the West Shore Railroad, a
gentleman of the highest integrity, who stands high in the esteem of his employers.
Their home is at Oak Knoll, a fifty-acre farm belonging to the author, situated beau-
tifully on the banks of the Norman's Kill. Here the author lives quietly and hap-
pily, herself superintending much of the work of the farm and the care of her five
thoroughbred Jerseys. Entertaining many distinguished people, and with the care
of her family, her life is busy and useful.
Lamoreaux, Maus, was born in Coeymans in 1864 and is the son of William J.,
grandson of Jarvis, and great-grandson of George, whose father, James, came from
Paris, Prance, and settled at Indian Fields. In 1885 Mr. Lamoreaux married Emma
L., daughter of Henry C. Mosher, and settled on a farm near Wemple, where he is
one of the leading farmers of the town.
Lansing, Egbert W., one of the most prominent men of Cohoes, is a represent-
ative of a family who were closely identified with the history of this city from its
earliest period. His first American ancestor, Gerrit Lansing, whose death occurred
in the vicinity of Albany prior to 1679, and from whom he is sixth in descent, came
from Holland. The residence now occupied by Mr. Lansing was built in part by
his great-grandfather, Johannes I. Lansing, about 1750. Mr. Lansing was born in
is:>>:>>, and was educated in Albany and has for the past twenty years been actively
engaged in the real estate business. Politically he is a Republican, and was one of
the first aldermen of his native city in 1870. His wife was Helena, daughter of 1 low
F. Lansing of this city, whom he married in 1860. Both are connected with the
Reformed church.
Orelup, William IL, is the son of the late John Orelup, who died in 1892 at the
age of seventy two years. He was one of the most prominent men in Cohoes, and al-
ways resided here, with the exception of fifteen years spent in Ballston Spa, as an axe
manufacturer. Here he was a contractor in the manufacture of axes, having reached
the top of financial success by the results of his own labor and genius. He had the
courage and mental strength to stand firmly by the principles of right. William H.
was born here in 1849, where his grandfather, William Orelup, settled in 1830 as a
local preacher. His mother, who is still living, was Eliza Hitchcock; her only
daughter, Mrs. Egbert P. Lansing, is now living in New York. He is chiefly inter-
ested in real estate.
Hall, James, B. N. S., (r. s.), A. M.. M. D., LL.L... son of English parents,
207
was born in Hingham, Mass., September 12, 1811. At the age of twenty he entered
Rensselaer School at Troy, N. Y. (now the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
and closely followed instruction in geology. He was graduated in 1832 and
remained in the school as assistant professor of chemistry and natural sciences until
1836, when he was made professor of geology. When the geological survey of the
State of New York was organized in 1836, Professor Hall was appointed by Gover-
nor Marcy assistant to the geologist in charge of the second district, and in the fol-
lowing year he was made State geologist in charge of the fourth district. In 1843,
upon the resignation of Mr. T. A. Conrad, the palaeontologist of the survey, Governor
Bouck appointed Professor Hall to take charge of this work. He made investiga-
tions outside of New York State, and it was due to them that, in 1855, he was ap-
pointed State geologist of Iowa and in 1857 State geologist of Wisconsin. In 1855
he was offered by Sir W. G. Logan, the government geologist of Canada the charge
of the palaeontological work of that survey, but declined the position. He has made-
reports at various times for explorations and surveys conducted by the Federal Gov-
ernment, such as Fremont's Exploring Expedition in 1845, Stansbury s Expedition
to the Great Salt Lake in 1852, Emory's United States and Mexican Boundary Sur-
vey in 1857, and U. S. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel in 1877.
In 1866 he was made director of the New York State Museum of Natural History,
and in 1893 was re-commissioned by Governor Flower State geologist and palaeontol-
ogist, which appointment had been for eleven years previous in the control of the
Regents of the University from 1882. Professor Hall has received many academic-
degrees and titles of distinction; Harvard, Hamilton, Union, the University of Mary-
land, McGill University, Montreal and the Rensselaer Institute have conferred
these. He has been president of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science and of Geological Society of America and vice-president of the Internationa]
Congress of Geologists. He is a member of about forty scientific societies, in nianv
of which his membership is honorary. In 1858 he received the Wollaston medal
from the Geological Society of London; in 1881 the Ricordodi Benemerenza from the
International Geological Congress, and in 1882 the Order dci Santi Maurizio Laz-
zaro from the King of Italy; in 1884 the Walker prize of $1,000 from the Boston
Society of Natural History, and in 1890 the Hayden medal from the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Professor Hall is the author of hundreds of scien-
tific papers.
Tennant, Albert C, is the great great-grandson of James Tennant, who, with two
brothers came from England to Connecticut about 1700. His parents were Thomas
and Dorcas J. (Briggs) Tennant, the latter being a granddaughter of Capt. John
Briggs of the Revolutionary army. Mr. Tennant was born in Willett, Cortland
county, N. Y., November 11, 1846, was educated iu the district schools and at Cin-
cinnatUS Academy and was graduated from the Albany State Normal School in
January, 1868. He read law in Geneva, N Y., with Hon. W. F. Diefendorf about
three years and afterward with Judge Edwin Countryman, then of Cooperstown, and
was admitted to the bar at Albany in March. 1^;:; lie then formed a copartner-
ship with Ibm. James S Davenport and practiced at Richfield Springs until January
1. 1884, when, having been elected surrogate of Otsego county, he removed to
Cooperstown and at the end of a full term of six years was re-elected to that office,
208
being the only Democrat elected in that county that year. He resigned the position
May 1, 1894, and moved to Albany, where he has since practiced law as a member
of the firm of Hale, Bulkeley & Tennant. In 1889 he was appointed by Governor
Hill a member of the commission to revise the judiciary article of the State Constitu-
tion. He was chairman of the -Democratic Committee of Otsego county over ten
years, has been a delegate to several State conventions and in 1892 was a delegate
from New York to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago. He is a mem-
ber of Richfield Springs Lodge and Chapter of Masons. October 4, 1876, he married
Lizzie H., daughter of Hiram Getman of Richfield Springs, and they have one son,
Clermonte G.
J. M. Jones's Sons, builders of street cars, was established in 1839 in its present
location. Since that time there have been improvements and alterations which make
the works far different than those which were from time to time built to increase the
capacity of the concern, or to take the place of the structures destroyed by fire and
worn out by the ravages of time. It is about half a century since the first street car
line was constructed in this county,#and only since then has the Jones works been
engaged in making cars; previous to that they made family wagons and stage
coaches. The works now employ nearly 300 men in nearly every branch of industry,
and the capacity of the plant is nearly 600 cars a year, sixty having been turned out
in May last, the calculation being to complete two cars every working day. Jones'
cars may be found in nearly every city in the country, and many have been shipped
to foreign lands.
Bowe, John, son of Michael and Mary (Purcell) Bowe, was born in Albany July 18,
1847. He was educated in the public schools and the Albany Normal College, grad-
uating from the latter in 1878. He then secured a position in the State Insurance
Department as clerk, where he remained until elected treasurer of Albany county in
the fall of 1890. In 1878 he was elected supervisor of the Third ward of Albany and
served three years. In 1S88 he was elected alderman of the Third ward and re-
elected in the spring of 1890, serving four years in the Board of Aldermen, all of
which time he was its president. In the fall of 1890 he was elected treasurer of Al-
bany county, and re-elected in the fall of 1893 and served until his term expired
on December 31, 1896. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. F, 176th N. Y. Vols., and served
two years and eight months. He is a member of the Catholic Union, the Dongan
and Press Clubs, and Post 121, G. A. R. Mr. Bowe is a director of the Albany City
National Bank and a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution.
Templeton, Charles B. , of Scotch-Irish descent, is the grandson of Philip Temple-
ton, who came from the North of Ireland to Albany about 1800. His parents were
John and Cecelia (Payn) Templeton, of whom the former died in 1890. John Temple-
ton was treasurer of the Albany County Savings Bank and cashier of the Albany
County Bank and organized both institutions. He held various corporation offices,
was president of the Young Men's Association in 1863, for several years president of
the Y. M. C. A., and a trustee in a number of charitable and religious organizations.
Charles B. Templeton was born in Albany, October 28, 1864, was graduated from
the Albany Academy in 1880 and from Union College in 1884, receiving the degrees of
A. B. and C. E., and read law with Hungerford & Hotaling. He was graduated
from the Albany Law School as LL. B. arid admitted to the bar in 1886, and since
209
then has been associated in practice with Hon. Lansing Hotaling. He is a member
of the Albany Institute, the Alpha Delta Phi and the Fort Orange and Uncondi-
tional Republican Clubs; was secretary and later president of the Young Men's As-
sociation for several years ; was the first president of the Theta Nu Epsilon (soph-
more) College fraternity ; was for some time secretary and treasurer of the Union
College Alumni Association, and was the commandant of the Unconditional Cam-
paign Club in 1892. He was the Republican candidate for district attorney in 1889,
and judge of the City Court in 1892, and has taken an active interest in the League
of the Republican Clubs of the State, having been for several years a member of the
executive committee, representing Albany county. November 14, 1894, he married
Margaret Elizabeth Edwards of Albany.
Knowles, Charles R., is a son of the late Rev. Charles J. Knowles, whose father,
Eli Knowles, was one of the first settlers of Greenville, Greene county, N. Y. and
whose wife, Vina, was a daughter of Jonathan Sherrill, another pioneer of Greenville ;
her brother, Hon. Eliakim Sherrill, was a member ot the Thirteenth Congress, State
senator in 1854 and a colonel in the Union army; was killed at the battle of Gettys-
burg. Mr. Knowles was born at Riverhead, Long Island, on May 16, 1839. His
early education was' in the academies at Riverhead, L. I., and Greenville, N. Y., the
latter being one of the foremost academies of the State. It was here Martin Van
Buren and Lyman Tremaine and many others prominent in State and Nation re-
ceived their early education ; among the many eminent teachers of the academy was
a brother of the late Hon. Amasa J. Parker, uncle of the editor of this work. Mr.
Knowles has never lost his interest in Greenville or its material prosperity; he owns
the old Sherrill homestead, where his mother was born, having modernized it for his
summer home. He is the president of the Board of Trustees of the academy- His
first business experience was as a clerk in his uncle's insurance office, in Washington,
Di C, where he spent some three years; from Washington he entered the office of
his cousin, Judge Knowles, of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, as a law student.
Before concluding his law studies, after the battle of Bull Run in 1861, he enlisted
as a private in the 92d Regt., N. Y. Yols. , organized a company and was elected
its captain, and with his regiment served with the army of the Potomac, participating
in its victories and defeats, its marches and countermarches through the Peninsula
campaign, until after the battle of Fair Oaks, when sickness compelled him to resign.
With returning health there came to him the appointment of judge advocate of the
Mississippi squadron, with rank of acting master on the staff of Rear Admiral Lee.
At the close of the war he settled in Albany, became general agent of the Commerce
Insurance Company, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In the same year he was
appointed manager of the New York State Department <>\ the Insurance Company
of North America, and Royal of Liverpool, and Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Com-
pany of Philadelphia. January 1, 1888, the Royal Insurance Company decided to
unite the New York State department witli the Metropolitan Department, under
the management of E. F. Beddall, which left Mr. Knowles with the management
of the North American and the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Companies. January
1, 1896, the Philadelphia Underwriters was added to the list of his companies. A
Republican in politics, Mr. Knowles has Keen the representative of his party in the
Board of Supervisors and State Legislature, as well as a popular stump speaker in
210
many a hard fought contest in the State. He is a director of the Merchants' National
Bank, a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, trustee of the Emanuel Baptist
church, acting president of the Fairview Home for Friendless Children, vice-president
of the Board of Trustees of the Y. M. C. A., governor of the Albany City Hospital, a
member of the Fort Orange Club, and of the N. Y. Commandery of the Loyal Legion
of the U. S.. In the Assembly he was chairman of the committee on commerce and
navigation, and in that capacity was largely instrumental in saving to the cities of
New York and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge, the charter of which was in danger of
annulment. In 1862 he married Elizabeth F. , eldest daughter of Hiram Gilbert,
of Albany. Their living children are four daughters, Jane S., Margaret B. , Elizabeth
D., and MaryG., all of whom are or have been studentsof St. Agnes School, Albany,
and Smith College, Northampton, Mass., and one son, Charles Piatt Knowles, a grad-
uate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, class of '96.
Van Rensselaer, William Bayard, is a lineal descendant of Killaen Van Rensse-
laer, and were the English law still in force in this State, would be the ninth patroon,
or Lord of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck. His great-grandfather, Stephen, known
as "the young patroon," was a general in the United States army, lieutenant-gov-
ernor of New York, member of congress, first chancellor of the Board of Regents,
etc., etc., and married Margaret, daughter of Philip J. Schuyler. General Stephen's
son, also Stephen, 1789-1868, married Harriet, daughter of William Bayard and had a
son, Bayard Van Rensselaer, whose wife was Laura, daughter of Marcus T. Reynolds.
They were the parents of W. Bayard and Dr. Howard Van Rensselaer (see sketch of
latter for further genealogy). W. Bayard Van Rensselaer, born October 4, 1856,
attended the Albany State Normal School, the Boys' Academy, a boarding school at
Catskill and St. Paul's School in New Hampshire and graduated from Harvard College
in 1879. He attended Harvard Law School one year, read law with Marcus T. and
Leonard G. Hun in Albany and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He began active
practice, but the death of Charles Van Zandt in 1881 soon placed him in charge of
the Stephen Van Rensselaer estate. In 1885 the heirs conveyed their interests in this
property to the Van Rensselaer Land Company of which he has since been treasurer
and general manager. He is a director in the Cohoes Company (incorporated 1823),
which supplies all the factories in Cohoes with water power; and is also a director in
the New York State National Bank, a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank, and presi-
dent of Albany Terminal Warehouse Co., a foundation member of the Fort Orange
Club and a member of the University and Reform Clubs of New York city. In 1880
he married Louisa G., daughter of Professor Lane of Harvard University.
Payn, jr.. Samuel Giles, born February 4, 1845, in Albany, is a son of Samuel
Giles, sr., who was born in Fort Miller, Washington county, N. Y., December 22,
1815, who married Sarah Goodrich Noble of New York city in 1839, who was born in
New York city December 30, 1817, and who died in Albany July 8, 1854; she was a
descendant through her mother of the French Huguenot family of Emars, who early
came to this country. Samuel Giles, sr. , was for many years a prominent business
man of Albany, being engaged in the flour and grain trade on lower Broadway. He
was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Association and the Board of Trade
of Albany, of which latter he was an early president. Their surviving children are
John Goodrich, George Alexander, Samuel Giles, jr., Cornelius Noble, Sarah Jane
•ill
and Frederick Amar (Emar); by his second wife he had one daughter, Catherine.
Benjamin Hawley Payn, father of Samuel G. Payn, sr., who was born in Fort Miller,
Washington county, N. Y., in 1783, was a son of Noah, who took an active part fn
the struggle for American Independence. Noah Payn was born in Pomfret, Conn.,
November 24, 1729, and settled in Fort Miller in 17(56; he was the only son of Stephen
Pain 3d, born June 21, 1699, in Pomfret, Conn., who was the seventh son of Samuel
Paine of Rehoboth, Mass., who was born May 12, 1662, he being the fifth son of
Stephen Paine 2d, born in Norfolk, England, in 1629, and who came to New England
with his father when about nine years of age. He was the first son of Stephen
Paine, sr., who came from Great Ellingham near Hingham, Norfolk county, Eng-
land, in the year 1638, in the ship Diligent of Ipswich, John Martin, master, bringing
his family consisting of his wife Rose, three sons and four servants. He settled first
in Hingham, Mass., but removed to Rehoboth, Mass., in 1644. From him many of
the Payn, Pain, and Paine families of America trace their descent, all being from
one common ancestry. Stephen 3d dropped the final c of his name, and Noah changed
the /to y; there are many of this family, cousins of Samuel G.. jr., who add a final
e to Payn. Stephen Paine 1st was undoubtedly a descendant of the only Paine of
the time of William the Conqueror, who was enumerated or mentioned in the Domes-
bay Book, the great Survey or first Census of England, taken after the conquest by
order of King William in 1086, a copy of which is owned by the Boston Public
Library. Samuel Giles Payn, jr., attended the Albany Boys' Academy and Sand
Lake Collegiate Institute. September 4, 1861, he enlisted as a sharpshooter in Capt.
Elijah Hobart's Company of Berdan's 2d Regiment U. S. Sharpshooters. Governor
Morgan, fearing that as U. S. troops they would not be credited to X. Y. State's
quota, forced the company into the 93d Regt. N. Y. Vols., as Co. B. He was with
the regiment continually except two weeks in hospital at Newport News, Ya. , six
weeks on detached service at Gettysburg, Pa., after that battle, and during his thirty
days' veteran furlough, from his enlistment until he received the wound that inca-
pacitated him from further active service, and from which he still suffers. His reg-
iment participated in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, from its forma-
tion to the close of the war, and was engaged in the battles'of Yorktown, Williams
burgh, Fair Oaks, Fredericksburgh, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River. Spottsylvania
Court House and North Anna River, Ya., and Gettysburg, Pa. While carrying the
colors of his regiment in the charge of its brigade at North Anna River, Va., May
23, 1864, he was severely wounded in the left leg just below the knee. Shortly after-
wards he was commissioned second lieutenant for his conduct on the battlefield,
being promoted over all the mm commissioned officers of the regiment. He was
mustered out at the close of the war on July 28, 1865, while still suffering severely
from his wound, having served almost four years. In 1867 he engaged with his
brother Cornelius in the prepared Hour business ; in 1869 began the study of art with
Prof. Alexander Francois of Albany. Later he opened a studio for pastel and
crayon portraiture, being the first artist in Albany to make life size crayon portraits;
afterwards he added the solar printing and enlarging process, and still later the
electric light and platinum process, and continued in this business until 1894. Hi
then engaged in the manufacture of magnetic garments and appliances at 611 Broad-
way, Albany, N. Y., under the name of " Suttonia" Magnetic Co. These consist of
magnetic jackets, belts, leggins, shields, insoles, etc., for the cure of lung troubles,
212
rheumatism, heart troubles, cold feet and cramp in limbs, etc. He is a charter mem-
ber of William A. Jackson Post No. 644, Department New York G. A. R., and has
resided in Bath-on-Hudson since 1873. February 14, 1871, he married Isabella
Laing Hutton of Schuylerville, N. Y., a daughter of John Hutton of that place, who
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 8, 1812, who was a son of David Hutton,
a merchant tailor of that place. John Hutton, her father, served during the war of
the Rebellion in the 125th Regt. N. Y. Vols., that went from Troy, N. Y. He was
discharged for disability after serving almost two years. They have had three chil-
eren: Anna Goodrich and Albert Pond Payn, both deceased, and Samuel Giles 3d,
born at Bath on-Hudson, August 27, 1878.
Robinson, James A., son of Albert S. and Anna M. (Preston) Robinson, was born
in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1862. He moved to Albany with his parents in the early sev-
enties, and attended the public and high schools and the Albany Academy. He
afterward became a student in the law office of Clifford D. Gregory and remained
there five years, in the mean time being admitted to the bar. He subsequently be-
came connected with the Hon. Robert G. Scherer and remained with him three years.
Since then Mr. Robinson has practiced law at No. 68 State street. He is a member
of the Improved Order of Red Men and Capital City Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F. In
1893 he married Genevieve Bigelow of Albany.
Taylor, Robert B., was born in New Scotland, March 10, 1829. Robert, his grand-
father, was a native of Ireland, born in 1758 and came to America when a young
man and spent his life as a farmer in the town of New Scotland; his wife was Eva
Ann Hotaling, born in 1762; they reared four sons and five daughters. John Tay-
lor, the father, was born on the homestead in 1790, and spent his life in agricultural
pursuits; his wife was Christiana, daughter of Rev. Harmon and Rachel (Bogart)
Van Huysen; to them were born ten children: James, Mary J., Rachel, Harriet,
Sarah, John V., Robert, Eva Ann, Eliza, and Catharine; he died in 1850. His wife
. was born in August, 1794, and lived to be eighty-six years of age. Her father, the
Rev. Harmon Van Huysen, son of Harmon, a native of Holland, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier, who ranked as captain, and after the war settled in New Scotland on
the farm now owned by his grandson, Robert B. Taylor; it being the donation of
his friends in that vicinity, each contributing ten acres. He entered the pulpit and
was the founder of the Dutch Reformed church in Guilderland and New Scotland.
It was known as the Helderberg Reformed Church. He had three congregations
and preached for thirty-one consecutive years. Robert B. lived on his father's farm
and attended the common schools. When twenty-one years old his father died, and
the following year he began for himself on the same place where he erected his
present sightly house. In 1853 he married Elizabeth (born in New Scotland), the
daughter of Peter R. and Mary (Ostrander) Furbeck, and granddaughter of John
Furbeck,of Germany, who was a prominent Revolutionary soldier in Washington's
army. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born five children: Alfred J., John B., and
Rensselaer, all of whom are farmers in this town ; and Mary Anna, died when she
was eighteen years old, and Ellen, died when she was sixteen years old.
Court, Charles, was born in Coeymans in 1860, and is a son of Edward, who came
from England and settled at Aquetuck in about 1856, where he built a wagon shop
and carried on business until his death. Mr. Court, after attending the district
•ii:;
school, went to the State Normal School at Albany, where he was graduated, and has
been a teacher for several winters. In 1882 he bought the store at Aquetuck, which
he has since carried on, and since 1892 he has been postmaster. He married Griffina,
daughter of Isaac Tompkins, by whom two sons and one daughter have been born:
Jesse, Paul, Helen.
Crannell, Monroe. — Standing on the sidewalk on Broadway, New York, one may
look through the picket fence that surrounds Trinity church-yard, and read on a
tomb stone near the inscription marking the burial place of Robert Crannell and
Molly Winslow, his wife. From this English stock down through several genera-
tions of ancestors of Huguenot and Dutch blood, Monroe Crannell was born in the
city of Albany. He was educated at the Classical Institute, and at the Albany
Academy, and was graduated from the Albany Law School before he attained his
majority. He continued his studies in the law office of Judge Wolford and the Hon.
Worthington Frothingham, until he was admitted to the Albany county bar. He
was a member of the Albany Zouave Cadets, and served his full enlistment with
this famous military organization. In politics he was a Republican, and at various
times was importuned to accept nominations for public office; these overtures were
always firmly declined. Yet, while refusing to act in an official capacity, Mr. Cran-
nell labored earnestly and intelligently for all measures having for their purpose the
improvement of the city of Albany. He was one of the projectors of the Hawk
street viaduct, and when others lost courage, and sank into apathy at the seeming
indifference of the citizens of Albany to the proposed improvement, or were silenced
by the bitter attacks of those opposed to it, Mr. Crannell never faltered or wavered.
He worked for three years combating wrong impressions, and forcing his views on
the Legislature through representative speakers, until in June, 1888, he won his
cause, and secured for the city what has proven to be one of the most appreciated
improvements ever accomplished by Albanians. In testimony of his untiring efforts
he was presented with a valuable watch and chain by grateful citizens, among
whom were many of those who had opposed the construction of the viaduct. Mr.
Crannell never married. He made his home with his brother, Mr. \Y. Winslow
Crannell of Albany. He died suddenly April 2(5, 1893.
Slingerland, Cornelius, was born September 15, 1839, in the house erected by
Tunis Slingerland, his great-great-grandfather, in 1762. The first of the family in
America was Tunis Cornelius Slingerland, born in Amsterdam, Holland. April 7,
1017, and came to America in 1051). In 1652 he purchased a tract of land lying east
of the present Chapel street in Albany, and in 1665, with his brother-in-law, Jo-
hannes Apple, bought of the Indians 8,000 acres of land east of the Helderberg
mountains, which comprised a portion of the present towns of New Scotland and
Bethlehem; in 1684 this purchase was confirmed by Governor Dongan. Of this tract
he retained 2,000 acres, the remainder going to the Van Rensselaers. His wife was
Engeltie Albertsie Bradt, and their children who reached maturity were Arent, Al-
bert, Cornelius and Elizabeth. Cornelius was born June 7, 1670, and married Eva
Mebie, May 28, 1690; of his children one was Tunis Cornelius, above mentioned, born
March 1, 1722; he spent his lifeclearing and improving the land, and the brick house
he erected in 1702 is still standing in excellent preservation ; he reared four sons: John,
Cornelius, Peter and Henrv, of whom Peter was the grandfather of the subjeel and was
214
born February 5, 1759. He was an energetic man, built and operated mills and con-
verted the timber on his land into lumber; his wife was Gertrude Bloomingdale ;
their children were Maus and Agnes; he died in 1847, in his eighty-ninth year.
Maus, the father of the subject, was born March 7, 1806; he owned 700 acres of land
and the saw and grist mills built by his father; he was public spirited and active in
the welfare of his town. He married Susanna, daughter of William Sayer of New
Scotland, and had four sons and four daughters. His wife died in 1856, and he died
July 7, 1892. Cornelius Slingerland, the subject of this record, has spent his life on
the homestead ; he has between 250 and 300 acres, on which he has made many im-
provements in the way of buildings, etc., having the best barn in the town. He has
recently bought the saw mill property adjoining his farm, consisting of thirty seven
acres, with two good houses, barns, etc. Aside from his farm interests he is con-
nected with other business enterprises. He is one of the original promoters and
now president of the Clarksville Telephone Company. Politically he is a Repub-
lican and declined the nomination by that party for sheriff. He married, Septem-
ber 9, 1863, Anna, daughter of Garrett and Eve (Van Derzee) Hotaling of Bethle-
hem. They have two children: Mrs. Susie Shear and Evelyn C. Mrs. Shear has
one son, Cornelius Slingerland. Mr. and Mrs. Slingerland are members of the Re-
formed church, in which he has been deacon and elder for several years. Mrs. Sling-
erland is a member of the Ladies' Missionary Society.
Hurst, David T., was born in the town of Knox, March 10, 1851. Francis Hurst,
his great-grandfather, was a native of England. Francis, his grandfather, ■ was
born in England about 1787. He grew to manhood in Albany and moved to the
town of Knox where his father had provided him with a farm of 150 acres of land.
His wife was Magdalene Keenholts, and they reared three sons and seven daugh-
ters. He died when eighty-five years old and his wife died at about the same age.
Robert, his father, was born in the town of Knox, March 20, 1825, and when a small
boy went and lived among his relatives, with whom he grew up and worked for
until twenty-six years of age. He then bought his father's homestead, where he
lived for three years. He sold the farm and removed to New Scotland, where he
lived some thirty-seven years. In 1887 he retired from his farm to the village of
Altamont, where he purchased an acre of land and erected a nice residence. In
1850 he married Mary Ann Mathies, a native of New Scotland, and daughter
of Henry Mathies. Their children were Margaret, Ida, David T., Walter, Al-
verenns. Frank, and Ira and Luella, deceased. David T. moved on his father's
farm in 1872, and worked it on shares until 1880, when he purchased it. To
this he added, in 1893, another farm of seventy-three acres, and here Mr. Hurst has
done general farming. He is also a heavy fruit grower, having a fine large apple
orchard. In 1872 he was married to Louisa M., daughter of George I, and Anna
Reid, of New Scotland. Their children are Carrie G., Verner R., Lulu S. and
George I.
Greene, Lindsey, is the son of Anson, and the grandson of Daniel, whose father,
William Greene, came from Connecticut to Coeymans about 1788 and settled in
Coeymans Hollow. He had four sons: William, Russell, David and Anson. Anson
Greene was for many years a merchant; he died in 1893 leaving two sons, Stanley
and Lindsey, who still carry on the store where their father did business. In
215
1886 they bought the paper mills at Alcove, where they continued until 1891 when
they were destroyed by fire. Mr. Lindsey studied law at the Albany Law School,
and was admitted to the bar in 1880, after which he practiced for some years at Ra-
vena, and, though now devoting most of his time to the mercantile business, lias
some law practice.
Abrams, Augustus C, was born in Rensselaerville in 18 I '-'. I It- is the son of Elijah,
who was born in Greenville, Greene county, in 1*08, being one of four sons and four
daughters born to Benjamin, formerly a farmer in Long Island, who removed to and
settled in the town of Rensselaerville, where he spent his last days. Elijah, the
father, was a farmer and came to Guilderland in 1868* where he was successful,
He was a man of many peculiarities but well liked. His wife was Thankful Bouton,
daughter of David Bouton, by whom he had five sons and four daughters, four of
whom are now living. Augustus C. remained with his parents until he became of
age, when he went to California via the Panama route, where he remained for five
years; he interested himself in the mines, meeting with fair success. He returned
by request of his father in 1868. In 1870 father and son purchased a dairy farm of
180 acres in Guilderland, and farmed it together, selling milk in Albany city until
1889, when Augustus bought the father out. They had added fifty acres to the
place and made many improvements, erecting a fine house which has since been re-
modeled. The father lived mostly with Augustus until his death in 1891, and was
buried from the old homestead by special request; his wife died in 18S4. Augustus
is a thorough, practical farmer. In 1869 he united with the M. E. church; has been
a class leader ever since, also superintendent of the Sunday school for fourteen
years He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1864; also of the I. O.
G. T. Was a member of the Sons of Temperance when seventeen years of age. In
1871 he married Anna E. Herrick, daughter of Nathaniel and Nancy J. Herrick,
who died in 1892, leaving two children, Lilly M. and Charles E., who are at home;
Charles is engaged in the poultry and broiler business. His second wife is Anna
Wise, daughter of Martin Wise. They have two children, Jessie I. and Ethel M.
After many years of the closest and most friendly and affectionate relationship be-
tween father and son, which lasted until the dying day of the father, strange to say,
Mr. Abrams, through some unfortunate mistake was left entirely out of his father's
will.
Thornton, George and Theron T., of Guilderland, are natives of Duanesburg,
Schenectady county, N. V. Their paternal grandfather was Thomas Thornton, who
married Betsey Richardson, both born in Londonderry, N. 11. ; Thomas was a brother
of Dr. Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence,
and also of Major John Thornton of Schenectady. Their maternal grandparents
were Joseph and Lydia (Thompson) Gaige. Their father was Charles Thornton,
born in Duanesburg in 17!)7, where he was a lifelong farmer. In 1854 he moved to
the Merrylield farm and purchased it in lN."if;; this farm is now owned and opi
by George and Theron T. In 1822 he married Alinira Gaige, who bore him seven
children, as follows: George, Lydia, Maria L., Theron T., Euretta. Charles W. and
Amanda. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton were both members of the I Mitch Reformed church,
though Mrs. Thornton always retained a love for the Quaker religion, the faith of
her ancestors. She died September 12, l^is, and he November 6. 1880, The Thorn-
216
ton Brothers are conducting a general farming business on the homestead. Both
are staunch and ardent Democrats and thoroughly interested in the public affairs of
their town and county. Have been elected delegates to county, assembly and judicial
conventions and have the reputation of being true, fair and impartial jurymen.
George has remained unmarried, and Theron T. married Susan M. Lainhart ; they
have one child, Amey L.
Chesebro, Thaddeus, son of William Chesebro, was born in the village of Guilder-
land Center in 1832. Elijah, his grandfather, was a native of Stonington, Conn.,
born in 1759, and was of Welsh ancestry. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war, and settled in the town of Knox, Albany, county, in 1789. He was married the
same year to Thankful Williams, who was born in 1769, and also of Welsh ancestry.
They had nine children: Eunice, who died when ten years of age; Hannah, Elijah,
Jane, Mary, Lucy, Williams, Esther, and Sarah Ann. He died May 6, 1808, and his
wife died May 22, 1858. Their son Elijah was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died
in 1860. Williams, the father of Thaddeus, was born in the town of Knox, July 22,
1802. He began life for himself when twenty-four years of age. He became a black-
smith by trade and about 1826 moved to the village of Guilderland Center and pur-
chased a blacksmith shop and carried on business there until 1836, when he sold out
his shop and purchased 100 acres of heavy timber land, which now comprises the
farm of Thaddeus Chesebro. His wife was Roxana Chapman, daughter of Jonas
and Susan Chapman of Knox. The children are Thaddeus, Sarah, Esther, Mary,
Jesse and Charles. He died in 1877 and his wife died in 1881 at the age of seventy-
nine. Thaddeus received a common school education, and at the age of twelve his
father set him to hauling cord wood and produce to the city of Albany. At this
pursuit he continued until he grew into manhood. Several years before the death of
his father he assumed full control of the farm business. Since then he has added to
his estate forty acres of woodland and erected a large wagon house and barns. For
some years past he has given considerable attention to dairying and possesses an ex-
cellent lot of grade Jersey cows. In 1856 he married Miss Gertrude, daughter of
Wendell Vine, who was a prominent man in Guilderland, where he was supervisor.
Mr. and Mrs. Chesebro have two children: Mrs. Edna Graffers of Newtonville and
Mrs. Carrie Goodrich of Pasadena, Cal.
Fearey, Joseph, & Son. — Thomas and Joseph Fearey, natives of England, engaged
in the retail boot and shoe business in Albany in 1844 and continued together until
1865, when Thomas and his two sons, George D. and Thomas H., established a shoe
manufactory. Joseph Fearey continued the retail business alone and soon ad-
mitted his son William H. as a partner, under the firm name of Joseph Fearey &
Son, which has ever since remained unchanged. Joseph Fearey died in 1890, and
his son, in January, 1895, and since then the business has been carried on by Mrs.
William H. Fearey, with William T. McMullan as manager. The latter has been
with the house since 1871, and in 1882 was promoted to his present position. The
firm has two large stores in Albany and one in Troy, the latter being opened in
1894.
Terry, Washington C, was born in Coeymans, and is a son of Francis and Bar-
bara (Car-hart) Terry, and grandson of John and great-grandson of Philip, whose
father was George Terry, who came from Rhode Island to Coeymans and settled
217
near Coeymans, and was mostly engaged in farming. Mr. Terry is a farmer on
the farm where his father settled in 1847, and where he died in 1869. He married
Sarah E., daughter of Daniel Carhart.
Van Allen, Richard B., was born in the town of Bethlehem. Albany county, in
1842. John Van Allen, the great-grandfather, was a native of Holland. John, the
grandfather, was born in the town of Bethlehem in 1786, and was a practical and
successful farmer. His wife was Anna Elmandorth, who was born in Kinderhook,
a daughter of Jacob Elmandorth. They reared nine children: John, Samuel, Gar-
rett, Philip, Jane, Catherine, Maria, Kaziah and Julia. He died in 1863 and his
wife died several years before. Samuel, the father of Richard B., is a native of
Bethlehem, born September 2, 1815. He received a common school education and
remained on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age, when he married and
began for himself on a rented farm. He later purchased one-half of his father's 199
acres, on which he resided until 1875, when he removed to Guilderland, bought a lot
and erected a residence at Fuller's Station. Soon after he came into possession of
the general store at that place, which he conducted for fourteen years. In 1890 he
was succeeded in business by his son Richard and his brother-in-law. He has since
led a retired life. While in the town of Bethlehem he was elected school commis-
sioner and was trustee of the district school for fifteen years. In 1836 he married
Elizabeth Becker, who was born in Bethlehem in 1813, and was a daughter of Rich-
ard and Catherine (Snyder) Becker. Their children are John, Richard, Ira and
George. His wife died in 1867. The past few years his children have quietly
brought about a reunion at his residence, greatly to the surprise and delight of their
aged parents. Richard B. worked on his father's farm and attended the common
schools, but at the age of twenty-five left home and engaged as mechanic in the
steel works of Troy, and later spent a time at farming, and from 1879 to 1883 he
was in the produce business in Albany. In 1883 he removed to Fuller's Station,
where he assisted his father in his store. In 1890 he, with his brother-in-law, pur-
chased his father's store and business. He has also been a dealer in hay and straw
for the past five years and was for a time interested in a cider mill. He was post-
master at Fuller's Station for two years under. Harrison and Cleveland. In 1888 he
married Emma Goodman of Schenectady. Air. and Mrs. Van Allen have two chil-
dren : Voorhees and Mattie May.
Washburn, Hiram L. , son of Hiram L. and Magdalen T. (Clark) Washburn, was
born in Westford, Otsego county, N. Y., June 14, 184<). He is of English descent,
being descended from one of three brothers who came from England to America
prior to the Revolution ; and of Holland-Dutch descent, his maternal ancestors hav-
ing been among the first to settle the town of Schenectady, N. V. Mr. Washburn
attended the Albany public schools and the Ballston Spa Institute, after which he
studied law in the office of Hungerford & llotaling of Albany and was admitted to
practice in 1861. Since his admission to the bar he has practiced law in Albany.
Mr. Washburn was the attorney for four or live German banking and loan associa-
tions that were organized between 1866 and 1875, and was for several years searching
clerk in the Albany county clerk's office. He also tried the case which brought about
the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in New York State for several months
after the war of the Rebellion, the question involved being in relation to the mus-
218
tenng out of men who had enlisted to fill unexpired terms. He was the inspector of
rifle practice on the staff of the Third, Fifth and Ninth Brigades, N. G. N. Y., for
ten years and was on duty at the West Albany riots. Mr. Washburn is at present
the attorney for the Permanent Savings & Loan Association of Albany and has a
very large real estate practice. He is a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of Cap-
ital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Masters Lodge No. 6. April 1, 1866,
he married Phebe Neemes of Albany, and they have three children: Mrs. William J. (
McKown, Mrs. R. J. LeBoef, and Lucius H. Washburn.
Wallen, William, is a son of Frederick J. Wallen, born in Birmingham, England,
October 21, 1837, who came to America about 1849 and settled in Philadelphia, Pa.,
where he learned the trade of gas and steam fitting. In 1860 Frederick J. came to
Albany and had charge of the steam and gas fitting department of Tucker & Craw-
ford until 1873, when he established business for himself. He became one of the
leading steam and gas fitters in Albany. Mr. Wallen was a prominent member of
the Philadelphia and Albany Volunteer Fire Departments from the age of seventeen,
being foreman in Albany of Steamer No. 4 several years. He was also connected
with the present fire department of Albany and while discharging his duties July 13,
1885, was killed in the Boardman & Gray fire, being forty-seven years of age. He
was an active Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. He married Elizabeth
Virden. who died July 30, 1878, and of their ten children eight are living. Mr.
Wallen's mother died in Philadelphia in 1892, aged eighty two and his father, Will-
iam, in Albany, in 1893, aged eighty-three. William Wallen, son of F. J., was born
April 5, 1863, associated himself with his father in 1876 and on the latter's death in
1885 succeeded, with his brother, George E., to the business, under the firm name of
F. J. Wallen's Sons. George E. withdrew in February, 1895, and since then Will-
iam Wallen has continued alone, having one of the largest plants between New York
and Buffalo, and doing a large amount of steam, hot water heating and gas fitting.
He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Elks and the Empire Curling and Albany
Bicycle Clubs. April 15, 1884, he married Minnie E. Evans of Albany, and their
children are Nathan Evans and Frederick William.
Rankin, Edward W., is a great-grandson of William Rankin, who was born in
Stirlingshire, Scotland, May 16, 1745 (died 1834), and came to Troy, N. Y., in 1763.
He married Wilhelmina Payne, daughter of Dr. Lodowick Dunkel, of New York
city. William Rankin, his son, born 1785, died 1869, married Abigail Ogden, of
Elizabeth, N. J., in 1809, and removing to Newark, N. J., became prominent in busi-
ness and religious circles. His son, Edward E. Rankin, D.D., born 1830, died
1889, was pastor at Springfield, N. J., then of the 42d Street Presbyterian church,
New York city, 1849 to 1863, when he went to the war under the Christian Commis-
sion. From 1866 to 1879 he was pastor of the First Church of Christ at Fairfield,
Conn. Retiring in ill-health he settled in Hartford for two years and then returned
to Newark, N. J. He was one of the directors of the Hartford Theological Seminary
and a lecturer in his later years at the Bloomfield Theological Seminary. He mar-
ried, 1847, Emily Watkinson, of Hartford, Conn., whose family came from Laven-
ham, Suffolk, England, in 1795. Her father, Edward Watkinson, married Lavinia
Hudson, of Hartford, and was a brother and partner of David Watkinson, the
founder of the Watkinson Library. Edward Watkinson Rankin, son of Rev. Dr.
219
E. E. Rankin, born in New York city, August 12, 1850, educated at Collegiate
School, N. Y. C, Newark Academy and Williston, Easthampton, was gradu-
ated at Princeton College in 1871, receiving degree of A. M. in 1874. He studied
law at Southport, Conn, (where he also edited the Southport Chronicle), and at
Bridgeport. He received degree of LL. B. from the Albany Law School and was
admitted to the bar at Albany in 1873. He was in Europe until 1875 and studied for
a time, at Leipsic. He returned to Albany in 1875, since which time he has followed
his profession, making a specialty of office practice and real estate titles. He is a
member of the Albany Institute, Albany Historical Society and Albany Camera
Club. June 3, 1884, he married Catharine Bogart Putnam daughter of Dr. Alonzo
and Harriet Maria (Van Rensselaer) Putman, who on her father's side traces her
descent back six generations to an ancestor coming from Holland. Her grand-
father, Cornelius H. Putman, married Gazena Yisscher Maybee, the granddaughter
of Col. Frederick and Gazena De Graff Visscher, of Caughnawaga. Mrs. Rankin's
mother, Harriet Maria Van Rensselaer, was the daughter of Robert Sanders Van-
Rensselaer (married Catharine Bogart), who was the son of Col. Philip Van Rens-
selaer (married Maria Sanders), who built the mansion " Cherry Hill," at Albany
in 1768, in which Mr. and Mrs. Rankin now live. Col. Philip Van Rensselaer
was a son of Col. Killian Van Rensselaer (married Arriantie Schuyler in 1742), and
he the son of Hendrick Van Rensselaer (married Catrina Van Brugh, daughter of
Catharine Roeloffsen, and granddaughter of Anneke Jans), who was a brother of Kil-
lian Van Rensselaer, the third Patroon of Rensselaerwyck. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin
have three children, Edward Elmendorf, Herbert Edward and Emily Watkinson.
Keenholts, Hon. James, of Altamont, was born in Guilderland, April 13, 1868, son
of James Keenholts and Helen (Horner) Martin, grandson of Christopher, whose
father was Christopher. James Keenholts was educated in the district schools and
remained on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old, when he engaged in
the meat business on his own account in Altamont. In 1866 he engaged in the fruit
and produce business, which he still continues. From 1889 to 1893 he conducted a
livery in addition to his other occupations. Mr. Keenholts is a Republican and act-
ive in politics; he assisted in the incorporation of the village of Altamont, and is
now serving his third term as trustee thereof; he was a prime mover in establishing
the Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association, of which he was made superin-
tendent, and has been a director since the organization; on January 9, 1897, he was
elected president of the association. In 1894 he was elected to the Assembly and
re-elected in 1895. He is a member of the Voorheesville Lodge I. O. O. F. and Na-
tawa Tribe of Red Men of Albany. In 1887 he married Delia C. Griggs of Cobles-
kill, daughter of C. L. Griggs. They have had three children: Ella, Anita and
Helen J.
Reynolds, Charles W., was born in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Feb-
ruarys, 1848. He is descended from William Reynolds <>( Providence, R. I., who,
on August 20, 1637, with twelve others including Roger Williams, signed the follow-
ing compact:
We, whose names are here under, desire to inhabit in the town of Providence, do promise to
subject ourselves in active and passive obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall lie
made for public good of the body, in an orderly way by the major assent of the presenl inhab-
220
itants, masters of families incorporated together into a town fellowship, and such others whom
they shall admit unto them, only in civil things. '
The great-grandfather of Charles W., William W. Reynolds, came from Westerly,
R. I., and settled in Petersburgh in 1780. Prior to this, in 1777, he served in the de-
fense of his country against the English, at the battle of Bennington. He spent his
remaining days in Petersburgh, being supervisor in 1801, 1802 and 1803, and magis-
trate for many years. The grandfather of this subject was Parley Reynolds, who
was born in Petersburgh in 1780. He became a merchant and for many years, in
partnership with his brother Thomas, conducted an extensive and profitable business
in Petersburgh, and was supervisor in 1837 and 1838. William W. Reynolds, the
father of Charles W., was born September 25, 1816, and died June 4, 1876, and was
supervisor in 1847, 1848, 1856 and 1857. He was married to Mary (born January 14,
1825), daughter of Braddock Peckham, jr. (born June 4, 1781, died January 7, 1834),
and granddaughter of Braddock Peckham, sr. (born May 4, 1757, died January 9,
1830), who was a soldier in a Rhode Island regiment during the Revolutionary war.
Previous to this service he was second in command in an expedition composed of
patriotic citizens of Wickford, R. I., that made a prisoner of the British General
Prescott, July 10, 1777, at Newport, R. I. ; the prisoner was delivered to General
Washington at Newburgh by the same party, and on July 18, 1777, was exchanged
for Major-General Harry Lightfoot Lee. At the close of his connection with this
duty, he came to the valley of the Little Hoosick, looking for a future home. He had
but just arrived when Captain Hull's company was being formed to go' to the relief
of General Stark at Bennington ; he joined this company, was made lieutenant and
served in that capacity at the battle of Bennington and continued with the company
until after the battle of Bemis Heights and the surrender of Burgoyne, when the
company was disbanded ; he then joined the command of General Gates and with
that little army of 1,500 marched away to New Jersey. He was at the defeat of
Brandywine and on the bloody field of Monmouth. He remained with General
Gates's command until the latter was superseded by Gen. Nathaniel Greene, and
with him saw the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. At the termination of the
war he returned to his home in Rhode Island, and in 1786, accompanied by his brother
Abel, came to the beautiful valley of the Little Hoosick and there reared a family
of thirteen children and where many of his descendants still reside. The first an-
cestor in this county of Braddock Peckham was John Peckham of Newport, R. I.,
who was admitted an inhabitant May 20, 1638; he married Mary Clarke, who was a
sister of the Rev. John Clarke from Bradfordshire, England, " one of the ablest men
of the seventeenth century and a founder of Rhode Island." In 1648 John Peckham
was one of the ten male members in full communion of the First Baptist church.
Charles W. Reynolds grew to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained his educa-
tion in the common schools, at Fort Edward Institute and Alfred University. When
twenty-one years of age his father assisted him in purchasing an interest in a general
1 " The government established by these primitive settlers of Providence was an anomaly in
the history of the world. At the outset it was a pure democracy, which for the first time guarded
jealously the rights of conscience by ignoring any power in the body politic to interfere witli those
matters that concern man and his Maker. Principle, not precedent, formed their only standard
of judgment. Could the record of their proceedings have been preserved (meetings were held
monthly), with what interest should we nowptirsue the debates of this earliest of modern democ-
racies'."— Arnold's History of Rhode Island.
221
store in the village of Petersburgh in partnership with the late David H. Kellyer where
they soon after, in connection with their mercantile interests, began the manufacture
of shirts by contract, and with such encouraging success that in 1875 they sold their
store and engaged exclusively in the manufacture of shirts on their own account, in
which undertaking they have been successful as well as furnishing employment to a
large number of people. Mr. Reynolds makes the village of Petersburgh his home,
but spends the winters at bis Albany residence where his children enjoy greater ed-
ucational advantages. In 1874 he married Lucy M. Gifford, born December 7, 1856,
a native of Albany and daughter of Alonzo (born March 9, 1832) and Mary J. (Hakes)
Gifford (born August 4, 1835), who has borne him five children, as follows: William
G., born August 12, 1875; George T., born September 21, 1878; Grace born Decem-
ber 31, 1880; Alonzo P., born January 21, 1886: and Noyes, born April 8, 1891. Mr.
Reynolds has traveled extensively over the United States, and in 1891, accompanied
by his son William G., was of the party of over two hundred Knights Templar who
visited Europe. Mr. Reynolds has never sought office, but in the spring of 1896
was elected supervisor of Petersburgh without opposition and at a considerable per-
sonal sacrifice consented to serve in that capacity.
Thacher, Ralph W., was born in Brockport, N. Y., April 24, 1839. He is a son of
Dr. Ralph Thacher, who was born in Lebanon, Conn., where five generations of
Thachers have lived or were born. Mr. Thacher's mother was Jerusha B. Harri-
son of Williamstown, Mass. The first member of the Thacher family in America
was the Rev. Thomas Thacher, first pastor of the Old South church in Boston,
Mass., from whom is also descended John Boyd Thacher, mayor of Albany. Rev.
Thomas Thacher landed at Boston in the ship James in August, 1635, in charge of
his uncle, Anthony Thacher, who had been a curate of his father's church in Salis-
bury, England. Rev. Peter Thacher, the father of Rev. Thomas, was rector of St.
Edmund's church at Salisbury, England, and lies buried in the churchyard under
the shadow of Salisbury cathedral. Ralph W. Thacher, the subject of this sketch,
and seventh in descent from Rev. Thomas Thacher, spent the years of 1855 and
1856 at Williams College and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1859. While
at Hamilton he was a member of the Phi Upsilon fraternity. After leaving college
Mr. Thacher removed to Albany, N. Y. , in 1860 and engaged in the grain business
with David N. Glazier and Harvey D. Leonard. After three years Mr. Thacher was
taken into partnership and the firm became Glazier, Leonard & Co., which existed
five years. Mr. Leonard then retired and the firm became for two years Glazier &
Thacher. In 1870 Mr. Thacher withdrew and went to Kansas, where he established
the First National Bank of Ottawa, of which he was cashier five years and vice-
president four years, including two years after he returned to Albany, in 1877.
When Mr. Thacher returned to Albany he bought of David N. Glazier the business
that he was originally interested in. Mr. Glazier was then in failing health and
shortly after died. Mr. Thacher continued in this business until July, 1891, coupling
witli it a mill and elevator at Schenectady, N. Y. , a mill and elevator at Kenwood,
near Albany, two malt houses in Albany and a coal yard in Schenectady, having in
all ninety employees. He retired from that business to go into the export trade in
New York in 1891, that being the year when there was a shortage in all the wheat
producing countries in the world save America. Mr. Thacher was very successful
222
in New York and in the fall of 1892 he retired from active business on account of
impaired health. In November, 1896, he took the presidency of the Albany Art
Union as a pastime, growing out of his liking for amateur photography and to some-
what satisfy his love of the beautiful in art. Mr. Thacher is a member of Masters
Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., and a demitted member of Temple Chapter, R. A. M. ;
he was also a charter member of the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs. He is now a
member of the University Club of New York and of the New York Produce Ex-
change. He was formerly a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the
Chicago Board of Trade. His first wife was Anna Elizabeth Glazier, of Brockport,
N.Y., by whom he has one daughter. Mrs. F. W. Stedman, of Albany. His present
wife was Louisa C. Huntington, of Albany, by whom he has a son, Ralph Hunting-
ton Thacher.
Lawson, Stephen, was born in 1830, and is a son of Levi, and grandson of Law-
rence Lawson, who first settled at Bethlehem and later at Rufus Corners, where he
died and left two sons, James and Levi. Levi came to Coeymans in 1830 and bought
the farm where Stephen now lives. He was a farmer and died in 1860. He had
four sons: Henry, William, Isaac, and Stephen, who remained on the homestead,
and has two sons : Frederick and Howard.
Griffen, Edward C, son of Edward and Harriett (Perkins) Griffen, was born in
Newark, N. J., September 5, 1868. In 1875 he moved with his parents to Schuyler-
ville, N. Y., where he attended the high school at that place. Subsequently he at-
tended the Albany Business College and graduated from that institution June 6,
1887, when he entered the employ of Henry Russell, flour merchant, and remained
with him seven years, rising to the position of bookkeeper. In January, 1894, Mr.
Griffen resigned his position with Mr. Russell and opened a store at No. 43 Hudson
avenue, where he deals in flour, feed, hay and grain. He is one of Albany's young-
est merchants and is respected for his integrity, perseverance and fair dealing. Feb-
ruary 10, 1892, he married Harietta Meader of Quaker Springs, N. Y., and they have
one son, Chauncey Rider.
Miller, S. Edward, jr., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1855. His father for many
years was a prominent merchant on Broadway. His mother's maiden name was
Sarah Frances Silsby. On the paternal side, Mr. Miller is descended from Elizabeth
Staats (great- grandmother) who was born just below Albany in the old Staats home-
stead, the oldest inhabited house in America, bearing date of erection of 1630.
Mr. Miller received his education in the public and high schools and was bookkeeper
for Corning & Co. until 1882, when he opened a men's furnishing store at No. 36
Maiden Lane. His business rapidly increased so that in 1891 he took premises at
No. 34 Maiden Lane; now he occupies Nos. 34 and 36. He began this business in a
small way and owing to his pleasant manner and fair dealings, was not long in hav-
ing it very well established. He now has a plant outside used solely for the manu-
facture of shirts giving employment to a large number of hands. Mr. Miller has a
large double store and does the largest strictly furnishing goodsbusiness in the State,
outside of New York and Buffalo. He has a very large custom shirt trade extending
to all parts of the United States, and the Hanan shoe agency which is developing
into a large business. He is a member of the Albany Club, Old Guard, Albany
Zouave Cadets and the Empire and Capital 0!ty Curling Clubs. Mr. Miller is also
223
a life member, ex-vice-president and director of the Young Men's Association and a
member of the Y. M. C. A. In 1880 he married Sarah Louise Nash, daughter of John
H. Nash and sister of Willis G. Nash, cashier of the New York State Bank. They
have two children: Louise Adele and Edgar Nash.
Danaher, John E., son of Francis M. and Mary E. (Hillenbrant) Danaher, was
born in Albany, N. Y., March 4, 1861. He attended the public schools and Christian
Brothers' Academy and graduated from the Albany High School in 1878. After
leaving the high school he obtained a situation as bookkeeper for Tallmadge & Carter,
commission merchants, and remained with this firm a year and a half. Subsequently
he was bookkeeper and afterward traveling salesman for William H. Livingston,
wholesale liquor dealer, with whom he remained seven years, when in 1886, he started
in the wholesale liquor business for himself at No. 34 Green street. He remained at
that location for one year and then owing to increased business he moved to Nos.
394 and 396 Broadway, where he was located five years, when his business became
so large that he was compelled to find more suitable quarters and moved to his pres-
ent location No. 97 Hudson avenue, corner of Grand street, with storehouse in the
rear at No. 14 Grand street. Mr. Danaher is a member of the Catholic Union, the
Commercial Traveler's Club, and is a member of the Board of Control of the National
Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association of America. He married Elizabeth B.,
daughter of Patrick McCarthy, for many years a builder and alderman of Albany.
They have one daughter, Hortense E. Mr. Danaher's success may be accounted for
somewhat by the fact that he was born of that good stock, Irish and German. His
maternal grandparents were of the first German immigrants to locate in Albany, where
they came in 1830. Mr. Danaher if a self made man and great praise is due to his
efforts. He does a strictly wholesale business, being a large direct importer of wines
and brandies and has sole control of the "Optimus" brand of whiskey. He has a
large business equal to and as important as any in Albany.
Ertz Berger, Edmund J., son of William G. and Mary L. (Sheridan) Ertz Berger,
was born in Albany, N. Y., September 3, 1856. About 1765, Daniel Ertz Berger came
to America from Basil, Switzerland, and settled in Albany and engaged in trading
skins and furs with the Indians, and was in many a bloody encounter with them.
Daniel, his son, the grandfather of Edmund J., was born in Albany in 1788, and
Charlotte Dunlap, his wife, was born in Albany in 1794. William G., the father of
Edmund J., was a manufacturer of cigars and candies in Albany and did an exten-
sive business during the war. He died in 1885, aged seventy-five. Edmund J.'s
mother died when he was two years old and he went to live with an uncle who put
him through the public schools and high school, from which he was graduated in the
English and mathematical course in 1874. He then entered the employ of S. L.
Munson, shirt and collar manufacturer, where he learned the business and with whom
he remained twenty years, rising rapidly until he had entire charge of the shirt de-
partment. In 1881 Mr. Ertz Berger went West on an extensive trip for his health.
In 1894 he entered the Hudson River Garment Company in partnership with William
R. McGraw, and is now junior partner and financial manager. Mr. Ertz Berger is
a member of the Unconditional Republican Club, the Ancient Essenic Order and
treasurer of the Albany Bicycle Club. In 1883 he married Eloise Ross of Albany,
and they have one daughter, Edna D.
224
Cass, Lewis. — This citizen of Albany, for many years prominent amony those in-
terested in the welfare of the city, was born at Decatur, Otsego county, N. Y. , De-
cember 30, 1853. His father was a farmer, and his early life was passed upon his
father's farm. At the age of twelve, he was left an orphan. At the age of sixteen,
he began to teach in the district schools in Otsego county, at " a dollar a day and
boarded around." Afterwards he passed successfully through the State Normal
School, Colgate Academy at Hamilton, N. Y , graduating from the former in 1872
and the latter in 1874. He pursued a collegiate course at Union College, and grad-
uated from that institution in 1878. In the summer of 1878, he began to study law
with the celebrated firm of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, where he remained for three
years, when he opened an office of his own f5r the transaction of business. In 1886
he married Miss Kate Landon, eldest daughter of Judge Landon of Schenectady, N.
Y. Mr. Cass early took a high rank as a lawyer, and especially as an advocate, be-
ing connected with many important litigations, notably, the case of " McDonald
against the Village of Gloversville," and " The Trumbell will case " in Albany county,
and many other important litigations in Circuit, Probate and Criminal Courts. He
was attorney for the New York State Dairy Commissioner, and afterwards for the
Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of New York for seven years, and for the
past two years attorney for the New York State Veterinary Medical Society. Mr.
Cass is well known as an ardent, fearless advocate of progress, and has been a
potent factor in various reforms and improvements in the city, notably, the project
of the construction of Beaver Park in the south portion of the city. To no one man
is there more credit due for this much needed improvement than to Mr. Cass. Being
a forcible and fluent public speaker, his services are eagerly sought in political cam-
paigns. Although deeply interested in politics and political affairs, he has never
sought nor held a political office, preferring to remain a private citizen. He has a
well selected library of classic and historic literature and fiction, with which he is
exceedingly familiar. He was selected in 1888, to deliver the annual address before
the Adelphic Society of Union College, and chose for his subject " The Duty of the
Educated Man to Business and Society." Another topic upon which he has been
heard with interest and propriety is "The Puritans," which perhaps is his best known
lecture. Love for his early occupation abides with him, as shown by the fact that
he is one of the most successful amateur florists in the city, turning his special atten-
tion to roses, having a collection unsurpassed by any in the city.
Gilbert, Henry S., is one of the leading citizens of Guilderland. He was born in
the town of New Scotland, March 5, 1846. His father was Williams Gilbert, born in
the town of Bethlehem, April 18, 1823. His paternal grandfather was also Williams,
who married first Ora Hart, who bore him eleven children: Glazier, Noah, Elkanah,
Maria, Laura, Ann, Bradley, Alvin and Calvin (twins) and Prudence; his second wife
was Charity Barber, by whom he had four children: Eliza, Rachel Ann, Joseph and
Elisha. Williams, father of Henry S., married Hannah Houghton (born in New
Scotland, April 4, 1821) in December, 1843; she was one of a family of ten children
born to David ( born January 24, 1878) and Anna (Bryant) Houghton (born February
2, 1777), and granddaughter of John and Dorcas (Lawrence) Bryant; her brothers
and sisters were Polly, Lucy, John, Silas, Eli, Catharine, Smith, Sally and Jane Ann ;
she was the last survivor of her family. Williams followed farming all his life, living
225
some years in New Scotland and in 1850 removing to Guilderland where he bought a
farm and resided until 1805, when he sold his farm and removed to Glenville, Sche-
nectady county; there he bought a farm on which he resided until his death, which
occurred in September, 1873. The only child of Williams and Hannan (Houghton)
Gilbert was Henry S., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Gilbert survived her husband
many years, cared for by her son till the time of her death, January 14, 1895. Henry
S. Gilbert attended the district school and remained with his father until the latter's
death, when he sold the farm and bought his present one of 100 acres near Fuller's
Station, to which he moved in 1874. He has been successfully engaged in dairying,
keeping .a fine lot of choice cows; he also takes much pride in keeping fine horses.
In1890-91 he engaged in mercantile business at Fuller's Station, where he owned a
store, and where he was also postmaster under Harrison's administration, but not
liking the business he sold out and returned to his farm, on which he has since re-
sided. He deals in agricultural implements, handling the Johnson harvesting ma-
chines; he is a director and stockholder in the Altamont Driving Park and Fair As-
sociations, and was chairman of the committees on fruit and vegetables, and on
stock and poultry, also horses. In January, 1807, he married Helen C. Weaver, a
native of Glenville, Schenectady county, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Clossen)
Weaver. They have two children, William W., born January 14, 1808, and Burton
II., born April 29, 1870. William W. married Hattie, daughter of Leroy Main, and
has one child, Ethel; he remained on the farm with his father until April, 1890, when
he removed to Voorheesville where he now resides. Burton A. is at home with his
parents.
Frederick, Charles F., son of Philip and Catharine (Gomph) Frederick, was born
in Albany, N. Y., August 21, 1805. He is a grandson of Philip Frederick, who was
born in Germany, and who came to Albany in 1830, where he engaged in the furni-
ture business and was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of
Albany. His son, the father of the subject of this sketch, followed his father's
business with the addition of the undertaker's business, and gave promise of build-
ing up a remarkable business, but was cut off in early manhood. He died in 181 1,
aged thirty-seven, leaving a family of eight children, all of whom are now living.
He was prominent in fraternal and social circles, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow,
and Knight of Pythias; he was also an ex-member of the 25th Regiment, and in 1870
represented the then Tenth ward in the Board of Supervisors. Charles F. Fred-
erick, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and learned the
trade of bookbinder with R. G. Hendrie, with whom he remained eight years; at
the end of five years he was promoted to the position of foreman of Mr. Hendrie's
establishment and held that position when he left Mr. Hendrie's employ. In 1880
Mr. Frederick removed to Washington, I). C, where he obtained an appointment as
bookbinder in the government printing office and remained there six years, resign-
ing to go into the grocery business in Washington, lie was compelled to abandon
this business after three years owing to ill health, and in September, 1895, returned
to Albany. In January, 1896, he took a course in the United States Embalming
College in New York city, from which he received a diploma. In March of the
same year he started his present business, that of undertaker and cmbalmer, at X<>.
118 Washington avenue. Mr. Frederick is a member of the American Legion of
226
Honor, the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders and Clinton Lodge No. 7,
I. O. O. F. November 16, 1887, he married Sarah Furman of Albany, and they
have one son, Charles F., jr.
Van Valkenburgh, Hon. John W., was born in the village of Chatham, Columbia
countv, N. Y., June 23, 1826, and is a son of James B. Van Valkenburgh, also of
Chatham, who fought gallantly at Plattsburgh during the war of 1812. He lived
until he was eighty-one years of age, dying August 15, 1868. The maiden name of
Mr. Van Valkenburg's mother was Clarinda Pitts, an aunt of Hon. Edmund Pitts,
ex-speaker of the Assembly. She died July 3, 1871, at the age of eighty-one. His
grandfather, Bartholomew Van Valkenburgh, was a native of Holland and came to
America at an early date, settling at Chatham, N. Y. He served with distinction
in the Revolutionary war. In his early youth, J. W. Van Valkenburgh, the subject
of this sketch, attended the common schools in Chatham and worked on his father's
farm. When he became of age he joined a military company and on November 16,
1849, was commissioned first lieutenant in the old 23d Regiment, N. Y. Militia. This
commission he held thirty-six years, until the regiment went out of existence. In
1852 Mr. Van Valkenburgh's services were secured to push forward the work of the
Lebanon Springs Railroad, and he is said to have thrown out the first shovel of
earth and hired the first man on the work. He displayed great energy and ability
in this enterprise. He took a deep interest in politics and early joined the Demo-
cratic party. In 1853 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Columbia county and
served for three years. In 1856 he was made route agent for the general post-office
department and ran the first night express train on the Harlem Railroad from Al-
bany to New York. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Van Valkenburgh offered
his services and was commissioned first lieutenant of Co. E, 128th Regiment, N. Y.
Vols. August 20, L862, he was duly mustered into the service. His career was a
most creditable one. In January, 1863, he served as a member of a court martial
in New Orleans, and continued in the service until April 13, 1864, when on advice of a
surgeon he tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged. In 1865 he ac-
cepted a positiou as conductor on the Harlem Railroad. The following year he was
elected member of assembly from Columbia County. In 1867 Mr. Van Valken-
burgh removed to Albany and has since been an active and esteemed citizen of
that city. In 1808 he accepted the superintendency of the Albany and Susque-
hanna Railroad and in 1872 became interested in the New York and Albany Rail-
road, now known as the New York Railway. When the Lebanon Springs Railroad
became involved Mr. Van Valkenburgh was appointed receiver and held that posi-
tion for three years. In 1873 he was elected a member of assembly from Albany
county and has thus had the honor to represent both Albany and Columbia counties.
Hennessy, John V., M. D., son of Thomas and Margaret (McKinley) Hennessy,
was born in New York city in 1854. When he was a boy his parents removed to
Bath-on-the-Hudson; here young Mr. Hennessy attended the public schools. After
leaving school he obtained a situation as clerk in the office of his father, who was a
well known and prosperous builder in Albany. He remained with his father until
1880, when he entered the Albany Medical College and in 1884 was graduated from
that institution, receiving the degree of M. D. Dr. Hennessy has practiced in Al-
bany since his graduation. He is a surgeon on the staff of St. Peter's Hospital, at-
227
tending physician at the Boys' Orphan Asylum, lecturer on materia medica at the
Albany Medical College and a member of the Albany County Medical Society. In
1878 he married Sarah Elizabeth Kane of Amsterdam, N. Y.
Williams, C. Frank, son of Isaac A. and Sarah M. (Carpenter) Williams, was born
in Brattleboro, Vt., October 17, 1859, and attended the public schools of Brattleboro,
and Worcester, Mass., after which he learned the printer's trade in Brattleboro. In
1878 Mr. Williams removed to Albany, N. Y., where he followed his trade until 1880,
when he opened a printing office in S. R. Gray's building in partnership with J. H.
Prouty. This partnership lasted for four years, when Mr. Williams organized the
C. F. Williams Printing Company, which existed until 1892, when it was completely
burned out at No. 36 Beaver street. Immediately after this fire the company was
dissolved and Mr. Williams resumed alone at his present location, No. 9-11 Green
street. Mr. Williams is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Al-
bany Lodge No. 641, K. A. E. O., Unconditional and Capital City Clubs and Albany
Republican League. June 12, 1884, he married Frances E. A. Pangburn of Albany,
and they have three children.
Grogan, Michael, was born in Ireland and was brought to America when an in-
fant, John Grogan, having preceded him two years before and who had directly
located in West Troy, was a pioneer settler and for years in the employ of the Har-
rington planing mill. Here Mr. Grogan has spent most of his life, first acquiring
the cooper's trade, which he followed for thirteen years. He served one year as
clerk in the weighlock and then entered the county clerk's office under John Larkin,
acting as clerk for four years. In 1884 he was appointed deputy sheriff, filling the
position for eleven years.
Murray, William H., M. D., son of Francis and Sarah (Lockwood) Murray, was
born in Poundridge, Westchester county, N. Y., December 2, 1845. He attended
Betts's Academy at Stamford, Conn., and graduated from that institution in 1863.
In the fall of that year he entered Union College at Schenectady, N. V., and grad-
uated in 1877, receiving the degree of A. B. During the year 1867-6S, he taught
school at Bellefonte, Pa., with Governor Hastings, present governor of Pennsylvania.
In the fall of 1868 Dr. Murray entered the Albany Medical College and received the
degree of M. D. from that institution in 1869. In 1868 he married Martha W.
Bouck, granddaughter of the late Governor Bouck ; they have two children living,
Frank and Bessie. In 1870 Dr. Murray began the practice of medicine in Albany
and has since continued there, making a specialty of obstetrics. He has been prom-
inently identified with the Democratic party and has sacrificed much time to further
the interests of the city of Albany; there is no man better known or more highly
respected in his ward, the Sixteenth. He can call everybody by name. His love
for his profession and his devotion to his fellows have contributed to his holding the
following offices: Supervisor of his ward for five terms, president of the Board of
Aldermen one term, district physician, police surgeon, county physician, coroner's
physician, penitentiary physician, and at present city physician. Dr. Murray has
been president of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Incurables since its
foundation. He has also been prominently identified with social and fraternal
organizations; he has been through all the chairs in Odd Fellowship, and is a mem-
ber of all Masonic bodies, and has the thirty-second degree; he has also been a
228
member of the K. of P. and Red Men. He is now a member of the Albany and
Acacia Clubs and the Albany County Medical Society.
Hall. Charles Roswell, son of John Peck and Sarah Hart (Purdy) Hall, was born
September 17, 1853, in Guilford, Chenango county, N. Y., where his father owned a
farm and died in 1875. The family were early settlers of Connecticut, coming origi-
nally from England in the seventeenth century, and held commissions in the State
troops of their State in the Colonial wars, and in the Continental army during the
war of the Revolution. Mr. Hall after receiving a common school education, be-
came a teacher in his native town, and in the fall of 1870 entered the State Normal
School at Brockport, N. Y. After entering and before finishing at the State Normal
School he taught school several terms, in this State, and in the States of Massachu-
setts, Connecticut and New Jersey. He read law with Judge Alberto T. Roraback
in Canaan, Conn., with Hon. Horace Packer, in Oxford, and with Judge Albert F.
Gladding in Norwich, from whose office he was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in
September, 1880. He began the practice of his profession in Norwich, where he was
elected justice of the peace, clerk to the Surrogate's Court, and in January, 1884,
he received an appointment as assistant to Attorney-General O'Brien, with charge
of the Land Department of that office. In the fall of 1886 he was offered and ac-
cepted the office of Deputy Comptroller, being the youngest man to hold that impor-
tant position, and occupied it until the close of the term of the then comptroller.
Later he formed a copartnership for the practice of the law with Mr. Frederick E.
Wadhams, the special study of the law in reference to State lands and the tax laws
made while he was assistant attorney-general, and deputy comptroller, being found
to be of great advantage. April 16, 1889, he was appointed deputy superintendent
of the Banking Department, by the then superintendent, Willis S. Paine, and has re-
mained connected with that department since. He has filled every position in it
from deputy and acting superintendent to bookkeeper, has made a special study of
the laws affecting the organization, conduct and supervision of financial institutions,
both under the State Banking Laws and the National Bank Act, and is the author
of Hall's Bank Laws, a recognized authority on such subjects. He has written much
for the press, has delivered lectures and read papers on financial subjects, has won
honors as an orator, has always been a staunch Democrat, being delegate to local,
State and National conventions. He is a member of the Albany Clubs and other
organizations.
Collins, Hon. Lorenzo D., was born in the town of Whitehall, Washington county,
July 13, 1821. He is of Puritan ancestry and Revolutionary stock, both grandfathers
having served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Daniel Collins, fought in the
war of 1812. Mr. L. D. Collins received a district school education and when nine-
teen years of age, left his father's farm and located in West Troy, Albanv county,
where two years later, he opened a canal barn and grocery and provision store. He
was a member of the old Whig party and when the Republican party was formed in
1856, he became a member and has been very active ever since. Mr. Collins was
trustee of the village of West Troy in 1852 and the next year was chosen village
president; in 1859 and I860, he was a member of the Assembly and in 1866 was
elected State senator. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the committee on
canals and in 1867 introduced in the Senate a bill for the erection of the New Capi-
229
tol building, which he had passed. Every bill he introduced, while in the Legisla-
ture, was passed and became law. In 1865 he was a delegate to the International
Convention at Detroit, Mich. In 1895 when the town of Watervliet was divided and
the town of Colonie erected, Mr. Collins was chosen the first supervisor and was re-
elected in the spring of 189G. He was named by Governor Morton as one of the dele-
gates from New York to the National Farmers' Congress and Good Roads Parlia-
ment, which were held at Atlanta, Ga., during the Cotton States and International
Exposition in 1895. He is president of the State Farmers' League and chairman of
the executive committee of the New York State Farmers' Congress, both of which
were organized largely through his individual efforts. Mr. Collins was a director of
the Union National Bank of Troy, for twenty years, and was for six years captain
of the Light Guards, a military company of West Troy, Albany county. He is a
charter member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M., of West Troy.
Antemann, Herman W., son of Gottlieb and Augusta (Scherff) Antemann, was
born in Saxony, Germany, April 21, 1847. He came to America with his parents
when he was five years old and settled in Albany, N. Y., where he was educated in
a private German school and the public schools. He obtained his first employment
with Thomas E. Van Loon at No. 480 Broadway, where he learned the jewelry busi-
ness. In 1870 Mr. Antemann and Mr. Van Loon formed a partnership. Six months
later Mr. Van Loon sold out to Mr. Antemann and for the past twenty-four years
Mr. Antemann has been in business at his present location, No. 14 James street,
where he now does a large business as a manufacturing jeweler. He is a member
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and a member and director of
the Albany Musical Association. February 10, 1870, lie married Elizabeth Huber of
Albany, by whom he has four children, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Millie and Augusta
Elsie.
•Winne, Charles Visscher, is descended from Pieter Winne, born in Ghent, Inlan-
ders, and Tannatje Adams, his wife, born in Leeuwaerdeu, Vrieslandt, who came to
America and settled in what is now Bethlehem, Albany county, July (I, 108-1. The
line of descent is (1) Pieter Winne; (2) Livinus, 1047-1700, of Albany, married first
Teuntje Martense and second Mrs. Williamje Yiele Schermerhorn ; (3) Benjamin (by
second wife), 1705-1797, married Rachel Van Arnam ; (4) Livinus, 1715 1825, mar-
ried Marytje Lansing; (5) Livinus Lansing, 1783-1810, married Ann Visscher. at-
torney, graduated from Union College in 1804, captain U. S. Army 1812, and served
in that war; and (6) Nanning Visscher, 1801] 1858, a physician, graduated from
Union College in 1824 and from Yale in 1820, commissioned surgeon with rank of
lieutenant-colonel on Maj.-Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer's stall', and married Rachel,
daughter of Garrett Van Zandt Bleecker. All these spent their active careers in
Albany. Charles V. Winne, son of Dr. X. V, was born January 21, L848, was edu-
cated at the Albany Hoys' Academy and in 1*11 entered the employ of the 1 ». & I!.
C. Co., where he has since remained. He was first attached to the engineering
corps and since 1872 has been in the paymaster's office, becoming paymaster in June,
1891. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. II. F. & A. M., Temple (. hapter No.
5, R. A. M., the Fort Orange Club, the Old Guard Albany Zouave Cadets, and the
Ridgelield Athletic and Albany Camera Clubs; has been president of the Young
Men's Association since isi)4; was commodore <>t' the American Canoe Association
230
in 1892; was for six years captain of the Mohican Canoe Club; and is secretary of
the Albany Country Club; a trustee and treasurer of the Albany City Homoeopathic
Hospital, member of the Holland Society of New York and recorder of the Board
of Governors of the American Canoe Association, in which he is very prominent.
Young, William P., was born in the town of New Scotland, August 7, 1834, Peter,
his grandfather, being a native of the town of Knox, where he was born about 1784,
and where he spent his days as a farmer. He was a prominent and active member
of the State militia, in which he took great pride and spent considerable money,
being an officer in a company of cavalry. His first wife was Miss Toles, by whom
he had six sons and four daughters, his second wife being Miss Bundy, by whom
three children were born. He died in 1864, at the age of eighty years. Peter, the
father, was born in Knox, June 6, 1806. He commenced at the age of sixteen to
learn the carpenter's trade and followed it about forty years, when, in 1851 he
bought a farm in Guilderland and in 1856 bought an adjoining farm. In 1863 he
engaged in farming in Guilderland, where he spent his remaining days. He was also
a member of and drummer in the State militia. His wife was Rebecca (Williams)
Austin, and their children were John A., Charles W., Henry W., Sarah A., Mar-
garet J., Lois R., Mary (who died at the age of twenty-five), Eliza O. and Gouvenier
M. He died August 15, 1881, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife died April 28,
1892, at the age of seventy-seven. William P. remained at home until twenty-one
years of age, when he rented, in 1856, a farm for one year for himself in the town
of Coeymans. In 1857 he returned to Guilderland and worked his father's farms for
nine years, and in 1866 purchased a farm in New Scotland which he still owns. In
1883 he bought a second farm in New Scotland, where he now resides. He has
made a specialty of fruit culture and has several varieties on his farms. The farm
on which he now lives is known as the Dr. Sager farm, and was originally owned by
Dr. Day. Dr. Sager lived with Dr. Day and later married his adopted daughter.
Mr. Young has erected new houses and barn buildings on both of his farms, being
his own architect. December 9, 1854, he married Mary S. Koonz, born in New Scot-
land and daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Folmsbee) Koonz, and granddaughter
of Nathaniel and Catherine (Cline) Koonz; the latter lived to be 106 years of age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born four children: Mary, widow of Albert Relyea,
who died January 4, 1885, was married to him August 18, 1875, leaving two children
surviving her: Lizzie B., and Levi E. William H. married Libbie Main of Guilder-
land, March 10, 1885, and have two children: Olive and Lelah ; he is an extensive
berry grower. Hannah E. married Henry Goodfellow of Guilderland, October 7,
1880, and have two children : Florence and Ernest. Elizabeth E., who still resides
at home. Of the brothers and sisters of William P. Young, John A. Young resides
at Brodhead, Wis., having married in 1852 Maria Groat of Guilderland, by whom
he has had four children. Charles W. Young lives at Whitewater, Wis., and mar-
ried Mary Jane Chism, and has no children. Sarah A. Young married Peter Van
Patten and now lives in Centralia, Kansas, having one daughter. Margaret J.
Young married Charles Gemlich and resides in Guilderland and has one son. Henry
W. Young was married to Joanna Gates and lives in the city of Albany. They are
the parents of two children. Lois R. Young married David Van Patten, a brother
of Peter, and lives on an adjoining farm in Centralia, Kas. They have two chil-
231
dren. Eliza O. Young married Charles Severson and resides in Guilderland, having
borne him one child. Gouvenier M. Young resides at Whitewater, Wis., having
married Elva Martin of Guilderland, by whom he has had two children, of whom
one survives.
Niles, Nathaniel, son of John H. and Fannie (Mosher) Niles, was born in Bethle-
hem, Albany county, September 1, 1856, and is a grandson of Nathaniel Niles, who
came from Connecticut to Coeymans, Albany county, at an early day and died there
in 1876. The latter was prominent in town affairs, serving as supervisor, etc. John
H. Niles, a farmer by occupation, died in 1861. Nathaniel Niles attended the public
and private schools, was graduated from the Albany Free Academy in 1874 and from
Dartmouth College, with the degree of A. B., in 1878, and read law in Albany with
Judge Rufus W. Peckham. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and for a time acted
as clerk for Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg, in whose offices and the offices of their
successors, he has successfully practiced his profession ever since. In politics he is
a Democrat.
Mead, Charles W., son of Delois L., was born in Clymer, N. Y., December 3, 1843,
and pursued his education under private tutors and in the academies of Chautauqua
county, graduating in 1863. He completed his collegiate studies at Painesville,
Ohio, and for seven years was principal of academies and union schools in his na-
tive county. In the fall of 1870 he came to Albany and entered the Albany Law
School, from which he was graduated and admitted to the bar in 1871. He imme-
diately began the practice of his profession and in 1877 formed a copartnership with
Samuel S. Hatt, which still continues, the present firm being Mead, Hatt & Palmer.
He is a staunch Republican and in 1882 was appointed a U. S. circuit court commis-
sioner, which position he has since held. He takes an active interest in the welfare
of the city, was at one time a member of the legislative branch of its government,
and has given considerable attention and takes high rank in the social and fraternal
organizations of Albany. He is a member of Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., is promi-
nently identified with the fraternal cooperative associations, and was the represen-
tative of one of the leading orders of the State in the matter of State legislation and
one of the framers of the present law governing the same. In 1874 he married M.
Marilla Burnap, one of the leading contraltos of Albany, and they have one daugh-
ter, Edith M.
Amyot, Bruno E., D. D. S., is a leading member of the dental profession in
Cohoes, and is a son of Bruno Amyot, who has been a resident of this place for
nearly half a century. He came from Yereherer, Province of Quebec. Doctor
Amyot was born in 1869 in Cohoes and was educated in the parochial schools. At
the age of nineteen he entered the New York College of Dentistrv, and after two
years graduated, in 1890, beginning practice here at once, where he enjoys a large
patronage. He is a member of the Third Ifistrict Dental Society of New York
State. September 30, 1896, he married Miss Rosa de Lima Masson of Cohoes.
Berns, James H., was born in 1863, a son of James Berns, an artist; his mother
being a teacher, made the home of his childhood a dwelling of culture and refine-
ment. Mr. Berns is a Democrat and is a member of the County Committee.
James H. is one of the leading young lawyers of Cohoes, and came to the front be-
cause of his able handling of the celebrated case of Cahill, who was indicted for
232
shooting his brother-in-law, Charles Schofield, at Cohoes. In 1892 he entered the
Albany Law School, after graduating from the High School and the Albany busi-
ness College. After his admission to the bar in 1894, he opened an office and began
practice.
Bullock, Joseph, came to Cohoes as early as 1846, and has been a resident here
since, with the exception of eight years in Lockport, where he was engaged in the
knitting business. He was of Dutch ancestry, born in Guilderland, in 1835, and de-
cidedly a self-made man, adding to his limited education by close observation and
personal research. In 1872 he returned to Cohoes and in 1877 established a baking
business, which he conducted with marked success until it was purchased in 1894 by
his son, John H. Bullock, who still conducts it at No. 116 Remsen street. Mr. Bul-
lock is a man of great strength of character and convictions. He appreciates highlv
the picture of the domicile of his youth where both father and mother were born ; it
was built in 1704 and is yet intact; the brick in the fireplace and chimney were
brought from Holland.
Belanger, Israel, justice of the peace, and a scholarly young man, had the courage
and perseverance to break the fetters of circumstances which surrounded his youth,
and gain his way to the front "amid the maddening crowd's ignoble strife. " When
nine years old he began life in the mill where he remained until twenty years of age
as a weaver. He then returned to Joliette, Quebec, where he was born in 1863, and
entered Joliette College. In 1890 he graduated with degree of Bachelor of Letters
from Laval University, Quebec, and came to Cohoes. Here he studied law with
Hon. George H. Fitts and was admitted to the bar in 1892. Besides his law practice
and office duties, he is identified with an insurance and real estate agency. He is
now justice of peace of the city of Cohoes.
Campbell, Hon. George, a well known citizen, long identified with the interests of
Cohoes, is of Canadian birth, and first located at Cohoes in 1847, and after sixteen
years' residence at Waterford, where he learned the machinist's trade and was for a
time in partnership with George Gage, he returned to this city in 1863, and estab-
lished with John Clute the present firm. In 1873 they erected a commodious modern
block on their old location opposite the Harmony Hotel. He makes a specialty of
machinery for knitting, but produces much other work of high grade. Mr. Camp-
bell was formerly a leader in local politics, and besides various minor offices pre-
viously held, he was elected in 1881 to the Assembly by a large majority.
Carter, William H., superintendent of the carding department of the Tivoli Mills
since 1868. Mr. Carter was born in the city of Albany in 1836, and fourteen years
later his father, Michael Carter, moved to Cohoes, when William went to work in
the Egberts Mills, where he remained for fifteen years. He was made a foreman in
1860 and took charge of the carding department. In 1S68 he became associated with
Commodore A. J. Root of the Tivoli Mills, and has for nearly thirty years occupied
a responsible position. In 1880 Mr. Carter began operating a mill at Troy with Mr.
Corliss, but they -were burned out two years later, and the venture was abandoned;
meantime he had maintained his connection with the Tivoli Mills. Mr. Carter is
one of the pioneer people of Cohoes. He is a member of several charitable organ-
izations.
233
Crawford, James F. , has been a lawyer in active practice at Cohoes for half a cen-
tury, coming here in 1849 after two years' practice in Albany. At the close of an
academic course at Augusta, X. Y., where he was bom in 1819, he began legal study
in Oneida Castle, X. Y., with the late Timothy Jenkins, a lawyer of much prom-
inence. After four years he came to Albany and resumed his studies with Edwin
C. Litchfield, then district attorney of Albany county. He was admitted to the bar
in L846, and was very successful, from the start. As a citizen of Cohoes he has been
prominently identified with every interest which has tendered to develop its growth
and prosperity. He is a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Legislature
in 1866, when the first appropriation was made for the State Capitol.
Clark, William B., was born in Xew York city in 1858, but has been a resident of
Cohoes since he was four years of age. He began business life empty handed, but
possessed the sterling qualities of his Scotch ancestors, and has achieved substantial
success. In every department of the milling business he has labored, and was eight
years in' the plumbing business, putting in heating apparatus in the Cascade Mills
and other large buildings. The Continental Knitting Company was organized in
1891 as the Clark & Wilson, but John C. Bennett is now the junior partner. He is a
member of both the .Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F.
Dawson, John, late of Cohoes, retired from active business only a short time pre-
vious to his death in 1895. At that time he was engaged in the manufacture of
knitting needles used here in the hosiery mills. He was born at Nottingham, Eng-
land, coming to America when nine years old, and a later year to Cohoes. His
father was a lace manufacturer, and he brought his machine here but never used it.
Mr. Dawson was a skilled machinist and very successful in all his enterprises. He
allied himself with one of the first families here when he married Mary, daughter of
John Long. They had seven children: William IL, Lincoln J., Lizzie. Maria,
Frank R., Alice and Herbert G.
Elliot, W. J., is city clerk of Cohoes since 1894. He is a young man of wide popu-
larity, born in 1860, and is a son of James Elliot. The latter now deceased, was a
native of England, but he spent most of his life here as a merchant in the confection-
ery line. Mr. Elliot was educated here and first engaged in job printing, the firm
being known as Craig & Elliot, and carried on an extensive business. Mr. Elliott is
a Republican and is serving his first official engagement with credit.
Foley, Edward, has been one- of the leading builde mtractors of Cohoes,
where he came in L865 to take charge of the building of the Cohoes Company dam.
He was educated in the county schools of Ireland, where he was born in 1881. He
also acquired the mason's trade there, and came to America, to Xew York city,
when he was seventeen years old. After two years he came to Albany and there
superintended bridge construction and church building, erecting St. Peter's church
and other buildings. In Cohoes he built the Harmony Mill, one of the largest in the
world, the Episcopal church, and other smaller buildings. By his untiring efforts
he has made a financial success, and now lives a retired life. He has five children,
the elder son, Edward, jr., is now a resident of Kansas City, and is engaged in the
real estate business. v
Garland, Jerome, has for eight years held the responsible position of manager of
dd
234
the Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Company, to which he came in 1871 as super-
intendent, having held a like position in the Laconia Company Iron Works, Bidde-
ford, Me., where his boyhood was spent and where he learned the machinist's trade.
He was born in Medina, N. Y., in 1833, and is a son of Joseph P. Garland, a lock
builder and contractor, and when six months old passed through Cohoes on the canal,
but was not of sufficient age to have any personal remembrance of the trip. When
a boy he had a predilection for the sea, but one voyage as a sailor changed his mind.
He spent one year in California during the gold excitement Mr. Garland is a Re-
publican, and has served as alderman of the Second ward, and was also a member
of the Board of Health and of the Excise Board. He is a master Mason and a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F.
Kennedy, Thomas, is superintendent of the celebrated Tivoli Mills, Root Manu-
facturing Company, with which he has had a long term of association, having first
entered them in 1863. He has always been a machinist and acquired the trade at
Gage's shops at Waterford. He also operates a factory at No. 49 Mohawk street,
which manufactures special machinery for knitting mills, and is in charge of his son,
T. Frank Kennedy. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1842, coming to
America in 1848. He was on the Board of Education in 1878-79. Mr. Kennedy is a
prominent member of the Catholic church.
Leversee, Hon. Jacob D., has been a resident of Cohoes only since 1878, but has
taken a very front place in business and manufacturing circles. He was born in
Brunswick, N. Y. , in 1858, and received a common school education at that place,
where his father was then a farmer. Mr. Leversee learned the paper box making
trade at Lansingburgh, and in 1885 established the present firm of Leversee &
Snyder, with W. W. Snyder of Cohoes, of which he is president; he is also presi-
dent of the Daily News Company of Cohoes. In social and financial circles he is a
central figure, and has served as alderman of the Third ward. In 1896 he was
elected member of assembly to represent the Fourth assembly district of Albany
county. He is a member of Apollo Commander}' No. 14 of Troy, also a member of
B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 141, and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member
of the Cohoes City Club, the Mystic Club, the Waterford Club, Pafraets Dael Club
of Troy, and is treasurer of the Park Club of Lansingburgh. Mr. Leversee was
married September 9, 1880, to Katie Fitzgerald of Cohoes.
Lowery, Rev., J. F., LL.D., the talented and faithful pastor of St. Agnes church,
which is just completed, was its first pastor and builder. He has labored for years
for its erection. Rev. Father Lowery has done glorious work, which will be for cen-
turies a remembrance of one who labored zealously and effectually for the salvation
of souls and for the up-building of the church of God. He was born in Utica, N.Y.,
March 2, 1841, and studied in the common schools of his native city, and after an
academic course, went to St. Charles College, Maryland, where he made his classical
studies, and afterwards completed the higher studies at St. Mary's University, Bal-
timore, and St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary, Troy, where he was ordained to the
priesthood, June 15, 1867. He was appointed to .Saratoga, and then to St. Joseph's,
Albany. His first pastoral charge was in Oswego, in which city he built the church
of St. John the Evangelist, and he afterwards built St. Cecelia's church in Fonda.
235
The University of Niagara conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor oi
Laws in April, 1894.
McDermott, Martin, one of the popular and successful druggists of the city of
Cohoes, has been engaged in that business since 1880, when he began as a clerk for
C. S. Clute. He was born at Halfmoon, Saratoga county, in 1859, and is a son of
Roger McDermott, then a farmer, but now a resident of Cohoes. Mr. McDermott
opened the Model Pha- macy at 103 Remsen street, Cohoes, and the establishment is
indeed a model in every respect He is a member of the Business Men's Association
of the city of Cohoes.
Millar, W. L., an enterprising young man of Cohoes, is practically a lifelong resi-
dent of that city, though born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861. He came with his
father, Alexander Millar, a blacksmith, to America in 1866. He first entered River-
side Mills as a cutter, where he remained for seven years, and was afterward em-
ployed in other mills. In 1889, with his father-in-law, George P. Steenburg, he
opened up a coal yard on Central avenue; in 1890 Mr. Steenburg died, and he has
since operated the business alone.
Mansfield, W. K., editor and proprietor of the Cohoes Daily News, was born in
1856, in Waterford, where he still resides. He was educated in the public schools
of Cohoes and at Amherst College Amherst, Mass. From 1877 until 1884 he was in
business in Saratoga county. He purchased the Daily News from James H. Mas-
ten, in October, 1884, and has since conducted it. He served for six years as jus-
tice of the peace in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga county, and is now serving the
third term as justice of the peace of the town of Waterford. He is a member and
past master of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. S: A. M.. and is also a member and past
high priest of Cohoes Chapter No. 168, R. A. M., and is a member of the Riverside
Club of Lansingburgh. The Daily News is the oldest daily paper published in the
city, having been established in 1873 by Edward Monk, the original size of the
sheet being 13 by 20 inches. The increasing demand upon its columns necessitated
enlargements in 1875, 1876, 1879, and again in 1882, when the present form, 24 by
36, was adopted. In June, 1*74, Samuel Sault entered the firm, which was known
as Monk & Sault. In December, 1873, the office was removed from the corner of
Ontario and Remsen streets to enlarged quarters in the Campbell & Clute block on
Mohawk street. In July, 1879, Mr. Sault's interest was transferred to James H.
Masten, the veteran editor of the city, for many years editor of the Cataract. In
April, 1881, the firm of Monk & Masten was dissolved, Mr. Monk retiring. .Mr.
Masten continued as editor and proprietor until < >ctober, 1884, when he disposed of
the paper to Mansfield & Harrington. In October, L885, the firm of Mansfield &
Harrington was dissolved and the News passed into the hands of the present editor
and proprietor, W. K. Mansfield. In November, 1885, the News office was removed
to the present location in North's block. The News is published daily at noon, Sun-
days and holidays excepted. It presents all the local and vicinity news and full
telegraphic reports from all parts of the world. It is in every sense a family paper
and does not depend upon the sensational or scandalous for its circulation. It also
furnishes its readers with the very best miscellaneous matter and illustrated serial
stories of home reading. Tire News enjoys the distinction of being the only noon
paper published in the country, <>r so far as is known, in the world. The News took
236
a prominent part in the labor difficulties of 1886 and 1887 and contended for the
constitutional freedom which was denied by the advanced labor agitator of that
time. The News and its editor went under a boycott for several years, as a result of
the stand taken at that time on behalf of individual liberty.
Stevens, Joseph, the well-known news dealer and stationer, has been located for
thirty-four years on Remsen street. He first entered the business in 1862 under the
firm name of Jones & Stevens, but since 1865 he has conducted the business alone.
He has a varied line of school books, blank books, envelopes, writing paper, pens
and ink, also fashion magazines, and he makes a specialty of Butterick patterns of
which he has the agency. Mr. Stevens is a native of Cohoes, and a lifelong resi-
dent. He was born in 1839, and is the son of John Stevens, a mechanic. He re-
ceived a common school education and first worked in a woolen mill. In 1870 Mr.
Stevens married Miss Lucy M. Reinhart of Berne, N. Y. They have two children,
Charles and Lydia F.
Slade, E. F , a son of Benjamin J. and Elizabeth (Flager) Slade, both natives of
Saratoga county, N.Y., was born May 28, 1866; he was educated in the public schools
at Waterford. The original location of his business was at Nos. 21 and 29 Church
street, but in 1892 he established the coal business down town, by purchasing the
large yards of F. B. Shattock at 148 Saratoga street, where he also handles wood,
hay, and feed; he also owns extensive ice houses at the north end of the city of
Cohoes. He is a Republican and is a prominent official in the Masonic fraternity;
is a member of Apollo Commandery, also a member of the order of the Mystic Shrine
and a member of the Mystic Club. He was married April 1, 1891, to Anna Ladd, of
Waterford. They have one son, Benjamin J.
Shine James H., is emphatically a self-made man, owing the important social
and political status he occupies to his own exertions and character. He was born at
Waterford, N. Y. , in 1846, of humble parentage. The exigencies of life took him out
of school when but twelve years old, and thenceforward he was a man among men. In
early life various occupations on the canals, farming labor, and the cooper's trade re-
ceived successive attention. In 1*04 he enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
and saw nearly two years' service. Mr. Shine was canal weighmaster from 1874 to
1880, and collector of canal statistics from 1882 to 1890. From 1885 to 1890 rfe was en-
gaged in the manufacture of knit goods at Valley Falls, N. Y. While a resident of
Waterford he served as trustee of the village, and as supervisor for three years. In
1891 he assumed his present position as manager of Hope Knitting Mills at Cohoes.
In 1896 he was appointed a member of the Public Improvement Commission of the
city of Cohoes.
Spillane, P. H., one of the most popular and enterprising druggists of the city, has
been in the city since 1876, when he opened a store under the firm name of Spillane
& Davis. In 1880 he purchased his partner's interest, and removed to LarkinHall, and
in 1N90 to his present location. Mr. Spillane was born in Rochester in 1858. and isa son
of David Spillane, now a retired resident of Cohoes. He has been engaged in the
drug business all of his lifetime and is a past master of its requirements and the ac-
cessory lines, and although young in years is the oldest druggist in point of residence
at Cohoes. He is a prominent Democrat and has filled various offices, such as com-
missioner of schools, etc.
2:37
Simpson, John F. has been a resident of Cohoes since 1840, and during that time
has been associated with the Harmony Mills, and now has a responsible position as
superintendent thereof. He is a descendant of an old family. His maternal grand-
father, Avery Le Roy, came from France with La Fayette, and took part in the
Revolutionary war. He was born at Saratoga in 1827, and is a son of Stephen Simp-
son, a farmer and millwright, who died here. Mr. Simpson was but nine years of
age when he entered the cotton mills. He is a Republican, and was village trustee
for a time. He has been police commissioner for two years and still holds that
position.
Simmons, George E., a prominent citizen of Cohoes since 1859, came from Troy
where he was educated, and engaged in mercantile life, keeping a grocery store for
many years before conducting the Harmony Hotel. He reopened the new building
in 1880, and selling again in 1885. He now has two large farms in the suburbs of
Cohoes. He is a son of A. C. Simmons, a farmer, and was born at Poestenkill,
Rensselaer county, in 1835. Amelia Shelton was his first wife, whom he married in
1856. In 1868 he married Margaret Jane Baker, his present wife, who is a daughter
of A. M. Baker, of this city. Her great-grandfather was Capt. Seth Baker, who was
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and her grandfather, Lewis Baker, was killed at
Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812. Mr. Simmons has been prominently identified
with public affairs, serving seven years as supervisor. In 1879 he was appointed
assistant superintendent of public works, which position he held until 1895. Their
son, Abram B., died in 1893 at the age of twenty-four years. He was a graduate of
the Albany Medical College and had begun to practice at Amsterdam. He was re-
garded as a young man of great promise and his death was a heavy blow to his
family and friends. There are two daughters now living, Annie E. and Amelia M.
Slavin, Thomas, though a native of Waterford, N. Y., where he was born in 1833,
has been a lifelong resident of Cohoes. His reminiscences of the place in its infancy
are very interesting, and he is regarded as a personal landmark and compendium of
data concerning the early times. His testimony is regarded as impeachable in cases
involving boundaries and conditions of a half century ago. Here has been the
scene of his early struggles in early business life, for Mr. Slavin is a self made man.
He has been compelled to gain his own maintenance since he was nine years of age,
as he was one of the seventeen children of Michael Slavin, who came from Ireland
in 1832. He first engaged as a teamster for flour mills. In isi;.~i he established a
coal business and in 1869 came to No. 135 Saratoga street, where he also deals in
wood, hay, flour, feed and corn. In 1859 he married Elizabeth Bannon of Troy, by
whom he has had eight children, four sons and four daughters; Thomas F. and
Charles J. are associated with him in business.
Wilcox, Rodney, is a personal "landmark" of Cohoes. where he came in 1856,
when the village had about 6,000 population. He was born in Victory Mills. X. Y..
in 1833, and is a son of John Wilcox of English birth. His early manhood was spent
on a farm, but he first engaged in the mercantile business at his native place. < >n
coming here he resumed the business, under the firm name of Stiles & Wilcox, until
wiped out by the panic of 1*57. He then traveled in the West, returned one year
later and began business again under the firm name of Marshall & Wilcox. Since
1867 the establishment has been under his own name, and contains a general line of
238
dry goods, draperies, etc. He is a Republican in politics and is interested in the
success of the party. He is an attendant of the M. E. church. In 1872 he married
Miss Adeline Coon. They have an adopted daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
Wertime, Walter H., was born in Ilion, N. Y. , in 1871. His father was Herman
Wertime, born in Cologne, Germany. He was educated at the University of Bonn,
and came to this country in 1862. He enlisted in the Union army immedialely after
his arrival and served until April, 1865. He was honorably discharged at that time;
he then settled in Herkimer county. Although a college graduate and a man of
unusual attainments, he practiced no profession, but conducted a grocery store in
Cohoes, to which place he came in 1874 and died in 1879. Walter H. Wertime was ed-
ucated in the public schools and graduated from the Egberts High School in 1888;
he taught school for one year and then began legal studies with D. C. McElwain of
this city. He entered the Albany Law School in 1891, graduating in 1892 and was
admitted to the bar that same year, after which he began practice in Cohoes. In
January, 1893, he formed a copartnership with George H. Fitts (now surrogate of
Albany county), and is actively engaged in the practice of the law. He was a mem-
ber and secretary of the Republican County Committee at the age of twenty-one.
He is pmhably the youngest official as city attorney, yet the Common Council of
Cohoes appointed him to this important position in 1895. The able manner in which
he discharged the onerous duties devolved upon him proved the wise selection of that
body as he was by heredity, education, and character pecularly fitted for the re-
sponsible work. On October 8^1896, he was appointed assistant district attorney of
Albany county by Eugene Burlingame. On the 6th day of August, 1896, Mr. Wer-
time was married to Estella Farrelly, of Cohoes.
Harrington, Francis A., son of Enoch Harrington, a prominent farmer and mill
owner. He was born in Morris, Otsego county, N. Y., March 31, 1843, and was
educated in the public schools of his native town. When sixteen he entered the
famous old Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y., and was graduated in
1864. Meanwhile he had taught school to defray his expenses. In the spring of 1865
he entered the service of the old Albany and Susquehanna Railroad (now a part of
D. & H. C. system) in the chief engineering department, and on the completion of
the road continued with the company in the operating department until 1886, he en-
tered the service of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad as general freight agent at
Troy. January 1, 1890, he was made assistant superintendent of the N. Y. Central
system between New York city and Syracuse. In 1891 he was made superintendent
of the Mohawk division with headquarters at Albany. In 1893 he was made super-
intendent of the Mohawk and Malone Railroad from Herkimer and Utica to Malone.
He is also managing director of the Troy Union Railroad.
Mather, Andrew E. and A. Dan, are of the ninth generation in America from
Rev. Richard Mather, who was born in Lowton, England, in 1596, came to Boston,
Mass., August 17, 1635, and died in Dorchester, Mass., April 22, 1669; he married
first, Catherine Holt, and second, Sarah Story (widow of Rev. John Cotton) and was
the father of Increase and the grandfather of Cotton Mather, both noted in New
England history. The line under consideration is (1) Richard, son of Thomas and
grandson of John, of Lowton, England; (2) Timothy, 1628-1684; (3) Richard, 1653-
1688; (4) Timothy, 1681-1755; (5) Timothy, 1711-1800; (6) Jehoida, 1740-1811, all of
239
Lyme, Conn.; (?) Dan, 1774-1856, of Burlington, N. Y. ; and (8) Andrew A. , father
of Andrew E. and A. Dan. Andrew Adrian Mather (8), son of Dan and Susannah
(Onderhouk), was born in Burlington, Otsego county, October 17, 1812, and still re-
sides where his father, a tanner, settled in 1811. He has been a staunch adherent
to the temperance party since 1841 and in 1853 was elected by it to the Legislature.
He was elected sheriff of Otsego county in 1860 and was appointed deputy provost
marshal in 1864. He married first, September 7, 1834, Teresa Davis Cummings, who
died January 27, 1860, leaving six children: Adrian O., born May 22, 1835, married
Sarah Whitford May 21, 1863, and died July 18, 1883; Andrew E., born July 3, !*:;; ;
Addison Dan, born November 12, 1838; Elias C, born April 8, 1840, mustered into
Co. K, 121st N. Y Vols., August, 1862, appointed lieutenant and adjutant 20th I*. S.
Colored Inf., September, 1864, married Mary Whitford, January 27. 1867; Kate
Maria, born May 26, 1*43; and Fayette, born January 11, 1845, died January 15,
1849. Mr. Mather married second, January 6, 1862, Addie J. Birdsall and had two
children: Clara Louise and Jennie A. In August, 1862, Andrew E. Mather was
mustered as first lieutenant of Co. K, 121st N. V. Vols., was promoted captain Janu-
ary, 1863, major May 3, 1863, for gallantry at second Fredericksburg, where he was
wounded in the shoulder on Salem Heights, was appointed lieutenant-colonel Janu-
ary, 1864. and transferred to the 20th I'. S. Colored Inf. January 30, 1865, was ap-
pointed acting inspector-general of artillery and Forts Morgan and Gaines at Mobile
Bay, and May 30 was appointed commissioner to parole officers and men under Gen.
E. Kirby Smith and others at New Orleans, where, on April 19, he had been field
officer of the day when news of Lincoln's assassination had been received. In 1868
he joined his brothers, Adrian O. and A. Dan, who had established themselves in
the wholesale grocery business in Albany in 1865, under the firm name of Mather
Brothers. Adrian O. died July 18, 1883, and since then A. E. and A. I), have con-
stituted the firm, which has been located at Nos. -i<'<-'- 465 Broadwav since issij. An-
drew E. was commissary of subsistence on the staff of Gen. Frederick Townsend
and adjutant-general on General Lord's staff, 3d Brigade. lie has been one of the
governors of the Albany City Hospital since 1873 and president of the board one
year, is one of the managers of the Home for Aged Men, and a trustee of the Home
Savings Bank. Both he and Adrian ( >. were charter members of the Fort Orange
Club. A. Dan Mather is a member of the Albany Club. Both are charter members
of the order of the Founders and Patriots of America.
Jenison, E. Darwin, was born in Albany, Novembei 28, 1859, being the a
William L. Jenison and a descendant of Robert Jenison, who came to America from
Colchester, Essex county, England, in 1630, and settled in Watertown, Mass.
Mr. Jenison is therefore of the eighth generation of the Jenison family in this coun-
try. His education was obtained at the Albany High School in the cla-s of 1878
and in 1883, after a few years of clerkship, he entered the office of the Commerce
Insurance Company of Albany as its cashier. On October 12, L886, he was
moted to the office'of assistant secretary of the company and on May 21, 1890, suc-
ceeded Richard V. He Witt as its secretary, a position he still holds. In February,
1886, he became associated in the local tire insurance business with Garret A. Van
Allen and R. V. He Witt, under the firm name of De Witt & Co., and in 1890, upon
the retirement of Mr. De Witt, the business was continued with Mr. Van Allen un-
240
der the present name of Jenison & Co. In 1885 Mr. Jeuison was married to Miss
Anna Van Allen, only daughter of Garret A. Van Allen. In polities Mr. Jenison is
a Republican, but he has has never held or sought public office.
Snyder, Henry F., was born in Albany, July 18, 1850. His ancestors were Dutch
and came to this country in the sixteenth century. One of them, Johannes Snyder,
was a member of the second Council of Safety appointed in October, 1777, of the
third Congress of the United States, and of the first Assembly in 1777. Mr. Snyder's
father was for many years an attorney and counselor at Bethlehem, N. Y. , and died
in I860. His mother's maiden name was Houghtaling. She was a native of the town
of Bethlehem, and died December 7, 1896, at the residence of her son, Henry F.
Snyder in Albany. Mr. Snyder wras educated at the- district school of Bethlehem
and in 1863, upon the death of his father, was obliged to discontinue his studies.
He worked about five years in a small grocery store and was next employed in Lar-
rabee's steam bakery in Albany, where he remained seven years. In 1878, with his
brother, he engaged in the grocery business which they carried on successfully for
ten years. In 1890 Mr. Snyder established his present grocery store at No. 11 Sec-
ond avenue, which is now in charge of his youngest son. In 1886 he was elected a
Republican member of the Board of Supervisors from the First ward, which position
he also filled in 1887 and 1888. In 1892 he was chosen treasurer of the Republican
County Committee, in 1894 and '95 he was president of the Republican City Commit-
tee, and is now a member of the Executive Republican Committee of the county of
Albany, representing the First Assembly district. He has been an able campaign
speaker since 1884. January 1, 1893, Mr. Snyder was appointed deputy clerk of
Albany county by Hon. James D. Walsh. Upon the election of Hon. George H.
Fitts, the present surrogate, Mr. Snyder was appointed deputy surrogate, the posi-
tion which he now holds. He has displayed fine literary taste and talent in several
articles which he has contributed to newspaper literature. He is a member of the
Capital City Republican Club of Albany, the Republican League of Albany and the
Republican League of New York. In 1869 he married Adelia, daughter of the late
David Mull of Coeymans, and they have two sons: Lemuel H. and Alvin.
Severence, Matthias J., jr., born in Albany, November 6, 1861, is the eldest son of
Col. Matthias J. Severence, who was born on the Moselle River in Germany in 1837,
and has lived in the capital city since he was two and a half years old. Colonel
vSeverence was for many years engaged in the grocery and mineral water business,
was connected with the old Volunteer Fire Department and State militia, and in
1861 became lieutenant of Co. H, 43d N. Y. Vols., in which he served two years dur-
ing the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865. Later he was made captain of Co. H, 25th Regt.
N. G. S. N. Y., and was promoted colonel. He is connected with all the German
singing and several fraternal societies of Albany, and was one of the marshals of
the Great German Jubilee in 1871, and of "All Nations" day during the Albany bi-
centennial celebration in 1886. He has been a brigadier-general of the Uniformed
Rank K. of P., was commander of Post 5, G. A. R. , was the independent candidate
for sheriff in 1884, served as supervisor of the old Tenth ward several years, and is
now connected with the Albanj' Brewing Company. His first wife, Margaret C. Mc-
Guinness, died in 1875. leaving six children; Matthias J., jr., being the third. He
married, a second wife, Mrs. Ophelia (Nichols) Haney. Matthias J. Severence, jr.,
241
was educated in the public and German private schools and academy of Albany,
read law with Nathan P. Hinman and Hon. Simon O Rosendale, and was graduated
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1889, being in the mean
time deputy property clerk under Mayor Swinburne. He practiced for a time in the
offices of Hinman & Farren and Reilly & Hamilton, served three years as an exam-
iner in the State Banking Department under Charles M. Preston, and in November,
1895, was elected judge of the city court for a term of four years from January 1,
1896. He is a Democrat, a past chancellor of Columbia Lodge K. of P. and a past
captain of the Sons of Veterans, the I. O. Red Men, trustee of the Elks, Lodge No.
49, and several German singing societies. He was aide-de camp with rank of lieu-
tenant-colonel on the staff of Leland J. Webb, commander-in-chief of the Sons of
Veterans of the United States. January 28, 1891, he married Margaret C, daughter
of the late Charles Kirchner of Albany, and they have one child, Marguerite Annette
Severence.
Barber, Fletcher, son of Isaac I. and Mary (Dominick) Barber, was born in the
town of Wright, Schoharie county, N. Y., and is the sixth in descent from his pater-
nal ancestor, who came to America from Hertfordshire, England, in 1634, and who
was one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn. Mr. Barber attended the Schoharie
Academy and later the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. In 1855 he moved to' Al-
bany, N. Y., where he entered the office of M. & S. Patten as a clerk. At their sug-
gestion and with their advice and assurance of their faith in his future success, in
1860 he began business for himself at No. 5 Hudson avenue, making a specialty of
buckwheat flour and grass seed, in connection with mill feed and grain. This was
continued until 1S79, when he removed to Broadway, where the firm of Barber &
Bennett was formed. Here the same line of business has been continued and the
house is a leading one in its specialties. Financial success has crowned Mr. Barber's
efforts. He has been an active member of the Albany Board of Trade since its for-
mation and has served on committees and in various offices, including that of presi-
dent. He is a bank director and occupies other offices of trust. In I860 he was
married to Rhobe, daughter of Simeon Morgan of Gallupville, Schoharie countv.
Delehanty, Hon. Michael, son of Daniel and Margaret Delehanty, was born in
Ireland, July 12, 1820, came to America with his parents in 1825 and settled in Al-
bany, where his father died in 1845 and his mother in 1S47. His father was a mer-
chant and dockmaster here for several years. Mr. Delehanty was educated in the
private schools and academy of Albany and when sixteen learned the trade of tin
and coppersmith with Whitney & Cluett, with whom he remained five years. In
1841 he established himself in the tin, copper, stove and plumbing business at No. 8
Green street, his partner being William R. Whitney. Two years later he withdrew
and started the same business on Beaver street, whence he removed in 1848 to Nos.
36 '■'>'! Green street, where the house has since carried on a large general plumbing,
stove, furnace, tin and copper trade. In January, 1892, he gave the active manage-
ment of the business over to his son, John S.. who carries it on under the name of
M. Delehanty's Son. Mr. Delehanty is a Democrat and was alderman of the old
Second (now Fifth) ward four years, supervisor two years, school commissioner eight
years, and police commissioner under the capital police system appointed by Gov-
ernor Hoffman, four years; was unanimously appointed by the Common Council as
242
a life member of the Water Commission. In January, 1892, he was appointed by
Governor Flower superintendent of the State Capitol and served until May, 1895.
He is a trustee of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank. In 1841 he married Mary,
daughter of Charles Quinn of Albany, and their surviving children are Julie, wife of
Hon. Edward Murphy, jr., of Troy; Daniel, lieutenant commander U. S. Navy and
supervisor of the Port of New York" since 1894; John S. , of Albany; William E., of
New York city, and Mary F., Francis B., attorney of Albany, and Helen J. of
Albany.
Capron, John D., son of William and Clarissa (Dodge) C apron, was born in Al-
bany, October 27, 1830, and on his mother's side is descended from the Peabodys of
New England. Mr. Capron, after receiving a public school education, became a
clerk for William N. Cassidy, grocer, and later entered the employ of Ford & Grant,
druggists, on the site of the Hawk street entrance to the Capitol. Four years after-
ward he purchased Mr. Grant's interest and in 1860 withdrew to form a partnership
with Edmund L. Judson and engaged in the wholesale flour and provision business.
The firm of Judson & Capron continued until 1887, when Mr. Judson retired and it
became Capron & Smith, which on Mr. Smith's retirement was succeeded by John
D. Capron & Co., which was dissolved in October, 1895. Mr. Capron was one of the
founders and incorporators of the Home Savings Bank, which opened for business
May 4, 1872, and was vice-president until the death of William White in 1882, when
he became its president. The treasurer, Edmund L. Judson, died in 1890
and Mr. Capron acted as both president and treasurer for two years, when
he resigned the presidency and has since continued as treasurer, being the only
charter member of the bank still living. He was supervisor of the Sixth ward one
year. In 1861 he married a daughter of William White, and they have one son,
William White Capron, a graduate of the Albany Academy (being major of the
Cadet Corps) and of Yale College, and now of the wholesale provision firm of Lester
& Capron of Albany.
Davidson, Andrew, was born in February, 1840, in Morebattle, Roxburgshire, Scot-
land. When six years old he came with his parents to this country and settled in
the county of Otsego, N. Y. His father, James Davidson, is still living in the same
county at the advanced age of ninety-one. His grandfather, Robert Davidson, also
a native of Morebattle, Scotland, possessed considerable poetical ability and wrote
several small volumes of "Poems on the Border." His mother's maiden name was
Jane Curie, who died in 1885 aged seventy-six years. Both of his parents early united
with the Presbyterian church, of which they became prominent members. The boy-
hood days of Andrew Davidson were passed upon a farm and in attending the com-
mon schools. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen, and for some time
taught school in the winter months, while he attended the Cooperstown Seminary in
the summer, where he was fitted for a collegiate course. In August, 1862, he enlisted
in Company E of the 121st N. Y. Yolunteers. He had previously been commissioned
by Governor Edwin D. Morgan to recruit a company for the regiment, which he
speedily organized. He received the appointment as second sergeant in Co. E early
in September of the same year and went with his regiment to Washington, and after
an encampment of a few days at Fort Lincoln marched with the regiment to the
front. For the first time Sergeant Davidson and his splendid fighting regiment faced
243
the storm at Crampton's Gap, South Mountain, Maryland. The 121st regiment was
left to guard the Gap during the progress of the battle of Antietam. On the 3d of
May of the following year (1863) Davidson, now made first sergeant of his Co., while
righting in the battle of Salem Church, Va. , was shot through both Legs above the
knee by a minnie ball. He was removed to Douglas hospital at Washington as soon
as possible, where he was treated for his dangerous wounds until he was able to
rejoin his regiment at Warrenton, Va., in August of the same year. Upon his return
to duty Colonel Upton promoted him to be sergeant-major. On the 29th of Febru-
ary, 1864, he was appointed a first lieutenant of the 30th U. S. colored troops then
organizing in Baltimore, Maryland. When the regiment was fully organized he was
made its first adjutant. Early in the spring of 1864 the 30th colored regiment joined
the army of the Potomac and Adjutant Davidson was with it from that time until
the surrender of General Johnston at Raleigh, X. C. He was with his regiment in
the Battle of the Mine at Petersburg, Va., July 30th, 1864. when some four thousand
Union soldiers lost their lives or were taken prisoners. Adjutant Davidson wears
a medal of honor, awarded him by the war department under an act of Congress for
gallant conduct on that occasion. While stationed at Goldsboro, N. C, after the
surrender of Johnston, Adjutant Davidson was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff
of Gen. Delevan Bates, commanding the brigade, and soon after was made acting
assistant adjutant-general on his staff and promoted to a captaincy. He was sub-
sequently acting assistant adjutant-general and acting assistant inspector-general
on the staff of Gen. C. J. Paine, commanding the eastern district of North Carolina,
until he was mustered out with his regiment in Baltimore, December, 1*60. It would
greatly exceed the limits of this sketch to follow Captain Davidson through all the
battles in which he participated during his services in the war for the Union. We
here merely mention the names of these engagements in their chronological order:
Crampton's Gap, .South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va.,
December 11-16, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., May 2, 1863; Marye's Heights. May 3,
1863; Salem Church, May 3, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va, November 7, 1863;
Mine Run, Va., November 26, 1863; Petersburg, Va., June 10, isi;4, to December,
1864; Mine Explosion, or Battle of the Mine, Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864; Hatcher's
Run, Va., October 27-28, 1867; Fort Fisher, N. C, December 25, 1864; Fort Fisher,
X. C, January 13-15, 1865; Sugar Loaf Hill, N. C, January 19, 18<>:> . Sugar Loaf
Battery, N. C, February 11, 1865; Cox's Bridge, N. C, March 24, 1865; Johnston's
surrender, March 26, ISO"). Though severely wounded in battles, Captain Davidson
came out of the fiery ordeal of war a scarred veteran. A year after the close of the
war he carried on a mercantile business until the spring of 1870. when he removed to
Cherry Valley and began the study of law in the office of his brother-in-law, Judge
James W. Barnum. He completed his course af legal studies in the office of Judge
Samuel A. Bowen, of Cooperstown, and was there admitted to the bar in November,
ls7:'.. In 1874 he became editor and proprietor of the < >tsego Republican, published
in Cooperstown. He was elected to the State Senate for the term of lssl 5. He
He served on the committees on finance, miscellaneous corporations, villages and
public printing. In March, 1890, President Harrison appointed him first deputy com-
missioner of pensions. After the resignation of General Raum in the early days of
March, ISit:;, he was acting commissioner of pensions until relieved in the latter part
cit April following. He then returned to his journalistic work at Cooperstown. On
244
the 31st of May, 1866, Captain Davidson married Miss Altana R. Barnum, eldest
daughter of Sylvester W. Barnum, esq., of Middlefield, N. Y. He has three children,
Clarence W., now associate editor of the Otsego Republican, and two daughters,
Linda W. and Myra B. Captain Davidson is a member of the Presbyterian church
at Cooperstown. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the
Loyal Legion, the Union Veterans' Legion, Medal Legion of Honor, and of the
Masons and Odd Fellows. For many years he was chairman of the Republican
County Committee, was twice chosen a member of the State Committee, and was a
frequent delegate to State Conventions. Captain Davidson was not an applicant for
deputy secretary of state, but General Palmer, his friend and comrade, shortly after
his election in November, 1893, as secretary of state, tendered him the position,
which was accepted, and he entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1894.
Drislane, William E., was born in Tarrytown, N. Y., in 1851. He received his
education in the public schools of Ulster county and in 1875 went into the grocery
business for himself in Newburgh, N. Y. He also started branch stores at Tarry-
town, Sing Sing, Poughkeepsie and Peekskill, and in 1884, having given up his
branch stores he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he opened a grocery store at No.
147 South Pearl street. In 1886 he bought the old Jewish Synagogue property at
Nos. 153 to 159 South Pearl street, and after overhauling it started a grocery store
there. In 1890 he opened another grocery in the old Music Hall where he carried
on a very successful business until January, 1894, when the property was destroyed
by fire. Mr. Drislane then purchased the old Female Academy property on North
Pearl street, which he thoroughly overhauled, putting in a new front and opened for
business there June 15, 1894. His first year's business in Albany amounted to 850,-
000 and last year's to 8250,000. He has seventy-five people in his employ.
De Witt, Richard Varick, son of Richard V. and Sarah (Walsh) De Witt, was born
in Albany, N. Y. , in 1832. He is a grandson of Simeon De Witt, who was born in
Ulster county in 1756 and who joined the line of the Continental army as volunteer
and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, October 17, 1777. In 1778 Congress
appointed Simeon De Witt geographer-general and chief of topographers to the
Continental army, which positions he retained until the close of the Revolutionary
war. In 1784 he was appointed surveyor-general of New York State and served as
such until his death in 1834; in 1784 he was appointed by Congress surveyor-general
of the United States, but he declined. He was a regent of the University of New
York from 1798 until his death, and was vice-chancellor from 1817 and chancellor
from 1829. He was also one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati. The
father of the subject of this sketch was born in 1800 and died in 1868. From 1823
until 1828, he was brigadier-general commanding the forces in Albany county and
was vice-president of the Society of the Cincinnati from 1848 until his death. Both
father and grandfather of the subject were for many years elders of Second Dutch
church of Albany. Richard Varick De Witt, the subject of this sketch, was educated
at the Albany Academy and in 1849 went into the employ of the Albany Insurance
Company as clerk. In 1854 he was appointed to a clerkship in the New York State
Bank and remained there until 1868, when he again engaged in the insurance busi-
ness. Mr. De Witt was secretary of the Commerce Insurance Company from l^T-
to 1890 and was secretary of the Albany Insurance Company from 1890 to February,
245
1896, when he resigned to engage in business for himself. He has been a member
of the Board of Fire Commissioners since 1887; a trustee of the Madison Avenue
Reformed church for ten years, and was at one time a director of the Albany Ex-
change Savings Bank. He is now president of the Albany Board of Fire Under-
writers, a trustee of the Albany Medical College, a member of the standing commit-
tee of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, and president of the
Albany branch of the Local Fire Insurance Agents' Association of N. Y. State.
McCredie, James, son of Thomas and Margaret (Smith) McCredie, was born in
Albany, N. Y., February 27, 1861. Thomas McCredie was born in Glasgow, Scot-
land, on St. Andrew's day, November 30, 1808. When Thomas McCredie was very
young his parents died and his foster parents apprenticed him to a master carpenter
for three years and six months. But his mind and attention turned toward malting,
inasmuch as his father had been a wine and malt liquor dealer. He had always been
a great student and, having read much of America he determined to visit it, and on
October 30, 1838, he reached the city of Albany. He soon made the acquaintance of
Peter Ballantine, the famous maltster and brewer, a fellow countryman of Mr. McCre-
die, and he commenced work in the malt house of Howard & Ryckman. The three
following years of his life were spent in the Andrew Kirk inalt house and brewery,
he having decided upon malting as his life work. For two years he was superin-
tendent of the Andrew Kirk plant. For six years after this he was in the employ
of Robert Dunlop, another Scotchman, as superintendent of his houses at Troy,
X. Y. He then went to Philadelphia as superintendent of a malt house owned by
the Messrs. Gaul and remained there one season, after which he returned to Albany
and entered the employ of Mr. Dunlop again. In 1848 he married Miss Ellen Dunlop,
who lived only two years and who left an only daughter who survived but a short
time. About this date Thomas McCredie entered or formed a partnership with Mr.
Robert Dunlop, which partnership proved an unusually happy and agreeable one for
both. In 1851 Robert Dunlop' s death occurred, and at the settlement of the latter's
estate Mr. McCredie acquired possession of the Dunlop malt house on Clinton
avenue. From this date a character, which for careful and undivided attention to
"business and a studious effort to equal, if not excel the best in the line of work
which he had undertaken, showed itself and not without its beneficial results.
Soon after he obtained the entire control of the malt house of John McKnight,
corner of Orange and Hawk streets. Thirty years before his death he was ac-
corded the first place among the maltsters of the United States, and he sustained
bis reputation as a maltster until his death March 24, 1892. He took a great interest
in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Albany. He was a member of the bftard
of governors of the Albany Hospital and served as a directoi of the Mechanics' and
Farmers' Bank, and a trustee of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank. He
was a member of the Albany City Curling Club and St. Andrew's Society. Four
times he visited the land of Ins birth, but he never lost interest in the land of his
adoption. He was ever kind-hearted and deeply religious, and was beloved of all
who knew him. At the time of his death lie was a member of the board of ti
of the First Reformed church. In 1854 he married Miss Margaret Smith, of Albany.
by whom he had five children, twodaughters and three sons. In a word, for a person
Of such prominence and wealth, Thomas McCredie was a most unostentatious man,
246
never seeking preferment except in his own business or pursuit, but giving his un-
divided and liberal support to whatever of outside matters that fell to his charge ;
his best attention to whatever he was willing to undertake with a most singular
fidelity. James McCredie, his son, for whom this article is intended, was educated
in private schools, the Albany Academy and was graduated from the Riverview
Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, after which he learned the brewing business in
Smith & Brother's brewery in New York city. He then returned to Albany, and up to
the time of his father's death was engaged in the management of his father's business.
After the death of his father James succeeded to the control of the business and has
successfully conducted it ever since. He is a young man inheriting or possessing in
a large degree all those qualities which made his father so interesting and prominent
a character in whatever line he undertook. James McCredie is of a singularly happy
and sunny temperament or nature, a close observer, is quick, resolute, active and
decided in his mental attributes, giving his best efforts and time to those positions
which he has been selected to fill, in all of which he has proved himself -eminently
qualified, as is evidenced or proved by his continuing to fill the positions to which
he as been elected year after year without a single intermission. It is James
McCredie's nature to do all or everything that falls to his lot to do, whether in a
public capacity or in private life, with the most scrupulous care; nothing is ever
neglected ; no regard is paid to the labor, attention or time required so that the un-
dertaking may result beneficially. Every young man does not possess this character,
this capacity for work, the care taken in itsdoing, the determination to finish all work
undertaken, and if in a public capacity with an entire view to the public interest.
June 16, 1890, Mayor James H. Manning appointed Mr. McCredie a member of the
Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed James D. Coleman. On January 18, 1897,
Mayor John Boyd Thacher reappointed Mr. McCredie fire commissioner, which term
will expire June 1, 1900. He has been chairman of the supply committee, which is
the principal committee, and has been a member of the hose, telegraph and real estate
committees of the Board of Fire Commissioners. January 11, 1895, he was unani-
mously elected secretary of the board, which position he has held ever since. In
1892 he was elected governor of the Albany Hospital in place of his father, who
resigned owing to ill health, and shortly after he was elected secretary of the board,
and in February, 1896, was elected president of the board of governors. Mr. McCredie
has been a member of St. Andrew's Society for fifteen years, and in November,
1892, he was elected one of the managers, filling the vacancy caused by the death of
his father. He is also a member of the Caledonian Club, a Scottish organization,
president of the Albany City Curling Club, and a member of the Fort Orange Club.
December 6, 1889, he was elected a director and secretary of the Albany Railway
and still holds the position. September, 1892, he was elected a trustee of the Me-
chanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank.
YVillerton, Edmund Ronslow, son of Thomas and Helen (Metcalf) Willerton, was
born in the city of York, England, in 1845 and when an infant came with his parents
to America and soon after settled in Albany, N. Y. He received his early education
in Albanv in schools Nos. 5 and 13. He began his work as a messenger boy for the
Western Union Telegragh Company, in Albany, March, 1864, advancing to various
positions, including assistant bookkeeper, and when he left in 1870, he was cashier.
247
He then went into the employ of the Albany cV Susquehanna Railroad (afterwards
the Delaware & Hudson Railroad), in the general passenger department, where he
has remained ever since, and is now chief clerk in that department. Mr. Will-
erton is a member of Ancient City Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., and was elected
master of the lodge for the years 1895-90. He is a member of Temple Chapter
No. 5, R. A. M., and was high priest during 1895-66. He is a member of De Witt
Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., and was elected master for 1897; is a member of
Temple Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and of Cyrus Temple Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine, and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. Willerton is
also a member of St. George's Society, the Albany Club, the Acacia Club, and of the
Dutch Reformed church. January 13, 1869, he married Frances Amelia Dole of
Albany and they have three children: Florence M., Edna G. and Fred D.
Kernochan, Edward L., was born in New York city, October 3, 1870. His parents
were F. E. Kernochan and Abba E. Learned. His great-grandfather came from the
North of Ireland and settled in Orange county. His grandfather was for many
years a large dry goods merchant in New York city, with branches at Mobile and
New Orleans. Mr. Kernochan's father was graduated from Yale in 1861 and fol-
lowed the profession of lawyer in New York city until 187:?, when he went to Pitts-
field, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of woolens. He died in Pittsficld in
1*S4. Mr. Kernochan's maternal grandfather, Edward Learned, was for many
years one of the well known financiers of New York city and was at one time largely
interested in railroad construction and mining interests. He furnished the stone for
the foundation of the New York State Capitol from his Maine quarries. K. L. Ker-
nochan engaged in business in a pulp mill at Madison, Me. Later he removed to
Albany, N. Y., and was elected ;i director of the Taylor Brewing and Malting Com-
pany, and in 1895 was elected vice-president of the same company. Mr. Kernochan
is a member of the Albany Country Club.
Van Vranken, Adam '1'., M. D., was born at Yischer's Ferry, Saratoga county,
X. Y., September 14, 1850. His paternal ancestors came from Holland and settled
in Albany, N. Y., in 1646, afterwards purchased a large tract of land beyond the
Mohawk River, a portion of which is still in possession of the- family. lie was the
son of J. Witbeck Van Vranken and Dorcas Cregier, both of Holland descent. He
received his early education in the district schools of his native place, and finished
his literary studies at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, and was graduated from the
Albany Medical College in 1*7:?, was house physician in the Albany Hospital, and
located in West Troy in 1875, where he still resides. lie was for ten years attending
physician to the Troy ] [ospital, and is now upon the consulting stall' 1 [e is a mem-
ber of the Medical Society of the County of Albany, and was its president in 1895 '."'>.
also a member of the New York State Medical Association, and of the Stale Medical
Society. He was the president of the Alumni Association of Albany Medical Col-
lege m 1895, and is now the president of the Young Men's Christian Association of
West Troy, also president of the Board of Education. He married Miss Lizzie M.
Shoemaker of Albany. N. Y., who died in 1886, lb- then married Miss Emma liar
mon of West Troy in 1*89.
Sturtevant, Stephen V., one of the most prominentmen of Watervliet, is the son
of George A. Sturtevant, a pioneer settler here from Fort Miller. X. Y., where
248
Stephen was born in 1844. He was educated here and has always been engaged in
the lumber and coal business, forming a partnership with William Andrews in 1881.
Mr. Sturtevant is now president of the Board of Fire Commissioners, of which he
has been a member for fifteen years. He has an interesting war record, participat-
ing in several big battles. He enlisted in Co. — of the Seventh N. Y. Heavy Artil-
lery in 1863, and served until the close of the war as sergeant.
Phelps, Arthur T., was born in West Troy, March 18, 1853. He is the sou of
James Francis and Lucina (Tyrrel) Phelps. His parents were natives of Schroon,
Essex county, N. Y. After their marriage they moved to West Troy, and for over
twenty years he was engaged in the lumber business. He was a director of the
National Bank of West Troy; about ten years ago he moved to Davenport, Iowa,
where he is living retired. Mrs. Phelps, the mother of Arthur T., died in West Troy
in 1853, shortly after the birth of her son. Mr. Phelps subsequently married Jenette,
daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Finch. Arthur T. Phelps is descended from a Connec-
ticut family, who in turn were the direct descendants of one William Phelps, who
settled in Tewksbury, England, in 1521, having moved from Wales. The Phelps
family originally came from Italy, where the name was Guelph, went to Wales where
the name was changed to Whelps; on removal to England it was anglicized to
Phelps. The family came to America and settled in Windsor, Conn., where they
were farmers, importers and breeders of fine cattle. Arthur T. Phelps was gradu-
ated from Crown Point Academy in 1867, and from the Troy Business College in
1868; he became a professor in the same in 1869 which place he resigned to accept
the position of bookkeeper for the firm of Phelps & Smith, lumber dealers of West
Troy. He was appointed general bookkeeper in the National Bank of West Troy,
February 8, 1871, and cashier of the same bank ten years later, which position he now
holds. He was appointed sewer commissioner for West Troy in 1892 and school
commissioner in 1895. He was president of the Board of Education in 181)6, and a
water commissioner the same year. He is an admirer of fine horses and dogs. His
horses are never entered in the professional races, but are always ready for a friendly
brush on road or track. He is the proprietor of the celebrated Watervliet Kennels,
which contain many fine St. Bernards, several of which were imported from the old
countries, and have won many prizes at bench shows, etc. Mr. Phelps is well known
in musical circles, and for several years was a tenor singer in many large churches.
He has been prominent in local charities. The National Bank of West Troy was or-
ganized in 1852 with John Knickerbacker president, and A. C. Gunnison cashier; it
became a national bank in 1865. Thomas A. Knickerbacker, a son of the first presi-
dent, is the present president, and Mr. Phelps is cashier. Mr. Phelps was married
to Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Stover of West Troy, June 9, 1874. The
Stovers were one of the old Dutch families of West Troy, where the ancestors had
resided for several generations. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have three children: Lucina
M., Alice J., both educated at the Troy Female Seminary, and Havvley Stover, stu-
dent at the Troy Academy. The family attend the Episcopal church of West Troy.
As a business man, Mr. Phelps takes rank among the careful and conservative busi-
ness men of the county, and has made a most excellent record as a financier. He is
a member of the Park Club of Lansingburgh, and for five years was president of
Watervliet Club of West Troy, of which he was one of the organizers. In politics
be has always been a staunch Republican.
249
Eckert, Henry E., the leading jeweler of the city of Watervliet, was born in
Baden, Germany, and when fourteen years old went to Austria and learned the
jeweler's trade. He became an American in 1861, his complete mastery of his trade
gaining him lucrative employment with a firm of chronometer makers at Albany.
In 1870 Mr. Eckert opened a store in West Troy, where he has by superior work-
manship and high personal character built up a fine business. His son, Henry J.
Eckert, recently graduated with distinction from the Spencer Optical Institute of
New York, will henceforth be associated with his father, and adding a large and at-
tractive stock of optical goods.
Getman, Edward M., third son of Charles and Chloe (Hutton) Getman, was born
in Troy, N. Y., April 5, 1844. He is a lineal descendant from John Frederick
Getman, who came from Germany in 1720 and settled in the present town of Ephra-
tah in Fulton county, N. Y., and whose four sons served in the colonial army under
Sir William Johnson in 1755. The grandson, George, had four sons, all of whom
were soldiers in the Revolution. One of these sons. George, the great-grandfather
of Edward M., had six sons, all of whom served in the war of 1812. In the late war
were two sons of Charles Getman, who were at the Watervliet Arsenal; another was
on special service up the Yazoo river to General Grant. About 184G Mr. Getman's
parents moved to Watervliet, N. Y., then West Troy His schooldays were limited
to a few sessions in the public schools of that time, which were meagre as compared
to the public schools of to-day. At seventeen he was appointed if) a clerkship in the
Watervliet Arsenal, resigning December 31, 1864. He was one of the two persons
who laid the trains blowing up buildings in Troy in the great fire of 1862. In 1863
he was sent as special messenger with a large train of cars filled with munitions of
war to Louisville, Kv. , for General Buell in the memorable Buell and Bagg race into
Kentucky for supplies. January, 1865, he moved to Kentucky and aided in the or-
ganization of the Louisville City National Bank, where he continued in the banking
business until he was appointed by the government as bank examiner. As an expert
he was called by the mayor to examine the sinking fund of Louisville and at a subse-
quent period was requested to examine the water works of said city, a property of
§7,000,000 value and owned by the city. In Februuary, L878, at the request of Sec-
retary B. H. Bristow, Gen. John M. Harlan (now on the Supreme Bench at Wash-
ington, D. C.) and Hon. Martin I. Townsend <>i Troy, he was appointed a national
bank examiner for Kentucky ; Tennessee and pari of West Virginia were added to
his charge late in 1878. In 1879 he was ordered to New < (rleans during a panic and
suspensions there, rendering valuable service. An official trip through Texas and
Arkansas followed. He was then made the special examiner at large for the Central
West and on critical cases was sent into Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio and Mich-
igan, at the same time giving proper attention to his original district. In 1886 he
was transferred to New York State and assigned from Buffalo to Xew Y<>rk on the
southern tier of counties, and after fourteen years of this service he resigned in De-
cember, 1S(J2. He has since been engaged in the lumber business in the city of
Watervliet, N. Y. Mr. Getman's father was canal collector one tern; his brother,
Charles, was a member of the last Connecticut Legislature, and Edward M., na-
tional bank examiner, which are the only public offices ever held by the family. Mr.
Getman has been an unswerving Republican easting his first vote in Kentucky for
ff
250
Grant. In 1896 he was nominated for the office of mayor of the city of Watervliet,
but was defeated by only a very small majority. September 19, 1867, Mr. Getman
was married to Emma, second daughter of John Morris of West Troy, and they have
two children : Archie R. and Edith M.
Langan, John, was the son of William Langan, who, after leaving his birthplace,
first settled in Schenectady.. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1843. He learned
the blacksmith's trade in the locomotive shops there, then entered the Arsenal shops.
In 1861 he enlisted in the Ordnance Department as a private, and soon was made a
corporal, acting-sergeant and quartermaster, being six years in the service. After
the war he came to West Troy and established a grocery, market and liquor store,
Since 1880 he has dealt in liquors at wholesale only. Mr. Langan has taken a lively
interest in political affairs and held various offices. He was town clerk for two
years, overseer of the poor for two years, and deputy sheriff for eighteen years.
He was also on the Board of Excise for fifteen years. He has also served on the
Democratic County Committee for a number of years.
Day, Michael J., mayor of Watervliet, is a native of Troy, but a resident here
since 1856, when he came with his father, Daniel Day, a well-known grocer of
this place. Mr. Day was educated here and at La Salle Institute at Troy. At six-
teen years of age he entered the store of William H. Frear of Troy as clerk, remain-
ing there for twelve years, and advancing to the position of head cashier. In 1882
an opportunity presented itself for his engaging in the coal business with James
Crummy. The firm is now known as Crummy & Day. Mayor Day, in the year
1882, married Miss Jennie McKeever, and has one daughter, Mary.
Neil, George, one of the foremost figures in the business life of Cohoes, was born
at St. Thomas, Ont. , in 1842. He was early thrown on his own resources and has
achieved success\,by his own efforts. In 1865 he came to Cohoes as an employee in
a knitting mill, and in 1870 received an engagement with J. H. Parson & Co., as
salesman and bookkeeper, a responsible position which he held for fourteen years,
Later he formed a partnership with George McDowell, which existed for five years.
In 1891 he went into the Atlantic Knitting Co. as treasurer and manager, and is a
man well qualified for the position, as he possesses full knowledge of every branch
of the business. He has traveled extensively and is a well known man in trade.
Williams, David, was born in Troy and removed to Cohoes at a very early age.
He was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a blacksmith shop from 1872 until 1874.
He then sold out and went into the bat and shoddy business with Edward Walker,
the firm name being Walker & Williams Mfg. Co. He was appointed fire commis-
sioner in 1893 and served until June, 1896. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge No.
116, F. & A. M., Cohoes Chapter No. 168, R. A. M., and resides at 108 Mohawk
street.
Garside, John, ex-mayor of the city of Cohoes and one of the foremost business
men of that city, was born in Halifax, England, in 1838, and came to America when
eight years of age. Mr. Garside has for fifteen years been a heavy dealer in Chi-
cago beef, having first associated himself with the Swifts in 1881, and has been a
resident of Cohoes since 1854. He was one of the original promoters of the Cohoes
City Railroad and is now vice-president of the concern, having been identified with
251
the management from its inception. Mr. Garside's administration as mayor of the
city, from 1886 until 1892, was marked by the good sense and practical qualities for
which he is somewhat distinguished. In 1*57 Mr. Garside married Miss Elizabeth
Wagstaff. They have one daughter, Mary, wife of Marry Green, who is associated
with Mr. Garside in the meat business, he having charge of the branch office in
Schenectady. They have two children, John and Grace.
Benson, Samuel J., is one of the most successful builders of his day, as the many
buildings in Cohoes and elsewhere will attest. Among them are the "Cascade Mills"
For (leorge H. McDonald & Co., and the "Granite Mills" for William Moore, also
the Presbyterian church which he is now building. Mr. Benson is a native of Lim-
erick, Ireland, coming to America when three years old with his father, John Ben-
son, a mason. He first settled in Newburgh, N. V. , then in is<>6 he came to Cohoes
where he learned the stone-mason trade, which pursuit he has always followed most
successfully. As a citizen he is well known for his sterling integrity and worth.
Kelly, Hon. George T., born in Albany, May 12, 1864, attended the Christian
Brothers' Academy, and later public schools Nos. 15 and 8, and was graduated from
the Albany High School in 1883. He entered the law office of Peckham, Rosendale
& Hessberg, and subsequently became their managing clerk. In the mean time he
took a course of lectures at the Albany Law School and Union University, graduat-
ing with the degree of LL. B. in 188(5, being the honor man and the youngest mem-
ber of his class. He was admitted to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme
Court in May of the same year. On March 1, 1887, he formed a copartnership with
Judge John W. Walsh, which continued until January, 1890, when Mr. Kelly resumed
the practice of his profession individually. He is a man of refined tastes and of ex-
tensive reading in general literature. He is interested in all public matters and in
politics is a Democrat. At the Democratic Assembly Convention of 1895 he was
nominated for member of assembly of the Third Assembly District, an office which
he filled with honor and ability. In 1896 he was re-elected to this position, being the
only Democrat elected in Albany county. Mr. Kelly married the daughter of Hon.
William C. McFadden of Ilarrisburg, Pa., and they have three children. He is a
member of the Dongan Club, Catholic Union, C. M. B. A., and Phi Delta Phi
Society.
Montignani, John F., only son of John O., a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, was
born in (liens Falls, X. V., June 24, 1855. His father came to America and settled
in Albany about 1845, and alter residing for a few years in Glens Falls, returned to
this city, where he died January 8, L894; he was superintendent of various factories,
was a manufacturer and dealer in pianos and was a prominent Mason, holding mem-
bership in Temple Lodge No, 15, F. & A. M. ; he was also active in Scotch societies,
was one of the founders of both the curlingclubs of Albany, was prominent in mu
circles, was a founder and the first secretary of the Albany Burns Club and married
Elizabeth Ferguson, of Kortright, Delaware county, N. V., who died June 1.
John F. Montignani was graduated from the Albany High School in 1875 and then
entered Cornell University, but owing to ill health was tuned to abandon a college
course. He read law in the office of Edward Wade of Albany and later with Paddock,
Draper & Chester, a leading firm composed of William S. Paddock, then Recorder,
Andrew S. Draper, afterward state .superintendent of public instruction, and Alden
252
Chester, now a justice of the Supreme Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1881
and at once formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer, which continued
until 1888. In 1890 he formed his present partnership with George H. Mallory and
William S. Elmendorf, the firm name being Montignani, Mallory & Elmendorf.
While in the Albany High School he held all the offices of the Philodoxia Society and
was one of the founders and a charter member of the Philologian Society. In 1876
he was one of the principal organizers of the High School Alumni Association, which
now has nearly 2,000 members, and served as its president for four years from 1883.
He assisted in founding the Friendly Few Society of High School graduates in 1877
and has been its secretary ever since. In 1893 he aided in reviving the Albany Burns
Club, of which he has since been the secretary. He is a member and for some time
was secretary of St. Andrews Society, is a member of the Albany Caledonian Society,
at college became a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and in 1895 was one of
the organizers of the Albany Workingmen's Educational Club. A Republican, he
has been prominent in politics, was a candidate for recorder in 1895, managed the
Wilson mayoralty campaign, and in 1896 established the McKinley League in Albany
county and city. In 1894 he was engaged in New York as counsel for the "Anti-
Machine Republicans," representing them before the State Committee. He has a
general law practice in all the courts and is attorney for the Mechanics' and Farmers'
Bank. He was counsel in the celebrated McPherson case, in which the constitution-
ality of the collateral (now the transfer) tax law was attacked. In 1885 he was mar-
ried in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Clementina Petrie-Montignani, daughter of Henry
G. Montignani, and they have two children "living : Elizabeth F. and Jennie M.
Thompson, David A., was born at Mannington, Salem county, N. J., May 29, 1844.
His parents were of English descent and Quakers, his forefathers migrating to West
Jersey about 1680. He obtained his rudimentary education at the Salem Friends
School and Academy, and later became a student at Haverford, Pa., where he re-
mained one and one-half years. In 1866 he entered Princeton College and was grad-
uated in 1868. He then removed to Albany, entered the Albany Law School and
was graduated in 1869, when he was admitted to the bar. For ten years, until 1879,
he practiced his profession alone. In the latter year he formed a partnership with
Arthur L. Andrews, under the firm name of Thompson & Andrews, which continued
until 1885, when the firm became Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, George L. Sted-
man being the senior member. This copartnership was dissolved January 1, 1896,
Mr. Stedman retiring, and since then the firm has been Thompson & Andrews.
In 1874 Mr. Thompson was appointed first clerk to Edmund L. Judson, mayor of
Albany, which is the only public office he ever held. He was for many years a mem-
ber and trustee of the First Congregational church, the Home for Aged Men, the
Albany Orphan Asylum, the Albany Mutual Insurance Company, the Albany Female
Academy, the Home Savings Bank, and the Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Com-
pany. He has been a member of the Committee of Thirteen since 1882 and is now
secretary and treasurer of that society ; he is also a member of Masters Lodge, No.
5, F. & A. M. October 4, 1871, he married Margaret, daughter of the late Dr.
James McNaughton of Albany, and they have three children: James McNaughton,
Andrew and Margaret McNaughton Thompson
Andrews, Arthur L., son of Dr. George and Julia A. (Hooker) Andrews, was bom
253
in Marion, la., April 16, 1855, and descends from William Andrews, who in 1635
came from England to New Haven, Conn., where the family lived for generations,
and held State and Federal offices. Dr. George Andrews, a physician, removed to
Westfield, Mass., in 1857, and died in Wallingford, Conn., November 27, 1895.
Arthur L. Andrews attended the private schools at Westfield, was graduated from
Westfield High School in 1871, and received the degree of B. A. from Wesleyan
University in 1875, being one of the honor men in his class, and taking while there
a prominent part in all the athletic exercises. On July 7, 1875, he came to Albany
and entered the law office of Stedman & Shepard, and was admitted to the bar Sep-
tember 8, 1877. He remained with his preceptors as managing clerk until August 1,
L879, when he formed a copartnership with David A. Thompson, as Thompson &
Andrews. On February 16, 1885, this firm became associated with George L. Sted-
man, under the name of Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, and on January 1, 1SS9,
George W. Stedman was admitted as partner. January 1, 1896, this firm dissolved
and since then the style has been Thompson & Andrews. In November. lsit,"> Mr.
Andrews was appointed by Governor Morton as commissioner to devise charters for
cities of the second class. He has been attorney for the Board of Supervisors for
two years and counsel for the Republican organization for two years, and is a trustee
of the Albany Home School for oral instruction of the deaf, a member and deacon of
the State Street Presbyterian church, a member of the Fort Orange, Ridgefield
Athletic, and Capital City Clubs, president of the McKinley Guards, and a member
of the Psi Upsilon Club of New York city. September 4. 1S71>, he married Alice,
daughter of Samuel Anable of Albany, and they have one son. Harold Fourdrinier
Andrews, born July 3, 1884.
Ward, Hon. Walter E., was born December 5, 1853, in Westerlo, Albany county.
His father, Rev. Gilbert Ward, formerly of Westerlo. whose long services in the
ministry of the M. E. church have been signally blessed, is still living. His mother,
Emeline Garrett, a native of New Baltimore, Creene county, died several years ago.
His grandfather, Gilbert Ward, was a pioneer farmer of Westerlo, a justice of the
peace in 1822 and a man of prominence. This branch of the Ward family in America
is descended from the same ancestry as Gen. John Ward of Revolutionary fame.
Walter E. Ward worked on his father's farm in Westerlo summers and attended the
district school in winter. When seventeen he entered the Collegiate Institute at
Claverack, X. V., then under the principalship of Rev. Alonzo Flack, 1 >. D. While
there he taught school a part of the time, earning money enough to pay his educa-
tional expenses. On leaving Claverack in 1873 Mr. Ward entered Wesleyan Uni-
versity, where he was a member of the university football team and boat crev
rowed in the intercollegiate regatta at Saratoga ::i 1876. He was graduated from
Wesleyan with honor in 1877. He then took up Ins residence in Albany. Prepara-
tory to entering the Albany Law School he read law in the office of Hungerford &
Hotaling, and about the same time gave private instruction in Latin and Creek.
Mr. Ward was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1879, and was at once ad-
mitted to the bar. In 1**0 he opened an office in Albany and four y<
ciated with himself his present partner, Frederick W. Cameron, the firm name
being Ward & Cameron. While carrying on his general legal practice. Mr. Ward's
attention was turned t<> a careful investigation of the laws relating to patents, and
254
he has made this subject a special department by bringing together all the important
authorities, so that this collection of books in this line is the largest of any lawyer
in this city. He has had charge of important infringement suits in which he has
gained a wide reputation, and is a lecturer on patents, trade marks and copyrights,
in the Albany Law School. As a Republican, Mr. Ward, in the fall of 1890, was
nominated for member of assembly from the Second Assembly district and was
elected over Dr. De Graft' of Guilderland "by a majority of 564, being the only
Republican chosen to any office from the county in that election. He served with
credit on the Committees on Cities, Revision of Laws, and Excise Matters. In
1891 he was re-elected by a majority of 1,072 over ex-County Clerk W. D. Strevell
and was again the only successful Republican nominee on the ticket for Albany
count)-. During his second legislative term Mr. "Ward served on the Committee on
General Laws and Revision. He is a member of the Unconditional Republican,
Camera and Albany Clubs and a member of Trinity M. E. church, and in 1891-92
was superintendent of its Sabbath school. In 1881 Mr. Ward married Miss Carrie,
daughter of Luman Stanton of Westerlo, and they have three children: Maude E.,
Florence and Walter J.
Potts, Jesse Walker, is the only son of Jesse Charles Potts, who was born September
30, 1811, in Albany. His grandparents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Duns) Potts, the
former being a Friend, who came to Albany from Pennsylvania in 1790. He is
descended from David Potts, who came from Wales and settled in Bristol township,
Philadelphia county, Pa., before 1692. David Potts, a member of the Society of
Friends, married Alice Croasdale, who with her parents came to America with Will-
iam Penn in the Welcome in 1682. Jesse Potts died December 21, 1811, leaving a
widow and six children. Elizabeth Duns was born in Scotland. Jesse Charles Potts
attended the old Lancaster school and was at the opening of the new building in
1817, where the Albany Medical College is now. When thirteen he worked for Mrs.
Cook who kept a reading room on Broadway near Maiden Lane, and afterward in
a grocery on old Van Schaick street. In 1828 he was apprenticed to learn the molder's
trade at Corning & Norton's Eagle Foundry, and after the firm sold their business
to Many & Ward in 1830, he finished his apprenticeship with Francis Low at the Clinton
Foundrv. He worked for Howard Nott & Co., manufacturers of the famous Nott
stoves, and was with Rathbone & Silliman for about a.year. In 1835 he formed a "part-
nership with Benjamin Thomas for the manufacture of stove castings, on the site of
the present First Baptist church. In 1836 the firm was changed to Thomas, Potts &
Wells. Subsequently Mr. Potts sold his interest to the other two and became the
foreman of De Graff's Foundry. In 1837 he entered into partnership with Levi S.
Hoffman, with whom he remained until 1846, when he bought Mr. Hoffman's inter-
est and four years later sold the business to Shear & Packard ; in 1852 he formed
with Jacob H. Shear and Joseph Packard, the firm of Shear, Packard & Company;
in February, 1857, he sold his interest to Shear & Packard and retired from active
business. In 1850 and 1851 he became interested in real estate and built many dwell-
ings in the city. In 1851 he went to Europe in company with the late George Daw-
son. He represented the old Third ward as supervisor in 1852, being elected as a
Whig. He was an admirer of Henry Clay and when the latter made his second
canvass for the presidency in 1832, Mr. Potts cast his first vote. He continued
255
a Whig until the Republican party was formed in 1856, when he joined it. Pie
joined the Volunteer Fire Department August 17, 1835, and was foreman of Truck
No. 1. He was one of the organizers of the Commerce Insurance Company in 1859
and a director from that time, and was also a director of the First National Bank.
He was a member and for many years a vestryman of St. Peter's church and was
one of the committee (the other two being John Taylor and Dr. Philip Ten Eyck)
that had charge of the erection of the present building in 1859 and 1860. lie also at the
request of the family of John Tweddle, superintended the completion of the tower in
1876. He was one of the founders of Fireman's Lodge of Odd Fellows, March 10,
1887, and was also a member of the Histrionic Association. He took a great interest in
American coins and medals and his collection probably ranked with any in the
country. December 22, 1835, he married Eunice U. Walker, who died in June, 1890.
Mr. Potts died February '2, 1891, leaving two children, who are now living. In 1895
the new rectory of St. Peter's was built and given to the church as a memorial to
Jesse Charles Potts and his wife, by their son and daughter, Jesse Walker Potts and
Sarah Benham Potts.
Boyd, James P., M.D., is a native of Albany and a son of one of the foremost phy-
sicians of the city in his day. He received his early education at the Albanv Boys'
Academy and was graduated from Princeton College in 1867. He then entered the
Albany Medical College where he pursued the study of medicine with that assiduitv
which had characterized his earlier school days. Subsequently he entered the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city and received the degree of M. I >.
from that institution in 1871. The next two years Dr. Boyd devoted to higher
studies in his chosen profession in the famous universities of Germany. He bi
the practice of medicine in Albany in 1S7:!, and has steadily increased until now;
he stands in the foremost rank of the eminent physicians of the city. He is a mem-
ber of the Albany County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association, the American Association of Obstetricians and the
G vnecological Society. He is also a member of the British Gynecological Society.
He is also attending gynecologist to Albany Hospital, consulting obstetrician to St.
Peter's Hospital and professor of obstetrics; gynecology and diseases of children at
the Albanv Medical College.
Guthrie, Alfred A., son of Samuel and Catherine (Minean Guthrie, was born in
Troy, Davis county, la., September 2D, 1850, was prepared for college in the acad-
emy of his native town and received from the State University of Iowa the d<
of A. B. in 1875 and that of A. M. in 1877. After graduating he began the study of
law in the office of Hatch & Hatch, of Hannibal, Mo., but in 1888 removed to Albany
and took a partial course of studies at the Union Law School, receiving the d<
of LL.B. and being admitted to the liar of New York in June. 1884. He v as
ciated iu practice with his brother, William R, Guthrie and Andrew J. Colvin, until
the former's death in 1890, and since then has continued alone. He has alwavsbeen
a Republican, has held several positions of trust and honor, and is pre-eminently a
scholar, a lover of books and a thorough student of jurisprudence. He a thirty-
Becond degree Mason, past commander of Temple Commandery No. 'J K. T., past
thrice illustrious master of De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22. R. & S. M., past high
priest of Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., past master of the Ineffable and
256
Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection of Albany, a trustee representing his chapter in
the New Temple Commission, and a member of the Grand Commandery of New York
and has been the representative of the Grand Commandery of Texas. In Odd Fellow-
ship he has from its inception been counsel without compensation for the trustees
of the New Odd Fellows Temple of Albany. He was elected grand warden of the
Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the State of New York in 1893, deputy grand master
August 1, 1894, and grand master in August 1895, holding the latter office one year,
lie is continually called upon to deliver addresses in all parts of the State. Decem-
ber 25, 1877, he married Ella, daughter of Rev. Samuel M. Osmond, D. D., of Phil-
adelphia, Pa., who died in March, 1879, leaving one son: Keith Osmond Guthrie,
now a student at Yale College, class of 1899.
Hallenbeck, Charles W — Garrett J. Hallenbeck, born in the town of Guilderland,
in December, 1816, was a prominent citizen of that town. The first of the family
that emigrated from Holland to America were William and Michael F., who settled
on the Livingston Manor about 1740. Isaac, the son of William and grandfather of
Garrett J., settled in the town of Guilderland where he reared four sons: Tunius,
Garrett, Abram and Jacob I. Jacob I., the father of Garrett J., was born in Guild-
erland December 14, 1791, where he was a well-to-do farmer. When twenty years
of age he married Christiana Waldron and their children were Isaac, George Y. ,
Garrett J., Margaret and Jane Ann, all deceased except Margaret. He died in 1877
and his wife in 1875. Garrett J. devoted his life to farming and in early life he
bought and sold many farms. In 1853 he settled permanently on the farm of 128
acres, which is now owned by his sons, Charles W. and Alexander. He took great
pride in the breeding of fine horses and cattle. In 1844 he married Lucinda Van
Yalkenburg, who was born in Guilderland in July, 1822, daughter of Johoicam and
Rebecca (McMichael) Van Yalkenburg. Their children were Jacob G., Rebecca,
Cornelius (deceased), Isaac H., Alexander, Jane Ann, Emma, and Charles W. of
Albany. Johoicam Van Yalkenburg was a native of the town of Guilderland, and
the son of John Van Yalkenburg. He was a farmer and lumberman, owning a
good farm and a saw mill. He reared ten children, all of whom grew to maturity
except one boy, who was accidentally killed. Alexander McMichael, the maternal
grandfather, of Mrs. Hallenbeck, was a native of Ireland, who was for years a hotel
keeper and farmer.
Wolff, John, son of John A. and J. J. (Mayen) Wolff, was born in Arnhem, Holland,
July 22, 1836. He received his education in the public schools, and Almkerk Univer-
sity from which he graduated in 1855. Immediately after his graduation he was
appointed assistant teacher of the Holland and French languages and filled that chair
until 1857, when he came with his parents to America and settled in Albany, N. Y.
Mr. Wolff obtained the position of shipping clerk with Wheeler & Melick and held
that place until 1888, when he associated himself with the Wheeler & Melick Manu-
facturing Company. While shipping clerk, Mr. Wolff was abroad seven timesinthe
capacity of salesman. The firm went out of existence in 1890, and Mr. Wolff assumed
control of the business and continued in that capacity until January, 1896; since then
he has been engaged in a general repair and commission business. In 1S6:! he mar-
ried Miss D. G. Fortanier of Rotterdam, Holland, and they have one son and four
daughters.
257
Ogden, Charles G., son of Edward and Julia (Hand) Ogden, was born in Albany,
N. Y., January 25, 1858. Mr. Ogden's father was born in England and on the ma-
ternal side he is descended from New England ancestors. He received his education
in the Albany Academy, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then entered
the office of his father, where he learned the business of architect and draughtsman.
In 1892 he was taken into partnership, the firm being Edward Ogden & Son, located
at No. 61 State street. In 1884 Mr. Ogden married Lizzie,' daughter of Peter Kin-
near, of Albany, and they have two children, a son and a daughter.
Banker, William Soules, son of John and Christiana (Kent) Banker, was born in
Clinton county, N. Y. He received his education at the Plaf/tsburgh and Cham-
plain Academies, after which he went into business with the Redford Crown Glass
Works at Redford, N. V. He remained with this concern for many years, until
their retirement from business. His worth as a salesman had become well known
during his connection with the Redford works, and after leaving them he was con-
nected with some of the most important houses in the United States. They were
J. W. Blodgett & Co., of Boston; J. R. Jaffrey & Sons, of New York, and N. K.
Fairbank & Co., of Chicago, later the N. K. Fairbank Company. In April, 1S88,
Mr. Banker removed to Albany, representing the latter house, also the Cudahy
Packing Co., South Omaha, Neb., and he continued to represent the Fairbank Com-
pany until November, 1895. He now represents the Cudahy Packing Co., South
Omaha, Neb.; Central Lard Co., New York city; the Waverly Refining Co., New
York city; the National Linseed Oil Co., Buffalo, N. Y. , American Preservers Co.,
Philadelphia, Pa.; Muscatine Oat Meal Co., Muscatine, la.; Eli Pettijohn Cereal
Co., Minneapolis, Minn. ; Mohawk Condensed Milk Company, Rochester, N. Y. ;
Jacob Beck& Sons, Detroit, Mich. ; De Land & Co. (Cap Sheaf Soda), Fairport, N.Y. ;
the Rockford Sugar Refining Co., Rockford. 111. ; Connecticut Extract Witch Hazel,
Middletown, Conn.; Delgado & Co., New Orleans, La.; Theo. Brierre's Sons, New
Orleans, La.; Standard Rice Co., New York city; American Soap Co., New York
city; Columbia Falls Packing Co., Columbia Falls, Me.; and the Marshall-Kennedy
Milling Co., Allegheny, Pa. Mr. Banker has also other large milling interests; his
office and warehouse at 65 and 67 Hudson avenue is one of the best in Albany, large,
attractive, and contains all the up to date improvements, including steam power and
steam heating.
Van Aken, De Baun, son of Dr. David F. and Abigail (Lansing) Van Aken, was
born in Lishaskill, Albany county, X. Y., January :!, L868. Dr. David P., the father
of the subject of this sketch, is still a practicing physician at Maiden, Ulster county,
N. Y. Mr. Van Aken is descended from French-Huguenot stock ; from those who,
shortly after the massacre of St. Bartholomew's, moved to Holland. Two brothers
left Holland and came to America just previous to the Revolution and one of them,
Henry, great-great-grandfather of Mr. Van Aken. performed gallant service in the
war. Mr. Van Aken's grandfather, Alanson, is now living in the town of Xew Scot-
land at the ripe old age of ninety-two, lie has been justice ol the peace of New
Scotland for a number of years. ( )n the maternal side Mr. Van Aken is descended
from Gerritt Lansing, who came from Holland and whose descendants have had an
important part in framing the history of Albany county. Mr. Van Aken was edu-
cated in the Saugerties Institute, the Union Classical Institute at Schenectady and
gg
258
the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he received the degree of Ph. G. in
1884. After leaving college Mr. Van Aken was associated with Dr. C. H. Smith on
Washington avenue for twelve years and was a partner during the last five. In 1894
he purchased the store on the corner of Hamilton and Hawk streets, where he is
now doing a large business. He is secretary .of the College of Pharmacy and in-
structor in chemistry therein. For one term he was president of the Alumni Asso-
ciation of the college. Mr. Van Aken is a member of the State Street Presbyterian
church and has been its Sunday school superintendent for the past five years. In
1890 he married Jessie W. Schermerhorn of East Greenbush, and they have one son,
Homer Lansing.
Hawley, Mrs. Clara M. — Among the numerous printing establishments in Albany
it would be hard to find one where prompt service and fair dealing more abound
than in that owned by Mrs. C. M. Hawley. This business was originally established
in 1871 by L. H. Burdick, for general job and newspaper printing, at No. 51 North
Pearl street. Mr. Burdick continued to own and manage the business until 1878,
when, having taken James Taylor into partnership, the firm became Burdick &
Taylor. The plant was subsequently moved to Martin Hall and later to No. 481
Broadway, where the business was continued until 1893. In November, 1890, the
partnership was dissolved and Lewis J. Roberts came into the firm, making the firm
Taylor & Roberts. Mr. Roberts died after thirteen months, but the firm name con-
tinued until 1893, when Charles H. Hawley succeeded to the Roberts interest. Mr.
Hawley died in November, 1893, and the interest has since been carried on by Mr.
Hawlev's widow, Mrs. Clara M. Hawley. January 21, 1897, Mrs. Hawley bought
Mr. Taylor's interest and has since then been sole owner of the plant, at Nos. 36-38
Beaver street, and secured the services of L. H. Burdick to manage the business for
her. Mr. Burdick, being the founder of the business, is of course a most valuable
man and will build up the concern to hold its own as among the first of its kind in
the city. Mr. Burdick also represents the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Com-
pany and for eight years has been secretary of the West End Savings and Loan
Association. He is very popular in social and fraternal circles, and is a Knight
Templar, Mason, a past grand in the I. O. O. F. , and an encampment member.
Anderson, Charles W., was born April 28, 1866, in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated
from the High School of that town, Spencerian Business College of Cleveland and
Miami University. He determined upon the legal profession, and to prepare himself
read law with Judge Weed of Cleveland. He did not complete his studies, however,
but moved east to New York and entered politics. He was for a time on the staff of
the New York Age, and was connected with the late Col. Elliot F. Shephard until his
death. He was appointed United States Internal Revenue Gauger by Hon. William
Windom, which position he held until December, 1893, when he resigned to accept
the appointment of private secretary to State Treasurer Colvin, which position Ife
now holds. Mr. Anderson is regarded as one of the most scholarly colored men of .
the country, and has probably been honored as much as any living man of his race.
He responded to the sentiment, "The Citizen and the Ration," at the annual ban-
quet of the Garfield Club of Providence, R. I., in 1891, and to that of "The Future
of the Republican Party," in 1892. He also responded to a toast at the annual ban-
quet of the St. Patrick's Club at Hotel Brunswick, New York, March 17, 1892; he
259
was one of the speakers at the banquet given by the government of Venezuela,
through her commissionar, Hon. Napoleon Dominici, at Delmonico's, to the Ameri-
can advocates of the Monroe Doctrine in the same year. Mr. Anderson responded
to the toast of "The Emancipation Proclamation," at the Lincoln banquet of the
Marquette Club of Chicago, at the Grand Pacific Hotel, February 12, 1895. He has
delivered many lectures, among them being "The Delights and Defects of Conver-
sation," "The Life, Times and Teachingsof Rousseau," "Abraham Lincoln,' "The
Abolitionists," "Frederick Douglass," "The Philosophy of Prejudice," " The Ama-
teur Thinker," and "The Brotherhood of Man." He has made many occasional
addresses and is regarded as one of the readiest and most polished speakers of his
age in the State. He was appointed a commissioner to the Tennessee Centennial by
Governor Morton, and was selected by the Republican State Committee to accom-
pany Hon. William McKinley on his speaking tour through New York State during
Hon. Levi P. Morton's canvass lor governor. Mr. Anderson makes many friends
wherever he goes, as is evidenced by the fact that he was tendered a complimentarv
luncheon by members of the Union League Club of Chicago, October 17, 1896.
Wrightson, George W., was born in England and came to America when four
years of age, and settled in Utica and in 1859 engaged with the N. Y. C. & II. R. R.
R. Co. as fireman, and acted as such on the engine that took President Lincoln to
the White House, also taking his body west when killed. From fireman he was
promoted to engineer, and ran the first passenger engine from Ravena on the West
Shore R. R., and settled there. He also ran an engine on the Mohawk division. He
married Miss Rachel Lang of Utica, and built a line residence at Ravana, where he
reared a family of three daughters: Ada L. (Mrs. G. C. Boyl), Eva M. and Grac< M
He was and is yet the principal mover in the organization of the Christian church at
Ravena, which was built in 1889, and of which he is a leading member and sup-
porter.
Don, William G., son of John G. and Julia (Crew) Hon, was horn in Albany. X. \\,
March 29, 1854. He attended Professor Luther's sch< ml mi Eagle street and Folsom's
Business College, after which he worked for the Van Rensselaer estate and as tally
boy for Clark, Sumner & Co.. lumber dealers, where he rose to the position of clerk.
In 1876 he went to work forThomas S. Murphy as bookbinder. In L894 Mr. Murphy
died and in March, 1895, a new company was formed, Thomas S. Murphy & Co., of
which Mr. Don was elected treasurer, and which office he now holds. Mr. Don was
active in the politics of the Republican party at the time of the late John I-'. Smyth
and was a charter member of the Capital City Club in 1868, and is also a menii
the Unconditional Club. In 1883 he married Harriet S. Cochrane of Ogdensburg,
N. Y., and she died the same year.
Gibbons, Erastus, born in Coeymans, January II, 1842, is a son of Erastus and
Martha (Wheat) Gibbons. Erastus Gibbons, sr., was a native of Westerlo and she
pf Albany; the grandparents, John, came from Dutchess county to Westerlo in pio-
neer days. Erastus, father of Erastus Gibbons, jr., was a carpenter by trade and
resided in Coeymans for some years, but spent his last days in Westerlo on a farm
and died in 1 s7"» ; Mrs. Gibbons died in 1871. Erastus Gibbons, jr., was educated at
the academy at Coeymans and in 1867 married Carrie Iv, daughter of Abner Garret,
bf Westerlo, and to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons have been born eight children : Mattie, wile
260
of William Fish, of the N. Y. C. R. R., Syracuse, N. Y. ; Nettie, Estella and Bertie,
now living; Adella, died aged six years; Willie, died age ten years; Jessie, died age
ten years, and Erastus died aged two years. Mrs. Gibbons died in 1888. From the
farm Mr. Gibbons went into general mercantile business in Dormansville in 1866,
and with the exception of two years has carried on the business to the present time.
He was postmaster under Cleveland, during his last term. In 1863 Mr. Gibbons
enlisted in Co. D, N. Y. Vol. Inft. , but was soon honorably discharged on account of
sickness. He is a member of Post S. Evan N. , G. A. R., and a Republican.
Shultes, Abram, a landmark and well known citizen of Berne, was born in Berne
(now Knox) March, 1827. The parent tree of the Shultes family in America was Ma-
thias (Mottise) Shultes, who was born in Holland in 1726, his father being killed the
same year by religious persecutors, the mother fearful that her own life and the life of
her child might also be sacrificed, fled to America with her babe, when he was but
six months of age. She settled in the woods (probably in .Schoharie county) among
her Dutch friends and there reared her boy to manhood. He later became one of
the first settlers in the town of Berne and from time to time took up 400 acres of land,
made him a home and cared for his mother until the time of her death. He fought
Indians during the French and Indian war from 1754 to 1762, and fought Tories and
Indians during the war of the Revolution. During this war, the Indians and Tories
were determined to kill him and many a time he was obliged to seek shelter in the
woods, to escape from their attacks. His son William was lieutenant of a regiment
during the Revolutionary war. He reared six sons and several daughters. Lieut.
Wm. Shultes, the grandfather of Abram, was a native of Berne, where he was a
farmer. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and died when forty-five years
of age. His wife was a Miss Post, daughter of the notorious tory Jacob Post, and
they had four children. For his second wife he married Miss Stern berger, by whom
two children were born. Peter W. Shultes, Abram's father, was born on the home-
stead in 1801. He came in possession of one of his father's farms and succeeded in
accumulating a large property and at the time of his death was worth $40,000. His
wife was Magdalene West, daughter of Peter and granddaughter of the celebrated
artist Sir William West and they had twelve children, but only five grew to maturity.
He died in 1853 and his wife survived him many years and died at the home of her
son, Abram. Abram Shultes attended the the common district school and took an
academic course at the Gallupville Academy. When nineteen years of age he began
teaching, this he followed about six months of the year for several years, when he
settled on the homestead, where he remained until forty years of age, when the farm
was sold and divided among the heirs; he then bought his present farm of 160 acres
on West Mountain and moved there in 1867 and he owns another farm of 120 acres
in the town of Rensselaerville. In 1855 he married Margaret Turner, born in Eng-
land and a daughter of George and Dorotha (Potter) Turner, who came to America
with his family in 1832. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Shultes are Florence (wife
of Wallace R. Peasley), George D., De Forest, Mary, Alice, Joseph T., Charles A.,
William J., Margaret and Susan E. George, Joseph and William are now in Cortez
Valley, Nevada, in the silver mines. George Turner, father of Mrs. Shultes, was
born in England in 1772. He was a farmer and cartman, carting coal principally.
He settled in Berne on West Mountain in 1832 and died October 10, 1833. His wife,
/ 261
Dorothy, was born in 1786 and'died December 15, 1838 and they had eight children:
George, Margaret, Joseph Jonathan, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan and Leah.
Rice, Joseph Taft, who for many years was prominently identified with Albany's
interests, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., January 22. 1787. He was a lineal de-
scendant from Edmund Rice, who was born in Wales in 1594, moved to Hertford-
shire, England, and in 1038, with his wife and seven children came to this country
and settled in Sudbury, Mass. He died at Marlboro, Mass., March 3, 1603, and was
buried at Sudbury. Joseph Taft Rice settled in Albany in 1808 and engaged in the
most extensive manufacture of silver ware west of New York city, continuing it until
1832. Many of the older citizens yet have the productions of his manufacture which
are highly prized as heirlooms and for their sterling worth. September 4, 1811, he
married Jane, daughter of Gilbert dimming of Strothspay, Scotland; they were
blessed with thirteen children all born and reared in this city. One of his sons was
killed in the late war and the others have honorably filled responsible public posi-
tions. Mr. Rice was one of the original members of the Republican Artillerv organ-
ized in 1810. He was closely affliated with De Witt Clinton, William H. Swan,
Thurlow Weed and other public men of that period. He was very noticeable for his
commanding figure and walk and was of a genial temperament. He died June 19,
1854.
Wormer, Eliakim F., was born in the town of Guilderland, November 15, 1*47.
Peter and Mooney (Brougham) Wormer, his great-grandparents, were natives of
Holland, and migrated to America and settled on Black Creek, in the town of Guil-
derland. He lived to an old age and his wife, Mooney, lived to the age of 104 years,
and retained remarkable physical and mental strength to the last. Cornelius, the
next in line, was born in Guilderland about 1778, and became an active and success-
ful farmer. He was prominent and influential in public affairs, and gave each of his
sons a good start in life by placing them on farms of their own. His wife was Sarah
Relyea; he lived to be nearly ninety-two and his wife lived to be ninety-five. They
reared five sons and two daughters. Frederick, the father of Eliakim, was born in
Guilderland in October, 1814. He has spent all his active life successfully as a farmer
in his native town. For a number of years he lived in Guilderland Center, where he
owns property. He passes his time by attending to his garden ami small fruit
growing. He and his wife are well preserved and spry old people and enjoying the
comforts of life. His wife was Marie Blessing, who was born in the town of Guil-
derland, June 5, 1816. Their children are Eliakim F., Francis, Rufus, Daniel, Fred-
erick, William, David, Sarah and Hannah. Eliakim spent his early life on his
father's farm, and attended the common district schools. When about twenty-one
he engaged in business for himself as a dealer in apples, potatoes and other farm
produce which he followed a few years with fair success; he then engaged in farm-
ing, which vocation he has followed successfully to the present date. He is the
most extensive apple grower in this section of the country. For some years past lie
has been a breeder of registered Holstein cattle and Shropshire sheep, he is also the
owner of a fine thoroughbred French coach stallion. He was road commissioi
Guilderland' for a number of years. In ls?'-2 he married Eliza, daughter of James
and Marie (Ilallenbeck) Fryer; she was born in the town of Guilderland in 1851,
Paddock, Edward, son of William S. and Magdalen (Jlonghtaling) Paddock, was
262
born in Albany, N. Y., in 1859. William S. Paddock, the father of the subject of
this sketch, was prominently identified with Albany interests and was for twelve
years recorder and for two years acting mayor of Albany. Edward Paddock attend-
ed the public schools and after completing his education he obtained a clerkship in
the office of Smith, Craig & Co., lumber dealers. He remained there seven years,
after which he was a clerk in the office of William McEwan, coal merchant, for five
years. In 1890 Mr. Paddock opened a general sporting goods store at No. 93 State
street and has since carried on a successful business there. He is a member of
Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242. R. A. M., De Witt
Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., and Temple Commandery No. 5. Mr. Paddock
is also a member of the Albany County Wheelmen and Was at one time its treasurer.
September 10, 1890, he married Miss Mary Underhill of Albany, and they have one
daughter. Ruth Magdalen.
Fisher, David A., was born in 1834, and is the son of Daniel G., who was born in
1808 and died in 1860, and grandson of Duncan, and great-grandson of Daniel
Fisher, who was among the first settlers of Berne, in 1770. Mr. Fisher came to
Bethlehem in 1856 and to his present home in 1881, where he is a farmer. He mar-
ried Mary M. Long, and they have four sons and three daughters: Burton (who is a
lawyer) Frederick D., Richard L. and David D., Anna, Eleanor and Maria D.
Elmendorf, William Burgess, was born in Albany, N. Y., February 8, 1856. He
is a son of John Elmendorf, jr., who was born March 3, 1819, and Caroline M. Bur-
gess, and is directly descended from Jacobus Coenradt Van Elmendorf, who was
born in Holland, came to America in 1652, and who married Greitje Aertse Van
Wagenen in Kingston, N. Y., April 25, 1667, the ceremony being performed by a
justice of the court with the consent of the bride's mother, inasmuch as the bride
being under age, the Dutch church would not or could not perform the ceremony.
All of Mr. Elmendorf's intermediate ancestors were born in Kingston, N. Y. , and
are as follows, commencing with the son of Jacobus Coenradt Van Elmendorf, Coen-
radt Elmendorf, who married Ariaantje Geritse Vandenburg at Albany, N. Y., June
28, 1693; Cornelius Abraham Elmendorf who married Engeltje Heermans; Abraham
Elmendorf who served in the Revolutionary war and who married Anaatje dispell,
April 22, 1758; and John Elmendorf, grandfather of William B., who married Mar-
garet Folant. Mr. Elmendorf, the subject of this sketch, graduated from the Albany
vState Normal School in 1871, and spent two years at the Albany Academy and one
year at the Albany Business College. He is a thorough transportation man and be-
lieves in his business. For twenty-five years he has represented (with his father,
the late Capt. John Elmendorf who died March 11, 1885), the popular Hudson River
Day Line Steamers. Mr. Elmendorf is a member of the Society of the Sons of the
Revolution, the Holland Society of New York, Royal Arcanum and the Albany City
Curling Club. In May, 1877, he married Isabel H. Dalton, daughter of William
Dalton, president of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank and late of the lumber firm
of Dalton & Kibbee. She died in 1887, and by her Mr. Elmendorf had one son (de-
ceased) and one daughter, Edna. In 1889 he married Victoria O'Brien, daughter of
the late William O'Brien, esq., of the banking house of O'Brien & Meridith of Mon-
treal, and also Canadian representative of the Grand Trunk Railway. They have
three children, Enid, Jean and Alice. ,
263
Alexander, Thomas, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1858. George Alex>
ander, his father, was a native of Edinburgh, and was a carpenter by trade, but be-
came one of the largest builders and contractors in the city of Edinburgh, some
times employing as high as three hundred men at a time. He was a man of pro-
gression, with great business ability and accumulated a good fortune. He made two
trips to America, and was preparing for his third trip when death overtook him in
August, 1892. His wife was Ann Murray, by whom sixteen children were born,
seven sons and five daughters, who all grew to maturity. Thomas Alexauder re-
ceived a common school education and learned the mason's and stone cutter's trade.
He worked with, and assisted his father for fourteen years, till 1885, when he left
home and sailed for America, landing in Quebec, Canada, where he remained two
weeks. While with his sister at Port Dover, he learned of the magnificent capitol
building under way of erection in the city of Albany, and concluded that was the
city for him, and after visiting Niagara Falls and Buffalo, he landed in Albany with
but twenty-five cents in his pocket. He immediately sought and found employment
as a mason, borrowing money from a stranger to buy his tools, and began work.
He was not long to see the good qualities of the Helderberg blue Hag stone and con-
cluded to engage in the stone business; consequently in 1887, in partnership with
his employer, he purchased fifteen acres of stone land where his quarry is now lo-
cated, and later came in possession of the entire quarry, and subsequently purchased
the remaining eighty acres on which the quarry is located, and after hard toil and
careful supervision has opened up and developed one of the finest and largest quar-
ries in the State, which is second to none in the country. In .March, 1894, he married
Miss Hannah Smith of Berne, a daughter of Henry J. Smith; she died five months
later.
Warren, Henry P., is one of the leading educators of the State and conies from
the East. He spent most of his boyhood in Gorham, Me., where his father, the late
Rev. Dr. William Warren resided. Mr. Warren attended the Gorham Academy,
Gorham, Me. , until 1855 when he entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., then
under the administration of Dr Samuel L. Taylor. Mr. Warren spent a year teach-
ing in Merrimac, Mass, and was graduated from Yale in 1870. That same year he
became principal of the Fifth Street Grammar School at New Bedford, Mass., where
he remained a year and a half and then went to hover, N. II., where he was prin-
cipal of the Dover High School. I [e was obliged to go South for lii^ health in is;.".,
and remained three years, when he returned to Dover. He took charge of the N. II.
State Normal School in 1S7!) for four years, then went to I ,awrenceville. X. J., and
with six others established the Lawrcnccville School, a preparatory boarding school.
He remained there until January, 1887. In August, 1SS0, he was elected principal
of the Albany Academy.
Brunk, lames H., was born Januarj 8, 1840, in the town of Berne <>n the farm he
now owns. Nicholas Brunk, his grandfather, was born in the Mohawk Valley, of
Holland ancestry and was a descendant from one of five brothers who migrated from
Holland and settled along the Mohawk River as pioneers; Nicholas settled in the
town of Knox, where he cleared him a farm and made him a home on 180 a<
land. His wife was Elizabeth Miller and their children were Mathias Hannah,
Henry, Jacob, Gittie Ann, Eva, Catherine and Lydia. Henry Brunk, the father of
364
James, was born in Knox February 28, 1806, where he was a lifelong farmer. He
married Rebecca Fowler who was born in Berne on the farm now owned by her son,
March 17, 1809. After his marriage, he purchased from his father-in-law the farm of
146 acres and there spent his life. Their children were Almira, Lydia Ann, Jabez,
James H., Elizabeth, Catherine S. ,, Nicholas J., and Edgar. He died December 12,
1865. and his wife May 26, 1893. She was a daughter of Lewis Fowler, who was a
native of England and came to America in the time of the Revolutionary war and
served seven years in the war. James H. Brunk has spent his life on the homestead
farm. When a boy he attended the common district schools, but after the death of
his father, he hired the farm from his mother and the other heirs and in 1868 pur-
chased it and has added to it since then twenty-seven acres, where he has devoted
his attention to a general farming and the breeding of fine grade cattle. Mr. Brunk
has filled the office of overseer of the poor for several years. He is an influential
member of the Patrons of Industry and president of the Evening Star Lodge of
Berne. March 4, 1865, he married Louisa E. Hungerford of Berne, and their chil-
dren are Willie J., Frank T., Hattie (who died when nineteen), Lena, Alfred and
Leroy.
Cuyler, Edward Cornelius, son of Jacob C. and Mary Elizabeth (Henley) Cuyler,
was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1859. He attended the Albany Academy, from which
he was graduated in 1878, after which he took a course at Yale University and was
graduated in 1883, receiving the degree of A. B Mr. Cuyler has followed the pro-
fession of the newspaper man and has been connected with the Express as city
editor under William Barnes, jr., and Walter F. Hurcomb; with the State; and the
Times-Union under the late Ira Wales. For the past eight years he has been special
correspondent for the New York Evening Post and various other papers throughout
the country. In 1883 he married Clarinda Helene Busley, and they have two daugh-
ters, Elizabeth and Kathryn.
Haines, Luther H., born in Westerlo, December 25, 1839, a son of Adam and Eliza
Ann (Hanney) Haines and grandson of Anthony Haines, who was reared in West-
erlo but went to Schoharie county, where he died. Adam Haines was a farmer six-
teen years in Coeymans, the remainder of his life was spent in Westerlo. Luther
H. Haines has always been a farmer and rents 167 acres of land in Westerlo from
Henry Hunt. He is a Democrat and has been collector and road commissioner and
has taken great interest in having good schools. In 1859 he married Emeline Coons,
niece of Abram Coons of Albany, and they have seven children : Myron A., Jacob L.,
Ambers S., David, Ella, wife of Clarence Hopkins, Maggie, wife of Manley Mark,
and Orson L. Mr. and Mrs. Haines attend the M. E. church.
Clyckman, Frederick L. , was born in the town of Knox, July 1, 1819, a son of
Lawrence Clyckman, who was born in the same town about 1778, who was one of
two sons and two half-brothers, sons of a native of Germany who served in the
Revolutionary war, was a farmer by occupation, and began farming in the town of
Knox, where he cleared a farm and built a log house and where he lived till his
death, at the age of eighty years. Lawrence, the father of Frederick L., also spent
his life as a successful farmer in the same town, owning a fine farm of 150 acres; he
was a volunteer in the war of 1812; his wife was Maria Batcher, and their children
were Jacob, Mary, Frederick, Gertrude, Adaline, Elida, Katie, Margaret and Sarah.
265
Mr. Clyekman was an elder in the Lutheran church for a number of years. Fred-
erick L. Clyekman remained on the homestead with his father until he was thirty-
eight years of age, when he came to Guilderland and bought a farm of 100 acres,
where he has since resided; by industry and perseverance he has paid for his farm,
erected good and commodious buildings, and made many other improvements; he is
an up-to-date and prosperous farmer. In 1850 he married Eva, daughter of Peter
Walker, who bore him two children, Angelica M. and Jessie F. His second wife
was Lydia, daughter of Conrad Batcher of Knox, who bore him one child, Jane A.
Mr. Clyekman has been deacon and elder in the Lutheran church for several years.
The oldest daughter, Angelica, married William J. Alkenbrack of New Scotland in
November, 1884; Jessie married William D. Relyea of New Scotland in November,
1882; and Jane A. married Shubael C. Jaycox of Bethlehem, March 14, 1892.
Hoskins, Charles M., son of Martin and Helen (Pratt) Hoskins, was born in
Jamaica, Windham county, Vt., June 25, 18(31. He received his education in the
public schools of Vermont and then learned the trade of shirt cutter in the factories
of Starbuck and Joseph Fowler in Glens Falls, N.Y., where he remained five years.
He then removed to Leominster, Mass., where he was employed by the Leominster
Shirt Company and remained there three years, rising from cutter to the position of
superintendent of the factory. From Leominster he removed to Albany, N. V. .
where he was given the position of cutter on special orders in the factory of S. L.
Munson. He stayed with Mr. Munson two and one-half years, leaving in February,
1895, to accept his present position of manager of the Albany Shirt Company. Mr.
Hoskins is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Clinton Lodge No.
7, I. O. O. F. August 21, 1889, he married Frances Mary Harris of Garrettsville.
N. Y. , and they have one son, Charles Albert.
Steenberg, Byron IT. , M. D., son of Henry W. and Amelia C. (Usher) Steenberg,
was born in Malta, Saratoga county. X. Y., April 18, 1839. He attended the Jones-
ville Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, after which he went into busi-
ness in Mechanicsville as a clerk in Hatfield's general store. He remained there a
few years, after which he was made bookkeeper for W. J. & K. II. Scott at Albany,
N. Y. He then went West and was connected with the dry goods house of C. J.
Pettibone & Co. at Fon du Lac and Green Bay, Wis. While West he determined
to study medicine and in 1868 he returned East and entered the medical department
of Vermont University at Burlington, where he took one course of lectures. Subse-
quently he removed to Albany, N. Y., and in- 1870 he received his degree from the
Albany Medical College and has since practiced in Albany. Dr. Steenberg is a
member of the Albany County Medical Society, of which he has been secretary,
vice president and president. He is also a member of the New York State Medical
Society and is a master Mason. In June, 1880, he married Ada H. Higgs of Albany,
and they have one son, Victor.
Van Derzee, John A. — Storm Van Derzee came to Rensselaerwyck in the year
1630, having previously emigrated from Holland. He was a trader at Beverwyck,
or Albany, in 1661. He married Hilletje, daughter of Gerrit Lansing, ami had at
least two sons who lived to maturity, viz.: Albert and Wouter. Albert, sou of Storm
and Hilletje Lansing Van Derzee, married Hilletje Gansevoort, January 20, 1706;
hh
266
their children were Ariaantje, born May 22, 1707 ; Storm, born June 26, 1709 ; Harmon,
born March 4, 1711. Harmon Van Derzee, son of Albert and Hilletje Gansevoort
Van Derzee, married Eva (surname unknown) ; their children were Albert,
baptized June 28, 1738; Cornells, baptized August 10, 1740; Storm, July 11, 1742.
Gornelis Van Derzee, son of Harmon Van Derzee and Eva , married Agnes
Whitbeck, October 27, 1763; their children were Harmon, born September 3, 1774;
Andrew, born May 22, 1766; Eve, born October 13, 1769; Moyaca, born April 25,
1783. Agnes Whitbeck Van Derzee died November 10, 1821 ; Cornells Van Derzee,
her husband, died March 19, 1823. Andrew Van Derzee, son of Cornelis Van Derzee
and Agnes Whitbeck Van Derzee, married Jane Ten Eyck, March 17, 1797; their
children were Agnes, born March 20, 1798; Garritie, born Septemcer 16, 1801, died
October 9, 1889; Cornelius, born April 7, 1804, died April 11, 1885; Conradt Ten
Eyck, born May 20, 1806, died September 26, 1865; John, born October 8, 1808, died
December 2, 1861; Caroline, born September 26, 1811; Barent, born December 22,
1818, died December 29, 1857. Jane Ten Eyck Van Derzee, wife of Andrew Van
Derzee, died June 4, 1827. Andrew Van Derzee married for the second time widow
Charlotte Snyder (born Sherwood); their only child, Andrew S. Van Derzee, was
born November 22, 1828. Andrew Van Derzee died April 23, 1835. Conradt Ten
Eyck Van Derzee, son of Andrew and Jane Ten Eyck Van Derzee, married
Maria Shear, June 19, 1834; their children were Jane, born August 19, 1836;
Peter, born August 24, 1838 ; Agnes, born February 13, 1841 ; Elizabeth, born
March 10, 1843; John A., born February 1, 1845; Albert, born May 9, 1847;
Charles, born July 24, 1849; Caroline born January 16, 1856. Maria Shear
Van Derzee died December 27, 1876. John A Van Derzee, son of Conrad Ten Eyck
Van Derzee and Maria Shear Van Derzee, married Josephine Waterman October 22,
1874; their children were Jesse W., born October 30, 1875, died February 6, 1896;
Florence G., born November 28, 1880; John Jay, born December 1, 1888. John A.
Van Derzee is the present owner and occupant of the old homestead farm which con-
tains 240 acres. He is engaged in raising grain, dairying, fruit culture, and stock
raising. This farm, which is in a good state of cultivation, is located south of the
Haanakrois Creek, about one-half mile from the Coeymans and Westerlo stone road,
formerly the old turnpike. Just one hundred years after the grant to the territory
included in the town of Coeymans was made by Governor Lovelace to Barent Peterse
Coeymans, the two brothers, Cornelius Van Derzee and Storm Van Derzee, bought
from John Barclay and Anna Marghritta, his wife, on the 17th of March, 1673, the
lands south of the Haanakrois Creek for ,£1,200. (The deed for the above property
is at present in possession of one of the descendants.) A substantial stone structure
took the place of the log house which was at first built by Cornelius Van Derzee.
This house, having been remodeled, is still in a good state of preservation and oc-
cupied by Mr. John A. Van Derzee and family.
Deitz, Alanson F., was born in the town of Schoharie, Schoharie county, in 1849.
He was a son of William D. Deitz, a native of the same place, who was born in
1818. He was one of four sons: Peter, John, Jacob and William, and three daughters,
born to Philip A. Deitz, a native of Holland, who settled in Schoharie county about
1808, and became a successful and quite wealthy farmer, owning four farms at the
time of his death. His brother, who came with him from Holland and settled in
267
Schoharie county, was with his whole family murdered by Indians during the war of
1812. William A., the father, was a farmer and lived on one of the farms left by his
father, and was also very successful. His second wife was Alvina Fanning, by
whom he had six children. He died in 1862. Mr. Deitz attended school during the
summer until he was sixteen years of age, when he started out for himself with but
forty eight cents. He went to work on a farm for his cousin, following farming for
some time, and managed to go to school during the winter. At the age of twenty
years he purchased a patent right of a fruit and lard press, which he sold for some
time with success. He then carried on a beer bottling establishment for a short
time, and in 1871 he engaged in the bottling business in Easl Worcester, Otsego
county, which he sold two years later and removed to Guilderland Center, where he
established a small bottling business. In addition to this business he has bought at
different times different wood lots, which he has cleared, making posts, rails, lum-
ber, etc. Mr. Deitz is of an inventive turn of mind, having invented and patented
at different times several useful implements; among the more prominent was a wire
hay binder which he manufactured for six years. In 1885 he established his present
bottling works, and in addition to his bottling business he is also interested in the
poultry business. He was one of the village trustees of Altamont in 1894, and in
the spring of 1896 was elected water commissioner. He is a member of Voorhees-
ville Lodge of Odd Fellows. In 1871 he was married to Mary La Grande, who was
born in Guilderland, a daughter of Andrew La Grande. Mr. Deitz was treasurer
and deacon of the Reformed church. Mrs. Deitz is a member of the Missionary
Society.
Hunter, James, son of Robert and Elizabeth, was born in County Down. Ireland,
January 4, 1865, and was educated and reared on a farm in his native countrv. He
came to America in 1882, settling in Albany, where he lived with and was employed
by Robert II. Moore, a lumber merchant, remaining with him two years; he was
then with Hugh Patterson and E. P. Bates one year each, learning the gas and
steam fitting trade, and was subsequently with the Ferguson Boiler Company, be-
coming their superintendent. In January, 1893, he engaged in the steam and gas
fitting business for himself at Nos. 9 and 11 Liberty street, and in May, 1894, bought
out the Ferguson Boiler Company. In April, L895, he occupied their old quarters on
Church street, where he manufactures high and low pressure steam boilers and
steam and hot water heating apparatus, doing also a general contracting business m
steam and hot water heating, and dealing in boilers, engines and general steam sup-
plies. June 24, 1891. he married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Babcock of Albany,
and they have two children, Henry Babcock and Char',
Shields, Francis, son of Adam, was born in Albany in 1822. Adam Shields, who
was born in Ireland in 1798, came to America in 1819 ami settled in Albany, where
he entered the employ of Levi Solomon, a well known tobacconist. In is:!:', he
formed a partnership with Samuel Townsend, as Townsend & Shields and engaged
in the manufacture of tobacco. On Mr. Townsend's death, which occurred in 1886,
Mr. Shields formed a partnership with Charles Chapman and William Taylor, under
the name of Chapman, Shields & Taylor, and continued until 1840, when Mr. Shields
withdrew. In 185(1, with Daniel Adams, under the style of Shields & Adams, he
started the present tobacco manufacturing business of Francis Shields in Church
2G8
street. Mr. Adams withdrew in 1860 and Mr. Shields's son Francis became a part-
ner under the name of Shields & Son ; this continued until 1880, when Mr. Shields
retired. He died in 1888 and since that year the business has been successfully con-
ducted by Francis Shields, and is the largest tobacco manufactory in the city.
Cull, William H., was born in Albany, August 24, 1853, and is a son of David and
grandson of William Cull, who was born in the North of Ireland, 1800. He came to
America in 1820, lived in Albany and Brandon, Vt.; dying in the latter place in 1876.
William married Letitia Campbell, of Scotch descent, who died in 1888, aged eighty-
four. David Cull was born in Albany, became a well known telegraph operator, and
married Helen M., daughter of James H. Young of Schenectady, N. Y. , and died in
1860. William H. Cull attended the private and public schools of Albany and
finished his education at the Albany Free Academy. When sixteen he entered the
office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Troy, N. Y. , as a messenger boy.
There he worked faithfully in various capacities, until the American District Mes-
senger service of Albany was established in the fall of 1874. He was soon after
appointed superintendent of the company and continued in the same capacity until
January 1, 1877. A vacancy occurring about that time in the office of the Fire Alarm
Telegraph office in Albany, Mr. Cull was appointed by MajTor Banks to a position in
the department. He remained in the office of the Fire Alarm Telegraph Company
until the 19th of May, 1883, when he was chosen superintendent and electrician of
the Hudson River Telephone Company, a position which he filled till the 1st of Feb-
ruary, 1890, when he was invited to take charge of the electrical department of the
Albany Railway, of which he was speedily made superintendent. He had almost
everything to do about starting the electrical railway service and ran the first motor
cars on State street. On the expiration of his contract with the Albany Railway
Company, May 1, 1891, Mr. Cull again became connected with the Hudson River
Telephone Company as electrician, and on the 1st of January, 1893, he was appointed
its general superintendent, a position he has since filled. Mr. Cull is a member of
Temple Lodge and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has also been a
member of the Unconditional Republican Club since 1876 and was one of its charter
members and first officers of the permanent organization ; for the past five years he
has been the treasurer of the club. He has always taken a very active interest in
old Albany's welfare and has been an earnest and efficient worker on public cele-
brations and reception committees appointed by the different mayors. February 13,
1888, he married Miss Mary Estelle, daughter of the late James Sprinks of Albany.
Chase, Hon. Norton, son of Nelson H. Chase, a leading and respected citizen of
Albany, was born in the capital city, September 3, 1861, and was graduated-from the
Albany Academy in 1878, winning five gold medals. The same year he entered
Yale College and subsequently became a student at the Albany Law School, from
which he was graduated as LL. B. and admitted to the bar in 1882. He began
active practice with, and continued until the death of, Judge Samuel Hand in 1886,
when he succeeded to the latter's law business. Mr. Chase was successfully con-
nected in litigation with the Lamson Consolidated Store Service Company, involving
over twenty different cases, and was also counsel for Tiffany & Company, when the
State comptroller levied a tax on that corporation of §237,000, which was reduced to
$6,000. He has also been identified with several criminal trials. He was for two
269
years assistant corporation counsel of the city of Albany, and in 188") was elected
member of assembly from the Third assembly district. In 1887 he was nominated
for State senator in the 17th senatorial district; the election was carried into the
courts and his opponent was declared elected by a plurality of eight. In 1880 Mr.
Chase was elected State senator and was the youngest man in the Senate of 1890-91.
During his term he introduced the first bill extending registration throughout the
county. He is a prominent Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, a ready and fluent
speaker, a powerful debater and a forceful campaign orator and has been delegate
to many Democratic conventions. He is a member of the Democratic and Reform
Clubs of New York, is a trustee and counsel of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank,
and is a member of several social and other organizations of Albany. In 1881 he
was commissioned first lieutenant and appointed adjutant, and in 1886 elected major
of the 10th Battalion N. G. N. Y. In 1895 he was the candidate on the Democratic
ticket for the office of attorney-general of the State of New York. June "22, 1887, he
married Mabel Louise, daughter of Henry L. James of Williamsburg, Mass.
Fitzgerald Brothers, Edward J. and William R., are sons of Edward J. Fitzgerald,
who came to Albany from Ireland about 1840 and died here in 1884, aged fifty-four;
he was for many years a plumber, carrying on a successful business alone and later
under the firm name of E. Fitzgerald & Sons. Edward J. Fitzgerald, jr., was born
in Albany, December 30, 1864, and learned the trade of machinist at Green Island.
William R. was born in 1873. In April, 1892, they formed a copartnership under the
style of Fitzgerald Brothers and purchased of Peter Kinnear the old brass foundry
at the corner of Beaver and Grand streets, which they have conducted with marked
success. They manufacture an infinite variety of brass appliances, such as steam
engine work, iron turning, brass castings and couplings, copper and composition
castings, cocks, brass work for breweries, etc.
Ansbro, Thomas, son of Peter and Mary (McEvily) Ansbro, was born in Albany,
December 18. 1854. His parents were natives of Mayo, province of Connaught, Ire-
lend. Thomas Ansbro was educated at the Christian Brothers' Academy and m lv'>
obtained a clerkship in Patrick Cuddy's grocery store, where he remained twelve
years; he then went to New York city and was for a time in the employ of Philip
Steiner, tea merchant.. He came to Albany in 1881 and opened a restaurant on
Broadway, which he conducted for seven years. In 1888 he was appointed, by
Superintendent McEwan, as keeper in the Albany County Penitentiary, which he
resigned after five years, to accept the position of superintendent of the brush fac-
tory of the penitentiary, to which position he was appointed by Mr. Bronk, the eon-
tractor. In 1893 he was appointed inspector of markets by Mayor Manning and held
the position until the expiration of Mayor Manning's term i In 1895 he was
appointed appraiser of customs by Hon. John P. Masterson and still occupies that
position. Mr. Ansbro represented the Fourth ward in the Common Council for six
years. He is a member of the Catholic Union, and m 1891 married Delia, daughter
of Michael Coughlin of Albany. They have one son, Anthony Brady.
Liscomb, Orlando P., son of Darius P. and Anna Gage (Clement) Liscomb,
farmers, was born in Hart land, \'t., January I, 1888, and moved with his parents to
Rutland in 1841, where he received his education. His paternal ancestors were
early settlers of New England; on his mother's side he descends from Robert
270
Clement, who came in his own ship from Coventry, England, to Haverhill, Mass.,
about 1640. When twenty-two Mr. Liscomb engaged in mercantile business in
Castleton, Vt. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. M, 11th Vt. Vol. Inf. (later the 1st Vt. H.
A.), and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Spottsyl-
vania, Cold Harbor (where he was wounded) and North Anna. Returning from the
war he again engaged in mercantile business in Castleton, Vt., and since 1868 has
been identified with the oil trade. In 1868 he first associated himself in this busi-
ness with E. W. Murphey, and in 1873 they became partners under the present firm
name of Murphey & Liscomb. The firm has a branch house in Springfield, Mass ,
conducted under the name of Murphey, Liscomb & Haskell, .and another in Hudson,
N. Y., styled Murphey, Liscomb •& Co. ; they are exclusively wholesale dealers in oil.
Mr. Liscomb is a member of Fort Orange and the Albany Country Clubs and of Lee
Lodge, F. & A. M. of Castleton, Vt. In 1873 he married Cornelia Speed of Ithaca,
N. Y., who died in 1884, leaving four children: Percival Clement, Margaret How-
ard, Orlando Parkhurst, jr., and Christina Morrell.
Cady, Dr. Frank William, son of Clark S. and Atalanta (Barrett) Cady, was born
in Warsaw, N. Y., December 13. 1863, and in 1871 moved with the family to Holley,
Orleans county, where he received a public school education. His maternal uncle,
Dr. W. C. Barrett, is the well known dean of Buffalo Dental University. Dr. Cady
studied dentistry with his brother, Dr. Edward Everett Cady, of Moline, 111 , and
was graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1888. He practiced
in Earlville, 111., until 1890, when he became associated with his preceptor brother at
Hoboken, N. J. In 1892 he came to Albany and organized the Cady Dental Com-
pany, which has a branch office in Troy and a force of eight assistants and of which
he has since been the proprietor. He is a member of the Albany and Camera Clubs. In
March, 1891, he married Mary Louise, daughter of Orange J. Eddy, a prominent
lawyer and president of the Exchange Bank of Holley, N. Y. They have one son,
Frank William, jr., born January 26, 1893.
Murphy, Joseph A., son of James F. and grandson of Robert Murphy, a native of
Ireland, was born in Albany, April 22, 1873. James F* Murphy, born in Philadel-
phia, Pa., August 8, 1845, came to Albany in 1856 and for about twenty-eight years
has been a shipping clerk for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. In 1861 he enlisted in Co.
D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and served four years, being honorably discharged as first lieu-
tenant. He married Margaret, daughter of Daniel Murphy of Troy and Albany,
who died October 19, 1894, leaving four children: John S. , Joseph A., Helen M. and
Henry A. Joseph A. Murphy was graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1891, read
law with Edward J. Meegan and was admitted to the bar December 6, 1894. Since
then he has been associated with Delancy Potter in the practice of his profession.
Meegan, Thomas A., son of Thomas A., sr., a large lumber merchant and promi-
nent citizen, and a grandson of Thomas Meegan (see sketch of Edward J. Meegan),
was born in Albany February 3, 1862, and was graduated from the Christian Brothers'
Academy with honors in 1879. He read law with his uncle, Edward J., was ad-
mitted to the bar at Binghamton, N. Y., May 3, 1883, and since then has practiced
with his preceptor. April 11, 1893, he was elected justice of the Albany City Court,
by a majority of 3,900, for three years, but the new constitution reduced this term to
two years and eight months. In November, 1895, he was re-elected for a full term
271
of six years from January 1, 1896. He is judge advocate on the staff of the Jackson
Corps, a four year trustee of the order of Elks, and a member of the Royal Arcanum,
C. B. L., Catholic Union, and A. O. H. He is an active Democrat, has frequently
been a delegate and chairman of assembly conventions and as a lawyer and judge
takes high rank among the leaders of the Albany bar.
Le Boeuf, Randall J., is a son of Peter J. Le Boeuf, who was born in France in
1834, came to Canada with his parents when young, and was graduated from the
Fort Edward Institute; he engaged first in the manufacture of axes in Cohoes and
later became a member of the collar, cuff and shirt firms of Wheeler, Allendorph <.v
Le Boeuf and Wheeler, Le Boeuf & Co., of Troy. His wife was Sarah A. Saunders.
Randall J. was born in Cohoes, March 10, 1870, and when nine years old came with
the family to Albany, where he finished his education at the grammar and High
Schools, graduating in 1887. He read law with Eugene Burlingame until the fall of
1889, when he entered Cornell University in the course of history and political science ;
at the end of the first year he discontinued \hese studies and entered the law depart-
ment, from which he was graduated in 1892, being one of the prize debaters and re-
ceiving also a thesis prize. He was made a member of the 1 >elta Upsilon fraternity
and was president of the junior and senior classes of the law school. He was ad-
mitted to the bar at Saratoga Springs, September 14, 1892, and was managing clerk
for Sackett & Bennett, elevated railroad attorneys, and assistant attorney for Carter,
Hughes & Kellogg, both of New York, until February. 1895, when he returned to
Albany and formed his present partnership with Fugene Burlingame. In November,
1895, he was appointed corporation counsel for the village of Greenbush. He has
been several terms a member of the executive council of the I Jelta Upsilon fraternity,
and is a member of the Cornell University Club and the Albany Republican Uncon-
ditionals. June 3, 1895, lie married Katharine, daughter of Hiram 1.. Washburn of
Albany.
I'hibbs, Thomas, son of Thomas and Catharine (Donahy) Phibbs, was born in
Ireland, October 8, 1846. He was educated in the public schools of Ireland and in
1867 came to America and settled in Canada, where he followed the occupation <>(
farmer. Four years later he moved to Albany. X. Y., where he engaged m the ice
business with Hiram Hotaling, with whom he remained four years, at the end of
which time he started in the ice business for himself. In 1892 Mr. Phibbs was
elected president of the Hudson Valley lee Company and has retained the office
ever since. Mr. Phibbs is a member of Greenbush Lodge, F. & A. M.. Greenbush
Chapter, R. A. M, Dewitt Clinton Council, R. & S. M.. and Temple Commandery,
A. A. O. X. M. S. He has three children: William, Lulu and Frank.
Sims, Albert F., superintendent of the Albany Weather Bureau, was born in
New York city, August 19, 1862, was graduated from the College of the City of New
York in 18S2, and soon afterward entered the Signal Service Bureau in Washington.
IX C. Later he took a course at the School of Application at Fori Myers, and on
the outbreak of the Indian troubles in Arizona was ordered to the Apache Pass as
telegraph and heliograph operator, where he was soon placed in charge of t:
peating station at St. Thomas. He was promoted for bravery and subsequently was
stationed at Dodge City, Kan.. Fort Smith, Ark., and in Wyoming, where he built a
military line, 150 miles from Rawlins t<> Washakie. In l*s* he was ordered to Al-
272
bany to take charge of the Signal Bureau at this point, succeeding John C. Barnes,
who was the successor of Alois Donhausser. The Albany Weather Bureau was
established December 22, 1874, the observations being confined to taking the tem-
perature, wind directions and state of weather. Its scope was later enlarged and
now reports are received twice daily from all the signal stations in the United States.
The territory embraces all of the State east of Syracuse from Rhinebeck to Canada,
Western Massachusetts and Vermont, and during the year ending June 30, 1896,
over 200,000 forecasts were sent out. In October, 1890, Mr. Sims married Mary,
daughter of Capt. James B. Smith of Port Washington, Long Island. .
Hubbard, George A., son of Miles and Maria C. (Cadman) Hubbard, was born in
Lexington, Ky. , September 1, 1856. His parents moved to New York State when he
was an infant and he was educated in the Spencertown (N. Y.) Academy. He then
removed to Troy, N. Y. , where for a time he was employed as cutter in the stores of
Morris Gross and Julius Saul, and subsequently he entered the employ of G. M.
Hitchins, manufacturer of ladies' underwear and calico wrappers, on Green Island.
After three years he went back to Julius Saul, but remained only a short time, for
Mr. Hitchins liked his work so well that he gave him an interest in the business as
an inducement to return. Later the business was moved to Hudson, N. Y., and
then to Albany, where, after two years, Mr. Hubbard succeeded to the sole owner-
ship, and has since manufactured in his own name. In 1880 he married Florence
M., daughter of Thomas D. Davis of Waterford, N. Y.
Woolverton, Andrew W., son of Charles B. and Harriet F. (White) Woolverton,
was born in Albany, N. Y. , October 29, 1857. He was educated in the Albany
Academy and in 1872 entered the employ of his grandfather, William White. In
1876 he went into the employ of the National Commercial Bank and left there as
bookkeeper in 1883 and formed a partnership with Thomas Austin for conducting
a general fire insurance agency, in which business he is now engaged. Mr. Wool-
verton is a trustee of St. Margaret's church at Menands, Albany county, and is the
treasurer of the Albany Board of Trade. In 1884 he was married to Annie,
daughter of Dr. 'William H. Bailey, and they have two children, Edward B. and
Harriette.
Knickerbocker, Edmund Chase, is a lineal descendant of (1) John Von Berghan
Knickerbocker, of Brabant, Holland, a captain in the Dutch navy, whose son, (2) Har-
mon Jansen Knickerbocker, born in Friesland in 1648, came to America about 1669.
His American lineage is (3) Lawrence, of Red Hook, N.Y, ; (4) Harmon, born 1719; (5)
Harmon Jansen, born 1748; (6) Peter; (7) Edmund, born 1814; and (8) Irving, born
1839. The last two settled in Albany, where the subject of this sketch was born,
February 13, 1867. Edmund C. Knickerbocker was graduated from the Albany
Academy in 1884 as valedictorian of his class, and the same year entered Williams
College, from which he was graduated with honor in 1888. He read law with Harris
& Rudd, was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1890, admitted to the bar in
May of the same year, and has remained in the office of his preceptors ever since,
becoming a member of the firm in October, 1892. He was much interested in the
renewal of the Y. M. A. Library and is recording secretary of the executive com-
mittee of that association. He is superintendent of the Madison Avenue Reformed
church Sunday school, assistant superintendent of Olivet Sunday school and a mem-
273
ber of the Republican Unconditional Clubtand the Chi Psi Society. He married, in
1892. Josephine, daughter of Hon. Vreeland H. Youngman of Albany, and they
have one daughter, Winifred Chase Knickerbocker.
Guardineer, George H., sou of John and Mary (Cathington) Guardineer, was born .
in Bridgeport, Conn., June 9, 1852, and came with his parents to Albany in 1855. His
father, an iron moulder by trade, was for many years assistant superintendent of the
old State Capitol. When thirteen Mr. Guardineer, having finished his education in
the public schools, entered the photograph gallery of McDonald & Sterry and
remained with them and their successor, J. X. McDonald for twenty-seven years,
being a traveling salesman for the latter for twelve years. About 1807 Mr. McDon-
ald established in connection with the gallery a photographic supply business, which
Mr. Guardineer purchased November 1, 1894, and which he successfully continues,
carrying a large stock of all kinds of photographic materials. Mr. Guardineer was
the Republican supervisor of the Seventeenth ward in 1888; was a member of the
Board of Public Instruction from 1891 until it ceased to exist as an elective board;
and is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242,
R. A. M., the A. O U. W. , the Royal Arcanum, the Albany Burgesses Corps, the
Acacia and Unconditional Republican Clubs, the Knights of Pythias and the
Uniformed Rank K. of P., in which he is assistant adjutant-general with the rank
of colonel for the State of New York. In December, 1873, he married Emma Reid
of Voorheesville, N. Y., and their children are Nellie and Frederick.
Havens, Elmer Hamilton, is a descendant of David Havens, born July 12, 1777,
and Elizabeth Goodrich, his wife, born December 2, 1785, daughter of a Revolution-
ary soldier. Their children were David Hyland, Allgenette, Benjamin Franklin,
John Braddock and Walter Burling. Benjamin Franklin Havens, born May 22, 1810,
married Elizabeth Groesbeck, bom m ISIT, and had rive children: Eugene Hiram,
Morton Hamilton, Timothy C, Emma and Caroline. Morton Hamiltou Havens,
born July 27, 1838, married Elizabeth M. Bunker, born March 16, 1842; their children
were Edward Morton (deceased), Ella Elizabeth, Elmer Hamilton. Franklin, Marcia
Vanderlip, Alice Rebecca (deceased), Jessie May. Morton and Lydia Oliver. Mr.
Havens enlisted August 18, 1862, in Co. F, 113th X. Y. Inf. (afterward known as the
7th N. Y. H. A.), became sergeant August 18, and was promoted second lieutenant of
Bat. H, December 13, 1863. He was made second lieutenant of Co^D, 18th I'. S.
Vet. Reserve Corps, with rank from September 22, |sr,4. On April 15, 1*<*>7. he was
appointed president of the Board of Registration oi Princi ounty, Va., mus-
tered out of service January i, 1868, and brevetted first lieuteuant February 10, and
captain March 20, 18<i<>, by the Legislature of the State of New York lor gallant
and meritorious conduct. Elmer Hamilton Havens, born in Albany. January :'.!>,
1864, was educated in the public and high schools and when nineteen began to learn
the carpenter's trade of his father, with whom he continued a-- foreman several years.
In 1S88 he engaged in business with his brother, Franklin, and since L890 ha
alone. Among the many buildings erected by him are the Smith $ llerriek shoe
factory, the Schell flats, and a number of residences on Pine Hills. He is a member
of the Unconditional Republican Club' and in 1895 was elected alderman of the
Eleventh ward for two years. September 21. lssis, he married Ida May,
274
Sydney Chapman and Aleitha (Rossman) Blakeman of Greenbush, N. Y., and their
children are Carrie, Aleitha, Elmer Hamilton, jr., and Sydney Chapman.
Dugan, Patrick C. , son of James and Jane (Lowry) Dugan, natives of Ireland, was
born in the town of Wright, Schoharie county, March 10, 1867. His father came to
America in 1851. Mr. Dugan was reared on a farm, taught school winters and was
graduated from the Schoharie Academy in 1884. He continued teaching until 1886,
when he began the study of law in the office of Stephen L. Mayham, then county
judge of Schoharie county and now a justice of the Supreme Court. He was admit-
ted to thenar of Albany November 30, 1889, and on December 1 formed a copartner-
ship with C. W. Hinman, which continued two years in Schoharie. February 22,
1892, he came to Albany, where he has since been in active practice. He has had
much experience in criminal law, and as a Democrat has been active in campaign
work. September 1, 1896,, he married Agnes H., daughter of John J. O'Neill of
Albany.
Jewett, Rev. Freeborn G. , jr., son of Freeborn G. and Ella Kate (Taylor) Jewett,
was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1866. He is a great-grandson of Hon. Freeborn
G. Jewett, who was the first chief justice of the Court of Appeals of New York
State, and who also was elected to Congress; and a grandnephew of the Hon. George
Riddell, United States Senator from Delaware, who was the first senator who died
before completing his term of office, and who was buried from the Capitol. Homer
A. Nelson, another great-uncle of Rev. Mr. Jewett, was secretary of state of New
York and at one time a candidate for the nomination for the office of governor. He
was also one of the four Democratic congressmen to vote for the abolition of slavery.
Mr. Jewett's step-grandfather Marvin, uncle of Gen. Selden E. Marvin, is the only
person living who received a commission from President Jackson. He is judge of
the Northern District of Florida. Since 1872 Mr. Jewett's father has been confiden-
tial clerk in the office of the secretary of state of New York. Rev. Freeborn G.
Jewett, jr., moved to Albany, N. Y. . in 1872 with his parents and completed the
course of instruction at the Albany Academy. He then entered Williams College
and was graduated in 1888 with the degree of B. A. ' He received the prize for elocu-
tion and while at college did considerable literary work, as the editor of the " Gul"
during his senior year and as one of the editors of the Williams Literary Monthly.
He was also a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. After completing his college
course, he was lay reader at Grace Episcopal church in Albany, meanwhile keep-
ing up his studies and teaching elocution in the Albany Academy during the school
year 1888-89. The first term of the fall of 1889 he spent at the Episcopal General
Theological Seminary in New York and then entered the Berkeley Divinity School
at Middletown, Conn., of which Bishop Williams, the presiding bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in America, is dean. He was graduated from the in-
stitution on June 3, 1891, and ordained deacon by Bishop Williams. June 10, 1891,
he married Minnie Wasson, daughter of ex-Congressman John M. Bailey of Albany.
June 21, 1891, he became assistant minister of St. Paul's church in Albany and on
December 17, of the same year, he was ordained priest by Bishop Doane. In
February, 1892, he was unanimously elected rector of St. Paul's church and during
his pastorate many new branches of church work have been established, among
which may be mentioned the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and a chapel in the west
275
end of the city. Mr. Jewett is a member of the Board of Visitors of the Albany
Female Academy.
Barends, Frederick J., son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schippers) Barends, was
born in Amsterdam, Holland, August 10, 1856. He was educated in the public schools
of Holland and in March, 1869, came to America and settled in Albany, N. V., where
for a short time he attended school, and subsequently worked two years in the print-
ing office of the late Joel Munsell. He then went into the employ of the B. W.
Wooster furniture company, where he remained twenty-five years. January 1, 1896,
he was appointed deputy county clerk of Albany county and he fills the office most
acceptably. In 1890 he was nominated for the New York State Assemby by the
Republicans of the first district of Albany county and was defeated, but had the sat-
isfaction of reducing the Democratic majority considerably. In November, 1880, he
married Hannah Feig of Albany.
Higgins, Michael E., chief of the Albany Fire Department, is a son of John and
Elizabeth (Mullin) Higgins, natives of Ireland, who, about 1844, settled in Albany
where they died, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1885. Michael Higgins was
born in Albany, January 17, 1845, received a public school education and when
eleven became a newsboy ; later he was an engineer on the river, learned the ma-
chinist's trade and from 1860 to 1869 was first engineer in Clark, Gifford & Judson's
old tlour mill. In 1869 he was relief engineer and afterward engineer of Steamer
No. 6, which position he held eleven years, when he resigned but continued on as a
hoseman. For three years from 1878 he was also engaged in the meat business, and
in 1879, 1880 and 1881, served as supervisor of the Fifteenth ward. From 1880 to 1886
he was city marshal; in 1885 he was appointed assistant exgineer, and in 1886, on
the death of James McQuade, chief engineer of the Albany Fire Department and has
since held the latter position. He has been continuously connected with the fire de-
partment since 1864, holding every post and becoming a member of the present (paid)
force in 1867. For several years he was an active 1 >emoc rut. a member of various
political conventions and first assistant marshal of the Albany Phalanx, and is a mem-
ber of the A. O. U. W., and the Exempt Firemen's Association. In 1870 he mar-
ried Elizabeth L., daughter of James Gallagher of Albany, and they have had rive
children: John F., Edward J., and Jennie C, who arc living, and Battle and Martin
Delehanty, deceased.
Brumaghim, Eugene, was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, X. Y..
April 3, 1853. In 1860 he removed to Albany and was graduated from the Albany
High 'School in 1873. During the years of 1880 and 1881 lie was principal ofthe High
.School at Gilman, 111. Since that time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits
in Albany, and he is at present connected with Wcidman & Co., wholesale grocers.
He was president of the Young .Men's Association for one term and during his in-
cumbency of that office the $50,000 for Harmanus Bleecker Hall was raised by pop-
ular subscription. He is past mastei qf Wadsworth Lodge I'. & A M. and is prom-
inently connected with the Unconditional and Press Clubs.
Condon, William R., born in Albany, September 88, 1870, is a son of Thomi
and Helen J. (Keeney) Condon, and a grandson ol James Condon, a native <>i" Ire-
land, who settled in Albany when seventeen years of age and died here in May, lv'."i.
276
aged eighty eight. James was one of the first dyers in the capital city and continued
in that business for fifty years. He also served as alderman and supervisor. He
married Margaret J. Hennessy, who died at the age of thirty-five, leaving nine chil-
dren, all deceased. Thomas A. Condon, born in 1851, was a manufacturer of mat-
tresses., deputy sheriff and a detective on the police force, and died March 8, 1895.
His wife died October 12, 1894', leaving two children, William R. and Mary J. Will-
iam R. Condon, when fifteen, became a clerk in the Albany freight office of the D. &
H. C. Co., where he remained nine years. February 15, 1896, he formed a copart-
nership with Joseph A. Wisely, as Condon & Wisely, and engaged in the retail busi-
ness of hats, caps, men's furnishings, etc. December 15, 1891, he became a member
of Co. B, 10th Bat, N. G. N. Y. On June 6, 1894, he married Madeline D., daugh-
ter of William Bailie of Albany.
Cook, Alfred, son of William J. and Margaret (Risk) Cook, was born in Albany,
June 3, 1858, was educated at the Boys' Academy and was graduated from the Al-
bany Normal College in 1878. Shortly afterwards he obtained a situation as assist-
ant bookkeeper with Haskell & Gallup, wholesale dealers m coffees, teas and spices,
where he remained until they went out of business in 1881, when he engaged with
Tracy, Wolverton & Wilson, wholesale grocers, as shipper. Serving in this capacity
for about six months, he was promoted'to represent the concern on the road. In
1883 Mr. Wolverton retired and the business was carried on by Tracy & Wilson.
Mr. Cook continued to represent them until 1888, when he became the junior mem-
ber of the concern of Tracy, Wilson & Cook. In 1890 he purchased the entire busi-
ness and is now located at No. 45 Hudson avenue, as a wholesale jobber in tea, coffee
and spices. He is one of the charter members of the Albany Commercial Travelers'
Club, a member of the Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Association of
America and honorary member of the Fort Johnson Club, Johnstown, N. Y. His
father came to Albany from Galway, N. Y., and was engaged in the wholesale gro-
cery business until his death, being a member of the firms of Cook & Wing, and
Cook, Wing & Wooster.
Walsh, Henry Haswell, is a descendant of Dudley Walsh, a native of the North of
Ireland, who became a settler and one of the early mayors of Albany, where he died.
He married Sarah Stevenson, September 24, 1793. Their son, John Stevenson
Walsh, a member of the hardware firm of Godfrey & Walsh of Albany, died Febru-
ary 15, 1857, aged sixty-five. He married Laura (born April 16, 1811), daughter of
John and Abbie (Spencer) Townsend. Dudley Walsh, their son, born in Bethlehem,
Albany county, May 8, 1841, enlisted February 18, 1862, in Co. D, 90th N. Y. Vol. Inf.,
as second lieutenant; March 16, 1863, he was promoted captain of Co. K, 134th N. Y.
Vols., and was discharged August 7, 1865. He was three years in the Albany post-
office and some time a produce merchant. April 26, 1865, he married Josephine A.,
daughter of Col. Henry B. and Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Haswell of Albany, and they
have had six children: John Stevenson (married April 20, 1896, Grace Shutter),
Henry H., Laura Townsend, Dudley, jr. (died in infancy), James (died in infancy),
and Elizabeth Trowbridge. Henry Haswell Walsh, born November 30, 1867, was
educated in the public schools and Albany Academy and spent several years in the
hardware stores of M. E. Viele, Woodward & Hill and J. E. Taylor & Co. In 1892
he started his present harness manufacturing establishment. June 27, 1894, he mar-
ried Addie, daughter .of Henry Vine of Albany.
277
Wells, Anton, born in Germany, August 24, 1825, came to America in 1837 and
settled in Albany, where he has since resided. He learned the trade of grate and
fender maker, and in 1849 purchased the retail stove and heating establishment of
James Goadby, which he has since successfully conducted, being one of the oldest
and best known stove dealers in the city. He is an extensive dealer in grates, fire-
places, hot air furnaces, stoves, ranges, etc. In 1850 he married Caroline Oberist, a
native of Germany, and they have had seven children: Polly (Mrs. Prieser), Louis,
Amelia, Edward, Theodore (deceased), Reinhart and Caroline.
Hartt, Eugene R., son of Chauncey N. and Sophia J. (Ross) Hartt, was born in
Niagara county, N. Y. , April 20, 1845, was educated in private schools at Gasport,
N. Y., and at the Albany Boys' Academy, and first engaged in buying grain in the
West for Albany houses. Later he became a clerk in the Merchants' National Bank
of Albany, bookkeeper for Mills & McMartin, and in 1870 a member of the wholesale
grocery firm of William J. Cook & Co., which ceased business in 1872. He then en-
tered the employ of Albert Wing, Son & Co., wholesale grocers. In 1887 this firm
adopted its present name of Wing Bros. & Hartt (see sketch of Albert J. Wing). Mr.
Hartt is a member of the Fort Orange Club and was for about two years a water
commissioner. He married Ada B., daughter of William J. Cook, and has one
daughter, Marguerite H.
Conway, Joseph A., is the son of Michael and Ann Conway, who removed from
New York city to Albany in 1858. Michael was for many years conuected with the
Albany police force, was the first captain of the present police department, was a
mason by trade, and was deputy county sheriff at the time of his death, May 5, 1886.
Joseph A. Conway, born October 27, 1858, in Albany, was educated in the High
School and in the fall of 1875 became a student in the law office of Hawley & McNa-
mara, with whom he began active practice upon his admission to the bar in 1880
Later he formed a law copartnership with his brother, Martin I ) Conway, afterward
surrogate, which continued for six years. Since then he lias practiced alone. He
was the Democratic candidate for judge of the Justice's Court in the spring of 1886,
but was defeated, though he ran 900 ahead of his ticket. In 1887 his brother was
elected police justice, but after serving eighteen mouths resigned and was el<
county surrogate. October 28, 1890, Mr. Conway married Louisa A., daughter of
Frank Maxsteadt of Albany. They have had three children, all deceased.
Moore Brothers, Veterinarians.— Henry C. Moore was born in Ripley, England,
August 13, 1838, and came to America with his parents, Henry and Emma Moore,
in 1852, settling in Cortland, N. V. Henry Moore was a well known veterinary sur-
geon, being a student of Statham, the celebrated veterinarian of Derby. England.
He practiced successfully in Cortland and later in Poughkeepsie, X. V., and about
1872 came to Albany, where he continued his profession until he retired in 1886.
Henry C. Moore was educated at the Cortland Academy and studied veterinary
surgery with his father. Edward Moore was born in Cortland county. August 17,
1855, was graduated from the Poughkeepsie Academy, and in 1877 was graduated
from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of London, England. The two
brothers were associated more or less with their father until his retirement in 1886,
when they succeeded him and established their present veterinary hospital in Hudson
avenue, which is without doubt the largest and most complete of its kind in America.
278
Here all domestic animals are treated in the departments of pharmacy, surgery,
dentistry, etc. The firm also has permanent charge of the leading stock farms and
private herds throughout the country and is the best known in the United States,
having a national reputation. Henry C. Moore is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13,
F. & A. M., of Troy, Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., Cyprus Temple, Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine, and the Acacia Club of Albany. Edward Moore was for seven
years a member of Co. A, 10th Battalion, and is a member of the Old Guard Zouave
Cadets. While in England he was cattle plague inspector for the English govern-
ment in 1877, having charge of the London district. He has done much for State
and local boards of health, has long been the veterinarian in charge of the Albany
Fire Department, and since about 1880 has been the veterinary editor of the Country
Gentlemen.
McCombe, James, was born March 20, 1834, in the town of Ayr, Scotland, where
he began learning the trade of dyer, which he finished in Glasgow. He came to
America in August, 1854, settling first in New York city, where he remained eleven
years. He spent two years in Troy and came to Albany August 1, 1867; here he
established his present dye business at No. 163 South Pearl street, which^since 1891
has been located at No. 99 on the same street. He is the second oldest dyer in the
city.
McDonough, Clarence J., is a grandson of Michael and Mary McDonough, natives
of Ireland, and the only son of Michael McDonough, jr., who was born in Chatham,
N. Y., and who came to Albany about 1855, where he died May 4, 1895. Michael
McDonough established himself in the wholesale liquor business in the spring of
1860, at 611 and 613 Broadway, and successfully continued there until his death, when
he was succeeded by his son Clarence J. He was a heavy importer and built up a
large wholesale trade. He married Julia T. Blake, who, with one of their three
children survives him. Clarence J. McDonough was born December 28, 1873, and
was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1894.
Piatt, William John, son of Charles E. and Helen (Wiley) Piatt, was born in Al-
bany, January 28, 1857. The family originally came to Albany county from Rye,
Conn., and have lived there for several generations. Charles E. Piatt, son of James
E., was born in Albany, December 25, 1826, and died February 22, 1896. He was a
butcher and meat dealer. His wife's death occurred March 2, 1896 and their chil-
dren were James E., Susie A., William J., Lansing I. and Charles D., all of Albany.
Mr. Piatt enlisted for three years in the 113th N. Y. Inf. (which became the 7th
N. Y. H. A.) and was stationed in the defenses of Washington. After one year's
service he was promoted lieutenant. William J. Piatt attended the public and high
schools of Albany. He was for two years a clerk in the bookstore of Edwin Ellis &
Co. and for nine years was employed in the Clinton Stove Works in Troy. In 1888
he engaged in the meat business with his father, and on the latter's death succeeded
him.
Robinson, Robert J., was born in Albany, June 19, 1869, and is the only son of
Robert and Caroline (Garrity) Robinson. His father was born in the North of
Ireland, and coming to Albany, engaged in the merchant tailoring business until his
death, which occurred September 13, 1892; his mother died in 1882. Robert J.
279
Robinson was educated in the public schools and academy, and the Albany Business
College; he then associated himself with his father and learned the trade of raer-'
chant tailoring, and on his father's death succeeded him in business. His father
was a Mason, and he is a member of the Albany County Wheelmen. He is a mem-
ber of Wadsworth Lodge Xo. 417, F. & A. M., Temple Chapter Xo. 5, R. A. M.,
and the Masonic Veteran Association. In 1862 he married Christina A., daughter
of William Logan of County Armagh, Ireland, and they have five children living:
James Samuel, Martha J., Tysie Estelle, John Hall and Elizabeth Shanks.
Stahl, Simon, son of Jacob and Rosaline Stahl, was born in Ostrova, Germany,
January 29, 1860, and came to America with his parents in 1867, settling in Elmira,
X. V., where he was educated. In 1874 he became a clerk in the fancy goods and
millinery store of A. F. Cohen, with whom he remained four years; he was then for
three years in the employ of Stahl & Case, of Jersey City, X. J., and in 1881 opened
a millinery and fancy goods store there, which he continued till 1884; later he was in
business in Newark, X. J., and also clerked for Lichtenstein & Sons for a time. In
February, 1888, he came to Albany and with his brother Julius, under the firm name
of J. Stahl & Brother, bought out the millinery establishment of M. M. Hvdemen. In
1892 Simon Stahl purchased his brother's interest and since then has conducted the
business alone with marked success; he is exclusively a retailer employs about forty
hands and is one of the leading milliners in Eastern New York. In 1880 he married
Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles Stone of Jersey City, X. J., who takes an active
part in the management of the business and to whom is due a very large measure
of the success attained.
Lathrop, Charles II., descends from Rev. John Lothrop, who was graduated from
Uueens College, Cambridge, England, as B. A. in 1605 and as M. A. in 1609, and
who for religious freedom came to America in 1634 and settled in Scituate, Mass.,
where he was pastor of the church until 1639, when he moved to Barnstable, where
he died in 1653. The family is traced back in England to 1216, when the name ap-
pears as Lowthrope. Henry B. Lathrop, grandfather of Charles II., married Small
Preston and when a young man came to Albany, where he engaged in mercantile
business and where he died in 1870. He was born in Lisbon. Conn., November 17,
1794. Charles H. Lathrop. ST., his son, was born in Albany, March 15, 1880, was for
many years the agent of the National Express Company and died here December:!.
1895. He married Lydia A. Presby. Cluuk-s II. Lathrop, their sou, born May 27.
L862, in Albany, was educated in the public and high schools and was a clerk for
Benjamin Lodge, the well known merchant tailor, until 1889, when he formed a
partnership with Charles S. Shanks, as Shanks & Lathrop, and became Mr. L
successor. The firm has successfully carried on a large merchant tailoring bus
Mr. Lathrop has been secretary and treasurer and is now vice-president of tl
bany County Wheelmen. September 28, 1VS-Y be married Mary E., daughter of
Hon. Warren S. Kelley of Albany, and their children are Charles H., jr., and
Mary E.
Sporborg, Silas, is the son of Joseph Sporborg, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who
came to America and settled in Albany about 1*36 and who died here in April
aged seventy-three. Joseph was a prominent wholesale milliner, and founded the
present business of his son in 1846. In 1876 he took bis sons Henry I. and Silas into
280
partnership under the firm name of J. Sporborg & Sons, and upon his retirement in
1886 the style of J. Sporborg's Sons was adopted. Henry J. died in December, 1892,
and since then Silas Sporborg has continued the business alone, carrying on a large
wholesale trade. Joseph was for many years president of the congregation of Beth
Emeth and a director of the National Savings Bank. Silas Sporborg, born in Al-
bany, February 10, 1851, was educated at the Boys' Academy and Professor Anthony's
School and when eighteen entered his father's store. He is a member of Washing-
ton Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., the Bna Brith and the Delphi Club.
Enos, Henry D., is a grandson of Ethol Enos, a large farmer and long a justice
of the peace of Watervliet and a colonel in the war of 1812. Henry S. Enos, father
of Henry D., was born in 1831, engaged in the lumber business, served three and a
half years in Co. C, 91st N. Y. Vols., in the Rebellion, and was connected with the
Watervliet Railroad company until 1885, when he moved to Iowa. Henry D. Enos,
born in Albany, August 6, 1862, received a high school education and for ten years
followed the iron moulder's trade. In 1890 he engaged in the life insurance business
and soon afterward became general agent for Eastern New York for the State Mu-
tual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, Mass., which position he still holds.
He is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter,
R. A. M., and De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., and has been ruling elder in the
Fourth Presbyterian church since he was twenty-six years of age, being the young-
est man ever elected to that office in that church. He is also a member of the Re-
publican Unconditional Club and has been especially prominent in mission work,
being the chief promoter and a founder of the Viaduct Mission, of which he was six
years superintendent. November 10, 1886, he married Mary J., daughter of William
Thomas of Albany, and their children are Henry T., M. Margaret and Ruth. Mr.
Enos's great-grandfather, Matthias Enos, served in the Revolutionary war.
De Blaey, Abram, son of Mathew and Maria (Lansen) De Blaey, was born in Ter-
nenzen, Holland, September 5, 1847. In 1854 his parents came to America and in
April, 1855, settled in Albany. He was educated in the public schools and learned
the trade of shoemaker, which he followed from 1863 to 1888, being a large manufac-
turer on Broadway for five years. In 1888 he bought the news room at No. 31 State
street, where the business is carried on in the name of his wife, H. L. De Blaey.
Mr. De Blaey is a member of Capital City Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F., New York En-
campment No. 1, I. O. O. F., and Canton Nemo P. M. No. 1. June 14, 1871, he mar-
ried Harriet L. Mink, and they have one daughter, Nellie L.
Houck, James A., the oldest hotel proprietor in one place in Albany, is a son of
Christian Houck, one of the earliest hotel keepers in the town of Knox, Albany
county, where James A. was born in 1839. About 1859 the family came to Albany,
where Christian conducted the Avenue House on Washington avenue until his
death. In 1871 James A. Houck succeeded a Mr. Brayton as proprietor of the Eagle
Hotel, on State street corner of South Pearl, and immediately changed the name to
the Globe Hotel, which it still bears, and under which it has attained a wide popu-
larity, In May, 1894, he admitted his son Clarence A. as a partner under the firm
name of J. A. Houck & Son. Mr Houck is one of the best known landlords in East-
ern New York and during his quarter of a century proprietorship of the Globe has
won a high reputation among the traveling public. He was elected sheriff of Al-
281
bany county in 1879, as a Republican, and served one term and was a candidate for
county clerk, but suffered defeat along with the rest of the ticket.
Wakefield, William H., & Son.— W. H. Wakefield's father, John Wakefield, a na-
tive of the North of Ireland, settled in Albany about 1838 and died here in 1884. He
was for many years a groceryman and coal dealer in the west end of the city and
was long superintendent of the reservoir for the water department. William H.
Wakefield, born October 26, 1843, in Albany, was for about twenty-five years a
driver for the Delavan livery. In 1872 he also engaged in the livery business for
himself and in 1890 took his only son, William J., into partnership, under the firm
name of W. H. Wakefield & Son. They established their present livery business on
State street and have brought it into prominence as one of the largest and best
equipped in the city. William J. Wakefield was born March 31, 1866.
Cameron, Frederick W., the eldest son of Truman I). Cameron, was born in Al-
bany, June 1, 1859. His early education was acquired at the Albany Academy,
which he entered when he was five years old. He entered Union College in the
class of 1881 and was graduated with the highest honors. He immediately entered
the Albany Law School and in the spring of 1882 was admitted to the bar. In col-
lege Mr. Cameron gave especial attention to the study of the sciences and took
extra courses in physics, mechanics, chemistry and electricity for the purpose of
qualifying himself for the practice of patent law. His vacations were spent in a law
office. His father, who was for many years a professor in the Albany Academy,
early inculcated in his son a taste for literary pursuits. In the prosecution of the
special branch of law relating to patents, Mr. Cameron has been very successful,
acting as counsel in many important suits for infringements, and has had wide ex-
perience in the United States Courts. He is the counsel for several large manufac-
turing concerns and has been uniformly successful. Since 1882 he has been a mem-
ber of the law firm of Ward <Kr Cameron, his partner being Hon. Walter E. Ward.
In 1892 he was appointed United States commissioner by Judges Wallace and Coxe
and still holds the position. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Albany Insti-
tute, the Albany Historical and Art Society, the Albany Camera Club, Temple
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In 1891
he married Jennie A., daughter of Judge Amos Lean, one of the founders of the
Albany Law School. They have two daughters, Iran Elizabeth and Josephine.
Carr, Lewis E., was born March 10, L842, m the town of Salisbury, Herkimer
county, is the son of Eleazer and Hannah (Rayner) Carr. and a grandson of Eleazer
and Hannah (Hakes) Carr, natives of New England. The father of Eleazer, with
one or two brothers, was in the Revolutionary war. Lewis E. Carr was educated at
Falley Seminary in Fulton, N. Y., and was graduated from Fairfield Academy in
Herkimer county in 1861. After spending two years on the farm, he came in the
spring of 186:> to Albany and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and
was admitted to the bar. He then spent one year in the law office of Sherman S.
Rogers in Buffalo, where he had as his roommate Grover Cleveland. In July, 1865,
lie began the practice of his profession in Porl Jervis, N. Y., and continued until
1893, having from 1869 to 1871 O. P. Howell, now • surrogate of Orange county, as
bis partner. Mr. Carr was elected district attorney of Orange county in 1871, and
ii
282
held the office three years, and was a member of the Board of Education of Port
Jervis for sixteen years. In 1893 he came to Albany as attorney for the Delaware
and Hudson Canal Company (railroad department) and still holds that position.
From 1872 to June 1, 1896, he was the attorney for the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co.,
having charge of their business in Orange, Sullivan and Delaware counties. He is
a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., a member and past high priest
of Neversink Chapter No. 189, R. A. M., a member of Delaware Commandery No.
44, K. T., and its eminent commander for seven years, a member of Blooming
Grove Park Association of Pike county, Pa., the Lawyers' Club of New York and
the Albany Club. In 1865 he married Ruth, daughter of Mathias Duke, an officer
in the British army stationed at Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her grandfather, John
Gallagher, was an officer in the English army at the battle of Waterloo ; later was town
major at St. John's, New Brunswick, and was the English officer who surrendered
the possession of Eastport, Me., to the Americans at the close of the war of 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Carr have three children: Raymond W., Lewis E., jr., and William D.
Whitney, W. M , & Co. — The extensive dry goods business of W. M. Whitney &
Co. was established in a two-story building, 25 by 40 feet, on the site of the present
store, by Ubsdull & Pearson in 1859. In 1864 James T. Lenox succeeded them. He
died about 1866 and in that year William M. Whitney and John C. Myers, under the
firm name of Whitney & Myers, purchased the establishment and continued it until
1870, when Mr. Myers retired. Mr. Whitney became sole owner and has success-
fully conducted the business under the name of W. M. Whitney & Co. to the pres-
ent time. He replaced the old building with a new structure, which has a frontage
of 127 feet, a depth of 270 feet and a floor area of 90,860 square feet, the whole
comprising fifty-six distinct departments, employing from 450 to 600 people. The
firm also has a large warehouse and stables on Hudson avenue, a buying office in
New York city and an importing branch in Paris. A wholesale trade was also car-
ried on until 1894, but since then the business has been exclusively retail. It is the
largest, most complete and best equipped dry goods establishment in this section of
the State and its development and success are mainly due to the energy, enterprise
and ability of Mr. Whitney, whose two sons, William M., jr., and Charles S. A., are
now active members of the firm.
Milbank, William Edward, M. D. , was born at Coeymans, Albany county, March
8, 1841. He received an academical and classical education at the Albany Academy ;
pursued the study of medicine under the supervision of Dr. William Oilman of
Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Dr. Albert Van Derveer of Albany, N. Y., and
was graduated from the Albany Medical College in December, 1872. He began
practice at Albany immediately after graduation, being associated one year with Dr.
David Springsteed. He has remained a resident of Albany, and is engaged in the
duties of active professional life. Dr. Milbank is unmarried. He became a member
of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society in April, 1873. He was elected
a delegate to the State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1874, '75, '76, '77 and '78;
and to the secretaryship of the County Society in 1875 and again in 1876. He has
held the position of chief of the surgical staff of the Homeopathic Hospital and City
Dispensary four years; from 1876 to 1880 and in 1885, was reappointed to the same
position. He became a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of
283 '
New York in 1879; a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Northern New-
York in 1883; ane of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1887. He was ap-
pointed by Governor Hill, in 1S8.J, to the office of commissioner of the State Board
of Health and was reappointed three successive terms, holding the office until Janu-
ary, 1895. While a member of the State Board of Health, Dr. Milbank indited and
prepared a number of very valuable papers which are published in its annual report.
The doctor presented and read at the annual meeting of the State Homeopathic
Medical Society, held in February, 1895, a very elaborately prepared paper entitled:
" Albany's Water Question."
Casey, Walter V., is a son of John H. and Mary I".. (Rourke) Casey, natives of Ire-
land and was born in Albany, April 12, 1872. John H. became a printer in the
office of the Albany Knickerbocker, was made foreman of the Press and Knicker-
bock, and died in March, 1893, aged fifty-five. Walter V. Casey, after attending the
Albany High School, accepted in August, 1887, a position with E. De L. Palmer, real
estate dealer, and remained there until 1893, when he formed with Joshua F. Tobin
the present real estate and fire insurance firm of Casey & Tobin. He is a member of
the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Union.
MacFarlane, Andrew, M. I)., son of Andrew and Sophia (Troy) MacFarlane, was
born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 1, 1863. His father, a merchant came to
America, and settled in Albany about 1847, but returned to Scotland in 1861 and re-
mained ten years, when he again came to Albany and died here in 1882. 1 >r Mac-
Farlane was graduated from the Albany High School in 1880 and then spent
one year in the University of Glasgow in .Scotland; returning to Albany he was
graduated from Union College in 1884, as one of the honor men of his class.
He read medicine with Dr. George E. Gorham of Albany, was graduated as M. I),
from the Albany Medical College in 1887 and on competitive examination was
appointed to the staff of the New Jersey State Hospital for the Insane where he re-
mained one year. He was then for two years physician in a private institution for
the insane in Boston ; meantime he had done much work in the hospitals of New York
city and after leaving Boston he went abroad for about eighteen months and studied
in Paris, Prague and Vienna, returning to Albany in 1*92. Since then he has followed
the general practice of his profession and was appointed instructor in the Albany
Medical College, later became a lecturer and is now clinical professor of physical diag-
nosis and miscroscopy. He is physician to the dispensary of St. Peter's Hospital, an at-
tending physician to the Albany < >rphan Asylum and Albany Hospital for Incurables,
lecturer on medical jurisprudence of insanity at the Albany Law School and bacteri-
ologist to the Albany Board of Health since 1894. He is a member ami ex-secretary
of the Albany County Medical Society and a delegate to the New \>>vk State Medical
Society. He has often been called as expert on insanity in noted murder trial
is regarded as an able authority on this disease.
Annesley, Richard Lord, son of Lawson and Laura (Jones) Annesley, was born in
Albany, July Hi, is:js. His father was born in Borden town, N. J., May •">. 1795, and
in 1802 came to Albauy with his lather, William Annesley. who in that year engaged
in the picture and art business, founding what is now the Albany Art Gallery. In
1820 William was succeeded by his son Lawson, who continued the business until
I860, when his son Isaac became the proprietor. The latter carried on the establish-
284
ment until his death, in June, 1865, when Richard Lord Annesley, his brother, suc-
ceeded him, and has since remained in charge. This is the oldest, the largest and
one of the finest art stores in the city. About twenty-five years ago a large manufac-
tory for fine woodwork and furniture was added. Richard Lord Annesley was edu-
cated at the Albany Academy, in Prof. C. H. Anthony's school and at the Troy
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began active life on the Erie Canal enlarge-
ment. In 1862, with Major (then captain) John L. Newman, he recruited and organ-
ized Co. I, which joined the 43d N. Y. Inf. at Hagerstown, Md., with four other com-
panies from Albany. Mr. Annesley was elected first lieutenant, was promoted cap-
tain and served until the close of the war, being brevetted major April 2, 1865, for
gallant and meritorious service at the assault on Petersburg. Returning from the
army he succeeded his brother Isaac in business and has since carried on the trade
established by his grandfather ninety-five years ago. He is a member of Post No.
63, G. A. R., the Loyal Legion of the United States, the Society of the Army of the
Potomac and the Fort Orange Club. In January, 1886, he married Miss Harriet,
daughter of John Ward of Albany.
Clough, William, established his present mercantile business in Cohoes in 1857,
and carries a various line of groceries, tinware, drugs, dry goods and hosiery. He
is a pioneer settler of Cohoes, coming here in 1851, where he worked six years for
the Harmony Co., as foreman of one department. He was born in England in 1820,
and was a spinner by trade. He came to America in 1848, and was one of the fire
wardens before organization of the city of Cohoes in 1869. He was assessor twice
and held many minor offices. In politics he is a Republican.
Tessier, Wilfred G., one of the four coroners of Albany county, is a native of the
city of Cohoes, and was born in 1863 ; he was also educated there. After spending
eleven years at the baker's trade, he established in 1890 the present business located
at No. 69 Garner street as a dealer in groceries. He is holding very acceptably the
position of coroner, his first political office.
Stanton, William, for many years associated with Mr. Graham in a large grocery
store on Willow street, Cohoes, under the firm name of Stanton & Graham, was a
mason by trade and has always carried on a large contracting business, which he
still continues. He has always been largely interested in the coal business. Mr.
vStanton has always taken a lively interest in all that pertains to to the welfare of the
city and its local government. He was constable and deputy sheriff during the war,
and has been alderman, also president of the Board of Education, and is still a prom-
inent factor in politics. Mr. Stanton is a native of Brunswick, Rensselaer county,
and was born in 1838.
Tessier, Frank, has been a resident of Cohoes since he was eight years of age,
when he came here with his father. Pierre Tessier, a carpenter. He was born near
Montreal, Canada, in 1848. In 1871 he purchased of John Valley, by whom he had
been employed for thirteen years, a bakery which he conducted till 1890. In 1883 he
also engaged in the livery business at the present location No. 37 Saratoga street.
Mr. Tessier has led an active political life. In 1877 he was elected supervisor from
the Third ward, and since 1892 has been superintendent of the streets of the city.
Baillargeon, J. T., has been a merchant of Cohoes for about five years as wholesale
285
and retail dealer in manilla, straw, tea, and tissue paper at No. 145 Bridge avenue,
Adam's Island. He came here from New York city, where he had been for eleven
years as superintendent of the packing department in a commission house. He was
born in Quebec, Ontario, in 1857, the son of Joseph Baillargeon, a retired builder,
and educated at Point Lewis. For six years he held a position as foreman for
Marshfield & Co., Chicago. Mr. Baillargeon is noted locally as a fine baritone
singer.
1 )ickey, William J., superintendent of the Cascade Mills of Cohoes, is a son of John
Dickey, a contractor who came from the north of Ireland and settled here at a very
earlv period of the history of Cohoes. His death occurred in 1878 at the age of sixty-
seven, but his memory lives in the hearts of his fellowmen as one who left nothing
undone that would advance the welfare of residents here. Mr. Dickey has spent a
lifetime in the mills, having first began to work there at the age of thirteen years.
He was first employed by Hon. C. H. Adams in his woolen mill, and from the foot
of the ladder has steadily reached its most responsible position. He was for nine
years superintendent of the Egberts Woolen Mill, then operated by Mr. McDowell,
and when the latter erected the Cascade Mills, he was given the superintendency.
Mr. Dickey has been connected with the fire department for twenty-five years, and
was fire commissioner for four years, treasurer for nine years of the Hitchcock Hose
Co., and captain for ten years of the same.
Calkins, H. G., though a young man has been a prominent member of the Board
of Education of the city of Cohoes for five years, and has taken an active part in its
councils. When he was twenty-one years of age he was elected school commis-
sioner, making a very competent officer for that responsible position. Mr. Calkins
is a descendant of the old Connecticut family, and a son of A. T. Calkins, a promi-
nent furniture dealer since the war. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. A, 22d Regiment
N. V. Vols., as first sergeant, but returned lieutenant and quartermaster. Among
the battles in which he participated may be mentioned those of South Mountain.
Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Second Bull Run. He was for thirty years in the
same store, which, since 1887, has been in charge of his son. II. G. Calkins, who was
born in Cohoes in 1869.
Rosemond, James, came to New York from Ireland, where he was born in L859,
with his widowed mother who is still a resident of Cohoes. He was educated in
New York in the grammar schools and first engaged in the dry goods business where
he remained for four years. He then came to Cohoes and acquired the plumber's
trade, working for three years in the Harmony Mills and nine years with Burbanks
& Co. In 1892 this enterprising young man engaged in business for himself at No.
92 Main street, and has developed an extensive industry in plumbing and tin-rooting,
also steam and hot water heating, making a specialty of beer apparatus. The posi-
tion he now holds in the front rank of the young men of to-day is due to his own
personal efforts and sterling characteristics.
Hochstrasser, Arthur E. , was born in the town of Berne, February 5, 1847. The
founder of the Hochstrasser name in America was Jacob Hochstrasser, the great-
grandfather of Arthur E. He was a native of Holland and was one of the pioneer
settlers in the town of Berne. He was one of a committee to petition the Legisla-
286
ture to set off the town of Berne from Rensselaerville, and the chairman of the com-
mittee to draft the town laws, and was the first supervisor and first justice of the
peace. Paul I. , the grandfather of Arthur E. Hochstrasser, was born in the town of
Berne in 1762. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a soldier in the Revolutionary
war. He settled in the town of Knox, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured
lumber for some years, but returned to Berne and purchased 200 acres of land, a
portion of which embraced the White Sulphur Springs, and there spent his re-
maining days. His wife was Dorothy Fisher. Peter Hochstrasser, the father of
Arthur E., was born in Berne on the homestead, April 18, 1800. He was a wheel-
wright by trade, his principal manufactures being spinning wheels, flax and wool
wheels; he also owned a farm of seventy-five acres which he supervised. His wife
was Eliza Weidman, born in Berne July 20, 1808, daughter of Col. Jacob Weidman.
Their children were Jacob M., John, Charles (who was a soldier in the Rebellion),
Arthur E., Catharine, Margaret and Sarah. He died April 20, 1880, his wife Feb-
ruary 15, 1887. Arthur E. Hochstrasser learned the turner's trade and when eight-
een purchased a factory and engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads; three years
later he formed a partnership with his brother Jacob M. in a saw mill and manufac-
tured lumber, bedsteads, etc. In 1882 he sold his mill interest and engaged in gen-
eral mercantile business in the village of Berne and in 1891 he erected his present
store building. He owns and resides on the place where he was born. He was
town clerk from 1882 to 1885, was town committeeman, president of the town Re-
publican organization from 1886 to the present time, and has often been chosen as
delegate to town, district and State conventions. Mr. Hochstrasser is a member of
the Masonic fraternity and was one of the charter members of Helderberg Lodge of
Odd Fellows. He is one of the active promoters and contributors in and to the pro-
posed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie railroad, of which he is also a stock-
holder. September 25, 1868, he married Josephine, daughter of Edward Settle of
Berne, and they have one child, Fred P. His wife died March 7, 1882, and Febru-
ary 4, 1885, Mr. Hochstrasser married Hattie, daughter of Henry W. Weidman, and
they have two children, Margaret and Chester.
Peasley, Wallace A., was born September 12, 1857, on the farm he now owns and
occupies. Thomas Peasley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts
who came to Albany county and settled in the town of Berne on West Mountain, in
the latter part of the eighteenth century. Orson Peasley, the grandfather was born
in Berne in 1804, where he was a lifelong farmer and lived and died on the farm of
160 acres on which he was born. He died in 1866 and his wife in 1888. Addison,
the father of Wallace A. Peasley, was born in Berne, August, 1834. He grew to
manhood on the homestead and later came in possession of it. His wife was Hen-
rietta, daughter of John Tibbitts, who was a soldier in 1812, and to them were born
two children : Wallace A. and Elmer. Wallace Peasley attended the common dis-
trict schools and the Gloversville Academy. He has spent his life on the farm with
his father and for years has been a careful and interested breeder of thoroughbred
trotting horses and is the owner of the fine stallion, Varrick ; he is also a breeder of
thoroughbred Jersey cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys. Mr. Peasley has filled
town offices continuously since he became a voter, filling first the offices of inspector
of election, excise commissioner, and in 1896 was elected to represent his town on the
28^
Board of Supervisors. In 1890 he was appointed to take the United States census in
his election district. The farm now occupied by Mr. Peasley was originally settled
by Mrs. Abigail Taylor, his great grandmother, who came from Rhode Island. The
house she caused to be erected in 1777 is still standing, the only change from the
original being a new roof. In 1877 Mr. Peasley married Florence Shultes of West
Berne, daughter of Abram and Margaret (Turner) Shultes. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley
have four children: Blanche, Ethel, Mary and Florence.
Young, Elias, was born in the town of Berne, June 22, 1844. Samuel Young, his
grandfather, was a native of Connecticut and settled in the town of Berne, near
where is now the village of Reidsville, in 1792, where be farmed and practiced law,
having for many years an extensive law practice. His wife was Magdalene Warner,
a native of Berne, and they had three sons: Philip, David and Silas. lie died in
1860 at the age of eighty years; his wife died some years before. Philip, the father
of Elias, was born in Berne in 1809, where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a
farm of 160 acres. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Elias Mathias of New Scot-
land, and their children were Samuel P. (deceased), David P., Mary E., Margaret
A. and Elias. He died in 1891 and his wife in 1893. Elias Young spent his earlier
days on his father's farm, where he attended the common schools and later the Fort
Edward Institute; subsequently, by the assistance of his father, he entered as a
student Eastman College, from which he was graduated in 1865. When twenty
years of age he began teaching, which profession he has followed a goodly portion
of the time. For some five years he was engaged in general mercantile business
in the village of Reidsville, in partnership with his brother, and was for main-
years a dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. Young from early manhood mani-
fested a keen interest in the political affairs of his town and county, associating him-
self with the side of Democracy. He was elected and filled the office of justice
of the peace for twelve years, and from 1886 to 1896 has been notary public. In
1881 he was elected school commissioner and again in 1891 and i893. In 1868
he married Frances, daughter of Hugh Conger of Berne, and they have two chil-
dren: Eunice (wife of Christopher Michael), and Philip S., M. D., who was a grad-
uate from the Albany Medical College in 1896.
Rheinhart, Alonzo L., was horn in the town of Berne, July 13, 1858. John Rhein-
hart, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany and immigrated to America
in 1762, settling in or about New York. When the Revolutionary war broke oul he
enlisted and served through the whole war. Johannes Rheinhart, the grandfather.
was born in Berne on the homestead where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a
farm of 113 acres. His children weir Catharine, Peter, David, William and Adam.
Peter, the father of Alonzo Rheinhart, was born in Berne in 1803. In early life he
was a farmer, but later became a shoemaker in the village of Berne. His last days
were spent in Knox. He was twice married, his first wife being Christiana Deitz,
and their children were Louisa (wife of David Ball of Berne), Matilda (wife of Isaa<
Ballot' Schoharie), and Christiana, who died when fourteen. His second wile was
Mary Ann, daughter of William Havens of Knox, and they had the following chil-
dren : Harrison, Catharine, Addison (who was a soldier m the war of the Rebellion,
I860 to 1865, enlisting in Co. E, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery for three years, and was
taken prisoner at the battle of Cold Harbor and was a prisoner in the Andersonville
288
prison eleven months, and died in 1870), Morgan (who served in the army the last
year of the war of the Rebellion), Lucy, Irvin, Mary J. and Alonzo L. Alonzo L.
remained with his father until twenty three years of age. He attended the com-
mon schools and began life for himself as a farmer, which vocation he has since
followed. In the spring of 1888 he moved to the town of Berne on his present
farm of sixty acres, where he has since resided, doing general farming. In 1896
Mr. Rheinhart was elected town clerk and several times he has been called upon to
represent his town and district at town, county and assembly conventions. In 1887
he married Ida, daughter of Charles G. and Margaret (Schoonmaker) Frink, and
they have two children, Frank A. and Minnie. Mr. Frink, father of Mrs. Rhein-
hart, was a prominent man in the town of Knox, representing his town on the
Board of Supervisors several terms ; he was also one of the most successful farmers
and at the time of his death his wealth was $50,000.
Snyder, Cecil, born in Rensselaerville, September 10, 1848, is a son of David H.
and Eunice (Head) Snyder, both natives of Rensselaerville. They came to Westerlo
in 1851 and engaged in farming, where they remained until his death. Mrs. Snyder
still lives on the homestead with Cecil Snyder. The grandfather, Ephraim Snyder,
was an early settler of Rensselaerville and came from Dutchess county. Cecil
Snyder has always been a farmer on the homestead, which consists of 160 acres and
he now intends making a specialty of dairying. In 1877 he married Anna, daugh-
ter of William and Ann Norton of Westerlo, and they have two children, Jessie M.
and Millard.
Lockwood, Horace R., born in Westerlo, February 28, 1841, is a brother of Leander
S. Lockwood, mentioned in this work. In 1865 he married Esther, daughter of
Samuel and Nancy (Townsend) Green of Westerlo, and they have three children :
Estella, Samuel G. and Mary Helen. Mr. Lockwood has the old Allen farm of 164
acres and eighty acres where he resides. In politics he is a Democrat and held the
office of assessor for six years in succession. Mr. Lockwood is a member of J. M.
Austin Lodge No. 567, F. & A. M., and the Christian church of South Westerlo.
Simpkin, Robert P., born November 29, 1830, in Westerlo, was a son of Robert L.
and Phoebe (Powell) Simpkin, he of Westerlo, and she of Long Island, and grandson
of R. Simpkin on his father's side and of Samuel Powell on the maternal side; the
latter was a farmer in Long Island. R. Simpkin spent his life in Westerlo; Robert
L. Simpkin was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in connection with farm-
ing. Robert P. Simpkin has always followed farming and is the owner of 111 acres
of land, forty acres of homestead settled by his grandfather and seventy-one which
he bought. In 1855 he married Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel and Sally Holmes
of Westerlo, and they have three children: Alice, widow of Daniel Lockwood, who
died 1894; Ellison, who died, aged eighteen years; and Jennie, wife of Emery
Palmer, farmer and thrasher of Greenville, Greene county, N. Y. In politics Mr.
Simpkin is a Democrat and he and his family attend and support a Christian church.
Simpkin, Henry, born in Westerlo, N. Y., February 4, 1836, is a brother of Robert
P. Simpkin, mentioned in this work. Henry Simpkin was reared on the farm, and
with the exception of three years spent in Coeymans, has followed farming in the
town of Westerlo. He has a farm of 120 acres where he resides and another of fortv
289
<
acres. In 1857 he married Louise H., daughter of John and Elsie (Traver) Freely,
both natives of Greene county, and they have one son, Victor, who married Ella,
daughter of William and Mariett Applebeen of Westerlo, and they have one daugh-
ter, Grace L. Simpkin, born January 15, 1888. Victor resides on the homestead and
carries on the farm. In politics they are both Republicans and attend the M. E.
church.
Hanney, Andrew D., born in Westerlo, August 29, 1819, is a son of David and
Hannah (Terbush) Hanney, he a native of Westerlo and she of Fishkill. His grand-
father, Andrew Hanney, was born in Scotland, where he married and came to Hol-
land Purchase, N. Y. , then to Westerlo, where he settled as a farmer. He was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war, and raised an independent company to help at
Burgoyne's surrender. David Hanney was a farmer of Westerlo and as a Democrat,
held the office of assessor for a great many years and refused to be supervisor. He
died in 1872 and Mrs. Hanney in 1842. Andrew D. Hanney, has, with the exception
of a few years spent at the carpenter's trade, been a farmer on the homestead. He
has 102 acres which is now carried on by his son. In 1851 Mr. Hanney married
Hannah M., daughter of John Hain of Westerlo, and they had two children: George,
a farmer of Westerlo, and Charles, on the home farm. Mrs. Hanney died in 1872
and Mr. Hanney married again, Phoebe C. (Babcock) La Paugh, who died January
11, 1893. Mr. Hanney is a Democrat and Baptist.
Hinckley, Charles, born in Westerlo, March 21, 1821, was a son of Josiah and
Clarrissa (Slausen) Hinckley. The father of Josiah, Josiah Hinckley, came from
New York city and settled in Westerlo when the town was but a wilderness. He
fought in the Revolutionary war and then settled on a farm in Westerlo. The great-
grandfather was of Scotch descent and married a French lady and settled in New
York city, and spent his last days in JWesterlo. The father of Charles Hinckley spent
his life on the farm in Westerlo, where he died in 1866, and Mrs. Hinckley in 1872.
Charles Hinckley married Rachel Ann Hayek, daughter of Walter and .Margaret
Huyck. Mrs. Hinckley died in INK:}. Mr. Hinckley has always been a farmer and
carried on farming on the homestead till 1888, when he rented the farm and took tip
his residence in the vieintv of South Westerlo. He lias always been a Democrat in
politics.
Erwin, Jacob M., was born in New Salem in 1843. John, his great. grandfather,
was one of three brothers: John, William, and fared, from the North of Ireland, who
came to America and settled in New Scotland in about 1775. Hugh, the grand-
father, was born on the homestead in 1786, and in time came into possession <>f it.
His wife was Lavina, daughter of Rev, Harmarius Van Huysen, who was a captain
in the Revolutionary war and a Hutch Reformed minister. He died in 1871 and his
wife died in 1868. Isaac, the father, was born on the homestead in L818 and his
early life was spent at various occupations. When sixteen years of age he began to
learn the shoemaker's trade in Clarksville and four years later, in lsHs. he started a
shoe shop on his own account in the village of New Salem, where he has ever since
resided and plied his trade. I le tilled the offices of collector and overseer of the poor.
In 1840 he married Maria, daughter of Jacob Martin, of New Scotland. Their chil-
dren were Jacob M.. James E., William II.. John ora. Jacob M.
290
attended the common schools until fourteen yearsof age, when he entered his father's
shop as apprentice and remained there until eighteen years old when, in September,
1861, enlisted in Co. D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and served three years, and in January,
1864, he re-enlisted in the same company, which was heavy artillery after that date,
and in which he was a commissioned officer. The principal battles in which he
participated were Port Hudson, Irish Bend, Vermilion Bayou, and Alexandria, thence
to Fort Jackson, which his company took charge of, Dmwiddie Court House, Five
Forks and Appamattox. He returned home in July, 1865, and immediately after his
return he received his commission as second lieutenant. He then went to work at
his trade which he plied until 1867. In 1868 he engaged in general mercantile busi-
ness in the village of New Salem, which business he has followed up to the present
time. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster of New Salem, which office he filled
until 1884; he was again appointed under President Harrison. He is a member of
the G. A. R., Post No. 5 of Albany. The year 1895 he spent diligently furthering
the cause of the proposed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Electric Railroad, of
which he is one of the directors, and is also a member of the executive committee of
directors. In 1867 he was married to Amanda, daughter of Conrad Mathias of New
Scotland. To them were born two children: Levi M. and Charles W.
Flansburgh, John, was born in the town of New Scotland, in 1836. Jacob, the great-
grandfather, was a native of Holland and of good old Holland ancestry. He came
to the United States and settled in the town of Bethlehem, where he spent his life
as a farmer. He reared four children: John P., Elizabeth, Sophia and Cornelia.
John P., the grandfather, was born in the town of Bethlehem in September, 1784,
and died in July, 1867. In 1803 he was married to Margaret Kniver of Bethlehem,
and their children were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William,
Elizabeth, Matthew, Kate, Cornelia and Garrett. He was married twice, the issue
of the last marriage being one son, James. He removed to Sharon, Albany county,
thence to the Helderberg in the town of New Scotland in 1809. He was a lifelong
farmer, who began poor and by his energy and ambition he accumulated a good
property. He was married to Maria Simmons, who was born in New Scotland and
daughter of Andrew Simmons, by whom seven children were born: John, Margaret
J., Mary Ann, Catherine J., Caroline, Ellen and Rufus. His second wife was Cath-
erine Simmons, a sister of his first wife, by whom two children were born, Harriet
and Ida. His second wife died in 1892. John Flansburgh worked on his father's
farm and attended the common schools, and when twenty-five years of age embarked
in farming for himself. He soon accumulated enough to purchase his present farm,
of 150 acres, upon which he has made many improvements. He served his town as
excise commissioner and collector. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry,
Clarksville Grange, of which he is treasurer. In 1860 he married Catherine J.,
born in New Scotland and daughter of John and Betsey (Brate) Radley. Their
children are Peter, who married Ida Relyea and has one child, and Lizzie, wife of
Elsbree Jones.
Crookes, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 10, 1838. He was a son of
William and Frances (Wardwell) Crookes, natives of the same place. They reared
five children: John, Fannie, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth and Jane. The mother died in
1848. The father was a blacksmith, and in 1851 left England with his family and
291
sailed for America, landing in New York one month later. He came direct to Al-
bany, where he plied his trade for one year, when he removed to Tarrytown in New
Scotland, and four years later to the village of Clarksville, where he spent his
remaining days at his trade. While in England he was a member of the Odd Fel-
lows fraternity. He died in 18*>7. John, when at the age of ten years, was obliged
to enter his father's shop as a helper. He has devoted his life successfully at his
trade, and at the age of twenty-two entered his father's shop and has ever since done
a general blacksmithing business on his own account. September 5, 1864, he
enlisted in the 23d New York Independent Battery and was transferred to the 8th
New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He participated
in a good many battles and skirmishes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
Berne Lodge No. 864. In 1860 he married Sarah Ingraham, daughter of Lyman In-
graham of New Scotland. Their children are Charles, who is employed in the State
Capitol at Albany; Clara, wife of Benjamin Winston of New Scotland; John and
Frank, twins; and Lizzie. All of his sons are blacksmiths. John is in Altamont,
N. Y. , and Frank is a blacksmith in the State Capitol.
Oliver, Abram E., was born in the town of New Scotland, N. V., in January, is:',:!.
He has spent his life successfully at fanning and fruit growing, being one of the
most extensive apple growers in his town, in which pursuit he has manifested
a thorough knowledge. He purchased his first farm from his father, but now owns
four farms containing 382 acres, which was originally owned by his great-grand-
faher, grandfather and father, and which he purchased at different times. In early
life he dealt to some extent in cattle and sheep. He has made many essential im-
provements on his farm, erected an imposing dwelling, etc. He has provided each
of his children with liberal educational advantages, and has since placed two of his
sons on two of his farms. Mr. Oliver is a Republican in politics, has served his town
nine years as assessor, and is now president in the third district of the Republican town
organization. Mr. Oliver has been twice married; May 17, 1856, he married Lucre-
tia, daughter of Anthony Legrange, by whom he had seven children: Anna, Abram,
Nelson, Ida, Lovina, Frank and Elwood, the latter a physician in Colorado. In 1872
Mr. Oliver married Elizabeth Borst, a native of Schoharie county, by whom he had
three children: Chester, Lillian and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. ( Iliver are members of the
New Scotland Presbyterian church, of which Mr. < Hiver has been trustee for many
years and is now superintendent of the Sunday school. Everett Oliver, the great-
grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of New Scotland, on one of the
farms now owned by Mr. Oliver, about 1759. He spent his lite as a farmer and lived
to be about eighty years of age. He reared tour sons and three daughters. John
E., the grandfather, was the oldest of his father's children, and was born on the
same farm about 1780. He came into possession of twenty-five acres of his father's
homestead and became an active, energetic and successful farmer. He was a Re-
publican in politics, and was much interested in the welfare of his party. lie reared
eight sons and one daughter, and to each of these he gave a farm. lie lived to be
ninety-four years of age. The last half of his life was spent in the town of Westerlo.
Everett1 Oliver, father of our subject, was born in New Scotland, in 1807, 01 one of
the farms now owned by his son. He was a lifelong farmer, meeting with good suc-
cess. He married Mary Albright, by whom he had four children : John, Abram,
292
Ellen J., and Eve Ann. His wife died at fifty-seven years of age. They were
members of the M. E. church, of which he was a liberal supporter. He died in
January, 1896. At the time of his death he owned four farms and $7,000 in cash ; he
had eight living great-great-grandchildren, a number of great-grandchildren, several
grandchildren, and three children.
Van Allen, William, was born in the town of New Scotland, on the farm which he
now owns, March 14, 1811. Garrett, his great-grandfather, was a native of Holland,
came to America and settled in the wilderness in the town of New Scotland, where
he cleared a home on a tract of about 250 acres, where he spent his remaining days.
He reared two sons, William and John, and two daughters. He lived to an extreme
old age. William, the grandfather, was born on the old homestead, September 11,
1744, where he spent his life clearing and improving the farm. His wife was Mag-
dalme Van Wie, born April 8, 1752. They had but one child, Garrett W. Mr. Van
Allen died May 28, 1795, and his wife June 23, 1836. Garrett W., the father, was
born where his father was. August 1, 1790, and there grew to manhood and spent
his life actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married, October 5, 1807,
Hannah Winnie, when he was but seventeen years of age ; she was born October
20, 1790. Their children were Christiana, William, Adam, Garrett, Francis, Philip
and Conrad, seven of whom grew to maturity. He died May 13, 1851, and his wife
March 8, 1874. William, the subject, has spent his life on the homestead of his
great-grandfather. He represented his town in the Board of Supervisors, and in
other minor offices. In 1887 he tore down the old stone fort house, which wa:,
erected by his great grandfather. October 26, 1887, he married Mrs. Elizabeth
(Moak) Moak, daughter of William Moak of New Scotland.
Becker, Frederick C, was born in the town of Bethlehem in October, 1829. Fred-
erick, his grandfather, was born in about 1758. He was of German descent and
a farmer by occupation, which he followed in the town of Bethlehem. His wife was
Catherine Bender, by whom three sons and two daughters were born. He owned
188 acres of land, which he divided between two of his sons. Christopher, the
father, was born in Bethlehem in 1801, and was a lifelong farmer, at which he was
fairly prosperous. He held some of the most important offices of the town and
served his town as assessor, collector, and commissioner of highways. His wife
was Hannah Arnold, born in Bethlehem. Their children are Elizabeth, Frederick
C, Catherine, Louisa, Christian, Christopher, Jacob, John and Andrew, who died
when twenty years of age. Jacob and Christian were soldiers in the war of the Re-
bellion. Mr. Becker died' in 1881 and his wife died several years previous. Fred-
erick lived on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years old, when he embarked
in business for himself in March, 1887. He moved to the town of New Scotland and
purchased his present farm of seventy acres, on which he has since been doing gen-
eral farming. While in Bethlehem he served as tax collector and commissioner of
highways. In 1861 he married Margaret Hotaling, and their children are Almira,
Charles, Catherine, 'William F. and Addie.
Smith, Henry A., a prominent landmark of New Scotland, was born in the town
of Guilderland, November 4, 1830. Nicholas Smith, his great-grandfather, was a
native of Dutchess county and came to New Scotland with his wife and family in
1760. His children were Andrew, Michael, John, Zachariah, Nicholas, Catharine
293
aud Jonas, all of whom lived to reach the century mark, and he also lived to a great
age. He was formerly interested in the tract known as the Nine Partners, but was
driven off by the Indians and finally settled in the forest, where he made him a
home. He was an enthusiastic hunter and trapper and would strike a deer trail in
the morning and with gun, tomahawk and belt of ground corn he would follow it
until he caught his game; he was also a sla\ e owner. Nicholas Smith, the grand-
father, was born in Dutchess county in 1752 and came to New Scotland with his
parents, where he became a farmer and spent his life. He lived to be 103 years of
age and was bright and active up to his death. His wife was Mary Keebe, and their
children were Nicholas, Thomas, Andrew, Joseph, Henry, Stephen, Hulda, Kate,
Lucinda and Margaret. Andrew M., the father of Henry Smith, was born on the
homestead in 1799, where he was a lifelong and fairly successful farmer; with the
exception of two years spent in Guilderland, his life was spent in his native town.
In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. His wife was Lucy, daugh-
ter of Everett Sigsbee, and Cheir children were Henry A., Mary, Lucinda, Hulda,
Elizabeth, Kate, Ellen, Margaret and Andrew. He died September 'S, 1877, and his
wife in 1SS7. She was a good Christian woman and a member of the M. E. church.
Henry A. Smith was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he was
twenty-five, when he married and began farming for himself on a farm which he
had purchased and to which he has added, now owning 150 acres. Ik- devoted con-
siderable attention to the breeding of thoroughbred Gurnsey and Jersey cattle, and
also raised some high grade horses. He has been a hard working man and his
labors have been crowned with success. He is an ardent Republican. In 1885 Mr.
Smith married Hester, daughter of Martin and Susan (Frcyer) Siver of Guilderland,
and their children were Andrew, William J.. Henry, Margaret (wife of Nelson
Croraise of Rensselaer county, N. Y. ), Mary (wife of Miner White of New Scotland)
and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were both members of the M. E. church, in which he
officiated as trustee and steward. His wife died in May, 1895. William L, the
son, attended the Troy Conference Academy and has since devoted his attention to
teaching and assisting on the farm.
Frost, J. Sheldon, was born in the town of Rensselacrvillc. Albany county, 1 >e-
cemberl, 1864. His parents were John I), and Phebe (Sheldon) Frost. Early in the
seventeenth century, three Frost brothers came from England ami settled on Long
Island. Afterwards the branch of the family from which James Sheldon Frost is
descended removed to Dutchess county, N. Y., and in 1805 they removed to the town
of Rensselaerville. The property they took in 1805 is still in the possession of the
family. Mr. J. Sheldon Frost's great-great-grandfather, Isaac Frost, had fourteen
children, eight of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. Mr. Frost's great-
great-grandfather on his mother's side was a sea captain and spent a part of his life
exploring Africa. All his ancestors were members of the Society of Friends. Mr.
Frost was educated at public and private schools and at Friends College at Locust
Valley, Long Island. Later he attended the Albany Business College, and in 1888
was graduated from the Albany Law School and in May of the same year was ad-
mitted to practice. He began his study of law in the office of I >raper ,\ Chester and
after Mr. Draper's withdrawal he remained with Judge Cluster until 1890, since which
time he has successfully practiced his profession in Albany. Mr. Frost is a member
294
of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Court Schuyler No. 1754, I. O. P., and
of Jay Chapter, Phi Delta Phi fraternity ; also a member of Albany Senate No.
641, K. A. E. O. In 1893 Mr. Frost was one of a committee of three to investigate
the affairs of the Western Farm Mortgage Trust Company of Denver, on behalf
of eastern holders, and represents large holdings in litigation now pending in the
Federal Courts.
Flansburgh, Rufus, was born in the town of New Scotland, December 31, 1848.
The second great-grandfather of Rufus Flanbsurgh, the parent tree of the family
in America, was a native of Holland and settled in Albany county, where he was a
farmer, and was murdered for his money. Jacob, the great-grandfather of Rufus,
was a native of Holland and spent his active life in the town of Bethlehem as a
farmer, and his children were John P., Eliza, Sophia and Cornelia. John P. Flans-
burgh, the grandfather, was born in Bethlehem, September 23, 1784, and was a life-
long and successful farmer, spending his last days ip the town of New Scotland.
The last forty-two days of his life were spent in fasting, partaking of nothing but
water, believing that his maker had demanded him to cease partaking of the fruit
of the vine. He died in July, 1867. In April, 1803, he married Margaret Kniver,
and their children were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William,
Elizabeth, Martha, Catharine and Garrett. Michael Flansburgh, the father, was
born in New Scotland, where he too was a lifelong and successful farmer. His first
wife was Maria Simmons, a daughter of Andrew Simmons, and their children were
John, Margaret J., Mary Ann, Catharine J., Caroline, Ellen and Rufus. His wife
died in May, 1851 ; his second wife was Catharine, a sister of his first wife, and they
had two children, Harriett and Ida. He died in 1888 and his wife in 1892. Rufus
Flansburgh was educated in the common schools. When twenty-one he began life
for himself on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, where he resided until 1888.
In connection with farming he dealt to a considerable extent in horses and cattle.
He erected him a residence in Voorheesville and in 1890 erected a store in the vil-
lage, in which he conducted a general mercantile business until 1893, when, to settle
the estate of his father-in-law, he purchased the farm of 180 acres, where he had
lived so long. He leased his store property and devoted his time to looking after
his farming interests, and in the spring of 1896 took personal management of his
farm, yet resides in the village. Mr. Flansburgh is a Republican, and while always
interested in the political welfare of his town, is not an aspirant to public office,
always declining proffered nominations. December 25, 1872, he married Catharine,
daughter of Peter and Hannah (Brate) Weidman, of New Scotland. Mr. and Mrs.
Flansburgh are liberal supporters of all the churches in the village, but are members
of none.
Kenyon, Lewis, was born in Rensselaerville, on the farm he now owns, June 15,
1843, and is a son of Simeon P. The father of Mr. Kenyon was a native of Rhode
Island and came to the farm now owned by Mr. Kenyon in 1831, where he died in
1861. His wife was Susan Cross, born in Dutchess county and came to Rensselaer-
ville after marriage, where she. died in 1871. Mr. Kenyon was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools and Scnodack Academy, He is a farmer and
owns about 320 acres of land, the original homestead. He is at present justice of
the peace and was supervisor for five successive years. In 1871 he married Frances
295
M. Coggshall, and had one son, Clayton, educated at the Middleburg and Green-
ville Academies. Mrs. Kenyon died in 1882, and he married his second wife, by
whom two daughters have been born, Etta and Nellie.
Lounsbury, Omar W., born in Rensselaerville, N. V., August 11, 1843, was a son
of William and Mary M. (Reeve) Lounsbury, both natives of Rensselaerville. Will-
iam Lounsbury was a son of Sylvanus, a native of Connecticut, who came to Rensse-
laerville previous to 1800 and spent most of his life. He was a farmer and tanner
by trade, and in politics a Democrat. He died in 1892 and his wife in 1868. Omar
W. Lounsbury was educated in Rensselaerville and followed teaching a while, but
is now a farmer and owner of 108 acres. In politics he is a Democrat, and was col-
lector for two years. March 14, 1878, he married Jennette Snyder, and they have
one daughter, M. Manila.
Chadwick, Enoch H., was born in 1814 on the farm where the family now reside.
He was a son of Aaron and Martha (Hoag) Chadwick, who went from Dutchess
county to Otsego county, and finally to Rensselaerville, N. Y. and bought the farm
where the family lives, and also had another farm near. He died in Rensselaerville,
N. Y., in 1839. Enoch H. Chadwick was a farmer by occupation and a Republican
in politics. In 1839 he married Hannah Knowles, daughter of Daniel Knowles, of
Rensselaerville, and an early settler from Rhode Island. They had three children:
Frances, wife of Addison Bishop of Westerlo; Lydia H., wife of Israel Frost of
Rensselaerville; and Margaret, at home. Mr. Chadwick was a member of the
Friends, and Mrs. Chadwick a Methodist. Mr. Chadwick died March 17. 1876.
Niles, Luther H, born in Rensselaerville, N. Y. , October 8, 1830, was a son of
Samuel Niles, born in Coeymans in 1806, and he a son of one of the earliest settlers
of Coeymans (where he lived and died), coming from Connecticut at an early date.
The father of Luther Niles came to Rensselaerville in 1828 and bought the farm
Luther now owns, and died there in 1*91. His wife was Ruth Tompkins of Coey-
mans, a daughter of Daniel Tompkins, one of the early settlers of Coeymans. Mrs.
Niles died in 1893. Luther II. Niles was reared on a farm and educated in the com-
mon schools. He is a farmer and owns a farm of 200 acres. In 1851 he married
Minerva Tanner of Rensselaerville and they have three children: Henry T., Libbie
and Mary. Mrs. Niles died andhe married Mary Wininsof Durham, Greene county,
N. Y., and they had three children: Henry, Samuel and Luther, deceased. Mr.
Niles is a Democrat in politics and has been assessor nine years. He is a member of
Cascade Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Niles were bora ten
children, of whom eight are now living, Luther being the youngest of the family.
Kiffin, Thomas S., one of the prominent and respected resident- of New Scotland,
and who for more than twenty years occupied the responsible position as Store ki
for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., at Watervliet, was born in the south of Ire-
land in is 14, and came to America with his parents when seven years old. The
family made their home in Clifton Park. N. Y, where he received a good academic
education. In 1864 he became identified with the manufacture of cement pipe at
West Troy, and was for eight years foreman for the Warner Lime and Cement Com-
pany. In 1868 he became an employee of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., and
has by faithful and capable service made himself valuable to them,
296
Caulkins, George L., whose ancestors on both sides were among the early settlers
here, was born in Watervliet in 1859. His father, John L. Caulkins, a prominent
contractor (now deceased), came here in 1825 from Watertown, Conn. But his ma-
ternal ancestry is of riper local antiquity. His maternal grandfather, Edward
Learned, was the first president of the village in 1823. George Caulkins spent some
of his earlier years as an inspector of lumber, and has always resided here, except a
few years when he was shipping clerk for the Pond's Extract Company at their New-
port office. In 1888 Mr. Caulkins took up his present business, that of undertaking
and practical embalmer, on Broadway.
Coleman, J. Russell, son of J. Russell and Jennie E. (Bailey) Coleman, was born
in West Troy, Albany county. October 31, 1869. He finished the course of instruc-
tion in the Troy (N. Y.) Academy in 1886, and entered his father's office as a clerk,
where he remained two years, when he accepted a clerkship in the National Bank of
Troy, where he rapidly rose to the position of head bookkeeper. Mr. Coleman is a
member of the Troy Citizens Corps. July 18, 1894, he married Marion Grace, daugh-
ter of W. S. Booth of Troy, and they have one son, J. Russell, jr.
Tayer, Albert has been a resident of West Troy since 1861, and in fact has lived
his whole life in the vicinity. He was born in Stephentown in 1833. His paternal
ancestors were from Normandy; his great-grandfather was an English officer, and
his maternal grandfather a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Taye was brought
up to the blacksmith's trade at which he became an expert workman. During the
Civil war he worked in Watervliet, and soon after the war established himself at the
same business at Troy, N. Y.
Van Bergen, George A., the well known insurance agent of New Scotland, was
born at Troy in 1845. He is a son of the late John C. Van Bergen, who was a resi-
dent of Green Island from 1848 to his death in 1862. George Van Bergen was com-
pelled by the exigencies of life to leave school when twelve years old, but has by per-
sistent and well-directed personal research made himself thoroughly informed. He
learned the moulder's trade, which was his father's, and followed it nearly thirty
years. Mr. Van Bergen spent a year in the service of his country as a soldier of Co.
F, 89th N. Y. Vols., during which time he spent four months in rebel prisons. In
1884 he took up the insurance business, representing some of the most stable com-
panies, among them the .Etna, Hartford, and the " Insurance Company of North
America." He is a citizen of more than ordinary note, has run the gauntlet of local
official life, including the presidency of the village.
Nesbitt, John H., an old and respected citizen of West Troy, was born in the
county of Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1826. When eighteen years old he came to America
and henceforward carved his own way in the world. This statement may be accepted
also in a literal sense, for Mr. Nesbitt was by trade a carpenter and learned his trade
in Troy. He has been a resident of West Troy for about half a century. His son,
George R. Nesbitt, follows the same vocation, and has been, like his father, an em-
ployee of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company at the carpenter's shop on
Green Island. Mr. Nesbitt is a genial and well-preserved gentlemen, who has ac-
quired a competence by his own unaided exertions.
Stover, Charles M., superintendent of West Troy and Green Island Water Works
297
System, is a Trojan by birth and education. He learned the printer's trade and was
identified with that art for some years; then spent three years as clerk for a lumber
firm, and then traveled through the West for six years. He became superintendent
of the water system in 1884, and has proven a most efficient manager. Mr. Stover
was liberally educated at the best institutions of Troy. His father was Samuel
Stover, a prominent lawyer here, and once city attorney of Troy; he also held the
same office at West Troy, where the family removed.
Perkins, George H., this gentleman, now superintendent of the weight depart-
ment of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company at Green Island, to which posi-
tion he was appointed in 1871, was born at Troy in 1845. His father was a prom-
inent builder and steamboat engineer and is still a resident of Troy. Mr. Perkins,
himself, began life on the river and his intimate association with the freight traffic
caused him to gravitate naturally into his present position.
Hurlbert, Henry, was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1840. He is the son of Edwin
Hurlbert, who recently died here at an advanced age, after residing hereifor forty
years. Henry Hurlbert spent his boyhood days in Springfield, Mass., and when he
was about nineteen years of age his family moved to Troy. lie enlisted in Co. K,
104th N. Y. Vols. At Gettysburg he was severely wounded by a minnie ball. After
his recovery he re-enlisted and was captured at the Weldon Railroad and imprisoned
at Libby and at Belle Isle for six months. After the war he engaged in the produce
forwarding business until 1872, and then entered the employ of the old Troy & Bos-
ton R. R. as agent and was so engaged for twenty-one years.
Dunn, James, a resident of West Troy since 187:), was born at Kingston. X. V. , in
1843. His earlier years were spent at boating on the canals, largely in coal traffic
between Homesdale, Pa., to New York ports up the Hudson ; he was thus engaged
for about four years, and then started a boarding stable at No. s0 Broadway, which
he conducted for five years. In 1878 he sold out the stable and opened a grocery at
No. 2518 Second avenue, dealing chiefly in furnishings (or boatmen and kindred
lines.
Sheehan, Daniel, was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1828. When about
twenty years of age he crossed the ocean, and soon made Ins way to West Troy;
nearly half a century lias elapsed since he made his home here. Mr. Sheehan has
been a hard-working and industrious citizen and has acquired a competence by his
own toil and economy.
Britley, Captain Edward W., was born in Saratoga county, in 18:57. lie was the
son of the late James Britley, also a river man for most of his lite. Captain Britley
has been principally engaged in the transportation of lumber and timber. He now
owns and operates the steam ferry plying between the Arsenal and the Puller &
Warren Works on the Troy side. This is the propeller " Lee Griffith," and a son of
Mr. Britley is its pilot. Mr. Britley has been assessor and overseer of the poor of
West Troy.
Maloney, J. D., was born at Jackson, Mich., May 28, 1848. His lather, James
Maloney, by trade a stone mason, was a musician of some note, lie was killed in a
battle during the Civil war. Mr. Mal<mcy was himself a drummer boy, having cu-
ll
298
listed when not fifteen years of age, in Co. K, 8th Michigan Infantry, and saw two
years of service. He was present when his father was killed on the " Clara Belle"
near Vicksburg, a dramatic scene which impressed its horrors indelibly upon his
youthful imagination. After the war he learned the trade of harness-making at
Jackson, Mich., where he was employed for about six years. In 1872 he came to
West Troy, and for a time worked in the Arsenal at saddle-making. In 1873 he
opened a harness and repairing shop at 413 River street, Troy, and after operating
for a few years he returned to the Arsenal. In 1880 he opened a saloon, his present
occupation, on Broadway. Mr. Maloney has been for not less than twenty-four
years a member of the " Gleason Hooks " of West Troy, and in fact was a charter
member of that gallant and popular company. He was their captain for twelve
years and is now president. He is one of the central figures of the Grand Army
Post, and was for years commander of Post Kane.
Gray, Vivian, has been a resident of the vicinity of Watervliet since 1862. He
was born in New Jersey in 1857, a son of George Gray, a retired resident of Lans-
ingburgh. He learned the trade of tinsmith and in 1885 established business for
himself, carrying a full line of house furnishing goods. Mr. Gray recently added
to his business a line of fire insurance. He is also a prominent man in the Masonic
fraternity.
Hughan, Tames C, proprietor of the Granite and Marble Works at West Troy,
was born in Cohoes in 1854. James B. Hughan, his father, late of Cohoes, settled
there in 1850 and died in 1892, aged seventy years. He was born at Dalbettie, Scot-
land. James C. Hughan spent his early days at Cohoes, and when about nineteen
went to Maine and spent two years learning the details of the stone cutting art. He
then came to Troy and engaged in the business on his own account. In 1892 he
removed the working plant to a more eligible location at West Troy, near the Dela-
ware and Hudson depot. Mr. Hughan enjoys a large and well merited patronage.
He employs five men at the yards, which he personally superintends. Mr. Hughan's
mother was Miss Anne Lennon, of Scottish birth. In 1885 he was united in marriage
with Miss Helen Jones of Cohoes.
McKinney, Rockwell, the well known Twenty-fourth street (West Troy) grocer, is
a native of Columbia county, where he was born in 1859. He was the son of a
farmer, the well known John McKinney. During the year of his birth the family
removed to Valatie, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. At Valatie the
elder McKinney was engaged in manufacturing cotton goods, and he died there in
1880. When about thirteen years of age Rockwell began clerking in a grocery at
Valatie, and when his employer, in 1868, removed to Syracuse he accompanied him.
In 1874 he abandoned mercantile life for a time and became a brakeman, running
between Syracuse and Albany on the New York Central. In 1880 he was made a
freight conductor, and in 1885 further promoted to the position of passenger con-
ductor between New York and Buffalo. Unfortunately becoming implicated in the
great strike of 1890 caused his retirement from railroad life. He then opened a
grocery and has already a large trade, carrying a select stock of family supplies.
Kelley, Patrick, one of the landmark citizens of West Troy, has been a resident
for over half a century, in fact since 1844. He was born in Ireland in 1826, and
299
came to America when fifteen years of age. In 1848 he went into the livery business
in Hamilton, Ont, and since 1856 has been located at 1557 First avenue, in a venera-
ble building erected by him in 1836. Mr. Kelley is without doubt the pioneer among
the livery men of Albany county now living and hale and hearty.
Tygert, Thomas, was born in the town of Berne in 1825. John Tygert, his father,
was born in 1790; he was one of six sons and six daughters bom to William Tygert,
of Kinderhook, who was a farmer and came to Albany county about 1797, and died
in the town of Guilderland. His father was a native of Ireland. John was a farmer
all his lifetime; he first settled in the town of Berne and later in New Scotland,
where he spent his life as a successful farmer. His wife was Jane Warner, born in
Albany county and daughter of Frederick Warner ; their children were Frederick,
Mary and Thomas. His first wife died many years ago. He was twice married
after her death. Thomas Tygert received a common school education and remained
with his father and had charge of the farm for many years. In 1867 he removed to
Guilderland, where he purchased his present farm of 120 acres, where he has since
resided. In 1885 he embarked in the coal business, and for some vears after was a
dealer in hay and straw. He was commissioner for three terms, and is now town
auditor. In 1846 he married Catherine, daughter of John Fuller. Their children
are John, Aaron, Jane, May Anna, Sarah, Hattie, Augusta and Ella. His second
wife was Levinna Coan, born in Guilderland and daughter of Peter Coan. The
children by this marriage are Beatrice and William M. Mrs. Tygert is a member of
the Ladies' Missionary Society.
Blessing Brothers. — John M. and Belmont E. Blessing, proprietors of the "Three
Hill Dairy Farm," were born in the town of Guilderland, in December, 1S4<> and
1*51 respectively. The Blessing family dates back to the early settling of Albany
county. Martin Blessing, their great-grandfather, was a native of the town of Guil-
derland, born in 1767, and one of four sons. He reared three sons and one daughter.
John M., their grandfather, was born in the same town in 1799; lie was a prosper-
ous farmer in early life, and later removed to Albany, where he was for a time canal
collector; he died in Albany in 1860. He reared six sons and four daughters by his
first wife, and two daughters by his second wife. Martin J., the father, was also a
native of Guilderland, born in 1820. He was reared on a farm and followed that
occupation throughout his active life. He purchased and moved on the "Three
Hills Farm" of 184 acres in 1849, where he made a success as a farmer and dairy-
man. In 1885 he was elected assemblyman; he was also identified with the State
militia in which he took much pride. He ranked along the line \<< colonel. His
wife was Elizabeth McKown; their children are John M., Belmont I'... Dr. Abraham
II. of Albany, and Adam J. of Albany. John M. has remained on the farm from
childhood, assisting his father, and later assumed full control of the farm until his
brother, Belmont, was associated with it. Behnont E. started out when a young
man to see the world, and spent many years roaming throughout tin- western terri-
tories, and spent i\ve years in the gold mines of Idaho. He was a sailor for a time
and visited England and some of the other European countries; some years since
he returned to the homestead and associated himself with his brother John M. in
the farming and dairying business. They now have a dairy of ever thirty cows.
They are also interested in the pure ice business, having built a pond which is sup-
300
plied from a spring of fine water; the object of this is to supply those in the city,
who are interested in the pure ice water for drinking purposes, with pure spring
water ice.
Relyea, Peter J., was born in Guilderland on the farm he owns in 1832. He was
a son of Jacob Relyea, born in Guilderland in 1790. Jacob D., the father, purchased
the farm of 100 acres, where Mr. Relyea now resides and devoted his life to farming.
His wife was Mary Spoore, daughter of Abram Spoore; their children were William,
Daniel, Abram, Jacob, who died when young; Hannah, Maria, Rachel and Peter J.
He died in 1873, and his wife died in 1869 at the age of seventy-nine years. Peter
J. has spent his whole life on the homestead, a part of which he came in possession
of and to which he has added, and now owns a farm of 101 acres. He remained
with and cared for his parents until their death. He has been assessor, collector,
school trustee, roadmaster, and is now serving his fourth term as assessor. He has
often been chosen juryman and delegate to the county conventions. In 1851 he mar-
ried Elizabeth Smith, born in Guilderland in 1835, daughter of Peter and Marion
(Wands) Smith, and granddaughter of Ebenezer Wands and Zachariah Smith. Mr.
and Mrs. Relyea are members of the Reformed church, in which he has been deacon
and elder. They have reared and cared for one of Mr. Relyea's brother's sons since
he was'four years of age. Mr. Relyea was president of the Prospect Hill Cemetery
for a number of years, and is also one of the trustees.
Magill, Robert, was born in the town of New Scotland, October 29, 1829. John
Magill, his grandfather, was of Scotch parentage. He was a farmer for a time and
lived near Sackett's Harbor. He came to the town of New Scotland, where by con-
tract he blasted out and made the famous road known as the "Indian Ladder
Road " ; he was a soldier in the war of 1812. He reared two sons, Robert and James,
and died in the town of Bethlehem. Robert, the father of the subject, was born
near Sackett's Harbor in 1790; his early life was devoted to farming; after leaving
Western New York he came with his father to New Scotland and became an assist-
ant in the making of the " Indian Ladder Road." From that time on he followed
farming and blasting. His wife was Hannah M. Williams, and their children were
William, Mary, James, Margaret, Eve, Ann, Rebecca, Julia, and Robert. He died
in 1876, and his wife in 1840. Robert Magill spent his early life on his father's farm
and was educated in the common schools. When twenty-six years old he engaged
in carpentry, which trade he followed for about thirteen years. He then went to
the town of Guilderland, where he was in the employ of Joel B. Mottfor a few years,
and rented a saw-mill which he operated with other work until 1872, when he
purchased his present farm of 100 acres. He devoted his attention to farming and
fruit growing, having fifty-four varieties of apples and nineteen varieties of pears,
and many other varieties of fruit. All of his fine large orchards he has grown from
the seed, doing all his own grafting. His residence is a brick house, which was
erected in 1766, a portion of the brick being imported from Holland ; there had been
no change in the original work on this house for a period of 107 years, until Mr.
Magill came in possession of it, when he re-roofed it, plastered, etc. The original
material in it is in a perfect state of preservation. He served his town for one year
as collector, but firmly declined the proffered nomination for supervisor, which was
offered him at different times. In 1862 he married Catharine, daughter of William
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J. Relyea of Guilderland. Their children are Chester, died when sixteen years of
age; Oscar, Robert, jr., Emma, William. Fenton, Charles, Alice, Carrie, Walter,
Edna, and Cordelia.
Fredendall, Henry, was born in the town of Guilderland in October, 1832. His
father, Henry, was born in the town of Knox about 1812. He spent his whole life
as a farmer. He was quite successful, beginning with nothing, but by hard work
accumulated a good property and owned 180 acres. He spent most of his life in Guilder-
land. His wife was Elizabeth Pitcher, daughter of Peter Pitcher, who was a farmer
in the town of Knox; their children were Henry, Caroline, Eliza and Mathias. Mr.
Fredendall and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1890 and
she died in 1889, at the age of seventy years. Mathias, the grandfather, was a suc-
cessful farmer of the town of Knox ; he died in Guilderland. He reared eleven chil-
dren, five sons and six daughters. Henry Fredendall attended the common schools
and lived with his father on the farm, with the exception of three years, up to 1*7:'..
when he began for himself on a portion of the farm, where he has since, resided,
doing general farming, and his efforts have been crowned with success. In 18G9 he
married Miss Anna E., daughter of Peter Frederick, by whom one child has been
born, Carrie, wife of Henry Wemple. Mr. and Mrs. Fredendall are both members of
the Lutheran church, in which he has been deacon and elder for twenty years. Mrs.
Fredendall is a member of the Ladies' Missionary Society.
Ogsbury, John H., was born in the town of Guilderland, January, 1831. John
David Ogsbury, or Augsburger, was the founder of the family in America. He was
born in Altweyer, Switzerland, and landed in America, May, 1759, settling
in the .town of Guilderland, where he died July 2, 1800. His wife, Anna Rachel,
was a native of Altweyer, and there was born to them three sons and five daughters.
David, the next direct ancestor, was born in Guilderland in 1761 and died November
22, 1836. He was a farmer and served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war
and was for a time stationed at Fort Schoharie. He conveyed provisions for the army,
often fording the Mohawk River with his loads. His wife was Nancy Apple, who
was born in August, 1768, and died March :>, L849. They reared six sons and four
daughters: Eve, John D., Henry A., David, Peter, Elizabeth, Alexander, Jacob,
Nancy and Margaret. Henry, the father, was born in 17!):'. and when six yea
age went to live with his grandparents, Apple, with whom he lived until he was four-
teen, when he engaged as clerk m Albany, where he remained for several
thence to Middleburg, where he renewed the same vocation and live years late:
moved back to Guilderland, where he settled down, doing a pettifogging business,
drawing wills and settling estates. He was active in Democratic politics, but
always declined public office. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of
the Lutheran church. He died in July, 1858. His wife was Elizabeth, daugl
John McMillen, born in the town of New Scotland in 1795, and died in July, 1876.
Their children were Jeanette, Margaret M . Catherine, David. James, John. Jack
and Magdalene. John H. Ogsbury was educated in the common schools and
served an apprenticeship as cabinetmaker, but abandoned that on account of ill-
health and in 1850 began farming. He now owns and resides on a portion of the
original homestead of 1.").") acres, on which he does a general farming. In politics he
is a Democrat. In 1854 he married Eva Ward, daughter of Henry A. Ward of
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Guilderland, and they had three children: Henry W. (deceased), Frank L. and David
E. Mr. Ogsbury's wife died in 1893. They were both members of the Reformed
church.
Young, William A., was born in the town of New Scotland in December, 1836. He
was the son of George Young, born in the same place, and one of the five sons,
Matthew, John, George, Henry and Joel, and five daughters born to Samuel Young,
also a native of New Scotland; he was one of the three sons, Samuel William
Helms and Joel, born to Matthew Young of Dutchess county, a Revolutionary
soldier; he was a farmer and settled in New Scotland where he spent his last days.
Samuel was also a farmer and lived a«d died in that town. His wife was Margaret
Dingman. He lived to be eighty-one years of age. George, the father of William
A., was a farmer and a good mechanic. He devoted much of his time to masonry,
which trade he had acquired. He spent his early life in New Scotland but removed
to Watervliet where he purchased a farm. His death was caused by falling from a
load of hay. His wife was Mary Martin, daughter of Peter Martin, by whom he has
had fifteen children: Christiana, died in infancy, Ellen A., Margaret, Isabelle, Will-
iam A., John, Samuel J., Melissa, Martha, Eliza, Catherine, Martin, George A., An-
drew and Melvina;the latter fourteen all grew to maturity and were married.
William A. attended the common schools until he was ten years of age, when he be-
gan to work out on farms; this he continued until he was sixteen, when he learned
the shoemaker's trade and has continued in that business until the present time. In
1860 he removed from the town of Knox to Guilderland Center where he now resides.
In 1872 he added to his business a shoe store and has a good patronage. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, Moak Lodge of Altamont. In 1866 he was mar-
ried to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine (Simmons) Pangburn.
Albright, Lawrence, a well-known and prominent man, was born in New Scotland,
October 5, 1891. Frederick, the grandfather, was born in his father's stone house in
New Scotland, where he spent his whole life, and having inherited the property, he
continued farming. He reared four sons and two daughters and lived to be over
eighty years of age. Henry F., the father, was also born on the same place in 1786,
where he spent his life as a farmer, with the exception of four years spent in Syra-
cuse, whence he returned to the farm again on account of ill-health. His first wife
was a Miss Pangburn, by whom he had seven children. His second wife was
Thursey A. Waggoner, by whom he had eight children. He died in 1849; his wife
survived him and lived to be over eighty years of age. She was a daughter of Henry
Waggoner of New Scotland ; she died in Albany. Lawrence spent his life in New
Scotland and attended the common schools. When he was nineteen years of age he
began for himself, having rented a farm, and by faithful attention to business and
economy he amassed enough to purchase a farm of 112 acres in 1867, in the town
of Guilderland, where he has since done a general farming, making a specialty of
hay. In 1851 he married Miss Catharine Woodworth, and their children were Will-
ard, Ada J., wife of George Gardener of Charlton, Saratoga county ; Charles, Emma
E., wife of Carni Fort of Charlton, Saratoga county; and Nellie V., who died at the
age of sixteen years.
Mors. Joshua, of E. Mors's Sons, wholesale dealers in timber, piling, etc , have
their office at No. 106 Sixteenth street, West Troy. The late Elisha Mors, founder
303
of the firm and father of the present members, was a large operator in timber and
real estate, and was one of the most wealthy and prominent residents. Early in life
he operated largely in the Black River region and later in Michigan and other pro-
ducing points, having mills at Greenbush and elsewhere. He came to Troy in lv<;.">,
and died there thirty years later. Joshua Mors was educated in the Jamesville
Academy, and associated with his father in the timber business; and upon the death
of his father in 1895, succeeded with a younger brother to the business.
Parker, William F., was born in I860, a son of William Parker, a laborer. He was
educated in Watervliet, and took a course of lectures on embalming, and engaged
in the undertaking business in 1881 with a younger brother, Joseph Parker. He per-
sonallv directs funerals and manages all the branches of his profession, in a quiet
and orderlv wav, characteristic of him. Mr. Parker has held no political office and
seeks no political preferment.
Witbeck, Charles G., is a lineal descendant of Jan Thomase Van Witbeck, a
native of Witbeck, Holstein, Holland, who married Andriese Dochter, who was
born in New Amsterdam (now New Yorki. From 1652, when Heverwyck was first
laid out, Jan Thomase Van Witbeck was the most considerable dealer in house lots
in the village. In 1664, in company with Volkert Janse Douw, he purchased from
the Indians the whole of Apje Island, or Schotack, and the mainland opposite on the
east side of the Hudson River. Of his six children Thomase Janse Witbeck mar-
ried, September 5, 1702, Jannetje Van Deusen, and was buried at Papsknee.
Thomase Janse Witbeck also had six children, of whom Lucas, the youngest, was
born February '26, 1724, and married Geertruy, daughter of Johannes Lansing and
his wife Geertruy, daughter of Pieter S. Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany. They
too had six children, of whom Thomas and Gerrit (twins) were born March 18, 1750.
Gerrit Witbeck married, May "29, 1774, Immetje Perry, and had four children, of
whom Thomas Gerrit Witbeck, born January 25, 1785, married, December 11. 1803,
Leah, youngest daughter of Francis and Gertrude (Van Dusen) Marshall, who was
born March 17, 1782. Of their six children, Gerrit Thomas Witbeck, the eldest, was
born January 25, 1805, and died in September, 188*2. He was a civil engineer and
surveyor for the Van Rensselaer estate, for seven years deputy collector of canal
tolls at West Troy and Albany and for about four years teller of the old Watervliet
Bank at West Troy. When young he taught school, and in 1851 53 served as super-
intendent of schools of Watervliet. He married Cornelia Ann, daughter of Fph-
raim and Fanny (Sage) Baldwin, and they had six children, allot whom are de-
ceased except Charles G. Gerrit Witbeck, son of Lucas and grandfather of G
T., purchased 500 acres of land just west of the city of Watervliet. and here Talley-
rand and Prince La Toure sought refuge from political troubles during the French
Revolution, Soon after the American Revolution he bought a farm on the banks of
the Mohawk River, near Watervliet Center, on which the Indians had their last
council tire and which is still owned by the Witbeck family. Charles G. Witbeck
Was born October 20. 1851, received a common school education, studied civil en-
gineering and surveying with his father, and for several years followed his pro-
fession for the town of Watervliet and the Van Rensselaer estate. In 1879 he was
appointed assistant engineer of the New York State Canals under Horatio Seymour,
jr., and continued under State Engineers Sweet. Bogart and Schenck, until A
304
1894. January 1, 1895, he formed his present partnership under the firm name of
Thomas & Witbeck and opened an office in Troy. He was village engineer of West
Troy from 1880 to 1886 and 1895 to 1896, and became city engineer of Watervliet on
the organization of that city, August 1, 1896. He is a member of Evening Star
Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., of West Troy. January 16, 1873, he married Ella Louisa
Hastings of Cohoes, and their children are Gerrit, Ephraim and Nellie.
Christiansen, Alfred, in 1867 was transferred to Watervliet Arsenal, one of the
ablest master mechanics whose services the post has ever been able to secure. He not
only possessed the sterling qualities characteristic of his countrymen of the "Land
of the Midnight Sun," for he is a native of Christiania, Norway, but also the widest
experience in his line of work which a man could have. He was born in 1856
and educated in the Royal Polytechnic Institute, graduating with the degree of
Mechanical Engineer. Before locating at Philadelphia, Pa, he taught mathematics
and mathematical drawing at his native place. He was with the Baldwin Loco-
motive Work? for one year, then with William Sellers & Co., a large establishment
of Philadelphia, for two years. In Boston he was chief draughtsman and master
mechanic; thence he came to Watervliet. Among the many clubs and societies with
which he is associated may be mentioned the American Society of Mechanical En-
gineers, the Railroad Club of that city, and the Masonic order, in which he is of
high rank, being presiding officer of the Hudson River Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons.
Moffat, George B., is a native of West Troy and the son of an old resident of the
town of Colonie, William Moffat, who has always followed agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Moffat was educated here and was first employed by the Thompson Manufactur-
ing Compan}', manufacturers of steam heating apparatus. He traveled three years
for them through the mining districts and elsewhere. In 1889 the Fairview Home
for Friendless Children was founded in West Troy, and Mr. Moffat has been super-
intendent since the opening of the institution. He was born in 1865, and has always
resided here.
Murphy Peter, recently elected overseer of the poor of the town of Watervliet, has
spent his whole life in West Troy, his birthplace. He served three terms as village
collector, proving a very popular and efficient official. Hewasborn in 1841. His father,
Michael Murphy, was employed in the Watervliet Arsenal during the Mexican war.
Mr. Murphy was first employed as a boatman on the Hudson, and lost a limb while
on a schooner. In 1801 he went into the Arsenal, where he has since been employed
as a brass finisher, and is an expert workman.
Hulsapple, John H., son of William and Annie (Snook) Hulsapple, was born in the
town of East Greenbush, N. Y. ,. October 5, 1839. He is of German descent, his
grandfather, Cornelius Hulsapple, having come to America early in the nineteenth
century. He was educated chiefly at Professor Smith's private seminary in Troy,
and after leaving it was for eight years a clerk in the office of Robert Robinson, coal
dealer, in West Troy. He then went to New York city and was employed by George
H. Stone, lumber dealer, for three years. He returned to West Troy in 1863 and
was connected with Betts & Robinson, lumber forwarders, until he became" a mem-
ber of the firm of I). Scrafford & Co., lumber dealers, of West Troy. When that
305
firm discontinued business he formed a partnership with Benjamin Shaffer, under
the firm name of Shaffer & Hulsapple, which lasted about two years, when Mr. Hul-
sapple succeeded to the sole control of the business, which he conducted for about
three years. He now has a fire insurance agency in West Troy and is also a book-
keeper for C. H. Green, lumber dealer of Troy. Mr. Hulsapple is a member of the
Evening Star Lodge No. 75, F. cV A. M. of West Troy, and a warden of Trinity Epis-
copal church. He was president of the village of West Troy for one year, trustee
for six years and a school trustee for several years. April 18, 1864, he married Lydia,
daughter of Jesse Montgomery of Albany and they have six sons and one daughter,
Harry M., Herbert S , William H., John T., Clarence, Eustis and Florence.
Jaquins, John 1)., son of Joel and Elizabeth (Parke) Jaquins, was born in Troy,
X. Y., April 22, 1864, He was educated in the public schools and took a special
course under Principal Veeder. For six years he- was a clerk in Fierson Lobdell's
hat and furnishing goods store in West Troy, which he benight in 1884, and later
moved to his present location on the corner of Broadway and Sixteenth street. Mr.
Jaquins is a member of the board of directors of the V. M. C. A., a member of Even-
ing Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., and a member and financial secretary of the
Watervliet Club. November 4, 1889, he married Jessie F.. daughter of Charles IF
Mors of West Troy, and they have one daughter, Eleanor M.
Passonna, Alfred, late of West Troy, whose death caused by an accident while
driving a spirited horse at Brooklyn in 1893. was deeply deplored by a wide circle of
friends. Captain Passonna was born at St. Valentine. Out., in 185(1, and came here
in 1881. He was largely interested in tine horses, witli headquarters in New York
and a sale stable here. Formerly he owned several boats, and was engaged in the
transportation of ice, malt, and other merchandise. During this period of his life lie
acquired the title of captain, and was noted for his personal bravery and physical
power, and as an intrepid pilot. He figured quite prominently in West Troy busi-
ness circles, and especially in the affairs of the Sacred Heart church. He was sur-
vived by a widow, since deceased, and by four daughters and one son.
Baker, George, the well known purveyoi oi staple meats, has been in business
here since 186!). He was of German birth and learned the details of his business in
the fatherland, and it is needless to say it was a thorough training. Mr. Baker was
twenty-three years old when he started for .America, possessed of no capita
ability and integrity. He fust located on Nineteenth street. Troy, in 1871. He
makes a specialty of trade in boneless boiled hams, distributing them over a wide
area with his own teams and men.
Conway, John J., has always resided in his native place, West Troy, and also ob-
tained his education there. He spent three years in acquiring the stone cutter's
trade, at which business he has been engaged since 1883, lit- was county committee-
man in 1889, 1890, and 1891, and justice of the peace, to which office he was elected
in L890 and was re-elected in 1896. Mr. Conway was born in 1H5S in the house in
which he still resides. The house is one of the oldest of the town, being built by his
father, Thomas Conway, an early settler. The latter, now deceased, was a mason
by trade and a veteran of Company I. 93d New York State Volunteers.
306
Gatchell, James K., son of William and Louise (Tyndall) Gatchell, was born in
Huron, Wayne county, N. Y. , March 7, 1865. He was educated at the Sodus (N.Y.)
Academy and the Auburn High School, after which he taught school for four years
at Alton, Hydes, and North Huron, N. Y. In 1890 he entered the State Normal
College at Albany, N Y., and was graduated in 1893. He was then appointed
principal of the First Ward school, which position he held until August 14, 1895, when
he was appointed superintendent of schools of West Troy, which office he now fills.
June 23, 1886, Mr. Gatchell married Eva L., daughter of James Barnes of Huron,
N. Y.
Shiland, John C. , M. D., is the son of Dr. Alexander Shiland, a prominent physician
of West Troy until his death in 1886. The latter was well known for his professional
standing throughout the county, and was health officer for many years. Dr. J. C.
Shiland was born at Waterford in 1855, and was one year old when his father began
practice here. He was educated at Troy High School and entered Albany Medical
College in 1875, graduating in 1878. He had occupied many clerical positions before
beginning his profession. Dr. Shiland made a special research into the diseases of
the eye and ear, but his practice now is that of a general nature. He is very devoted
to his labor and has been successful ; he is also very popular outside of his profes-
sion.
Cole; Frederick S., M. D., has but recently located at West Troy, but is a native
of the county. He was born in the town of Westerlo, February 22, 1864, where his
boyhood was passed. Prior to entering college he studied medicine in the office of
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, the celebrated specialist of Philadelphia. This experience was
of great benefit, Dr. Mitchell being a recognized authority on nervous disease. In
1888 Dr. Cole graduated from Columbia College and then entered the College of
Physicians and Surgeons for a three years' course, becoming a full-fledged Escu-
lapian in 1891, and beginning practice in Long Island, during which period he ac-
quired some valuable hospital experience, and attended McLean's Maternity Hos-
pital and the Vanderbilt Clinic. His training has been thorough and no doubt his
success will become commensurate. He recently opened a drug store at No. 416
Fourteenth street, West Troy.
Le Roy, Isaac, son of Henry S. and Bridget (Purcell) Le Roy, was born March 15,
1850, in West Troy, N. Y. He was educated at St. Bridget's School in West Troy,
at the Christian Brothers' Academy in Troy, and at the Troy Business College, grad-
uating from the latter in 1866. He obtained a clerkship in his father's grocery store
in West Troy, and upon his father's death, in 1878, succeeded to the business which
he has since conducted. Since April 1, 1896, he has conducted a laundry in connec-
tion with the grocery. In 1873 he was elected clerk of the town of Watervliet for a
term of two years and in 1892 was re-elected for another term. Mr. Le Roy is a
charter member of the Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and has been an active
fireman for the last twenty-five years. He is a member of Trinity Council,
C. B. L., and was one of the prime movers in having the streets of West Troy
named and numbered.
Varney, F. E., is of French ancestry and a native of Canada, born in 1818. Since
1851 he has been a prominent and honored citizen of West Troy, where he is en-
307
gaged in the millwright and tanner's business. Mr. Varney has been a faithful ad-
herent of the Republican party since its organization. He is a member of the Dutch
Reformed church and a promoter of all movements tending towards the advance-
ment of the interests of his city. Of his three children, only one survives, Mrs.
James Andrews of Watervliet.
Foley, James H., one of the trustees of what was then the village of West Troy,
was elected in 1886 and has served in that capacity the longest of any of the present
officers. He was also elected town clerk in 1804, serving two years. Mr. Foley is a
native of Watervliet, born in 1859, and is a son of Denis Foley, a fanner and a milk-
man, now retired. Mr. Foley always lived on his father's farm until he engaged in
the liquor store at No. 16 Broadway, his present location. He is a member of the
Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and was a member of the Volunteer Hose
Company until their disbandment.
Nangle, Martin E., born in East Waterford, Perry county, Pa., December 31, 1848,
is a son of Martin and Isabella Bensha (Sturgess) Nangle. Martin, a native of Lon-
don, England, settled in Philadelphia about 1830 as a silversmith, and died in East
Waterford in 1855, aged sixty-live, leaving these children: Edward J., of Nebraska,
who served one year in the Civil war; Joseph R., Julia S. (Mrs Van Schaack) of
Albany; Mary Emma (Mrs. Cunningham) of Nebraska; Martin E. of Albany, and
one deceased. Joseph R. enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. A, 49th Pa. Vols., and
served until October, 1864. He settled in Albany in 1867 as foreman of the car de-
partment of what is now the D. <.V- H. C. R. R., and siuce 1880 has been engaged in
the coal business. In 1867 he married Elizabeth B., daughter of J. D. Howell, a
major in the war of the Rebellion, of Juniata county, Pa. Mrs. Isabella B. (Sturgess)
Nangle, a member of two eld Albany families, Sturgess and Bensha, was born in
the Captain Schuyler mansion at the head of Schuyler street. Martin E. Nangle en-
listed in September, 1864, in Co. 5, 202d Pa. Vols., and after the war engaged in
railroading, settling in Albany in 1866. In 1876 he became associated with William
E. Griffin, an undertaker of Greenbush, and in 1878 engaged in the same business
for himself in Albany as a member of the firm of Tedford & Nangle. Since 1888 he
has conducted an undertaking establishment alone. He is a member of Ancient
City Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Temple Command-
ery of Masons; Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. P.; L. O. Morris Post No. 121, G. A.
R. ; Clinton Lodge No. 7, and Xew York Encampment No. 1, I. < >. < >. F., and the
Albany County Undertakers' Association. In 1870 he married Elizabeth Van
Schaack, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Van Shaack) Reamer, and a grand-
daughter of Derick and Elizabeth (Tygart) Van Schaack of Albany.
Wygant, Elmer 10., son of Thomas II. and Mary J. (Hoes) Wygant, was born in
Albany, N. Y., August 3, 1861. His ancestors were Holland Dutch, and the first one
who came to this country settled in what is now Ulster county in the sixteenth cen-
tury. Mr. Wygant' s father organized the Wygant Express Company in 1858 and
conducted the affairs of said company until 1889, when he sold out to the Consolidated
Transfer Company. Elmer E. Wygant was educated in the public schools of Albany
and afterwards worked for his father. In 1884 he was made superintendent of the
Wygant Express Company and retained the position until INS!), when he bought out
the Albany Cork Works. After two years the business was burned out and Mr.
308
Wygant was, in 1892, appointed recording clerk in the office of the county clerk,
James D. Walsh ; he still retains the position. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge
No. 417, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum, several Republican clubs and is the leader
of the Eighteenth ward of Albany. In the fall of 1891 he was a deputy United States
marshal. In 1892 he was married to Ethel, daughter of Norman Burdick of Albany.
MacHarg, Martin, M. D., son of Horatio and Agnes (Veeder) MacHarg, was born
in New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y., August 15, 1862. He is of Scotch descent,
his ancestors having come from Scotland some time previous to the Revolution. Dr.
MacHarg attended the district schools, and after removing to Albany he attended
the Institute of Amos Cass and later the State Normal School. In 1882 he attended
the Medical College and graduated in 1885, receiving the degree of M. D. He prac-
ticed one year in Dormansville, Albany county, and since then he has practiced in
Albany city. Dr. MacHarg is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M , the
Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Camera Club, and the Unconditional
Republican Club. In 1889 he married Minnetta, daughter of Benjamin Crouse of
Altamont, Albany county. They have one son, Alan.
Skinner, David F., son of Philip and Anne (Benjamin) Skinner, was born in Lon-
don, England, November 3, 1827. He was educated in Dean Stanhope School, Lon-
don, and later worked for the British government as boiler maker for five years.
In 1853 he came to America and settled in Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1855 he removed
to Albany, N. Y., where he was employed by the New York Central Railroad. In
1863 Mr. Skinner formed a partnership with Joseph Arnold and they have since done
a very large business as boilermakers, under the firm name of Skinner & Arnold.
Mr. Skinner was at one time vice-president of the South End Bank and for a few
years president of St. George's Society. November 9, 1857, he married Elizabeth,
daughter of George Masters of New York, and they have six children: David F. ,
Ephraim C, William N., Jane, Elizabeth and Minnie.
Gilbert, Hon. Francis Russell, is a descendant of New England and Scotch an-
cestors and was born September 20, 1830, in the town of Stamford, Delaware county,
N. Y. He is a son of Benjamin Gilbert, who was a farmer residing in the town of
Stamford. His mother was Mary Falconer, daughter of Archibald Falconer, a
Scotchman. His grandfather, Jesse Gilbert, was a native of Connecticut, born
about 1757, and when a young man removed to Dutchess county, N. Y., and during
the Revolution served his country most gallantly, engaging in those memorable
skirmishes and bloody conflicts with the British, Tories and Indians. He survived
the war and lived to be nearly eighty years old, dying on the old Stamford home-
stead about 1837. Francis R. Gilbert attended the common schools and later a pub-
lic school at Amherst, Mass. He next attended for two years a select school and
academy in the village of Stamford, after which he taught for two or three terms, in
the intervals working on the farm until he was twenty-four years old. He then
entered the office of Sheldon A. Givens, a prominent lawyer of Harpersfield, who
subsequently practiced law in Catskill, N. Y. After leaving the office of Mr. Givens,
he attended the Albany Law School from which he was graduated in the spring of
1856, having been admitted to the bar in the previous fall. Soon afterward he was
admitted to practice in the United States Courts. In the fall of 1856 he opened a
law office in the village of Stamford, and since that time he has enjoyed a remarkable
309
practice, trying many cases, both civil and criminal, and among all the criminal
trials he has defended not one of his clients was ever convicted. Judge Gilbert has
always taken a lively interest in political affairs. In 1802 and 18'ir, he was elected as
a Democratic member of assembly from Delaware county. He was a delegate to the
National Convention which met in Chicago in 1884, and nominated drover Cleveland
for the presidency. In May, 1887, he was appointed by Governor Hill one of the
judges of the Sixth Judicial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Judge Murray. He was appointed in 1891 a member of the State Constitutional Con-
vention to revise the judiciary article of the State constitution. In April, 1892, he
was appointed deputy attorney-general of the State by Attorney-' 'ieneral Rosendale.
Since the expiration of his term of office as deputy attorney-general he has practiced
law at No 51 State street, Albany. In June, 1857, Judge Gilbert married Adelaide,
daughter of Ralph and Minna Newell of Stamford. His wife died in August, 1860,
leaving a son, Frank N. Gilbert, now practicing law at Binghamton, N. Y. In 1868
he married his second wife, Josephine Crocker, of Augusta, da. They have two
children, Jesse B. and Minnie E. Judge and Mrs. Gilbert are active membi
the Presbyterian church.
Herman, Sidney N., manager of the New York Tailoring Company, is a son of
Morris and Nancy (Rice) Herman, and was born in Albany, January 25, 1858. Mor-
ris Herman, a native of dermany, came to America in 1833, settled in Albany and
died there in 1891. He was a jeweler for several years and was one of the oldest
Masons in the city at the time of his death and held many offices in the order.
.Sidney M. Herman, was educated in the public schools of Albany, became a clerk in
a shoe store and later learned the trade of custom clothing cutting in New York city,
which he followed about twelve years. In 1888 he established himself in the mer-
chant tailoring business in New York, as a member of the firm of Felleman & Her-
man, and continued until February 1, 1895. He then returned to Albany and in
March of that year organized the New York Tailoring Company, consisting of him-
self and Louis Stark, locating at the corner of South Pearl and Howard streets. Mr.
Herman is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1884 lie married Miss Rose House-
man of Albany.
dray, John Clinton, associate judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New
York, was born in New York city. He received his education in Berlin, at the New
York University, and at the Howard Law School. He was admitted to the bar in
Boston, Mass., and practiced law in the city of New York from 1866 until his ap-
pointment in 18.SN to the bench of the Court of Appeals of New York, to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Judge Rapallo, and was elected for a full term in the
same year. Judge Gray is a cultivated scholar and one of the best writers in the
Court.
Kernan, William J., M. D., son of James and Mary (Reardon) Kernan, was born
in Albany, N. Y., December 22, 18(54. He was educated in the public schools, after
leaving which he was for seven years a clerk in the State 1 >epaitment of Public In-
struction. He resigned his position there to attend the Albany Medical College and
at the time of his graduation in 1891 he stood at the head of his class, Ik- served as
physician at the Williard Insane Asylum for a few months and then removed to
Albany, N. Y., where he has since practiced. X>r. Kernan was for a time district
310
physician and police surgeon, but was compelled to resign these offices owing to
pressure of professional duties. He makes a specialty of diseases of children. He
is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, examiner for tfce Catholic
Benevolent League and physician to the House of the Good Shepherd.
Capron, Arthur S., M. D., son of John D. and Elizabeth (Letcher) Capron, was
born at Schoharie Court House, January 10, 1850, His maternal great-grandfather
was one of the first settlers near Schoharie and cleared up five hundred acres of
woodland. His first paternal ancestor to come to America was Banfield Capron,
who came in 1640. Dr. Capron's parents removed to Albany, N. Y., when he was
five years of age. He attended the public schools and Mr. Lawson's private school.
In 1881 he entered the Albany Medical College and in 1886 received the degree of
M. D. Since then he has practiced in Albany. He is a member of the Albany
County Medical Society and Clinton Lodge No. 7, I. O. O. F. In June, 1883, Dr.
Capron married Isidor Irene, daughter of Dr. Daniel Peabody of Sheffield, Mass.
She died in 1884, and in October, 1895, he married Mary Hager of Schodack Land-
ing, N. Y.
Illch, Julius, is a son of Simon and Celia (Fleischman) Illch, native of Bavaria,
Germany. Simon came to Albany in 1849, was for forty years a merchant tailor and
was prominent in Temple Beth Emeth. especially during its construction. Julius
Illch was born in Albany, January 21, 1869, was graduated from the High School in
June, 1886, as one of the commencement speakers, and in November, 1886, entered
the office of Parker & Countryman as a law student. He was admitted to the bar
at Albany, in February, 1890, was managing clerk for Robert G. Scherer for two
years and for Horwitz & Hirschfield of New York one year and since then has been
in active practice for himself in his native city. He is past grand of Capital City
Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F. , which he represents on the board of trustees of the Odd
Fellows Temple. He is also a member of Nawadaha Tribe No. 297, I. O. R. M.,
and secretary of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B.
Yan Loon, William H, son of Henry F. and Mary (McLaughlin) Yan Loon, was
born in Lansingburgh, N. Y., August 7, 1835. His paternal grandfather came from
Amsterdam, Holland, about 1700; and on his mother's side he is descended from
Colonel Cochran of the war of 1812. Mr. Yan Loon attended the public schools of
Troy, N. Y. , and Schenectady county and learned the trade of foundryman at the
foundries in Troy and West Troy. Subsequently he entered the employ of Rath-
bone, Sard & Co. at Albany, N. Y., and remained there thirty-three years, as assist-
ant foreman for eighteen years, and for the balance of the time as the contractor for
the stove mountings. In 1892 he bought the business of John Armstrong, plumber
and roofer, and he has since then been engaged in that business at No. 787 Broad-
way, Albany. Mr. Van Loon is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M.,
and is a trustee in Grace M. E. church. May 31, 1860, he married Caroline M. Stark,
of Glenville, Schenectady county.
Bartlett, Ezra Albert, M. D., traces his lineage (1) to Richard Bartlett, who came
from Sussex, England, in 1635, to Newbury, Mass., where he died May 25, 1647. The
line is (2) Richard, 1621-1698, of Old Town Hill, Mass., member of the council; (3)
Richard, of Newbury, married Hannah Emery; (4) Stephen, of Canterbury, Mass.,
311
married Hannah Webster; (5) Josiah, 1728-171)5, a physician of Kingston, X. II..
provincial governor, colonial governor, member of the Provincial Legislature 1 765,
lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Regt. militia 1770, colonel 177."), delegate to Congress
1773-70, second signer of the Declaration of Independence, congressman 1778, chief
justice of the Common Pleas 1779, judge of '.he Supreme Court 1782, chief justice
1788, member of the convention to adopt the Federal Constitution 1788, president of
the State 1793, married Mary Bartlett ; (6) Ezra, 1770-1848, a physician of Haverhill,
N. H., graduate of Dartmouth College, judge of the Common Pleas, 1807, chief
justice of sessions 1820, State senator 1828-28, married Hannah Gale; and (7) Amos
Gilman, 1814-1880, a minister, married Georgianna M. I'ike, whose ancestors also
came to Newbury, Mass., in 1635, where their old stone farm house is still standing.
A statue of Hon. Josiah stands in Amesbury, Mass. Dr. Ezra Albert Bartlett, son
of Amos G., was born in Newburyport, Mass , July 18, 1845, was graduated from the
Atkinson, X. II., Academy, entered the sophomore class of Amherst College and in
in September, 1863, enlisted in Bat. M., 4th U. S. Art., serving until 1866. He passed
through the non-commissioned rank and in 1865 was promoted first lieutenant 7th
Mass. H. A., unattached, but never mustered. He was graduated from Rochester
University in 1870, read medicine with his uncle, Dr. Levi Bartlett of Skaneateles,
N. V., and with Dr. Samuel B. Ward of Albany, received the degree of M.D. from
the Albany Medical College in 1879, and since then has practiced his profession in
Albany. He is ex-president of the Albany County Medical Society, member of the
American Electro-Therapeutic Association, member of the faculty of the National
College of Electro-Therapeutics at Indianapolis, Ind., member of the staff of the Al-
bany City Hospital and a member of George S. Dawson Post No. 63, G. A. R , and
the Sons of the Revolution. He has been a lecturer in the Albany Medical College
since about 1881, was for six years a member of the I". S. Board of Examining Sur-
geons for Pensions and was a charter member and president of the old Albany
Academy of Medicine. In 1S71 he married Jennie, daughter of John Sargent of
Rochester, X. V., and they have one son, Frank Sargeant Bartlett, born March 10,
1886.
Lempe, George G., M.D., was born in Lansingburgh, X. V.. December 28, 1864
When six years of age he moved to Germany, and attended the gymnasium and the
University at Goettingen, province of Hanover. In 1882 he removed to America
and took a one-year urse a: Harvard University. Subsequently
he attended the Albany (X. Y.) Medical College and received the degree of M.I).
from that institution in 1888, since which time he has practiced medicine in Albany.
Dr. Lempe was assistant demonstrator at the Albany Medical College for two vears
and instructor in physiology at the same institution for one year. He was al-
geon at the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital from 1889 to ls'.*»i; and isoueof the ex-
aminers of health officers fur the New York State Civil Service Commission. Dr.
Lempe is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, Co. A. 10th Bat. X. G. N.Y.,
Albany Press Club, Albany County Medical Society and the Deutscher Club. He
is also a charter member and surgeon of the Knights of the Ancient I I Meier.
Warner, Charles B., <>t Altamont, was born in Summit, Schoharie county, Sep-
tember 24, 1851, son of John Warner, jr., and Josephine, daughter of Milo Bradley.
The grandfather of Charles B. was John Warner, son of Capt. George, whose father
312
was George. Charles B. was raised on a farm in Richmondville until he was eight-
een years of age, when he began an apprenticeship as carriagemaker in Cobleskill,
where he remained until 1875, when he removed to Altamont and worked for Jacob
Van Benscotten until 1882; at that date he purchased an interest in his employer's
business, forming the firm of Van Benscotten & Warner. Mr. Van Benscotten died
in 1882 and two years later Mr. Warner bought the widow's share and continued the
business to 1895, when he admitted the son of his former partner, forming the firm
of Warner & Van Benscotten. Mr. Warner is a bimetalist in politics, a member of
Noah Lodge F. & A. M., of Altamont, and of Noah Chapter U. D., of which he was
a charter member and principal sojourner; also of St. George Commandery No. 37,
Schenectady, Cyprus Lodge Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Voorheesville Lodge
I. O. O. F. In 1872 he married Frances A. Cornell of Richmondville, Schoharie
county, daughter of Dr. Valentine Cornell. They have had five children: Blanch,
Harrv C, Charles, jr., and Francis (twins) (the latter deceased) and Stanley. Mr.
and Mrs. Warner are members of the Lutheran church.
De Graff, Dr. Abram, a prominent physician and surgeon, was born in Rotterdam,
N. Y. , in 1836. He is the son of Jacob De Graff, who was one of the four sons and
five daughters born to Abram De Graff of Schoharie county, who was a farmer. He
was a volunteer in the Revolutionary war, and once came into the town of Guilder-
land to capture a lot of Tories. Jacob, the father, was born in Schoharie count}'
in 1805. He was by occupation a farmer, which he followed during his active life.
He came to Guilderland first in 1828, returned home, and in 1837 removed with his
family and settled in Guilderland village, where he died in 1877. In 1833 he married
Anna M. Clute, who was born in Schenectady county. She was the daughter of
Nicholas Clute. To them were born three children, Helen M , Abram and Hamilton.
She died in 1880. Mr. De Graff received fair educational advantages, and when six-
teen years of age began teaching, which he followed for some years. He then be-
gan to study medicine, Dr. Wilson being his preceptor, and in 1858 he was graduated
from the Albany Medichl College. He then entered the office of Dr. Wilson of
Guilderland, with whom he practiced for two years; he then began practice alone in
Bethlehem, where he was in active practice until 1875, when he returned to Guilder-
land, and has since enjoyed a lucrative practice, being called to Bethlehem, New
Scotland and Guilderland. He is a member of the Albany Medical Society, and was
a delegate of that society to the American Medical Association held in Chicago. He
has served as health officer to the town of Guilderland for three years; was county
commissioner for three years, and was postmaster from 1885 to 1893, and from 1893
to the present time. In 1867 he married Mary F., daughter of John P. Veeder, and
their children are Mary F. , Frederick, Mrs. Sarah Batterman and Mrs. Anna Bailey.
Mrs. De Graff's ancestors trace back to Simon Volkertse (de Baker), who was born
1622, in Holland. He belonged to the ship Prince Morrice, which plied between
Amsterdam, Holland, and New York. In 1652 he purchased lots in New York, and
in 1654 he sold and removed to Albany, thence to Schenectady in 1662. The second
generation was Simon Veeder, and his wife, Neeltie Van Der Volgen. The third
generation was Peter and his wife Maritie Van Der Bogart. The fourth generation
was Claas (Nicholas), who was born in February, 1734, and his wife, Catharine Van
Eps. The fifth generation was Pieter C, born in March, 1773, and his wife, Maria
313
Mynderse. The sixth generation was John Pieter, who was born in September,
1809, and his wife, Sarah Ann Batterman.
Cook, Eugene, born in Berne, X. Y., July 10, 1846, is a son of Abram and Jane
(Crocker) Cook, both born in Albany county, he a son of David Cook who came to
Albany county in an early day and settled in Berne, N. Y. The maternal grand-
father of Eugene Cook was Rev. Mr. Crocker, an early settler of Berne, where he
reared a large family. The father of Eugene Cook was a farmer, and died in
Berne in 1866. Eugene Cook was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools and Rensselaer Academy. He was for several years engaged in the sale of
stove shelves and Horton's washing machines; and also in the livery business in
Illinois, but his principal occupation is farming, and in 1866 he removed to the farm
of 156 acres, he owns. He is a Democrat in politics, but does, not aspire to public
office. In 1869 he married Augusta Lounsbury, a daughter of William Lounsbury.
To Mr. Cook and wife were born three children: Alice, wife of Charles Mackey,
Arcia and Reba B. The family attend the Methodist church.
Williams, Elam, was born in the town of Knox, March 12, 1844. Prentice Williams,
his grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, settled in Knox when a young man
cleared himself a farm in the forest, where he became prosperous. His children
were Lucy, Mary, Eliza, Eunice, Prentice, jr., and Dennison. He and his wife were
members of the Methodist church, in which he was an active worker. He died in
1850, and his wife died some years before. Hon. Prentice Williams, jr., the father
of Elam, was born in the town of Knox on the homestead in 1794. In early life he
followed farming, but later learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed in
connection with undertaking for a number of years in the village of Knox. He sub-
sequently engaged in mercantile business in Albany, remained there but a short time
and returned to Knox and resumed his old business of furniture and undertaking.
He was prominently identified with the Democratic party and his influence was ex-
tensive ; he had the honor of serving his district in the State Legislature one term,
and was postmaster many years. He was twice married ; his first wife, Harriet Jane
Clark, died a year after their marriage; his second wife was Mrs. Jane (Knight) Arm-
strong, widow of Patten Armstrong, and they had one child, Elam. Mr. and Mrs
Williams were members of the Methodist church, in which he took a leading part
He died in 1864 and his wife September. L882. Elam Williams received his education
in the Knox Academy and when twenty years old began teaching which he followed
for a number of years. Early in life he manifested a keen and active interest in the
political affairs of his town and county, and while yet a young man was elected to the
office of justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket. He filled the office with such
credit that he was elected and re-elected for nineteen successive years ; the years
of 1882-83 he was justice of sessions and in 1*70 was appointed State census
enumerator for his district. He has filled the office of postmaster of Knox during
both of President Cleveland's administrations. In 1886 he engaged in the general
mercantile business in the village of Knox and with careful and strict attention
to business, he has met with merited success. In the spring of L896 lie purcha
farm of 112 acres near the village, of which he has taken personal management,
being assisted in the store by his son, Stanley. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Berne Lodge, No. 684. In 1*71 he married Catherine, daughter of Syl
314
vester and Sarah (Bunzy) Allen of Knox, and they have five children, Effie, Stanley,
Jennie, Marx and Emma.
Bassler, Elias, a well known landmark, was born in the town of Knox, on the old
Bassler homestead, February 8, 1819. Frederick Bassler, his great-grandfather, was
a native of Switzerland, who immigrated to America before 1750 and settled in
Philadelphia. He was married on board of ship while on his way to America. Be-
tween 1750 and 1760 he settled in what is now the town of Knox, took up 238 acres
of land and made himself a home in the forest, and was one of the first eight to settle
in the town of Berne. Frederick Bassler, the grandfather of Elias, was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1752, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Knox, of
which he subsequently came in possession. When the Revolutionary war broke out
he took sides with the British and enlisted in their service. His wife was Martha
Ball, a native of Berne, born in 1768, and their children were Peter, Frederick, Henry,
John, Benjamin, Eve, Elizabeth, Maria and Ann Eliza. He died November 5, 1851,
at the age of ninety-eight years: his wife died February 27, 1833. Frederick, the
father of Elias Bassler, was born on the homestead in 1793; coming into possession
of one-half of the homestead, he added more to his landed possessions, where he
remained a lifelong and successful farmer. He was prominent and influential in the
political affairs of his town and county, being chosen six times by his townsmen to
represent them in the Board of Supervisors, and was once elected to represent his
district in the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He was actively identified
with the church and was one of the building committee to erect the first Dutch Re-
formed church of Berne, in which he afterwards officiated. His wife was Maria
Salsburg, and their children were Anna, Maria, Elias, Jacob, Peter, Levinus, Sophia,
Eliza and Emma. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1862. Elias Bassler, when a boy,
attended the common district schools. He remained on the farm until thirty-nine
vears af age, when he came into possession of his present farm of 130 acres, through
the assistance of his father, and on this farm he has ever since resided, doing general
farming. In politics Mr. Bassler is a Republican, and while feeling a keen interest
in the welfare of his party, he has never sought political honors. In 1842 he married
Eva, daughter of Jacob Sand of Knox, and they have three children: Dorthy L.
(wife of Nicholas Sheldon of Knox), Olivia M. (wife of James E. Onderdonk of Central
Bridge, N. Y.), and Catharine E. (who died when nineteen). Mrs. Bassler died in
February, 1894. They were both members of the Reformed church, in which he has
officiated as deacon and elder. He has now retired from the active life and care of
the farm, which he now leases to his son-in-law, Mr. Sheldon.
Sturgess, Charles E., a well known landmark and patriot in the Northern army in
the war of the Rebellion, was born in the town of Knox, June 17, 1846, on the farm
he now owns and occupies. George Sturgess, the grandfather of Charles E., was
born in Delaware county, N. Y., a descendant from one of four brothers who
migrated from England to America in an early day. George spent his life as a
farmer in Delaware county and lived to be a very aged man ; he was the father of
ten sons and daughters. David, the father of Charles E. Sturgess, was born in Del-
aware county, June 13, 1815. He was a farmer and carpenter, spending most of his
life at his trade. In 1844 he moved to the town of Knox, where he spent his remain-
ing days. He was prominently identified with the Republican party in his town, but
315
never an aspirant for office. He owned the farm now owned by Charles E. Sturgess,
and formerly owned by his father-in-law, Nathaniel Swan. I lis wife was^Melinda,
daughter of Nathaniel Swan, and their children were Charles E., Nathaniel, Adelia.
Sarah, Isadore and Eugene. He died in March, 1867, and his wife survives him and
resides on the home farm with her son. Her father, Nathaniel Swan, was a promi-
nent man in the town of Knox, and did much toward building it up. His place of
business and residence has ever been known as Swan's Corners, where he owned
600 acres of land, a hotel, store, blacksmith shop, and also a large potash factory.
In stature he was of medium height and weighed about 165 pounds, but herculean
in strength; he would pick up a 400 pound weight from the ground and place it in a
wagon, or pick up a barrel of cider from the ground on to his knees and drink from
the bunghole. He lived to be ninety-five years old and was perfectly healthy to the
morning of the day of his death, which occurred in December, 1872. Charles E.
Sturgess attended the common schools and was graduated from the Knoxville Acad-
emy. He remained on the farm with his parents until July 28, 1862, when yet a lad
of but sixteen years he answered* his country's call for troops and enlisted in Co. K,
7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served three years, participating in all the battles'of
his regiment; the principal engagements being the battle of the Wilderness, Spott-
sylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, being in the
famous bayonet charges of the two latter battles. At the battle of Deep Bottom he
was captured and confined in Libby prison one month, when he was transferred to
Belle Island prison, where he endured terrible sufferings for two months, from the
effects of which he has never fully recovered. After his return home he engaged in
farming and teaching during the winter months; this he followed for a number of
years, always making his present residence his home. In politics he is a Republican,
having served two years as town clerk and elected and re-elected ten successive years
to the office of justice of the peace, the last year resigning the office. He has also
filled the office of school commissioner for the Third district of Albany county for
three years. He is a member of Michael H. Barckley G. A. R. Post of Altamont,
N. Y. December 31, 1868, he married Nancy K., daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Kane) Quay, and their children are Louie, Edith, Bertha, Ada, Rosco and Lottie.
Mackey, Charles H., was born in Rensselaerville, X. Y.. ( >etober 3, 186:;, and is
a son of Willett B., who was a son of Alexander Mackey, a native of Rensselaerville.
and he a son of one Alexander Mackey who came to Rensselaerville previous to
Revolutionary times. He was in the war as drummer at age of twelve. Willett B. ,
the father of Charles Mackey, was a farmer by occupation and a Democract in poli-
ties, and held the office of highway commissioner. His wife was Hannah E. Rein-
hart of Schoharie county, N. Y., a daughter of John J. Reinhart. an early settler of
Rensselaerville. To Mr. Mackey and wife were bom two sons and one daughter
who grew to man and womanhood. Charles II. Mackey was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools. I [e is a farmer and owns 190 acres, 100 acres where
he resides. November 1 I, I8SS, he married Alice M. Cook, daughter of Eugene
Cook. In politics Mr. Mackey is a Democrat and has been collector two years. The
family attend the Baptist church, of which the father was a lifelong member.
Fanning, James O., was born of American parentage in Gorham, Ontario county,
N. Y., March 8, ls:'"r> He received a common school and an academical education,
316
the latter being obtained principally at the Franklin Academy at Prattsburg, Steu-
ben county, N. Y. Mr. Fanning was a student in the office of Hon. Daniel Morris
at Penn Yan, N. Y., and in the law department of the University of Albany, and
was admitted to the bar in 1860. After practicing some years, Mr. Fanning served
three years as accountant in the Treasury Department at Washington and the same
period as financial and engrossing clerk of the State Assembly. He has been
connected with the State Board of Charities as assistant secretary for about twenty
years.
Brown, Johh C, M. D. , son of P. J. and Margaret (Bough) Brown, was born in
Oswego, N. Y. July 22, 1870. In 1881 he moved to Albany, N. Y., with his parents
and attended the Christian Brothers' Academy, from which he was graduated in
1886. While there he organized and was the first president of the Justin^ Literary
Society. In 1887 he entered the Niagara University, where he remained three years,
and while there he was one of the founders of the Shakespeare Dramatic Associa-
tion. He returned to Albany and received the degree of M. D. from the Albany
Medical College in 1892. He subsequently spent one term in the Charity Hospital
on Blackwell's Island, N. Y., and returned to Albany, where he has since practiced
medicine. In 1895 Dr. Brown was elected coroner's physician, and in 1896 he was
re elected. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Alumni
Association of the Albany Medical College and the Dongan Club, of which he was
secretary in 1895.
Wiltse, James Wesley, M. D., son of James and Elizabeth (Maginnis) Wiltse, was
born in Delaware county, N. Y., November 10, 1864. The Wiltse family has been
in America for several generations. The first, three brothers, came from Holland
and settled in Columbia county ; later one moved to New York and another to Dela-
ware county. Dr. Wiltse' s paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution.
Dr. Wiltse received his preliminary education in the public schools of Greene and
Delaware counties. In 1891 he was graduated from the Albany Medical College,
receiving the degree of M. D., and immediately began practice at No. 1203 Broad-
way. In May, 1896, he moved to No. 135 North Pearl street, formerly occupied by
Dr. Samuel B. Ward. He was fourth district physician from 1891 to 1896. Dr.
Wiltse is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and Temple Lodge, F. &
A. M. In 1893 he was married to Lizzie Bailie of Albany, and they have one son,
Stanley Bailie.
Harris, William B. , son of Henry H. and Mary A. (Parker) Harris, was born in
Albany, N. Y., in 1860. He was educated in the public schools and Albany High
School and afterwards conducted the cigar stand at the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. depot
for eleven years. In 1884 he moved to No. 9 South Pearl street, where he is now the
owner and proprietor of a cigar store. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No.
417, F. & A. M., Garriaka Tribe of Red Men No. 342, and the Unconditional Repub-
lican Club. In 1883 he was married to Carrie Kingsley of Albany.
Duggan, Edward J., son of Matthew and Fannie (Welsh) Duggan, was born in
Albany, March 11, 1857. He received his education in the public schools, Thomas
Newman's Private School, Christian Brothers' Academy and Masson College, Can-
ada. He started in life in a New York grocery house, where he remained only a
317
few months. He removed to Albany and alter seventeen years successfully spent in
both the wholesale and retail grocery business, he is now the owner and proprietor
of a large store on Hudson avenue. He is a member of the Catholic Union and
Knights of Columbus. In 18G1 he married Mary F. Kearns.
Sheppey, John V., M. D., son of Alonzo N. and Charlotte (Benedict) Sheppey,
was born in Ogdensburgh, N. V., in 1859. On the maternal side, Dr. Sheppey is
descended from the Van Derwaters, who were among the first settlers of Schenec-
tady, N. Y. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Rugby
Academy at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1880. He entered the Jefferson Medical College in
1882 and in 1885 received the degree of M. D. from that institution. Dr. Sli>
did hospital work for one and a half years and after two years spent in Ohio,
he opened an office in Albany, N. V., where he has since practiced. He is a member
of the Albany County Medical Society and assistant at electrocutions to the physi-
cian at Dannemora. He married Lina Craig of Ulster county, and they have four
children, Elsie C, Margaret, Esther and Dorothy.
Green, Col. G. James, son of John R. and Ann C. (Vosburgh) Green, was born in
Albany, N. Y., June 4, 18(50. His great-grandfather, John, an Englishman, came
from Dublin to America and settled in Niskayuna, N. V., where he married Rebecca
Groot. They had a son, Cornelius, who married Gertrude Tymerson. (J. James
Green received his education in the Albany public and high schools. In 1875 he
went into the employ of the D. & H. C. Co. as clerk, and for three years following
was paymaster for Curtin & Whalen, railroad contractors. In 1884 he was tendered
the position of bookkeeper with McKinley & Co., and remained with that company
until 1893, when he resigned to accept a similar position with Weidman & Co
January 1, 1894, he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the inspector-general of
the State of New York and on January 3, 1895, he was appointed assistant inspector-
general of the State, which position he now holds. Colonel Green enlisted in Co. B,
10th Regt., November 13, 1879; was promoted corporal January I. 1881 ; dropped "ii
account of removal from the city, November 30, 1881 ; taken up as private in I
10th Battalion, June 6, 1884; promoted corporal September T. L885; sergeant, Janu-
ary 18, 1886; first sergeant, May :'», 1886;second lieutenant, < >ctober 15, l^^T ; lieuten-
ant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, Third Brigade, December 1 1. 1889. Upon
the resignation of Brigadier-General Parker he was placed upon the supernumerary
list, at his own request; January -, 1891, and on August 9. of the same year, he was
elected captain of his old company, vice Stacpole promoted major of the battalion.
Colonel Green resigned the captaincy hi' i'ci. B, January 1. L895. rleisamembi
the United Service Club of New York city, the Military Service Institution of t he-
United States and the Unconditional Republican Club of Albany.
Fitts, Hon. George II., was born in Cohoes, Albany county, Septen.be: 29, 1851.
He is of English descent and his parents, Lucien and Lemira M (Slocum) Fitts,
were natives of New England. Mr. Fitts was graduated from Dartmouth Co
in 1873 and from the Albany Law School in 1874. He then commenced the pra
of law in Cohoes, where he continued until January 1. 1896, when he assumed the
office of surrogate of Albany county, which he now holds. He was in partnership
with Charles F. Doyle from January, 1878, to Octobei is!M, and was a member of
the firm of Fitts &■ Wertime from January I, 1894, to January 1. 1896. Judge Fitts
318
was city attorney of Cohoes from May, 1888, to January 1, 1896, when he resigned.
June 4, 1896, he married Clara B., daughter of the late Henry S. Bogue of Cohoes.
Dixon, George, was thirteen years of age when his father, Robert Dixon, died
leaving him to gain his own livelihood. Thus entering upon a life of toil and priva-
tion which developed in him those excellent habits and those which distinguish him
as a man. He went into a mill near his birthplace, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where
he was born in 1827. There he began in a humble way his life work. Being cour-
ageous and energetic, he soon left the hardships of youth behind him, and advanced
rapidly. In 1858 he came to Cohoes and for ten years took charge of the weaving
department in Harmony Mill, Nos. 1 and 2. Since that time he has been superin-
tendent of No. 3, the largest mill in the United States, having 140,000 spindles and
1,500 employees. Yet Mr. Dixon in his busy life that followed found time for social
and political duties, serving as school commissioner for six years; he is also director
of the Savings Bank. Mr. Dixon in 1849 married Mary C. H. Thompson of Pleasant
Valley, by whom he had four children. George E., the elder, is superintendent of
schools in Cohoes.
Archibold, John, M. D., of Archibold Bros.' elegant drug store, and successful
general practitioner of Cohoes, is a native of Bonfield, Scotland, born in 1861. He
was brought by his parents to America when three years of age, and began his edu-
cation at Cohoes, graduating from the Albany Medical College in 1888. He began
practice at Troy and afterward removed to Green Island, where he served as health
officer for one year. He has practiced here since 1892, and for the last three years
has been city health officer. William Archibold established the drug business upon
his arrival in Cohoes in 1864. He stood in the front rank of his profession until his
death in 1889, and the business has taken no step backward under the able manage-
ment of his two sons. Dr. Archibold enjoys a wide popularity, outside of his pro-
fessional radius, and as a man inherits the sterling qualities of his race. He is lieu-
tenant of the crack local company National Guards S. N. Y.
White, David, is as well known for his zealous labors in the temperance cause as
for the extensive roofing business, with which his name has been associated since his
settlement in Cohoes in 1866. He was at that time twenty-two years of age and had
acquired his superior knowledge of the trade in Scotland, his native country. Mr.
White is the oldest and most experienced roofer in the county, equally skillful in
every branch of the work. His father is Robert White, a linen cloth manufacturer,-
still living at the advanced age of eighty-four. The maternal grandmother lived to
be 103 years of age. Mr. White inherits the sterling qualities characteristic of his
ancestors. In him the Temple of Honor has a useful and influential member, and
the Reform church an able supporter.
Rosenthall, Mitchell, editor and publisher of the Sunday Regulator, is one of the
leading newspaper men of the city of Cohoes. Mr. Rosenthall has always been in-
terested in journalism and has had wide experience in newspaper work, doing special
work for many out of town papers For several years he was correspondent for the
Troy Telegram, then became its city editor in 1885. He was also connected with the
Troy Budget, at the time serving as deputy postmaster, to which office he was ap-
pointed in 1877, holding it for eight years in all. He is a Republican and has been
319
school commissioner. His father was Abram Rosenthall, an honored and highly
esteemed citizen of Cohoes, since 1869. He was a native of Warsaw, Poland, and
an extensive traveler, paying his expenses in foreign countries by making passamen-
teries, then coming to America before reching man's estate. He joined the gold
seekers in California, but soon located m New York, where he married, then returned
to California, where Mitchell was born, in 1856. After stopping in St. Louis, New
York, and Troy, he finally located in Cohoes and engaged as a retail clothier, until
his death, February 6, 1896. He is survived by his widow and two sons.
Walsh, John S., is the son of a longtime resident of Cohoes, John Walsh, an en-
gineer. Starting with no capital he has made his own way in the world, first engag-
ing in the tea business, later taking up the business for himself. He came to his
present location, corner Mohawk and Ontario streets, three years ago, carrying a
large stock which is unsurpassed in its line. Teas, coffees, spices and flour are
specialties, besides a choice stock of general groceries. Mr. Walsh while taking a
deep interest in politics and everything that contributes to the welfare of his native-
city, where he was born in 1856, never seeks or accepts political preferment. He is
a member of the Business Men's Association. In 1893 he married Catherine Plat/,
daughter of N. P>. Platz of Cohoes.
Wallace, James, was born in Cohoes, Albany county, X. Y., July 9, 1856. He at-
tended the public schools and later acted as correspondent in his native town and
vicinity for several newspapers. He began the study of law with counselor Earl L.
Stimson in 1880 and was admitted to the bar January 24, 1884. In July, 1883, the
Cohoes Cataract, a weekly newspaper, the original publication of which was begun
early in the history of Cohoes, was again started and Mr. Wallace became the editor.
A year later the paper was superseded by the Cohoes Dispatch of which he was
selected the editor, and William E. Seaport, the publisher of the Cataract, became
the proprietor. About a year later Mr. Wallace purchased the paper and earl v in
the year 1886 he formed a copartnership with his brother Michael, and the firm of
J. & M. Wallace has since continued the publication of the paper. March 1886, Mr.
Wallace was elected justice of the peace of Cohoes. I le assumed the duties of the
office the first of the following year and served four years and refused a renomination,
He has taken an active part in local political, social and business affairs and through
the columns of his paper has aided in improving the local city government and has
also aided in the material progress of the city.
Bogue, Henry L.. late of Cohoes, was one of the most successful bridge binders of
his day- He was born at Canton, X. Y., in 1825, and came to Cohoesin 1854. Here
he became a member of the firm of Smith & Bogue and was awarded the contract for
building the Waterford bridge. He built the first bridge across the Mohawk, and
portions of the Hudson River Railroad from Cold Spring to New Hamburg, and that
part of the Erie Railroad from Dunkirk to Hinsdale. With his many business en-
terprises he also operated a lumber business with his brother. C. M. Bogue In l*'i"i
he engaged in the manufacture of knit goods with George II. Wager as a partner.
That same year he also built the Riverside Knitting Mill. Mi Bogue was a Demo-
crat and held many local offices, serving two year-- as mayor, and proving a very
capable chief magistrate His death, in 1886, was mourned throughout the cif
a man of sterling character and of true nobility. Ilis wife was Clara Chase of Xew-
320
burgh, whom he married in 1852 at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson ; four children also sur-
vive him.
Nodine, Francis, was born at Coeymans in 1820. He is a son of William and
Rodat (Joslyn) Nodine, and a grandson of one of the four brothers who were soldiers
in the Revolutionary war, and died with the small-pox. He left one son, William,
who came to Coeymans when a boy, where he married in 1797 and had six sons:
Benjamin, Harvey, Joslyn, William, Hiram and Francis; and three daughters:
Elizabeth, Harriet and Rachel. He was a farmer and died in 1861. Francis Nodine
married Agnes, daughter of Jonathan Miller, by whom he has had three children:
two sons, Hiram J. and J. M., and one daughter. Mr. Nodine is a farmer and still
resides on the farm where his father settled in 1849.
Lameraux, Phila, is the daughter of Solomon Carmon, of Greene county, and the
widow of Judson Lameraux, who was for many years a prominent and successful
farmer of Indian Fields, where he died in 1887. He was the son of George, and the
grandson of James Lameraux, who with three brothers came from Paris, France, to
Dutchess county, and James came to Coeymans and built a mill at Coeymans Hol-
low, and later bought a large tract of land at what is now Indian Fields village,
where they have always been prominent farmers.
Lumereaux, George C, is the son of Jarvis, grandson of George and great-grand-
son of James, who came from Paris, France, and settled in Coeymans, where the
Lumereaux family have since occupied a prominent place, being among the leading
farmers of the town. James Lumereaux settled a large farm on Copeland Hill,
where his son, W. J. Lumereaux, now lives, and died there in 1870. George C.
Lumereaux came to his present home in 1862 and has always been a farmer, though
now retired on account of his health. His wife was Emily, a daughter of Harvey
Shear, and they have four daughters: Phoebe L., Lottie W., Anna and Ida. Mr.
Lumereaux is president of the Coeymans and Watervliet Telephone Company and
has always taken a keen interest in all affairs relating to the welfare of the town.
He built in 1895 a fine residence in the village of Coeymans, where he contemplates
moving to spend his old age.
Spencer, Charles M., was born in Albany and is the son of Daniel and grandson of
John Spencer, who came to Albany when a young man and had three sons: John,
William and Daniel. Daniel Spencer, after being in business in Albany for some
years, moved to what is now Glenmont, where he died in 1878, leaving one son, C.
M. Spencer, as above. Charles M. Spencer has remained on the home at Glenmont,
where he is a gardener and fruit grower.
Parr, Henry, was born in Germany in 1848 and came to America in 1807, working
in different hotels until 1879, when he became proprietor of the old National Hotel
in Albany. In 1881 he came to Bethlehem and has since run the Abbie Hotel,
which under his management has become a very popular resort for social parties.
Scharbauer, Philip, was born in Bethlehem in 1855 and is a son of Ferdinand, who
came from Germany. Mr. Scharbauer began life as a poor boy and for some years
clerked in a store in Albany and South Bethlehem. He began business for himself
in 1879 by opening a store at South Bethlehem, which he continued until 189:3. lie
321
was also engaged in buying and shipping hay and other farm products. In 1894 he
opened a hardware store at Newburgh and later started two branch stores, one at
Matteawan and one at Poughkeepsie. In 1895 he was made secretary and treasurer
of the Calbanen Road Improvement Company, and now devotes his time to that
office, having a manager for his store business.
Stoffels, William, is the son of Peter Stoffels, who came from Germany and settled
on a farm in Bethlehem, where he was a farmer until he retired and moved to
Albany, where he died. William Stoffels bought the homestead and is a farmer
and gardener and also runs a large dairy. He has four sons- William, jr., Peter,
John E. and George.
Van Allen, P. C, was born in Bethlehem and is the son of David, and grandson
of Garrett Van Allen, whose father, with two brothers, came from Holland and set-
tled in Bethlehem. Mr. Van Allen remained on the homestead until 1818, when he
moved to New Scotland for two years, after which he settled on his present farm,
where he is a farmer. He married a daughter of Josiafa Bender of New Scotland,
and they have two daughters, (J race and Jesse.
Kemp, John H., the capable and efficient town clerk of the new town of Colonie,
and postmaster of Newtonville, was born in the town in 1849, where his father,
Michael Kemp, still resides. Prior to engaging in the mercantile business in New-
tonville in 1876, he had been for a few years engaged in gardening in the town of
New Scotland. Besides his store at Newtonville Mr. Kemp still operates a farm in
the vicinity which is devoted to small fruit ami vegetables. His election to the office
of town clerk was by a very large majority.
Schuyler, Stephen, is a lineal descendant of Peter Schuyler, the first mayor of
Albany. Stephen Schuyler was born at Port Schuyler April 2, 1851. His father,
John Cayler Schuyler, was born at the old home in 1801, and died in 1882. He was
one of the most prominent men of these parts. We cannot do better than to quote
from a memorial engrossed by the society of the South Park Reformed church, which
was founded here in 18 11. and to which he was always officially related: " His knowl-
edge of affairs in his own town was almost encyclopedic. H< possessed a culture,
courtesy, spirit, and a presence, that marked him a gentleman of the old school."
He was elder in his church for about thirty years, and was also clerk and treasurer.
In 1828 he married his cousin, Anna Maria Schuyler, who bore him ten children, of
whom four are now living: Philip, Stephen, Anna and Gertrude. Mr. Schuyler died
in 1886, surviving her husband only four years. In the public life of the old town of
Watervliet, John Cayler Schuyler was a prominent figure, representing the town in
the board of supervisors from 1883 to 183*3 and in L858. In 1886 he was elected to the
Assembly. Stephen Schuyler now lives at the old home where he was born. In the
front hall hangs a portrait of Peter Schuyler, executed in 1710 by Sir Godfrey
Kneeler, the court painter of Queen Anne.
Garret, Walter, born of humble parents in Somersetshire, England in 1851, came
to Watervliet when eighteen years of age. and has since made it his home. 1 i
gardener and his specialty is vegetables. At first he rented of the Shaker family,
but by his prudence and economy was able m 1894 to purchase a farm of thirty-six
322
acres, eligibly located at Loudonville, and will no doubt succeed in his chosen voca-
tion, since he possesses the qualities which command success.
Brewster, James C. and Warren H., comprising the firm of J. Brewster's Sons,
carriage and sleigh manufacturers, and repairers of farm, road, and delivery wagons
of every description. Both members of the firm are young and enterprising men.
Their father, the late James G. Brewster established the business in Colonie in
1852. The family have been prominent throughout the history of the town of Water-
vliet, and it is noteworthy and peculiar that two branches of the Brewster family
were united by the marriage of the parents of the gentlemen comprising the firm of
J. Brewster's Sons, although they were not nearly related. From the Brewsters
that sailed in the Mayflower, the ancestral line is without a break. Upon the death
of James G. Brewster, in 1885, the two sons succeeded to the business at Newton-
ville, with the detail of which they have become thoroughly familiar. J. C. Brewster
superintends the wood-working department, and Warren the blacksmithing depart-
ment. They make a specialty of the buckboard known as the Joubert & White.
Abrams, Hiram, M.D., is a well known and popular physician, and has practiced
the healing art in the vicinity of Colonie for the last sixteen years. He was born at
Rensselaerville, N. Y., and is a son of the late Elijah Abrams, a farmer and once
resident of Colonie. He began the study of his profession in 1878 by entering the
Albany Medical College, where he graduated with honors after the usual course.
Dr. John M. Bigelow of Albany was his preceptor, It is needless to say that his
training was thorough. Dr. Abrams is a member of the New York State Medical
Society, the Albany County Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Macdonald, Willis Goss, M.D., son of Sylvester and Louise (Goss) Macdonald, was
born at Cobleskill, X. Y., April 11, 18G3, and descends from Benjamin Macdonald,
who came from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1759. He first located near Coeymans, where
he was the first Scotchman in the town, and where he built the first boat landing;
he soon moved to Schoharie county and died there. He was in the Revolutionary
war, was captured by the Indians and English under Brant and was taken to
Canada. His son Robert, born in Schoharie county, in 1792, was a large land owner
and married a Miss Shaffer, whose father was killed in the war of the Revolution.
Sylvester, son of Robert, was born in 1824 and lives with his wife in his native
county. Dr. Macdonald was graduated from the Cobleskill Free Academy in 1878,
attended the Albany State Normal School and Cornell University, and taught school
at Berne and Central Bridge, N. Y., for two years. He read medicine in Albany
with Dr. Albert Van Derveer. After graduating from the Albany Medical College
in 1887, he was for eighteen months house surgeon to the Albany City Hospital and
then went abroad, matriculating in 1890 at the University of Berlin, where he took
special courses in surgery, surgical pathology and bacteriology. During that year
he served as volunteer assistant to August Martin and Ernest Yon Bergmann ; he
also spent some time in the hospitals of London. On his return to Albany he made
surgery a specialty and is noted as one of the foremost surgeons in Eastern New
York; he has been surgeon to the Albany City Hospital since 1893 and adjunct pro-
fessor of surgery in the Albany Medical College since 1894. He is a member of the
Albany Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the American Medical
323
Association, the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Fort
Orange Club, and a member of the board of governors of the Albany Club.
Bailey, Theodore P., M.D., is of English and Holland Dutch descent and was born
in Cusseta, Ala., November 13, 1857. Dr. Solomon Bailey, his grandfather, was
for many years a prominent physician in Bethlehem, Albany county, and was the
father of Dr. William H., Henry, and 1 )r. James S. Bailey, all of Albany. The latter
was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1853, practiced his profession in
Alabama until 1866, and from that time in Albany until his death, which occurred
July 1, 1883. He was president of the Albany County Medical Society, received the
degree of A.M. from Hamilton College, also from Soule University of Galvi
Texas, and was a prominent writer for medical jouruals. He was an enthusiastic
entomologist, having a large collection and was a member of several foreign and
American societies. Dr. Theodore P. Bailey, his son, was educated in the Albany
public and high schools and at the West Point Military Academy, lie read medi-
cine with his father, attended the Albany Medical College and graduated from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 18S0; since then he has been in active prac-
tice in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and its
treasurer, was one of the founders of the New York State Medical Association, is
instructor in dermatology in the Albany Medical College and is dispensary physician
in dermatology in the Albany Hospital. He is a Democrat and in the fall of 189")
was elected alderman of the Fifth ward, and is a member of the Finance Board of
the city; he is also a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. ■'<, F. & A. M., Central City
Chapter No. '242, R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 5, K. T., and medical examiner
for the Royal Arcanum in Albany.
Hunting, Nelson, M. D., son of John and Christina (Dominick) Hunting, was
born on a farm near Gallupville, Schoharie county, November '21. 1*:!',. He was
graduated from the Gallupville Academy and from the Albany State Normal School,
taught school for a time and read medicine with Dr. John Ruland of Blenheim and
Dr. John Maxwell of Gallupville. He was graduated from the New York Homeo-
pathic Medical College in 1869, began active practice m Gallupville, and ii
came to Albany. He is ex-president and a member of the Albany County Home-
opathic Medical Society, a membei ol the New York State Homeopathic Medical
Society aud the American Institute of Homeopathy, and was treasurer in 181
of the State society; he is also a member of Wadswortb Lodge F. & A. M.. and was
for several years connected with the Albany City Homeopathic Hospital. In 1864
he married Elizabeth F., daughter of John I'. Tolle of West Troy, and they have
three children living: Orlena A., Edna J. and Elizabeth C. Dr. Hunting has taken
a prominent part in the water question of Albany and in 1888 wrote an article for
the Evening Journal on driven wells and the healthfulness of water obtained there-
from. This was at a time when $150,000 had been appropriated by the city to drive
wells on Pleasure Island ; as a result of this article the scheme was abandoned ; later,
when the Kinderhook water scheme was agitated, he wrote another article, which
killed that plant; these articles saved the city ovei $2 ,000. Thes< -'':<:<
him to invent a scientific water distiller, which works automatically on natural prin-
ciples. It was exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1898 and fl the
first award in the greatest sanitary competition ever known.
324
Hailes, William, M. D., son of William Hailes, sr., a native of the Isle of Wight,
was born in Albany, October 14, 1849. He attended the public schools and later the
Albany Classical Institute under Prof. C. H. Anthony. He began the study of med-
icine with the late Dr. Alden March, 1868, and was the last student ever regis-
tered with that famous surgeon. He was graduated from the Albany Medical Col-
lege m 1870, receiving a competitive prize and delivering the valedictory address at
commencement. In 1869, 'TO and '71 Dr. Hailes was city physician and surgeon in
the Albany Hospital. He began practice in Albany in 1872, but three years later,
and again in 1878, he went abroad, visiting Germany, Austria, Italy, France and
England, remaining two years for study and travel. In 1872 he was demonstrator
of anatomy and in 1873 lecturer on surgical dressings and appliances, and since 1874
he has filled with ability the chair of professor of histology and pathological anat-
omy in the Albany Medical College. He became a noted microscopist and at one
time owned a valuable set of microscopic instruments, which he presented the Al-
bany Medical College, where he is a permanent director of the microscopical de-
partment, which he was mainly instrumental in founding and developing. Dr.
Hailes has been attending surgeon to the Albany Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital
for many years, and was the first surgeon in Albany to perform intubation for mem-
braneous croup, and has a record of upwards of 1,000 cases. He owns at Van
Wies's Point, on the west bank of the Hudson, a beautiful villa residence, which he
calls Bonnie-Castle-on-the-Hudson. In 1889 Dr. Hailes married Miss Bertha, daugh-
ter of Judge J. W. Deuel of Rochester, N. Y., and they have two children, William
Deuel and Dorothy.
Dwyer, Martin J., M. D., son of William and Katherine (Dalton) Dwyer, was born
in Liberty, Sullivan county, September 1, 1859. His father was a railroad contrac-
tor and farmer. He graduated from the old Liberty Normal Institute in 1876, taught
school three terms, read medicine with Dr. William S. Webster of Liberty, and the
late Dr. Jacob S. Mosher of Albany, and in September, 1880, entered the Albany
Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1883. On competitive examina-
tion he received an appointment as house physician and surgeon in the Albany City
Hospital and served eighteen months. In November, 1884, he began active practice
in Albany. He is a member of the Sullivan and Albany County Medical Societies
and a physician and surgeon to the St. Vincent's Male and Female Orphan Asylums,
and was one of the organizers. He is a member and examiner of the Knights of
Columbus, a member and examiner of the C. M. B. A., and life member and the
organizer of the Albany Catholic Union and its first vice-president. On January
23, 1895, he married Elizabeth Magdalene Johnson of Boston, Mass.
Fookes, Henry H., son of Henry H. and Cynthia {Woodyard) Fookes, farmers,
was born in Falmouth, Ky., April 29, 1857, was graduated from the high school at
Xenia, Ohio, in 1874 and engaged in the wholesale shoe business in Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he remained until 1893. September 1, 1893, he came to Albany as general
sales agent for the National Cash Register Company, which position he still holds.
This company was the first in the world to manufacture cash registers and now owns
nearly 350 patents and does business in every civilized country on the globe. The
manufactory is located at Dayton, Ohio, where about 1,500 hands are employed; all
kinds of autographic, manifolding and cash registers are made. The first inventions
325
date from about 1882; the company was the original patentee and owns the founda-
tion patents. The Albany agency was established in 1886 and controls the eastern
half of New York State outside New York and Brooklyn, and is the eighth in
importance in this country.
Easton, Charles P., founder of the wholesale lumber firm of Charles P. Easton &
Co., was born in Albany, October 24, 1824, and died here March 3, lss~>. He settled
himself in the lumber business in 1847 and actively continued in it until his death.
In 1869 his eldest son, William, became his partner under the firm name of C. P.
Easton & Co , which has ever since remained the same. In 187(1 ins son Edward
was admitted and in 1886 another son, Frederick mow superintendent of public
buildings at the State Capitol), became a partner, and since Mr. Easton' s death these
sons have conducted the business with marked ability and success. Mr. Easton
was not only a leading business man in Albany's great lumber district, but also a
public spirited citizen who devoted himself untiringly to the educational interests of
the city, giving liberally of his time and# means towards improving public school
methods. He was foremost in founding and building the present High School and
in religious and charitable matters was equally zealous.
Hicks, John J., son of William and Harriet (Carter i Hicks, was born in Oxford,
England, June 26, 1841. He came to America with his parents in 1849 and settled
in Troy, N. Y., where his father, a manufacturer of gilt picture frames, died in 1884
and his mother in 1874. He was educated in the Troy public schools and learned the
trade of picture frame making with his father. In August, 1861, he enlisted in
Co. E, 62d N. Y. Vols., Anderson's Zouaves, and was attached to the provost guard
department of the Fifth Army Corps. He was discharged in < (ctober, ls<i:'. and, re-
turning home went to Amsterdam, N. Y., as manager of the furniture store of II
Inman. Two years later he went to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in contracting and
building for about four years, and in 1S71 he came to Albany and engaged in busi-
ness as a manufacturer and dealer of furniture, moving into his present quarters,
Nos. 85-87 Beaver street, in 1881. He is a Republican and a member of Master
Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.. Clinton Lodge No. 3, L O. < >. F., and the New York En-
campment and Grand Canton No. 1, N. E. M. 0. H>- is past noble grand and past
patriarch in the Odd Fellows Order. In 1861 he married Cythis M., daughter of
Fraser Hodgman of Troy, and they have six children, Anna Kate, Bertha, Eva,
Grace, Libbie and Amy.
Dugan, Daniel J., son of George and Mary Dugan, was born in (Ireenbiish. N. Y..
July 25, 1872, and from the age of two years was reared in the family of his uncle,
William Steele of Albany. After finishing his education in the Albany High School
he began the study of law in the office of Judge Peter A. St< 1 was admitted
to the bar September 1 1. Is'.i">. Since then he has been engaged in the active prac-
tice of his profession.
Addington, George, son oi Joseph, a native of England, was born in Albany,
April 24, I860, and was graduated from the high school m 1878. His tatbei
in the Rebellion in the 7th N. Y. H. A., was shot in the hip at the battle oi
Harbor and died from the wound in 1871. Mr. Addington read law with Mead &
Hatt and Hale & Bulkeley, and after his admission to the bai mained in
326
the latter's office as managing clerk until 1885, when he began active practice. In
the spring of 1894 he was elected justice of the city court for three years, running
ahead of his ticket and receiving about 3,600 majority. He is a member of the K. of
P., Elks, and Unconditional Republican Club, past colonel of the New York Division
S. of V. November 9, 1890, he married Susie M. Stoffals of Albany.
Casey, Daniel, was born in Ireland, January 15, 1839, came to America and settled
in Columbia county, N. Y. , with his parents in 1850, and received a common school
education. He held various positions until April 29, 1861, when on the first call for
troops he enlisted in Co. I, 18th N. Y. V., and served for two years. In September,
1864, he re-enlisted in Co. A, 192d N. Y. V., was made quartermaster-sergeant, and
later second lieutenant, and served until his discharge in October, 1865. He was in
the first and second Bull Run battles, the Seven Days campaign before Richmond,
South Mountain and Fredericksburg, and was three times wounded. Returning
from the army he entered the Albany county clerk's office and remained there in all
twenty years, being search clerk for seventeen years and deputy clerk for three years.
In 1887 he formed a partnership with William Kinney, as Kinney & Casey, and en-
gaged in the real estate business. In 1894 Mr. Kinney withdrew and Mr. Casey's
son, Frank A., became a partner, under the firm name of Daniel Casey & Son. Mr.
Casey was a member of the Board of Education one term, and is a member of the
Dongau Club and William A. Jackson Post No. 644, G. A. R. In 1864 he married
Mary McDonough of Columbia county, and their children are Mrs. Edward Futterer,
Agnes E., William T. (deceased), Frank A., Joseph E., Daniel T. , and Mary.
Brilleman, Isaac, son of Alexander, was born January 19, 1845, in Amsterdam,
Holland, where he was educated and where he learned the art of diamond polishing.
He descends from sev^al generations of jewelers. In 1860 he came to America and
settled in Albany, where he immediately found employment in the jewelry business.
In 1866 he opened a jewelry store on the corner of South Pearl street and Hudson
avenue and in 1884 moved to his present location, Nos. 31-33 North Pearl street, the
latter number being added in 1893, when he magnificently remodeled and refitted
the entire establishment. In 1895 he added what is termed a " crystal maze," one
of the most elaborate show rooms in the world and probably the only one of its
kind in this country outside of New York. He deals extensively in the finest grades
of watches, clocks, diamonds and other precious stones, sterling silver, optical goods,
hollow and Hat ware, cut glass, bric-a-brac, china, etc., a large part of which is im-
ported by him. He is one of the foremost jewelers of the State. He is a Democrat
and was alderman of the Fifth ward in 1878-79. He is a member of Washington
Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., a trustee of Beth Emeth congregation, treasurer of the
Rural and Bethlehem cemeteries and a trustee of the Hebrew Benevolent Society
since about 1870.
Campbell, Stewart, born August 20, 1821, in the town of Columbus, Chenango
county, N. Y., is the son of Alonzo S. Campbell and a grandson of Samuel Campbell,
who at one time represented Chenango county in the Legislature at Albany, and also
as a member of Congress at Washington, D. C. Samuel Campbell was a personal
friend of Henry Clay, from whom he drank in the principles of protective tariff, which
still run strong in the veins of the family. Stewart Campbell's mother was a daughter
of Gideon De Forest, one of four brothers who received pensions for services in the
327
war of the Revolution. In early March, 1841, Mr. Campbell came to Albany and
entered the store of Charles A. De Forest, in which after a few years he received an
interest. Later Mr. De Forest retired, and a new partnership was formed with his
son, Dewitt C. De Forest, under the firm name of Campbell & De Forest, which con-
tinued for about six years, through the war of the Rebellion. In May, 1867, Mr.
Campbell located himself at the well known store, corner of South Pearl and Plain
streets, where he successfully prosecuted the business until June, 189G, when he
turned it over to his son, Edward W. Campbell. He married Catherine Mitchell,
of Albany, who died July '25, 1896, and they had three children: Jessie Maud, who
died at the early age of eleven months and eleven days; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of
Alfred S. Woodworth, of Boston, where she resides, having one son, Stewart Camp-
bell Woodworth ; and Edward YVillers Campbell of Albany. During all these years
Mr. Campbell has been positive in his political convictions, being first a Whig, after
the Thurlow Weed kind, and now an unflinching Republican. For over fifty years
he has been an active member of the Baptist church.
Delahant, Michael F. , son of Michael, was born October 15, 1852, in Troy, N. Y.,
and received a public school and commercial education. In 1873 he entered the em-
ploy of J. N. Brady, at Cohoes, wholesale and retail dealer in teas and coffee at
Albany and Cohoes, and remained there thirteen years, having charge of that
branch. In 1887 he took charge of Mr. Brady's Albany store. Mr. Brady died in
1888 and Mr. Delahant continued as manager until May 1, 1898, when he formed
partnership with Charles W. Edwards, as Delahant & Edwards and purchased the
entire business. May 1, 1896, Mr. Delahant bought out Mr. Edwards's interest and
became sole owner of the two stores. He carries on a large wholesale and retail
trade in tea, coffee, spices, confectionery, and bakers' and butchers' supplies.
Wilson, Oren E., born in Boston, Mass., October 10, 1844, is the descendant of a
sturdy line of New England ancestry, both his father and grandfather being natives
of Kittery, Maine. James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, a signer of the Declaration of
Independence, was one of the original members of this branch of the Wilson family
in America. Mr. Wilson was educated at the district school at Portsmouth, and
later on his removal to New York with his father, in 1852, became a pupil in, and
was graduated from one of the public schools at the age of fourteen. He attended
for one year the Clinton Liberal Institute, at Fort Plain, N. Y., after which he en-
tered Mount Washington Collegiate Institute, where he pursued a course of Latin
and Greek and where he was graduated in 1861. In L862 he entered Columbia Col-
lege, where he spent one year, and in the fall of IS6:'> entered Columbia Law School,
and would have graduated in 1865 had not an incident occurred which changed the
whole tenor of his plans. While a student there he became acquainted with W. II.
Whitney, senior member of the firm of Whitney & Myers, who prevailed upon him
to become his confidential clerk. When the partnership <>f Whitney & Myers was
dissolved in the spring of 1870, Mr. Wilson removed with Mr. Whitney to Albany,
where a new firm was established under the name of W. II. Whitney & Co., with
which Mr. Wilson has since been connected, holding the position of financial and
confidential manager. In 1884, <>n the day of his retirement from the preside:
the Young Men's Association after a mo ssful administration, lie was nomi-
nated and elected by the Republicans a member of the Board of Public Instruction.
328
In the spring of 1894 he was nominated for mayor of the city of Albany by the Re-
publicans and Honest Election parties and was elected. He served efficiently until
the expiration of his term, January 1, 189G. In 1890 Mr. Wilson was elected life
trustee of the Young Men's Association, to succeed the late Henry R. Pierson. He
was superintendent of the Sunday school of the State Street Universalist church
fromJ870 to 1879, and is now a trustee of All Souls Universalist parish, and was in-
strumental in erecting, in 1888, a new edifice for the latter church. In 1867 he mar-
ried M. Emma, daughter of the Rev. Dr. E. G. Brooks, a prominent member of the
Universalist denomination. Mrs. Wilson died in December, 1893. Mr. Wilson has
one daughter living.
Perry, Edward Rodman, son of Nathan B., was born inGeneseo, 111., March 27,
1861, and came to Albany with his parents in 1864. His father has long been a lead-
ing business man, being president of the Perry Stove Company, vice president of
the National Savings Bank and a director of the Commerce Insurance Company.
Mr. Perry attended the Albany Academy, was graduated from the Riverview Military
Academy at Poughkeepsie in 1880, and was then engaged in the manufacture of
stoves until 1893, being assistant superintendent and trustee of the Perry Stove
Company. In 1893 he became secretary and treasurer of the Hilton Bridge Con-
struction Company, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Fort
Orange and Mohican Canoe Clubs, the Ridgefield Athletic Association and a life
member of the Y. M. C. A. of Albany. In 1885 he enlisted in Co. A., 10th Bat., N.
Y. N. G., and served seven years, being promoted to quartermaster-sergeant,
Hochstrasser, Jacob, the proprietor and manager of the White Sulphur Springs
Hotel, was born in 1832. Jacob, his father, was born at White Sulphur Springs in
1795. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Cornelius West, of Cooksburg, N. Y.,
and their children were Paul, Abel, Amos, Peter and Jacob. He died in 1875 and
she in 1870. Jacob Hochstrasser attended the common schools and after leaving
home settled in the village of Berne, where he erected a fine residence. For many
years he was extensively and successfully interested in bee culture, earning the name
of "Honey Jake;" during this time he was also a dealer in fine horses. In 1868 he
was pursuaded by his father to return to the farm, which he took charge of and
cared for his parents in their declining years. On account of the excellent healing
character of the sulphur water which flowed so freely from the springs on his place,
many people would come to drink and to bathe in the water and would beg to be
boarded, and in 1881 Mr. Hochstrasser concluded to erect a hotel. He selected a
beautiful location, erected his hotel, which has a capacity to accommodate 110 people,
and gave it the name of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel. Mr. Hochstrasser's ex-
cellent judgment in laying out the grounds and keeping them in repair, as well as
providing beautiful picnic grounds, has made his place by far the most beautiful and
desirable summer resort on the Helderberg Mountains. In 1854 he married Maria,
daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Bassler) Hilton of Berne, aud they have one
child, Frank of Philmont, Columbia county, N. Y. , where he is established in the
undertaking business.
Maxwell, James A. , was born in Coeymans and began his business life on the river
as a cabin boy- He worked his way up until in 1881 he was made captain of the
329
steamer Lottie, which position he now holds. He married Julia Bratt of Delmar, and
they have one son, Harry, and two daughters, Mary and Ada.
De Freest, Alburtus B., was born in Bethlehem, and is a son of \V. V. D. De
Freest, and grandson of David and great-grandson of John De Freest, who came
from Germany to Rensselaer county with the early settlers. David De Freest came
from Bethlehem in 1834 and was a farmer by occupation. He has four sons: A. B.,
John, Garrett, and W. V. D., who remained on the homestead until 1878, when he
came to Ravena, where he has since been engaged in farming, A. B. De Freest
opened a store in 1893, which he conducted until 1895, when he sold out and started
a lumber yard which he now runs, and also handles brick and cement. He is a
member of the K. of P. Lodge of Coeymans, and has also been town clerk for two
years.
Waldron, Henry, was born in 1820 and is a son of Tobias and Cordelia | Van I 'erzee)
Waldron, and grandson of James W. and Edith (Ten Eyck) Walron. James Waldron
came from Greene county to where his father settled when he came from Holland in
about 1037. Mr. Henry Waldron remained on the homestead until 1850, when he
bought the adjoining farm, where he has since lived. Tobias Waldron was one of
the prominent men of his day and was identified with the public affairs of his town,
and was a member of the Legislature. He died on the Waldron homestead in
1876.
Van Dei-zee, Alton, was born in L842 in Coeymans, and is a sou of Barent and
Laura (Niles) Van Derzee, and grandson of Cornelius Van Derzee, who settled in
Coeymans in 1774 and was a fanner, Mr. Van Derzee moved to the neighborhood
where he now lives in 1852 and where his father died in 1850, Mr. Van Derzee has
always taken an active interest in the affairs of his town and in 1886 was elected
highway commissioner, and in 18*7 was on the Board of Supervisors and was elected
again in 1891 and 1892. He is a member of the F. & A. M. No. 804.
Gedney, Samuel, was born in Coeymans in 1820, a grandson ol Joshua, who with
two brothers came from England and were in the Revolutionary war, and after its
close one settled in Dutchess count county, and Joshua in Albany
county, at what is now called Stanton Hill. 1 Ie had four sons, Joshua, Peter. Bar-
tholomew* and Absalom, who was a brickniaker, and died in North Carolina in 1888,
where he had gone to carry out a contract for opening a yard for the manufacture of
bricks. Mr. Gedney began lite on the boats of the Hudson River, where he was
engineer and captain, and later went to Washington, 1'. C, where he remained for
thirty two years, first as captain and then as general superintendent of the Potomac
River Steamboat Company until 1882, when he retired and returned to Coeymans
where he has since resided. In IS pi he married Susan, daughter of Anthony Wolfe.
and has one son, Edward C. a farmer, and two daughters, Susie (Mrs. T. J. Corrie)
and Mary C. (Mrs. W. B. Holmes) of Coeymans.
Bedell, jerry, is the son of Thomas and grandson of Jeremiah, who came to Coey-
mans at an early day. His sons were David, Nathan and Thomas. Thomas Bedell
married Rachel Powell, and had in Edgar P., John G , Alfred, Samuel and
Jerry. He was a lai Mil fruil grower, and died in 1898. Jerry Bedell
married Helen I., daughter of 1 >avid Yanhcuscn. and has one son, Enos 1 '
PP
330
Whitbeck, Joseph M., is the son of John T., and the grandson of Thomas Whit-
beck, who was a farmer and died in 1873. Joseph M. is also a farmer. He married
Harriet, daughter of Spencer Stearns of Greene county, by whom he has had one
son, John S., who is a farmer with his father, and also has one son, William J.
Watson, Frank, was born in Stark ville, Herkimer county, N. Y., December 13,
1829, a son of William H. and Margaret (Schmidt) Watson. His grandfather, Jude
Watson, and the near relatives of his grandmother, the Jenkses, took active part in
the Revolution in Herkimer county. When four years old Mr. Watson moved with his
parents to Cobleskill, N.Y., where his father preached in the First Lutheran church
for about ten years. March 7, 1846, Mr. Watson removed to Albany, and subse-
quently worked as clerk in the stores of William Reese and Hiram W. Allen. For
three years thereafter he conducted a clothing business in Niagara Falls, and in
1857, while at Niagara Frontier, he was made a Free Mason and was intimate and
often sat in lodge with Colonel Whitney, who was incarcerated in the Canandaigua
jail suspected of being an accessory to the disappearance of Morgan In 1859 Mr.
Watson returned to Albany and for twenty-three years was a salesman and partner
in the store of A. B. Van Gaasbeck & Co.'s carpet house. Since then he has been
engaged in the carpet cleaning and storage business at Nos. 254-260 Washington
avenue. At the age of twenty one he became an Odd Fellow and is now a demitted
Mason to Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 5 of Albany. He has been twice married first in
1852, and again in 1873 to Fannie H., daughter of Capt. Richard T. Hoag of Al-
bany. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children: Mrs. M. E. Northrup, Grace A.
and Mabel E.
Parlati, Lorenzo, son of Raffaele and Raffaela (Di Bissaccia) Parlati, was born in
Naples, Italy, March 24, 1841. His parents wished him to join the priesthood and
sent him to the Jesuit Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, in Naples, where he re-
mained but two years, owing to illness. At the age of thirteen he entered the
Naples College of Music, where he remained until 1858. displaying great genius and
leading his classes in all studies. In August, 1858, he left the college, at the time of
the Italian Revolution, in 1859 joined the volunteers under Garibaldi, and in Octo-
ber, 1860, was taken prisoner by the Royal Troops. He remained at Gaeta Fortress
from November, 1860, to February 16, 1861, when he returned home, there to be
taken sick with typhus fever, the result of the hardships of such a life. He was an
invalid until 1864, after which time he resumed active study. In 1867 he came to
America, settling in Albany. In the winter of 1869 Jason Collier and Prof. Thomas
Lloyd brought him forward at a concert in old Tweddle Hall for the Y. M. C. A.,
Mrs. Charles Hoyt, at that time the leading soprana in Albany being his accom-
panist. Immediately he was besieged with pupils, among them being David Mann
of Albany, and William Oliver, being the first. For a year or two thereafter Signor
Parlati went on a concert tour through New York and the East, meeting with great
success. In the winter of 1870 he organized the orchestra still bearing his name
and reaching such efficiency under his able leadership that it is recognized as being
second to none in this State outside of New York city. He has furnished music at
all the social functions from the time of Governor Hoffman. His orchestra num-
bers twenty-eight musicians. Subsequently he became the leader of the orchestra
at the Trimble Opera House (now the Leland), holding through succeeding seasons.
331
In 1874 he was prevailed upon to accept the leadership of the Tenth Regiment Hand,
Col. (now Gen.) Robert Shaw Oliver commanding. Gen. Amasa J. Parker succi
to the command and rendered great service in quelling the riots at West Albany.
His orchestra of forty pieces played at the opening of the New Capitol, and later at
the Bi-Centennial. He furnished the music at the Fort William Henry Hotel, Lake
George, and at the Clarendon, Saratoga, for many seasons. In 1884 he resigned
the leadership of the band, devoting himself to teaching and his orchestra, the de-
mand for which was very great at colleges, etc. He furnished the music for ten
successive seasons for the famous Coterie at Lenox, Mass. He is recognized as a
musician among musicians, and his ability as a conductor and teacher stands un-
questioned. Among his many pupils who have attained prominence are Charles
Ehricke, now teaching in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music; Isaac Strasser,
George Van Tuly, Hugo Engel, Ed. Treadwell and many others. Professor Parlati
is a charter member of the B. P. ( >. E. He married Mary E. Greig of Albany, who,
with his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, adds largely to the musical atmosphere of their
lovely home.
Blackburn, John, son of Robert and Sarah (Barnett) Blackburn, was born in
County Tyrone, Ireland, October 13, 1837. He attended the National School in
Ireland, and when nineteen years of age came to America and settled in Troy.
N. Y., where he obtained a position as officeman and salesman lor John Kerr <\
manufacturers and dealers in wool. He remained in their employ six years and ten
months, after which he moved to Albia, where he bought the factory store of the
Troy Woolen Company; he was there four years manufacturing army goods and
doing a large business, and during that time made trips through the Western States,
buying wool for ]. Kerr & Co. After the war, manufacturing having practically
ceased, Mr. Blackburn moved to Albany and entered the business in the
west end, where he was engaged fourteen yea;"s, after which he formed a partner-
ship with John J. Jones and went into the coal business. Twelve years later Mr.
Jones died and the firm of Blackburn, Wallace & Co, was formed: this firm consists
of John Blackburn, John T. D. Blackburn, and Robert A. Wallace. They are
located at Nos. L05 Water street, 705 Broadway, 841 Broadway, "."Ontario street and
at Menauds. Mr. Blackburn is a member of Masters Lodge F. & A. M., a member
of the West End Presbyterian church and has been chairman of the board of
trustees since the organization of the church in |S7li. He has also been a trustee
of the Albany Exchange Savings Hank lor twelve years. In 1868 he married Nancy
Downing of Troy, N. V., and they have three children: Robert M.. minister m the
Presbyterian church at New Scotland, Albany county. N. V. ; John T. l>.,in busi-
ness with his father; and Zelda Rebecca.
Dell, Nicholas 1., son o V. and Julia Dell, was burn in Baden, Germany,
April 26, L840. lie attended th< public schools until he was thirteen years of age
and in 1856 came to America, settling in New York city. Here he worked as a tailor,
following the trade of his father for three years, when his parents came to America
and they moved to Albany, N. V., where Mr. Dell engaged in the tailor business
until 1892. In 1870 he went into business for himself at No. 18 I'm aver street, where
he continued until 1889; from there he moved to the corner of S. Pearl street and
Hudson avenue in the building later occupied by the South End Hank In 1892 he
332
bought the Belvidere Hotel from Mrs. Zeller and has since conducted one of the best
resorts in Albany. Mr. Dell is a member of the Einthracht, and Harmonia Singing
societies. In 1864 he joined Co. B, 10th Bat. N. G. N. Y. , and he is now a member
of the Old Guard; he is also a member of the Burgesses Corps and the B. P. O. E.
In 1887 he was elected coroner on the Democratic ticket and re elected in 1890. In
1869 he married Anna K. Von Lehman of Albany by whom he had three children.
In 1888 he married Mary K. Hermas of Watertown, N. Y. , and they have one child.
Denison, Frederick P., son of Henry E. and Hannah M. (Godfrey) Denison, was
born in Berlin, N. Y. , October 12, 1857. He is a lineal descendant of William Deni-
son, who was born in England, about 1586, came to America in 1631, and settled in
Roxbury, Mass., having with him his wife, Margaret, his three sons, Daniel, Ed-
ward and George, and John Eliot, who seems to have been a tutor in the family.
Mr. Denison was a deacon of the Roxbury church and died in Roxbury, January 25,
1853. Geerge (son of William), born in 1618, was married first in 1640 to Bridget
Thompson, daughter of John Thompson of Preston, Northamptonshire, England,
whose widow, Alice, had come to America and was living in Roxbury. The wife
Bridget died in 1643. George then went to England, served under Cromwell in the
army of the Parliament, won distinction, was wounded at Naseby, was nursed at the
house of John Borodell by his daughter, Ann, whom he married and returned to
Roxbury, finally settling at Stonington, Conn. He had seven children by his second
wife. John (son of George), born July 14, 1646, married in 1667 Phebe Lay of .Say-
brook, Conn. He was known as Capt. John Denison, held a prominent position in
Stonington, and in many ways was a man of mark; he died in 1698. George (son
of John), born March 28, 1671, was graduated at Harvard College, studied law and
settled in New London, Conn., where he was town clerk, county clerk and clerk of
probate; he died in 1720. Daniel (son of George) was born June 27, 1703 and died
previous to 1760. Daniel (son of Daniel) was born December 16, 1730, and settled in
Stephentown, N. Y., about 1773; he died in 1793. Griswold (son of Daniel) was born
August 21, 1765. George T. (son of Griswold) was born March 17, 1795, and lived at
Berlin, N. Y. ; he died in 1874. Henry E. (son of George T.)and father of Frederick
P., was born May 30, 1828. Frederick P. Denison, the subject of this sketch, when
a mere boy went into the music store of Cluett & Sons, Albany, where he remained
until 1886, when he became organist of the Emmanuel Baptist church. Although one
of the youngest of Albany's musicians, he is deservedly counted among the ablest
and takes high rank not merely because of his fine natural gifts, but because of his
rounded and complete musical culture. When he assumed charge of the Emmanuel
choir in 1886, it numbered twelve singers; now there are fifty. To no small degree
is he indebted for his present position in the musical world to his association as
accompanist with such artists as Albani, Lillie Lehmann, Emma Thursby, Clemen-
tine De Vere-Sapio, Camilla Urso, Marie Rose, Mrs. Osgood, Campanini, Adolph
Hartigan and many others of equal renown. Amateur opera owes him a debt and
his connection with local concerts has added to the esteem in which he is held by the
musical community. In the summer of 1886 he took a trip to Europe, where he
studied musicians as well as music, and where he acquired that fine touch and
artistic equipment of which his friends are so proud. In addition to his being or-
ganist of the Emmanuel church, he is conductor of the Schenectady Choral Society,
333
conductor of the Albania Orchestra and pianist of the Albany Musical Association.
He is a member of Masters Lodge V. & A. M.
Woodward, Walter M., son of John and Caroline A. (Mills) Woodward, was born
in Albany, N. Y., June 25 1860. The first member of this family who settled in
Albany, was John Woodward, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who
came from Montreal about 1838, and engaged in the carpentry business. I lis son,
John, became prominent in the business circles of Albany because of his connection
with the saddlery and harness business of Woodward & Hill. This business was
founded by Nathaniel Wright in 1810 and consequently is the third oldest estab-
lished business in the city. In 1860 John Woodward together with Mr. W. W. Hill
bought the business from Mr. Wright and carried it on under the firm name of Wood-
ward & Hill. Walter M. Woodward, the subject of this sketch, received his educa-
tion at the Albany Boys' Academy, from which he was graduated in 1879 and imme-
diately went into business with his father. In 1888 Mr. Hill died and John and
Walter M. Woodward succeeded to the ownership of the business. In 1895, after his
father's death. Walter M. Woodward succeeded to the business and now conducts it
under the original name of Woodward <Sr Hill. Mr. Woodward is a member of Mas-
ters Lodge F. & A. M. and a trustee of the National Savings Bank. In 1S!H he mar-
ried May, daughter of Alonzo Blossom of Chicago, 111. They have two sons, John
B. and Walter M., jr.
Goold, Charles B., sou of John S. and Abbie iBridgman) Goold, was born in the
town of Macedou, Wayne county, N. Y. , in 1857. When lie was about seven years
of age his parents moved to Albany, N, V., and ever since that time Mr. Goold has
been an active Albanian. His early education was received at Miss Crane's school
on Hamilton street and at Levi Cass's Classical Institute- subsequently he attended
the Albany Academy and was graduated from that in 1874. I Hiring the school year
of 1874 and 1875 he taught at the academy and in the fall of 1875 he entered Amherst
College, where he took the Porter Prize for the best entrance examination; the
Hutchins Greek Prize for the highest attainment in Creek, and he was one of the
contestants for the Hardy Prize for extemporaneous debate. Mr. Goold graduated
from Amherst in 1879, and at the commencement exercises represented the Greek de-
partment, having been selected for this honor by the head of the Greek department.
While at college he was elected a member of the Alpha Delta I'lii fraternity and sub-
sequently a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. After graduation lie returned
to the Albany Academy and taught Creek and Latin until 1881, when he went
to Germany and studied at Heidelberg and Berlin ; after the winter term at Berlin lie-
went south into Italy and Greece, studying the language, habits and customs of the
people. He returned to Albany in 1882 and resumed his position as prof essor of
Greek and German in the Albany Academy. The summer of is^ Mr. Goold spent
in Paris, and upon his return in the fall, he assumed charge of the French depart-
ment at the Albany Academy. He has edited for Ginn & Co. of Boston, a collection
of German stories for use in teaching the languag now professor of Greek
and modern languages at the Albany Academy. In 1888 he received the degri
A. M. from Amherst. He i^ a charter member of the- Albany Chess Club. In 1888
he married Louisa W. Hunt of St. Paul. Minn., and they have three children. Edgar
Hunt, John Chester and Katharine Hunt.
334
Silliman, Rev. George Dent, D. D., rector of Grace church, corner of Clinton
avenue and Robin street, was born at Hobart, Delaware county, N. Y., March 23,
1841. His father was Ebenezer Silliman, who married Ann Sturgess, 1827. The
family is of Connecticut origin, from one Daniel Silliman, who settled at Holland
Hill, two miles from Fairfield, in 1658; he was from Lucca, Italy, having lived at
Geneva, Switzerland. In ancient deeds his ancestor is called Lord Claude Silli-
mandi. Among the ancestors in Connecticut is the Hon. Ebenezer Silliman, 1707, a
member of the Colonial government, and grandfather of the elder Professor Silliman
of Yale College. On both sides of the family weje those who were identified with
the Revolutionary war. The rector was educated at the Delaware Academy, Delhi,
N. Y., St. Stephen's College, Annandale, and the General Theological Seminary,
New York. He was made deacon by Bishop Doane in St. Peter's, Albany, Trinity
Sunday, 1870, and ordered priest in St. Paul's, Xewburgh, by Bishop Horatio Potter,
November of the same year. He was rector of St. John's church, Monticello, N. Y.,
for three years, and the beautiful stone church there was built mostly by money then
raised, as was also St. Mary's, Thompsonville. From 1873 to 1875 he was in charge
of Trinity church, San Francisco. In 1875 he married Mary C. Warren, daughter of
William E. Warren, of •Newburgh ; she died December 11, 1S93, leaving three chil-
dren: Mary Warren, William Warren and George Stephen Silliman. After one year
at Napa, Cal., he took charge of St. George's chapel, Newburgh, and in the fall of
1877 was called to Grace church, Middletown. The churoh was sadly out of repair
and during his rectorship it was put in order and adorned; from 1881 to 1893 he was
rector of St. Mark's church, Hoosic Falls, and here, too, the church was enlarged
and embellished under his rectorship. On Trinity Sunday, 1893, he became rector
of Grace church of Albany, N. Y., where twenty-two years before on that day he
preached his first sermon after ordination. Grace church on the Sunday after
Ascension, 1897, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and the Rev. Dr. Maunsell Van
Rensselaer preached at the morning service, he being the first rector fifty years since;
the Rev. David L. Schwartz, D. D., preached at the evening service, he being a most
devoted rector for sixteen years and gave the parish its present life and standing.
These two men have left their impression on Albany for all that is good. The first
service was held in an upper room on the corner of State and Lark streets; afterward
a church was built on the corner of Lark and Washington streets, and in 1873 it was
removed to Clinton avenue and Robin street. In 1884 it was enlarged under Rev. Dr.
Schwartz, and in 1894 a guild hall was added. From the day of its foundation to the
present it has been a free church and a working parish for working people who have
every reason to be proud of the results that have come, when no large sum of money
could ever be given.
Dumary, T. Henry, was born in Troy, N. Y., November 5, 1855. He is a son of
Charles Dumary and Margaret Parr, whose father, Richard, came to America from
England in 1820 and was a descendant of Thomas Parr who lived to the ripe old age
of 152. Mr. Dumary was educated in the Troy public schools, after leaving which
he went into the employ of the Albany City Iron Works and the Jagger Iron Works
of Albany, where he had charge of the outside department and where he remained
six years. He then associated himself with Anthony N. Brady in the general con-
tracting business and remained with him for twelve years. For the past two years
335
Mr. Dumary has been a contractor of sewer and street work and has handled some
very large contracts, particularly the Beaver street sewer, the largest in Albany.
For six months in 1896 Mr. Dumary did work amounting to $250,000. He is a mem-
ber of Temple Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., Dewitt Clinton
Council R. & S. M. and is past commander of Temple Commandery. He is also a
member of all the A. & A. Rite and is presiding officer in two bodies, and has been
elected to receive the thirty-third degree at Boston, Mass., in September, 1S!»7. Mr.
Dumary is also a member of Albany Lodge B. P. O. E. He began his service as a
public servant when very young, having been from ten to thirteen years of age
unanimously elected messenger to the Troy Common Council and Board of Educa-
tion. April 27, 1880, he married Carry B. McCann, daughter of Henry McCann, a
well known civil engineer and explorer, of Hudson, N. V., who met his death
exploring in South America. They had three children: Janette, Robert A. and
Henry.
Garfield, Henry Whiting, was born in Albany, N.Y., November 16, 1848. II
son of Charles Lyman Garfield. His mother was Eleanor Cole, daughter of the late
Judge John O. Cole. Mr. Garfield is a descendant of the Puritans. Three brothers,
Garfields, came to America with the earliest settlers and their offspring fought in the
Colonial and Revolutionary wars. The late President Garfield was a member of the
same family. Mayor Whiting, the first mayor of Boston, was an ancestor of Mr. < rar-
lield. Mr. Garfield graduated from the Albany Classical Institute and immediately ob-
tained a clerkship in the Albany City Bank. He subsequently went to the Albany
Savings Bank, where he is at present accountant. Mr. Garfield is one of the best
known amateur oarsmen and for twelve years was president of the National Asso-
ciation of Amateur Oarsmen, and for twenty-two years he has been a member of its
executive committee. He is treasurer of St. Margaret's House and the Albany
Historical and Art Society; he is also a member and chairman of the house commit-
tee of the Albany Club.
Smith, Frank J., Ph. <'... son of David A. and Elizabeth (McGaghey) Smith, was
born in Albany, X. V., September 'JO, 1859. Both of Mr. Smith's parents were born
in Ireland ; his father came to America from County Moneghan, in May, 1884, and
settled in Albany. In ls-17 he engaged in the grocery business on the corner of
Green street and Hudson avenue, on property owned by the Ten Eyck estate. He
remained in business there for twenty-live years and subsequently moved to the
corner of Knox and Second streets. David A. Smith is now retired after a su<
ful business career. He was well known. Prank J. Smith attended Levi I
Grand Street Institute and Amos Cass's Division Street Institute; subsequently he
attended School No. 15 and was a member of the first class graduated from that
school. In the fall of 1872 he went to the Albany High School, but owing to ill
health remained there only three months. March 17, 1873, he went to work in the
drug store of John he P. Townsend as boy. where he remained thirteen years, in the
mean time attending the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he was .
February '-27, 1888, being a member of the first class graduated from that college. In
1SSG Mr. Smith started in the drug business for himself at his present location
371 Clinton avenue, and in addition to the drug business he has an extensivi
tling establishment. He was the first to put up carbonated root beer in champagne
336
bottles ; he also puts up siphons of seltzer and vichy and manufactures many patent
medicines. In 1892 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of
coroner and received a large number of votes, but was counted out. He is a mem-
ber of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., and Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 38,
I. O. O. F. He is also treasurer and for ten years has been vestryman of Grace
Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Unconditional Republican Club. June 1,
1881, he married Mary E., daughter of Thomas Fazaherly, the well-known baker,
and they have two children, Edna Flavell and F. J., jr.
Campion, George A., is a native of Albany, and a son of John Campion (one of
the oldest families of the Old Colonie, as it was called), who was a member of the
first police force of Albany. His mother's maiden name was Catharine Cummer-
ford. Mr. Campion had eight brothers and three sisters; two of the brothers being
connected in a public way with the affairs of the city: Patrick H., at one time assist-
ant engineer of the fire department and later practical engineer; and Martin A.,
who at the time of his death was a detective and sergeant of the police force. Mr.
Campion received his education in St. Joseph's School and in select schools under
direction of the Catholic clergy. After finishing his schooling he learned the sash,
blind and cabinet business and followed that trade for four or five years, when he
went into the employ of L. & P. K. Dederick, manufacturers of agricultural imple-
ments, remaining with that firm nine years. In 1870 he started the undertaking
business at No. 772 Broadway, and in 1873, in order to obtain larger quarters for a
i-apidly increasing business, he moved to his present location, No. 63 Livingston
avenue. He is a member of the Catholic Union and of St. Joseph's church, of
which his father was one of the first members. In 1875 Mr. Campion married
Hannah Holmes of Troy, N. Y. , and they have two sons, John Ebel and George A.,
jr. John E. graduated from the United States College of Embalming in 1893 and is
now associated with his father in business.
Griswold, Stephen B., son of Martin and Hannah (Smith) Griswold, was born in
the town of Vernon, Oneida county, N.Y., July 14, 1835. He is descended from old
New England families on both the paternal and maternal sides. His grandfather,
Matthew Griswold, was one of the first settlers in Vernon, and his great-grandfather,
Phineas Griswold of Winchester township, Litchfield county, Conn. , was descended
from one of the early settlers of Connecticut who came from Warwickshire, Eng-
land, in 1725, and founded the Griswold family in America. Stephen B. Griswold,
the subject of this sketch, worked on his father's farm until 1856, and in the mean
time attended the common school and the Vernon Academy. At the age of twenty-
two he went West and spent the year 1857 in the State of Minnesota, where he was
one of the first white settlers in Meeker county. The following winter and spring
he spent teaching school in Winnebago county, 111. In 1858 he returned East and
spent nearly a year at his home in Vernon, when he decided upon the legal profes-
sion, and in the fall of 1859 entered the Albany Law School, graduating in the
spring of the following year and was admitted to the bar. The two following years
he was a student in the law office of Lyman Tremain and Rufus W. Peckham.
After leaving the office of Tremain & Peckham, Mr. Griswold practiced law in Al-
bany and Oneida counties until 1868, when he was induced by the late Chancellor
John V. L. Pruyn to accept the position of law librarian of the State Library, which
337
position he has held continuously for the past twenty-nine years. In 1868 the num-
ber of law books in the library was 20,000; now it is 58,000. In 1862 he prepared a
subject index of the law library and a supplement thereto in 1893. which has been
pronounced by Sir Frederick Pollock of London and other eminent jurists to be the
most satisfactory law catalogue yet published. Many changes have taken place
among the officials of the library since Mr. Griswold's connection with it. Not one
of the nineteen trustees who were in office when Mr. Griswold was appointed in 1868
is now living. Mr. Griswold is a member of the First Reformed church of Albany,
and has served several terms as deacon and elder. He is a member and has held
office in the Albany County Sunday School Association, the V. M. C. A. the Albany
City Tract and Missionary Society, and the Albany County Bible Society. In No-
vember, I860, Mr. Griswold married Angeline E. Cornwell of Albany. They have
one son, Henry E. , who has been for seventeen years sub-librarian of the State Law
Library.
McLaren, James, son of John and Margaret (Bell) McLaren, was born in Edinburgh,
Scotland, February 6, 1833. He received his education in the private schools of
Edinburgh and in 1854 came to America, settling in Albany. He worked on the
Northern Railroad as machinist for about three years and in 1863 started in the busi-
ness of manufacturing machinist, having joined in the partnership of Pynchon &
McLaren, which was succeeded in 1864 by Anthony & McLaren. In 1876 Mr. Mc-
Laren came into the sole possession of the business and has conducted it very suc-
cessfully at No. 47 Liberty street since then. In 187 I Mr. McLaren made an exten-
sive trip across the ocean. He is very active in the St. Andrew's Society and is a
member of its board of managers.
Ryan, Thomas A., M. 1)., son of Andrew and Margaret (O'Shea) Ryan, was born
in Hudson, N. Y., in 1S64. He attended the public schools of Hudson and in 1881
removed to Albany, N. V., and took a course at the Albany Commercial College.
While attending that college he began the study of medicine with the late Dr. Snow.
He next studied with Dr. Vander Veer until 1890, and continued with Dr. Mac-
Donald until 1893, when he was graduated from the Albany Medical College, re-
ceiving the degree of M.D. Dr. Ryan was president of the class of '98 and received
the Bigelow prize of $30 in gold foi work on the nose and throat, [n Sep-
tember, 1893, Dr. Ryan commenced practice at No. 17 Eagle street, where heis now
located. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Albany Press Club.
and is instructor in surgery at the Albany Medical College and attending surgeon to
the out-door department of the Albany Hospital; is an ex-member of New York
State National Guard, having served six years in Co. 1 ». 10th Battalion, of Albany
county.
Ruso, Conrad, son of Nicholas F. and Catharine J. (Mosher) Ruso, was born m
Albany, N. V., November 7, 1S4S. Mr. Ruso is of French origin, his great-great
grandfather having come to America from France, in the early part of the seventeenth
century and settled in Albany county. Conrad Ruso was educated in the Albany
public schools and the Albany Business College, from which he was graduated in
1866. After leaving college, he was employed for a short time as clerk in the whole-
sale grain house of Glazier & Thacher. Subsequently he went as bookkeeper into
338
the employ of his father, N. F. Ruso, wholesale commission merchant. In 1870 he
became a partner in the business and in 1875, after the death of his father, he suc-
ceeded to the sole ownership. Mr. Ruso is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. &
A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T.,
and Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish
Rite Mason. HeHs president of the Acacia Club. In 1870 he married Eleanor V.,
daughter of Rev. Charles Gorse, of Newburgh, N. Y., and they have one son,
Frank G.
Slingerland, De Witt Chester, son of Henry H. and Hannah (Winne) Slingerland,
was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y., in 1850. He comes of
good old Dutch ancestry, as follows: Father, born 1808, son of Henry of New Scot-
land, died 1808 (m. Jemima Slingerland), son of Albert of Onisquatha, born 17:3:),
died 1814 (m. Elizabeth Moak in 1760), son of Johannes of Onisquatha, born 1696,
died 1731 (m. in 1724 to Anne Slingerland), son of Albert of Onisquatha, born 1666
(ra. Hester Becker), son of Teunis Cornelise Slingerland, who came from Amsterdam,
Holland, about 1650 and settled in Beverwyck (now Albany) and purchased 10 ,000
acres of land from the Indians and settled on the land now owned by his direct de-
scendants. De Witt C. Slingerland, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the
Albany public schools, after which he became clerk and bookkeeper for his father
and brother, H. H. Slingerland & Son. In 1889 Henry H. sold out to his sons, John
B. and D. C, who now own a large wholesale and retail grocery situated at 86 and
88 Washington avenue and 73 South Swan street. Mr. Slingerland is a member of
Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., the Unconditional Republican Club, and is
a director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Association. In March, 1875,
he married Lillie Cuyler Geary of Albany, and they have two sons, Henry Cuyler
and Frank Nelson.
Moore, James C, son of William and Jane (Campbell) Moore, was born in Albany,
N. Y., October 1, 1830. Mr. Moore's father was born in County Down, Ireland, and
in 1822 came to America and settled in Albany. In 1844 he started in the manufac-
ture of bricks on Morton street, where he was very successful. In 1860 he retired
and was succeeded by his son, James C, the subject of this sketch, who was also very
successful and in 1865 established another yard on Third avenue. Mr. Moore is a
brother of Robert H. Moore, of the well known lumber firm of Moore & Zimmerman.
In 1859 Mr. Moore married Sarah K. Smith, who died the same year, and in 1875 he
married Anna Babcock, by whom he had one daughter, Jean C. and one son, Will-
iam, who is dead. He is a member of the Third Reformed church, Wadsworth
Lodge F. & A. M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., and De Witt Clinton Council R. &
S. M. He is also a director of the Albany County Building and Loan Association.
Amsdell, Theodore M., was born in Troy, N. Y., November 20, 1828. His ances-
tors were Holland-Dutch and went from Holland to England at the time of Charles
II. Early in 1821 William Amsdell, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to
America and in 1845 established the Amsdell Brewery in Albany, N. Y. Theodore
M., received his education in the Albany public schools and in 1844 engaged in his
father's business and soon after became the master thereof. In 1851 he purchased
his father's plant and five years later removed to Jay street. He formed a partner-
ship with his brother, George I., and the firm of Amsdell Brothers was widely and
339
favorably known. This firm continued until October, 1892, when Theodore sold his
interest to his brother and purchased with his son-in law, George C. Hawley, the
Dobler Brewery, situated on Swan and Elm streets and .Myrtle avenue. The name,
The Dobler Brewing Co., adopted in I860, is still retained. In 1855 Mr, Amsdell
married Helen E. Zeh, and they have one daughter, the wife of George C. Hawley.
In 1878 Mr. Amsdell was elected a member of the Brewers' Association of New York
State.
Brierley, William P., M. D., son of John and Anna Amelia (Coles) Brierley, was
born in Stockport, Columbia county, N. Y., in 186:]. He received his pteliminary
education under the instruction of the Rev. George Fisher, pastor of the church of
St. John the Evangelist, Episcopal, at Stockport. He studied in this way for eight
years, then spent two years studying in a drug store in Hudson. X. Y., and Lenox,
Mass. He then determined upon the medical profession and studied one year with
Dr. C. E. Fritts of Hudson; he then moved to Albany and registered with the late
Dr. John Swinburne. In 1886 he graduated from the Albany Medical College and
received the degree of M. I). Dr. Brierley remained with Dr. Swinburne two years
after graduation and had charge of the dispensary when Dr. Swinburne was in
Washington as a member of congress. Since then Dr. Brierley has practiced in
Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Capital City L
I. O. (). F., and of the Ojibway Tribe of Red Men. June 14, ls'jo, he married
Katharine, daughter of Jacob Holler. They have three sons, John Herbert, Harold
Potter and Walter.
Fish, Julius, son of Simon and Jeanette (Schuster) Fish, was born in Albany,
X. Y., in April, 1853. He received his education in the public schools and after
leaving, was "bound over" for three years to learn the trade of stripping tobacco
in the factory of Fred Classen on Green street. He worked at the bench in different
factories after learning his trade and by hard work and judicious saving was enabled
to go into business for himself in 1872. His store was then located on lower South
Pearl street; in 1876 he opened a tobacco store and cigar manufactory at No. 11
South Pearl street. In 1896 he sold the store and now confines his attention solely
to the manufacture of cigars at the same location. Mr. Fish is very popular in
social and fraternal circles, being a member of tin Adelphi Club and Gideon Lodge.
He has been prominently identified with the 1 democratic party and is now a member
of the general committee. In January, 1897. Mayor Thacher appointed him a mem-
ber of the Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed Rufus Townsend, decei
Cox, John, son of George W. and Jane (Morgan) Cox, was born in Walsall, Staf-
fordshire. England, in 1850. He attended the common school and learned the trade
of brass finisher in the town and vicinity of Walsall, which is eight miles from Bir-
mingham. In 1870 he came to America and settled in Albany, X. Y., where i
lowed his trade as a journeyman for Orr & Blair. This firm afterwards
hands and became well know as Blair & Kinnear. Mr. C<>\ remained with this firm
three years and in 187:! bought the business of Henry McElroy who owned a 1
manufactory, where Mr. Cox is now located. In February, 1891, together with
Philip Wendell Parks, A. C. Graves, A. 1".. Brown, 1'. I-'. Gaynor and H. E. Bailey,
he organized the Cox Brass Manufacturing Company of which lie is now vice-presi-
dent and general manager. The company does a large business in its Albanj
340
tory and has a salesroom at No. 193 Center street, New York. In 1872 Mr. Cox
married the daughter of Wm. W. Chandler of Albany. They have four children :
John W., William G. , Margaret Jane and Theodore M.
Hunting, Edwin Francis, son of Ambrose R. and Amanda (Severson) Hunting,
was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 1,1864. The family is de-
scended from John Hunting, who resided in the east of England. John Hunting
came to America in 1638 and was ordained elder of the church in Dedham, Mass.
The family coat of arms contains, among other emblems, three hunting dogs, as
many stags' heads; the dogs holding between the paws a stag's head. His son,
John Hunting, was born in 1640; whose son Nathaniel was born in 1675; who also
had a son Nathaniel, who was born in 1702; whose son Captain Joseph was born in
1731 ; whose son Joseph was born in 1766, and settled in Schoharie county (on the
farm now occupied by the father of Edwin F.) He also had a son Joseph (grand-
father) born in 1805, and resided on the farm occupied by his father. Ambrose R.
(father) was born in 1833. He attended the district school, Schoharie Academy and
Charlotteville Seminary. He has served his town several terms as supervisor ; his
district for two terms as school commissioner ; and his county (Schoharie) in the
Legislature in the year 1891, as assemblyman, being elected by the Democratic
party, of which he has been a lifelong member. Edwin F. attended the district
school and Gallupville Academy, and in December, 1882, removed to Albany, N. Y.,
where he served an apprenticeship at the drug business. In the fall of 1885 he
entered the Albany College of Pharmacy. He took the regular course and grad-
uated in 1887, received the degree of Ph. G. He stood at the head of his class,
and received the prize for the best general examination. In March, 1887, Mr.
Hunting purchased the drug business at No. 67 Central avenue. In December, 1888,
he married Margaret F. Hocomb of Albany, and they have three children, Mil-
dred E., Joseph W., and Ruth. In February, 1795, he purchased the building and
removed his business to the present location, No. 121 Central a,venue, corner of
Lexington avenue. He is a member of Mt. Yernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and
is the president of the Alumni Association of the College of Pharmacy, of which
he was also the treasurer for five years. He is a Democrat, a bimetallism and was
an ardent supporter of Mr. Biwan for the presidency. He is much opposed to the
English system of government rule by a moneyed aristocracy, and holds in con-
tempt the pseudo aristocrats, who are striving to foist the English system ujxm
this Republic. He sympathizes much with the many, who suffer so grievously on
account of our present monetary system — those who are compelled to yield to avarice
and greed a portion of their pittance, that the holdings of the avaricious might be
correspondingly increased.
Selkirk, Alexander, oldest son of Charles and Jane (Elmendorf) Selkirk and
brother of Lewis M. and Frank, was born at Selkirk, Albany county, N. Y., July 18,
1830. On the paternal side he descended from James Selkirk, who emigrated from
Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and landed at the city of New York June 16, 1775, then
went to Galway, Saratoga county, where he resided until the early spring of 1776;
when at Albany, he joined the Continental army in which he served until the close
of the Revolutionary war, when he received his certificate of service and discharge
duly signed by George Washington (now in the Hall of Military Records, Albany).
341
He served under Arnold in the northern campaign and was in the battle of Saratoga,
at which Burgoyne surrendered; under Green, he was in the retreat through New
Jersey, and endured the hardships of the winter quarters of the army at Valley
Forge; subsequently under Gates, he was in the southern campaign until after
Gates's defeat at Camden, and later with his regiment in the allied army he was at
Yorktown, Va., when Cornwallis surrendered. After the close of the war he took
up his residence at Galway until he finally settled in 1786 at Selkirk, Albany county,
N. Y., on land purchased by him and now owned by his descendants. He died in
1820. In 1787 he married Elizabeth, sister of Christinia Herrin, wife of William
Henry, and mother of Prof. Joseph Henry, late secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, Washington, D. C. On the maternal side Mr. Selkirk is descended from the
Elmendorfs, who came from Gmlderland, Holland, and settled in Dutchess county
in 169G. Their descendants were numerous and in active service in both the rank
and file of the Continental army. Alexander's father, Charles, was born at Selkirk,
1799, and was in his early life a silversmith at Albany, but on account of poor health
and his inheritance of a farm from his father, James, he in 1820 returned to the life
of a farmer at Selkirk, where he died in 1868. Alexander, with his brol
received his education in public school No. 2, at Selkirk; his teachers being gener-
ally men from the Eastern States who made school teaching a means to aid them in
acquiring collegiate education, and under this class of teachers he was instructed in
the highest English branches of education of that day. He removed to Albany in
1847 and at J. Goold & Co.'s coach factory learned the art of coach ornamentation
and heraldry, and was made foreman in that department in 1850. In 1*49 he with
George Boughton, then also a coach ornamenter, James Hart and James Williamson
formed a class for the study of free hand drawing from models with' Mr. John E.
Gavit, bank note engraver, as instructor. In the spring of 185:; he went into the
business of carriage manufacture and continued in the same until in 1S<»4, when he
sold out to Shaw & Rose, and entered the profession of solicitor and attorney in pat-
ent cases and mechanical expert, and has since continued in this profession, having
established a large practice. Mr. Selkirk joined Union Lodge of I. < >. < >. I"., in 1852
and Wadsworth Lodge 417, of F. and A. M., in 1S~>7 and the Ancient Essenic Order
in 1897. In 1*48 he united with the Wesleyan M. church and was identified with it
until 1863, when he united with the Fourth Presbyterian church of Albany, of which
he is now a member. He has always been a Republican, voting first for Fremont.
He married Elizabeth Jane Fee in 1853, and they have five sons: Charles, William
F., John A., Alexander, jr., Frank E., and a daughter, Elizabeth R. s With other
citizens he opposed the 1894 scheme for supplying Albany with water from the Berk-
shire Hills, and so amended the Water Commissioners' Bill before the Legislature
that that board dropped their bill, while V)ills drawn by him and introduced thl
Senator Parker passed both Houses, when the Berkshire Hill supply scheme was
dropped and his plans for water supply, except filtering, also advocated by him,
were adopted substantially as was provided in his bills. In isitii, he through Senator
Nussbaum, introduced a bill for making a S nent with provision
for State control of the traffic in liquors, which bill was before its introduction in the
two houses, some ten days in the hands of Senator Raines, who then amended his
own bill previously introduced and incorporated in it many of the provisions of Mr.
Selkirk's bill. Mr. Selkirk is the inventor of the "System of dual circulation of
342
chemical cooking liquors for making chemical fibre; " he also is the original inventor
of closed electric conduits, of the class made water-tight and completed in sections,
in a factory, and ready for laying in the ground, or at its surface, with its enclosed
conductors at all times in condition for allowing electric currents to be taken, at will,
therefrom with safety at any time, thereby dispensing with exposed or overhead
conductors.
Hayden, John R., son of Timothy and Mary (Ryan) Hayden, was born at Muitz-
eskill in the town of Schodack, Rensselaer county, N. Y. , May 31, 1859, and removed
to Albany, N. Y., five years afterward. He attend the Albany public and high
schools, after which he worked at the trade of btacksmith with his father for three
years. This, however was not to his liking and he took a course of instruction at
the Albany Business College. After finishing this he studied law with N. P. Hin-
inan, Warren S. Kelly, and Wood & Russell. He studied law for five years but
never applied for admission to the bar. In 1886 Mr. Hayden was appointed stamper
in the mailing department of the Albany post-office and two weeks thereafter was
transferred to the general delivery division. In February, 1894, he was appointed
to his present position as superintendent of the free delivery division. Mr. Hayden
is president of Capital City Council No. 54, C. B. L. , and is a member of the Y. M.
C. A. October 19, 1887, he married Elizabeth A. Driscoll of Albany, who died I De-
cember 6, 1895, leaving two children, John and Edward.
Sweeny, William P., was born in New York city in 1855. He is a son of Patrick
Sweeny, who was a well known boss mason and contractor in New York city, having
erected some of the largest buildings and principal church fronts. Mr. Sweeny's
mother's maiden name was Margaret Butler. He attended private schools in New
York and in 1862 moved with his parents to Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , where his father had
the superintendency of the mason work on Vassar College. In 1863 his father died, and
after his death, Mr. Sweeny, with his mother and sister moved, to Montreal, Can.,
so as to be with relatives in fulfillment of his father's dying request. Here young
Sweeny attended the St. Lawrence and St. Ann Schools of the Christian Brothers
and also the Jesuit College, from which he graduated in 1870. In the fall of 1870 he
removed to Albany, N. Y., and learned the trade of cabinetmaker with the late
Charles Ferguson. After three years' apprenticeship at this trade, he went into
the carpenter business and served part of his apprenticeship with Walsh Brothers,
and worked at this trade until 1885, when he started in the business of undertaker at
No. 171 Central avenue, where he is now located and where he does a good business.
At the age of eighteen, Mr. Sweeny being a great lover of military, joined the Al-
bany Jackson Corps; he was recording secretary of this organization for five years,
and for three years carried the Walsh medal for proficiency in drill. He also suc-
ceeded Major Walsh of the Jacksonians, the leading Democratic political club of the
city, and was in command on the occasion of their memorable trip to the Democratic
State Convention held at Saratoga, N. Y., 1885, when Hon. David B. Hill received
the nomination for governor the first time. In 1886 he ran for supervisor of the
Tenth ward on the Democratic ticket and was defeated by Charles Strempel. In
1887 he again ran and was elected over Charles Strempel; in 1888 he defeated John
Kurtz for the same office. Mr. Sweeny is a life member of the Catholic Union and
a member of Branch 126 C. M. B. A., Our Lady of Angels Council No. 145, C. B. L.,
343
Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum, and the Mohawk and Columbus As-
sociations. Mr. Sweeny is also president of the Holy Name Society of St. Patrick's
church.
Downs, J. Murray, is a son of James H. Downs, who settled in Albany about 1855,
and Mary B. Murray, his wife, whose father was a prominent contractor in the capi-
tal city. He was born in Albany, July 9. 1872, was graduated from the High School
in 1889, and from that time until 1892 held a clerkship in the State Law Library.
Meanwhile he read law with Reilly & Hamilton, was graduated from the Albany
Law School in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in February, 1894. He remained
in the office of his preceptors as managing clerk until April 1, 1*95, when he formed
a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer, as Scherer \- Downs, which still con-
tinues.
Winne, Lansing B., M. D., was born in Albany, N. V., Octobi I 2, 1856, a sou of
Charles Henry and Mary D. (Passenger) Winne. The following are the names of
his ancestors in this country : Benjamin, born in Holland, December 19, 1705, mar-
ried Rachel Van Arnam December 14, 1728, and died in Albany, N. Y., January 8,
1797; Levinus, born June 8, 1745, married Maria Lansing May 10, 1768, and died De-
cember 6, 1825; Jacob L., born January 12, 1788. married Julia Ann Fry, August 11,
1813, and died May 7, 1860; and Charles Henry, his father, born April 26, 1833. Dr.
Winne was graduated from the Albany Free Academy in 1874, and from the medical
department of Columbia College, New York, in 1878, receiving the degree of M. 1 >.
After graduation he was an interne at the Demilt Dispensary in New York; he re-
turned to Albany in 1880 and associated himself with Dr. II. R. Haskins, with whom
he remained two years, after which he began his practice in Albany. In 1885 he was
appointed coroner's physician and held the office of city physician from May 20, 1894,
to January 20, 1897. Dr. Winne is clinical instructor in the Albany Medical C<
a member of the dispensary Staff of the Albany City Hospital and physician at the
Albany City Mission 1 >ispensary. He is vice-president of the Albany County Medical
Society and was its secretary in 1*95; he is also a member of Temple Lodge F. & A.
M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., Temple Commandery, A A. O. N. M. S.,and the Un-
conditional Republican Club; he has also been vestryman in Holy Innocents church
for several years, civil servii e examiner New York State for health officers, medical
examiner Northwestern Life Insurance Company.
Bailey, William Howard, was born December 28, 1825, at Bethlehem, Albany
county, N. Y. He was the seventh in a family of nine children. His father, Dr.
Solomon Bailey, a man greatly respected by the community in which be resided,
was a physician with a large practice. He was frequently called in consultation br-
other physicians, his opinion being valued highly. The arduous duties of his pro-
fession, however, proved too severe even for his strong and vigorous constitution, and
in 1830 he discontinued his active practice and retired toa farm. It wasat this farm
that William II. Bailey, the subject of this sketch, received his early training. The
outdoor exercise and pure air incident to farm life were valuable influences in the
formation of his character. He early attended a district school, but the instruction
there received was largely supplemented by the intellectual assistance of his lather.
After the death of his father in 1889 he continued his studies at the Albany Acad-
emy, but afterward went to the Utica Academy, and subsequently to the S
344
mal School at Albany. He finally became a student at Cazenovia Seminary. For
five years he taught school at various places. While in charge of the Union School
at Trumansburg, Tompkins county, N. Y., he began the study of medicine. From
Trumansburg he went to Cusseta, Chambers county, Alabama, to take charge of the
Male Academy located in that town. During these years of teaching he devoted
every spare moment to the study of medicine, and in 1851 returned to Albany to
attend lectures at the Albany Medical College, at which institution he was graduated
in 1853. His first experience in the practice of medicine was at Utica, N. Y., which
was then the home of his mother. In 1854 he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he
has since resided. Shortly after his removal to Albany he became a member of the
Albany County Medical Society. For four years he was treasurer of the society,
and in 1870 was elected president. In 1855 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane
Peck, who died in 1860, leaving him two daughters, Anne Peck and Mary Ella,
both of whom still survive. In 1862 he was married to Miss Anne Eliza Peck, who
still lives. He was appointed a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1860, and
in 1864 made a permanent member. From 1865 to 1875 he was secretary of this
society, and in 1880 was elected president. In 1871 he received the honorary degree
of M. D. from Soule University, Texas, and in 1877 that of LL. D. from the Wash-
ington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. In 1882 he was appointed one of the
State consulting board of the Hudson River Hospital for the Insane at Pough-
keepsie, which office he held for several years. For many years he was one of the
United States board of pension examining surgeons. He also served as ob-
stetrician and as consultant obstetrician for the Albany Hospital, which latter posi-
tion he still holds. He was repeatedly elected delegate to the American Medical
Association and to different State societies by the New York State Medical Society
and by the Albany County Medical Society. His connection with these societies
gives ample evidence of his industry and of the appreciation in which he was held
by the medical profession. He was a man of acknowledged ability in various lines.
As a citizen he took an active part in municipal affairs, serving two terms as alder-
man. As a teacher he was eminently successful and beloved by his pupils. It is as
a physician, however, that he will longest be remembered, for he was recognized as
a leader in his profession. His genial, courteous manner and kind, considerate
spirit won him many friends. His long years of successful practice have" given him
a record surpassed by few. He was honored and respected far beyond the average
man, and his life of willing self-sacrifice for the benefit of his fellowmen will leave
an influence not soon to be forgotten.
Van Derzee, Andrew S., was born in Coeymans in 1828. He is the son of Char-
lotte and Andrew Van Derzee. Mr. Van Derzee's grandfather came to Coeymans
among the earliest settlers and bought a farm in the southeastern part of the town,
in a valley known by the Indians as Haquetock (said by old people of long ago to
mean "long valley"), while the Indians were yet located upon it, which is still owned
by the family, where he and his son were farmers all their lives. Andrew S. Van
Derzee began his business life when thirteen years old by going as cabin boy on one
of the Hudson River boats and continued river life until 1849, when he engaged in
mercantile business in Coeymans, under the firm name of W. B. Hull & Co., which
was continued until the death of Mr. Hull, since which time he has carried on the
345
business alone. In 1851 he married Caroline E. Robb of Dutchess county, who died
in 1884 and left one daughter, Mrs. S. F. Powell of Amsterdam, X. Y.. and one son,
William II., who succeeds to his father's business. In IS'iu he married Mrs. Jane C.
Brainerd of Saugerties, N. V. Mr. Van Derzee has always taken a keen interest in
the welfare of his town, and has done much lor its improvement. The following is
from a local paper of date of December 22, 1896:
One of our oldest, most highly respected and longest established merchants lias retired from
business. On Thursday last tin- new firm of William II. Van Derzee and 1'. 11. Smith tools po*-
s.ssi.in of the old stand ami successful mercantile business of Andrew S. Van Derzee. Mr. Van-
Derzee had been iii business at this stand for nearly half a century, starting as a partner with
the late Wm. B. Hull in 1849. The house has alwayi or reliability. \\ ■
gratulate our worthy townsman in having secured a competent t_of all on his irreproach-
able business career, and trust be may be spared to enjoy many years the reward due an indus-
trious career. All will concur in wishing the new firm S future.
Soop, J. J. — Conrad Soop, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 10, 1745. His
parents were of the German Palatinates who emigrated from Wurfemburg, Ger-
many (the birthplace of Martin Luther) to America, under the patronage of Queen
Anne, early in the eighteenth century, owing to the religious intolerance at that time
manifested towards the followers of the great reformer, Luther. The larger portion
of these emigrants settled in the tows of Livingston and Germantown, Columbia
countv, N. Y. A few years after, owing to the feudal tenure of their lands under
Livingston, many found their way to the fertile valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk,
and there and in Columbia county their descendants are vet found, and to-day many
prominent citizens can trace their lineage to these worthy pioneers. In Ma\
Conrad Soop married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Becker of Schoharie (al
Wurtemburg descent), an aunt of the renowned Schoharie lawyer and banker, Abra-
ham Becker1. The larger portion of Schoharie county was then an unbroken wilder-
ness, and he purchased a valuable and fertile farm in the town of Bethlehem, Albany
county, near what is now South Bethlehem. He with his young wife hail scarcely
become settled there when he was called to shoulder his musket to light m that war
which "tried men's souls." He was made a subaltern officer in Capt. Jurian
Hogan's Co., 4th Regiment, and about a year after was transferred to Capt. Con-
radt Ten Eyck's Co. of tin- 5th Regiment, of winch Peter Whitbeck was firs!
Albert H. Van Derzee second lieutenants, under General Schuyler, and was with
him in all his engagements on the northern frontier and at the surrender ol
goyne at Stillwater, October 7, 1777. At the close of the war he returned t<> his
farm, where with his wife, surrounded by children and grandchildren, he lived far
beyond the allotted years oi man, enjoying the blessings of peace, and that
and religious liberty he assisted to achieve. His wile died August II, 1842, in the
eighty eighth year of her age, and he on September 86, LH47, having reached the re-
markable age of nearly one hundred and two wars. They lived eventful and Christ-
ian lives, and died honored and respected by their neighbors. The writer of this
sketch, now in his seventy-eighth year, a grandson, heard repeated manv of their
reminiscences, one of which is related as follows When he was in the army his wife,
wishing to visit her parents in Schoharie, saddled Iter horse with a sheep-skin, and
made the journey through an almost unbroken wilderness, where Brant and Butler,
with their band ol tories and Indians, were on the warpath, pillaging, burning, and
346
often murdering. She quite frequently made this journey of over eighty miles, un-
protected, and was never harmed. Who is the dame of the present day who would
undertake a similar journey? Their Children: Mary was born near South Bethle-
hem, November 20, 1782, married by Rev. Christian Bork (formerly a chaplain in
the Hessian army in the Revolution), Septemper 27, 1800, and died March 23, 1861.
Michael Niver, her husband, was born in Livingston, Columbia county, June 2, 1778 ;
his ancestors were also of the Palatinate colonists. In 1790 he with his father's
family moved to Bethlehem on a large farm he had previously purchased. His
father, David, had served in the Revolution as first sergeant in Capt. Teunis Van
Dalsten's Co. , 5th Regiment, under General Schuyler, and was present at the sur-
render of Burgoyne. Michael was drafted in the war of 1812 and served at Brook-
lyn Heights. He was a successful farmer, and died April 13, 1858. His farm is still
owned by his descendants. Their children were: Elizabeth S., born July 12, 1802,
died unmarried Septembers, 1879. Margaret, born November 2, 1805, married Peter
A. Ten Eyck, September 25, 1838; now (1897) living; has one child living; Katha-
rine, born March 4, 1812, married John Crum, May 16, 1832; died August 24, 1851;
three children, Mary E., Hugh J., and James J. Conrad, born November 16, 1815;
studied medicine with William Bay of Albany, graduated from Fairfield Medical
College in 1837, and located in Ancram, Columbia county, where, and in Dutchess
county, he gained eminence as a physician reached by few; married Jane Mclntyre,
aud after her death, married her sister Roxana; died January 31, 1867, leaving
three children by his first wife — Caroline, John Soop and Albert C, and three by
his second wife — Walter, Loda and Herman Bay. David, born February 16, 1820,
married Phebe C Hotaling of New Baltimore, October 26, 1843; living and author
of this sketch and owner of the old Niver homestead; has four children living —
Mary Soop Haswell, Conrad, Eugene A., and Charles A. Jacob Soop, son of
Coniad Soop, born May 3, 1786, married Maria Potter, September 6, 1837, died June
11, 1868; his wife died August 12, 1884; one child, Henry C. Jacob entered the
United States army July 15, 1812 and served under Captain Penfield. Henry C.
Soop, a well-known leading attorney at law of Rondout, Kingston, was born at
Albany, N. V , April 17, 1842. He studied law in the office of Judge M. B. Mattice
at Durham, N. V., graduated from the Albany Law School in 1863 and practiced
law at Roxbury, Delaware county, N. V. In 1890 he moved to Kingston and in
January of the same year he was elected president of the First National Bank of
Rondout; was also appointed attorney for the estate of Thomas Cornell, and secre-
tary and counsel of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Company; he is also the coun-
sel and attorney for several other corporations, and is vice-president, attorney, and
one of the founders of the Peckham Truck & Wheel Company, of Kingston. In
October, 1867, Mr. Soop was united in marriage with Helen M., daughter of Eras-
tus T. Peck, of Windham, N. Y., and one child, Katharine, has been born to them.
Frederick, son of Conrad, born March 18, 1790, married Margaret Van Zant,
September 20, 1817, who died November 3, 1851 ; Frederick died May 13, 1870, leav-
ing two daughters, Maria and Rebecca, living. John, sou of Conrad, born June
16, 1793, died March 11, 1874; when a young man he engaged in the grocery busi-
ness at what is now known as Becker's Corners, but in later years purchased two
farms, one for each of his sons, and became a successful farmer and sheep breeder.
He also held important town offices, having been a justice of the peace for thirty-
347
two consecutive years. On February 21. 1828, he married Mary Ann Russell,
daughter of William Russell and Judith McHarg, who was born April 21, 180(1, and
died November 29, 1843; and susequently married Huldah, sister of his first wife,
who was born June 15, 1815, and died childless April 24, 1883. He had three child-
ren by his first wife; Jacob J., who was horn December 9, 1828, married Ann Kim-
mey, daughter of David Kimmey and Marie Niver, March 3, 1852, who died Feb-
ruary 1, 1859, leaving three children, John, Jennie and Leonard. On December 6,
1862, he married Margaret Jane Coon, who died childless August 6, 1886, aged fifty
years. Mr. Soop is a successful farmer and breeder of fine horses; is still living on
his farm at Selkirk. His only daughter Jennie K., was bprn June 15, 1855, and her
husband, Capt. David C. Hull, and granddaughter, Ethel J. Bull, are living with
him. Mr. Bull is extensively engaged in poultry, fruit and berry farming; he was
born September 15, 1847. in the town of Coeymans; he followed the river from 1867
to 1894, then sold his boat and began farming. Ethel J. was born December 7. 1881
Sous of J. J. Soop: John Soop was drowned in the Hudson River, June 25, 1864,
aged eleven years. Leonard was born November 2, 1X57, married Georgia Livings-
ton, January 6, 1887, and died February 19, 1891 ; he was a great horseman and a
favorite with all who knew him. Leonard W. Soop was born September 12, 1882,
married Elvira Jane Conger of Canada, and died July 2, 1894, leaving three child-
ren, Jessie, Nellie and John B. He was a farmer and was elected justice of sessions
one term and justice of the peace in Bethlehem for twelve years. His widow aud
children are still living at Selkirk. Mary E. Soop was born in Bethlehem, Octo-
ber 19. 1884, and is living at Selkirk.— Com.
Lathrop, Cyrus Clark, is descended on his father's side from literary workers, and
on his mother's from business men. A son of John W. and Margaret 0. (Clark)
Lathrop, he was born in Bridgeport, Conn., February 21. 1862, and when fifteen en-
tered his father's book store, where he remained two years. For live years he was
connected with the linen thread establishment of Barbour Brothers. Returning to
Bridgeport he traveled for one year for an iron concern and then went to St. Paul,
Minn., in the employ of William F. Davidson. In 1888 he came to Albany and es-
tablished himself in the laundry business, in which he still continues. I [e has always
had strong religious convictions and from the age of fifteen lias been deeply inter-
ested in Sunday school work as a teacher. In 1XX9-90 he became identified with the
boy's department of the City Mission, and in 1890 took charge •>( it, devoting every
night in the week to the work. After visiting other cities, he organized, on April
30, L892, the Albany Boys1 Club, one of the most successful institutions of the kind
in the country, of which he has since been the secretary and superintendent. Among
tin- first to become interested in this organization were Charles R. Knowles, president,
Charles Gibson, vice-president, Herbert W. Stickney, treasurer, Cyrus ('. Lathrop,
secretary and superintendent, Oscar I K Robinson, Robert W. Shannon. Charles II.
Turner, Edward J. Wheeler, Albert Hessberg, Dr. A. 1'.. Huested, George II.
Thacher, William II. McClure and Percival X. Bouton, The club now has about 150
members, maintains a free reading room and library, an evening school of industrial
practical training, a gymnasium and a savings bank, and reaches poor boys of the
city. It was incorporated November, 1896. Its success is practically due to Mr
Lathrop' s personal efforts and direction. Its present officers arc. Robert Shaw
348
Oliver, president ; William F. Winship, Charles L. Blakeslee, George C. Baker, James C.
Farrell, James Holroyd, W. G. MacDonald, M. D., Edward N. McKinney, Charles T.
Buchanan, J. Montgomery Mosher, M. D. , directors; Edward J. Wheeler, treasurer,
Cyrus C. Lathrop, secretary and superintendent. He was married in 1885, in St.
Paul, Minn., to Ida F., daughter of Abram Pulis, of Troy, N. Y., and they have two
daughters: Dorothy Pulis Lathrop and Gertrude Kathryn Lathrop.
Bradford, William, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 4, 1860, and is of Scotch
parentage. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Albany
High School in 1879. After leaving school Mr. Bradford learned the photograph
business with J. L. Abbott, Haines and Horton; he took naturally to this business,
having spent much time in this work when a school boy. After serving an appren-
ticeship with the above named photographers he took up the study of process work,
which was then in its infancy. Mr. Bradford was the first practical man to do that
class of work in the city and he was employed by Weed, Parsons & Co. until 1892,
when the Albany Engraving Company was organized as a copartnership, Mr. Brad-
ford being an equal partner. In 1893 the company was incorporated ; the officers are
William Bradford, president; F. G. Jewett, vice-president; A. H. Calderwood,
treasurer; E. T. Jewett, secretary, and James Bradford, manager. This company
started with almost nothing and is now one of the largest of its kind in the country,
all due to Mr. Bradford's close application to the art. He is a member of the Albany
Camera Club, the Albany County Wheelmen and the Empire Curling Club. July
30, 1884, he married Helen L. Smith of Tully, Onondaga county, N. Y., and they
have two children, William, jr., and Helen L.
Bradt, Samuel Cary, was born February IT, 1S34. He is a son of David, who was
born March 27, 1789, and who died August 20, 1854, and who married Marie
Reamer. Storm Albert Bradt, the father of David, was born May 21, 175G, and
died March 27, 1848. He married Catharine Winue, born June 2, 1787, died October
18, 1847. He was a son of Storm Albert Bradt, who married Magdalene Lang and
who died December 13, 1799. Albert Storm was a son of Andriese Albert, who was
a son of Albert Andriese (De Noorman), who came from Holland to America in 1630
and settled at what is now Kenwood, below Albany, and built the first mill in this
section and named the Normanskill; he died June 7, 1686 It was mentioned at the
time that he was one of the oldest residents and earliest of the settlers of Rensse-
laerwyck. Samuel Cary Bradt, the subject of this sketch, moved to Albany in 1853
and became a clerk for A. M. Brumaghim, wholesale grocer at No. 68 Washington
avenue. He went into business in 1856 at No. 30 Washington avenue, corner of
Hawk street, and has been in business at different locations on the avenue for forty
years, and is now the only merchant on the avenue who has been in business for so
long a time. Mr. Bradt married Martha Wood and his family consists of one
daughter, Mary Ellington, the wife of Rev. W. H. A. Hall of Gloversville, N. Y.,
and one son, Warren Lansing, who married Anna E. Shill and who is now in busi-
ness with his father at No. 55 Washington avenue. Mr. Bradt is one of very few
Albanians who can speak the original Holland-Dutch. He is a member of the Hol-
land Society of New York and of the Unconditional Republican Club of Albany.
Newton, John Milton, was born in Albany, N. Y., in November, 1838. He is of
Puritan and Scotch ancestry, being a descendant of the Newtons and Whitings of
349
Colchester, Conn. Thomas Newton, the first ancestor of John M. in America, came
from England previous to 1639 and settled in Fairfield, Conn., and in 1644 was eli
deputy for Fairfield. John Newton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch,
served in the Revolution ; lie enlisted July 20, 1776 in Wadsworth Brigade of Con-
necticut and was discharged January 1-1, 1777. John Milton Newton is a son of
John Milton and Eliza (Carman Mcintosh) Newton. When he was four years of age
his parents moved to what is now Newtonville (so named after his father) and here
young Newton's education was commenced at the public school, then continued at
the Monticello (N. Y.) Academy and finally at the school conducted by the Rev.
William Arthur, so well known for ripe scholarship and Scotch integrity and as the
father of our model president, Chester Allan Arthur. Subsequently Mr. Newton be-
came a clerk in the employ of Palmer, Newton & Co., and in 1860 he became a
member of the firm. The business now owned by Newton & Co., a corporation
(often known as the Albany Salamander Works), was founded in 180G by Paul Cush-
man, father of the late Paul Cushman, cm the ground now known as Nos. 18 and lit
Central avenue, where stoneware was manufactured by him. About 1833 Dillon,
Henry & Co. succeeded to the business and afterwards the firm was changed to
Dillon, Henry & Porter; later Jacob Henry bought out the interests of his partners
and conducted the business individually until 1841, when he formed a copartnership
with Adam Van Allen, under the firm name of Henry & Van Allen, which con-
tinued until 1848. In August, 1842, the factory was moved to Phoenix Place and
soon thereafter was burned; and in 1843 a new factory was built on the corner of
Hudson avenue and Hawk street. Fire brick and stove linings were first made by
Henry & Van Allen^ in 1843. In 1848 John Gott and Amos ]'. Palmer bought the
business from Henry & Van Allen and a partnership was formed under the name of
Gott & Palmer, which continued until 185(1, when Jacob Henry and Adam Van Allen
bought out Mr. I iott's interest and the firm name was changed to Henry, Van Allen
& Palmer. About 1851 Horace B. Newton was admitted as a partner, when the firm
name was changed to Henry, Van Allen, Palmer & Co.; that linn continued until
1854, when Adam Van Allen withdrew his interest and the business was continued
under the name of Henry, Palmer & Co. Soon after the last named date |acob
Henry retired from the firm and the business was then continued under the name of
Palmer & Newton until about ls.V>, when Jacob Henry again entered the firm as a
silent partner. The factory was then moved to its present location on Rathbone
street. About 1853 Charles V. Henry, a son of Jacob Henry, bought his father's in-
terest, became an active partner and tin- firm name was changed to Palmer, Newton
& Co. In January, 1860, John M Newton bought the interest of Charles V. Henry
and the firm was continued under the name of Palmer, Newton & Co. until
when it was dissolved ; at tin- same linn Horace 1'.. Newton and John M. Newton
formed a copartnership under the firm name'of Newton & Co., which continued until
1891, when it was dissolved and the present corporation was then formed under the
name of Newton & Co. I in the company are Horace I'.. Newton, chair-
man; John M. Newton, president and treasurer; William M. New ton, vice-president;
and William S. Moseley, secretary. The company is doing a very extensive busi-
ness and its products are sold in nearly all sections of the United, States and Canada.
Their wares are also used in foreign countries and the goods manufactured ha
reputation for being of superior quality. In 1864, Mi. Newton married Mary Austin
350
Clark of Albany, and they have had four children ; two of them, William Mcintosh
and Mary Clark, are living.
Cook, Daniel H., M.D., of Albany, N. Y., son of Philo and Sarah M. Van Natten
Cook, was born July 6, 1849, in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, N. V. On
his father's side he is a descendant of Elias Cook who came from England about the
year 1600, and with twelve others purchased from the Agum and Montauk tribes of
Indians the towns of South and East Hampton on the east end of Long Island. His
mother is of Holland extraction. When he was fourteen years of age, his parents
moved to Albany that he might have the school advantages afforded by the capital
city. In 1874 he received the degree of M.D. from the Albany Medical College,
taking first prize in obstetrics, that being the only competitive examination given
that year. He opened an office in Albany, and in May, 1879, married Miss Kath-
erine F., daughter of William and Eliza Wentworth Crew of Albany. The Went-
worth family trace their lineage back to Reginald, the lord of Wentworth, England,
1066. He has two children, Katherine F., born in 1882, and Daniel H. born in 1884.
He has held numerous positions, namely, that of lecturer in the Albany Medical
College, dispensary physician at the Albany Hospital, physician of the Lathrop Me-
morial, president of the Albany Academy of Medicine, president of the Albany
County Medical Society, delegate to different State Medical societies from the New
York State Medical Society, etc. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the Board
of Health of the city, a position which he now holds, and is active in promoting the
cause of sanitation. In medicine he is still fond of obstetrics and diseases of women.
His practice is large and lucrative, and for diversion he owns a stock farm at Alta-
mont, N. Y., where he makes a specialty of raising Brown Swiss cattle and standard
breeds of horses.
Graves, Anthony Gardner, was born in Albany, N. Y., October 26, 1840, and has
bsen a resident of the capital city ever since. He received a liberal education in the
Albany Academy and the Carlisle Seminary ; at the early age of four years he began
his career in terpsichorean art, from his father, who for nearly half a century was
the leading teacher of dancing in this part of the country, and at the age of sixteer.
was a valuable assistant to his experienced and talented parent, and so continued
until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he enlisted in Com-
pany B, 10th Regt. N. Y. S. M. and was detailed for guard duty at the old barracks
on the New Scotland road. This experience gave him a taste for active duty in the
field and he accordingly enlisted in the famous 44th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., known
as the People's Ellsworth Regiment, and was warranted as third sergeant in Com-
pany F, August 3; and October 21, 1861, departed with his regiment for the seat of
war. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Hanover Court House, Va. , by a
gun shot wound entering the left side of his neck and passing through and lodging
in the right shoulder. He was sent home and subsequently recovering, rejoined his
regiment at Harrison's Landing, where he was promoted to orderly sergeant. He
was taken prisoner in the second battle of Bull Run and paroled on the field. Janu-
ary 14, 1863, he was promoted to a second lieutenancy and for meritorious service
at the battle of Gettysburg was raised to the commission of first lieutenant. He was
again wounded while in command of his company at the battle of North Anna
River, May 2-4, 1864, by a gun shot in right elbow; he found himself again disabled
351
and was obliged to take an honorable discharge, June 30, 1864. After recovering
from his wounds and finding his patriotism and military ardor still warm, he hast-
ened again to respond to the governmental call for union troops and November 14,
1864, re-enlisted, as a private, in the 11th Independent Light Battery, known as the
Havelock Battery of Light Artillery, and went to Hart's Island, X. Y., where he
was detailed to act as orderly sergeant of a company to do infantry guard duty over
enlisted and conscripted men. After being relieved of this duty he joined his bat-
tery in front of Petersburg, Va. After doing duty with the battery at Forts M c-
Kilvery and Welsh, he was promoted to be second lieutenant and placed on detached
duty as commanding 2d Corps Artillery Brigade Ambulance Corps with the rank of
acting assistant quartermaster, in which capacity he served until the surrender of
Lee at Appomattox Court House and the close of the war, I le was mustered out of
the service at Albany, June 13, 1865. Lieutenant Graves participated in the follow-
ing battles: Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Frede-
ricksburg, Chancellorsville, Aldie, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsyl-
vania, North Anna, Weldon Railroad, Five Forks, Petersburg and Appomattox
Court House. His highly creditable service as a soldier having ended with the end
of the war, he returned to Albany to again assist his father in the teaching of danc-
ing and so continued until June, 1867, when lie departed for Europe to be instructed
in the art there and so to better qualify himself in the best essentials of his profes-
sion. In Paris he received valuable instruction from those celebrated teachers, Mon-
sieurs Cellarious and Boizott. On his return from abroad with his improved equip-
ment, he entered into partnership with his father and so continued until the partner-
ship ended with the retirement of the elder Graves in 1876; since that time Mr.
Graves has continued as a master of his art. He has devised and originated many
new dances and is recognized by the public and the American Society of Profi
of Dancing of which he is an honored and respected member, as being in the fore-
most rank of American instructors in dancing.
Hotaling, Hon. Lansing, son of David I. and Ellen (Hillebrant) Hotaling, was
born, April 17, 1838, in Albany, where his father a contractor and builder, settled
about 1828 and died in ISO!). His ancestors came here at an early day. Mr. Hotal-
ing was educated in Albany, was graduated from the Albany State Normal School
in 1856, read law with Oliver M. Hungerford, and was admitted in 1859. He has
since practiced his profession in Albany. In 1861 he formed a copartnership witli
his preceptor, which continued until Mr. Hungerford's death in 1888 Ik- was
elected district attorney of Albany county in 1S77 tor three year?, was a meml
the Assembly for the Second Albany district in 1885, and is a trustee of the Albany
County Savings Bank and a director in the Albany County Rank. He has never
married.
Howell, Fred S.. son of George Oliver and (Rowland) Howell, was born
in the town of Hector. Schuyler county, X. Y., May 15, 1865. He received his edu-
cation at the Watkins (X. Y ) Academy, and subsequently studied telegraphy. He
made great progress in this profession ami at the early age of fifteen became man-
ager of the Western Union telegraph office at Watkins, where he remained three
and a half years. Mr Howell moved to Syrai USi X. Y.. being in the employ of the
Western Union Telegraph Company, and lati I to Wavi rly. In 1885 he moved to
352
Schenectady, N. Y., and represented the Associated Press as operator on the Daily
Union. In 1886 Mr. Howell moved to Albany to accept the position of Associated
Press telegrapher on the Albany Argus ; in 1888 he went with the Press and Knicker-
bocker, doing United Press work, and from 1888 to 1893 held a position of telegrapher
in a broker's office in connection with his newspaper work. In 1893, upon the con-
solidation of the United and Associated Presses, Mr. Howell gave up press work and
succeeded to the commission business of J. H. Knight, having offices in the Benson
building. In 1895 Mr. Howell assumed the management of the Albany office of
Price, McCormick & Co. and held this responsible position until February, 1897,
when he bought the extensive house furnishing business of Isaac Hough, comprising
two stores in Albany, one in Cohoes, one in Schennectady and one in Troy. Mr.
Howell is a member of the Albany Press Club. April 11, 1894, he married Jane E.,
daughter of the late Hon. Michael Richard. They have one daughter.
Borthwick, Acton S., son of James M. and Charity (Sisson) Borthwick, was born
in Huntersland. Schoharie county, N. Y., August 24, 1871, where he attended the
public schools and in 1884 moved to Albany, N. Y., and spent two years at the High
School. Subsequently he went to Coeymans, N. Y. , where he worked three years in
his father's store and in 1890 returned to Albany and was employed by George VY.
Yerkes & Co. until January 1, 1896, when his father, County Clerk James M. Borth-
wick, appointed him court clerk, which position he now fills. Mr. Borthwick is a
member of the Unconditional Republican Club, the Improved Order of Red Men,
Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., De Witt Clinton
Council R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, and Cyprus Temple A. A. O. N.
M. S. In 1895 he married Charlotte M. Conde of Albany.
Herrick, De Laus W. — The Herncks are a very old family, tracing their descent
in a direct line from the thirteenth century. Those members of the family living in
Albany are descended from Henry Herrick, who came from England and settled in
Salem, Mass., in the year 1629. Beyond the record of Henry's marriage, the first
public record in this country is that of the conviction of Henry Herrick and Edith,
his wife, in Essex county, Mass., and their being fined "for aiding and comforting
an excommunicated person contrary to order." Some of the descendants of Henry
finally settled in Dutchess county, N. Y., and in the time of the Revolutionary war
furnished a number of soldiers to the patriot army, among others Stephen and
several of his sons, and among them Jonathan. After the close of the war Jonathan
emigrated to Duan,esburgh, Schenectady county; he was the grandfather of Jon-
athan R. and De Laus W. Herrick, who subsequently settled in the city of Albany,
becoming prosperous merchants; they were the first of their family that had fol-
lowed any other calling in this country excepting that of farming. Jonathan R.
died in the city of Albany in 1890 ; he was the father of D. Cady Herrick, the pres-
ent justice of the Supreme Court. De Laus W. Herrick is still living, and is one of
the prominent coal merchants of the city.
Bailey, J. De Witt, son of John and Katharine (Kilmer) Bailey, was born in the
town of Bethlehem. Albany county, N. Y., March 25, 1831. He received his educa-
tion at the public schools and learned the trade of wagon maker from his father, who
was engaged in that business. In 1835 the Bailey family moved to the village of
Coeymans and here J. De Witt worked for his father after learning the°trade, and
353
after a time branched out into the business of carriage painter. For many years
Mr. Bailey worked at this trade and follows it now to a very limited extent. In the
spring of 1870 he was appointed keeper of the United States light house at Coey-
mans, and since then he has been placed in charge of five beacon lights on the Hud-
son River near Coeymans Landing. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Methodist
church of Coeymans. In December, 1854, be married Anne Rebecca Miller, and
they have three children: Edgar, Emma L., and Mrs. Edward Long.
Winne, John E., son of Matthew and Gertrude (Witbeck) Whine, was born in the
town of Niskayuna, Schenectady county, X V., July 30, 1850. John E. Winne is a
lineal descendant of Jan Thomase Van Witbeck, a native of Witbeck, Holstein,
Holland, who married Andriese Dochter, who was born in New Amsterdam (now
Xew York). From 1652, when Beverwyck was first laid out, Jan Thomase Van Wit-
beck was the most considerable dealer in house lots in the village. In 1G64, in com-
pany with Volkert Janse Douw, he purchased from the Indians the whole of Apje
Islands, or Schotaek, and the mainland opposite on the east side of the Hudson
River. Of his six children, Thomase Janse Witbeck married, September 5, 17o-j,
Jannetje Van Deuseu, and was buried at Papsknee. Thomas Janse Witbeck also
had six children, of whom Lucas, the youngest, was born February 26, 1724, and
married Geertruy, daughter of Johannes Lansing and his wife Geertruy, daughter
of Pieter S. Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany. They too had six children, of
whom Thomas and Gerrit (twins) were born March 18, L750. Gerrit Witbeck mar-
ried, May 29, 1774, Immeteje Perry, and had four children, of whom Thomas Gerrit
Witbeck, born January 25, 17*5, married December 11, .1803, Leah, youngest daugh-
ter of Francis and Gertrude (Van Dusen) Marshall, who was born March 17, 1782.
Of their six children, Gertrude was born April 17, 1811 ; she was married to Mathew
Winne on May 1, 1841. They had four children: Charles W., Thomas W., John
Eldert and Mary J. John E. Winne attended the classical department of the Union
School at Schenectady and graduated from the Albany Business College in 1860.
He thereupon entered the hardware store of B. I. Conde at Schenectady, where he
held a clerkship for one year, leaving to accept a more responsible position in the
iron establishment of Hannibal Green & Son, at Troy. X. V., where he remained six
years. In 1874, in connection with A. T. Burdick and Phineas Jones & Co.. Mr.
Winne formed the firm of Winne, Burdick & Co., for carrying on the saddlery hard-
ware business at Troy, X. V. In 1883 this firm became that of Winne & I >rake. and
in 1889 Mr. Winne sold his interest to Charles F. Drake and moved to Albany, where
he conducted the business of the Albany Saddlery Company, manufacturers of har-
ness. In 1895 Mr. Winne was appointed to a position in the Department <»f the
Superintendent of Public Works at Albany, where he is now employed. He is an
active member of the Madison Avenue Reformed church of Albany, and has served
as an officer and superintendent .it' the Sabbath School. In 1874 he married Henri-
etta L. Filkins of Albany, and they have one daughter, Gertrude.
Woodward, Major James Otis, was born in the city of Albany, X. V., October 1,
1863. He is a son of Royal Woodward, of the well-known medical famil
field, Conn., and is a descendant of some of the foremost Americans whose names
adorn the pages of the history of this country. Cotton Mather, Miles Standish,
Colonel Knowlton, a member of George Washington's stall, and James < >r
354
signer of the Declaration of Independence, are among those alluded to. He attend-
ed the academies at Albany, N. Y., and East Hampton, Mass., and was in the class
of 1882 at Hamilton College, from which institution he received the degree of M. A.
Although educated for journalism, his chosen profession, he studied law in the
office of the late Judge Samuel Hand, but later went upon the staff of the Troy
(N.Y.) Daily Times. Subsequently he became business manager of the Troy News.
Major Woodward also acted as correspondent for the New York Mail and Express
and other Metropolitan papers and became widely associated in newspaper work.
Leaving the work of the press, Major Woodward turned his attention to the cotton
business in the South, in which he is now somewhat engaged. Recently he became
interested in theatrical matters and is associated with a number of metropolitan
attractions. He is also interested in a number of theaters. He has always taken
an active part in politics. In 1885 he was elected alderman from the old Fifth ward
by the narrow majority of five, overcoming an adverse Democratic majority of
several hundred, and being the first Republican to carry that Democratic stronghold.
Twice he was tendered the nomination for mayor of Albany, but declined both
times. He was secretary of the Special State Prison Commission appointed by
Governor Hill. In fraternal organizations he is very auspicious; he was at the
head of the Odd Fellows of the State and was grand commandant of Patri-
archs Militant, I. O. O. F., division of the Atlantic, for four years. He is
not only prominent in Odd Fellowship, but holds distinguished honors among the
Masons and Knights of Pythias. He was president of the Chi Psi Alumni Associa-
tion of New York State two years ; is a life member of the American Numismatic
and Archaeological Society; a member of Mecca Shrine of New York ; the Elks;
Thirteen Club of New York, and the Fort Orange Club of Albany. In military
circles Major Woodward is very prominent ; he was for five years commander of the
Albany Burgesses Corps, the oldest military organization in the State, and was in
command of the corps upon the occasion of its celebrated trip to New Orleans and
the Mardi Gras in 1895. He is also an active member of the Old Guard of New
York. He attained the rank of major in the N.G.S.N.Y. He served on the staffs of
Colonel Brooks, General Oliver and General Carr. Major Woodward also attained the
rank of general in the militant branch of Odd Fellows. He wTas a member of the Bi-
centennial Committee of the city of Albany and was grand marshal of the great
Bi-Centennial parade, one of the largest ever held in the city, and of the great Odd
Fellows' parade upon the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the New Tem-
ple at Albany. He represented New York State upon the staff of General Schofleld
upon the occasion of the great centennial parade at New York. Canton Woodward
of Newburgh was named in his honor.
Austin, Arthur C, born in San Francisco, Cal., in November, 1859, received his
early education in the California Military Academy at Oakland, Cal,, and in 1879,
just before -his majority, came East, contra to Greeley's famous advice, to seek his
fortune, simply because he could not go farther west. His first effort in this direc-
tion on his own behalf was in the photograph business in Nashua, N. H., where he
remained with moderate success for five or six years. About this time photo process
engraving began to meet with public approbation, and Mr. Austin determined to
dispose of his portrait gallery and devote himself to the process of engraving, be-
355
lieving that the field was larger and more fruitful. He obtained employment in
Philadelphia, and by close attention soon fitted himself to accept a more responsible
situation in Boston. Here he remained for some time, until he took charge of the
Hyde Park Company, Hyde Park, Mass. In 1893 Mr. Austin removed to Albany
and organized an engraving company. This was successful from the start, but be-
cause of uncongenial surroundings and lack of opportunity for development, Mr.
Austin withdrew in 1895, and together with James Ten Eyck, Howard Martin, C. S.
Pease and others, organized the A. C. Austin Engraving Company, a successful cor-
poration from its inception, with a bright future, employing a goodly force of skilled
labor, and altogether a credit to Albany. Mr. Austin is a member of Temple Lodge
No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter X... 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Coun-
cil No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No 2, K. T.. Cyprus Temple, A. A O.
N. M. S., Capital City Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Albany Camera Club.
Green, Col. G. James, son of John R. and Ann (Vosburgh) Green, was born in
Albany, X. Y., June 4, 1860. His great-grandfather, John, an Englishman, came
from Dublin to America and settled in Niskayuna, X. Y., where he married Rebecca
Groot. They had a son, Cornelius, who married Gertrude Tymerson. G. James
Green received his education in the Albany public and high schools. In 1875 he
went into the employ of the D. & H. C. Co. as clerk, and for three years following
was paymaster for Curtis & Whalen, railroad contractors. In 1884 he was tendered
the position of bookkeeper with McKinley & Co., and remained with that company
until 1893, when he resigned to accept a similar position with Weidman & Co. Jan-
uary 1, 1894, he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the inspector general of
the State of New York and on January 3, 1895, he was appointed assistant inspector
general of the State, which position he now holds. Colonel Green enlisted in Co. B,
10th Regt., November 13, 1879; was promoted corporal, January 4, 1881 ; dropped
on account of removal from the city, Xovember 30, 1881 ; taken up as private in Co.
B, 10th Battalion, June 6, 1884; promoted corporal, Septembei i L885; sergeant,
January 18, 1886; first sergeant, May 3, 1886; second lieutenant, October 15
lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, 3d Brigade, December 11, 1889.
Upon the resignation of Brigadier-General Parker, he was placed upon the super-
numerary list, at his own request, January 2, 1891, and on August 19, of the same
year, he was elected captain of his old company, vice Stacpole, promoted ma
the battalion. Colonel Green resigned the captaincy of Co. B, January 1. 1895. Ib-
is a member of the United Service Club of New York City, the Military Servi
stitution of the United States and the- Unconditional Republican Club of Albany,
and the Military Club of Xew York city.
Bleecker, W. Rutger, son of Thomas S. and Catharine (McCullock) Bleecker, was
born in Albany, X. Y., in 1X(!'.I. He received his education in the Albany public and
high schools, which latter institution he left t the position of m>
ger in the Xew York State National Bank. Since his connection with this institution
he has won the trust and confidence of his employers and has been deservedly pro-
moted up to his present position, that of individual bookkeeper, to which he w
pointed in April, 1896. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417. F. & A. M.,
Knights of the Ancient Essenic < >rder, and is an honorary member of the Philidoxia
Society of the Albany High School. March 11, 1894, he married Elizabeth Pendell
of Monticello, Sullivan county, X. Y.
356
Babcock, Robert, M. D., son of John and Hester (Van Derzee) Babcock, was born
in Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y., December 2, 1857. He attended the Albany
Academy in 1873 and was graduated in 1877. He graduated from the University of
Rochester in 1881, with the degree of A.B., and from the Albany Medical College in
1884, with the degree of M.D. For a year and a half Dr. Babcock was assistant
house physician and surgeon at the Albany Hospital. He then moved to Holyoke,
Mass., where he practiced for a short time, and in 1886 returned to Albany, where
he has since practiced. He has been instructor in materia medica and therapeutics
at the Albany Medical College and has been on the surgical staff of the dispensary
connected with the Albany Hospital. He is a member of the Albany County Medi-
cal Society. February 18, 1886, Dr. Babcock married Maria Witbeck and they have
one son, Robert Witbeck.
Belding, Samuel B., son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Brown) Belding, was born in
Charlton, Saratoga county, N. Y., April 26, 1847. He is descended from one of three
brothers who came from England to America with the Puritans and settled near
Lenox, Mass. Their descendants fought bravely in the French and Indian and
Revolutionary wars Prof. Belding's immediate ancestors settled in Saratoga county
in 1793, and his maternal great -great-grandfather, Robert Barckley, was a provin-
cial governor of New Jersey. Prof. Belding graduated from the Charlton Academy
in 1865, and then pursued a study of organ music under J. Augustus Read of Albany,
N. Y. In 1866 he secured the position of organist in the Tabernacle Baptist church
and remained there one year, when he went to the Fourth Presbyterian church,
where he was organist for five and one-half years. Prof. Belding then removed to
Boston, Mass., and studied under Dudley Buck. In 1874 he returned to Albany and
became the organist of the First Reformed church, where he is at present; in 1876
he secured the position of organist at the Temple Beth Emeth which he ably fills at
the present time. In May, 1886, Prof. Belding assumed control of the music at the
Albany State Normal College and is the instructor there at the present time ; he
also has many private pupils and is recognized to be one of the finest musicians in
this State. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is a member of Mt. Vernon
Lodge No. 3, Temple Chapter No. 5, De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, Temple Com-
mandery No. 2, A. S. R., and Cyprus Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also the organ-
ist for Mt. Vernon, Masters, Wadsworth and Washington Masonic lodges and the
Shrine. In March, 1874, he married Elrlida St. J. Weeks of Albany, and they have
one child, Elizabeth Brown.
Dearstyne. Chester F., was born in Reidsville, Albany county, N. Y., July 22,
1851. He is a son of John Dearstyne and belongs to the old Dearstyne family which
was among the first to settle in Albany count)'. His ancestry is from the same
branch as that of the Dearstyne family of Bath-on-the-Hudson, numbering among
its members the first settlers of that place who gave their name to the Dearstyne
Hose Company. Mr. Dearstyne was educated at Reidsville, and at the age of six-
teen he became a clerk in East Berne in the grocery store of Z. A. Dyer, whose
daughter he afterwards married. He is therefore a brother-in-law of William S.
Dyer, the well known lawyer of Albany. Mr. Dearstyne was employee,1 j as clerk by
Albert Gallup in the Kimball House, In 1874 he started in the cigar and tobacco
business on Washington avenue, taking into partnership five years later, Mr. Isaac
357
B. Cross, recently sheriff of Albany county. In 1883 he engaged in the tobacco busi-
ness for himself at No. 385 Broadway, where he has done a prosperous business.
In 1894 Drv Dearstyne was appointed superintendent of the Albany county Peniten-
tiary and during his incumbency of that office he has given very general satisfaction
and has conducted the institution on an economical basis.
Droogan, Cornelius J., son of Cornelius and Mary (Brown) Droogan, was born in
Albany, X. Y., December 24. 1867. He attended the Christian Brothers' Academv,
from which he was graduated in 1865, and the Manhattan College in New York city,
from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of A. B., and from which he
received the degree of A. M. in 1890. Mr. Droogan also completed the course at the
Albany Law School in 1889, and has enjoyed an extensive practice in Albany since
then. He is a member of the Dongan Club, the Catholic Union and the Catholic-
Club of New York.
Downs, J. Murray, is a son of James H. Downs, who settled in Albany about 1*-V>,
and Mary B. Murray, his wife, whose father was a prominent contractor in the
capital city. He was born in Albany, July 9, 1*72, was graduated from the High
School in 1889, and from that time until 1892 held a clerkship in the State Law
Library. Meanwhile he read law with Reilly & Hamilton, was graduated from the
Albany Law School in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in February, 1S94. He re-
mained in the office of his preceptors as managing clerk until April 1, 1895, when he
formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert C. Scherer, as Scherer & Downs, wliich
still continues. Mr. Downs's maternal ancestors were soldiers in the English army
at the time of the Robert Emmet uprising in Ireland. Two of his mother's brothers
served in our Civil war and one of them, John Murray, died in Andersonville
prison.
Flanigan, Eugene D., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 25, 1868. He re-
ceived his education in the Christian Brothers' Academy, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1888; he then studied law with Nathan P. Ilinman and was admitted to the
bar in .September, l*s<;. He is a member of the Catholic Union and the Old « .
Albany Zouave Cadets. Mr. Flanigan married Maud N. Edwards in October, 1884,
and they have one daughter, Marjorie.
Fursman, Jesse William, son of William II. and Elizabeth (Rastall) Kinsman, was
born in Schenectady, X. Y.. December I. 1865, and is descended from a long line of
English ancestors who settled in Westchester county in the early part of the seven-
teenth century. On the maternal side, Mr. Fursman is descended from Johannes
Halsaerdt of Holland, who came to America in 1690; many of the descendants of
this Hollander are now living in Washington county. Jesse W. Fursman was edu-
cated in the Rome Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1888; after leav-
ing the academy he was employed in Rome four years as traveling salesman for the
Aland Patent Blower Co. He left this position to accept a similar one with a trunk
and bag house of Herkimer, N. Y., and after two years he moved toOswegO, N. V..
where he learned shorthand in the business college, subsequently being employed by
T. Kingsford & Son as stenographer for three years. From Oswego Mr. Fursman
moved to Syracuse, X. Y.. where he was employed for a time by the Sherwood Har-
ness Co., and for the past live years he has been engaged with the Albany branch
358
of the Smith-Premier Typewriter Co. Mr. Fursman is very popular with the young
men of Albany and is a member of Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of
Pythias and Co. B, IGth Batt, N. G. N. Y. October 20, 1891, he married Kate
Dvvyer of Herkimer, N. Y., and they have two children, Edgar Seward and Marian.
Goodwin Albert C, is descended from Ozias Goodwin, who came with his brother,
Elder William, in the ship Lion, from Braintree, England, arriving at Boston, Sep-
tember, 1632, with his wife, Mary Woodward. He settled in Cambridge, Mass., and
later in Hartford, Conn. The line is (1) Ozias ; (2) William; (3) Deacon Nathaniel;
(4) Isaac; (5) Uriah,1 of Ashfield, Mass., member of the committee of safety 1778, of
the committee to raise troops, 1780, and army supplies, 1781, and selectmen and as-
sessor, 1781; (6) Eldad Francis, 1701-1827, born in Hartford, Conn., and was the
millwright in the town of his birth for many years, moved to Watervliet, Albany
county, and kept hotel, and after the death of his first wife, Lucy Scott, came to
Albany; (7) Albert, born in Ashfield, Mass., September 3, 1803, died February 10,
1869, in Albany, where he was alderman, city assessor and mason and builder; (8)
Thomas Laing; and (9) Albert C. Albert (7) married, October 13, 1828, Jane Laing,
who died May 31, 1835. Of their seven children, Thomas Laing Goodwin, born in
Albany, January 24, 1835, married May 23, 1860, Pamelia Batchelder Clark, born
August 7, 1841, daughter of Daniel Parsons and Catharine (Russ) Clark. He died
in November, 1888; he had three children ; Albert C, born February 14, 1861, and
two who died young. Educated in the Boys' Academy and learning the lithographic
trade with Harry Pease, he formed in 1860 a copartnership with George W. Lewis,
which was succeeded by Murray & Goodwin ; about 1872 he became sole owner and
in 1882 admitted his son, Albert C, under the firm name of Thomas L. Goodwin &
Son. Thomas L. was an active, prominent Democrat, foreman of the Volunteer
Tivoli Hose Company, member of the Old Guard of the Burgesses Corps and the
Fourth Presbyterian church, and a trustee of the Home Savings Bank. In 1886 Mr.
Goodwin retired and since then Albert C. has conducted the general lithographic and
engraving establishment alone, largely increasing the business, which is the only
one of the kind between New York and Buffalo. Albert C. was educated in the Boys'
1 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Secretary. Revolutionary War Service. Uriah
i ioodwin;
Uriah (ioodwin appears with rank of Sergeant on Muster Roll of Capt. Benjamin Phillips' Co.,
Lt.-Col. Timothy Robinson's Regt. Enlisted Dec. 23, 1776, discharged April 1, 1777; length of
service :', mos: 10 days. Reported— Hampshire Co. Regt. Dated, In garrison at Ticonderoga, Feb.
24, 1777. Reported— Lame in barracks. - Vol. 47, 180, and Vol. 22, 79.
Appears in a Descriptive List of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army, for the term
of six months, agreeable toresolve of June 5, 1780; age 42 years; stature, 5 feet 4 in.; complexion
light; residence, Ashfield; time of arrival at Springfield, July 21, 1780. 23d Division. Marched to
Camp July 21, 1780, under command of Capt. Isaac Pope.— Vol. 35, p. 205.
Uriah (ioodwin appears on a Pay Roll for six months men raised to the town of Ashfield for
service in the Continental Army during 1780. When marched, July 21, 1180; when discharged,
Dec. 5, 1780; length of service, 4 mos. 23 days.— Vol. 4, p. 21.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Secretary, Boston, May 1. 1895.
I certify the foregoing to be true abstracts from the Record Index to the Revolutionary Arch-
ives deposited in this office.
Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth,
Wm. M. Olin,
(L. S.) Secretary.
359
Academy, has passed through the chairs and is the present master of Ancient City
Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., a member of Temple Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., and
Temple Commandery, No. 2, K. T. He was secretary and superintendent of the old
Menand Mission from 1880 to 1885, and with Rev. Charles Wood organized the
Viaduct Mission in 1886, of which he was superintendent several years. He was a
trustee of the Fourth Presbyterian church for eight years, until his removal to
Menand's in 1895, and has been secretary, treasurer, trustee and president of the
Albany County Sunday vSchool Teachers' Association, and director of the South End
Bank. In 1839 he married Sarah Alice Higgs, of Brooklyn, daughter of George
Henry, and the late Frances (Fisher) Higgs, and their children are Alice Lloyd and
Albert C. jr.
Harris, Frank S'., son of George O. and Mary (Salisbury) Harris, was born in Al
bany, N. Y., in 1868. He received his education in the public schools and Albany
I Academy and subsequently spent three years at Lake George and New York city.
In 1885 he assumed management, for his mother, of the large livery business which
was started about 1835 by his grandfather, George, and which has been in the family
ever since. In military circles there is none more popular and it would be hard to
find a better drilled member of the National Guard. For ten years Mr. Harris was
a member of Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y. , and during part of that time was a ser-
geant of the company. He is now first lieutenant and commissary on Colonel
Fitch's staff of the 10th Bat. N. G. N. Y. He is also a member of the Albany Club.
Haswell, William H., son of Justus and Nancy L. (Ransom) Haswell, was born in
Albany, N. Y., September 29, 1853. He attended the public schools and High
School, graduating from the latter in 1872. He spent one year in the employ of his
father, dealer in hay and grain, and for three years was special deputv county clerk
uuder his uncle, William K. Haswell, who was county clerk. While in this position
Mr. Haswell performed the duties of court clerk. After the expiration of his term
of office he returned to business with his father, with whom he remained unt
for seven years managing the Brooklyn office of his father's business. In 1888
became connected with the Ron an Towing and Transportation Line as bookkeeper,
and during Mr. Ronan's absences, which are frequent, he has full charge of the
business. He is a member of the Albany Club, Old Guard, Albany Zouave
Cadets and the Friendly Few, an organization composed of graduates of the High
School.
Hollenbeck, Frank, is the son of Jacob, grandson of Jacob; his great-grandfather
came from Holland. Mr. Hollenbeck remained on the homestead, where bis grand-
father settled, until 1880, when he came to his present farm. He married I. . y M
daughter of Cornelius Mosher.
Hitt, Hon Galen R., is the son of New England ancestors and was born in Paw-
let, Yt., August Hi, 1848. He received his preliminary education in the public
schools and in 1859 he entered the Troy Conference Academy at Poultnev. Yt.,
where he remained four years. He then began the study of law at Rutland, Yt..
and finished his studies in Albany, X. Y, where he was admitted to the bar by the
General Term in the spring of 1865. In the fall of the same year he married -
J. Crowley, daughter of the late Hon. John Crowley of Mount Holly, Vt.. and took
360
up his residence in Albany. He has built up a very large practice, especially in
criminal cases. In 1874 he helped to organize the Albany Boatmen's Relief Asso-
ciation, of which for six years he was a director and for four years attorney. In
1877 he joined the Albany Burgesses Corps and has held the offices of president and
vice-president. In politics Mr. Hitt has always been a hard worker for the Demo-
cratic party. In the spring of 1884 he was elected alderman from the Sixth ward
and in 1888 was alderman-at-large. He served four years in the Common Council
and was a very instrumental member of that bod}-. He was chairman of the Com-
mon Council committee on celebration of the Albany bi-centennial. In the winter of
1888 he was the first to start the carnival and he was also interested in the move-
ment to furnish the city of Albany with pure water. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Hitt
was chosen to represent the Third district of Albany county in the State Legisla-
ture and served during that session on the Committee on Cities and State Prisons.
He also introduced the bill for the repaving of State street. Again in 1889 he was
elected a member of the Legislature and was one of the most eloquent debaters on
the floor of the Assembly. He was ever on the lookout for Albany's best interests
and so well did he serve the first two terms of his election that in 1890 and 1891 he
was re-elected. Mr. Hitt is now practicing law at No. 93 State street. He is a
member of the Democratic Phalanx and chairman of the commission on the Northern
Boulevard.
Kirkland, George W., born in Albany, February 22. 1858, is a son of Abram S.,
who was born in Albany county near Slingerlands, and was a farmer and cooper in
Albany and in 1861 enlisted and served through the war of the Rebellion. George
W. Kirkland went to Michigan with his parents in 1866 and in 1870 returned to Al-
bany, where he finished his education in the public schools. He became a clerk in
the drug store of Collins & Kirk and later a clerk for White & Co., lumber dealers.
He subsequently learned the trade of wood carver and followed it till 1894, when he
was appointed city marshal, which position he still holds. He is a member and past
noble grand of Fireman's Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. In 1883 he married Margaret
Fowler, daughter of Charles Fowler, of Albany.
Lynch, John H., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1851; he was educated in the
public schools, Christian Brothers' Academy, and Albany Academy, from which he
graduated in 1870. While a pupil of the academy he was elected president of "The
Beck Literary Society" and served in that capacity for one year. After leaving
school he was for five years superintendent of the Albany and Greenbush Ferry Co.
He resigned this position Jo accept a responsible desk in the office of the adjutant-
general under the administration of General Franklin Townsend; he occupied this
position about a year and resigned to engage in the coal business. On his retire-
ment he was highly complimented for his services by the adjutant general in an
autograph letter. He engaged in the coal business on Rensselaer street in 1876 and
continued at this location until January, 1896, when he removed to a large and con
venient yard corner of Madison avenue and Church street, which he at present occu-
pies. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum and the
successor of the late William D. Morange to the presidency ; he is also a member of
the Dongan Club and for three years was its president. Mr. Lynch has always
taken a lively interest in educational matters, was elected a member of the Board of
361
Public Instruction in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He resigned as a member of the
board July, 1N8:>, on account of business engagements. He was again appointed to
the board by Mayor Manning- in 1892 for a term of six years. In politics Mr. Lynch
is a Democrat and although he has never taken a very active part, yet he has twice
represented his district as a delegate to State conventions. Mr. Lynch is a director
of the German Foot Powder Company.
Lewi, William G., Ph. G., M.D., son of Dr. Joseph and Berta(Schwarz) Lewi, was
born in Albany, X. Y. , March '!'■), 1870. IK- was educated in the Albany public and
high schools, after which he accepted a clerkship in the drug store of his brother,
Theodore J. Lewi. He remained in the drug store four years, in the mean time-
attending the Albany College of Pharmacy, where he finished the course in 1890 and
from which he received his diploma in 1891. While a senior at the College of Phar-
macv, Dr. Lewi entered the Albany Medical College, from which he received the
degree of M. D. in 1892; since then Dr. Lewi has practiced in Albany. The year
following his graduation he was appointed instructor in physiology in the Albany
Medical College; later he took the chair of instructor in nervous diseases as assistant
to Dr. Hun, and he is at present instructor in materia medica, therapeutics and med-
ical teehnicpie. He is also first lecturer in pharmacy, a chair instituted in 1896. Dr.
Lewi is physician to the dispensary of the Albany Hospital and is a member of the
Albany County Medical Society.
Lewi, Theodore J., was born in Albany, X. Y.. February 4, lsii-2. He is a son of
Dr. Joseph Lewi, who for the past forty-two years has practiced medicine in Albany,
and Bertha Schwarz. He received his preparatory education in the public schools
and later attended the Albany High School for three years, after which he held a
clerkship in the drug store of L. Sautter, sr., for ten years, attending in the mean
time the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated in
1883, receiving the prize for the best graduating thesis. In April, l*s7. be acquired
possession of the property on the corner of Hudson avenue and F... I and
opened a drug store there where he is now located. He is a member of the Albany
Press Club, Adelphi Club, Xew York State Parinaceutical Association, Capital City
Club, Albany Turn Verein and Gideon Lodge. [. 6. < ». B. He is also the president
of the German Foot Powder Co.
Mayer, John X.. son of Nicholas and Gertrude (Erts) Mayer, native many,
and the parents of five sons and one daughter, was born in Albany, < October 18, 1866,
received his edecation in the public schools and Albany Busiin and read
law in the offices of Colvin & Guthrie and Ward & Cameron" In 1*91 he ei
the county clerk's office under A. C. Requa and when the rm expired, be
again became a clerk for the last named firm. January 16, Is'.":.. be was appointed
inspector of customs under John P. Masterson. He is a member of the C. B. I .
the German Young Men's Catholic Union. Octi 895, he married Mary K..
daughter of Pius Rheiner of Albany.
Xellegar, Edwin, son of William R. and Maria ••. was born in
Albany, X. Y., March 13, 1852. He received his education in the public school
subsequently served a six months' apprenticeship in the upholstery business with B.
W. Wooster. Then after a short time in bu himself, h
362
tion of foreman and head salesman in the furniture department of W. M. Whitney
& Co., with whom he remained fifteen years. After leaving Whitney & Co. Mr.
Nellegar went into business for himself on Hudson avenue, and in 1891 moved to
his present location at No. 29 Washington avenue, corner of Hawk street. He is a
member of Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum. In 1871 he married
Elida A. French of Albany, and they have three children: Don Albert, William
Robinson and Edwin, jr.
O'Brien, Hon. Smith, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y., Feb-
ruary 12, 1850. He attended the public school of the town and after leaving was
apprenticed to a mechanic; he learned the trade and worked at it until 1875, when
he became ambitious to study law. He therefore entered the law office of Barret H.
Staats of Clarksville, and remained with that lawyer for some time. Leaving that
office he removed to Albany and read law with ex-Judge Jacob H. Clute. While
there he attended the Albany Law School during 1877 and 1878, and was graduated
in the latter year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. O'Brien was admitted to the bar and since
that time has practiced law in the village of Clarksville and Albany. He was super-
intendent of documents in the Assembly of 1878 and 1879 and document clerk in
1884 under Charles R. Chickering. He performed his duties in an able manner and
was brought prominently before the public. His popularity was well attested in
1885 when he was elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany
county. Mr. O'Brien is a staunch Republican and is well liked. Since 1875 he has
resided at Clarksville. He is now the attorney for the Fish and Game Commis-
sion.
Payn, Louis F., was born in Chatham, Columbia county, January 27, 1835, and for
many years has been the leading Republican politician of Columbia county. Before
he was of age he was a power in politics, and the Republican who had been elected
sheriff waited from January 1 until January 27, 1856, before appointing a deputy, in
order that Mr. Payn might become of age and take the place, which was, of course,
his first political office. Reuben E. Fenton, as governor in 1867, appointed Mr.
Payn a harbor master of New York. Mr. Payn therefore zealously supported Mr.
Fenton when he was a successful candidate for United States Senator in 1869 ; when
Governor Hoffman appointed a Democrat to succeed him, Mr. Payn went back to
Chatham. In 1872 he parted from Mr. Fenton on account of the latter's support of
Horace Greeley for president. Mr. Payn did not join the Republican faction of
which Roscoe Conkling was the head, but resisted all the efforts of Conkling and
his supporters to oust him from the leadership in Columbia county. In 1876, when
Conkling was a candidate for the nomination for president, Mr. Payn declined to
give any pledge of support. He was elected a delegate to the convention at Cincin-
nati and voted for Roscoe Conkling until he saw that the latter could not be nom-
inated, when he voted for James G. Blaine. President Grant subsequently nom-
inated Mr. Payn for the office of United States marshal for the sryithern district of
New York; he was confirmed as United States marshal in February, 1877, just be-
fore President Hayes assumed office. Mr. Payn's term as United States marshal
expired in March, 1881, just before President Garfield assumed office, and he was
reappointed by a United States judge, but President Garfield did not confirm the
appointment. Mr. Payn supported Senators Conkling and Piatt in their attitude
363
toward the Garfield administration and also labored hard to bring about their re-
election. His intimacy with Mr. Conkling and Mr. Piatt can be appreciated when it
is remembered that he carried their letter to Governor Cornell resigning their places
as senators. After the long fight was ended Mr. Payn went to New York and for
several years had an office with Alonzo B. Cornell at No. .r)3 Broadway, and was en-
gaged in promoting placers for tin mining at Harney's Peak in Dakota. Mr. Payn
and Governor Black are warm friends, and it is in recognition of his earnest sup-
port and his great business and executive ability that Governor Black appointed
Mr. Payn, on February 1, 1897, superintendent of insurance of New York. Mr.
Payn is a man of charitable inclinations, though Ins deeds of charity are best
with no ostentation.
Papen, George Washington, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., April 20, 1854.
His father, Theodore Papen, was a son of Gen. George Yon Papen of Pyermont,
Duchy of Waldeck, Germany. His mother, Julia Wachter, was a daughter of
John Wachter, for many years proprietor of the National Hotel of Albany, and
came from Bretten, Baden, Germany. Her mother, Catharine, was a daughter of
John Wollensack, who came to America in 1829 from Nagold, Wurtemburg. Dr.
Papen received his early education in M. Walter's school in 1859, after which he-
went to the German American Academy and to the Albany Boys' Academy, where
he remained until 1868. On March 1, 18C>9, he entered the Albany Medical College
after a previous course in pharmacy, and in 1870 he entered Columbia Medical Col-
lege in New York city, where he graduated March:'., 1874 Inning his course he
served on the ambulance corps at Bellevue Hospital, New York. After his gradua-
tion Dr. Papen commenced his practice at No. 89 Schuyler street, Albany, where he
remained until 1889, when he moved to No. 268 Madison avenue, corner of Hawk-
street, where his office is now. He is a member of the Albany County and Tri-
County Medical Societies and is also a thirty-second degree Mason and an < >dd
Fellow. Dr. I'apen also belongs to many German singing societies and the Albany
Club.
Robertson, Matthew Henry, second deputy superintendent of insurance of the
State of New York, was born in the Bur rough of Malmesbury, County of Wiltshire,
England, February II, 1838, a son of James and Elizabeth (Worcester) Robertson.
His early educational advantages were unusually good, he having as tutor the Rev.
J. G. Kaltofen, an eminent divine and professor of music and the languages. In
1854 Mr. Robertson entered the law office of Hon. William Stephens Jones, a will
known attorney and counselor at law, of Malmesbury, remaining with him about two
years, and there began the study of law. His father, James Robertson, had left the
family estate known as "Maunditt's Park," a beautiful old place with rambling stone
house and extensive lands just outside of Malmesbury, and moved into the town,
residing there several years, and in September, 1855 d to join his brother,
John Robertson, who was then, and had beenformany sidentofthe United
States, living on a la te called " Maidford Park " near the citj ..■>. N.
Y. From Oswego Matthew H. Robertson moved t<> Albany, N. Y., ami in Septem
ber, 1851), entered the law office <>f Hon. William Barnes and continued the sti:
law until January, I860, when the insurance department being organized ami Hon.
William Barnes appointed superintendent. Mr. Ri ifter, on Maj l, I860,
364
became a regular clerk in that department; in January, 1870, he became chief clerk
in said department and continued as such until June, 1892, when the Hon. James F.
Pierce, superintendent, appointed him second deputy superintendent of insurance,
which position he now holds. Mr. Robertson has been a vestryman of St. Paul's
Episcopal church, Albany, for many years. He married, June 2, 1863, Elizabeth
Clute, daughter of the late Cornelius P. Clute of Schenectady, and they have one
daughter.
Raymond, diaries H. , is a son of Benjamin C. and Lois P. (Mather) Ravmond,
both descendants of English ancestors who settled in New York State early in the
seventeenth century. He was born in Albany, January 24, 1834, was educated in
the Boys' Academy and Prof. Charles H. Anthony's Classical Institute of his native
city, and then spent several years abroad, traveling in the West Indies, South
America and Europe. In 1857 he was in the Latin quarter in Paris, where he de-
veloped a marked taste for literature and art. Returning to Albany he was appointed
by superintendent William Barnes to a clerkship in the newly organized State De-
partment of Insurance, and subsequently succeeded Hon. James W. Husted as
deputy superintendent. He also became a member of the Albany Zouave Cadets,
and in 18C1 enlisted with many other noted members of that body in the Union army.
He served with distinction in the Louisiana campaign under Gen. N. P. Banks, but
was forced to resign on account of ill health and return home. Being reinstated as
deputy in the Insurance Department, he resigned after one year to accept the sec-
retaryship of the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Life Insurance Company of New
York city, which had just been organized with Hon. Lucius Robinson as president.
On Mr. Robinson's resignation Mr. Raymond became president and so continued
until the company's risks were reinsured in 1871. Later he formed a copartnership
with John A. Little, general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
York. Mr. Little subsequently retired, and since then Mr. Raymond has had sole
charge of the Mutual Life's Metropolitan agency, with offices at 32 Liberty street.
New York city. Mr. Raymond was the first president of the Life Insurance Associa-
tion of New York city and in 1892 was president of the National Association of Life
Underwriters. He is one of the best known life insurance men in the east.
Russell, George W., son of David M. and Rachel (Burgett) Russell, was born in
Saugerties, Ulster county, N. Y., March 26, 1839. He attended the public schools
and graduated from the Saugerties Institute in 1855. After his graduation he ob-
tained a clerkship in a Saugerties store where he remained four years. Mr. Russell
then moved to Catskill, N. Y. , where for three years he was engaged in the blue
stone business and for four years was bookkeeper for Penfield, Day & Co. , forwarders.
In 1866 Mr. Russell removed to Albany, N. Y., where he secured the position of
bookkeeper for Strong Bros. & Co., a wholesale dry goods house. Here he won
favor and his strict attention to business was rewarded by his being taken into part-
nership in 1872. In 1886 Mr. Strong retired and Mr. Russell and Charles A. Lawyer
carried on the business until 1893, when Mr. Lawyer retired. Since then Mr. Russell
has carried on the business as a jobber of manufacturers' supplies, including the
dyeing, coloring and printing of cloths. In addition to this business, Mr. Russell is
a trustee of the William N. Strong, William F. Russell and George W. Dewey
estates. He was one of the organizers of the Albany Club. In 1870 he married
Adelaide Dewey and they have one child, Robert D.
365
Russell, George L. , son of Charles and Gertrude (Hallenbeck) Russell, was born
in Rensselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., in 1846. His maternal grandfather was a
soldier in the war of 1812; his paternal grandfather, a New Englander, and a mem-
ber of a very old family, was captain of a whaling vessel and lust his life at sea while
following his vocation. In 1846 Mr. Russell's father moved from Hudson, N. Y.. to
Rensselaerville where he engaged in the shoe business. Mr. Russell received his
education in the parochial school at Rensselaerville, conducted by the Rev. Robert
Washburn of the Trinity M. E. church. I le finished the course at this institution in
1862, after which he spent two years in Fonda's foundry in Rensselaerville. In 1864
Mr. Russell moved to Albany, N. V., and for one year was a clerk in the old Congress
Hall; from there he went to the Delavan House where he was connected with the
livery of D. Rose. In 1868 he married Anna Storey of Albany, by whom he has five
children: Maria, George R., Carrie, Anna and Fl'lie. In 1*7-1 Mr. Russell embarked
in the livery business at Nos. 53 and 55 Lancaster street, where he remained until
1886, when the building was torn down to make room for the enlargement of tb
meter factory. In 1880 he started another livery stable at No. 362 State street and
for six years conducted both places; in 1886 he doubled the capacity of the State-
street stable so as to concentrate all the business at one stand, now known as the
Fort Orange stables. March 1, 189."), Mr. Russell disposed of the livery business and
now conducts only a boarding stable. I le is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church
and Ancient City Lodge No. 452 F. & A. M.
Schifferdecker, Fred A., son of Frederick and Anna (Rapp) Schifferdecker, was
born in Albany, N. V., in I860. He received his education at Professor Myer's
Select School on Madison avenue. After leaving school he occupied a clerkship in
the grocery store of Henry McBride for two years and subsequently spent live years
in the law office of the late Hon. Galen R. llitt. Mr. Schifferdecker then worked
for his father until 1887, when he and his brother Charles F. formed a copartnership
to engage in the ice business, in which they have been very successful, handling
about twenty thousand tons of ice a year. Mr. Schifferdecker has been prominent
in politics, having been a member of the Board of Supervisors for four years. He
is a member of the I. O. < >. F., K. of P., Mounl Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M.,
and of many German singing societies. He is also a member oi the Em]
Yacht Club and is president of the Schifferdecke ition. In 18s:. he married
Louise R. Heidrick of Albany, and thi children: Edna, Dora, Anna.
Charles and Louise.
Schutter, William L., M. D., son of Louis and Margarel (Shepard) Schutter, was
born in Albany, N. Y., December 31, 1862. He received his education in the public-
schools and Albany High School and in the fall of 1879 entered the Albany Mi
College, from which he ;. . ■ : i ■■ :'■■ of M. 1 ». in Match, 1883. Since gradua-
tion Dr. Schutter has practiced in Albany, making a specialty of diseases of women
and children. He was district physician during the mayoralty of Edward A. Maher.
He is a member of the Albany County Medical So, ietv. Mount Hermon Lodge 1. I '.
(). F., and Flower Lodge, Knights of Pythias. June 20, Is**. he married Jessie II.,
daughter of John and Sarah Eaton of Albany.
Sutherland, Isaac I'., son of Rufus and Sally (Xiveri Sutherland, was born in
366
Schodack, Columbia county, N. Y., December 16, 1832. In 1836 Mr. Sutherland's
parents moved to a farm near Kinderhook village and in 1838 to Schoharie county,
where he finished his education at the Schoharie Academy in 1852. After leaving
school he moved to Quaker Street, Schenectady county, in 1860, and worked on a
farm until 1864, when he moved to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the retail grocery
business at No. 244 Washington avenue. In connection with that business he was
engaged in the manufacture of brooms from 1882 to 1888, and from then to the pres-
ent time has been engaged in the commission business at No. 50 Hudson avenue.
In 1890 he formed a partnership with C. F. Rushmore, under the firm name of I. P.
Sutherland & Co. Mr. Sutherland is a member of the State Street Presbyterian
church. He has been twice married and has three daughters living, Anna, by
Hannah Moore, his first wife, and Ida and Helen W., by Anna Wright, his second
wife.
Sisson, Frank N., son of Noel- E. and Emiline (Griffin) Sisson, was born in Al-
bany, N.Y. , in 1860. He received his education at the Albany High School, Albany
Academy, and Taylor's Academy in Columbia county, from which institution he was
graduated in 1878. After graduation Mr. Sisson returned to Albany and entered
the gas meter works of D. McDonald & Co., where he thoroughly learned the busi-
ness; he remained in the factory five or six years and subsequently went on the
road as salesman, until 1892. During the years 1887 and 1888 Mr. Sisson was locat-
ed at Columbus, O., representing D. McDonald & Co. In 1893 he went with the
Welsbach Light Company as salesman and Albany representative; in August, 1895,
just after the formation of the Welsbach Commercial Company, Mr. Sisson was ten-
dered the position of salesman and Albany representative for that company, which
position he uow holds. He is also interested as a stockholder in gas light companies
and is the Albany representative of a standard bicycle establishment. He is a
member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Temple Chapter, R. A. M., De
Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery, K. T., and Cyprus
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the K. A. E. O. and the
Albany, Acacia and Unconditional Republican Clubs. In 1887 he married Minnie
Brayton of Albany.
Smith, James E., M. D., son of Dr. C. H. and Lucy (Blair) Smith, was born in Al-
bany, N. Y. , October 5, 1867. He received his preliminary education in the Albany
Academy, from which he was graduated in 1885, with high honors, being valedic-
torian of his class. During the winter of 1885-86 he took a year's course at Union
College, preparatory to the study of medicine, after which he studied for a time
with Dr. A. Vander Veer. In the fall of 1886 he entered the Albany Medical Col-
lege and was graduated in 1889, receiving the degree of M. D. ; he was the valedic-
torian of the class and received one of the honors for the bej,t graduating thesis.
After leaving the medical college Dr. Smith spent a year in New York city, taking a
post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic and the New York Post-Graduate
Medical School and Hospital. Since then Dr. Smith has practiced in Albany. He
has been interested in military affairs since 1885 and is now inspector of rifle prac-
tice on Colonel Fitch's staff. He is a member of the Albany County Medical
Society and was county physician for four years, from 1890 to 1893.
367
Schneider, Charles N., son of Peter and Caroline (Hans) Schneider, was born in
Albany, N. Y., March 6, 1869. Mr. Schneider is one of Albany's ablest musicians
and inherits all those distinguishing traits that marked the career of his father, who
was a music teacher and organist in St. Mary's church. Mr. Schneider attended the
Christian Brothers' Academy and graduated from that institution in iss7. He
studied music with his father and with Professor Monchel, organist of the Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception. It was not long, however, before his ability was 1 1
nized; from September, 1S8!», to November, 1891, he was organist of St. Mary's
church at Sandy Hill, N. V., and during the year 1892 held the same position in St.
John's church, Albany. Mr. Schneider was bookkeeper for four years for the
piano firm of Boardman & Gray, from 1892 to 1896. As a writer, Mr. Schneider
has displayed great ability and genius; very few of his productions have been
played before the public, but of those that have, too much can not be said of the
opera "Enid," the music of which he finished in 1894. The opera was produced
in Albany in January, 1897, and in Troy, February 1, of the same year. Another
production was given in Albany, February '22, as a testimonial to the composer,
Mr. Schneider, and to the librettist, David J. Norton. The music of "Enid" is sure
to last and remind its hearers of the author, Albany's young musical genius, Charles
N. Schneider. February 18, 18'JO, Mr. Schneider married Mary Elizabeth Hopkins
of Sandy Hill, N.Y.
Stephens, Thomas, son of Thomas ami Jane (Christin) Stephens, was born on the
Isle of Man, December 20, 1845. He received his education at a private school,
after which he learned the trade of joiner. April 15, 1866, he came to America and
settled in Albany, where he remained only fifteen months, leaving to go t<> Cli
where he engaged in business for himself. He was compelled to return east because
of sickness, and in 1870 he established himself in the busine penter and
builder on Madison avenue, Albany. Subsequently he removed to Hamilton street,
where he remained until 1880. In the same year he built and equipped his present
large manufactory at Nos. 275 ami 277 Lark street; tiiis building contains all the
latest and most improved machinery for line building and architectural work Mr.
Stephens gives the most attention to elaborate interiors. He built the Government
building, Calvary Baptist church, .Masonic Temple and many private residences in
Albany, Troy, Lenox, Hoosick halls and elsewhere. He is a thirty-second degree
Mason, a member of the Albany Club, and in 1885 was appointed city assessor
by Mayor Wilson, but resigned. He has four sons, Fred J., Thomas, jr., Walter
B., and Goldsmith C.
Schaefer, Frederick William, Ph. <>., son of Philip and Margaret (Rau) Schaefer,
was born in Albany, N. Y. , September 22, 1 s'*>'». He attended public school X... 12,
from which he was graduated at the age of thirteen and spent one year in the High
School. He then went into the employ of his brother, a druggist and pharmacist at
No. 245 Central avenue, as clerk and remained with him until he graduated from the
Albany College of Pharmacy, March 8, 1887. After his graduatioi M
accepted the position of head clerk in William R. Laird's pharmacy in Jersey City.
N. J., where he remained two years. lb- thereupon returned to Albany and on
October 1<>. 1891, succeeded his brother as proprietor of the pharmacy at No. 245
Central avenue. January 18, 1896, Mr. Schaefer moved his present handsome
368
to No. 251 Central avenue, where he carries on a successful business. He is a mem-
ber of Guttenburg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M., Mountaineer Lodge No. 321, I. O.
O. F., New York Encampment No. 1, and Grand Canton Memo No. 1, P. M. I. O.
O. F. He is also the historian of the Alumni Association of the Albany College of
Pharmacy. January 18, 1893, he married Elizabeth Henkes, and they have one son,
Frederick J.
Slingerland, William Harris, jr., was born in Slingerland, Albany county, N. Y.,
December 10, 1803, and is a son of Col. W. H. and Elizabeth (Wayne) Slingerland.
At an early age he entered the office of his father, a civil engineer and surveyor in
Albany, ami he has followed that profession ever since. In 1883 he assisted in lo-
cating the Albany branch of the West Shore Railroad, remaining with that company
until the completion of its lines. In 1889 he made the preliminary surveys for the
Troy & New England Railroad, since constructed as far as Averill Park. During
the years 1891, 1892 and 1893, Mr. Slingerland was engineer of street improvements
in East Albany and Greenbush, N. Y., and during those years work costing over a
half million dollars was completed under his direction. Mr. Slingerland is a mem-
ber of a family that was always active in political affairs, his father being member of
assembly from the first district of Albany county in 1879, and his uncle, John D.
Slingerland, member of Congress in 1860 and forseveral terms an assemblyman from
the same county. He is a Republican, as were both of the above named gentlemen,
and was appointed postmaster at Slingerlands, under the Harrison administration,
holding that office from 1887 to 1892. In 1894 and 1895 he was a member of the
Board of Supervisors from the town of Bethlehem, receiving at his election the largest
majority ever given a candidate for that office in this town. In 1896 he married
Alice Bullock, daughter of Charles C. Bullock of Saratoga, N. Y. He is an active
member of Friendly Union Lodge No. 381 1. O. O. F., being past grand master of
that body and also a member of the Holland Society of New York and several other
organizations.
Vmeberg, Archibald, M. D., son of Capt. Lozier and Malcha Vineberg, was born
in Helena, Ark., September 18, 1862. Capt. Lozier Vineberg was in the Mexican
war under General Taylor and served with Jeff. Davis and succeeded him as captain.
In 1863 Dr. Vineberg went with his parents to Abrotis, Portugal, on the mouth of
the Tagus River, where he remained from six to eight years and where he was taught
by a private instructor. From there he went to Toweron, Posen, Germany, where
he remained until he was fourteen years of age, returning to Madrid, Spain, where
he attended the De Zabbo Medical College, from which he was graduated and re-
ceived the degree of M. D. in 1879. In 1880 Dr. Vineberg came to New York city,
where he remained about a year with Professor Lang. He then went to New Orleans,
La., where he practiced medicine for three years. In 1883 he again went to Europe,
traveling for a year and a half and returned to America from Japan by the way of
vSan Francisco. From thence he went to New Orleans, where he started in the op-
tical business, making a specialty of correcting errors of refraction. In 1886, being
in ill health, he sold out his business and traveled extensively in Colorado and Cal-
ifornia. He settled in Norfolk, Va. , where he married Bettie Guttman Frankfort.
From Norfolk he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he opened an optical store at No.
113 North Pearl street; subsequently he moved to No. 65 North Pearl street and in
369
1893 to No. 2 North Pearl street, where he is now doing business as an optician.
Dr. Vineberg is a member of Temple Lodge No. 11, P. & A. M., Capital City Lodge
No. 440, I. O. O. P., Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum, Albany Council
American Legion of Honor, of which he has been the district deputy for the past
five years, and Gideon Lodge. He has four children : Hiram, Ray, Ruth and P.
UeLezier.
Van Gaasbeek, Amos C, is descended from an old Dutch family which came from
Amsterdam, Holland, to Kingston, N. Y., about 1660. Alexander P. Van Gaasbeek,
his father, the son of an eminent physician, Dr. James, was born in Middleburg,
Schoharie county, in 1816, and came to Albany in 1832 as a clerk for John Guernsey
and later for William Bagley. Pi 1836 he engaged in the dry goodsand carpet busi-
ness, but in 1849 sold out and went to Panama, where he was engaged in commerce
for two years. Returning to Albany he re-engaged in trade, dealing solely in car-
pets, a business he still continues. Amos C. Van Gaasbeek, born in Albany, July
29, 1852, received his education at the Boys' Academy, under private tutelage, at
Professors Anthony's and Collins's Classical .Schools (all in Albany), and at Mt. An-
thony's Seminary in Bennington, Vt. When seventeen he became a clerk in the
carpet house of John II. Pray, Sons & Co., of Boston, but four years later returned
to Albany and entered his father's stoic, in which after one year he was made a part-
ner under the firm name of A. B. Van Gaasbeek & Co. This continued for fifteen
years. In 1889 he removed to New York city and with Bartlett Arkell formed the
present firm of Van Gaasbeek & Arkell, opening a stoic at Broadway and 22d street
and Fifth avenue, where they engaged in importing, wholesaling and retailing
oriental rugs, carpets, etc., and after seven years arc recognized as the leading firm
in their line in the United States. They control more than one-half of the looms of
India, and are the heaviest importers of rugs in America. Mr. Van Gaasbeek was
lv instrumental in securing the funds and causing the erection of the Y. M. C. A.
building in Albany, serving as treasurer of the building fund ami as a member ami
later as chairman of the building committee. He was an organizer of the Standard
Emery Wheel Company of Albany, of which he has continuously been the president.
He is a member of the Holland Society, the Uptown Association, the Chamber of
Commerce, and the Albany Society, all of New York city, ami the Ksscx County
Country Club, of New Jersey. November 4, 1874, he married Helen \\'., daughter
of Allen Comstock of Lenox, Mass.
Williams, E. I'.. was born in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson county, X. Y., June 8,
IS(il). He attended the village school ami later learned telegraphy. In 1880 he
moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and for three years was a telegraph operator in the
employ of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad; he then moved t<> Albany, N. Y..
where he started in his present business, that of produce commission merchant.
Mr. Williams is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of thi Acacia Club and
president of the Capital City Cold Storage Warehouse Company, lie is also a di-
rector of the United States Building, Mutual Loan ami Accumulating Fund Asso-
ciation. In 188(5 he married IdaG. Buchland of Whitehall, X. Y.
Michel, bred ib, M. 1 ». S., son <>i Dr. Frederick W. and Saloma (Bergman) Michel,
was born in Boonville, X. Y., July 16, 1851, and was educated in the public schools
uu
370
of Utica, where the family settled about 1853. He first learned the trade of manu-
facturing jeweler with Jeremiah Gumph of Utica. March 8, 1871, he came to Al-
bany and entered the employ of H. G. Gumph, manufacturer of fine tools, with
whom he remained until 1883. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. S. W.
Whitney; also mechanical dentist for Dr. E. C. Baxter from 1885 until the time of
his death; and in 1889 he associated himself with Dr. H. L. Whitbeck. In 1892 he
received the degree of M. D. S. from the State Board of Examiners and in April,
is<);!, began the practice of dentistry alone. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge
No. 417, F. & A. M., a charter member of William Macy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F.,
and was a charter member and is past chancellor of Flower Lodge No. 336, K. P.,
and was a charter member and is now commander of Albany Tent No. 363, K. O.
T. M. ; also charter member of Albany Senate No. 641, K. A. E. O., and a member
of the Albany City Curling Club. In 1873 he married Charity, daughter of Alanson
Hitchman of Howe's Cave, N. Y., and they have had two children: Emma and
George C, both deceased. Dr. Michel is treasurer and trustee of All Souls Uni-
versal st church.
Lochner, Dr. George Emory, was born in Albany, July 19, 1867, and is a son of
Jacob L. Lochner, who for thirty-five years was engaged in the fruit business at
the corner of South Pearl and State streets. On the maternal side Dr. Lochner is
descended from Revolutionary stock, his mother being Nellie J. Best of Schoharie.
When Dr. Lochner was eight years of age his mother died. His early education
was received at private schools and in Public School No. 11, and was graduated from
the High School in 1885. He then registered with Dr. Albert Vander Veer, under
whose care he studied medicine for three years. He had previously attended clinics
at the City Hospital. While with Dr. Vander Veer he attended the Albany Medical
College, graduating in March, 1888, being honored by selection as historian of the
class. At the competitive examination which followed for appointment to the Al-
bany Hospital, Dr. Lochner outstripped all competitors and the result entitled him
to the place. During the summer of 1888 he continued his studies in New York
city. In September, 1888, he entered the Albany Hospital and served twenty
months as ambulance surgeon and house physician and surgeon. His term expired
in April, 1890, and upon retirement he received a diploma from the staff, gift of
surgical instruments from matron and associates, and a letter of commendation from
the Board of Governors. Leaving the hospital, he began the practice of his pro-
fession at No. 1 South Hawk street. In 1890 he was appointed by Dr. J. M. Bigelow
as an instructor in the Albany Medical College in larnygology and rhinology and the
following year by Dr. J. P. Boyd, as instructor in obstetrics and gynaecology and in
anatomy by Dr. S. R. Morrow, which place be still holds. In October, 1891, he re-
ceived the appointment of physician to the Albany Hospital Dispensary for diseases
of women and children. As a member of the Albany County Medical Society he
was, in October, 1891, chosen as its secretary and served as censor in 1893 and 1894.
In 1892 he was appointed physician to the Albany Fire Department. Dr. Lochner
is a member of the alumni associations, of the Albany High School, of which he is
now serving as president, and Medical College, and of the executive committee of
the High School; he also belongs to the Press Club, A. K. P. and P. E. K. fraternities;
is also a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M. On May 1, 1897, he re-
moved to No. 196 State street, where he is now located.
371
Wolfe, Andrew J., was born in Coeymans in 1841. He is the son of Anthony and
the grandson of John T., who came from Greene county with his father. Tennis, to
Coeymans about 1790. Mr. Wolfe has been actively engaged, most of his life, on
Hudson River, being both owner and captain of steamers until 1885, when he re-
tired. Mr. Wolfe's mother was Henrietta, daughter of James Selkirk, one of the
prominent early families of Albany and Bethlehem. Mr. Wolfe has two sons.
Calvin, who is a mechanical engineer, and Walter S., who is a graduate of River
View Military College, and also the Albany Business College.
Hatt, George J., was born in Morristown, X. J., and is a son of Rev. Josiah Hatt
and Mary Ball Hatt, both of whom died when he was in infancy. He attended the
district and select schools in New Jersey, and was graduated from the Fort Ed-
ward (X. V.) Collegiate Institute in lSTfi. He became a resident of Albany in 1881,
at first securing a position as bookkeeper with C. Wan Beuthuysen & Sons, where he
remained until 1880, when he formed the copartnership of Underbill Ov Hatt in the
grocery business, which continued until May 1, ]*!(?, during which time the firm
built up and successfully maintained a business second to none in the city. On May 1
he became a stockholder in and secretary of the F. X. Sill Company, one of the
largest coal companies in Albany. Mr. Hatt is a Republican in politics, but has
never aspired to office, although he has always taken an active interest in the affairs
of the city. He is largely interested in church and benevolent work, is a member of
the Emanuel Baptist church, ami has been president of the local union of the Y. P.
S. C. E., and was chairman of the hall committee of the State Convention when held
in that city. He married Carrie L. Clark, daughter <>t' Dr. George W. Clark, the
noted commentator.
Young, Henry W., son of Peter and Rebecca (Austin) Young, was born in the town
of New Scotland, (Voorhi pril 1 I. I *:'>'.», and was educated there in the public
schools. In 1855 removed to Albany, X. Y. , where he served an apprenticeship under
John Bridgford, mason and builder. He remained with Mr. Bridgford foreleven j
at the end of which time, he established himself in business as a contracting mason
and builder, m which business he is still engaged. lb- was elected supervisor of the
Sixteenth ward for one term, and in 1895 was appointed city assessor by Mayor
Wilson, and held that office till spring, 1897. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge
No. 452, F. & A. M., He Witt Clinton Council No. '.-J. R. & S. M.. Capital City Chap-
ter No. 242 R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. '-.'. K. '1'., of all the Scottish Rite
bodies and Cyprus Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being a thirty second d(
Mason. Heisalsoa 1'. M oi the Ineffable Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection of
Albany. In 1886, during Albany's bi-centennial, lie was chosen vice president
the following year became president) of the Master Builders Exchange. He is also
Past Grand of Phoenix Lodge, I. ( >. < >. F. Mr. Young became a member of Trin-
ity M. E. church in 1856, since which time lie has served for twenty-five y<
member of the board of trustees being president of thai board for twelve years. Ik-
is also a member ol the Board of Directors, of the local branch of the New York
Mutual Savings and Loan Association, and of the Republic and Loan Association
of New York city. In 1856 he married Johanna Gates ol Schenectady, X. W. ami
tliev have two children Ella and Edgar L.
3?2
Langan, John R., is a son of Michael and Kate (Fitzpatrick) Langan, both natives
of Albany, and a grandson of John Langan, who came here from Athlone, Ireland,
in 1829, settling permanently in 1832, and died in April, 1881. John Langan was a
wholesale potato dealer, and married Margaret Tracey, who was born in Ireland in
1810, and who died in 1887. (Mrs. Kate Langan was a daughter of William Fitz-
patrick, who was a native of the north of Ireland.) John R. Langan, born in Albany,
October 12, 1865, was graduated from the high school in 1884, read law with the late
John B. O'Malley, and with Newcomb, Bailey & Nusbaum, took the degree of LL. B.
from the Albany Law School in 188.1 and was admitted to the bar in 1887. Since
the spring of 1888 he has been in the active practice of his profession at Albany, N.
Y. November 27, 1895, he married Celia M. Lavella Hayes, daughter of John Hayes,
of Syracuse.
MacAllaster, William, was born in Albany, X. V., on May 31, 1865, and is a son
of Charles E. and Harriet (Roberts) MacAllaster. William was educated in the
public schools at Albany, after which he served his apprenticeship in the drug busi-
ness, in the store of Joseph Nellegar. In 1884 he passed the State Board of Phar-
macy, and later entered, and was graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy,
and still later took a course in the Albany Medical College. In 1885 he established
his present business as druggist and apothecary in which he has been successful.
Mr. MacAllasteris a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., of American
Lodge No. 32, I. O. O. F., and of the Unconditional Republican Club, all of Albany,
N. V.
Wickham, Richard, jr.. was born in Albany, N.Y., on October 7, 1874, and was ed-
ucated in the public schools of his native town and St. Izeier College, near St John,
B. C. At the age of nineteen he learned his father's trade, that of carpenter and
builder, and has ever since continued in that business. He has made a special study
of architecture, and at the present time draws all the plans for the buildings that he
erects. In 1895, Mr. Wickham. sr., practically retired from the business, and since
that time Richard has successfully carried it on alone. He is a member of Mt. Her-
mann Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., of Albany, and as a business man he commands
the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
Sauter, Louis, jr., was born in Albany, N. Y., on March 17, 1858, and was educated
in the Boy's Academy, of that city. He entered upon his business career at sixteen
years of age, learning the drug business with his father, and has ever since remained
in that business, buying out his father's interest in 1894, at which time Mr. Sauter,
sr., retired. Louis is a practical businessman and has been eminently successful.
In 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Leyboldt, a daughter of Fred
Leyboldt, the leader of the 12th Regiment Band of New York City, and they have
two children. Mr. Sauter is a member of the local K. P. and of Mt. Vernon Lodge
No. 3, F. & A. M.. of Albany.
Ronan, Parker C. was born in Albany, N. Y., on July 22, 1868, and is a son of the
late Patrick Ronan, who was, for a great many years, the sole proprietor of the
" Ronan Line" of Steamers, plying between Albany and New York City. Parker
attended the "Boys Academy," at Albany, and when twenty years old, entered his
father's office, as book-keeper, and remained as such for several years. He was
373
later made superintendent of the line, and upon the death of his brother, John D.,
(in 1893) he succeeded to the proprietorship of the entire business, which his father,
Patrick, had bequeathed to the brothers shortly before his decease, (in 1888). Mr.
Ronan was united in marriage, in the autumn of 1888, to Miss Isabelle M. McQuade,
of Albany, and they have one child, a son, Samuel M. Mr. Ronan is treasurer of"
the Albany Lodge, No. 49, B. P 0. E., a member of the Albany Club, and Albany
Yacht Club, and a life member of the Catholic Union. lie is a man of sterling worth
and successfully maintains the business left him by his father.
Leavy, Mark S., M.l). and surgeon, was born on January 1. 1862, at Fort Edward
N. V., and is a son of Michael and Ann (Donohue) Leavy. Michael Leavy is a
native of Ireland, and emigrated to America about 1846, settling at Fort Edward,
N. V., where he resided for a number of years, later removing his residence t<> Al-
bany. Mark vS. attended private school, and early developed a liking for medicine.
He took a course in the Medical I >epartment of the University of Wooster, at Cleve-
land, Ohio, and vvas graduated therefrom, with honors in 1888. He then returned to
the home of his parents, at 217 Madison Avenue, Albany, X. V., where, in the same
year, (1888) he began the active practice of his profession. He has been eminently
successful, and justly deserves the high esteem in which he is held, in both pi
sional and social circles. Dr. Leavy is a member of theCatholic Union, and Knights
of Columbus, of Albany, and of the Albany County Medical Society.
Harrigan's Sons, John, undertakers and embalmers. John Harrigan came to Al-
bany, N. V., from county Limerick, Ireland, in lsli; (1852 business established, I in
1862 lie was elected coroner for a term of three years, and re-elected in ISC"). He
also served in the Rebellion, enlisting in Co. (!. 25th Regt., in 1801. John J.
1893), Harvey T. V.. Daniel S. and Joseph F. composed the firm. From a small be-
ginning at No. 22 Canal street, the business in 1861, was moved to the building No.
21 (anal street and finally to the business block, corner of Canal and Chapel streets,
which they erected in 1890. The building comprises seven lots and has a large
stable in the rear. This firm has the finest assortment of burial cases always on
hand
Dyer, William S., son of Zebediah A. and Lucy Esther (Gallup) Dyer, was born
in the town of Berne, Albany county, March 19. 1863. James Dyer, great-grand-
father of William S., was one of five brothers who came from England, date un
known. He married Mary Marcy of the family <>t Governor Man v, by whom he
had nine girls and five boys. James served seven years in the Revolution died in
is:',:;, ami was buried in Whipple Cemetery. Bradbury, son of James, was born in
Massachusetts and went to Jefferson, Schoharie county, with his father at the age <>f
twelve and later to the town of Knox, Albany county, where he bought the Van
Vranken farm, after living for a time in Shingle Bush, Schoharie county, where
Zebediah A., the father of William S., was burn. Zebediah A. was supervisor of
the town of Berne during 1S5S and 1859, and at two different periods was school
commissioner of the towns of Heine, Reiisselaerville and Westeilo. He was active
in politics, being a proruinent Democrat, and a lawyer. Lucy Esther Gallup, mother
of William S. Dyer, the subject of this sketch, was the daughter of Nathaniel
Gallup, who was the eighth in descent from John Gallup, who came to America from
374
the parish of Mosterne, County Dorset, England, in 1630. Nathaniel Gallup, great-
grandfather of William S. Dyer, married Lucy Latham, daughter of Capt. William
Latham, who was second in command at the massacre of Fort Griswold, where he
was severely wounded. William S. Dyer attended the district schools until he was
fourteen years of age and in 1879 removed to Albany. He graduated from the .Al-
bany High School in 1883 and was one of the commencement speakers. In the fall
of the same year he commenced the study of law in the office of Stedman & Shep-
ard, and remained four years with them and their successors, Stedman, Thompson
& Andrews, meanwhile attending the Albany Law School, from which he was grad-
uated in 1886. He was admitted to the bar in the same year. In the fall of 1887
Mr. Dyer opened an office at No. 110 State street, Albany, and was attorney for Col.
Walter S. Church, the owner of the Van Rensselaer manorial cases covering por-
tions of Albany and Rensselaer counties. Mr. Dyer remained with Colonel Church
until his death, just prior to which he had formed a partnership with his brother-in-
law, Jacob L. Ten Eyck, under the firm name of Dyer & Ten Eyck. This firm has
been for several years located at Nos 80-82 State street. Mr. Dyer is past master of
Berne Lodge No. 684, F. & A. M., and an affiliated member of Masters Lodge of Al-
bany, and from 1886 to 1893 was president of the Albany High School Alumni Asso-
ciation. For many years he has been a member of the Albany Press Club. He was
for several years a health commissioner of the city of Albany.
Stonehouse, lohn Ben, M.D , was born on June 4, 1851, at Albany, N. Y., and is a
son of the late General John B. .Stonehouse, who was born at Maidstone, Eugland, in
1813, and who was prominent, from the time of the breaking out of War of the Re-
bellion, until 1885, (the year of his decease, at Washington, D. C.) in military affairs,
both State, and National. 1 Hiring the latter years of his life, he was commissioner
for the settlement of war claims, of the State of New York, against the U. S. Dr.
Stonehouse attended private school, and the Albany, (N. Y.), Boys Academy, and
was graduated from the latter institution, in 1868. From that time, until 1869, he was
clerk of the State Board of Charities. He began his studies (in medicine) with Prof.
Jacob S. Mosher, and Dr. Levi Moore, and was graduated from the Albany Medi-
cal College, in 1871. He was then appointed temporary deputy, under the late Prof.
John M. Carnochan, health officer, Port of N. Y., and held that office for about a year,
when he received the appointment, as assistant resident physician, at the Sanford
Hall, private insane asylum hospital, at Flushing, N. Y , from which position he re-
signed in 1873. He returned to Albany, in 1874, where he was married (in that year)
to Miss Sarah E. Rigley. From 1874 to 1876, he was in the active practice of his
profession, at Albany, and in the latter year, was appointed resident physician, at
Brigham Hall, Canandaigua, N. Y., (private insane hospital), where he remained for
about one year and a half. He then, (in 1878) returned to Albany, where he has
ever since remained, in the successful practice of medicine. Dr. Stonehouse has
held many offices, among them being Physician, Albany Hospital Dispensary,
(Department of Nervous Diseases) — Lecturer, Albany Medical College, (Nervous and
Mental Diseases) — and during a term of four years, he held clinics in Mental dis-
eases, at the Albany County Insane Asylum, and was Physician (Department of Ner-
vous Diseases), at the Troy, (N. Y.) Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has also been edi-
tor of the Albany Medical Annals. In 1885, he was executive officer of the staff of
375
special physicians, in charge of the Typhus fever epidemic, at the Albany Peniten-
tiary. In April, 1886, he was appointed Physician and Surgeon, to the Albany Pen-
itentiary, and held that office until January, 1890. 1 >r. Stonehouse has held office in
the Alumni Association, of the Albany Medical College, almost from its organization
— having been its first historian, a member of the executive committee for several
terms, and is now its corresponding secretary. He is also a member of the following
societies: Albany County Medical; American Medical ; Union Medical Association,
(covering Washington, Warren, Saratoga, Albany and Rensselaer counties); and
has been president of the Albany Academy of Medicine; American Association, for
the cure of Inebriates; N. Y. Neurological; and N. V. Medico Legal. Dr. Stone-
house has done considerable Medico-Legal work, (especially in cases where the de-
fense of insanity was set up, as he is an expert in that disease), and has been con-
nected with many of the celebrated murder eases, in and around this city; among
them, the following; Hughes for the murder of a prominent criminal attorney, Will-
iam J. Hadley; the Bronty case, (in Westchester Co.); the Jones, ("Ivy (',;■
case, (in Rensselaer Co.); and the Wood case, in Warren county.) and latterly,
the notable, Nelson, Shattuck, and Morgan cases in Albany city. Dr. Stone-
house has gained some prominence in literary circles, through his contributions to
many of the leading medical journals. To his union with Sarah E. Riglev were
born three children; one of whom, Roger II., survives. Mis. Stonehouse passed
away on November 22, 1892.
Ten Eyck, Clinton, was born on May '21, Is"!:!, at Albany. X. V., and is a son of
the late Conrad A. Ten Eyck. He is descended from the old hue of Dutch ances-
tors, one of whom, Conrad Ten Eyck (3), came from Amsterdam, Holland, to America,
with his wife, Maria Boele, and their children, about 1650, settling at New Amster-
dam. The lineal descent is as follows: (1) Conrad, (2) Jacob, (3) Conrad, (4) Jacob C. .
(.r)) Anthony, (6) Conrad A., father of Clinton, (Ti Clinton the subject of this sketch.
Clinton was educated in the Albany (N. Y.i. Academy, where he took a course in
civil engineering, and after leaving school, was engaged on the corps of Eli Parker,
(General Grant's private secretary), in the laying out of the Northern (now the I). &
II.), & Susquehanna Railroads, and the Erie Canal. Subsequently, he removi
Detroit, Mich., where he was employed on the Detroit and Pontiac R. R., but owing
to ill-health, he was obliged to return East. For a time, he held a clerkship in the
sheriff's office, and later, conducted a grocery store for two years. About 1862, Mr.
Ten Eyck began the manufacture of soap, in which business he has been eminently
successful, and in which he is still engaged. In I860, he married Catherine M. Wil-
son, and they have had six children ; three of whom survive, namely, Conrad, James
\\\. and Jane W.
INDEX
Abbey, D. & S. A., 243, 248
Abbott, E. C, Rev., 355
Samuel. 538
& Crosby, 245
Abeel, John, 135, 137, 14:'., 321
Achquetuck, 181
Acts of the first General Assembly, 48
Adams, Amos, 14.")
Charles, 372
Charles H., 373, 43s, ||ii. | r, 152
George C, 491
Henry, Dr., 216
Adgate, Matthew, 74
Adler, Daniel, 393
Ainsworth, Danforth E., 167
Ira W., 106
Aire], Henry. 451
Albany Academv, The, founding and
history of, 264 266
Argus, the, 234 236
Basin, the, 95 91
Brewing Company, 378
Albany City, a half century of imp
merits in, 315 320
amendment of charter of, 315
Ancient Chivalric and Heraldic
Order of Knights of Albion in,
363
banks formed in, 312
banks of, 363 376
Board of Lumber Dealers, 380
boundaries as given by chfl
of 1686, 283
boundaries, changes in,
"boycotting" in, in 1776, 72
brewing industry in, :'ds
celebration of centennial anni-
versary of, -!11"
celebration of the two hundredth
anniversary of the chai
existence of, 315
chamberlain's reports of, from
I860 to 1895, 312 81 I
changes in ordinances of, 298
300
Albany City, charter of. 284 286
chartered in 1686, 18
churches of, '■'>'.\<\ -:;.">:>
civil government of, during the
Revolutionary peri<
Commodore Perry's visit at, B8
condition of military works at,
in 17(12, 56
adition of early schools in, 326
Daughters of the Cincinnati in,
363
Declaration of Independence
published in, J \
defunct newspapers of, 241 '.' 1 1
description of, by Mrs. Grant, in
1764, 294
development of the steamboat
interest in. 310
doings of Committ - tyof,
en 71
doings of the government of,
down to 1700, 281 289
during ills, 79 81
Dutch schoolmasters in, in 1702
255
early brewers in, 878
early fire defences, 291
ordinances of, 292,
298
if the French and Indian
war upon, 54
effects of the introducti* >n of new
elements of population in, af-
ter the Revolution. 800
establishment of a burial :
in L756
expenses of i1k> government of,
305, 307 309
: act from < iov. 1 >ongan
port concernii .
v rights and privileges in.
department ol
first attempt to establish a:
ucational institutional ii
378
Albany City, first bank in, 303
first meeting of the courts, 286
first newspaper of, 233
first officers of, 286
first term of the Supreme Court
in, 136
first theatrical company in, 304,
305
Governor Sloughter's visit to, in
1691, 53
growth in population and busi-
ness of, 302-304
headquarters of the stove indus-
try, 377
Homoeopathic Hospital, the, 209
hotels of, 312
importance of, in the French
and Indian war, 52
in 1689, 53
in 1700, 289
increase of transportation in,
310, 311
insurance business in, 311
introduction of horse cars into,
314
islands belonging to the citv,
284
land difficulties in, 298, 299
last election of officers of, under
colonial laws, 68
legislative acts relating to, 1769-
1788, 64
list of lumber dealers in, 380
lumber industry in, 378-380
manufacture of agricultural ma-
chinery in, 380
manufacture of pianos in, 380
manufactures of, 376-381
mayor and aldermen of, denied
seats on the Supreme Bench,
297
mayors of, 320-326
Military Order of Foreign Wars
of the U. S. in, 363
Military Order of the Loyal Le-
gion in, 363
names borne by the city, 283
news of Washington's death at.
306
Order of the Cincinnati in, 362
Order of Old Guard, Chicago, in,
363
organization of military compa-
nies m, in 1775, 70
patriotic pledge of the citizens of,
69
police department of, 392
population of, in 1800 and 1810,
84
Albany City, price of bread in, fixed by
Common Council, 306
reception of news of expulsion
of James III and accession of
William and Mary in, 286, 287
removal of seat of government
from, to Poughkeepsie, 79
royalist sentiment of the people
of, at breaking out of the Rev-
olution, 67
sale of city lands of, 296, 297
savings banks in, 374-376
schools of, 326-335
school statistics of, 333
settled upon as the State capital
in 1797, 301
Society of Colonial Wars in, 362
Society of the Colonial Dames of
America in, 363
Society of Colonial Dames of
State of New York, 363
Society War of 1812 in the State
of New York in, 362
Sons of the American Revolution
in, 362
Spafford's statement relative to,
in 1813, 303
streams and their ravines in,
282
streets and their names in, 293
topography of the site of, 281
town-whipper of, 297
troops raised in, for the war of
1812, 88
U. S. Daughters of 1812 in, 362
Washington Park in, 314
water question first agitated in,
290, 291
water supply of, 381-3S6
wretched condition of the sol-
diers of, in 1700, 55
yellow fever scare in, 306
Albany College of Pharmacy, the, 205
Albany County, aboriginal occupants of,
5
aggregate of volunteers from, in
war of the Rebellion, 112
Agricultural Society, 280, 281
Almshouse, 279, 280
Bar, list of members of, 158, 159
beginning of the history of, 1
bounties paid to volunteers bv,
112
collectors of customs from, 123
defunct newspapers of, 241-247
delegates to constitutional con-
ventions from, 123
early newspapers of, 233 et seq.
geographical location of, 2
379
Albany County, geology of, 3
governors from, 121
Homoeopathic Medical Society,
the, 211-332
Medical Society, formation of,
173
staff of physicians organized
by, in the cholera epidemic of
1832, 174
increase in population of, from
1810 to 1830, 91
influence of the tories in, 10
islands belonging to, 3
judiciary and bar of, 130-146
Ladies' Army Relief Association
of, 112
legislation affecting, 120
lieutenant-governors from, 121
list of militia officers of, at be-
ginning of the Revolution, 65-
67
members of assembly of, 125-130
members of congress from, 122
N. Y. canal commissioners from,
124
X. V. secretaries of state from,
123
state comptrollers from, 124
N. V. State engineers and sur-
veyors from, 124
X. Y. state senators from, 124
N. Y. state treasurers from, 124
N. Y. surveyors general from,
124
population of, in 1790, 82
rivers and streams of, 2
soil of, 4
territory included in. when orig-
inally formed, 48
topography of, 2
treasurers of, 130
troops furnished by, to Gen.
Schuyler for Canada cam-
paign, 73
United States president from,
121
r. s. secretary of state from, 122
I'. S. secretary of the navy from,
122
C S. secretary of the treasary
from, 122
r. s secretary of war from, 122
U.S. senators from, 121
U. S. vice-president from, 121
Albany Daily Herold, the. 241
Evening fournal, the, 286
Pemale Academy, the, 268
Gazette, the, 283
Albany Hospital, the, 206 207
Institute, the, 275
Knickerbocker, the,
Law Journal, the, 2 \ '.
Law School, the, 163 168
Medical Annals, the, 196
Medical College, the. 200 205
list of faculty of, 202 205
Alumni Association of the, 205
Medical Society, chronological list
of, 185 -195
Penitentiary, the, 278, 279
Saw, Steel and File Works, the, 3
Sonntag Journal, the, '211
State Xormal School, th<
Telegram, the, 240
Times-Union, the, 239
Alcove (Stephensville). 482
Alexander. Joseph, 90, 36s, ::;.}
Alden, Joseph, "207
Sidney, 437
Alford, S.'M.. Hi.-)
Alison, Hector, Rev.. 346
Allen, Campbell. 103
Benjamin. 265
William P., 165
Alumni Association of the Albany Med-
ical College, 205
Alstine, Henry, 4H!>
Alston, Willis' A.. Dr.. 581
Altamont (formerly Knowersville), 521
as a popular summer residence, 524
Driving Park and Fair Assoeiation,
.-.•J I
office rs ■ il . 524
Ames, Ezn
Nathaniel, 34 I
Amnion, Hammond, 12*3
Amorv, [bhn, 07
875, 378
William. 378
Anable, Samuel I... !"'•>
Andrews, K.. 24
Loring C, 242
Andros, Edmund, Major, \~.
Angus, C, 244
' Walter II.. 107
Anneslev, Richard L , M
Ami rent struggle, the, ill 119
Anton. John. 2
Apple, John, 1-15
Appleton, William
Arensius, Bernard, Rev.
Arey, Oliver,
Arkell, fames,
W. J
Arnold. Benjamin W.. 410
James, 581
380
Armsby, James H., Dr., 183, 200, 206
Artcher, Michael, 115, 145
Asbury, Francis, Rev., 344
Babcock, Daniel L., 334
James L., 183, 334
Robert, 144
Babington, Samuel, 145
Bacon, Leonard, Rev., 355
Bailey, George I., 386
James S., Dr., 196
John M., Lieut., 144, 363, 373
Joshua, 440, 453
Judson Hooker, 363
Timothy, 446
William H., Dr., 183
Baker, Benjamin F., 105
Ellis, 375
George Comstock, 356, 362, 363
Walter Samuel, Dr., 219
Balch, Lewis, Dr., 356
Baldwin, Alexander, 74
Ebenezer, 142
Balentine, Solomon, 241
Ball, Hendrick, 502
Jacob, 65
J. M., 109
O. D., Dr., 183
Bancroft, Royal, 373
Banker, Evert P., 137, 321
Flores, 67
Bank, Albany City National, 369
Albany City Savings Institution, 375
Albany County, Albany, 373
Canal, Albany, 365
Cohoes Savings Institution, the, 453
First National, Albany, 372
Manufacturers', of Cohoes, 453
Mechanics' and Farmers', Albany,
366
Mechanics' Savings, Cohoes, 453
Merchants' National, Albany, 371
National, of Cohoes, 452
National, of West Troy, 421
National Commercial, Albany, 368
National Exchange, Albany, 370
New York State, at Albanv, :'.<i I
of Albany, 363, 364
of the Capitol, 372
of the Interior, the, Albany, 372
The Albany Exchange Savings, 375
The Albany County Savings, 376
The Albanv Savings, 374
the Albany, 303, 304
The Home Savings, Albany, 376
The Hope, Albany, 373
The Mechanics' and Farmers' Sav-
ings, 375
Bank, The National, Albany, 372
The National Savings. Albany, 375
The Park, Albany, 373
Union, Albany, 371
Watervliet, West Troy, 420
Banks, A. Bleecker, 325
Robert Lenox, 278, 316 356, 384
Banyar, Goldsboro, 92, 263, 364
Bar of Albany county, biographical
sketches of members of the, 148-157
Barbadoes distemper, 172
Barber, Hiram, Dr., 531
John and Robert, 242
Barclay, Henry, Rev., 340
John, 65, 68, 70, 79, 322, 339
Barckley, E. L., 542
Henry, 542
M. H', 109, 110
Barker, James Franklin, 356
Barnard, Daniel D., :200
Frederick J., 370
Barnes, David M., 239
John O., 356
Thurlow Weed, 278
jr., William, 238
'& Godfrey, 239
Barrett, Thomas, 65, 70
Barry, David James, Dr., 229
Bartlett, Edward T., 362
Ezra A., Dr., 184, 356
Bent & Co., 311
Barton, R. F., Dr., 523
Bartow, Henry, 368, 369
Bassett, John, Rev., 336
Bassler, Frederick, 502
Batchelder, Galen, 370
John F.. 371, 372
Batterman, Christopher, 145
family of Guilderland, 520
Battershall, Walton W., Rev., 341
Battery, Eleventh New York, 108
Battle of Bennington, 75
Baudartius's description of the country in
1623, 16
Bay, Andrew, Rev., 346
John, 68
Bayard, George D. , 105
Beach, Denio & Richards, 244
Beal, Moses, 83, 91
Beam, Adam, 67
Beardslee, Rufus G., 278
Beardsley, William, 145
Beasley, Frederick, Rev., 340
John, 340
Beck, T. Komeyn, Dr., 174, 265
Becker, Abram, 531
Albertus W., 160
Dirck, 65
381
Becker, I. S., Dr., 523
M. A., 447
Wouter, 65
Becker's Corners, 495
Beckett, Thomas, Dr., 181
Bedell, Gilbert C, 425
Beebee, Dillion, 421
Beecker, (Bleecker or Becker), Jan
Jeurians, 255
Beeckman, John, 65, 70
John H.. 66
John James, 65, 68
John M., 68, 79
Beekman, J. P., 340
John Jacob, 323
Beeren Island, fortified trading- post
established on, by the patroon, 26
tolls demanded at, by the patroon, 26
overt acts at, 27
Beers, William P., 144
Bell, Horaces,, 373, 375
James A., senator from Jefferson
county, 269
M., 109
Robert H.,109, 11<>
William II ,110
Bemet, Robert O. K., ">:;«;
Benckes, Jacob, Com., Hi
Bendell, Herman, Dr., 1",;, 334, 335, 363
Bender, George M., 491
Christopher W., :575
Henry, 241
Matthew W., 201
Benjamin, George H., Dr., '.".'is
Benedict, jr., Lewis E., 142; sketch of,
156; 368
Bensen, Albert V., :'>7:;, 376
Bentley, Caleb. <ii
( diver, 66
Bergen. Stephen J., :!:!•">
Berger, George, <i7
Berkenmeyer, William Christopher,
Rev., 338
Berne, town of. 190 513
agriculture in, 507
churches of, 510 518
early business enterprises of , 504 507
early mills of, 505
hamlet of Reedsville in. 509
hamlet of South Berne in, 509
hamlet of Wesl Bei ne in 508
lakes in, 199
later pioneers of, 502
list of first settlers of, 501
mineral springs in. 500
schools of, 509, 510
supervisors of, 518
the Beaverdam in. 499
Berne, the scene of a bloody deed during
the Revolution. 500
the Simmons axe business in. 506
topography of, 199
village of East Berne in, 508
village, settlement and business men
of, 507, 508
Best, Conradt, 67
Bethlehem, town of. 186 198
Becker's Corners in, 195
Castle Island ii
Cedar Hill in. 195
Cemetery Association, 4!)1
cemeteries »f, 490, 491
191
churches of. 196 198
I !i irning Iron Company in, 490
Delmar in 193
Klmwood Cemetery in, 491
erection of town of, 188
first settlement of, 486
Glenmont in, 496
Hurstville in, 495
Indian burial place, Tawasentha, in,
188
Kenwood in, 194
list of families of first settlers of,
is?
Mount Pleasant Cemetery in, 491
Normansville in, 498
post-offices of. 491
schools of. 196
Selkerk in. 195
Slingerlands village in. 192
soil and product 5 of , lvx
South Bethlehem in. 192
streams ol . 188
turnpike aud plank road companies,
189
Beverwyck Brewing Company, 378
■. 1'.. Dr .' 213, 211
v, John M., Di
Billings, George Henry, l»r.. 218
Bingham, R. II , 815
Binns, William, 188
h, < reorge A. , l 16
Bird, William. 581
Birdseye, Charles ( ' . 1 18
Bishop, Gertrude AnnaGoewey, Di
'1 heodore M., Rev. . :'. 12
Ridels. Adam. '.' 1
Bissell, William II. II.. Rev., 126
Blackman, A S . 125
Clover, 125
Blaisdell, J. W., Dr., 109
Wesley, It.. I-*"
hard, Anthony, 1 12
J. W., 105
382
Bleecker, Barent, 93, 304, 363, 364
Charles E., 325
Harmanus, 93, 277, 374
Henry, 68, 135
Jacob, 68
Jan, 286
Jan Jans, 286, 321
Johannes, 321
John N., 65
John R.. 21, 68, 96, 145. 365
Rutger, 135, 143, 322
William E., 278, 372
Blessing, Elmer Arkell, Dr., 228
Block, Adrian, 13
J., Rev.. 355
Bloodgood, Francis, 323, 365
John, 344
S. D. W., 244
William, 116
Bloomaert, Samuel, 21
Boardman, John, 347
William, 375
William G., 311,380
Boes, Nicholas, Capt., 47
Bogardus, Robert, 340
Boght (or Groesbeck's Corners), 405
Bogart, James H., 105, 106
Garrett, 387
Henry I., 68, 70
Bond, Aaron John, Dr., 228
Booth, John H., 491
Lebbeus, 266
Borstwick, James M., 145
Boss, Lewis, 277, 316
Both well, James L., 329
Botsford, Egbert, 425
Bott, Arthur, 315
Bouhvare, Jeptha R., Dr., 181
Bourgengnon, L. H., 455
Boutelle, Frank W. and Frederick A.,
356
Bouton, P. N., 375
Bowditch, Edward, 363, 377
Bo we, John, 375
Bowen, Townsend, Dr., 223
Bown, William H., Rev., 342
Boyd, Edward H.,239
' James P., Dr., 174
J R., 244
Peter, 96, 266, 346, 374
Boyington, Charles, 349
Bradt, Albert And riessen, 486
Anthony E., 68
Francis I., 94
Samuel C, 281
Bradford, John M., Rev., 265, 336, 337
Governor, of Plymouth, remon-
strance of, against Dutch trade at
Narragansett, 17
Bradley, John E., Prof., 330
Joseph J., 468
John Nelson, Dr., 225, 536
Brady, Anthony N., 316, 369
John T., 377
Brand, Michael, 462
Brandenburg, William H., 106
Brandow, Frank Hammond, 356
Bratt, John A., 74
Braun, A. T., Rev., 338
Braunschweiger, P. C, Rev., 338
Brayton, William P., 145
Brewer, David J., 167
Bries, Anthony, 392
(Brice ?), Anthony, 66
Bridge, Charles Francis, 356
Bridgford, Alany, 442
John, 315
Bridges at Albany, 99
Brigden, Thomas A., 142
Brigham, Henry A., 109
P. S., Dr., 431
Briggs, John N., 480
Briusmade, Thomas C, Dr., 201
Broadhurst. Jonathan, 145
Brockway, Henry, 447
Bronk, Robert, Rev., 424
Stephen, 106
Bronson, Greene C. , 140; sketch of, 150;
164
Brooks, Jonas H., 370, 371, 375, 447
Pascal P., Dr., 217
Broughton, William H., 108
Brouwer, Tan, Capt., 22
Brown, Allen, 96
Andrew, 538
Edward E., Dr., 183
Fred W., 278
James, 440
fames Hutchings, Rev., 342
jenks, 440
Samuel, 243
Thomas, Rev., 340
Browne, Goodwin, 356
Irving, 165
Brower, Henry D., 108
Bruce, Mrs. Catherine W., 276
Brumaghim, A. W. , 373
Brunow, Professor, 247
Br van, John, 366
Michael K., 104
Bryant, Charles Gilbert, Dr., 218
Buchanan, Charles J., 165, 166, 263
Buel, Jesse, 234, 239, 240, 374
Bulkeley, Alpheus Tompkins, 356
Bulkley, Chester, 347
Bullock, Joseph N., 371
Bumford, George, Col., 274
Burden, Howard H., 432
383
Burdick & Taylor, 245
Burgoyne's surrender, 75
Burhans, David, 106
Burlingame, Eugene, 144, 166, HIT, 378
Burke, Betsey, 349
Toshua A., 349
T. M. A., Rt. Rev.. 352, 353
Burnett, Samuel W., 372
Burnside, James, 66
Burnstein, Charles, Dr., 232
Burt, Charles A., 108
Burton, John E., 108
William, 438, 440, 453
Bury, Richard, Rev., 341
Bush, Walter R., 278
Butler, Benjamin F., 144; sketch of, 149;
234
Joseph C, Dr., 219
Buttrick, Wallace, Rev., 350
Buyshe, James, Father, 350
Byington, Charles Sperry, 356
William Wilberforce, 356
Cady, Philander K., Rev.. 342
Cagger, Peter, sketch of, 155; 20*3
Calder, Humphrey L., 109
Caldwell, James, 364
William, 96, 265
Callicott, Theophilus C, 236, 239
Calisch, Alexander Charles, Dr., 231
Campbell, Edward Willers, Dr., 227
George, 441, 451, 45:;
William II.. Rev., 265
William Melancthon, Dr., 230
Campaign of 1777, 74-77
Campaigns of the war ( f 1812, 86. 87
Canada" P. A., Rev., 355
Cantine, Moses I.. 2
Callanan's Corners, 553
Capitol City Brewing Company
Capron, John 1 >. , 376
Carmody, John, 853
Carpenter, Charles S. , 245
Edward Annon. Dr.. •-'•.'1
George W., 884
James L. , 881
Carr, Robert, Sir. I ">
Carroll, 1. II.. 246
John M., 390
Stephen II., Dr., 221
Carson, Thomas L., '-' Hi
Carter, Nathaniel II.. 248
William F„ 137, 140 152, 158
Cartwright, < reorge, Sii . 45
Car wheel works, 37 7
Case, Russell C, 875
Casey, Daniel. 825
Cass, Levi, 331
Cassety. James M., Dr.. ','•;">
Cassidv, Clinton, 278
William, 235, 315
William R.. 236
Caulkins, Jonathan, 428
Caw, William G., 152
Cedar Hill, 195
Center, Asa II., 266, 368
Chadwick, William X.. 486, 187, 140, 153
Aaron, 4nJ
I'. R.. 153
Chamberlain, Frank, 106 278 368
Eugene T., 363
Champlain and the [roquois, 11
Chandler. O. I"., 383
Chapin, Edward 1'., 107
Josiah Dexter, 356
Lyman, 365
Chapman, Isaac A., 375
J. Wilbur, Rev.. 386
Charles, Daniel 1 >. T.. 371
"Charter of Privileges and Exemptions,"
the, •-'()
C batfield, Harvey S.. 106
Cheeseman, Calvin. 403
Cheever, Samuel. 1 I".
Chessman, Calvin, 3 II
Chester. John, Rev., 266, :\\;
Alden, 141, 334, 335
Child, E. I'... 244, 249
Child's Hospital. th<
Chittenden, Orville H.. I 12
Christian Brothers' Academy. 268
Church, Andrew M. 1 18
Walter S.. 117
Churches, Baptist, 35(1. 351, U0, 127,
158, 167, 185, 584, 544
Christian, 355, 485, 512, 513, 535
Cong) egational, 355, 4 in
Episcopal, 889 848, 125, 188, 156,
5:15
I tebrew, 855
Lutheran. 511. 525, 542, 548
Methodist. 343 846, 127, 182, 157,
159, 168 184, 197, 198 512
584, 548, 551
•yterian, 346 -lit. 128, 188, 158,
167, 19"! 526, 554, 551
□ i I, 386, 837, 1"^ 109, 124,
125, 157, iv">. 196, 51 1, 526 584,
555, 557
Roman Catholic,- 850 355, 126, 128
188, 159, 160, 185
City Halls, 160, 161
Clark, CharU-s C. 108
( harles H . 105
w . 242
Jeremiah, 865
381
Clark, Joshua R., 453
Matthew C. , 390
Rufus W., Rev., 336
Seth Henry, 356
William P. 108
W. S., 454
& Holsapple, 449
Clarke, B. F., 441
George W., 246
Clarksville, 550
Clinton, De Witt, 93
Clossy, Samuel, Dr., 173
Clowes, Timothy, Rev., 265, 340
Cluet, Jacob, and sons, 400
Nicholas, 400
Clute, Dirck, 409
Gerrit, 402, 409
Jacob H., 143
James S., 454
Jeremiah, 402, 436, 453
John, 451, 453
Johannes, 409
N. J., 453
William K., 390, 393
Coates, Charles, 371
Cobes, Ludovicus, 144, 145
Coburn, Edward Bernard, Dr., 230
Cochoran, J., Dr., 170
Cochran, David H., 267
Cochrane, C. B., 109
Coeymans, Barent Pieterse, 379 ; mar-
riage and family history of, 474, 475;
and his brothers, 473; 547
Coeymans, town of, 472-486
Achquetuck in, 476
cemetery associations in, 478
churches of, 484, 485
conflict in title between Coeymans
and the patroon in, 474
first settlement of, 473
gradual improvement in, from first
settlement, 477
Mutual Insurance Co., 478
natural characteristics of, 472, 473
newspapers of, 480
Onisquethau (Coeymans Creek) in,
475
physicians of, 479
railroads in, 478
Ravena in, 480
schools of, 477
supervisors of, 476
the first Coeymans dwelling in, 476
the home of early prominent fam-
ilies, 481
villages and hamlets in, 480-4s:i
Hollow, 482
Landing, 479, 480
Coeymans Landing, business interests of,
480
Cogswell, Ledyard, 365, 377
Mason F., Dr., 182
Cohoes, city of, 434-460
banks of, 452-454
Campbell & Clute, machine shop of,
451
churches of, 456-460
city hall, 441
Company, the, 441
Daily Dispatch, 454
Daily News, 454
early historical mention of, 434
Egberts High School at, 339
Empire Tube Works of, 450
ephemeral newspapers of, 455
fire department of, 437, 439
first mills built at, 435
Furniture Company, the, 452
Harmon v Mills Company, the, in,
443-446
incorporated as city, 438
incorporation and election of first
officers of, 437
Iron Foundry and Machine Shop,
451
knitting mills of, 446-449.
manufacture of axes in, 449
Manufacturing Company, the, 436
miscellaneous manufactures of, 452
newspapers of, 454—456
of small importance until after 1830,
435
police department, 440
rapid growth of, 436
Republican, 451
rolling mill, 450
schools of, 437. 438
territory included in, 435
Troy & Cohoes Shirt Company, 452
Water Works Company, 440
Colden, John, 144
Colburn, W. M., 246
Cole, Charles W., 330, 334
Cole (Koole?), Jacobus, 66
John, 393
John O., 88, 200, 334
Matthew, 244
M. M., 243
William S., 478
Collins, David Edward, Dr., 224
J. B., 108
jr., L. D., 241, 418
Colvard, Asa, 145
Colve, Anthony, Capt., 47
Colvin, Andrew J., 118, 144
Colwell, Thomas, 450
385
Commissioners of Indian affairs, list of
the, 8, 9
Committee of Safety and Correspond-
ence, 68
as to tlie Loyalty and dis-
loyalty of the, 70
the second, 7:>
doings of the, 75 ! '
doings of, 79
Common School Commission, act au-
thorizing a, 258
superintendents, 259
Comstock, Isaac N., 393
Conger, Stephen, 424
Conkling, David and Josiah, I'll
Conner, Freeman, 107
Conroy, J. J., Very Rev., 267, 352, 353
Consaul, Joseph, 409
Contest between Stuvvesant and Van
Slechtenhorst, 28 39
Controversy between the directors and
the Amsterdam government, 39-41
Conway, Martin B., 393
Martin D., 142
Convent and Academy of the Sacred
Heart, the, 267
Cook, Ceorge H., Dr., 265
James C., :572
John, 108, 243, 2 Is
William, 368
Cookingham, I). A., Dr., 222
Cooksburg, 165
Coons, John, 402
Cooper, Charles D., 1 13, ill, 268, 31 l
John Taylor, I Hi
Paul F., 334
Coorn, Nicholas, 27
Coppee, Henry, 165
Corbin, Ernest A., 332
Ernest A. M., 35*3
Cordell, Julia, 332
Corlear, Ben C, 378
Corliss, Stephen I*., 363
Cornell, Alonzo B., 270
John R., 373
Corning, Erastus, 99, 161, 323, 348 362,
369, 370, 875, 382
jr., Erastus, 375
Erastus, Mrs., 868
Corstiaensen, Hendrick, 13, 1 1
Cory, |ohn, 102
Cottrell, Adam, 37 I
Coulson, II. C, L09
Counties formed from Albany, 1
Country Gentleman, the, 240
County clerks, 144, I 15
medical societies, legalization of, \'<-'<
Court of Appeals, 188
Court of Appeals buildings, 159, 160
Circuit, 140
for the Correction of Errors and Ap-
peals, L37
inty, 142, l 13
of Chancery. 137
of Common Pleas, the old, L35
of i >ver and Terminer, 136
Supreme, 138 1 10
Supreme, first term of the, held in
Albany, L36
Surrogates, 141, 142
Courts, evolution of the. 130 18 I
inferior, under the Dutch, Hit
the colonial, 135
the, under English rule, 136
under the Constitution of 1846, 140
( omtney, Samuel G., II I
Covert, .Madison, 422
fames C. 422
Cox," Edward Gilbert, Dr., 231
Frederick Joseph, Dr., 231, 362
George Aldomer, Dr., 220
James William, Dr., 217, 362, 375
jr., James W., Mrs., 863
Coyle, lames, 353
Craig, "William II., Dr., 106, 181, 273
Cramer, Francis, 109
George II.. 420
John, 120
Crampton & Belden, 132
Crandall, Edward Llewellyn, Dr., 227
I Ienry, 1 C>
Thomas, ii7
Crannell, John. 67
Crantz, Frederick, *><>
Crittenden, Alonzo, 266
Crocker, A., 191
astian (ansen, 169
Cromwell, Philip I., Dr.. 221
I Hi
Croswell, Edwin, 234 235, 365
Harry, 242
Sherman. 284, 285
Crothers, T. D.. Dr., L96
Crounse, Adam, Rev.. 525
Andrew C, Dr.. 523
Conrad, 526
• rick, I n\, 528
Henry, 108
William, 107
Cullinan, William, Rev., 128
Cultivator, the, 239
Culver, Asa and Philip, 16 1
Charles Mortimer, 1 >r., 357
Stephen. 102
Cumming, I looper, Rev . 347
386
Cunningham Bros., 529
Curtin, James A., Rev., 426
Curtis, Frederick C, Dr., 184, 357, 370
Joel, 66
Mary M., 451
Cussick, C. C, Capt, 362
Cutler, Edward D., 320
John N., 362
Cuyler, Abraham, 65, 68
Abraham C, 322
Cornelius, 322
George, 388
Henry, 364
Jacob, 68
Johannes, 144, 322
John, 263, 268, 387
J. C, 238, 387, 388
John J., 145
& Henley, 246
Dailey, W. P. N., Rev , 337
Dale, William A. Tweed, 264
Daliba, Major, 274
Dalton, William, 375
Danaher, Franklin M., 316
Danks, William N., 107
Dann, Horace L. , 428
Davenport, James R. , Rev., 342
Davidson, George G., 367, 375
Gilbert C, 371
W. R., 163
Davis, Charles E., 106
John, 200
John M., 238
J. T., 101
Joseph, 273
Nathaniel, 347
Dawson, George, 109, 237, 238, 273, 315
Dayton, Jesse C, 418
Dean, Amos, sketch of, 153; 164, 200,
277, 278
Amos Hammond, Rev., 348
Dearstyne, Chester F., 279
Decade of 1826-36, a period of prosper-
ity, 97
Decker, E. F., & Bros., 377
de Decker, Johannes, 41, 42, 45
Dederick, Peter K., & Co., 380
De Forest, David, 67
Edward, 278
De Freest, Isaac, 65, 70
Jacob, 67
Philip, 67
De Graff, Abraham, Dr., 520
De Hinse, Surgeon, 170
Deitz, Johan, 505
Johan Jost, 506
de Laet, Johannis, 21
Delamater, Ira, Dr., 183
de la Montogue, John, 46
De Lancey, Stephen, 68, 142, 144
Delavan, Edward C, 365
H. W., 265
John Savage, Dr., 177, 218, 278
Delehanty, Francis B., 335
Delhanty, Michael, 334
Dellius, Godfriedus, Rev., 336
Delmar, 493
Demarest, John, Rev., 408
Demers, George W. , 237
Denio, John, 244
Dennison, James, 66
Denniston, Isaac, 366
Depew, Chauncey M., 270
De Peyster, Johannes, 322
John, 142
Dermott, Stephen C, 425
Description of the old Capitol by H. G.
Spafford, 269
De Voe, John, 66
Devyr, Thomas A., 245
De Witt, Abraham V., 371, 375
John, 13
John, Rev., 336, 337
Richard Varick, 362, 365, 391
Simeon, 268, 311, 374
William H., 206, 367
William H., Rev., 343
De Wolf, De Los, 270
Dexter, George, 200
Dickey, William D., 168
Dickson, Walter, 316, 318
Dietz, Louis, 363
Peter, 65
District attorneys, 143, 144
Dix, John A., 260,373
Doane, William Croswell, Rt. Rev., 208,
268, 319, 341
Dobler Brewing Company, the, 378
Dodds, James, 106
Dodge, William T., 453
Dongan, Governor, 47-49
Donn, John, 451
Donohue, John, 447
Doran, Thomas, Father, 353
Dormansville, 532
Dorr, Elisha, 142, 366
Douglas, Alfred, 370
Charles, 447
Charles H., 357
Curtis N., 278
Douw, De Peyster John, 365
John, De P., 142
Volckert A., 65, 68, 100, 136, 143, 281,
322, 374
Dox, Gerrit L., 276
387
Dox, Peter, 65
Peter P., 145, 273
Draeyer, Andrew, 14.r)
Drake, Edwin C, 106
Gerard us 462
John, 462
Draper, Andrew S., ">:!•">
Drexel, J. W., 238
1 >risius, I >avid, 256
Dubois, Benjamin C, 73
Gualterus, Rev.. 336
Ducharme, H. C, 109
Dudley, Bland ina, Mrs., 276
Charles E., 93, 311, 323, 366, 377, 441
Observatory. 276 277
Duer, William, 234
William A., 140
Duffy. James, 244, 245
Dunlop, Robert, 378, 404, 425
Drumsville, 524
Durant, Clark Terry, 357
jr., Edward A., 335
F. B., 421
William, 96, 374
William C, 419
Dutch Colonial Council, the. 133
" comforter of the sick," 168
governors of New Netherlands, list
of the, 18
interests, final surrender of, to the
English, 47
traders, the fust. 12, 18
trading-post, the first, 14
West India Company, the, 14, 15
Dutcher, David 1., 427
Salem. 349
Duyster, Dirck Cornelissen, 21
Dwight, Francis, 245
Theodore, 242
Dwyer, Thomas II., :i:il
Dyckman, Johannes. 36, :'.?, 41
Early periodicals of Albany, pleasant
sketches of, 247 252
East Berne, 508
Easton, C. 1'., 161, '-'Tv- 334
Eastwood, Thomas M.. Rev.. 349
Baton, fames w. .ill. 166, 167
foseph 1 1.. 181
Eckles, James II., 168
Edmeston, Alexander A.. 1 >; 180
Edmonds, John W., 1 17
Edson, Franklin, 278
Education in the view of the West India
Company. 254 256
Educational matters under Dutch domi-
nation, 353
Edwards, Alfred, 334
Edwards, Isaac, 164, 335
James, sketch of, 152; 372
John, Major, 462
Effects of the close of the Revolutionary
war on schools. 251
Egberts, Egbert, 436, 440, 14»i. 152, 158
Eidlitz, Leopold, 270
" Eight men," the, under Kieft, 132
ts, Abraham, 65, '<*>
Jonathan, Dr.. 173
Elder, Joseph F., Rev., '■'■'' '
Elkins. Jacob Jacobson, 1 1
Ellicott, Joseph, 93
Ellison, Abraham, 34 I
Thomas, Rev.. 340
Ellmaker, Augustus. 437
Elmendorf, William Burgess, ".~>7
Emmons, Ebenezer, 200
En Earl, X. W., 137
English, activity of the, in granting pat-
ents and establishing settlements, 13
demonstration against the Dutch,
the first, 13
the, occupy Fori < 'range. 46
Ennis, Robert, Rev., :'• 18
Erie Canal, genesis of the, '•'•'' 95
Ermand, William Day. 278
Ernst, John Frederick, Rev., 338
eck, Welcome, 94
s, D. C, 246
Evans, Charles S., 1 HI
Charles Van Schaick, Dr., 232
Thomas, 125
Everett, William I'.. Rev.. 850
Evertsen, Cornelius, Com., 16
Excise duties, quarrel over the, II 13
Fabritius, Jacob. Rev.,
fair, | oli n, 815
kner, Justus, Rev., :'.::^ '
fanners' Union League Advocate, the,
•.Ml
Farnsworth, Addison. 102
Farrcll, James ( ' , '.':'.'i
John' II.. 289
Faulk, Norman \\\, 469
fee. I oh n A . ins
I'elth'ousen. John <> . 108
Fernow, Bertold, 868
Fero, 1 'avid. 108
■ y. Christian and 1 >avid, 109
Ferris. Isaac I ' . Rev. . 887
Feura. Bush, 56
1. Newton. 166, 167
Filkins, Morgan L., inc.. 278
Financial crisis oi 1886 ::s. 1 < • 1
Fitch, Henry, 145
[ohn Hiram, Di 222 562
Fitts, G [.,142
388
Fitzsimmons, James J., 335
Fivey, Robert Edward, Dr., 229
Flagg, Azariah C. , 260, 273
Flierel, John, Rev., 339
I- linn, Peter J., 334, 335
Floyd, E. G., 105
Fonda, Abram A. , 408, 409
Abraham D. , 65
Douw, 374
Douw H.,316, 335
family, the, 399
Hendrick, 409
Henry A., 373
Isaac, 408, 409
Isaac D., 68
Isaac H., 409
Isaac J., 409
Jacob D., 409
Jelles A., 92
Johannes, 409
John J., 67
John P., 67
Lansing, 402
Foot, Ebenezer, 266
Foote, Samuel A., 144
Ford, Charles R., 453
Jacob, 530
Forsyth, Colonel, 88
Forsythe, Russell, 96
Fort on Castle Island, the, 14
Fort Orange Brewing Company, the, 378
in 1628, 17
name of, changed to Albany, 46
Fowler, Samuel S. , 367, 369
Thomas, 447
William, 266, 366
Fradenburg, William, 344
Franklin, C. E., 167, 332
James J., 334
Frasier Robert, 491
Fraser, Robert H.,422
Fredendall, Jacob, 104
Frederick. Charles H.. 107
Harold, 238
Freeman, Samuel H., Dr., 183
Freie Blaetter, the, 240
Frelinghuysen, Theodurus, Rev., 336
French, George L., 432
Harlan P., 335, 357
discoveries and occupation, 10
and English, aggressions upon one
another from 1711 to 1744, 57-59
and English war, 1756-1760, 59-63
and Indian war, the, 1666-1698, 50-
55
occupation, evidence of, before Hud-
son's arrival, 12 note
Frey, William A., Rev., 338
Friedlander, David, 104
Frisbie, John B., 102
Frisby, Edward, 111
Frontenac's campaign against the Iro-
quois, 51, 53
Frost, N. W., 453
Frothingham, William, 107
Fruchting, H. C, 441
Fryer, Robert L., 369
Fuller, Edward W., 453
Henry D., 436, 437, 440, 453
Howard N., 335
Samuel, Rev., 464
Fuller's StatioAf 524
Fulton, Justin %, Rev., 349
Fur trade, the, 15
grave troubles growing out of the,
26
growth and bad features of the 25
regulations concerning the, 24
Gaffney, Thomas M., 266
Gale, E. Thompson, 420
Nathaniel, 531
Gallien, Edward J., 375
Gallogly, John J., 371
Gallup, Albert, 145, 146
Galpin, Charles, 243, 244, 246
George, 243
& Sturtevant, 244
(iansevoort, Harme, 144, 378
Harmse, 387
Leonard, 92, 141, 143, 144
Leonard H., 145
Lieutenant, 88
Peter, 143, 311, 365, 382
jr., Peter, 70, 145
Richard, 136
Gardinier, Henry H., 67
Gardner, Addison, 117
Hiram, 468
Garfield, Charles L., 369
Garland, Jerome, 451
(Earner, William T., 445
Thomas, 445
Garretson, Freeborn, Rev., 344
Garside, John, 438
Gates, Merrell E., Dr., 265
Gaus, Charles H,, 334, 335
General Assembly of 1683, the, 47
Geography of Albany County, 2
Geology of Albany County, 3
Geiiing, James S , 110
Gerretse, Adrian, 286
(Wyngard), Luykes, 255
Ryer, 143
( rerritsen, Jan, 379
Ryer, 135
389
Getty, Isaac R., Capt, 417, 419
Gibbons, Eugene Campbell, 357
James, 94, 274, 424
John, 530
Ransom H., 531
Gibbonsville, 411, 412
Gibson, R. W., 843
Gilbert, Archibald, Dr., 232
Asahel W., Capt., 417
Edward, 102
Edward J., 431
Horatio G., 372
Gilchrist, Robert, 368
Gill, Matthew, 371
Gillet, Noah, 400
Given, John, 145
Glass, James, 431
Glen, Cornelius, 364
Henry, 71
Glenmont, 496
Godfrey, John I., 365
Godyn, Samuel, 21
Goetwater, John Ernest, Rev., 337
Goewey, Catharine Elizabeth, Dr., 223
Golden, Owen, 884, 385
Goodley, John L., 335
Goodrich, Horace, 266
William W., 168
Goold, James, 200, 365, 375
Gordon, Catharine, 349
Gorham, George Elmer, Dr.. 226
Gorton, R. E., 421
Gould, Charles D., 200
Thomas, 31 1
William, 161, 370
Gourley, William II, Mrs , 410
Graham, Edward I . 335
Elisha Barker; Dr., 225
George J., 5:; 1
Hugh, 441
James Henry Augustus, Dr., 220
T. Van Wyck, 1 II
Grant, Richard |., 372
to the Duke of York, thi 1 1
Gray, George P., ID
James A., 811, 380
John, nil. 849
William J.. 880
Greeley, Caroline < '■., 266
Horace, 245
Green Island (village and town), 129 184
Green Island, churches of, 182, \-'<-'<
fire department oi . 181
genesis of, 129
incorporation of, 180
list oi presidents of village of, to the
present tune, 130
manufactures of, 182
Green Island, newspaper- of, 181
police, 431
public improvements at, 129
schools of, 131
street railways and railroads in, 181,
132
town of, t33
Green, Powers P.. 369
Greene, Henry. Dr., 175, 200, 370
ory, Clifford D. , 143, 373
David I-:., :;<;*
ge Washington, 1 >:
I >. II., Key.. 125
Gridley, Philo, 117
Griffin, Abner J., 453
Cass, 105
Joseph ('.. 390
R. M.. 246
R. M. & !•:., -247
Griffith, William H., Dr., '."j;
William Herrick, 857, 362, 363
Griggs, Hiram, 528
Groat, Warner, 430
Groenendyke, Johannes, 1 15
Groesbeck, Edward A., 369
John, 200
Leonard J., 453
Groetz, Mr. Key.. 888
Droot, fohn, 66
Groves, Leslie K., Rev., 348
Guardineer, George II.. :'>:D
( ruest, jr. . I [enry, 81 1
Guilderland, town of, 514 528
Altamout village in, 521 523
Center, 520
churches of, 525 507
1 tunnsville in, 52 I
early manufacture of glass at, 517
early stage lines, post routes, and
wayside taverns, 517, 518
first election for senator and assem-
blyman in, 515
first town meeting and town ofl
Of, 51 I
fuller's Station in, 52 I
••('■lass House" hamlet in, 519
list of families in, before the R<
lution, 515
list of licenses to sell liquor in. the
first year of the town's exisl
51 s
list of residents of. in 1808, qualified
as jurors. 515 . in Is".' I, 516
McKownsville in, 525
Meadow I 'ale in, 525
natural characteristics of, 514
newspapers of, 528
physicians of,
390
Guilderland, saw mills a chief industry
in, in early years, 518
schools of, 519
settlement in, well advanced before
the Revolution, 515
Station, 525
supervisors of, 527
Gunnison, Albert C, 421
Gutman, John, 241, 393
Hackett, William S., 375
Hagan, Terrance F., 390
Hagerman, A. Randolph B., Rev., 343
Hair, J. O., 109
Hale, Daniel, 268, 364
Matthew, 164, 166, 167, 357
William H., 266
Hall, Daniel, 403
James, Prof., 251
Lewis B., 166, 335
Talmage. 83
Uriah, 463
William P. , 427
Hallenbeck, Matthew J., 371
Halley, Ebenezer, Rev., 410
Halsey, Frederick Wals worth, Dr., 223
Ham, FredC, 335
Hamilton, Erastus, 531
Hammond, Aaron, 66
Samuel H., 144
Hand, Samuel, 165, 278, 384
Hanes, Lodowick and Jacob, 530
Hannah, William, 142
Hansen, Hans, 322
Hendric, 321
Nicholas, 321
Harmesen, Johannes, 392
Harper, Robert, 144
Harrington, A. W. and J. H., 423
Harris, Frederick, 278
Hamilton, 144, 270, 369
Ira, 116. 140; sketch of, 155; 164,
200
James R., 106
Hart, John W., 146
Jonathan, 425
Haskell, William H, 281
Haskins, Henry R., Dr., 181
Hastings, Hugh, 358
Hugh J., 238, 239
John, 238
Seth, 368
Haswell, Henry B., 144, 334
Joseph M., 420
Justus, 142
William E., 14.")
Hatch family, the, 461
Haverland, William, 531
Hawley, Gideon, 96, 259, 266
Hayes, Thomas, 334
Hazen, Jasper, Rev., 246
J. T., 246
Hedrick Brewing Company, the, 378
Heemstraat, Dirck and Charles, 409
Heermans, Rathbone & Co., 311
Hein miller, Jacob, 241
Helderbergs, the, 2
Helms, Thomas, Dr., 178,523
Hempstead, Isaac, 145
Hendrick, James, 373
Henly, Edward, 238
Henry, John G., Rev., 338
John V., sketch of, 148; 263, 265,
266
Joseph, 265
Herrick, D. Cady, 141, 144, 167, 168
Frank Castle, 358, 373
Hess, John, 354
Hessberg, Albert, 375
Higgins, M. E., 390
Solomon F., 144
Hill, David B., 318
James, 240
Nicholas, sketch of, 154
Hillhouse, Thomas, 404
Himes. J. W., 453
Hinckle Brewing Company, the, 378
Hinckley, Josiah, 530
Hindman, Rebecca I., 330
llitt, Galen R., 316
Hoagkirk, John, 65
Hobbs. C. W., 109
Hochstrasser, Jacob, 500, 502
Hodgeman, Timothy, 402
Hoff, Alexander H, 105
Hoffendahl, Charles Frederick, Dr., 214
Hoffman, Ernest, Rev., 338
John T., 165, 270
L. G., 244
Hogan, George, 65
Henry, 65, 70
William, 392
Holland, Almond, 332
Edward, 322
Henry, 145
Holley, Myron, 93
Holmes, Edwin, Rev., 337
George, Dr., 531
John Ma, Rev., 348
Holstein, De Coudrey, 245
Home for Aged Men, 410
Hoogkirk, John, 70
Hooker, Harold L. , 166
Hoositt, Gillis, 21
Hopkins, Charles A., 278
Hiram, 428
Hiram M.,428
391
Home, Charles A., 330
Horrocks & Van Benthuysen, I lii
Horton, Herman Brownell, Dr., 220
Hosford & Wait, 245
Hospital, St. Peter's, 201
the Albany, 206
the Albany City Homoeopathic, 209
the Child's, 208
Hotaling, Andrew F., Ill
Jacob, 491
John M., 401
Lansing, 144, 373
Houck, James A.. 146
Hourigan, William F., 335
House, Joseph S. , 370
Howard, Natt & Co., 311
Mary E., 332
Howe, Bezaleel, 243
Elliot, Calvin, Dr., 232
Samuel B., 330
Hoyt, Albert Ellis, 358
George B., 334
Hubbard, Murray, 437, 111. 152
Hubbell, Almerin, Dr., 505
Huber, J. J., 105
Hudson, Ephraim, 403
Henry, voyage and arrival of, 1.'
John, 83
John T., 270
H nested, A. B., Dr., L79
Huestes, David, 67
Hughes, John J., 390
Hulbert, Henry S., L05, L08
Humphrey, Friend, 200, 234
William, 375
Hun, Leonard < '>., 161
Marcus T., 165, 166, 365, 374
Thomas, 68, 174, L82
William. 65, 70
Hunter, Robert. 366. 370
& Huffman; 245
Hunting, Nelson, Dr., 221
Hurlbut, Elisha P., 14<>
Hurley, Father. 350
Hurstville, 495
Hussey, Edward J., 369
Husted, Albert N., Prof., 358
Hutchins, Stephen I 286
Hutton, Isaac, 366
Timothy. 409
Huyck, Andries, 4.68
John S.. Mil
Immigration, three distinct sources of,
13
Immigrants brought by the " Endracht,"
no
brought by the ship " Unity," 15
Immigrants, character of the, under the
charter system, 20, '-21
Incorporation of Albany, and of Rensse-
laerville, Knoxville and Coeymans
Academies, ■-'■">'.i
Indian affairs, management oi 8
Ids, L83
Indians, commercial relations of the
I hitch with the, 7
efforts to secure an alliance wit!; 18
introduction of firearms to ti.
religious work among the, 7
selling liquor to the. '. 1
the Iroquois. ■"> ',
troubles with the, over the Property
Line, »il
unfair treatment of the, '.», 10
Ingalls, Jacob, 530
Introduction of inoculation, 17"J
Iroquois Indians, the, 5-7
Jackson, Allan II . 108
( teorge 1 '. . 376
J. C, 243
Michael, 74
Mortimer M . 468
Jails. 161 168
James. Edwin, 266
William, 93, 94, lit;, :;; I
Jefferson, Sylvanus K., 419
Jenkins, Charles M., 440
Elisha, 96, 311, 323, 364
Ira, 368
Samuel. 401, 464
Jeuney, Edwin S., 105
Jermain, lames 1',., 1 10, 125
John I'., 245
Sylvanus P., :!74
Jesuits, tli' i
Jewett, Freeborn G., Rev., 11 !
Jogues, Father Isaac, description of Fort
( (range by, 43
Johnson, Alexanders.. 117
Edward I'., Rev.,
Elisha, ::il
Guy and Sir John, disloyalty of,
71, 7-.'
lames I.. 235, 278
John B., Rev., 336
Jonathan, 1 »r , 528
3, 369
Samuel W.. I F>
William. Sir, and the Indians, 1766
to the Revolution. >'<■'■
William IF. .
Johnston, 1 (avid J., 188, 158
Robert. 153
Jollev, lames W., .
392
Jones, Charles Edmund, Dr., 223, 316,
335
Erasmus Darwin, Dr., 215
John H. , 422
John M ., 422
Margaret, 349
Samuel E., 109
Thomas S., 390
Jorise, Adrien, 15, 18
Journalism in Albany county, 233-252
Judges, list of, of the Supreme Court,
from Albany county, 140
Judiciary, the, under Dutch domina-
tion, 130-134
Judson, Albert C, 145
Albert Lewis, Capt, 358
Edmund L., 278, 325, 376
Ichabod L. , 370
Kaestner, Julius, 241
Kane, James, 93, 347
P. H., 447
Karner, George N., Rev., 348
Kauterivitz, Albert, Rev., 355
Kautz, John, 335
Kearney, Thomas, 388
Kearnan, Thomas, 353
Reefer's Corners, 483
Keeler, Isaac N., 145
William H., 14(3
Keese, William Linn, Rev., 341
Keeven, Robert F., 108
Keleher, Timothy D., 335
Kelly, J., Rev., 352
Warren S., 334
Kendrick, E. E., 364, 367, 453
Kenneally, M. H., 105
Kennedy, Duncan, Rev., 336
James, 109, 110
J., 109
James C, 372
jr., Robert, Dr., 227
Thomas, 447
Kenney, Cyrus, 428
Kent, James, 137, 140, 266
Kenwood, 494
Kerchewey, George W., 166
Ketcham, Joel, Rev., 344
Ketchum, Jeremiah, 409
Kettletas, Abraham, Rev., 346
Keyes, Addison A., 238
Keys, Addison A. , 334
Kidd, Henry M., 363
James, 273, 375
William, 363
Kieft, seizure of the 'Arms of Rensse-
laer wyck " by, 26
William, 18
Kieley, Jeremiah, 316
Kilduff, Thomas, 448
Kimball, John M., 104
Rodney G., 107
Kimberly, Henry, 428
King George's war, 1744-1748, 58, 59
Tames M., 100
J. Howard, 362, 365
Rufus, 261, 278
Rufus H., 316, 374
Kingsley, Hale, 105
William C, 270
Kinney, John, 83
Kip, William Ingraham, Rev., 341
Kirk, Andrew, 378
Edmund N., Rev., 348
William, 378
Kirkland, Samuel, Rev. ,7
Knap, Reuben, 66
Knapp, G. A., 108
Knauff, C. W., Rev., 342
John G., Dr., 173
Knickerbacker, James, 420
Knoll, Michael Christian, Rev., 338
Knowles, Charles R., 363, 375
Knower, John, 375, 421
Benjamin, 96, 366, 421
Knox, Edward B., 107
Knox, town of, 537-544
business enterprises of. 539
churches of, 542-544
early town elections and town offi-
cers of, 537, 538
erection and natural characteristics
of, 537
hamlets of, 542
immigrants from New England
538, 539
in the Rebellion, 541
lists of prominent families of, 540
paucity of information concerning,
before the Revolution, 538
schools of, 541
supervisors of, 544
Krank, G., 109
Krol, Bastiaen Jansen, 21
Kurth, Max, 241
Kyle, Thomas, Rev., 426
Lacy, William B. , Rev. , 340
La Grange, Aries, 68
Jacob, 66
Laimbeer, Francis Effingham, 358
Lamb, Jehial, 530
Robert Brockway, Dr. . 230
Lamb's Corners, 533
Lamont, Wilbur Fiske, Dr., 230
Lamoreaux, George C, 478
393
409
Lamoreaux, James, 143, 468
Judson, 4.8
William J.. 4. s
Landon, Henry L., 4;j
Judson S., 166, 167
Lansing, Abraham 142 369
Abraham, Mrs., dbd
Abraham G., 365
Abraham H., 409
Abraham V. P., 109
Abram. 138, 153
Andrew D., 440, 453
Charles B. , '■'" .
Christopher, 65, bi
Douw B., 115
E. J., 409
family, the, 398
Francis, 409
Gerrit, 402
ir Gerrit, <»s
Gerrit L, 408, 409
Gerrit V., 141, 374
Henry L., 369
Jacob G., 65
Jacob I., 409
Jacob J., 65, ' '
James, 166
Johannes, 409
lohn 1 13, 265, 286
r Hrm 137, 140; sketch of,
299, 323, 403
John A., 66
n;;v::r;~,is,is:;,:;:;.
John Y. A., 399
1 V S., 453
j. Townsend, 316, 365
L.evinus T., 65
Obadiah, 66
Peter, 406
Lansingh Peter 142
Larabee L. b., wt
Larkin, John, 1«
Latham, Obadiab B..27U
Lathrop, Raton ;.. 278
Lautman, John, 67
LaValenure, Rev. Fatnei
Lawrence, George, I--
lohn, 445
'}. I)., "•
I. W., 432
Richard, 891
Lawson, Edward S.
Isaac, 344
Joseph A., "" |
bawton, [srael, 1 12
1 16;
350
140, ill. 164 166, 334,
266
b. 247, 252
Lawyer, George, 358, 363
La^°abWt!nd1J4osiah.Dr,.531
Leak.. 1 Q.,234
Learned, Bilhngs P., 371
Edward, 420, 128
Jacob, 373
"William L.
335,371
Lee, George C, 278, 373
Noah, 372
William, 108
Lenox, Lionel U., 106
Leonard. Edward Cottrell
Jacob, 373
Le Roy, Alfred, 153
W. B., 447
Leslie. Edward, 387
Lester, Charles ( .,166
Leversee.J.D 454
Lewi, Joseph Dr., L88.&H
Maurice J.. Dr., 166
Lincoln. Joseph, 461
L Independent, ( ohoes, 145
Lindsay, lame-, l w
J H ,* 238
Linn, William, Rev., 336
Lipman, Henry W., 334, ......
Lishas Kill, 406
Litchfield, Edwin, 144
Littlefield, D. G.,378
Henry < 278, 378
Stove Company 61 1
Livingston, Edward, 144
lohn A., Rev., 336
Philirj HI. ;;:,v
RobeYviH ,285 286,321
Robert R 268
Thomas, 366
Walter, 143
Lockrow.A V. B.109
Lockwood, Daniel, i-i
Lobdell, Alexander S w<
lame-. 125
kichard S ,418
Lodewick, Johannes. 68
Lodge, Douglass. 100
Loudonville, 108
Loughren, E ra ■•■ ■
John. 881
Loveridee, Cicero 898
Lovett, |ohn, 88,144
Low". James S., D«
,;, Arthui
304
Ludlow, John, Major, 359
John, Rev., 336
Lush, Richard, 142, 144, 360, 365
Stephen, 311, 381, 403
Samuel S. , 144
Lutheran churches, 337-339
Lydius, Johannes, Rev., 336
Lyon, James B. , 316
Lynch, John IL, 335
McAvenue, Owen Frank, Dr., 230
McCall, Henry S., 165, 261
John A., 335
McCannon, Edward, 381
William, 381
McCann, Patrick, 316
McCarthy, A. Elizabeth, 329
McCarty, Uavid, 143
Peter, 448
McClellan, C. C, 109
McClelland, W., Dr., 172, 173
McCloskey, John, Rt. Rev., 267, 351
McClure, Archibald, 316, 384
Archibald Jermain, 362
Elizabeth, Mrs., 11 0
Tames H., 410
William H., 362
William H., Mrs., 363
McCredie, James, 391
Thomas, 378
McCulloch, Charles, 109
W. S., 244
McDermott, J. G., 108
Timothy, 104
McDonald, Hugh J., 334
John, 242
John, Rev., 265, 349
McDougal, William, 343
McDuffie, An^us, 145
McElroy, John E., 375
Thomas, 200
William H., 318, 320
McEwen, John, 145, 279
John S., 363
S. , 109
McFarland, James, inc.
Mary B.", 331
McFarlane, Andrew, 167
James, 239, 246
McGlashan, Daniel, 244
James, 244
McGough, Father, 354
McGown, James, 102
McGuire, Francis J., Father, 354, 355
John, 109, 111
McHarg, Henry K., :'.ii.">
William, 96, SI I
William C, 334
Mclntyre, Archibald, 93, 265
James, 279
McKelvey, S. C, Rev., 236, 349
McKenna, John, 334
McKinnev, Edward N., 365
Edward M., 381
James, 375
James & Son, 377
McKinley, jr., William, 167
McKissick, Stewart, 334
McKnight, John, 375, 378
John T., 278
McKown, James, 107
James A., 142
James Francis, Dr., 220
William James, Dr., 232
McKownsville, 525
McLachlan, David M., Dr., 201
McLeod, C. A., 432
McNamara, John W. . 393
McNaughton, James, Dr , 174,370, 375
McNeirny, Francis, Rt. Rev., 352, 354
McPherson & McKercher, 244
McOuade, James, 390
P. H., 332
McShane, Arthur, 390
Mabey, Stephen and Solomon, 530
MacDonald, Willis G, Dr., 196
MacFarlane, Andrew, Dr., 196
Machin, Thomas, 403
Magee, I., Rev., 338
James, 66
Maher, Edward A., 161, 325
James, 375
William T-, 335
Mahoney, D., Rev., 350
Maley, John, 364
Mallory, Edward, 427
Mancius, G. W., Rev., 169, 273
Jacob, 145, 273
W., Dr , 172, 173
Maney & Ward. 311
Mangan, Joseph H., Father, 353
Manhattan Island, purchase of, by Gov-
ernor Minuit, 17
Mann, John, 526
Joseph, 373
Thomas Henry, Dr., 221
Manning, Daniel, 235, 368, 369
James H., 316, 325, 369
John, Capt., 46, 145
Mansfield, W. K., 454
March, Alden, Dr., 174, 182, 183, 200, 206
Henry, Dr., 183
Marcy, William L., 88
Marrow, Joseph P., 334
Marselis, Guysbert G, 68
Henry, 73
395
Marselis, John B. , 74
Nicholas, 65
Marsh, Witham, 144
Marshall, Francis, 66, 105
J. V., 881
& Wendell Manufacturing Co., :isi
Martin, Frederick L. , 278
Henry H., 369, 374, 375
James, 369, 374
James, Rev., 349
• Robert C. , 372
William K., 390
Marvin, Alexander, 365
Richard, 368
Selden E., Gen., 343, 363, 373
Selden E., Mrs., 363
jr., Selden E., 363
Uriah, 347
William, 96
Mason, James W., 265
John, 425
Masten, Edson Wyckoff, Dr., 227
Mather, Andrew E.,363
F. W., 109
Thomas, 365
Matthews, Frederick, 266
William II., 105
Mattimore, Frank J., Dr., 180
Maverick, Samuel, 45
Mayer, F. G., Rev., 338
James, 273
Meadow Dale, 525
Meads, Orlando, 164, 34:3, 372
Mears, David <>.. Rev., 348
Medical College, Albanv, list of faculty
of the, 202 205
profession from settlement to 18
168-172
profession, monuments to the, in
Albany, 210
profession, services rendered by the,
duringthe Rebellion. 182, 183
Society, the Albany, 185 L99
Society, the Albanv, list of officers of,
L97-199
Society, the Albany, publication of
the transactions of, 195
Society, the Albany County I [omi
pathic,211 232
societies, authorization of, b\
Legislature, 184
treatment and care, want of, in early
days, His
Medusa, 468
Meegan, Edward J., 816
Megapolensis, fonannes, Rev., 169,255,
886
Meneely, Andrew, 421
Meneely, Andrew II., L22
Charles D., 422
Edwin A.. 121
George R., lis. |-.-.>
Menand's, W7
Merchant, George, 142, l 1 1, 263, 366
Lansing, 37 1
Merrill, C. S., 373
Merriam, Harmon X., Ill
John (),, 432
Merrifield, Richard, 278
Merriman, Harmon L., 116
Merritt, Edwin A., 270
Merwin, Samuel, Rev., 265
Mey, Cornelius Jacobson, 13, 15, 18
Mexican war, the, 101, 102
Miggael August
Milbank, William Edward, Dr.
Military notes and resolutions of , 1776 73
events of 1776, 71
Militia, state of the, in 1693, 5 I
list of names of, from Albanv county,
88-90
Miller, Andries, 67
A teh i son, 523
Christian, 31 1
Christopher C, 73
George W., 138
Henry. Rev.. 337
Horace Curran. 223
Isaac, 66
fohannes, 66
Lewis J., 391
Richard, 1 l">
Rodnev, 458
William H., 107
William A., Rev., 265
Mills. Charles Hood, :;:,s
John, Col 88
Miln, fohn, Rev., 340
Milne," William |.. 267
Mink, (I. orge 1 " . 890
Minuit, Peter, is
Mitchell, Charles B , 106
Isaac, '-' 12
James II., 138, 111
Mix. fames, 873, 876
William. III.
Moak, Nathaniel C. . Ml. 166
Moeller, Henry, Rev., 888
Moir, lames, 843
Moffitt, Robert, 284
Mohawks,
Montague, fohannes de la, Dr., 169
Moore'. Apo'llos, 1 18, 461, 536
David, I
lames, :
James W., Dr.. L76
396
Moore, Jonathan O., 105
Levi, Dr., 183
Norman H., 109
Robert H., 145
Thoroughgood, Rev., 339
William, 453
Morange, William D., 278, 320
Morgan, Ephraim, 404
James H., 110
John, 392
Mary, 330
William, 335
Morrill, LinzeeT., 335
Morris, Alexander, 101
James, 335
John A., 109, 110
Lewis O., 109, 110
Richard, 136
Robert, Dr., 108
Morrison, Alexander, 430
George H., 448
Morton, Levi P., Mrs., 363
Mosher, Alfred, 418
Cornelius D., 335
George B., 418
Jacobs., Dr., 176, 278, 334
J. Montgomery, Dr., 196
Moss, E. S., 109
Mott. Albert, Dr., 231
.Mount, J. F., 109
Moussart, Touissaint, 21
Mowrv, Le Roy, 371
Mulcahy, Patrick M., 390
Mulholland, H., 105
Mull, Abraham, 432
John C, 390
Mullens, R., 109
Munchausen, L. , 241
Munger, B., 107
Munro, Harvey, Rev., 340
Munsell, Joel, 244, 245
Munson, Samuel Lyman, 358, 376
Murphy, Elijah Warrener, 358, 362
Murphy 2d, Edward, 236
John H., & Co., 449
Joseph M., 109
P. M., Dr., 179
Robert W. , 468
Murray, David, Dr., 265
Myer, Frederic G., Rev., 265
Myers, John G., 371, 375, 385
Nash, Willis G., 365
Nead, Will Melangchton, Dr., 229
Neef, Jacob, Rev., 337
Neil, jr., John, 335
Nellis. William Jacob, Dr., 358
Nelson, Arnold, 200
New Amsterdam, surrender of, 45
Newcomb, George W., Dr., 109, 179
New Hampshire Grants, story of the, 82
New Netherlands Company, the, 14
comparative population in 1647 and
1664, 45
Newman, Charles, 359, 375
John L, 106, 363, 453
Newspapers, list of defunct, 241-247
miscellaneous minor, 241
New Salem, 549
New Scotland, town of, 545-557
Collanan's Corners in, 553
churches of, 554
Clarksville village in, 550
early physicians of, 554
Feura Bush hamlet in, 552
immigrants between 1775 and 1800,
548
influence on immigration by the
establishment of mills at Clarksville
by the Slingerlands, 548
legal struggle over title to, 546
list of natives of, who have become
prominent, 548
list of Scotch, Irish, and English im-
migrants, 548
New Salem village in, 549
Onesquetha in, 552
pioneers of 546-548
schools of, 549
Slingerland's Mohawk died, 547
supervisors of, 549
topography and natural characteris-
tics of, 545
Fnionville hamlet in, 552
Scotland village, 551
villages and hamlets of, 549-553
Voorheesville village in, 553
Wolf Hill post-office in, 552
Newton, John M., 320, 410
Newtonville, 406
New York State Library, 274-275
surrender of, to the Dutch in
1673, 46
the name of, succeeds New Am-
sterdam, 45
Neubauer, Francis, Father, 354
Nicholson, James D., 245
Nicoll, Francis, 65
Nicolls, Rensselaer, 135, 143
Richard, Col., 45, 46
Niel, William, Rev., 265
Niewenhuvsen, William, Rev., 336
Niles, Addison C, 468
Jonathan, 66
Stephen, 66
"Nine Men," the, under Stuyvesant, 133
Niver, J. Fenimore, Dr., 220
Noble, George Everett, Dr., 232
397
Noble, Henry Harmon, 359, 362, 363
Henry Harmon, Mrs., 362
Nodine, Joslin, 478
Noethen, Theodore, Father, 353, 35 t
Nolan, Michael N., 161, 316, 325
Noonan, Thomas, 375
North, William, 92, 403
Northern Inland Lock and Navigation
Co. . 403
Norton, John Treadwell. 359, 365, 366,
375
Normansville, 493
Nott, Eliphalet, Dr . 'ill:;
H., & Co., 377
JobnC, 143, ::]<;, 393
Noxon, Alfred 372
Noyes, Robert L., 370
Nucella, Johannes Petrus.Rev.. 336
Nusbaum, Myer, 393
Nuttall, J. A., 449
William, 448
Oathout, Volkert D., 4-24
O'Brien, M. T., 448
Rev. Father, 350
Thomas S.. 332
Ogilvie, John, Rev., 340
O'Gorman. Father, :>><)
Ogsbnry, John D. and Junius 1>.. 523
O'Kaue, H., 245
Olcott, Dudley. 315, W>. :'.<;7, 375, 1H)
Egbert, 420
John J., 367
Theodore, 360
Thomas, 367
Thomas W., LOO, 109, 1H4. 276, 281,
366, 367, 375
O'Leary, Cornelius B., Dr., 104, 180
D. V., Dr., '273, 334, 335
Oliver, George E., 278
John H., 384
Robert Shaw, Gen., 363
Olmsted, Charles A., 436, 458
Francis 4 11
F. Law, '270
Onderkerk, Abraham, 409
Isaac and Andrew, 409
O'Neil. James. I Is
Onisquethau, 552
< )otliout, Abraham, 408, 105
Jonas, 4-21
Oothoudt, jr., Henry, 65
Henry, 142
Volckert, 67
Orelup, jr., William, 152
Orr, William E., 109, 110
Osborne, A. Melvin, His
Ostrom, Henry, 65, W2
Ostrom, John. '.'1
Louisa, 266
I tstander, jr., John. 1 15
( Htenhaus, Father, 358
Packard, D. 1'... & Co.. 236
Robert, 243
Page, David IV. 261
l-:., 4. Mi
Isaiah, & Sou, :\] ',
Tamar, '■'< 19
William B., 371
Paige, John Keyes, 324, ■'<•<•. 382
Paine, Clarence Maun. Dr., 229
Henry 1 Jclavan. "21.")
I [ora( -■ Mansfield, I >r., 216
Howard Simmons, Dr., 227
John Alsop, Dr.. 216
Nathaniel Emmons, Dr., 224
Palmer, Amos P.. 369, 371, ::7r,
Benjamin. 465
E. De L.. 375
John. 363
John E., '■>'•'*
Potter 4(i'.t
Ray, Rev.. 355
Parker.' Alton B., 166 L68
Amasa [., 1 in. 164 166, '277
jr., Amasa J.. 236, 245, 278, 316. 320
James, 286
jason, early stage proprietor, 91
'Lewis R., 161
Robert, :;:ll
Parmelee, William. 148, 324
Parr, Harris. 1 16
John J.. 239
Parsons, jr.. (ames Russell. :'■">'.•
jr., John D., 359, 370
J H., 448
P. Sprague, 266
Samuel. I 18
S. II.. '.mi;
Sylvanus II. II.. 398
I 'at. Inn. Aaron I >.. 865
Patroon and New Amsterdam authori-
ties, serious strife between, '21
death of the fust, 28
rental system of tb<
system, the. opposed to individual
enterprise, .' I
Patroons, extravagant demands of the.
24
privileges and powers of the. 20
fatten. Moses, 1 12, 508, 506
son, J. M .. 246
Pattoo, Henry, 891
e, 1. Lansing, Rev . 191
Pease, Joel, 66
398
Peck Bernard, Rev., 338
Peckham, John [ay, Dr., 225
Peleg, Dr., 531
Rufus W.. 140, 141, 144; sketch of,
156; 382, 461, 468
jr., Rufus W., 144, 315
Peltz, John De Witt, 359, 375
J. DeWitt., Mrs , 363
Penio, Zenas, 403
Perry, Eli, 109, 325, 370
Eli, Mrs., 349
Nathan B., 369
SanfordS., 122
Stove Co., 877
Perkins, George R., '267
Petersen, A. M., Rev., 350
Pettit, F., 109
Phelps, I. Arthur, 421
Philip, 395
Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of
the Revolution, 356-362
Philips, Wilhelmus. 73
Phillips, Edwards, 335
John Peter, 107
Samuel, 424
Phinney, Elihu, 403
Phisterer, Fred, 8U8
Pierce, George William, 359
Pierson, Charles II., 105
Pilsbury, Amos, '2 is
Louis D., 279
Pinkerton, Robert, 432
Pitkin, Thomas C, Rev., 340
Pitts, David Wesley, Dr., 230
Planck, Jacob Albertsen, 135
Piatt, Ananias, 83
Charles Z., 311
E. E., 280
Plumb, Josiah B., 365, 372
Plympton, Lucy A.. 266
Pohlman, Henrv N., Rev., 335
Pomfret, J.ames 1)., Dr., 109, 176
Pomeroy, Mary Almeda Garrison, Dr.,
Population of county and city in 1850,
102
of countv and city in 1860 and 1870,
103
Porter, Charles H., Dr., 178, 196
Giles W., 366
James, 365
Nathan, 422
Post-office, the, 272-274
Potter, Asahel, 427
Elipolet N., 165
Henrv S., Rev., 350
Hollow, 464
Horatio, Rev., 340
Powell, C. F., &Co., 245
Pratt, James H., 365, 376
John H., 101
Lester Marcus, Dr., 218
Ralph, 96
Preisser, Stephen A., Father, 354
Prentice, Ezra P., 368
Preston, Henrv Green, Dr., 222
Hollow, 463
Samuel, Dr., 463
Prescott, Benjamin, 381
Pretty, Richard, 48, 145, 286
Price' John, 65, 68, 70
Joseph H., Rev., 341
Priest, John E., 445
Prince <* Ott, 877
Proctor, Redfield, 167
Prosser, Jonathan, Dr., 530, 531
Province, the, divided into twelve coun-
ties, 48
Provoost, Johannes, 145
Pruyn, Amasa Parker, Mrs., 363
Augustus, Col., 359
Casparus, 65
Francis, 109
Hybertie L., Miss, 363
John Van Schaick Lansing, Col.,
LOO, 109, 267. 270, 277, 359, 369, 370,
375
Lansing, 375, 388
Robert Clarence, 161. 316, 359, 368,
369. 878
Robert H., 200; sous of, 276; 278,
368. 369, 375, 877
Samuel, 87")
Public improvements at the close of the
eighteenth century, 83
improvements during the Rebellion
period, 113
Pulling, Henry P., 871
Pumpelly, Harmon, 374, 453
John Hollenback, 359
Pulver, Peter, 481
Ouackenbush, Henry, 65
II. S.,245
John P., 6.")
J. V. P., Dr., 175
Nicholas N., 143, 268
Quay. Paul, 111
< ) ween Anne's War, 1702-1711, 55-57
Ouinby, John H., 316
Quinn, Arthur C, 334
James, 378
& Nolan. 378
Railroads, 97-Sfl, 103, 104, 119 120
Ramsey, George, 72
300
Randall, S. S., 251
Randel, William Henry, Dr., 317
Ranken, David M., I48
Henry S., 448
Ransom, Albion, 372
E. I)., & Co., 371
Samuel H., 315
Rapalje, Sarah, the first white child bom
in New Netherlands, l<»
Rathbone, Clarence, 363
Jared L., 324
John F., Gen., 109, 377
Lieutenant, 88
Sard& Co., 37?
& Silliman, 311
Kavena (Coeymans Junction), 480
Raymond, A. V. V., 166, 167
Read, Harmon Pumpeliv, Major, '.' Is
360, 363
John B., 109, L10
John Meredith, Gen., 359, 360
M. H., 372, 373
Reddy, William F., 335
Reed, George W., 106
Rufus, Dr., 223
Reese, David M., Dr., 201
Livingston, Rev.. 342
Redfield, Lewis II., 236
Reidsville, 509
Reillv, Hugh, 144
Reile'y. John, 4 is
Regents of the University, '.'">1
Regiment, National Guard, Tenth, 106
N. V. Volunteers, Third, 105
N. Y. Volunteers, Forty-third, !<».')
N. V. Volunteers, Forty-fourth
("People's Regiment"), L07
X. Y. Volunteers, Ninety-first. 101
N. V. Volunteers, ( »ne Hundred and
Seventy-seventh, 106
N. Y. Vols., One Hundred and Ninty-
second, 1 H>
X. Y. State Militia, Twenty-fifth, 104
One Hundred and Thirteenth
(Seventh X. Y. Vol. Artiller
Remonstrance sent by the patroon to the
Amsterdam Chamber, 39
Remsen, Peter, 111
Renshaw, Alfred II., 182
Rensier, John. 461
Rensselaerville, town of , nil 172
churches of, 167
first settlers of, 461 169
first town meeting and town officers
of, 467
list of occupants and actual first ten-
ants, underthe patroon, in, 469 172
notes of, from Cockbum's map. 166
Rensselaerville, organization of, 465
prominent natives of, 168
Schoharie Turnpike Co., 168
3 of, 162
supervisors, l'is
topography and early roads of, 165
troubles with the Indians in, 467
villages and hamlets of, Mi:; it;:,
village, Hi I
Rensselaerwyck, copartners of, 21
Rental system of the patroon, 28
145
Revere, jr., William II.. in;
Revolution, close of the, 81
Revnold, Jared, •">:',!
' John II.. ::71
Reynolds. Marcus T., sketch of, 150
Margaret Jackson. I >r.,
Porter Lafayette, Dr., 180, 221 :;:;!
William. :;:;:.
Rice Alexandei I '., Ill
James ('. . 107
ih 'I'.. 374
Will, an. A r.
William Gorham, Col., 860
William Gorham, Mrs., 363
Richards, Aaron, Rev., 346
Seth, 244
Richardson. Henry. 270
Leonard Woods, Rev., 360
Richmond, Adelbert <'.., 360
Charles A.. Rev.. ::i-
Ricketts, Palmer C, 132
Rivers and stream-
rts, James A. ,
Robertson, Alexander and James, pub-
tishersof the first newspaper in Albany
nty, 288
es A.. Dr., 171
Robinson, Alberl I >.. l L3
■ 1 1 . 830, 863
Rockefeller, Henry ( >scar, Dr
Rockwell. Lewis II.. 382
ers, James, 108
William C, 431
Rot lautsen, Adam, schoolmaster,
Rolf, Frederick, 102
Rogers, Alberl
le/.er P, . Rev
II. X.,
James C, 105
,\ 1 12
Romaine, B. 1- . 248
Ronan, I >. A., :.'.'ti
Rooker, Myron II
Rooney, James. 146
Roorbach, John. 68
i, Cornelius, Dr., 1 72
400
Root, Andrew J., 447
Arthur Guernsey, Dr., 360
Josiah G., 447, 452
Lyman, 865
Roseboom, Jacob, 68
Myndert, 71
Rosendale, Simon W., 316, 369
Rosenthall, Mitchell, 455
Roy, James, 420, 421
John F., 421
Peter, 421
Rudd, William P., 278, 334, 335
Rudder, William, Rev.. 342
Ruggles, Charles H., 117,
Rundell, Darius, 536
Isaac. 531
Runkle, Henry, 402
Ruso, James M., 334, 335
Russell, Edwin B., Rev., 342
Henry, 381
Joseph, 96, 266, 347, 366
Thomas, 374
Ruyckman, Albert, 286
Ryckman, Albert, 378
Sabin, Charles H , 373
Sage, Dean, 360
St. Agnes School, 268
St. John, Adam, 580
St. Peter's Hospital, 207
Salisbury, Nelson H., 365
Sands, William, 440
Sanders, Bar net B., 334
George, 110
Robert, 135, 143, 322
William N. S., 373
San ford, Giles, 370
Henry T., 335
Roscoe Conkling, 360
Sanger, William Cary, 360
Sard, Grange, 360, 369, 373, 377
Saunders, Joseph S., Rev., 426
William M. S., 376
Sawyer, William, 410
Sayles, Alexander, 834
Schaets, Gideon, 336
Schaus, Hendrick, 66
Scherer, Robert G., 335
Schermerhorn, Daniel, 66
Jacob C, 60
Luke, 66
Schlesinger, Max, Dr., 355
Schnell, William, 506
Schnellendrussler, H. F., Rev., 337
School purposes, sale of public lands for,
258
system, founding of the, 258, 259
Schoolcraft, John L., 368
Schoolmaster's wages in 1644, 254
Schools, efforts and measures on the part
of the mayor and common council to
promote the, 256, 257
free, the long-drawn battle for,
260-263
in Albany county in 1820, number of
common, 260
instructions of Gov. Dongan concern-
ing, 256
legislative action in "An Act for the
Encouragement of Schools," 258
the Lancasterian system of, in Al-
bany, 264
Schoppe, Bernard, Father, 354
Schout-fiscal, the, 154
vSchrodt, Michael, 241
Schurr, C, 109
Schurtz, John, 67
Schuyler, Abraham, 68
David, 145, 286, 321
Hermanus P., 145
Jeremiah, 404
Johannes, 321
jr., John, 322, 424
John C, 420, 425
Myndert, 322
Nicholas, Dr., 170
Peter, 56, 57, 65, 135, 143, 285, 286,
321, 338. 342, 397
Peter P., 66, 137
Peter S. , 65, 424
Philip, 63, 71, 92, 263, 397
Philip Pieterse, and the Indians,
7, 8, 36
Philip S., 425
Stephen, 66
Stephen J., 67
Thomas, 345, 372
Schwartz, Charles William, Dr., 229
Scott, John, 65
Theodore L., 371
Scoville, Ebenezer, 419
Scudder, Myron Tracey, 360
Seegers, John C, Rev., 339
Seeley, William Wesley, Dr., 224
Sedgwick, Robert, 347
Seitz, Eugene, 432
Selden, Edward G., Rev., 337
Henry R., 117
Selkirk, 495
Senrick, Charles, 334
Settle, Jacob, 504, 506
Settlement, inauguration in 1629 of plans
for permanent, 20
the, in 1646, 28
Settlements, condition of the, in 1640,
22 note
401
Settlers in 1640, three classes of, 22
Sever, Jonathan, <!7
Seymour, George II., 422
William, 200
Shafer, Benjamin, McE., -4:>l
Ira, 144
Shaffer, A. Webster, 107
Shaler, Peter M., Ill
Shanklaud, William J., 381
Shannon, William, 109
.Sharp, George, <>7
Martinus, <>7
Peter, 67
Sharts, John, 246
Shaw, Joseph, Rev. , 265
Joshua, 65
Royal, 261
Samuel, 67
William, 111
Shay, Daniel, Capt, 462
Sheehan, William F., 426
Sheldon, ( raylor, 370
Shepanl, A.D., 372
Charles T., 278
Sylvester B. , 108
Shepardson, John, ', I
Sheriffs, 145, 146
Sherman, S. H. & E. J., 4S0
Watts, 369, 375
.Sherwood, John E. . 332
Shiland, Andrew, Rev. 265
Shine, J. II.. 448
Shoemaker, Angus McDuffie, 335, 361
James Duncan, 362
Shotwell, John, 96
Shreve, Richmond, Rev., 343
Shrirapton, Thomas, 128
Siiultes, Matthias. 502
Shutte, John, schoolmaster, 255
Sickles, "A , L09
Hiram E., 165, 166. 385
Sidney, John Jost. ', I
Sieze, Emanuel, Dr., 21 I
Sill, Francis N.
James M. , 452
John, 371, 152
Silliman, ( reorge I > . Rev., :'. 12
11. I',.. 158
Silvester, Peter, 68
Simmons, Daniel. 449, 152, 153, 506
Simpson, Mary A. 332
Sisson, Nor] E . 378
Siston, Michael, 1 15
Skill", Charles Herbert, Dr., 215
Skinner, C. R., Capt. . B8
E. W., 242
Slaughter of the Brice and Deitz fam-
ilies m Berne, during the Revolution,
500, 501
fi
Sleicher, John A., 238
Slingerland, Abraham, 65
Alberl I., 193
Cornelius II., 361, 193
Tennis, 398 546
William II., 281, 192
Slingerlands, 492
Smallie, G. B., 109
Smart, William S., Rev.. 355
Smith, Charles, Father, 351
Charles K.. 165, 238 266
Cornelius, 373
E. Willard, 109
Henry, HI
Horace E., 165, 166
Israel, 96, 365
John, Rev., 346
M. J.. 245
P. J"., Father, 354
Sebastian 163
Theodore D., 373
William S., 453, I- I
Smithwick, John, Dr., 220
Smyth, fohn F., 273
'Charles P.. 278
Snider, Lodowick, l>7
Sniper < iustavus C, 363
Sniveiv, Thaddeus A., Rev., 342
William A., Rev., 341, 342
Snow, Horatio X., 375
Norman L., Dr., 17s
Soil of Albany county, I
Son- of the Revolution, Philip Livii..
Chapter of th« . 356 362
South Berne, 509
Bethlehem, 492
Westerlo, 532
Southwick, Arthur (
Solomon, l 15, 242 245, 273, 366
Speer, William McMurtie, 236
Spence, John, 45 l
Spencer, Ambrose, 1 1". 825
jr., Ambrose, vv
Asa I!., '.tii
John, '.mi. :;;i
John C , sketch of. 151; 206, -.''i"
SpolVord, Horatio Gates, 243, 248
Spooner, fohn Alden, Re> . 342
Spoor. Charles T. F., Hi I 166
Sprague, William I'.uell, R< v ,841
Sprecher, S. P.. Rev . 388
Springsteed, David, Dr . 21*3
Edward A- 109 110
Squires. N. H.. 182
Staats. Abraham, surgeon, 169
Ban m. 65
■ Dr.. 174, 201, 324
Charles P., |s|
' ictlct, 1 I
402
Staats, Henry, 65, 70
Joachim, 286
Nicholas, 66
Philip, 66
Stackhouse, George W. , 108
Stafford, Spencer, 366
Stage lines, 91
Staley, Bowen, 335
Stanton, Charles H., 278
George W., 368, 370
Reuben, Rev., 531
William, 453
Stanwix, George, 390
Starkey, T. A.. Rev., 342
State Capitol, the, 268-271
Hall, the, at Albany, 271
House, at Albany, 271
Steamboat, advent of the, 91, 92; lines,
310
Stearns, Eben S. , 266
Frederic P., 386
John, Dr., 173
Stedman, Francis W., 361
Steele, Oliver, 200, 370
George B. , 278
Steenburgh, John, 402
Stephens, Peter A., 335
Stephenson, James, 145
John, 364
Stetson, William N., 362
Stevens, Albert P., 375
George T., Dr., 179
Samuel, Gen., 100; sketch of, 151;
200, 370
Stevenson, James, 323, 382
Stewart, Gilbert, 365
Stone. Alfred, 239
C. G., 247
John Augustus, 94
William L. , 242
Stool, Andries, 67
Story Brothers, 378
Strain, Alexander, 363
Street, Alfred B., 251
Strevell, William D., 145
Stringer, Samuel, Dr., 68, 170, 172
Strong, Alonzo P., 166
Henry A., 438
Richard M., 106, 107
William N., 371
Strough. Francis A., Rev., 355
Stryker, Stephen W., 107
Stutz, G. Fr., Rev., 338
Stuyvesant, Peter, 18, 19, 28-45
and Van Slechtenhorst, prolonged
contest between, 28-39
Sullivan, Gen. John, expedition of,
against the Indians, 78
Sullivan, Richard Bennett, Dr., 225
& Ehler, 377
Sunday Regulator, Cohoes, 455
Surrogates, 141, 142
Sutherland, Thomas S., 432
Suydam, Ferdinand D. , 420
Swart, Gerret, 39, 145, 255
Sweet, Elias, 481
Elnathan, 386
Silas, 462
Swift, James, 104
Swinburne, John, Dr., 182, 183, 219, 278,
324
Swinton, Isaac, 286
Swits, Cornelius, 68
Sylvester, A., 136
Tabor, Azor, sketch of, 153
Gideon, 539
Talbot, John, Rev., 339
Talcott, S. Visscher, 410
Tanner, John, 247
Tappan, James, Rev., 425
Tarbell, Jonathan, 108
Tatlock, William, Rev., 341
Tavler, John, 86, 92, 94, 143, 200, 268,
324, 365, 381, 382
Taylor. Elvin, 373
Brewery, the, 378
George Podmore Harire, Dr., 225
James, 369, 374
John, 375, 403
J. Orville, 245
Lansing G., 370
Raymond, 425
Teachers' Institutes established, 261
Teller, David A. , 363
Gaspar, 145
Temple, Robert E., Col., 102, 382
Templeton, Charles B., 278
John, 278, 373, 376
Samuel, 334
Ten Broeck, Abraham, 65, 68, 143, 263,
322, 364
Cornelius, Mrs., 410
Duck, 65, 322
John, 68, 145
Ten Eyck, Abraham, 65, 67, 68, 70, 142,403
Andries, 66
A. P., Dr., 183
Barent, 71
Barent S. , 74
Conrad, 66
Conrad A., 144, 200
C. H., 145
Henry, 145
Jacob, 143, 145
Jacob C, 68, 322
403
Ten Eyck, Jacob H., 363, 364, 381
Tames, 365, 376
John II.. 68, 143
jr., J. H., 105
Visscher, 369, 374
Tennant. William, Rev., 346
Teny, Father, 354
Tcrsvilliger, James, 270
Tibbets, George, 4<)4
Mary B. S., Miss, 36d
Tillmghast, J. W., 371,378
Tillman, Christopher, VTt
Tillotson, Thomas. 365
Tinker, Henry, 67
Thacher, George H., 109, 325. 870, »n,
37John7Boyd, 318, 325, 377, 391
Thayer, James S. 261
Lewis V.. 146
Rev. Father, 350
Theater, the first in the county, 304
Thomas, Frank W., Dr., 222
John, 370
John J., 246
John T., 840
William G., 370, 375
Thompson, David A., 376, 410
Isaac Grant, 245
James H., 105
Smith, 140, 265
Thorn, William E., 143, 145, 153
Thornton, James, 316
Thorpe, Aaron. 365
Thrall, 1. Brainerd, Rev.,3o5
Tombley, Alexanders., Rev. 34
Tomlinson, E. H., 106
Tompkins, C. M., 180
DanielD.,121
Toomev, William J., 390
Topography of Albany county, 2
Torrance. William. U-
Towner, Samuel B., -1 '
Town House Corners, 407
Townsend, Franklin, 109, 278, --i.
365, 3 (6 ..... ...... .ii;-
Frederick, Gen.. 105, 861. 883, *»
fcrScfS' Michioe Shop Con,
HSSifS KM
Isaiah, 311, 376
johnWV 368, 374. 376, 382
Rufus K., ••'■"
Theodore, 278, 374 376
Tracey, Charles, 369
James F., L66, 161
John, 109, 267, 334, 358
Trade, English and Dutch strife for su-
'^^u^inein, the chief o1,H;.
the emigrants from Holland, n
Transportation, early means of, W
projects for improving westward • -
Travis, Jacob, 438, 453
Treadwell. George H., 109,361,863
John G., 334
Tremain, Frederick L., 109, 111
Trico^Selyn* one o. the M whit,
T^^tt Company. West
Troy. 432
Trotter. John, 96, 200
Richard Rowe, Dr., 286
Truax, Andrew, 06
Henry, 144 .,.
Trull. Eward Valentine, Dr., <kh
Trumbull. George, 245, 250
Tubbs& Hall, 153
Tucker. Gilbert M., 240
Gideon J., 235
Luther, 164, 240
Luther 1!.. 240
jr., Luther H., 240
William. 427 .
Willis Gaylord, Dr., 840, 361
Tuffs, Joshua, '•'•,''s
Turk, Jacobus, 1 15
Turner, David. 102
Ichabod, 66
Turnpike companies, 91
Tweddle, George, 118
■•Twe'we Men3"8 the, under Director
Kieft, 182
Tyler, Oscar. 145
Union College, struggle over the estab-
lishii -,;l
Unionvill<
United States Arsenal, -• »
Utter, Jennie A . 888
Van Aernam. Jacol
Van Ale Lawn-nc > 286
Van Allen, Adam,
Barent, 85, ■ "
Gam t, 878
, vet A, Mrs., I
The< nghuysenColliei Di
Van AM vue. Frank William, Dr.
lac>>
404
Van Alstyne, John L., Dr., 178
Ryneer, 67
Thomas J., 143
Thomas W., 145
Van Antwerp, Cornelius, 145
David L., 144
John, 73
John Henry, 315, 361, 365, 375, 376
William, 410
W. M., 109
Van Auken, David H., 443, 453
Van Benthuysen, Benjamin, 366
Charles, 100, 243, 334
Charles, & Co., 243
Frank, 243
O. R., 242
& Wood, 242
Van Beuren, Marte, 74
Van Brugge, Carl, 38
Van Brugh, Peter, 321
Van Buren, Cornelius, 66
Martin, 66, 121; sketch of, 149; 234
Van Corlaer, Arent, 378
Van Curler, Arent, 397
Van Denbergh, A. W., 409
family, the, 400
Gerrit G., 65, 66
Gerrit T. , 67
Evart, Maus, Wynant, Peter, Petras,
Cornelius C, Cornelius 2d, and
Nicholas C, 409
Nicholas V. V., 409
Obadiah, 409
Wynant, 402
Vander Bogart, Hermanns Mvndertse,
169
Van der Heyden, Jacob, 67. 304, 363. 364
Vanderhoof, Joseph C, 107
Vanderlip, William L. , 107
Vanderpoel, James, 140
Jacobus, 66, 67
S. O., Dr., 175
Vander Veer, Albert, Dr., 179, 363, 384,
385
Edgar Albert, Dr., 361, 363
Vandervoort, R. N., 447
Van der Zee, Albert H., 66
Cornelius, 66
William Henry, Dr., 224
Van Doren, T. De'Witt, Rev., 349
Van Driessen, Petrus, Rev., 336
Van Dusen, Lawrence, 115, 144
Van Dyck, Attorney-General. 37, 38
Cornelius, 74
Derrick, 462
Henry H., 2:',-)
Van Gaasbeek, William H., 108
Van Hagen, jr., John, 66
Van Heusen, John Manning, 361
Van Kleeck, Lawrence L., 144, 145
Van Leuvens Corners, 533
Van Loon, Arthur Burton, Dr., 231
Van Nostrand, James, 372
Van O'Linda, Abraham, 102
A. B., 245
Daniel, 399
Jacob, 409
Martin, 409
Van Pattkammer, A., Rev., 350
Van Puttkammer, A. A., 108
Van Rensselaer, Howard, Dr., 196
Henry K., 67, 73
. Jean Baptiste, the first of the pa-
troons to visit the colony, 35, 39,
42, 43
Jeremiah, 68, 92, 304, 363. 364
Jeremias, 44, 46
Johannes, heir to the first patroon,
and his guardians, 28
Killian, the patroon of Rensselaer-
wyck, 21, 66, 135, 143
Maunsell, Rev., 342
Nicolaus, Rev., 339
Peter, 73
Philip, 300, 381
Philip S., 200, 264, 268, 311, 323,
364
Richard, 371, 397
Robert, 263
Solomon, 86, 88, 94, 273
Stephen, 87, 88, 93, 114, 115, 265, 363,
3(14, 374, 381, 403, 441
William Bayard, 316, 365
William Bayard, Mrs., 363
Van Sante, Gerrit, 68
Van Santvoordt, Cornells, 68
John, 436
Seymour, 166
Van Schaick, Col., expedition of, against
the Indians, 78
Garret W. , 403
Gerrit, 145
Goosen, Capt., 62, 71, 145
Henry, Col., 272
Jacob, 67, 145
John 93, 364
J. B., 244. 245
Lavinus, 286
Stephen, 70
Sybrant Goose, 143, 322
Van Schelluyne, Dirck, 46
Cornelius, 68
Van Schie, Cornelius, Rev., 336
Van Schoonhoven, James, 420
Van Schwaick, Garret W. , 364
Van Slechtenhorst, Gerret, 28
405
Van Slechtenhorst, Brant Arent, director
of the colony, 28-39
and Stuyvesant, prolonged contest
between, 28-39
Van Slyke, I. R., 105
Van Steenberg, Warren, Dr., 180
Van Tienhoven, Cornelius, 38
Van Tuyl, jr., George Casey, 361
Van Twiller, Wouter, 18; execuh
the estate of the first patroon, 28; '■'>'■>
Van Valkenburgh, Abraham, 66
John J., 66
John L., 316
Van Vechten, Abraham, 96, III; sketch
of, 147; 261, 265, 364
Lucas, 400
Teunis, 96, 266, 334, 153
Van Veghten, Ephraim, <>'>
Lucas, 71
Teunis T., 65, 70
Volckert, 67
Van Vorst, Hooper C, 278
Van Vranken family, the, 399
Maas, 66
Van Wely, Johannes, executor of the
estate Of the first patroon, 28
Van Wie, John, 65
Van Woert, Jacob, 65
John, 65
Van Wormer, Joseph, 376
Van Wyck, Isaa
Van Zandt, Jacob, L08
John, 364
Washington, Rev., 126
Van Zyle, Abraham Ferd., Capt, 17
Vann, Irving G., L68
Vassar, Matthew, 372
Vaughan, Ashley, Rev. 128
Ohadiah, 66
Veeder, Abraham, 'i'i
Volckert, 66 >
Verbeck, Jan, 1 II
Verhulst, William, 18
Vermilye, Thomas B., Rev., '■'<'■'<<'>
LeRoy, L58
Verplanck, Isaac, 286
John N.. 178
Philip, l I"'
Vesperman, W. , 'J 1 1
Vibbard, Arthur A., 1 >r., 586
Chauncey, '•'>'• i
Vide, Mauri.,- I-'... 281, 361, 371 HO
Stephen, 480, 181
Vilas, William F., 168
Villeneuve, Alphonse, Father, 854
Vinton, Francis I... L05
Visscher, James 1 '., 106
Matthew, 65 68, 70, 79, ill
Voight, Fidelis M . R< v 354
Voorhees, Alonzo B, . 553
Voorheesville, 553
Voorhuyse (Voorhees), John. 66
irgh, Peti r, 61
Rodney, 375
Wadhams, Edgar P., father. ::.">!
Frederick Eugene, 361, :,•,'''-'
Wager, < reorge II.. 137
Wagner, John, Rev . 338
Wagoner, ( reoi |
Wake man, Henry, I 22
Scudder, 122
Waldo, Howard Lansing, Dr
Lyman Byles, 1 >r., 226
Walden, Miner, 503, 505
Wales. Ira L., 238
Nathaniel. 363
Walford, I reoi ge, 143
Walker, John. 242
John E., 875
Willard. 366, 368
William J., 369
Walla ■ j.d 245
John Jefferson, Dr.. 224
J. & M. 154
William, 106
William Addison, Major. 361
Walloons, arrival of the, 15
Walsh, Dudley, 93, 311, 364, 103
lames I >., 145
Michael F., 384, 335
Michael M( \" . 107
Walton. I lenrv. 265
Walworth. Clarence A . Father, 350
Reuben II.. 187, 164
Wandell, Daniel, 127
Ward, Isaac Moreau, Dr., 213, 21 1
Rob) rl E . 278
Samuel B . Dr., 177, 863
Walter E . 167
War of 1812, 85 90
of 1812, events leading to tl
of the Rebellion, 104 118
Warner, James Meech, Gen , 21
John, 65
& Hooker, 246
Warren, Rurdettc. Dr.,
II. P., 266
Joseph, 280
Warrington, R. A . 108
Wasson, J D., 240
Waterbury, Edward P. .
Waterman, Jeremiah, 4b»,
Robert il . 384
Smith A.. I I I
Watervliel i enter, 107
406
Watervliet, town of, 394-411
canals in, 396
churches of, 407-411
early prominent families of, 398-400
erection of, and territorial reduction
of, 394, 395
first settlements in, 396
Home for Aged Men in, 410
in trie war of the Revolution, 402
in the war of 1812, 402
list of residents of, as shown by a
map of the Van Rensselaer Manor,
in 1767, 396
manufactures of, 404
old Schuyler mansion in, 397
public improvements in, 403-405
schools of, 411
settlement of Shakers in, 400-402 /
topography of, 395
villages and hamlets in, 405-407
Watson, Arnold B., 464, 469
Elkanah, 92, 93, 326, 364, 365
Malbone, 117, 140, 464, 468
Weaver, Joshua, Rev., 426
William H., 369, 386
Webb, Henry L., 365
JohnH., 96
Thomas, Capt. , 343
Webster, Charles E., 85
Charles R., 96, 241, 242, 264, 374,
403
Chauncey, 243
George, 242
Harrison E., 166
Weddin, Father, 350
Weed, Thurlow, 88, 236, 237
Walter, 366
Weiger, Jacob 67, 502, 505, 506
Welch, Bartholomew T.. Rev., 349
Clark Durant, Dr., 228
Welles, Henry 117
Welton, Alonzo, Rev., 348
Wendell, Cornelius, 65, 70, 400
Evert, 141
Gerret, 409
Harmanus, 65, 68, 70
Harmanus H., 145
Harvey, 381
Hendrick, 409
Henry, 65, 68
Henry J., 145
Johannis, 286
John H, 142
J. Irving, 371, 200
John Mr, 71
John W.. 300
Nathan D., 171, 238
Peter, Dr., 201
Wemple, Daniel W., 316, 365
John, 146
Werner, Edgar S. , 247
Wessells, Dirck, 56, 286, 321
West Albany, 407
Berne, 508
Westerlo, Eilardus, Rev., 263, 336, 408
Westerlo, town of, 528-536
as a fruit center, 529
cemeteries of, 535
Center, 533
Chesterville in, 531, 532
churches of, 533-535
Dormansville in, 532
early business enterprises of, 529
early physicians, 531
early settlers of, 580, 531
erection of town of, 528
"Farmers' Fire Insurance Associa-
tion " at, 536
Lamb's Corners in, 533
natural characteristics of, 528
military record of, 536
schools of, 536
South Westerlo in, 532
streams of, 528
Van Leuven's Corners in, 533
Rensselaer, 93
Western Inland Lock Navigation Com-
pany, 83, 92
Weston, Marcellus, 46s
West Troy (citvof Watervliet), 411-429
banks of, 420
churches of, 424-429
Covert Manufacturing Company in,
422
effects of the Erie Canal upon, 415
ferries at, 415
fire department of, 418
Gas Light Company, 419
iron bridge at, 416
large river traffic from, in early years,
416-417
list of presidents of, to time of erec-
tion of Watervliet, 423
list of trustees of Gibbonsville before
its incorporation with West Troy,
412
list of village officers at date of in-
corporation of the city of Water-
vliet, 423
manufacturers of, 421, 422
Meneely Bell Foundry in, 421
newspapers of, 420
original site of, 412
police department of, 419
schools of, 417
the J. M. Jones' Sons, 422
407
West Troy, villages and territory com-
prised in, 4 1 1-415
Water Works Company, 418
Wetmore, Edward Willard, Prof., 362
Wheaton, Henry G., 144, 1.'.:;
William, 531
Wheelock, Eleazer, 263
Wheeler, George M., 42n
Seth, 37:;. 376
Whelan, Rev. Father, 350
Whipple, Barnum, 382
Malaehi, 50:1, 506, 537
White, Amelia, 447
Andrew, 369
Andrew G., 363, 378
Canvass, 441
Edward P., 166
Fred VY. , 239
Hugh, 440, 453
James G., 372
jamcs II. '■'<'■'< 1
John J., 373, 375, 378
Joseph, 403
Joseph N., Dr., 219
'Miles, 453
Samuel, Dr.. 20]
Thaddeus R., 266
William, 376
Whitehouse, A. I., lis
Whitman, August, 316
Whitney, William M., 316, 362, 373
Whittaker, William Force, Rev., 341
Wiekes, Eliphalet, 369
Piatt, Dr., Mil
Wilbor Samuel, 339
Wilbur, John II., Dr., L84
Wilcox, Leonard, <><s
Wild. Alfred. 371, 11". 115
Wilkinson, David, 111
Willard, Horace k\, 261
Sylvester D. . 1 »r., 176, 195
Willes, Thomas S , 266, 381
Williams, Chauncey Pratt, (apt., 362,
370, 371, 375
Israel, -.'in I
John, 65, 7o, 145
Moses and Klias, I )rs., 1 i 1
Piatt, Dr.. 175. 201
Robert D., 816, 385, 362
Thomas, 1 15
William B., 218
Williamson, James, 1 1 1
Wilsdon, George R. . 153
Wilson, Andrew, 1 >r. , 5-.':;
(',. B., I'.'"
Gilbert P., 278, 371
Jacob, lo5
James R.. 250
Wilson, John, in:,, 106
John • ).. 370
i E . 278, 326, :::;i
Samuel, 250
William T., Rev., ::il
Wmantse, Melgert, 286
Wing, Joel, 1 >r. , 175
Winne, Aaron, 162
C. V . 276
Giles P., 144
fellis 300
Jr., fellis, 96, 364
[ohn I., 119
John P., 347, 31 I
Jurian, 280
Levinus, 65
M. V. B
William P.. 66
Winston, Isaac, 550
Wiswall, George M., lis
Witbeck, Abram, 178
Abraham, 65
Abraham 1. 109
Andrew II.. 178
family, the, 400
Gerret, 120
I [arpent, 66
Henry W., 422
John P.. 66
J. M., 552
I. uveas. 109
Peter Mi
Wolf I 111!, 552
Wood, Abel. Rev.. 265
Bradford P., 200, 334,
David, 365
fames I >., lb'
Col., 503
']. S. & B. 24"
( His. P'7
W Ihall. David M . 106
Woodman. Russell, Rev . 343
Woodruff, llunloke, 171. 172
Timothy Pester, Lieut. -Do-
Woods, Francis 11.. 142, 278, 375
Woodward, |an
& Packard, 245
Woodworth, (ohn. it:;, ::n
Woo], John P.. Gen . 88, 102
Woolworth, Samuel 11. 267
Wooster, B. W., 878
Worth, Gorham A., 86*!
William | • — 102
Worthen, William E., 142
Worthington, fohn, 125
Wright, 1 >eodatus, 140
oseph Ezra, Dr.. 228
Mos
408
Wright, Nathaniel, 109, 110
Wyckoff, Henrv J., 441
Theodore F., Rev., 425
Yates, Abraham, 70, 145, 272, 273
jr., Abraham, 68, 74, 145, 263, 323
Abraham I., 65, 68
Christopher C, 142
Jacob, 430
John V. N., sketch of, 148; 260, 268
John W., 365, 374
Richard, 365
Robert, 68, 74, 136, 140; sketch of,
146; 263
Peter, Capt., 62
Peter W., 68, 136, 299, 300
Yeardsley, Charles L., 110
Yeates, Joseph C. , 403
Young, Abram and Jeremiah, 462
Horace G., 316, 369
John R., Rev., 348
Men's Association, 277, 278
Oscar H., Dr., 181
Samuel, 93
Samuel S., 261
Simon, 145
William, 373
Younglove, Truman G., 440, 452, 453
Youngman, Vreeland Houghwout, 362
Zimmerman, John, 316
PART II.
Amsdell, George I., 55
Banks, A. Bleecker, 117
Barnes, Thurlow Weed, 159
Barnes, William, jr., 10
Beattie, William, 12
Bendell, Herman, M. D., 99
Best, George N., 158
Bigelow, John M., M. D., Ph. D., 135
Blair, Louis E., M. I>., 10
Blunn, James, 16
Borthwick, James M., 83
Brady, Anthony N., 81
Brass, Richard W., 86
Briggs, John N., 51
Bronk. Barent T. E., 166
Brooks, Jonas H., 68
Brown, Frank, 16
Brown, W. Howard, 43
Buchanan, Charles J., 76
Burch, John G., 140
Burke, Rt. Rev. Thomas, 96
Byington, William Wilberforce, 8
Cantine, Edward B. , 54
Carpenter, Charles Whitney, 108
Chester, Alden, '.»■">
Clute, Jacob H., 85
Colvin, Verplanck, 120
Covert, James C, 2!)
Cox, James W., M. D., 137
Curreen, George H., 130
Delehanty, John A., 82
Dickson, Walter, 113
Doane, Rt. Rev. William Croswell, D.D.
LL.D., 60
Easton, Frederick, 32
Farnsworth, John G. , Gen., 128
Farrell, John H., 137
Fiero, James Newton, 93
Fisk, Frank H., M. D., 167
Fitzgerald, David C, 49
Fuller, Howard N., 56
Griffin, Rev. William, D. D., 73
Griffith, William Herrick, 33
Hale, Matthew, 71
Hancock, Theodore E., 113
Hand, Samuel, 139
Harris, Hamilton, 3
Hastings, Hugh, 73
Haswell, George S., M. D., 159
Herrick, D. Cady, 167
Hevenor, Winfield S., 163
Hornby, Ralph, 118
House, George A., 163
Howell, George Rogers, 42
Jermain, James Barclay, 98
Jones, Charles Edmund, M. D., 155
King, Rufus H., 30
Kinnear, Peter, 6
Lansing, Abraham, 100
Lansing, J. Townsend, 115
Learned, William L., LL. D., 95
Lewis, T. Howard, 47
Lewi, Joseph, M. D., 36
Lintner, Joseph Albert, 115
Little, Charles W., 117
400
Lueke, Henry, 160
Manning, I >aniel, 134
Marsh, Benjamin, 46
Marvin, Seidell E., Gen., 18
Marvin. Selden E., Col., jr., 32
Maynard, Isaac II., 131
McAlpin, Gen Edwin A.. 110
McCormic, Robert H , jr.. 77
McKown, James A., 1-1 i
McCreary, Edward, 17
McKee, James B., 54
Mee'^an, Edward [.. ~ »' »
Merrill, Frederick J. II., 91
Morton, Levi P., '■>'
Munson, Samuel L., 1">
Myers, Herman, 12
Myers, Max. 14
Nead, William M., M. D., 48
Newman, Family, Tli
Oliver, Robert Shaw, Gen., 17
Palmer, John, 157
Parker, AmasaJ., 143
Parker, Amasa J., 151
Palmer, Edward DeL., 88
Pasquini, Attilio, :il
Peek, Charles H, A. M., 106
Peekham, Rufus W., 109
Perry, Isaac G., 105
Plympton, Lucy Ann, 7">
Porter. Charles' II., M. 1'., 11
Pruyn, John V. L., LP. 1'.. 63
Rathbone, John F., 119
Root, Josiah G.. 84
Rosendale. Simon \V.. 164
San ford. John (
Sisson, Noel P.. 132
Slavin, Thomas, HI
Slingerland, John 1.. 23
Spalding, Nathaniel 1'.. 8"i
Stedman, George P.. I"
Stern, Leu
Stevens, Albert P., 120
Story, < reorge, 168
Stowell, Charles 1-"., 711
Sweet, Elias W., 165
Sweet, Elnathai
Thacher, George Hornell, 58
Thaeher, John Boyd, 165
Tillinghast, Joseph W., 158
Townsend, Frederick, Gen., 38
Townsend, Theodore 89
Tracey, Charles, .">
Tucker, Luther, 123
Tucker, Luther II., 124
Van Allen, ('.arret A —
Van Alstyne, William C, 92
Van Alstyne, Thomas J., KM
Van Antwerp, John i 1 . '• 1
Van Loon, Arthur P., M. D., 25
Van Rensselaer. Howard, M. D., sl>
Van Wormer, John R , 110
Vander Veer, Albert, M. D., 153
Vosburgh, Isaac W., '-'•'>
Wallace, William J., ill
Ward, Samuel Baldwin, M. 1 ■
Wilson, James II.. 1 Hi
Woodruff, Timothy L., 1 12
W.H.ds, Francis II.. 1 18
Wooster, Benjamin W.. 1 1
Zeh, M. J., M. 1» 25
PART III
Abrams, Augustus C, 215
Hiram. 1':.
John I) , 17'.i
Addington, ' reorge
Ainsworth, 1 >anfortb E 10
Albright, Lawrence, 302
Peter S , 69
Alexander, Thomas, 263
Allanson, James P.. 159
Allen. 1 ). Prank, < Jen.. 36
Amsdell, Theodore M.. 388
Amyot, Pi uno P , 1 »i . 281
Anderson, Charles \Y , 258
Andrae, M . 168
Par.! 11
Andrews. Arthur P.
jr., Horai e, 122
larles 1 1
Annesley, Richard Lore
Ansbro, Thoma
Antemann, Herman W,
Appleton, Joseph L.. I >r . 107
410
Archibold, John, Dr., 318
Armatage, Charles H., 135
Armstrong, J. B., Rev., 4
Arnold, jr., Isaac, Maj., 156
Aspinwall, William F., 123
Atkins, John R., 108
Austin, Arthur C. 354
Babcock, Robert, Dr., 356
Bacon, Allen H., 48
Bailey, Asa, 74
J. De Witt, 352
Theodore P., Dr., 323
William Howard, 343
Baillargeon, J. T., 284
Baker, Albert W. , 73
George, 305
George Comstock. 68
Balch, Lewis, Dr., 166
Baldwin, H. W., 24
Ball, David, 69
Dayton, 112
Ogilvie D., Dr., 161
Banker, William Soules, 257
Barber, Fletcher, 241 -
Morgan P., 190
Barckley, Edward L., 190
Barends, Frederick J., 275
Barker, James F., Dr., 161
Bartlett, Ezra Albert, Dr., 310
Bassler, Elias, 314
Batchelder, Robert C, 192
Battershall, Walton W.,D. D., 133
Baumes, Mary E., Mrs., 57
Baxter, William C, 200
Bayard, Andrew Herbert, Dr., 9
Becker, De Witt E., 19
Frederick C, 292
Howard, 190
Bedell, Edwin A., 55
Jerry, 329
Belanger, Israel, 232
Belding, Samuel B., 356
Bell, E. M., Dr., 91
Horace S., 197
Thomas H., 155
Belser, jr., Joseph, 124
Bender, Matthew, 108
Bennett, David W., 189
Benson, Samuel J , 251
Bentley, W., 123
Berns, James H., 231
Best, John A., 146
Beutler, William F., 194
Blackburn, John, 331
Blair, Elmer, 33
Bleecker, W. Rutger, 355
Blessing, Adam J., Dr., 38
Blessing Brothers, 299
Blodgett, William, 71
Bloomingdale, Frank, 181
John P., 178
Bloss, F. S., Dr., 127
Boardman, George, 70
& Gray, 47
Bogue, Henry L., 319
Bordwell, Margaret E., Mrs., 148
Borthwick, Acton S., 352
Bowe, John, 208
Bowman, Cassius M., 199
Boyd, James P., Dr., 255
Bradford, William, 348
Bradley, Franklin G., 146
Bradt, John Van Der Heyden, 73
Samuel Cary, 348
Brady, John J., 160
Brasure, John W., 107
Brennan, Edward J., 125
Brewster, Frederick C, 4
James C. and Warren H., 322
Bridge, Charles F., 55
Brierley, William P.. Dr., 339
Brilleman, Isaac, 326
Brink, Levi L., 75
Britley, Edward W., Capt., 297
Brown, John C, Dr., 316
Brumaghim, Eugene, 275
Brunk, James H., 263
Bullock, Joseph, 232
Burdick, G. Dudley, 27
Norman, 193
Burrick, Julius J., Rev., 154
Butler, Walter Burdett, 15
William H., 151
Cady, Frank William, Dr., 270
Harvey J., 137
Calkins, H. G., 285
Cameron, Frederick W., 281
Campbell, George, 232
Stewart, 326
Campion, George A., 336
Canton, Charles N. , 6
Capron, Arthur S., Dr , 310
John D., 242
William J., 205
Carr, Lewis E., 281
Carroll, George H., 5
James H., 80
Carter, William H., 232
Cary, William M., 64
Casey, Daniel, 326
Walter V. , 283
Cass, Lewis, 224
Caulkins, George L. , 296
Chadwick, Enoch H., 295
411
Chadwick, P. Remsen, 109
Chapin, JosiahD,, 198
Chapman, jr., Edgar 1., !•>••
Chase, Norton, 208
Chesebro, Thaddeus, 21b
Christiansen, Alfred. 304
Clapp, Augustus Henley. 181
Clark, William B.. 233
Clarke, John Mason 136
Classen, Frederick Luke, Dr., .1
Clough, William, 384
CI vckm an, Frederick L.. 264
Cohn, Mark, 48
Colburn, E. S., & Son. 22
Cole, Ashley W., <9
Fredericks., Dr., 306
WilliamS., 185
Coleman, J. Russell, 290
Collin, T. Campbell Capt, Ui
Collins, Lorenzo D.. M»
Condon, William R-. -';'.
Conger, Frederick W., 73
Conway, Cornelius, 5
John J., 80B
Joseph A.. 271
Conyes, L. E., 57
Co.-k. Alfred. 276
Daniel 11.. Dr., 350
Eugene, 313
John B., 21
John T., 10.
Cooper, John L., Dr., 61
Corliss, Stephen Potter, 198
Courchaine, William, 5
Court, Charles, 212
Courtney, Dickinson. 1-
Couse, David, 129
Cox, jr., James W., H3
John, 339
Craiidall. George H.. 148
Crannell. Monroe, 213
Crawford, Charles 1 1.. Dr., !■•
James F., 238
Crookes, John, 290
Crounse, Benjamin, 118
Cull, William H., 288
Culver. Charles M., Dr., »•'
CummingsBros.,l-s&
Curtis, Frederic* . Dr., w
Cushman. Harry C Col.. 110
Cutk-r, Edgar A.. 199
Cuvler. Edward Cornelius. 284
Danaher, John E., 228
Dating, Stephen j -.
Daubney, Wilham H-, •>.»
Davenport, Samuel L, 46
Davidson, Andrew. -1-
Davis, Charles Edmond, Dr., 1.
Dawson. John. 233
Day, Michael J.. 250
Dayton, Lewis W., J
Dearstyne, Chester F 356
De Blaey, Abram, 280
De Freest, Alburtus B., 328
Charles R., 65
De Craft, Abram, Dr. ,312
Deitz, Alanson, F., 266
Charles E., ?8
Wallace E., Dr., 18
Delahant. Michael F., 8*1
Delehanty, Michael, '.' a
Dell, Nicholas J.. 381 __
Denison, Edward M., •■■
derick P., :;;;'-'
De Voe, David, 177
De Witt Abraham \ an Dyck, I so
Richard Varick, 244
Dickey, William J., 28o
Dixon, George, 318
Dodge, William T., 168
Don, William G., 259
Downs, J. Murray, • •■"
Michael B., 136
Dreis, L. Theodore A. 26
Drislane, William E., 344
Droogan, Cornelius J.. ■>>.
1 hi- an, Daniel J., 325
Patrick C, 274
Duggan, Edward J.. 816
Dumary.T. Henry, S34
Dunn, lames. 297
Durant, Fayette B., 156
Dwight, Harvey Lyman 35
Dwyer, Martin l..Dr 324
Dver, William S.,
■ Zeb A, 162
Easton, Charles P.. 825
Eaton, Calvin W., 160
lames Webster, wi
Ecker, Jerome W. 162
Eckert, Henry E., 149
Elliott, W. T-, 233
E1Us Joseph Whitcomh
Elmendorf, William Burgess, 262
Emery, John W, 61
Enos, Henry D., 280
Ertz I Edmund J.. W
Erwin, Jacob M., 38H
Estes. Milo D., Capt, 141
Evory, Frank II.. 189
ning, James O., 315
ftrey, Joseph &So£ 216
1 , atherstonaugh, J. 1 >..»"••
412
Felter, James, 71
Fennelly, P. E.. Dr., 42
Ferguson, William H , 175
Filkins, Edward Vincent, 85
Fish, Julius, 339
Fisher, David A., 262
Fitch, John H., Dr., 179
Fitts, George H., 317
Fitzgerald, Edward J. and William R.
269
Fitzsimmons, James J., 15
Flagler, Peter H., 66
Flanders, George Lovell, 29
Flanigan, Eugene D., 357
Flansburgh, Alexander, 114
John, 290
Rufus, 294
Fletcher, Jones A., 19
Foley, Edward, 233
James H., 307
Fonda, Douw H., 153
Fookes, Henry H., 324
Ford, Charles R., 92
Foster, E. H., 92
Henry S., 48
Fredendall, Henry, 301
Frederick, Charles F., 225
Nathan, 143
Stephen V., 129
Friend, Charles M., 30
Frost, J. Sheldon, 293
Fuller, Aaron. 58
Fursmau, Jesse William, 357
Gaffers, Will R., 185
Galhen, Edward J.. 143
Henrv, 33
Garfield, Henry Whiting, 335
Garland, Jerome, 2:!:!
Garret, Walter, 321
Garside, John, 250
Gartland, John L., 11
Garvin, Martin L. R., 37
Gatchell, James K., 306
Gaus, Charles H., Maj., 133
Gedney. Samuel 329
Geer, Robert, 29
Getman, Edward M., 249
Gibbons, Erastus, 259
Gick, William H., 146
Gilbert, Edmond J., 178
Francis Russell, 308
Henry S.,224
Gise, Peter, 86
Glass, Edwin G., 109
Gleason, James M., '-':!
John H. 65
Godfrey, James H., 24
Goewey, W. Irving Dr., 131
Goldring, Samuel, 90
Goodwin, Albert C, 358
Goold, Charles B., 333
James, 51
Gove, Ralph A., 72
Grady, Thomas G., 32
Graham, Edward J.. 86
Hugh, 65
Gray, John Clinton, 309
Vivian, 298
Graves, Anthony Gardner, 350
Green, Archibald S., 117
G. James, Col., 3 53
Greene, Frederick R , Dr., 163
Lindsey, 214
Gregorv, Clifford D., 95
Grev, W. W., 86
Griffen, Edward C, 222
Griswold, Stephen B.,336
Grogan, Michael, 227
Groot, James Bleecker, 187
Guardineer, George H., 273
Guthrie, Alfred A., 255
Gutmann, John, 13
Hailes, William, Dr.. 324
Haines, Luther H., 264
Hall, Charles Roswell, 228
James, Dr. 206
Hallenbeck, Charles W., 256
George A., 196
John E., 66
William Henrv, 11
Hanney. Andrew D., 289
Happel, William H., Dr., 200
Harrigan's Sons, John, 373
Harrington, Francis A., 238
Harriott. Marvin B., 131
Harris, Frank S., 359
Hubbard C, 118
Julius F., 26
Melville A., 7
Morris, lil
William B., 316
Hart, John W., 40
Hartman, Christian, 72
Ilartnett, Daniel J., 16
Hartt, Eugene R., 277
Haskell, William Hervey, 134
Haswell, George S., Dr., 77
John L., 40
Leah E , Mrs.. 62
William H., 359
Hatt, Samuel S., 202
George J., 371
Havens, Elmer Hamilton, 273
Haverly, William J., 204
413
Hawley, Mrs, Clara M., 358
Hay, Miller, 93
Hayden, John <■■ ;•'-
Hayes. Edward, 92
Heidrich. Charles A., M
Hendrick, James, It...
Hendrickson, Howard, S8
Hendrie. James II. :(l
Heney, William H., 5
Hennessy, John V., Dr ~->
Herman, Sidney N., 309
Hermans, Charles W, 148
Herrick, Avery, 131
De Laus W., 352
Hessberg, Albert, 41
Samuel, 50
Hickev, jr., Dennis. 50
William F., 19
Hicks, John J., 825
Hieeins, John fci,, 06
8 Michael E.,275
Hill & Son, 130
Hills. James W 22
Hinckley, Charles, 289
Hitt. Galen R., Hon.. 359
Hobbs, Edward A • >
Hochstrasser, Arthur E., - ••
Jacob.:'.
Hollands, William, 19
Hollenbeck, Frank. 359
Jerome M., 185
Horfocks, John, 134
Hoskins, Charles M., -''•■'
Hotaling, John S . • •>
Lansing 351
11,, nek. Jam.- A . 280
Houghton, George H., Dr., 135
Howell, Fred S., 351
Hubbard, George A... Ai-
Hudson, CharlesD.,41
Huested, Alfred B., Dr., 68
Hughan, James i , -■'
Hull, Samuel 'I .,87
Hulsapple, lohn H., 804
Hungerford, Sidney A., L68
Hunter, James. 26<
Hunting. Edwin Francis, 840
Nelson, Dr., 338
£££»&** lei-
Hurst, David '1 .. 214
Illch, Julius, 810
Ireland, Francis Asbury, 115
[acobson, Peter, 87
Janes Franklin H., ■••
Jaquius, John D„ 305
Wison, E, Darwin, 239
Wett, Frederick G..S4
J jr.. Freeborn «... Rev., -• '
Johnson, Edwin S., 107
James C, 53
Jolley, Hugh, *<>
Jones, Andrew B., •>-
lames, 164
John II . 130
I M; Jones's Sons. 208
Kane Nicholas T , 152
Keeler. John. 26
William Henry, lv-
Keenholts James, 219
Kellev. Patrick, 298
Keller, Robert B.. 118
Kelly, George T. 251
James J., 1 I"
Kemp, John H.,321
Keneston. George, LID
Kennedy Thomas 281
Keuvon, Lewis. 294
Kernan, William J. Dr., 309
Kernochan, Edward L., -»;
Kibbee. William Backus, 85
Kiffin, Thomas S., 295
Kim me v. Edson, 14
John B., 88
William, 129
Kirkland, George W., 860
Knickerbocker Edmund Cha.
Knowles, Charles R., 209
Koonz, John F., lx-'
1 amb lames, 93
tameraux, Hula 320
Lamoreaux, Mar.-. 206
Langan, John, 250
, Jss &3 vr ., ,«,
La Rose. Anthime Watson, 164
Lathrop, Charles 11 -'•■'
Cyrus Clark, 34*3
Laventall, Julius. 18
Lawson, Joseph A . •'
,h, d 222
Lawyer, I
l« ^Wyi 27?
u. Boeuf. Randall J., m
Lempe, G . Dr.,»n
Lenwly.W. A. 21
Leonard, Danu
1 e Roy, Isaac 306
William B.. 109
414
Lewi, Theodore J., 361
William G., Dr., 361
Liscomb, Orlando P.. 269
Littlefield, jr., Edgar, 76
Livingston & Co., 118
Lochner, George Emory, Dr., 370
Lockwood, Horace R., 288
Leander S., 67
Lodge, Barrington, 88
Long & Silsby, 25
Lord, Edmund J., 28
Lounsbury, Omar W., 295
Lowery, J. F., Rev., 234
Lloyd, Will Lyman, 141
Lumereaux, George C, 320
Lundergan, John, 32
Lynch, John H., 360
Joseph H., 115
McCombe, James, 278
McCormic, Robert Henry, 152
McCredie, James, 245
McDermott, John, 106
Martin, 235
McDonough, Clarence J., 27s
Joseph, 12
McDowell, George H., 93
McElvenev, Daniel, 17
McEwan, Walter, 149
McGarrahan, John F., Dr., 169
McGrath, Michael, 19
McHench, David B., 34
McHmch, Robert, 128
Mclntyre, Archibald, 196
McKinney, James, & Son, 201
Rockwell, 298
McKown, William, 184
McLaren, James, 337
McMillen, James S., 150
McNab, Duncan, Dr., 21
McNamara, John W., 196
McNeil, Thomas J., 24
Mac Allaster, William, 372
MacDonald, Pirie, 147
Willis Goss, Dr., 322
MacFarlane, Andrew, Dr., 283
William D., 31
MacHarg, Martin, Dr., 308
Mackey, Charles H., 315
Samuel, 102
Magill, Robert, 300
Main, James R., 76
Maloney, J. D., 297
Mann, Benjamin A., 63
Mansfield W. K., 235
Marshall, P., Mrs., 90
& Wendell Piano Forte Manufactur-
ing Co. (Ltd.), 106
Martin, Robert, 83
Peter W., 60
Masten, James H., 112
Mastersou, John Philip, Gen., 95
Mather, Andrew E. and A. Dan, 238
Maxwell, James A., 328
Mayell, James H., 157
Mayer, John N., 361
Mead, Charles W.. 231
Mears, Edward Norris Kirk, Dr. , 89
Meegan, Thomas A., 270
Menand, Louis, 17
Merrill, Cyrus Strong, Dr., 158
Merriman, Willis E., 191
Merritt, Magdalene Isadore La Grange,
Mrs., 205
Michel, FredG., Dr., 164
Fred G, M. D. S., 368
Mickel, Charles, 140
Milbank, William Edward, Dr., 282
Millar, W. L., 235
Miller, jr., Henry, 106
JohnH., 107
jr., S. Edward, 222
Mills, Charles H., 31
Milne, William James, 95
Milwain, James, 132
Moak, James Nelson, 102
John T., 126
Moffat, George B., 304
Montignani, John F., 251
Montmarquet, J. D., Dr., 110
Moore, Albert T., 187
Brothers, 277
Charles H., Dr., 54
James C, 338
William, 128
William J., 184
Morrow, Samuel Roseburgh, Dr., 139
Mors, Joshua, 302
Mott, R. H., 169
Muhlfelder, Isidor, 7
Mulcahy, Bartholomew, 113
Mullenneaux, Marcus H., 49
Munson, George S., Dr., 127
Murphv, Joseph A., 270
Peter, 304
Murphey, Elijah W., 132
Murray,' William H., Dr., 227
Nangle, Martin E., 307
Neil, George, 250
Nellis. William J., Dr., 91
Nellegar, Edwin, 361
Nesbitt, John H., 296
Newton, John Milton, 348
Nicholls, H. A., 192
Niles, Luther H., 295
Nathaniel, 231
415
Nodine, Francis, 320
North, Charles F., 16
Howard C, 30
Norton, David J., 39
Nussbaum, Myer, 109
O'Brien, Francis J., Dr., 153
Smith, Hon., 362
Ogden, Charles ('.., 251
Ogsbury, John II., 301
Junius D., 62
Oliver, Abram E., 291
George, 90
Oothout, Volkert J., 42
Oppenheim, Leo, 13
Orel up, William H., 206
Paddock, Edward, 261
Page, Edward N., 197
Palmer, Frank Rockwell, 20
Papen, George Washington, Dr., 363
Paris, Russel C. , Dr., 97
Parker, William F., 303
Parlati, Lorenzo, 330
Parr, Henry, 320
Parsons, Francis Marion, 1!I7
Passonna, Alfred, 305
Patterson, jr., John, 128
Payn, Edgar M., 11
Louis F., :;(i2
jr., Samuel Giles, 210
Pearsall, G. L., 203
Pearse, Harry Seymour, Dr, , 90
Peaslev. Wallace A. , 286
Perkins, George H., 291
Perry, Edward Rodman, 328
Phelp-, Arthur T., 248
Phibbs, Thomas, 27 1
Phisterer, Frederick, :!'•>
Pickett, Robert, Ml
Pinkerton, Robert 1 1 1
Pitkin, Wolcott I!.. Bl
Piatt, William John, 278
Porter, Robert, 116
I'otts, Jesse Walker, 254
Pratt, Aaron B., 157
Augustus W. , 11 ■>
Louis W., s
Otto M., 1 18
Ouinlan, < i-eorge B., 1 >r., L55
Rankin, Edward W., 218
Raymond, Charles II.. '-'>><\
Read, Harmon Pumpelly, Maj., 171
Reavv. Frank C, 5
Reid, William James, 189
Reiley, Patrick, in
Reinhart, H. E., 151
Relyea, Abram, (17
Peter J., 300
Reynolds, Charles W , 219
' Lewis W., is:;
Rheinhart, Alonzo I.
Rice, Joseph Taft, --'in
Richardson, William J.. 182
Rickard, Michael, 172'
Ridgway & Russ, 1 1.'
Rivet, ]'. A. W., Dr., 151
Robertson, Matthew Henry, :;i;:;
Robinson, James A. 212
Robert' I.. 278
Walter Foote, Dr., 13
Rochford, W. P., L42
Rockwell, Hiram J., 138
Rogers, Howard Jason, 138
W. Seymour, L3
Romeyn, Theodore !•'. lv
Ronau, Parker C, 372
Rosemond, fames, '-'s">
Rosenthall, "Mitchell. 318
Rowe, Wilhelmus, 149
Rundell, Darius, •"><'>
Ruso, Conrad, :!:!7
Russell, George II.. u~,
George L. , :''•'>•"> ^
George W.. 364 ^^
Ryall, Joh)
Ryan, Thomas A., Dr., 33*3
Sabin, Charles II :;•;
W. I'.., Dr., 158
Sanders, Eugene, 34
Saul, Julius, 120
Sauter, Louis, jr., 372
Saxton, Thoma
Sayles, William, 120
Schaeter, Frederick William, 86*3
Scharbauer, Philip, 320
Scherer, Roberl < ;.. 98
Schifferdecker, Fred A.. ::<!•">
Schneider, Charles \
Schubert. Theodore, 1-7
Schultes, I. 1'... 108
Schutter, William I... I h
Schuyler, Richard 1*. , 1 lit
Stephen
Scott, Jacob C. J-:.. II
jamin M., 120
Seelmann, Andrew < I
Selkirk, Alexander. 840
William. 56
Sessions, Chai
Settle, Theodore, l"l
Severence, jr., Matthias I . 240
Shaffer, Edwin C, 17:;
416
Shanks, Charles S., 117
Shaw, Andrew, 8
Sheehan, Daniel, 297
Sheppey, John V., Dr., 317
Shields, Francis, 267
Shiland, John C, Dr., 306
Shine, James H., 236
Shultes, Abram, 260
Sill, John De Friest, 170
Silliman, George Dent, Rev., 334
Simmons, George E., 237
Simpkin, Henry, 288
Robert P., 288
Simpson, Anson A., 153
John F., 237
Sims, Albert F., 271
Sisson, Frank N., 366
Skillicom, John H., Dr., 147
Skinner, David F., 308
Slade, E. F., 236
Slausen, Edwin, 103
Slavin, Thomas, 237
Slingerland, Cornelius, 213
De Witt Chester, 338
Henry, 59
William H., 6:!
William Harris, jr., 368
Smalling, L. K., 94
Smelzer, Baxter T. , Dr., 144
Smith, Charles H., Dr., 165
Charles W., 103
Frank J., 335
Henry A., 292
James E., Dr., 366
M. B., 94
Oscar, Capt., 6
Snyder, Cecil, 288
Henry F., 240
Soderstrom, Charles E,, 21
Soop, J. J., 345
South worth, Julius B. Dr., 130
Spaulding, Alonzo, 184
Spillane, P. H., 236
Speir, Stuart G., 169
Spencer, Charles M., 320
Sporborg, Silas, 279
Springer, J. Austin, 194
Springsted, William C, 77
Staats, John M., 120
Stahl, Simon, 279
Stanton, William, 284
Star Knitting Co., 18
Stark, Moses, 3
Stedman, Francis \V., 91
Steenberg, Byron U., Dr., 265
Stephens, Peter A., 203
Thomas, 367
Stern, Henrv E., 14
Stevens, George H., 159
Joseph, 236
Stewart, L. D., 84
Stillman, William O., Dr., 43
Stitt, James O., 104
Stock, Bernard, 101
Stoffels, William, 321
Stonehouse, John Ben, M. D., 373
Stover, Charles M., 296
Strevell, A, M., 59
Sturgess, Charles E., 314
Sturtevant Stephen V., 247
Sutherland, Charles R., 119
Isaac P., 365
Willard J., 119
Swarthout, William, 178
Swatling, James H., 19
Sweenv, William P., 342
Swett,'jr., Joseph B., Dr., 38
Swift, sr., William, 116
Targett, Alfred E., 25
Tayer, Albert, 296
Taylor, Robert B., 212
Tebbutt, Marshall, 158
Templeton, Charles B., 208
Ten Eyck, Clinton, 375
Jacob H., 121
Jacob L., 158
James, 96
Tennant, Albert C, 207
Terry, Washington C, 216
Tessier, Frank, 284
Wilfred G., 284
Thacher, Ralph W., 221
Thayer, Lewis V., 64
Thompson, David A., 252
Thornton, George and Theron T., 215
Tibbitts, Lorenzo B., 8
Toedt, Emanuel B., 165
Tompkins, Charles M., 64
Stephen, 151
Toner, J. Seymour, 4
Toohey, Edward J., 146
Townsend, Rufus King, 137
Tracey, James F., 42
Trager, Christopher, 78
Travis, William C, 113
Treadwell, George Curtis, 112
Trego, Thomas Markley, Dr., 78
True, George M., 14
Tucker, jr., Luther Henry, 198
Willis G., Dr., 99
Tnpper, Horace D., 30
Turner, John H., 174
Tygert, Thomas, 299
Van Aken, De Baun, 257
Van Allen, P. C, 321
417
Van Allen, Richard B., 21 1
William, 292
Van Antwerp, Daniel Lewis, 35
Van Bergen, George A., -»'.
Van Derzee, Alton. S£V
Andrew S., 344
John A.. 265
Vander Veer, Albert, Dr. 144
VanGaasbeek, Amos< ,369
Van Heusen-CharlesCo., rhe. 105
Van Leuven, Peter, 18*
Van Loon, William H. ,310
Van Meter, Archibald. J>
Van Olinda, John L., in
Van Rensselaer, William Bayard, W
Van Schaack, John S., 150
VanSlyke,G.W &Horton,192
Van Valkenburgh, John W., --/
Van Vranken, Adam T., Dr., -
Varney, F. B., 306
Veeder, Peter J., 175
William Davis, \£l
Victorin, Anthony. 10
Viele, Maurice Edward, 50
Vineberg. Archibald Dr., 368
Visscher, Edward W., u
Vloebergh, Louis, 128
Wackerhagen, William B., 54
Wadsworth, Paul, 38
Waggoner, William S., 84
Wagner, John, 16
^kt;fi^WUliamH.,&Son,281
Waldron, Henry, 329
Walker, Charles Ashbel, 17B
Edward, 160
John M., 166
Peter, 174
William J., 44
Wallace. James, 319
William A., Ma] , VIA
\V alien, William, 218
Walsh, Henry Haswell, 278
JohnS., 819
Walters, Charles 40
Wands, James M., l"<>
John B., -•
Ward, fohnG.,202
Walter E., 258
Warner, Charles B.,311
Jacob A., B2
Warren, Henry P., 263
Washburn, Hi rani L., -1'
Waters, M. B., 23
Watson, Frank, 880
Weaver, George B., ra
William J., 105
Weeber. Christian. 7(.t
Weidman, Malachi, 94
Reuben L., 16
Wells, Antor,, 277
Wertime, Walter jL, 238
Wetmore, Edward Willard, 186
Wheeler, Frederick F., 25
Whipple, Walter, 56
Whitbeck. Ansel McK., Dr., •»•'
Henrv T., 140
Joseph M.. 330
Theodore II., Dr., 165
William J., 129
White, David. 318
Isaac, 179
John b, 1s'
Whitehead, Samuel, 183
Whitney, W. M., & Co.
Wickham, Richard, jr., SU
Wight, Edward, 40
Wilcox, George W., b>->
Rodney, -3< , olc
Willerton, Edmund Ronslow, 246
Williams. C. Frank, 22'J
Chauncey P., '••'•I
David, 250
E. P., 369
Elam, 313
George A., Dr., 7
Willis, Alexander, Mrs., ■■■•
Wilson, (Men E., 321
W.ltse, lames Wesley, Dr., 316
Wing, Albert J. 51
Winne, Barent S., u-
Charles Visscher, 229
John E . 353
Lansing B., Dr., 343
Wirth, jr., Jacob, 1~
Wiswall, Charles E., 156
Eben S., 156
Family, the, 30
Witbeck, Andrew II.. ••
. Dr.. 110
Charles G., 303 .
Wolfe. Andrew J., 3.1
Wolff, John, 256
Wood, Levi. 195 .
W Iward. James Otis, Maj«
Walter M., 333
Woolverton, Andrew W., si a
Wormer. Eliakim F., 261
Wright. Charles W., 101
Fred, 180
Wrightson, George VV., ->•'
Wygant, Rimer E., ••"•
W . L51
young, Elias, 28'i
418
Young, Henry W., 371 Zeilman, Charles H., 200
William A., 302 Zeller, A., 57
William P., 230
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