Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 143

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 143

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" The surviving members of session come to- gether at their stated meeting with hearts bereaved and minds solemnized by the death, since our last meeting, of our beloved brother, Elder Stuart Mc- Kissick.

"Recent deprivation from active participation in the duties of his office had in no degree abated his love for the Master's kingdom and the church with which he was connected. Commending by his life the doctrine of Christ, gifted with the spirit of wisdom and conciliation, his counsels were ever for promoting the peace of Jerusalem.

"In common with the church and the commu- nity we shall miss the influence of his steadfast Christian character, and while we cherish his pre- cious memory and example, we are assured that he was ready to depart to be with Christ.

" To that word of grace which was the guide of his life and the solace of his hours of physical pain, we commend the sorrowing ones of his immediate household as we mourn with them the absence of our venerated friend.

" THOS. P. CROOK, "CHAS. B, NICHOLS,

Committee.

" WALTER D. NICHOLAS, Moderator."

FRANKLIN DWIGHT TOWER

is one of the young merchants of Albany who in a few years has risen by his own tact, enterprise and energy from the position of modest clerkship to one of wealth, respectability and influence. He was born in West Springfield, Mass., July 28, 1848. His parents were Levi and Julia (Wheeler) Tower, in whose quiet farm-house, with one brother, he spent his earlier years in attending the Massachusetts public schools and in assisting his father.

But he early showed a taste for mercantile pur- suits, and was disposed to accept some position as

634

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

salesman. An opportunity occurred in 1864, in Pittsfield, Mass. When sixteen years of age he was employed as salesman in the large furniture warehouse of Lyons & Thompson, in that beauti- ful town. Two years later this firm had gone into bankruptcy, and young Tower was appointed Re- ceiver by the District Judge. The trust was dis- charged with such intelligence and fidelity as to commend him to the approbation of all concerned, and to furnish him a splendid introduction, through Judge Barker, to the merchants of Albany.

Mr. Tower came to this city in 1866, and en- gaged with a prominent commercial house as sales- man in the flour and grain trade. In the third year he was receiving a salary three times the amount paid him the first year, so valuable were his services.

In 1869, he was a member of the firm of Mills & Tower, 319 Broadway, in the commission grain trade. He was at once recognized by merchants as one of the most active and well-informed mem- bers of the City Board of Trade, of which organi- zation he was the junior member. Since that date, he has continued to occupy a leading rank among the men doing business on Broadway. He has been one term Vice-President and twice Treasurer of the Board of Trade.

For about ten years past his office has been in the Museum Building, corner of State street and Broadway. His business enterprises are conducted in three different departments and at three different locations in the city:

I. Located as above, he not only takes orders in his extensive business, but is connected by pri- vate telegraph even with the New York and Chicago stock and grain markets, and constantly receives reports of the state of the market from these places.

2. At the corner of South Broadway and Plumb street, he has a large mill for the manufacture of feed and plaster, which is doing a business second to few in the country. In this business he has been engaged for five years past. His plaster is made from genuine Nova Scotia gypsum or sul- phate of lime, and is in great demand in agriculture and the arts.

3. At the corner of Broadway and Pleasant street he has an extensive flour and feed store.

In 1878, he carried on the milling business in the old stone mill near the Manor House, North Broad- way. This mill was erected by one of the Patroons over two hundred years ago, and was well known throughout the country as the Patroon's Mill. It was burned in 1880, soon after which disaster Mr. Tower commenced the business referred to above in feed and plaster.

His business has been constantly increasing, and he enjoys the confidence of an extensive list of cus- tomers. This confidence is the result of close attention to business, a courteous and obliging manner, and strict integrity in his dealings. Hi rivalry is manly, his system is admirable. His ac- tivity, enterprise and energy, united with prudence and perseverance, assure continued success.

October 28, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Becker Blessing, a lady be-

longing to the best Holland stock, who makes his home, at 490 Madison avenue, one of taste and refinement. Five daughters are the fruit of this happy marriage.

HAT AND FUR DEALERS.

John S. Robbins is probably now the oldest hat dealer in Albany, having been continuously in the business since 1843, when he entered into partner- ship with Francis Briselt as successors of Van Aimes & Chase, on the corner of South Market street and Trotter's alley. In the following May, Mr. Briselt retired, when Mr. Robbins removed to No. 12 South Market (now 415 Broadway), and two years later to the store now occupied by the Times Com- pany. Two years later he removed to the store on the opposite side of the street, now No. 400 Broad- way. After the great fire of 1848, Mr. Robbins sold his lease to Herrick & Osborne, and then took possession of the store No. 73 South Pearl street, where he remained a number of years. He after- wards occupied the store on the southeast corner of Hudson avenue, and remained there until 1862, and then moved to 54 State street. At the same time he ran an additional store at No. 66 State street. In 1870 he opened a branch store at No. 53 South Pearl, and the same year admitted his son, John, as a partner, who remained in the store for eight years, and since that time Mr. Robbins has conducted his business alone. In 1871 the stores on State street were given up, and his entire attention was given to running the store on South Pearl street. In 1876 he removed to the south- west corner of Green and State streets. He is at present located at No. 66 State street.

In 1822, Samuel S. Fowler was engaged in the hat business in Albany, and in 1835 Winne & Wil- son carried on a similar business.

The early hat and fur dealers have been named in another place in this book. The trade is now well represented by the well-known houses of Daniel Boughton, William E. Walsh & Sons, Cot- trell & Leonard, Treadwell & Co., T. W. Cantwell, W. R. Schermerhorn, George E. Latham and C. F. Beebe.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

The firm of Cluett & Sons, dealers in organs, pianos, and all kinds of musical merchandise, was established in Albany in 1865, as a branch of the Troy house of that name. This store, formerly on North Pearl street, is located at 49 State street, and is 25 by 130 feet in dimensions. Twenty-five hands are employed. Their trade extends over the greater portion of the State, being conducted by sub-agents. A large stock of goods are kept, embracing a great variety of organs, pianos, and other musical instru- ments from the best manufacturers. F. W. Thomas has been manager of this house for the last five years, prior to which, with his brother, he con- ducted a similar business in Catskill. From Cats- kill he removed to New York, and finally to Al- bany. His long experience in this line of business

635

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

has made him a proficient and reliable judge of musical instruments. The individual members of the firm of Cluett & Sons are Edmund, William and F. A. Cluett, and N. L. Weatherby. .

The firm of C. E. Wendell & Co. (Henry Kelly and John McCammon) conduct a similar business as the above at 89 and 91 North Pearl street, and enjoy a high reputation for the excellence of their wares and are the recipients of a large and growing trade. Haines & Co., J. O. Montignani, F. W. Tietz, J. A. Reed and W. C. Gomph are also music dealers. Jason Collier has made this his business for many years. J. H. Hidley, who died a few years ago, was long a well known and extensive dealer in musical instruments.

COAL

The first coal yard in this city was established in 1821 by Mr. Peoples, who came here from Lan- singburgh. His yard was located on Orange street, near Montgomery street, where he conducted the business for about three years, with annual sales of from six to eight hundred tons. Four years subse- quent to Mr. Peoples' venture, Ephraim De Witt opened a yard on State Street Pier, remaining there for about three years. During this time Mr. De Witt had in his employ, as a cart-driver, Zebina Belknap, who afterwards went into the business, and met with marked success. Matthew Gill was the next to engage in the trade, and followed it for some years with profit. Then came the firm of Groesbeck & Belknap, the former cart-driver, who located in Columbia street, where George W. Luther & Son now are. They built up a fine trade, and, as the profits then were from two to three dollars per ton, made money. Mr. Belknap finally retired from the firm and opened a yard in Broad- way, above Clinton avenue, where he remained until about 1878. Soon after the formation of the last mentioned firm, Ten Eyck & Brinkerhoff located on Columbia and Montgomery streets, and shortly after this, Crawford & Livingston on Wes- terlo street and Broadway. The last named firm continued in business one year, up to 1840, when John G. White became the proprietor. Mr. White soon purchased the lot in Hudson avenue, where the Methodist Church subsequently stood, and Munson's collar factory now stands. After the Methodist Society made the purchase of this prop- erty, Mr. White bought that situated at the corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street, of Thomas, Lowe & Potts, known as the Old Furnace property, and again started a coal yard. The Society of the First Baptist Church soon bought this, and he then located corner of Hudson avenue and Eagle street, and on Herkimer street and Broadway, finally sell- ing to Putnam & Hoyt. This firm afterwards made a division, John Putnam taking the Herkimer street yard and George B. Hoyt the one in Hudson avenue, where he yet remains.

The growth of the coal interest from that time has been steady and material. E. W. Howell, dealer in coal, 388 Madison avenue and State street Pier, began in 1877. The business there

was started some years before by John Artcher, who had associated with him for some time his son, Austin Artcher, now an attorney of this city. Mr. Artcher sold out to James Taylor, who sold to Leonard & Youngman, of whom Mr. Howell purchased. After this last change the business in- creased from two thousand two hundred tons in 1877 to twelve thousand tons in 1884. During 1879, Mr. Howell also ran a yard at the corner of Church and Arch streets, which he purchased of Kelchar & Wood. His present State street Pier prop- erty was added in 1880. Upon this wharf he has erected a yard with posts thirty feet high, with all the conveniences necessary to a speedy and economical transfer of coal from boat to coal-house or sheds.

In September, 1885, the following prices were given upon bids for supplying coal for the public buildings, including the Capitol and other State buildings.

William McEwan was the lowest bidder and obtained the contract for supplying 3,625 tons of Delaware and Hudson Coal at $3.524 per ton.

The bids were as follows: T. C. Rafferty, Pitt- ston, $3.98; Leonard & Youngman, Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., $3.534; Leonard & Young- man, Lehigh and Delaware and Hudson Canal Co. combined, $3.832; Rock & Casey, Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., $3. 634; Rock and Casey, Pitt- ston, $3. 534; Rock & Casey, Lehigh, $3.96; C. M. Stuart, Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., $3.762; C. M. Stuart, Lehigh, $4; C. M. Stuart, Coleiance, $3. 90; William McEwan, Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., 3, 524; William McEwan, Lehigh, $4 .- og2; E. W. Howell, Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., $3. 59; E. W. Howell, Pittston, $3.61; and E. W. Howell, Lehigh, $4.43.

The principal coal and wood dealers in Albany at present are: Blackburn & Jones (John Black- burn and John J. Jones), who have two yards, one at the corner of Ontario street and Livingston avenue, and the other on Livingston avenue, corner of Water street; John H. Lynch, 55 and 57 Rens- selaer street; Leonard & Youngman (Jacob Leon- ard, V. H. Youngman and Oscar Leonard), Church, corner of Madison avenue, and Canal, corner Lark street; Thomas Mattimore & Son (Peter F.), 84 1 Broadway; Neil & Harris (John Neil and Jeremiah Harris, Jr. ), 610 Clinton avenue; Barton Bretton, 61 and 63 Schuyler street; Gibbons & Burhaus (G. W. Gibbons and George M. Bur- haus), 591 to 597 Central avenue, and foot of Westerlo street; William Casey, Dallius, corner Cherry; Coonley & Waldron (H. W. Coonley and J. G. Waldron), Broadway, corner Fourth avenue, and 46 Schuyler street; T. C. Rafferty & Co. (James H. Carrol), 831 Broadway, and coal pockets foot of De Witt street.

ZEBINA BELKNAP

was born in Randolph, Orange County, Ver- mont, November 6, 1803, a son of Moses Belknap, and Margaret Richardson, his wife. He lived the life of a farmer, boy and man, until he was twenty- three years old, gaining his education in the dis-

636

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

K.LITTLE.

2. Beldmuß

trict schools and a neighboring academy, in which he was for a short time a student, and teaching near home several winters. In 1826 he came to Albany. Finding employment, he remained about six months, and in the fall following his arrival went by canal to Western New York. During the ensuing winter he taught a district school at Eagle Harbor, a small village on the Erie Canal, near Albion, Orleans County. Upon the reopening of the canal, in the spring of 1827, he engaged to run a boat carrying dressed staves from Albion to Albany. Two trips destroyed any desire he might have entertained for a boatman's life, and during the six months following he was employed at Gowey's brewery, on North Broadway, Albany, which he left to take charge of Walter R. Morris' coal yard on the Pier. A year afterward Mr. Morris, wishing to lessen the expenses of his bus- iness, replaced Mr. Belknap with a cheaper and less efficient man, and the former went to New York and was there employed six months in Corn- ing & Walker's hardware store. Returning to Albany he was similarly employed for a time in the old-time hardware establishment of Pruyn, Wilson & Vosburgh, until his services were again se- cured at advanced wages by Mr. Morris, who placed him once more in charge of his coal yard, where he remained as his assistant until 1833,

when he became a partner, and upon the death of that gentleman he became sole proprietor of the business. At different periods he had as part- ners Colonel John Groesbeck and Duncan Mc- Kercher. In 1855 he purchased the interest of the latter and presented it to his son, Charles M. Belknap, and the business was conducted during the ensuing nineteen years by Z. Belknap & Son. In 1874 the health of Mr. Charles M. Belknap be- gan to decline, and he saw the necessity of at once giving up all business cares. His father had al- ready amassed a competency, and did not feel equal to the task of continuing the business alone. They decided to sell out their combined interests and retire, which they effected during the year last mentioned. In 1878 Mr. C. M. Belknap died. Since his retirement, Mr. Belknap has lived quietly in Ten Broeck street. He was married, in 1832, to Miss Fanny Osgood, who was born in his native town of Randolph, Vt., who bore him a son and a daughter, and died in 1879. Mr. Belknap was formerly a Whig, and during the past twenty-five years has been a Republican. He has served the city as Alderman, representing the old Sixth Ward, and the State as Weighmaster of the Canal, at Albany, but has avoided political life and refused to become a candidate for other offices. He is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church.

637

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

CROCKERY, CHINA AND GLASSWARE.

During the early part of this century, the firm of Webb & Dummer was prominent in connection with the crockery trade. They commenced busi- ness on State street, opposite Green, in 1807. The partners were George Dummer and John A. Webb. They were followed in business in 1828 by H. & C. Webb & Co., composed of Henry L. and Charles B. Webb and Alfred Douglass. This firm con- tinued until 1841, when the business was sold to Gregory & Co. Mr. Donglass afterwards removed to New York and went into the produce business, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1881. Charles B. Webb died in 1834, and H. L. Webb about four years later. Gregory & Co. continued in business here for several years, when they removed to New York. Mr. Gregory is still a resident of Albany, one of the oldest merchants of the city.

In the early part of this century the following firms were engaged in the wholesale crockery bus- iness: E. C. & W. McIntosh, South Market; David E. Gregory and Peter Bain, North Market street. Gregory & Bain commenced business in 1814; the former was a brother-in-law of the Marvins. E. C. McIntosh afterwards became President of the Mo- hawk and Hudson River Railroad Company.

The oldest firm now doing business in Albany in the crockery business is that of Van Heusen, Charles & Co., which was formed by Theodore V. Van Heusen and D. D. T. Charles in 1843. They bought out the firm of Wardwell & Bordwell, then doing business at 66 State street, in an old build- ing on the site of the present store of the Messrs. McClure, druggists. Van Heusen & Charles occu- pied one-half of the store and J. & A. McClure the other. In 1844, Van Heusen & Charles removed to 62 and 64 State street, formerly occupied by Lewis Benedict & Co., hardware merchants. In 1856, Van Heusen & Charles bought the property on Broadway known as the Mansion House, and kept as a hotel for many years. On this site they built the store now occupied by them. It extends through the block from Broadway to James street, and is 250 feet deep. In 1864, George W. Pierce, who had been for years in their employ, became a partner, under the firm name of Van Heusen, Charles & Co. This firm does a large wholesale trade, and is well known throughout the United States.

The firms of McGue & O'Brien, O'Brien & Ma- har and Daniel O'Brien and James Mahar, well known during the last twenty years, have only a historic interest, having gone out of existence re- cently. The store of W. H. D. Woodruff, 14 North Pearl, takes their place in large measure. The stores of William Dornett and Simon Bell, on South Pearl, and Bell & Ledger, 414 Broadway, deserve mention.

HARDWARE.

The firm of Corning & Co. was founded prior to 1816 by John Spencer, who commenced business on South Market street on the site now occupied

by the building No. 416 Broadway. In 1816, Erastus Corning was admitted as a partner, the firm name being John Spencer & Co. Mr. Spencer sub- sequently withdrew, when John T. Norton became a partner. A few years after, James Horner was admitted in place of Mr. Norton. Many years after, a Mr. Sparhawk became a partner, under the firm name of Corning, Horner & Sparhawk. About 1844, Mr. Sparhawk died, and the same year Gil- bert Davidson became a partner. About this time Mr. Corning erected the building in present use by the firm. In 1848, Mr. Horner retired, and Erastus Corning, Jr., was admitted. In 1854, John F. Winslow was taken in as partner, but withdrew in 1862. Two years later Mr. Davidson retired. Erastus Corning, Sr., who had been connected with the firm for half a century, withdrew, when the firm name was changed to Corning & Co., being composed of Erastus Corning, Jr., Townsend Fon- dey, William H. Nichols, James E. Walker and Clarence H. Corning. Mr. Walker and Clarence H. Corning both died in 1879. The firm is now composed of Erastus Corning, William H. Nichols and W. T. Fondey.

The other leading hardware merchants in the first half of the present century were Spencer Staf- ford & Co., Lewis Benedict & Co., Benedict & Roby, and Steele & Warren, all on South Market street; Alexander Davidson, Van Alstyne & Son, N. B. Miles, Humphrey & Co., Cantine Tremper, Lansing Pruyn, and others.

In connection with the hardware business, we may call attention to the biographical sketches of Noah Brooks Mills and Isaac W. Vosburgh, which furnish much valuable information of the early merchants of Albany.

Another old house deserving of mention is that conducted by Maurice E. Viele, Nos. 39, 41 and 43 State street. Mr. Viele made his first business venture here in 1845, when he commenced dealing in hardware, and in that year, in connection with the late Alexander Davidson, bought out the old- established house of Van Alstyne & Son, doing business corner of State and Green streets. In 1851, the stock of Humphrey & Co. was not only added, but a removal was also made to the store ot that firm.

Shortly after the death of his partner in 1859, Mr. Viele associated with himself Messrs. Coles and Woodruff, and for four years the firm remained unchanged. In 1865, these two partners retired, and ever since Mr. Viele has conducted the busi- ness alone. In 1870, he purchased the stock of Cantine Tremper; in 1874, that of Van Santford & Anable; and in 1875, that of L. Pruyn & Son, which greatly added to his already extensive stock.

The present store is five stories in hight and 52 by 100 feet in dimensions. Intelligent and conr- teous salesmen are employed, and everything is done to add to the comfort of their customers.

The following constitute the principal hardware dealers, besides those already mentioned, now en- gaged in the trade: Gilbert H. Ackerman, 384 Broadway; William T. Burgess, 146 South Pearl street; and M. Crannell, 208 Hudson avenne.

638

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

ISAAC W. VOSBURGH

was born in Albany, December 21, 1801. His parents were William and Mary (McDonald) Vos- burgh, his father having been of the old Dutch stock, and his mother a Scotchwoman.

He was educated privately, and at the age of about twenty began his business career as a clerk in the old-time hardware store of George Hum- phrey, on State street. Here he applied himself assiduously to business and familiarized himself with the hardware trade as it then existed.

Some time between 1820 and 1830, the firm of Pruyn, Wilson & Vosburgh was formed, and con- tinued in existence for more than thirty years, do- ing business at No. 39 State street. Their house became one of the most prominent mercantile establishments in Albany, and the second in the city in its line. The firm were for many years ex- tensive importers of hardware, and their relations with the trade extended over a wide territory. The introduction of domestic manufactures, and of the system of selling throughout the country by com- mercial travelers, changed the character of the trade, which is now carried on on an entirely different basis from that in vogue for many years before the War of the Rebellion.

Mr. Vosburgh is still living and in good health. At the age of eighty-three years he is one of the few men whose experiences connect the old Albany with the Albany of to-day, and the changes which have been wrought in the city during his lifetime have been numerous and remarkable. He is in full possession of his mental faculties, is genial and hospitable, and retains that pleasant manner which made him popular during his active life. Sur- rounded by his family, he is passing in peace and contentment the closing years of a long and well- spent life.

NOAH BROOKS MILES

was the third Noah Miles in his family in the line of direct descent. His grandfather was named Noah Miles, and his wife was Hannah Hosmer. Their son, Noah Miles, was born in Westminster, Mass., December 22, 1751, and died at Temple, N. H., November 20, 1831, aged seventy-nine. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1780, received the degree of A. M., studied theology, and was ordained Pastor of the Congregational Church at Temple, October 2, 1782. It was as pastor of that church that he died forty-nine years later. He is remembered in literature by an able eulogy on Washington. His wife was a Miss Pearson.

Noah Brooks Miles was born at Temple, N. H., July 24, 1798. At the age of eighteen he came to Albany and began his business career as a clerk in the hardware store of Humphrey Brothers, on State street. Faithful and honest, he ever considered the interests of his employers, who after a few years made him a member of the firm. In 1832 he be- gan business for himself independently, in the Rensselaer Hall block, on Hall street, above Pearl. About 1851 he purchased the stock of D. Hum-

phrey & Lansing, and removed to their old stand at the corner of State and James streets, on the site of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. There he remained until, in 1866, he retired from business on account of failing health.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 143

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452