Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 144

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 144

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As a successful, trusted and respected merchant, Mr. Miles won a reputation which gave him a standing amongst the most honored in the city in all commercial relations. His heart was kind, his manners genial. He did favors with an open- handed generosity that made his friendly unselfish- ness the most conspicuous trait of his character. In 1838, while in the prime of his life, he united with the Pearl street Baptist Church (then located on the site of Perry Hall), under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Welch; and from that time for- ward to the day of his sudden and unexpected re- moval from life (July 18, 1872) no one who knew ever doubted his love for God or his fidelity to his Christian vows. He was twice married; first in 1827 to Mrs. Eliza Fletcher, daughter of Captain Lyman, of Rensselaer County, and the second time, in 1848, to Miss Mary Newman, daughter of the late Henry Newman, who during his life- time was favorably and prominently known in the business and social circles of Albany. Mr. Miles had an inherent and unconquerable dislike for politics and public life, but he took an intelligent interest in public affairs, and numbered among his friends many prominent men. It was in unos- tentatious, helpful charity that he most delighted, and he found his greatest reward in the concious- ness that he had, unknown to any except himself and the objects of his generosity, helped many a good, but temporarily unfortunate, man to help himself.

PLUMBERS, TIN AND COPPERSMITHS, AND STOVE DEALERS.

The firm of Michael Delehanty & Son, plumbers and sanitary engineers, was established in 1840. The present junior partner of the firm is John S. Delehanty. They carry on a large trade in plum- bers' supplies, and are sole agent for Magee's "New Ideal" parlor-stove, wrought-iron furnaces, and elevated ranges. They are located 26, 28, and 30 Green street.

Ridgway & Russ, 121 State street, and Thomas Dugan, 27 James street, have long ranked among the best plumbers in the city.

Edward Fitzgerald & Sons (John and Mark), pursue the business of plumbers, roofers, and cop- persmiths, at 28 Beaver street.

William Guinan, 64 Beaver street, carries on a general coppersmithing, plumbing, and roofing business.

The firm of Carlisle & Hill, composed of James Carlisle and William Hill, are engaged in the cop- per and tinsmith business, being principally em- ployed in making roofs. They are located at 636 Broadway.

The principal stove dealers, aside from those engaged in the manufacture, are found on Green street, Washington avenue, and Broadway.

Isaac N Vasburgh

N. B. Miles

John Meads

639

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

James D. Walsh, 43 Hudson avenue, deals in grates and heaters.

COMMISSION MERCHANTS AND FOR- WARDERS.

The number of merchants who receive grain and `other farm products to sell on commission is numerous in Albany. The following are the most prominent: Durant & Elmore, 505 Broadway; Gay & Quimby, 448 Broadway; Durant & Co., 473 and 475 Broadway; J. H. & F. A. Mead, 374 Broadway; Jeremiah Waterman & Sons, 463 Broad- way; Barber & Bennett, W. L. Clute; James Farrell, 70 Pier; Peter McCabe, 102 Pier; H. A. Dwight, W. M. Hussey, B. B. Sanders & Co., S. W. Settle, M. H. Smith, Tallmadge & Co., R. W. Thacher, H. R. Wright, and Wright & Anderson.

MEAT DEALERS.

During the preceding century most of the retail meat dealers were located in what was known as the City Market, which stood in Market street, nearly opposite where Stanwix Hall now is. It was a frame structure eighty feet long, and in both ends the hook and ladder companies kept their apparatus. The market was ordered out of the street in 1807, and by an edict of the Common Council three markets were ordered to be erected in its stead. One was at the corner of Columbia and Montgomery street, known as the North Mar- ket; another on Court street, opposite Truax's Tavern, at what was known as the watering place, styled the South Market. The third was at the corner of South Pearl and Lutheran streets, after- wards designated as the Centre Market. For many years State street has been the the principal place where farmers, butchers, etc., have sold their ware. In the morning they form their wagons in a line on both sides of the road track, sometimes forming a continuous line from Eagle street to Green street. From early morning till noon this street presents a lively appearance, crowded with buyers and sellers.

Probably no name is more prominent in con- nection with Albany meat dealers than that of Fredenrich, members of which family for nearly a century were connected with this business in Albany. The original was John C. Freiedenrich, who accompanied Burgoyne's expedition from Canada. In 1791 he occupied a stall in the old city market. At that time James Gibbons, John Cassidy, Patrick Cassidy, and Johnny Williams oc- cupied stalls in the same building. Soon after the beginning of the present century, John Freden- rich, Jr., was taken into partnership by his father, who then supplied most of the influential citizens with meat. In 1821 Johann C. Fredenrich died, when his son succeeded him, and for nearly a cen- tury afterwards conducted a meat market. He died a short ime ago, over ninety years old. He had two sons, John and Philip, who followed their father's business. The latter conducts a meat market at No. 83 Green street.

Meat dealers are numerous in Albany. There are no less than one hundred and twenty-five meat stalls, among which are those of Ignatius Wiley, at 61 Beaver street; John Battersby, John Featherby, D. J. Hartnell, W. J. Maher, J. McQuade, George Wiley & Brother.

FURNITURE.

The large furniture warehouse and factory in North Pearl street of B. W. Wooster & Co., is the outgrowth of a small concern. In February, 1843, George O. Merrifield and B. W. Wooster com- menced business as dealers in mahogany and fur- niture, and undertakers. The firm continued to- gether for eighteen years, when, by the death of Mr. Merrifield, Mr. Wooster became the sole pro- prietor. Soon afterwards, he sold out the under- taking business, and confined himself exclusively to furniture. In 1851 he built the five-story brick structure on South Pearl street, which he occupied for thirty-five years. About a year ago he moved into his present quarters on North Pearl street, a building forty-four feet wide and two hundred and seventeen feet deep, extending through to James street. January 1, 1884, his sons, Edwin B. and B. W., were admitted as partners, under the firm name of B. W. Wooster & Co. Benjamin W. Wooster, the head of this establishment, was born in Albany County, March 24, 1820, and is a gen- tleman of a high order of business ability. He is now President of the Albany County Bank.

The other furniture dealers of prominence are Thomas Buckley, of 29 Washington Avenue; Ber- nard Gloeckner, 81 and 83 South Pearl; Philip Hertz, Jr., 112 South Pearl; John J. Hicks, 85 and 87 Beaver; Nelson Lyon, 4, 5 and 6 Central avenue; E. Up DeGrove, 134 Lark; H. R. Watson, 19 to 25 North Pearl.

JOHN MEADS

was born in Polesworth, Warwickshire, England, June 3, 1777, and died in Albany in 1869. His parents were Elias and Sarah (Alsop) Meads. With others who were seeking a new home and fairer fortunes under foreign skies, he came to the United States in his fifteenth year. He learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, at which he served a regular apprenticeship in New York, and worked as a journeyman at the same trade there until 1802, when he came to Albany. Here he soon opened a cabinet-maker's shop on his own account. After some years had elapsed, he admitted William Alvord to a partnership in his business, which was contin- ued until about 1847, when Mr. Alvord died. Not long afterward, Mr. Meads, who had again become sole proprietor, was succeeded by his son, John Meads, Jr., who, in 1850, removed to New York. This business was established on Broad- way, between Maiden lane and Steuben street, and subsequently removed to the building adjoining that now occupied by the American Express Com- pany, and which is now owned by members of Mr. Mead's family.

640

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Retiring from the business in which he had passed the years of his prime, Mr. Meads interested him- self deeply in projects for the development of Albany and vicinity, for he had since a very young man taken a great interest in the growth and prosperity of the city. He was one of several well-remem- bered gentlemen who were associated in projecting and constructing the Great Western Turnpike, which in its day was designed as an internal im- provement of no mean importance. For years he had had plans in his mind for supplying the City of Albany with water, and it was with much interest that he watched the operations of the Albany Water- works Company, which was organized early in the present century, and was the first corporation or- ganized for the purpose to which its energies were directed. Mr. Meads identified himself with this Company, and during the last twenty-five years of its existence was its President and active Manager, his son, Orlando Meads, during a portion of this period serving as its Secretary, and his son James as Clerk. The Corporation ceased to exist in 1851, when in the march of modern progress it gave place to other means for furnishing a water supply to Albany than those it had so long provided.

Mr. Meads was married in 1804 to Miss Louisa Crane, of Albany, who died in 1854, having borne him several children, of whom six-three sons and three daughters-attained the state of manhood and womanhood. These were, in the order of their nativity, Orlando, Charlotte, Louisa, John, Jr., James, and Sarah Ruth. The Misses Charlotte and Sarah Ruth Meads, the only survivors of the

family, live in their father's old home on Columbia street. The Meads' residence was built in 1829. Mr. Meads was a Whig, and later a Republican. An active, energetic, enterprising man, of domestic habits, he took no part in political affairs, except to exercise his right of suffrage as seemed to him right and fit. A great reader, as well as a wonder- ful observer, he gained a wide range of political and substantial knowledge, which often excited the envy of men whose educational advantages had been far superior to his. His good taste in all matters of adornment or decoration was proverbial, and his skill was called into requisition upon nearly all public occasions. Great preparations were made in Albany, as well as elsewhere throughout the country, to cebrate the centennial of Washington's birthday in 1832. That day was long a red-letter day in the memory of many of the older inhab- itants of the city, of a generation now unhappily extinct The City Hall was to be decorated in honor of the occasion, and Mr. Meads was chosen to perform the task. He accepted the charge, and the result of his artistic efforts was so pleasing that he was presented with a silver water service, in- scribed as follows:

Presented by the Managers of the Washington Centennial Ball to Mr. John Meads, in compliment to his taste and clas- sic design for the decoration of the City Hall on the evening of the 22d inst.

ALBANY, February, 1832.

The Misses Meads have preserved a card of in- vitation to that ball, of which the following is a copy:

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF WASHINGTON.

The Honor of the Misses Meads' Company is requested at a BALL, to be given at the CITY HALL on the Evening of the 22d inst.

ALBANY, Feb'y 11th, 1832.

MANAGERS.

John Townsend,

The Hon. Levi Beardsley,

Of the

James Stevenson, Silas Wright, Jr.,

James McKeown,

John McLean, Jr.,

Senate.

Isaac W. Staats,

John Birdsall,

James Porter,

C. L. Livingston,

Peter Lansing, Jr., John A. Livingston, Peter Seton Henry,

Joel A. Wing, William Lush,

Francis Granger,

J. B. Van Schaick,

Augustus James,

John McKeon,

Wm. A. Wharton,

George Dexter,

Philip Maxwell,

A. H. Lovell,

Herman Leonard,

Aaron Remer,

Wm. M. Gregory,

James B. Spencer,

Theodore Olcott, Richard Yates.

Of these thirty managers only William M. Greg- ory and Theodore Olcott are now living.

Mr. Meads was a nearly life-long member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, of which he was a stead- fast friend and liberal supporter. The cause of education also claimed his attention, and he gave much thought and good counsel to the manage- ment of the public schools of his day. His charity was spontaneous and unquestioned. His solicitude for the advancement and prosperity of the city of his adoption was so marked, that he was always found among the earliest to advocate and aid the various public improvements of his time.

WATCHES AND JEWELRY.

The oldest established jewelry store in Albany is that of William Wendell & Co. It was founded in 1810 by Shepard & Boyd, in the building that then stood on the southeast corner of Exchange and Market streets. It was continued by this firm until the retirement of Robert Shepard, and was then conducted by William Boyd for two years, when he admitted John H. Mulford, and moved into a store nearly opposite, on Broadway. In the following year they moved to State street, where Gray's book store now is. Here they continued

John A. King,

Of the

Assembly.

Isaac Lefree

641

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

until the death of Mr. Boyd in 1840, after which Mr. Mulford carried on the business for two years, when William Wendell was admitted as a partner, under the firm name of Mulford & Wendell. This partnership continued for twelve years, when Mr. Mulford retired, and Robert L. Mulford, his son, and William P. Feltman, were admitted as partners, under the firm name of Mulford, Wendell & Co. They remained at 480 Broadway until 1860, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Mulford withdrawing, and thereafter, until 1864, when Mr. Feltham died, the affairs of the firm were conducted under the firm name of Wendell & Feltham. In 1865, Richard H. Roberts became a partner, under the firm name of Wendell & Roberts. In 1868 they removed to No. 35 North Pearl street. In 1876 Mr. Roberts withdrew from the firm, when James H. Leake became a partner, the firm name becoming Will- iam Wendell & Co. This firm has lately been dissolved.

The jewelry store of Henry Rowland, 27 North Pearl street, was established in 1832 by the present proprietor, who keeps one of the largest and best assortments of diamonds, watches, clocks and jew- elry to be found in the city.

James Mix, No. 5 Beaver block, is another old established jeweler who enjoys a large patronage, and is widely known for the fine quality of his goods.

The firm of Marsh & Hoffman, composed of Benjamin Marsh and Frederick Hoffman, at 32 North Pearl street, are recognized dealers of essen- tially high standing in the jewelry business.

The other dealers deserving of mention are E. Max Fasoldt, 38 North Pearl; Otto H. Fasoldt, 83 North Pearl; P. D. F. Goewey; Benjamin L. Hood, 71 South Pearl; W. H. Williams & Son, 488 Broadway; R. P. Thorn & Sons, 5 Green; all of whom, by long experience and honorable deal- ing, have gained public confidence and patronage.

WOOL DEALERS AND LEATHER DRESSERS.

About 120 years ago, Charles Newman com- menced the business of wool-dealing and leather- dressing on Broadway. He was succeeded by Henry Newman in 1785, who continued it for seventy or more years. Thirty-six years ago Charles Newman, son of Henry Newman, suc- ceeded his father at his present store, 457 Broad- way, in connection with his brothers, John L. and James. For many years Charles Newman has con- ducted the business alone, which represents the oldest firm in the city, or perhaps in the United States, that has been engaged in the same business, on the same street and in the same city. It is said this house never had a note go to protest.

John Wilson started the wood and leather busi- ness on State street. A few years afterwards he moved to No. 53 Dean street. In 1839, his son, James, became a partner, under the firm name of John Wilson & Son, which continued until 1847, when the elder Wilson died. The business was conducted by his son until a few years ago. In

1853, he built the large warehouse No. 54 Dean street.

In the early part of the present century, Henry Guest, Jr., was engaged in the leather business on the corner of Church and Lydius streets. He died in 1820, and was succeeded by Andrew Light- body.

HON. ISAAC LEFEVRE,

of Albany, is a son of Daniel and Henrietta (Schermerhorn) Lefevre, and was born at Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., August 31, 1809. On his father's side he is descended from a family of those Huguenots who, driven from their native soil by their intolerant fellow citizens, crossed the sea to give to the American race some of its most valuable characteristics. Casper Schermerhorn, his maternal grandfather, was of sturdy Dutch stock, and in his time a thrifty tanner. Daniel Lefevre, his son-in-law, also became a tanner, and in their footsteps have followed Isaac Lefevre and his son, Martin R. Lefevre, Daniel Lefevre's son and grand- son respectively.

Isaac Lefevre possessed meager educational ad- vantages, no other opportunities being his than such as were afforded by the district school of his day and locality. But he was gifted with a thought- ful mind and remarkable powers of observation. These, with a love of reading, enabled him in after years to remedy, to a great extent, the educational deficiencies of his youth. He learned his trade in his father's tannery at Roxbury, and was for a con- siderable time employed there. September 20, 1836, he married Miss Margaret M. Richtmyer, of Blenheim, Schoharie County. In 1845 he went to Northville, Fulton County, and established a tan- nery in that town on the Sacandaga River, a branch of the Hudson. His business was successful and he continued it until 1865, when he sold it to re- move to Albany to look after some interests which he possessed there. Since 1862 he had been a partner in a leather commission trade, located at No. 6 State street. In 1868 he formed a partner- ship with Charles D. Rathbone, under the firm name of Rathbone & Lefevre, opening a leather commission store at No. 24 State street. Mr. Le- fevre about this time bought a tannery at Beaver Falls, Lewis County, where was manufactured much of the leather handled at their Albany store. The active management of this establishment was assumed by Mr. Lefevre's son, Martin R. Lefevre, who later purchased it of his father's firm and has since conducted it with much success, gradually adding to its productive capacity to keep pace with his increasing business. Mr. Lefevre's health fail- ing, he was obliged to dispose of his interest to Mr. Rathbone, and retire from active business life in 1878. During his long career as manufacturer and merchant no stain ever fell on his good name, and no creditor ever lost by him or his house. Honest, energetic, pushing, and at the same time affable, friendly and helpful, he combined all of those qualities which gain the public confidence and place a man on the highway of success.

642

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Mr. Lefevre has long been a liberal supporter of the public charities of the city, and those who know him best state that he has done much, quietly and unostentatiously, to alleviate the ills of his less fortunate fellow-beings. He is a generous supporter of the Presbyterian Church, upon the services of which his family are attendants. He has never taken such an interest in politics as to bring upon him the somewhat reproachful title of politician. But his interest in the proper conduct of public affairs has been both deep and intelli- gent. From a membership of the old Whig party, he graduated naturally to identification with the Republican organization, with which he has con- sistently voted and acted since 1856. The con- fidence of his fellow-citizens in his honor and ability was demonstrated in 1855, when he was elected to represent Fulton and Hamilton Counties, then constituting one Assembly District, in the State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Lefevre have had three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. The sons are Martin R., William L., and De Witt C. Lefevre. Miss Henrietta Lefevre is now Mrs. Winfield S. Wylie, of Rome, N. Y., and Miss Elizabeth Lefevre, Mrs. W. R. Bill, of Delhi, N. Y.

SEED STORES.

William Thorburn established a seed store at the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane in 1831, which he continued until 1868, when he sold out to V. P. Douw & Co. The firm of Price & Knick- erbocker bought out the business in 1875, and have since conducted it at No. 80 State street. When first established the trade was merely local, but under the present proprietors it has grown to large proportions, and extends not only all over the United States, but to foreign countries. Both a wholesale and retail trade is carried on. The in- dividual members are G. H. Price and David M. Knickerbocker. Over 3,000 varieties of seed are carried in stock.

READY-MADE CLOTHING AND MER- CHANT TAILORS.

The business of making and selling ready-made clothing was not confined very extensively to any one firm in Albany until 1846, when R. C. Davis commenced the tailoring business on the east side of South Market street, just south of Hudson street. His establishment was destroyed by the fire of 1 848, after which he opened a store in the Museum Build- ing. The following spring he moved into the Ex- change Building. In 1853, Charles G. Craft be- came associated with him, under the firm name of Davis & Craft, and began the manufacture of clothing for their own trade. The business of the house increased rapidly, requiring several removals to more commodious quarters. In 1860 George P. Wilson became a partner, under the firm name of Davis, Craft & Wilson. In 1870, the firm dis- solved and two separate houses were formed, one conducted by R. C. Davis & Co. (Jesse M. White),

and the other by Craft, Wilson & Co. (Charles G. Craft, George P. Wilson, James H. Gross and Stephen P. Corliss). The first firm remained at the old stand, while Craft, Wilson & Co. removed to the corner of Maiden Lane and Broadway. Davis & Co., in 1875, removed to 482 Broadway, where they did an extensive business for some years. They are not now engaged in business. In 1875 Mr. Corliss retired from the firm of Craft, Wilson & Co., and in 1878 Mr. Craft withdrew his interest and opened a store on the corner of James street and Maiden lane, where he is at present located. Wilson & Gross, the remaining members of the firm of Craft, Wilson & Co., are located at 490 Broadway. The sales of these two firms, both wholesale and retail, are very large.

At one time the manufacture of clothing was an important element in the trade of Albany. In 1872, the firm of R. C. Davis & Co. employed over 300 hands, their yearly pay-roll amounting to $125,000. At the same date the firm of Craft, Wilson & Co. employed between 500 and 600 hands. During late years this branch of the business has been practically discontinued in this city. Most of the ready-made clothing sold here is purchased from the large wholesale manufacturing firms in New York, Boston, Rochester and other large cities.

Besides the two firms mentioned, Henry L. Smith, 48 and 50 State street; Babcock, Shannon & Co., 605 and 607 Broadway; Julius Saul, Keith & Ward, the Rochester Clothing Company, etc., are extensively engaged in the wholesale and retail clothing business.

Among the merchant tailors, for many years the firm of Bailley & Brooks have occupied a leading position. Jonn P. Bailley, who now carries on the business, as remaining partner, at 25 North Pearl street, was born in Lyons, France, and came to the United States in 1859, settling in Albany in 1861, where he has since successfully carried on the mer- chant. tailoring business. John D. Brooks was born in Schenectady and came to Albany in 1859. He served in the Civil War and took much interest in military affairs in Albany, and at one time was Colonel of the Tenth Regiment, N. G. S., N. Y.

In 1820, Peter Relyea and Thomas Wright en- tered into partnership at 371 Market street. They were the leaders of the profession for many years. Ira Portis and Francis Horth, about this time, were also tailors of high standing.

John T. Johnson is another merchant tailor worthy of mention as a leading representative of this branch of trade. Mr. Johnson established his present business in Albany in 1878. He is now located at 35 Maiden lane, where he occupies a three-story building 25 x 70 feet in dimensions.

GAME, FISH AND OYSTERS.

Probably the oldest merchant in active business in Albany is Joseph Clark, the well-known dealer in game, vegetables and provisions, who com- menced business in 1826 as a peddler of fish and oysters. In 1837 he opened a small store in Wash- ington street, on the south side, between Hawk

andrew Rxunter

643

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

and Swan streets. He remained there twenty-seven years, when he removed to the building corner of State and Lodge streets, where he has since re- mained.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 144

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