Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 145

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 145

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John Keeler is extensively engaged in the oyster business at 85 and 87 Green street. He has recently opened an oyster-house on State street. At both of these places first-class restaurants are conducted.

James S. Livingston & Co., now on Broadway, formerly on State street, have long done a large oyster business on terms that increase public confi- dence and patronage.

H. A. Simmons, dealer in fish, corner of Lodge and Maiden lane, keeps up the long-established reputation of this stand.

FRUITS.

The oldest house engaged in the fruit business is that established by Augustus Wolenman, in 1840, on the west side of North Market street. Four years later he removed to the cellar under the store now occupied by Joseph J. Price. In 1856 he removed to the old Staats House, on the corner of South Pearl and State streets. In 1860, Jacob L. Lochner became a partner, under the firm name of Wolenman & Lochner, which continued until Mr. Wolenman's death, a short time ago.

Julius C. Wendt, on the corner of North Pearl and State, deals in the same class of fruits.

The most extensive firm is that of P. V. Fort, Sons & Co., wholesale dealers. It has been in existence many years, and has established a large trade. The individual members of the house are P. V Fort, Charles W. Fort, and Jewett N. Brown. They are located at No. 427 Broadway.

James Stevens & Sons, 349 Broadway, do a good business in bananas, oranges, and other fruits of that class. Joseph Clarke, Garrett & Beck, William Hagaman & Co., H. F. Henningway & Co., J. J. Shelley, T. J. Shelley, John E. Walker, J. Wenz & Co., and George W. Yerks deal extensively in fruits. E. M. Tinkham keeps a large stock of fruits of all classes, with almost every variety of groceries and provisions, at 78 to 82 Beaver, corner Grand street.

Many firms engaged in other business deal quite extensively in domestic fruits during the season.

WEST ALBANY CATTLE MARKET.

About the middle of the present century, the growth of the railroad facilities of the country, the rapid increase in population of the Western portion of the United States, and the large pas- turage there afforded for rearing live stock, soon developed an immense traffic in the transportation of cattle from the West to the East. Nearly all this business was done by the way of the New York Central Railroad. Feeding places for live stock were established at Buffalo, and it soon be- came necessary to establish another such place at a point about one day's journey from Buffalo. About this time Erastus Corning, Sr., was one of the di- rectors of this road, and it was mainly through his efforts that the Directors, in 1850, purchased three

hundred and fifty acres of what was then a wild tract of sandy and barren land, with the purpose of establishing a feeding-place at this point, now known as West Albany. Here the Company set apart a considerable portion of the land, upon which was built extensive platforms to secure safety in unloading, and covering some twenty acres with substantial pens, or yards, for the security of the different droves of cattle, where they could be fed and stabled until the owners found purchasers, shipped to other markets, or procured pasture lands in the vicinity.

It was but a year or two subsequently that West Albany became famous as a cattle mart, and stead- ily increased in the amount of business done, until it became the greatest depot for the wholesale trade in cattle of any market in the country.

Among the first to see the importance and reap the advantages of the growing trade was Isaac Moore, who opened the first yard at McGowan's, on the Schenectady Turnpike; next at the old Bull's Head Tavern, on the Troy road; then at Gallup's Hotel, corner Washington and Swan streets. An- drew R. Hunter and Nathaniel Gallup opened a yard at West Albany in 1856, followed by P. L. Eastman, M. Gillice, James Rooney & Co., and A. M. Bothick. R. McGraw is another pioneer stock- dealer at West Albany, and at one time one of the largest speculators in sheep.

The outlay of these persons, as well as the rail- road, was heavy, and to a certain extent experi- mental, but in the end justified their wisdom. In 1855 the average monthly freight receipts at West Albany were $25, 200; in 1861 they were $67,800; while in 1866, the hight of the cattle trade, they were fully $75,000. In 1859 the average weekly receipts were 2, 542 head; in 1860, 3, 141; in 1861, 3,348. At least two-thirds of the receipts were sold at West Albany, and assuming the average price to be $45 per head, it would appear that over $100,000 changed hands here every week, or about $5,000, coo yearly. This does not include the large traffic in sheep and hogs, which kept even pace with the cattle trade. Horses were also shipped here in large numbers, and formed an important element in the business done at West Albany. In 1866, when business was at its hight, 1,000 car- loads of cattle were received weekly, and 100 was a small average daily receipt.

During late years there has been a great rednc- tion in the amount of traffic done at West Albany. This has been due to several causes: mainly, the growth of abattoirs at Chicago; the improved meth- ods of shipping dressed beef in refrigerator cars, and the appliances for feeding cattle on the cars.

The receipts of live stock during the past seven years, as taken from the register at West Albany, shows the following in car lots:

Year. Cattle.

Sheep. Hogs.

Horses.

1878

28,238

10,262

4,849 627

1879.

31,484

9,923

5,449

949

1880

34,718

10,312

5,234

1,058

1881

33,452

10,057

5,153 906

1882

24,208

9,497

6, 172 788

1883.

20,847

6,595

10,718 717

1884.

17,444

6,925

10,891

815

644

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

ANDREW R. HUNTER,

one of the most prominent residents of West Al- bany, was born in the town of Hope, Montgom- ery County, N. Y., August 4, 1810. His parents were David and Affiah (Rich) Hunter, natives of Massachusetts, who were early settlers in that sec- tion. Mr. Hunter's life until he was sixteen years old was passed on his father's farm, and in the school afforded at that time in his native town. In the meantime his brothers, David and Elkanah, had removed to Albany and established themselves as gardeners, When in his seventeenth year, he joined them, and during the succeeding four years assisted them and at the same time familiarized himself with all the details of their trade.

At twenty he rented land on the flats above Al- bany and engaged in gardening on his own ac- count, in which he was successful and continued for some years. From a small beginning he grew to be a leading dealer in cattle and sheep, and carried on that business in connection with his gardening until about twenty-five years ago. At that time he opened an extensive cattle-yard at his then place of residence on the Troy road, and for years was largely engaged in keeping cattle for drovers. During this period he began purchasing land quite extensively in West Albany, which he improved and surveyed into lots, on some of which he built. Many he sold on favorable terms to house-seekers and business men. He also invested largely in property in Albany, and at this time he owns five houses on Livingston avenue, five on Hunter avenue, and three on Central avenue, West Albany, besides many vacant lots in that part of the city, and a house at the corner of Hud- son avenue and Willett street, together with other real estate in Albany proper, and he has owned and sold property on State and Lancaster streets and on Clinton avenue.

But it is to West Albany that his most important operations have been confined, and to him, as much as to any other man, West Albany is indebted for the rapid and steady growth it has enjoyed during the past few years. When he began to purchase land there, there was next to nothing to suggest the West Albany of to-day, and men who stood high in business circles, but who were shorter-sighted than Mr. Hunter, did not hesitate to predict his utter ruin as a consequence of the investments thus made; but time has demonstrated the wisdom of his scheme. His residence, one of the most sightly and home-like in West Albany, was built in 1874.

Mr. Hunter has been three times married. In 1874 he married his present wife, Mrs. Margaret Calhoun. They have a daughter eight years old. He is a Republican in political sentiment, but has never had either the time or the inclination to mingle actively in political affairs. He has been often sought out by those who would have thrust upon him the cares of an office-holder and has persistently refused to become a candidate; though once, against his protest, he was chosen a member of the Board of Supervisors, and as such served one term with credit to himself and satisfaction to the

public. But it is to be borne in mind that he has ever been a close and interested observer of public affairs, and he has constantly advocated the choice of upright men to places of public trust, and the worthy and economical administration of govern- ment.

BOOTS AND SHOES.

The wholesale trade is, perhaps, sufficiently indi- cated under manufactures.

In numbers the retail boot and shoe stores of Albany are next to the grocery stores, numbering 138 separate establishments. It might seem in- vidious among so many, to mention any. All will, however, agree that Joseph Fearey & Son, M. B. Sherman, M. P. Frank, Nye & Blatner, and H. B. Tuttle, are among the largest dealers.

S. G. CHASE

was born at Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., De- cember 28, 1806, and when about ten years of age (in the year 1817) was present at a gathering of a few distinguished gentlemen, about four miles east of Rome, to witness the throwing out of the first shovelful of earth by Governor DeWitt Clinton, at the commencement of the digging of the Erie Canal. The work was pushed forward rapidly, both East and West, and in 1825 the Erie Canal was completed from Lake Erie to the Hudson River at Albany. Mr. Chase took passage on the trial trip of the first Erie Canal-boat that was ever built. She was towed by one horse from Rome to Oriskany (a distance of eight miles) and return. It took many hours to make the trip. The speed had necessarily to be slow, for there was no one at that time who had had any experience in steering or in any way managing a canal-boat. The boat ran ashore several times in making the trip. The navigation was not considered dangerous, how- ever, for the original canal was not to have more than a depth of three feet of water in it. Soon after this memorable trip, his parents removed to Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y. The young man attended school during the winter months, while navigation was closed, and was employed on the canal in the summer season for some years. While the rocks at Little Falls were being blasted out to form the bed of the canal, two small packet- boats were placed on the canal to ply between Utica and Little Falls, and young Chase was em- ployed on one of them as steersman. When the canal had been completed to Schenectady, larger packet-boats were put on to ply between these two towns, at the tiller of one of which he was placed, intrusted with its guidance; and it was while so employed (in 1824) that he had the pleasure of seeing General Lafayette, who was a passenger on board. In 1827 he was employed by Messrs. Dows & Cary, of Albany, owners of the Washing- ton line of canal-boats, to take charge of one of their boats as captain, carrying freight and pas- sengers between Albany and Buffalo. The quan- tity of freight in those days was well adapted to the carrying capacity of the boats, for it was several

IL Chase

645

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

years before they could carry more than about twenty tons freight, whereas they now carry two hundred and forty tons. The early business of the canal consisted chiefly of movers from the New England States, with their household goods, to settle somewhere in the West, and of foreigners and their luggage emigrating to the West. The east-bound freight consisted mostly of staves from Buffalo, Tonawanda and Lockport, and perchance a little flour from Rochester. The lakes for some time furnished the canal with but little east-bound freight. Mr. Chase continued master of a canal- boat until 1835, when, coming to Albany to re- side, he engaged with E. S. Prosser, Esq., on the Pier as a tally clerk, loading canal-boats with mer- chandise for the West. He remained in Mr. Prosser's employ until the spring of 1841, when he organized a line of canal-boats for freight and pas- sengers to ply between Albany and Buffalo, con- necting at Buffalo with the house of John R. Evans & Bro. for the lakes, and at Albany with A. Van Santvoord & Co's. "swift-sure line " of barges for New York. All canal freights were reshipped at Albany in those days. The firm name at Albany was that of S. G. Chase & Co.

In 1856 eight different canal lines (that of Mr. Chase included) combined, forming a stock com- pany, with a capital of $800,000, under the name and style of the Western Transportation Company to do a carrying business between New York and Chicago. Mr. Chase was one of its original directors, and acted as its agent on the Pier at Albany until 1879, when he disposed of his entire interest and retired from business, after a period of forty-four years in the transportation and com- mission business on the old Albany Pier. He was a member of the Albany Board of Trade for several years, a Director in the Capital Insur- ance Company, and a Trustee in the Jagger Iron Company. Has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany for many years, and served several terms as an Elder in said church. He has been twice married and has five daughters, viz. : Mrs. A. K. Richards, Mrs. N. E. Simons, Mrs. C. M. Sears, Mrs. Irving Knickerbocker, and Mrs. John D. Parsons, Jr., all the issue of his first marriage.

TEAS, COFFEES AND SPICES.

During comparatively late years, in all the large centers of trade, stores have sprung up exclusively devoted to the sale of teas, coffees and spices. In Albany there are a number of such establishments some of which transact a large business in these commodities.

One of the leading houses in this line of trade is that of Anthony N. Brady, which was established by him in 1864 on South Pearl street. In 1867 he opened a store, No. I Beaver Block, and in 1874 another at No. 12 Central avenue. Both of these, and one in Troy, established in 1884, are under his proprietorship. His extensive and flour- ishing business is the reward of diligent work and fair dealing. Albert V. Benson, 86 State and 15

Clinton avenue; Walter McEwan and Albert Wing, Sons & Co., are also large dealers in these goods.

JOHN THOMAS, JR.,

was a prominent business man in Albany for many years. His father, a native of Wales, came to America when very young, married in due time, and lived in Mark lane (now Exchange street), which was then a very fashionable part of the city and in and near which many wealthy Albanians had their residences. There John Thomas, Jr., was born, September 27, 1815, the second son in a family of eleven children. At the age of seventeen he entered the old-time establishment of Gregory & Co., to learn the trade of upholsterer and carriage- trimmer. After serving his apprenticeship he went to Texas and remained there one year. On his return to Albany he engaged in the provision trade, which he continued for some years. About 1845 he purchased Goffe's coffee and spice business at No. IO Exchange street, and some years later removed his establishment to the corner of Dean and Ex- change streets, where his name and that of his establishment, the Premium Coffee and Spice Mills, gained reputation throughout the country. One night in January, 1860, his store took fire and was utterly destroyed. He opened a new store in the north part of Greene street and remained there until the erection of the building at the corner of Dean and Exchange streets, which he afterwards occupied until his death.

About 1840, Mr. Thomas joined the Albany Fire Department, as a member of Independence Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and served some years with credit, taking his part in such work as there was to be done, and making many friends among the firemen of that day, when the compa- nies were largely made up of the leading business men of the city. His knowledge, thus acquired, served him in good stead when his store was burned, as has been stated, in 1860. The weather was intensely cold, and it was almost impossible to manage the engines, which were brought to the scene by hand. Mr. Thomas himself directed the streams thrown upon a certain portion of the build- ing, fearing a large boiler therein would fall and cause a loss of life, a calamity which he was suc- cessful in preventing.

May 27th, 1844, he married Sarah Ann Parsons, who bore him six children, and was a most devoted and exemplary wife and mother. She died July 21, 1867. Mr. Thomas was a prominent and helpful member of the Pearl street Methodist Church and lived consistently with his profession. He was liberal and charitable in his views of his fellow-men; strictly honorable in his dealings; and in his family indulgent and generous-such a man as makes friends of nearly all with whom he comes in contact, and gives none just cause for ill- will. His temperament was bright, genial and happy. He was fond, above all else, of his home and its comforts, and the companionship of his family. Friendly and hospitable in a remarkable degree, he loved to entertain, and the friends who

646

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

SIMEON WATSON.

met at his fireside were many and steadfast. He died June 4, 1865, of pleurisy, after only a brief illness. Five of his children survive him.

SIMEON WATSON

was born in Middleville, Fairfield Township, Her- kimer County, N. Y., September 25, 1817, and died in Albany, March 8, 1872. He was a son of William Watson and Clarissa Ford, his wife. Gain- ing the rudiments of an education in the public schools then in vogue in his native town, he came to Albany at the age of eighteen, and obtained employment with George Harris, a cartman. He was industrious and saving, and was soon enabled to purchase a horse and cart and engage in carry- ing merchandise on his own account. His prompt attention to business soon brought him to the notice of merchants and others requiring such ser- vices as he could render, and his business increased rapidly and steadily, until he was the owner of forty horses and numerous carts and wagons, and constantly employed many men.

It is said that Mr. Watson is entitled to the dis- tinction of having conveyed the first load of mer- chandise over the swing bridge between Albany and Greenbush, which may be an item of interest to those who delight in picking up odd scraps of local history. In 1841 he married Miss Almira E. Kenyon, of Herkimer County, who survives him, as does also a daughter. Mr. Watson, as the result

of long and earnest labor and the exercise of good business abilities, amassed a competency. He made his own way in the world, unaided by wealth or influence. To him, the calling which had placed him on the highway of prosperity was good enough to follow to the end. He did not change his business, but constantly enlarged it; nor did he branch forth into any of the byways of speculation. He was honest and upright in all the relations of life, and among the business men who knew him he stood high for all those qualities which gain confidence and insure success. Belonging to no church, he gave liberally to many; he was chari- table to the poor, helpful to those who were strug- gling for a foothold in life, and an indulgent hus- band and father. A Republican in principle, he took no active interest in public affairs.

PAINTS, OIL AND GLASS.

About the beginning of this century the firm of Thomas, Joseph & Elihu Russell were the leading merchants in paints, oils and glass. They dissolved partnership in 1817, after which Elihu Russell & Joseph Davis continued the business. The Russell Brothers all became prosperous merchants and in- fluential in commercial circles. The leading firms in this business at present are William Dey Ermand & Co., 381 Broadway; Thomas Easterly, 165 South Pearl; John Kurtz, 376 to 384 Central avenue; and William Prescott, 676 Broadway.

647

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

TOBACCO AND CIGARS.

The smokers of cigars and chewers of tobacco are as numerous in Albany as elsewhere. Most of the wholesale dealers and manufacturers treated of elsewhere, are also engaged in the retail trade. Es- pecially is this true of Benj. Bayn's Sons and G. W. Van Slyke & Co. All of the retail stores manufac- ture to a certain extent. There are over one hundred firms engaged in this branch of trade in Albany. Among the first-class cigar and tobacco dealers are James Quinn, 174 South Pearl; D. A. Lawler's Sons, 776 Broadway; J. S. Hutman, 6 Music Hall.

ICE.

During late years the consumption of ice has in- creased to a wonderful extent in this country. Large capital is invested in cutting and storing it during the winter. The excellent water of the Hudson, and the streams and ponds of this vicinity, afford unequaled facilities for this important branch of trade, not only for home consumption, but for extensive exportation. The Albany merchants en- gaged in this business are well represented by Parker Hall, a son of O. Hall, deceased, whose office is located at 932 Broadway; Hiram Hotaling & W. C. Saxton, 55 Broadway; John Mullon & Sons, office No. 936 Broadway; Patrick Ronan, 19 Lumber District; Sanford Vroman & Co., Quay, corner Cherry.

UNDERTAKERS.

The merchants, if such they may be called, who follow the business of undertaking, are the most reluctantly patronized business men in any com- munity. Albany has its share of those who faith- fully attend to these melancholy necessities of civi- lization. For many years Marshal W. Tebbutt was the leading undertaker in Albany. He died a short time ago. His sons succeed him in the business. The following may be justly considered as those receiving the largest share of public patronage: Carr & Clark (E. J. Carr and James J. Clark), 117 Madison avenue; John Harrigan, 21 Canal street; James W. Morange, 51 Maiden Lane; John Metz & Son, 21 Central avenue.

TRUCKING.

The carting of freight and merchandise in this city necessitates the employment of a large number of men and horses. The firm of Fraser, Lockwood & Co. probably employ the largest number of men and horses in this business in Albany. They do the trucking for the People's line of steamers. Charles McGinnes, 377 Madison avenue, is the proprietor of a large business. Jacob D. Van Buren, 363 Hudson avenue, is another truckman largely engaged in trucking.

R. G. Dunn & Co.'s commercial agency has an office in Albany at 479 Broadway. F. E. Griswold is manager of this branch office in this city.

DRUGGISTS.

Louis Sauter established a drug store at 84 Green street in 1852. In 1861 he opened his present store at the corner of South Pearl and Plain streets. He has another store at 8 North Pearl street.

H. B. Clement opened a drug store at the corner of Broadway and Clinton avenue in 1859. In 1867 he leased the adjoining store on Clinton avenue to accommodate his trade; and in 1872 the adjoining store on Broadway. The three combined make a store 33 by 56 feet in dimensions. E. T. Rice be- came associated as partner in 1873. He retired in 1885, when H. J. Grose became a partner, under the firm name of Clement & Grose.

A. B. Heusted commenced the drug business at the corner of Eagle street and Hudson avenue in 1868, and has conducted it ever since. Dr. Heusted is an educated physician and pharma- ceutist.

Louis Gaus commenced business at 254 South Pearl street in 1876. He purchased from C. Sprim- hart, who had conducted a similar business from 1850.

J. J. Mattimore, with Mr. Ingraham, commenced the drug business at the corner of Madison avenue and Eagle street in 1879. In 1881 he purchased Ingraham's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. In 1884 he removed to his pres- ent location, 44 Philip street.

Robert F. & E. Eddy Safford first engaged in the drug business in 1882, at corner of Hamilton and Pearl streets. In 1885 removed to present location, corner of Lancaster and Dove streets.

F. B. Waterbury and Mr. Goffe became asso- ciated in the drug business on Hamilton street in 1881. Mr. Goffe retired in 1883. In 1885, George E. Jones became a partner. Moved to present location, No. 91 Hudson avenue, in 1884. Firm name, Waterbury & Jones.

The present wholesale drug house of A. McClure & Co. (composed of Archibald McClure, William H. McClure, William J. Walker and Charles Gib- son) was founded in the early part of this century by James and Archibald McClure. In 1833, George Dexter was admitted as a partner. This house occupies a high position in the drug trade all over the country. It is located at Nos. 74 and 76 State street.

The wholesale drug firm of Douw H. Fonda & Co. was organized in 1865. It is the continuation of a business established in the beginning of the present century by Thomas and Joseph Russell. The present firm is composed of Douw H. Fonda, Will- iam B. French and Henry R. Wright. Their estab- lishment is situated at 70 and 72 State street, in a commodious four-story building, 35 by 347 feet in dimensions. Paints, oils and varnishes form a very important feature of their stock. The trade of the house is confined principally to New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts, and requires the attention of three traveling salesmen, while a force of twenty assistants, besides the members of the firm, are employed in the store.

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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 145

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