Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 146

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 146

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648

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The drug store of Turner Brothers, corner of South Pearl and Schuyler streets, was founded in 1850 by the present proprietors, George H. & Charles Turner. They have built up a large busi- ness, and the house is well known to the drug trade. They also carry besides the usual variety of drugs, a large assortment of paints, oils, varnishes, window-glass and brushes.

The pharmacy of Charles H. Smith, at 246 Washington avenue, opposite Townsend Park, is a well-stocked drug store. Mr. Smith manufactures the American Stomach Bitters and his own fluid extracts.

William F. Elmendorf opened a drug store at Nos. 218 and 220 South Pearl street in 1879. He was succeeded by the present proprietor, William S. Elmendorf.

Martin W. Macomber has been engaged in the drug business in Albany since 1860. His store is situated at 42 Hudson avenue.

John C. McEwen established a drug store on Lancaster, corner of Dove street, in 1884. In 1885 he removed to 100 Washington avenue.

Joseph Bandorf, present proprietor of the well- known store corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane, succeeded Charles H. Teller, George G. Jewell, Edwin T. Bedell, R. S. McMurdy and George L. Brown.

Samuel C. Bradt has kept a drug store on Wash- ington avenue many years. Charles Frothingham was for some years a leading druggist on Broadway, just north of State; succeeded by Peter M. Murphy in 1866.

Among other druggists of the past, we find Henry Rolls, in Apothecary Hall, 57 State street; William Russell, near McClure's, on State street; Dr. Carr, Dr. Wyncoop, Dr. Elkins, Joseph Davis, A. B. & D. Sands, Edwin A. Clapp, Joseph Russell, Dr. Wharton, Dr. Hall, Dr. Spaulding, Dr. Springsteed, Dr. Rossman. Druggists were popularly called "doctors " in former days, because they dealt out "doctor's stuff." The title is now confined chiefly to all, be they coarse or refined, educated or charlatan, neophyte or wise, who gravely di- rect or deal powders, pills or drops to be given to the sick as long as life remains. What's in a name !

Dr. Stringer & Dr. Bay kept a full stock of the medicines used in the days of the Revolutionary War in medical practice in the family dispensary. Old Dr. Mancius kept quite a supply outside of his own practice.

The first educated druggist, who came to Albany about 1788, and opened the first real drug store, was Samuel Dexter, from Boston. Before his time a few common drugs were kept in nearly all the retail stores and by the physicians.

Mr. Dexter had two sons who graduated at Union and became lawyers-James and George- both very much esteemed. George, after his father's decease, kept up his business, holding it till re- cently, venerated for his years and character. Joseph Nellegar, now in the drug business on State street, was his partner some years, beginning March, 1850.

WILLIAM SAWYER

was born in the City of Albany, March 14, 1821.

His father, Luther Sawyer was born in the good old town of Lancaster, Worcester County, Mass., in which place his ancestors were among the first settlers. He came to Albany in 1813, and followed the occupation of a brick and stone-mason. He died February 7, 1827.

His mother, still living at the age of eighty-six in remarkable health and vigor, bore the maiden name of Ann Lombard. Is a native of the City of Boston, where she was born in 1799. She came to Albany in 1814 and was married in 1815.

On his mother's side, Mr. Sawyer descended from Stephen Hopkins, one of the pilgrims of the Mayflower. Of the forty-one males who made up that noble band that founded " a church with- out a bishop and a state without a king" on Plymouth Rock in 1620, one, Miles Standish, had the rank of Captain, and ten the respectable title of Mr., a prefix then given to men of exceptional influence and distinction. Among these "upper ten " are recorded Stephen Hopkins with John Carver and others.

When duties involving much discretion and re- sponsibility came up, Mr. Stephen Hopkins was usually "adjoined for counsel and advice," with John Carver, Miles Standish, William Bradford and Edward Winslow. We find him thus asso- ciated with these distinguished men in locating lots, laying out plans, trading with the Indians, and other matters of importance. He is spoken of as a householder and as having eight persons in his family, including two men servants. Among his numerous and highly respectable descendants is Stephen Hopkins, of Rhode Island, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Eseck Hopkins, the first commodore in the American navy, was brother to Mr. Sawyer's grand- mother on his mother's side. His home was in Boston. Atkins Lombard, a Boston sea captain, who died in 1799, was the father of Ann Lombard, the mother of Mr. Sawyer.

It is a matter of history that the continental flag was first displayed on the 3d day of December, 1775, on the ship of Eseck Hopkins, who, on the 6th of November preceding, had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the first American fleet.

The Declaration of Independence was publicly read for the first time on the 8th of July, 1776, by Commander Hopkins of the navy, to an as- semblage of citizens in the old State House yard in Philadelphia.

The subject of our sketch is the architect of his own fortune. Left fatherless and without patrimony at the age of five years, with a kind, prudent mo- ther, who had only her hands with which to pro- vide for her two sons, aged five and seven years, William Sawyer had none of the ease of wealth, none of the advantages of education in his early years. At nine years of age he was put to learning the trade of shoemaking, which he pursued until 1871, when he retired with a competence, having all these years given himself to his business

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

649

William Jaurfer

with remarkable persistency, sagacity and frugality. Most of his life of sixty-four years so far, he has spent in his native city. His life has been an act- ive one. In 1836-37, he had his home in Beth- lehem. In 1837 he was instrumental in starting the first Sunday School in that town, near Jerusa- lem church, at Feura Bush.

In 1838, he pursued his trade in the City of Syracuse and Geneseo, Livingston County, but re- turned to Albany late in the autumn of that year. This was before the Genesee Valley Canal was built, and Mr. Sawyer walked the thirty miles from Rochester to Genesee. On his return it took three days and three nights from Rochester to Utica by the Erie Canal. The railroad was opened from Schenectady to Utica that fall. The trip by rail from Utica to Albany occupied a whole night. After working about two years at his trade he went into business for himself, which he followed until 1849.

In 1851, he opened a shoe store in Fulton street, Brooklyn, opposite the City Hall. In 1852, here-

turned to Albany and opened a store at his old stand on South Pearl street, where he remained nineteen years, successfully engaged in buying boots and shoes on the ready cash system and in- vesting his surplus in productive real estate.

When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he bought a large stock of boots and shoes, selling them rapidly at war prices. The profits he in- vested in Government bonds, in real estate, chiefly in Kenwood, and in stores on Pearl street. He continued in the retail shoe trade a few years after the war. Since 1871 he has been actively engaged in works of benevolence, and in the care of the wealth which his shrewdness, energy and economy have placed in his trust. The wisdom of his investments has been well attested by time and experience.

With a minute knowledge of the affairs of the city, with open ears, and a keen eye to the main chance, taking counsel of himself, he is well known as a prompt, reliable man of business, and a firm friend and supporter of law and order.

650

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

His lack of early opportunities for education has largely been supplied by native tact and keen ob- servation. In the year 1850, with a laudable de- sire to make up early deficiencies, he left his trade for a time and devoted some of his earnings, under a skillful instructor, in acquiring a good practical knowledge of arithmetic and book-keeping and other branches most needed in daily life.

It is a matter of honest satisfaction to Mr. Saw- yer to be able to say to the young of to-day, that he never used intoxicating drinks, never used tobacco in any form, and never attended a circus or a theatre.

In matters of public policy he was an active anti- slavery man, and has ever been a decided friend of the American policy of encouraging and protecting home labor, sustaining free schools, and treating every honest citizen as an equal before the law. During the canvass that resulted in electing Abraham Lincoln, he was among the foremost of the "Wide Awakes" that did such effective service.

In religious preferences Mr. Sawyer is a decided Baptist. In 1840, he united with the Pearl Street (now Emmanuel) Baptist Church, while Elder Jacob Knapp was assisting Rev. Dr. B. T. Welch. In 1871, he removed his church relations to the Cal- vary Church.

His interest in the Sabbath School and mission work of the Baptist Church has been great and con- stant for many years. To it he has given much time and toil and money. July 29, 1866, the Ken- wood Chapel, which was started in 1864, was duly dedicated, Rev. Dr. Magoon preaching the ser- mon. This he gave to the Albany Baptist Mission- ary Union as a chapel for church purposes forever. On the day of its dedication the cars of the Albany Railway made the first trip to Kenwood. The Sunday School here numbers about 100.

The Robin Street Baptist Chapel was established by Mr. Sawyer in the German Baptist Church on Washington avenue, November 4, 1866, and re- moved to the Robin Street Baptist Chapel, into a building formerly used as a cabinet factory, which he had purchased and remodeled for that purpose, April 7, 1872, as an Independent Sunday School. To its interests he has ever given his most watchful care. The school now numbers about 300.

The Madison Avenue Chapel was purchased by him for Sunday School purposes in the spring of 1867. The school was started August 4, 1867, and placed in charge of the First Baptist Church. It has about 150 members.

Mr. Sawyer was one of the earliest and most active workers for the establishment of the Home for Aged Men, in soliciting subscriptions, organiz- ing, and in selecting its location. He was a mem- ber of the first Board of Trustees. He has often addressed audiences of young and old in exhorta- tion and textual discourse. His knowledge of the Scriptures, his zealous spirit, his nervous and rather eccentric manner, have made these addresses effective.

Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage with Catha- rine Blakeman, of Albany, June 28, 1843. Their

surviving children are Catharine, Agnes, Mary, and Jeannett, who married Michael T. Adams, Decem- ber 13, 1882.

BOOKSELLERS.

Among the earliest booksellers in Albany are William Seymour; D. K. Van Vechten; Obadiah Penniman, who came to Albany under the great printer, Isaiah Thomas; C. R. & G. Webster; E. & E. Horsford, who kept a store at 100 State street, closed about 1828; E. F. Backus, who made a specialty of law books; Daniel Steele & Son, cn Broadway, north of Hudson avenue, who kept the largest and best assortment of books outside of New York City. Daniel Steele died in 1828, and was succeeded by his son, Oliver. In 1836, the firm of Steele & Durrie was formed, succeeded, in 1849, by S. R. Gray and W. B. Sprague, Jr., under the firm name of Gray & Sprague. In 1855, the firm was dissolved, when S. R. Gray became the sole proprietor and has so remained. The present marble front building, 42 and 44 State street, was built by Mr. Gray in 1874, and covers an area of 35 x 100 feet, where he deals in a large and varied stock of books and stationery.

A unique business in the book line is that of Joseph Lord, who during the year 1844, while plying his trade of shoemaker, began to deal in stationery in a small way. About 1856, Mr. Lord's business had grown to such proportions that he gave up his shoemaking trade and devoted his whote time to the book and stationery business. In 1869, he built his present store, No. 19 Philip street, where he carries a large stock of the old and rare books, and the latest publications of books and periodicals.

S. W. Johnson, Samuel Shaw, and E. W. Skin- ner & Co., were prominent in the bookselling busi- ness in the early part of the present century.

Webster & Skinner was another old firm. They kept a store at the Elm Tree corner. They did an extensive publishing business until about 1838, when they went out of business.

B. D. Packard conducted a book store at 71 State street, about 1820. He was succeeded, in 1828, by the firm of Packard, Hoffman & White, which was succeeded, in 1833, by Elias Gates, who went to Troy about 1850, where he did a large business.

J. Orville Taylor, in 1836, carried on the book- selling business in Albany. He was succeeded by James Henry in 1840.

Joseph McDonough is chiefly engaged in selling antique books. His store, No. 30 North Pearl street, is the headquarters for the lovers of old books. His stock embraces a varied assortment of the antique in literature, and few booksellers know more about the contents of their books.

D. R. Niver makes a specialty of Sabbath-school and juvenile publications; E. H. Bender, on State street, has long been a well-known bookseller; and Edwin Ellis & Co., succeeded by B. & J. B. Sanders, keep a well-stocked and popular book store at 19 North Pearl street.

651

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

BILL POSTING.

The printing of the handsome show bills heralding the coming of theatrical troups, etc., has grown to to be very extensive in this country. The posting of most of these bills is done by Frederick A. Keeler, No. 15 Green street, who owns most of the prominent bill boards in the city. He has been engaged in this business for many years, and the name of "Keeler, the bill-poster," has become as familiar as any name in the city. It is only a few years since the death of Capt. John Smith, who was once a theatrical manager, and always a worthy man. He was for many years the leading bill- poster of the city.

SALOON KEEPERS.

The following are proprietors of liquor saloons at the places designated: P. Lasch, 395 South Pearl; John Brannigan, Hudson avenne, corner Grand; John G. Gannan, 60 Beaver street; and Thomas W. Dwyer, 276 South Pearl street. John J. Garrity is the proprietor of a restaurant at 241 Hudson avenne.

There are, besides these, saloons of every grade in Albany, from the sumptuously fitted bar-room to the modest place devoted to the sale of lager beer.

WINES AND LIQUORS.

The store of William J. Hill, importer and wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, was founded in 1869, who holds a prominent position in this line of trade in Albany. His premises at 96 Madison avenue consist of a three-story building, 25 x 90 feet in dimensions, which affords ample accommoda- tion for a large and complete assortment of foreign and domestic liquors. He imports foreign wines, brandies, gins, etc., direct from the producers. Mr. Hill has resided in Albany for the past twenty years, where he is well known and gener- ally esteemed.

M. D. Holbrook, 524 Broadway, deals largely in best California wines, and keeps a fine assort- ment of other liquors. P. Cushman & Co. have long been in the business, and have earned a widely extended, well established reputation for integrity and intelligence. E. Schell, 312 Broadway, sells wines from his own vineyard in California, and keeps the best of liquors for medical and domestic use. Charles Tracey, 20 State street, succeeds his father, John Tracey, who established the business in 1838, as rectifying distiller and dealer in choice liquors.

W. H. Livingston, 76 State street, succeeds his father, Hiram Livingston, a dealer in the best varieties of wines and liquors. Mr. Livingston, Sr., was a native of Albany, born in 1814, long a pop- ular hotel-keeper, and a worthy member of the honored Livingston family. He died in 1879.

The retail liquor stores of Albany are very nu- merous, and, as is now universally the case, every drug store deals in wines and liquors for medicinal and domestic use.

ALBANY HOTELS.

T THE earliest hotel of much importance in Al-

bany was the City Tavern, known later as Lewis' Tavern. It was said to have been built as early as 1667 by one of the Schuylers. It stood on the corner of State, and what was then a narrow arched passage on the south side of South Pearl street,. and was removed in 1856, when the latter street was opened. Its interior finish was elaborate for that day. It continued to be the leading hotel until the Tontine Coffee House was built during the latter part of the last century. Here Robert Lewis became famous as a landlord. He died June 17, 1798, and was succeeded by his son Stewart, during the proprietorship of whom it was the daily resort of the leading citizens of leisure, and of all distinguished visitors of that day. Im- portant deliberative meetings were held there.

The King's Arms Tavern was a well known hotel prior to the Revolution. It stood on what is now the corner of Green and Beaver streets. It bore the device of the King's Arms, which, during the Rev- ulution, became very obnoxious to the Sons of Liberty. Many was the threatening glance cast at the royal emblem by the patriots. At length the hostile feeling culminated in an open attack upon it by the populace, who tore it down and burned it at the foot of State street in the presence of a large concourse of people, amid cheers of patriots and the execration and hisses of the Tories.

At one time it was known as the Albany Coffee House. In 1812 it was kept by a Mr. Ladd. In 1820 it was opened by Christopher Dunn, and afterwards known as Dunn's City Coffee House. Mr. Dunn was a jolly and popular landlord. He came to Albany from New England about 1803, and died in 1830, aged 67 years. This hotel was torn down when the street was widened. During the days of coach travel it was a famous resort, where all the stages stopped.

The Tontine Coffee House in State street was built about 1795, and for many years was the prin- cipal hotel in the city. Worth refers to it in 1803 as the only one worth naming. In 1798 it was kept by the old stage properietor, Ananias Platt, who was succeeded, in 1803, by Matthew Gregory, one of the most famous landlords of his day. He was born in Wilton, Conn., August 21, 1757, and died in Albany, June 4, 1848. He held commis- sions, and served with honor during the whole War of the Revolution. He became proprietor of the Eagle Tavern in 1806, and having acquired a for- tune, in 1814 he bought and occupied the Con- gress Hall property. He was a careful citizen, sup- porting all good objects. He was always connected in some official position with local matters of busi- ness, religion, and benevolence. The Tontine House was the resort of leading politicians and dis- tinguished men of the State.

Congress Hall, which stood on the corner of Park Place and Washington street, was removed in 1878, to prepare a site for the New Capitol. For more than half a century it was the chief hotel of the city. For many years it was kept by Leverett

652

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Cruttenden, by whose name the hotel was best known. He was born in Guilford, Conn., and died in Bridgeport, July 14, 1838, aged 67 years. Mr. Cruttenden was a man of reading and of ready and brilliant humor, and from his talents and great popularity was usually one of the after-dinner so- cial circles. His hotel was the headquarters of the legal fraternity, members of the Legislature, and all distinguished travelers. Here Lafayette was enter- tained during his stay in Albany in 1824. Thesign of the house was the well remembered picture of Washington. Adam Blake was the last proprietor of this hotel.

The Eagle Hotel was another one of the earlier hotels of note in Albany. It stood on Hamilton street, near the dock, and was destroyed by the fire of 1848, after which stores were built upon its site. In 1810, Commodore Perry was tendered a recep- tion at this house in honor of his naval victory. Matthew Gregory, Leverett Cruttenden, H. H. Crane and H. Bamman were at different periods proprietors of this house.

The Adelphi Hotel was a popular resort in the last part of preceding and the fore part of the pres- ent century. It stood on the site now occupied by the Commercial Bank, and was torn down in 1816.

Crosby's Hotel, corner Beaver and South Pearl, was a well-known resort in the first quarter of the present century. It was a queer building in archi- - tecture. It contained a large room, called the long room, suitable for large gatherings, where mili- tary companies and civic societies were frequently entertained. It was destroyed by fire, and the Clinton Hotel was built upon its ruins.

The Mansion House, Market street, almost op- posite the steamboat landing, was another hotel worthy of mention in the early history of Albany. Among its early proprietors were the well-known landlords, Sidney Chapin, Hugh Cruikshank, Na- thaniel S. Skinner and F. Lathrop. The site of this hotel is now occupied by the Ransom iron- front store. For a short time it was called the City Hotel.

The Albion Hotel, which used to stand on the corner of Broadway and Herkimer street, was made memorable as the place where the great fire of 1848 started, caused by a washerwoman's bonnet taking fire.

In 1828, Nathaniel S. Skinner left the Mansion House on Market street, and took the house ad- joining the Commercial Bank, and converted it into a hotel long known as Skinner's Mansion House. In 1856 it was sold, and Van Heusen & Charles erected a store on the site.

The present American Hotel was established many years ago. It is located 100 State street. In 1832 John Thomas was proprietor. For a num- ber of years it was conducted by C. N. Bement, an efficient landlord, and well known to the traveling public forty years ago. The present proprietors are Babcock & Hopkins.

During the period of the greatest travel over the Great Western Turnpike, a few years prior to the opening of the Erie Canal, Albany was an advan-

tageous site for hotels. For a distance of a few miles beyond Albany there were from fifteen to twenty taverns. The father of the Hon. Eli Perry for many years during this period kept a hotel on the corner of Washington avenue and Swan street.

The Stanwix, on Broadway, corner of Maiden lane, was opened as a hotel in 1844. The building was originally erected in 1833 for business offices, and was four-stories high, the front built of Quincy granite. It stands on the site of the house where General Gansevoort, the hero of Fort Stanwix, was born. The main building was formerly surmounted by a hemispherical dome, forty-eight feet in diam- eter, said to have been at that time, in form, the most beautiful in the world. Underneath this dome was a large hall, sixty feet high, finished in the Grecian Ionic order. The first proprietors were Wheeler & Bromley. The present proprietor is Cebra Quackenbush.

The Delavan House was erected by E. C. Dela- van, on the site of a hotel of the same name, in 1845, at a cost of $200,000. It was opened as a temperance house by Nathaniel Rogers, of Boston, in 1845. Since then the proprietors who have been prominently connected with this house are Charles E. Leland and Theophilus Roessle. The present proprietors are T. Roessle, Son & Co.

The Delavan House has since its erection taken a front rank among the best hotels in the State. It is the resort of a large number of members of the Legislature and the leading State politicians. For years most of the political work attending the organization of the Senate and Assembly has been done within its walls. The reputation of the house as a first-class hotel is well maintained by the present proprietors.

The principal hotels in Albany at the time of the opening of the Delavan House were the Stan- wix Hall, Mansion, Townsend, American, Con- gress Hall, City, Eagle, and the Franklin House- all well-conducted hotels. The Townsend Hotel was afterwards changed to the Globe, and kept as a temperance house by Mr. Brayton. It is now ably conducted by ex-Sheriff James A. Houck.

The present Mansion House, 387 Broadway, conducted by William Thompson, is the third of that name.

The Kenmore Hotel was erected in 1878, and was run until the time of his death by Adam Blake, a colored gentleman, a worthy and respected citizen, and first-class caterer for the public. At one time he was proprietor of Congress Hall. Since his death the hotel has been successfully and admirably managed by his widow. This house enjoys a first-class patronage and is one of the best equipped hotels in the city.

Besides the hotels mentioned, the following are worthy of notice: Hotel Brunswick, 530 to 538 Broadway, George C. Gale, proprietor; Hotel Fort Orange, 40 and 42 Beaver street, Mrs. E. Engel, proprietress; the Belvidere House, 39 Beaver street, Mrs. E. Zeller, proprietress; Hotel Germania, 34 Beaver street, is conducted by Mrs. J. Bissikum- mer, daughter of John Wachter, who kept the

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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 146

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