Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 164

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 164

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).

From that time to the present, meetings have been held each week, with scarcely an exception, except during the summer vacation. During the exciting presidential campaign of 1884, meetings were held by the Society every week through the year, the members taking a deep interest in every move and counter-move of the parties in the contest.

The first meetings of the Suffrage Society were held in Geological Hall, afterwards the old Twed- dle Hall. After a few weeks in Mr. Hill's rooms on State street, the school-room and parlors of Miss Cooley, 23 Dove street, were opened to the society, where it had a home for three years with- out charge. Next the society for one year used the Old Assembly Chamber. After this its meet- ings were held from house to house for the purpose of reaching more people in different parts of the city, and the parlors of Mrs. H. V. Chapin, Mrs. J. M. Watkins, Mrs. W. H. Williams, Mrs. M. E. Mull, Mrs. Henrica Iliohan, and Miss Kate Stone- man were, in turn, the scene of interesting meet- ings. The society now holds its meetings in room No. 16 of the New Tweddle Building.

The President of the Albany Woman's Suffrage So- ciety for the first three years was Mrs. Mary Sey- mour Howell. Mrs. Howell was succeeded by Miss Martha Winne. The society never had a more earnest worker in the cause of woman suffrage than Miss Winne. Her earnestness cost her dear, how- ever, as her position of Principal of School No. 17 was lost to her by votes of anti-suffragists in the Albany School Board. She now holds a far superior position in the Nebraska State Normal School. She was the first martyr to the cause of woman suf- frage in Albany. Mrs. Joan W. Cole succeeded Miss Winne.

Miss Kate Stoneman has been Secretary of the society from the first. Miss Stoneman is a sister of General Stoneman, now Governor of California, and also of Judge J. T. Stoneman, of the Superior Court of Iowa, and a teacher in the State Normal School in Albany.

Mrs. Dr. Brown, former Treasurer of the society, and her mother, Mrs. Melius, wife of Wheeler B.

Melius, of the Albany County Clerk's Office, have given most important aid in the management of the society. Mrs. Charles Werner, the first Treas- urer, will long be remembered for her engaging manners. Miss Adeline E. Coley, present Treas- urer, more than any other member, has helped the society to keep its standing in Albany.

Mrs. E. S. Miller has given the society a work of love which must never be forgotten.

Mrs. Henrica Iliohan, the young Hollander, has always been a prominent member of the society. With her keen wit and her ready repartee, she has always defended the society in many an extempore speech.

Miss Mary A. McClelland, of the State Normal School, has brought to the society the finished style of her letters, addresses, and press articles.

Mrs. M. L. Smith gave to the society the benefit of her experience in the anti-slavery struggle.

Mrs. Dr. Cook, on rare occasions, narrated her experience as hospital nurse on the bloody battle- fields of the War of the Rebellion. Mrs. J. M. Watkins, the present Vice-President, a sister of the artist, George W. Boughton, brought her acquaint- ance with deliberative bodies, and her experience as president of temperance societies, and of the Woman's Relief Corps connected with the G.A. R.

The limitation of space in this history, alone prevents the mention of many more active workers in the Albany Woman's Suffrage Society. They form a company of women remarkable for strength of character, and devotion to religious and chari- table works. Their work has advanced the woman suffrage cause in the entire Republic. It has made itself felt in the most marked and beneficent man- ner in the Legislature in Albany. The members of this society have been granted hearings by com- mittees in both houses of the Legislature, and wo- man suffragists now receive respectful attention from members of Assembly in place of the sneers, contempt and ridicule which were thrown at the women who presented petitions the year when the society was first formed.

The society has had occasion to call upon the Mayor, Common Council, Chief of Police, and other officers of the city, in connection with efforts to secure women matrons for police stations, and though the bill to secure this desirable purpose has not yet become a law, the society has full faith that the unfortunate women in station-houses may yet bless the day when the Albany Suffrage So- ciety began its existence.

Mrs. S. Le Bœuf is the most prominent worker for this aim of the society.

A notable event in the history of woman suffrage in Albany was the memorial service for the women of the War of the Rebellion, held in the Old As- sembly Chamber -- the last public meeting held in the Old Capitol before its walls disappeared from the earth. It was a fitting service for the last use of the room where the gallant Ellsworth and the martyr Lincoln had rested. At that memorial, held on the eve of Decoration Day, the old Assembly desk was covered with beautiful spring flowers that found their way the next morning to soldiers' graves

ART AND ARTISTS.

737

in the Rural Cemetery. Anna Ella Carroll, who planned the campaign of Tennessee, was not for- gotten. Harriet Beecher Stow's immortal work was called the force that led to the emancipation of

the negro. Recognition of women living is the pledge which the Albany Suffrage Society gives with its tears to the memory of the noble dead of all ages who have offered up life for liberty.

ART AND ARTISTS.

T one time Albany had a Gallery of Fine Arts, where were collected quite a display of good pictures by such artists as Durand, Sully, Peale, Chapman, Carleton, Weir, the Harts, Ames and others. Several creditable public exhibitions of pictures were opened at sundry times. But most of the artists sought more favored homes, and the treasures of the gallery were scattered. Some of their pictures are now in trust with the Young Men's Association and may be seen in its rooms. Ames, who was the founder and leading spirit had died. There are good pictures in Albany now in private homes,and some considerable art appreciation, but no organized exhibition or encouragement. Page, the younger Ames, the younger Palmer and Low, were born here. Boughton once resided and now has family friends here. Launt Thompson was brought out here by Dr. J. H. Armsby, and the elder Palmer, and is now one of the most eminent living sculptors. Wm. M. Hunt, born in Vermont, has left one of his masterpieces in our New Capitol. Palmer has done some of the best work in American sculpture; while Elliott was a master in portrait painting; and Twitchell, many think, quite equals, if he doesn't ex- cel him in some requisites of true portraiture. His studio is here. The Hart Brothers and McDougall were once Albany boys. The colored female sculp- tor, Edmonia Lewis, was born in Greenbush.

Art owes something to Albany. But it has now no art gallery. Some nice pictures may often be seen in the art store of Richard Annesley, who suc- ceeds his father, Lawton Annesley, who started the business in 1802. Mr. Vint, late partner of Annesley, has an art store, and so has John Pladwell.

We give below sketchy notes of most painters and sculptors who have had Albany as their place of birth or their home.

AMES, EZRA, born in Worcester Co., Mass., about 1768, was in Albany in 1793; died February 23, 1836. He was a painter, and acquired distinction as a student of art; executed with great fidelity a large number of original portraits, and made copies of many paintings of merit. His wife was Zipporah Wood, of Uxbridge, Mass. He was a Director in the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, and left a good estate. He was one of the first, brightest, and most prominent Masons in Albany; once Master of the Grand Lodge of the State. He left several children, among whom were Julius Rubens, an artist of merit; Angelo, a well-known citizen; and Mrs. Rev. William James.

BENJAMIN, SAMUEL GREEN WHEELER, was born in Argos, Greece, in 1837, son of an American mis-

sionary. He began his art education with Brindesi, of the Spanish and Italian school. He furnished cuts for Illustrated London News. Was elected a member of the Boston Art Club in 1873. Mr. Benjamin is an author as well as an artist; has contributed essays and poems to the North American Review, Atlantic, Harper's, and other periodicals, and prepared many interesting volumes illustrated by his own pencil.

BOUGHTON, GEORGE H., born in England, 1834. Taken to Albany in 1837, where, without masters, he began the study of his art, opening his first studio in 1850. He sold one of his earliest works to the American Art Union in 1853, and on the proceeds went to London for study. Returned to Albany in a few months. In 1861, removed to London, where he has since resided. All his pictures command high prices, and many are to be found in the finest private galleries in England and America. His brother, Daniel, is a well-known hat and fur dealer in this city.

BROWN, HENRY KIRKE, born in Massachusetts, 1814, but in 1840 settled in Albany. In 1846 he cast, in bronze, the statue of Washington, in Union Square, New York City-the first bronze statue executed in this country; unveiled July 4, 1856. His late works are a statue of General Nathaniel Greene, in the Capitol at Washington; one of De Witt Clinton, in Greenwood Cemetery, and one of General Winfield Scott, in Washington, D.C.

CARPENTER, FRANCIS BICKNELL, born in Homer, N. Y., 1830. Settled in New York City, 1851. In 1852, elected Associate of the National Academy, and was at the time its youngest member. Among his full-length portraits are Abraham Lincoln, in the Capitol at Albany, painted in 1874. His most important was " The Emancipation Proclamation," which was exhibited in 1864-65, through the Northern States. It was purchased for $25,000 by Elizabeth Thompson, and presented to Congress in 1877. It now hangs in the House of Represent- atives.

DIX, CHARLES TEMPLE, born in Albany, 1840, graduated at Union College in 1858, and turned his attention to art at an early age. Entered the army at the outbreak of the Civil War, serving on the staff of his father, General John A. Dix. On the return of peace he adopted art as a profession, and settled in Rome. "Sunset at Capri" is one of his best known works. He died in Rome in 1873.

DOOLITTLE, EDWIN STAFFORD, born at Albany, 1843. He studied painting with Hows and Hart. In 1869, he painted his "Shadow of a Great Rock in a Weary Land." His subjects are chiefly land-

738

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

scapes and marine. He has also executed illus- trations, designed book-covers, and written occa- sional poems.

DURAND, ASHER B., born in New Jersey, 1796. He was one of the original members of the Acad- emy of Design, organized in 1826. Was its Presi- dent for sixteen years. About 1835 he decided to become a painter. Mr. Durand may. be termed the father of American landscape, which he treats as a poet would treat it. He uses mountains, lakes and trees to express the emotion they have awakened in him. His "Old Man's Reminiscences," may be seen in the Young Men's Association. His "Lake George " (1875) is the production of an octoge- narian whom American art and American artists honor.

ELLIOTT, CHARLES LORING, born in Scipio, N. Y., December, 1812; died in Albany, August 25, 1868. He is said to have painted more than seven hundred portraits of eminent people, among them Erastus Corning, in the State Library at Albany. " The Head of Skaneateles Lake " is the only land- scape he ever painted. He was once a pupil of Trumbull. He was not a genius, but gained his eminent rank by hard work.

FREEMAN, JAMES E., a native of Nova Scotia, came when young to Albany. He has resided for many years at Rome. His wife has devoted herself to sculpture, one of her best known works being "Culprit Fay."

GAY, EDWARD, born in Ireland in 1837. He commenced the study of art in the studio of James Hart, in Albany. In 1867, he opened a studio in New York, where his professional life has since been spent. "Late Afternoon near Albany " was exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876.

HART, JAMES M., born in Scotland, 1828. Brought when young by his parents to Albany. His landscapes exhibit a thorough knowledge of light and shade of atmosphere, and of perspective. He is also remarkable for his representations of cattle.

HART, WILLIAM, born in Scotland, 1822. Came to America in 1831, and lived for some time in Albany, where he worked in the establishment of a coachmaker, painting panels, etc. In 1848, he opened a studio in Albany. He was first President of the Brooklyn Academy of Design, and Presi- dent of the American Society of Painters in Water Colors, from 1870 to 1873. His style is rich and glowing, and be seems to prefer Nature in her brightest rather than in her dark and gloomy phases.

HARTLEY, J. S., born in Albany, 1845. He began his professional life in sculpture under E. D. Palmer. Going abroad to study, he spent three years in England, entering the Royal Acad- emy, and gaining a silver medal in 1869. He has been for some time a resident of New York.

HUNT, WILLIAM MORRIS, born in Brattleboro, Vt., 1824. It was his original intention to become a sculptor, but he soon abandoned this design and turned his attention to painting. He has painted portraits of many noted people. He ex- celled also in landscape studies. His pictures in

the Assembly Chamber at Albany have attracted much attention. They are intended to represent Morning and Night, and were painted by artificial light. Hunt was drowned at Portsmouth, N. H.

HUNTINGTON, DANIEL, born in New York, 1816. Studied under Professor Morse in 1835. Went to Florence in 1839; was President of the National Academy from 1862-69; again elected in 1877. Excelled in portraits and in landscapes. Among his portraits is that of President Van Buren, in the State Library, Albany.

INMAN, HENRY, borne in Utica in 1802; died in 1846; portrait, genre, and landscape painter. He numbered among his sitters in America many dis- tinguished men, and while in England painted Wordsworth, Macaulay, and others.

Low, WILL H., born in Albany, 1853, a pro- tege of E. D. Palmer; studied, also with Gerome and Duran. Among his important works are " Rev- erie-Time of the First Empire," belonging to J. B. Thatcher, of Albany, and a portrait of Albani, the property of Robert Higgins, of Albany. He is a son of the late Addison Low, and brother of Mrs. Judge Danaher. He is a popular and growing artist.

MARTIN, HOMER D., a native of Albany, a self- taught artist, with the exception of a few days' study under William Hart. Very successful as a land- scape painter. His "Adirondacks," belonging to the Century Club, was at the Philadelphia Exposi- tion of 1876. In 1878, he made, for Scribner's Monthly, a series of sketches of the homes of Ameri- can poets.

PAGE, WILLIAM, born in Albany, 1811. His talent was early developed, as at the age of eleven he received a premium from the American Insti- tute for Indian ink drawing. In 1828-29, we find him engaged as a portrait painter in Albany; but later he opened studios in New York and Boston. He was considered the leading American portrait painter in Rome. A head of Christ, exhibited at the National Academy and elsewhere, attracted much attention. He died recently at an advanced age.

PALMER, ERASTUS D., born in Pompey, N. Y., April 2, 1817. For many years he resided in Utica, following his trade of a carpenter. In 1846, settled in Albany, and began his professional career as a cameo-cutter. In 1852, he executed his first important piece of sculpture, "The Infant Ceres," which attracted much attention. "The Angel at the Sepulchre," in Albany Rural Cemetery, is well known. He has done much in marble. He has executed portrait busts of Erastus Corning, Gover- nor Morgan, and other prominent men. His bronze statue of Chancellor Livingston was com- mended for artistic excellence at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876.

PALMER, WALTER S., native of Albany, and son of the sculptor, Erastus D. Palmer. He studied in Paris, and on his return, in 1877, opened a studio in New York, devoting himself to landscape painting. He has also been very successful with interiors. He has a studio in Albany, and is re- garded here with much pride as an artist.

FUN

739

ART AND ARTISTS.

SMITH, S. L., born in Glasgow, 1825. Coming to America when quite young, he studied for a short time under George H. Boughton, in Albany. In 1859 opened a studio in Albany, and remained three years. In 1862 he removed to New York, where the rest of his professional life has been spent. He has devoted himself almost exclusively to the painting of winter scenes with marked suc- cess.

TWITCHELL, ASA W., was born in Swanzey, N. H., January 1, 1820. His ancestry goes back to the Puritan emigrant from England in 1634. After spending his boyhood in Vermont, Keese- ville and Lansingburgh, N. Y., he came to Albany in 1843. He had an early passion for making sketches of the human face. His first portrait was painted in 1839. He has been a master to him- self. He aims to delineate character, and endea- vors to present his subject at its best in active life. Hence his portraits are life-like in expression. A few years ago he visited the galleries of the old world, and brought back with him a new enthu- siam in his favorite art. He is still closely at work in his studio, and producing some of the best por- traits in Albany.

WILES, LEMUEL M., born in Wyoming County, N. Y., 1826. Studied under William Hart, in the Albany Academy, between 1848 and 1851, and under Cropsey in New York. In 1864, he settled in the metropolis. His specialty is landscape and figure painting. In 1873-74, he went to Panama, California and Colorado, where he executed a large number of views, which are valuable as being the only studies in color of the old mission churches and cathedrals of those regions.

EZRA AMES

was born in Worcester County, Mass., about 1768, and was a resident of Albany as early as the year 1793. A painter by profession, he acquired dis- tinction as a student of art. He executed with great fidelity a large number of original portraits, and made copies of many paintings of merit. He was a Director in the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank and left a good estate. He married and had children. One of his sons, Julius Rubens Ames, was an artist of much promise, but his course was cut short by an untimely death. Another son, Angelo Ames, is a well-known resident of Albany.

ENGRAVING.

Probably the first engraver who settled in Albany was G. Lansing, who, in 1806, advertised that he intended to practice his business of wood engrav- ing on Court street. He studied with the cele- brated Anderson, of New York. Simultaneously with his advertisement appears some cheap wood- cuts in the Gazette.

In 1818, Rawdon & Balch advertised a partner- ship as engravers, at the old stand of Mr. Rawdon.

Joseph E Gavit settled in Albany in 1838, and was engaged as a bank note engraver from 1841- 59, and carried on an extensive business. He

removed to New York City in 1859, and was instru- mental in forming the American Bank Note Com- pany. His son, Joseph Gavit, is still carrying on the work of steel engraving and printing in Albany, at 52 North Pearl street.

The other steel engravers are R. K. Quayle, 54 North Pearl street, and George W. Lewis, 452 Broadway, who also produce wood and copper- plates. The wood engravers are Hiram Ferguson, 448 Broadway, and R. Z. Sheridan, 26 Douw's Building.

ARCHITECTURE.

The following account of the architectural fea- tures of Albany, with a few changes in the text, is taken from Phelps' Hand-book of Albany:

But few examples of the primitive Dutch struc- tures of about two hundred years ago exist in this city. The buildings on the southeast corner of State and Pearl streets, and northeast corner of Pearl and Columbia and Chapel and Steuben streets are the best examples of these early buildings, one of them bearing the date of 1710. Modern build- ings in Albany are erected with brick of local manufacture; also Philadelphia, Croton, and other pressed brick; sandstone from Nova Scotia, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ohio; Schenectady blue- stone; granite; and cast-iron for fronts, and for trimmings to doors and windows. In Albany, as in all old cities, three periods in architectural designs are distinctly noticeable, viz., the "Carpenters," as are a majority of the domestic houses in the oldest portions of the city, together with public buildings, such as Geological Hall, Globe Hotel, and old Normal School. Secondly, the "Transition" from the first named to architects' handiwork, included in which are the numerous buildings remodeled for stores, offices, etc. Lastly, "Art Culture," in which may be cited numerous private residences upon Elk and State streets, and on Washington and Madison avenues, and near the Park; the Kenmore Hotel, Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, and many modern suburban residences.

In ecclesiastical architecture, prominent as ex- amples of decorated Gothic are St. Peter's and St. Joseph's; the Cathedral furnishes a good example of the Perpendicular. The carved work in the tower of St. Peter's Church is probably unsurpassed in design and faithfulness of the workman by any work in America or Europe. The Lutheran Church on Pine street is a creditable specimen of early English, wrought out of brick. The Meth- odist Church and Baptist Church on Hudson ave- nue are interesting studies in Gothic and Greek characters. In Romanesque we might mention the Reformed Church, on Pearl street; St. Mary's, on Lodge street; and Our Lady of Angels, on Cen- tral avenue; while the new City Hall is one of the finest examples of the style in America, with a square Norman tower for the fire alarm. The new Post Office and the Presbyterian Church near the Park, are also examples of the Romanesque. The New Capitol may be generally described as belong- ing to the French Renaissance style, distinguished

740

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

from the Italian by the introduction of Gothic features. The Presbyterian Church upon Chapel street approaches Sir Christopher Wren's style in many of its prominent features, although its spire finish, the pumpkin and codfish, are wide depart- ures therefrom. The interior design and arrange- ments of All Saints Cathedral Chapel furnish proof of success of culture in the architect.

This building promises to be one of the finest church edifices in America. The Holy Innocents Church on Pearl street, a gem, pure in conception, should be seen by tourists and lovers of art.

The public schools of the city are genuine, practical, sensible designs, embodying interiors and floor plans in keeping with intended purposes, affording comfort to teachers and pupils, while familiarizing the eyes of youth with taste, cleanli- ness, and sanitary demand. The St. Agnes' School is a model of its kind, and although simple, al- most severe, in style, yet its numerous architectural surprises tend to leave an agreeable impression on the memory. The Grecian pretensions of the Fe- male Academy are in rather unpleasing contrast with their modern surroundings, and calculated to suggest unfavorable criticisms. The Sacred Heart Convent, at Kenwood, deserves particular mention for its charming location, and as an illustration of Gothic character adapted to an institution of edu- cation. Another illustration of simple good taste in architecture, striking the eye favorably and leav- ing pleasing impressions, is the Child's Hospital, modern, yet antique, in its conception. In the State Armory, corner of Eagle street and Hudson avenue, is a fine type of military architecture, resembling the baronial style introduced into England by King Edward I upon his return from the crusades. Among many other edifices worthy of note are the Boys' Academy, the Madison Ave- nue Reformed Church and the State Hall.

The most noted architects in the early part of this century were Christopher Batterman, of Boston, Philip Hooker and Elias Putnam, of Connecticut, and Jonathan Lyman, of Massachusetts. They came here to reside, and designed and erected most of the larger and better public and private buildings of their time, which have been admired for the common sense of their proportions and the good taste and finish of their work. They have stood well the test of time.

Walter Dickson, J. B. Halcott, Charles C. Nichols, Fuller & Wheeler, Ernst Hoffman, Gil- bert Prettyman, Robert W. Gibson, Charles S. Edgerton, Adolph Fleischman, F. H. Janes, Ogden & Wright, are the architects of to-day.

WILLIAM L. WOOLLETT.

WILLIAM L. WOOLLETT, whose name is so insep- arably connected with the architecture and build- ings of Albany, was born June 24, 1815, in Water- bury, near Maidstone, Kent, England, and came to America in 1834. From that time his life was passed almost continuously in this city, where he advanced by sure and rapid steps to a foremost place in his chosen profession, and achieved honor

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 164

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