Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 187

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 187

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FULLER'S STATION.

This thriving hamlet grew up largely as the re- sult of the personal endeavor of Hon. Aaron Fuller, in honor of whose father it was named. It was through his efforts that a station on the West Shore line was established here, and his ex- tensive business is one of the most prominent local interests. The place contains a public house and store, kept by Sandford S. Ford ; the store of S. Van Allen ; the hay press and produce commission business of Hon. Aaron Fuller ; the hay press of Tygert & Martin, dealers in produce, and a pop- ulation of about sixty. In this part of the town is the State Road Methodist Episcopal Church.

HON. AARON FULLER.

AARON FULLER was born in Guilderland, August 21, 1832. His father was Hon. John Fuller, who was universally known as Major John Fuller, on account of his rank in the old State militia. He was elected to the Legislature in 1846, and was for two years supervisor of Guilderland (1846-47), was a man of influence in the town and county, and died in February, 1882, aged nearly eighty- one years. Mr. Fuller's mother was Harriet Moak, who was born in 1804, and died in her fifty-ninth year. Both his parents were natives of New Scotland.

Mr. Fuller received a thorough rudimentary edu- cation in the public schools, and in 1849 entered the Schoharie Academy. where he was a student a year and a half. It had been his intention to prepare for college there, but his health failing, he was obliged to return to farm life, to which he had been reared. February 27, 1863, he married Miss Ada Fitch, of New Scotland, who died seven months afterward.

Mr. Fuller relinquished farming about fifteen years since, and engaged in the produce trade at Fuller's. This station is on a portion of Major Fuller's old homestead, and it was in his honor

that it was so named, upon the opening of the West Shore Railroad, the station on the Athens branch of the New York Central Railroad, and the post-office, having been called Fuller's Station for some years before. It has been chiefly through Mr. Fuller's influence that most of the improve- ments in connection with the railway interests at Fuller's have been made.

Mr. Fuller was reared in the Democratic faith politically and has never seen reason to depart therefrom. In public affairs, both local and na- tional, he has always taken a deep and intelligent interest. In the spring of 1881, he was elected to the office of supervisor of Guilderland by a majority of 110, with a political majority against him of about 220, which, more clearly than anything else could have done, demonstrated his personal popularity in the town ; and he has been three times re-elect- ed. That this popularity extends much further than the town limits will become apparent, wlicn it is stated that Mr. Fuller was, in 1881, elected to the Legislature by a majority of 200 in his assembly district, overcoming a Republican electoral majority of 1,800. For private reasons, he declined a re- nomination. So satisfactory had been Mr. Fuller's official career, that in the fall of 1882 he was urged strongly to stand as the Democratic candi- date for Sheriff of Albany County.

Following in the religious faith of his parents, Mr. Fuller is a member of the Reformed Church of Guilderland, with which they and their entire family were long connected.

GUILDERLAND STATION

Is a hamlet of about 100 population, and is of comparatively recent growth. The principal busi- ness is carried on by Hallenbeck & Bloomingdale, dealers in cut hay ; Isaac Reamer, dealer in hay and straw ; F. Van Liew, Jr., general merchant, and George Lauer, blacksmith.

M'KOWNSVILLE

Is a settlement in the southern part of the town ; is so known in honor of the Mckown family, who early settled here, and in successive generations have figured prominently in town affairs. It con- tains a small hotel and a population of about 50. Its most widely known resident is Thomas Helme, M. D., who has passed most of his professional life here.

KNOWERSVILLE.

The largest and most important business center within the town limits is Knowersville, on the Del- aware and Hudson Canal Company's Railroad. Here the most striking improvements in the town have been made, for the village, which has a popu- lation of not less than 600, has sprung up almost like Jonah's gourd. That part of the place lying most remote from its center of population was for-

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

merly known by the same name, and during late years has been popularly referred to as " Old Know- ersville," in contradistinction from Knowersville proper. It was there that the Knower family, long prominent in this part of the town, settled and opened the work of improvements, and a factory was located there as early as 1800.

On the site of the most considerable portion of the present village of Knowersville there were no buildings, in the fall of 1863, except two farm houses. September 16, that year, the first pas- senger train from Albany to Central Bridge, Scho- harie County, passed this point. That was a day which will ever be memorable in the history of Knowersville. In the spring of 1864 a store was built by Becker & Hilton. It has been occupied by Albert Ward, from 1865 to 1868; by Crounse & Hilton, from 1868 to 1878; by Mr. Crounse (who still owns the building), from 1878 to 1883, and since April 1, 1883, by Mynderse & Pangburn. A depot and several residences were built before the close of the year 1864, and since that time im- provement has been rapid.

In 1868 another store was built by Ira Witter, who soon sold it to Joseph W. Wright, who occu- pied it until the spring of 1884, when he leased it to Abram A. Tygert, its present occupant. A third store was built five or six years ago, which has been managed by Mr. Crowe, Davenport & Crowe, and since the spring of 1885, Davenport & Fred- ericks. About five years ago, Rev. N. Klock built a store, in which he carried on business about a year. A tin and stove store was opened by W. H. Lay, who was succeeded by Osborn & Taber, the present proprietors. A furniture and undertaker's store was opened by John Thierolf in 1877. In the spring of 1885 it passed into the hands of Ogs- bury & Vanderpool.

In 1867 the Union Hotel was built. It was at first managed by George Seversen, who in about six months gave place to Andrew Warner, who was in charge one year. In 1869 he was succeeded by John Stafford, the present proprietor.

The Knowersville House was built in 1876 by James Ogsbury, who occupied it but a short time. It was purchased by Adam Wetherwax, the pres- ent owner. The German House, a saloon, was opened in 1873. It is now owned by Christian Hartman, who leases it to M. Van Auken.

In 1874 Henry Lockwood built a carriage fac- tory, which was occupied by Van Benscoten Brothers from 1874 to 1880, and since then has been operated by Van Benscoten & Warner. James Ostrander, manufacturer of and dealer in shoes,

has been in business three years. In 1870 William H. Van Benscoten established a harness shop, which for several years past has been under con- trol of Frank Decker. Nathaniel Sturges, jeweler, has been in business about ten years. Hiram Fre- dendall's bakery was established in 1879. A saw and planing mill was established a few years ago by Philley, Elsass & Warner. They were suc- ceeded by Elsass & Philley, and they by Sands & Son, who have put in a grist-mill with three runs of stones, and are doing a good business in their line. Snyder & Prout have for some years been manufacturing and dealing in wagons and car- riages. Van Aernam & Steiner, painters, began business in 1874.

The following firms and individuals are engaged in the hay trade: Roman & Co., of Albany, James Campbell, agent; Fairlee & Elsass; Isaac Reamer, representing New York capital, and James Finch, with a similar connection. Sylvester Sands, New- ton Ketcham, Frederick Mynderse and Frederick Keenholtz are grain buyers, some of them also handling buckwheat flour and other produce. Smith Philley, station agent, deals quite extensively in plaster, lime, cement, oil and flour. Other business and mechanical interests are represented by Rev. A. P. Ludden, fruit grower; Ira Fairlee, liveryman, and Friday & Sharp, blacksmiths.

Hon. Hiram Griggs, attorney, has been a resi- dent of Knowersville since 1862, and has exerted an influence by no means slight upon the growth and prosperity of the place. Atchison Mitchell, Esq., another successful lawyer, has been practic- ing his profession in the village about four years. Drs. Frederick and Jesse Crounse and Rufus T. Barton are resident practitioners.

About 1877 Rev. N. Klock began the publica- tion of a local newspaper named the Golden Era, which he issued at Knowersville for five years, when he removed it to Mechanicsville. The Knowers- ville Enterprise, a seven-column paper, well edited, extensively circulated and of considerable local in- fluence, was established by David H. Crowe in the summer of 1884.

Local trains making four trips between Know- ersville and Albany were put on by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company in December, 1878. In March, 1879, the number of trips was reduced to three, as it was found that this arrangement would amply provide for local travel, in connec- tion with an increasing number of through trains, all of which stop at Knowersville. The village is admirably provided with freight, telegraphic and express facilities, and has stage connection with

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THE TOWNSHIP OF GUILDERLAND.

Knox, Berne and West Berne and Thompson's Lake, and East Berne.

Unlike most villages of its size and importance, Knowersville has only one church. Here people of varying theological and sectarian beliefs meet with the Lutheran congregation, joining in their worship and contributing to the support of their organization with a unanimity as commendable as it is remarkable. Its local educational advan- tages are surpassed by those of few other villages of its size, a graded school being maintained, in which a high standard of instruction is offered. Three teachers are employed, and there is an aver- age attendance of 112. An elegant and commo- dious school-house was built about ten years ago, at a cost of about $5,000. Knowersville has a flourishing library association, and several secret, social and beneficent organizations, of which many of its leading citizens are members.

This village possesses ample evidence of the thrift of its inhabitants. It is a village of pleasant and attractive homes, in which are few signs of poverty. The spirit of enterprise is dominant, and its business men are progressive and fully abreast with the times. It is recognized as an important railway point, and its growth seems not yet to have been attained.

MANUFACTURES.

Guilderland has never been a distinctively man- ufacturing town. Few manufactories of more than local importance have ever been established within its borders. Most of the manufacturing enterprises established or attempted to be established have al- ready been incidentally mentioned. The first nota- ble manufactory, and in most ways the most im- portant, ever established in the town, was the "glass house," at the place afterward called Ham- ilton and now familiarly known as Sloan's. This was first in operation in 1792. "Spafford's Gazet- teer," published in 1813, says : "Guilderland con- tains a factory where are made 500, 000 feet of win- dow glass annually." This once flourishing busi- ness was discontinued in 1815 on account of the scarcity of fuel.

Clothing works were erected at French's Mills in 1795 by Peter B. Broeck. Abel French estab- lished another factory there in 1800, and a third was in operation at Knowersville about the same time. In 1813 there were 100 looms in families, which made annually about 25,000 yards of cloth for common clothing. Most of these disappeared long since, upon the introduction of cloths made in the large factories of our great manufacturing

centers. At Sloan's the Battermans early estab- lished a woolen factory, which, during several suc- cessive proprietorships, has been converted into a hat factory, a cotton batting factory and a foundry. As a foundry it was first owned by William Fonda. The present owners are Newbury & Chapman, who make a specialty of the manufacture of piping plugs. Mention has been made of grist and flour- ing-mills at different points within the town bound- aries. Veeder's and Becker's mills were much re- sorted to by the resident farmers early in the present century. Saw-mills were few indeed, on account of the scarcity of timber. The large woolen factory at Guilderland Center, now the property of E. Spawn & Son, was formerly owned by Reed & Co. The cider and vinegar manufac- tories of A. V. Mynderse and Michael H. Freder- ick, in the same neighborhood, are worthy of note in this connection ; so, also, are the saw-mill, planing-mill and grist-mill of Sands & Sons ; the carriage factory of Van Ben Scoten & Warner ; the wagon manufactory of Snyder & Prout-all at Knowersville-and the spring-bed manufactory and bottling establishment of A. F. Deitz, at Guilder- land Center.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Dr. James S. Lowe came to Guilderland from Saratoga in 1820, and died in 1847. Dr. Frederick Crounse has practiced his profession in the town since 1833. Dr. W. G. Davis is also an old practitioner. Dr. Jonathan Johnson, from Dana, Massachusetts, practiced in the town until his death in 1861. Dr. Wands, from New Scot- land, practiced here about eight years, and removed to Cohoes. He died about fourteen years ago. Dr. Andrew Wilson came when a young man from Kinderhook, Columbia County, and practiced in Guilderland some twenty-four years. Removing to Albany, he died there about 1877. Dr. Barrows bought his residence (at Sloan's) and his ride in this town, and upon leaving sold them in turn to Dr. Abram De Graff, who has since enjoyed a lucrative practice. Dr. Thomas Helme, of Mc- Kownsville, has passed most of his life in this town, and is widely respected and employed. Dr. William Zea, a native of Gallupville, Schoharie County, located at Guilderland Center, and after twelve years' practice there died of consumption. Dr. Jesse Crounse received his diploma at Albany Medical College in 1877, and is located at Know- ersville. Dr. R. F. Barton graduated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and after a few years' practice at his native place (Portland, Vermont), came to

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Knowersville some years since. Dr. Andrew C. Crounse received his diploma early in the present year.

CHURCH HISTORY OF GUILDERLAND.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

The Dutch colonists at Albany soon extended their settlements into the surrounding country, and ministers of religion followed and labored for many years among the scattered settlements, preaching in private houses and barns, gathering the scattered members of the Lutheran faith together, and thus laid the foundation for future organization.

We learn that the churches of Guilderland were thus served by these godly pioneers. One or two are worthy of notice. The first that came to this town was Rev. Peter N. Sommers, in 1743. This will appear from his diary. Thus:

"In the name of the Holy Trinity. I, Peter Nicholas Sommers, from the City of Hamburgh, authorized as Evangelical Lutheran preacher by the Consistory of Trinitatus at London, and or- dained by the Rev. Johann George Palm, started from Hamburgh, and under God's almighty protec- tion arrived at London on the 25th day of October, 1742. On the 27th started for Albany, where I re- mained till the 25th of May. The Lord our God be with me, that the great end of my arduous office may be accomplished, that the name of the Lord may be glorified. Amen.

We learn from the same record that his field of labor was wide, as he preached to the Lutheran people in Claverack, Hoosick, Stone-Arabia, Little Falls, Canajoharie, Schoharie, Helderberg and Albany. He spent his life in this field, and was universally beloved. He located at Schoharie, and after more than fifty years of laborious and efficient service died at Sharon in 1795, aged eighty-five years, and was interred near the Old Fort Church at Schoharie.

Though he preached occasionally in Guilderland and performed ministerial services among the families of the Lutheran faith, no regular organiza- tion was effected till the 13th of October, 1787, when the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was duly organized, with Rev. Heinrich Moeller as the first regular pastor.

The first communion service was observed, August 11, 1788, when fifty-eight communicants were present. Rev. Mr. Moeller came from Ham- burg, Germany, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Muhlenbergh, of Philadelphia. He served as chap- lain in the Revolutionary war, after which he served several congregations. At one time he was

pastor of the Lutheran Church in Albany, and the first Lutheran house of worship in that city was erected under his ministry. He was reputed as a noble example of a pure, devoted minister. He served the church at Guilderland six years, and died at the age of eighty years. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Mayers, who served the church but a short term. His successor was Rev. L. Merket, who ministered to the church a number of years, baptizing and instructing the children, and con- firming them at a certain age as members in full communion, as was the practice in those days.

In the year 1828 this church called to the pastor- ate Rev. Adam Crounse, then a young man of good talents and acquirements, of unblemished moral character, and unquestioned fidelity to his faith, a firm believer in all the great doctrines of the cross, especially in the great cardinal doctrine of justification by faith. Standing on this funda- mental truth, he manifested the spirit and firmness of the great reformer when he said, "Here I stand." And one might as well attempt to overturn the Helderbergs as to swerve him from the pillar and ground of his faith. And his was not a dead faith. He preached as a condition of justification repent- ance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith which works by love as the only evidence of regeneration.

Though he adopted the Augsberg confession and was an influential member of the Hardwick Synod, yet he took a new departure from the old practice of confirming without an experimental knowledge of Christ.

With a yearning passion for saving souls, he en- tered upon his mission here. From this date the congregation has been carried onward and upward in an unparalleled degree in spiritual and temporal prosperity.

Indeed, what else might be expected from the service of such a man with the blessing of God in a large field of more than 200 families through a space of 35 years ? The answer is -- just what now exists-one of the largest and strongest churches within the Hardwick Synod.

At his first communion he records the names of 47, and adds these words :

"May God of his infinite mercy grant that the above recorded souls may not only hold fellowship here, but eventually meet around the throne of God, and there unite in singing the song of the Lamb, is the sincere prayer of their servant for Christ's sake, ADAM CROUNSE."

Previous to this time, so far as we can learn, the congregation had never witnessed any special

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THE TOWNSHIP OF GUILDERLAND.

season of grace. But under the ministration of such a pastor a great change was to come. The year 1832 was one of general revival influence throughout the land. In many places Pentacostal seasons of grace were witnessed. A young man came to the Glass House, a village in the east- ern part of the town, and was invited to preach in the Union School House. At the close of the ser- vice he was urged to stay and preach another Sabbath. During the week it became evident that several were deeply impressed by that first discourse. Soon a most striking work of grace commenced. It extended to the Helderberg. Many from the families of the Reformed and the Lutheran Churches came to the meeting and returned to tell what God had done for them.

The increasing interest caused the Reformed Church to open their house for special religious services, which were greatly blessed.

Dominie Crounse came, and for a time sat in silence, and he saw the grace of God and was glad; he drank in the spirit and joined in earnest prayer, and went home and resolved to have revival ser- vice in his own church.

As a result, he records at his next communion, 100 having joined the church on that occasion. From this date we could record frequent outpour- ing of the Spirit on this community. During thirty-five years Dominie Crounse sowed the good seed of the kingdom with an unsparing hand, and laid the foundation for great prosperity, making it a joyful service for his successors to reap the golden harvest. Here he lived and labored till called up higher. We read from the minutes of the Hard- wick Synod :

"Our venerable and beloved brother, Rev. A. Crounse, was permitted to leave the land of the dying and enter the land of the living on the 13th of May last, 1864. For more than a year he seemed to dwell on Pisgah's summit, with the heavenly land and the celestial city in full view."

Rev. J. W. Lake succeeded Mr. Crounse and served the church acceptably for four years, when, in 1869, Rev. David Swope was called as pastor and served the church until April, 1875. In 1871 the church enjoyed another revival of religion, which resulted in ninety additions to the membership.

It was now evident to all the congregation that the old church must be extensively repaired or a new one built. The church and parsonage stood in the country, midway between Guilderland Center and Knowersville, about two miles from each. Neither of these villages, situated upon two

railroads, had a church of any denomination. Several meetings were held and various proposi- tions discussed-whether the old church should be repaired or torn down and a new one erected in its place ; or whether the old site should be abandoned and two new churches built, one in each village. Other denominations were awake to the importance of occupying the villages.

The Methodists had purchased a lot in Knowers- ville and were preparing to build a church. At length, after much discussion, St. John's wisely voted, by a large majority, to abandon the old site and build a new church in each village. At the same session, Mr. John Mann gave a spacious lot for the church in Guilderland Center, and Mr. Conrad Crounse one large enough for a church and a parsonage at Knowersville. A few were dissatisfied, but by judicions management serious trouble was avoided. Two beautiful churches, costing in the aggregate over $20,000, were built simultaneously. The one at the Center was con- secrated, February 21, 1872, and the one at Knowersville on the 14th of March following. Funds sufficient to pay all indebtedness incurred in erecting both these churches were subscribed at the consecration. The congregation agreed to re- main as a unit for five years, though worshiping in two places. They have since peacefully divided, the Knowersville church taking the name of St. James', and the Guilderland church adopting that of St. Mark's. The Methodists, seeing the ground so satisfactorily occupied at Knowersville, sold their lots and wisely abandoned all thought of building a house of worship there.

These churches were erected under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Swope, and the covenant, agreement and conditions judiciously carried out under the efficient ministry of Rev. A. P. Ludden, whose praise is in all the churches of his denomination as a most successful pastor.

He was the successor of Rev. Mr. Swope, and, after serving these churches over five years, he had the happiness of introducing to the communion of saints 121 at Guilderland Center and 173 at Knowersville. He has since retired from the pas- torate, and devotes himself now to revival efforts among the churches. Both of these churches are in a prosperous state and self-sustaining. The Rev. Mr. Heck recently has been called to Know- ersville. The sister church is under the pastoral care of Rev. J. S. Harkey. Each sustains a large and flourishing Sabbath school. We doubt whether there is a town within the bounds of the denomi- nation where the salt of grace and divine truth

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

has produced a more saving effect, or inspired with more spiritual energy, or can produce such an array of carriages coming in procession from every way and making haste to the house of God on the Sabbath morning, as may be witnessed in Guilderland.

THE REFORMED CHURCH.

There is no record of this church back of the pastorate of the Rev. Thomas Van Heusen, who was called here in 1795, and remained pastor thirty years. Twenty-five years ago "Father " Hilson, then ninety years of age, stated that the first minister here was a man by the name of Schu- naman, stationed at Katskill, who came and preached in the barns and administered the sacra- ments ; that on one occasion he found it difficult to gain their attention, as the people on Saturday had been to one of those old-fashioned horse-races which were frequent in those times, when he ex- claimed: "I wish you could see yourselves sliding right into hell," when all roused up with surprise. He added: "not that I want you to go there, but see your danger and flee from it."

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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 187

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