Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 245

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 245

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

reservedly, to the enhancement of the college. He had time for other and important things. He was a leader in temperance teachings, his sympathies were loyal during the Civil War, and in the counsels of his own religious denomination, as well as others, his advice was often sought. His Christian sympathy and charity identified him in a practical way with every movement for moral and religious advancement.

Dr. Nott was a genius in the line of mechanical invention, and the utilization of the latent wealth of the country. "He was among the first to aid and supplement the labors of Fulton, in his ef- forts to introduce steam navigation on the Hudson

Nott Stove.

River, and the steamer 'Novelty,' which was largely constructed under his guidance, came from New York to Albany at a speed that astonished the age." In these efforts to improve and intro- duce machinery, and especially to utilize the newly discovered power of steam, Dr. Nott's attention was largely directed to the production and materials of combustion for mechanical and domestic pur- poses. The famous "Nott" stoves were long in use at the college, and gained, for a time, a broad public popularity. Albany and Troy owe their pre- eminence in the stove manufacture not a little to his immediate presence and counsel.

The countenance of Dr. Nott was a striking one, even in its repose; the eye, which was of a grayish

color, and capable of great variety of expression, being one of its most marked features. His fore- head was high and straight, nose prominent and aquiline, and the mouth and chin well-formed and symmetrical. He was nearly six feet high, with a stalwart frame. In his intercourse with students, his quick sympathy with youth was very marked. The stern aspect of one jealous of authority was not seen in the class-room. He had a way of pass- ing from grave to gay so easily and gracefully, that it was at once seen to be nature instead of studied art. He obtained, with some, the character of an adroit manager. It was said that he reached his ends, at times, by indirect methods, but those most familiar with him unite in their testimony to his truthfulness and honor. By ne- cessity he was discreet, cautious and wary. He knew men and how to approach, move and con- vince them. His method of doing this was his own. He was a scholar, a teacher and an inventor; but it was, however, as a man, a great souled, energetic, practical man, intent on making other energetic, practical men, who should leave their mark upon their times, as he has done, that he chiefly claims our admiration. No better epitaph can be written of him than the words applied by an orator to General Grant: "He is great by the arduous greatness of things done."

Tayler Lewis.

For nearly thirty years the figure of Tayler Lewis was among the most prominent and strik- ing upon the streets of Schenectady, and within the enclosures of Union College. His presence was not such as impressed by muscular vigor or accumulated flesh and blood. His physical frame was slight in build, and his air was that of a studious scholar, to whom vigorous or violent ex- ercise was unknown. Yet it was not that of a re- cluse, but gave even the casual observer the im- pression of a man among men who knew what was in man. Thoroughly acquainted with human nature, Tayler Lewis chose to sway the public by

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thought and argument, rather than by personal con- tact or by dramatic action. In his later years, when his hearing ceased, this was a necessity. De- barred from social converse with his fellows, the pen became the potent instrument of his influence, and in his venerable old age a real sceptre of power.

In his prime, his voice swayed assemblies, and during nearly a half-century of his life as a teacher he spoke with wisdom, tact, and mastery.

Though a scholar whose fame was world-wide, Tayler Lewis did not become a familiar figure in the local history of Schenectady until the outbreak of the great civil war in 1861. Long known as an earnest friend of Africa and the Africans in America, he yet had conservative views in the matter of slav- ery. The outbreak of the slaveholders' rebellion was to him a revelation by divine light upon those questions which the civil war brought to solution. He became a hearty supporter of the Union cause, and a prophet who cried aloud and spared not. In the dark days, when the defeat of the Union armies made the home traitors exultant, Tayler Lewis lifted up his voice like a trumpet, and showed the iniquity of secession and the righteousness of the Union cause. Like bugle blasts were his constantly issuing editorials, letters, addresses and books, in- spiring alike the hearts of young and old. His " State Rights, a Photograph from the Ruins of Ancient Greece," powerfully affected the minds of patriots, and " The Heroic Periods in a Nation's History" welcomed home the returning veterans. The loss of his son-in-law, Colonel Elias Peissner, at Chancellorsville, kept the flame of his patriotism at white heat until the day of his death. Tayler Lewis loved his country with romantic ardor and an intensity of devotion rarely surpassed. He ex- ercised great influence over S. G. Hamlin, the fear- less editor of the Schenectady Union, many a time encouraging him to boldness and courage of utter- ance in the trying times that followed the war. Often at midnight, with quivering frame and flash- ing eyes, he would seek the young editor to cheer, encourage and provoke him to be equal to the political situation. Sallying out with his cane be- hind his back and thrust between the elbows, while his hands were clasped over his breast, he would pace the streets, meditating his argument or ful- minating some thunderbolt which the next day would sway hearts or strike conviction. So do many people of our city remember Tayler Lewis, a venerable man, yet full of energy and fire, with long gray hair that fell over his collar, eyes deep-set that shot forth earnestness, slight body in long black coat of clerical cnt, with meditative air and walk, in speech and in writing closely approaching one's idea of a prophet of the old times, yet of this century's garb and mien.

Let us glance at his life as a scholar and Chris- tian. Born in Northumberland, Saratoga County, N. Y., March 27, 1802, he prepared for Union College under Dr. Proudfit, and was graduated at Union College in 1820. He studied law with Judge S. A. Foot, in Albany, and commenced practice at Fort Miller in 1824. He was not,

however, in his natural element, and took greater pleasure in the study of the classics. Under the influence of Rev. George Mair, he began the study of Hebrew, following it up with absorbed delight. Turning aside from law to letters, he became prin- cipal of the Academy at Waterford in 1833. He married on May 18th of the same year. He spent two years (1837-39) in Ogdensburg, and was called to the Chair of Greek in the University of New York. In 1849, after the delivery of an ad- dress, "Faith, the Life of Science," before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Union College, he was made Professor of Greek at his Alma Mater's home, and henceforth resided in Schenectady. Later, he filled the Chair of Oriental Biblical Lit- erature, retaining this position until his death. Space does not allow us to speak in detail of Pro- fessor Lewis' attainments as a scholar, nor of his versatility, accomplishments, native ability or literary achievements, except as they have a bearing on local history. In early life he became a mem- ber, in full communion, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and so continued until the last. As an elder he attended her consistory and class meet- ings. His seat in the First Reformed Church in Schenectady was on the west side, near the Bancker screen. In this church, in front of the pulpit, now stands a memorial baptismal font, in dark red marble, erected chiefly by his fellow- members of the Old Testament Company of Bible Revision. It is inscribed, near the base : "Tayler Lewis. In Memoriam. Ab. Amicis Multis. In pacem. May 11th, 1877." His favorite text-"I know that my Redeemer liveth"-is incised in Hebrew characters on the polished rim of the bowl.

An eager and life-long student, Tayler Lewis was a master of many subjects. In the higher mathe- matics, in astronomy, music, philosophy and languages, he was at home, and used his attain- ments as instruments of pleasure. With the Greek and Latin he was as familiar as with his mother tongue, and in the Semitic languages he had no superior in America, while in Arabic he was with- out a peer. Among the revisers of the Old Testa- ment he was, except Dr. Strong, the only layman in attendance at the sessions. In the work on Lange's Commentary he was selected by Dr. Schaff to furnish the introduction and notes on Genesis, and the metrical versions of Job and Ecclesiastes. His "Six Days of Creation " was a true epoch- inaker, and anticipated by a whole generation the current interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis. Despite an avalanche of hostile criticism it emerged scathless, and is now recognized as a masterpiece of sound argument and prophetic utterance. It is still printed.

Omnivorous in his tastes, Tayler Lewis fed his mind in all fields of literature, and sought recrea- tion, not in bodily exercises, but in intellectual variety. He enjoyed fun, humor, caricature, and refreshed himself with light literature. A bundle of books for a morning's reading in vacation time, in Jackson's garden, might include his Hebrew Bible, Syriac New Testament, The Arabian Nights in the original Arabic, Romola, and a novel or two from

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

the press of yesterday. In his last sickness, amid the agonies of sciatica, he would conquer pain by absorbing his mind in working out profound mathematical problems. He was a profound and brilliant Christian scholar, who, if not always in accord with the spirit of the age, was ever in har- mony with the spirit of the ages.

On the dome of the Memorial Hall of Union College, in Hebrew and Latin letters, chosen and actually wrought in the slate-work by Taylor Lewis himself, is the motto which illustrates the great scholar's life principles :

The time is short, The work is vast, The reward is great, The Master is pressing.

ISAAC W. JACKSON was born at Cornwall, Or- ange County, N. Y., August 28, 1804. Both of his parents were members of the Society of Friends. He was sent in his seventeenth year to the Albany Academy; completed his studies there with the highest honors; entered Union College, where he attained high standing in the classics, and from which, in 1826, in his twenty-second year, he graduated with the first honors in mathematics and chemistry. He was at once appointed a tutor in the college.

During his collegiate course he founded and maintained a society for social and literary pur- poses. In succeeding years other like associations were formed, and hence Union College has been called the mother of the Greek-letter societies of the country. He was promoted to be professor of mathematics in Union College in 1831. He published books on trigonometry, optics, conic sections and mechanics, which were adopted in American colleges, and in one important British institution.

As an executive officer of the college, he was prompt, energetic, ever-watchful, selecting his measures judiciously, and pursuing them with dis- cretion. In his general intercourse he was social and genial. He was always neatly and simply attired; slight in form, well built and active, with clear, piercing eyes looking out from under a large and prominent brow; his head finely developed; his voice frank and friendly.

The science and art of horticulture were the de- light and solace of his life. Valuable works on this subject made up a large part of his library. His life centered in, and was mainly bound by, his college. It was passed in his family circle, his study, his class-room, or with members of the faculty. He was always sympathetic, especially so with the sorrowing and the needy. Professor Henry, late of the Smithsonian Institution, who was his fellow student in boyhood, and his life- long correspondent, said that he was "the truest and most generous soul he ever knew." Fulfilling the duties of his position ably, faithfully, content- edly, no achievements of wealth or fame could have brought him wider usefulness or higher hap- piness. Thousands of the educated men of the country attest their gratitude for his aid in the de- velopment of mind and character.

In 1876 Professor Jackson had completed a term of service in the college of fifty years. This event was made the occasion of a notable tribute of respect from his friends and former pupils. It was on this occasion that Dr. Tayler Lewis deliv- ered one of his most remarkable addresses.

The titles of Professor Jackson's publications are: 1, Elements of Conic Sections; 2, Elementary Treatise on Optics; 3, Elementary Treatise on Mechanics. The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by Hobart College. His death took place July 28, 1877.

JOHN FOSTER, now the senior professor of Union College, was born August 18, 1811, at Hebron, Washington County, N. Y. His parents were Scotch-Irish. His earliest schooling was at the county district school of Hebron. In the winters of 1828, 1829 and 1830 he taught in the district schools of Argyle and Salem, and in the summers pursued his studies of Latin and Greek under the Rev. James Irvine, of Hebron. In the spring of 1831 he went to the academy at Fairfield, Herki- mer County. Here he studied mathematics and classics till the close of the summer term of 1832, after which he became an assistant in the academy. He entered the junior class of Union College in 1834, and graduated July, 1835. He resumed teaching at the Fairfield Academy even before his graduation, and continued during the following year, teaching almost all branches, and working about ten hours daily.

In the fall of 1836 Mr. Foster was appointed tutor in Union College, and was placed in charge of the building called West College. The fresh- man and sophomore classes were domiciled at this building, and Tutor Foster's duty was to look after these two classes. For about a year he held this place, and then, having an offer to take charge of the North Pearl Street Academy for Boys in Al- bany, he spent about a year in this work; but in the winter of 1838 he returned to Union Col- lege, and took charge again of West College. He had classes in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and conic sections, and besides this he taught classes in Latin and Greek. After the death of Pro- fessor Edward Savage in 1840, Mr. Foster was ap- pointed Adjunct-Professor of Natural Philosophy, and gave instructions in the "Cambridge Mechan- ics." Soon after he began to give lectures to vol- untary classes on electricity, magnetism, galvanism, electro-magnetism and acoustics. These subjects were subsequently added to the regular course, and on these Professor Foster has continued to give lectures. He also issued for the use of his classes a syllabus of his lectures, which forms a text-book on the subject. About 1842 Professor Foster organized a voluntary class, to whom he taught astronomy and surveying and leveling. This led to the establishment in 1845 of the De- partment of Civil Engineering, to which Professor W. M. Gillespie was appointed.

In the spring of 1867 Professor Foster visited Europe. He visited the Universities of Bonn, Heidelberg, Munich and Zurich, and spent consid-

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- PRINTERS AND NEWSPAPERS.

erable time at Paris. After his return he devoted himself to building up the scientific apparatus of his department. He obtained from the graduates of the college, mostly his old students, about $5,000, which he spent in the purchase of appa- ratus. He visited Europe again in 1874, author- ized by the Board of Trustees to expend $6,000 in physical apparatus. He visited the principal workshops of London and Paris, making selections and giving orders. After an extended tour he returned with such a variety of new and useful apparatus as to place the collection of Union College among the best in the country.

Among the students who have passed under his instruction he has a reputation as a teacher of unusual force. Being himself a man of great industry, he expects and usually secures a large amount of good work from his pupils. He is genial in his temperament, and kind-hearted and ready to advise and help those who come to him. Professor Foster was made Doctor of Laws in 1872 by the University of the City of New York.

JONATHAN PEARSON, A. M., is by lineage an alien to the Dutch community whose annals he has so diligently explored. His descent can be traced through seven generations from the Puritan Fathers of New England.

At some time previous to 1643, John Pearson, an English carpenter, settled in the town of Rowley, Essex County, Mass. There he erected a fulling mill, and became the first manufacturer of cloth in the infant colony. He was evidently a substantial and leading citizen. He died near the close of the century. The family record for two hundred years, with its scriptural names, reads like a genealogical chapter in the Old Testament.

Caleb Pearson, the grandfather of Professor Pear- son, served through the revolutionary war. After its close he settled in Chichester, N. H., where, February 23, 1813, Jonathan was born. When he was 18 years of age his father removed to. Schenec- tady, N. Y. Jonathan had previously secured a preparatory education at Dover, Pembroke, and New Hampton, in the vicinity of his former home. In January, 1832, he entered Union College, and graduated with honor in 1835. The following year he was appointed tutor, and in 1839 Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. In 1849 he was elected Professor of Natural History, and in 1873 was transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Botany, where he still serves. Thus, for more than half a century his life has been incorporated with the life of his Alma Mater.

In addition to the work of his department of in- struction, other onerous and responsible duties have devolved upon him. Since 1854 he has been Treasurer of the College, having in charge its varied and intricate financial interests. For years he has also held the office of Librarian, and has de- voted a vast amount of time and labor to the puz- zling and petty details of that trying vocation. The preparation of the general catalogue of the college has always devolved upon him, and he has repaid the affectionate esteem of thousands of alumni by

maintaining a constant interest in their individual fortunes. His mind is an encyclopedia of facts concerning the sons of Old Union. His diverse services is sufficient proof of his versatility and tire- less industry.

His antiquarian researches have been the recrea- tions of a busy life. The task of exploring the scattered and puzzling records of the Dutch families who founded the settlements at Albany and along the Mohawk Valley was one of unusual difficulty. He continued his labors in this field through many years. He first transcribed, translated, and collated the records of the Dutch Church in Schenectady. Having mastered the provincial dialect, he per- formed a similar work upon the records of the Dutch Church in Albany, and also of the County Clerk's Office. The results of these studies, and others of a like character, are embodied in his his- tories of the old families of Schenectady and Albany, published years ago, and to some extent in this history.

It would be indelicate, in a sketch published during the lifetime of Professor Pearson, to refer to those incidents which belong more especially to his private and domestic life, or to those qualities which have endeared him to his more intimate per- sonal friends. He has been for many years a faith- ful and active member of the Baptist Church, trusted and revered by all. As a son, a husband, and a father, his relations have been too tender and sacred to permit of comment here. Those who may survive him, and have shared and prized his friendship, will wonder that they did not prize it more, when the genial and unobtrusive presence lives only in memory or immortal hope.

PRINTERS AND NEWSPAPERS.

The first printers in Schenectady were Cornelius P. Wyckoff and Brokaw, about the year 1792. Their office was on the south corner of State and Washington streets. This firm continued until 1795, when Brokaw went out and Wyckoff continued the business alone.

The first newspaper printed in Schenectady was called

The Mohawk Mercury. It was published as early as February, 1796, and as late as 1798. It was probably started by C. P. Wyckoff, who pub- lished it as late as December, 1797. Some time, probably in 1798, Wyckoff was succeeded in his business by John L. Stevenson. Whether Stevenson continued to publish the Mohawk Mercury is not known.

The Schenectady Gazette began to be published by J. L. Stevenson, January 6, 1799, on the corner of Albany (State) and Ferry streets, and December 20, 1802, he gave it the more comprehensive name of

The Western Spectator and Schenectady Weekly Advertiser, which was continued as late as May 23, 1807, when he removed his printing office to Union street, a few doors west of the Dutch Church, and discontinued the paper.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

The Western Budget was issued by Van Veghten & Son, at No. 10 Union street, the next month following the discontinuance of the Western Spec- tator. The Budget continued three years, and the last year was issued by Isaac Riggs, and at about the same time, June, 1807, Ryer S. Schermerhorn began the publication of

The Mohawk Advertiser, and continued it at least three years, and was succeeded by T. John- son, who published it for W. S. Buel, at his book- store, near the corner of State and Ferry streets. Schermerhorn was the first native printer, and fol- lowed his trade for many years. He kept a small supply of books on sale at his office, and among publications which he issued was an edition of Smith's History of the State of New York, with ad- ditions.

The Western Budget was continued by Isaac Riggs until June, 1810, when he changed the name to the

Schenectady Cabnet. In 1814 Isaac Stevens was associated with him for a short time, occupying No. 2 Cook's Row (No. 34), Ferry street. Thence he removed to No. 23 Union street, next east of the Dutch Church, which he occupied until his death as a dwelling, and for many years his print- ing office was under the same roof. In 1837 he was succeeded by his son, Stephen S. Riggs, who changed the name of the Cabnet to

Freedom's Sentinel, under which name he con- tinued the paper until January, 1843, when he resumed the former name, calling the paper the

Schenectady Cabnet and Freedom's Sentinel, which name it bore until January 1, 1850, when it was again called the Schenectady Cabnet, and until it ceased to be published January 1, 1856.

The Miscellaneous Cabinet, a weekly publication of eight pages octavo, was begun in July, 1823, Isaac Riggs, printer. The first twenty-four num- bers are in Union College Library. Its contents were mainly literary selections, and original pro- ductions written mostly by the students of the college.

The Mohawk Sentinel was begun June 24, 1824. It was printed by G. Ritchie, Jr., at the sign of Faust and Franklin's head, Ferry street, and is said to have been edited by Archibald L. Linn, then a young lawyer of the city. This paper advocated the election of Mr. Crawford for the Presidency.

The Protestant Sentinel began June 11, 1830, and was printed and published by Rev. John Max- on, at No. 39 State street (now 64 and 66). It continued there but a few years and then removed elsewhere. It was understood to be the organ of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.

Schenectady County Whig .- This paper was com- menced November 1, 1830, at 34 Ferry street, by C. G. & A. Palmer, and continued till October, 1834, when the paper and all the appurtenances of the printing office were sold to Nathan Stone, who, on the 18th of November following, assigned the paper to Giles F. Yates, Esq.

Stone was the owner of the " Schenectady Book- store," on the west corner of State street and Mill lane. He published the Whig, at 77 State street, for ten weeks, the last number being issued De- cember 30th. Its direct descendant was

The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat, the first number of which was issued January 1, 1835. Mr. Yates made this a very entertaining family paper. During 1835-6 he published many valuable articles of an antiquarian and historical character. It was printed by Robert P. Paine, on the west corner of State street and Mill lane. In July, 1835, the printing was done by Yates & Cook, the latter being associated with G. F. Yates. July 1, 1838, E. H. Kincaid became proprietor of the Reflector for the next three and a half years, when, February 5, 1841, Abraham A. Keyser purchased it at the commencement of Vol. VII., and David Cady Smith was associated with him as editor.

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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 245

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