Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 250

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 250

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159

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- INDUSTRIES.

in the line of hats, caps, furs, robes, trunks and satchels in the county.

JAMES SANDERS, importer and dealer in watches and jewelry, 109 State street, has been established for about forty years. The store is 30 x 90 feet in extent, is richly fitted up, and presents an attractive appearance. Mr. Sanders also deals in clocks, spectacles and eye-glasses. He is also sole agent for the Charles E. Jacot watches.

J. V. VROOMAN has been a dealer in stoves, hardware, tinware, etc., and a plumber, gas and steam-fitter since 1854, the year he established his present business There has been no change in the firm name since the admission of his son, W. C. Vrooman, when the name was changed to J. V. Vrooman & Son.

Their premises at 64 and 66 State street are 28 x 106 feet in extent, and three stories high. The first floor is devoted to general retail purposes. In the mechanical department from fifteen to twenty men are employed in plumbing, gas and steam-fitting, tin 'and sheet metal-working, etc. Buildings are fitted up for steam heating at high or low pressure.

W. J. SwrTs, 136 and 138 State street, hardware merchant, is a well known business man of the city. He also deals in house furnishing goods, stoves and agricultural implements, and all kinds of metal work is done to order.

CLARK WITBECK is a wholesale dealer in hard- ware, cutlery, iron, steel, farming and agricultural implements, at 217 State street. The annual out- put is large, and his trade extends throughout a large section of country.

The establishment of LEVI W. CASE, copper- smith, gas and-steam fitter, 12 and 14 Warren street, was founded in 1849. The shop is of brick, two stories high and 60 x 50 feet in dimensions. It is equipped with proper machinery, which is driven by a stationary steam engine. From twelve to fifteen skilled workmen are employed. A specialty is fit- ting up public buildings, factories, dwellings, etc., for heating by steam at high or low pressure. In addition to the manufacturing and jobbing depart- ment, Mr. Case also deals in pipe, fittings, cocks, rubber hose, drive-well pipes, drain and sewer pipe, drive-well pumps, steam radiators, etc.

J. W. McMULLEN, marble and granite dealer, 7 State street, purchased in 1871 his present estab- lishment of Mr. F. Kinney, who founded it in about 1855. The premises are 60 x 150 feet, the front portion being used as a shop and the rear as a yard for storage. Mantels, windows, caps, monumental and other architectural work of all kinds are produced. Mr. McMullen was born and reared in Albany, where he resided until his re- moval here, about fourteen years ago.

For twenty-one years previous to 1876, J. H. BANE was engaged in the livery business in this city. During that year he retired from that business and became a dealer in carriages, harness, robes, horse clothing, etc., locating in the Bame block, corner of Centre and Liberty streets. He built and owns the block, of which he occupies a part.

He also lets money on real estate, and buys and sells horses.

In 1852, Mr. E. L. Freeman came here from Chenango County, and succeeded Mr. Jonathan Crane as a dealer in paints, oils, glass, putty, etc., locating at 18 Wall street. Mr. Crane established the firm about 1840. Shortly after Mr. Freeman purchased the business his two brothers were added, under the style of E. L. Freeman & Co., which continued without change until 1874, when Mr. E. L. Freeman died.

Jonathan R. Freeman and A. T. Freeman then formed the present firm, FREEMAN BROTHERS. Their trade is wholesale and retail, and their stock em- braces everything legitimately connected therewith.

JAMES W. DARROW & Co. (Gerardus Smith), coal and wood dealers, office, 110 Centre Street, com- menced in 1878. The large yard on Ferry street, near the canal, has good facilities for receiving the coal and shipping it in large quantities ; the yard on Centre street is convenient for delivery through the city. Both yards are fully equipped with necessary sheds and screens.

ANDREW MCMULLEN, coal, wood, lime, ce- ment, broom-handles, etc., 92 and 94 Union and 8, 9 and Io Dock street, has been in business since 1858. The Union street premises have a frontage of 60 feet, extending along the railway 200 feet. An office and two-story warehouse is also there. The office, warehouse and yard on Dock street were opened so as to obtain easy access to the canal.

Mr. McMullen has resided here for 55 years; has served as Alderman and Supervisor; and was for four years Mayor of the city. Associated with him is his son, Henry McMullen.

SIMON H. VEDDER, grandson of Nicholas Ved- der, was born in Schenectady July 17, 1839, and in 1872 established at 61 Park place his present business, that of wholesale and retail dealer in coal and wood, and manufacturer of refined cider and pure cider vinegar.

H. Rosa, dealer in coal and wood, 15 Dock street, has been in this business for forty years. The yard, which is in the rear of the office, is accessi- ble to the canal on the front and to a branch track of the railway in the rear. It is fitted up with the necessary appliances.

F. W. RANKINS is a dealer in coal on the dock, and ranks as a popular business man of the city.

In 1868, J. H. DAKIN founded his present busi- ness, that of plumber, gas and steam-fitter, jobbing machinist and brass-founder, at 102, 104 and 106 Liberty street. The premises are 125 x 69 feet, upon which is a building 125 x 30 feet containing the warerooms and shop. It is equipped with proper machinery and steam power.

Mr. BENJAMIN VAN VRANKEN is an old resident. From 1853 to 1865 he was engaged as a grocer, building in 1862 the block corner Jay and State streets, which he occupied for three years. He was, in 1870, superintendent of section two, Erie Canal, being that part of the canal running from the lower

160

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

Mohawk aqueduct to Amsterdam, a distance of 32 miles. He held the position for two years, and was reappointed in 1874, holding it for four years. Since then Mr. Van Vranken, as contractor and builder, has been busily engaged, erecting, among others, the bridge across the North River from Luzerne, Washington County, N. Y., to Hadley, Saratoga County, N. Y.

The contract for the first foot of sewer ever laid in Schenectady was let to Benjamin Van Vranken, in August, 1884. Work was commenced in Octo- ber, 1884, for constructing ten miles.

In 1867 he invented the improved "Empire" brick machine, which is yet in universal use.

DUNCAN ROBISON, builder and contractor, has been in business in Schenectady more than thirty years. His grand-parents emigrated from Scotland and landed in New York July 4, 1776, and soon afterward located in Rotterdam and engaged in farming. Many of their descendants are now living in that town.

The history of Schenectady County would be in- complete without mention of one of its most enter- prising citizens.

Hon. CHARLES STANFORD was born in Albany County in 1819, and became a resident of this county in 1861. He represented this county in the Assembly of 1864-5, and this district in the Senate, 1866-9. In the Senate he distinguished himself by his connection with canal reforms. He was largely interested in public enterprises in this city, being President of the Schenectady Water Company, Gas Company, and the McQueen Locomotive Works, and was one of the largest real estate owners in the city. He resided in the town of Niskayuna, where he conducted a stock farm, being largely interested in the breeding of horses. He died in August, 1885.

Hon. JOHN W. VERDER was born in this city in 1825. He was educated at the old Lyceum. He was engaged in transportation and grocery business for a number of years. In 1854 he was appointed Canal Collector, and in 1858 elected County Clerk. The latter office he resigned in 1861, to accept the appointment of postmaster under President Lin- coln. He held this position for eight years. From 1874 to 1883 he was employed in the State School Department, under State Superintendent of Schools Neil Gilmour. In 1884 he was elected Member of Assembly.

STEPHEN LUSH, son of Major William Lush, was born in Albany, January 7th, 1818, and early retired from mercantile life to attend to personal affairs. He represented the City of Albany in the Board of Supervisors three terms, and has occupied several positions in the State departments. He married the daughter of John Gansvoort, and re- sides in Schenectady.

JOSIAH VAN VRANKEN was born in the town of Niskayuna in 1843. He has been a merchant, manufacturer, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

and Common Council, and Deputy County Clerk. At present he is Deputy Superintendent of the State Banking Department.

ATWELL & DENNINGTON are the leading real estate and insurance firm of the city. Frank J. Atwell attends to the real estate, and H. W. Dennington to the insurance department of the firm. They enjoy a lucrative business and the entire confi- dence of the community.

C. L. Scorr conducts the business of real estate and insurance, and is a manager in the office of the Evening Star.

Major A. FREEMAN was born in Galway, N. Y., September 30, 1802, and with Captain Richard Freeman, his father, removed to Schenectady when he was seventeen years old. In 1824 he married Miss Elizabeth Clute. In 1825 he became com- mander of one of the first passenger packet boats on the Erie Canal. In 1831 he was appointed Brigade Inspector of the Fifty-seventh Regiment Militia, with the rank of Major. He owned and kept several popular hotels. Retiring to Schenec- tady in 1870, he died in his eightieth year. He left two sons : E. L. B. Freeman, of New York, and Charles Freeman, of Schenectady.

PAUL RAMSAY has been connected with the New York Central Railroad for ten years, and is now its ticket agent at Schenectady.

JAMES B. ALEXANDER is also ticket agent in the same office.

A. M. POWERS, photographer, has resided in Schenectady since 1873. In 1879 he opened a photographic gallery at 225 State street, where he has built up a large and lucrative business.

ISAAC I. YATES, at present a retired gentleman, is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy. He retired from naval service as a Lieutenant in 1883. He served in the European, North Atlantic, Sonth Atlantic, North and South Pacific squadrons, and was one of a few saved at the time of the wreck of the Oneida, January 24, 1870.

Among the leading builders and contractors of the city are Joshua Davis, Centre street, near Veeder's Mill; Benjamin Fraking, 530 State street; Thomas Gunn, 16 Romeyn street; Thomas Kil- lian, 27 Romeyn street; R. W. Lampman, 28 Paige street; John McEncroe, 185 Union street; John McDermott, 66 Romeyn street; John U. Sit- terly, Hamilton street, near Paige; P. Van Dyck, 152 Barrett street; A. R. Van Dermoor, 16 Ferry street; F. H. Weston, Hamilton street, corner Lafayette; Alonzo Warner, 24 Park place; J. M. Wendell, Mill lane; and Thomas Harrigan and F. P. Wright.

ROBINE HATHAWAY for a number of years prior to his death was a superintendent on the Erie Canal. He was also a contractor and builder. His son, William, now holds the same position in the canal service formerly occupied by his father.

161

THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

SITUATION AND BOUNDARIES.

UANESBURGH is the western town of Sche-

nectady County, and is bounded north by Montgomery County ; east by the town of Prince- town ; south by Albany and Schoharie Counties ; and west by Schoharie County.

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND ITEMS OF INTEREST.

This town has an area of about 42,000 acres, and its population in 1880 was 2,995. Its form is irregular, and its situation elevated from 400 to 500 feet above the level of the Hudson at Albany. Its surface consists of an upland broken by the narrow valleys and gullies of small streams. Scho- harie Creek forms a portion of the western boundary, and Norman's Kil flows through the south part, entering the Hudson further down, at a point about two and one half miles below Albany. The Bozen Kil, or Mad Creek, one of the branches of Norman's Kil, is a picturesque stream on which is a fall of seventy feet. Corry's Brook and Chuck- tennuda Creek also do their part in draining the town.

The hills which border upon these streams are steep and in some places rocky. The soil is a stiff, clayey loam with a slight intermixture of gravel. The products are various, but grass suc- ceeds better than grain, and, as a whole, the town is better adapted to pasturage than to tillage. Formerly the dairy interests were of considerable importance, but during late years the principal crops cultivated have been hay, oats, potatoes, corn, buckwheat and rye. But few of the large or small fruits are grown, the demand for home consumption being only supplied. Maria Pond and Featherstonhaugh Lake are two small sheets of water in the northeast part, about 250 feet above the canal. The former is beautiful, especially during the summer, its circumference being about two miles.

This town contains few important manufacturing interests. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad extends through the south part, with a station at Quaker street. This village and Duanesburgh are stopping places on the old Schenectady Railroad, the terminal points of which are Schenectady and Quaker Street.

Judge Duane, on his withdrawal from active life, selected a plot of ground ten acres in extent, which he gave to the town. This is known as Centre Square or Lot, and was designed as a com-

mons for the village of Duanesburgh. The situa- ion did not prove favorable for the growth of sucht a settlement, though two churches, a school-house and other buildings mark the locality.

SETTLEMENT .- EARLY PURCHASES.

Large tracts in what is now this town were pur- chased by different parties between 1736 and 1770. Among the purchasers were Thomas Freeman in 1736 ; Timothy Bagley in 1737 ; A. P. and Wil- liam Crosby in 1738 ; Walter Butler in 1739 ; and Jonathan Brewster in 1770. The tract embraced about 60,000 acres, which, with the exception of about 1,000 acres known as Braine's Patent, came into the ownership of Hon. James Duane, either by inheritance from his father or by pur- chase.

Though, as has been seen, considerable land had been taken up, most of it in bulk, actual settlement practically began about the time of the organization of the town (1765), when Judge Duane contracted with about twenty German families from Pennsylvania to begin a settlement. Sixteen of these families came and located per- manently. These lands were rented at the rate of about $15 per annum on each one hundred acres on perpetual leases, payable in gold and silver. The agents of Sir William Johnson excited prejudice against them, and were instrumental for a time in retarding the progress of their settlement and im- provement. Long continued disaffection on the part of tenants, intensified by the anti-rent troubles round about, culminated in the spring of 1858 in the formation in Duanesburgh of an Anti-rent Association, the members of which pledged them- selves to pay no rents, to resist all attempts to collect them, and to share equally the expense which any of them might incur in contesting at law the rights of landlords in the matter. The settlement of these difficulties forms a part of the general history of the territory treated in this article.

JUDGE JAMES DUANE.

Hon. JAMES DUANE was born in New York City, February 6, 1733. Having acquired the fitting education, he selected the law for his profession, and entered the office of James Alexander, one of the most eminent counsel of our colonial bar, and the father of the American General, Lord Stirling. He was admitted as an attorney in 1754, and was soon intrusted with a large professional business.

162

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

October 21, 1759, Mr. Duane married Mary, the eldest daughter of Robert Livingston, then pro- prietor of Livingston Manor. This alliance tended to give direction to his studies and practice, and caused him to be actively engaged in all of the law- suits and decisions relative to the boundaries of New York colony with New Hampshire, Masssa- chusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. The stand- ing Mr. Duane had acquired in his profession before the revolution, led to his retention in nu- merous important cases. Among these may be mentioned, as of some local interest, the case of Schermerhorn against the trustees of Schenectady Patent, a long-continued struggle, and his connec- tion as counsel for Trinity Church with the oft-re- peated claims of the heirs of Anneke Jans.

But it was as a high-toned patriot in the early period of our revolutionary struggle that Mr. Duane assumed his noblest character, and was among the unappalled actors. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress that met in Phila- delphia, September 5, 1774, to enter on daring measures. He was associated with such spirits as Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin, and others of similar temperament, and sustained his manly share of responsibility. He was again elected to Con- gress in 1775, and went soon after the battle of Lexington, reaching Philadelphia on the day the session opened, and co-operated with his fellow- delegates in raising an army, appointing Washing- ton commander-in-chief, issuing bills, establishing a post-office, and, in fact, assuming the powers of government. He continued in Congress until May 31, 1776, when he was called home to attend the New York Congress, of which he had been chosen a member from the city of New York in the preceding April. The object was to form a State Government-an object so near and dear to the heart of every patriotic man of New York; and it was neither fear nor inclination that drew Mr. Duane, Robert R. Livingston and John Jay from the general Congress at this time, and prevented them from appearing as signers of the Declaration of Independence, to the preparatory steps of which they had effectually contributed, and to the main- tenance of which they all devoted so many years of their lives.

So devoted was Mr. Duane to the cause of lib- erty, that he did not again set his foot on the soil of his native city, or visit his extensive property there, until he entered it in triumph November 25, 1783, on the evacuation of New York by the British troops and authorities. It is impossible in a sketch like this to recount Mr. Duane's patriotic labors. He was either a member of the General Congress of the Union or the Provincial Congress of New York during almost the whole of the revolution- ary period. February 5, 1784, he was elected Mayor of the City of New York, which office he held several years; and in March, 1789, welcomed to that city the first Congress under the present Constitution, and General Washington as President of the Republic which their joint labors in diverse fields had helped to establish. Our general Gov-

ernment under the new Constitution went into operation in the spring of 1789, and in September of that year, without solicitation on his part, Mr. Duane was nominated by President Washington, and appointed by the United States Senate, United States District Judge of the District of New York, and entered upon the duties of his office upon the fourteenth of the following month. For about five years Judge Duane continued to execute the duties of this office, earnestly endeavoring to fulfill the wishes of his great friend, Washington, and with the still higher object of satisfying his enlightened conscience. But forty years of indefatigable labor had so undermined his health as to induce him to resign and retire to his estate in Duanesburgh. Accordingly, on the 10th of March, 1794, he addressed a letter to the President, announcing his wishes, and urging the appointment of a successor by the middle of April. The President replied with a kind letter, and April 8th, so soon as the busi- ness of the court permitted, he resigned, and retired finally from a long and honorable public life.

In a few days after this he removed to Schenec- tady, where he owned some property, and had fre- quently spent portions of the year with his family. The large buildings which he owned were de- stroyed by the great fire of 1819. There it was his intention to remain until he could carry into effect his wish to fix his permanent home on his estate in Duanesburgh, where he had already erected a church, and in 1796 commenced building a coun- try seat which he was destined not to live to com- plete. On the morning of February 1, 1797, at his city residence, just as he was arising from his bed, he was taken with an affection of the heart, and expired almost immediately. Thus passed away one whose name will live while the records exist of the days of the revolution, and the deeds of the patriots, statesmen and soldiers of that mem- orable period. He was laid to rest in a vault, now closed, underneath Christ's Church, Duanesburgh, and beside him have been placed the remains of his wife, Mary Livingston, and other members of his family.

General WILLIAM NORTH .- Mary, the eldest daughter of Hon. James Duane, married Gen. Will- iam North, a distinguished soldier of the revolution. He was the friend and companion-in-arms of Baron Steuben, and with that patriot rendered most effici- ent service to his country in the time of her need. With his distinguished father-in-law he enjoyed the confidence and friendship of Washington, and was with him at Yorktown in 1781, when Lord Corn- wallis surrendered.

In 1783, on that most memorable occasion in New York City, he bade farewell to Washington and his fellow officers, and shortly thereafter, in the same year, retired to Duanesburgh. This town was then but little better than a wilderness, sparsely settled and infested with wild animals. Here he settled upon a large estate, living in a fine house and enjoying a well-earned leisure.

The General's services to his country remained fresh in the public mind, however, and in 1796 he

163

THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

was again called into public life and elected to the Assembly of the State, and when that body con- vened he was selected, from among the many emi- nent men composing it, to be the Speaker of the House. The succeeding year he was returned to the Assembly, and again made Speaker. In 1809 he had the satisfaction of seeing Schenectady County established. He had been one of the chief pro- moters of that project, and upon the political or- ganization of the county in 1810, he was the first to represent it in the Assembly, and for the third time was chosen Speaker. His arduous life, how- ever, was beginning to tell upon him, and he re- mained in retirement thereafter until his death at his home in Duanesburgh. He is buried in the vault of the family church before referred to in these pages, and a mural tablet records his services as a patriot and statesman, and his high integrity as a man.

His son, William North, and one daughter sur- vived him. The former owned and occupied the North homestead until his death. He is buried beside his father. Mary and Hannah North were his only children. Mary married Rev. D. C. Wes- ton, who for some years was the clergyman of the old Duanesburgh Church. She died a few years since, and the only surviving member of the family, of the family name, is her sister, Hannah North, of New York City. The North residence is standing and in good condition, but it long since passed out of the possession of the family.

THE FEATHERSTONHAUGH FAMILY .- Sarah, the second daughter of Judge Duane, was celebrated for her great beauty and her many accomplish- ments. Her father's prominence and position had given her the acquaintance of many of the dis- tinguished men of the time, and her girlish grace had won for her the friendship of Washington him- self. There is now in possession of one of her de- scendants an original portrait of General Washing- ton, which was presented to her by its illustrious original shortly before his death. She was married in 1808 to George William Featherstonhaugh, an English gentleman who had come to this country in the service of the British Government. After his marriage Mr. Featherstonhaugh removed to Duanes- burgh, and in the midst of a large estate upon the banks of Featherstonhaugh Lake, he erected a mag- nificent mansion. Featherstonhaugh Park, as the place came to be called, in all its appointments re- sembled an elegant English country residence.

Mr. Featherstonhaugh was of striking personal appearance, and a man of remarkable and diversi- fied attainments. Of high education, he was an accomplished scholar and linguist as well as a fine musician. He enjoyed the friendship and society of many of the most distinguished scholars and scientists of the day, and few Englishmen of cul- ture and note came to America without receiving his hospitality. He was quick to perceive worth and talent in others, and it gave him great satisfac- tion to afford encouragement to young men. When Thomas Cole, afterward the celebrated landscape painter, was struggling for recognition, he found in Mr. Featherstonhaugh the first substantial apprecia-

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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 250

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