USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 24
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 24
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 24
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
254
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ish. Henry Rifenbark and his wife had seven children, three sons - Harry C., Aaron, and Ebenezer - and four daughters - Julia Ann, Ilattie, Harriet, and Caroline. All of the boys became farmers.
Aaron Rifenbark, who was born in Summit in 1804, and died in 1883, was a leading citi- zen here and a prominent man in the Demo- cratic party. Ile was twice married, the first time to Mary Banks and the second time to her sister Catharine. The first wife died in 1848 and the second in 1895. The six chil- dren - William H., John, who is deceased, Hiram, Ebenezer, Permelia, and Hettie - were the fruit of the first marriage. The first- named of these, who resides in Hobart, Ind., is a leading Republican there, and in 1897 and 1899 was a member of the Indiana legislature. He is prominent in business circles and as a Grand Army man. In the year 1898 he was engaged in building county roads. In 1893 he exhibited at the World's Fair steel neck yokes and whiffletrees manufactured by the company of which he was president. Ebenezer Rifen- bark resides at Summit. He fought for the Union in the Civil War, and was wounded at Gettysburg. Permelia is the wife of Winthrop D. Gallup. Hettie married P. P. Gordon, M. D., of Hobart, Ind., and died in 1892.
Iliram Rifenbark received his education in the public schools of Summit and at Char- lotteville Seminary. At the age of seven- teen he engaged to work on a farm seven months for sixty-five dollars. Mr. H. Masters, his employer, who was away from home much of the time, told him one day to sow a piece
of land to buckwheat, putting in two bushels of seed. This was new work to Rifenbark. He began sowing broadcast, and soon found that he had put half the seed on a quarter of the land. He then sowed the remainder of the seed more sparingly, making it cover the other three-fourths of the land. He watched the growth with interest, but before harvest time the cows got into the field and ate up the grain, thick and thin. He lost not a day in that seven months. In the winter he attended school, and the next seven months he worked for a farmer in Fulton, his only holiday being the Fourth of July, which he insisted on keeping. The next winter he taught school four months at ten dollars a month. April I of his nineteenth year found him engaged to a farmer in Summit seven months at eleven dollars a month. This sum- mer there was not a day of lost time, the man for whom he worked giving him the Fourth of July. The following winter he again taught in the same district where he taught the first term, but with an increase of two dollars a month in his wages. He continued to teach school winters after this until he was married and settled on the farm, teaching one term in the winter, while on the farm, at two dollars a day. When twenty years old he worked seven months at Richmondville, driving team for the iron foundry at twelve dollars a month. The next spring he began working at carpentry, continuing for three summers under a boss, and after that time he took jobs for himself till he purchased his father's farm of ninety-six acres in 1868. Four years later he sold the
255
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
farm, and bought the property, including the store now belonging to Levi J. Lincoln in Charlotteville, N. Y. After conducting a gen- eral merchandise business there for ten years, he sold the property, and, buying a vacant lot, built the residence he now occupies and the store across the street, where he conducted business for twelve years. He then sold the goods to Kingsley & Griffin, to whom he rented the store. Since that time he has been selling agricultural implements and fertilizers, and looking after business for himself and others. Mr. Rifenbark is a strong Democrat. He has shown a warm interest in political matters ever since he became a voter. He has been on the Town Committee a number of times, on the School Board several terms, in 1865 Town Clerk, and much of the time since 1870 Notary Public. He has also served two terms as a Justice of the Peace, and has done a large amount of business settling estates and drawing contracts. He has served as ex- ecutor of a number of the wills filed in this town, as he is known to have an excellent knowledge of technical law points. From 1888 to 1890, inclusive, he was Supervisor of Summit. His record as Supervisor is marked primarily by a strong effort to secure an honest and economical expenditure of the public funds. Fearless and daring in his personal expression and effort when he believed himself laboring in a worthy cause, he met with some opposition, but in the main won a loyal recog- nition from his constituents. He broke up abuses in the county relating to the housing and feeding of vagrants, secured action by the
governing board that caused the removal of all luxuries from the county prison, and worked hard for a reduction of expenses in every way. He served on the Committee on Sheriffs' Ac- counts, on public and other buildings, and on the Committee on Legislation.
Mr. Rifenbark married Amelia Burnett, daughter of Colonel George O. Burnett, who was prominent in the militia. Mrs. Rifen- bark attended Charlotteville Seminary, and subsequently taught school for ten terms be- fore her marriage. She is active in church work, and when the Good Templars and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union were in existence here was one of their earnest sup- porters. Mr. Rifenbark was also connected with the Good Templars, being Chief Tem- plar. He has been clerk of the Baptist church at Summit, a member of the ministerial com- mittee, trustee, and for years superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is the teacher of the Bible class. He is strictly temperate in all things. His early life taught him the value of money, and he then acquired the hab- its of industry and economy which are still characteristic of him. He is a liberal con- tributor to every good cause, but never up- holds extravagance or waste.
m ICHAEL LACKEY, JR., real es- tate and insurance broker, a well- known business man of Greene County, is a resident of Tannersville, where he was born on November 24, 1860, son of Michael and Catherine (Burke) Lackey. His
256
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
parents are still living, and make their home with him.
His paternal grandfather, Thomas Lackey, who was born in Ireland, went to England in 1821, and resided there until 1829, when he emigrated to America, and, settling in New York City, followed the trade of a cabinet- maker. In 1835 Thomas Lackey retired from active business pursuits and came to Tanners- ville, where he resided with his son, the elder Michael, until his death, which occurred in 1853.
Michael Lackey, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, May 18, 1815. He came to America with his parents when fourteen years old, and was educated in the night schools of New York City. He learned the trade of a house painter, which he followed there for a time and then removed to Tannersville, where he continued in the same occupation. He also kept a country tavern in the old stage times when Tannersville was a hamlet called Greenland. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held offices. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Burke, is a native of Ireland. They have had four chil- dren, two of whom are now living; namely, Michael, Jr., and his sister, Lizzie P. The latter is the wife of Michael B. Dolan.
Michael Lackey, Jr., acquired his educa- tion in the common schools of Tannersville. At the age of fifteen he went to New York City, and entered Ehrich's dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue, where he kept the country order books for one year. He then engaged in the ice cream and confectionery business at
the corner of Eighth Avenue and Fifty-ninth Street. Returning to Tannersville later, he taught school until 1883, at the same time studying law and becoming a practitioner. In 1875 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Hunter known as Ontcora Glen, which he conducted with his other business until 1892. From May 10, 1891, to October 20 of that year, he was proprietor of a laundry, having an exclusive contract for Onteora Park, including thirty cottages and a large inn; and he was ably assisted in this work by his wife. He moved from his farm in 1892, renting it until 1896 when he exchanged that property for the half-way house on the road to Hunter, and removed to the village of Tannersville. Soon after his return he erected a dwelling- house, office, and store, the latter of which is well stocked with stationery, school supplies, sporting goods, and other merchandise, and is carried on by his wife. He does quite a busi- ness in the buying of Christmas-trees for the New York market, shipping from six to ten carloads annually. In 1893 he engaged in the real estate business. He erected a large building which he rents. He makes collections for many concerns through the county, and was appointed assignee for Willsey & Fromer, one of the largest firms in this vicinity. As local representative of several large insurance companies, he has secured some of the prin- cipal risks in the town. He has a great deal of law practice in the minor courts.
In 1883 Mr. Lackey was united in marriage with Julia Weller, daughter of Thomas Weller, formerly an inn-keeper in Birming-
257
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ham, England. They have five children - Robert E., Charles H., Edward W., Mary L., and Clara E.
Politically, Mr. Lackey is a Democrat. In 1889 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, hold- ing that office three years; and he was a ean- didate for Supervisor in 1891. He was ap- pointed l'ostmaster in 1893, and held that position until 1898, giving general satisfac- tion. He has been Counsel for the village corporation ever since its organization, has acted as notary publie for the past fourteen years, and is frequently called upon to address political meetings. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Past Chancellor of the local lodge.
TEPHEN LOUDON, a retired farmer of Fulton, Schoharie County, was born in the town of Blenheim, N.Y., February 16, 1821, son of John and Sarah (Tinkelpaugh) Loudon.
John Loudon was born in Delaware, where he grew to man's estate on the parental home- stead. Choosing farming as his life occupa- tion, he moved to Schoharie County, which was then in its primitive wildness. He took up a tract of land in Blenheim, at a time when there were very few clearings in that locality or in the county, and there partly im- proved a farm. Disposing, however, of his newly acquired land in Blenheim, he bought land in the neighboring town of Gilboa, and was there engaged in his independent calling until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-
three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Tinkelpaugh, died at the age of fifty-nine years, having borne him ten chil- dren. Four of the nine are still living, namely: Mary, wife of John Mattice; Stephen; Libby, wife of Jacob I. Coons; and Nancy. Both parents were members of the Baptist church.
Stephen Loudon, by persevering industry and wise economy, accumulated considerable property, and while yet a young man pur- chased a farm in Breakabeen, which he after- ward sold, and bought a large farm on Bouek's Island, adjoining the Governor Bouck home- stead. Upon that farm he resided until 1894, when he bought his present home property, which is managed by his son-in-law, C. E. Markham, in connection with his own farm. Mr. Loudon has always been deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of the town of his adoption. In politics he is a firm sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party.
On August 31, 1846, Mr. Loudon married Lavinia Whaley, who is a native of Dutchess County, New York, and is the only living child born to the late Daniel and Sarah (Car- penter) Whaley.
Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have three daughters, namely : Caroline, wife of Prof. C. E. Mark- ham, teacher and farmer of Fulton; Emma, wife of George Coykendall; and Mary, wife of Peter E. Schoonmaker, both of whom are suc- cessful business men in Kingston, N. Y. These daughters are all graduates of the State Normal School, and were all of them teachers
258
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
in their younger days. Mr. Loudon is a member of the Baptist church, and Mrs. Loudon belongs to the Reformed church.
ACOB FROMER, one of the most suc- cessful business men in Tannersville, N. Y., was born in Wittenberg, Ger- many, October 14, 1849, son of Daniel and Mary (Liepold) Fromer. Ilis father, who also was a native of Wittenberg, emigrated to the United States in 1853. After his arrival in this country Daniel Fromer followed the trade of a chair-maker for a time, and then turned his attention to farming, first in Jewett and later in Tannersville, where he died at seventy-two. His wife, Mary, who was a native of Germany, was the mother of six chil- dren, namely: Mary; Rosa; John, first (de- ceased) ; Daniel, Jr. ; Jacob; and John. Mary married Leonard L. Woodard. Rosa became the wife of Clarence Willsey. John keeps a boarding-house. Daniel, Jr., is proprietor of a hotel. Mrs. Mary L. Fromer died at the age of seventy-one. The parents were mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.
Jacob Fromer acquired his education in the schools of Jewett, and worked on the home farm until he was nineteen years old, when he went to the oil regions of l'ennsylvania, going thence to West Virginia, and later entering mercantile business in Parkersburg, Va. Disposing of his establishment there at the end of eighteen months, he came to HIunter, where he engaged in the express business and also ran a stage to the Catskill. He aban-
doned this enterprise at the expiration of a year and a half, and again entered mercantile business, carrying on a general store under the Cascade House for the same length of time. He next erected a building sixty by sixty feet, and three stories high, adjoining his present office, and, putting in a stock of general merchandise, carried on business until 1892, when he sold out. lle started in a small way, but as his trade increased he was forced to enlarge both his stock and floor space in order to meet the demands of his pa- trons. He transacted a business amounting to over one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars annually, and employed twelve assist- ants. In 1893 he made a trip to Florida, and upon his return in 1894 opened a sale and livery stable here and another at Elka Park, Hunter, both of which he has since conducted successfully, also doing quite an extensive business in the selling of carriages, sleighs, robes, and harnesses. He keeps twenty horses, and at times has as many as thirty for livery purposes. In connection with this he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and besides his stable and office he has erected several dwelling-houses.
In 1875 Mr. Fromer was united in marriage with Susan Showers, a native of Hunter, daughter of Michael Showers, a farmer of that town. Her parents had a family of six children, four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Fromer's sisters are all married.
Mr. Fromer is a Republican in politics. He was Supervisor continuously from 1893 to 1899, having with a few exceptions served
259
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
longer than any other member of the board; and during his term of office he succeeded in reducing the taxes. He was largely instru- mental in securing the incorporation of the village, and was trustee a number of years. lle and Mrs. Fromer are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, and contribute to the support of other denominations.
OLOMON KELLEY was born Feb- ruary 14, 1823, on the farm in Princetown, N. Y., on which he now resides, he being the owner thereof and de- voting his energies to its improvement and cultivation. His parents were Solomon and Grace (Wingate) Kelley. His father was born in Rotterdam, N. Y., and his mother in Princetown. His paternal grandfather was William Kelley, a Scotchman, whose occupa- tion was that of a milier and a farmer. He was an early settler in Rotterdam, but after- ward resided in Princetown and in Duanes- burg, and died in Mariaville.
Solomon Keiley, the elder, learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for several years. Settling upon new land in Princetown when a young man, he cleared the farm which is now owned by his son, and erected the buildings. An industrious farmer and a citi- zen of worth, he gained the good will of his neighbors by his many sterling qualities. In politics he voted with the Whig party, and in his religious belief he was a Presbyterian. He was the father of ten children, five of whom are living, namely: Solomon, the sub-
ject of this sketch; Robert; John; Samuel; and Grace. The others were: William, An- drew, Sally, Jane, and Mary A.
Solomon Kelley was reared at the home- stead and educated in the district schools. He has always resided at his birthplace, and succeeding to its ownership he has made gen- eral farming a profitable employment up to the present time. He is still smart and ac- tive, with the ability to perform a day's work which would tire many younger men, his early vigor giving no sign of decay. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Presbyterian church.
When twenty-seven years old Mr. Kelley married for his first wife Evelyn Love. His present wife was before marriage Nancy Gregg. By his first marriage he has one son, William, who is living at home.
AMES H. FLANAGAN, a prosperous farmer of Tannersville, N.Y., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in New York City, February 14, 1842, son of Matthew and Margaret (Olwell) Flanagan. He is a descendant of the O'Flanagans of Ire- land. His great-grandfather Flanagan was named Thomas, and his grandfather was Pat- rick O'Flanagan.
Matthew Flanagan, son of Patrick, emi- grated to America when a young man, first settling in New York City. After his mar- riage he came to this locality, where he worked in a tannery for some time, and then purchased a farm. Politically, he was a
260
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Democrat. He died at the age of sixty-eight. His wife, Margaret, was a native of Ireland. She was a daughter of John Olwell, a farmer, who emigrated to the United States, and spent his last years on a farm in the vicinity of Tannersville. Matthew and Margaret Flana- gan were the parents of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and five are now liv- ing; namely, James H., Patrick, Alice, Kate, and Rose. Patrick lives in Newark, N. J. Alice married John Hoolahan, and resides in Brooklyn. Rose married Patrick Gillooly, and is also residing in Brooklyn. The mother died at the age of fifty-six years.
James 11. Flanagan came to Tannersville with his parents when very young, and at- tended the common schools. At the age of twenty, in 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth United States Infantry. In the second battle of Bull Run he was severely wounded in the leg, and he lay upon the field for ten days unattended. He was then taken to Washington, and after being in various hospitals was discharged in 1863. Upon re- covering from the effects of his wound he re- enlisted in the Cavalry, Independent Corps, and was stationed on the frontier, where he served three years. He was mustered out as a Corporal. Returning to Tannersville, he worked on his father's farm for two years, at the end of which time he went to Wisconsin, and from there to St. Clair County, Illinois, where he remained one and a half years. Ile then returned East, and, again settling in Tannersville, has followed farming with good results ever since. His property originally
consisted of one hundred and fifty acres, but he disposed of one hundred acres to good ad- vantage. In politics he is a Republican, and served as Excise Commissioner some time.
In 1876 Mr. Flanagan married Miss Mary E. Smith, of Brooklyn, daughter of Patrick Smith, a member of the police force of that city. They have four children - Eileen, Fairie, Una Eideen Desmond, and Oscar. Eileen and Fairie are now preparing them- selves for educational work.
Mr. Flanagan is a comrade of A. N. Bald- win Post, G. A. R. He is an earnest advo- cate of temperance, and has rendered valuable service to the community in that direction. The family attend the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Flanagan from childhood has shown a marked liking for literature, and he has a fine library containing books by some of the very best authors. He is also very fond of music, and has a choice collection of in- strumental and classical musical works.
OHN BRADT, a retired farmer of Rot- terdam, was born in this town, Octo- ber 6, 1839, son of Aaron I. and Eliza C. (Vedder) Bradt. The parents were natives of Schenectady; and the father was a prosper- ous farmer of Rotterdam, where he spent the greater part of his life. He died at the age of fifty-eight years, and his wife lived to be ninety-one. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are living, namely : John, the subject of this sketch; and Aaron
JOHN BRADT.
263
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
B., who resides in Schenectady. The others were: Francis, Hester, and Helen.
John Bradt acquired his education in the common schools of his native town. After the completion of his studies he assisted his father in carrying on the home farm, thereby obtain- ing a good knowledge of agriculture; and in early manhood he and his brothers, Aaron B. and Francis, purchased their sister's interest in the old homestead farm, which contained about one hundred and sixty acres, located along the banks of the Mohawk River. This they carried on successfully together till Aaron sold his interest. After that the farm was managed by John and Francis until 1889. In that year Mr. John Bradt retired, and built a handsome residence in the village, which he has since occupied, the industry displayed dur- ing his long period of activity having placed him in easy circumstances. It is interesting here to note that the ancestral farm has been handed down from his grandfather to the fourth generation, being now owned by Mr. Bradt's nephew, Aaron J. Bradt, son of Francis above named.
On December 28, 1871, Mr. Bradt was united in marriage with Eleanor Dorn, who was born in Princetown, August 3, 1847, daughter of Alexander and Harriet Dorn. Her father, who was a stirring farmer of Duanesburg, died at the age of sixty-one years. He was an active member of the Dutch Reformed church and for more than forty years an Elder. Mrs. Dorn is still liv- ing, and resides in Duanesburg.
In politics Mr. Bradt is a Republican, but
takes no part in public affairs beyond casting his vote. He has been a Deacon of the Re- formed church for the past eight years, and Mrs. Bradt is a member of the church.
B ENJAMIN I. TALLMADGE, the well-known attorney and counsellor- at-law of Windham, N. Y., is a na- tive of New Baltimore, Greene County, and was born on November 1, 1869, his parents being Thomas D. and Helen (Raymond) Tall- madge. Thomas D. Tallmadge's paternal grandfather, who was a leading farmer of Greene County, died before Benjamin I. was born.
Thomas D. Tallmadge spent his life on a farm until he was a middle-aged man, when he opened a general merchandise store. After carrying that on for several years, he removed with his family to Albany, his son Benjamin being then about fourteen years old. Later Thomas D. Tallmadge removed to Oneonta, where he for a time conducted an ice business and afterward a market. He retired from busi- ness in Oneonta, and subsequently resided there until his death, in June, 1893, at the age of sixty-three. He was stanchly a Demo- crat, but never took an active interest in local politics. His wife, Helen, was the daughter of John G. and Elizabeth Hinman Raymond, of Coxsackie. Mr. Raymond, who had resided in New Baltimore previous to coming to Cox- sackie, was a large real estate owner. He died at Coxsackie in his seventy-ninth year. Of his seven children one son, Wallace W.,
264
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
who is a merchant, resides at Coxsackie. Both he and his wife were Presbyterians. Thomas D. and Helen Tallmadge were the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living. They are as follows : Raymond, who is book-keeper and general manager for Van Slyke & Ilorton, of Albany; Alice A. ; Josiah C., an attorney at Catskill; Elizabeth; Edward C., who is in the employ of the John G. Myers firm in Albany; Matilda, who is the wife of the Rev. Samuel W. Eaton, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Patter, Pa. ; Thomas D., an artist residing in New York City; Caroline; Benjamin I. ; Mae; and R. DeWitt, who was a member of the First New York Volunteers in the late war. The mother of these children is still living in Oneonta, and her four daughters reside with her. She and her two youngest daughters are members of the Baptist church, while Alice and Elizabeth are connected with the Methodist church. The family is remarkable for its musical ability, and all four of the daughters have sung in church choirs. Edward C. Tallmadge also, who is a member of the First Reformed Church, has sung in the choir. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Consistory.
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.