USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 27
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 27
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 27
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He is prominently identified with the Demo- cratic party of this locality, which he has rep- resented at various county conventions as a delegate. In 1891 and 1892 he was one of the Board of Supervisors, and for six years he has served as Town Clerk.
On November 27, 1862, Mr. Snyder mar- ried Julia Allen. She is a daughter of Syl- vester Allen, who was formerly a carpenter of Knox, Albany County, but is now successfully engaged in farming in that town. Seven children have been born of this union, and
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four of them are now living; namely, Jeffer- son, Edna, J. Miner, and Ursula. Jefferson, who married Nellie Becker, was for seven years connected with the Albany day line of steamboats, and for four years was connected with the management of Stanwix Hall in Al- bany, but is now proprietor of Hotel Berne in Berne, N. Y.
Edna is the wife of Sanford D. Schell, a farmer in Gallupville, and has six children - Eva, Libbie, Hazel, Martin, Jefferson, and Howard. J. Miner, for four years connected with the Albany day line of steamers and now manager of the Snyder House, married Carrie Zimmer. Ursula is the wife of Charles E. Spateholts, a farmer of Wright. Mrs. Snyder is a Methodist in her religious belief and a regular attendant of the church of that denomination.
OSEPH W. VAN SCHAICK, for many years a prominent farmer of Sharon, Schoharie County, was born in this town, June 5, 1804, son of Koert and Margaret (Wilson) Van Schaick. He was a descendant in the fourth generation of Francis Van Schaick, one of three brothers who emigrated from Holland and settled in New Jersey. Francis Van Schaick died in New Jersey; and his son William, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, settled in Glen, N. Y., where he probably spent bis last days. William Van Schaick married Patience Schenck, who also was of Dutch descent.
Koert Van Schaick, father of Joseph W.,
served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, several others of that name, who were relatives, being enrolled among the patriots. He came from Glen to Sharon some time between the years 1790 and 1796; and the title to the homestead, upon which his grand-daughter now resides, was issued in the latter year. He cleared a large farm, built the present residence, which is now about one hundred years old, and was favorably known throughout this locality. He lived to be over seventy years old. His wife, Margaret, who came from New Jersey, was of English and Scotch descent. She became the mother of nine children; namely, Mary, Patience, Mar- garet, Joseph W., the subject of this sketch, Leffert G., Rachel, Sarah, James, and another son who died in infancy. James, who served as an officer in an artillery company connected with the State militia, was accidentally killed by the premature discharge of a cannon at an election celebration in 1844. He was unmar- ried. The other seven married, and had fam- ilies.
Joseph W. Van Schaick succeeded to the homestead, which he occupied his entire life, and was one of the stirring farmers of his day. Though not an aspirant for public office, he was honored with election to various local positions of trust, serving acceptably as Super- visor of the town in 1849, and was highly es- teemed for his many excellent qualities. He was a firm, stanch, and lifelong Democrat. He was a prominent member of the True Re- formed church of Sharon, and by his liberality and labor was instrumental in a great measure
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in the building of the church edifice. He died on April 23, 1880, honored and esteemed by all who knew him.
Joseph W. Van Schaick married Elizabeth Slingerland, daughter of Captain Jacob Sling- erland, of Bethlehem, Albany County, who died in 1890. Her father died when she was young, and she was reared in Sharon by an aunt. Mr. and Mrs. Van Schaick were the parents of eight children; namely, Koert, Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, John, Slingerland, Sarah, and Emily. The eldest, who was a well- known singer and teacher, died at the age of thirty-three years, leaving one son, William, who is now residing in Rochester, N. Y. Slingerland died in California. Elizabeth, Mary, and Sarah are no longer living. Emily is the wife of Mr. Van Schaick, of Mont- gomery County. John is an attorney in Cobleskill, and an ex-State Senator.
Miss Catharine Van Schaick is a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany. She was for several years a successful teacher, but gave up educational work in 1883 in order to care for her mother. After the death of her mother in 1890, Miss Van Schaick took charge of the homestead; and, being a woman of good executive ability, she has managed the prop- erty energetically ever since. She possesses literary tastes and attainments of a high order ; and these, together with her excellent social qualities, endear her to a large number of friends and acquaintances. She is a strict ad- herent of the Dutch Reformed church. The house she occupies has long been conspicuous as a landmark. It contains many relics in
shape of family utensils used by her grandpar- ents; also the Revolutionary musket, with its highly prized date of 1776 engraved thereon, and the old sword hanging idly in its scabbard high up on the wall.
The Van Schaick family are sturdy-going Americans, and in every generation men of this name have gone forth to serve their coun- try upon the battlefield and in the council chambers of the government. The family cherish the traditions of Alkmaar, Leyden, Brill, and the Beggars of the Sea. They rev- erence the memory of William of Orange and Prince Maurice, under whom their ancestors fought the Spanish tyrant. But they have transplanted these memories and traditions to American soil, and are thorough patriots. Down to the latest generation the strong qual- ities of the race have descended. The recent appointment of Louis J. Van Schaick, son of ex-Senator Van Schaick, to a Second Lieuten- ancy in the United States regular army, marks the beginning of another career which bids fair to be an honored and a useful one.
S TEPHEN P. HALLOCK, of Cox- sackie, N. Y., dealer in provisions, grain, hay, and straw, was born in New Baltimore, N. Y., on March 5, 1838, his parents being Joseph Z. and Phœbe (Herrick) Hallock. His paternal grandfather, Zebulon Hallock, was either born in New Baltimore or came there as a child in the early days of its settlement. He was a tanner and shoe- maker, and worked at those trades all his life.
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He died at the age of seventy-two. His wife was before her marriage Sally S. Kidmore. They had a large family of children.
Joseph Z. Hallock was a farmer. He spent all his life in New Baltimore, and died there on January 28, 1899, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a prominent citizen in his town and a farmer on a large scale. He was a member for sixty-four years of the Christian church, and held leading offices in the church. His wife, Fhœbe, was born in New Baltimore, daughter of John Herrick, a well-known farmer of that town. She is still living at the age of eighty-two. Of the five children that have been born to her, four are living, namely : Stephen P .; Andrew, who resides at the Upper Village; Leander; and Charles.
Stephen P. Hallock received a practical ed- ucation in the public schools of his native town. The first twenty-four years of his life were spent on his father's farm, and at the end of that time he came to Coxsackie, and entered the dry-goods store of Collier & Van Vliet as clerk. Three years later he pur- chased Mr. Van Vliet's interest in the busi- ness, and the firm became Collier & Hallock. This partnership continued until 1880, when Mr. Hallock sold out to Mr. Wolf, and bought out the grocery business of David Hallock. He was then located on the opposite side of the street, but a few years after he bought out Platt Coonley's business, with his entire stock of groceries and provisions, and then removed to his present stand. In 1896 his son Roscoe was admitted to partnership in the business. This is the largest grocery in Greene County,
carrying on besides its immense retail trade a large wholesale department. Mr. Hallock is the oldest grocer in the town, and in course of his long business career he has seen many changes in the village and a great increase in population.
Mr. Hallock was married in 1864 to Carrie Webber, who was born in this town, daughter of William Webber. She is of Holland de- scent on her grandfather's side, her grand- mother having been a native of Connecticut. Her father spent his life on a farm in this town, and was not only a farmer but the lead- ing auctioneer of Coxsackie. He was a promi- nent Democrat, and held a number of town and county offices, among them being that of county superintendent of the almshouse at Cairo. His death occurred at the age of seventy. He and his family attended the Dutch Reformed church. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Vermillia, was born in Coxsackie. She died at the age of seventy-five, having been the mother of seven children - Christina, Millisson, Robert, Carrie, John W., Addie, and Sallie. Of these two are deceased, namely: Millisson, who married J. H. Brandow; and Robert. Chris- tina, who is a widow, married for her first hus- band Richard Halstead and for her second husband Richard Cornwall. Addie is the wife of O. T. Schermerhorn, of Cairo, and Sallie married J. O. Cornwall. Mrs. Hal- lock's paternal grandmother lived to be ninety- two years of age, dying on the farm where her son William was born and where he lived and died. Mr. and Mrs. Hallock have an only
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child, Roscoe, who has always been in his father's store except during the four years when he was Assistant Postmaster. He bought an interest in the business in the spring of 1896.
Mr. Hallock is a Republican and a strong advocate of the principle of protection. He has served many years on the Board of Educa- tion, for several terms as Trustee and Treas- urer of the village, and has always taken an active part in all public matters. Ile was one of the most earnest promoters of the beautiful new school-house, which was erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. For more than thirty years he has been a member of the Sec- ond Reformed Church, of which also his wife and son are members. Mr. Roscoe Hallock is a member of Ark Lodge, F. & A. M., of Coxsackie. Although Mr. Hallock's best ener- gies have been given to his store, he has found time to devote to other business interests. For a number of years he operated the Hallock steam-mill and the foundry connected with it. This was started by his brother David, who erected the buildings, but the plant was burned in 1892. It was an important indus- try in Coxsackie for many years. At one time Mr. Hallock carried on a feed, grain, and salt business at West Coxsackie. During early life, for a number of years, he taught school in the winter time.
UGENE E. NIOWE, a rising young lawyer of Gilboa, was born in South londonderry, Vt., May 22, 1867, son of
Elwin A. and Jennie (Walker) Howe. He is a descendant on both sides of early arrivals at Plymouth, Mass., and his paternal grand- father was prominently identified with the public affairs of Vermont in his day. Elwin A. Howe enlisted as a private at the breaking out of the Civil War, and was later commis- sioned Captain of a company belonging to the One Hundred and Eighth United States In- fantry, a colored regiment. After the war he engaged in the wooden-ware business in Lud- low, Vt., becoming one of the principal stock- holders in a large enterprise known as the Ludlow Toy Manufacturing Company, of which he was superintendent. He is widely and favorably known throughout the Green Mountain State as a leading Republican, hav- ing served four years in the lower house and two years in the State Senate. He was for- merly Postmaster of Ludlow and superintend- ent of the water-works. He married Jennie Walker, a representative of a highly reputable Vermont family and a sister of the Hon. Will- iam H. Walker, a prominent lawyer, who served in both branches of the legislature and as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Mr. and Mrs. Elwin A. Howe have had six sons and three daughters, all of whom are studiously inclined, and are making good use of the lib- eral education which it has been their good fortune to receive.
Eugene E. Howe pursued his preparatory course at the Black River Academy, Ludlow, and was graduated at Middlebury College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1888. He was one of the honor men of his class, and
D. B. HITCHCOCK.
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belongs to the various college fraternities. In 1887 he was appointed official reporter for the Vermont legislature, holding that office for four years in the House and two years in the Senate. His law studies were begun in the office of Batchelder & Barber, of Vermont ; and, while pursuing the regular course at the Albany Law School, his spare time was spent in the office of the Hon. Alden Chester, of that city. He was admitted to the bar in 1891, and, beginning the practice of his pro- fession in company with J. S. Frost, he re- mained in Albany some four years, during which time he figured in several important cases. In 1895, at the advice of friends, he came to Gilboa, where he has already estab- lished a large general law business, and has become a familiar figure in the courts of Schoharie, Greene, and Delaware Counties. He is a forcible advocate and a fluent speaker, is familiar with court procedure; and these essential qualities, together with the ability he displays in preparing his cases, give ample evidence of the brilliant future which has been predicted for him. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Howe married Florence Eaton, daugh- ter of William Eaton, a successful business man and highly respected citizen of West Ar- lington, Vt. Her father's people were na- tives of Vermont, and her mother's family were from the South. She is a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany. attended the Emerson School of Oratory, Boston, and was a successful teacher previous to her mar- riage. Of this union there are sons, Eugene
S. and Carroll E., and a daughter Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are members of the Dutch Reformed church.
WIGHT B. HITCHCOCK, a retired business man of Windham, was born in this town on February 3, 1830, being the son of Lucius and Eveline (Hayes) Hitchcock. He is a grandson of Lemuel Hitchcock, a native of Connecticut, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene County, coming first to Durham.
Later Lemuel Hitchcock removed to that part of Windham known as Big Hollow, where he settled, and subsequently remained until his death, at the age of seventy-five. He had ten children. His first home here was a log cabin; but later, as increasing prosperity at- tended him, he erected a large frame house. He was one of the prominent men in this part of Greene County, and during the Revolution served the country as a military officer, hold- ing the rank of Lieutenant.
Lucius Hitchcock was born in Durham. He was brought up on a farm, and all his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He built a house in Big Hollow near that of his father, and there made his home to the end of his days. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious faith he followed the teach- ings of his father and was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife, Eveline, who died at the age of forty-six, was born in Granby, Mass., and was one of a family of ten children. Her father, Luther Hayes, who was
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a saddler of that town, settled eventually in Durham, where he died at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Hitchcock were the parents of five children. Four of these are living, namely: Dwight B. ; Platt O. ; Har- riet, who married the late George P. Townsend, of Windham ; and William.
Dwight B. Hitchcock lived with his parents in Big Hollow, and helped on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began working out by the month. His habits were frugal. He saved his wages, and event- ually bought a farm near his father's. There he remained ten years. He then removed to Ashland, and, in company with Mr. R. L. Parsons, bought out a store, where he carried on business for five years. Selling out at the end of that time, he came to Windham and went into partnership with John Patterson. After twelve years of successful enterprise he retired from business. Mr. Hitchcock's place is one of the finest in Windham. It is known as the Colonel Robertson homestead.
Mr. Hitchcock has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Julia Atwater, died in her thirtieth year. She was born in Big Ifollow. Her father, Alfred At- water, farmed for some time in Big Hollow, later for twenty years in Windham, and finally removed to Colorado, where he died. Mrs. Julia A. Hitchcock was the mother of two children, neither of whom is living. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Hitchcock's second wife, also a native of Windham, was before her marriage Sarah R. Barney. Her parents were Ahira and
Lydia (Robertson) Barney, and her grandpar- ents were Aaron and Rebecca (Saxton) Barney. Her grandfather, Aaron, was a native of New Hampshire, but came to Windham in early manhood and began work as a journeyman car- penter, settling near the village. He lived to a good old age. He is well remembered as the builder of the tanneries in this section. Rebecca, his wife, died at the age of thirty- four years, having been the mother of three children. She was a native of Rensselaer- ville, of which place her parents were early settlers.
Ahira Barney, who died in his seventieth year, carried on a farm where the cemetery now lies. He was a lifelong resident of this locality, having been born in the town and reared in the village. His wife, Lydia, was a daughter of Colonel James Robertson, who was one of the first to take up and clear land in the town of Windham. He was a prominent man in these parts, very active in all public affairs. He died at the age of seventy-eight. Of his eight children two are living: James, of Os- wego County, New York; and Elbert, who re- sides in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Lydia R. Barney died at the age of eighty-one. Of her four children one son, Elbert, died in 1896, and the other, Samuel, died at the age of twelve years. The living are: Mrs. Hitch- cock and Mrs. L. V. Brisack. Mrs. Hitch- cock's parents and grandparents were members of the Presbyterian church.
Politically, Mr. Hitchcock is a Republican. He has always taken an active share in local matters and in all questions of public interest.
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He and Mrs. Hitchcock are members of the Presbyterian church and active workers in that body. Mr. Hitchcock is an Elder of the church.
TANTON COURTER, a well- known manufacturer and builder of Cobleskill, N. Y., was born in this town, February 23, 1839. His father, the late Charles Courter, was for many years an influential resident of Cobleskill. His pater- nal grandfather, Ralph Courter, who was born and bred in Germany, came to America, and, after living a short time in New Jersey, re- moved to Schoharie, where he engaged in the manufacture of shoes.
Charles Courter, one of a family of seven children, spent his early life in Schoharie, but when a young man began work on his own account in Middleburg as clerk in a store. Going thence to Lawyersville, he there en- gaged in business until his removal to Cobles- kill, in 1837. He subsequently assisted in building the Albany & Susquehanna railway, of which he was for many years a director. He also built many fine brick blocks in Cobles- kill; but after the disastrous fire of 1873, in which he lost heavily, he practically retired from active pursuits, although he retained real estate interests until his death, which occurred in 1879, at the age of threescore and ten years. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and served as one of the village trustees a number of years. His wife, whose maiden name was Helen Lawyer, was born in Law- yersville, and was a daughter of Thomas
Lawyer, a lifelong resident of that town. She died at the age of sixty-eight years. Both parents were attendants of the Lutheran church. Five of their children survive; namely, Josephine, Stanton, Henrietta, Cor- delia, and Helen C.
Stanton Courter in his youth attended acad- emies at Schoharie and Fort Plain, and was afterward graduated from the Buffalo Commer- cial College. Before attaining his majority he went to Chicago, where his father had been instrumental in establishing the extensive lumber firm of C. Courter & Co., which dealt in lumber manufactured in its own mills in the timber districts of Michigan. He was there for a time in the employ of that com- pany, and going thence to Milwaukee, Wis., he was connected with the extensive railway operators, Rogers, Courter & Co., until they sold the Milwaukee & Western Railroad to the St. Paul Railway Company, when he be- came confidential secretary of Sherburne S. Merrill, manager of the road under the new officials. In 1864 Mr. Courter returned to Cobleskill, and for eleven years was first cashier of the First National Bank, which he and his father had established. The follow- ing three years he spent in Pensacola, Fla., looking after the lumber interests of his father in that State. The Florida property being then sold to an English syndicate, Mr. Courter again returned to his native town, and on the death of his father succeeded him in business, becoming owner of the manufacturing plant of Courter & Overpaugh. With characteristic enterprise he has almost entirely rebuilt the
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original works, and now has a large factory finely equipped with modern machinery and appliances. In addition to turning out vast amounts of dressed lumber and building ma- terials of all kinds each year, he manufactures furniture of all descriptions, and as a con- tractor for buildings has erected some of the finest residences in this part of the county. His own dwelling, on the corner of Main and Grand Streets, is a spacious Colonial man- sion, with large rooms and halls and high ceilings.
Mr. Courter also built the Cobleskill elec- tric light plant, which has proved of inesti- mable value as a means of lighting the village, the corporation, and the residences of the town. Fraternally, he is a Mason, be- longing to Cobleskill Lodge, F. & A. M .; and to John L. Lewis Chapter, R. A. M.
UCIUS A. WOODWORTH, proprie- tor of the Ripley House in Hunter, was born in Jewett on January 18, 1833, his parents being Abner and Sophronia (Judson) Woodworth. The family, which is of Scotch descent, was a pioneer one of Jewett, living there first in a log cabin and clearing the wild forest, land. Mr. Wood- worth's grandfather, Lemuel Woodworth, was born in Jewett, and lived there to a good old age. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Winters, lived to be seventy-five years old. Their children were as follows: David; Alanson: Hiram; Lemuel; Reuben, who died young; Lydia, who married a Fuller; Nancy,
who married a Fairchild; and Sally, who mar- ried a Slater.
Abner Woodworth was born in Jewett. He was reared on a farm, and was interested in agricultural labors as long as he lived. When about eighteen years of age he became the owner of a farm, and this he carried on until his death, a period of nearly sixty years. He was a very earnest Christian man and an ac- tive worker in the Methodist church, of which he and his wife were members. Mrs. So- phronia Woodworth, who died at the age of forty-seven, was born in Jewett. She was the daughter of Dr. Judson, an old-time physician of Windham, who is believed to have come . from Hartford, Conn. Abner and Sophronia Woodworth were the parents of six children.
Lucius Woodworth lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. He was educated in the common schools and at Fer- gusonville Collegiate Institute. He taught school one winter in Hunter, and worked in this vicinity at carpentering with his brother- in-law during the summer. At twenty-one years of age he went out to Wisconsin, where he stayed for three years, working at his trade in the summers. One winter he taught school at Elkhorn, in that State; one winter he at- tended school; and the third he worked in a shop. In 1861, in company with two other men, he started for Colorado, journeying in his own conveyance, which was a large covered emigrant wagon. The distance was eleven hundred miles. Indians were often seen, but they were not hostile, and the trip was made in safety. Arriving in Denver, Mr. Wood-
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worth remained there a short time, and then went up to Black Hawk, forty miles farther, into the mining region. There for a year he was engaged in building quartz-mills, and at the end of that time he became himself pro- prietor of a mill, which he operated for the next three years. The country was then al- most a wilderness, and this mill was one of the first started in that locality. At the end of three years he sold out his mill and re- turned East, but only to remain for a short time. The Western fever was on him strong, and he returned to Wisconsin and purchased a farm. Not long after he had an opportunity to go to Nashville, Tenn., to do carpentering for the Northern army; and, when some time later he returned to Wisconsin, he sold out his farm and decided to push on farther west to Montana. Going down to Chicago, he bought twenty mules, loaded a wagon train with freight, and started westward. The freight was to be delivered in Denver. This was in the dead of winter, and the undertaking was most perilous. For two months Mr. Woodworth travelled without seeing a spark of fire, except for cooking purposes. But he reached Denver safely, delivered his load, and then returned to Council Bluffs, where he hired his mules kept until spring opened. Then securing a load in Omaha for Denver, he carried it out there, a distance of six hundred miles, and upon delivering it reloaded in Denver for Salt Lake City. After covering the eleven hundred miles, he camped for about ten days, and then sold out his mule train, and went to work for another man to drive a
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