USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 39
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 39
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 39
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
419
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. James Utter's house, which is one of the finest in the county, was built by his father and himself and under their daily supervision. It was built entirely by the day, and is of the best possible workmanship. The son furnished the plans and gave suggestions for interior decorating and finishing. The decorations were made from exclusive designs, and are really works of art. There are twenty large and fully furnished rooms, some of them measuring fourteen by fifteen feet.
Mr. Utter was educated in the common schools, Greenville Academy, and a select school in Durham. After his father's death he then became proprietor of the homestead estate, which consisted of a hundred and ten acres. Since then he has bought some forty acres adjoining and eighty more on the moun- tain. He keeps seven horses and twenty-three head of cattle of Jersey stock, and makes butter for the New York markets. He cuts a large amount of hay, the annual crop sometimes reaching eighty tons; and, though he has built two new barns recently, he is still often obliged to stack some of it out of doors. He keeps two men employed the year through. Mr. Utter is a proficient carpenter himself, and has built a number of the buildings on his place, though others he hired built. His tenant house, near his own residence, is an example of his own workmanship.
In 1883 Mr. Utter went into the enterprise of buying land in the West, and he has continued to buy until he now has about seven thousand acres there. Of this he tills some six hundred acres, raising large crops of corn,
wheat, and oats. In looking after his inter- ests he has made many trips West, particu- larly to Dakota and Michigan, where his land is situated. He is one of the directors in the North American Loan and Trust Company of New York City, which has a paid-up capital of over half a million and a surplus fund of a hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Utter married in 1871 Dora Kelsey, only child of Hiram Kelsey, a leading farmer of Albany County. Although he is an ardent Republican and takes active part in all politi- cal matters, attending State and county con- ventions as delegate, he refuses to accept pub- lic office. He is a member of the Methodist church, while Mrs. Utter is a Baptist. For many years he has been a church trustee. Mr. Utter is a hard worker, and everything about his place is kept in the best of repair. He is one of the best known men in the county.
ENRY C. GETTER, * of Middleburg, N. Y., one of the leading lawyers of Schoharie County, was born on June 16, 1857. His father, David Getter, was born in Schoharie. His grandfather Getter, who was a native of Germany, came to this country when a boy, and settled at Central Bridge, Schoharie. He was an expert handi- craftsman, and followed the trades of gunsmith and clock-maker. A large number of clocks made by him are still in running order. He lived to be ninety-eight years of age, and his mental faculties were well preserved to the
420
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
last. His wife attained the age of ninety- three.
David Getter grew to manhood at Central Bridge, where he was born, and in his youth learned the trade of blacksmith. Coming to Middleburg when he was of age, he set up his forge, and, starting in business for himself, continued actively engaged over fifty years. For a long period his was the only smithy in the town. He was an abolitionist and a Re- publican in politics. His vote was the only one cast for Fremont in his district, and four years later he was one of three to vote for Abraham Lincoln. A reader and a thinker, he was highly respected as a man of sterling integrity and sound judgment, as well as of strong convictions and more than average self- reliance. In religion he was a devoted Meth- odist, for twenty years superintendent of the Sunday-school and for thirty-five years class leader. His house was a home for Methodist ministers who came that way, and many a weary circuit rider there found shelter and re- freshment. David Getter married Harriet Efner, daughter of Harvey Efner, formerly of Palmer, Monroe County. She is still living, being now past eighty years of age. Her father lived to the age of ninety-three years, and was then next to the oldest Free Mason in the State. Mrs. Getter has three children now living; namely, Harvey, Jerome, and Henry C. Two - Charles and Madison - are deceased.
Henry C. Getter obtained his early educa- tion in the common schools, and at a private school taught by Professor James Edmondson,
now principal of a college in Missouri. He studied law with Messrs. Sandford & Thorn, was admitted to the bar, and then went to Kal- amazoo, Mich., and was there for a time with Briggs & Burroughs. Returning East, he formed in 1883 a partnership with William H. Engle, which still continues, this law firm being now the oldest in the county and Mr. Engle the oldest lawyer in the State. Besides doing a large amount of office work, they have an extensive practice in the various courts of the State, including the Court of Appeals.
Mr. Getter married Mary E., daughter of Albert Sawyer and grand-daughter of Dr. Moses Sawyer, formerly of Fulton. Her father was a farmer in Fulton. He died at the age of thirty-seven, leaving two children. Mr. and Mrs. Getter have one child, Jennie L., who is now in the high school. Mr. Getter resided in Fulton up to 1897, when he removed to Middleburg.
Mr. Getter is a Republican in politics. lle has been candidate for District Attorney, for County Judge, and for Supervisor, and has as- sisted to reduce the Democratic majority in the county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Middleburg. Mrs. Getter attends the Meth- odist church, and he contributes to its support.
J. BREWSTER, M. D.,* of North Blenheim, N. Y., was born in Scot- land, Albany County, January 8, 1863, son of William J. and Margaret (Ramsey) Brewster. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry, we are told, to Elder William Brewster, of the
421
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
"Mayflower" and Plymouth Colony. His grandfather, who was born in 1795, and died in 1841, operated a carding-mill in Schoharie County. His grandmother Brewster's maiden name was Silence Gallup.
William J. Brewster, the Doctor's father, was born in Albany County, in February, 1839. His education was completed at Scho- harie Academy; and he taught school for a number of years in Schoharie County, where he also engaged in farming. His wife, Mar- garet, was the daughter of a prominent farmer and leading public official of Gilboa, who was of Scotch descent. Dr. Brewster's parents were members of the Reformed Church of Gallupville, and his father took much interest in church matters. He died April 13, 1883.
WV. J. Brewster obtained his elementary ed- ucation in the common schools, pursued more advanced studies at Schoharie Academy, and then by teaching school earned money enough to enable him to take the course at the Normal School, where he was graduated. His medical studies were begun under a private instructor, and continued at the University Medical Col- lege and at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He took special courses in the laboratory, and a very thorough course in surgery. He was graduated a Doctor of Medicine in 1890, and then went to North Stratford, Coos County, N. H., where he was in practice till his health failed. After a season of rest and recupera- tion he came in 1897 to North Blenheim, where he is now settled. He is a well-edu- cated physician, and has a good country prac- tice. While in New Hampshire he was a
specialist in orthopedic surgery, in which he has done some remarkable work. He was a Health Officer in New Hampshire, and served also as County Coroner. He was a member of Coos County (New Hampshire) Medical So- ciety, being later a member of the Schoharie County Society. He is a member of Scho- harie Valley Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 491. He has written valuable papers for various medical journals. He is a Republican in politics.
Dr. Brewster married Emily E. Earle, of Valleyfield, Province of Quebec, Canada, and has one child.
AMES FROST,* formerly a prominent citizen of Mariahville, in the town of Duanesburg, N. Y., was born in Wash- ington County, this State, August 4, 1783, son of Lot and Temperance (Semen) Frost. He was a descendant in the fifth generation of William Frost, first, a native of Hampshire, England, and a Quaker, who came to America and settled in Boston, but on account of the religious intolerance of that time was obliged to seek a home elsewhere, and accordingly re- moved to Long Island. He married Rebecca, daughter of Nicholas Wright. William Frost, second, the next in line of descent, who was born on Long Island about the year 1647, and resided there until his death, married Hannah Trior.
Benjamin Frost, son of William, second, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born June 9, 1719, and spent the greater
422
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
part of his active life in Dutchess County, New York. He married Rose Springer. Their son Lot, father of James, was born in Dutchess County, March 1, 1744. He was a resident for some years of Washington County, whence he moved to Duanesburg, taking up his residence on Quaker Street, a locality settled by the Friends' Society at an early date, and which is still known by that name. His wife, Temperance, was born on August 30, 1744.
James Frost accompanied his parents from Washington County to Duanesburg. He re- ceived a good education, and taught school in his younger days, but relinquished that occu- pation to become a surveyor, in which capacity he performed much work of an important char- acter. He projected and completed a plank road from Albany to Fort Hunter, and drafted one of the earlier maps of Schenectady County. In 1833-34 he surveyed the new line between Canada and New York State, as well as the greater part of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties, then a wilderness. With his associ- ates he camped out for weeks and months at a time. At night the wolves howled around them, and were kept at bay only by fires. That section of the State, the Adirondack region, is now a famous place of resort in sum- mer. In 1819 he began a survey of the east shore of the Hudson River, under the direction of the Surveyor General, traversing the river by sloop and making numerous soundings. He also surveyed the ground for the second rail- road built in the United States, that between Albany and Schenectady, and surveyed and made maps of all old Schoharie, besides other
territory. In 1835 he surveyed lands in Eliza- bethtown (now Elizabeth City), N. J., belong- ing to Messrs. Conner, Bryant & Crane of that place, and Clark and others of New York, and made maps of the city. Subsequently, remov- ing from Quaker Street, to the northerly part of the town of Duanesburg, about two miles west of Mariahville, he engaged in farming, and also conducted a general store. Possess- ing an unusual amount of energy and ability, which made him especially eligible to the pub- lic service, he took a leading part in town affairs, was particularly interested in educa- tional matters, acted as a Justice of the Peace for many years, and was a member of the As- sembly three terms. Politically, he was a stanch supporter of the Whig party. Though reared a Quaker, he was liberal in his relig- ious opinions, and in his later years favored the Universalist belief. He died at his home in Mariahville, December 23, 1851, and his death was the cause of general regret.
James Frost married Mary Marsh, who was born in Canaan, Conn., October 24, 1787, daughter of Silas Marsh. She was a good bus- iness woman, and rendered valuable assistance to her husband by carrying on the store while he was absent on surveying trips. She became the mother of ten children - five sons and five daughters - all of whom grew to maturity, and two are living, namely : General D. M. Frost, a graduate of the United States Military Acad- emy at West Point, and now a prominent resi- dent of St. Louis, Mo. ; and Miss M. Louise Frost. General Frost had a large family of girls, three of whom married English noble-
423
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
men. One of them is now living in Paris. The others are in England. Miss M. Louise Frost, who is a lady of superior attainments, resides at the homestead during summer, and passes her winters in the South. The other children of James and Mary (Marsh) Frost were: Caroline, Adelia D., Silas W., Ro- sanna, James, William M., John S., and Phoebe A. The mother died August 18, 1864. The sons nearly all studied and followed engi- neering. John S., who was a lawyer, died in 1857.
OHN H. PUTNAM, who carries on farming and market gardening in Nis- kayuna, was born in this town, June 15, 1816. His parents, Harmon and Margaret (Wheaton) Putnam, were natives of this county. His paternal grandfather, John Put- nam, was an early settler here and a noted hunter in his day. He afterward resided in various places, and died in Greene, Chenango County, at an advanced age.
Harmon Putnam, the father, followed the carpenter's trade during his active period. He was married in Niskayuna, which was thenceforward his place of residence. He was a reliable workman, and as an honest, in- dustrious citizen he stood high in the estima- tion of the entire community. He died at the age of sixty years. Margaret Wheaton Putnam, his wife, died at the age of twenty- seven. She was the mother of four children, of whom John H., the subject of this sketch, was the first-born, and is the only one living.
Reuben and Jacob dicd young, and the other died in infancy.
John H. Putnam was educated in the town schools of Niskayuna. At an early age he began work as an assistant on the farm he now occupies, which was then owned by one John Clark, and he afterward worked for other farmers in the neighborhood. When seven- teen years old he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which was his occupa- tion for thirty years, or until 1864. In 1876 he bought his present farm of seventy acres, which he has greatly improved, and has since been engaged in general farming.
On February 28, 1839, Mr. Putnam was joined in marriage with Mary Ann Van Vranken, of Niskayuna, daughter of Jacob Van Vranken and a representative of an old family of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have one son living, Jacob, who was born January 1, 1846, and is engaged in farming with his father. He married Gertrude Mc- Chessen, and has four children - John, Mar- garet A., Julia, and Lena.
Since the breaking out of the Southern re- bellion in April, 1861, Mr. Putnam has voted with the Republican party. He has served with ability as Supervisor and Town Clerk, each two terms. He was Highway Commis- sioner five years, and has been a Justice of the Peace. He is a Master Mason and one of the oldest members of St. George Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M., of Schenectady, having joined the order in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Put- nam are members of the Dutch Reformed church.
424
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
m ADISON YOUNG,* for a number of years a prominent figure in the public affairs of Carlisle, Scho- harie County, N. Y., was born in this town, September 20, 1846, son of Benjamin and Lana (Van Vaulkenburgh) Young. His great- grandfather was l'eter Young, a German, who came here from Hudson, N.Y., as a pioneer, and acquired possession of two separate tracts of land, the whole amounting to three hundred and ten acres. His log cabin stood about twenty-five rods west of the Rock School- house. He was a successful farmer, and his property, which was unencumbered at the time of his death, he divided among his children.
Matthias Young, Madison Young's grand- father, whose birth took place January 20, 1763, was the first white child born in Car- lisle. Receiving a share of his father's prop- erty, he erected a frame house, and carried on general farming until his death, which oc- curred May 21, 1822. He was actively inter- ested in political and religious affairs, held some of the important town offices, and was one of the leading members of the Dutch Re- formed church. He married Helena Patria, who was of German descent, and she died March 14, 1824. They were the parents of five children; namely, Solomon, Benjamin, Richard, Margaret, and Lana. The great- grandfather served in the war of the Revolu- tion, and the grandfather in that of 1812.
Benjamin Young, Madison Young's father, was born October 20, 1800. He succeeded to the possession of about eighty acres of his father's property when a young man, and cul-
tivated his farm energetically for the rest of his life. He died in October, 1869. He was the father of six children : Helena, wife of J. Rose; Margaret, wife of Demosthenes Young; Sarah M., who married Adam Cole; Eva A., widow of Abraham Burnstein; Madison, the subject of this sketch; and Frances M., wife of E. C. Grantier.
Madison Young acquired a district-school education, and his aptitude for learning enabled him to attain unusual proficiency in his studies. He assisted in carrying on the home farm until after the death of his father, when he turned his attention to educational work, and taught school with marked success during the following eighteen years, with the exception of one term, the greater part of the time being spent in this and the adjacent localities. For the first term of teaching he received one dollar per day, after that two dollars a day, very few then receiving so high a salary. Finally becoming tired of the arduous as well as monotonous duties of a pedagogue, he resumed farming at the homestead, which contains about eighty acres of well-improved land; and, though not inclined to force its yielding power, he nevertheless raises excel- lent crops.
As one of the foremost leaders of the Dem- ocratic party in this section, he has long maintained a wide influence in public affairs, and enjoys the confidence of all voters irre- spective of politics. His long and faithful service to the county was characterized by a judicious expenditure of public funds and an earnest desire to promote the best interests of
425
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the people. As chairman of the Committees on Printing and on Ratio and Apportionment during his two years as Supervisor, he greatly reduced the expenses of these departments, and by close figuring was able to effect con- siderable retrenchment in other branches of the service.
Mr. Young married for his first wife Eliza- beth Brounnaghin and for his second Nettie Hilsinger. He has no children. In his re- ligious views he is liberal.
ILLIAM H. NEVILLE,* a repre- sentative citizen of Middleburg, N. Y., and a man of varied business interests, was born in the house which is now his home on August 6, 1867, son of Jacob and Jane E. (Shafer) Neville. His grandfather, William Neville, was a pioneer settler in Sharon, and died there at an advanced age, leaving a large family.
Jacob Neville, one of the youngest of the children of William, was born in Sharon on August 21, 1827, and died in Middleburg in 1891. He was for many years closely identi- fied with the growth of this town, and was one of the leaders in every worthy enterprise started here. His boyhood days were passed on the farm in Sharon, and early in life he assisted in the family support. His career in mercan- tile affairs began at the time he went into a store in Sharon Hill as clerk. At twenty- three years of age he came to Middleburg and entered the general merchandise store of the old firm of Becker & Beckman. So valuable
did he make himself in the conduct of the busi- ness that upon the retirement of Mr. Beckman he became a partner in the concern, which thereupon assumed the name of Becker, Neville & Co. They were the leading merchants of the town, and had a large trade in all the sur- rounding country. In time Mr. Becker sold his interest in the business to Mr. Hoag, and the firm name became Neville & Hoag. Later Mr. Hoag sold out to Mr. J. L. Engel, and still later a brother of the latter, Mr. A. B. Engel, was admitted to partnership. The business was then continued up to 1889 under the name of Neville, Engel & Co. Upon Mr. Neville's retirement in 1889, the firm became Engel Brothers, and as such has continued in business to the present time.
Among the various enterprises in the accom- plishment of which Jacob Neville was an im- portant factor may be mentioned the follow- ing : the Middleburg & Schoharie Railroad; the First National Bank and later the bank building; and the Union school-house build- ing, which is one of the finest in the county. He was a large stockholder in the railroad organization, and was a director and the vice- president until his death. He was also a di- rector in the bank as long as he lived. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat, and frequent appeals were made to him to accept public office. From 1885 to 1889, under Mr. Cleveland's administration, he was Postmaster of Middle- burg; and, had not his death prevented, his friends would undoubtedly have elected him to the Assembly for the session of 1892-93. He was for many years an Elder in the Lutheran
426
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
church, and generously assisted the church both by financial and by moral support.
His marriage occurred in January, 1864. His wife was the daughter of William and Maria (Gridley) Shafer, and grand-daughter of Joseph Gridley, who was one of Washington's body-guard. William Shafer was born in Blenheim, and was a lifelong resident there. He owned a number of dwelling-houses and farms, and dealt quite extensively in real es- tate, besides carrying on general farming. As a business man he was very successful. Hc died at the age of eighty-two. His wife, who died at the age of sixty-four, was a native of Middleburg. Of the four children born to them three are living, namely : Mrs. Neville, who resides with her son on the farm settled by her ancestors; Margaret, who is the wife of George Brockway, of Chicago; and Nancy. The last named married A. J. Freneyer, of Albany, who for many years managed the Freneyer House in Middleburg.
William H. Neville obtained his education in the public schools of Middleburg and at Albany Academy. Leaving the latter after four years of study there, he entered the post- office, his father then being Postmaster, and for the succeeding four years he had practical charge of the office. Upon the expiration of his father's term he went into the store as clerk, and afterward he went to Albany as clerk in the insurance office of W. C. Rose. Still later he became interested in the Bran- dow Printing Company, of Albany, but when the plant was burned he returned to Middle- burg, where he took charge of his father's
affairs until the death of the latter. Shortly after this event the son bought the Middleburg Gazette, of which he continued to be the pro- prietor for three years. Since selling out in 1895, he has occupied himself with looking after his own and his mother's real estate in- terests, and in doing some general farming and hop-raising. As he has a large real estate property, including a number of farms, he has little chance to be idle. He also retains an interest in the Brandow Printing Company, which has been reorganized since the fire. Besides this he is a stockholder in the Middle- burg & Schoharie Railroad, in the projected road to Catskill, and in the National Bank. He is a director in the Middleburg Telephone Company and treasurer of the high school. For three years he was Village Clerk, and for a number of years he served on the Board of Education. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for two years was a member of the county committee.
Mr. Neville was married on June 22, 1893, to Maud E. Lewis, who was born in Gilboa. She is the daughter of Oscar and Agnes (Strickland) Lewis. Her father is now one of the most prominent stock farmers in Cones- ville. Mrs. Neville's two brothers, Messrs. Frank and Raymond Lewis, are interested in the stock farm in company with their father. Mrs. Neville graduated from the Normal School, and taught before her marriage in the grammar school in Middleburg. She is the mother of one son, Donald. Mrs. Neville is a member of the Lutheran church, and her hus- band is an attendant of the Sunday services.
427
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. Neville belongs to the Masonic organiza- tions here; to La Bastile Lodge, No. 494, I. O. O. F., and Encampment No. 129; also to the order of Red Men. He has been Chief Patriarch of the encampment for one year.
HARLES MANN,* one of the most able and progressive agriculturists of Schoharie County, owns and occu- pies a well-appointed farm in Fulton, not far from the village of Breakabeen. He was born in this town, November 2, 1856. He is a son of the late Almon Mann, and comes of hardy New England stock, his grandfather, Thomas Mann, having been born and bred in Vermont. From his hillside home in the Green Moun- tains Thomas removed to Albany County, New York, while yet a young man, and in the newer country cleared and partly improved a farm. Coming then to Schoharie County from Berne, he spent his remaining days in Fulton, living until eighty-six years old.
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.