Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 72

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

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Amos Irish (grandfather of our subject), a farmer by occupation, was a Quaker, and was greatly persecuted during the Revolutionary war. His children were as follows: Jedediah, Charles, Joseph. Asa, Ruth, Rachel, Esther, Jonathan and David, all of whom are now deceased.

Joseph Irish (our subject's father) was born in Pawling, where he spent his youth. He was married, in the town of Beekman, to Miss Phoebe Dorland, a daughter of Enoch Dor- land, and they had the following children: Edmund, Catherine, Jane, all now deceased, and Abraham W. (there were also half broth- ers, Charles, and William and Henry, twins). Our subject's mother died when he was two

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

weeks old. Joseph moved to Pleasant Valley after his first marriage, and engaged in farm- ing. After the death of his wife he moved to New York City and worked at trucking. He was married there to Miss Jane Stephenson, who was born at Gaylords Bridge, Conn. None of their children are living. Mr. Irish died in Pawling at the age of eighty-six years.

F RANK B. VAN DYNE, one of the pron- inent business men and leading undertak- ers of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y., October 10, 1857, but belongs to a family of Holland ori- gin that has been connected with the history of Dutchess county for several generations. Here his grandfather, Oliver Van Dyne, was born, reared and engaged in farming through- out life. He wedded Susan Smith, by whom he had two sons: James A., a carpenter by trade; and William H., the father of our subject.

The birth of the latter occurred in Dutch- ess county, December 18, 1832, and he early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of an agriculturist, as his boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm. He mar- ried Miss Anna C. Brevoort (a lady of Holland descent), who was born in Fishkill, N. Y., where her father, Benjamin Brevoort, was em- ployed at shoemaking. Five children were born to this union, namely: James H., a sign painter of Poughkeepsie; Frank B., subject of this sketch; Susan, wife of Arthur Rockwell, a silk manufacturer of Matteawan, N. Y .; Min- nie, who died in infancy; and Edward, a resi- dent of New York City. Shortly after his marriage the father went to Milton, Ulster county, where he formed a co-partnership with his brother in a general store. He next re- moved to Hackensack, N. Y., but at the end of two years came to Poughkeepsie, where he has since resided. He is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and holds to the faith of the Reformed Dutch Church, in which he was reared. Ifis faithful wife departed this life July 3, 1893.

Frank B. Van Dyne was two years old when he left his native village, and in 1864 he came to Poughkeepsie, where he attended the public schools. On the completion of his edu- cation, he was employed in various ways until 1875, when he began working for different un-

dertakers. In 1888 he formed a partnership with John Mellady, at No. 391 Main street, un- der the firm name of Van Dyne & Mellady, which connection lasted until May, 1893, when it was dissolved, and our subject removed to No. 406 Main street, where he has since been alone in business. He is exclusively engaged in undertaking, and thoroughly understands his business in its various departments.

On June 30, 1891, Mr. Van Dyne was united in marriage with Miss Minnie C. Cox, daughter of William A. Cox, of the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, where he was born. One child blessed their union, Ruth, born Oc- tober 23, 1892; but March 11, 1893, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, leav- ing many friends as well as relatives to mourn her death. Mr. Van Dyne is a representative business man, enterprising and industrious, and holds a high place in the estimation of his fel- low citizens. He is prominently identified with several clubs and social orders, among which are the F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Royal Arcanum, while his political connection is with the Dem- ocratic party, whose principles he earnestly advocates.

C HARLES M. COLWELL, a well-known business man of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, is noted for his accurate and practical judgment of values, his high reputation in this regard making him an acknowledged expert in the appraisal of property and the adjustment of insurance claims.

The Colwell family is of Scotch origin, and four generations have been residents of Dutch- ess county. Samuel Colwell, our subject's great-grandfather, was a native of the town of Washington; his son, Archibald Colwell, was born in 1794, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, and in early life was engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods, being em- ployed as foreman in the factories at Pough- keepsie, Pleasant Valley, Hart's Village and Verbank. In his later years he followed agri- culture. He was an old-fashioned Methodist, and often served as an unlicensed preacher. His wife, Abigail Hall, was a native of Con- necticut and a relative of the Hubbards of that State. He died in January, 1877, and his wife in August, 1866. They had eight chil- dren: Hubbard; Louisa (Mrs. Nathan Beach); Archibald L .; Julia (Mrs. John Burnett ): Sam-

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uel; Edwin; Mary (Mrs. William Ackerman); and Sarah (Mrs. Henry H. Seaman).

Archibald L. Colwell, our subject's father, was born March 22, 1819, in the town of Washington. His early life was passed in Poughkeepsie, but for the last fifty-five years he has lived at Verbank, following the occupa- tion of shoemaker and dealer. He has always been quiet in his tastes, but is a man of good natural powers, and has been successful in business. Before the war he was a Whig, and later a Republican, and he has served one term as justice of the peace and two terms as postmaster at Verbank. Like the majority of his family, he is a Methodist. In 1841 he married Sarah Seaman, daughter of Samuel Seaman, a well-known resident of the town of Washington. Her family is of English de- scent, and one of the oldest in the county. Mrs. Colwell died in August, 1893, but her husband still survives. They had five children, to whom they gave 'excellent educations. (1) Seaman A. was graduated from the Albany Normal School in 1862, and for some time was a teacher and county superintendent of schools in Pulaski county, Ill .; he is now a successful farmer and horticulturist there. (2) Charles M. is our subject. (3) Mary M., who is a graduate of Claverack College, Columbia county, N. Y., married Dr. A. G. Paine, of Chicago, Ill. (4) Armeda J., who was gradu- ated from Amenia Seminary, married Charles T. Bird, of Wilkesbarre, Penn. ; both have been dead for a number of years. (5) Phæbe mar- ried B. F. Conkright. a leading real-estate dealer of Chicago, Illinois.

Charles M. Colwell, the second in order of birth, was born January 4, 1847, in the town of Unionvale. He acquired the rudi- ments of knowledge in the district schools at Owego village, which were unusually good, and afterward studied at Claverack College one year. At eighteen he left school and went to Poughkeepsie to learn the carpenter's trade with Nelson Seaman. He followed this occu- pation for twenty years, and that of contractor and builder for about twelve years. He was superintendent of construction of the U. S. Government Building at Poughkeepsie under appointment of Charles J. Folger, Secretary of the Treasury. About 1887 he became engaged in the insurance business as appraiser of dam- aged buildings, and his services have been called into requisition in different parts of the State. He has done a great deal of work be-

fore the State Board of Assessors, and in con- demnation proceedings in railroads acquiring real estate.

A strong Republican in principle, he has been active in political work. In 1873 he was elected assessor, and served for nine consecu- tive years; in 1888 he was elected supervisor of the Fifth ward, and held that office one term. At the beginning of President Har- rison's administration he was appointed clerk in the Revenue office of the Fourteenth Dis- trict, and held this throughout Harrison's term. When a successor was appointed he became deputy revenue collector for the coun- ties of Dutchess and Columbia for six months. In 1894, three days before the expiration of his term, he was elected clerk of the board of supervisors of Poughkeepsie, which office he yet holds, and January 1, 1895, he was ap- pointed president of the board of civil service for the city. He has always taken an interest in affairs of a non-political nature, and was in the National Guard for eight years, serving as first lieutenant of Company A, 21st Regi- ment.

On March 22, 1868, Mr. Colwell married Miss Mary F. Hayman, daughter of Richard R. Hayman, a prominent resident of Pough- keepsie, and they have three children: Grace F., the wife of Charles J. Knapp, of Pough- keepsie; and May M. and Richard H. at home. The family attend Trinity M. E. Church.

F RANK VAN KLEECK, a well-known merchant of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in that city June 25, 1857. Here also his paternal ancestors for six gener- ations back lived.

Baltus Barentszen Van Kleeck, who was the first of the name to emigrate from Holland to this country, bought a farm, in 1697, where the city of Poughkeepsie now stands, and later built the first stone house in the place, which was situated on Mill street, near Vassar. This was in 1702, at which time the present fine city consisted of only a few huts, no houses. He was a member of the Colonial Assembly, and was succeeded by his son Johannes. Six children constituted his family, namely: Barent, Johannes, Lawrence, Peter, great- great-great-grandfather of our subject; Sarah and Elizabeth. Of these Peter became the father of Baltus, and he the father of Peter B., the great-grandfather of our subject. His

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son, Tunis Van Kleeck, the grandfather of our subject, was born June 14, 1773, in Pough- keepsie, where he was reared to manhood and learned the trade of a hatter, establishing him- self in business there in 1799, his first store being situated opposite Crannell street. His second location was where Joseph's clothing store now stands, while the third was on the site of the present store, which was occupied in 1854. On January 15, 1792, he married Irene Bacon, and nine children were born to them, of whom the following record is given: Sally A. married B. Davis Noxon, a lawyer of Syracuse, N. Y .; Cornelia married George W. Somarindyck, of Poughkeepsie: Eliza became the wife of Rufus Cossit, a lawyer of Syracuse; George married Mary E. Tallmadge, a mer- chant in Poughkeepsie; Edgar who was a mer- chant in New York City, and married Nancy Graham (he died in Orange county); Albert was our subject's father; Mary became the wife of Willett Raynor, of Syracuse; Louisa married Edward Beach, a merchant in Pough- keepsie; William H., who was a wholesale grocer in New York City, married for his first wife a Miss Mary Haight, and for his second wedded Miss Margaret Hardenburg. On the death of the father of this family, which took place September 1, 1831, the business was continued by his son Albert, and has been in the family ever since. In politics he was a Whig.

Albert Van Kleeck, father of our subject, was born December 27. 1807, in Poughkeepsie, where (as has been stated) he carried on his father's business as a hatter until his own death, November 7, 1866, and he was succeeded by his son Edward, who, on February 1, 1890, took his brother Frank in as a partner. Ed- ward died November 13, 1890, and his widow and Frank continued the management of the establishment until February, 1894, since which time the latter has assumed full control. On September 25, 1833, Albert Van Kleeck was married to Miss Eliza Green, a native of England, and of this union ten children were born, as follows: Davis, Edward, Harriet, Elizabeth, Julia, Cornelia, Albert, Augustus, Irene and Frank. The mother of these died in 1863. Mr. Van Kleeck was a prominent man in his community. In 1857 he was elected treasurer of Dutchess county, and was ap- pointed postmaster under Lincoln. He was re- appointed under Johnson, and died during that administration. In politics he was originally

a Whig, becoming a Republican on the forma- tion of that party.

Frank Van Kleeck was married September 24, 1891, to Miss Sarah P. Sleight, who was born in Dutchess county, a daughter of Henry A. Sleight. Mr. Van Kleeck is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M., of the Holland Society, and of the Amrita Club, a social or- ganization, of which he has been president.

H ON. AUGUSTUS MARTIN (deceased). Among the able men who have repre- sented Dutchess county in the State Assembly the late Hon. Augustus Martin will always hold a notable place in the history of the locality; his integrity and high sense of honor, no less than his practical sagacity in public affairs, winning and retaining for him the esteem of all classes of people.

His family has had in the past many mem- bers whose lives have been conspicuous for the same admirable qualities, and his direct ancestors were among the pioneer settlers in this section. Hendrick Martin, who came to America in 1727, built at the village of Red Hook, Dutchess county, a residence which is one of the oldest houses in the State; occa- sional repairs and alterations have still left in- tact a large portion of the original structure. It is located about one-eighth of a mile from the old New York & Albany post road, upon land leased from the Beekman patentee. In 1751 Hendrick Martin leased some adjoining lands from the Van Benthuysen patentee. It is related that when his son Gotlob married, the father took a large stake, and walking to a suitable spot drove it into the ground, remark- ing to the son that it was time for him to "swarm for himself." Here Gotlob built, in 1776, a stone house of the substantial Colonial type, which is still standing. At the moment when the Declaration of Independence was be- ing read in Philadelphia, the rafters of this historic mansion were being put in place by the workmen. Gotlob's son John married, in 1789, Isabella Fulton, a relative of Robert Fulton, the inventor, and had ten children: Philip, Michael S., Augustus, Robert, Claudius G., James, Edward, Joseph, John and Serena. Their grandfather willed the estate to them, but they were not willing to take it from their mother, and after her death it was purchased by Edward as a home for his sister, who, like himself, never married. Edward Martin, who

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was born February 18, 1811, and died Decem- ber 3, 1893, made a large fortune as a civil engineer, some real estate, which he took in payment from a railroad for his services, prov- ing very valuable, a portion of it lying within the present limits of Chicago.

The late Augustus Martin was born in Red Hook, December 13, 1808, and although his early educational opportunities were limited to the common schools of that town, his fine mental endowment enabled him to acquire a wide and liberal education through the channels of observation and private reading. While a young man he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Assembly, and was a mem- ber of that body for two years (1852-53) un- der Gov. Seymour. In local affairs he held a prominent place, and was chosen to many positions of trust, including that of supervisor, and his interest in educational affairs, and de- sire that children of all classes should have ready access to the paths of knowledge, led to years of faithful service as a school trustee. He was an active helper in religious movements, and was a trustee of the Lutheran Church, at Red Hook, of which he was a member. His wife, Lydia Maria (Benner), was born in Red Hook, December 28, 1811, the daughter of Judge Jacob Benner, a leading member of the legal fraternity. She died February 23, 1864, and Mr. Martin followed her January 14, 1875. Of their six children the first two-Margaret M. and Marian M., died in infancy; the others are: Cora A. (Mrs. John B. Scott); Ella A .; Isabella (now Mrs. Luther L. Stillman); and Serena.

M RS. JANE M. CHAPMAN. The late Frank Chapman, whose sudden death in 1893, from heart disease, cut short a life which had been filled with quiet but effective endeavor, was a native of the town of Dover, Dutchess county, where he received his educa-

tion.

As a young man he engaged in mercan-

tile business in Pawling, Dutchess county; but

after some years he went to New York City, as bookkeeper for J. B. Dutcher, and held that responsible position until his death. His widow, formerly Miss Jane M. Bishop, was born in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, in 1831, and was educated in the town of Amenia. Their marriage took place in 1861, but no children were born of the union. Mrs. Chapman now resides in Pawling.

The Bishop family was known in New England at an early day, and Abiah Bishop, Mrs. Chapman's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was born and educated in Rhode Island, and in early man- hood learned the cooper's trade. His wife, Ruth (Wilbur), was a native of the town of Washington, Dutchess county, and a descend- ant of a prominent Quaker family. Two sons were born of their union: Archibald, who mar- ried Angeline -; and George (Mrs. Chap- man's father), who was born in the town of Washington, in 1809, and after availing him- self of the advantages afforded in the common schools learned the trade of wagon making. He followed this for some time, later becom- ing station agent at Wassaic, Dutchess county, in which position he continued until his death, in 1874. He married Miss Desire Northrop, whose father, Samuel Northrop, was a promi- nent farmer of the town of Washington. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Benham.

Mrs. Chapman was the eldest in a family of eight children; the others were born and educated in the town of Amenia. (2) Seneca S. followed the sea from early manhood, and since sailing for the West Indies has never been heard from; it is not known whether he mar- ried or not. (3) Mary A. married ( first) John Clark, and had two children who died, and after his death she wedded Joseph Hobbs, by whom she had one son, Amos A. (4) George WV. was a machinist by trade, and became master mechanic of the New York & New Haven railroad; he married Miss Isabella Mc- Connell. and had six children: George, Jen- nie, Isabella, Hattie, Minnie and Ida F. (5) Charles W. was engaged in business in New York City at the beginning of the Civil war; he enlisted in the 61st N. Y. V. I., and lost his life in the seven-days' struggle at Bull Run. (6) Catherine M. married Edward Brown, an engineer of Amnenia; they have no children. (7) William G. was connected with the con- densed milk factory at Wassaic; he married Miss Josephine Nichols, and had one son, Harry, who died in infancy. (S) Noah L. was superintendent of the Gail Borden Condensed Milk factory at Wassaic; he married (first) Miss Hattie Noyce, and after her death he wedded Miss Jennie Jones; by his first marriage he had one son, Frank, who died in infancy, and by the second there were three children: Lena, the wife of Dr. Fred Brace; Cora L., who is at home; and one who died in infancy.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J AMES VAN WYCK. The Van Wyck family is prominent in this region not only by rea- son of the number of its members, but for the ability and public spirit shown by many of them in past and present times. The first of this branch of the family to locate in Dutchess county was Theodorus Van Wyck, our sub- ject's great-grandfather, who was born at Hempstead, Long Island. He purchased 900 acres of land of the Madame Brett patent in the town of Fishkill (now East Fishkill), Dutchess county, and in 1740 built the house which is still occupied by his descendants.

Although this old homestead has rarely ap- peared in print, there are few of our old places more permanently associated with the pleasant social life of the early settlers, and with the personal presence of the prominent actors in the Revolutionary period. Dr. Dorns Van Wyck, on his marriage, abandoned the homestead to a tenant farmer, and took up his residence on the north side of the Fishkill creek, near Gen. Swartwout's. At this time the Jay family, in- cluding the distinguished patriot, Governor and Chief Justice John Jay, moved north, seeking refuge from the threats and depredations of the Tories and " cowboys " who infested the lower counties, under the protection of the British at New York. The Van Wyck homestead being vacant, it was hospitably offered them by its owner, and it was occupied by Gov. Jay for about two years. It was during his residence here (the family fortunately being absent), that a band of " cowboys " crossed the mountains one night and robbed them of a quantity of silver plate. A " spontoon," or rude lance, dropped by the robbers, is now preserved at Washington's headquarters, at Newburg. It was from this house that John Jay set off on his mission to France, to aid in negotiating a treaty of peace with England.

Theodorus Van Wyck was a man of marked ability, a farmer and surveyor, and was so greatly interested in the development of the locality that with his negroes (slaves) he opened up highways through the forests in many directions. His maps of Poughkeepsie and the Nine Partners tracts are still in ex- istence. He was an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. In 1752 he was ap- pointed judge of the court of common pleas of Dutchess county, by George Clinton, then , governor of the Province of New York. His death occurred in 1755. His wife was born on Long Island, of English descent, and they

reared a large family, consisting of two sons and a " noble group of girls," whose married names were Platt, Hoffman, Graham, Bailey and Adriance, respectively. The daughter of one of these became the wife of Chancellor Kent. Of the sons, the elder, William, was a farmer in East Fishkill, while the other, Dorus, our subject's grandfather, became a leading physician in the same locality. He married Diana, a daughter of Col. John Brinckerhoff, and made his residence at the old Brincker- hoff estate. They had several daughters, and three sons-John B., Abraham, and William -who settled upon farms in East Fishkill.

Gen. Abraham Van Wyck, our subject's father, married Miss Susan Haight, the daugh- ter of a prominent farmer of Westchester coun- ty, N. Y., and reared a family of five children: Henry, a farmer in Hughsonville, who married Miss Ann Lee, of Yorktown; James, our sub- ject; Ann, who married Ralph Mead, a mer- chant in New York City; Louisa, the wife of the Rev. Samuel Van Vechten; and Susan, who married Robert Lane, a merchant in New York City.

James Van Wyck was born September 4. 1810, at the residence built by his father, Gen. Abraham Van Wyck, higher up on the ridge, and now in the possession of the family of his grandson, the late Richard T. Van Wyck. On his marriage in 1834 James Van Wyck re- modeled the old mansion for his own abode, which was again enlarged and renovated a few years since, and here he has happily resided for more than three score years.

On arriving at man's estate our subject en- gaged in farming, succeeding to 414 acres which belonged to his father. He has been largely interested in raising stock and grain, although not giving exclusive attention to them. He has been twice married: First, on No- vember 12, 1834, to Miss Cornelia Ann Van- Wyck, daughter of Richard T. Van Wyck, a leading resident of Fishkill. To this union were born two sons: Abraham J., who was a Methodist minister at Casenovia, Mich., and died January 9, 1887; and Richard T., who. was a farmer in his native township, and died January 2, 1892, leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter. On October 3, 1849, Mr. V'an Wyck, for his second wife, married Miss Elizabeth M. Van Brunt, of Brooklyn, a de- scendant of one of the old Dutch families of Long Island; her father, Nicholas Van Brunt, was a well-known merchant of New York. In

James Ya Bych

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

politics Mr. Van Wyck is a Republican, and in religious faith he adheres to the Reformed Dutch Church, he and his wife attending serv- ices at Hopewell Junction. Both as a sub- stantial business man and a progressive citizen, he commands the esteem of the people of the vicinity.

T HOMAS H. SEAMAN. As an enterpris- ing and wide-awake business man of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, and one who, through his own efforts, has established him- self among the prominent men of the city, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of this gentleman. He is engaged in the stone busi- ness, taking contracts for street work and build- ing purposes.

Mr. Seaman was born at Syracuse, N. Y., June 13, 1849, and is of Holland extraction. His father, Thomas C. Seaman, was a native of Albany county, N. Y., and was a son of a farmer of that locality. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in teaching, and on leaving his native county went to Syracuse, where for a short time he followed farming. He then located at Coeymans, N. Y., engag- ing in the stone business at that place until his removal to Wilbur, where he was similarly em- ployed. In 1861 be established himself in that line of trade in Poughkeepsie, which he contin- ued to follow until his death in November, 1888. His political support was given the Republican party. He had married Miss Roxey A. Garratt, a native of Greene county, N. Y., and a daughter of Levi G. Garratt, an agricult- urist. Five children were born of this union: Lydia M., who married George Stoddard, a truckman, of Poughkeepsie; Annie E., who died unmarried; Alvena H., wife of Daniel White, a moulder of Poughkeepsie; Ursula, who wedded Henry Warner, an engineer; and Thomas H., of this review.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 72

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354