USA > New York > Encyclopedia of biography of New York, a life record of men and women whose sterling character and energy and industry have made them pre?minent in their own and many other states. V.6 > Part 12
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 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
(VIII) Jacob J. Spoor, eldest of the seven children of John J. and Anna Eliza (Hallenbeck) Spoor, was born in Guilder- land Center, New York, August 12, 1849.
79
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
He was educated in the local district schools and at Hartwick Seminary, Cooperstown, New York, following which he engaged in farming with his father on the old homestead, and followed this vocation during his active years He is vice-president of the Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company, Colonie, Albany County, New York, and a member of the Re- formed Church of Lishaskill He is a representative citizen and has ever been active in local affairs. He was married, June 17, 1874, to Alida M. Van Vranken, a daughter of Peter and Arietta (Lan- sing) Van Vranken, of Lishaskill, Albany County, New York. Three children were born of this union, as follows: I. Peter Van Vranken, born June 24, 1875; now a prominent contractor, being superintend- ent of the Raymond Concrete Pile Com- pany of New York City. He married Let- tie Lasher, of Vischer Ferry, Saratoga County, New York, and they are the parents of four children : Lloyd E., de- ceased ; Everitt ; Anna ; Donald. 2. Lloyd E., of whom forward. 3. Arietta May, born September 9, 1888; married Percy W. Ward, of Schenectady, New York, and they have one daughter, Dorothy.
(IX) Lloyd E. Spoor, second of the three children of Jacob J. and Alida M. (Van Vranken) Spoor, and a representa- tive of the ninth generation in America of the ancient Dutch family of Spoor, was born in Lishaskill, Albany County, New York, October 15, 1878. His early educa- tion was received in the district schools of his native town, following which he at- tended the Schenectady Business College, of Schenectady ,New York. Upon the com- pletion of his scholastic work he returned to his father's farm and for three years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1904 he entered the employ of the Sche- nectady Contracting Company as time-
keeper. His ability was such that he was advanced rapidly, and after occupying various positions of increasing impor- tance, he was made general superintend- ent of the firm in 1909. Mr. Spoor was closely identified with the success of the Schenectady Contracting Company for a period of fifteen years, his association terminating in the year 1919 when the firm of Spoor, Lasher Company, Inc., was formed with Mr. Spoor as president. The firm are general contractors, the scope of their activities extending from a transportation business to highway construction and street paving. The success and progress of the company has been startling from the very first, and at the present time (1924), it is one of the leading firms of its kind in this section of the State, having the largest and most complete equipment for handling concrete material between New York City and Albany.
Mr. Spoor is correspondingly promi- nent in fraternal and club circles, being an active member of Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266, Free and accepted Masons ; Poughkeepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch Masons; Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 275, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Poughkeepsie Chamber of Com- merce; the Amrita Club; the Dutchess Golf and Country Club; Rotary Club ; and the Poughkeepsie Automobile Club.
Lloyd E. Spoor was married in Sche- nectady, New York, October 15, 1903, to Helen Bertha Hart, of Vischer Ferry, New York.
GREENE, Frederick Howell,
Neurologist, Neuro-Pathologist.
Dr. Frederick Howell Greene, of Pough- keepsie, New York, is well and widely known not only in New York State but
80
Проживание
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in the adjoining states as well for his remarkable work as a neurologist and neuro-pathologist. As a prominent phy- sician who has made a life study and life practice of neurology, Dr. Greene is recognized as an authority on the diseases peculiar to the nervous system.
Dr. Greene comes from old Colonial stock which was descended from ancient and noble English ancestry. The sur- name "Greene" appears as early as the year 1273, at which time Dconisia ate Grene and Warin de la Grene were listed in the Hundred Rolls. Later, in 1379, the Poll Tax of Yorkshire contained the names of Adam, Petrus, and Willelmus del Grene. The family was seated in Northamptonshire, and traced its descent from Alexander de Boketon, who was said to have been a great-grandson of one of the Norman nobles who came into England in 1066 during the Norman in- vasion, under William the Conqueror. King John granted to Alexander de Boketon the estate of Boketon or Bough- ton in the year 1202, and from him the line descends to Walter; to John; to Thomas; to Thomas (2) ; to Chief Justice Henry de Grene, heir of Thomas (2) ; Sir Henry (2); Thomas (3); Greene, sur- name lost; John (2) ; Robert; John (3) ; Henry (4); Robert (2) ; and to John (4) Greene, who founded the American branch. The coat-of-arms of the old Northamptonshire family of Greene is as follows :
Arms-Azure, three bucks trippant or. Crest-A buck's head or.
The crescent near the top of the shield is used by all the American descendants as a mark of cadency, or descent from the second son. The name "Greene" originally was applied to people who lived near or at the village green or common.
After fourteen generations of Greenes in England came John Greene, the fourth of that name, who was destined to become the progenitor of his family in the new World.
(I) John (4) Greene, a member of the fifteenth generation of the Greenes of Northamptonshire, and a son of Robert Greene, was born in the year 1606. He lived near London, at Enfield in the sub- urbs, and emigrated from England early in 1635 on the ship "Matthew." He went first to St. Christopher, British West Indies, where he remained for two years. in 1637 he settled at Quidnesset (later named Wickford), Rhode Island, and lived in the family of Richard Smith, an Indian trader, at the blockhouse. He was married, about 1642, to a widow, Joan Beggarly, of Massachusetts. Issue, born at Wickford, Rhode Island: I. Edward, born about 1643. 2. John (5), of whom forward. 3. Daniel, died in 1730. 4. Henry, removed to New Jersey. 5. Wel- thiam. 6. Robert, born in 1653. 7. James, born in 1655, died in 1728. 8. Enfield. 9. Benjamin, married Humility Coggeshall. (II) John (5) Greene, second of the nine sons of John and Joan (Beggarly) Greene, was born about 1645, and died at Coventry, Rhode Island, October 6, 1729. He served as a lieutenant in King Philip's War, and removed to East Greenwich in 1685, and from there to Coventry in 1690, where he built a house and saw mill at the foot of Harkney Hill. He was married in 1684, to Abigail Wardwell, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, who bore him the follow- ing eleven children: 1. James, of whom forward. 2. John, born at East Green- wich, Rhode Island, April 9, 1688. 3. Jane, born at Coventry, Rhode Island, January 30, 1691. 4. Uzal, born in 1694, died in 1797. 5. Ebenezer. 6. Robert, married, in 1730, to Mary Andrews. 7.
N.Y .- 8-6
81
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
William. 8. Enfield. 9. Mary. 10. Han- nah, born 1706, married, in 1727, to John Andrews. II. Andrew.
(III) James Greene, eldest of the eleven children of John (5) and Abigail (Wardwell) Greene, was born at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, August 18, 1685, and died in June, 1771, at Warwick, Rhode Island. He lived throughout his lifetime near Maroon Swamp, Warwick. He was married, December 18, 1717, to Rebecca Cahoon, daughter of Nathaniel Cahoon. Issue, all born in Warwick, Rhode Island : I. Nathaniel, born in 1718; married Alice Low. 2. James, born in 1720; married Humility Greene. 3. Wardwell, born in 1723, married a cousin, Ann Greene. 4. Isaac, born in 1724; married Mary Weaver. 5. Patience, born in 1727; married Benjamin Andrews. 6. Charles, of whom forward. 7. Othniel, born in 1731.
(IV) Charles Greene, sixth of the seven children of James and Rebecca (Cahoon) Greene, was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, July 28, 1729, and died about 1760. He lived at Coventry, Rhode Island, where he married Mary, surname unknown, who bore him four children, all at Coventry, as follows: 1. Job, born in 1751. 2. Philip. 3. Wardwell, of whom forward. 4. John.
(V) Wardwell Greene, third of the four children of Charles and Mary Greene, was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, be- fore 1760, and died there about 1808. In Coventry he removed to West Greenwich in 1782. He married Mary Stevens, who bore him three children: I. Ruth, married, in 1807, Seth Martin. 2. Orpha, married, in 1810, Obadiah Johnson. 3. Rathburn, of whom forward.
(VI) Rathburn Greene, youngest of the three children of Wardwell and Mary (Stevens) Greene, was born in the year
1787, and died in Otsego County, New York, where he had removed in 1820. He was married to Jane Millard, a daughter of Captain Samuel Millard. Rathburn and Jane (Millard) Greene were the parents of twelve children, the first five born in Coventry, Rhode Island, and the remainder in Otsego County, New York: I. Alamanzo Johnson (sometimes written Amaza), of whom forward. 2. Wardwell, born in 1812. 3. Samuel Nelson, born in 1814. 4. Olive, born in 1815; married Charles Georgia. 5. Hannah, married Joseph Wilson. 6. John R., lived in North Dakota. 7. Orpha, married Benjamin Mackey. 8. George, removed to the West. 9. Mary, married Chancellor Hough- taling, of Union, New York. 10. Dexter, died in the Civil War. 11. Albert, lived in Central New York State. 12. Eliza, mar- ried Belden Allen.
(VII) Alamanzo, or Amaza, Johnson Greene, eldest of the twelve children of Rathburn and Jane (Millard) Greene, was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, April 10, 1810, and died at Laurens, Otsego County, New York He removed with his parents to Otsego County, New York, where he became a well known citizen, respected farmer, and a devout Methodist. He was married to Villette Johnson, who bore him eleven children, the second, John W., of whom forward.
(VIII) Dr. John W. Greene, second of the eleven children of Alamanzo Johnson and Villette (Johnson) Greene, was born at Laurens, Otsego County, New York, in the year 1836, and died at West Lau- rens, New York, in 1913. He was edu- cated in the country schools, and fol- lowing collegiate courses in Pennsylvania, he engaged in the jewelry business. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army at Rockport, New York, and served in the hospital corps
82
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
until the cessation of hostilities. At the close of the war he resumed his jewelry business at Hamilton, Ontario, and some years later returned to West Laurens, Otsego County, New York, where he was similarly engaged. On account of ill- health he retired from the jewelry busi- ness, and took up the study of medicine at the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He then took a post-graduate course at the Bellevue Medical College, New York City, 1884-85, following which he returned to West Laurens, New York, where he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession until his death in 1913. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and gave his re- ligious affiliation to the Baptist Church. He was married to Elizabeth Howell, a daughter of Jonah Howell, a farmer and extensive land owner of St George, Ontario. They were the parents of four children, as follows : 1. Frederick Howell, of whom forward. 2. Mary, married to Joseph Clark. 3. Evelina, married Irving Fiske. 4. Olive, married Andrew Wig- ham.
(IX) Dr. Frederick Howell Greene, eldest of the four children of Dr. John W. and Elizabeth (Howell) Greene, and a representative of the twenty-third gener- ation of the ancient and noble English family of Greene, was born at West Laurens, Otsego County, New York, June 15, 1872, and was destined to become one of the outstanding figures in the great medical fraternity. He received his early education in the country schools of his natal town, and the public schools of St. George, Ontario, following which he entered and was graduated from the Mor- ris High School, Morris, Otsego County, New York. At intervals during his scho- lastic work he taught school. In 1894 he
engaged upon his medical studies at the Albany Medical College, as did his father before him, and was graduated from this time-honored institution with the class of 1897, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine-sixteen years after his father had been graduated from the same col- lege.
Upon the completion of his medical studies, Dr. Greene returned to West Laurens, New York, and there engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in association with his father, and during the same year, 1897, he established a practice at New Paltz, Ulster County, New York, where he soon built up a large clientage, remaining here until 1906. During the latter year Dr. Greene removed to Pough- keepsie, New York, where he has success- fully continued in the practice of his pro- fession, specializing in nervous diseases, and by his great work in this phase of medicine becoming widely known as an expert neurologist He is a member of the Poughkeepsie Academy of Medicine, State and County Medical societies and the American Medical Association. Politi- cally, he gives his support to the Repub- lican party. He is a member of Triune Lodge, No. 872, Free and Accepted Masons ; Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, Sportsman Association and Poughkeepsie Automobile Club.
Dr. Frederick Howell Greene was mar- ried at West Camp, New York, June 29, 1898, to Ethel Emerick, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Bouck) Emerick, residents of West Camp, Ulster County, New York, and descendants of the early German settlers. Dr. Greene's few leisure hours are given over to his favorite recre- ation, fishing; and he and his wife are prominent in the social circles of their community.
83
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
V
MAPES, Stephen S., Financier.
Stephen S. Mapes, the well known banker of Beacon, formerly Fishkill-on- the-Hudson, lays claim to a surname that has been borne with honor by various members of the family through many generations. The name is thought to be of Welsh origin and is the Latinized form of Map, Mapp or Mapps. In the Domes- day Book of William the Conqueror allusion is made to an "irruption of the Welsh into Herefordshire previous to the Norman Conquest," and the name of Godric Mappsone (that is, Godric, son of Mapp), of Herefordshire appears under the heading, "Index of tennants in the time of William the Conqueror who hold their lands immediately from the King." This Godric, it is understood, took part in the Norman invasion and laying waste of Archenfield in 1055, and establishing himself in the conquered territory, built Goderich (or Goodrich) Castle, a noted seat in Herefordshire, which is still known by his name. In the twelfth cen- tury an archbishop of Oxford was Walter Mapes, who was born on the Welsh border, a man of great learning and versa- tility, an author as well as a scholar, who was in the confidence of the king and represented him in a council in France.
In America the name has had its repre- sentatives in the literary and ministerial professions, among inventors and chem- ists, and those who have served with honor in the great wars of our country. The American descent is traced prin- cipally from John Mapes, of Feltham in Norfolk, England, who lived about two centuries after the time of Archbishop Mapes, of Oxford. About 1640 three brothers arrived in New England, one set- tling in New Hampshire and the others
on Long Island. From one of the latter was descended Samuel Mapes who, some years prior to the Revolution, moved first to Monroe, Orange County, New York, and then to Howell's Depot, where he became the owner of a section of land.
On the records of those assembled for the first town meeting of Monroe, in 1765, was Thomas Mapes, who was born in Orange County in 1728 He was one of the signers in 1775 of the Revolutionary pledge against British tyranny, as was also his son James, then but a youth of nineteen, who enlisted later under Cap- tain Thomas Mckinstry in Colonel Wil- liam Malcolm's regiment of the Conti- nental Army. He took part in the storm- ing of Stony Point, was at Valley Forge and Monmouth, and in "several brilliant and successful movements led by Colonel Burr and Major Albert Pawling."
The father of Stephen S. Mapes was Dr. Stephen Mapes, who was born in Monroe, September 19, 1826, and died at his home in Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, Octo- ber 21, 1896. After receiving such educa- tion as the country schools afforded, he went to Newburgh and found employ- ment in a general store. The profession of dentistry attracted him, and determin- ing to make that his life work, he obtained tools and books and set himself the task of accomplishing his desire by hard study in his garret room. His industry was in time rewarded by a most successful prac- tice. He also made himself familiar with the drug business, and spent some time in Newburgh in the drug store of Dr. Edmonston. Deciding to enter business for himself he established, in May, 1846, in Fishkill Landing as doctor, dentist and druggist, and soon attained a position of prominence. He became a leading drug- gist and continued the business for many years most successfully, retiring in 1893.
84
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Mapes married Elizabeth Simonson, of Vernon, New Jersey, and to them three children were born: Leila, who married J. M. W. Scott, M. D., of Schenectady ; Stephen S., of whom further; W. Irving, of Beacon.
Stephen S. Mapes was born in Fishkill- on-the-Hudson (now Beacon), New York, March 8, 1868. He attended the public schools of the town, then continued his education at Riverview Military Acade- my, Poughkeepsie, and Wesleyan Acade- my. Wilbraham, Massachusetts. His business career was begun in his father's drug store, and he continued in business with his father until the latter's retire- ment in 1893. The manufacture of piano strings engaged him from 1899 for nearly a score of years, the business being in- corporated in 1912 under the firm name of The Mapes Piano String Company. In 1917 he disposed of his interests to be- come president of the Blickensderfer Typewriter Company, of Stamford, Con- necticut, and occupied this position until 1920, retiring at that time. He had been a director for many years of the old First National Bank of Fishkill, which, when the towns of Beacon and Fishkill were incorporated, became the Fishkill Nation- al Bank of Beacon, and Mr. Mapes was elected its president. He is also a direc- tor of the Poughkeepsie Trust Company and the American Thermos Bottle Com- pany, of New York City.
Mr. Mapes married, December 26, 1907, Bertha P. Hoag, of Patterson, New York.
OWSLEY, Henry F.,
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist.
Specializing in his department of sur- gery-eye, ear, nose and throat-which he has developed to a high degree of pro- ficiency, through intensive study in pro-
fessional schools of this country and abroad, as well as in actual practice for a quarter of a century, Dr. Henry F. Owsley has earned the right to be classed as a prominent physician and surgeon and recognized as a leader in his profes- sion among the medical fraternity of Poughkeepsie, New York, and the people of that city and elsewhere throughout that section of the State. In addition to his individual practice, he devotes not a little of his time and skill to the per- formance of his duties as a member of the medical staffs of two hospitals in Pough- keepsie
Dr. Henry F. Owsley is a lineal de- scendant of William Mason Owsley, a country gentleman of England, who maintained an estate of many acres, which has been in the Owsley family for six centuries. His son, Charles F. Owsley, father of Dr. Owsley, was born on the Owsley estate, Leicestershire, December 15, 1845, and married, in England, Mary Williams, who died in Youngstown, Ohio, March 4, 1910. They were the parents of five children. Mr. Owsley, while living in England, had learned the profession of architect, and on coming to the United States at the age of twenty- one, he settled in Youngstown, Ohio, where he successfully practiced his pro- fession. The influence of his work has gone through the State of Ohio, in which he was the originator of many notable ex- amples of architecture. He retired from the profession in 1912.
Henry F. Owsley was born December 21, 1870, in Girard, Ohio. His early edu- cation was acquired in the schools of his native town and at the Rayne School, Youngstown, Ohio. In 1893 he went to New York City and entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons from which he was graduated, class of 1896, degree of
85
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Medical Doctor. He was appointed in- terne at Bellevue Hospital and served two years, 1897-99. In 1899 he began general practice in New York City and continued in it for six years. In 1905 he went to London, England, and entered the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, where he took the special course of study and attended the clinics. He was graduated from the hos- pital in 1907. Returning to the United States, Dr. Owsley decided to take a much-needed rest, and he bought a 500 acre farm at Stormville, Dutchess County, New York. On this farm he remained about three years. The property later was acquired by the State of New York and was named Camp Whitman. In 19II Dr. Owsley located in Poughkeepsie and resumed the practice of his profession by specializing on the eye, ear, nose and throat. He built up a large practice and his services began to be in demand throughout that section of the State. His skill as a specialist attracted the attention of medical authorities over a wide range of activity, and he was appointed to the medical staffs of the Vassar Brothers' Hospital, Ophthalmic Department, and the Bowne Memorial Hospital of Pough- keepsie.
Dr. Owsley is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association ; is an alumnus of Bellevue Hospital, New York City ; member of New York Academy of Medi- cine, Dutchess and Putnam Counties Medical Society. He is a member of Triune Lodge, No. 782, Free and Accep- ted Masons, Poughkeepsie, and is affili- ated with the Presbyterian Church. His club memberships are in the Anvita and Dutchess Golf and Country Clubs of Poughkeepsie and the New York Yacht Club of New York City.
Dr. Owsley married, January 10, 1900, Gertrude Fowler, daughter of Dr. George
B. and Anna (Prince) Fowler, of Irving- ton-on-the-Hudson, New York. Her father was health commissioner under Mayor Strong of New York City, a promi- nent member of the Union League Club of that city, and was twice elected presi- dent of the New York County Medical Society. Mrs. Owsley, on the maternal side (Prince) comes of an old and promi- nent family of Irvington-on-the-Hudson. Dr. and Mrs. Owsley are the parents of four children: I. Gertrude, educated at Gardner's School, New York, married Thomas Crowley, of Poughkeepsie. 2. Margaret, educated at Wellesley College. 3. Natalie. 4. Harriet.
EVERETT, Marvin N.,
Man of Varied Enterprises.
The name Everett is derived, accord- ing to two noted authorities on English nomenclature, Bardsley and Harrison, from Old English, French, and Teutonic word forms, the former translating them as boar plus brave, the latter as boar plus counsel. The name was originally doubt- less a descriptive title designating its bearer as the possessor of staunch, aggres- sive courage or keen sagacity. The first form was Everard, the next change Evered, and then the final "d" was sharp- ened into "t" in Everett. A distinguished record in civil, military, and religious callings has been written in the family name in England, and its American his- tory dates from 1636, when Richard Ever- ett founded a numerous progeny in New England. The Everett family herein men- tioned, however, records its first annals in this country at a later period through John Everett, though its origin traces back to the same common ancestor in England. The family coat-of-arms is as follows :
86
FESTINA
LENTE
Epereff
In of Everest
Viola D. Everett
.
Elizabeth Mulher Everett
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Arms-Gules, a chevron paly of eight or and azure, between three mullets argent; a bordure wavy of the second.
Crest-A griffin's head sable erased gules charged with three barrulets, that in the middle argent, the other two or, over all a pallet wavy ermine.
Motto-Festina lente.
(I) The first generation of this line of the Everett family of whom there is rec- ord extant was a Rev. Everett, a Presby- terian minister of England, who remained in that country all of his life. The name of John is a tradition in the family, and it is probable that this was the name he bore. He was the father of an only child, John Everett, the immigrant ancestor, who came to this country about 1770.
(II) John Everett, founder of his line in America, was a young man of venture- some spirit and independent nature, and did not come kindly under the strong reli- gious discipline of his father, the Rev. Everett. Consequently, in early young manhood, he came to America with two other youths of his own age, arriving in New York about 1770. He followed the Hudson River northward, and settled in Saratoga County, New York, this being the first definite location of this branch of the Everett family in America. Accord- ing to family history, he was a Revolu- tionary soldier, and fought in the Ameri- can army in battles and campaigns in the neighborhood of his home. Records show that John Everett is listed as a private in Colonel Malcom's regiment and in the Third Regiment of Orange County Mili- tia during the Revolutionary War. John Everett married, and had two sons: I. John, of whom further. 2. Daniel.
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.