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 19
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Charles & Sauce
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Amrita Club, and Dutchess County Golf and Country Club. His religious affilia- tion is with the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Lasher has a host of friends, both among his business associ- ates and among those with whom he is associated in a social way.
On June 25, 1913, Irving Lasher mar- ried May B. Ritter, daughter of Charles and Mary (Darling) Ritter, of Saratoga County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lasher are the parents of one daughter, Mary Barbara, born in Boston, February 18, 1918.
LANE, Charles E., Physician.
The Lanes of Old Monmouth County, New Jersey, who came from Holland in the latter part of the seventeenth and in the early part of the eighteenth centuries, gave to Dutchess County, New York, descendants of the same name, who have built into the history of that region not a little of the virility for which the old families and their posterity of Dutch origin have been noted for nearly three centuries. The Holland family of Lane were robust and intrepid folk in the main, a number of whom were eager to brave the dangers of a sea voyage in those pre- carious days, when an adventurous spirit, a courageous heart and faith in the future were the chief resources of these builders of the new civilization across the seas. Of a race such as this comes Charles E. Lane, M. D., who ranks among the promi- nent and widely known physicians and surgeons of Poughkeepsie, and is a great- grandson of Jacob Lane, who settled in Dutchess County prior to and served in the Revolutionary War.
The Monmouth County (New Jersey) Lanes chiefly were descended from Gys-
bert and Jacob Thysz Van Pelt Lanen, and are of the same stock as the Van Pelts. They used the surname, Laen, Laan or Lane. Gysbert Lane settled in New Utrecht, Long Island, and in 1699 bought land in New Jersey. In 1711 he deeded land in Monmouth County to his son, Cornelius. Gysbert Lane died in 1727. His wife, Jane Lane, bore him four children, Adrian, Cornelius, Mary and Jane. Mathias Lane, who died in Mon- mouth County, 1729, was probably a brother of Gysbert. Cornelius Lane, son of Gysbert Lane, died in Monmouth County, 1762. Jacob Lane, of Monmouth County, also died in 1762, and his will is filed at Trenton, New Jersey. Many others of the name of Lane have lived in Monmouth County, and from Raritan, probably of Monmouth County, came Jacob Lane, of Dutchess County, New York.
(I) This Jacob Lane was born in Raritan, New Jersey, and died in Dutch- ess County, New York. He was the Lane of his generation who stood out as a soldier of the Revolution. In 1790 he was a resident of Beekman, Dutchess County. He married, at New Hackensack, New York, June 28, 1770, Annetje Concklin, of Romboat, New York, daughter of John and Annetje (Storm) Concklin. They had two sons, Peter, John G., of whom further, and five daughters.
(II) John G. Lane, son of Jacob Lane, was born in Beekman (now Unionvale), May 22, 1776, and spent all his life in that town. He married Betsey Emigh, and to them were born twelve children: Thomas, Benson, Marvin, Jackson, Wil- liam, Rensselaer, Jeremiah, Edward, of whom further; Betsey, Hannah, Phebe, and Julia.
(III) Edward Lane, son of John G. and Betsey (Emigh) Lane, was born June 19,
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1825, and died September 24, 1904, in ber of Triune Lodge, No. 782, Free and Fishkill, New York. He received a limited education, and at an early age left home to support himself. He embarked upon a whaling voyage and was gone several years. He possessed a good intel- lect, and spent most of his leisure hours in study. He served on a number of boats on the Hudson River as pilot and captain, and later became the owner of a schooner, which at the time was the largest boat that ran to Troy, New York. In 1863 he removed to a farm in Seneca County, New York, and still later to Fishkill, New York. He married, in 1854, Jane A. Hall, daughter of Gilbert and Mary Hall. They were the parents of three children : Charles E., of whom fur- ther; Celestia A .; and Irvin J.
(IV) Dr. Charles E. Lane, son of Edward and Jane A. (Hall) Lane, was born in Clove, Dutchess County, New York, August 16, 1855. He was educated in the district schools of that community, at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and in 1876 took a course at Eastman's Business College, Pough- keepsie, New York. He entered, in 1880, the New York Homeopathic Medical Col- lege, class of 1883, and began the practice of his profession at Clove, New York, where he remained five years. In 1888 he located at Poughkeepsie, where he con- tinues as a general practitioner and a specialist in orificial surgery, which latter practice won for him speedy recognition by the medical fraternity and the public. He was examining surgeon of the United States Bureau of Pensions, 1888-94.
Dr. Lane is a member of the American Medical Association, New York State Medical Society, Dutchess and Putnam Counties Medical Society, Poughkeepsie Academy of Medicine, and American Institute of Homeopathy. He is a mem-
Accepted Masons ; Poughkeepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch Masons; King Solo- mon Council, No. 31, Royal and Select Masters; Tri-Po-Bed Grotto, Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm; Poughkeepsie Commandery, No. 43, Knights Templar; Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Fallkill Lodge, No. 297, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. His club is the Amrita of Poughkeepsie. Dr. Lane is a Republican, and was president of the Poughkeepsie Board of Aldermen, 1894- 1901. Dr. Lane married, March 28, 1877, Hattie A. Yeomans, daughter of George and Eliza (Haight) Yeomans, of Clove, New York. They have had two sons, Theron, who died in infancy, and George Edward, of whom further.
With becoming pride, and equally with his father, Dr. George Edward Lane can trace his ancestral progenitors of the Lane family in America back to Holland, to a Revolutionary soldier and to a pio- neer merchant vessel captain, whose boat plied the Hudson River from the ocean as far as Troy, New York. Great forti- tude, persistency and progressiveness characterized those sturdy Lanes of the Colonies and the early days of the Repub- lic, and from father to son in succeeding generations these virtues were passed to the present Dr. Lane, who has emulated his father in profession and reputation both as a skillful practitioner and a worthy citizen. He stands forth among Dutchess County physicians an X-ray specialist of great proficiency.
(V) Dr. George Edward Lane, son of Dr. Charles E. and Hattie A. (Yeomans) Lane, was born at Clove, New York, November 30, 1883. He was educated at the old Quincy private school, Pough-
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Georgethane
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keepsie public schools, Riverview Mili- tary Academy, and was graduated with honors from the New York Homeopathic Medical College, class of 1908, with the degree of M. D. He served as interne at Flower Hospital for one year, and in 1909 began practice at Poughkeepsie, be- ing associated with his father for three years, and then for two years practiced alone. In 1914 he took an X-ray post- graduate course at the New York Post- Graduate Hospital. He now enjoys a large and lucrative practice in Pough- keepsie and vicinity, in general practice and X-ray work. He is radiologist at the Bowne Memorial Hospital and St. Francis' Hospital, Poughkeepsie.
Dr. Lane is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, a member of the New York State Medical Society, Dutch- ess and Putnam Counties Medical Associ- ation, American Institute of Homeopa- thy, New York State Homeopathic Medi- cal Society, New York and New England Association of Railway Surgeons, Alumni Association of Flower Hospital, New York City; the Alpha Sigma fraternity ; Triune Lodge, No. 782, Free and Accepted Masons ; Poughkeepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch Masons; Pough- keepsie Council, No. 31, Royal and Select Masters; Poughkeepsie Commandery, No. 43, Knights Templar; New York Consistory, 32nd degree; Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Tri-Po-Bed
Grotto, Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm; Fallkill Lodge, No. 297, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Poughkeepsie Council, No. 391, Royal Arcanum. His club is the Amrita.
Dr. Lane married, June 19, 1912, Inez Johnston, daughter of Robert L. and Mary Frances Pattison of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Lane comes of Revolu-
tionary descent on both sides and is a member of Mahwenawsigh Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Poughkeepsie, New York. They are the parents of two children: Charles E. (2), born March 19, 1914, and Roberta J. born December 30, 1915.
NESBITT, Fitz James,
Business Man, Veteran of Civil War.
The recent death of Fitz James Nesbitt, one of Poughkeepsie's most prominent and successful business men, struck one more name from the fast diminishing roll of Civil War veterans. Mr. Nesbitt, how- ever, leaves behind him more than an honorable war record, for his memory will also live through the great integrity which always characterized his life, through his many years of successful business, and through the beauties of a perfect home life. He will long be re- membered as a soldier, business man, fraternal man, and last but not least, a good citizen-for to be a good citizen requires the highest virtues of man.
Fitz James Nesbitt, of Scotch-English ancestry, was born in Albany, New York, July 3, 1840, a son of David and Charlotte (Mink) Nesbitt, the latter of whom was a descendant of English forebears. The father, David Nesbitt, was a native of the land of "hills and heather," and upon emi- grating from Scotland to America, he set- tled in Albany, New York, where he fol- lowed his trade of boat builder.
The son received his education in the public schools of his birthplace, and shortly after the completion of his school- ing the long-feared Civil War suddenly became an actuality. Fitz James Nesbitt at once enlisted in the Union Army and served with distinction throughout the duration of the war. Upon the cessation
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of hostilities between the North and the Fellow's Building was purchased. A few South, in 1865, Mr. Nesbitt came to years ago Mr. Nesbitt received a fifty- year gold medal from his lodge in recog- nition of his long membership in the Odd Fellows. He was also prominent in Masonic Circles, having for many years been a member of Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Nesbitt's religious affiliation was given to the Methodist Church. Poughkeepsie, New York, and here estab- lished a business enterprise in the old Enterprise Building on Main Street. Later he removed his business to the Lockwood House, where he continued with steadily increasing success until the year 1886, at which time he again removed his concern to No. 261 Main Street. Mr. Nesbitt remained here until In the financial circles of Poughkeepsie, Mr. Nesbitt was represented by being a member of the board of directors of the Merchants' National Bank. The follow- ing resolutions were passed by the board of directors upon his death : his retirement from active life in 1918. This business venture, which he founded in 1865, is to-day (1924) being carried for- ward by his son-in-law, Richard F. Kolb, at No. 273 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, New York.
Politically, Mr. Nesbitt had always been a firm supporter of the Democratic Party, and had served his chosen party ably and well on more than one occasion. At one time he was an alderman of the City of Poughkeepsie, representing the Fourth Ward, following which he became president of the Board of Aldermen. For a short period he was acting mayor of the City ; at one time served as president of the Board of Police Commissioners; and was a foremost member of the commis- sion that condemned the land for the Central New England Station. Mr. Nes- bitt also had the distinction of being the delegate to the Democratic State Conven- tion in 1894 when Grover Cleveland was running for the Presidency of the United States. His deep interest in municipal affairs was always evident, and any move- ment for the improvement of civic or county conditions was ever close to his heart.
Fraternally, Mr. Nesbitt had been an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than five decades, and it was due to his interest and influence that the present Odd
Resolved, That we record with deep sorrow the death of our fellow-director, Fitz James Nesbitt.
We have enjoyed our association with Mr. Nes- bitt during his thirteen years on the Board of Directors of this bank, and know that his high ideals, integrity and loyalty were of great benefit to us and to all who came in contact with him.
With a sincere sense of our loss in the passing of a loyal and true friend, we extend to his family this expression of appreciation and heartfelt sympathy.
Fitz James Nesbitt married, in Pough- keepsie, April 27, 1870, Louise J. Bahret, a daughter of Jacob and Fredericka (Deitz) Bahret, old residents of Dutchess County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Nes- bitt were the parents of three children, as follows: I. Dr. Edward J. Nesbitt, who married Ida Traver, of Brooklyn, New York, and their children are : a. Mil- dred, who married Frederick Waite, of Poughkeepsie, and they have one son, i. Frederick Waite, Jr. b. Edward J. Jr. ; and c. Marjorie. 2. Grace F., who died at the age of four. 3. Mabel Louise, who mar- ried Richard F. Kolb, and they have the following children : Louise N. and Rich- ard F. Kolb, Jr. Mrs. Louise J. (Bahret) Nesbitt, two of her three children, five grand-children, and one great-grandson,
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survive Mr. Fitz James Nesbitt, whose death occurred at Poughkeepsie, New York, March 8, 1924, during his eighty- third year.
ELSEFFER, Jacob W., Lawyer, Financier.
The late Jacob W. Elseffer was for more than half a century a prominent lawyer and a foremost banker of Dutchess County, New York. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Dutchess County, and for one hundred and fifty years had been closely identified with the local history of progress and advance- ment.
Jacob W. Elseffer was born in Red Hook, New York, September 6, 1822, a descendant of Louis Elzvier, who in 1580 started in Holland the Elzvier Printing Works soon to be known throughout the civilized world as the makers of the noted Elzvierian Bibles, a son of former Assemblyman John Elseffer, whose wife was Katherine (Whiteman) Elseffer, a descendant of the Whiteman family who came from Switzerland in 1720. Henry Whiteman and his son were noted patri- ots in the Revolution, and large land owners in Dutchess and Columbia counties.
The early education of Jacob W. Elsef- fer was obtained at the Claverack Insti- tute, Claverack, New York, following which he matriculated at Williams Col- lege. Instead of pursuing that full college course, however, he took up the study of law in the offices of Judge Rowley, of Upper Red Hook, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in the year 1845. He at once began the practice of his profession in his native town, and in a short time had built up a large and lucrative clientage. Such was his ability,
efficiency, and probity that his earliest clients and their descendants adhered to him throughout his long and unusually successful legal career. In 1865 the First National Bank of Red Hook was incor- porated, of which Mr. Elseffer was largely instrumental in its organization, and which institution fittingly honored him by choosing him as its first president. Mr. Elseffer continued for many years as director of and attorney for the bank, and much credit was awarded him for the excellent condition of its affairs. Both as a lawyer and as a financier, Mr. Elsef- fer, by his absolute uprightness of char- acter and his proved ability and deep wisdom, held the confidence and esteem of his contemporaries, townspeople, and associates. Fraternally, Mr. Elseffer limited his affiliation to the Masonic bodies only, and was an active and sincere member for many years of Monumental Lodge, No. 374, Free and Accepted Masons. His interest in "the search for further light" led him through the chairs until he became Master of the lodge. At the time of his death he had the unique distinction of being the Senior Past Master of Monumental Lodge. Political- ly, Mr. Elseffer gave his support and allegiance to the Democratic party, and although he never aspired to political honors, yet he was ever an influential man in the affairs of his chosen party. Mr. Elseffer was a man of great intel- lectual power, unusual forensic ability in the court-room, brilliant and sparkling in conversation, and polished and always courteous in manner. He had the quality for making friends and, what is still more, the capacity for keeping them.
Jacob W. Elseffer was married (first), October 17, 1847, to Delia Eliza Bone- steel, of Clermont, New York, whose death occurred October 20, 1888. Mr.
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Elseffer was married (second), Novem- ber II, 1890, to Harriet E. Mesick, a daughter of Frederick Mesick, of Clave- rack. She died in April, 1907. Issue by first wife: Mary; John Henry, a sketch of whom follows; Katherine Whiteman, who married William P. Adams, of Cohoes, New York; she died at Red Hook, New York, July 16, 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of two children, Elizabeth Platt, married Rad- cliffe Heermance, of Princeton, New Jersey ; Mrs. Hermance died in October, 1919; and Katherine Elseffer Adams.
Jacob W. Elseffer's death occurred at his home in Red Hook, New York, November 15, 1907, during his eighty- fifth year, and lost to Dutchess County one of its foremost legal lights and finan- cier extraordinary.
ELSEFFER, John Henry, Attorney-at-Law.
John H. Elseffer was a descendant of old Dutchess County pioneer stock, his ancestors having come into the county when it was but a wilderness, and by unremitting toil had cleared farm acreage, built hamlets, and instituted town and village governments. John H. Elseffer's was a noble heritage of true American- ism, by reason of the achievements of his paternal and maternal forebears, and a heritage in which he took justifiable pride.
John H. Elseffer was born in Red Hook, New York, as was his father before him, July 2, 1851, a son of Jacob W. and Delia Eliza (Bonesteel) Elseffer, see preceding sketch. His early educa- tion was received in the district schools of his native town, following which he took a college preparatory course at the De Garmo Institution, at Rhinebeck. He then matriculated at Cornell University,
at Ithaca, New York, supplementing his collegiate course by reading law under the expert tutelage of his honored father in the latter's offices in Red Hook, New York. He then entered the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in Binghamton in the year 1876. For sev- eral years directly following he was associated with his father in the latter's extensive law practice in Red Hook. He then removed to San Diego, Southern California, where he resided until the death of his wife in 1920, at which time he returned to the place of his nativity. Somewhat later he removed to Pough- keepsie, New York, where he lived, re- tired, at the Nelson House, until his death, which occurred February II, 1925.
Mr. Elseffer was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Dutchess County Historical Society. Politically, he supported the Democratic party, but took no active participation in political matters aside from exercising his right of franchise. His religious affili- ation was given to the Lutheran Church.
John H. Elseffer was married at New Orleans, Louisiana, January 6, 1900, by Rev. G. C. Franke, pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, to Emma Manchester. Her death occurred in San Diego, Southern California, in 1920, and she is buried at Red Hook, New York.
RIVENBURGH, Willard T., Physician.
One of the well known and notably successful physicians of Highland, New York, is Dr. Willard T. Rivenburgh, who has been engaged in general practice there since 1914. The Rivenburgh family early located in Columbia County, New
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York, and its members have contributed to the development of that section of the State, serving in professional, business, and agricultural fields of activity.
(I) Jacob N. Rivenburgh, grandfather of Dr. Rivenburgh, was successfully engaged in agricultural activities in and near Chatham, Columbia County, New York. He married Charlotte Tipple, and they were the parents of two sons: I. John H., of whom further. 2. Dr. Willard T. Rivenburgh, who was a practicing phy- sician of Middleburgh, Schoharie County, New York.
(II) John H. Rivenburgh, son of Jacob N. and Charlotte (Tipple) Rivenburgh, was born in Ghent, Columbia County, New York, in 1855, and died there in 1912. After attending the public schools of Ghent, he completed his education in Millerton Academy, and then began his business career in the employ of a local hardware concern. After a time he severed this connection and entered the employ of Higgins & Tremain, dealers in coal and feed, whom he served in the capacity of bookkeeper for several years. While attending to these duties he made himself thoroughly familiar with the busi- ness, and when Mr. Higgins retired from active participation in the concern Mr. Rivenburgh was made a partner and the firm became Tremain & Rivenburgh. Mr. Rivenburgh was a man of excellent busi- ness ability, a good friend and neighbor and popular among a large group of friends. He took a deep interest in municipal affairs, and throughout his life was identified with the activities of the Republican party in Columbia County. He served as town clerk of Ghent and overseer of poor, and for nine years was superintendent of the poor of Columbia County. Later he became a clerk of one of the Legislative committees in the State
Senate at Albany, and was well known among the leaders of the party in the State at Albany. His religious affilia- tion was with the Reformed Church of Ghent. He married Sarah J. Coburn, daughter of Henry R. and -(Sim- mons) Coburn, of Columbia County, and they were the parents of three children : I. John H., Jr., who died at the age of sixteen. 2. Russell, who died in infancy. 3. Willard T., of whom further.
(III) Dr. Willard T. Rivenburgh, son of John H. and Sarah J. (Coburn) Riven- burgh, was born in Ghent, New York, July 11, 1886. He received his earliest education in the district schools of his native town. Later he entered Chatham High School, from which he was gradu- ated. In 1905, having chosen the medical profession as his field of service, he began study in Albany Medical College, of Union University, where he remained for a year. At the end of that time he entered the pharmacy of Troy in the capacity of clerk, but in 1907 he reentered Albany Medical School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910, receiving the degree M. D. at that time. The following year, 1910-II, he served his internship in Samaritan Hospital, Troy, and when that period of practice and study was completed, he engaged in general practice in his home town. In 1914 he removed to Highland, New York, where he has since remained and where he has built up a large and important practice. He is known as one of the lead- ing physicians of that section of the County and enjoys in a high degree the respect and esteem both of his large clien- tele and of his professional colleagues.
On April 10, 1918, after the entrance of the United States into the World War, Dr. Rivenburgh enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to duty
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at the Base Hospital, Camp Upton, New York, where he remained until he was discharged from service, May 25, 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant, Medical Forces. In 1920-21 he entered the medi- cal department of Endicott-Johnson Corporation, Johnson City, New York, but after remaining there for a short time he returned to Highland, and resumed general practice. Dr. Rivenburgh is by courtesy attending physician of the Vassar Brothers' Hospital, Poughkeepsie. He is a member of Highland Lodge, No. 718, Free and Accepted Masons; and of Otseningo Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a Republican in politics, and a member and former trustee of Highland Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Willard L. Rivenburgh married, February 18, 1914, Florence Darrow, daughter of J. Wallace Darrow, of Chatham, New York, former editor of the Chatham "Courier." Dr. and Mrs. Rivenburgh are the parents of two chil- ·dren : Florence Elizabeth ; Willard John, born May II, 1921.
ALBRO, William C., Attorney-at-Law.
In the eighth generation of descent from John Albro, the founder of the family name in America, who came from England in 1634, became a major in the Colonial Militia, and died at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, December 14, 1712, Wil- liam C. Albro, of Poughkeepsie, New York, in a half-century of practice of the law has risen to a high place in the esteem and affectionate regard of his brethren at the bar and of a large clientele. He has also given much of his time and energy to the affairs of education in his home city, and being a speaker of no mean ability, his services in that respect have often
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