History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 648

USA > New York > Columbia County > History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58

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1843.

Peter Hnyck. 66

J. W. Stickles.

John R. Beale. Jacob P. Miller.

John W. Stickler. =

1838.

1839.

1840

1822

1823.

Samuel Hawley.

1824.

1825.

Andrew Van Dyck. Samuel Hawley.

1828

David Van Schaack. J. I. Pruyn. Barent Hoes.

1833.

1834

Town Clerks. Benjamin Hilton.

Wilson Miller. George Reynolds.

1818. Peter I. Vosburgh.

Photo. by F. Forshew, Hudson.

JOHN THOMPSON WENDOVER.

Mr. Wendover was born in the city of New York, in the year 1800. He was a son of Stephen Wendover, a wholesale grocer of that city, first with Robert and Peter Bruce, and afterwards a member of the firm of Wendover & Hopkins, which was dissolved about the year 1801, and Mr. Wendover removed to Stockport, Columbia Co., N. Y., where he purchased a tract of some six or seven hundred acres of land, on the recommendation of Peter Van Schaack, of Kinderhook. He remained in Stockport until the spring of 1812, when he removed to the village of Kinderhook, and became a member of the firm of Whiting, Clark & Co. In 1813 this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Weudover removed to Stuyvesant Landing, having taken the property which belonged to the above-named firm in the division between the partners. Owing to the illness of the senior Mr. Wendover, John T., his son, was recalled from school and placed in the business, in which he remained till the year 1855, when he nominally retired, having transferred the business to his sons, Stephen H. and Isaac H. Wendover.

Mr. M. S. Hutton, of 47 East Ninth St., New York, writes the following communication concerning Mr. Stephen Wendover and his brother-in-law, Mr. Christopher Hutton :

" In a small, low, steep-roofed brick house, consisting of a single story and an attie, situated on the banks of the Hudson, then called Kinderhook Landing, now Stuyvesant, lived three remarkable men, whose names ought to be recorded in any history of Columbia county. The house stood directly on the very line of the river road; had a long stoop, which might also have been called a piazza, running almost the whole length of the front, the entrance to which was on one side. A real old-fashioned Dutch building it was. One of the fire-places was adorued with the ' Scriptural Dutch tiles.' But its most interesting feature was, that in the attic was a room which, instead of heiog lathed and plastered, was finished throughout, both walls and ceiling, with cherry wood, and hence always called 'the cherry chamber.' But this was not its chief attraction ; it was ren- dered famous from the fact that General Washington once occupied it as a sleeping room. This tradition endeared it particularly to one of the dwellers, Mr. Christopher Hutton, whe had been au esteemed officer in the Revolutionary war, and a warm admirer and personal friend of the great general.

" Mr. Stephen Wendover, who was the owner of the house, and the head of the family, had married Mr. Hutton's youngest and favorite sister. Mr. Hutton himself was never married, and when he retired from business in Troy, selected this sister's house as his home. The intercourse between the brother and sister was almost unearthly in its beauty, and continued until his death. Ile was born in the city of New York, April 26, 1756, aud died Feb. 15, 1843, in his eighty- eighth year. At the early age of twenty he became connected with the 2d N. Y. Regt. ; was in the regular Continental line, and in nearly

all the principal actions of the war. He served under Colonels Willet, Schuyler, Lamb, aud Clinton. While at Fort Schuyler he was one of those who volunteered to pass through the enemy's lines and go to Albany for relief, which duty he successfully performed. Wash- ington strongly solicited him to constitute one of his staff. His assigned reason for refusal indicated his modesty and straightforward honesty, for both of which qualities he was remarkable. His answer was his emphatic ' No; I know my duty where I am ; perhaps I will not fill expectation in so exalted a situation.' He remained in the army until the close of the war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktowo. He was also one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. He was in person tall and portly ; his step measured, dignified, and military. While residing in Troy he was elected a member of the Legislature; but after two or three weeks' attendance on its sessions he resigned his position ; mainly, I believe, because he could not make his integrity aod straightforward honesty consistent with party claims. He was truly one of nature's nohlest men ; one of the truest patriots that our country ever pos- sessed. His brother-in-law, Mr. Stephco Wendover, with whom the latter portion of his life was passed, was also in his way a very remarkable man,-one of great energy, sound miod, warm heart, and impulsive passions. Touch his heart, and it was not difficult to do so, and the whole man-body, soul, and estate-was yours; generous, perhaps, even to a fault. Such a man, it will at once be perceived, must have warm friends and bitter enemies. This was the case with Mr. Wendover; but he was respected and trusted even hy his mest bitter opponents.

" Ile was among the first and most active of the men to whom Stuy- vesant is indebted for its commercial history and growth. He was one of the largest and most popular forwarders of produce in that region. He owned a large sloop, and, after steam was introduced, a large propeller, which weekly carried to the city of New York the agricultural productions of the country for miles around. On sailing day the store and dock appeared like a town meeting; almost every available place in the neighborhood was thronged ; and ou such days neither himself oor his sons, who were enlisted with him, had time to attend to their ordinary meals. In this important work he was ahly assisted by his sons, especially hy his eldest son, John Thomp- son Wendover, whom the father had trained to the work from his youth, and whom he early placed in partnership with himself.

" This son, to many of the noble and business qualifications of the father, added some very important elements; calm, cool, judicious, he met the impulsive nature of his father with a judgment seldom at fault; and when, as was the case, disease confined the father to the house, an intense sufferer from inflammatory rheumatism, he could with the utmost confidence leave everything in the hands and to the judgment of his most reliable son. Mr. Thompson Wendover was among the most enterprising and public-spirited men of the day ; and for its commercial, moral, and religious character, Stuyvesant is perhaps more indebted to him than to any other individual man.

" It is seldom that men of his stamp and energy are content to fill the small field of a place such as Stuyvesant was when it was simply called Kinderhook Landing. But his remaining there was a blessing and an hener to the place and to the county. Three such men as Christopher Hutton, Stephen Wendover, and Joho Thompson Wendover few counties in our State can claim."

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Sheriff .- Barent Vanderpoel.

County Clerk .-- Abraham B. Vanderpoel.

County Superintendents of the Poor .- Henry P. Mesick, William R. Mesick, Cyrus Groat, Sylvester Becker, Nor- man Van Bramer, Ephraim Kendall.

The citizens of this town who have held minor offices are too numerous to be mentioned here.

KINDERHOOK CEMETERIES.

In the early settlement of the town many private burial- grounds were formed, and some were not wisely located with reference to future use, many becoming neglected. In the village of Kinderhook was formerly a place of in- terment near where the centre of business now is. This was removed to a more favorable place in the western part of the village in the summer of 1817. Two acres of well- drained ground were secured and placed in charge of the consistory of the Reformed church, which is yet the con- trolling body of the cemetery. In 1844, and at subse- quent periods, additions were made to the grounds, until the cemetery now possesses fair proportions. It is pretty well improved, contains some fine monuments and vaults, and, on account of the illustrious dead who repose in this quiet spot, attracts considerable attention. Here are the sepultures of Martin Van Buren, who died July 24, 1862, and of many members of his family, and the graves of the noted Peter Van Schaack, Francis Silvester, Dr. John Vanderpoel, the Rev. Peter S. Wynkoop, and others of equal eminence.

The Valatie cemetery is north of that village, on the road to Niverville. It is a plain though attractive spot, containing several acres of well-drained ground. The Va- latie cemetery association was formed Sept. 3, 1851, with eighteen members, who chose as trustees Reuben Dedinck, James Miller, Simon J. Milhanı, Michael J. Niver, Peter Kingman, and Peter Hoes. Their successors have since controlled the above cemetery.

Prospect Hill cemetery is within the corporate limits of Valatie, and is naturally one of the finest cemeteries in the connty. It contains twenty-eight acres of beautifully -located ground, which have been improved to a considerable extent by a skillful landscapist. There are many fine monuments and a good receiving-vault.

The trustees selected by the association, formed Sept. 27, 1852, were William P. Rathbone, Orin Carpenter, Peter W. Pulver, William Van Buren, Charles B. Osborne, John Rodgers, Jeremiah Carpenter, Samuel Hanna, and Benajah Conant.

At present Charles Wild is president of the association, and Justus W. Bebee secretary.

THIE VILLAGE OF KINDERHOOK

is situated on the west bank of Kinderhook creek, twelve miles north from Hudson, four miles from Kinderhook sta- tion (Niverville) on the Boston and Albany railroad, and five miles from Stuyvesant on the Hudson River railroad. Excellent highways lead to all the foregoing points, and to Albany by way of the old post-road, which here crosses the creek in its course to the northwest. From its location on this thoroughfare, as well as being on a principal road from

the east to the landing, Kinderhook was in early times one of the most important business places in the county. But the railroads have diverted the trade which it formerly enjoyed, and it is now known chiefly as being the home of a large and respectable class of people whose means have permitted them to retire to this place to enjoy the refine- ment and culture which it affords. The village was origi- nally built in a straggling manner along the ridge near the creek. In 1763 it contained fifteen honses and a Dutch Reformed church. The families then living in the place bore the names yet so well known and honored among the citizens of the village. They were the owners of spacious lots, where, after the manner of their ancestors, they dwelt in quiet contentment. This custom yet prevails, giving the village for its population (abont twelve hundred souls) a very large area., The streets have, within the past sixty years, been laid out with more breadth and greater regu- larity, and are usually planted with trees. The grounds of the private residences are also liberally ornamented with trees and shrubbery. The houses themselves do not ex- hibit much architectural display, but are remarkable rather for their solid and comfortable appearance. These features have combined to give Kinderhook a place among the many handsome villages of the State.

The place has never been noted for its manufacturing in- terests, owing probably to the absence of water-power. Aside from the common mechanical pursuits and the manufacture of hats, one of the first notable interests was the carriage- factory belonging to General Whiting. It occupied a large frame building north of the Reformed church. Many coaches were built for the sonthern State's, and an active business was done. Subsequently a portion of the build- ing was used as a steam grist-mill, and a saw-mill was oper- ated by the same power, on the lot adjoining. After these had been discontinued, Eugene Hover here established a hoop-skirt and scarf-factory, about 1860, which did a large business, its sales aggregating more than one hundred thousand dollars per year. In ten years it was discon- tinued, and the building is now again used as a carriage- factory.

In 1846, Peter Hoes and James Chrysler erected a large steam cotton-mill in the western part of the village, which, in good times, was operated to produce twenty-eight thou- sand yards of plain cotton goods per week, and gave employ- ment to eighty operators. Carpenter & Earl operated the mill last, but for the past eight years it has been idle.

Among the first taverns within the village, within the period of recollection, was the one kept by Abraham Van Buren, the father of the President, towards the close of the last century. The house stood on the south side of the post-road, at the foot of the hill, and not very far from the creek. It was a story and a half frame, with a steep roof. The front door was in the centre of the building, with large side windows to light the hall, and which divided the part of the house allotted to travelers and that occu- pied by the family. Mr. Van Buren was also a small far- mer, and probably did not depend upon his tavern as an exclusive means of support, although it is said that at certain seasons the business was considerable. Soon after 1800, a part of the hotel now known as the " Kinderhook

224

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

House" was erected. Its present size is the result of several additions. Peter I. Lewis was an early landlord, and was followed in time by David Skinner. In 1837, David B. Strannahan was the proprietor of the house. Two years after Martin Van Buren's elevation to the presidency, in 1839, he visited a number of places in New York, among others his old home, Kinderhook. The citizens of the place tendered him a most enthusiastic reception,-the assembled concourse completely filling the space in front of the Kinderhook House. Amid the roar of cannon the President appeared on the balcony of the hotel, and in the most touching and pathetic manner thanked the people who thus honored him, and among whom he began his public career as a fence-viewer. Tryon & Granger, Asaph Wil- der, and others have been hosts at this place, and for the past fifteen years it has been conducted by Wm. Bradley. Nearly opposite is another hotel. The house was erceted for other purposes, and was used as a school-house by a man named Restor, who had considerable reputation as a teacher. Subsequently it contained a store, and finally, with some additions, became a tavern. Andrew Van Slyck, B. Demeyer, and many others have been its keepers.

In the neighborhood of the Van Buren tavern Abram Van Vleck had a store, some time about 1780. Afterwards his son became associated with him, and later Henry and Aaron Van Vleck were the principal tradesmen. In 1821 they had a store on the west side of Chatham street, in the house now occupied as a residence by William Weed. 'The corner store was afterwards built by them. John and Peter Bain succeeded the Van Vlecks, and were for many years prominent merchants. Another old store is that at present occupied by the post-office. This was erected by John Rogers, an Irishman of convivial habits, but withal a good business man. Whiting & Clark carried on an ex- tensive business in this house, drawing custom from the country many miles around. On the site of the National bank Peter Van Buren was in trade, and was succeeded, about 1830, by Peter Iocs. Laurence Van Buren occu- pied what was known as the Yellow store, and Lawrence Van Dyck the Mandeville tavern building. Van Dyck & Crocker did business near the Reformed church, and Wit- beck & Buffington in a building that stood where the Van Schaack law-office now is. Amos Ackley, Geid Manton, Asaph Wilder, and others were also in trade at an early day. Since 1844, John C. Sweet has been a bookseller in the place, and is the oldest merchant in trade. There are ahout a dozen stores, but the business transacted is light compared with that of former days.

The early history of the post-office has been imperfectly ascertained. From the department at Washington we learn that the first regular office was established July 31, 1792, and that Ashbel Ely was the postmaster. Another carly official was Laurence Van Dyck. The letter-case he con- structed for the office is yet preserved in Mr. Sweet's store. David Van Schaack, Laurence Van Buren, and James Lathrop have also been postmasters, and George Reynolds holds the position at present. The office does a business aggregating nearly two thousand dollars per an- uum, and distributes a large amount of matter daily, the number of papers per week reaching nearly a thousand.

In 1869 it became a postal money-order office, and in 1877 issued orders to the amount of three thousand seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and seventy-uine eents, besides send- ing one hundred and eighteen registered letters.

Kinderhook is noted for its excellent and popular banks. The present

NATIONAL BANK OF KINDERHOOK

ranks first in the order of time. It was established as a State bank Jan. 1, 1839, with a capital of one hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars. It is said that the city of Hudson opposed this movement with bitter jealousy ; but, nevertheless, the bank became at once very popular, and has always retained the confidence of the business men of the northern part of the county.

The first board of directors was composed of John Bain, Teunis Harder, Peter I. Hoes, Mordecai Myers, Edward B. Pugsley, John P. Beekman, Charles Whiting, John I. Pruyn, Andrew Van Alstyne, Julius Wileoxson, David Van Schaack, Lucas Hoes, Laurence Van Buren, Wm. II. Tobey, John J. Van Valkenburgh, Uriah Edwards, and Adam A. Hoysradt.

John P. Beekman was chosen president of the bank, and held that position until 1862. He was succeeded by Chris- topher H. Wendover, who was president a year. Since 1863, William R. Mesick has presided over the interests of the bank.

The cashiers have been Lucas Hoes, 1839-42; Coving- ton Guion, 1842-19; Franklin G. Guion, 1849-69; John J. Van Schaack, 1869-77 ; and since that period Augustus W. Wynkoop.

In 1862 the bank moved into the present building, which was ereeted for its use, and seems well adapted for its pur- poscs. On the 17th of April, 1865, it became a national bank, with an increase of the capital to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which amount is yet maintained.

The present direetors are John J. Van Valkenburgh,- who has been continuously on the board, and is the only one of the original directors now living,-William R. Mesick, Hugh Van Alstyne, Ephraim P. Best, Samuel Wilber, James Kingman, Barent I. Van Hoesen, Calvin L. Herrick, Peter S. Hoes, Lucas Prnyn, William J. Penoyer, Henry Van Hoesen, Abraham Harder, and Albert De Meyer.

The National Union Bank of Kinderhook commenced business as a State bank Oct. 1, 1853, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This was increased to two hundred thousand dollars in 1859. The bank com- menced business in the corner building, owned by Charles Whiting, ad joining the present harness-store. In 1858 the bank was burglarized, sustaining a loss of nine thousand dollars. The brick building which it now occupies was then purchased and fitted up for its use, and possession was taken May 1, 1859. It affords ample and convenient ac- commodations for the large and increasing business of the institution. On the 29th of March, 1865, it became a national bank, and has since done business as such.

The first board of directors was composed of William H. Tobey, John J. Kittle, Adam A. Hoysradt, John Rogers, John T. Wendover, Henry J. Whiting, Francis W. Bradley, David Van Schaak, Isaac Esselstyne, Charles Whiting,

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IIISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

James B. Laing, Daniel D. Warner, Daniel S. Curtis, Ciba A. Gardenier, John Bain, Hugh Bain, Nathan Wild, Richard Graus, Henry Snyder, Samuel IIanna, and Charles L. Beale.

William H. Tobey was chosen president of the bank in 1853, and held that position until his death in May, 1878. Barent Van Alstyne, the vice-president, is now the acting president. Wm. H. Rainey has been the cashier of the bank from its organization, and to him much of the success of the bank is due.

Of the original twenty-one directors two remain mem- bers of the present board, which contains but twelve mem- bers ; fifteen are deceased, and four have become discon- nected.

The present directors are Barent Van Alstyne, Ciba A. Gardenier, John Rogers, Stephen H. Wendover, James Van Alstyne, Peter V. S. Pruyn, Isaac V. A. Snyder, Francis Silvester, David W. Gardenier, James Mix, Henry A. Best, and James Bain.

Probably no village in the Union has possessed a greater array of talent in the learned professions than Kinderhook. Here have lived, and practiced law and medicine, men whose names have become co-extensive with the fame of our com- mon country, and who have given those professions in this place a prestige that will always attach to them.

As near as can be determined from the imperfect data in our possession, Peter Silvester was a counselor at Kinder- hook about 1760, and was probably the first to engage regularly in the practice of law. In 1766 he had an office in Albany, although his family continued to reside at Kin- derhook, where, in 1767, was born Francis Silvester, who, twenty-five years later, and until his death, in 1845, was known as one of the most eminent lawyers of Kinderhook. It was in Mr. Silvester's office that Martin Van Buren began his law studies, and others who became distinguished jurists were here under his instruction. A grandson, also named Francis Silvester, is at present an honored and sue- cessful attorney at Kinderhook.

Peter Van Schaack was born in Kinderhook in 1747. When nineteen years old he studied law with Peter Silves- ter at Albany, and subsequently beeame a leading lawyer in New York city. In 1775 he removed to Kinderhook, and afterwards visited England to continue the study of the law. On his return to America he found a large practice awaiting him, but was obliged by his failing eye- sight to relinquish the greater portion of it. In 1792 he was obliged to employ an amanuensis, and thereafter his labors were principally directed to the instruction of his law-students, who embraced the sons of some of the most distinguished lawyers of that day, among others the sons of Rufus King, James Kent, Ambrose Spencer, and Theodore Sedgewick. It is estimated that one hundred young men served their law clerkships under him. Mr. Van Schaack was a man of profound knowledge, and was the first native of the county to receive a college education. He died at Kinderhook in September, 1832.

David Van Schaack was also widely known as a Kinder- hook lawyer until his death in 1872.

Martin Van Buren was born in the unpretentious tavern of Abraham Van Buren, in the lower part of Kinderhook,

in 1782, and left the academy in this place in 1796 to commence the study of law with Francis Silvester. He completed his studies in the office of Wm. P. Van Ness, of New York city, and in 1803 commenced the practice of his profession in Kinderhook, remaining until 1808, when he removed to Hudson. His political career and public services are elsewhere noted ..

James Vanderpoel, son of Isaac Vanderpoel, and oldest brother of John and Aaron Vanderpoel, was born at Kin- derhook in 1787. He commenced the study of law with Francis Silvester in 1804, and practiced at Kinderhook from 1808 until 1832, when he removed to Albany. He enjoyed a very enviable reputation as a lawyer. His brother Aaron was born in 1799, and studied law in his office, being admitted to the bar in 1820. He counseled at Kinderhook until 1839.

John H. Reynolds, Julius Wilcoxson, and Wm. H. Tobey were for many years contemporary attorneys of more than ordinary merit. The latter died in May, 1878, having been in practice at Kinderhook more than forty years. Other lawyers of note in the place were Barent Gardenier, Myndert Vosburgh, Abraham A. Van Buren, James I. Van Alen, Francis Pruyn, George Van Sant- voord, and Charles L. Beale. Of those born in old Kin- derhook, who became eminent in the law, Cornelius P. Van Ness, son of Peter Van Ness, born at Lindenwald in 1782, deserves foremost mention ; B. F. Butler, son of Colonel Medad Butler, born in 1795, a student of Martin Van Buren in 1811, also became very prominent ; and Peter L. Van Alen, who removed to Georgia about the elose of the last century, was an attorney of unusually brilliant attainments. Besides Francis Silvester, already mentioned, G. S. Collier and William H. Atwood are lawyers at Kinderhook. The latter occupies the old Van Schaack office, having been located here since 1872, and is a rising young attorney.

Although not as numerous as the legal fraternity, the medieal profession has had men of equal eminence at Kin- derhook. One of the first was Dr. John I. Beekman, who was born July 4, 1761, and died in 1791. Dr. Henry Van Dyck came next as a successful practitioner. Dr. William Barthrop, an Englishman, came some time after 1800, and remained until his death in 1838, aged seventy- three years. Dr. John P. Beckman, a son of the first- named physician, was in practice about twenty years, discontinuing in 1834. He was born in Kinderhook in 1788, and died there in 1861. Dr. Andrew Van Dyck was a well-known physician from 1822 to 1843. Dr. John M. Pruyn was in practice from 1835 on, and died in 1856, nearly sixty years of age. Dr. Daniel Sargent was his contemporary until his removal to Hudson. Dr. Lucas Pruyn was born June 14, 1812, admitted to practice in 1834, and since 1842 has followed his profession at Kin- derhook. Dr. P. V. S. Pruyn has been established here since 1863 ; and Dr. James Green, a homœopathist, came to Kinderhook in 1875.

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History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 648

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 648