USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York : with historical notes on its various towns > Part 34
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Prof. O. H. Burritt was a republican in po- litical sentiment until the Prohibition party had formulated its present declaration of prin- ciples, since which time he has supported the cause of prohibition. He is a member and active worker of the Schuylerville Methodist Episcopal church, in which Sunday school he is a teacher. Mrs. Burritt is also a member of the same church.
WILLIAM B. WEBSTER, M. D., a successful physician of Schuylerville and a member of that distinguished New England Webster family which produced Noah Web- ster, the lexicographer, and Daniel Webster, the statesman, is a son of Rev. J. M. and Chloe Mary (Barney) Webster, and was born in the town of Hebron, Washington county, New York, October 26, 1858. He received his elementary education at Jonesville academy and then attended Ft. Edward High school and Ft. Edward academy, graduating from the high school in 1877. Leaving school he commenced the study of medicine, and in 1878
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entered the medical department of Union uni- versity, from which he was graduated in the class of 1881. Immediately after graduation he came to Schuylerville, where he has been successfully engaged ever since in the practice of his chosen profession. Although young in years, Dr. Webster has built up a large and lucrative practice, and is favorably known as an able and efficient physician. Dr. Webster is a republican in politics. He served in 1888 and again in 1889 as president of the village board of trustees, and during his administra- tion was instrumental in securing the opening of several new streets, procuring electric lights and the thorough equipment of the present efficient fire department. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has twice served on the board of health. He is a member of the New York State Medical as- sociation and of the American Medical asso- ciation.
On September 26, 1883, Dr. Webster was united in marriage with Ella McCready, daugh- ter of William and Catherine ( Hagerman) McCready, of Schuylerville, New York. They have one child, a daughter, Dorothy L. Web- ster.
The Webster family of New York was founded by Elizur Webster (great-great-grandfather), who was a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a lineal descendant of John Webster, who was at one time governor of that State during its Colonial period. His son, Obadiah Web- ster, settled soon after the revolution at Hamp- ton, in Washington county, where he was an early settler, and purchased three thousand acres of land. He was a distant relative of Noah Webster, and also of Daniel Webster. He married Elizabeth Keeny, and his children were : Leonard, Amos, Phæbe, Orrin H., Har- riet, John, Diadama, Fannie and Betsy. Orrin H. Webster (grandfather) was born at Hamp- ton, June 14, 1800, and died July 10, 1862. He was a carpenter and farmer, a free-soil democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married
Theda Streater, daughter of Joab and Damaris (Baker) Streater, of Connecticut, and his chil- dren by this marriage were: Rev. J. M., father of the subject of this sketch; Henry, Sarah, Helen and Seraph. Rev. J. M. Web- ster was born May 7, 1828, at Whitehall, re- ceived his education at Hampton and Poult- ney seminary, Vermont, and after teaching four years entered the ministry of the Metho- dist Episcopal church July 4, 1852. On May 16, 1854, he was received into Troy conference, of which he has been an active member ever since. Member of the general conference, 1876, in Baltimore, Maryland, and 1880, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He united with the Metho- dist Episcopal church in 1850, was licensed in 1852, received on trial in 1854, ordained deacon in 1856, by Bishop Morris; ordained elder in 1858, by Bishop Ames; and filled twenty appointments up to 1888, when he was made presiding elder of Burlington dis- trict, which position he still holds. Retired in 1893, and now located in Schuylerville. In 1853, he married Chloe Mary, daughter of Robert and Mary Boardman Barney, of Rut- land, Vermont. To Rev. and Mrs. Webster have been born three children : Louella F., who died in childhood; Dr. William B. (sub- ject) and John F., who died at five years of age.
Rev. J. M. Webster was appointed member of advisory committee of Religious Congress at World's Fair in 1893.
J. M. Webster, at twenty-two, was elected superintendent of schools, which office he re- signed to enter the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM CLEMENTS, proprietor of .
the gas works at Ballston Spa, is one of the most enterprising and successful citizens of this important village, and is noted for his able and careful financial management. He is the eldest son of Robert and Agnes (Harvey) Clements, and was born March 28, 1844, near
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Belfast Ireland. When only five years of age he was brought to the United States by his father, who remained in New York city for two years, and then removed to Schenectady, Schenectady county, where the subject of this sketch was principally reared, and where he received his education in the public schools. After leaving school he entered a large ma- chine shop there, and learned the trade of machinist, which occupation he followed for a period of eight years in Schenectady. He then engaged with his father in the gas busi- ness in that city, where he remained until 1879, when he purchased the gas works at Ballston Spa, this county, and removed to this village. He has successfully conducted these works ever since. In 1884 he erected here the large and handsome brick structure known as Clements block, on Milton avenue, and since that time has built three other sub- stantial houses, located on Bath street, where he owns a number of additional lots. These enterprises, however, failed to give sufficient scope for the exercise of his active business mind, and in 1890 he opened a large paint and wall paper store in the Clements block, where he carries a fine stock of paints, wall paper, and kindred supplies, and has built up and now controls a lucrative trade in these goods.
On May 18, 1875, Mr. Clements was united in marriage to Nancy H. Robinson, daughter of Daniel Robinson, of Schenectady county, this State. To them have been born five children, one son and four daughters : Agnes, who died in 1883, and Ella, Jennie, William, and Helen, all living at home with their parents.
Politically Mr. Clements is a stanch demo- crat, but is too much absorbed in his various business enterprises to devote much attention to politics. He has always manifested an in- terest in educational matters, and is now serv- ing as a member of the board of education in Ballston Spa. In religious faith and church membership he is a Presbyterian, and is a trustee and elder in the church of that denom-
ination at Ballston Spa. He is also connected with the local council of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Clements is a pleas- ant, affable gentleman, takes rank with the most enterprising citizens of his section of the county, and has an interesting family growing up about him.
The Clements family is of Scotch origin, and both the father and mother of William Clements were born near Belfast, Ireland, where the family had previously settled. Rob- ert Clements (father) was born and reared in the Emerald Isle, which he left with his family in 1849 to seek a new home in America. Landing at New York city in the autumn of that year he remained there until 1851, when he removed to Schenectady, this State, and became manager of the gas works in that city, a position he acceptably filled until his deatlı in 1883, at which time he had attained the age of fifty-nine years. He also traded in real estate considerably, and was very suc- cessful in all his business ventures. He was a democrat in politics, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian church. While yet in Ireland he married Agnes Harvey, and by this union had a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Mrs. Clements, now in her seventieth year, still resides at Schen- ectady, and is a devoted and exemplary mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, in which faith she was reared in her early home across the seas.
OHN L. HENNING, who deservedly stands in the front rank of the Saratoga county bar, and who has been for several years one of the prominent and influential re- publican leaders of the Republican party of Saratoga county, is a son of George and Mar- tha (Linden) Henning, and was born in County Down Ireland, June 22, 1855. George Hen- ning is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in County Down, where he followed farming until a few years ago, when he retired from
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active life. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and church membership, and married Martha Linden, who was a native of the same county and a member of the same church as himself. She died in February, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters.
John L. Henning was reared on the farm, and received his education in the National schools of Ireland. In April, 1873, when in his eighteenth year, he bade farewell to his home and the land of his nativity to seek his fortune in a land that offered better oppor- tunities for advancement and success in life than was afforded by his native country. Land- ing at New York, he came directly to Saratoga Springs, where he has resided ever since. Thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world he accepted any employment that was honest, and by hard toil and faithful service not only won encouragement but se- cured success at whatever he labored. Having a fondness for books and letters he became ambitious of becoming a lawyer, and in Jan- uary, 1875, entered the law office of Judge John C. Hulbert, with whom he read for three years. At the end of that time, in September, 1878, he was admitted to the bar, and one month later was taken into partnership by Judge Hulbert, with whom he remained until 1883. In that year he established an office of his own, and two years later formed a partner- ship with Hon. John R. Putnam, now on the supreme bench, under the firm name of Put- nam & Henning. This partnership continued until January 1, 1888, when Judge Putnam went on the bench, and in February, 1891, Mr. Henning admitted William H. McCall to partnership with him, under the present firm name of Henning & McCall.
On February 22, 1881, Mr. Henning mar- ried Jennie Hulbert, and to their union have been born six children, two sons and four daughters, four only of whom are living. Mrs. Henning is a daughter of Judge John C. Hulbert.
John L. Henning is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Saratoga Springs, and has been a Knight Templar in Masonry for several years. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 103, Free and Accepted Masons ; high priest of Rising Sun Chapter, No. 131, Royal Arch Masons; treasurer of Cryptic Council, Royal and Select Masters; and a past officer of Washington Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, and Oriental Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Troy. In January, 1890, Mr. Henning was elected as a justice of the peace, and served for four years. He also served as village attorney from 1885 to 1887 and from 1889 to 1892, besides serving as a member of the board of health from 1884 to 1892.
In speaking of the life and professional services of John L. Henning, an able writer says : " As a lawyer Mr. Henning has been a success, and numbers among his clients some of the most prominent citizens and moneyed corporations of this village. In poli- tics he is an active republican, and has done much for the party, both upon the platform, where he is a fluent, earnest and forceful speaker and a sound, logical thinker and ex- pounder of the principles of the Republican party, and in the various offices which he has held. Mr. Henning is a most agreeable gentle- man, with a vast fund of pleasing anecdotes at his command, with which to regale his friends. In social life he is invariably cheerful, and never disappoints his friends who expect him ; nor as a lawyer do his clients ever have to make fruitless journeys to find a man who had forgotten his engagements and wandered from his office. No one who needed aid ever ap- pealed to him in vain, and many are the young men whom, by material means and kindly advice, he has started on the road to fame and fortune."
The natural talents, indefatigable industry, and thorough legal training of John L. Hen- ning soon after he commenced the practice of law placed him in the front rank of his pro-
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fession, where he has ever since remained. He is thoroughly devoted to his profession, has a first-class practice, and has hosts of friends.
A LLEN G. PECKHAM, M.D., who is
highly respected both as a physician and a citizen, occupies a useful position in Water- ford, and is an active worker for good. Heis a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Gifford) Peck- ham, and was born in the town of Easton, Washington county, New York, December 6, 1848. His paternal grandfather, John Peck- ham, was of English descent, and early in life removed from Rhode Island to Washington county, this State, where he purchased a farm which he tilled until his death. He was a Friend or Quaker, and died in 1832, at forty- five years of age. His son, Joseph Peckham (father), was born in 1818, in the town of Easton, in Washington county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, January 29, 1883, at sixty-five years of age. He was a very prosperous farmer, and had been an active member of the Society of Friends for many years before his death. In politics Mr. Peckham was an old-line whig and a republican. He wedded Elizabeth Gifford, who was born in 1821 in the same town as himself, and who still continues to re- side on the home farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Peckham were born seven children, three sons and four daughters.
Allen G. Peckham was reared in his native town, received his education in Marshall seminary, then a prominent institution of learning, and after leaving school became a medical student in the office of Dr. E. B. Cole, a prominent physician of Waterford, this county. After completing the required course of reading, he took two courses of lectures at the Albany Medical college, and then entered Hahnneman Medical college of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which famous homeo- pathic institution he was graduated with high
standing in the class of 1871. In a few weeks after graduation he located at Mechanicville, where he remained some three months, when his preceptor, Dr. E. B. Cole, of Waterford, died, and he succeeded to his practice. In a short time he became popular and secured an enviable practice, which he has held ever since. The greater part of his time and at- tention is devoted to his profession, while he never neglects any opportunity to widen his knowledge of medicine or to study closely the most successful methods of treating diseases. Dr. Peckham is a member of the Homeopathic Medical society of Saratoga county and the Homeopathic Medical society of northern New York, of which he served one term as presi- dent. He is now serving as health officer of his village.
On December 26, 1872, Dr. Peckham was united in marriage with Mary E. Eddy, daugh- ter of Thomas J. Eddy, of Waterford. Dr. and Mrs. Peckham have one child, a son, named Harold, who was born December 27, 1882.
Dr. Allen G. Peckham is a republican in politics, and has been a member of the Water- ford Presbyterian church for several years. He is a well read and successful physician and a pleasant and genial gentleman, who is pop- ular wherever he is known.
THEODORE FRANK HAMILTON,
ex-district attorney of Saratoga county and who is numbered among the progressive and successful lawyers of the Empire State, is a son of Theodore B. and Emily (Welles) Ham- ilton, and was born in Rochester, Monroe county, New York, January 23, 1851. He received his education in the public schools of Rochester and Evening High school of New York city, and then was engaged with the large commercial firm of Dike Brothers for four years. At the end of that time he became a member of the staff of the New York Sun, and for three years gave a part of his time to
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reportorial work, during which period he furn- ished his paper with its celebrated account of the shooting and the appearance of the death room of James Fisk, the great railroad manipu- lator. At the same time that he engaged on the Sun as a reporter, he entered the law office of Starr & Hooker, of New York city. He also took a course of lectures in the law department of Columbia college, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar at the general term of the supreme court of New York city. Shortly after admis- sion he removed to Ballston Spa and prac- ticed there until 1886, when he came to Sara- toga Springs, where he has remained ever since.
On June 7, 1877, Mr. Hamilton married Kate M. Luther, daughter of John J. Luther, of Ballston Spa. To their union have been born two children : Margaret and Mary.
In the political field Mr. Hamilton has al- ways been a pronounced republican. In 1886 he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of district attorney, and at the ensu- ing election was elected by eight hundred and forty-six majority. At the close of his first term as district attorney he was renominated by acclamation and reëlected by three times his former majority, receiving the largest vote cast for any candidate at that election. His second term expired on January 1, 1893, and during his entire service as district attorney, Mr. Hamilton was fearless and faithful in the discharge of the duties of that important and responsible office. He had charge of many important criminal prosecutions, one of which was the Robinski murder trial that lasted nearly ten days, and his course of action as a prosecutor gave good satisfaction and received public commendation. He has the earnest- ness of quiet purpose, the strength of care- fully formed opinions and the courage of his convictions in any cause which enlists his at- tention or engages his efforts. As a lawyer Mr. Hamilton studies his cases closely, pleads them for all there is in them, and in some in- stances has won success where defeat seemed
imminent and inevitable. He is a close stu- dent, a safe counsellor and a careful pleader. His comfortable and well appointed home is on North Broadway street, and while stern and unbending in his discharge of duty, yet he is pleasant, courteous and easily ap- proached.
Theodore F. Hamilton's paternal grand- father, Calvin U. Hamilton, was a resident for several years of Schenectady, this State, and died at Rochester, New York. He mar- ried Lucinda Hastings, and reared two sons : Theodore B. and Dr. Frank H., an eminent physician and surgeon of New York, and who attended President Garfield after he was shot. Theodore B. Hamilton (father), the eldest son, received his education at Union college. He read law, was admitted to the bar and then was engaged in the practice of his profession until Thanksgiving day, 1861, when he en- listed in the 18th New York cavalry. He was commissioned as second lieutenant, and died at Rochester, New York, in the fall of 1863, from disease contracted in the army. He mar- ried Emily Welles, and to their union were born four children, of whom but two are liv- ing: Theodore F. (subject) and Margaret Welch, widow of Philip H. Welch, the hum- orist. The mother of Theodore F. Hamilton was a daughter of Hon. Henry Welles, of Penn Yan, Yates county, who served as a justice of the supreme court from 1848 to his death in 1869.
The Hamilton and Welles families of New York are well known for the many sterling qualities of character which they possess, and have produced quite a number of distinguished physicians, lawyers and judges.
WILLIAM H. McCALL, an attorney of Saratoga county, and one of the well read and successful lawyers of the Empire State, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mackey) McCall, and was born at Perth, in the pro- vince of Ontario, Canada, October 16, 1861.
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He was reared from three years of age at Sar- atoga Springs, and resolved upon law as his life vocation. He commenced his legal stud- ies with Capt. J. P. Butler, but finished the required course of reading in the office of Judge John W. Crane, was admitted to the Saratoga county bar at the September term of 1883, and since then has been engaged in the ac- tive practice of his chosen profession at Sara- toga Springs. In 1891 he formed his present partnership with J. L. Henning, under the firm name of Henning & McCall, and they have built up a very fine law practice. This firm ranks as one of the strong law firms of the eastern part of the State, and tries a large number of important cases. Mr. McCall de- votes his time principally to the practice of civil law, in which he has been very successful.
On June 14, 1888, Mr. McCall married Mary E. Walsh, daughter of Michael Walsh, of Saratoga Springs. Their union has been blessed with two children: John W. and William H.
In political opinion Mr. McCall is a demo- crat, and believes that the principles of demo- cracy are best calculated to insure permanent prosperity to the country, and that the present mission of the Democratic party is to oppose monopoly and sectionalism. He has served Saratoga Springs as a member of the excise board and the board of education, and as at- torney of the village. In 1883 he was ap- pointed as assistant district attorney of Sar- atoga county, and as such has rendered effi- cient service in many important suits and prominent trials. As a counsellor Mr. McCall is careful, as an advocate he is strong, and as a pleader is clear and convincing. In trying a case he is ever ready, never subject to sur- prise, and always forcible in argument.
William H. McCall is of Irish descent, and his father, John McCall, was born in the north of Ireland, from which, in 1854, he came to New York city, where he resided for several years. From the new world's metropolis John McCall came to Saratoga Springs, which
he soon left to settle in Ontario, Canada, at Perth, where he was engaged in the hotel and lumber business until 1864. In that year he returned to Saratoga Springs, which has been his home ever since. From 1864 to 1878 he was a traveling salesman for a New York house, and in the latter year he established his present grocery store. Mr. McCall is a man of intelligence and business ability, and has always been held in esteem by his friends. He is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church, and a strong democrat in politics. He served his village for one term as auditor.
Mr. McCall married Elizabeth Mackey, and they have six children : William H., John P., James, Frederick C., Frank E. and Jacob G. Mrs. McCall is a member of the Catholic church. She is a daughter of William Mackey, and was born and reared at Perth, in the pro- vince of Ontario, Canada.
THE SCHUYLER FAMILY, of whom Gen. Philip Schuyler, of revolutionary fame, is the most noted member, was founded in the new world in 1650 by Philip Pieterson Schuyler, who came from Amsterdam, Hol- land, in that year to New York, where on De- cember 12 he married Margaret Van Slechten- horst, daughter of a director in charge of the Rensselaer manor. Their children were : Guysebert; Pieter, mayor of Albany from 1688 to 1694; Brant; Arent Philip; Gertrude, who married Stephanus Van Cortlandt; Alida, who wedded Rev. Nicholas Van Rensselaer, and after his death married Philip Livingston; and Capt. Johanes or John. Capt. John Schuyler, in 1690, with a force of one hundred and fifty colonists and Indians, invaded Canada by the way of Lake Champlain, and in a campaign of seventeen days succeeded in taking many prisoners and destroying much propery. He was a man of prominence, and died in 1747. Captain Schuyler married Mrs. Elizabeth (Staats) Wendell, widow of Capt. John Wen- dell. Their eldest son, John Schuyler, was
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born in 1697, and died in 1741. He married Cornelia Van Cortlandt. The eldest of their five children was Gen. Philip Schuyler, who was born in the old family mansion at Albany, November 20, 1733. Prior to 1767 General Schuyler came in possession of the Schuyler estate of Fish creek, which had been settled by an uncle of his, who was killed at the de- struction of the village of Saratoga, November 28, 1745.
ALTER P. BUTLER, a third cousin of the late Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, and a successful member of the Sara- toga county bar, is one who is fast winning his way to position and distinction in his pro- fession. He is a son of Capt. James Prentice and Naomi Jane (Clements) Butler, and was born at the village of Saratoga Springs, Sara- toga county, New York, April 1, 1863. He was reared at Saratoga Springs, received his education in the public schools, North Gran- ville Military school of Washington county and the celebrated Phillips' academy of Exeter, New Hampshire, and then entered the Colum- bian law school of New York city, from which he was graduated in the class of 1887. In the same. year he was admitted to the Saratoga county bar and became a member of the law firm of Pond, Brackett & Butler, which con- tinued in existence until January, 1890, when Mr. Pond was succeeded by Joseph D. Baucus. The new firm of Brackett, Butler & Baucus existed for over two years, and dissolved in July, 1892, since which time Mr. Butler has had no partner in the practice of his profes- sion. Patient, careful and attentive, and full of zeal and energy for his clients' causes, he has acquired an extensive practice in the courts of Saratoga county, where success amid a strong array of legal talent indicates no meagre abili- ties, or lack of energy. He is a republican in politics and always gives his party a hearty support.
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