USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York : with historical notes on its various towns > Part 35
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On July 9, 1890, Mr. Butler was united in
marriage with Mary A. Kilmer, a daughter of Chauncy Kilmer, of Rock City Falls, Saratoga county. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, Clarence K., who was born November 3, 1891.
The Butler family of New England from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and settled origin- ally at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, from which they removed in the early part of the eighteenth century to Woodbury, Con- necticut. There the branches of the family became numerous and the names of many of them who took part in the French and Indian war, the revolution and the war of 1812 will be found in the local history of those great con- tests, wherever Connecticut soldiers took part, whether in Canada, New England or in the middle or western States. Jonathan Butler was a sea captain, and his son, Malachi Butler, settled at Woodbury, Connecticut, where he reared four sons: Capt. Zephaniah, grand- father of Gen. Benjamin F. Butier; Benjamin; Silas; and Solomon Butler (great-grandfather), who served as a lieutenant in the revolution- ary war and fought at the battle of Wliite Plains. Lieut. Solomon Butler removed about 1782 to Addison, Vermont, where he resided until his death. His grandson, Capt. James Prentice Butler (father) was born at Moriah, Essex county, September 20, 1816. Of vigor- ous constitution and good mental powers, he sought beyond the limited schools of his day for knowledge. He was a great reader of books and by self study made such progress as to enable him to undertake the study of law with Z. R. Shepherd, an eminent criminal lawyer. Completing the required course of reading he was successively admitted to prac- tice in all the different courts of the State. He followed his profession successfully until 1880, when he retired from active practice. A whig and a republican in politics, he served for five years as district attorney of Essex county, and in 1857 came to Saratoga Springs, where he was a trustee for four and a supervisor for two
Byman J. Murray , M. D.
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
years. During the late civil war he took an active part in the cause of the Union, and served by appointment of President Lincoln as provost marshal of the eighteenth district of New York, with the rank of captain. He had his headquarters at Schenectady, where he enlisted the first colored man that went from the State, and enforced the first draft made in New York. He served as marshal from 1863 to 1865. "His devotion to the government in the time of its need is evinced by the fact that in 1864 he put into the service a representa- tive recruit for his infant son, Walter P. But- ler (subject), for whom he paid the sum of nine hundred dollars. He has a certificate of the enlistment from the records at Washing- ton, and a photograph of the soldier, who was killed in the service." Captain Butler in pro- fessional life has always been distinguished for ability, integrity and efficiency. He mar- ried Naomi Jane Clements, who is a daughter of Asa Clements, and to their union have been born two children : Allie C. and Walter P., the subject of this sketch.
B YRON J. MURRAY, M. D., who has
been in successful practice at Saratoga Springs since 1887, is a physician of great natural endowments and much acquired skill and learning. He has given many years of earnest study to the problems presented by disease, and has been remarkably successful in his treatment of patients. He is a son of Dr. George and Angeline (Canfield) Murray, and a native of Luzerne, Warren county, New York, at which place he was born February 27, 1850. The family to which Dr. Murray belongs is of original Scotch stock, but for several generations were natives of England, to which country they had removed. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, General Murray, was born and reared in En- gland, and served for many years as an officer in the British army. It was in that capacity 16
that he first visited America, during the revo- lutionary war, and after the war was over and his term of service had expired he returned to this country and settled in Connecticut. He was a gentleman of the old school, became widely known in his locality, and was always addressed as General Murray. Among the sons born to him in his Connecticut home was George Murray (grandfather), who grew to manhood and was educated in his native State, but while yet a young man removed to Luzerne, Warren county, New York, where he engaged in farming, and became prosper- ous and wealthy. He was a whig and repub- lican in politics, and filled a number of local offices in his town and county. In religion he was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died at his home in Warren county in 1873, aged ninety-six years. His son, Dr. George Murray (father), was born at Luzerne, Warren county, in 1813, and remained a citizen of that village all his life. After leaving school he studied medicine, and practiced his profession successfully in his na- tive county until his death in 1863, at the age of fifty years. Politically he was a whig and re- publican, and for a number of years served as captain of a military company at Luzerne. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church of that village, and greatly esteemed for his upright life and noble Christian char- acter, as well as for his skill and success as a physician. In 1837 he married Angeline Can- field, who survives him, and is now in the seventy-eighth year of her age. She was born at Arlington, Vermont, and for many years has been a devoted member of the Baptist church at Luzerne. She now resides witli Dr. B. J. Murray in Saratoga Springs. Her father, Dr. Sackett Canfield, was a practicing physician who removed from Arlington, Ver- mont, to Luzerne, Warren county, New York, where he died about 1859, at the age of four score and two years.
Byron J. Murray, the youngest of a family of two children, remained at Luzerne, War-
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ren county, until his thirteenth year, when he began life for himself. He obtained a fair English education in the public schools at Glens Falls, that county, and then removed to Michigan, and locating at Hamilton, that State, was engaged in the drug business for a period of four years, in partnership with Dr. C. H. Kimber. His attention was here strongly drawn toward medicine as a profes- sion, and in 1870 he entered the literary de- partment of the university at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and after completing the course in that department entered the medical depart- ment of the same institution, and was duly graduated, with the degree of M. D., March 29, 1876. Soon after graduation Dr. Murray located at La Grange, Indiana, where for a year he was engaged in practice, after which he came back to New York, and on April 3, 1877, opened an office at Wilton, Saratoga county, where he continued a successful prac- tice until 1886. In the latter year he removed to the city of New York, and spent one year in practice in that metropolis. In 1887 he came back to this county and began practice at Saratoga Springs, where he has been con- tinuously engaged in the duties of his profes- sion ever since. He now has a fine practice, and is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the leading physicians of Saratoga county. Dr. Murray is a member of the State Medi- cal society, and a frequent contributor to the prominent medical journals of this coun- try.
On January 14, 1874, the Doctor was united in marriage to Ida V. Stowe, a daughter of William Ransom Stowe, of Batavia, New York. Their only child, a son named S. Leon, died February 17, 1886, in his tenth year, having been born August 24, 1875. Dr. Murray is a member of Hathorn Lodge, No. 241, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political affiliations has always been an ardent republican. While a citizen of Wil- ton, from 1881 to 1883, he served as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors. The Doctor
is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and is pop- ular alike for his excellent social qualities and his great skill as a physician.
E MORY POTTER, proprietor of Elm- wood Hall at Saratoga Springs, is a gen- tleman who has had a varied experience in life, and is remarkable for his energy, enter- prise and fine business ability. He is a son of Paris and Nancy ( Jones) Potter, and was born October 14, 1831, in Cortland county, New York. The Potter family is of English de- scent, but was planted in America previous to 1650. Pardon Potter, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Rhode Island, where the family early settled, and he lived to be over eighty years of age. He took part in the war of 1812, and was an active and prominent man in his day. By occupation he was a mechanic, and in religion a strict Baptist. He married a Miss Carver, and reared a large family, one of his sons be- ing Paris Potter (father), who was born in Rhode Island in March, 1796, where he grew to manhood and was educated. In early life he removed to Cortland county, New York, while much of that section was yet a wilder- ness. He was a mason by trade, doing both brick and stone work, and frequently taking large contracts. He continued to reside in Cortland county until his death, which oc- curred at his home there in 1876, at the ad- vanced age of eighty years. Politically he was a democrat until the Fremont campaign, when he became a republican, and ever after- ward adhered to the latter party. In religion he was a Methodist, and for more than forty years served his church as a class leader. He married Nancy Jones, and was the father of eleven children. Ten of them lived to matur- ity, and eight still survive. Three of his sons were in the army during the civil war, and one of them died in the hospital at Washington. Paris Potter was a man of wonderful activity, took a prominent part in political and relig-
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ious affairs, and was highly esteemed for his integrity of character and many manly virtues. His wife was a native of Connecticut, and died at their home in Cortland county, New York, in 1864, aged about sixty-five years.
Emory Potter was reared on a farm in Cortland county, this State, and received his education in the public and private schools of that county, where he remained until his thir- tieth year. After leaving school he read med- icine, later matriculated at the Higers The- rapeutic Medical college in New York city, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1860. He has never practiced his profession, and says it was never his intention to practice, but that he " studied medicine in order to learn how to live correctly." For a period of seventeen years he was engaged in teaching, in connection with farming. In 1863 he removed to Illinois, and spent ten years in Sangamon and Logan counties, that State, where he had previously spent two years, own- ing a farm, which he cultivated in summer, while teaching in the winter season. In 1873 he went to eastern Pennsylvania, where, with a partner, he erected a water-cure establish- ment, which they conducted in connection with farming for nearly five years. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Potter came back to New York, and located at Saratoga Springs, this county, where he at once opened a large board- ing house, and has ever since successfully conducted this enterprise. His house is known as Elmwood Hall, is finely furnished through- out, and has become very popular with visi- tors to the Springs, being crowded with guests every season. There is a fine mineral spring on his premises, near the large and beautifully arranged boarding house.
In October, 1864, Mr. Potter was united in marriage to Hulda M. Leach, of Madison county, this State. To their union was born a family of four children, all daughters : Min- nie, Mabel, E. Maud and Eva G. Minnie mar- ried Nicholas Wagman, of Saratoga Springs, and has been organist in the Methodist Epis-
copal church here for more than six years. Mabel became the wife of M. Lee Starke, of Virginia, and now resides at Atlanta, Georgia, where she is engaged in editing and publishing the Southern Sunbeam, a magazine for children.
Politically Mr. Potter is a prohibitionist, and is, and has been for a number of years, chairman of the county executive committee of his party. He is an enthusiast on the sub- ject, and religiously attends all the county, State and National conventions of the Prohi- bition party, being a zealous worker in its be- half, and earnestly endeavoring to advance its interests in all possible ways. In religion Mr. Potter adheres to the faith in which he was reared, and he and all his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Sara- toga Springs. He is also connected with the Good Templar organization at the Springs.
H ON. SIMEON HINE, who served one term in the State legislature of Vermont, has been, since 1876, a prosperous and useful citizen of Saratoga Springs, this county. He is a pleasant, affable gentleman, easily ap- proached, and of fine appearance. Mr. Hine is a son of Hezekiah and Hannah (Spencer) Hine, and was born at Colchester, Vermont, October 16, 1814. His paternal grandfather, Simeon Hine, was a native of England, but came to the United States when a young man and settled in Connecticut, afterward remov- ing to Vermont. He was a farmer and lum- berman by vocation, and died in Vermont. One of his sons was Hezekiah Hine (father), who was born in Connecticut, and moved with his father to Vermont when a young man. In the earlier part of his life he was engaged in the lumber business, but his later years were devoted to agricultural pursuits. He died at his home in Vermont in December, 1843, aged fifty-six years. Politically he was a democrat, and married Hanna Spencer, a daughter of Nathaniel Spencer, of Connecticut. She was a member of the Baptist church, and died in
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1843, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. To them was born a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.
Simeon Hine, one of these sons, was reared on his father's farm, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of his neighborhood. Soon after leaving school he became station agent at Coldchester, Vermont, on the line of the Vermont & Canada railroad, and retained that position for a period of twelve years. In connection with his duties as station agent he was engaged in farming. In 1872 he removed from Coldchester to Fairhaven, Vermont, where he resided until 1876, being the agent at that place of the Eagle Slate Company, and at the same time giving some attention to farming. In 1876 he removed to New York and settled at Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county. Here he engaged in keeping a hotel or boarding house, which he has successfully conducted to the present time. He owns and conducts the Broadway house, a large boarding house located on Broadway street, and does an extensive business.
Politically Mr. Hine has always been a democrat, and has taken an active interest in advancing the principles of his party, being prominent in local politics for many years. In 1861 he was elected to the State legislature of Vermont, and served one term with great acceptability. He also held a number of minor offices in that State. In religion he is a Bap- tist, and active and influential in support of the various interests of his church.
On January 11, 1842, Mr. Hine was married to Caroline Barnes, a daughter of Joshua Barnes, of Coldchester, Vermont. To their union was born a family of three children, only two of whom are now living, one son and one daughter : Frances E. and George S.
George S. Hine was born in Coldchester, Vermont, November 30, 1856, and remained there until his fifteenth year, when he removed with his father's family to Fairhaven, that .. State. When his father came to Saratoga Springs, in 1876, George S. accompanied him,
and has been a resident of this village ever since. His education was received in the pub- lic schools of Vermont, the graded school at Fairhaven, and in Cassellton seminary. After leaving school he engaged in business with his father and has since been connected with his various enterprises.
On March 15, 1888, George S. Hine was married to Mary J. Callaghan, a daughter of Dennis Callaghan, of Saratoga Springs. She died in September, 1891, and on October 4, 1892, Mr. Hine was again married, wedding for his second wife Alice A. Shaw, a daughter of David J. Shaw, also of the village of Sara- toga Springs. In politics he adheres to the Democratic party, and for a number of years has had the general management of his fath- er's large boarding house business at the Springs.
SAMUEL WELLS, a member of the Saratoga county bar, and who has been engaged in the successful practice of his pro- fession at Schuylerville for nearly thirty-seven years, is a son of William H. and Asenath (St. John) Wells, and was born at Luzerne, Warren county, New York, November 4, 1827. Of those familes of eastern New York whose genealogies can be traced two centuries in the past, mention is due of the Wells family, whose immigrant ancestor, Thomas Wells, left his native place of Dudley, in Worcester, Eng- land, in 1712, to become one of the founders of Saybrook, Connecticut. He married Eliza- beth Merril, daughter of a Captain Merril, of Connecticut, and their son, Thomas Wells, jr., born August 27, 1723, wedded Thankful Row- ley, by whom he had several children. He died, and his son, Samuel Wells, who was born in Hebron, Connecticut, in 1745, removed to Cambridge, Washington county, this State. He married Judith Shaler, and of their ten children, one was Nathan Wells (grandfather), who was born in 1771. He was a whig and Episcopalian, and died May 20, 1854, aged
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
eighty-three years. He was engaged in the lumbering business at Luzerne, Warren county, for many years, and married Rhoda Sherman, by whom he had ten children: Sarah, Mary R., William H., Reuben, Lucinda, Samuel, Eunice and Glory Ann, Nathan and Franklin. The eldest son, William H. (father), was born April 21, 1800, and died at Jacksonville, Illi- nois, August 26, 1889, when well advanced toward the ninetieth milestone on life's rugged pathway. He was a republican and a Metho- dist, and stood high as a business man, being one of the loan commissioners of Warren county for many years. He purchased the home farm at Luzerne, where he followed the timber and mercantile business. He was a liberal contributor to the cause of religion, and an earnest advocate of public improve- ments, and married Asenath St. John, who was a daughter of Josiah and Sebra St. John, and who died June 30, 1878, aged seventy-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells were born two sons and three daughters : Nathan A., Samuel, Margaret, Helena, and Jennie Schemerhorn. Of these children but two are living : Samuel and Jennie. Mrs. Wells' grandfather, Capt. Hezekiah Dunham, was of English descent, and was the American officer who captured the noted tory spy Lovelace, who was hung near the old Schuyler mansion.
Samuel Wells attended Glens Falls academy and then entered Union college, from which he was graduated in the class of 1849. Leav- ing college he read law with John B. Steele, of Kingston, this State, for two years, and with Abraham Becker, of Worcester, Otsego county, for one year, was admitted in 1855 to practice in the courts of the State of New York, and immediately came to Schuylerville, where he has enjoyed a good practice. He carries on a general law business, but makes a specialty of surrogate practice. Mr. Wells is a stanch republican, has held the office of jus- tice of the peace for two terms, and was ap- pointed on March 14, 1883, as a railroad com- missioner for Schuylerville, which position he
still continues to hold on account of his satis- factory services. He is an elder of the Re- formed church of Saratoga, and has been for several years a member of Schuyler Lodge, No. 676, Free and Accepted Masons; Home Chapter, No. 176, Royal Arch Masons; and Washington Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar. He is a director of the National bank of Schuylerville.
On October 20, 1858, Mr. Wells married Sarah E. Raymond, daughter of Edward and Esther (Livemore) Raymond, of Schuyler- ville, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells have been born three children : Raymond S., Jennie E., and Eloise, who died at an early age: Raymond S. Wells was graduated in 1884 from Union college, and is a civil engineer by profession. He was a member of the United States corps of engineers that in 1889 surveyed the large tract of government land near Red lake in Minnesota.
M ICHAEL S. CUMMINGS, the effi- cient and popular town clerk of Saratoga Springs, and one of its energetic young men, is a son of Sylvester and Jane E. (Allen) Cummings, and was born at Troy, New York, February 18, 1855. Sylvester Cummings (father) is a native of County Meath, Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man, and located in Troy, New York. He resided in Troy until some time in the fifties, when he removed to Washington county, where he remained but a few years, when, in 1860, he established his residence in Saratoga Springs. Here he was engaged in the grocery business, and was also connected with the Star and Seltzer springs. At present (1893) he is living, retired, in the village of Saratoga, in his sixty-fifth year. He is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church, and is a democrat in politics. His wife was Jane E. Allen, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is also a member of St. Peter's church.
Michael S. Cummings was but five years of
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
age when his parents removed to Saratoga, where almost his entire life has been passed. His education was received in the public schools of the village and the Sisters' Select school. Leaving school he assisted in the work at the springs in which his father was connected for some time, when he left to ac- cept a position as clerk with Aaron Hill, in the news business, and later took charge of a branch store, which he managed until 1878, when he entered the law office of Carr & Peters. At the election of Mr. Peters as surrogate of the county he became his clerk, a position he held until 1880, when he was elected to his present office, which he has filled for thirteen consecutive terms, although he is a democrat and the village is strongly Republican. Mr. Cummings is also register of vital statistics for the village board of health.
On November 23, 1881, M. S. Cummings was united in marriage to Kittie M., daughter of William HI. Brown, of Albany, but formerly a resident of Saratoga Springs. Two daugh- ters have been born to this union : Millie and Marie, aged respectively eight and ten years.
Michael S. Cummings is a consistent mem- ber of St. Peter's church, and is an agressive democrat, taking an active interest in politics. He was one of the organizers of the Jefferson- ian Democratic club, and since its formation, in 1881, has been its secretary.
N ICHOLAS HILL, one of the leading lawyers of Saratoga county and the State of New York, was born at Florida, Montgom- ery county, New York, in 1805. His grand- father, John Hill, came from County Derry, Ireland, and his son. Nicholas Hill, sr. (father), served under Washington at Yorktown. Nich- olas Hill read law, was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in 1829, and practiced suc- cessively at Amsterdam, this State, Saratoga Springs and Albany. He was reporter for four years of the supreme court, and died at Albany May 1, 1859, at fifty-four years of age.
Mr. Hill was partly author of "Phillips' Evi- dence," and published seven volumes of su- preme court reports. He ranked high as a lawyer, not only at Albany and Saratoga Springs, but throughout the State.
ANIEL E. WING, a member of the law firm of Foley & Wing, and who served efficiently for three years as assistant district attorney of Saratoga county, is a son of Elihu and Wealthy (Gleason) Wing, and was born in the town of Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, March 29, 1859. He re- ceived his elementary education in the public schools, and at sixteen years of age left the farm to enter Pulaski academy, of Oswego county, from which educational institution he was graduated in the class of 1877. Imme- diately after graduation he came to Saratoga Springs, where he read law with L. B. Pike. He was admitted to the Saratoga county bar in 1880, and practiced successfully by himself until January 1, 1891, when he formed a law partnership with Hon. John Foley, under the present firm name of Foley & Wing. This firm ranks among the strong and successful law firms of the county, and has an extensive practice.
On June 1, 1886, Mr. Wing was united in marriage with Mary A. Hopper, daughter of the late Thomas Hopper, of New York city.
Daniel E. Wing is a republican in politics, and has been for several years a member of St. Peter's church of Saratoga Springs. He has served as a town and as a county officer, and in each office he held gave good satisfac- tion. He was elected in 1885 as a justice of the peace, and served from January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1890. Two years after being elected justice of the peace, he was appointed as assistant district attorney of Saratoga county, and has served with ability and zeal in that office.
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