USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York : with historical notes on its various towns > Part 67
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The Lambs are of English lineage, but have been resident in New England for nearly two centuries. David T. Lamb's paternal grand- father, Caleb Lamb, was a native of Connec- ticut, but in middle life removed to Duchess county, this State. His son, Joseph Lamb (father), was born in Duchess county in 1754, and served at an early age in the Revolution- ary war. After the close of that great struggle he returned to his native county, where he was engaged in farming until 1798, in which year he came to the town of Half Moon. He was a large landholder and prosperous farmer, and died October 27, 1837, at eighty. three years of age. He was a whig and a Baptist, and served as a justice of the peace for a number of years.
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He married Martha Thompson, who was a daughter of Jacob Thompson, of Duchess county, and who died June 14, 1849, aged seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were the parents of five sons and three daughters.
L EWIS VARNEY was born of Stephen and Susan (Ogden) Varney, on January 29, 1838, at Luzerne, Warren county, New York. The Varneys are of Saxon origin, and by tradition trace their ancestry back to that race of fierce barbarians who came from the northern coast of Germany and conquered the British Isles while its native population were yet savages. Josiah Varney, his paternal grandfather, was born and reared near Queens- bury, Warren county, this State, from whence he removed in early manhood to Luzerne, War- ren county, where he passed the remainder of his life. In early life he was a school teacher, and it is said he taught the first public school at Glens Falls. He married and reared a large family, one of his sons being Stephen Varney (father), who was born in Warren county, this State, in 1800, and resided there until 1845, when he removed to Hadley, Sar- atoga county, and made that town his home until the time of his death in 1887, when in the eighty-seventh year of his age. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation and pos- sessed considerable real estate. Politically he was a whig and republican, and in religion a member of the Baptist church. He married Susan Ogden, a daughter of Obadiah Ogden, of Queensbury, Warren county. She was for many years a member of the Baptist church, and died at her home in January, 1892, at the remarkable age of ninety-four years. Lewis Varney resided with his parents at Hadley un- til he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, having received his primary education in the public schools and completing his studies in the academies at Jonesville, this county, and Glens Falls, Warren county. Soon after leav- ing the latter institution, he entered the law
office of Ellsworth & Butler, at Saratoga Springs, and continued there until May, 1861, when he was admitted to practice in all the courts of the State, and has ever since been actively engaged in his profession at Saratoga Springs, holding the esteem of court and bar, and enjoying the confidence of the public. In 1864 he was admitted to practice in the United States district court, and has been connected with a number of important trials, and notably the Saratoga Springs bonding case, which he argued before the court of appeals in 1871, securing the reversal of a former judgment and thereby saving to the village of Saratoga Springs the sum of one hundred thousand dol- lars. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Varney was chosen as a delegate to represent the second assembly district of Saratoga county in the judicial convention to nominate two judges of the supreme court, which was held at Platts- burg on the 8th of September. He went into that convention with a settled determination that one of the judges to be nominated should be a resident of Saratoga Springs, to succeed Judge Bockes, and his choice was Judge John R. Putnam. For four hours he stood alone, the other twelve delegates dividing equally be- tween Judge L'Ameraux and Kellogg. Finally his efforts were successful, and, after a spir- ited contest, Judge Putnam was nominated and elected, and still occupies his seat on the supreme bench of this State, and is now one of the general term judges in the Third judicial department. The Plattsburg Morning Telegram of the 9th of September said of the conven- tion : " It was nearly half past eight when the chairman rapped the convention to order. The evening brought new accessions to the large crowd that had closely watched the pro- ceedings through the day. But the fact that an understanding had been arrived at, and that the contest was at an end before a ballot was taken, had come to the knowlege of the ex- pectant spectators who were prepared for the final ratification of the compact that was to follow. Disappointment was depicted upon
armeny. Lewis Varney
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
every countenance save perhaps that of Mr. Varney, the sole delegate who held the key to the situation, and shrewdly used it to unlock the door that barred the entrance to his chief to the supreme court. But there was no sign of elation on Varney's face. He simply looked placid, contented and satisfied with the situa- tion. The other delegates looked dragged, none of them seemingly having any special pride in what they had done."
Mr. Varney was sent to the legislature in 1891 and 1892 ; the first year securing a ma- jority over Frank M. Boyce, democrat, of five hundred and ninety-four votes, and the second year received a majority of six hundred and sixteen over Elihu Wing, the democratic can- didate. While in the assembly Mr. Varney introduced and secured the passage of a bill authorizing the court to grant an injunction with or without security against any person who had received property from a lunatic with- out adequate compensation ; also introduced and passed a bill amending section 675 of the penal code, making offensive or disorderly acts or language a misdemeanor, although no assault is committed. He also secured the passage of a bill making a State appropriation for the completion of the armory at Saratoga Springs. The most important bill introduced by Mr. Varney was the bill abolishing pen- sions of judges of the supreme court of ap- peals. This measure was referred to the ju- diciary committee, and finally, near the close of the session, it was reported adversely, and on a motion by Mr. Varney that the house disagree to said report, and argument thereon, it was carried by a large majority, and the bill was advanced to a third reading. While in the legislature Mr. Varney took the lead in debating the obnoxious bill which had passed the senate, authorizing the granting of licenses to sell strong liquors to balls and assemblages of people, and defeated it in the house. He also made an able argument against the bill increasing the pay of supreme judges in the Albany district, and defeated the bill. While
in the legislature Mr. Varney was a member of the committee on general laws and codes of engrossed bills.
In September, 1864, Hon. Louis Varney was united in marriage to Kate E. Hill, a daughter of Dr. Green Hill, a practicing phy- sician of Logan county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Varney were born four children, one son and three daughters : Gertrude, now the wife of Dr. William Hodgman, of Saratoga Springs, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume ; Susan, Louis, jr., and Katharine, the three latter living at home with their par- ents. In religious faith and church member- ship Mr. Varney is a Presbyterian, and no man stands higher among. the people who know him, or is more influential in the local politics of Saratoga county.
R EV. DAVID A. PECK, who for a number of years was a Baptist minister in Wisconsin, and is now living a retired life at Rexford Flats, this county, is a son of Rev. Solomon C. and Lydia (Schauber) Peck, and was born August 23, 1820, in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga county, New York. The Pecks are descended from an ancient En- glish family, and trace their American ances- try back to William Peck, who landed in Amer- ica June 26, 1637, and soon afterward settled at Hartford, Connecticut. From (1) William Peck the line descends through his son, (2) Jeremiah Peck, who was the father of (3) Samuel Peck, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The latter was born at Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1688, and his son, (4) John Peck (great-grandfather), was a native of the same place, born in 1718. He was a farmer, as his ancestors had been, and one of his sons was (5) Abijah Peck (grand- father), who was born at Greenwich, Connec- ticut, April 3, 1758. He enlisted in the Con- tinental army in January, 1776, at the age of eighteen, and was under arms when the decla- ration of independence was read at the head
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
of the American army in the following July. On the night of the evacuation of New York he stood as a sentinel in that city, and was one of the last to leave. He served in several of the most trying campaigns of the Revolution, was at the battle of White Plains, and person- ally underwent all the hardships and priva- tions which have rendered the "men of '76" famous in story and song, and helped to brighten the record of their achievements on the proud- est pages of history. After the Revolution was successful and peace had been established, he settled at North Salem, Westchester county, this State, and soon after removed to Galway, Saratoga county. In 1794 he removed to Clifton Park, Saratoga county, where he died November 12, 1848, aged ninety years. On November 18th, 1784, he married Midwell Close, a daughter of Solomon Close, one of the early settlers of Westchester county, and reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. March 12, 1801, he was ordained a Baptist minister, was the founder of the Clifton Park Baptist church, and held services at his own house until they were able to build a church. For a period of forty years, ending only with his death, he preached reg- ularly for that church without asking a dollar for his services. Like Paul, he worked with his hands for a living, and being industrious, energetic and of good judgment, he accumu- lated considerable property. During the course of his long and active life it fell to his lot to render greater service than most men to his country, his church and his neighbors, and he died with the love and esteem of all who knew him. Of his sons, one was Solomon C. Peck (father), sixth in line of descent from the founder of the American branch of the family. Solomon C. Peck was born in the town of Galway, this county, September 12, 1793. He was a farmer and owned the two hundred acres of land now constituting the farm of his son, the subject of this sketch. He served with honor and distinction in the war of 1812, was a whig in politics, and was the third
clerk of the town of Clifton Park. In religion he was a Baptist, and for many years served as clerk of the Clifton Park Baptist church. On September 7, 1819, he married Lydia Schauber, a daughter of David Schauber, a prominent farmer of the town of Clifton Park, this county. To that union was born one child, a son, named David A., whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. Peck died in 1820 at the early age of twenty-one years, and in 1823 Solomon C. Peck married Mary Trepenning, a daughter of Jacob Trepenning, also of the town of Clifton Park, by whom he had a fam- ily of six children, two sons and four daugh- ters. Mr. Peck died July 31, 1885, in the ninety-second year of his age.
David A. Peck, representing the seventh generation from William Peck, the immigrant ancestor of the family, was educated at Mad- ison university, in Madison county, this State, and on September 6, 1848, was regularly or- dained to the ministry of the Baptist church. His pastoral labors, which were earnest and successful, were principally confined to Wau- paca county, Wisconsin, where he served un- til 1878, when he retired from the ministry, and returned to the old homestead in New York to care for his aged and invalid father. He enlisted December 25, 1863, serving in the Wisconsin Light artillery until August 10, 1865.
Rev. Mr. Peck is a life member of the New York State Baptist convention, and of the New York State Temperance society. In pol- itics he is a republican, but has never taken an active interest in political affairs.
On August 19, 1848, Rev. Mr. Peck was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Susan Foote, youngest daughter of John Foote, of Hamilton, Madison county, this State. Their union was blessed by the birth of four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, only one of whom, John, now survives. The deceased were : Mary E. Peck, born May 24, 1849, at Rutland, Wisconsin, died May 20, 1890; George C., at Dartford, April 21, 1851, died April 20,
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
1852; Hattie F., at Waupaca, Wisconsin, April 15, 1855, died January 2, 1881. George died April 20, 1852. Mrs. Peck, who was a member of the Presbyterian church, died Jan- uary 28, 1890.
John F. Peck, only surviving child of Rev. David A. Peck, and eighth in direct descent from William Peck, was born at Dartford, Green county, Wisconsin, February 7, 1853. He is a farmer by occupation, a republican in politics, served as town clerk in Wisconsin, and now resides at Clifton Park. On August 18, 1881, he married Abbie F. Axtell, a daugh- ter of David Axtell, of Waupaca county, Wis- consin, and to them have been born four chil- dren : George, Hattie F., Glenn (deceased), and Arthur, representing the ninth generation of the Peck family in America.
R EV. JOSEPH CAREY, S.T. D., rec- tor of Bethesda Episcopal church of Sara- toga, is respected and admired by all who know him for his true Christian and unim- peachable character and self-sacrificing labors as well as for his ability and scholarship. He is a son of Robert and Ellen (Gordon) Carey, . and was born in New York city, December 23, 1839. Of English-Scotch lineage, he is the second son of his parents, whose family con- sisted of five sons and three daughters. He was fitted for college at Newburg academy, and in 1859 entered St. Stephen's college, of Annandale, Duchess county, from which ex- cellent institution of learning he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1861. This celebrated college, now so justly popular through her two hundred and fifty graduates, was founded under the patronage of Bishop Horatio Potter, of New York, who was Dr. Carey's spiritual adviser. Leaving college Dr. Carey, in September, 1861, entered the General Theological seminary of the Episco- pal church in New York city, where he re- mained for three years, under the instruction of men whose names are held in high esteem
among the Episcopal clergy. During his theological course he became the most profi- cient Hebrew scholar in his class, and shortly after his, graduation he was favorably men- tioned as the successor of Dr. George H. Houghton as professor of Hebrew, but his choice was to enter parochial life. On July 3, 1864, he was ordained a deacon in Calvary church, New York, by Bishop Potter, and after three months' service with the present Bishop Seymour, of Springfield, then rector of St. ·John's church, Brooklyn, he became, in Octo- ber, 1864, rector of Grace church, Waterford, where he was ordained to the priesthood Feb- ruary 23, 1865, by Bishop Potter. Under Dr. Carey's ministrations Grace church was en- larged and beautified, the number of communi- cants greatly increased, and an impulse given to the work in the parish which still continues. In addition to his labors at Waterford, he helped to maintain a mission in the village of Crescent that was productive of good results, and gave an occasional service in vacant par- ishes in that vicinity. At the end of four years of zealous, faithful, and successive work at Waterford, he accepted a call from Christ church, Ballston Spa, and in October, 1868, succeeded Rev. Dr. George Worthington, the present Bishop of Nebraska, as pastor of that parish. To his labors there he brought the same great zeal and untiring energy that char- acterized his work at Waterford. Under his charge the parish grew rapidly in numerical strength, spiritual power, and temporal pros- perity. He was instrumental in obtaining the purchase of the old armory for church pur- poses, and carried on a successful mission a few miles west of the village, beside giving occasional services at Factory village and in the Cullen district. After five years of labor at Christ church that was abundantly blessed. Dr. Carey was called to the charge of Bethesda church at Saratoga Springs, where his efforts have been fully appreciated by an intelligent and progressive people. His rectorship of Bethesda church dates from Advent Sunday.
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November 30, 1873, when he took charge of the parish, to which he was warmly welcomed and in which he has given nearly twenty years of arduous and successful service.
Dr. Carey was happily married on October 3, 1865, to Catharine North Guion, only daugh- ter of the late Rev. Thomas Tompkins Guion, D. D., rector of St. John's church, Brooklyn, and a descendant of the old Huguenot Guion family of Rochelle, France, which settled in New Rochelle, New York. Their home has been blessed with one son and five daughters: Catharine Guion, Ellen Seymour, Cornelia Enos, Mary Alice, Edith Ellison, and Joseph Gordon. Mrs. Carey is a woman whose graces of character, Christian loveliness and accom- plishments are well known, and whose influ- ence has been very material in strengthening the popularity of her husband.
Dr. Carey received his degree of M. A. from his alma mater, which in 1878 conferred the degree of D. D. on him for his ability, learn- ing, and valuable services in the ministry. He is a proficient Hebrew scholar, evinces a great fondness for linguistic studies, especially the Oriental tongues, and has given, by re- quest, to the press several essays and sermons that have established his present high literary reputation. His essay, "The Hebrew Names of God," and his sermons, "The True Knight," "Two Masters," and "The Death of Presi- dent Garfield," are masterly efforts.
Dr. Carey may be considered a conservative high churchman, and while holding fast to the great Catholic truths, is sympathetic, broadly so, with all. He is an indefatigable worker, has a pleasant word for every one, and when needed visits the sick and afflicted, no matter what their condition in life. He is a trustee of St. Stephen's college, represents the dio- cese of Albany as diocesan trustee of the Gen- eral Theological seminary, and is archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Troy, and trusted friend and assistant of Rt. Rev. Dr. Doane, Bishop of Albany. He was a delegate to the general convention in 1886 at Chicago, and in
1889 at New York, where he was appointed as one of the five delegates to represent the church in the United States in the Provincial Synod of Canada of that year. In December, 1888, Dr. Carey was unanimously named by the clergy of the Episcopal convention of Delaware for bishop of that diocese, but the lay members of the convention not knowing him sufficiently, failed to concur with the clergy by a lack of only a very few votes. In 1892 he was a deputy to the Baltimore gen- eral convention, where he was put on the joint commission of five bishops and five pres- byters that was appointed on "The Marginal Readings of the Bible."
In this brief sketch it is impossible to do more than make mention of the excellence of Dr. Carey's character, and the importance and far-reaching influence of his work. His ambi- tion has been to improve and beautify the church edifice and belongings, and to make attractive not only the house of God, but as well the worship of Him of whom he is so zealous a servant. He has transformed Be- thesda church into one of the handsomest and most completely furnished churches in the State of New York, and in addition to his reg- ular church he conducts weekly mission ser- vices at the mission chapel on Catharine street, and the Home of the Good Shepherd on State street, which are the property of the church, beside holding services once a week at the Parish house on Washington street.
Dr. Carey is non-partisan in politics, and a Free Mason of high degree, being also a Knight Templar. He is chaplain of the Citizens' Corps, and holds other positions of honor.
D.r. Carey has declined many calls to prom- inent parishes and positions in the church from love of his flock. Bethesda church is largely attended by Saratoga's summer guests, and the prominent church people of the land who come to the springs during the warm sea- son have shown a deep interest in Dr. Carey's work and have highly appreciated his labors. Of his preaching, all who have heard him
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know that in simplicity of thought, apt illus- trations, the earnest Christian meaning put into his words, and the ready flow of language, more than in flowery eloquence or brilliant similitudes, consists his greatest charm As an illstration of his masterly style, we quote the following from the peroration of one of his anniversary sermons: "And all those who have died in the faith were ready for the com- ing of the King. Let us, too, be prepared for His advent. He may come for us in an hour when we think not; but if we are found in one place serving Him in love we shall merit His approbation. Moved by His tenderness and goodness toward us, shall we not with re -. newed zeal go forth to meet Him in good works, in holy services, in self-denial, in lives of faith and purity and truth? So will we be ready when He comes, and He will be en- throned in our hearts. Be ready, O my soul!"
H' EMAN L. WATERBURY, the active and efficient manager of the Western Union telegraph offices at Saratoga Springs, is a son of Capt. Philo R. and Mehitable (Bullard) Waterbury, and was born at Sara- toga Springs, New York, February 23, 1845. The Waterburys of this county come of En- glish ancestry, and since 1792, when William Waterbury, the grandfather of Heman L., re- moved from Connecticut and settled in the vil- lage of Saratoga, they have been residents of Saratoga county. William Waterbury was a farmer by occupation, and the farm he then owned is now included within the corporate limits of the village. His son, Capt. Philo R. Waterbury (father), was born in Saratoga Springs, where he resided until his death in 1867, when in the sixty-seventh year of his age. He was a member of the Baptist church, a re- publican in politics, and served for several years as captain in the old New York militia. He married Mehitable Bullard, a native of Vermont, and who died in 1878, at the age of eighty-one years. For many years she had
been a consistent member of the Baptist church of Saratoga Springs.
Heman L. Waterbury grew to manhood at Saratoga Springs, where he received his edu- cation in the common and private schools of the village. Leaving school he learned teleg- raphy, and when at the age of seventeen he accepted a position with the Western Union Company, in Albany, New York, where he re- mained in their employ until 1883. In that year the company appointed him to his pres- ent position as manager of their office at Sara- toga, where they have during the summer season nine offices. In 1865 Mr. Waterbury was married to Louisa M. Stover, a daughter of Rev. Ensign Stover, Methodist Episcopal minister, who was then stationed at Saratoga Springs. Three children have been born to this union, one son and two daughters : Char- lotte S., wife of Dr. C. S. Peeke, of Saratoga Springs ; Minnie, residing at home; and Fred- erick M., one of the proprietors of the Saratoga Eagle, a weekly newspaper of the village.
Heman L. Waterbury is a member of, and past officer of all the Masonic bodies of Sara- toga Springs, including lodge, chapter, coun- cil and commandery, and also a member of Oriental Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Troy. A republican in politics, he has attained to such knowledge and efficiency in his business as to rank among the foremost managers of telegraph lines in New York.
ROBERT E. MOREY, who for many years was prominently connected with the leather business in northern New York, and now resides at his beautiful home on the wes- tern shore of Saratoga lake, five and one-half miles from the village of Saratoga Springs, this county, is a son of John and Delinda P. (Perry) Morey, and was born April 22, 1839, in the city of Troy, New York. The Moreys are of English extraction, and this branch of the family is descended from one of three brotliers of that name who came over front
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England prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Massachusetts. In that State Nathan Morey, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared, but while yet a young man removed to the city of Troy, New York, where he engaged in tanning and dealing in leather. He was energetic and en- terprising, and built up a large trade in leather, which he successfully conducted until his death. In politics he was a democrat, married a Miss Derrick, of Rensselaer county, and reared two sons : Charles and John. Charles lived to middle age and died. His youngest son, John Morey (father), was born in the city of Troy in 1806, and grew to manhood there. He attended the schools of his native city, and after completing his education learned the leather business with his father, and at the death of the latter, about the year of 1837, succeeded him in the management and own- ership of the business. Inheriting great bus- iness ability and an active disposition, as well as the means necessary to carry out his enter- prises, he became intimately identified with the leather trade of northern New York, own- ing and operating tanneries at Saratoga Springs and West Milton, in Saratoga county, and two or three at various points in Rensselaer county. He did an annual business amounting to two hundred thousand dollars, which at that time was perhaps the largest of its kind in the State. In 1866 he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he became largely interested in the leather business, and continued to reside in that city. until his death in 1876, when in the seven- tieth year of hisage. Politically he was a demo- crat, but cast his last vote for Abraham Lin- coln in 1864. In 1836 he married Delinda Perry, a daughter of John Perry, of Coopers- town, this State, and to them was born a family of six children, five sons (three of whom died in infancy) and a daughter : Nathan D., who resided for many years at Saratoga Springs, but is now deceased ; Robert E., the subject of this sketch; and Mary H., who married Dr. G. W. Leonard, a practicing
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