USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York : with historical notes on its various towns > Part 79
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good work and liberal in his support of all church interests.
On March 19, 1880, Mr. Eggleston was married to Emma Angell, youngest daughter of Daniel- and Huldah (Wood) Angell, of Greenfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston has been born a family of five children, one son and four daughters: Celia H., Willis D., Bessie E., Ethel and Lucy E.
W ILLIAM A. ROWLAND, of the undertaking firm of Densmore & Row- land, at Corinth, and one of the best known of the younger business men of Saratoga county, is a son of Joseph L. and Lydia A. (Whipple) Rowland, and was born May 10, 1860, at Porter's Corners, in the town of Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York. The family is of Welsh origin, and ranks with the oldest in New York. The actual date of its settlement here is not known, but it was at a very early period. Garardas Rowland, pater- nal grandfather of William A. Rowland, was a native of Dutchess county, this State, where he spent the early part of his life, but later removed to Saratoga county, purchasing and settling on a large tract of land at what is now known at Porter's Corners. At that time the broad farms which now smile in plenty were principally a dense wilderness, and like other sturdy pioneers, he set himself bravely to the task of clearing out a farm and making a home for his family. He was energetic and indus- trious, and in time became quite prosperous. Politically he was a whig, and in religion a strict member of the Society of Friends. He married Lydia Davison, also of Welsh de- scent, and reared a large family, consisting of Samuel, Jerry, Jonathan, Martin, Lorenzo D., Joseph L., Olive and others. His death oc- curred in 1844, at the age of seventy-eiglit years, and his wife died in 1863, aged ninety- three years.
Joseph L. Rowland (father) was born at Porter's Corners, this county, November 23,
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1816, and grew to manhood on the old home- stead. He was of a studious disposition, and by his own efforts secured a superior educa- tion, and taught in the common schools of this county for a number of years. He also learned surveying, and followed that occupa- tion to some extent, though his principal bus- iness was farming and stock raising. His farm contained one hundred and eighty-six acres of valuable land, and in its management and cultivation he was very successful. Politi- cally he was first a whig and later a republi- can, and served his town as a supervisor two terms, as road commissioner for a period of eighteen years in succession, and during the latter part of his life was secretary of the board of directors of the Union Mercantile associa- tion, of Porter's Corners. He died October 13, 1887, at the age of seventy years. For many years he was a member of the local or- ganization of Good Templars, and was a man of considerable influence in his community, being highly respected by all who knew him. In 1852 he married Lydia A. Whipple, a daughter of William Whipple, of Porter's Corners, and by that union had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters : Emma Eastwood, Lester D., William A. (sub- ject of this sketch), Henry D. and Etta B. Mrs. Lydia A. Rowland passed from earth February 3, 1875, in the forty-fifth year of her age.
William A. Rowland was reared on his father's farm, at Porter's Corners, this county, and obtained a good, practical education in the public schools of that village. After com- pleting his studies he remained on the farm, assisting his father until his marriage in 1891, and in partnership with his brother, Henry D. Rowland, purchased from his father three farms, aggregating three hundred acres, which they still own. These farms are all improved, have good buildings and fences, and are in a good state of cultivation.
On April 21, 1891, Mr. Rowland was united by marriage to Anna Densmore, oldest daugh-
ter of R. H. and Jane Carpenter Densmore, of Greenfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have been born one child, a son, named Aus- tin D.
In political affairs William A. Rowland ad- heres to the traditions of his family, and is a stanch republican. He is a member of Cor- inth Lodge, No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Empire Lodge, No. 965, Independent Order of Good Templars, of Porter's Corners. On August 11, 1892, Mr. Rowland formed a partnership with his father-in-law, R. H. Densmore, under the firm name of Densmore & Rowland, and em- barked in the undertaking business at Corinth, this county. The firm has met .with good success, and is doing a large business. They keep everything required in the undertaking line, and give prompt and careful attention to every detail of their business.
JOHN M. PRINDLE, a young, enter- prising, and successful farmer of the town of Saratoga Springs, who is also extensively engaged in dairying and marble quarrying, is a son of Norman and Louisa (Lowery) Prin- dle, and a native of the town of Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, where he was born March 7, 1872. The Prindles have been residents of this county since early days. The grandfather of John M. Prindle was born and reared in the town of Hegyle, Wash- ington county, and spent all his life here, en- gaged in the cultivation of the soil. He married Jane Gylchrist and had a family of children, one of whom was Norman Prindle (father), who was born on the old homestead in this county, February 7, 1845, and after at- taining manhood engaged in farming, and has made that his main business in life. He also owns and runs a granite quarry. His home farm contains one hundred acres of productive land, and the tract upon which his quarry is situated consists of seventy-five acres. Politi- cally he is a democrat, and in 1891 he married
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Mrs. Louisa Lowery, a daughter of John M. Lowery, of the town of Saratoga Springs, and widow of William Lowery. To Mr. and Mrs. Prindle were born two sons: John M. and Fred N. By her first marriage Mrs. Lowery had two daughters: Louisa, wife of William Macilwain, of Saratoga Springs; and Cora, who married John Gleason, of the same village.
John M. Prindle grew to manhood on his father's farm in the town of Saratoga Springs, and acquired his education by diligent study in the public schools of his neighborhood. He was early trained to habits of useful in- dustry, and much of his success in life is attributable to the correct principles instilled into his mind before he had reached his fif- teenth year. After leaving school he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and has fol- lowed that occupation more or less ever since. He also runs a dairy in connection with his farm, doing a business of about fifteen hundred dollars a year, and is extensively engaged in the quarrying of granite. Politically Mr. Prindle is a democrat, and while taking no very active part in politics, can always be re- lied on to do his part toward securing the triumph of democratic principles and the maintenance of a "government of the people by the people." He is not married.
S ILAS HAYNER, one of the leading farmers of the town of Half Moon, who began life with nothing and has accumulated a handsome competency by his own untiring industry, energy and enterprise, is the only son of Sebastian and Sarah (Bulson) Hayner, and was born April 29, 1849, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Hayner, was a prosperous farmer of the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, this State, where he died at an ad- vanced age. Sebastian Hayner (father) was born on the old homestead in that town, but after attaining manhood, about 1842, re- moved to the city of Philadelphia and em-
barked in the manufacture of saslı and blinds in that city. For a number of years he did a large and lucrative business, but in the midst of a prosperous career was stricken by death in 1851, when in the forty-fifth year of his age. He was a whig in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1847 he married Sarah Bulson, a daughter of Abraham Bulson, of Brunswick, New York, and their only child is Silas Hayner, the subject of this sketch. After her husband's death, Mrs. Hay- ner returned to New York, and some time afterward married James Cooper and settled in the town of Half Moon, where she lived until the time of her death, which occurred March 18, 1891, being in the sixty-ninth year of her age. By this second marriage she had a daughter, Alda M., who became the wife of William Vanness, a farmer residing in the town of Half Moon. Abraham Bulson (maternal grandfather) was a native of the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, this State, and a member and deacon of the Evangelical Lutheran church. He was a farmer by cccu- pation, and died at his home in Rensselaer county about 1862, aged eighty-three years.
Silas Hayner was partly reared in Philadel- phia and partly in the town of Half Moon, this county, to which he came with his mother at the age of five years. He worked for his uncle on the farm for a time, and then began attend- ing the academy, paying his own expenses. His education was acquired in the public schools and at Half Moon academy. Later he took a course of training at the Eastman Busi- ness college in Poughkeepsie, being graduated from that institution in 1868. He was then pre- paring himself for a business career, but on account of his stepfather's failing health he abandoned that idea and engaged in farming on the home farm. In the winter of 1869 he taught a term in the district school, and farmed during the following summer. In the fall of 1870 he began teaching at Half Moon, but the death of his stepfather compelled him to give up the school and return to the care of
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things on the farm, and since that time he has given his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1870 he leased the farm from the heirs, and one year later pur- chased it, without a dollar to pay for it. His mother kept house for him, and he resolutely went to work to pay the purchase price, seven thousand and seven hundred dollars, and has successfully accomplished that undertaking without a dollar's help from anybody. In ad- dition to the farm, he now owns some valuable property at Mechanicville and other places, and is what may justly be termed one of the self-made men of Saratoga county. His farm contains one hundred acres, is located near the centre of the town of Half Moon, and is well improved and valuable. During 1890 and 1891 he was engaged in the coal, wood and feed business at Mechanicville, this county, but abandoned it to continue the more con- genial occupation of a farmer.
On New Year's day, 1872, Mr. Hayner was united in marriage to Elvira M. Althouse, youngest daughter of Peter M. Althouse, of Clifton Park, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayner has been born a family of five children : Mary E., Arthur P., Willard S., Bertha M, and Ada May. In political sentiment Mr. Hayner is a stanch republican, and in 1890 was elected supervisor of the town of Half Moon, a posi- tion he filled to the satisfaction of the people and with great credit to himself. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee for a period of ten years, and also occupies the office of steward in his church.
W ILLIAM H. VAN VRANKEN, a
prominent and successful farmer of the town of Clifton Park, who has served as clerk and supervisor of the town, and now occupies the important position of justice of the peace, is a son of John W. and Dorcas (Cragier) Van Vranken, and was born on the farm where he now resides, in the town of Clifton Park, Sar-
atoga county, New York, October 29, 1847. The family came to America from Holland at an early day, and have resided in this county for nearly two hundred years. Adam Van Vranken, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in what is now the town of Clifton Park, and spent his life in farming here, owning the land now in possession of his grandson, William H. VanVranken. His son, Adam Van Vranken (grandfather), was born and reared on this farm, and in his turn passed his life in the cultivation of its soil. He served as justice of the peace for sixteen years. He was a whig in politics, married Cateline Witbeck, and reared a family of five children, dying here at an advanced age. One of his sons was John W. Van Vranken (father), who was born on the old homestead, February 13, 1820, and died on his farm in this town April 3, 1869. He was a farmer all his life, as his ancestors had been, owning one hun- dred acres of valuable land. Originally a whig, he became a republican when that party was organized in New York, and ever afterward earnestly supported its principles and policy. He was elected a justice of the peace and held that office continuously for sixteen years. He also served as supervisor of the town one term and was assessor for some time. In religion he was a member of the Reformed Dutch church, in which he served as deacon and elder for a number of years. There was also a military side to his nature, and. for a long period he was connected with the State mili- tia, serving as lieutenant of his company. On October 19, 1842, he married Dorcas Cragier, a daughter of Tunis Cragier, of Clifton Park, and by that union had a family of three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter : Gertrude A., who married Isaac G. Lansing, of Vischer's Ferry, this county ; William H., whose name heads this sketch; and Adam T. Mrs. Dor- cas Van Vranken is still living.
William H. Van Vranken was reared on the old homestead farm, received a superior Eng- lish education, studying first in the common
Phie w
nuved by Jan el .Han.
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
schools of his native place and afterward at the Monticello academy in Sullivan county. Still later he took a course of training at the Albany Business college, Albany, New York, and soon afterward engaged in farming, which has been his main business ever since. He has dealt in produce to some extent, buying and shipping potatoes and other farm pro- ducts, and has been quite successful.
Politically Mr. Van Vranken is a stanch re- publican, and has served as town clerk one term, supervisor three years, and justice of the peace since January, 1893. He is a char- ter member of Jonesville Lodge, No. 132, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Dutch Reformed church, in which he has served a number of years as deacon and elder. He also held the position as postmaster under President Hayes, and held it during Harrison's administration.
On August 18, 1869, Mr. VanVranken was wedded to Susan Fort, a daughter of James Fort, of Clifton Park. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Vranken have been born a family of five chil- dren, four sons and a daughter : Norman F., John W., Frank B., Arthur W. and Carrie E.
H ON. JAMES MADISON MARVIN,
the distinguished legislator, railroad di- rector, hotel proprietor and financier, whose remarkable ability and wonderful energy have left such a deep impression on the history of Saratoga county, and been felt alike in the railroad management of New York and in the councils of the republic during one of the most important epochs of our National exist- ence, is the worthy representative of an old English family that was transplanted to America as early as 1635. In that year Matthew Marvin, one of the original proprie- tors of Hartford, Connecticut, came over with his family, and for a number of years resided at the corner of Village and Front streets, Hartford, which he afterward left to become a pioneer settler at Norwalk, Connecticut,
where he had large landed interests. In 1654 he represented the town of Norwalk in the general court of that colony, and died in 1680, at a great age. His son, Matthew Marvin (2), was born in England in 1627, and came to New England with his parents when only eight years of age. He was one of the first proprietors of Norwalk, Connecticut, and also represented that town in the general court from 1694 to 1697. His son, Samuel Marvin (3), was a native of Norwalk, and after attain- ing manhood represented his town in the general court of 1718. From Samuel Marvin (3) the line of descent runs through his son, Josiah Marvin (4), born at Norwalk and died about 1780; William Marvin (5), son of Jo- siah, born in Norwalk, Connecticut, March 24, 1740, married Susannah Wright November 10, 1767, and died at Malta, Saratoga county, New York, March 4, 1810; and William Mar- vin (6), son of William (5) and father of the subject of this sketch. William Marvin (father) was born at Norwalk, Connecticut, October 19, 1768, and reared and educated in the same county. On March 5, 1793, he married Mary Benedict, daughter of Uriah Benedict, of Ballston, New York, and to them was born a family of three sons ; Alvah D., who died May 1, 1866; Judge Thomas J., de- ceased December 29, 1852; and Hon. James Madison. William Marvin (father) died at Malta, this county, February 27, 1839, in the seventy-first year of his age, and his wife passed away in November, 1846, aged seventy- six years.
James Madison Marvin, youngest of the three brothers, and now the sole survivor of the family, was born February 27, 1809, in the town of Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, where he grew to manhood and received a superior English education. He early devel- oped an aptitude for business, and in 1828, when only nineteen years of age, he came to the village of Saratoga Springs and assumed the management of a hotel at this place. One year later he went to the city of Albany and
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
became connected with the American hotel, a new house then just opened to the public. In the spring of 1830 he returned to Saratoga Springs as one of the proprietors of the United States hotel, which had been erected some six years earlier, and has ever since been a resi- dent of this village. In his connection with the erection, enlargement and management of this famous house, Mr. Marvin's great energy, superior financial management and striking executive ability became very conspicuous. Of the hotel a recent writer says:
"The United States hotel, corner of Broad- way and Division streets, is one of the most beautiful in Saratoga. It is built of brick, and the architecture is very imposing. It is five stories high, with mansard roof, and is painted a light shade. It covers several acres of ground, has a frontage of three hundred feet on Broadway and about nine hundred feet on Division street. Inside the grounds the cot- tages are located. They look on a beautiful and well kept lawn and flower beds. The main building and cottages have broad piazzas encircling the entire court. The band pavil- ion is located near the east end of the lawn. The entire house is furnished in a grand man- ner, and is capable of providing for fifteen hundred to two thousand people. In fact, everything that is needed to make the hotel attractive and convenient is found here, and the United States stands unexcelled by any of the hotels of this great watering place. As one looks upon this palatial structure and contemplates its perfect arrangements for the convenience and comfort of its guests, he can but be amazed at the enterprise and courage of its owners, who have opened to the world this stupendous establishment."
From 1841 to 1852 the hotel was jointly con- ducted by Mr. Marvin and his brother, Judge Thomas J. Marvin. After the death of the lat- ter in that year, the entire management of the immense hotel devolved upon Mr. Marvin, to- gether with the care of the estates of both families. He continued to conduct the busi-
ness until 1865, when the hotels were destroyed by fire.
In 1841, in partnership with his brother, Judge Thomas J., Mr. Marvin established the bank of Saratoga Springs, now the First Na- tional bank, and for a number of years was cashier of that institution, while Judge Mar- vin served as president. When by sound finan- cial management its affairs had become pros- perous and its profits large, much of the stock was distributed among other business men in the village, though Mr. Marvin always re- tained an interest in the bank, and served as president for a number of years after it became the First National. He is to-day one of the directors of this institution, which he founded over half a century ago. For more than a quarter of a century he was a director of the Schenectady & Saratoga railroad, and for a number of years served as director of the New York Central & Hudson River railroad. Ow- ing to his keen insight in business affairs, and his well-known ability as a financier, he exer- cised great influence in the directorate of these roads, and his opinions were frequently sought and always carefully considered by his asso- ciates. Mr. Marvin has always taken a deep interest in every enterprise calculated to ad- vance the prosperity or aid in the development of Saratoga Springs. He was one of the orig- inal commissioners of the Saratoga Springs water works, and took an active part in sup- plying the village with abundance of pure water. He served as president of the board of commissioners during the construction of the main sewer to Kayaderrossera creek, in 1886.
On September 26, 1838, Mr. Marvin was united in marriage to Rhoby H. Barnum, daughter of Eli Barnum, of Ballston Spa, who died May 14, 1892. She was a native of that village, where she grew to womanhood and was educated, and was an intelligent and cultivated lady. To Mr. and Mrs. Marvin was born a family of five children, one son and four daugh- ters. The son, named William James, died at the age of nine years, and the daughters
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OF SARATOGA COUNTY.
are : Mary Benedict, Frances Barnum, Caro- line Barnum, and Rhoby.
Believing that under a republican form of government it becomes the sacred duty of every citizen to take part in public affairs, Mr. Marvin was early interested in politics. In 1845 he was elected supervisor for Saratoga Springs, and re-elected in 1837, in which year he was made chairman of the board. He was also a member in 1862, and again chairman of the board in 1874. In the summer of 1845 he was nominated by the whigs as a candidate for the State assembly, and in the fall of that year was elected as a representative of Sara- toga county, against Patrick H. Cowen, the democratic candidate. This result was a flat- tering testimonial to the personal popularity of Mr. Marvin, as the county at that time was largely democratic. At the time of the disin- tegration of the whig party, about 1856, he became affiliated with the democrats, and con- tinued to act with that party until the civil war occurred. He then earnestly espoused the Union cause, and afterward became iden- tified with the Republican party. In 1862 he was elected to Congress from the Eighteenth district of New York, and served consecutively for six years, being a member of the Thirty- eighth, Thirty ninth and Fortieth Congresses. During this time the most gigantic war of modern times was fought out, and many new and important questions of National adminis- tration settled, marking it as one of the most eventful periods in our National history. In the legislation of those exciting times Mr. Marvin steadily co-operated with the Repub- lican members of Congress in the prosecution of the war, the measures rendered necessary by the extinction of slavery, and the passage of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States. His record was that of a working member rather than a speech-maker, and he never allowed himself to become entangled in personal or partisan quarrels. His large acquaintance and personal popularity among members gave him
great influence, and he rarely if ever failed to secure an appointment asked for in his district. It has been said that the interests of his con- stituents were more carefully attended to dur- ing his several terms in Congress than ever be- fore or since.
In religious sentiment Mr. Marvin is an Episcopalian, being now senior warden and for more than forty years vestryman of Beth- esda church at Saratoga Springs. He is pres- ident of the Saratoga club, organized in 1891, with nearly a hundred and fifty members, and was president of the Saratoga Racing associ- ation until the fall of 1891. He still resides in his large and handsome residence on Franklin Square, which he erected over fifty years ago, and which he has continually im- proved and embellished until it easily ranks with the finest and most elegantly furnished residences in the village of Saratoga. Mr. Marvin is a gentleman of fine presence, quick thought, affable disposition and charming conversational powers. Although now eighty- four years of age, he is yet apparently as active and energetic as a man of forty, and takes the same intelligent interest in public and private affairs that distinguished him half a century ago.
HILIP ADELBERT ALLEN, the energetic editor of the Schuylerville Standard, is a son of Philip E. and Deborah ( Whitman ) Allen, and was born at Schuyler- ville, Saratoga county, New York, November 1, 1868. His paternal great-grandfather, John Allen, was of Welch descent; and followed farming in the eastern part of the county, where he was born and reared. He lived near Dean's Corners, took part in the Revolu- tionary war, serving in Burgoyne's campaign, and was a whig in politics. He died in 1835, aged seventy-five years.
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