USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. > Part 85
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129
Hugh White was a large-hearted man, having a lively sympathy for the troubles and cares of others, and exhibit- ing that sympathy in practical contributions in the hour of need. There was nothing small in his character, in his feelings, in his deeds. Magnanimity was a ruling trait in his soul. He had a righteous hatred for all that was wrong, contemptible, and mean. He could suffer long and be kind, forgive and forget injuries to himself. He was a polished
gentleman, of stately hearing and graceful manners ; a man excellent in judgment, true in his words, wise in forethought, and of good business sagacity ; an accomplished man, whom politics never soiled, who frowned ou all dishonesty and fraud, and who belonged to a class of men in the national Congress upon which the nation looks back to-day with utmost respeet and pride.
CANVASS WHITE.
This gentleman was born at Whitestown, N. Y., on the 8th day of September, in the year 1790. Hle was a son of Judge Hugh White, of that place, from whose family the town derived its name. During the War of 1812, Canvass
-
White served as a soldier on the frontier for one campaign. He held the position of lieutenant in a volunteer corps, and was present at the sortie of Fort Erie.
As a practical as well as scientific engineer he had few equals, his sound judgment and strong native common sense peculiarly fitting him for that profession. He was one of the first and ablest engineers on the Erie canal, and while engaged on this, resided principally at Troy, N. Y. He subsequently resided in Reading and Bethlehem, in the State of Pennsylvania, and at the historic town of Prince- ton, Mercer. Co., N. J. During this period he was engaged on the Union, Lehigh, and Delaware and Raritan canals.
In the year 1832, in company with his brother Hugh, he went to Cohoes, N. Y., and assisted in planning and creeting the well-known Cohoes works. His health at this time began to fail him. To repair his wasting vitality he visited the State of Florida, but his efforts proved futile to arrest the encroachments of disease, and he died at Angus-
340
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
tura, in that State, on Dec. 18, 1834, at the age of forty- four years.
Canvass White was married in the year 1820, to Louisa Loomis, of Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y. Several children were the fruits of this union, of whom one only is now living, Charles L., who resides in the picturesque town of Mauch Chunk, Carbon Co., Pa.
The portrait of Canvass White may be seen above. Those who are accustomed to study the human face as an index to character will observe in his countenance the marks of an untiring energy, indomitable will, and strong executive abil- ity. To will, with Canvass White, was to do, while his natural courtesy and gentlemanly bearing enabled him to combine in graceful proportions the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re. He lead an honest, upright, conscientious, and Christian life, and dying while yet in the maturity of his manhood, left behind him a memory green with the recollections of a life well spent, of duty well done, of op- portunities well improved, and in the hope of a richer life beyond.
JOHN CRAMER
was born at Old Saratoga, May 14, 1779. His father, Conrad Cramer, was of German descent, and settled upon a farm, about three miles southwest of Schuylerville, before the Revolution. Notwithstanding the surrender of Bur- goyne in October, 1777, the Tories and Indians from time to time continued to make raids. In May, 1779, such a raid was made into the neighborhood where Conrad Cramer resided with his wife and four small children. On the 14th of May they hastily packed their wagon with what comforts one team could carry, and started on their flight southerly. They reached the river-road and proceeded as far south as the farm now owned by Lohnas, about five miles south of Schuylerville, when uight overtook them. At that place there was a small house used as a tavern, but, as it was already full, the Cramer family were obliged to remain in their wagon, and on that same evening the mother gave birth to John Cramer. The next morning the family continued the flight to what is now known as the Fitzgerald neighborhood, about three miles south of Mechanicville, where they obtained a small house, in which they remained until it was considered safe to return to their home iu the wilderness.
Young Cramer received a liberal education, and chose the profession of the law. About 1800 he opened a law- office in Waterford, and he continued to reside in that village during the remainder of his long life. Waterford was then the head of navigation upon the Hudson river, and no canals or railroads then extended into the interior. Farmers were in the habit of bringing their grain and produce from a great distance to Waterford, and in return carted goods from its stores. It was then the most im- portant commercial place in this State north of Albany, and some of the leading men from New England and the lower counties of New York settled there about the be- giuning of this century. Among those may be named Ira Scott, John Stewart, Johu House, and Eli M. Todd. John Cramer at onee entered upon a lucrative practice,
and within twenty years had accumulated $100,000, which was an immense fortune for that period. At an early age he became an active politieian, and in 1804 was elected a presidential elector, and voted for the re-election of Thomas Jefferson. 1Ie was elected a member of the State Assembly in 1806, agaiu in 1811, and, finally, in 1841. In 1821 he was a delegate to the State Convention for forming a new Constitution, and took a leading part in that body, which consisted of such men as Martin Van Buren, Governor Tompkins, and Samuel Young. Although then a man of large wealth and conservative in his opinions, to the sur- prise of his associates he made a speech in favor of abolishing the property qualification of voters, and prob- ably did more than any other member towards carrying that measure. As he took his seat on that occasion Van Buren said to him, " Is that not a little too Demoeratie ?"
In 1823 he was elected to the State Senate from the Fourth district, which extended to the St. Lawrence river. Joseph C. Yates was then governor, aud hesitated about appointing some person for judge who was recommended by Cramer and opposed by Halsey Rogers. Cramer thereupon stated to the governor that Rogers said that he dare not make the appointment. The governor replied, " Does Halsey Rogers say that ? I will show him who is governor of the State of New York," and at once sent in the nomination, which . Cramer induced the Senate speedily to confirm.
In 1824, Cramer brought forward his friend Colonel Samuel Young, of Saratoga County, for governor, and pro- eured his nomination upon the Jackson ticket, while De Witt Clinton was the candidate upon the Adams ticket. As the State was carried by J. Q. Adams for President, Colonel Young failed of an election.
John W. Taylor was a member of Congress from this distriet from 1812 to 1832, and was Speaker of the Ilouse of Representatives, after Mr. Clay went into the cabinet. llis great popularity and twenty years' service in Congress made him an almost invincible candidate. In 1832, Johu Cramer was pitted against him, and, after the hardest-fought political contest which the State had then witnessed, was elected member of the House from this district, and was re-elected in 1834. He served in the House with James K. Polk and other distinguished men, during the last term of Jackson's administration.
Although Mr. Cramer seldom took part in public debate, yet he exercised as mueh influence as any member, and he rarely failed to carry a point which he advocated. So well was this coneeded by his colleagues that, after his term had expired, Mr. Polk sent for him to come to Washington at the organization of a subsequent House, to aid him in his canvass for the speakership. Polk was successful,, and always remained grateful to Mr. Cramer.
The Whig party having earried the State in 1838, and also this Congress district, the Democratie party in 1840 put forward their strong men, and made a determined effort to redeem the State. To this end Cramer was nominated for Congress, Judge Linn, of Schenectady, being his opponent. After a hard-fought contest the latter was successful by a small majority.
Although then upwards of sixty years of age, his ambition would not allow him to retire under defeat, and the next
tobrami 1
341
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
year, 184I, he accepted a nomination for the Assembly upon the same ticket with Halsey Rogers, and both were elected. During the succeeding session of 1842, he earried through the election law, which has remained substantially in force ever sinee.
When Mr. Polk was elected President, in 1844, a bitter contest arose as to the member of the cabinet to be selected from this State. Mr. Cramer sustained Governor Wm. L. Marcy, while Silas Wright, then elected governor, advocated a man representing the " soft" or anti-slavery wing of the party. Cramer proceeded to Washington. His superior skill in political diplomaey triumphed, and Governor Marcy was appointed Secretary of War.
Mr. Cramer never would accept the office of judge or any other minor appointment ; his independent nature made him a natural leader, and he would never hold an office or act " in what he considered an inferior station.
John Cramer was a natural leader, and exercised a power- ful influence upon the politics of the State for more than fifty years, and for a longer period than any other one man. Ile was indomitable in his energy, and would overlook no point to secure success. He would stand by his friends in all extremities, but would go equally far to overthrow his opponents. Ile did probably more than any other man in early times to advance the fortunes of Mr. Van Buren ; but previous to 1844 they differed, when he used all of his efforts to defeat his nomination that year. So with Colonel Young, of this county. He prevented his nomination in 1824, and in 1843 he defeated his election by the Legisla- ture for Secretary of State. For more than fifty years he die- tated nearly every nomination made by the Democrats in this county, and was conceded to be the Warwick of Sara- toga.
Although he always adhered to the Democratic party, yet when the rebels fired upon Fort Sumter his patriotism at once arrayed him on the side of the Union, and he headed a subscription in the town of Waterford with the sum of $1000 to aid in raising volunteers for the war. When the company from that town was organized under Captain Yates, and marched for the eamp at North Troy, John Cramer, on foot, marched at the head of the column, although then upwards of eighty-two years old.
He died at his residence in Waterford June 1, 1870, aged ninety-one years and sixteen days. He left four sons and two daughters surviving him, and the children of Eliphalet, his oldest son, who died at Milwaukee before the death of his father. Mary, his oldest daughter, was the wife of the Honorable Edward Curtis, who was four years a member of Congress from New York city before 1841. Mr. Curtis was collector of New York under General Har- rison, and was continued under President Tyler as long as his friend Daniel Webster remained Secretary of State. Mrs. Curtis was drowned on the ill-fated steamer " Ville du Havre" a few years since. Harriet, the youngest daughter of Mr. Cramer, is the wife of John K. Porter, formerly judge of the court of appeals. George H. Cramer, of Troy, president of the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad company, is the oklest surviving son of John Cramer. William E., another son, is the editor and proprietor of the Wisconsin, a daily paper published at Milwaukee. John C., the youngest son now
living, remains in the old homestead at Waterford. The fifth son, Charles, one of the best linguists in the country, died about three years since.
John Cramer accumulated a large fortune, which he left to his children ; but during his life performed many aets of charity among the poor. Especially among the sick and suf- fering he was always sympathetic and generous, and many have reason to bless his memory.
SAMUEL CHEEVER.
Among the prominent men who, in the earlier part of their lives, became widely known while living outside the boundary of Saratoga County, yet later in life beeame permanent residents of the county for many years and at length died, there was Judge Cheever, late of Waterford .* Samuel Cheever was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Cheever, and was born at North Brookfield, Mass., Nov. 22, 1787. His father was a farmer, and was thoroughly imbued with the then prevailing tradition that a son should yield duty and service to his father until majority; and young Cheever was kept at farm-work until he had attained the age of twenty one years, and in the mean time he at- tended a distriet school during the winter months, and pur- sued his studies under self-tutelage at such odd times as he could while at work. Having a natural bent for the aequi- sition of knowledge, together with an excellent memory, he became well read in standard literature and proficient in Latin and Greek.
After attaining his majority, he left home and commeneed the study of law, attending the lectures of Judge Gould, and at the same time maintained himself by teaching Latin and Greek to young men, and among his pupils were num- bered several persons who have become men of celebrity in the nation.
In 1808 he left Massachusetts, and removed to Salem, Washington county, in this State, where he continued his legal study. Soon after he came to Troy and established himself at the corner of Congress and First streets, he com- meneed the practice of his profession. He was successful, and had the reputation of a reliable, studious, and conscien- tious lawyer.
In 1818 he married Mrs. Julia Jones, the wife of a former prominent and wealthy merchant of Troy. While at Troy he was elected to and ably filled the office of district attorney for Rensselaer county.
At the termination of his term of office he removed to Al- bany and there practiced law, residing during a portion of the time in the large and ancient mansion (built in the seven- teenth century, and still standing). He retired from profes- sional practice from Albany to his farmu at Bemus Heights, Saratoga County, where he remained but a short time, when he removed to Waterford, at which place he remained until his death. Judge Cheever was always a member of the Democratic party, an associate and friend of Wright and Marcy, an active and influential politician.
Judge Cheever, during his later years, was a contributor
* Prepared by William H. Shirland, of Troy.
342
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
to a number of New York papers and periodicals, and aside from this employment, he occupied himself with the care of the McIntyre estate, for which he was agent, and which was owned in part by his daughter, Mrs. James MeIntyre, and her children.
On religious matters, Judge Cheever was of very liberal opinions, and had devoted much study to the subject on the east side of the river, opposite Albany. At Albany he was elected county judge, or " First Judge" as it was ealled, and some of his excellent legal opinions, delivered at that time, will long survive him. Judge Cheever was one of the commissioners of the Boston and Albany railroad, and to him, more perhaps than to any other person, that road owes its existence. He was a practical surveyor, and assisted in the purchase of the land used by, and the laying out of the line. He was also, to a great extent, instrumental in the organization and equipment of the Albany and Sus- quehanna railroad.
Among other publie positions filled by Judge Cheever was the presidency of the State Agricultural Society, of which society he was always a friend. He was one of the commissioners appointed to lay out the city of Brooklyn. He also served as State canal commissioner, and was director of numerous private corporations. Ile usually attended the Presbyterian church, of which society his family were mem- bers. He reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and his mental force and vigor were entirely unimpaired. His final brief sickness was the result of a cold, and he died at his home in Waterford, Sept. 25, 1874.
ISAAC C. ORMSBY.
Isaac C. Ormsby, son of Ira Ormsby, was born in the town of Greenfield, this county, April 24, 1820. He was educated at the district school of his native town, Judge Boekes having been his last instructor. For several winters he himself " taught the young idea how to shoot," but sub- sequently (in 1845) entered the office of Ellis & Bullard, at Waterford, fully determined to follow the law. James B. McKean (afterwards judge) was pursuing his studies in the same office at the time. He made rapid progress, being admitted to the common pleas bar in 1846, and to that of the Supreme Court in June following. He was elected dis- trict attorney in 1862, and again in 1865. In 1871 he was again called upon to discharge the duties of the same office,
and was re-elected in 1874. His twelve years' incumbency of the office of district attorney proved him to be " a fearless and honest publie officer and a faithful public prosecutor." Sinee his admission to the bar, Mr. Ormsby has gained and maintained a successful law practice at Waterford, his home. He is of medium stature, and possessed of a vital tempera- ment and intuitive mind-qualities, eminently fitting him for his profession, and for the important office he has filled so long.
CHESSELDEN ELLIS.
Chesselden Ellis, who has frequently been mentioned in these pages, was born in the State of Vermont, at New Windsor, in the year 1808. He was graduated from Union College in 1823, studied law with the Hon. John Cramer, of Waterford, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. He soon attained to a remunerative practice, but preferred to be known as a counsellor rather than as an advocate. Upon the resignation of Nicholas Ilill, Jr., in 1837, he was ap- pointed district attorney. He held this office until Sept. 11, 1843, then resigning to take his seat in Congress. General E. F. Bullard, his law-partner, used his influence successfully in securing for Mr. Ellis the Democratie nomi- nation for Congress in 1842. He was elected. In 1844 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by the Whig candidate, Hon. Hugh White. In 1845 he removed to New York city, and resumed the practice of his pro- fession as senior of the firm of Ellis, Burrill & Davison, which he continued uninterruptedly until his death, which occurred in 1854.
His personnel is thus described : " Ile was five feet nine inehes in height, of splendid physique, weighing about one hundred and eighty pounds. To a sound body was united a mind strongly imbued with fine literary tastes." He was naturally diffident, but a vigorous debater when aroused. He was a great admirer of Calhoun, and when in Congress was on intimate terms with the great "Nullifier." His personal influence with President Tyler was also great ; sufficiently so, at least, as to place at his disposal the vacant seat on the Supreme Court bench, rendered vacant by the death of Judge Thompson. He designated Judge Cowen, who declined ; Chancellor Walworth was then appointed, but rejected by the Senate ; and Judge Nelson was subse- quently appointed by President Polk.
FARM VIEW OF FRANK PRUYN MECHANICVILLE, SARATOGA CO., N. Y.
HALF-MOON.
I .- GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
This town still borders both the Hudson and the Mo- hawk, notwithstanding the numerous changes in its boun- daries; but the town of Waterford was cut from the extreme point, leaving to this town a tract of somewhat irregular shape, with no common central point. Its town- meetings are held and its publie business transacted cither at one extreme or another,-Mechanicville, Middletown, Crescent, and Clifton Park all claiming at times the honor of being the capital.
Half-Moon is bounded north by Malta and Stillwater, cast by the county line, sonth by Waterford and the county line, west by Clifton Park.
It is mostly upon the Van Schaick patent, and contains 17,517 acres of improved land, 3264 unimproved land, and of this last amount 2113 is woodland.
The population in 1875 was 3176. Besides the geo- graphical boundaries, we add the following legal description and definition of the boundary lines taken from the revised statutes of the State:
" The town of Half- Moon shall contain all that part of said county bounded northerly by Anthony's Kill, casterly by the east bounds of the county, southerly by Waterford and the south hounds ef the county, and westerly by a line beginning at the outlet of Round lake; then running south to the cast side of William Gates' grist- will ; then southerly through the centre of the mill-pond across the bridge over said pond; then southerly to the west side of Joseph Merrill's dwelling-house ; then south to the Van Schaick line; then along said line to the Mohawk river, varying the same at the dwell- ing-house of Ephraim Steveus so as to leave the same on the west side of the line."
II .- NATURAL FEATURES.
The surface of the town is undulating and broken by the narrow ravines of small streams. There are portions of interval land along the river, half a mile wide at some points. The clay bluffs beyond these vary from sixty to one hundred feet in height. The small streams emptying into the Hudson are Anthony's Kill and Dwaas' Kill. Steena Kill empties into the Mohawk. The soil is a clayey and gravelly loam upland, and a fine quality of alluvial in the intervals. Some portions are sandy, but nearly all the town is of fair produetiveness.
III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Just how early the first settlers entered upon the present territory of Half-Moon is a matter very largely of tradi- tion ; as already mentioned in regard to the name, it is certain that the junction of the Mohawk and the Hudson was a place known by white men soon after Fort Orange was established at Albany, and even earlier. From an- cient Albany records, it appears that there were a few hardy pioneers on the banks of the Mohawk as early as 1680.
There is indeed one venerable relic of early settlement, known as the " old stone house," or the Dunsbaek place, about two miles above the village of Crescent. The walls of this house are very thick, nearly two feet, built of field stone without mortar, and in it are beams twenty-two inches deep. The old chamber floor was laid with splendid pine plank two feet wide. The roof boards were beveled together, and of such excellent quality that when the shingles were off rain could not penetrate. It was built by Killian Van Den Burg in 1718. The house bears upon it the date 1718, and the initials N. V. B.
Henry J. Dunsback states that he put on a new roof in 1855, and in his opinion that was the first time it had been reshingled,-showing the first roof to have lasted one hun- dred and thirty-seven years. The place was bought by the grandfather of Ilenry J. Dunsback in 1813, of the Has- wells, and the latter purchased it of the Vandenburgs, de- scendants of the original settler ; the initials ou the building meaning Nicholas Vandenburg. A few rods from this building was, very evidently, an Indian burial-ground, pre- served for many years, but now plowed over by late pro- prietors ; also an Indian orchard, venerable old trees set irregularly. Not far off, too, is a singular high rock, in the vicinity of which the early settlers are said to have hidden their valuables from the Indians.
The Loudon ferry crossed the Mohawk about a mile and a quarter below Crescent, just within the limits of Water- ford. From this point the Loudon road passed northward to Ballston and Saratoga Springs, and then through Wilton,- the Loudon Methodist church in that town being probably named from its position on or near that old road. In con- nection too with the " old stone house" described above, there was an ancient ferry,-so ancient as to have acquired rights by long usage, and not subject to license. Since 1813 this has been known as the Dunsback ferry.
On the river-road, along the Hudson, some very early locations were no doubt made. The present Powers place was owned by Mr. I'cebles, probably in the time of the Revolution.
Some old people speak of Van Schaick in connection with the same farm. The earliest place in Mechanicville, south of the creek, was probably a public-house on the site of the present Burnap's tavern. It was kept in very early times by oue Gates. About a mile below was another publie-house, kept by Mills, but there was a still earlier proprietor, in 1788, Henry Bailey. In Mills' time there was an original genius by the name of Bloodgood living in Mechanicville, of whom many quaint stories are told. Calling on Mills and finding him lathered for a shave, he induced Mills to allow him to do the shaving. Seating his victim, he took off one side niecly, then drawing the edge
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.