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 91
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There has long been a Sunday-school connected with this church, averaging about eighty scholars. John H. Hays is the present superintendent.
365
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GALWAY.
The first Methodist Episcopal class in Galway was formed about the years 1820 to 1825, and was a small body of de- termined workers in the vineyard of the world. Their meetings were held in private houses, in school-houses, and in the upper room of a building near the four corners in Galway. In 1833 it formed part of the Galway circuit, which included churches in Galway, Charlton, Glenville, Hageman's Mills, Rock City, Milton, and Providence.
In the year 1836 it was made a station, and a minister was located here. David Benedict and Mathew West were proruinent among the early members of this society.
The preachers and pastors of the church have been as follows, viz .: 1833, Charles Pomeroy, Braman Ayres; 1834, Charles Pomeroy, Gilbert Lyon, Henry Williams ; 1835, Seymour Coleman, Daniel Brayton ; 1836, Seymour Coleman, John P. Foster; 1837, John P. Foster (died in 1849), Roswell Kelly; 1838-39, Manley Witherel, - Fenton ; 1840-41, Joel Squires, Joseph Conner, Manley Witherel ; 1841-42, John Harwood, Amos Ripley, Abel Ford; 1842-43, Alanson Richards, J. B. Rodgers ; 1844- 45, S. Covel, Clark Fuller, A. C. Rose ; 1845-46, S. Covel, W. A. Miller; 1847, Valentine Brown, I. Fassett ; 1848, R. Brown, J. F. Burrows ; 1849, 1. Harris; 1850-51, R. H. Robinson ; 1852, G. G. Saxe; 1853, 1. Phillips, 1. Haslam; 1854, Ira Holmes; 1855-56, O. E. Spicer, E. B. Collins; 1857-58, J. B. Wood; 1859-60, A. Shurtliff; 1861, M. B. Mosher; 1862-63, -Stebbins; 1864-65, Richard Meredith ; 1866-67, D. N. Lewis ; 1868-69, H. D. Kimball; 1870-72, W. D. Hitchcock ; 1873-74, R. Fox; 1875-76, J. HI. Coleman ; and 1877, Rev. F. K. Potter.
The church edifice was crected in the year 1845, and at an expense of some $3500. It will comfortably seat about two hundred and fifty people.
In 1837, at a meeting held by Rev. J. P. Foster, then pastor of this church, and David Benedict, an exhorter at High Bridge (Centre Glenville), a great number of people were converted. Among them were Abel Ford, S. S. Ford, William Ford, Israel Coggeshall, and Frank Doughty ; all of whom became useful ministers of the gospel, and did good work for their Saviour. Some have gone to their reward, while others are still working in the Lord's vine- yard.
The present officers of the church are Matthew West, Matthew Armour, Hiram Saxton, class-leaders; J. P. Crouch, William Cole, Newton Brown, James Jones, Thomas Jansen, William H. Mead, David Benedict, stew- ards ; J. B. Crouch, John Seabury, William Foster, John Cunning, Samnel E. Kidd, trustees.
The present membership of the church is about one hundred and fifty. A Sunday-school, in connection with the church, has an average membership of one hundred. John Seabury is its superintendent and treasurer, George West is secretary, and Charles P. Saxton is librarian.
The library contains about two hundred volumes.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF EAST GALWAY.
This church was an offshoot of the church at Rock City, and the first class was formed at the school-house in East
Galway, by Rev. J. B. Wood, in 1858. It was composed of some twenty or twenty-five members.
The first trustees were Philip Smith, William Cole, F. Walter, W. T. Crouch, S. V. R. White, Enos Mead, John Tubbs, Peter P. Smith, Pardon Allen ; the first class- Jeader was Philip Smith. The church was built and dedi- cated in 1859; Rev. Prof. Tayler- Lewis, of Troy, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church is thirty-two feet wide by forty-four feet long, will seat two hundred and fifty persons, and is valned at $3000.
The present officers are Theodore Allen, Zalmon Pull- ing, William Youngs, stewards; Banker Vedder, Philip Smith, class-leaders ; Jeremiah H. Bidwell, clerk of board of trustees.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GALWAY.
This society ranks among the first of the denomination in the State, and its house of worship is stated to have been the first erected in the State by this denomination. The society was formed June 11, 1814, and was composed of four members, viz. : William T. Wait, Pamchia Wait, Maxson Mosher, and Elisha Potter. The church elected Reuben Wait and Jacob Capron to the office of deacon in 1815, Arnold Chase in 1835, and Rowland Green and Amos Marihew in 1841. The most prominent among the, pastors of the church was Elder Maxson Mosher. He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry April 30, 1820, and preached to the society many years. Under his preaching in the winter and spring of 1840 seventy-five members were added to the church. The other ministers, who have officiated for longer or shorter periods, are J. S. Thompson, Jabez King, Philip Sanford, Richard Rider, Rufus D. Howes, George Burnham, Wellington Stearns, John Show- ers, D. M. Teller, D. P. Warner, William J. Iluyck, J. W. Burghdurf, and Joel Gallup.
The first house of worship was built in 1814, on Me- chanic street, about three miles north of Galway. As stated before, it was the first Christian church in the State of New York.
At the time when Second Adventism raged so wildly throughout the country, considerable trouble was caused this society by the course of some of its members, who em- braced the new doctrine and went off with it. In 1855 it was thought best to reorganize the society, and it was accomplished at a meeting held on the 25th of August ; Elders Richard Rider, Rufus D. Howes, and Charles I. Butler officiating. The reorganized society was composed of twenty-three members. Samuel G. Rider was elected elerk ; Restcom Hall deacon; Daniel T. Hart, Reuben Wait, and Hiram Wait trustees.
In 1845 a church was formed at Barkersville by thirteen members of this church. Several churches in different parts of the country have been organized by the influence of members of this church who removed from here. The church was repaired in 1861, at a cost of some $300 or $400. William J. Huyck and Mordecai Gifford were elected deacons in from 1857 to 1859.
The present officers are Jared P. Brockett, clerk ; Hamilton D. Jaynes, Samuel Mosher, and Daniel T. Hart, trustees ; Rev. Joel Gallup, pastor.
366
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
VIII .- BURIAL-PLACES.
These are numerous, and may be stated as follows: 1st. Near W. Curran's, at North Galway. 2d. Farther east, at the place of J. T. Armitage, near Mosherville. 3d. North, near the town line, at the place of B. McGovern. 4th. Northeast of Mosherville. 5th. South from York's Cor- ners, near J. O. Brian's. 6th. At South Galway. 7th. Southwest of Galway village, near the place of J. Bell. 8th. At West Galway, beyond the county line. 9th. North of Galway village. There are probably some other places of private burial.
IX .- PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.
Near the southeastern corner of the town a branch of the Mourning Kill rises, and runs eastwardly into the town of Ballston, finally emptying into the Kayadrossera Creek, near Ballston Spa. Where this ereek crosses the road a sort of embankment causes it in times of flood to overflow several acres of land, forming a small vlaie. This vlaie was onee the scene of a sanguinary combat between two hostile bands of Indians. Hon. George G. Scott, in his historieal address, delivered at Ballston Spa, July 4, 1876, thus al- ludes to it : " At a later date, hostile parties of the same Indians" ( Mohawks and Alyonquins, Hurons or Adiron- dacks) " had au encounter by the banks of a small stream near the line between Charlton and Galway, and nearly all the defeated party were slaughtered. For many years, even after the whites had begun to settle in the vicinity, the sur- vivors and kindred of the slain were accustomed to return to the spot upon the anniversary of the battle, and indulge in lamentations over the dead, according to the Indian cus- tom. This circumstance gave the creek the name of ' Mourning Kill,'* which it has ever since retained."
There was an Indian camping-ground not far from the place settled by William Kelly, and one family is said to have been seriously frightened by a visit received from their dusky neighbors. The man of the house, secing them coming, hid under the barn. The Indians noticed this evi- denee of his timidity, and, with the grim humor character- istie of the race, went into the house, procured a huge butcher-knife, and, coming to his hiding-place, ordered him to come forth, at the same time flourishing the dread instru- ment of death in the most approved and blood-thirsty style. Expecting nothing but a sudden and violent death, the trembling pioneer erept forth. His presence was the signal for a general war-whoop and a vigorous war-dance, in which he was forced unwillingly to participate, and during the continuance of which he momentarily expected to feel the stroke of knife or tomahawk. After having witnessed his trepidation and terror till their sense of humor was satis- fied, they explained to the settler that their intentions were friendly, and departed, laughing in their deep, guttural tones at the success of their joke.
X .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The people of this town are largely engaged in farming. Little wheat is raised, but large quantities of oats, corn, barley, rye, peas, beans, and buckwheat reward the toil of
" Kil, or Kill, is the Dutch name for creek.
the husbandman. Nearly all of the lands are under culti- vation, and the appearance of the farms and buildings gives token of the industry, thrift, and prosperity of the inhabi- tants. But little manufacturing is done within the town, and agriculture is the principal occupation of the inhabi- tants.
The manufacturing interests of Galway are not very ex- tensive. The water-power and facilities for manufacturing are quite limited. Among them we may mention a few of the most prominent.
Mosherville foundry and plow-shop is owned and run by William Cornell. It was built about 1847. Employs from two to five hands, and turns out about $3000 worth of plows each year. The manufactures consist of plows and shovel-plows.
Levi Parkis owns a grist-mill on Feegowesee creek, with two runs of stone for custom grinding and flouring.
On the same stream, a quarter of a mile lower down," Lansing & Son have a carriage-shop and grist-mill. They employ from three to five hands, and do any kind of work pertaining to these branches of business.
There is also a grist-mill at Hoesville, in the western part of the town, and a steam saw mill at York's Corners.
XI .- MILITARY RECORD.
In the War of 1812 the town had quite a number of soldiers, either for a longer or shorter period. No full lists were preserved. Lieut .- Col. Taylor names three from this town,-Ebenezer Olmstead, John McDonald, Wheeler Bradley.
During the Rebellion and in the year 1864 three meet- ings were held to provide means for filling the quota of troops under the calls of President Lincoln. The first was held April 2, 1864, and voted, by 188 to 19, to offer a bounty for volunteers. The second meeting was held July 27, 1864, and the vote was recorded as being 106 in favor of a bounty of from $300 to $600, 45 in favor of an un- specified bounty, and 2 against any bounty whatever. The third meeting, held on the 3d of September, voted, by an overwhelming majority, to pay to volunteers a bounty of $1000 each.
SOLDIERS OF 1861-65.
Merritt B. Allen, priv., Co. 11, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 5, 1862; d'sch. at close of the war ; lives at Burnt Ilills.
Samuel Allen, priv., Co. II, 153d N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862 ; died of disease at New Orleans, La.
Thomas Armer, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; killed at Fredericks- burg.
Gideon A. Austin, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; trans. to 77th Bat .; disch. at close of the war ; lives at Cohoes, N. Y.
Orville W. Austio, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Iuf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; trans. to 77th Bat .; disch. at close of the war; died since of disease contracted in the service.
Vernam Barber, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; en1. Aug. 7, 1862; died of dis- case in hospital at Washington, D. C., Dec. 7, 1862.
Ilenry Bertrand, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; died in the service.
George Bevin, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; pro. to corp .; died of disease at Petersburg, Va.
Henry Bonghton, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 30, 1862 ; died in the service. Henry Bolton, 44th N. Y. Inf.
Miles Bowen.
Smith Briggs, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl."Sept. 1, 1862; died in hospital, of wounds received at Cold Harbor, Va.
Michael Brosnahan, priv. ; enl. 1862; discharged ; lives in Charlton.
Iliramu Broughton, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 29, 1862; disch. at close of the war; living in Charlton.
.
LEWIS STONE.
AUGUSTUS L. STONE.
RESIDENCE OF A. L. STONE, GALWAY, NEW YORK.
367
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
John E. Cavert, priv. ; enl. 1802; discharged ; living in Galway.
Nicholus Cavert, wagoner, Co. 1, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; died of disease at Beaufort, S. C., in 1863.
James Clancy, priv. ; enl. 1862; discharged.
J. W. Clark, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 7, 1862 ; pro. to corp. ; died of wounds received at Derp Bottom, Va., Aug. 16, 1864.
John Clifford, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Milton. John Clifford, Jr., priv., 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Milton.
George Colony, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 4, 1862 ; died of disease at Hilton llead, S. C.
Almonte Crater, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .: enl. Aug. 1862; disch. with the regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at Ashtabula, Ohio.
David B. Crittenden, musician, Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 4, 1862; disch. with the regiment, July 2, 1865; living in Orleans Co., N. Y.
James Driscoll, musician, Co. A, 13th II. Art. ; enl. 1862; disch. at close of the war; living at Chillicothe, Ohio.
Richard Dunberg, priv .; enl. 1862; discharged ; living in Galway.
Charles S. Fisher, orderly sergt., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Ang. 2, 1862; killed at Fort Gilmer, Vu., Sept. 29, 1864.
Henry Fisher, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862; discharged; living in the west. Thomas Fitzgerald, priv .; enl. 1862; killed in battle.
Edward Fosmire, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; discharged ; living in Albany. Frederick Fuss, priv .; enl. 1862; discharged ; living in Galway.
William Foss, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; en1. Aug. 4, 1862; disch. with the regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at Galway.
Alonzo Hermance, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 2, 1862; disch. with the regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at Galway.
Alfred Hickok, priv. ; enl. Ang. 30, 1862 ; discharged ; living in Broadalbin.
John H. Hicks, priv .; enl. Sept. 7, 1862; disch. at close of the war; died in Providence, Aug. 1877.
John P. Hudson, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861 ; discharged ; living in Galway.
Nathan B. Hudson, priv .; enl. 1862; discharged ; living in the west.
John Ilunter, priv., Co. C, 115thi N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; disch, with the regiment, July 2, 1805; living in Saratoga.
James Ireland, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862.
William Ireland, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; lives in New York State.
Robert Kelly, priv, Co. 11, 153d N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 8, 1862; pro. to corp .; disch. on account of wounds; living in Galway.
Oliver Lansing, priv .; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; discharged ; living in Galway. William Leach, priv .; enl. Ang. 1862.
Everts Lingenfelter, priv. ; enl. 1862; discharged ; living at Amsterdam.
John Lowry, musician, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1861; disch. for disa- bility, May, 1862 ; living at Galway.
Joel McCouchie, priv., Co. 11, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861 ; discharged; killed in Galway, Ang. 1877, by being crushed beneath a horse-power.
Terence McGovern, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf .; ent. Sept. 1, 1802; disch. at expira- tion of term; living in Galway.
Thomas McGovern, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. at expira- tion of term ; died in Michigan since the war.
Alonzo MeKee, priv .; enl. 1861 ; discharged ; removed to Scholarie Co.
Samuel MeKinney, priv .; enl. 1862; died of wounds.
Ezra McOmber, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. I, 1862; disch. at close of the war ; living in Iowa.
George A. McOmber, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. with the regiment ; living in Galway.
Simeon D. Mirandeville, priv., 4th N. Y. Iof .; enl. 1801; discharged ; living at Galway.
Ilenry Morgan, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; living in Galway; was wounded at battles of Winchester and Petersburg, Va. Charles Mow, priv .; en !. 1862; discharged; living in Galway.
John C. Mow, priv .. 32d N. Y. Inf .; eul. 1861; disch. with the regiment ; living in Montgomery county.
James Norris, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Troy.
John Norris, priv., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 7, 1862; disch, at close of war; living in Gulway.
Benj. C. Northrup, priv .; enl. Aug. 28, 1862; discharged; living in Galway.
Wul. Orr, sergt., Co. II, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 8, 1862; disch. for disability ; living in Nebraska.
Charles Ostrander, priv .; enl. Sept. 6, 1862 ; died in the service.
Calvin W. Preston, musician, 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862; discharged; living io Galveston, Texas.
Frederick W. Putzar, priv .; Co. II, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 5, 1862; died in rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga.
Frederick Quant, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; pro. to Bergt .; disch, at close of war; living in Galway.
Patrick Ready, priv .; enl. 1862; died of wounds.
James Reese, priv., 32d N. Y. Tuf .; en1. 1861; killed in the service.
James Reese, Jr., priv., 44th N. Y. Inf .; enl. 1862; discharged; died since the war.
Matthew Relyea, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch, with regiment ; living in Ballston.
Wm. Relyea, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; lost a leg at Fred- ericksburg; disch, for disability ; living in Milton.
Jolio L. Root, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf .; ent. 1862; died of wounds received at the battle of the Wilderness, Ya., in 1864.
Seth B. Root, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; trans. to 77th Vet. B.it .; disch. at close of war; living in Galway.
John Rubach, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf .; en1. 1861 ; re-enl. in 2d Yet. Cav .; disch. at close of war; living in Galway.
Simon Ryan, priv., Co. A, 13th II. Art .; enl. 1862 ; disch. at close of war; living in Fairport, Monroe Co.
Daniel Shayne, priv .; enl. 1861 ; discharged; living in Illinois.
Thomas Shayne, priv., Co. A, 13th II. Art .; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; removed to Ohio, and has since died of consumption.
Michael Sheeby, priv .; enl. 1861; discharged ; living in Ballston.
Lucius E. Shurtleff, 2d lient., Co. G, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861; appointed q .- nı .; resigned; lost at sea.
John A. Smith, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 9, 1862; pro, to corp. ; disch, with regt. ; lives in Illinois.
Wm. Sullivan, priv .; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Schenectady.
Henry Tanner, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; died in the service.
Wul. Tompkins, lieut., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; en !. Aug. 2, 1862 ; killed at battle of Olustee, Fla.
W'm. Turner, priv .; enl. 1861 ; discharged ; living in Perth.
Cornelius Tymeson, enl. 1862; living in Galway.
Eldert Tymeson, died in the service.
Charles F. Wait, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; disch, with regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living in Galway.
George W. Welch, musician, Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861.
John W. Whitmarsh, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf .; ent. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. nt close of war; living in Illinois.
Walter W. Zears, enl. Sept. 1, 1862.
Charles Cornell, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861.
James Cowhey, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861 ; discharged ; living in Stillwater.
Charles II. Crouch, priv., Co. HI, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 18/1. Christopher Hyer, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861.
Lyman E. Miller, corp., Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861. Wol. R. Miller, priv., Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861. W. W. Milliman, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enI. Nov. 1861. C. Palmateer, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861.
Horace A. Post, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf .; eol. Nov. 1861.
John Shear, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Nov. 1861.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JUDGE LEWIS STONE AND HIS SON, AUGUS- TUS L.
Judge Lewis Stone was born in Monmouth Co., N. J., Dec. 28, 1779, and removed to New York city when about five years of age. At the age of fifteen he made a visit to Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., to see an unele, and was so delighted with the country that he was induced to remain. At this early age he commenced as an apprentice at the carpenter and joiner trade. He was engaged as a mechanie on the Erie canal when it was being built, and later on the Delaware and Hudson canal. During a portion of this time he was a contractor, and was successful. When about fifty years of age he returned to Galway, and ever after made it his home.
He married Miss Sally Warren, a native of Connecticut, Jan. 6, 1800. Miss Warren was born May 16, 1783. By this happy union eight children were born to them, namely, Ulysses L., Sally, Augustus L., Ann M., Augusta L., Caro- line M., Eliza Jane, and Lucien L. Of this large family only Augustus L. and Ann M. are living. Judge Stone settled two miles west of Galway, and owned a farm of some two hundred acres.
Iu politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. He held the offices of supervisor of his town and associate justice of the county court. He and his wife were men- bers of the Presbyterian church.
368
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
After a long life of usefulness, Judge Stone died May 27, 1858. Mrs. Stone died Oet. 19, 1857. Their son, Augustus L., was born in Galway, Sept. 27, 1804. He was reared on a farm until he was about eighteen years of age, when he commenced working with his father on the Delaware and Hudson canal. He continued at this or similar business for some thirty years, the greater part of the time as contractor and builder. He was superintendent of the first railroad ever built in the State. He married Miss Sally Ann Foster, May 25, 1825. She was born in Galway, May II, 1809. By this alliance one son, Charles H., was born. Mr. Stone purchased his present home in 1855, a fine view of which, with portraits of himself and father above, may be seen in another part of this work. In politics Mr. Stone is a Republican.
Mrs. Stone was a lady greatly respected by her neighbors. She passed away Nov. 30, 1873. Mr. Stone is now about seventy-four years of age, hale and hearty, surrounded by all the comforts of a happy home.
THOMAS MAIRS.
The subject of this sketch traees his descent from a Scotch-Irish origin, a combination of national characteris- ties, energy, and intellectual ability that has done much for the advancement of civilization and the best interests of society. His parents were from the north of Ireland, and emigrated to this country about the year 1790, settling in Argyle, where they passed the remainder of their days.
Thomas, their youngest son, was born in Argyle, Wash- ington Co., in April, 1804, and left home when about twenty years of age to engage in mereantile pursuits, no suitable opportunity offering in his native town. He went to Galway, Saratoga Co., where his uncle, the Rev. James Mairs, a talented and widely-known minister, resided, and through whose influence he obtained a situation as elerk with General Earl Stinsom, who at that time was largely en- gaged in mercantile as well as agricultural pursuits. Thomas entered upon his new occupation with zeal and energy, and soon became popular with all who knew him. After clerk- ing for three years he entered into partnership with Mr.
Stinsom, the only capital which he furnished being his thorough knowledge of the business. This partnership continued for a number of years, was successful, and closed satisfactorily. Subsequently, Mr. Mairs purchased the in- terest of Mr. Stinsom, and also the store in Galway, which lie replaced with a fine new building, and where he has continued business fifty years with different partners. The rules to which Mr. Mairs rigidly adhered in his business, and which have proved the foundation of his success, were never to recommend an article to be different from what it was, and to treat all alike in selling his goods, not taking advantage of a customer's ignorance.
In 1833, Mr. Mairs married Emma Thompson, eldest daughter of Dr. Nathan Thompson and granddaughter of Judge John Thompson, one of the early settlers of the county. They had six children, of whom three are living, -- one son and two daughters. His wife died in 1871.
During the course of a long and active life, Mr. Mairs has been prominently identified with the educational and material development of his locality. He was one of the first subscribers to the fund which was raised to establish the Galway Academy, and was untiring in his devotion to its interests, being a trustee during the whole time of its existence.
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