USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 30
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In the fall of 1836 Mr. Foster was appointed tutor in Union College, and was placed in charge of the building called West College. The fresh- man and sophomore classes were domiciled at this building, and Tutor Foster's duty was to look after these two classes. For about a year he held this place, and then, having an offer to take charge of the North Pearl Street Academy for Boys in Al- bany, he spent about a year in this work; but in the winter of 1838 he returned to Union Col- lege, and took charge again of West College. He had classes in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and conic sections, and besides this he taught classes in Latin and Greek. After the death of Pro- fessor Edward Savage in 1840, Mr. Foster was ap- pointed Adjunct-Professor of Natural Philosophy, and gave instructions in the "Cambridge Mechan- ics." Soon after he began to give lectures to vol- untary classes on electricity, magnetism, galvanism, electro-magnetism and acoustics. These subjects were subsequently added to the regular course, and on these Professor Foster has continued to give lectures. He also issued for the use of his classes a syllabus of his lectures, which forms a text-book on the subject. About 1842 Professor Foster organized a voluntary class, to whom he taught astronomy and surveying and leveling. This led to the establishment in 1845 of the De- partment of Civil Engineering, to which Professor W. M. Gillespie was appointed.
In the spring of 1867 Professor Foster visited Europe. He visited the Universities of Bonn, Heidelberg, Munich and Zurich, and spent consid-
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erable time at Paris. After his return he devoted himself to building up the scientific apparatus of his department. He obtained from the graduates of the college, mostly his old students, about $5,000, which he spent in the purchase of appa- ratus. He visited Europe again in 1874, author- ized by the Board of Trustees to expend $6,000 in physical apparatus. He visited the principal workshops of London and Paris, making selections and giving orders. After an extended tour he returned with such a variety of new and useful apparatus as to place the collection of Union College among the best in the country.
Among the students who have passed under his instruction he has a reputation as a teacher of unusual force. Being himself a man of great industry, he expects and usually secures a large amount of good work from his pupils. He is genial in his temperament, and kind-hearted and ready to advise and help those who come to him. Professor Foster was made Doctor of Laws in 1872 by the University of the City of New York.
JONATHAN PEARSON, A. M., is by lineage an alien to the Dutch community whose annals he has so diligently explored. His descent can be traced through seven generations from the Puritan Fathers of New England.
At some time previous to 1643, John Pearson, an English carpenter, settled in the town of Rowley, Essex County, Mass. There he erected a fulling mill, and became the first manufacturer of cloth in the infant colony. He was evidently a substantial and leading citizen. He died near the close of the century. The family record for two hundred years, with its scriptural names, reads like a genealogical chapter in the Old Testament.
Caleb Pearson, the grandfather of Professor Pear- son, served through the revolutionary war. After its close he settled in Chichester, N. H., where, February 23, 1813, Jonathan was born. When he was 18 years of age his father removed to Schenec- tady, N. Y. Jonathan had previously secured a preparatory education at Dover, Pembroke, and New Hampton, in the vicinity of his former home. In January, 1832, he entered Union College, and graduated with honor in 1835. The following year he was appointed tutor, and in 1839 Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. In 1849 he was elected Professor of Natural History, and in 1873 was transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Botany, where he still serves. Thus, for more than half a century his life has been incorporated with the life of his Alma Mater.
In addition to the work of his department of in- struction, other onerous and responsible duties have devolved upon him. Since 1854 he has been Treasurer of the College, having in charge its varied and intricate financial interests. For years he has also held the office of Librarian, and has de- voted a vast amount of time and labor to the puz- zling and petty details of that trying vocation. The preparation of the general catalogue of the college has always devolved upon him, and he has repaid the affectionate esteem of thousands of alumni by
maintaining a constant interest in their individual fortunes. His mind is an encyclopedia of facts concerning the sons of Old Union. His diverse services is sufficient proof of his versatility and tire- less industry.
His antiquarian researches have been the recrea- tions of a busy life. The task of exploring the scattered and puzzling records of the Dutch families who founded the settlements at Albany and along the Mohawk Valley was one of unusual difficulty. He continued his labors in this field through many years. He first transcribed, translated, and collated the records of the Dutch Church in Schenectady. Having mastered the provincial dialect, he per- formed a similar work upon the records of the Dutch Church in Albany, and also of the County Clerk's Office. The results of these studies, and others of a like character, are embodied in his his- tories of the old families of Schenectady and Albany, published years ago, and to some extent in this history.
It would be indelicate, in a sketch published during the lifetime of Professor Pearson, to refer to those incidents which belong more especially to his private and domestic life, or to those qualities which have endeared him to his more intimate per- sonal friends. He has been for many years a faith- ful and active member of the Baptist Church, trusted and revered by all. As a son, a husband, and a father, his relations have been too tender and sacred to permit of comment here. Those who may survive him, and have shared and prized his friendship, will wonder that they did not prize it more, when the genial and unobtrusive presence lives only in memory or immortal hope.
PRINTERS AND NEWSPAPERS.
The first printers in Schenectady were Cornelius P. Wyckoff and Brokaw, about the year 1792. Their office was on the south corner of State and Washington streets. This firm continued until 1795, when Brokaw went out and Wyckoff continued the business alone.
The first newspaper printed in Schenectady was called
The Mohawk Mercury. It was published as early as February, 1796, and as late as 1798. It was probably started by C. P. Wyckoff, who pub- lished it as late as December, 1797. Some time, probably in 1798, Wyckoff was succeeded in his business by John L. Stevenson. Whether Stevenson continued to publish the Mohawk Mercury is not known.
The Schenectady Gazette began to be published by J. L. Stevenson, January 6, 1799, on the corner of Albany (State) and Ferry streets, and December 20, 1802, he gave it the more comprehensive name of
The Western Spectator and Schenectady Weekly Advertiser, which was continued as late as May 23, 1807, when he removed his printing office to Union street, a few doors west of the Dutch Church, and discontinued the paper.
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The Western Budget was issued by Van Veghten & Son, at No. 10 Union street, the next month following the discontinuance of the Western Spec- tator. The Budget continued three years, and the last year was issued by Isaac Riggs, and at about the same time, June, 1807, Ryer S. Schermerhorn began the publication of
The Mohawk Advertiser, and continued it at least three years, and was succeeded by T. John- son, who published it for W. S. Buel, at his book- store, near the corner of State and Ferry streets. Schermerhorn was the first native printer, and fol- lowed his trade for many years. He kept a small supply of books on sale at his office, and among publications which he issued was an edition of Smith's History of the State of New York, with ad- ditions.
The Western Budget was continued by Isaac Riggs until June, 1810, when he changed the name to the
Schenectady Cabnet. In 1814 Isaac Stevens was associated with him for a short time, occupying No. 2 Cook's Row (No. 34), Ferry street. Thence he removed to No. 23 Union street, next. east of the Dutch Church, which he occupied until his death as a dwelling, and for many years his print- ing office was under the same roof. In 1837 he was succeeded by his son, Stephen S. Riggs, who changed the name of the Cabnet to
Freedom's Sentinel, under which name he con- tinued the paper until January, 1843, when he resumed the former name, calling the paper the
Schenectady Cabnet and Freedom's Sentinel, which name it bore until January 1, 1850, when it was again called the Schenectady Cabnet, and until it ceased to be published January 1, 1856.
The Miscellaneous Cabinet, a weekly publication of eight pages octavo, was begun in July, 1823, Isaac Riggs, printer. The first twenty-four num- bers are in Union College Library. Its contents were mainly literary selections, and original pro- ductions written mostly by the students of the college.
The Mohawk Sentinel was begun June 24, 1824. It was printed by G. Ritchie, Jr., at the sign of Faust and Franklin's head, Ferry street, and is said to have been edited by Archibald L. Linn, then a young lawyer of the city. This paper advocated the election of Mr. Crawford for the Presidency.
The Protestant Sentinel began June 11, 1830, and was printed and published by Rev. John Max- on, at No. 39 State street (now 64 and 66). It continued there but a few years and then removed elsewhere. It was understood to be the organ of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.
Schenectady County Whig .- This paper was com- menced November 1, 1830, at 34 Ferry street, by C. G. & A. Palmer, and continued till October, 1834, when the paper and all the appurtenances of the printing office were sold to Nathan Stone, who, on the 18th of November following, assigned the paper to Giles F. Yates, Esq.
Stone was the owner of the " Schenectady Book- store," on the west corner of State street and Mill lane. He published the Whig, at 77 State street, for ten weeks, the last number being issued De- cember 30th. Its direct descendant was
The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat, the first number of which was issued January 1, 1835. Mr. Yates made this a very entertaining family paper. During 1835-6 he published many valuable articles of an antiquarian and historical character. It was printed by Robert P. Paine, on the west corner of State street and Mill lane. In July, 1835, the printing was done by Yates & Cook, the latter being associated with G. F. Yates. July 1, 1838, E. H. Kincaid became proprietor of the Reflector for the next three and a half years, when, February 5, 1841, Abraham A. Keyser purchased it at the commencement of Vol. VII., and David Cady Smith was associated with him as editor.
The Schenectady and Saratoga Standard was pub- lished about the year 1833, at 96 Washington street, by Israel Sackett, printer, with Thomas Jef- ferson Sutherland, attorney at law, No. 14 Ferry street, as editor. Its principles were anti-masonic. After the first year the name was changed to The Saratoga and Schenectady Standard, and it was pub- lished in Ballston by the same printer.
The Wreath, " devoted to polite literature, " was commenced November 22, 1834, by William H. Burleigh, proprietor and editor; Isaac Riggs, printer. It was a half-monthly of forty pages, and was issued about six months. During this time its name was changed to The Literary Journal, " a re- pository of public literature and fine arts." It was published in Albany, Troy and Schenectady, and numbered consecutively with the Wreath, and con- tinued until June, 1835, perhaps a little longer. The articles were chiefly original.
The Mohawker was published by Riggs & Norris in 1835.
The Schenectady Star was published by Jesse & Daniel Stone, and this partnership was dissolved in October, 1835.
The Antiquarian and General Review, a monthly magazine, mainly of a religious character, edited and published by Rev. Wm. Arthur (father of President Arthur), was begun in 1845 and continued two years, making two thin octavo volumes.
Freeman's Banner, a political paper, was published during the presidential campaign of 1848. It was the organ of the party known as the " Barn-burn- ers:" It was edited and published by Judge Platt Potter.
The Daily Ancient City was the first daily paper issued in this city, and commenced in 1852 by Mr. Riggs. It lived only a few months.
The Schenectady Democrat was begun January 3, 1854, by William H. Coulbourne and W. N. Clark. In 1857 it was sold to A. J. Thompson, and in April, 1859, to Cyrus Thayer, and united with the Reflector October, 1860, The united paper was called The Schenectady Reflector and
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Democrat. It was published in 1864 at No. 134 State street.
The Morning Star was the first successful daily established in this city. Its first issue appeared February 24, 1855. It was edited and published by Walter N. Clark and Wm. M. Colbourne. Sep- tember 17th of the same year its time of issue was changed from morning to evening and was called the Evening Star. March 5, 1857, the firm of Colborne & Clark was dissolved, and Mr. Colborne took entire charge. During this year Isaac M. Gregory, now managing editor of the New York Graphic, was associated with Coulbourne in editing this paper.
About 1861 Mr. Colborne sold the paper to H. L. Grose, of Ballston, who conducted it until 1863, when it was sold to Wm. D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory. During the following year Mr. Gregory sold his interest to Davis, who continued proprietor till 1865, when the paper was sold to J. J. Marlette, under whose management it has re- mained ever since, Since 1876 the publishing de- partment has been under the management of A. A. Marlette. Preceding its sale to Mr. Marlette the Star had been Republican in politics, but since its sale in 1865 it has been an organ of the Democratic party. In 1880, when the Morning Gazette was discontinued, that paper was purchased by the pro- prietor of the Star, and for a time the name Schenectady Evening Star and Gazette was as- sumed, but was soon after changed to the original name of the Schenectady Evening Star.
The Schenectady Republican, a weekly made out of the Evening Star, was commenced in Septem- ber, 1857, by Wm. M. Colborne, with Judson S. Landon as editor.
The Schenectady Daily News was begun April, 1859, by I. W. Hoffman and E. F. Loveridge, and expired June, 1861.
The Railsplitter, a political weekly paper, was published a few months during the fall of 1860.
The Schenectady Daily Times was commenced January, 1861, and united with the Evening Star, in June of the same year, under the name of the Schenectady Daily Evening Star and Times, and was published in 1864 by W. D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory, at No. 170 State street.
In 1865 Mr. Davis, who was then sole proprie- tor, sold it to J. J. Marlette.
The Schenectady Evening Star .- A history of the paper will be found in the account of The Morning Star.
The Schenectady Daily Union was started in No- vember, 1865, by Charles Stanford. During the exciting political events of this period, the Repub- lican party had no organ in this city, and this paper was started to meet this want. Col. S. G. Hamlin was long connected with it as managing editor, being succeeded by Welton Stanford; Orvil F. Vedder was managing editor from April, 1882, to October 31, 1883, when it was sold to John A. Sleicher. May 15, 1884, it was sold to its present publisher, George W. Cottrell.
The Dorpian was published in 1867. It was edited by A. A. Marlette and A. W. Kelly. Its publication was continued but a few months.
The Schenectady Gazette, a weekly paper, was be- gun in 1869 by W. N. Thayer. In 1872 James H. Wiseman and Harman Seymour were the pub- lishers. In 1874 it was purchased by G. W. Mar- lette and Wm. H. Lee. Mr. Lee subsequently withdrew from the partnership, since which time it has been published by Mr. Marlette.
The Deutscher Anzeiger, a weekly, published in the German language, was commenced by Ernst Knauer, at 176 State street, August 22, 1873, and is still published by the original proprietor.
The Schenectady Daily Gazette was started by the proprietor of The Weekly Gazette, January I, 1879, and ceased to be issued July 28, 1880, when it was sold and united with The Schenectady Even- ing Star.
The Schenectady Weekly Union, made out of The Schenectady Daily Union, was started in con- nection with the daily in 1865, and has been pub- lished ever since.
The Locomotive Firemen Monthly Journal was first published in 1872 under the direction of the Inter- national Union of Locomotive Engineers. It was edited by Henry Hoffman until 1878, when it was discontinued.
PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS FROM UNION COLLEGE.
The Floriad, published by the students of Union College in 1811. Vol. I., Nos. 1-15, is in the Boston Public Library.
The Students' Album, commenced in 1827, con- tained essays and tales, scientific items, and notices of new works. It was published half monthly by Isaac Riggs, at No. 10 Union street, and probably continued about six months. It was of 8º size, and each number contained 16 pp.
The Parthenon and Academian's Magazine. It began in 1832, and continued two years, forming two volumes 8º. Nine monthly numbers a year were issued.
The Censor was published from November, 1833, to May, 1834, one number each month, 8º.
The Union College Magazine was commenced in June, 1860, and was continued, with some inter- ruptions, until June, 1875. It was published under the joint auspices of the Philomathian, Adelphic, and Theological Societies, two editors being appointed by each. It was a very creditable publication.
One number appeared each college session, or three a year. In the third year there was begun a series of portraits, one in each number, of distinguished men once connected with the college.
The College Spectator, a monthly publication, 4º, began April, 1872, and continued until De- cember, 1875.
The Concordiensis succeeded the Spectator in November, 1877, and now continues.
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
The Scroll began its publication in 1849. In May, 1850, its form was made smaller.
Several other fugitive publications, such as The Unonian, etc., have been issued from time to time, but soon ceased.
J. J. MARLETTE, editor of The Evening Star and Weekly Reflector, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1822, and received his education at district schools. He came to this county in 1837, and to the city in 1852. He became connected with the Star in 1865. He has always taken a deep interest in public education and was for many years a leading member of the Board of Education of the city.
LOUIS C. BEATTIE was born in Chicago, Ill., No- vember 9, 1856, removing to Schenectady in 1864. He received his education at public schools and Union College, and was admitted to the Bar in 1877. He then followed his profession in New York, returning to Schenectady in 1883, since which time he has been on the staff of The Daily Union and The Evening Star. Gifted with keen perception and a ready pen, his work is highly valuable.
MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
The first medical society of the county of Sche- nectady was organized in Schenectady, June 11, 1810.
The society was formed under an act passed by the Legislature of New York, April 4, 1806, en- titled "An act to incorporate medical societies for the purposes of regulating the practice of physic and surgery." The physicians and surgeons of each county of the State being thus empowered to join themselves into societies, those of this county met on the day first above given and enacted their by- laws and regulations. Under such, the society was to consist of a "President, Vice-President, Secre- tary, Treasurer, and not less than three nor more than five Censors, to be chosen by ballot annually at the anniversary meeting of the society." The president was " to preside at all meetings, preserve order, put all questions, declare the decisions of the society, and in case of an equal division shall have the casting vote; he shall also appoint all commit- tees, unless the society choose to appoint them by special resolution."
Article 5th provided that the "Censors shall meet whenever notified * * * to examine all students in Anatomy, Physiology, Surgery, Mid- wifery, Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Theory and Practice of Physic and Chemistry." Not less than three censors to form such examining board.
By article 6th, the stated meetings of the society were to be held on the "second Tuesday in June, September, December and March," at 10 o'clock A. M. Special meetings could be held though at any time "when the President, at the request of two of the members, shall order the Secretary to send to each member a notification " of the inten- tion of such meeting. Not less than five members constituted a quorum. A student, successful in his examinations before the Censors, received, upon
the payment of two dollars, and signing the declara- tion prescribed by the State Medical Society, his diploma. It cost one dollar to become a member, and the annual dues were two dollars, payable quarterly, and for non-attendance at the stated meetings a fine of $1.00 was levied.
We quote article 12th, as follows: "Any mem- ber who shall be convicted of base or dishonorable practices, tending to bring dishonor on himself or the profession, shall be expelled." From this it is uncertain whether "convicted " applied to a regular trial and conviction by civic or military authority, or whether it concerned only such "dis- honorable practices " as could be adjudicated by the original society.
To these by-laws and regulations the following names are signed: Thos. Dunlap, Dan'l J. Toll, Alex. G. Fonda, Cornl Vrooman, Robt. M. G. Walmsley, Abraham D'Lamater, John Wood, Dan'l McDougall, P. B. Noxon (?), J. J. Berkley, E. B. Sprague, J. W. Conklin, Stephen Reming- ton, Jno. B. Judson, Arch'd W. Adams, David Low, Joseph Koon, J. C. Magoffin, John S. L. Tonelier, Benj. F. Joslin, Edw'd H. Wheeler, Abram W. Van Woert, Edgar Fonda, A. J. Prime, Andrew Truax, L. Sprague, James Chandler, Orasmus Squire (living 1885), A. M. Vedder, Benj'n Weeks, John S. Crawford, N. Marselis, J. Stackpole, Edwin A. Young.
As we have stated, the society was organized June 10, 1810. Its first meeting was held the next day "at the Court Room," and Archibald H. Adams was elected President ; William Anderson, Vice- President ; Alexander G. Fonda, Secretary ; and Dr. Corns. Vrooman, Treasurer ; Doctors Thomas Dunlap, Alexander G. Fonda, and Corns. Vrooman were the Committee upon the Code of Laws, and it was resolved that they meet "annually, the second Tuesday in June, at 2 o'clock P. M., in the Court Room, * * * which time shall forever thereafter be the anniversary meeting " of the society. Ad- journment was had until the following day, when the Code of Laws was adopted, and Doctors Vrooman, Anderson, Dunlap, Daniel Toll and Abram Delamater were elected Censors. Daniel McDougall was "unanimously chosen as a suit- able person to attend the lectures in the City of New York on the different branches of medicine." An adjournment was then taken until September 11, 1810. This quarterly meeting was held at the " House of James Rogers, innkeeper." Joseph F. Yates was examined and admitted to practice Physic and Surgery, and Drs. Toll, Fonda and Dunlap were appointed a committee to revise the by-laws, to report at the next quarterly meeting to be held December 10, to which time adjournment was then taken, and on that date the society met at the house of Dr. Vrooman. The committee upon the revision reported, and their report rati- fied. Dr. Archibald H. Adams was elected a delegate to the State Society, and Christopher T. Fonda examined and admitted to practice.
At a special meeting, held at the Court House, March 19, 1811, Daniel J. Toll was elected Treas- urer, in place of Cornelius Vrooman, deceased,
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and Daniel McDougall became a member of the profession.
The first anniversary meeting " was held Tues- day, June 11, 1811, at 2 o'clock P. M., at the Court Room," and Daniel J. Toll elected Presi- dent ; Robert M. G. Walmsley, Vice-President ; Alexander G. Fonda, Secretary ; and Daniel J. Toll, Treasurer; and Doctors A. G. Fonda, Daniel J. Toll, R. M. G. Walmsley, Abram Delamater, and Thomas Dunlap, Censors; and Dr. Toll, a delegate to the State Society. Doctors Daniel McDougall, McClearg, Brown, Wood, and Christopher G. Fonda were proposed as members of the society.
At the anniversary held one year later, June 11, 1812, at the Court Room, Dr. Toll was elected President ; Dr. Walmsley; Vice-President; and Dr. Fonda, Secretary and Treasurer ; and Doctors Toll, Walmsley, Delamater, Fonda, and Wood, Censors. The gentlemen whose names were proposed at the last meeting were admitted as members, and Dr. A. G. Fonda was sent as dele- gate to the State Society. Doctors Jno. Dodge and Lyman Carpenter were proposed as members of the society.
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