USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 34
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Dr. Truax was successful in business. Ever attentive to all duties, he was economical, but never penurious. His reputation for all those qualities which characterize the honorable, upright man of affairs was well known, and as a citizen his virtues were as conspicuous as his honor. IIe was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, courteous to all, whether high or low. His words were few, but to the point. No appeal for charity, when the object was deserving, was made to him in vain. Many an aching heart was made glad by his kindly hand, and many a poor soul, whose necessities he re- lieved, felt, at his death, that a faithful friend was gone. Like his life, his charities were unostenta- tious, and in this he but obeyed the promptings
of his noble heart, which turned from vain display. He never married. Although not a professor of religion, he was a faithful attendant at the First Reformed Church. His friendship was steadfast. and the many who knew him will respect his memory while they live.
ED. L DAVIS. druggist. began business in Sche- nectady in 1881, and has a flourishing trade.
G. A. F. STEINFUEHER has sustained a prosperous business in the drug trade for some years, and well merits the extensive patronage he controls.
FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING. - The present firm of ALBERT BROWN & SON, 154 State street, up- holsterers and furniture manufacturers and under- takers, is the outcome of the business established by Albert Brown in 1829 in the Lassell building. In 1830, Mr. Brown bought the cabinet shop of Nicholas Yates. State street, and occupied it until - 1833, when he leased the store of Cornelius Groot, subsequently Vedder & Co. Six years later he was burned out, and then leased the Doty Block. In 1857 he moved into the I. I. Truax Block across the way, remaining there until 1872. His son, Clinton C., purchased Fuller's Hotel, corner State · and Dock streets, and converted it into the present establishment, to which place Mr. Brown removed October 1, 1872. During the years from 1872 to 1882, the firm was known as Albert Brown, A. & E. Brown, A. Brown & Son, Albert Brown and A. Brown & Son, under which head it still exists. Since the death of Mr. Brown, March 6, 1882, the business has been conducted by Clinton C. Brown. Mr. George Harding has been with the house since February 16, 1843.
The semi-centennial of Mr. Albert Brown's busi- ness life, April 10, 1879, was a memorable event in the history of Schenectady.
In 1849, CHARLES N. YATES learned his trade of Albert Brown, in the same building now occupied by the former. Mr. Yates during the years 1849- 50-51 was with his father, Nicholas Yates, at 27 Front street. After several business changes, Mr. Yates purchased his present property, 62, 68, 70 and 72 State street, and engaged in the wholesale and retail furniture and upholstering business, where he has since remained. He also manufac- tures, from the raw stuff, any custom work ordered. Fifteen males are employed, and their productions reach Saratoga and Montgomery Counties. The undertaking department is in charge of Mr. J. S. Timeson. A son of the proprietor, M. De Forest Yates, is associated with the business.
The establishment of LEVI T. CLUTE, hatter and furrier, 101 State street, was founded in 1839 by his father, William H. Clute, and Levi W. Teller, under the firm name of Clute & Teller. They were then located at 96 State street. Mr. Teller died in 1861, and the business was carried on by Wm. H. Clute until 1867, when Levi T. was added, the firm name becoming W. II. Clute & Son. The firm remained without change until 1871, the year of Mr. Clute's death, since which time Levi 'T. Clute has conducted the most extensive business
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159
CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- INDUSTRIES.
in the line of hats, caps, furs, robes, trunks and satchels in the county.
JAMES SANDERS, importer and dealer in watches and jewelry, 109 State street, has been established for about forty years. The store is 30 x 90 feet in extent, is richly fitted up, and presents an attractive appearance. Mr. Sanders also deals in clocks, spectacles and eve-glasses. He is also sole agent for the Charles E. Jacot watches.
J. V. VROOMAN has been a dealer in stoves, hardware, tinware, etc., and a plumber, gas and steam-fitter since 1854, the year he established his present business There has been no change in the firm name since the admission of his son, W. C. Vrooman, when the name was changed to J. V. Vrooman & Son.
Their premises at 64 and 66 State street are 28 x 106 feet in extent, and three stories high. The first floor is devoted to general retail purposes. In the mechanical department from fifteen to twenty men are employed in plumbing, gas and steam-fitting, tin 'and sheet metal-working, etc. Buildings are fitted up for steam heating at high or low pressure.
W. J. SWITS, 136 and 138 State street, hardware merchant, is a well known business man of the city. He also deals in house furnishing goods, stoves and agricultural implements, and all kinds of metal work is done to order.
CLARK WITBECK is a wholesale dealer in hard- ware, cutlery, iron, steel, farming and agricultural implements, at 217 State street. The annual out- put is large, and his trade extends throughout a large section of country.
The establishment of LEVI W. CASE, copper- smith, gas and-steam fitter, 12 and 14 Warren street, was founded in 1849. The shop is of brick, two stories high and 60 x 50 feet in dimensions. It is equipped with proper machinery, which is driven by a stationary steam engine. From twelve to fifteen skilled workmen are employed. A specialty is fit- ting up public buildings, factories, dwellings, etc., for heating by steam at high or low pressure. In addition to the manufacturing and jobbing depart- ment, Mr. Case also deals in pipe, fittings, cocks, rubber hose, drive-well pipes, drain and sewer pipe, drive-well pumps, steam radiators, etc.
J. W. McMULLEN, marble and granite dealer, 7 State street, purchased in 1871 his present estab- lishment of Mr. F. Kinney, who founded it in about 1855. The premises are 60 x 150 feet, the front portion being used as a shop and the rear as a yard for storage. Mantels, windows, caps, monumental and other architectural work of all kinds are produced. Mr. McMullen was born and reared in Albany, where he resided until his re- moval here, about fourteen years ago.
For twenty-one years previous to 1876. J. H. BAME was engaged in the livery business in this city. During that year he retired from that business and became a dealer în carriages, harness, robes, horse clothing, etc., locating in the Bame block, corner of Centre and Liberty streets. He built and owns the block, of which he occupies a part.
He also lets money on real estate, and buys and sells horses.
In 1852, Mr. E. I .. Freeman came here from Chenango County, and succeeded Mr. Jonathan Crane as a dealer in paints, oils, glass, putty, etc., locating at 18 Wall street. Mr. Crane established the firm about 1840. Shortly after Mr. Freeman purchased the business his two brothers were added, under the style of F. L. Freeman & Co., which continued without change until 1874, when Mr. E. L. Freeman died.
Jonathan R. Freeman and A. T. Freeman then formed the present firm, FREEMAN BROTHERS. Their trade is wholesale and retail, and their stock em- braces everything legitimately connected therewith.
JAMES W. DARROW & Co. (Gerardus Smith), coal and wood dealers, office, 110 Centre Street, com- menced in 1878. The large yard on Ferry street, near the canal, has good facilities for receiving the coal and shipping it in large quantities; the yard on Centre street is convenient for delivery through the city. Both yards are fully equipped with necessary sheds and screens.
ANDREW MCMULLEN, coal, wood, lime, ce- ment, broom-handles, etc., 92 and 94 Union and 8, 9 and 10 Dock street, has been in business since 1858. The Union street premises have a frontage of 60 feet, extending along the railway 200 feet. An office and two-story warehouse is also there. The office, warehouse and yard on Dock street were opened so as to obtain easy access to the canal.
Mr. McMullen has resided here for 55 years; has served as Alderman and Supervisor; and was for four years Mayor of the city. Associated with him is his son, Henry McMullen.
SIMON H. VEDDER, grandson of Nicholas Ved- der, was born in Schenectady July 17, 1839, and in 1872 established at 61 Park place his present business, that of wholesale and retail dealer in coal and wood, and manufacturer of refined cider and pure cider vinegar.
H. ROSA, dealer in coal and wood, 15 Dock street, has been in this business for forty years. The yard, which is in the rear of the office, is accessi- ble to the canal on the front and to a branch track of the railway in the rear. It is fitted up with the necessary appliances.
F. W. RANKINS is a dealer in coal on the doek, and ranks as a popular business man of the city.
In 1868, J. H. DAKIN founded his present busi- ness, that of plumber, gas and steam-fitter, jobbing machinist and brass-founder, at 102, 104 and 106 Liberty street. The premises are 125 x 69 feet, upon which is a building 125 x 30 feet containing the warerooms and shop. It is equipped with proper machinery and steam power.
Mr. BENJAMIN VAN VRANKEN is an old resident. From 1853 to 1865 he was engaged as a grocer, building in 1862 the block corner Jay and State streets, which he occupied for three years. He was, in 1870, superintendent of section two, Erie Canal, being that part of the canal running from the lower
160
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
Mohawk aqueduct to Amsterdam, a distance of 32 miles. He held the .position for two years, and was reappointed in 1874, holding it for four years. Since then Mr. Van Vranken, as contractor and builder, has been busily engaged, erecting, among others, the bridge across the North River from Luzerne, Washington County, N. Y., to Hadley, Saratoga County, N. Y.
The contract for the first foot of sewer ever laid in Schenectady was let to Benjamin Van Vranken, in August, 1884. Work was commenced in Octo- ber, 1884, for constructing ten miles.
In 1867 he invented the improved "Empire" brick machine, which is yet in universal use.
DUNCAN ROBISON, builder and contractor, has been in business in Schenectady more than thirty years. His grand-parents emigrated from Scotland and landed in New York July 4, 1776, and soon afterward located in Rotterdam and engaged in farming. Many of their descendants are now living in that town.
The history of Schenectady County would be in- complete without mention of one of its most enter- prising citizens.
Hon. CHARLES STANFORD was born in Albany County in 1819, and became a resident of this county in 1861. He represented this county in the Assembly of 1864-5, and this district in the Senate, 1866-9. In the Senate he distinguished himself by his connection with canal reforms. He was largely interested in public enterprises in this city, being President of the Schenectady Water Company, Gas Company, and the McQueen Locomotive Works, and was one of the largest real estate owners in the city. He resided in the town of Niskayuna, where he conducted a stock farm, being largely interested in the breeding of horses. He died in August, 1885.
Hon. JOHN W. VEEDER was born in this city in 1825. He was educated at the old Lyceum. He was engaged in transportation and grocery business for a number of years. In 1854 he was appointed Canal Collector, and in 1858 elected County Clerk. The latter office he resigned in 1861, to accept the appointment of postmaster under President Lin- coln. He held this position for eight years. From 1874 to 1883 he was employed in the State School Department, under State Superintendent of Schools Neil Gilmour. In 1884 he was elected Member of Assembly.
STEPHEN LUSH, son of Major William Lush, was born in Albany, January 7th, 1818, and early retired from mercantile life to attend to personal affairs. He represented the City of Albany in the Board of Supervisors three terms, and has occupied several positions in the State departments. He married the daughter of John Gansvoort, and re- sides in Schenectady.
JOSIAH VAN VRANKEN was born in the town of Niskayuna in 1843. He has been a merchant, manufacturer, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
and Common Council, and Deputy County Clerk. At present he is Deputy Superintendent of the State Banking Department.
ATWELL & DENNINGTON are the leading real estate and insurance firm of the city. Frank J. Atwell attends to the real estate, and H. W. Dennington to the insurance department of the firm. They enjoy a lucrative business and the entire confi- dence of the community.
C. L. SCOTT conducts the business of real estate and insurance, and is a manager in the office of the Evening Star.
Major A. FREEMAN was born in Galway, N. Y., September 30, 1802, and with Captain Richard Freeman, his father, removed to Schenectady when he was seventeen years old. In 1824 he married Miss Elizabeth Clute. In 1825 he became com- mander of one of the first passenger packet boats on the Erie Canal. In 1831 he was appointed Brigade Inspector of the Fifty-seventh Regiment Militia, with the rank of Major. He owned and kept several popular hotels. Retiring to Schenec- tady in 1870, he died in his eightieth year. He left two sons : E. L. B. Freeman, of New York, and Charles Freeman, of Schenectady.
PAUL RAMSAY has been connected with the New York Central Railroad for ten years, and is now its ticket agent at Schenectady.
JAMES B. ALEXANDER is also ticket agent in the same office.
A. M. POWERS, photographer, has resided in Schenectady since 1873. In 1879 he opened a photographic gallery at 225 State street, where he has built up a large and lucrative business.
ISAAC I. YATES, at present a retired gentleman, is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy. He retired from naval service as a Lieutenant in 1883. He served in the European, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North and South Pacific squadrons, and was one of a few saved at the time of the wreck of the Oneida, January 24, 1870.
Among the leading builders and contractors of the city are Joshua Davis, Centre street, near Veeder's Mill; Benjamin Fraking, 530 State street; Thomas Gunn, 16 Romeyn street; Thomas Kil- lian, 27 Romeyn street; R. W. Lampman, 28 Paige street; John McEncroe, 185 Union street; John McDermott, 66 Romeyn street; John U. Sit- terly, Hamilton street, near Paige; P. Van Dyck, 152 Barrett street; A. R. Van Dermoor, 16 Ferry street; F. H. Weston, Hamilton street, corner Lafayette; Alonzo Warner, 24 Park place; J. M. Wendell, Mill lane; and Thomas Harrigan and F. P. Wright.
ROBINE HATHAWAY for a number of years prior to his death was a superintendent on the Erie Canal. He was also a contractor and builder. His son, William, now holds the same position in the canal service formerly occupied by his father.
161
THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.
HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.
SITUATION AND BOUNDARIES.
D UANESBURGH is the western town of Sche- nectady County, and is bounded north by Montgomery County ; east by the town of Prince- town ; south by Albany and Schoharie Counties ; and west by Schoharie County.
TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND ITEMS OF INTEREST.
This town has an area of about 42,000 acres, and its population in 1880 was 2,995. Its form is irregular, and its situation elevated from 400 to 500 feet above the level of the Hudson at Albany. Its surface consists of an up'and broken by the narrow valleys and gullies of small streams. Scho- harie Creek forms a portion of the western boundary, and Norman's Kil flows through the south part, entering the Hudson further down, at a point about two and one half miles below Albany. The Bozen Kil, or Mad Creek, one of the branches of Norman's Kil, is a picturesque stream on which is a fall of seventy feet. Corry's Brook and Chuck- tennuda Creek also do their part in draining the town.
The hills which border upon these streams are steep and in some places rocky. The soil is a stiff, clayey loam with a slight intermixture of gravel. The products are various, but grass suc- ceeds better than grain, and, as a whole, the town is better adapted to pasturage than to tillage. Formerly the dairy interests were of considerable importance, but during late years the principal crops cultivated have been hay, oats, potatoes, corn, buckwheat and rye. But few of the large or small fruits are grown, the demand for home consumption being only supplied. Maria Pond and Featherstonhaugh Lake are two small sheets of water in the northeast part, about 250 feet above the canal. The former is beautiful, especially during the summer, its circumference being about two miles.
This town contains few important manufacturing interests. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad extends through the south part, with a station at Quaker street. This village and Duanesburgh are stopping places on the old Schenectady Railroad, the terminal points of which are Schenectady and Quaker Street.
Judge Duane, on his withdrawal from active life, selected a plot of ground ten acres in extent, which he gave to the town. This is known as Centre Square or Lot, and was designed as a com-
mons for the village of Duanesburgh. The situa- ion did not prove favorable for the growth of sucht a settlement, though two churches, a school-house and other buildings mark the locality.
SETTLEMENT .- EARLY PURCHASES.
Large tracts in what is now this town were pur- chased by different parties between 1736 and 1770. Among the purchasers were Thomas Freeman in 1736 ; Timothy Bagley in 1737; A. P. and Wil- liam Crosby in 1738 ; Walter Butler in 1739; and Jonathan Brewster in 1770. The tract embraced about 60,000 acres, which, with the exception of about 1,000 acres known as Braine's Patent, came into the ownership of Hon. James Duane, either by inheritance from his father or by pur- chase.
Though, as has been seen, considerable land had been taken up, most of it in bulk, actual settlement practically began about the time of the organization of the town (1765), when Judge Duane contracted with about twenty German families from Pennsylvania to begin a settlement. Sixteen of these families came and located per- manently. These lands were rented at the rate of about $15 per annum on each one hundred acres on perpetual leases, payable in gold and silver. The agents of Sir William Johnson excited prejudice against them, and were instrumental for a time in retarding the progress of their settlement and im- provement. Long continued disaffection on the part of tenants, intensified by the anti-rent troubles round about, culminated in the spring of 1858 in the formation in Duanesburgh of an Anti-rent Association, the members of which pledged them- selves to pay no rents, to resist all attempts to collect them, and to share equally the expense which any of them might incur in contesting at law the rights of landlords in the matter. The settlement of these difficulties forms a part of the general history of the territory treated in this article.
JUDGE JAMES DUANE.
Hon. JAMES DUANE was born in New York City, February 6, 1733. Having acquired the fitting education, he selected the law for his profession, and entered the office of James Alexander, one of the most eminent counsel of our colonial bar, and the father of the American General, Lord Stirling. He was admitted as an attorney in 1754, and was soon intrusted with a large professional business.
164
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
This, known as the Duane Mansion, was built about 1810 by Catharine Livingston Duane, the younger daughter of Judge Duane, upon an emi- nence overlooking nearly the whole town of Duanesburgh, and but a short distance from the North mansion. It is large and imposing, a piazza seventy feet in length extending along its entire north side. The roof over the piazza, twenty feet high, is supported by eight massive columns, turned out of huge pine trees. Surrounded by ample grounds and sheltered by beautiful shade trees, this is one of the most charming of country residences. Miss Duane occupied it until 1852, when she died, noted for her charity and benevo- lence. By will it descended to her nephew, James D. Featherstonhaugh, and is the last property of any consequence in the town remaining in the pos- session of descendants of Judge Duane.
PROMINENT CITIZENS IN 1838 AND 1858.
The following were prominent citizens of Duanesburgh in 1838, as appears from the town records and other authentic documents ; Jacob A. Radley, Thomas Holmes, Jr., David Beverage, Charles O. S. Patterson, Samuel Slawson, John Wiltse, Israel R. Green, Bradford Berckley, Thomas W. Patterson, Silas H. Marsh, John Bentley, Ira Bennett, Alexander McMillan, Amos Chapman, Ebenezer Cady, Joseph Braman, Frederick Shute, Leonard Herrick, James Tullock, Jr., Thomas Holmes, Henry I. Smith, David Lander, A. C. Clogston, John Combs, Nathaniel Wiggins, John Tullock, Alexander Liddle, Alexander Eggleston, William McMillan, William Turnbull, Robert Liddle, Lester Mott, Joseph Eggleston, Thad- deus King, George Ingersoll, Lawrence D. Long, William H. Morey, Jacob Coons, John L. Jones, Jesse Abbey, John Shute, John T. Wright. Mat- thew H. Rector, Philip Paige, David Koon, Alonzo Macomber, Caleb H. Carpenter, James Ferguson, Samuel Ostrander, Ralph W. McDougall, Henry Ladd, Isaac C. Stevens, Kirby Wilber, Shelden J. Hoag, Jacob White, Nathaniel Jenkins, William D. Cary, John Tullock, George E. Cady. Stephen Badgley, Daniel P. Wing, Abraham Montanye, James Clement, Lyman Hows, George Lasher.
Twenty years later the following list comprised most of the leading men in the town. It will be seen that some of the names appear in the preced- ing list. Henry Sniffers, Charles Dennison, Henry Pulver, John McCally, Charles A. Patterson, James M. Lasher, Elijah Rockwell, John D. Stillwell, Stephen Fuller, J. J. Green, Thomas Freydendall, Hiram Hausett, George Mason, Joseph Bennett, James Macomber, Amos Chapman, Charles Cady, Lovell Doty, Lysander Markle, Elnathan Abrams, Elijah Ladd, William Marsh, Samuel Wingate, William Turnbull, Silas Tripp, Henry J. Smith, Henry Quick, James Liddle, Daniel Wiggins, Charles L. Tullock, Thomas Liddle, Adam Hum- phrey, Jonathan Soule, William Waddell, William McMillan, John Combs, James Wilkinson, Peter Cameron, Joseph Eggleston, Lemuel Sisson, G. T. McFarland, Albert Morey, David Hughes, William Koons, Charles Ladd, Henry Jones, John
Shutt, Philo Avery, Peter Deyo, Orlando Root, Ira Marsh, M. H. Rector, William S. Gordon, Ben- jamin Warden, Joel J. Smith, Leonard Gaige, Jonathan Harden, Joseph Moore, Jesse Ketcham, John Ferguson, Elias Gey, Ralph W. McDougall, Charles Davis, Jacob Weaver, Charles Case, James Tullock, Reuben Briggs, David Griffith, Joseph Lason, B. F. Wood, Isaac Quimby, Allen Wilber, Samuel Rulison, Jacob Patterson, Abraham Ball, Alexander Dorn, Anthony De Long, Stephen Badgley, George Badgley, David Underhill ..
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS AND MEN OF PROMINENCE.
The DENNISON FAMILY in Duanesburgh dates back to the early settlement of the town. Charles Dennison, the ancestor, was a native of Ireland. He located on the farm now owned and occupied by George L. Dennison, about 1773, and was a soldier in the patriot service during the revolution. He had but one son, Ezekiel, who was born on the homestead, and married a Miss Pulver, living to the advanced age of eighty-four years, and having a family of several children, of whom Charles Den- nison, the eldest, was born November 20, 1797. Charles was twice married; first to Maria, daughter of John Thomas, April 10, 1819. She was born November 16, 1793, and died in 1848. His sec- ond marriage was to Mary Lockwood, of Prince- town. His children by his first marriage were Margaret (deceased), John (living in Iowa), Eliza- beth, Charles P. (deceased), Ezekiel (deceased), and George L. and William, both of whom are farmers in Duanesburgh. George L. Dennison was born September 16, 1834, and was married January 9, 1866, to Miss Malinda A. Root, of North Norwich, Oxford County, Canada. Their children are Sherman H. Dennison, born October 3, 1867; John M. Dennison, born September 26, 1868; Sarah M. Dennison, born October 3, 1870; Mary A. Dennison, born August 21, 1872; L. Louise Dennison, born November 20, 1874; Martha E. Dennison, born January 12, 1880; and Margaret A. Dennison, born April 8, 1882.
RALPH MCDOUGALL was a son of Alexander McDougall, a native of the Scotch Highlands, and emigrated to America with his father-in-law, Ralph Wesley, about 1774. He first located upon land now occupied by Duanesburgh Four Corners. His son, Ralph McDougall, was born June 6, 1785, and married Abigail, daughter of Benjamin Armstrong. His father-in-law was a native of Albany County, and at that time a farmer in Duanesburgh. Of the nine children of Ralph and Abigail McDougall, Ann married Joseph Rector and is dead; Hannah died, aged twenty-one; Hugh settled on a farm in Duanesburgh, and died there November 7, 1878; John lives in Walworth County, Wisconsin; Ben- jamin is a farmer living near Binghamton, N. Y .; Alexander located adjacent to the old homestead, married Abigail, daughter of Alexander Gifford, and has a family of six children : Ralph A., Pur- son R., Elizabeth, John, Wesley and Hannah; Thomas and Abigail are dead; and Ralph W. occu- pies the old homestead of two hundred acres about a mile east of the village of Duanesburgh,
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