USA > New York > Albany County > Watervliet > History of the city of Watervliet, N.Y., 1630 to 1910 > Part 6
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1849.
The Ohio Street Methodist Church was organized by Alexander S. Lobdell, Ashael Potter, Edward Mallory and Otis Wood, No- vember 19, 1849; The old wooden church (called Bethel) once the First Presbyterian Church was burned in 1850; a brick build- ing was erected, Rev. I. F. Yates, continuing as pastor. A parsonage was built in 1875, and large improvements were made; a fine organ was added and the choir is composed of some of the best talent in this vicinity. The Sunday school is large, and under the leadership of their superintendent, John McBain, Sr., who has been connected with the church from his youth and is progres- sive. The general business affairs of the church are also attended too, with others of the different committees, and his advice is often taken and acted upon.
The Methodist Brotherhood Club, B. H. Landfear, president; Robert Morse, treasurer; Henry Talbot, Chaplain; H. E. Sher- man, secretary; also the Epworth League, W. H. Brower, presi- dent; Miss Agnes Rylan, secretary; two societies connected with the church are in a flourishing condition, the entertainments by members are always high class, and a pleasure to those that attend. A souvenir of early days is in possession of the trustees of the church (the old organ), once owned by the South Reformed Dutch Church, bought by Henry Lobdell, and presented to them by the present pastor, Rev. John Landry, in 1910. One of the first mem- bers of this church, and now living in Colonie, is Mrs. Thomas Haswell.
David Stewart, turning mill, foot of Washington street (First avenue) ; Hiram Holbrook operated the dry dock, foot of same street for years ; Edward Learned, once a merchant of the village married his daughter, moved to Minneapolis and became identified with the business interests of that city.
David Alsten, cabinet manufacturer; third floor Delevan House. In 1849 his stock was damaged considerably by fire.
Henry A. Brigham, member of Assembly in 1848.
John A. Wing, member of Assembly in 1849.
William F. Sheppard, member of Assembly in 1850.
We remember Uncle Billy and Aunt Polly Raymond as host
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and hostess in days of yore, whose house then located at the corner now Second and Railroad avenue (the Blue Eagle), and after at the corner of Nineteenth street and Railroad avenue; always open for receptions, dances and suppers; their fatherly and motherly supervision over the comfort of the young lads and lassies that visited the place was proverbial, and they had the respect and love of all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance or ever accepted their hospitality ; light hearted, generous, happy and popular then, remembered now by few.
D. W. Tallcott, settled in Albany; from Penfield in 1830. Died in 1849.
D. W. Tallcott, Jr., (son) came to West Troy in 1851, as clerk for the lumber firm of Charles J. Saxe; after six years with that firm, in 1870 formed a co-partnership as lumber dealers under the name of Tallcott, Boyd & Co .; purchased the Rock House for a residence of Mr. Saxe in 1864; sold it in 1881, and moved to Albany in 1880, continuing the lumber business some years, but discontinued same, and after a very active life is now enjoying a rest well earned. Mr. Tallcott was a very prominent and in- fluential citizen in years gone by, whose force of character and congenial nature endeared him to a large circle of acquaintances.
1850.
The United States arsenal employees, presented to one of their superintendents, Andrew Hitchcock, a gold box as a token of their good will; the souvenir was of elegant design and workmanship; the presentation was made at the Tremont House, where a sumptu- ous banquet followed, and a pleasant evening was enjoyed by those present.
The St. Francis Indians who had often visited their old camp- ing ground on the southern end of Green Island, where they made baskets and other Indian trinkets that they sold to their pale faced brothers, ceased about this date.
St. Bridgets' Catholic Church was organized by Thomas Kyle of St. Patrick's, at the corner of Salem and Mansion streets, in 1883, Rev. James A. Curtain, officiated; later chapel and school building was erected under direction of the sisters; later Rev. William Callihan was in charge; present priest, Rev. Patrick H. McDermott.
Fire of Grant, Freeman & Church on dock below Schenectady street.
Lamport & Richards, heavy lumber fire; below Canal street, east side of canal.
Dauchy & Company, fire; Ontario street, east side of canal.
Angel & Strattons, iron foundry; opposite the present weigh lock; firm failed.
Lumber firms: Saxe Brothers, Sturtevant & Andrews, Haswell
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& Mosher, Samuel Waterman, H. L. Sims; lumber inspector, John Morris, of Betts, Beebe & Betts ; timber, W. W. Whipple.
Fourth ward residents: Hiram Hogle, saloon; Lawrence Mc- Donough, Michael McDonough, contractors; Joseph Garfield, painter; Dr. Douglass William Sunderland, lime and cement; a man of honor; rumor gave him the credit of refusing while a member of the Assembly in 1871, a tender of $10,000, and no doubt that it was a fact.
Weinbender's Brewery, in the gulf; Dry river an attraction ; in years gone by, returned Fourth ward Californians and the many sports vied with each other in drinking lager, and the old saloon of Philip Shannon situated there, was the scene of con- vivality; later the ladies from different sections of the village held their picnics at the grove; dancing was one of the features. Few of the participants remain to read this article.
Benjamin Knower, and son, Daniel Knower come to West Troy, in 1850, and soon entered into business, and become in- terested in the advancement of every interest connected therewith; Daniel Knower securing the position of general manager of the Sattinnet factory, and later became partner of James Roy, in the manufacture of the famous Roy shawls; an old time merchant and citizen whose business qualifications were recognized and whose integrity was never questioned. Died in 1878.
Benjamin Knower (son), born and educated in the village; graduated from Williams college, also from the Albany Law School, receiving his diploma in 1879; as an attorney his peers are few in this section, the pettifoging element is eliminated from his practice, and thereby holds the confidence of his many clients ; recorder in 1904; justice of the peace in 1898. His record as recorder received the approval of all classes; a member of the Albany County Bar Association and a representative citizen.
James Tilley, from Grafton; where he established the cooper- age business, head linings, together with coopers tools, and as a side line manufactured ladders; his son, James Tilley, being connected with him in the ladder part of the business; came to West Troy in 1850; James was connected with the business until 1865; withdrew when the firm of Tilley & Littlefield established the ice business ; dissolved later ; James went to New York where he died in 1906.
J. S. Tilley bought his father's interest in the business in 1864, and with his brother formed the co-partnership of J. S. Tilley & Company, continuing until 1873, when it became J. S. Tilley; the present proprietor of the largest plant of like character in this section; the works and yards are on a large area on First and Second streets and the stock of adjustable ladders of all kinds and scaffolding is large and the material of the best quality; a specialty is made of flag poles of any size; one of the features of the firm
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are some fine specimens on exhibit at all times; with up-to-date machinery, and the employment of expert mechanics he is able to meet all contracts in quality, workmanship and delivery; the cleri- cal work of the business is looked after by his efficient bookkeeper, Miss Rose Leach and Miss Nina Martin, stenographer, office No. 122 Second street.
James Francis Phelps, Schroon, Essex county, N. Y., in 1850.
Lumber dealer: In 1855 the firm of Finch & Phelps was formed and later the firm became Phelps & Smith; eventually becoming one of the leading firms in their line in the village; Mr. Phelps was prominent and cordially greeted in business circles and his advice was often taken, his withdrawal from business, and re- moval west was a loss to the village; his death occurred at Daven- port, Iowa, in 1906.
Arthur T. Phelps (son), born and educated in the village schools, graduated at the Crown Point Academy and Troy Busi- ness College, and at one time professor of same, entered his father's office as a clerk; afterwards clerk of the National Bank of West Troy, and later became cashier of same, holding the position until his resignation occurring in 1910; Mr. Phelps is considered an expert in matters of finance, and while interested in many of the propositions of the period, finds time to grasp the ribbons, and enjoy an outing behind one of his speedy roadsters ; a lover of good horses, congenial companion, and a representative citizen whose executive ability is conceeded.
Lumber firms in existence at this date: Cameron, Coffin & Conant ; Harrington & Brough; Campbell & Moody ; Odell, Water- man & Company ; Philo Dauchy & Company ; Silliman & Haswell; Rousseau, Easton & Janes; E. W. Phelps.
Mattoom & Deleware, grocery ; old Fourth ward.
Wilbur McDonald, canal stable; rear of Jones Car Works; of the many in existence in early days, only one remains; that of Edward Wight on Second avenue.
Wm. J. Metcalf, well-known fruit dealer; River street, below Bell foundry ; location once occupied by Martin Harris, a popular citizen, as an oyster house and restaurant.
C. P. Ives, coal dealer; one of the most popular merchants in his day.
George H. Montgomery, grocer; afterwards one of the justices of the peace; a politician of some influence.
John Devenpeck, book store; Wiswall's Block.
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Richmond, once residents of West Troy, whose home in 1862, was Berryville, Va., entertained Captain Wm. L. Oswalds' Company, while encamped at that point and as they left for Harper's Ferry, Mrs. Richmond baked and pre- sented to the Company, three days rations of bread; they were drafted into the rebel army, and were making preparations to
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leave, but the timely arrival of the Union army, relieved them from further anxiety.
Captain Jacob Young and his son, Hiram Young, were well known river men, popular, and well known by the general travel- ing public.
One of the best known and highly respected citizens of the time connected with the lumber industry was Daniel McBeth; very few living to-day, that remember him or received the cordial greet- ing he was won't to give when passing by.
1851.
Charles Barber, manufacturer; P. Boyle, Exchange saloon, Broadway and Sixteenth street; J. W. Bland, cabinet maker ; Gideon Burdick, riverman; Attorney, J. W. Byrne; F. S. Ayers, one of the oldest merchants of the village; Orlando Robinson, died April, 1893; William Athow, shoe store.
Union Place Hall, erected by Rousseau & Easton in 1850. The first entertainment occurred August 21, 1851 by Jones' famous cornet band. An address by the then popular attorney, James H. Brisban, was a feature of the occasion, crediting the proprietors of the hall for the public spirit in erecting the same, and by re- quest giving the hall its name. Balls, parties, banquets, societies, Young Men's Association debates were held therein for years. It passed its usefulness and became a residential flat.
Coleman's lumber fire occurred same night.
Elijah Abbott, grocery; Thomas Richards, "the Arbor," W lock.
Conquerer engine house burned in 1862. Henry Miller, Eagle hotel, burned.
Learned Lucee, John H. Forester, Levi Shadbolt, Henry Gregory, Lemuel Gregory, brick yard, Troy.
C. D. Weaver, a noted attorney, known as " Seedy Weaver."
Eli Perry, member of Assembly from Fourth District in 1851. June 15 Grant, Freeman & Church fire.
Young Men's Association organized 1852. Lectures and de- bates at Union Place Hall. Fair sized library and reading room, well supplied with magazines and papers, doing well at that time. Later erected a building of their own, but financial difficulties arising the society succumbed to the inevitable.
Port Schuyler is credited with one noted personage who figured in early days as a prize fighter. He, like his father, was employed in the United States arsenal as a blacksmith, a fine looking, and a well built man. He went to California and received the cogno- man of the Benicia Boy - John Heenan, West Troy proper, and from the Fourth Ward, Patrick, or as he was familiarly called, Paddy Ryan. Like many of his chums, he was a sport. John
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Morrisey, who later became a member of Assembly. Each one had their rooters, their rise and their fall.
In connection I might state that Bill Pool was murdered in Stanwix Hall, 379 Broadway, New York, by Lewis Baker. The authorities of the city sent the clipper ship Grape Shot in pursuit, as he sailed to escape justice for the Canary Islands on the Isa- bella Jewett, but was captured, being overhauled in mid-ocean February 24, 1855. His guilt was never proven.
Thomas Kearney, member of Assembly, Fourth District, in 1853.
1852.
Bank of West Troy incorporated May 1, 1836. John Knicker- backer, John Van Schoonoven, Jas. Roy, E. Thompson Gale, John Cramer, George Cramer, Ferdinand J. Suydam, incorporators. Ferdinand J. Suydam, president; Albert Gunison, cashier ; 1865 title changed to National Bank of West Troy. Thomas K. Knick- erbacker, president in 1876. Title changed to National Bank of Watervliet in 1905. Thomas A. Knickerbacker, president.
General Kossuth visited Troy and United States arsenal.
Inspection of fire department at upper Side Cut, Twenty-third street. Michael Savin, chief engineer of department. A promi- nent business man, owner of Savin Hall, 19 Broadway.
L. De Wilde, French refugee, came here previous to this date. Tobacco and cigar merchant. Eccentric but social with those he choose to associate with. An educated and well read man.
Morgan L. Taylor, ship builder, dry dock and business of like character. President in place of Samuel Crawford. Vacancy caused by death. His connections with Southern people were of that nature during the Rebellion that his sympathies were with the South, therefore a Copperhead, to the disgust of all loyal citizens.
Ball and banquet of Protection Engine Co. No. 2 at Harmony Hall January 21st. Foreman Henry H. Smith.
October 22d on Whitehall street, between Twenty-third and Auburn, fire destroyed Myers & Gunsalus' clothing store, O. I. Sweet's grocery and three stables, L. D. Collins's grocery, Clark Foss's saloon, C. G. Woodard's lottery office, John Reed's shoe store, James Kennedy's harness shop, grain, hay, and forty horses, two valued at $300 each, property of O. I. Sweet.
M. Kilgour, saw and planing mill, passed to Ufford & Latham, thence to James Kerslake, who died July, 1892, when the business was closed.
January 28, 1852. Four fires occurred this date. One of them was Bebee and Co.'s lumber yard. The years 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, are noted for the many incendiary fires in lumber yards, causing heavy losses to many firms.
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John Graham, to West Troy 1852. Engaged with Abram Myers as clothing cutter, and in 1854, with Gunsalus and Wilks, on Whitehall street, in 1876, established the custom clothing busi- ness in the Lobdell block, and in 1879 erected the brick building corner Seventeenth street and Broadway, continuing the business on a larger scale until his death, occurring August, 1905. Promi- nent in business circles, and an influential citizen.
Edward J. Graham (son), graduate of De La Salle Institute, succeeded to the business that at that time consisted of gents' fur- nishings in connection with custom tailoring. In 1909 eliminated clothing and opened an exclusively haberdasher and gentlemen's furnishings emporium, with a large stock of up-to-date line of goods suitable to the demand of buyers of first class wearing ap- parel, in the latest novelties of the season. Mr. Graham's method of doing business, his popularity, in connection with the fine line of goods always in stock, has enabled him to meet the wants of his patrons, both in quality and price, placing him in the lead in his line in this section.
Dr. L. B. Rulison, born in Parish, Oswego county, N. Y., in 1860. Graduated from Albany Medical College in 1884. Located in Glenville, N. Y., in 1887, came to West Troy and became identified with the medical fraternity of this section, establishing a record as a reliable family physician, attentive, painstaking, with a careful, diagnosis of all cases that come within his observation, that has enabled him to create a widespread confidence among citizens and patrons that seek advice and service from members of the profession. Health officer March, 1903, February 1, 1907.
1853.
The West Troy Gas Light Co., incorporated. Richard S. Lob- dell, E. H. St. John, John Lockwood, W. L. Oswald, superin- tendent. In 1887 the two gas companies then in existence sold out to the Municipal Gas Company of Albany, the village receiving supply through that source.
Carroll Corps, a military organization with a record at the time of being one of the best drilled companies in this section. Their drill room, Savin Hall, northeast corner Broadway and Nineteenth street. It was the scene of many a brilliant company under their auspices, and for years after was a hall for public entertainments. Michael Savin, their first captain, was a prominent business man, well known and highly respected. Two daughters are residents of the city.
The largest sleighing party that ever left the village occurred under the auspices of Isaac Collins in January. Patrick Kelly's canopy seating thirty and seventy-five other single and double rigs proceeded to Clifton Park where dancing was indulged in at the Clifton Park hotel. Its genial proprietor, Caleb Fonda, fur-
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nished for his guests' entertainment, one of the sumptuous suppers that the house had become famous throughout this section.
Citizens, business and professional men alike had some desire for sociability and recreation in those days, with the red blood of youth still coursing through their veins, although many of them had passed three score and ten.
Fire. Ashael Potter's stables, John Toohey's raftmen's head- quarters, Andrew Abby's barber shop and two residences on Hall street. Roger's malt house occupies the site.
Mr. Hanz Ten Eyke killed near tollgate, Albany road.
Elijah Simmons, with two friends, collided with another car- riage, resulting fatally.
Steamboat: Golden Gate in 1852.
In 1855 the number of canal boats at upper locks with those moored to the Troy docks extended out that far, the tow from Albany passing up the channel between formed a bridge and Captain James Oliver (known as Dutch Oliver) crossed from West Troy to Troy, utilizing boats of the tow to perform the trick.
1854.
Light Guards, military company, organized June, 1853. Cap- tain, L. D. Collins; first lieutenant, William L. Oswald; second lieutenant, J. M. Lawrence; sergeant, Charles Ducharm. Mem- bers, Smith Waterman, Nicholas Witbeck, Charles Mather, Stephen Clark, Morris Cashman, George Lawrence, William Lewis, George Van Wert, Charles Kimberly, Chester Batchelder, James Craig and forty others. Uniforms made by the firm of Brown, Craig and Van Wert. First parade, November, 1853. Reception and banquet at Empire hotel, Proprietor Furgerson meeting his guests with a royal greeting, providing a supper that for quality or quantity could not be surpassed. Many invited guests were present. Congratulations on the company's fine ap- pearance were made, toasts drank (water), and the organization's first entertainment voted a success. Jones's Band accompanied the soldiers on parade and enlivened the entertainment with ap- propriate selections. Their first ball was held in Harmony Hall, Troy, January 18, 1853. Notable guests were Governor Seymour and staff. Their noted excursion to Poughkeepsie August 15, 1854. Remembered Gill Crane sold the hotel September, 1854, to Walter Briggs.
July 4, 1854, there were two parades, one by the Light Guards, captain and marshal, Smith A. Waterman; the other, the Carroll Corps, marshal, Frank O'Brien.
March 30, 1854, Carrie Delaware, a young girl, was killed in G. Coffin's mill, situated east side Broadway, by falling through an opening in the floor on some saws (circular) then running.
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The Watervliet Plank Road Company abandoned the road run- ning through the village to its boundary line May 16, 1854. A. A. Dunlop, secretary.
June 21, 1854, Porter & Frazer's stoneware factory burned.
A committee was appointed to protest against the division of the town of Watervliet as follows: A. A. Dunlop, Charles Easton, B. B. Frazer, W. F. Cornell, G. Y. Van Zant, S. S. Wandell, H. A. Brigham, lumber dealers; F. Bebee, Lee & Hall, Platt, Get- man & Harris.
J. Emmett Brown, a popular young man employed by J. W. Freeman, died April 24, 1875.
The weighlock as it stands to-day, built in 1853.
1855.
John Morrison, an old resident, died on shipboard on his way to California. Monument erected to his memory at Argyle, Wash- ington county. Services May 16, 1852, by Evening Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of West Troy, assisted by Lansingburgh and Fort Edward lodges. Officers, D. Stewart, D. King and B. Smith.
December, 1852, a man by the name of Peck was killed in Albert Richard's saw mill.
March 18, 1854, occurred the heaviest storm known in this sec- tion for years, damaging Seymour & Taylor's chair factory, top- pling over the steeple of the North Reformed Dutch church and tearing the roofs from many buildings in the village.
February 13, 1852. The building then known as the Indian rubber factory, burned; it stood on Fourth avenue near Catholic church. It had been converted into a tenement. The following persons lost nearly all they possessed : Mr. Walsh, Mr. Robinson, Joseph Smith, W. Wager, Mat O'Herron, Tom Collopy, N. O'Hearns, John Purtell, J. McMann, J. Maloney, William New- man, J. O'Neil, Widow Shaughnessy, O. O'Hearn, H. Griffin, William Kennedy, John Hay, Mary Maloney, James Coggershall and others names unknown. Building owned by J. B. Fassett - Sheldon.
June 6, 1853. Susan Dennin & Fox (Mesdames Woodward & Fox) opened in Romeo and Juliet, at the old Museum building (River and Fulton streets, Troy). An attempt was made to pre- vent the performance. It was frustrated by Susan Dennin speak- ing for her sister (the demonstration being specially against her). She scored the unwashed rabble for their uncalled for outrage. The scene changed, and they received a hearty reception.
Without stating names, dates or details, I recall four murders that have occurred between 1845 and 1890, two, at least, premedi- tated, using knives said to have been made expressly for the pur- pose. They both served their sentence, and I believe both are dead. The others their term has not as yet expired.
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William Conroy, to West Troy in 1850. Followed the trade of brick making until his death in 1857.
William Conroy, Jr. (son), established the grocery business at Third avenue and Twenty-fifth street in 1876, from there to the old store of Kimberly's, corner Broadway and Nineteenth street, and later removed to his present location, No. 622 Nineteenth street, the population in that section of the city having increased of late years warranting the change. That Mr. Conroy made no mistake is evident from the large addition to his former trade, and the confidence the general public have in his up-to-date mode of doing business, realizing that his stock represents the cream of the market.
1856.
Spartan, H. & Ladder Company, No. 2; organizeed in 1840. Charter members: Oscar Potter, Alexander Lobdell, Milo Marsh, J. G. Ogden, Wm. Mclellan, C. K. Tinney, H. Twiss, Cyrus T. Cutler, Orin Deleware.
Officers : 1840, John G. Ogden, Cyrus T. Cutler, Oscar Potter, Alexander S. Lobdell; 1856, Milo Marsh; 1858, J. G. Ogden; 1859, J. O. Wood; 1860, Cyrus T. Cutler ; 1861, Ed. Scott; 1862, C. K. Tinney ; 1863, C. K. Tinney ; 1864 to 1866, Alex. Mclellan.
Fire duty was reseponded to with alacrity by the members, while their social features were many and successful ; their records having been destroyed, it is impossible to give full credit to this company in this work. It is evident that it was composed of some of the prominent men of the time.
C. K. Tinney Hose Company, No. 2; organized in 1866; named after a prominent business man of the village; 1866 to 1867, Captain Alexander McClellan; 1868, C. K. Tinney; 1869, J. Berry.
James Duffy, prominent in all political movements, always a candidate for office, and succeeded in his endeaver to obtain the same, holding various positions, president of the village in 1863, and held the office of justice of the peace many years; at one time he operated a cooperage, and of late years was one of the coal merchants of the city ; his death occurred March 21, 1909.
George Perrott, a prosperous dry good merchant; popular with all classes; stock well selected; catered to the high class trade; in 1860, sold out and went west about 1865, resides in Marshall, Michigan.
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