Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 25

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656

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ward lived. He engaged in milling and farm- ing, owning a great deal of real estate in the county, including the historic farm and resi- dence of Sir William Johnson, known for a century and a half as "Johnson Hall." He resided at the "Hall," where he was married and where his children were born. He was a prominent, influential man. He married, June 15, 1809, Amy Akin, born May 6, 1788, died December 24, 1858 (see Akin). Chil- dren: 1. Sally Maria, born April 22, 1810, married Daniel Edward. 2. George W., July 15, 18II ; married Helen Yard. 3. Almira W., March 30, 1813; married Hiram Yauney. 4. Eleazer H., March 27, 1815; died and buried at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, aged twenty-one years, unmarried. 5. Ann Sarah, born Janu- ary 2, 1817 ; married Colonel Rodney Hall Johnson. 6. Elizabeth, December 6, 1818; married Jacob Burton. 7. Louisa, October 27, 1820; married McIntyre Fraser. 8. John E., August 7, 1822; married (first) Sarah Steele ; (second) Margaret Burton. 9. Rhoda, December 25, 1823; married Major John Henry Gross. 10. Catherine, March 20, 1825; married Judge John Stewart. II. Nathan Perkins, December 20, 1826, died 1853, un- married. 12. David Akin, see forward. 13. Edward Akin, see forward.

(VIII) David Akin, fifth son and twelfth child of Eleazer and Amy ( Akin) Wells, was born at "Johnson Hall," near Johnstown, Ful- ton county, New York, May 17, 1828, died November 29, 1903. He was educated in the public schools and at Johnstown Academy. He worked on the farm with his father until 1845, when he became a clerk in the dry goods store of Yauney & Edwards, and later was clerk in the store of Burton & Gross, Johns- town. In 1848 Mr. Gross retired and Mr. Wells was admitted a partner, continuing un- til 1851, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, Edward A. Wells. David A. then formed a partnership with Marcellus Gil- bert, as Gilbert & Wells, and began the manit- facture of gloves. They continued in success- ful operation for eighteen years until 1869. when the senior partner died. Mr. Wells car- ried on the business alone for a year or two, when his factory burned, entailing a heavy loss. Close attention to business had under- mined his health, and he now enjoyed a period of complete rest for several years. He was then chosen vice-president of the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad Company, just inaugurated, and entered actively into the building and equipment of the road. He was active in its management after the road was opened for business in 1870, and may justly be given a large share of credit for its

Hand a Hell

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successful career. He was a director of the Peoples' Bank of Johnstown ; president of the Savings Bank since organization ; president Gloversville Foundry and Machine company : president of the Opera House Company since organization. Ile was actively interested in many other business enterprises of the city, giving to all not only liis financial support but the benefit of his mature judgment and long business experience. He was always an active Republican, and while never aspiring to office held several public positions of trust and hon- or. In 1860 he was elected treasurer of Ful- ton county. In 1880 and 1881 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legisla- ture, and has served as trustee and president of the village corporation. He married, April 10, 1850, Alida G. Johnson, born May 17, 1832, daughter of George and Frances Johnson. Children : 1. A babe, dying at birth. 2. Mar- cellus Gilbert, died February 16, 1869. 3. Eleazer Merrill, born February 1, 1853, see forward. 4. Nathan Perkins, born July 23, 1855; associated in business with his father. 5. David .Akin (2), born December 21, 1858, see forward. 6. Anna G., born May 7, 1862; married Joseph D. Oliver, one of the proprie- tors of the Oliver Chilled Plow Company of South Bend, Indiana.

(IX) Eleazer Merrill, son of David Akin and Alida G. (Johnson) Wells, was born in Johnstown, New York, February 1, 1853, and died March 20, 1909. He married, July 3. 1872, Elsina F. Mills, born in Gloversville, New York. August 6, 1851. Child : John E.

(IX) David Akin (2), youngest son and fourth child of David Akin (1) and Alida G. (Johnson) Wells, was born in Johnstown, December 21, 1858. He was educated in the public schools. After finishing his studies he entered the superintendent's office of the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville railroad, and remained there several years. He then formed a connection with the Coal Company of Fulton county, which existed for twenty- eight years, when Mr. Wells retired from active business life. He resides in Johnstown, where he lives the retired life of a gentle- man of culture and means. He married, De- cember 16, 1909, in Johnstown, Katherine, daughter of John and Mary Hogan. They had other children: Austin, Walter, Agnes, married John Howell; Anna, married E. W. Shults : Jane, married William Mathis.

(VIII) Edward Akin, thirteenth child and sixth son of Eleazer and Amy ( Akin) Wells, was born in "Johnson Hall," Johnstown, Ful- ton county, New York, October 6, 1830. He was educated in the public schools and under private tutors, graduating under Professor

Bannister at Johnstown. Ile was connected with the dry goods business of his brother, David Akin Wells, in Johnstown, and later purchased the business, which he conducted successfully many years. He was at the same time deeply interested in other business en- terprises to which he gave personal attention and direction. He superintends the cultiva- tion of the home farm and estate "Johnson Ilall," containing between 500 and 600 acres, and operated the grist mill belonging to the estate. This active business life included glove manufacture, and continued throughout many active years until failing health com- pelled his retirement. His business respon- sibilities precluded all participation in public official life, and he took no active part in politics, although he had always given hearty allegiance to the Republican party. lle was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died June 19, 1910, in Johnstown, New York, conscious of having borne well his part in the growth and development of the city in which his activities lay.

He married Ann Elizabeth Burton. Chil- dren : 1. Eleazer, died at age of nineteen years. 2. Elizabeth, died at age of six years. 3. Elias Burton, died at age of twelve years. 4. Edward Akin (2), now of Rochester, New York ; married Bessie Parish. 5. Jennie, mar- ried Edwin L. Fonda. 6. John E., died aged twelve years. 7. Elias Burton, see forward. 8. Charles, died in infancy.

(IX) Elias Burton, fifth son and seventh child of Edward Akin and Ann Elizabeth ( Burton) Wells, was born in Johnstown, New York, October 28, 1869. He was educated in the public school and at Johnstown Academy. In 1888 he began business, dealing in real estate and insurance, operating in these lines ten years until 1898. In that year he estab- lished his present business, the manufacture and preparation of dye stuffs and chemicals used in dressing skins used in glove manu- facture. In 1910 he added to his other lines a leather department and business. Among the many compounds and preparations which he manufactures for tanners and curriers is a process for making washable leather, invented by himself, that has proved very valuable to the glove makers, being especially adapted to gloves and mittens worn by persons exposed to wet weather. He is a most capable, suc- cessful business man, and is one of the sub- stantial men of his city. He is a Republican in politics. He married, October 12, 1892, Jennie Holmes, born April 7, 1872, daughter of John Catlin (born September 3, 1829, died July 21, 1899) and Ellen E. (horn Octo- ber 9, 1840, died October 9, 1880) (Kirby)

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HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

Holmes. Child: Elizabeth, born May II, their religion the Quakers refused to bear 1897.

(The Loomis Line).

Joseph Loomis, the emigrant, sailed from London, England, April 3, 1636, in the ship "Salem and Ellen." He settled first in Brain- tree, Massachusetts, then in Windsor, Con- necticut. He died November 25, 1658. He married Mercy White, June 13, 1614. She died August 23, 1652, leaving issue.

(II) Deacon John, son of Joseph and Mercy (White) Loomis, was born in England in 1622, died September 2, 1688. He was deputy to the general court in 1666-67-75-87. He married, February 8, 1648, Elizabeth, born about 1625, daughter of Thomas Scott, who came in the ship "Elizabeth," 1634, died No- vember 6, 1643. He was an original pro- prietor of Hartford, Connecticut.

(III) Timothy, son of Deacon John and Elizabeth (Scott) Loomis, was born July 27, 1661, died May 19, 1710. He married, March 20, 1689, Rebecca Porter, born March 8, 1666, died May 20, 1750, daughter of John Porter (2), born in England, 1620. He married (second) Mary, daughter of Thomas Stanley. in 1650, Rebecca was a granddaughter of John Porter, the emigrant, who came to America and settled at Windsor, Connecticut. He married Rose -, and died April 22, 1648. His wife died July, 1647.

(IV) Ichabod, son of Timothy and Rebecca (Porter) Loomis, was born January 25, 1692- 93, died February 21, 1776. He married, De- cember 20, 1716, Hepzibah Loomis, born 1698, died May 20, 1750.

(V) Lois, daughter of Ichabod and Hepzi- balı (Loomis) Loomis, was born November 26, 1724; married Samuel Foote, November 24, 1743. Hepzibah Loomis, wife of Ichabod, was a great granddaughter of Joseph Loomis, the emigrant, through his son Nathaniel, born 1638, died July 23, 1728; married, November 24, 1654, Elizabeth Moore, daughter of John and granddaughter of Thomas Moore, the emigrant.

(III) David, son of Nathaniel and Eliza- beth (Moore) Loomis, was born January II, 1667, died January 9, 1751-52 ; married, De- cember 8, 1692, Lydia, daughter of John Marsh.

(IV) Hepzibah, daughter of David and Lydia (Marsh) Loomis, married Ichabod Loomis, both being of the fourth generation of the Loomis family in America.

(The Akin Line).

The Akins were of Scotland, where they embraced the peculiar doctrine of the So- ciety of Friends, or Quakers. On account of

arms or take the required oath. This sub- jected them to severe persecution, which they emigrated to America to escape. They settled in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, where they soon found that with the Puritans religious free- dom meant freedom only for those of their own religious faith. The Quakers were ban- ished from Massachusetts, some even suf- fering death.

(I) John Akin, founder of the family in America, born in Scotland, in 1663, came to America with others of his sect in 1680, settling in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, where in 1687 he married Mary Briggs. When per- secution again drove him from his home, he with others of his family settled in New Netherlands, where the Dutch did not disturb a man for his religious belief. He married a second wife, and died June 13, 1746, leaving eight sons and seven daughters.

(II) David, eldest son of John and Mary (Briggs) Akin, was born in 1689, and died 1779. He settled on "Quaker Hill," town of Pawling, Dutchess county, New York, a lo- cality that has long been the family seat. He married, at Dartmouth, Massachusetts, in . 17II, Sarah Allen, born 1692. They had six sons and four daughters.

(III) James, son of David and Sarah (Al- . len) Akin, was born October 18, 1728. He married Patience Howard. Children: Ed- ward, sce forward; Benjamin, married (first) Sarah Holloway, (second) Widow Canuff ; Joseph, married Elsie Holloway : Beniah, mar- ried Hannah Tweedy ; Susannah, married (first ) Haviland, (second) Abiel Al- len : Rachel, married (first) David Ferris. (second) - Hitchcock. 7. Phoebe, mar- ried Noble Bennett: Amy, married Joseph Hungerford; Annie, married Sylvanus Sam- mons.

(IV) Edward, son of James and Patience (Howard) Akin, married Elizabeth Russell, of Johnstown, New York. He had sons James, Ira, Elthan, Abram and David. liv- ing at the time of his death. One son, Con- sider, died young. His daughters were: Phoebe, married Abram Poole; Rhoda, mar- ried Abram Synder; Amy, married Eleazer Wells ( see Wells VII) ; Sally, married Nathan P. Wells ; Patience, married William I. Dodge ; Amanda, married William Bowen.

(The Foote Line).

(I) Nathaniel Foote, the first settler, came from England, when and from what part un- known. The first record of him is in Water- town, Massachusetts, in 1633, when he took the oath of freeman. He is next found in

William Neces.

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the first records of Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 1644 he was appointed a delegate to the general court. He married. in England, about 1615, Elizabeth, sister of John Deming, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield. She sur- vived her husband, and married "Mr. Thomas Welles, magistrate," about 1646, afterwards governor of the Connecticut colony. She died July 28, 1683. Children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Deming) Foote: Nathaniel, see forward; Robert, Elizabeth, Mary, Frances, Sarah, and Rebecca.

(II) Nathaniel, eldest son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Deming) Foote, was born in Eng- land about 1620, died 1655. He followed the fortunes of his parents, and with them settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he mar- ·ried, in 1646, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Smith. Children: Nathaniel, Samuel, Daniel and Elizabeth.

(III) Samuel, second son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Foote, was born May 1, 1649. He settled in Hatfield, Massachusetts, where he married, in 1671, Mary Merrick, of Spring- field. He died September 7. 1689, and his widow died October 3, 1690. Children : Nathaniel, Mary, Samuel (slain by the In- dians at Deerfield, February 29, 1704), Mary .(2), Sarah, Eleazer, Thomas and Daniel.

(IV) Daniel, youngest child of Samuel and Mary (Merrick) Foote, was born February 6. 1679, died July 15, 1740. He was of Hart- ford, and of Simsbury, Connecticut, remov- ing to the latter place in 1721. He purchased a large farm there, and met his death by fall- ing from a load of hay under the wheels, which passing over him caused such injuries that he died an hour thereafter. He married, in Hartford, November 19, 1718, Mary Coll- yer, who died June, 1769, aged 71 years, daughter of Joseph Collyer. Children, all but the first born in Simsbury, Connecticut : Sam- uel, see forward: Mary, Daniel (2), Joseph, John, Rachel, Sarah and Rachel (2).

(V) Samuel, eldest child of Daniel and Sarah (Collyer) Foote, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, October 4. 1719, died September 18, 1775. He married, November 24, 1743, Lois Loomis. Children: Samuel, Lois ( see forward), Mary, Lucy, Timothy, Elijah, Lucy (2), Grove, Hepzibah and Roger.

(VI) Lois, eldest daughter and second child of Samuel and Lois (Loomis) Foote, was born April 5. 1746. She was married (first ) to Eleazer Merrill, of Farmington, Connecti- .cut. May 29, 1765, son of Moses Merrill. He died May 16, 1769. leaving two children, Eleazer and Lois. She married (second) John Wells (2), October, 1770, and had nine chil- . dren. ( See Wells VI.)

Professor William Wells, Ph.D., WELLS LL.D., was born in New York City, 1820, died at Schenectady, New York. December 12, 1907. His boy- hood and youth were passed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his parents removed when he was nine years of age. 1Jis academic education was obtained in Philadelphia, where he made good progress toward that mastery of foreign tongues which later made him fa- mous. In 1846 he made his first visit to Eu- rope. He spent a year in Vienna, as an unofficial attachee of the American legation, also pur- suing studies at the University. Then he went to Berlin, where he matriculated at the University and entered upon a course of study which led in due time to the degree of Ph.D. in 1848. Those were the days of revolution in Europe, when Louis Phillipe was driven from the throne of France, when the Crown Prince of Prussia, afterwards the Emperor of Germany, William I, was compelled by popu- lar hatred to leave his country for a time ; when Hungary was in open revolt against Austria, and when the Chartist agitation threatened revolution even in England. Pro- fessor Wells was deeply interested in these great events happening around him. He had an interesting experience in the Berlin riots that taught him that he was not able to cope with the Prussian cavalry. He next went to the German parliament at Frankfort-on-the- Main, as secretary to the special American embassy to that body. He remained during the entire session as correspondent of the New York Herald, then went to Paris, where he spent a college year as a student at the Sarbonne and the College de France. After- wards he traveled over a large part of Eu- rope, returning to the United States in 1851. He spent a year in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had the honor and pleasure of making the address of welcome to Louis Kossuth, on the occasion of the Hungarian patriot's visit to that city.

In 1852 he was elected professor of modern languages in Genesee College, Lima, New York. There he remained twelve years, dur- ing part of the time acting also as principal of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. In 1865 he was called to the Chair of Modern Lan- guage and Literature at Union College. Schenectady, New York, thus beginning the connection that was maintained unbroken for over forty years. In 1872 he received the degree of LL.D. from the Indiana Asbury University, now known as De Pauw Uni- versity. In 1887 the professorship at Union College was enlarged by the addition of the lectureship on current history. In the interest

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of that work he visited the southern states of the Union, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Alaska, California, the Rocky Moun- tain region, and later made an extended tour comprising every country of Europe from the North Cape, with its strange vision of the midnight sun, to Greece and Constantinople, Asia Minor, Egypt. to the Cataracts of the Nile and the other countries of Northern Af- rica. On his return from this, his fourth visit to the Old World, he was welcomed home by the alumni of Union College with a hearty demonstration in New York harbor, which attested the deep respect and affection with which he was regarded by Union College men. The results of his observations and reflection during his tours were embodied in a series of lectures, delivered annually to the senior class and the general public. In the spring of 1890 Dr. Wells celebrated his seventieth birthday and the fiftieth anniversary of his entrance upon the profession of teaching, the same year marking the completion of a quarter-century's work at Union College. Fifteen years longer he continued his connection, when the burden of years proved too heavy and he was retired professor emeritus. His beautiful home was on the college grounds and there he celebrated his eighty-seventh birthday, April 4, 1907. He was beloved of the students, to whom he had endearingly become "Uncle Billy." At a meet- ing of the Chicago Alumni Association twen- ty-five alumni of the college banqueting at Chicago sent him this telegram: "Twenty- five nephews from Chicago and the North- west extend heartiest greeting, and best wishes for many years more with Old Union." His activities were not confined by college walls. By voice and pen he was long known as one of the foremost educators. He lecttired in all the great cities of the United States from Boston to San Francisco. He was the first European correspondent of the New York Herald, and during his last great tour abroad was special correspondent of the New York Mail and Express. For over twenty years he was in charge of the foreign department of the Methodist Review, and was a frequent editorial and general contributor to all the leading papers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Able articles from his pen also ap- peared in the Independent, Scribner's Month- ly and the Century Magasinc. He was asso- ciated with Dr. Taylor Lewis in the prepara- tion of the "Book of Genesis for Lange's Commentary," and translated the Book of Ec- clesiastes for the same work. When the phil- anthropist, Daniel Drew, had in contemplation the founding of Drew Theological Seminary, Professor Wells was one of the men who were

called upon for advice and assistance. He took an active part in the foundation of the seminary and was ever after on the board of trustees. He was a devoted Methodist and for twenty-five years superintendent of the Sun- day school of State Street Methodist Episco- pal Church at Schenectady. He was elected and served as lay delegate to the general con- ference of his church in 1872, the first year laymen were admitted as delegates. He was again elected to the general conference of 1876 and served as one of the secretaries of that conference. At his death fitting memo- rials were passed by different bodies, from which we quote the faculty in part :

"He was not only immensely useful to the col- lege by his scholarship and attainment, but made for himself a place in the hearts of the students, which he kept long after graduation. For nearly half a century he has been closely and affection- ately connected with every one's thought of the college. As a personal friend Professor Wells was loved and honored, not only by the faculty, students and alumni of Union, but far more wide- ly; for his sympathy and interests had brought him into connection with many persons and many institutions, and he came to no work or oc- cupation where he did not attain the affection as well as the respect of those with whom he was associated."

again :

"The passing years but added to the kindliness of his nature, to his devotion to the College, and to his love for his pupils of the past and present." Not inappropriately was he called "The Grand Old Man of Union College."

Professor Wells married, July. 1854. Alice Yeckley, born at Gorham, Ontario county, New York, March 15. 1836, died at Schenec- tady. April 26. 1906. She was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and Genesee College (afterwards Syracuse University). They removed to Schenectady in 1865, and there resided until death. Like her husband, Mrs. Wells was a devoted Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, especially in missions and work among the young. She was for many years president of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the First (State Street ) Church and for twelve years president of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association. She or- ganized and was president of the Mother's Club connected with the Young Women's Christian Association. She was closely iden- tified with the social life of the college, and in all respects was a worthy helpmeet and companion. One child, Alice M. Wells, sur- vives her parents, residing in Schenectady, New York.

(The Arnold Line).

Alice Yeckley (Mrs. Professor William W'ells) was a descendant through her mother,

I27

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

Mary Arnold Yeckley, from the famous Ar- nold family of England, who traced their descent and origin to the ancient Princes of Wales.

The Arnold family is one of great anti- quity and honorable mention in the early an- nals. The descent is traced to Ynir, King of Gwentland, who flourished about the middle of the twelfth century. King Ynir descended through a second son from Cadwalader, last King of the Britons. The ancient Castle of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, England, built by Cadwalader, may yet be seen, although in ruins. The line briefly told is traced from a son of each generation.

(1) Ynir, King of Gwentland, married Nesta, daughter of Justin, King of Glamor- gan.

(11) Meiric, King of Gwentland, married Eleanor of the house of Trevor.

(III) Ynir Vichan, King of Gwentland, married Gladice, daughter of the Lord of Ystradyw.

(IV) Carador, Lord of Gwent, married Nesta, daughter of Sir Rydereck le Gros.

(V) Dyenwall, Lord of Gwent, married Joyes, daughter of Hamlet, son of Sir Druce, Duke of Balladon of France.

(VI) Systal, Lord of Upper Gwent, mar- ried Annest, daughter of Sir Peter Russell, Lord of Kentchinch in Hereford.

(VII) Arthur, married Jane, daughter of Lein, Lord of Cantrosblyn.

(VIII) Meiric, married Annest, daughter of Cradock.

(IX) Gwillim, married Jane, daughter of Ivon, Lord of Lighs-Taby-vont.

(X) Arnholt Esq., married Janet, daughter of Phillip Fleming, Esq.

(XI) Arnholt (2) Esq., married Sibyl, daughter of Madoc.

(XII) Roger Arnold, of Llanthony in Mon- mouthshire, first of the family to adopt a sur- name, married Joan, daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage.

(XIII) Thomas Arnold, successor to the estates in Monmouthshire, married Agnes, daughter of Sir Richard Warnstead.

(XIV) Richard Arnold married Emmate. daughter of Pearce Young.

(XV) Richard Arnold (2), born in Somer- setshire, removed to Dorsetshire, England, be- came seated at Bagbere, and was Lord of the Manor. His name appears on the "Subsidy Rolls" of the county of Dorset, 1549. He was patron of the churches of Blanford and Bingham Melcombe. His manor house at Bagbere was standing until 1870, when it was demolished. His will was probated July 9, 1595. He desires "To be buried in the Parishe

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Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 25

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed Publication date: 1911 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 656

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656