USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I > Part 58
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(I) William Peddie was born in Perthshire, Scotland, about 1767. He grew up in his native shire, where he married Nelly Mc- Intyre, of an old Perth county family. Shortly after their marriage they joined the tide of emigration that was even then beginning to flow to the United States, whose independence recently gained was the talk and wonder of
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the whole Eastern world. They came on a slow sailing vessel with other Scotch emi- grants and settled in Fulton county, New York, where they named their home in the New World-Perth-after the Scotch home they had left. William and his wife pos- sessed those admirable Scotch traits, industry and frugality, therefore it is not strange that they soon had a home on a cleared farm to which each year a new field was added, liter- ally "wrested from the wilderness." They lived to be old people and to see their three sons and two daughters settled in homes of their own. Children: 1. James, studied law after a boy and youthful manhood passed on the farm. He became a well-known and prosperous lawyer of Palmyra, New York, where he died unmarried in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight years. 2. Duncan, who left the farm and settled in New York City, where he was superintendent of the Crystal Palace during the exhibition held there and after- wards. He married and left a daughter Liz- zie, now married. 3. Eliza, born as early as 1820; married William Fisher, and died with- out issue. 4. Helen, died unmarried, at the age of eighty-nine years. 5. Daniel, see for- ward.
(II) Daniel, son of William Peddie, was born on the Perth homestead farm in Fulton county, in 1822, died in April, 1896, is buried with others of the family in Perth cemetery. He was of the same industrious, thrifty habits as his ancestors and was known as a good and just man. He followed the soil all his years and accumulated a goodly estate. He married (first) Mary Barker, daughter of parents who were members of the Society of Friends who had made a settlement of mem- bers of that faith at Granville. Mary Barker was reared to the faith and always dressed "plain," until the day of her marriage, when she laid aside the outward garb of her re- ligion, but the admirable traits of the Quaker character were always hers. She died at the early age of twenty-nine, in 1866. Children : 1. Dr. William J., see forward. 2. Ella Jean- nette, born in 1860; married George Nash, of the leather firm of Lynk & Nash, Albany, New York ; child, Lydia, wife of Francis Hol- lister, an electrician of Schenectady, New York. 3. Charles, born in 1868; graduate pharmacist of Glens Falls, New York, mem- ber of the drug firm of Leggett & Peddie ; married Jeannette MacFarland ; child, Roy. Daniel Peddie married (second) Mary F. Lent, who survives him. Children of second marriage: 4. Edgar L., a sketch of whom follows. 5. Sydney Fisher, born 1871; fore- man of a knitting mill department in Amster-
dam; married Freelove Sprung, of Amster- dam : children: Edgar C., Roy, Gladys and Ethel. 6. Holley Marvin, born December 24, 1874; married Sarah Welch, of Waterville. New York.
(III) Dr. William J., eldest son of Daniel and Mary (Barker) Peddie, was born Jan- uary 7, 1858. He was reared on the farm in Perth, where he remained until after the death of his mother and his father's second marriage. He was ambitious and desired to become a physician. He entered Amsterdam Academy, where he completed his academical studies. He made the acquaintance of Dr. Albert Vander Veer, of Albany, who, learning the boy's ambition and limited means, became very much interested in him. He gave him an introduction to Hon. Webster Wagner, then state senator, who was so impressed with his earnestness and determination to win his profession that he stood security for his edu- cation at the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated Doctor of Medicine in March, 1882. He never forgot the kind- ness of Senator Wagner, whom he reimbursed for the money expended on his education, and always retained as his friend. On the advice of Dr. Vander Veer, Dr. Peddie located his office in Fultonville, where he began his won- derfully successful professional career that continues to the present day. His skill is well known to a large clientele.
Dr. Peddie married (first ) in Albany, New York. April 26, 1883. Ella Gardner, born in 1864, died November 13, 1885. He married (second) in Perth Center, New York, Carrie McIntyre, born in Perth, October, 1868, daughter of John D. and Sarah (Ferguson) McIntyre, born in Perth, of Scotch ancestors who settled in the county one hundred and fifty years ago, with the first Scotch settlers from Perth. The McIntyre family have al- ways been represented in the county, where they are prominent and numerous. Carrie McIntyre was educated at Amsterdam and later at Utica Academy, taking special courses in music. Dr. and Mrs. Peddie are prominent in the social and public life of the village, where he has always taken a special interest in local affairs. He has served as village president and member for several years of the board of education. He is a member of the American Medical Association ; the State Medical Society, and the Amsterdam Medical Club. He has been United States pension ex- aminer for sixteen years, and for several years coroner of Montgomery county. He is a Republican politically. He is past master of Fultonville Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons; member of Johnstown Chapter,
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Royal Arch Masons ; Lenton Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Fonda Lodge, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and of the Red Men.
Child of first wife: Burton G., graduate of Troy Business College and an expert machin- ist, residing in Cohoes, New York, married Catherine Lent, and has a son, Lewis W. Children of second wife: Jay McIntyre, born December 12, 1887, graduate of the Business College, now department city clerk of Glovers- ville, New York; Edith, born June 26, 1889. married, September 22, 1910, Jessie R. Rick- ard. of Schenectady, of the firm of J. Rickard & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in sport- ing goods, Schenectady; Harold C., born 1891, died at the age of four years; Don- ald D., born June, 1897.
(III) Edgar Lent, son of Daniel and Mary F. (Lent) Peddie, was born in Broadalbin, Fulton county, New York, December 21, 1869. He was educated in the public schools, and after completing his education was taken into his father's store, where he remained for three years; then was employed in a knitting mill for four years, followed by a year in the Gloversville Glove Factory and two years in the Amsterdam Knitting Mills. He finally settled in Cohoes, where he entered the em- ploy of the Victor Mills Company, where he is foreman of a department. Since coming to Cohoes he has been active in the Republican party organization, and in 1900 was elected alderman from the sixth ward. His course in council received the endorsement of his ward and he was four times re-elected, serving eight years. In 1909 he was elected from the sixth ward as their representative on the board of supervisors. He was chosen leader of the first district, sixth ward, in 1905, at the prim- ary elections, and still continues the choice of his district. He served in the common coun- cil of Cohoes with great ability, and was chair- man of the committee on streets for seven years and member of the finance, poor, lamps and gas, sidewalks and parks committees. He attends the Presbyterian church, but is not actively connected with it. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Cascade Hose Company, No. 3, and the East Side Social Club. Mr. Peddie married, May 14, 1895, Mary Led- with, born in Crescent, Saratoga county, New York, daughter of Michael and Katherine (Kane) Ledwith, natives of Ireland. Michael Ledwith was engaged in the stone quarry business with his father, resigning to enter the employ of the state in canal work ; he was an active Republican ; he died June 23, 1908. Children of Edgar Lent and Mary (Ledwith) Peddie: Alma H. and Alice M.
The Troy, New York, family MURPHY of Murphy, whose record fol- lows, was founded in that city by Edward Murphy, a native of Ireland. He came to the United States by way of Canada in 1832, located in Troy in 1833, where he established a brewery and prospered. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He married, in Ire- land, Mary Murphy, born in Queens county, died in Troy, New York. Children: Two who died in infancy; Edward (2), see for- ward.
(II) Edward (2), son of Edward (I) and Mary (Murphy) Murphy, was born in Troy, New York, December 15, 1834. He was early educated in the Troy schools, entered St. John's College, Fordham, New York, where he was graduated, class of 1859. Returning to Troy from college, he became his father's business assistant and was of great value to the enterprise not yet well established. After several years his father retired and Edward (2) entered into a part- nership with William Kennedy (also a brew- er) and established the firm of Kennedy & Murphy, later the Kennedy, Murphy Malting Company, of which Mr. Murphy was vice- president and treasurer. The company became one of the large concerns of Troy and did an extensive business, and Mr. Murphy re- tained an active interest in the company until 1903. His outside business interests have been important. In 1889 several small gas companies of Troy and vicinity consolidated. He was chosen the first president of the new corporation-the Troy Gas Company-and continues in that office. He is vice-president of the Manufacturers' National Bank, with which he has been connected officially since its establishment as a national bank. He is heavily interested in real estate and in Troy improved and unimproved property. His es- tate at Elberon, New Jersey, is situated di- rectly on the ocean front and has been his summer home since 1875.
He entered public political life at an carly age. When but twenty-five he was a dele- gate to the Democratic state convention that nominated William Kelly for governor, and was a delegate to most of his party conven- tions ever afterward until the retirement from active public life. His political career was one of unbroken success, and he served his city and state well. In 1864 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen of Troy, serving in that body continuously until 1874, when he was elected fire commissioner. He had always been interested in that department and was a member of one of the volunteer
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fire companies. In 1875 he was elected mayor of Troy and re-elected in 1877-79-81. He was again nominated, but declined a fifth term. In the mayor's chair he gained a reputation for wise executive ability and courage that was fairly earned. Under him the new city hall was built at a cost of $18,000, without the appropriation. He gave the city a good system of granite pavement, improved the water supply, and left the city a smaller bond- ed indebtedness than any city of similar size in the United States. When he took office the bonds of the city were below par. When he retired from office they were at a premium. During the eight years he served as mayor he did not draw his salary of $2,000 for him- self, but at Christmas time distributed it among the charitable institutions of Troy, regardless of creed. While mayor he came to the res- cue of a leading bank of Troy and saved it from ruin. During his absence from the city a run was started on the Manufacturers' Bank and he was telegraphed to return. By pledg- ing his private fortune in addition to the se- curities the bank had, and aided by his friends, George P. Ide and William Earl, the collar manufacturers, he obtained a quarter of a mil- lion dollars from the other banks. He carried in this vast sum and deposited it in sight of the frightened depositors, who were convinced that their deposits were safe, stopped the run and saved the bank. He also showed the quality of his physical courage during his term of office. Rensselaer county had in its population a large body of Protestant and Catholic Irishmen. As far back as 1840 these two bodies often clashed over the Orange parades, and for years there had been none. In 1876, the year of the Nation's Centennial, it was decided to have an Orange parade. The Catholic body withdrew from the pro- posed centennial parade, and threats were made that there would be bloodshed if the Orangemen persisted in marching. Ordering out the entire police force, Mayor Murphy placed himself at their head and in command led the Orange line. Neither insult nor out- rage was offered the paraders. He was a member of the New York delegation to many national Democratic conventions. He was an ardent supporter of Samuel J. Tilden in the warfare upon the celebrated "Canal Ring," and was a delegate to the St. Louis conven- tion that nominated Mr. Tilden for president. In 1880 he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention that nominated Gen- eral Winfield S. Hancock for president, al- though Mr. Murphy favored the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden, whom he believed had been defrauded of the presidential chair by
the electoral commission who awarded it to Rutherford B. Hayes. In 1882, in the state convention, he was in favor first of Erastus Corning for governor, but later cast his vote for the Rensselaer county delegation for Grover Cleveland, which completed his ma- jority in the convention, his nomination being at once announced. At the convention of 1884 he favored Roswell P. Flower for presi- dent. In 1888 at the St. Louis National Con- vention he supported President Cleveland for renomination. In 1892 he was one of the four delegates-at-large from New York to the National Convention which met at Chi- cago. He favored the nomination of David B. Hill, but acquiesced loyally in the nomina- tion of ex-President Cleveland. In 1887 he became chairman of the Democratic state committee and held that office until 1894. In 1887, when he became chairman, both branches of the New York legislature were Republican. After his taking the reins this party never elected its candidates on the state ticket and when he retired both branches of the legis- lature were Democratic. This exemplifies his skill as a political leader in a most remark- able manner. In 1892, when it was found the Democratic party would have a majority in the legislature, a general demand arose in the party in favor of the election of Mr. Murphy to succeed Frank Hiscock as United States senator from New York. In the caucus following the assembling of the legislature Mr. Murphy was chosen, elected by the joint session and took his seat as United States senator at the extra session of congress in March, 1893. In addition to membership on other committees he was chairman of com- mittee on relations with Canada. His term expired in 1899, when he returned to Troy, retired from active political life and devoted himself to his business affairs, never, how- ever, losing his interest in politics, retaining his influence and popularity to the present day. He is now (1911) a resident of Troy, alert, active and as full of courage and de- termination as of yore. He is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church and of various social clubs and organizations of Troy, Albany and New York City. His ca- reer as a public man deserves commendation. As a citizen he has been true to his obliga- tions, and as a friend and neighbor he is kindly, courteous, generous and sympathetic. A characteristic trait that has shone forth in every station he has filled is a scrupulous regard for his given word, "always keeping his promises."
He married, in Troy, Julia Delehanty, daughter of one of Albany's prominent mer-
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chants and public men, Michael Delehanty, who was born in Ireland, was a wholesale dealer in stoves and house furnishing goods in Albany, active in public affairs, superin- tendent of public buildings of the state of New York under Governor Roswell P. Flow- er. He married Mary Quinn, born in Albany in 1823, died 1907. They had eleven chil- dren, of whom Julia was the eldest. Children of Edward and Julia (Delehanty) Murphy : I. Mary, born March 21, 1868, died 1892; graduate of Sacred Heart Convent, Ken- wood, New York. 2. Edward, born in Troy, April 13, 1870; educated at Troy Academy ; was graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., A.B., 1890; Albany Law School (Union University) LL.B., 1892 ; ad- mitted to the bar 1892; began practice in Troy as member of the firm of Shaw, Bailey & Murphy, general legal practitioners ; he is a director of the Manufacturers' National Bank, and of the Security Safe Deposit Com- pany, both of Troy; he served in the New York National Guard, 1890-1900. In 1898 he enlisted for the war against Spain and served in the Phillipines in Company A, Sec- ond Regiment New York Infantry; was ap- pointed captain and assistant adjutant-general, May 25, 1898, served until 1899, mustered out January 16, 1899 ; he is an active Democrat ; a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, the Troy Pafraet Dael, Saratoga Turf. St. Bernard Fish and Game clubs, of Alexis Du Mont, Canada. He married, June 7, 1899, at Albany, New York, Helen, daugh- ter of Henry Townsend and Lydia (Lush) Martin ; one child, Helen (2). 3. Julia, grad- uate of Sacred Heart Convent ; married Hugh J. Grant, of New York City ; children: Julia, Edna, Hugh J. (2). Hon. Hugh J. Grant, a prominent lawyer and politician, was born 1855, graduate of Manhattan College, 1871 ; Columbia Law School LL.B., 1877 ; practiced law and operated extensively in real estate; received Democratic nomination for alderman of nineteenth district, New York City, 1882, and was elected; re-elected in 1883 to the "Boodle Board," where his straightforward and honorable course was in marked contrast to the crooked acts of most of his fellow members, whom he was largely instrumental in exposing and punishing; nominated for mayor of New York, 1884, but was defeated by William R. Grace in a close contest ; nomi- nated for sheriff in 1885 and elected; nomi- nated for mayor, 1888, and elected ; re-elected 1890 ; nominated for third term, but was de- feated by William L. Strong; since retiring from the mayor's office devoted his attention to management of his large real estate in-
terests ; served as receiver of the St. Nicholas Bank, Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Com- pany, and Third Avenue Railroad ; he is now deceased. 4. William E., born May 4, 1874; educated at Georgetown University ; not in active business; is a great traveler. 5. John J., born 1876; president and treasurer of Murphy Construction Company, New York City. 6. Joseph J., twin of John J .; treasurer of United Waste Manufacturing Company of Troy; president of National Textile Manu- facturing Company of Troy and Cohoes; treasurer of Hudson River Terminal Ware- house Company of Troy. 7. Jane Lodge, graduate of Sacred Heart Convent. 8. Rich- ard C., born 1880; educated at Georgetown University ; dry goods commission merchant of New York City; married Elizabeth War- ren, daughter of Isaac McConihe, a noted political leader of Troy; prior to Mr. Mur- phy was mayor of the city; one child, Eliza- beth. 9. Helen, educated at Sacred Heart Academy.
CASS This family is of English descent and is found in the records of New England at as early a date as 1644. Joseph Cass, son of the founder, was the grandfather of Hon. Lewis Cass, general in the United States army, secretary of war under President Jackson, governor of Michi- gan; minister to France, and secretary of state under President Buchanan. The fam- ily in Albany are also lineal descendants of John and Joseph Cass.
(1) John Cass emigrated to America and settled at Hampton, New Hampshire, in 1644; best evidence proves that he came from St. Albans, England. He was a farmer, planter, herdsman, selectman. Died at Hampton, New Hampshire, April 7, 1675. He married Mar- tha Philbrick, born in England in 1633, who bore him eight children: 1. Martha, born Oc- tober 4, 1649 ; married John Redman. 2. Jo- seph, mentioned below. 3. Samuel, born July 13, 1659; married Mercy Sanborn. 4. Jona- than, born September 13, 1663. 5. Elizabeth. 6. Mercy. 7. Ebenezer. 8. Abigail. Martha Philbrick was the seventh child of Thomas and Elizabeth Philbrick (or Philbrook), who came from England in 1630.
(II) Joseph, son of John and Martha ( Phil- brick) Cass, was born October 5, 1656. He was of Exeter, New Hampshire. He mar- ried (first) Mary, daughter of Morris Hobbs; (second) a widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Chase, daughter of Henry Green. Children, first four by first wife: I. John, born August 21, 1680, died young. 2. Joseph (2), died at the age of two years. 3. Mary, born February 26,
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1687 ; married Ichabod Robie. 4. John, born August 19, 1689. 5. Joel, mentioned below.
(III) Joel, only child of Joseph and his second wife, Elizabeth ( Clase) Cass, was born in 1723. He removed from New Hampshire at an early date and was one of the pioneer settlers of Otsego county, New York. He was of the town of Decatur, that county. He married and among his children was a son Elkanah.
(IV) Elkanah, son of Joel Cass, was born March 5, 1771, died May 12, 1813. He mar- ried Sarah Thurber, born March 13, 1770, died November 28, 1846. Children: I. Lu- vina, born November 7, 1790, died September 20, 1830; married Clark. 2. Sally, born April 28, 1792, died February 21, 1830; married Houck. 3. Levi, see forward. 4. Benjamin, born September 18, 1795, died February 1, 1832. 5. Mary, born June 25, 1798. 6. Samuel, born March 4, 1802, died October 28, 1868; married, December 14, 1822, Lois Boardman. 7. Joseph, born March 23, 1804, died October 1, 1839. 8. Rachel, born August 8, 1809, died June 1, 1838; married - - Finch.
(V) Levi, son of Elkanah and Sarah (Thurber) Cass, was born in Decatur, Otsego county, New York, September 12, 1793, died February 28, 1832. He married Martha Shaw, born July 21, 1797, died April 4, 1867. Children: 1. Lilbern Allen ; see forward. 2. Mary Ann, born December 5, 1819; married, February 12, 1843, Matthew Kniskern. 3. Marinda, born June 27, 1822, died September 4, 1892; married Matthew Ward. 4. Lavan- tia, born May 4, 1824, died March 19, 1885; married Cornelius Pitcher. 5. Matilda, born May 13, 1826; married Jacob Livingston. 6. Levi (2d), sec forward. 7. Amos Alden, see forward.
(VI) Lilbern Allen, eldest child of Levi and Martha (Shaw) Cass, was born Decem- ber 12, 1816, at Decatur, Otsego county, New York, died November 9, 1865. Upon the death of his father he found himself at the age of sixteen the mainstay of his mother with her seven children, aged from sixteen to two years. He shirked no responsibility, but went manfully to work, cultivating the farm in summer and teaching school in winter, and by studious application to the few books he was able to purchase, he became the leading cdu- cator of his time in the county. He was for many years one of the county commissioners of schools for his native county. He was deeply interested in religious work, a lay preacher of great force and ability, and for many years a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Worcester. He was one of the
foremost citizens of the county. His services as a speaker were ever in demand at educa- tional and religious gatherings. In politics he was a Democrat. He married, June 27, 1838, at Cobleskill, New York, Sarah Mac- Donald, born October 5, 1817, died Novem- ber 6, 1863. Children: 1. Horatio G., born March 18, 1841 ; married (first) February 8, 1866, Mary J. Babcock; one child, Carlton B., born July 9, 1867. He married (sec- ond) Mary A. Rowland. 2. Monroe, born July 10, 1843; married, June 9, 1863, Julia Richmond. 3. Orsamus W., born February 9, 1846; married, March 12, 1867, Mary J. Crippen ; children : Clarence D., born Octo- ber 29, 1868, Melvin J., June 20, 1870, H. Deverre, February 16, 1872, Florence E. 4. Volney, born February 27, 1848; married, October 7, 1885, Lillian E. Fulkerson ; daugh- ter Edith, born September 27, 1886. 5. Thaddeus G., see forward. 6. Lewis, see forward. 7. Frances P., born September 5, 1856: married, June 12, 1878, Joseph W. Cowell; children : i. Walter A., born April 5, 1879, married Violet A. Parrish, and has daughter, Ruth Frances ; ii. Thaddeus G., born May 4, 1881 : iii. Grace M., born April 30, 1884. 8. Levi, born October 9, 1860; mar- ried Ada Griffin, and has daughter Helen Rose, born April 15, 1900.
(VII) Thaddeus G., son of Lilbern Allen and Sarah (MacDonald) Cass, was born No- vember 17. 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Otsego. In 1870 he became a partner in the mercantile business with his brother. The call to the ministry came too strong to be resisted, and he sold out his in- terest and took up the studies for his life work. He graduated from Colgate Academy in 1874 and Colgate University in 1880. His first charge was at Malden, Massachusetts, his last in Olean, New York. During the twenty-six years of his ministerial life he filled some of the best pulpits in New Hamp- shire and New York states. An eloquent speaker and a deep thinker, his services and advice were sought for by denominational leaders at state and national conventions. Failing health of a member of his family obliged him to change climate. He is now the proprietor of an extensive fruit plantation in Porto Rico, and at the same time engaged in evangelistic work. He married, June 25, 1878, Cornelia Swart ; children : Helen Eaton and Thaddeus G. (2d.)
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