USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume II > Part 82
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Stephens : I.
Bertha Robinson, married
George H. Brewster, mentioned above. 2. Ethel M., born October 1, 1885, married Leon Latch, of Scotia; child, Ethel G. 3. Helen, born 1887, a teacher of music. 4. Ruth N. 5. Edith R. 6. Magdaline. George H. and Bertha R. (Stephens) Brewster have a son, George Stephens, born December 18, 1906.
BRESLER The Bresler family of Meck- lenburg, Germany, were noted among the people of that sec- tion of Germany for their great size and strength. This particular section is the boast of Germany for the stature and strength of its inhabitants; the common tradition being that they descend from the giants of Bible his- tory. Most of the Breslers were over six feet in height, weighing between two and three hundred pounds. They were further remarked for their longevity, their lives often being ex- tended from ten to twenty years beyond the scriptural "three score and ten." They were a very ancient family and Mecklenburg rec- ords carry them far back into the past cen- turies.
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(I) Frederick Bresler was born in the city of Robel, near Mecklenburg, Germany, in the latter years of the eighteenth century. That locality had been the birthplace of his ances- tors for the past three centuries. He was a man of extraordinary size, being over six feet tall. He was a maker and dealer in custom footwear for men and carried on his business until an extreme old age. His wife died at the age of ninety-three years, while his years numbered ninety-two. He was a member of the Reformed Evangelical or State church of that day. Children: I. Karl, lived and died in Germany, where he reared a large family. 2. William, of whom the same may be said. 3. Hendrick, served in the Germany army ; also married and had issue. 4. Ludwig, a sol- dier of Germany and the head of a family. 5. Frederick (2), see forward. 6. Louise, mar- ried - - Glaevcke, government collector of duties. One of their sons, Henry Glaevcke, came to the United States, where he became famous as a painter and decorative artist. Much of his work may be seen in the churches and public buildings of the central west. The finest decorations of the State Capitol at In- dianapolis, Indiana, are from his brush, and he did a great deal of work for the Catholic churches of that section. 7. Mary, married Gottfried Schmidt, a famous violinist of Mecklenburg ; they had a large family.
(II) Frederick (2), son of Frederick (I) Bresler, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 31, 1818, died June, 1904, in Albany,
New York. He was educated in the German schools, learned the trade of a shoemaker, making ladies shoes only. At the age of sev- enteen he began life as a journeyman and travelled from place to place until he had cov- ered almost the entire continent of Europe. He passed sixteen years in this itinerant life, acquiring the language of the different coun- tries in which he worked, until he could con- verse fluently in most of the languages of the European countries. After his sixteen years of wandering he returned to his native city, where he married and lived until after the birth of five children. In 1857 he sailed from Bremen for the United States, landing in New York, forty-two days later, one of the children dying on the voyage and was buried at sea. He continued his journey to Albany, New York, which was ever after the family home. Frederick Bresler (2) married Lizetta Thuro, a native of Rostock, near Mecklenburg. She was born March 18, 1814, died in Albany, January 18, 1896, and is buried with her hus- band in Rural Cemetery, Albany. They were members of the Lutheran Evangelical church, in which Frederick was a steward. In their later years they joined the Reformed church, which he served as elder. Her father was overseer of the State Church Convent School at Mecklenburg. There were seventeen sons and two daughters in the Thuro family. The Emperor of Germany learning of this large family, ordered a special grant made for the benefit of the parents. Children of Frederick (2) and Lizetta (Thuro) Bresler: Four daughters died young ; they were twins; twins were again born, one dying on the voyage to America, the other shortly after the arrival in Albany. 5. Frederick Ulrich, see forward.
(III) Frederick Ulrich, only son of Fred- erick (2) and Lizetta (Thuro) Bresler, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 1854. He was three years of age when his parents came to the United States and settled in the town of Bethlehem, now the first ward of the city of Albany. He attended school in his ear- lier years, but liking work better he left school at the age of eleven and began business life as an errand boy in a furniture store in Albany. Later he entered the employ of the baking firm of Belcher & Larrabee, beginning as er- rand boy, working up through the different grades of promotion until he was bookkeeper. During these years he took the course at the Albany Business College, from which he grad- uated. He was an efficient employee and won his promotions. He remained with Belcher & Larrabee from 1867 to 1874, then for ten years was in the grain office of Frank Cham- berlain, and with R. W. Thacher until 1891.
Tel . George Thever
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He then embarked in the grain business on his own account, and was successful until the panic times of 1893-94 caused his withdrawal. Mr. Bresler since youthful manhood has been interested and active in city affairs. He be- came a leader in his ward (first) of the Re- publican forces, and in 1878 was elected su- pervisor of that ward; in 1898 was appointed deputy internal revenue collector of Albany ; in 1900 was elected city clerk, and has since been continuously in that office through suc- cessive re-elections. He is an efficient, pop- ular official, and administrates the clerk's of- fice in a manner that meets with the favor of both political friends and opponents. He has represented his district five successive years in the Republican state convention, is president of the Unconditional Club, the old- est incorporated Republican club in the Uni- ted States, its charter bearing date of 1868. This is the leading Republican organization of the city of Albany and in it President Bres- ler has been an influential, active worker. While he has a host of personal and political friends, Mr. Bresler through his prominence in the Masonic order, commands a still wider acquaintance. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons, where he was made a Mason in 1875. In the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty- third degree, the highest order that can be conferred in the United States, and one that is only bestowed for valuable services to the order. He married (first) Elizabeth Woolf. who died in Albany, in 1891, at the age of thirty-two. He married (second) Louisa Stein, of Albany. Children by first marriage : I. Frederick, died in boyhood. 2. Frank C., educated in Albany; learned the plumber's trade and is now a master plumber of Roch- ester, New York ; while still in his teens Frank started out to see the world and before re- turning had visited China, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, South America and other countries ; he married Della Schenck ; child: Frank, died in infancy.
Harmon McCoy, a farmer, died McCOY in Waterford, New York. He married Charity Leversee, who was born, lived and died in Waterford, daughter of Colonel Leversee, of the English army, a descendant of the old English Lever- see family of Yorkshire, England, where the ruins of an ancient castle of Leversee may yet be seen. They had Charity, Catherine, Wil- liam, Edward, Shubboleth and Henry.
(II) Shubboleth, son of Harmon and Char- ity (Leversee) McCoy, born in Waterford, New York, in 1812, died there June 2, 1890.
He was educated in the public schools of the village. He was a clerk in Albany and as- sociated in business with Ira Harris until 1837. In that year he became interested in a foundry and acquired an interest that he in- creased until he was the sole owner. He con- tinued in business until 1888, when he retired. He had his home in Albany until 1860. when he removed to Waterford and continued in business until 1888. His principal line of man- ufacture was stoves, and in their making he employed many men and a very large plant. In 1849 he bought the patents covering the then celebrated "Buck" stove, which gave him control over the manufacture and sale in the entire United States, two states excepted. He was a man of great ability, and managed his large business with great success. He married Esther, born 1821, died July 2, 1857, daughter of James Gibbons, of Albany, and grand- daughter of James Gibbons, born in England and mayor of Albany, New York. James Gibbons married Matilda Brown.
(II) Henry, son of Harmon and Charity (Leversee) McCoy, was born in Waterford, New York, 1821, died October 24, 1857. He was educated in the public schools and ob- tained his first business position in the Water- ford postoffice, where he was clerk. For sev- eral years later in life he was superintendent of the Lake Champlain canal. He was al- ways delicate and died of consumption, a com- paratively young man. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Episcopal church. He married, October 9, 1849, Ma- tilda E., daughter of Colonel George Strover, born in Saratoga county, New York, March 4, 1791, died October 5, 1886, at Schuyler- ville, New York. He was educated at the schools of Saratoga Springs, and became a well known civil engineer. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and rose to the rank of colonel. He was a personal friend of Stephen Van Rensselaer, and transacted a great deal of bus- iness for him and for the Van Rensselaer es- tate. The work by which he is best known is the Croton Acqueduct for supplying New York City with water, which he designed and engineered in part. He designed and laid out the system of canals and cross waterways that form the lumber district of Albany. This lat- ter work was done for Stephen Rensselaer. Colonel Strover married Eliza Braizer, of Charleston, South Carolina, born 1794. died April 9. 1881. Colonel Strover bought, in 1831, the old Philip Schuyler homestead at Schuylerville, New York, that is still in pos- session of his heirs. The original Schuyler mansion was burned by the French during the French and Indian war, about 1720; was
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replaced and again burned by General Bur- goyne. The present building stands on the same foundation and was built by soldier me- chanics in the army of General Gates. The property now owned and occupied by Mrs. M. E. McCoy, and son, was deeded to Colonel Leversee by King James. It is situated on the Hudson about three quarters of a mile north of Waterford, and has been the property of the McCoys since deeded by King James. The present house was built in 1871 ; the original grant was four hundred acres. The only owners have been the Schuylers and Strovers, descending from Colonel Strover to his two daughters. Children of Henry and Matilda E. (Strover) McCoy: I. Edward, born Sep- tember 7, 1852; resident and capitalist of Waterford. 2. Esther Matilda, married (first) William F. Burden, who died in 1887. no liv- ing issue. Married (second) 1890. Dr. Alex- ander S. Clark, of Paris, France, who died May 26, 1909.
ZELLER The German ancestors of the Zeller family of Albany were for many generations native to the city and vicinity of Würtemburg, Ger- many. They were a family of good position, Lutheran in religion, and possessed of that not uncommon gift in Germany, musical ge- nius of a high order. Although few of the family adopted music as a profession, they were all well trained and skillful performers. The founder of the family in America, Ernest Zeller, was one of those who from boyhood was destined for a musical career and fol- lowed it all his life.
Ernest Zeller, born in 1837, was the son of a well-to-do merchant and custom tailor of Würtemburg and Ludwigsburg. Germany. Ernest was the only child of his mother, al- though by a second marriage his father had a further issue. Ernest was carefully trained and educated in the public schools, after which he was given special musical training on the violin, for which early in life he showed a marked preference. He continued his musi- cal studies until 1857, when he decided to come to the United States, and Albany, New York, where he had friends. His voyage across the Atlantic was long and dangerous, ninety-three days, and the little sailing ves- sel was often sore beset. On arriving in Al- bany he at once offered his services as a teach- er of the violin, organized classes and gave private instructions to many advanced lovers of the violin, and did much orchestral work in Albany. Himself an accomplished musician, he created an enthusiastic following, and left a deep impression on the musical life of Al-
bany. He was connected also with the Ger- man singing societies and social orders, "The. Eintracht" and others. He was never greatly interested in politics, but voted with the Re- publican party. In church fellowship he was Lutheran. He died at his home in Albany, 1880. He married, in Albany, 1853, Elizabeth Neuser, born in Oberstaff, Westphalia, Ger- many, February 8, 1833. She was reared and educated in her native village. In 1851 came to the United States with her parents, settled in Albany, where she resided before her mar- riage. Since the death of her husband she has continued her residence at 130 Elm street, where she is tenderly cared for by kinspeople who make their home with her. Children of Ernest and Elizabeth Zeller: 1. Rudolph, died aged one year. 2. Julius, educated both in German and English; learned the trade of jeweler ; never married; died April 7, 1891, in Albany, aged thirty-four years. 3. Adolph, died in infancy. 4. Augustus, died when four and one-half years of age.
Mrs. Zeller is the daughter of John and Margaret (Klass) Neuser, both born in West- phalia, John in Izerfeldt, Margaret in Ober- staff, where their marriage was solemnized. They were both descendants of old Westpha- lian families, for generations farmers and members of the Catholic church. John Neu- ser was of fine athletic build and was selected for his size as a member of the King's special bodyguard, serving three years. He was ap pointed later superintendent of mines to look after the state's interest. He died in Albany, in 1851, three weeks after his arrival from Westphalia, aged fifty-four years. His wife, Margaret, survived him until 1875, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Children of John and Margaret (Klass) Neuser, born in Westphalia, Germany: I. Maria A., dieđ young. 2. George, emigrated to the United States, died at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, at the age of fifty-three years ; married Gertrude Griessen, who survives him, resident of Car- bondale ; children : John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Ja- cob. Catherine, Charles and William; these are all married except Joseph. 3. Elizabeth, married Ernest Zeller, of previous mention. 4. Clara, married Jacob Messer ; both deceased ; left children : Emma, William, Louise, Clara, Josephine and George, all married and heads of families. 5. Herman, died at sea, the re- sult of an accident on the steamship of which he was steward; unmarried. 6. Catharine, born in 1844; married Charles Schlueter, died in Newark, New Jersey, where he was en- gaged in the real estate business; she sur- vives him and resides in Albany with her sis- ter, Mrs. Ernest Zeller. 7. Mary A., born
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1846; married Frederick Breithut, who died in New York City in 1903 ; he was a veteran of the civil war, enlisted early in the war, Com- pany B, Twentieth New York Volunteer In- fantry ; this regiment was composed of Ger- mans and was known as "The Turners"; he served in many of the hard fought battles of the war and was seriously wounded in the head; on recovering from his wound he re- joined his regiment and served until the war closed; he later settled in New York City, where he died May 2, 1892; he was an active member of Steinwehr Post, Grand Army of the Republic, New York; children of Fred- erick and Mary A. (Neuser) Breithut: Otto, a pharmacist of New York City; married Mary Cody and has sons Otto (2), Walter and Fredrich Breithut; Charles H., a book- keeper ; married Josephine Weiness; Profes- sor Frederick E., professor of chemistry in the College of the City of New York ; married Edith Kingsmith Commander. 8. Charles, died unmarried at the age of forty-five years.
NAYLON The three generations of the Naylon family now resident in Schenectady, New York, de- scend from an ancient and honorable family for centuries seated in county Clare, Ireland, well-to-do agriculturalists and tradesmen. Donald Naylon, grandfather of the American progenitor, lived in the parish of Clare, village of Killmore, where he died at an advanced age. He, as well as his forebears, was a mem- ber of the Catholic church ; was a man of edu- ·cation and respected for his upright life. He was twice married, the Naylons of Schenec- tady descending from the first marriage. Chil- dren : Thomas, see forward; Sarah, married Thomas Spelesey, a resident of the same par- ish and county. Their daughter, Mary Spele- sey, married Kennedy, emigrated to the United States where she died, leaving no issue.
(II) Thomas, son of Donald Naylon, was born in Killmore, county Clare, Ireland, where he lived all his ninety years, respected and honored. He married Mary Chase, who survived him ten years, dying in her native parish aged nearly one hundred years. Thom- as was a farmer, prominent in the church and its work, and intellectually of more than aver- age ability. Children: I. Daniel, see for- ward. 2. Michael, born 1829; emigrated to Australia, where he attained success in bus- iness; returned to Ireland; married a Miss Conlon ; then again went to Australia, where he became a successful agriculturist and the head of a large family. 3. Mary, deceased, came to the United States; married Simon
McCarthy ; settled in Ballston, Saratoga coun- ty, New York, and died at an advanced age, leaving five sons, Martin, Charles, Thomas, James, Patrick, and a daughter Anna, all liv- ing except Martin, and all married except Anna. This branch of the family ( McCarthy) reside in Saratoga county. 4. James, emi- grated to Australia, where he became a suc- cessful farmer and wool grower; married and left a family. 5. Martin, emigrated to Aus- tralia ; was a farmer, and head of a family.
(III) Daniel, eldest son of Thomas and Mary (Chase) Naylon, was born in county Clare, Ireland, May 1, 1827. He grew to manhood in his native parish, and in 1852 joined in the tide of emigration then flowing toward the United States. He sailed on the vessel "Antarctic," landing in New York City after a long voyage even for that day of slow sailing vessels. After an unpleasant experi- ence at railroad construction he resolved to seek skilled employment. At Schoharie Court House there was a hat factory, and there he secured employment, learned the trade of hat- ter, became a skilled workman and followed that occupation during his active years. He was unusually well informed and by thrift and economy acquired a comfortable compe- tency. Now (1910), at the age of eighty- three, he is in perfect health and spending his last years at the home of his only surviving child, Daniel (2), at Schenectady, where he is tenderly and lovingly cared for. He mar- ried, in Guilderland, Albany county, New York, April, 1856, Anna Morrissey, born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, about 1827, died April 29, 1891 ; she came to the United States in 1852, was a devout Catholic, a loving wife and devoted mother. Seven children were born of this marriage, six of whom died in childhood, carried away in an epidemic, three of them dying within a few days of one an- other.
(IV) Daniel (2), son of Daniel (1) and Anna (Morrissey) Naylon, was born in Guil- derland, Albany county, New York, January 2, 1860, and received his preparatory educa- tion in the Schenectady public schools. He then entered Union College, where he was graduated, class of 1884. He decided on the profession of law, for which he prepared in the office of Judge Alonzo P. Strong, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1886. since which time he has carried on a general law practice in Schenectady. He gives pref- erence to corporation law and practice, for which his long experience and legal attain- ments render him peculiarly well fitted. He is a successful practitioner and stands high at the bar and in public estimation. He is di-
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rector of Union National Bank. He has al- ways been active in public affairs in his city. Served five years as supervisor of his ward and two terms as corporation counsel and district attorney. January 1, 1910, he was again appointed corporation counsel. He is an active member of the Democratic party, for several years chairman of the county commit- tee and often a delegate to city, county and state conventions of the Democratic party. He is a member of the State Bar Association. He served as district deputy of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and holds mem- bership in Schenectady Lodge, No. 480. He also belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and to the social clubs, Mohawk and Schenectady. He is trustee of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and with his wife is active in the re- ligious and social life of that church. He married, August 9, 1888, in Schenectady, De- lia Barry, born in that city, August 23, 1860, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Hawkins) Barry, both of Ireland. Michael Barry was born in Rosscommon county, Ireland ; his wife Sarah (Hawkins) Barry, in Galway. They were married in Schenectady, where he died February, 1863, aged thirty-four years. Mrs. Barry survives her husband and resides in Schenectady with her daughter Theresa, who married Joseph H. Bernardi, city treasurer of Schenectady, died February 22, 1901, leaving daughters: Mary, Geneva and Helena. Al- though well advanced in years, Mrs. Barry retains her mental and physical activity to an unusual degree. Children of Daniel (2) and Delia (Barry) Naylon: I. Alice, born July 27, 1889, now (1910) a student at the Acad- emy of the Sacred Heart, New York City. 2. Anna S., April 26, 1892. 3. Daniel (3), Au- gust 20, 1893. 4. Ruth T., June 3, 1897. 5. Gertrude, February 21, 1899. 6. Edmond Bar- ry, November 18, 1900.
NOLAN The progenitor of this branch of the Nolan family of the United States is Michael Nolan, of Schenectady, New York, where. three genera- tions of the family reside. Michael Nolan is a son of Martin Nolan, of Rosscommon coun- ty, Ireland, which has been the family home for many generations. Michael Nolan was a native of the parish of Pigeon Park, where he died at the age of sixty-four years. He was an Irish farmer of comfortable mneans and of note in the parish. He married Mary Cun- ningham, of the same village, a descendant of the Cunninghams of England, who came to Ireland in the times of Cromwell. They were the parents of two sons, Martin and William. Their daughters were Mary, Bridget and
Marguerite, all of whom married, became the founders of families, and died in Ireland. Martin, the eldest son, was a farmer of Pigeon Park parish.
(II) William, second son of Michael and Mary (Cunningham) Nolan, was born in Ross- common county, Ireland, in 1794. He grew to manhood in his native parish, learned the trade of stone mason, and became a building contractor and a man of importance in the county. He acquired a good education, pos- sessed considerable skill as an architect, which in connection with his building and contracting. operations brought him fortune and more than local reputation. He was an influential, high- ly-regarded man and noted for his wise, con- servative judgment and fair dealing, these qualities often being called into requisition by his neighbors in settling causes and disputes- which otherwise would have to be adjusted by a resort to legal means. He died in 1862. He- was twice married; the Schenectady family descending from the first marriage. By his- first wife, William Nolan had a daughter, Mary, who came to the United States, mar- ried, and died in Schenectady, leaving issue. Children of second marriage: I. Michael, see- forward. 2. Martin, came to the United States; married and resides at Johnstown,. New York. 3. Thomas, a resident of Sche- nectady, New York. 4. Marguerite, marriedi Michael Noonan ; both deceased, and buried in Schenectady.
(III) Michael (2), son of William Nolan,- was born in the village of Killmore, Ross- common county, Ireland, March 12, 1827. He learned the mason's trade under his father, with whom he worked until he was eighteen. He then went to the city of Drohida, where he was employed on the construction of the great docks being built there. In 1849 he sailed for the United States on the ship "Hin- doostand," and after a voyage of forty-two- days landed in New York City, September 20, 1849, a day that is celebrated each re- curring year as an important one in his life's history. From New York he proceeded to Albany and thence to Schenectady, which has since been his home. He worked at his trade as a journeyman for a time, acquired a thor- ough knowledge of the business, and in 1855 began a long and successful career as a con- tractor and builder. During his active years he was the leading contractor of the city, and erected many of the public buildings and bus- iness blocks that adorn the streets of Schenec- tady. Among the public edifices erected by him are the old Armory, Union Hall and the Presbyterian Stone Church. He also engaged' in railroad construction, bridge, viaducts, etc.,.
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