Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume II, Part 85

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866- ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 716

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and well located in Cohoes. He employs eighteen assistants, and is recognized and hon- ored as one of the leading merchants and respected members of the French colony, while he is exceedingly popular among all classes. He is a Republican but is more of a business man than a politician. He served on the board of health as health commissioner for four years, 1902-6. He is a member of St. Marie's Roman Catholic church, is president of La Salle Council, No. 129, and an active member of "Le Union St. Jean Baptiste d'Amerique," having served as vice-president, 1908, and president, 1909. He is a leading spirit in the recently formed "Franco-American Associa- tion of Cohoes." He married, September 18, 1894, Addie E. Ritchie, born in Plattsburgh, New York, but from infancy a resident of Cohoes, daughter of Peter, born 1825, died 1893, and Sophronia (Petit) Ritchie, born 1832, died 1906. No issue.

NEARY The paternal grandfather of the Neary family of Cohoes was born in county Rosscommon, Ire- land, where he lived and died. He married and had issue.

(II) John Neary was born in Ireland, Oc- tober 12, 1830, and came to the United States in 1845, a lad of fifteen. He made his way in the new country and finally settled in Co- hoes, New York, where he was engaged in the express business. He married Priscilla, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Cole) Ho- warth, born in England, and came to the Uni- ted States to supervise work being done for the government at forts and other defenses. He performed a large amount of work for the government, and his brother, John Ho- warth, was a government supervisor on forti- fications for many years. John and Priscilla (Howarth) Neary had children, among whom was James Henry, see forward. John Neary is living in Cohoes, remarkably strong and sturdy for his years.

(III) James Henry, son of John and Pris- cilla (Howarth) Neary, was born in Cohoes, New York, January 15, 1854. He was educa- ted in the public schools of that city and took the full Egbert high school course. He was apprenticed to a builder, who taught him the mason's trade. He worked as a journeyman for several years and in 1882 began contract- ing, in partnership with William Stanton. In 1898 he entered into partnership with his brother, Thomas W. Neary. They have been very successful and have erected all of the largest buildings put up in Cohoes in recent years, among which may be noted, the gun factory of the United States arsenal at Water-

vliet ; St. John's church; St. Agnes' church ;. and the two Cohoes banks, Cohoes Saving In- stitution and Manufacturers and Mechanics Savings banks ; the Baptist church ; St. James' church; the Victor mill; the Anchor hosiery mill, and the Delaware & Hudson freight de- pot at Cohoes. The firm stands high in the. building world and are reliable, energetic and capable builders. James H. Neary is a Re- publican, and served at one time as alderman, but has since refused all office. He is a mem- ber of St. James' Methodist Episcopal church. He married, November 9, 1876, Mary E., daughter of Watkins and Phoebe (Gale) Pow- ell. Children: 1. Frank Watkins, born in Cohoes, June 18, 1879; graduated from Eg- bert high school, 1897; from Troy Academy,. 1898; from Union University, 1902, with de- gree of A. B .; from Columbia Law School,. 1905, with degree of LL.B. He was admitted to the New York bar and practices his profes- sion in Cohoes, member of the law firm of McLain & Neary, his partner being John E. McLain. He is a Republican and is now serving as assistant district attorney. His college fraternity is Phi Gamma Delta, and he holds membership in the state and county bar associations. He is a member of the Masonic order and is an Odd Fellow. He married, August 1, 1910, Florence Bottum, of Cohoes, a graduate of Cohoes high school and of a business college in Vermont; daughter of Hamlet E. Bottum. 2. Charles Edward, born January 31, 1883; educated in the public schools and Troy Business College ; is in busi- ness with his father. He married Jane E. Moreland. 3. James Henry (2), born July 31, 1886; attended the Troy Academy and Poultney Academy; married Mary Bell, and has a son, Lloyd Roy Neary.

FERGUSON This fine old Scotch family was founded in Troy, New York, by Alexander Fergu-

son (2), born in Glasgow, Scotland, but whose whole life with the exception of the- first three years has been spent in Troy.

(I) Alexander Ferguson was born in Glas- gow, Scotland, 1802, died at Wappinger's Falls, Dutchess county, New York, in June, 1889. He married, in Glasgow, Mary, born 1804, died 1847, daughter of George and Ann Ferguson, probably a kinswoman. They re- sided on Cheapside street, near the river. About 1836 the family came to the United States and settled in Dutchess county, New York. Alexander Ferguson was a cotton dresser, and after a few years spent in the Borden nail mill, worked at his regular trade, learned in Scotland. The children of Alex-

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ander and Mary (Ferguson) Ferguson, were: Ann; Elizabeth; Alexander (2), see forward ; Agnes ; all born in Glasgow, Scotland, where George and Robert died.

(II) Alexander (2), son of Alexander (1) and Mary (Ferguson) Ferguson, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 1833. In 1836 he came to the United States, where the father had preceded him about two years before. He landed in Montreal, Canada, and joined his father in Troy, New York. The son always remained in Troy, where he was educated and started a business career that extended over forty years. His first employment was as a machinist, later as a manufacturer of brick; he thoroughly mastered the art of successful and profitable brick-making, and continued as the leading brick manufacturer of Troy for a term of years in excess of forty. During that period he transformed the clay hills of Mt. Ida and those on Hoosic street into good mer- chantable brick, that entered largely into the construction of the public and private build- ings of Troy. His activity in the public affairs of the city has been confined to edu- cational lines entirely. He has served on the school board, representing both the Fifth and Seventh wards of his city. His politics is Re- publican, and his religious faith Presbyterian. He is public spirited and generous, giving lib- erally to the maintenance of the Young Wom- an's Home and other worthy benevolences. Mr. Ferguson has practically retired from ac- tive business life, resides in Troy, at the cor- ner of Hoosic and Fifteenth streets, and en- joys the fruits of an active, well-spent life. He married. November 1, 1854, Mary Ann Stone, born in Troy, New York, April Io, 1834, where she died in 1905. Children: I. Joseph, born December 24, 1855; married Elizabeth Whitney, and had four children : Baltuce, Mary S. F., Alexander F., Sheldon B. 2. Oakley W., April 8, 1858, married Frances Davis, and had two children : Walter A., and Mae D. 3. Cora May, June 7, 1867; married, November 28, 1888, Charles Christo- pher Seibert, born September 2, 1863, son of Michael Seibert, of Troy. Her children are : Norman, Saleina, both deceased ; Naomi, Wil- helmina and Alexander Seibert.

GORSKI It was during the reign of Sig- ismund, one of the kings of Po- land-then an independent king- dom-that the Gorski family came into promi- nence in public life. At that time the founder of the family now represented in Amsterdam, New York, by Rev. Anton Gorski, was ap- pointed by King Sigismund to be his personal and private secretary. Since then members

of the Gorski family in each generation have been actively connected with the government public service. Many of them took an active part to prevent the absorbment of their native land by Russia and in the subsequent revolu- tions aimed to restore liberty to their well loved land. Many lost their lives and property and were driven into exile.

(I) Four generations from the first secre- tary to the King, Matthew Gorski, were born in Lomza, Poland. The country was then un- der the Austrian government. Matthew was owner of a large estate and was a landlord over many tenants, who worked his lands. He was a man of quiet tastes and of religious temperament, himself a farmer, and owing to his descent from noble blood received proper recognition in the province. The family were members of the Polish Catholic church. He died aged about sixty years, leaving a wife Rosalia and six sons. She survived him many years, became blind and died in extreme old age. Their sons were: I. Anton, who died in his native town at the age of thirty-six. He left a widow and two sons, John, a phy- sician and an officer in the Russian army, and Michael, a sailor in the Russian navy. 2. Felix, was a physician and held the rank of captain in the war of 1855. He was a leader in the revolution of 1863-65, against Russia. After the defeat of the Poles a price of two thousand rubles was placed upon his head, but he escaped and fled to France. He loca- ted in the south of France, where he prac- ticed his profession with success until 1899, when he came to the United States, settled in Chicago, where he died three years later. Im- mediately after escaping from the Russians he was in Paris, where he met and married Mary, daughter of General Yorgan. She accom- panied him to the United States, and died one year after her husband. 3. Joseph, was in the Russian government service as post- master in one of the cities of Poland. He also owned and operated a large farm. He married the daughter of the sheriff of the district, but had no issue. 4. Alexander, died November, 1909, at the age of eighty-six ; he was a government official all his life and re- tired to a large estate after an active life. He married Rosalia Brzosko, a blood relative of the patriot priest, Father Brzosko, who was a leader in the revolution of 1863-65, was captured and hanged. He was the last vic- tim of that revolution executed under author- ity of the Czar. 5. Michael, was a well edu- cated man in Poland when he entered actively into the revolution of 1864, and became a leader of his countrymen. When the revolu- tion was crushed there was a price offered

Ru. Anthony Griske

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for him "dead or alive." A party of Cos- sacks ran him down and nearly effected his capture. One of the Cossacks was in advance of the others, and although he was shot through the leg, Michael killed the leading Cossack, mounted the dead soldier's horse and escaped. After much hardship and difficulty he reached France, thence going to Berne, Switzerland, where he completed his educa- tion at the University there. He then went to Buenos Ayres, Argentine, South America, where he is a professor of mathematics in the college. He married a Polish wife and had three sons, two of whom completed their education in Paris, France; one enlisted in the Boer army during their late war, was cap- tured by the British, and died from the re- sults of imprisonment. 6. Kasimir Michael.

(II) Kasimir Michael, youngest son of Matthew and Rosalia Gorski, was born in Po- land, March I, 1829. He entered the public service, and was for years mayor and post- master of his native city, Ciechanowiec, Po- land. He was accused of being a Revolu- tionist during the revolt of the Poles against Russia in 1863-65, arrested and thrown into prison where he was confined for eighteen months. There not being sufficient evidence to convict him, he was released. He was re- stored to his position of postmaster, and in 1894 was retired on a government pension. He lives upon his own estate in Poland, and is still active in local affairs. He married Cecilia Liszkiewicz, daughter of John, a for- ester of the district, who died at the age of thirty-three, from the bite of a poisonous snake. Her mother was one of the remark- able women that the revolution brought into notice for their patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty. She went to the front with the soldiers, was captured by the Russians, and was tortured by them in every inhuman way. to make her acknowledge her connection with the Revolutionists and the names of the others but she remained silent, declaring they could kill her but could not compel her to speak. She died about 1895. The children of Kasimir Michael and Cecilia Gorski are: I. Ludowika, died at the age of twenty-six, leaving her hus- band Joseph Czerski (since deceased), and three children, Mary, Kasimira and Stephen. 2. Rev. Anton, of further mention. 3. Satu- rinia, who was educated in Poland, is now the wife of Mr. Francis Luiski, living in Florida township, Amsterdam, New York. 4. Kasi- mira, came to Amsterdam, New York, when a young woman. She is the wife of Wence- slaw Michalowski, an officer of the Russian army. He served during the war of Russia against Japan, and was wounded in battle.

They have George and Anna. 5. John Otto, was chief of the Siberian railroad stations at the time of the war with Japan, is now cultivating his brother Anton's farm in the town of Florida, Montgomery county. 6. Kajetan, died at the age of nineteen years. 7. Cecilia, married Dr. Bronislaw Smykowski, who is now (1909) completing a post-grad- uate course at the Baltimore Medical Col- lege. 8. Alexander, died at the age of eleven. 9. Michael, died in childhood.

(III) Rev. Anton, second child of Kasimir Michael and Cecilia Gorski, was born in Po- land, January 30, 1867. He was educated in the city of Biala, Poland. His theological studies were pursued at Wloclawek Seminary, where he was graduated with the class of 1893. During his studies there he saw much of the interference of the authorities; and he inherited a hatred of Russian oppression and spoke his opinions perhaps too freely for his future comfort. On being required to enlist in the Russian army, he refused, and fled the country, coming to the United States in 1893. He entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy, New York, to acquire a more perfect knowledge of English. He was graduated in 1895, and having completed all preparation required for candidates for the priesthood, was admitted to holy orders and ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic church. He was at once placed in charge of St. Stanis- laus Church, a Polish congregation at Am- sterdam, numbering three thousand communi- cants in the parish, not including those who live in suburban towns. This number has in- creased from one thousand since Father Gor- ski was assigned to the parish and placed in spiritual control. St. Stanislaus also main- tains a school of four hundred pupils presided over by Sister Samuela, mother superior. Al- though descending from a family of warlike tendencies, Father Gorski as a minister of peace maintains a mild, yet firm control and is beloved of his people. He is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of Ameri- ca, of Chicago, Illinois, and chaplain of its eastern division ; a member of the Polish Mili- tary organization of the United States, of Jer- sey city, New Jersey, being commander and chief of this, and also chaplain of the society ; colonel of St. Michael's Knights, First Polish Battalion, of Amsterdam, New York; a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, Amsterdam council ; member of the board of directors of St. Joseph's Society of the "Emigrant House," and secretary of the society ; also a member of the Associations of the Polish and Lithuanian Roman Catholic Priests of East- ern Provinces of America. Father Gorski is

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also a writer of considerable note, and has fur- nished much valuable material for both Amer- ican and foreign Polish periodicals and news- papers.

IRWIN The progenitor of the Irwin fam- ily in America was of Scotch- Irish birth. In the veins of his descendants of the present generation the blood of three nationalities unites-the Akins of Scotland, the Tellers of Holland and the Irwins of Ireland. They also unite with the best blood of the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys through intermarriage.

(I) William Irwin, the pioneer ancestor of the family, was born in county Antrim, north- ern Ireland, 1699, died in 1785. He came to America early in the eighteen century and settled in Dutchess county, New York. He formed the acquaintance of General Wash- ington and enjoyed his friendship. He mar- ried Jane Hoffman.

(II) James, son of William and Jane (Hoffman) Irwin, was born at Newburg, New York, August 12, 1760. He married Margaret Patten, born 1763, died December 22, 1832. Among his children was William Patten.

(III) William Patten, son of James and Margaret (Patten) Irwin, was born in New- burg, New York, February 21, 1789, died in Sodus, New York, 1863. He removed to So- dus, Wayne county, New York, in 1811, and purchased the farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. He took an active in- terest in the affairs of the town and was ma- jor of a local military company. He married, in Sodus, 1824, Mehetabel Hayward, of Windsor, Massachusetts. Among his children were: William Patten, Theodore and David.

(IV) William Patten (2), fifth son of Wil- liam Patten (I) and Mehetabel (Hayward) Ir- win, was born in Sodus, Wayne county, New York, April II, 1833, and died at his home on Greenbush Heights, town of East Green- bush, New York, October 30, 1876. He was educated at the academies at Rochester and Oswego, New York. From 1853 until 1856 he was engaged in the grain business in Os- wego, New York. He then removed to Al- bany, where he lived six years, and finally to Greenbush Heights, where his death oc- curred. He was extensively engaged in the grain and produce business in Albany, and in Greenbush he had a large malt house, mill and elevator. He was largely interested in real estate, having important holdings in Michigan, South Carolina, New York City, Brooklyn, Albany and Greenbush. At the time of his death he was the president of the

East Albany Banking and Trust Company, and a prominent member of the Albany Board' of Trade. He was held in the highest esteem! as an honorable, upright business man. He was of warm impulse and charitable to a marked degree. He was an earnest Christian,. an active member and senior warden of the- Church of the Messiah (Episcopal) of Green- bush. He contributed largely to the pros- perity of that village, where he is held in grateful remembrance by the survivors of his- day. He married (first) in Sodus, New York, January 19, 1853, A. Matilda Andrews, born February 12, 1834. Children: Millard Wil- liam, died in March, 1880; Mille Matilda, married Egbert W. Tracy; Harriet M. He. married (second) November 23, 1864, Anna' Mary Teller (see Teller VII) .. Children :: Anna Mary, married Jacob Chester Chamber- lain ; Martha Teller, married Dr. Frank Sid- ney Fielder ; Theodore Dudley; Alice and' Herbert.

William Teller, of Holland, TELLER founder of the Teller family in America, was born in 1620; died in 1701. He arrived at New Nether- lands in 1639, and in the same year was sent: by Governor Kieft to Fort Orange, now Al- bany, and subsequently was quartermaster at the fort. He lived in Albany from 1639 un- til 1692, when he returned to New York where he was a merchant. He was one of the. five patentees of the town of Schenectady in 1684, although he never lived there. The Teller family is prominent in the history of Albany and Schenectady counties, where they had large interests. William Teller married (first) Margaret Donchensen, and had six children : (second) Maria Varleth, and had three additional children.

(II) William (2), son of William ( 1) and' Margaret (Donchensen) Teller, was born in 1657. He married, in New York City, No- vember 19, 1686. Rachel, daughter of Dr. Hans and Sarah Roleoff (Jansen) Kierstede .. Dr. Kierstede was one of the earliest physi- cians and surgeons who settled in New Am- sterdam, arriving there in 1638 with Gover- nor Kieft. He married Sarah Roleoff, daugh- ter of Rudolf and Anneke Jans Jansen, of Trinity property fame. Rachel (Kierstede) Teller was wonderfully proficient in the. signs and language of the Indians and' acted, May, 1664, as interpreter for Gov- ernor Stuyvesant during an interview with Indian chiefs. Among the children of William and Rachel ( Kierstede) Teller was a son, Johannus or Jolın.

(III) John, son of William (2) and Rachel!

Hmp Irwin

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(Kierstede) Teller, was born March 12, 1693, died in 1767. In his will, dated February 25, 1763, he called himself "John Teller of Tel- lers Neck in the Manor of Cortlandt." He married Alida (Aeltje) Vermilye. Among his ten children was John.

(IV) John (2), son of John (I) and Alida (Vermilye) Teller, was born in April, 1734, died at Rhinebeck, New York, January 15, 1818. He married Margaret Stoutenburgh, born at Hyde Park, April 14, 1734. Children, (baptisms recorded in the Dutch Church in Poughkeepsie, New York) : John, Jacobus, Tobias, William.

(V) William (3), son of John (2) and Margaret (Stoutenburgh) Teller, was born in Hyde Park, New York, December 29, 1775, died at East Greenbush, June 31, 1862. He carried on farming on an extensive scale in East Greenbush. He married, February 21, 1808, Caroline M. Conklin, born at Clinton, New York, November 28, 1781, died March 3, 1871. Children: Margaret, Jacob Van Ben- schoten and Tobias.

(VI) Jacob Van Benschoten, son of Wil- liam (3) and Caroline M. (Conklin) Teller, was born October 12, 1811, died February 6, 1892. He married, June 17, 1835, Martha Taber Akin (see Akin V), born in Green- bush (Rensselaer), April 30, 1813, died July 16, 1893. Children: William, died in 1893; Margaret ; David Akin, see forward; Anna Mary, see forward ; Elisha Pratt.

(VII) David Akin, second son of Jacob Van Benschoten and Martha Taber (Akin) Teller, was born at the Teller homestead, "Rose Hill," near Rensselaer, New York, De- cember 19, 1839, died unmarried, January 13, 1907, and is buried in Greenbush Cemetery. He was educated at the Boys' Academy, Al- bany. He enlisted, May 29, 1861, in Com- pany A, Captain Cuyler Van Vechten (known as the Albany Zouave Cadets), Tenth Regi- ment, New York National Guard, and on De- cember 6, 1862, was commissioned second lieutenant. It is worthy of note that sixty members of the Albany Zouave Cadets re- ceived and honored military commissions during the civil war. Lieutenant Teller was mustered in as second lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh New York Volunteer In- fantry. November 21, 1862, to serve nine months, and was mustered out with his command, September 10, 1863, at Albany. Lieutenant Teller was in every battle in which the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh par- ticipated while he was in service, and was a volunteer in the "Forlorn Hope" to make a second assault on Port Hudson, which was

not made owing to the immediate surrender of Vicksburg. He was appointed, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, on the staff of Gen- eral Woodhall, commander of the Third Brig- ade, New York National Guard.

(VII) Anna Mary, daughter of Jacob Van Benschoten and Martha Taber (Akin) Teller, was born October 9, 1842. She married, No- vember 23, 1864, William Patten Irwin (see Irwin IV). She survives her husband and resides in the Irwin Homestead on Greenbush Heights, opposite Albany, New York.

AKIN John Akin, the founder of the family in America, was born in Scotland in 1663. He was one of the band of Quakers who fled to America to escape the persecutions their peculiar sect had to endure in Scotland under English rule on account of their refusal to take oath or bear arms. He arrived in 1680, and settled in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, and there married, 1687, Mary Briggs. They soon found that religious freedom with the Puritans meant freedom only for those who agreed with them in their religious belief. When persecutions again drove them from their homes, the greater number of the Akins went to the New Netherlands, where they were allowed freedom of conscience. The family rose to eminence in civil, social and political life, and descendants are still prom- inent there.

(II) David, son of John and Mary (Briggs) Akin, was born in 1689, died in 1779. He settled on "Quaker Hill," Pawling, Dutchess county, New York, a locality that has long been the family seat. He married, at Dartmouth, Massachusetts, 1711, Sarah Al- len, born in 1692.

(III) Jonathan, youngest son of David and Sarah (Allen) Akin, was born in 1737, died in 1828. He was a man of affairs in Dutch- ess county in the vicinity of "Quaker Hill." where his death occurred. The civil list of the state enrolls him twice. Member of the state assembly, 1788-89, and 1791-92; dele- gate from Dutchess county to state constitu- tional convention, 1801. In 1788, under Aaron Burr, he was one of the delegates who voted against the constitution being ratified. He married, July 27, 1757. Lillias Ferris, of "Quaker Hill," born in 1736, died in 1813.

(IV) William, son of Jonathan and Lillias (Ferris) Akin, was born at "Quaker Hill." Pawling, Dutchess county, New York, June 13, 1769, died at Greenbush, Rensselaer coun- ty, New York, April 3, 1841. He removed to Rensselaer county where, in 1810, with two others who afterward retired, lie purchased

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Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume II, Part 85

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866- ed Publication date: 1911 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 716

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866- ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 716