Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 102

Author: Parker, Amasa Junius, 1843-1938, ed
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1374

USA > New York > Albany County > Landmarks of Albany County, New York > Part 102

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

168

Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the Fort Orange Club and other organizations of Albany. July 18, 1894, he married Mrs. Hortense Willey Vibbard, of Dansville, N. Y.

Andrae, M., treasurer and manager of the American Soap and Washoline Com- pany, was born in 1846 in Germany and came to this country in 1856, and took up his residence in Cohoes and after a short time went to Canada. He returned to Cohoes in 1860, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. D, 88th N. Y. Vols. Throughout MeClellan's campaign he braved the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, and then served aboard the United States Ironclad Roanoke. After leaving the gunboat he was honorably discharged in April, 1864. The next September he enlisted in Co. A, 175th N. Y. Vols., serving until the close of the war. Returning here he engaged in the meat market business until 1888, then entered the American Soap and Washo- line Company at its reorganization. This important industry increased under his able management. They employ many men, and 100,000 pounds of soap can be produced weekly, which finds a ready sale from Maine to Oregon among manufac- turers. A member of the Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., since 1869; member of N. G. Post Lyon, No. 43, G. A. R., director of the Fairview Home for Friendless Children, Watervliet, N. Y., since its organization ; director of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society since its organization ; vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church for nine years, and warden for seventeen years; a member of Diocesan Convention of Albany for twenty-six years.

Dodge, William T., president of the Cohoes Saving Institution, and for more than thirty years the leading insurance agent of the city. Mr. Dodge was born in Berlin, Vt., in 1829. IIe was of Pilgrim ancestry, inheriting the sterling qualities of heart and hand characterizing those founders of a noble race. He is emphatically a self- made man, though so trite a phrase does bare justice to a bank president who began with a common school education, and who spent his early manhood on the farm where he was born, and later as a factory operator. Mr. Dodge became a resident of Cohoes in 1852, and in 1860 he married Miss Sarah Maria Steenburg, who left at her death in 1883, one daughter, Carolina Jane Dodge. In 1855 he embarked in business in the flour and feed line, and in 1862 in insurance and real estate busi- ness, and has for not less than twenty-eight years occupied his present office at Mohawk and Ontario streets; for nearly forty years he has been a member of the M. E. church. He was deputy sheriff of Albany county from 1873 to 1875, and alderman from 1878 to 1880. In 1873 he was elected a trustee of the Cohoes Savings Institution, and in 1877 a director of the National Bank of Cohoes.

Featherstonhaugh, J. D., M. D., one of the most scholarly and eminent of the med- ical profession of Cohoes. He was born at Washington, D. C., in 1845. His father was James D. Featherstonhaugh, a civil engineer. Dr. Featherstonhaugh's boy- hood was passed in France and England, where he received his preliminary edu- ·cation. Returning to America he entered Union College at Schenectady in 1863, graduating four years later with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He at once began the study of medicine in the office of the late A. M. Vedder of Schenectady, and was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the City of New York in 1870, and began the practice of his profession during the same year at Cohoes. He has taken an active part in educational matters and in municipal government, having served for a number of years as curator to the Albany Medical College, as school

169

commissioner for several terms, and is at present secretary of the Public Improve- ment Commission of Cohoes. The doctor is a member of the Albany County Medi- cal Society, and also of the State organization. He was married in 1892 to Caroline M. Johnston, daughter of the late Robert Johnston, of Cohoes.

McGarrahan, John F., M. D., began his successful practice in his native city, Co- hoes. He was born there in 1873 and is the son of Michael McGarrahan, super- intendent of a wool store in Troy, and was educated at Egberts High School, and at eighteen years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Mitchell of Cohoes, with whom he was associated for three years. He entered, Albany Med- ical College in 1891, graduating with high honors in 1894, receiving the Boyd prize in obstetrics. He began practicing his profession July 7, 1894, opening an office at 72 Vliet street, where he still continues his practice. He is acting physician for the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a member, also for the C. M. B. A., and associate member of the Medical Society of Troy and Vicinity. On September 23, 1895, he was married to Mary A. Cooley, daughter of John and Kate Cooley, long residents of Cohoes. He has one son, John.

Mott, R. H., a prominent merchant of Cohoes, came here when thirteen years old with his father, B. D. Mott, a tinsmith, and began the tinsmithing business with him in 1883, as B. D. Mott & Son, store and shop at No. 173 Remsen street. At the death of the father in 1885 this firm was dissolved, then continued as R. H. Mott until 1888, when he bought out the furniture business at No. 72 Oneida street of T. P. Hildreth, late of Cohoes, whose daughter Mr. Mott married in 1884. This store was enlarged and remodeled, making it one of the most modern establishments in the city, carrying a fine stock of house furnishing goods, draperies, crockery, car- pets and oil cloth, hardware, stoves and ranges. There are four floors, two of them 100 feet deep, filled with choice goods and operated with all modern methods. The two younger brothers associated with Mr. Mott are G. F. and Dudley B. ; the firm is now R. H. Mott & Bros. Mr. Mott was born at Fort Edward, N. Y., in 1860.

Speir, Stuart G., was born in West Milton, Saratoga county, N. Y., May 29, 1847. His father was Robert Speir, a prominent, influential representative citizen, well known to business men throughout the State. His mother is Elizabeth Vedder Speir of this city. In 1876 he married Ida Cutler, an Albany lady ; they have a family of four children: Mabel R., Grace E., Ruth E. and William Stuart. All are members of the Madison Avenue Dutch Reformed church, except William, the youngest. Mr. Speir is deacon in this church. In early life Mr. Speir mastered the rudiments of a common school education, graduated from the Ballston Academy in 1862, and from Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, in 1866. Being an expert bookkeeper he was appointed assignee by the courts to settle several large estates during 1866, 1867 and 1868. The largest of these was that of Edward C. Koonz, wholesale and retail carpet dealer. Mr. Speir devoted a year to the preliminary study of law, and graduated from the Albany Law School, class of 1879-80; was admitted to the bar May 25, 1880. He served as official court stenographer to the Court of Special Sessions in 1881 and 1882; to the law department of the city of Albany, 1883; also reported in the various City, County, State and United States Courts. Mr. Speir was president of the Albany Stenographers' Association in 1887. This was an organiza-

170

tion of about twenty stenographers, consisting mainly of the official court reporters of the city, county and State, and of stenographers connected with the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the State government, together with a few from the ranks of those employed in business and professional offices. Mr. Speir being musically inclined, in early life devoted considerable attention to vocal music, occu- pying several positions as solo tenor in Albany and Troy churches. On January 10, 1877, he was elected president of the Mendelssohn Vocal Club, a triple quartette of Albany's best male voices. This popular club for several years catered to the music loving public of Albany and vicinity, winning many laurels for its muscial skill. In Masonie circles Mr. Speir is what is known as a correct ritualist. He was raised in Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., November 22, 1875; was advanced in that lodge to the several subordinate places and stations in regular succession, covering a period of eight years, and was senior deacon two years. He is a Royal Arch Mason in Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., and also Royal, Select and Superexcellent Master in De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, this city. On December 14, 1896, he was elected Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the initial lodge in America, constituted in Albany on February 21, 1765, under the title, Union Lodge, F. & A. M.

Sill, John De Friest, was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, Novem- ber 10, 1853. He is a son of Francis Nicoll who was born March 18, 1818, and who removed to Albany in 1854 and established himself in the coal business on the cor- ner of Grand and Hamilton streets. He represented his ward at different times as alderman and supervisor and for a long time prior to his death was president of the Albany County Bank. He died August 23, 1895. Mr. Sill's ancestors all possessed that superior type of manhood that shows itself so plainly in the characters of their descendants. Coming as he does from such a worthy line of ancestors we will men- tion them in their order: John Sill left England in 1637 and located in Cambridge, Mass., about eighteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Joseph, son of John, was born in England in 1636, and was the father of Joseph 2d (born January 6, 1678) who married Phebe Lord of Lyme, Conn. Next in the order of descent is Lieut. John Sill who was born February 14, 1710, and died October 17, 1796. He was a farmer at Lyme, Conn., and served in the Revolution. Silas 4th son of Lieut. John, was born November 17, 1749, and died October 26, 1811. He was a tanner and shoemaker residing at Silltown, Conn., and was the father of Maj. Richard Sill of Albany, who was an officer of the Revolutionary army and served as an aid to Lord Sterling. Judge William N. Sill of Bethlehem, Albany county, was a son of Major Richard and the father of Francis Nicoll Sill, and grandfather of John D. sill the subject of this sketch, who is also a direct descendant of the Van Rens- selaers and Nicolls, two of the most prominent and influential families in the early history of the State. His mother was Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John De Friest of Greenbush, N. Y. She was descended from an old family of Knicker- bockers living in and near Schaghticoke, N. Y. John D. Sill was educated at the Albany Normal School and Albany Business College and in 1872 went to the Albany County Bank as clerk where he rapidly rose to the position of teller. In 1881 Isaiah Page and Francis N. Sill bought the D. S. Woods Malleable Iron Works and John D. Sill left the County Bank to become the manager of the foundry, which position he now holds, but since his father's death he has acquired his interest. Mr.

1:1

Sill is a member of the Albany Club. In 1875 he was married to Charlotte A. Far- rington of Newburgh, N. Y. They have one one daughter, Florence K.

Read, Major Harmon Pumpelly, traces his ancestry to Edward Read, armiger, lord of the manor of Beedon in Berkshire, England, high sheriff of Berkshire, 1439, and back to Thomas de Read of Northumberland. The cavalier Richard Read of Oxfordshire, with his greatnephews, Sir Compton and Edward Read, defended Barton Court against the Parliamentarians until it was burned over his head. His great- grandson, Col. John Read (grandson of Sir Charles, who came to Dublin where he held estates) born in Dublin, Ireland, January 15, 1688, became a large land owner in Maryland and Delaware and a founder of the city of Charleston. Hon. George Read, his son, born September 17, 1733, in Maryland, died September 21, 1798, in New Castle, Delaware, was the author of the first constitution and the first edition of the laws of Delaware and signed the original petition to the king of the Congress of 1774. the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution of the United States. Hon. John Read, son of George, was U. S. agent-general from 1797 to 1809. His son, Hon. John Meredith Read, LL. D., was one of the candidates for the presidency of the U. S. in 1860, was U. S. district attorney eight years, attorney-general of Penn- sylvania, solicitor-general of the Treasury Department, chief justice of Pennsylvania, one of the most eminent of the leaders of the Freesoil movement which gave birth to the Repubilcan party, grand master of Masons of Pennsylvania, etc. Gen. John Meredith Read, son of the latter, born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 21, 1837, was graduated from Brown University and the Albany Law School, and in 1860 became adjutant-general of New York and also organized the "wide awake" movement in this State. He was the first U. S. consul-general to France and Algeria during the Franco- German war, and at the request of the German government he occupied the same po- sition for that country. November 7, 1873, he became U. S. minister to Greece. He later resigned from that position, and for distinguished services on behalf of Greece, was created by King George a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, the highest dignity bestowed by that country. April 7, 1859, he married Delphine Marie, daughter of Harmon Pumpelly of Albany. Their son, Harmon Pumpelly Read born July 13, 1860, was educated at St. John's Military Academy, Sing Sing, N. Y., and Trin- ity College, Hartford, Conn., and spent some time in study abroad. As a Republican, he has always taken special interest in the laboring classes and in 1885 was nomi- nated for the Assembly, but was defeated in a Democratic stronghold. He was president of the Y. M. A. in 1886 and the same year was a member of the civic day and tableting committee during Albany's Bi-Centennial celebration. In 1893 he was the vice-chairman of the committee appointed by the mayor of Albany to receive the Duke of Veragua. He became acting-chairman on account of the absence of the chairman, Charles Tracey, and upon Major Read alone devolved the whole responsibility of the public reception and grand tour through the North Woods. With what success he carried out these various duties is shown in the Duke of Veragua's own words: "Among my most pleasant remembrances of America will be my reception in Albany and trip to the Adirondacks. ' He has taken an active in- terest in genealogy and history, is quoted as one of the three greatest authorities on heraldry in this country, and in 1894 was one of the original promoters of Albany's historical pageant of December 3, 5 and ?. January 15, 1895, he was elected Regent

172

of Philip Livingston Chapter Sons of the Revolution, succeeding Hon. Matthew Hale, the first president. He was inspector of rifle practice in the old 5th Brig., N. G. S. .N. Y. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of France, the Historical Societies of New York and Pennsylvania and of many other learned societies of Europe and America. In 1889 he married Marguerite, daughter of the late Jacques Frederic de Carron of Franche Comté, France, a descendant of an ancient Huguenot family. He has been an active Scottish Rite Mason and is looked upon as one of the most learned of the craft in the history of the order. He has made a special study of the social conditions of the various classes in Europe and America before the American Revolution, and of the customs and laws relating to the nobility, gentry and yeomanry of that period. He has been a constant contributor to the press, writing under various names.

Rickard, Hon. Michael, was born in East Creek, Herkimer county, February 1, 1837. His father was a section boss on the old Utica and Schenectady (now the Central) road, and lost his life by the cars. Shortly after his father's death Mr. Rickard was employed as line boy for civil engineers who were surveying the route for new tracks. Later he was employed as ticket agent at Amsterdam, N. Y., then clerk in the freight house at Fort Plain, N. Y., and subsequently he went on the road as fireman. It was not long, however, before he was promoted to the position of engineer and he soon became one of the most expert in charge of a locomotive. For some time he was engine dispatcher at Utica, M. Y., and then went back on the road, being placed in charge of engines on some of the most important trains on the C'entral. He was prominent in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, was one of the charter members and held various offices. November 14, 1887, he was ap- pointed a railroad commissioner to succeed John D. Kernan, resigned. Governor Hill reappointed him for the term of five years on January 29, 1888, and on January 29, 1893, Governor Flower reappointed him for another term. The first Mr. Rickard knew of his appointment was on November 14, 1887, when he stepped off his engine at the Union Station and was handed his commission by a friend, who had obtained it from Governor Hill to hand to the commissioner when he arrived in Albany on his locomotive. Commissioner Rickard left a widow and four children, who reside in Albany at his late home, No. 233 Madison avenue. One daughter is the wife of Fred S. Howell, the well-known broker. Edward H., the elder brother, is employed by the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad. Another son, Raymond C., is a stenographer in the office of the car shops at West Albany. Mr. Rickard was al- ways at his desk in the Capitol when the committee was not in session. He had many friends among railroad men and was beloved by all.

Wallace, Major William A., son of Dr. James Jefferson and Eliza Thompson (Bond) Wallace, was born in New York city in the early forties. His father's ancestors came from Argyleshire, Scotland, and settled in the town of Londonderry, N. H., in 1719. John Wallace, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the founders of Londonderry and he and Miss Annis Barnet were the first couple married there. His son William was married to Miss Hannah Thornton, a sister of Dr. Matthew Thornton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His son, also William, moved to Canada where he acquired 96,000 acres of land, but the spirit of patriotism led him to relinquish all and at the time of the War of 1812 he

173

moved to Rochester, N. Y., and was one of the founders of that flourishing city. He was married to Miss Ann Doudal, of Orange county, a granddaughter of Gen- eral Wisner who was a member of Congress, a general in the Revolution and who died in 1777. Major Wallace's maternal great-grandfather was Joseph Bond who served three years in the Revolution as a member of a Massachusetts regiment ; and his maternal grandfather was Abijah Thompson of Woburn, Mass., who was in the French and Indian war and in the Lexington alarm of 1775. Benjamin Thompson, a member of this family was knighted by the King of Belgium and took the title of Count Rumford ; he was governor of Munich ; he left $50,000 to be used to endow a chair at Harvard University, of which he was a graduate; this chair is now called the Rumford chair; he was appointed commanding officer of West Point but died while crossing the ocean to fulfill his commission. Major William A. Wallace at- tended the Brooklyn Grammar School. At the time of the completion of his educa- tion the Rebellion broke out, and he enlisted in the 13th Regt. of Brooklyn. After his return from the war he was made confidential clerk for Claflin & Co., dry goods merchants of New York. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he has since been engaged in the fire insurance business. He is now first assistant clerk to the Board of Contract. Major Wallace joined George S. Dawson Post No. 63, G. A. R., in 1876 and has been once its commander, and its adjutant for eight years. He has been assistant adjutant general of the department of New York, G. A. R .. under three commanders. For five years he was confidential clerk to Gen. James M. Warner, postmaster. He has been a Mason for thirty years and is now a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Crescent Chapter No. 220, R. A. M., of New York city. Major Wallace is also a charter member of the Philip Livings- ton Chapter, Sons of the Revolution. September 23, 1878, he married Frances Ione Abbe, of Huguenot ancestry. Major and Mrs. Wallace are members of St. Peter's church.

Cox, James W., jr., was born on the northeast corner of Maiden Lane and Chapel street, Albany, N. Y., April 14 1859, and is the oldest son of the late Dr. James W. Cox. He received his education in the Albany Academy, graduating in 1877. He possessed a very delicate constitution and in order to gain strength he spent four years in the employ of the Hon. Erastus Corning on his stock farm near Kenwood, Albany county, N. Y. In 1881 Mr. Corning appointed Mr. Cox as his private secre- tary, which position he still occupies. In the spring of 1895, Mr. Cox organized the Albany Felt Company and Mr. Cox was elected its president. He now devotes con- siderable time to the business. Mr. Cox has been for fifteen years a trustee and secretary of the Board of Directors of the Albany City Homoeopathic and Dispen- sary Association and for fourteen years a trustee of the Albany City Savings Insti- tution, and is the chairman of the Bond and Mortgage Committee. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club. Society of the Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution and Society of the War of 1812. In December, 1885, he married Mar- garet, daughter of Thomas Riggs, of Baltimore, Md. They have three children: James W., 3d., Thomas Riggs and Margaret Riggs.

Shaffer, Edwin C., was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 30, 1845. His parents were born in Schoharie county, N. Y .; his ancestors on his father's side (Shaffer and Weidman) were of Holland and German descent, and on

174

his mother's side (Possone and West) were of English and French descent, and some of them served in the Revolutionary war. When the subject of this sketch was seven years old his parents moved to Schoharie village, where he was educated in the public school and Schoharie Academy. At twelve years of age he engaged as clerk in a general merchandise store in Schoharie, where he remained two years. He then went as clerk in the Schoharie county clerk's office and in 1861 removed to Albany, N. Y., where he obtained a situation as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house. In 1863 he accepted a position in the office of the paymaster-general of the State of New York and was there until the close of Governor Seymour's administra- tion. Mr. Shaffer was an active member of the Albany Burgesses Corps for several years and was elected financial secretary three consecutive years. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Shaffer was appointed assistant paymaster of the New York Central Rail- road, which position he retained until 1871, when he was appointed to a clerkship in the office of Governor Hoffman, where he remained until the latter's term of office expired in 1873. He then engaged with the D. & H. Co.'s railroad as traveling auditor and continued in that position until March 1, 1882, when he resigned to ac- cept the position of general agent, at Albany, of the People's Line of Steamers. which position he now holds, having been in charge of the Albany end of the line for fifteen years. Mr. Shaffer is also a member of the Albany Club. In 1869 he married Fannie Augusta Jenkins, daughter of George Jenkins of Albany. Mrs. Shaffer was born in the old State Capitol, her father having been superintendent of the old Capitol for many years.

Walker, Peter, one of the leading and prominent men of Guilderland, was born in that town September 26, 1844. He is the son of the late Israel Walker, who was also a native of the same town, a man of sterling qualities and a wise counselor, whose opinion was often sought in matters where questions both difficult and important were involved. When but eleven years of age he began to learn the trade of shoe- making which he followed for many years, but later devoted his attention to farm- ing. His wife was Maria Van Valkenburgh, a daughter of Johakim and Rebecca Van Valkenburgh, who were also residents of this town. Side by side and hand in hand, they went together through life, and their industry and perseverance were rewarded by the accumulation of a good property. He died in 1887, his wife in 1894. The grandfather, Peter Walker, was also born in this town, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. He afterward removed to the town of Knox, where his last years were spent. Mr. Walker received his early education at the district schools and later at Knoxville Academy. He remained on the farm with his father until the death of the latter, except four years that he was manager of a gen- eral store at Altamont; since then he has remained on the farm. He was elected and filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years (serving two years as justice of sessions), and resigning that office in 1893 to accept the office of supervisor. He was re-elected in 1894, and is now filling that office. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, St. George's Lodge of Schenectady, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In December, 1870, he was married to Miss Eva Anna Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Bloomingdale) Keenholts.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 102

Author: Parker, Amasa Junius, 1843-1938, ed Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1374

Author: Parker, Amasa Junius, 1843-1938, ed
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1374