Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 104

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

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father placed him in charge of a hay and straw business, which he conducted for some time. He was also for a time associated with his father in business in Schenec- tady. In 1875 he moved to the village of Voorheesville, where he engaged in a small way unaided in the hay and straw business on his own account. To his busi- ness he has added other lines, and for a number of years was a dealer in agricul- tural implements. He has erected several storage houses along the railroad in the village, and has erected for himself a fine office and residence. In 1894 and 1895 he was elected to the Assembly. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Voorheesville Lodge, of which he is past noble grand, and is also a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Noah Lodge of Altamont, of the Temple Chapter No. 5, Clinton Council No. 22, and of the Cypress Shrine of Albany, and also a member of the Uncon- ditional Club, and the Acacia Club of Albany. In 1873 he was married to Caroline, daughter of Jacob C Wormer of Guilderland. Their children are Alice M., Josephine and William J. In 1880 his wife died. His second wife was Alice, daughter of Frederick B. La Grange of New Scotland, by whom one child was born, Frederick A. He has two brothers and one sister living, younger than himself; the latter is Mrs. Carrie Bradt, now resides at Voorheesville. N. Y. . His brothers, C. A. Bloomingdale and W. C. Bloomingdale, who now reside in Brooklyn, N. Y., are now considered among the largest commission men in hay and straw and farmers' produce in Brooklyn, N. Y., and started on their own resources.

Andrae, Paul HI., came to America, when fifteen years of age, from Brutting, Germany, where he was born in 1856. He was a son of Paul Andrae, a hotel keeper of that place. Mr. Andrae came to Cohoes in 1871, and engaged in the meat market of his brother for eight years. In 1879 he opened a meat and vegetable market at 23 White street. In 1881, having erected a new building, including a residence and a commodious market at 26 White street, he removed his business to his new build- ing, where he has at present one of the finest meat and vegetable markets in the city. In his dealing with his fellowmen he is a most honorable and upright man. He was president for one year of the Business Men's Association.

Keeler, William Henry, son of Daniel, was born in Albany, March 23, 1843, and received a public school education. When twenty he opened an oyster house on Green street, which soon became one of the most popular and famous in Eastern New York. This was the beginning of his wide reputation as a restaurateur and landlord. After successfully continuing the business for seven years he sold out. In 1872 and again in 1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as alderman of the Fourth ward and served in all four years. He was street commissioner five years and in 1882 was elected sheriff of Albany county, which office he held three years. In 1886 he purchased the building No. 26 Maiden Lane, handsomely remod- eled it, adding dining rooms and other conveniences and opened it as a restaurant, which rapidly increased in popularity. January, 1890, he purchased the Broadway front, remodeled it on a handsome scale and has since conducted the combined structures as Keeler's Hotel, which now embraces eight buildings and fronts on three streets, and is the most popular hostelry between New York and Chicago. In 1877 Mr. Keeler married Catherine, daughter of Robert Taylor of Albany, and they have five children: John D., William H., jr., Rufus P., Grace and Harriet.

Richardson, William J. and Alexander, are sons of William Richardson, who came

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from Ireland in 1830 and settled the farm where his sons now live. William J. mar- ried Jennie Ross, who died in 1892, and left three sons and three daughters: George A., Walter J., William, Anna, Jennie, and Lottie. The grandfather of Mr. Rich- ardson, John Richardson, came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war. He was a soldier and returned to Ireland, where he died.

Reynolds, Lewis W., born in Westerlo, is the son of Jared and Delilah E. (Showers) Reynolds, both natives of Westerlo, and grandson of Lewis and Elizabeth (Husted) Reynolds, who lived and died on the farm where Lewis W. Reynolds now resides, and which was bought by his great-grandfather, Jared Reynolds. Jared, the father of Lewis Reynolds, was a farmer, merchant and hotel-keeper at South Westerlo. lle had a general store and did a large business in handling farm implements. After his death in 1892 Lewis W. Reynolds carried on the store until 1892, and the hotel until 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Jared Reynolds were married in 1864 and had six children : Jennie, wife of Frank Ingalls, Lewis, Electus, Myra, Jessie and Harry. Mr. Rey- nolds was a Democrat and deputy sheriff and gave support to the Christian church.

Whitehead, Samuel .- The Moulding Sand Business known as Whitehead Bros. Co. was established in the year 1850 by Samuel Whitehead, sr., his sons succeeding to the business in 1860 and continued the business as a copartnership until 1891, when it was incorporated in a stock company under the New Jersey laws, with Ly- dell Whitehead as president, Alfred J. Miller, vice-president, Van Loan Whitehead, secretary and William HI. Smith, general manager. It is the largest Moulding Sand Company in America, dealing in all kinds of moulding sand, fire sand, foundry clay, kaolin, cupola and foundry supplies, stove plate moulding sand a specialty. This company does business in New Jersey and different points on the Hudson River and on the Erie Canal. Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr., is one of the members of the firm having charge of the work at Coeymans, Selkirk and Cedar Hill, N. Y., with his son Samuel G. Whitehead as asssistant. Samuel G. Whitehead married the charming Miss Eliza H. Clapper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Clapper of Cedar Hill, N. Y. Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr., resides with his son and daughter in their beautiful villa on the banks of the Hudson.

Van Leuven, Peter, born December 2, 1825, is a son of Peter Van Leuven and Cathrine (Myers) Van Leuven and grandson of Peter and Catharine (Briett) Van Leuven, who came from Dutchess county, and on the passage across river in a scow, they were upset and nearly all their goods were lost. They settled a farm near Chesterville, where they spent their lives. Peter Van Leuven, sr., always fol- lowed farming, commencing near Chesterville, where he died August 15, 1862, and Mrs. Van Leuven in 1866. During the war of 1812 he conveyed with his own team ammunition and provisions from Albany to Sackett's Harbor. Peter Van Leuven. jr., has been a successful farmer and has made many improvements on the home- stead, which consists of 162 acres; he also owns 200 acres, part of which he rents. He is a Republican. In 1891 Mr. Van Leuven married Juliett, daughter of Dr. Josiah W. Lay of Chesterville, who was a prominent physician there. On the ma- ternal side Mr. Van Leuven is a descendant of Philip Myers, who was brought to Coeymans when a small boy by his father from Germany. The father returned for the rest of the family and was never heard of. Philip was reared by Peter Whit-

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beck of Coeymans. He came to Westerlo and took a large tract of land and became one of the most prominent farmers of the town.

Spaulding, Alonzo, born in Westerlo, February, 1825, is a son of Hugh and Mary (St. John) Spaulding, who were lifelong residents of Westerlo. The grandfather, Elnathan Spaulding, came from Connecticut to Kinderhook and engaged in farming. Hle afterwards removed to Westerlo where he died. He was twenty-five years justice in Westerlo. Alonzo Spaulding was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He studied law with Rufus Watson of Greenville, then with Ly- man Tremain, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar and for many years practiced his profession in Albany county. Mr. Spaulding has always had his residence on the old homestead, with the exception of four years spent in Rensselaerville and less than one year in Kingston.

Moore, William J., son of Dr. John and Eleanor (Hagadon) Moore, born in Al- bany, N. Y., February 27, 1838, was educated in the public schools and the Albany Business College, after which he engaged in the gardening business on Van Rensse- laer Island. His father died in 1862; he then took charge of the latter's business, settled up the estate, and continued the business until 1886, when he sold out his interest in the garden to William Glosser. He has leased the Van Rensselaer Island for the last thirty years. He then bought a farm at Castleton, N. Y., and conducted it as a horse farm, which he still owns. He then embarked in the livery business on Hudson avenue and conducted that about four years; then sold out the business to Mills & Sanborn. February, 1895, he bought the retail department of the Standard Wagon Co., located at 447 and 449 Broadway. May, 1896, he moved to his present location 26 and 28 State street, where he still carries on the business. May 2, 1888, he married Lillian L. Holmes, and has one son, William J., jr.

Mckown, William, was born in the town of Guilderland, July 13, 1842. John Mc- Kown, his second great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland and founder of the Mckown name in America about 1767. John McKown, his grandfather, was born in the Mckownville Hotel in 1778, and in this hotel he grew to manhood and lived until seventy years of age. James, the father of Mr. Mckown, was also born in the Mckownville Hotel in the year 1814. He assisted his father in the hotel until the latter rented it, and then moved to the farm, which came into his possession at the death of his father, where he lived and died. He was an active and successful farmer and for years was a breeder of cattle. His wife was Sarah Ann White, born in the town of Guilderland, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah White, formerly of Ver- mont. They had one child, William. Mr. McKown died in February, 1878, and his wife died in 1879. William McKown spent his early life on his father's farm, at- tending the common schools and the Boys' Academy in Albany When he was

eighteen years of age he entered the grocery store of Samuel C. Bradt in Albany, as clerk, the store standing where the capitol now stands. After two years as clerk he became a partner in the business, remaining there seven years longer, when, on account of his father's failing health, he closed out his business and returned home to take charge of his father's affairs. His father died the next year and he remained on the farm for fifteen years, when, in 1887, he retired to Mckownville, erecting a fine residence, where he has since resided. He now owns several farms which he looks after. He was for some time president of the Guilderland Mutual Insurance

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Association. In 1863 he was married to Levina McMillen, who was born in the town of New Scotland, a daughter of Alexander and Margaret McMillen. Their children are James, Margaret, Ella, Jessie, Alexander, Anna, and Eva. The three oldest died when nineteen, eighteen, and seventeen years of age, respectively. His wife died in 1890. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (Jacobson) Buchanan, who was born in the town of New Scotland, a daughter of Jacob Jacobson. She died Sep- tember 29, 1896.

Hollenbeck, Jerome M., born in the town of Rensselaerville, N. Y., June 15, 1855, is a son of Charles Hollenbeck, who was born in Columbia county, July 4, 1810, and came to Albany county with his parents in 1814, where he was a farmer. He died August 3, 1894. His wife was Hannah Hess, born August 22, 1815, and died June 21, 1893. Jerome Hollenbeck was educated in Rensselaerville Academy and select schools and is by occupation a farmer and speculator. October 6, 1880, he married Ida Cartwright, daughter of Salmon S. Cartwright, and they have two children: Malla May and Bertha.

Gaffers, Will R., was born on the old homestead in 1863. He is the eldest son of a family of five children and one of the executors of the late William M. Gaffers. The latter was born at Albany in 1825, and began life without capital, achieving substantial success by force of character. He came to Watervliet, now Colonie, in 1850 and purchased a farm, the nucleus of the present large estate of nearly 500 acres. It was he who proposed the name of Colonie for the town, having been largely instrumental in its separation from West Troy in 1895. He died May 11, 1896, leaving a widow and five children, all of whom are of age; the widow now re- sides on the old homestead. W. R. Gaffers is recognized as a rising young man, having the courage of his convictions and is a fluent speaker, having mastered sev- eral languages. He is the fifth generation of the paternal ancestry since the first William Gaffers came from Sippling, Brunswick, Germany, over 100 years ago, and fought gallantly under Colonel Bremen at Bennington.

Cole, William S., was born in 1832. He was the son of Charles, and the grandson of Shubael, who came from Rhode Island to Coeymans in 1795. He had seven sons: Lanson, Nathan, George, Charles, Hardy, David and Merritt. Charles Cole had two sons: Madison and William S. William S. had one son and two daughters: William, Mrs. Stephen Tompkins, and Mrs. Jessie Hotaling. He bought a farm at Indian Fields, where he has always been a prominent and successful farmer.

Koonz, John F., was born in the town of New Scotland, November 5, 1839. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in the town of Westerlo. Peter Koonz, the grandfather, was born in Westerlo, where he became a farmer and spent his life. His wife was Catherine Cline, and they had thirteen children. She lived to be 106 years of age, and when 104 years, without the use of glasses, she hemmed a linen handkerchief for each of her granddaughters, the needle work on which would have been creditable to one half her age. She died in Albany. Samuel, the father of John Koonz, was born in the town of Westerlo in 1809. When a young man he went to Albany and learned the weaver's trade and soon after married Elizabeth, the only child of Jonathan and Hannah (Van Buren) Folmsbee of New Scotland. Mrs. Folmsbee was a first cousin of President Martin Van Buren. Im-

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mediately after his marriage Mr. Koonz moved on to the farm of his father-in-law, consisting of sixty-two acres, which he took charge of, and later added forty acres more to the farm, and here spent his remaining days. Their children were Mary, Hannah, Catherine, Peter (who died when two years of age), Phebe, John F., Abram, Peter, Samuel (who died in infancy) and Sarah. Mr. Koonz died December 29, 1871, and his wife in 1888. John F. Koonz grew to manhood on his father's farm and at- tended the common district schools. When twenty-one he married and began life for himself as farmer in the town of Guilderland on a rented farm; two years later he purchased a small farm of ten acres in the town of New Scotland, and in 1865 purchased his present farm of seventy-three acres, and here has ever since resided. Since 1875, in connection with his farm, he has been an extensive dealer in fertilizers, and for four years had his office in Albany, where he had a heavy trade. For fifteen years he spent the autumns and winters as traveling salesman, in the interest of his fertilizing business, the balance of the year being spent on his farm. Mr. Koonz is an active member of the American Protective Association. He has been twice mar- ried; his first wife was Nancy, daughter of Frederick J. Tygert of Guilderland, by whom he had seven children: Ellen J. (wife of Jacob Allbright), Libbie (wife of Fred Nickelson), Samuel C., John E. (who died when nineteen from injuries received on a railroad), Fannie, Frederick J. and Daisy. Mrs. Koonz died in October, 1888. In 1891 Mr. Koonz married Miss Jessie, daughter of William Vanderbilt of Iowa, and they have two children, Harlan and Harold.

Wetmore, Edward Willard, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 5, 1846. He is a son of Frederick Wetmore and Cornelia Platt Willard, who was the granddaugh- ter of Dr. Elias Willard of Albany, N. Y., who was a surgeon in the Revolution and a direct descendant of Simon Willard, the founder of Concord, Mass. The Wet- mores came from Middletown, Conn., where Amos Wetmore was a captain in the Connecticut Line in the Revolution. He was the great-grandfather of E. W. Wet- more. Mr. Wetmore's mother was the fourth in descent from Robert Livingstone, jr., mayor of Albany and Indian commissioner; and the fifth in descent from Peter Schuyler, first mayor of Albany. Edward W. Wetmore, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Detroit and the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1867 with the degree of A. B. In 1870 he received the hono- rary degree of M. A. from the same institution. In 1869 Mr. Wetmore took a course in metallurgy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y. He also took a two years course in Auburn (N. Y.) Theological Seminary, after which he received the appointment of instructor in natural sciences in Robert College, Constantinople, where he remained three years. Since then Mr. Wetmore has been a teacher of natural sciences with the exception of ten years of business life spent in Detroit and Connecticut. Since 1891 he has been the professor of natural sciences at the State Normal College at Albany, N. Y. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fra- ternity, Sons of the Revolution, Society of the Colonial Wars, Fortnightly and Cres- cendo Clubs and the Albany Institute. He has always been actively identified with church, Sunday school and V. M. C. A. work, was for four years the president of the association in Detroit, Mich., and is now chairman of the educational committee of the Albany V. M. C. A. In 1883 he was married to Martha, daughter of William H. Cox of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they have two children: William Cox and Edward Van Dyke.

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Moore, Albert T., was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., December 1, 1827, son of Apollos and Deborah (Stone) Moore. His father, Apollos Moore, was born in Pitts- field, Mass., 1765; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of sixteen, and served three years. He came to Rensselaerville about 1785, built a substantial house two miles east of the village, which became his home for life. He was a prominent man in the town, holding most of the town offices and was ap- pointed judge of Albany county, which office he held for many years. He was by occupation a farmer and miller. He died in 1841. Deborah Stone, his wife, was born in Windham, Greene county, 1788, and died in Rensselaerville, 1857. Their children were George Stone, Albert Tuttle, and Jerome B. Albert T., the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and has always been a farmer by occupation. In politics he is a Demorcrat. For five years he held the office of supervisor of the town. For the last ten years he has lived a retired life in the village of Rensselaerville. In 1855 he married Ann B. Knowles, who was also born in Rensselaerville.

White, John J., son of Isaac and Ann Eliza (Cramer) White, was born in Fulton- ville, N. Y., September 4, 1848. His paternal grandfather, Isaac White, moved from Nine Partners, Dutchess county, to near Duanesburg, N. Y., later to Otsego county, and in 1828 to Palmyra, N. Y., but finally returned to Duanesburg. Hon. Isaac White, son of Isaac, was born in Maryland, Otsego county, February 10, 1820, was educated at Gallupville Academy, taught school, became a merchant in Gloversville and afterward a farmer in Duanesburg and in 1866 came to Albany and entered the employ of George A. Wolverton & Co. On October 3, 1843, he married Ann Eliza Cramer, and in March, 1871, he formed with his son, John J., the firm of Isaac White & Son and purchased the notion and fancy goods business of George H. Knowlton. In 1874 another son, Edgar M., was admitted under the style of Isaac White & Sons. January 1, 1883, Mr. White withdrew, Edgar M. gave place to his brother, Frank, and the firm became Isaac White's Sons & Co. In January, 1885, Edgar M. White again became a member of the firm and in 1887 Addison B. Wells was admitted, Frank White retiring at this time on account of ill health. In 1890 the business was closed out and the firm dissolved, and in 1892 John J. White, Addison B. Wells and Frank J. Wilkins, organized the present firm of White, Wells & Wilkins, from which Mr. Wilkins withdrew in December, 1894, the other two partners continuing under the same name. The business is exclusively wholesale dry goods, notions and fancy goods, and has been conducted in the present block on Broadway since 1871 and is the only one of the kind in the city. John J. White was educated at the Gloversville Academy, came to Albany in 1867 and was a clerk for Mr. Knowlton until 1871. He is a director in the Albany County Bank and a trustee of the Albany County Savings Bank. In 1873 he married Anna E., daughter of Jacob Miller of Albany; she died in March, 1875, leaving one son, Frederick J., who is associated in business with his father. In 1870 Mr. White married, second, Charlotte E., daughter of Launcelot Bew, of Albany, and they have five children: Launcelot Bew (deceased), Mary Bew, John J., jr., William Bew, and Ruth.

Groot, James Bleecker, was born in the city of Albany in 1848. He is the son of Philip Wendell Groot, who was a native of Fonda, Montgomery county, N. Y., and a descendant of the old and widely known Groot family of Amsterdam. He was for

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many years a broker in New York city. In 1840 he came to Albany and engaged in the dry goods and real estate business but after a time returned to New York city and resumed his operations as a broker. His wife was Deborah Sanders, a native of Schenectady, and a daughter of Barent and Cathalina (Bleecker) Sanders. Mr. and Mrs. Groot reared three children, two daughters and one son; he died about 1870, and his wife survived him eight years. James Bleecker, the subject, spent most of his time in early life traveling about for his health; after a time he studied law and later engaged in the mercantile business for a time in Albany. In 1887 he accepted a position as assistant paymaster on the Delaware & Hudson Canal Rail- road which he now holds. In 1888 he erected a residence on the mountain side, above the village of Altamont in the town of Guilderland. In 1893 he erected his handsome and imposing residence on the mountain side, above the village, a pic- turesque spot, commanding a beautiful view of the valley At this beautiful residence he and his sisters make their permanent home. In this home they have old pictures, furniture, and rare old china, Japanese and Russian tea sets, comprising hundreds of pieces of the most elegant and antique ware, worth thousands of dollars. All these articles were inherited as the portion of the estates of Groot, Bleecker, San- ders, and Van Rensselaer families, from whom they are descended. Mr. Groot is a natural mechanic and mathematician, and spends much of his time in the manufac- ture of fine and complicated clocks of his own designing, having a room set off as his work shop, which he has well stocked with all the finest and modern tools, etc. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge and Noah Chapter of Altamont, and is a thirty-second degree Mason of Albany Lodge.

Deitz, Wallace E., M. D., was born in the town of Berne, November 21, 1857. Col. Johan Jost Deitz, his great-grandfather and founder of the family in America, came from Switzerland and was one of the first settlers in the town of Berne, coming there between 1750 and 1760. Jacob, the grandfather, was born in Berne about 1787. He was a lifelong and successful farmer, accumulating a fine property in the Beaver- dam Valley. His wife was Mary Elizabeth Zimmer. John G., the father, was born in Berne in 1836, his early life being spent on his father's farm. In 1878 he removed to Gloversville, N. Y., where he was engaged in the grocery business for about fif- teen years, when he retired to the village of Slingerlands, where he died November 17, 1896, and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery of Berne. His wife was Lydia J., daughter of John H. Engel, of Berne, and they had eight children: Isadora, Wallace E., Laura, Charles F., Elmer, Seward, Carrie, and Adella, of whom four survive. Wallace E. was reared on the farm and educated in the common district school. At the age of eighteen he began for himself, continuing his schooling winters. Urged on by his success in his studies, he was soon enabled to secure a certificate to teach. He was then engaged in teaching and studying until 1877, when he passed the State examination and soon after entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated March 3, 1882. He began the practice of his profession in Howe's Cave, Schoharie county, two years later removing to Berne, where he has since resided, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He owns a farm, also a saw mill, which he superintends. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and the I. O. O. F., Orion Lodge No. 624 of Gallupville, of which he is past noble grand. In July, 1889, Dr. Dietz married Theodora, daughter of David and Louis (Rheinhart) Ball, of Berne. They have an adopted daughter.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 104

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