Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 105

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 105

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Reid, William James, was born in New Salem, Albany county, March 6, 1835. George, the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, who came to America, before 1785, and settled in the town of New Scotland. He was a farmer and reared eight children, and died in 1805. One of his sons, James, was the first supervisor of the town and held the office from 1833 to 1838. Alexander, the father, was born in New Scotland in 1801 and spent most of his life here. When a young man he settled in the town of Berne, where is now Reidville, which was named in his honor. Through his efforts a post-office was established and he was appointed postmaster, and also conducted a store and hotel. He remained there for about six years, when he returned to New Salem, where he engaged as a wheelwright, which business he followed until he retired on account of ill-health. His wife was Sophia Thompson, born in New Scotland, by whom eight children were born: Eliza J., George A., Mar- garet, Maria, Alexander, William J., Ann and John, Mr. Reid died in 1878 at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife died in 1869. William J., when sixteen years of age, began learning and working at the wheelwright trade in his father's shop and has followed this business since. For many years he manufactured sleighs and wagons and employed several men to help him. After his marriage, in 1859, he opened a shop for himself and has always met with success in his business. In early life he manifested a keen and intelligent interest in the political affairs of his town and county, and when twenty-eight years of age was elected justice of the peace and filled the office with satisfaction for twenty years. He was justice of sessions during the years 1872, '73, '81 and '82, and was elected supervisor of the town for the years 1886, '87, and '88, and since 1883 he has been notary public. He has been chosen many times as representative to county and State conventions. In 1859 he married Catherine Paterson, daughter of Alexander Paterson, who was born in New Scotland and is of Scotch ancestry, his grandfather, John, being one of the early emigrant settlers in this town. Their children are Mrs. Margaret Raynsford of Jersey city ; Mrs. Mary Moak of the same place; and William P., who is with the National Express Company at Jersey city.

Bennett, David W., was born in New Scotland, August 30, 1838. He was the son of William, who was one of three sons, William, Rushmore, and Thomas, and one daughter, Ann, born to Daniel Bennett, of England. William became a farmer in New Scotland, where he did a large and successful business. His wife was Catha- rine Bradt, daughter of David Bradt, and granddaughter of Storm Bradt; she was born on the farm now owned by David W. Bennett in 1814, as was her grandfather. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were born six children: Daniel, David W., Ann, Abbie (died at twenty years of age), William H., and Hester. Mrs. Bennett died in 1865, and Mr. Bennett spent the last fifteen years of his life in the town of Bethlehem, and died in 1876, aged sixty-nine years. David W. received his education in the common district and Albany schools. He remained on the homestead until he was twenty-four, when he purchased it of his father; he sold it in 1871, when he pur- chased of an uncle the original homestead of 113 acres of his maternal grandfather, where his mother was born, and four years later he removed to Albany, where he resided one year. For many years he has made a specialty of high grade Jersey cows. He has also devoted much of his time to apple culture, and in the mean time has purchased sixty-eight acres adjoining the homestead. In 1861 he married Miss

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Harriet Perry of New Scotland. She was the daughter of Casper and Amanda (Meade) Perry ; this union was blessed with two children, William C. and Anella. William C. married Elizabeth Higgins and has one child, Edward J. Daniel Ben- nett, the grandfather of the subject, was born at Stone near Berkley, England, in the year 1777. He married Miss Abigail Rushmore of New Salem, and settled near there on a farm, where he died while yet a young man.

Barber, Morgan F., was born in the town of Berne, April 6, 1849. Lemuel (Bar- bour) the great-grandfather, was a native of France. Gideon, the grandfather, was born in Dutchess county. He was a lifelong and successful farmer, and spent the last thirty-five years of his life in Berne, where he conducted a farm. His wife was Polly Nelson, and their children were Jesse, Nelson, Charles, Darius, John and Roxie. He died in 1874 and his wife died in 1868. Charles, the father, was born in Berne in May, 1825. He was also a lifelong farmer in the town of Berne and Wes- terlo, but now resides in Berne. His wife was Amanda M., youngest daughter of twenty-four children born to Richard Filkins by two wives, one of whom was Catherine Angell. The children of Charles and Amanda Barber were Morgan F .. Oliver J., Sanford H., Perry D. (who died when quite young), Frank, Ida E., Arthur (who died when young), Loren C., Jennie E., who died when eighteen years of age, and Fred. Morgan F. was reared to farm life and received his education in the old Filkins school house in Berne. When sixteen years of age he began for himself by working at farm work, which he followed until twenty- two years of age, with the exception of one year spent at carpentry; being of a speculative turn of mind he then turned his attention to speculating in various things, such as produce, stock, horses, agricultural implements, fruit, nursery stock, etc., which he has continued to the present time. In 1877 he removed to the village of Clarksville and owns a farm and cultivates many varieties of fruits. In 1892 he established a beer bottling business in Clarksville, is also agent for several large breweries, and is a jobber in cigars, doing a general wholesale business. During his nineteen years' residence in this town, seventeen of them have been spent in public office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge No. 684. In 1871 he married Ruth Emma, born in Westerlo in 1853, a daughter of Nathaniel and Christina (Wright) Newberry, by whom eleven children were born: Lillian, Ida, Evelyn, Lora and Cora (twins), Herman, Eugene, Lucy, Clyde, Morgan and Clifton. Mr. Barber was one of the original promoters and stockholders of the Clarksville and Furabush telephone line and is now one of the directors of the company.

Becker. Howard, was born in Albany and is the son of Aaron, grandson of Aaron and great-grandson of Frederick Becker, who with his father, Frederick Becker, came to Houck's Corners when a boy and died there, leaving three sons: Christopher, Peter and Aaron. Howard Becker came to the farm where he now lives, near Jerusalem, with his father in 1857, where they are farmers.

Barkley, Edward L., was born in the town of Knox, June, 1842. Michael Barck- ley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany, and migrated to America, settling in the town of Guilderland, a pioneer. Evert Barckley, his grandfather, was born in Guilderland and spent his life as a farmer, and died there in 1826. He had one son and several daughters. Henry, the father of Edward Barckley, was born in the town of Guilderland in 1816, and in early life followed blacksmithing.

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He subsequently settled in the village of Knox and owned a farm joining the vil- lage. In 1856 he opened a store and engaged in general mercantile business, but still operated his farm; being a man of good judgment and of unusual business ability, he accumulated a large property. In politics he was first a Whig and later identified himself with the Republican party. He was elected town clerk and rep- resented his town on the Board of Supervisors for two terms, and was postmaster for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was Magdalene, daughter of Aaron Livingston of Guilderland, and they had two children, Michael and Edward L. ; the former was lieutenant in Co. K, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor and died from the effects of his wound. Henry Barckley was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, in which he was elder, an active worker and a liberal supporter; his wife survives him and lives with her son. Edward L. Barckley received his education in the Knox Academy. He remained at home and assisted his father in the store and on the farm, receiving thus a thorough and practical education. Years before the death of his father he assumed full control of his father's business and now owns the farm of 135 acres and store property. For many years Mr. Barckley has been prominently identified with the Republican party and is a recognized leader of that party in his town. The years of 1885, '86 and '87 he represented his town on the Board of Supervisors, in 1895 received the appointment of penitentiary commissioner and was postmaster under Harrison. In November, 1896, his party honored him with the election of treasurer of Albany county. He has often represented his dis- triet as a delegate to the County, Assembly and State Conventions. November 22, 1865, he married Miss Eunice, daughter of Alvah and Amanda (Tyler) French, and they have one child; Grace.

Merriman, Willis E., son of Harmon N. and Emeline (Chambers) Merriman, was born in Carbondale, Pa., May 4, 1843. His father was a lawyer, a graduate of the Albany Law School, and captain of Co. H, 177th Regt. N. Y. Vols., that went from Albany, N. Y. He was severely wounded at the first attack on Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and died at sea while being brought home. On the maternal side, Mr. Merriman is descended from the Lees who lived in Connecticut and who came to America shortly after the arrival of the Puritans. Mr. Merriman's parents removed to Albany, N. Y., in 1847, and he was educated at the Albany Academy and Anthony's Classical Institute. After completing his education, he obtained a clerkship in the office of Surgeon-General S. O. Van Der Poel, M. D., April 19, 1861. He remained there until the close of the war, and on January 1, 1866, was appointed confidential clerk to State Comptroller Hillhouse, which position he held ten years. In 1876 he was appointed warrant clerk, the principal financial office, and served in that capacity until the creation of the office of second deputy, to which position he was appointed in January, 1895, by Comptroller Roberts. Mr. Merriman has been employed in the State comptroller's office thirty-one years, and in point of term of service, he is one of the oldest employees of the State. Since 1884 he has been a member of the Gen- eral Board of Examiners of the State Civil Service. He served thirteen years as a member of Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y., was a charter member of the Old Guard, Albany Zouave Cadets, and has held the offices of secretary and vice-president of same. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Albany Club. January

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21, 1875, he married Helen M. Clark, daughter of Francis Clark of Albany. They have two sons: Willis E., jr., and Porter Lee.

Nicholls, H. A. - Among the business places of Coeymans village the furniture store of Nicholls & Robbins has supplied a long-felt want. Mr. Nicholls was born in Massachusetts and in early life went to Michigan. He returned and after grad- uating from Stamford (N. Y.) Academy in 1885, taught school until 1891, when he was compelled to retire from that field through ill-health. After spending some time in Coeymans he opened the above-mentioned furniture store, where is carried on a general furniture and undertaking business. S. L. Robbins was born in Greene county, N. Y. His early days were spent on a farm up to the time of his joining in business with Mr. Nicholls. He graduated after a thorough course of instruction from the Champion College of Embalming in the class of '96. Both partners are men of good standing and possess excellent business qualifications.

Van Slyke, G. W., & Horton .- George W. Van Slyke, son of Peter B. and Sarah (Covert) Van Slyke, both of Holland Dutch descent, was born in New Baltimore, N. V., September 5, 1831, and moved to Stuyvesant, N. Y., with his parents in 1839. His first American ancestor, Willem Pieterse Van Slyke, settled in Beverwyck as early as 1628. Mr. Van Slyke was an engineer in a lumber mill for six years and later a general merchant in New Baltimore until 1868, when he came to Albany and engaged in the manufacture of cigars under the firm name of Gee & Van Slyke. Mr. Gee retired in 1870 and Mr. Van Slyke continued the business with slight changes in the firm name until 1880, when Wallace N. Horton was admitted under the style of G. W. Van Slyke & Co. In 1889 the present name of G. W. Van Slyke & Horton was adopted. Mr. Van Slyke died August 11, 1891, and since then his widow has represented his interest in the business, which is one of the best known of its kind in the country. The firm employs about 175 people and has developed an extensive trade as manufacturers and jobbers of fine cigars. Mr. Van Slyke was a director in the First National Bank, a founder, director and vice-president of the Homestead Savings and Loan Association, an original incorporator and president of The Pure Baking Powder Company, a member of the Holland Society of New York and the Albany Club, a trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed church and president of the board from 1888 till his death, and president of the consistory of that body. In September, 1864, he married Georgianna Parsons of New Baltimore, who died in November, 1865. He married second, February 3, 1870, Mary E., daughter of Rich- ard T. and Margaret (Bailey) Hoag, of Albany, who survives him. They had two sons, George W. and William H., twins, born January 3, 1873, both graduates of Yale University, class of 1895.

Batchelder, Robert C., son of Rev. Daniel and Lydia (Porter) Batchelder, was born in the State of Maine, the county and town of Knox, July 4, 1856. His father died when he was three years old. Young Batchelder, when old enough to attend school, had to walk three miles, that being the nearest school. At the age of ten years he had to help work the farm and attended school only in winters. He graduated from Freedom Academy in 1871 ; he then took entire charge of the farm for three years, at the end of which time, with his mother's consent, he started out for himself; in the spring of 1874 he arrived in the city of Boston, that being the next year after the great financial panic. Positions were hard to obtain; and although young

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Batchelder was used to hardships and disappointments, yet after a constant effort for over four weeks without obtaining any thing to do, he was the nearest discour- aged of any time of his life; he, however, obtained a good position. In 1876 he went to Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the coal and wood business, and in one year had established a good trade. In 1877 he sold out his business there to his brother-in-law, B. F. Wiggins, and came to Albany and located in the same business at 82 and 84 Arch street. In the year 1873 Mr. Batchelder married Miss Lizzie P. Hungerford. Iu 1883 he removed his business and took possession of the old estab- lished coal yards, 697 Broadway, extending through to Montgomery street. In the fall of 1884 his yards were destroyed by fire. Early the next year he formed a part- nership with Robert A. Wallace; they carried on the coal and wood business until 1888, when Mr. Batchelder bought out Mr. Wallace's interest and has since that time carried on the business at 774 Broadway and dockyard foot of Livingston avenue. In 1893 Mr. Batchelder built a large factory at Hawkesbury, Ont., for manufactur- ing kiln-dried bundle wood, from which point large quantities are shipped to the principal New England cities as well as Albany and Troy. In the spring of 1894 he associated with him in business Mr. Joseph C. McClelland. Mr. Batchelder is a man of pronounced opinion and prompt action, a firm believer in having proper re- gard for the rights of others as well as to maintain his own rights. He admires men of good deeds and thinks that Genl. Grant was the good, great man in the truest sense; he believes that C. M. Depew will go down in history as the greatest orator of this or any other age, and that he should be honored for the fairness with which he discusses all matters. Mr. Batchelder is a member of Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., Capital Chapter R. A. M., and Temple Commandery No. 2,K. T.

Burdick, Norman, is descended from an old Rhode Island family, his grandfather being Elkanah Burdick, of Granville, N. Y., born August 6, 1771, died April 21, 1832, who married Martha Worden. His father, Joseph Uriah Burdick, of Dexter, Me., born in 1808, married Cynthia Morgan. Mr. Burdick was born in Middletown, Vt., June 2, 1834, received a common school education, learned the trade of iron molder in Amherst, N. H., and came to Albany in 1864 as superintendent for Shear, Packard & Co., stove manufacturers. He continued with them and their successors, Perry & Co., in the foundry, until 1871, when he became traveling salesman for the latter firm. From 1877 to 1881 he had charge of the foundry at Sing Sing prison ; in 1881 he engaged in the manufacture of patent stove specialties in that city, and in 1883 moved the business to Albany. In 1885 his son, Bainbridge W., became his partner under the present firm name of Burdick & Son, and in 1888 they moved the establishment from Green street to the corner of Liberty and Division streets, where it is now located. The firm also has a slate quarry at Hampton, N. Y., and a large stock farm of about 500 acres at the same place, where they breed fine trotting horses. Mr. Burdick has always been a Republican. He is a member of Custus Morum Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Post Lull, G. A. R., both of Milford. N. H., and is a member and past master of Benevolent Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., also of Milford. Hle is a member of all Masonic bodies of New Hampshire except De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery and Cyprus Temple, of Albany. He is a charter member of the Acacia Club and a member of the Albany Republican Unconditional Club. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vols., was promoted second lieutenant

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and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged for disability. He married Mary D., daughter of Otis R. Fisher, of Wilton, N. H., and they have two children : Bambridge W. and Ethel (Mrs. Elmer E. Wygant), both of Albany. Bainbridge Winfield Burdick, born in Amherst, N. H., February 13, 1864, is a member of Wads- worth Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M., of all the Odd Fellow bodies, of the Republican Unconditional Club and of the Albany Burgesses Corps.

Springer, J. Austin, son of Adrian Oliver and Jeanette (Squire) Springer, was born in Utica, N. Y., January 11. 1870. In 1878 his parents moved to Albany, N. Y., where he was educated in the public and high schools. Music being his aim, and with a determination to devote his whole time to its study, he left the High School in the winter of 1888 and placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Jeffery and John Kautz for piano and Samuel Belding for organ. In June, 1895, Mr. Springer went to New York to further pursue the study of the piano under William Mason, Mus. Doc., A. C. M., who is recognized as America's greatest piano forte teacher. At the present time he still continues his studies under the valued tutelage of this great master. In the spring of 1888 he received his first charge in the capacity of assistant organist of All Saints' Cathedral, Albany, N. Y., which position he held during the summer of that year during Dr. Jeffery's absence in Europe. The fol- lowing year he was appointed organist of St. Luke's Episcopal church at Cambridge, N. Y. In 1889 he went to the First M. E. church at Lansingburgh, N. Y., where he held the position of organist for three years. His next charge was at the North Re- formed church of West Troy, N. Y., and in September, 1894, he was appointed or- ganist and director of music in the First M. E. church of Albany, N. Y. In Novem- ber, 1896, Mr. Springer was chosen out of eighteen applicants to be the organist of the State Street Presbyterian church of Albany, which position he still holds, giving eminent satisfaction in that capacity. On June 13 1890, Mr. Springer was married to Olive G. Robertson of Albany. He has won for himself distinction as a piano- forte instructor and exponent of Dr. Mason's method. The "Springer Musicales," which are given every season by his pupils, show evidence of his conscientious work in this department. During the season of 1896-97 he has given a series of lecture musicales to his pupils on the "Principle of Devitalization as Applied to Artistic Piano Playing," and the " Lives and Works of Famous Composers." Mr. Springer has written many compositions for the piano and voice, his works having been ren- dered by such organizations as Gilmore's, Sousa's, and the United States Marine Band of Washington. His latest work, a " Valse Caprice," has been heard in con- cert and pronounced to be a work of decided originality with rich harmonical treat- ment. He has also dedicated a "Slumber Song" to Mrs Olivia Shafer of Albany, and a "Lullaby" to Townsend H. Fellows, solo baritone of Grace church. New York.

Beutler, William F., was born December 15, 1852, in Albany, and is a son of Frank Benjamin and Susannah (Stoehr) Beutler, both of whom came here from Prussia, Germany, in 1848. Mr. Beutler received a public school education and at the age of eleven years entered the law office of Ira Shafer and Jacob H. Clute, the latter being county judge of Albany county. In the fall of 1864 Alonzo B. Voorhees formed a copartnership with Mr. Shafer, and Mr. Beutler continued with the firm until it dis- solved in 1867 by the removal of Mr. Shafer to New York city. He then remained

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with Mr. Voorhees, and the firm of Voorhees & Norton, until his admission to the bar in 1874, when he formed a copartnership with David J. Norton, as Norton & Beutler, which continued until 1888, and since then he has practiced alone. He was assistant district attorney in 1878, 1879 and 1880 and assistant corporation counsel from June, 1883, to May, 1884, and was long a member of the Unconditional Repub- lican Club, of which he was president in 1886. June 25, 1884, he married Adeline B., daughter of John W. Bartlett of Chelsea, Mass., and they have one daughter, Annie Louise, born March 8, 1886.

Wood, Levi, was born in New Scotland in 1842. Gideon Wood, his grandfather, was a native of Cape Cod, Mass., born in 1778, a wheelwright by trade, and a manu- facturer of spinning-wheels. He came to the town of Westerlo, Albany county, about 1806, and devoted his time to farming and the manufacture of spinning- wheels. His wife was Jerusha Atkins, by whom he had four children: Uriah, Arnold, Anna and Elizabeth. He died in 1861, aged eighty-three years. Arnold Wood, the father, was born in the town of Westerlo in 1806. He devoted his early life to teaching and later followed farming; he removed to the town of New Scot- land in 1836, where he became fairly well-to-do. His wife was Mary Spencer, born in Rhode Island in 1806, and a daughter of Anthony, and a cousin of Senator Anthony Spencer. Their children were William, Levi, Amelia, Charles and Ann Eliza; the latter died when three years old. Arnold Wood died in 1891, and his wife resides in New Scotland on the homestead with her son Charles. Levi Wood received a very fair education, attending the common schools and the Albany Nor . mal. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-one. His first enterprise was the grocery business, which he established on the corner of Bear and William streets, Albany, in partnership with Mr. Underhill, under the firm name of Underhill & Wood. Here he remained for seven years; the four following years were spent in Connecticut, engaged in the manufacture of paper, when he returned to Albany and again engaged in the grocery business at the same location, but this time for himself. He remained here for eight years when he again embarked in the paper manufacturing business in New Baltimore, Greene county, N.Y. In 1892 he came to the village of Voorheesville and engaged in the mercantile business, which he conducts at the present time. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Temple Lodge No. 14 of Albany, and of the Odd Fellows, Voorheesville Lodge. In 1863 he married Harriet A. Martin, born in New Scotland, and a daughter of William and Mary A. (Moak) Martin, and their children are Mary Ella, wife of Dr. W. F. Shaw of Voorheesville, and Frank W., with the National Express.

Chapin, Josiah D., son of Josiah B. and Caroline (Peck) Chapin, was born in Springfield, Mass., June 12, 1842, and moved with his parents to Albany about 1848 and subsequently to Troy, N. Y., where he received a public school education. He also attended the Quincy Grammar School at Boston and Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College in Albany. In 1861 he became a clerk in the wholesale and retail clothing store of Davis, Craft & Wilson, with whom he remained until the firm was dissolved in 1870. He then continued with R. C. Davis & Co., clothiers, till 1876. and afterward was engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Troy. January 1, 1878, he returned to Albany and became bookkeeper for C. G. Craft, clothier, and in 1890 was admitted as partner under the firm name of C. G. Craft & Co. Mr. Craft

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 105

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