Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 113

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

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never seeking preferment except in his own business or pursuit, but giving his un- divided and Iberal support to whatever of outside matters that fell to his charge : his best attention to whatever he was willing to undertake with a most singular fidelity. James MeCredie, his son, for whom this article is intended, was educated in private schools, the Albany Academy and was graduated from the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, after which he learned the brewing business in Snitt & Brother's brewery in New York city. He then returned to Albany, and up to the time of his father's death was engaged in the management of his father's business. After the death of his father James succeeded to the control of the business and has twocessfully conducted it ever since. He is a young man inheriting or possessing in a large degree all those qualities which made his father so interesting and prominent a character in whatever line he undertook. James McCredie is of a singularly happy and sunny temperament or nature, a close observer, is quick, resolute, active and decided in his mental attributes, giving his best efforts and time to those positions which he has been selected to fill, in all of which he has proved himself eminently qualified. as is evidenced or proved by his continuing to fill the positions to which he as been elected year after year without a single intermission. It is James McCredie's nature to do all or everything that falls to his lot to do, whether in a public capacity or in private life, with the most scrupulous care; nothing is ever neglected; no regard is paid to the labor, attention or time required so that the un- dertaking may result beneficially. Every young man does not possess this character, this capacity for work, the care taken in its doing, the determination to finish all work undertaken. and if in a public capacity with an entire view to the public interest. June 16, 1890, Mayor James HI. Manning appointed Mr. McCredie a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed James D. Coleman. On January 18, 1897, Mayor John Boyd Thacher reappointed Mr. McCredie fire commissioner, which term will expire June 1, 1900. He has been chairman of the supply committee, which is the principal committee, and has been a member of the hose, telegraph and real estate committees of the Board of Fire Commissioners. January 11, 1895, he was unani- mously elected secretary of the board, which position he has held ever since. In 1892 he was elected governor of the Albany Hospital in place of his father, who resigned owing to ill health, and shortly after he was elected secretary of the board, and in February, 1896, was elected president of the board of governors. Mr. McCredie las been a member of St. Andrew's Society for fifteen years, and in November, 1692, he was elected one of the managers, filling the vacancy caused by the death of his father. He is also a member of the Caledonian Club, a Scottish organization, president of the Albany City Curling Club, and a member of the Fort Orange Club. December 6, 1889, he was elected a director and secretary of the Albany Railway and still holds the position. September, 1892, he was elected a trustee of the Me- chanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank.

Willerton, Edmund Ronslow, son of Thomas and Helen (Metcalf) Willerton, was born in the city of York, England, in 1845 and when an infant came with his parents 16 America and soon after settled in Albany, N. Y. He received his early education in Albany in schools Nos. 5 and 13. He began his work as a messenger boy for the Western Union Telegragh Company, in Albany, March, 1864, advancing to various positions, including assistant bookkeeper, and when he left in 1870, he was cashier.

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He then went into the employ of the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad (afterwards the Delaware & Hudson Railroad), in the general passenger department, where he has remained ever since, and is now chief clerk in that department. Mr. Will- erton is a member of Ancient City Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., and was elected master of the lodge for the years 1895-96. He is a member of Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., and was high priest during 1895-66. He is a member of De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., and was elected master for 1897; is a member of Temple Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and of Cyrus Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. Willerton is also a member of St. George's Society, the Albany Club, the Acacia Club, and of the Dutch Reformed church. January 13, 1869, he married Frances Amelia Dole of Albany, and they have three children: Florence M., Edna G. and Fred D.

Kernochan, Edward L., was born in New York city, October 3, 1870. His parents were F. E. Kernochan and Abba E. Learned. His great-grandfather came from the North of Ireland and settled in Orange county. His grandfather was for many years a large dry goods merchant in New York city, with branches at Mobile and New Orleans. Mr. Kernochan's father was graduated from Yale in 1861 and fol- lowed the profession of lawyer in New York city until 1873, when he went to Pitts- field, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of woolens. He died in Pittsfield in 1884. Mr. Kernochan's maternal grandfather, Edward Learned, was for many years one of the well known financiers of New York city and was at one time largely interested in railroad construction and mining interests. He furnished the stone for the foundation of the New York State Capitol from his Maine quarries. E. L. Ker- nochan engaged in business in a pulp mill at Madison, Me. Later he removed to Albany, N. Y., and was elected a director of the Taylor Brewing and Malting Com- pany, and in 1895 was elected vice-president of the same company. Mr. Kernochan is a member of the Albany Country Club.

Van Vranken, Adam T., M. D., was born at Vischer's Ferry, Saratoga county, N. Y., September 14, 1850. His paternal ancestors came from Holland and settled in Albany, N. Y., in 1646, afterwards purchased a large tract of land beyond the Mohawk River, a portion of which is still in possession of the family. He was the son of J. Witbeck Van Vranken and Dorcas Cregier, both of Holland descent. He received his early education in the district schools of his native place, and finished his literary studies at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1873, was house physician in the Albany Hospital, and located in West Troy in 1875, where he still resides. He was for ten years attending physician to the Troy Hospital, and is now upon the consulting staff. He is a mem- ber of the Medical Society of the County of Albany, and was its president in 1895-96 ; also a member of the New York State Medical Association, and of the State Medical Society. He was the president of the Alumni Association of Albany Medical Col- lege in 1895, and is now the president of the Young Men's Christian Association of West Troy, also president of the Board of Education. He married Miss Lizzie M. Shoemaker of Albany, N. Y., who died in 1886. He then married Miss Emma Har- mon of West Troy in 1889.

Sturtevant, Stephen V., one of the most prominent men of Watervliet, is the son of George A. Sturtevant, a pioneer settler here from Fort Miller, N. Y., where

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Stephen was born in 1844. He was educated here and has always been engaged in the lumber and coal business, forming a partnership with William Andrews in 1881. Mi. Sturtevant is now president of the Board of Fire Commissioners, of which he has been a member for fifteen years. He has an interesting war record, participat- ing in several big battles. He enlisted in Co. -- of the Seventh N. Y. Heavy Artil- lery in 1863, and served until the close of the war as sergeant.

Phelps. Arthur T., was born in West Troy, March 18, 1853. He is the son of James Francis and Lucina (Tyrrel) Phelps. His parents were natives of Schroon, Essex county, N. Y. After their marriage they moved to West Troy, and for over twenty years he was engaged in the lumber business. He was a director of the National Bank of West Troy; about ten years ago he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he is living retired. Mrs. Phelps, the mother of Arthur T., died in West Troy in 1853, shortly after the birth of her son. Mr. Phelps subsequently married Jenette, daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Finch. Arthur T. Phelps is descended from a Connec- tent family, who in turn were the direct descendants of one William Phelps, who settled in Tewksbury, England, in 1521, having moved from Wales. The Phelps family originally came from Italy, where the name was Guelph, went to Wales where the name was changed to Whelps; on removal to England it was anglicized to Phelps. The family came to America and settled in Windsor, Conn., where they were farmers, importers and breeders of fine cattle. Arthur T. Phelps was gradu- ated from Crown Point Academy in 1867, and from the Troy Business College in 1868, he became a professor in the same in 1869 which place he resigned to accept the position of bookkeeper for the firm of Phelps & Smith, lumber dealers of West Troy. He was appointed general bookkeeper in the National Bank of West Troy, February 8, 1871, and cashier of the same bank ten years later, which position he now holds He was appointed sewer commissioner for West Troy in 1892 and school commissioner in 1895. He was president of the Board of Education in 1896, and a water commissioner the same year. He is an admirer of fine horses and dogs. His horses are never entered in the professional races, but are always ready for a friendly brush on road or track. He is the proprietor of the celebrated Watervliet Kennels, which contain many fine St. Bernards, several of which were imported from the old countries, and have won many prizes at bench shows, etc. Mr. Phelps is well known in musical circles, and for several years was a tenor singer in many large churches. He has been prominent in local charities. The National Bank of West Troy was or- ganized in 1852 with John Knickerbacker president, and A. C. Gunnison cashier; it became a national bank in 1865. Thomas A. Knickerbacker, a son of the first presi- dent, is the present president, and Mr. Phelps is cashier. Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Stover of West Troy, June 9, 1874. The Stovers were one of the old Dutch families of West Troy, where the ancestors had resided for several generations. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have three children: Lucina M., Alice J., both educated at the Troy Female Seminary, and Hawley Stover, stu- dent at the Troy Academy. The family attend the Episcopal church of West Troy. As a business man, Mr. Phelps takes rank among the careful and conservative busi- ness men of the county, and has made a most excellent record as a financier. He is a member of the Park Club of Lansingburgh, and for five years was president of Watervliet Club of West Troy, of which he was one of the organizers. In politics he has always been a staunch Republican.

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Eckert, Henry E., the leading jeweler of the city of Watervliet, was born in Baden, Germany, and when fourteen years old went to Austria and learned the jeweler's trade. He became an American in 1861, his complete mastery of his trade gaining him lucrative employment with a firm of chronometer makers at Albany. In 1870 Mr. Eckert opened a store in West Troy, where he has by superior work- manship and high personal character built up a fine business. His son, Henry J. Eckert, recently graduated with distinction from the Spencer Optical Institute of New York, will henceforth be associated with his father, and adding a large and at- tractive stock of optical goods.

Getman, Edward M., third son of Charles and Chloe (Hutton) Getman, was born in Troy, N. Y., April 5, 1844. He is a lineal descendant from John Frederick Getman, who came from Germany in 1720 and settled in the present town of Ephra- tah in Fulton county, N. Y., and whose four sons served in the colonial army under Sir William Johnson in 1755. The grandson, George, had four sons, all of whom were soldiers in the Revolution. One of these sons, George, the great-grandfather of Edward M., had six sons, all of whom served in the war of 1812. In the late war were two sons of Charles Getman, who were at the Watervliet Arsenal ; another was on special service up the Yazoo river to General Grant. About 1846 Mr. Getman's parents moved to Watervliet, N. Y., then West Troy His school days were limited to a few sessions in the public schools of that time, which were meagre as compared to the public schools of to-day. At seventeen he was appointed to a clerkship in the Watervliet Arsenal, resigning December 31, 1864. He was one of the two persons who laid the trains blowing up buildings in Troy in the great fire of 1862. In 1863 he was sent as special messenger with a large train of cars filled with munitions of war to Louisville, Ky., for General Buell in the memorable Buell and Bagg race into Kentucky for supplies. January, 1865, he moved to Kentucky and aided in the or- ganization of the Louisville City National Bank, where he continued in the banking business until he was appointed by the government as bank examiner. As an expert he was called by the mayor to examine the sinking fund of Louisville and at a subse- quent period was requested to examine the water works of said city, a property of 87,000,000 value and owned by the city. In February, 1878. at the request of Sec- retary B. H. Bristow, Gen. John M. Harlan (now on the Supreme Bench at Wash- ington, D. C.) and Hon. Martin I. Townsend of Troy, he was appointed a national bank examiner for Kentucky ; Tennessee and part of West Virginia were added to his charge late in 1878. In 1879 he was ordered to New Orleans during a panic and suspensions there, rendering valuable service. An official trip through Texas and Arkansas followed. He was then made the special examiner at large for the Central West and on critical cases was sent into Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio and Mich - igan, at the same time giving proper attention to his original district. In 1886 he was transferred to New York State and assigned from Buffalo to New York on the southern tier of counties, and after fourteen years of this service he resigned in De- cember, 1892. He has since been engaged in the lumber business in the city of Watervliet, N. Y. Mr. Getman's father was canal collector one tern; his brother, Charles, was a member of the last Connecticut Legislature, and Edward M., na- tional bank examiner, which are the only public offices ever held by the family. Mr. Getman has been an unswerving Republican, casting his first vote in Kentucky for ff

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Grant. , In 1896 he was nominated for the office of mayor of the city of Watervliet, but was dereated by only a very small majority. September 19, 1867, Mr. Getman was married to Emma, second daughter of John Morris of West Troy, and they have two children : Archie R. and Edith M.

Langan, John, was the son of William Langan, who, after leaving his birthplace, first settled in Schenectady. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1843. He learned the black smith's trade in the locomotive shops there, then entered the Arsenal shops. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ordnance Department as a private, and soon was made a corporal, acting-sergeant and quartermaster, being six years in the service. After the war he came to West Troy and established a grocery, market and liquor store, Since 1880 he has dealt in liquors at wholesale only. Mr. Langan has taken a lively interest in political affairs and held various offices. He was town clerk for two years, overseer of the poor for two years, and deputy sheriff for eighteen years. He was also on the Board of Excise for fifteen years. He has also served on the Democratic County Committee for a number of years.

Day, Michael J., mayor of Watervliet, is a native of Troy, but a resident here since 1856, when he came with his father, Daniel Day, a well-known grocer of this place. Mr. Day was educated here and at La Salle Institute at Troy. At six- teen years of age he entered the store of William H. Frear of Troy as clerk, remain- ing there for twelve years, and advancing to the position of head cashier. In 1882 an opportunity presented itself for his engaging in the coal business with James Cremmy. The firm is now known as Crummy & Day. Mayor Day, in the year 1882, married Miss Jennie Mckeever, and has one daughter, Mary.

Neil, George, one of the foremost figures in the business life of Cohoes, was born at St. Thomas, Ont., in 1842. He was early thrown on his own resources and has achieved success by his own efforts. In 1865 he came to Cohoes as an employee in a knitting mill, and in 1870 received an engagement with J. H. Parson & Co., as salesman and bookkeeper, a responsible position which he held for fourteen years, Later he formed a partnership with George McDowell, which existed for five years. In 1891 he went into the Atlantic Knitting Co. as treasurer and manager, and is a man well qualified for the position, as he possesses full knowledge of every branch of the business. He has traveled extensively and is a well known man in trade.

Williams, David, was born in Troy and removed to Cohoes at a very early age. He was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a blacksmith shop from 1872 until 1874. He then sold out and went into the bat and shoddy business with Edward Walker, the firm name being Walker & Williams Mfg. Co. He was appointed fire commis- stoner in 1893 and served until June, 1896. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116. F. & A. M .. Cohoes Chapter No. 168, R. A. M., and resides at 108 Mohawk street.

Garside, John, ex-mayor of the city of Cohoes and one of the foremost business men of that city, was born in Halifax, England, in 1838, and came to America when eight years of age. Mr. Garside has for fifteen years been a heavy dealer in Chi- cago beef, having first associated himself with the Swifts in 1881, and has been a resident of Cohoes since 1854. He was one of the original promoters of the Cohoes City Railroad and is now vice-president of the concern, having been identified with

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the management from its inception. Mr. Garside's administration as mayor of the city, from 1886 until 1892, was marked by the good sense and practical qualities for which he is somewhat distinguished. In 1857 Mr. Garside married Miss Elizabeth Wagstaff. They have one daughter, Mary, wife of Harry Green, who is associated with Mr. Garside in the meat business, he having charge of the branch office in Schenectady. They have two children, John and Grace.

Benson, Samuel J., is one of the most successful builders of his day, as the many buildings in Cohoes and elsewhere will attest. Among them are the "Cascade Mills" for George H. McDonald & Co., and the " Granite Mills" for William Moore, also the Presbyterian church which he is now building. Mr. Benson is a native of Lim- erick, Ireland, coming to America when three years old with his father, John Ben- son, a mason. He first settled in Newburgh, N. Y., then in 1866 he came to Cohoes where he learned the stone-mason trade, which pursuit he has always followed most successfully. As a citizen he is well known for his sterling integrity and worth.

Kelly, Hon. George T., born in Albany, May 12, 1864, attended the Christian Brothers' Academy, and later public schools Nos. 15 and 8, and was graduated from the Albany High School in 1883. He entered the law office of Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg, and subsequently became their managing clerk. In the mean time he took a course of lectures at the Albany Law School and Union University, graduat- ing with the degree of LL. B. in 1886, being the honor man and the youngest mem- ber of his class. He was admitted to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court in May of the same year. On March 1, 1887. he formed a copartnership with Judge John W. Walsh, which continued until January, 1890, when Mr. Kelly resumed the practice of his profession individually. He is a man of refined tastes and of ex- tensive reading in general literature. He is interested in all public matters and in politics is a Democrat. At the Democratic Assembly Convention of 1895 he was nominated for member of assembly of the Third Assembly District, an office which he filled with honor and ability. In 1896 he was re-elected to this position, being the only Democrat elected in Albany county. Mr. Kelly married the daughter of Hon. William C. McFadden of Harrisburg, Pa., and they have three children. He is a member of the Dongan Club, Catholic Union, C. M. B. A., and Phi Delta Phi Society.

Montignani, John F., only son of John O., a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, was born in Glens Falls, N. Y., June 24, 1855. His father came to America and settled in Albany about 1845, and after residing for a few years in Glens Falls, returned to this city, where he died January 8, 1894; he was superintendent of various factories, was a manufacturer and dealer in pianos and was a prominent Mason, holding mem- bership in Temple Lodge No. 15, F. & A. M. ; he was also active in Scotch societies, was one of the founders of both the curling clubs of Albany, was prominent in musical circles, was a founder and the first secretary of the Albany Burns Club and married Elizabeth Ferguson, of Kortright, Delaware county, N. Y., who died June 1, 1889. John F. Montignani was graduated from the Albany High School in 1875 and then entered Cornell University, but owing to ill health was forced to abandon a college course. He read law in the office of Edward Wade of Albany and later with Paddock, Draper & Chester, a leading firm composed of William S. Paddock, then Recorder, Andrew S. Draper, afterward state superintendent of public instruction, and Alden

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Chester, now a justice of the Supreme Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and at once formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer, which continued Af 1885. In 1890 he formed his present partnership with George H. Mallory and William S. Elmendorf, the firm name being Montignani, Mallory & Elmendorf. While in the Albany High School he held all the offices of the Philodoxia Society and wasone of the founders and a charter member of the Philologian Society. In 1876 he was one of the principal organizers of the High School Alumni Association, which now has nearly 2,000 members, and served as its president for four years from 1883. He assisted in founding the Friendly Few Society of High School graduates in 1877 and has been its secretary ever since. In 1893 he aided in reviving the Albany Burns Club, of which he has since been the secretary. He is a member and for some time was secretary of St. Andrews Society, is a member of the Albany Caledonian Society, at college became a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and in 1895 was one of the organizers of the Albany Workingmen's Educational Club. A Republican, he has been prominent in politics, was a candidate for recorder in 1895, managed the Wilson mayoralty campaign, and in 1896 established the Mckinley League in Albany county and city. In 1894 he was engaged in New York as counsel for the " Anti- Machine Republicans," representing them before the State Committee. He has a general law practice in all the courts and is attorney for the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. He was counsel in the celebrated McPherson case, in which the constitution- ality of the collateral (now the transfer) tax law was attacked. In 1885 he was mar- ried in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Clementina Petrie-Montignani, daughter of Henry G. Montignani, and they have two children living: Elizabeth F. and Jennie M.

Thompson, David A., was born at Mannington, Salem county, N. J., May 29, 1844. His parents were of English descent and Quakers, his forefathers migrating to West Jersey about 1680. He obtained his rudimentary education at the Salem Friends School and Academy, and later became a student at Haverford, Pa., where he re- mained one and one-half years. In 1866 he entered Princeton College and wasgrad- uated in 1868. He then removed to Albany, entered the Albany Law School and was graduated in 1869, when he was admitted to the bar. For ten years, until 1879, he practiced his profession alone. In the latter year he formed a partnership with Arthur L. Andrews, under the firm name of Thompson & Andrews, which continued until 1885, when the firm became Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, George L. Sted- man being the senior member. This copartnership was dissolved January 1, 1896, Mr. Stedman retiring, and since then the firm has been Thompson & Andrews. In 1874 Mr. Thompson was appointed first clerk to Edmund L. Judson, mayor of Albany, which is the only public office he ever held. He was for many years a mem- ber and trustee of the First Congregational church, the Home for Aged Men, the Albany Orphan Asylum, the Albany Mutual Insurance Company, the Albany Female Academy, the Home Savings Bank, and the Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Com- pany. He has been a member of the Committee of Thirteen since 1882 and is now secretary and treasurer of that society ; he is also a member of Masters Lodge, No. 5. F. & A. M. October 4, 1871, he married Margaret, daughter of the late Dr. James McNaughton of Albany, and they have three children: James McNaughton, Andrew and Margaret McNaughton Thompson

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 113

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