Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 114

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

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Andrews, Arthur L., son of Dr. George and Julia A. (Hooker) Andrews, was born

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in Marion, Ia., April 16, 1855, and descends from Wilham Andrews, who in 1635 came from England to New Haven, Conn., where the family lived for generations, and held State and Federal offices. Dr. George Andrews, a physician, removed to Westfield, Mass., in 1857, and died in Wallingford, Conn., November 27, 1895. Arthur L. Andrews attended the private schools at Westfield, was graduated from Westfield High School in 1871, and received the degree of B. A. from Wesleyan University in 1875, being one of the honor men in his class, and taking while there a prominent part in all the athletic exercises. On July 2, 1875, he came to Albany and entered the law office of Stedman & Shepard, and was admitted to the bar Sep- tember 8, 1877. He remained with his preceptors as managing clerk until August 1, 1879, when he formed a copartnership with David A. Thompson, as Thompson & Andrews. On February 16, 1885, this firm became associated with George L. Sted- mar, under the name of Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, and on January 1, 1889, George W. Stedman was admitted as partner. January 1, 1896, this firm dissolved and since then the style has been Thompson & Andrews. In November, 1895, Mr. Andrews was appointed by Governor Morton as commissioner to devise charters for cities of the second class. He has been attorney for the Board of Supervisors for two years and counsel for the Republican organization for two years, and is a trustee of the Albany Home School for oral instruction of the deaf, a member and deacon of the State Street Presbyterian church, a member of the Fort Orange, Ridgefield Athletic, and Capital City Clubs, president of the Mckinley Guards. and a member of the Psi Upsilon Club of New York city. September 4, 1879, he married Alice, daughter of Samuel Anable of Albany, and they have one son, Harold Fourdrinier Andrews, born July 3, 1884.

Ward, Hon. Walter E., was born December 5, 1853, in Westerlo, Albany county. His father, Rev. Gilbert Ward, formerly of Westerlo, whose long services in the ministry of the M. E. church have been signally blessed, is still living. His mother, Emeline Garrett, a native of New Baltimore, Greene county, died several years ago. His grandfather, Gilbert Ward, was a pioneer farmer of Westerlo, a justice of the peace in 1822 and a man of prominence. This branch of the Ward family in America is descended from the same ancestry as Gen. John Ward of Revolutionary fame. Walter E. Ward worked on his father's farm in Westerlo summers and attended the district school in winter. When seventeen he entered the Collegiate Institute at Claverack, N. Y., then under the principalship of Rev. Alonzo Flack, D. D. While there he taught school a part of the time, earning money enough to pay his educa- tional expenses. On leaving Claverack in 1873 Mr. Ward entered Wesleyan Uni- versity, where he was a member of the university football team and boat crew, and rowed in the intercollegiate regatta at Saratoga in 1876. He was graduated from Wesleyan with honor in 1877. He then took up his residence in Albany. Prepara- tory to entering the Albany Law School he read law in the office of Hungerford & Hotaling, and about the same time gave private instruction in Latin and Greek. Mr. Ward was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1879, and was at once ad- mitted to the bar. In 1880 he opened an office in Albany and four years later asso- ciated with himself his present partner, Frederick W. Cameron, the firm name being Ward & Cameron. While carrying on his general legal practice. Mr. Ward's attention was turned to a careful investigation of the laws relating to patents, and

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he has made this subject a special department by bringing together all the important Mithorities, so that this collection of books in this line is the largest of any lawyer In Uffe city. He has had charge of important infringement suits in which he has gained a wide reputation, and is a lecturer on patents, trade marks and copyrights, in the Albany Law School. As a Republican, Mr. Ward, in the fall of 1890, was nominated for member of assembly from the Second Assembly district and was elected over Dr. De Graff of Guilderland by a majority of 564, being the only Republican chosen to any office from the county in that election. He served with credit on the Committees on Cities, Revision of Laws, and Excise Matters. In 1591 he was re-elected by a majority of 1,072 over ex-County Clerk W. D. Strevell and was again the only successful Republican nominee on the ticket for Albany county, During his second legislative term Mr. Ward served on the Committee on General Laws and Revision. He is a member of the Unconditional Republican, Camera and Albany Clubs and a member of Trinity M. E. church, and in 1891-92 was superintendent of its Sabbath school. In 1881 Mr. Ward married Miss Carrie, daughter of Luman Stanton of Westerlo, and they have three children: Maude E., Florence and Walter J.

Potts, Jesse Walker, is the only son of Jesse Charles Potts, who was born September 30. 1811. in Albany. His grandparents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Duns) Potts, the former being a Friend, who came to Albany from Pennsylvania in 1790. He is descended from David Petts, who came from Wales and settled in Bristol township, Philadelphia county, Pa., before 1692. David Potts, a member of the Society of Friends, married Alice Croasdale, who with her parents came to America with Will- iam Penn in the Welcome in 1682. Jesse Potts died December 21, 1811, leaving a widow and six children. Elizabeth Duns was born in Scotland. Jesse Charles Potts attended the old Lancaster school and was at the opening of the new building in 1817, where the Albany Medical College is now. When thirteen he worked for Mrs. Cook who kept a reading room on Broadway near Maiden Lane, and afterward in a grocery on old Van Schaick street. In 1828 he was apprenticed to learn the molder's trade at Corning & Norton's Eagle Foundry, and after the firm sold their business to Many & Ward in 1530, he finished his apprenticeship with Francis Low at the Clinton Foundry. He worked for Howard Nott & Co., manufacturers of the famous Nott stoves, and was with Rathbone & Silliman for about a year. In 1835 he formed a part- nership with Benjamin Thomas for the manufacture of stove castings, on the site of the present First Baptist church. In 1836 the firm was changed to Thomas, Potts & Wells. Subsequently Mr. Potts sold his interest to the other two and became the foreman of De Graff's Foundry. In 1837 he entered into partnership with Levi S. Hoffman, with whom he remained until 1846, when he bought Mr. Hoffman's inter- est and four years later sold the business to Shear & Packard; in 1852 he formed with Jacob H. Shear and Joseph Packard, the firm of Shear, Packard & Company; in February, 1857, he sold his interest to Shear & Packard and retired from active business. In 1850 and 1851 he became interested in real estate and built many dwell- ings in the city. In 1851 he went to Europe in company with the late George Daw- son. He represented the old Third ward as supervisor in 1852, being elected as a Whig. He was an admirer of Henry Clay and when the latter made his second canvass for the presidency in 1832, Mr. Potts cast his first vote. He continued

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a Whig until the Republican party was formed in 1856, when he joined it. He joined the Volunteer Fire Department August 17, 1835, and was foreman of Truck No. 1. He was one of the organizers of the Commerce Insurance Company in 1859 and a director from that time, and was also a director of the First National Bank. He was a member and for many years a vestryman of St. Peter's church and was one of the committee (the other two being John Taylor and Dr. Philip Ten Eyck) that had charge of the erection of the present building in 1859 and 1860. He also at the request of the family of John Tweddle, superintended the completion of the tower in 1876. He was one of the founders of Fireman's Lodge of Odd Fellows, March 10, 1837, and was also a member of the Histrionic Association. He took a great interest in American coins and medals and his collection probably ranked with any in the country. December 22, 1835, he married Eunice U. Walker, who died in June, 1890. Mr. Potts died February 2, 1891, leaving two children, who are now living. In 1895 the new rectory of St. Peter's was built and given to the church as a memorial to Jesse Charles Potts and his wife, by their son and daughter, Jesse Walker Potts and Sarah Benham Potts.

Boyd, James P., M. D., is a native of Albany and a son of one of the foremost phy- sicians of the city in his day. He received his early education at the Albany Boys' Academy and was graduated from Princeton College in 1867. He then entered the Albany Medical College where he pursued the study of medicine with that assiduity which had characterized his earlier school days. Subsequently he entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city and received the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1871. The next two years Dr. Boyd devoted to higher studies in his chosen profession in the famous universities of Germany. He began the practice of medicine in Albany in 1873, and has steadily increased until now ; he stands in the foremost rank of the eminent physicians of the city. He is a mem- ber of the Albany County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Association of Obstetricians and the Gynecological Society. He is also a member of the British Gynecological Society. He is also attending gynecologist to Albany Hospital, consulting obstetrician to St. Peter's Hospital and professor of obstetrics, gynecology and diseases of children at the Albany Medical College.

Guthrie, Alfred A., son of Samuel and Catherine (Minear) Guthrie, was born in Troy, Davis county, Ia., September 20, 1850, was prepared for college in the acad- emy of his native town and received from the State University of Iowa the degree of A. B. in 1875 and that of A. M. in 1877. After graduating he began the study of law in the office of Hatch & Hatch, of Hannibal, Mo., but in 1883 removed to Albany and took a partial course of studies at the Union Law School, receiving the degree of LL. B. and being admitted to the bar of New York in June, 1884. He was asso- ciated in practice with his brother, William R. Guthrie and Andrew J. Colvin, until the former's death in 1890, and since then has continued alone. He has always been a Republican, has held several positions of trust and honor, and is pre-eminently a scholar, a lover of books and a thorough student of jurisprudence. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, past commander of Temple Commandery No. 2. K. T., past thrice illustrious master of De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22, R. & S. M., past high priest of Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., past master of the Ineffable and

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Similimie Grami Lodge of Perfection of Albany, a trustee representing his chapter in the New Temple Commission, and a member of the Grand Commandery of New York and Has been the representative of the Grand Commandery of Texas. In Odd Fellow- anp he hits from its inception been counsel without compensation for the trustees at the New Odd Fellows Temple of Albany. He was elected grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the State of New York in 1893, deputy grand master Anggune 1. 1594, and grand master in August 1895, holding the latter office one year. He is continually called upon to deliver addresses in all parts of the State. Decem- Dos 25. 1ST7, he married Ella, daughter of Rev. Samuel M. Osmond, D. D., of Phil- adolphdia, Pa., who died in March, 1879, leaving one son: Keith Osmond Guthrie, now a student at Yale College, class of 1899.

HMenbeck, Charles W -Garrett J. Hallenbeck, born in the town of Guilderland, in December, 1816, was a prominent citizen of that town. The first of the family they omigrated from Holland to America were William and Michael F., who settled on the Livingston Manor about 1640. Isaac, the son of William and grandfather of Garrett J., settled in the town of Guilderland where he reared four sons: Tunius, Garrett, Abram and Jacob I. Jacob I., the father of Garrett J., was born in Guild- erland December 14, 1791, where he was a well-to-do farmer. When twenty years of age he married Christiana Waldron and their children were Isaac, George Y., Garyel J., Margaret and Jane Ann, all deceased except Margaret. He died in 1877 and his wife in 1875. Garrett J. devoted his life to farming and in early life he bought and sold many farms. In 1853 he settled permanently on the farm of 128 acres, which is now owned by his sons, Charles W. and Alexander. He took great pride In the breeding of fine horses and cattle. In 1844 he married Lucinda Van Valkenburg, who was born in Guilderland in July, 1822, daughter of Johoicam and Rebecca (MeMichael Van Valkenburg. Their children were Jacob G., Rebecca; Cornelius (deceased, Isaac H., Alexander, Jane Ann, Emma, and Charles W. of Albany. Johoicam Van Valkenburg was a native of the town of Guilderland, and the son of John Van Valkenburg. He was a farmer and lumberman, owning a gond farm and a saw mill. He reared ten children, all of whom grew to maturity except one hoy, who was accidentally killed. Alexander McMichael, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hallenbeck, was a native of Ireland, who was for years a hotel keeper and farmer.

Wolff, John, son of John A. and.J. J. (Mayen) Wolff, was born in Arnhem, Holland, July 22. 1536. He received his education in the public schools, and Almkerk Univer- aty from which he graduated in 1855. Immediately after his graduation he was appointed assistant teacher of the Holland and French languages and filled that chair will 1867. when he came with his parents to America and settled in Albany, N. Y. Mr. Wolff obtained the position of shipping clerk with Wheeler & Melick and held that place until 1888, when he associated himself with the Wheeler & Melick Manu- farming Company. While shipping clerk, Mr. Wolff was abroad seven timesin the capacity of salesman. The firm went out of existence in 1890, and Mr. Wolff assumed control of the business and continued in that capacity until January, 1896; since then he has been engaged in a general repair and commission business. In 1863 he mar- ned Miss D. G. Fortanier of Rotterdam, Holland, and they have one son and four daughters.

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Ogden, Charles G., son of Edward and Julia (Hand) Ogden, was born in Albany, N. Y., January 25, 1858. Mr. Ogden's father was born in England and on the ma- ternal side he is descended from New England ancestors. He received his education in the Albany Academy, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then entered the office of his father, where he learned the business of architect and draughtsman. In 1892 he was taken into partnership, the firm being Edward Ogden & Son, located at No. 61 State street. In 1884 Mr. Ogden married Lizzie, daughter of Peter Kin- near, of Albany, and they have two children, a son and a daughter.

Banker, William Soules, son of John and Christiana (Kent) Banker, was born in Clinton county, N. Y. He received his education at the Plattsburgh and Cham- plain Academies, after which he went into business with the Redford Crown Glass Works at Redford, N. Y. He remained with this concern for many years, until their retirement from business. His worth as a salesman had become well known during his connection with the Redford works, and after leaving them he was con- nected with some of the most important houses in the United States. They were J. W. Blodgett & Co., of Boston; J. R. Jaffrey & Sons, of New York, and N. K. Fairbank & Co., of Chicago, later the N. K. Fairbank Company. In April, 1888, Mr. Banker removed to Albany, representing the latter house, also the Cudahy Packing Co., South Omaha, Neb., and he continued to represent the Fairbank Com- pany until November, 1895. He now represents the Cudahy Packing Co., South Omaha, Neb. : Central Lard Co., New York city; the Waverly Refining Co., New York city; the National Linseed Oil Co., Buffalo, N. Y. ; American Preservers Co., Philadelphia, Pa. ; Muscatine Oat Meal Co., Muscatine, Ia. ; Eli Pettijohn Cereal Co., Minneapolis, Minn. ; Mohawk Condensed Milk Company, Rochester, N. Y .; Jacob Beck & Sons, Detroit, Mich. ; De Land & Co. (Cap Sheaf Soda), Fairport, N. Y. ; the Rockford Sugar Refining Co., Rockford. Ill. ; Connecticut Extract Witch Hazel, Middletown, Conn. ; Delgado & Co., New Orleans, La. ; Theo. Brierre's Sons, New Orleans, La. ; Standard Rice Co., New York city; American Soap Co., New York city; Columbia Falls Packing Co., Columbia Falls, Me. ; and the Marshall-Kennedy Milling Co., Allegheny, Pa. Mr. Banker has also other large milling interests; his office and warehouse at 65 and 67 Hudson avenue is one of the best in Albany, large, attractive, and contains all the up to date improvements, including steam power and steam heating.

Van Aken, De Baun, son of Dr. David F. and Abigail (Lansing) Van Aken, was born in Lishaskill, Albany county, N. Y., January 3, 1863. Dr. David F., the father of the subject of this sketch, is still a practicing physician at Malden, Ulster county, N. Y. Mr Van Aken is descended from French-Huguenot stock; from those who, shortly after the massacre of St. Bartholomew's, moved to Holland. Two brothers left Holland and came to America just previous to the Revolution and one of them, Henry, great-great-grandfather of Mr. Van Aken, performed gallant service in the war. Mr. Van Aken's grandfather, Alanson, is now living in the town of New Scot- land at the ripe old age of ninety-two; he has been justice of the peace of New Scotland for a number of years. On the maternal side Mr. Van Aken is descended from Gerritt Lansing, who came from Holland and whose descendants have had an important part in framing the history of Albany county. Mr. Van Aken was edu- cated in the Saugerties Institute, the Union Classical Institute at Schenectady and

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the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he received the degree of Ph. G. in 1884. After leaving college Mr. Van Aken was associated with Dr. C. H. Smith on Washington avenue for twelve years and was a partner during the last five. In 1894 he purchased the store on the corner of Hamilton and Hawk streets, where he is now doing a large business. He is secretary of the College of Pharmacy and in- structor in chemistry therein. For one term he was president of the Alumni Asso- viation of the college. Mr. Van Aken is a member of the State Street Presbyterian church and has been its Sunday school superintendent for the past five years. In 1590 he married Jessie W. Schermerhorn of East Greenbush, and they have one son, Homer Lansing.

Hawley, Mrs. Clara M .-- Among the numerous printing establishments in Albany it would be hard to find one where prompt service and fair dealing more abound than in that owned by Mrs. C. M. Hawley. This business was originally established in 1871 by L. H. Burdick, for general job and newspaper printing, at No. 51 North Pearl street. Mr. Burdick continued to own and manage the business until 1878, when, having taken James Taylor into partnership, the firm became Burdick & Taylor. The plant was subsequently moved to Martin Hall and later to No. 481 Broadway, where the business was continued until 1893. In November, 1890, the partnership was dissolved and Lewis J. Roberts came into the firm, making the firm Taylor & Roberts. Mr. Roberts died after thirteen months, but the firm name con- tinued until 1893, when Charles H. Hawley succeeded to the Roberts interest. Mr. Hawley died in November, 1893, and the interest has since been carried on by Mr. Hawley's widow, Mrs. Clara M. Hawley. January 21, 1897, Mrs. Hawley bought Mr. Taylor's interest and has since then been sole owner of the plant, at Nos. 36-38 Beaver street, and secured the services of L. H. Burdick to manage the business for her. Mr. Burdick, being the founder of the business, is of course a most valuable man and will build up the concern to hold its own as among the first of its kind in the city. Mr. Burdick also represents the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany and for eight years has been secretary of the West End Savings and Loan Association. He is very popular in social and fraternal circles, and is a Knight Templar, Mason, a past grand in the I. O. O. F., and an encampment member.

Anderson, Charles W., was born April 28, 1866, in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated from the High School of that town, Spencerian Business College of Cleveland and Miami University. He determined upon the legal profession, and to prepare himself read law with Judge Weed of Cleveland. He did not complete his studies, however, but moved east to New York and entered politics. He was for a time on the staff of the New York Age, and was connected with the late Col. Elliot F. Shephard until his death. He was appointed United States Internal Revenue Gauger by Hon. William Windom, which position he held until December, 1893, when he resigned to accept the appointment of private secretary to State Treasurer Colvin, which position he now holds. Mr. Anderson is regarded as one of the most scholarly colored men of the country and has probably been honored as much as any living man of his race. He responded to the sentiment, "The Citizen and the Nation," at the annual ban- quet of the Garfield Club of Providence, R. I., in 1891, and to that of "The Future of the Republican Party," in 1892. He also responded to a toast at the annual ban- quet of the St. Patrick's Club at Hotel Brunswick, New York, March 17, 1892; he

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was one of the speakers at the banquet given by the government of Venezuela, through her commissioner, Hon. Napoleon Dominici, at Delmonico's, to the Ameri- can advocates of the Monroe Doctrine in the same year. Mr. Anderson responded to the toast of "The Emancipation Proclamation," at the Lincoln banquet of the Marquette Club of Chicago, at the Grand Pacific Hotel, February 12, 1895. He has delivered many lectures, among them being "The Delights and Defects of Conver- sation," "The Life, Times and Teachings of Rousseau," "Abraham Lincoln," " The Abolitionists," "Frederick Douglass," "The Philosophy of Prejudice," "The Ama- teur Thinker," and "The Brotherhood of Man." He has made many occasional addresses and is regarded as one of the readiest and most polished speakers of his age in the State. He was appointed a commissioner to the Tennessee Centennial by Governor Morton, and was selected by the Republican State Committee to accom- pany Hon. William McKinley on his speaking tour through New York State during Hon. Levi P. Morton's canvass for governor. Mr. Anderson makes many friends wherever he goes, as is evidenced by the fact that he was tendered a complimentary luncheon by members of the Union League Club of Chicago, October 17, 1896.

Wrightson, George W., was born in England and came to America when four years of age, and settled in Utica and in 1859 engaged with the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. as fireman, and acted as such on the engine that took President Lincoln to the White House, also taking his body west when killed. From fireman he was promoted to engineer, and ran the first passenger engine from Ravena on the West Shore R. R., and settled there. He also ran an engine on the Mohawk division. He married Miss Rachel Lang of Utica, and built a fine residence at Ravana, where he reared a family of three daughters: Ada L. (Mrs. G. C. Boyl), Eva M. and Grace M. He was and is yet the principal mover in the organization of the Christian church at Ravena, which was built in 1889, and of which he is a leading member and sup- porter.

Don, William G., son of John G. and Julia (Crew) Don, was born in Albany, N. Y., March 29, 1854. He attended Professor Luther's school on Eagle street and Folsom's Business College, after which he worked for the Van Rensselaer estate and as tally boy for Clark, Sumner & Co., lumber dealers, where he rose to the position of clerk. In 1876 he went to work for Thomas S. Murphy as bookbinder. In 1894 Mr. Murphy died and in March, 1895, a new company was formed, Thomas S. Murphy & Co., of which Mr. Don was elected treasurer, and which office he now holds. Mr. Don was active in the politics of the Republican party at the time of the late John F. Smyth and was a charter member of the Capital City Club in 1868, and is also a member of the Unconditional Club. In 1883 he married Harriet S. Cochrane of Ogdensburg. N. Y., and she died the same year.

Gibbons, Erastus, born in Coeymans, January 11, 1842, is a son of Erastus and Martha (Wheat) Gibbons. Erastus Gibbons, sr., was a native of Westerlo and she of Albany; the grandparents, John, came from Dutchess county to Westerlo in pio- neer days. Erastus, father of Erastus Gibbons, jr., was a carpenter by trade and resided in Coeymans for some years, but spent his last days in Westerlo on a farm and died in 1873; Mrs. Gibbons died in 1871. Erastus Gibbons, jr., was educated at the academy at Coeymans and in 1867 married Carrie E., daughter of Abner Garret, of Westerlo, and to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons have been born eight children: Mattie, wife

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 114

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