Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 118

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

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bany county in 1879, as a Republican, and served one term and was a candidate for county clerk, but suffered defeat along with the rest of the ticket.

Wakefield, William H., & Son .- W. H. Wakefield's father, John Wakefield, a na- tive of the North of Ireland, settled in Albany about 1838 and died here in 1884. He was for many years a groceryman and coal dealer in the west end of the city and was long superintendent of the reservoir for the water department. William H. Wakefield, born October 26, 1843, in Albany, was for about twenty-five years a driver for the Delavan livery. In 1872 he also engaged in the livery business for himself and in 1890 took his only son, William J., into partnership, under the firm name of W. H. Wakefield & Son. They established their present livery business on State street and have brought it into prominence as one of the largest and best equipped in the city. William J. Wakefield was born March 31, 1866.

Cameron, Frederick W., the eldest son of Truman D. Cameron, was born in Al- bany, June 1, 1859. His early education was acquired at the Albany Academy, which he entered when he was five years old. He entered Union College in the class of 1881 and was graduated with the highest honors. He immediately entered the Albany Law School and in the spring of 1882 was admitted to the bar. In col- lege Mr. Cameron gave especial attention to the study of the sciences and took extra courses in physics, mechanics, chemistry and electricity for the purpose of qualifying himself for the practice of patent law. His vacations were spent in a law office. His father, who was for many years a professor in the Albany Academy, early inculcated in his son a taste for literary pursuits. In the prosecution of the special branch of law relating to patents, Mr. Cameron has been very successful, acting as counsel in many important suits for infringements, and has had wide ex- perience in the United States Courts. He is the counsel for several large manufac- turing concerns and has been uniformly successful. Since 1882 he has been a mem- ber of the law firm of Ward & Cameron, his partner being Hon. Walter E. Ward. In 1892 he was appointed United States commissioner by Judges Wallace and Coxe and still holds the position. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Albany Insti- tute, the Albany Historical and Art Society, the Albany Camera Club, Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In 1891 he married Jennie A., daughter of Judge Amos Dean, one of the founders of the Albany Law School. They have two daughters, Jean Elizabeth and Josephine.

Carr, Lewis E., was born March 10, 1842, in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer county, is the son of Eleazer and Hannah (Rayner) Carr, and a grandson of Eleazer and Hannah (Hakes) Carr, natives of New England. The father of Eleazer, with one or two brothers, was in the Revolutionary war. Lewis E. Carr was educated at Falley Seminary in Fulton, N. Y., and was graduated from Fairfield Academy in Herkimer county in 1861. After spending two years on the farm, he came in the spring of 1863 to Albany and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and was admitted to the bar. He then spent one year in the law office of Sherman S. Rogers in Buffalo, where he had as his roommate Grover Cleveland. In July, 1865, he began the practice of his profession in Port Jervis, N. Y., and continued until 1893, having from 1869 to 1874 (). P. Howell, now surrogate of Orange county, as his partner. Mr. Carr was elected district attorney of Orange county in 1871, and jj

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held the office three years, and was a member of the Board of Education of Port Jervis tor sixteen years. In 1893 he came to Albany as attorney for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company (railroad department) and still holds that position. From 1872 to June 1, 1896, he was the attorney for the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co., having charge of their business in Orange, Sullivan and Delaware counties. He is a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., a member and past high priest of Neversink Chapter No. 189, R. A. M., a member of Delaware Commandery No. 44. K. T., and its eminent commander for seven years, a member of Blooming Grove Park Association of Pike county, Pa., the Lawyers' Club of New York and the Albany Club. In 1865 he married Ruth, daughter of Mathias Duke, an officer in the British army stationed at Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her grandfather, John Gallagher, was an officer in the English army at the battle of Waterloo; later was town major at St. John's, New Brunswick, and was the English officer who surrendered the possession of Eastport, Me., to the Americans at the close of the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have three children: Raymond W., Lewis E., jr., and William D.

Whitney, W. M. & Co .- The extensive dry goods business of W. M. Whitney & Co. was established in a two-story building, 25 by 40 feet, on the site of the present store, by Ubsdull & Pearson in 1859. In 1864 James T. Lenox succeeded them. He died about 1866 and in that year William M. Whitney and John C. Myers, under the firm name of Whitney & Myers, purchased the establishment and continued it until 15;0, when Mr. Myers retired. Mr. Whitney became sole owner and has success- fully conducted the business under the name of W. M. Whitney & Co. to the pres- ent time. He replaced the old building with a new structure, which has a frontage of 127 feet, a depth of 270 feet and a floor area of 90,860 square feet, the whole comprising fifty-six distinct departments, employing from 450 to 600 people. The firm also has a large warehouse and stables on Hudson avenue, a buying office in New York city and an importing branch in Paris. A wholesale trade was also car- ried on until 1894, but since then the business has been exclusively retail. It is the largest, most complete and best equipped dry goods establishment in this section of the State and its development and success are mainly due to the energy, enterprise and ability of Mr. Whitney, whose two sons, William M., jr., and Charles S. A., are now active members of the firm.

Milbank, William Edward, M. D., was born at Coeymans, Albany county, March s. 1541. He received an academical and classical education at the Albany Academy ; pursued the study of medicine under the supervision of Dr. William Gilman of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Dr. Albert Van Derveer of Albany, N. Y., and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in December, 1872. He began practice at Albany immediately after graduation, being associated one year with Dr. David Springsteed. He has remained a resident of Albany, and is engaged in the duties of active professional life. Dr. Milbank is unmarried. He became a member of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society in April, 1873. He was elected a delegate to the State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1874, '75, '76, '77 and '78; and to the secretaryship of the County Society in 1875 and again in 1876. He has held the position of chief of the surgical staff of the Homeopathic Hospital and City Dispensary four years; from 1876 to 1880 and in 1885, was reappointed to the same position. He became a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of

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New York in 1879; a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Northern New York in 1883; ane of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1887. He was ap- pointed by Governor Hill, in 1885, to the office of commissioner of the State Board of Health and was reappointed three successive terms, holding the office until Janu- ary, 1895. While a member of the State Board of Health, Dr. Milbank indited and prepared a number of very valuable papers which are published in its annual report. The doctor presented and read at the annual meeting of the State Homeopathic Medical Society, held in February, 1895, a very elaborately prepared paper entitled : " Albany's Water Question."

Casey, Walter V., is a son of John H. and Mary E. (Rourke) Casey, natives of Ire- land and was born in Albany, April 12, 1872. John H. became a printer in the office of the Albany Knickerbocker, was made foreman of the Press and Knicker- bock, and died in March, 1893, aged fifty-five. Walter V. Casey, after attending the Albany High School, accepted in August, 1887, a position with E. De L. Palmer, real estate dealer, and remained there until 1893, when he formed with Joshua F. Tobin the present real estate and fire insurance firm of Casey & Tobin. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Union.

MacFarlane, Andrew, M. D., son of Andrew and Sophia (Troy) MacFarlane, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 1, 1863. His father, a merchant, came to America, and settled in Albany about 1847, but returned to Scotland in 1861 and re- mained ten years, when he again came to Albany and died here in 1882. Dr. Mac- Farlane was graduated from the Albany High School in 1880 and then spent one year in the University of Glasgow in Scotland; returning to Albany he was graduated from Union College in 1884, as one of the honor men of his class. He read medicine with Dr. George E. Gorham of Albany, was graduated as M. D. from the Albany Medical College in 1887 and on competitive examination was appointed to the staff of the New Jersey State Hospital for the Insane where he re- mained one year. He was then for two years physician in a private institution for the insane in Boston ; meantime he had done much work in the hospitals of New York city and after leaving Boston he went abroad for about eighteen months and studied in Paris, Prague and Vienna, returning to Albany in 1892. Since then he has followed the general practice of his profession and was appointed instructor in the Albany Medical College, later became a lecturer and is now clinical professor of physical diag- nosis and miscroscopy. He is physician to the dispensary of St. Peter's Hospital, an at- tending physician to the Albany Orphan Asylum and Albany Hospital for Incurables, lecturer on medical jurisprudence of insanity at the Albany Law School and bacteri- ologist to the Albany Board of Health since 1894. He is a member and ex-secretary of the Albany County Medical Society and a delegate to the New York State Medical Society. He has often been called as expert on insanity in noted murder trials and is regarded as an able authority on this disease.

Annesley, Richard Lord, son of Lawson and Laura (Jones) Annesley, was born in Albany, July 16, 1838. His father was born in Bordentown, N. J., May 5, 1795, and in 1802 came to Albany with his father, William Annesley, who in that year engaged in the picture and art business, founding what is now the Albany Art Gallery. In 1820 William was succeeded by his son Lawson, who continued the business until 1860, when his son Isaac became the proprietor. The latter carried on the establish-

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ment until his death, in June, 1865, when Richard Lord Annesley, his brother, suc- ceeded him, and has since remained in charge. This is the oldest, the largest and one of the finest art stores in the city. About twenty-five years ago a large manufac- tory for fine woodwork and furniture was added. Richard Lord Annesley was edu- cated at the Albany Academy, in Prof. C. H. Anthony's school and at the Troy Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began active life on the Erie Canal enlarge- ment. In 1862, with Major (then captain) John L. Newman, he recruited and organ- ized Co. I, which joined the 43d N. Y. Inf. at Hagerstown, Md., with four other com- panies from Albany. Mr. Annesley was elected first lieutenant, was promoted cap- tain and served until the close of the war, being brevetted major April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service at the assault on Petersburg. Returning from the army he succeeded his brother Isaac in business and has since carried on the trade established by his grandfather ninety-five years ago. He is a member of Post No. 63. G. A. R., the Loyal Legion of the United States, the Society of the Army of the Potomac and the Fort Orange Club. In January, 1886, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of John Ward of Albany.

Clough, William, established his present mercantile business in Cohoes in 1857, and carries a various line of groceries, tinware, drugs, dry goods and hosiery. He is a pioneer settler of Cohoes, coming here in 1851, where he worked six years for the Harmony Co., as foreman of one department. He was born in England in 1820, and was a spinner by trade. He came to America in 1848, and was one of the fire wardens before organization of the city of Cohoes in 1869. He was assessor twice and held many minor offices. In politics he is a Republican.

Tessier, Wilfred G., one of the four coroners of Albany county, is a native of the city of Cohoes, and was born in 1863; he was also educated there. After spending eleven years at the baker's trade, he established in 1890 the present business located at No. 69 Garner street as a dealer in groceries. He is holding very acceptably the position of coroner, his first political office.

Stanton, William, for many years associated with Mr. Graham in a large grocery store on Willow street, Cohoes, under the firm name of Stanton & Graham, was a mason by trade and has always carried on a large contracting business, which he still continues. He has always been largely interested in the coal business. Mr. Stanton has always taken a lively interest in all that pertains to to the welfare of the city and its local government. He was constable and deputy sheriff during the war, and has been alderman, also president of the Board of Education, and is still a prom- inent factor in politics. Mr. Stanton is a native of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, and was born in 1838.

Tessier, Frank, has been a resident of Cohoes since he was eight years of age, when he came here with his father, Pierre Tessier, a carpenter. He was born near Montreal, Canada, in 1848. In 1871 he purchased of John Valley, by whom he had been employed for thirteen years, a bakery which he conducted till 1890. In 1883 he aiso engaged in the livery business at the present location No. 37 Saratoga street. Mr. Tessier has led an active political life. In 1877 he was elected supervisor from the Third ward, and since 1892 has been superintendent of the streets of the city.

Baillargeon. J. T., has been a merchant of Cohoes for about five years as wholesale

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and retail dealer in manilla, straw, tea, and tissue paper at No. 145 Bridge avenue, Adam's Island. He came here from New York city, where he had been for eleven years as superintendent of the packing department in a commission house. He was born in Quebec, Ontario, in 1857, the son of Joseph Baillargeon, a retired builder, and educated at Point Lewis. For six years he held a position as foreman for Marshfield & Co., Chicago. Mr. Baillargeon is noted locally as a fine baritone singer.

Dickey, William J., superintendent of the Cascade Mills of Cohoes, is a son of John Dickey, a contractor who came from the north of Ireland and settled here at a very early period of the history of Cohoes. His death occurred in 1878 at the age of sixty- seven, but his memory lives in the hearts of his fellowmen as one who left nothing undone that would advance the welfare of residents here. Mr. Dickey has spent a lifetime in the mills, having first began to work there at the age of thirteen years. He was first employed by Hon. C. H. Adams in his woolen mill, and from the foot of the ladder has steadily reached its most responsible position. He was for nine years superintendent of the Egberts Woolen Mill, then operated by Mr. McDowell, and when the latter erected the Cascade Mills, he was given the superintendency. Mr. Dickey has been connected with the fire department for twenty-five years, and was fire commissioner for four years, treasurer for nine years of the Hitchcock Hose Co., and captain for ten years of the same.

Calkins, H. G., though a young man has been a prominent member of the Board of Education of the city of Cohoes for five years, and has taken an active part in its councils. When he was twenty-one years of age he was elected school commis- sioner, making a very competent officer for that responsible position. Mr. Calkins is a descendant of the old Connecticut family, and a son of A. T. Calkins, a promi- nent furniture dealer since the war. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. A. 22d Regiment N. V. Vols., as first sergeant, but returned lieutenant and quartermaster. Among the battles in which he participated may be mentioned those of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Second Bull Run. He was for thirty years in the same store, which, since 1887, has been in charge of his son, H. G. Calkins, who was born in Cohoes in 1869.

Rosemond, James, came to New York from Ireland, where he was born in 1859, with his widowed mother who is still a resident of Cohoes. He was educated in New York in the grammar schools and first engaged in the dry goods business where he remained for four years. He then came to Cohoes and acquired the plumber's trade, working for three years in the Harmony Mills and nine years with Burbanks & Co. In 1892 this enterprising young man engaged in business for himself at No. 92 Main street, and has developed an extensive industry in plumbing and tin-roofing, also steam and hot water heating, making a specialty of beer apparatus. The posi- tion he now holds in the front rank of the young men of to-day is due to his own personal efforts and sterling characteristics.

Hochstrasser, Arthur E., was born in the town of Berne, February 5, 1847. The founder of the Hochstrasser name in America was Jacob Hochstrasser, the great- grandfather of Arthur E. , He was a native of Holland and was one of the pioneer settlers in the town of Berne. He was one of a committee to petition the Legisla-

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ture to set off the town of Berne from Rensselaerville, and the chairman of the com- mittee to draft the town laws, and was the first supervisor and first justice of the peace. Paul 1., the grandfather of Arthur E. Hochstrasser, was born in the town of Berne in 1962. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Hle settled in the town of Knox, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured lumber for some years, but returned to Berne and purchased 200 acres of land, a portion of which embraced the White Sulphur Springs, and there spent his re- maining days. His wife was Dorothy Fisher. Peter Hochstrasser, the father of Arthur E., was born in Berne on the homestead, April 18, 1800. He was a wheel- wright by trade, his principal manufactures being spinning wheels, flax and wool wheels; he also owned a farm of seventy-five acres which he supervised. His wife was Eliza Weidman, born in Berne July 20, 1808, daughter of Col. Jacob Weidman. Their children were Jacob M., John, Charles (who was a soldier in the Rebellion), Arthur E., Catharine, Margaret and Sarah. He died April 20, 1880, his wife Feb- ruary 15, 1887. Arthur E. Hochstrasser learned the turner's trade and when eight- een purchased a factory and engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads; three years later he formed a partnership with his brother Jacob M. in a saw mill and manufac- tured lumber, bedsteads, etc. In 1882 he sold his mill interest and engaged in gen- eral mercantile business in the village of Berne and in 1891 he erected his present store building. He owns and resides on the place where he was born. He was town clerk from 1882 to 1885, was town committeeman, president of the town Re- publican organization from 1886 to the present time, and has often been chosen as delegate to town, district and State conventions. Mr. Hochstrasser is a member of the Masonic fraternity and was one of the charter members of Helderberg Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is one of the active promoters and contributors in and to the pro- posed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie railroad, of which he is also a stock- holder. September 25, 1868, he married Josephine, daughter of Edward Settle of Berne, and they have one child, Fred P. His wife died March ?, 1882, and Febru- ary 4, 1885, Mr. Hochstrasser married Hattie, daughter of Henry W. Weidman, and they have two children, Margaret and Chester.

Peasley, Wallace A., was born September 12, 1857, on the farm he now owns and occupies. Thomas Peasley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts who came to Albany county and settled in the town of Berne on West Mountain, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Orson Peasley, the grandfather was born in Berne in 1804, where he was a lifelong farmer and lived and died on the farm of 160 acres on which he was born. He died in 1866 and his wife in 1888. Addison, the father of Wallace A. Peasley, was born in Berne, August, 1834. He grew to manhood on the homestead and later came in possession of it. His wife was Hen- rietta, daughter of John Tibbitts, who was a soldier in 1812, and to them were born two children: Wallace A. and Elmer. Wallace Peasley attended the common dis- triet schools and the Gloversville Academy. He has spent his life on the farm with his father and for years has been a careful and interested breeder of thoroughbred trotting horses and is the owner of the fine stallion, Varrick; he is also a breeder of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys. Mr. Peasley has filled town offices continuously since he became a voter, filling first the offices of inspector of election, excise commissioner, and in 1896 was elected to represent his town on the

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Board of Supervisors. In 1890 he was appointed to take the United States census in his election district. The farm now occupied by Mr. Peasley was originally settled by Mrs. Abigail Taylor, his great grandmother, who came from Rhode Island. The house she caused to be erected in 1777 is still standing, the only change from the original being a new roof. In 1877 Mr. Peasley married Florence Shultes of West Berne, daughter of Abram and Margaret (Turner) Shultes. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley have four children : Blanche, Ethel, Mary and Florence.

Young, Elias, was born in the town of Berne, June 22, 1844. Samuel Young, his grandfather, was a native of Connecticut and settled in the town of Berne, near where is now the village of Reidsville, in 1792, where he farmed and practiced law, having for many years an extensive law practice. His wife was Magdalene Warner, a native of Berne, and they had three sons: Philip, David and Silas. He died in 1860 at the age of eighty years; his wife died some years before. Philip, the father of Elias, was born in Berne in 1809, where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a farm of 160 acres. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Elias Mathias of New Scot- land, and their children were Samuel P. (deceased), David P., Mary E., Margaret A. and Elias. He died in 1891 and his wife in 1893. Elias Young spent his earlier days on his father's farm, where he attended the common schools and later the Fort Edward Institute; subsequently, by the assistance of his father, he entered as a student Eastman College, from which he was graduated in 1865. When twenty years of age he began teaching, which profession he has followed a goodly portion of the time. For some five years he was engaged in general mercantile business in the village of Reidsville, in partnership with his brother, and was for many years a dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. Young from early manhood mani- fested a keen interest in the political affairs of his town and county, associating him- self with the side of Democracy. He was elected and filled the office of justice of the peace for twelve years, and from 1886 to 1896 has been notary public. In 1881 he was elected school commissioner and again in 1891 and 1893. In 1868 he married Frances, daughter of Hugh Conger of Berne, and they have two chil- dren: Eunice (wife of Christopher Michael), and Philip S., M. D., who was a grad- uate from the Albany Medical College in 1896.

Rheinhart, Alonzo L., was born in the town of Berne, July 13, 1858. John Rhein - hart, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany and immigrated to America in 1762, settling in or about New York. When the Revolutionary war broke out he enlisted and served through the whole war. Johannes Rheinhart, the grandfather, was born in Berne on the homestead where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a farm of 113 acres. His children were Catharine, Peter, David, William and Adam. Peter, the father of Alonzo Rheinhart, was born in Berne in 1803. In early life he was a farmer, but later became a shoemaker in the village of Berne. His last days were spent in Knox. He was twice married, his first wife being Christiana Deitz, and their children were Louisa (wife of David Ball of Berne), Matilda (wife of Isaac Ball of Schoharie), and Christiana, who died when fourteen. His second wife was Mary Ann, daughter of William Havens of Knox, and they had the following chil- dren : Harrison, Catharine, Addison (who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, 1860 to 1865, enlisting in Co. E, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery for three years, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Cold Harbor and was a prisoner in the Andersonville

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 118

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