Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 121

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

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Albright, Lawrence, a well-known and prominent man, was born in New Scotland, October 5, 1891. Frederick, the grandfather, was born in his father's stone house in New Scotland, where he spent his whole life, and having inherited the property, he continued farming. He reared four sons and two daughters and lived to be over eighty years of age. Henry F., the father, was also born on the same place in 1786, where he spent his life as a farmer, with the exception of four years spent in Syra- cuse, whence he returned to the farm again on account of ill-health. His first wife was a Miss Pangburn, by whom he had seven children. His second wife was Thursey A. Waggoner, by whom he had eight children. He died in 1849; his wife survived him and lived to be over eighty years of age. She was a daughter of Henry Waggoner of New Scotland; she died in Albany. Lawrence spent his life in New Scotland and attended the common schools. When he was nineteen years of age he began for himself, having rented a farm, and by faithful attention to business and economy he amassed enough to purchase a farm of 112 acres in 1867, in the town of Guilderland, where he has since done a general farming, making a specialty of hay. In 1851 he married Miss Catharine Woodworth, and their children were Will- ard, Ada J., wife of George Gardener of Charlton, Saratoga county; Charles, Emma E., wife of Carni Fort of Charlton, Saratoga county; and Nellie V., who died at the age of sixteen years.

Mors. Joshua, of E. Mors's Sons, wholesale dealers in timber, piling, etc , have their office at No. 106 Sixteenth street, West Troy. The late Elisha Mors, founder

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of the firm and father of the present members, was a large operator in timber and real estate, and was one of the most wealthy and prominent residents. Early in life he operated largely in the Black River region and later in Michigan and other pro- ducing points, having mills at Greenbush and elsewhere. He came to Troy in 1865, and died there thirty years later. Joshua Mors was educated in the Jamesville Academy, and associated with his father in the timber business, and upon the death of his father in 1895, succeeded with a younger brother to the business.

Parker, William F., was born in 1860, a son of William Parker, a laborer. He was educated in Watervliet, and took a course of lectures on embalming, and engaged in the undertaking business in 1881 with a younger brother, Joseph Parker. He per- sonally directs funerals and manages all the branches of his profession, in a quiet and orderly way, characteristic of him. Mr. Parker has held no political office and seeks no political preferment.

Witbeck, Charles G., is a lineal descendant of Jan Thomase Van Witbeck, a native of Witbeck, Holstein, Holland, who married Andriese Dochter, who was born in New Amsterdam (now New York). From 1652, when Beverwyck was first laid out, Jan Thomase Van Witbeck was the most considerable dealer in house lots in the village. In 1664, in company with Volkert Janse Douw, he purchased from the Indians the whole of Apje Island, or Schotack, and the mainland opposite on the east side of the Hudson River. Of his six children Thomase Janse Witbeck mar- ried, September 5, 1702, Jannetje Van Deusen, and was buried at Papsknee. Thomase Janse Witbeck also had six children, of whom Lucas, the youngest, was born February 26, 1724, and married Geertruy, daughter of Johannes Lansing and his wife Geertruy, daughter of Pieter S. Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany. They too had six children, of whom Thomas and Gerrit (twins) were born March 18, 1750. Gerrit Witbeck married, May 29, 1774, Immetje Perry, and had four children, of whom Thomas Gerrit Witbeck, born January 25, 1785, married, December 11, 1803, Leah, youngest daughter of Francis and Gertrude (Van Dusen) Marshall, who was born March 17, 1782. Of their six children, Gerrit Thomas Witbeck, the eldest, was born January 25, 1805, and died in September, 1882. He was a civil engineer and surveyor for the Van Rensselaer estate, for seven years deputy collector of canal tolls at West Troy and Albany and for about four years teller of the old Watervliet Bank at West Troy. When young he taught school, and in 1851-53 served as super- intendent of schools of Watervliet. He married Cornelia Ann, daughter of Eph- raim and Fanny (Sage) Baldwin, and they had six children, all of whom are de- ceased except Charles G. Gerrit Witbeck, son of Lucas and grandfather of Gerrit T., purchased 500 acres of land just west of the city of Watervliet, and here Talley- rand and Prince La Toure sought refuge from political troubles during the French Revolution, Soon after the American Revolution he bought a farm on the banks of the Mohawk River, near Watervliet Center, on which the Indians had their last council fire and which is still owned by the Witbeck family. Charles G. Witbeck was born October 20, 1851, received a common school education, studied civil en- gineering and surveying with his father, and for several years followed his pro- fession for the town of Watervliet and the Van Rensselaer estate. In 1879 he was appointed assistant engineer of the New York State Canals under Horatio Seymour, jr., and continued under State Engineers Sweet, Bogart and Schenck, until August,

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194 January 1, 1993, he formed his present partnership under the firm name of Thomas & Witbeck and opened an office in Troy. He was village engineer of West Tray from 1980 to 15-6 and 1895 to 1896, and became city engineer of Watervliet on ille organization of that city, August 1, 1896. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge No 15. F. A. A. M., of West Troy. January 16, 1873, he married Ella Louisa Hastings of Cohoes, and their children are Gerrit, Ephraim and Nellie.

Christiansen, Alfred, in 1867 was transferred to Watervliet Arsenal, one of the Able a master mechanics whose services the post has ever been able to secure. He not only possessed the sterling qualities characteristic of his countrymen of the "Land of the Midnight Sun," for he is a native of Christiania, Norway, but also the widest osperience in his line of work which a man could have. He was born in 1856 oui educated in the Royal Polytechnic Institute, graduating with the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Before locating at Philadelphia, Pa, he taught mathematics and mathematical drawing at his native place. He was with the Baldwin Loco- motive Works for one year, then with William Sellers & Co., a large establishment of Philadelphia, for two years. In Boston he was chief draughtsman and master mechanic: thenee he came to Watervliet. Among the many clubs and societies with winich he is associated may be mentioned the American Society of Mechanical En- smeers, the Railroad Club of that city, and the Masonic order, in which he is of Ingh rank, being presiding officer of the Hudson River Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

Moffat. George B., is a native of West Troy and the son of an old resident of the town of Colonie, William Moffat, who has always followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Moffat was educated here and was first employed by the Thompson Manufactur- 10gg Company, manufacturers of steam heating apparatus. He traveled three years for them through the mining districts and elsewhere. In 1889 the Fairview Home for Friendless Children was founded in West Troy, and Mr. Moffat has been super- intendent since the opening of the institution. He was born in 1865, and has always resided here.

Murphy Peter, recently elected overseer of the poor of the town of Watervliet, has spent his whole life in West Troy, his birthplace. He served three terms as village collector, proving a very popular and efficient official. He was born in 1841. His father, Michael Murphy, was employed in the Watervliet Arsenal during the Mexican war. M: Murphy was first employed as a boatman on the Hudson, and lost a limb while on a schooner. In 1861 he went into the Arsenal, where he has since been employed as a brass finisher, and is an expert workman.

Hulsapple, John H., son of William and Annie (Snook) Hulsapple, was born in the town of East Greenbush, N. Y., October 5, 1839. He is of German descent, his grandfather, Cornelius Hulsapple, having come to America early in the nineteenth century. He was educated chiefly at Professor Smith's private seminary in Troy, and after leaving it was for eight years a clerk in the office of Robert Robinson, coal dealer, in West Troy. He then went to New York city and was employed by George IL. Stone. limber dealer, for three years. He returned to West Troy in 1863 and was connected with Betts & Robinson, lumber forwarders, until he became a mem- Www of fie firm of D. Serafford & Co., lumber dealers, of West Troy. When that

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firm discontinued business he formed a partnership with Benjamin Shaffer, under the firm name of Shaffer & Hulsapple, which lasted about two years, when Mr. Hul- sapple succeeded to the sole control of the business, which he conducted for about three years. He now has a fire insurance agency in West Troy and is also a book- keeper for C. H. Green, lumber dealer of Troy. Mr. Hulsapple is a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M. of West Troy, and a warden of Trinity Epis- copal church. He was president of the village of West Troy for one year, trustec for six years and a school trustee for several years. April 18, 1864, he married Lydia, daughter of Jesse Montgomery of Albany and they have six sons and one daughter, Harry M., Herbert S , William H., John T., Clarence, Eustis and Florence.

Jaquins, John D., son of Joel and Elizabeth (Parke) Jaquins, was born in Troy, N. Y., April 22, 1864, He was educated in the public schools and took a special course under Principal Veeder. For six years he was a clerk in Pierson Lobdell's hat and furnishing goods store in West Troy, which he bought in 1884, and later moved to his present location on the corner of Broadway and Sixteenth street. Mr. Jaquins is a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A., a member of Even- ing Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., and a member and financial secretary of the Watervliet Club. November 4, 1889, he married Jessie F., daughter of Charles H. Mors of West Troy, and they have one daughter, Eleanor M.

Passonna, Alfred, late of West Troy, whose death caused by an accident while driving a spirited horse at Brooklyn in 1893, was deeply deplored by a wide circle of friends! Captain Passonna was born at St. Valentine, Ont., in 1850, and came here in 1881. He was largely interested in fine horses, with headquarters in New York and a sale stable here. Formerly he owned several boats, and was engaged in the transportation of ice, malt, and other merchandise. During this period of his life he acquired the title of captain, and was noted for his personal bravery and physical power, and as an intrepid pilot. He figured quite prominently in West Troy busi- ness circles, and especially in the affairs of the Sacred Heart church. He was sur- vived by a widow, since deceased, and by four daughters and one son.

Baker, George, the well known purveyor of staple meats, has been in business here since 1869. He was of German birth and learned the details of his business in the fatherland, and it is needless to say it was a thorough training. Mr. Baker was twenty-three years old when he started for America, possessed of no capital save ability and integrity. He first located on Nineteenth street, Troy, in 1871. He makes a specialty of trade in boneless boiled hams, distributing them over a wide area with his own teams and men.

Conway, John J., has always resided in his native place, West Troy, and also ob- tained his education there. He spent three years in acquiring the stone cutter's trade, at which business he has been engaged since 1883. He was county committee- man in 1889, 1890, and 1891, and justice of the peace, to which office he was elected in 1890 and was re-elected in 1896. Mr. Conway was born in 1858 in the house in which he still resides. The house is one of the oldest of the town, being built by his father, Thomas Conway, an early settler. The latter, now deceased, was a mason by trade and a veteran of Company I. 93d New York State Volunteers.

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Gatehell, James K., son of William and Louise (Tyndall) Gatchell, was born in Hurón, Wayne county, N. Y., March 7, 1865. He was educated at the Sodus (N. Y. ) Academy and the Auburn High School, after which he taught school for four years at Alton, Hydes, and North Huron, N. Y. In 1890 he entered the State Normal College at Albany, N Y., and was graduated in 1893. He was then appointed principal of the First Ward school, which position he held until August 14, 1895, when he was appointed superintendent of schools of West Troy, which office he now fills. June 23, 1886, Mr. Gatchell married Eva L., daughter of James Barnes of Huron, N. Y.

Shiland, John C., M. D., is the son of Dr. Alexander Shiland, a prominent physician of West Troy until his death in 1886. The latter was well known for his professional standing throughout the county, and was health officer for many years. Dr. J. C. Shiland was born at Waterford in 1855, and was one year old when his father began practice here. He was educated at Troy High School and entered Albany Medical College in 1875, graduating in 1878. He had occupied many clerical positions before beginning his profession. Dr. Shiland made a special research into the diseases of the eye and ear, but his practice now is that of a general nature. He is very devoted to his labor and has been successful; he is also very popular outside of his profes- sion.

Cole, Frederick S., M. D., has but recently located at West Troy, but is a native of the county. He was born in the town of Westerlo, February 22, 1864, where his boyhood was passed. Prior to entering college he studied medicine in the office of Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, the celebrated specialist of Philadelphia. This experience was of great benefit, Dr. Mitchell being a recognized authority on nervous disease. In ISSS Dr. Cole graduated from Columbia College and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons for a three years' course, becoming a full-fledged Escu- lapian in 1891, and beginning practice in Long Island, during which period he ac- quired some valuable hospital experience, and attended McLean's Maternity Hos- pital and the Vanderbilt Clinic. His training hasbeen thorough and no doubt his success will become commensurate. He recently opened a drug store at No. 416 Fourteenth street, West Troy.

Le Roy, Isaac, son of Henry S. and Bridget (Purcell) Le Roy, was born March 15, 1550, in West Troy, N. Y. He was educated at St. Bridget's School in West Troy, at the Christian Brothers' Academy in Troy, and at the Troy Business College, grad- uating from the latter in 1866. He obtained a clerkship in his father's grocery store in West Troy, and upon his father's death, in 1878, succeeded to the business which he has since conducted. Since April 1, 1896, he has conducted a laundry in connec- tion with the grocery. In 1873 he was elected clerk of the town of Watervliet for a term of two years and in 1892 was re-elected for another term. Mr. Le Roy is a charter member of the Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and has been an active fireman for the last twenty-five years. He is a member of Trinity Council, C. B. L., and was one of the prime movers in having the streets of West Troy named and numbered.

Varney, F. E., is of French ancestry and a native of Canada, born in 1818. Since 1851 he has been a prominent and honored citizen of West Troy, where he is en-

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gaged in the millwright and tanner's business. Mr. Varney has been a faithful ad- herent of the Republican party since its organization. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church and a promoter of all movements tending towards the advance- ment of the interests of his city. Of his three children, only one survives, Mrs. James Andrews of Watervliet.

Foley, James H., one of the trustees of what was then the village of West Troy, was elected in 1886 and has served in that capacity the longest of any of the present officers. He was also elected town clerk in 1894, serving two years. Mr. Foley is a native of Watervliet, born in 1859, and is a son of Denis Foley, a farmer and a milk- man, now retired. Mr. Foley always lived on his father's farm until he engaged in the liquor store at No. 16 Broadway, his present location. He is a member of the Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and was a member of the Volunteer Hose Company until their disbandment.

Nangle, Martin E., born in East Waterford, Perry county, Pa., December 31, 1848, is a son of Martin and Isabella Bensha (Sturgess) Nangle. Martin, a native of Lon- don, England, settled in Philadelphia about 1830 as a silversmith, and died in East Waterford in 1855, aged sixty-five, leaving these children: Edward J., of Nebraska, who served one year in the Civil war; Joseph R., Julia S. (Mrs Van Schaack) of Albany; Mary Emma (Mrs. Cunningham) of Nebraska; Martin E. of Albany, and one deceased. Joseph R. enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. A, 49th Pa. Vols., and served until October, 1864. He settled in Albany in 1867 as foreman of the car de- partment of what is now the D. & H. C. R. R., and since 1880 has been engaged in the coal business. In 1867 he married Elizabeth B., daughter of J. I). Howell, a major in the war of the Rebellion, of Juniata county, Pa. Mrs. Isabella B. (Sturgess) Nangle, a member of two old Albany families, Sturgess and Bensha, was born in the Captain Schuyler mansion at the head of Schuyler street. Martin E. Nangle en- listed in September, 1864, in Co. 5, 202d Pa. Vols., and after the war engaged in railroading, settling in Albany in 1866. In 1876 he became associated with William E. Griffin, an undertaker of Greenbush, and in 1878 engaged in the same business for himself in Albany as a member of the firm of Tedford & Nangle. Since 1883 he has conducted an undertaking establishment alone. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Temple Command- ery of Masons; Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. P. ; L. O. Morris Post No. 121, G. A. R. : Clinton Lodge No. 7, and New York Encampment No. 1, I. O. (). F., and the Albany County Undertakers' Association. In 1870 he married Elizabeth Van Schaack, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Van Shaack) Reamer, and a grand- daughter of Derick and Elizabeth (Tygart) Van Schaack of Albany.

Wygant, Elmer E., son of Thomas H. and Mary J. (Hoes) Wygant, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 3, 1861. His ancestors were Holland Dutch, and the first one who came to this country settled in what is now Ulster county in the sixteenth cen- tury. Mr. Wygant's father organized the Wygant Express Company in 1858 and conducted the affairs of said company until 1889, when he sold out to the Consolidated Transfer Company. Elmer E. Wygant was educated in the public schools of Albany and afterwards worked for his father. In 1884 he was made superintendent of the Wygant Express Company and retained the position until 1889, when he bought out the Albany Cork Works. After two years the business was burned out and Mr.

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Wygant was, in 1892, appointed recording clerk in the office of the county clerk, James D. Walsh ; he still retains the position. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417. F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum, several Republican clubs and is the leader d the Eighteenth ward of Albany. In the fall of 1891 he was a deputy United States marshal. In 1892 he was married to Ethel, daughter of Norman Burdick of Albany.

MacHarg, Martin, M. D., son of Horatio and Agnes (Veeder) MacHarg, was born in New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y., August 15, 1862. He is of Scotch descent, his ancestors having come from Scotland some time previous to the Revolution. Dr. MacHarg attended the district schools, and after removing to Albany he attended the Institute of Amos Cass and later the State Normal School. In 1882 he attended the Medical College and graduated in 1885, receiving the degree of M. D. He prac- ticed one year in Dormansville, Albany county, and since then he has practiced in Albany city. Dr. MacHarg is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Camera Club, and the Unconditional Republican Club. In 1889 he married Minnetta, daughter of Benjamin Crouse of Altamont, Albany county. They have one son, Alan.

Skinner, David F., son of Philip and Anne (Benjamin) Skinner, was born in Lon- don, England, November 3, 1827. He was educated in Dean Stanhope School, Lon- don, and later worked for the British government as boiler maker for five years. In 1853 he came to America and settled in Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1855 he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he was employed by the New York Central Railroad. In 1863 Mr. Skinner formed a partnership with Joseph Arnold and they have since done a very large business as boilermakers, under the firm name of Skinner & Arnold. Mr. Skinner was at one time vice-president of the South End Bank and for a few years president of St. George's Society. November 9, 1857, he married Elizabeth, daughter of George Masters of New York, and they have six children: David F., Ephraim C., William N., Jane, Elizabeth and Minnie.

Gilbert, Hon. Francis Russell, is a descendant of New England and Scotch an- cestors and was born September 20, 1830, in the town of Stamford, Delaware county, N. Y. He is a son of Benjamin Gilbert, who was a farmer residing in the town of Stamford. His mother was Mary Falconer, daughter of Archibald Falconer, a Scotchman. His grandfather, Jesse Gilbert, was a native of Connecticut, born about 1757, and when a young man removed to Dutchess .county, N. Y., and during the Revolution served his country most gallantly, engaging in those memorable skirmishes and bloody conflicts with the British, Tories and Indians. He survived the war and lived to be nearly eighty years old, dying on the old Stamford home- stead about 1837. Francis R. Gilbert attended the common schools and later a pub- lic school at Amherst, Mass. He next attended for two years a select school and academy in the village of Stamford, after which he taught for two or three terms, in the intervals working on the farm until he was twenty-four years old. He then entered the office of Sheldon A. Givens, a prominent lawyer of Harpersfield, who subsequently practiced law in Catskill, N. Y. After leaving the office of Mr. Givens, he attended the Albany Law School from which he was graduated in the spring of 1856, having been admitted to the bar in the previous fall. Soon afterward he was admitted to practice in the United States Courts. In the fall of 1856 he opened a law office in the village of Stamford, and since that time he has enjoyed a remarkable

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practice, trying many cases, both civil and criminal, and among all the criminal trials he has defended not one of his chents was ever convicted. Judge Gilbert has always taken a lively interest in political affairs. In 1862 and 1863 he was elected as a Democratic member of assembly from Delaware county. He was a delegate to the National Convention which met in Chicago in 1884, and nominated Grover Cleveland for the presidency. In May, 1887, he was appointed by Governor Hill one of the judges of the Sixth Judicial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Murray. He was appointed in 1891 a member of the State Constitutional Con- vention to revise the judiciary article of the State constitution. In April, 1892, he was appointed deputy attorney-general of the State by Attorney-General Rosendale. Since the expiration of his term of office as deputy attorney-general he has practiced law at No 51 State street, Albany. In June, 1857, Judge Gilbert married Adelaide, daughter of Ralph and Minna Newell of Stamford. His wife died in August, 1860, leaving a son, Frank N. Gilbert, now practicing law at Binghamton, N. Y. In 1868 he married his second wife, Josephine Crocker, of Augusta, Ga. They have two children, Jesse B. and Minnie E. Judge and Mrs. Gilbert are active members of the Presbyterian church.

Herman, Sidney N., manager of the New York Tailoring Company, is a son of Morris and Nancy (Rice) Herman, and was born in Albany, January 25, 1858. Mor- ris Herman, a native of Germany, came to America in 1833, settled in Albany and died there in 1891. He was a jeweler for several years and was one of the oldest Masons in the city at the time of his death and held many offices in the order. Sidney M. Herman, was educated in the public schools of Albany, became a clerk in a shoe store and later learned the trade of custom clothing cutting in New York city, which he followed about twelve years. In 1888 he established himself in the mer- chant tailoring business in New York, as a member of the firm of Felleman & Her- man, and continued until February 1, 1895. He then returned to Albany and in March of that year organized the New York Tailoring Company, consisting of him- self and Louis Stark, locating at the corner of South Pearl and Howard streets. Mr. Herman is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1884 he married Miss Rose House- man of Albany.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 121

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