Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 124

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

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Hailes, William, M. D., son of William Hailes, sr., a native of the Isle of Wight, was born in Albany, October 14, 1849. He attended the public schools and later the Albany Classical Institute under Prof. C. H. Anthony. He began the study of med- teine with the late Dr. Alden March, 1868, and was the last student ever regis- tered with that famous surgeon. He was graduated from the Albany Medical Col- lege in 1870, receiving a competitive prize and delivering the valedictory address at commencement. In 1869, '70 and '71 Dr. Hailes was city physician and surgeon in the Albany Hospital. He began practice in Albany in 1872, but three years later, and again in 1878, he went abroad, visiting Germany, Austria, Italy, France and England, remaining two years for study and travel. In 1872 he was demonstrator of anatomy and in 1873 lecturer on surgical dressings and appliances, and since 1874 he has filled with ability the chair of professor of histology and pathological anat- omy in the Albany Medical College. He became a noted microscopist and at one time owned a valuable set of microscopic instruments, which he presented the Al- bany Medical College, where he is a permanent director of the microscopical de- partment, which he was mainly instrumental in founding and developing. Dr. Hailes has been attending surgeon to the Albany Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital for many years. and was the first surgeon in Albany to perform intubation for mem- braneous croup, and has a record of upwards of 1,000 cases. He owns at Van Wies's Point, on the west bank of the Hudson, a beautiful villa residence, which he calls Bonnie-Castle-on-the-Hudson. In 1889 Dr. Hailes married Miss Bertha, daugh- ter of Judge J. W. Deuel of Rochester, N. Y., and they have two children, William Deuel and Dorothy.

Dwyer, Martin J., M. D., son of William and Katherine (Dalton) Dwyer, was born in Liberty, Sullivan county, September 1, 1859. His father was a railroad contrac- tor and farmer. He graduated from the old Liberty Normal Institute in 1876, taught school three terms, read medicine with Dr. William S. Webster of Liberty, and the late Dr. Jacob S. Mosher of Albany, and in September, 1880, entered the Albany Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1883. On competitive examina- tion he received an appointment as house physician and surgeon in the Albany City Hospital and served eighteen months. In November, 1884, he began active practice in Albany. He is a member of the Sullivan and Albany County Medical Societies and a physician and surgeon to the St. Vincent's Male and Female Orphan Asylums, and was one of the organizers. He is a member and examiner of the Knights of Columbus, a member and examiner of the C. M. B. A., and life member and the organizer of the Albany Catholic Union and its first vice-president. On January 23, 1895, he married Elizabeth Magdalene Johnson of Boston, Mass.

Fookes, Henry H., son of Henry H. and Cynthia (Woodyard) Fookes, farmers, was born in Falmouth, Ky., April 29, 1857, was graduated from the high school at Xenia, Ohio, in 1874 and engaged in the wholesale shoe business in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1893. September 1, 1893, he came to Albany as general sales agent for the National Cash Register Company, which position he still holds. This company was the first in the world to manufacture cash registers and now owns nearly 350 patents and does business in every civilized country on the globe. The manufactory is located at Dayton, Ohio, where about 1,500 hands are employed ; all - kinds of autographic, manifolding and cash registers are made. The first inventions

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date from about 1882; the company was the original patentee and owns the founda- tion patents. The Albany agency was established in 1886 and controls the eastern half of New York State outside New York and Brooklyn, and is the eighth in importance in this country.

Easton, Charles P., founder of the wholesale lumber firm of Charles P. Easton & Co., was born in Albany, October 24, 1824, and died here March 3, 1885. He settled himself in the lumber business in 1847 and actively continued in it until his death. In 1869 his eldest son, William, became his partner under the firm name of C. P. Easton & Co., which has ever since remained the same. In 1876 his son Edward was admitted and in 1886 another son, Frederick (now superintendent of public buildings at the State Capitol), became a partner, and since Mr. Easton's death these sons have conducted the business with marked ability and success. Mr. Easton was not only a leading business man in Albany's great lumber district, but also a public spirited citizen who devoted himself untiringly to the educational interests of the city, giving liberally of his time and means towards improving public school methods. He was foremost in founding and building the present High School and in religious and charitable matters was equally zealous.

Hicks, John J., son of William and Harriet (Carter) Hicks, was born in Oxford, England, June 26, 1841. He came to America with his parents in 1849 and settled in Troy, N. Y., where his father, a manufacturer of gilt picture frames, died in 1884 and his mother in 1874. He was educated in the Troy public schools and learned the trade of picture frame making with his father. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 62d N. Y. Vols., Anderson's Zouaves, and was attached to the provost guard department of the Fifth Army Corps. He was discharged in October, 1863 and, re- turning home went to Amsterdam, N. Y., as manager of the furniture store of Horace Inman. Two years later he went to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in contracting and building for about four years, and in 1871 he came to Albany and engaged in busi- ness as a manufacturer and dealer of furniture, moving into his present quarters, Nos. 85-87 Beaver street, in 1881. He is a Republican and a member of Master Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Clinton Lodge No. 3, I. O. (). F., and the New York En- campment and Grand Canton No. 1, N. E. M. O. He is past noble grand and past patriarch in the Odd Fellows Order. In 1861 he married Cythis M., daughter of Fraser Hodgman of Troy, and they have six children, Anna Kate, Bertha, Eva, Grace, Libbie and Amy.

Dugan, Daniel J., son of George and Mary Dugan, was born in Greenbush, N. Y., July 25, 1872, and from the age of two years was reared in the family of his uncle, William Steele of Albany. After finishing his education in the Albany High School he began the study of law in the office of Judge Peter A. Stephens and was admitted to the bar September 14, 1895. Since then he has been engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession.

Addington, George, son of Joseph, a native of England, was born in Albany, April 24, 1860, and was graduated from the high school in 1878. His father served in the Rebellion in the ith N. Y. H. A., was shot in the hip at the battle of Cold Harbor and died from the wound in 1871. Mr. Addington read law with Mead & Hatt and Hale & Bulkeley, and after his admission to the bar in 1881, remained in

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the latter's office as managing clerk until 1885, when he began active practice. In the spring of 1894 he was elected justice of the city court for three years, running ahead of his ticket and receiving about 3,600 majority. He is a member of the K. of P. Elks, and Unconditional Republican Club, past colonel of the New York Division S. of V. November 9, 1890, he married Susie M. Stoffels of Albany.

Casey, Damel, was born in Ireland, January 15, 1839, came to America and settled In Columbia county, N. Y., with his parents in 1850, and received a common school education. He held various positions until April 29, 1861, when on the first call for troops he enlisted in Co. I, 18th N. Y. V., and served for two years. In September, 1864. he re-enlisted in Co. A, 192d N. Y. V., was made quartermaster-sergeant, and later second lieutenant, and served until his discharge in October, 1865. He was in the first and second Bull Run battles, the Seven Days campaign before Richmond, South Mountain and Fredericksburg, and was three times wonnded. Returning from the army he entered the Albany county clerk's office and remained there in all twenty years, being search clerk for seventeen years and deputy clerk for three years. In 1857 he formed a partnership with William Kinney, as Kinney & Casey, and en- gaged in the real estate business. In 1894 Mr. Kinney withdrew and Mr. Casey's son, Frank A., became a partner, under the firm name of Daniel Casey & Son. Mr. Casey was a member of the Board of Education one term, and is a member of the Dongan Club and William A. Jackson Post No. 644, G. A. R. In 1864 he married Mary McDonough of Columbia county, and their children are Mrs. Edward Futterer, Agnes E., William T. (deceased), Frank A., Joseph E., Daniel T., and Mary.

Brilleman, Isaac, son of Alexander, was born January 19, 1845, in Amsterdam, Holland, where he was educated and where he learned the art of diamond polishing. Hle descends from several generations of jewelers. In 1860 he came to America and settled in Albany, where he immediately found employment in the jewelry business. In 1866 he opened a jewelry store on the corner of South Pearl street and Hudson avenue and in 1884 moved to his present location, Nos. 31-33 North Pearl street, the latter number being added in 1893, when he magnificently remodeled and refitted the entire establishment. In 1895 he added what is termed a " crystal maze," one of the most elaborate show rooms in the world and probably the only one of its Kind in this country outside of New York. He deals extensively in the finest grades of watches, clocks, diamonds and other precious stones, sterling silver, optical goods, hollow and flat ware, cut glass, bric-a-brac, china, etc., a large part of which is im- ported by him. He is one of the foremost jewelers of the State. He is a Democrat and was alderman of the Fifth ward in 1878-79. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 85. F. & A. M., a trustee of Beth Emeth congregation, treasurer of the Rural and Bethlehem cemeteries and a trustee of the Hebrew Benevolent Society since about 1870.

Campbell, Stewart, born August 20, 1821, in the town of Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., is the son of Alonzo S. Campbell and a grandson of Samuel Campbell, who at one time represented Chenango county in the Legislature at Albany, and also as a member of Congress at Washington, D. C. Samuel Campbell was a personal friend of Henry Clay, from whom he drank in the principles of protective tariff, which still run strong in the veins of the family. Stewart Campbell's mother was a daughter of Gideon De Forest, one of four brothers who received pensions for services in the

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war of the Revolution. In early March, 1841. Mr. Campbell came to Albany and entered the store of Charles A. De Forest, in which after a few years he received an interest. Later Mr. De Forest retired, and a new partnership was formed with his son, Dewitt C. De Forest, under the firm name of Campbell & De Forest, which con- tinued for about six years, through the war of the Rebellion. In May, 1867, Mr. Campbell located himself at the well known store, corner of South Pearl and Plain streets, where he successfully prosecuted the business until June, 1896, when he turned it over to his son, Edward W. Campbell. He married Catherine Mitchell, of Albany, who died July 25, 1896, and they had three children: Jessie Maud, who died at the early age of eleven months and eleven days; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Alfred S. Woodworth, of Boston, where she resides, having one son, Stewart Camp- bell Woodworth; and Edward Willers Campbell of Albany. During all these years Mr. Campbell has been positive in his political convictions, being first a Whig, after the Thurlow Weed kind, and now an unflinching Republican. For over fifty years he has been an active member of the Baptist church.

Delahant, Michael F., son of Michael, was born October 15, 1852, in Troy, N. Y., . and received a public school and commercial education. In 1873 he entered the em- ploy of J. N. Brady, at Cohoes, wholesale and retail dealer in teas and coffee at Albany and Cohoes, and remained there thirteen years, having charge of that branch. In 1887 he took charge of Mr. Brady's Albany store. Mr. Brady died in 1888 and Mr. Delahant continued as manager until May 1, 1893, when he formed partnership with Charles W. Edwards, as Delahant & Edwards and purchased the entire business. May 1, 1896, Mr. Delahant bought out Mr. Edwards's interest and became sole owner of the two stores. He carries on a large wholesale and retail trade in tea, coffee, spices, confectionery, and bakers' and butchers' supplies.

Wilson, Oren E., born in Boston, Mass., October 10, 1844, is the descendant of a sturdy line of New England ancestry, both his father and grandfather being natives of Kittery, Maine. James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was one of the original members of this branch of the Wilson family in America. Mr. Wilson was educated at the district school at Portsmouth, and later on his removal to New York with his father, in 1852, became a pupil in, and was graduated from one of the public schools at the age of fourteen. He attended for one year the Clinton Liberal Institute, at Fort Plain, N. Y., after which he en- tered Mount Washington Collegiate Institute, where he pursued a course of Latin and Greek and where he was graduated in 1861. In 1862 he entered Columbia Col- lege, where he spent one year, and in the fall of 1863 entered Columbia Law School, and would have graduated in 1865 had not an incident occurred which changed the whole tenor of his plans. While a student there he became acquainted with W. H. Whitney, senior member of the firm of Whitney & Myers, who prevailed upon him to become his confidential clerk. When the partnership of Whitney & Myers was dissolved in the spring of 1870, Mr. Wilson removed with Mr. Whitney to Albany, where a new firm was established under the name of W. H. Whitney & Co., with which Mr. Wilson has since been connected, holding the position of financial and confidential manager. In 1884, on the day of his retirement from the presidency of the Young Men's Association after a most successful administration, he was nomi- nated and elected by the Republicans a member of the Board of Public Instruction.

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In the spring of 1594 he was nominated for mayor of the city of Albany by the Re- publican and Honest Election parties and was elected. He served efficiently until the expiration of his term, January 1, 1896. In 1890 Mr. Wilson was elected life trustee of the Young Men's Association, to succeed the late Henry R. Pierson. He was superintendent of the Sunday school of the State Street Universalist church from 1570 to 1879, and is now a trustee of All Souls Universalist parish, and was in - strumental in erecting, in 1888, a new edifice for the latter church. In 1867 he mar- ried M. Emma, daughter of the Rev. Dr. E. G. Brooks, a prominent member of the Universalist denomination. Mrs. Wilson died in December, 1893. Mr. Wilson has one daughter living.

Perry, Edward Rodman, son of Nathan B., was born in Geneseo, Ill., March 27, 1861, and came to AAlbany with his parents in 1864. His father has long been a lead- ing business man, being president of the Perry Stove Company, vice president of the National Savings Bank and a director of the Commerce Insurance Company. Mr. Perry attended the Albany Academy, was graduated from the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie in 1880, and was then engaged in the manufacture of stoves until 1893, being assistant superintendent and trustee of the Perry Stove Company. In 1893 he became secretary and treasurer of the Hilton Bridge Con- struction Company, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Fort Orange and Mohican Canoe Clubs, the Ridgefield Athletic Association and a life member of the Y. M. C. A. of Albany. In 1885 he enlisted in Co. A., 10th Bat., N. V. N. G., and served seven years, being promoted to quartermaster-sergeant.

Hochstrasser, Jacob, the proprietor and manager of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel, was born in 1832. Jacob, his father, was born at White Sulphur Springs in 1795. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Cornelius West, of Cooksburg, N. Y., and their children were Paul, Abel, Amos, Peter and Jacob. He died in 1875 and she in 1870. Jacob Hochstrasser attended the common schools and after leaving home settled in the village of Berne, where he erected a fine residence. For many years he was extensively and successfully interested in bee culture, earning the name of "Honey Jake;" during this time he was also a dealer in fine horses. In 1868 he was pursuaded by his father to return to the farm, which he took charge of and cared for his parents in their declining years. On account of the excellent healing character of the sulphur water which flowed so freely from the springs on his place, many people would come to drink and to bathe in the water and would beg to be boarded, and in 1881 Mr. Hochstrasser concluded to erect a hotel. He selected a beautiful location, erected his hotel, which has a capacity to accommodate 110 people, and gave it the name of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel. Mr. Hochstrasser's ex- cellent judgment in laying out the grounds and keeping them in repair, as well as providing beautiful picnic grounds, has made his place by far the most beautiful and desirable summer resort on the Helderberg Mountains. In 1854 he married Maria, daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Bassler) Hilton of Berne, aud they have one child. Frank of Philmont, Columbia county, N. Y., where he is established in the undertaking business.

Maxwell. James A., was born in Coeymans and began his business life on the river as a cabin boy. He worked his way up until in 1881 he was made captain of the

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steamer Lottie, which position he now holds. He married Julia Bratt of Delmar, and they have one son, Harry, and two daughters, Mary and Ada.

De Freest, Alburtus B., was born in Bethlehem, and is a son of W. V. D. De Freest, and grandson of David and great-grandson of John De Freest, who came from Germany to Rensselaer county with the early settlers. David De Freest came from Bethlehem in 1834 and was a farmer by occupation. He has four sons: A. B., John, Garrett, and W. V. D., who remained on the homestead until 1878, when he came to Ravena, where he has since been engaged in farming, A. B. De Freest opened a store in 1893, which he conducted until 1895, when he sold out and started a lumber yard which he now runs, and also handles brick and cement. He is a member of the K. of P. Lodge of Coeymans, and has also been town clerk for two years.

Waldron, Henry, was born in 1820 and is a son of Tobias and Cordelia (Van Derzee) Waldron, and grandson of James W. and Edith (Ten Eyck) Walron. James Waldron came from Greene county to where his father settled when he came from Holland in about 1637. Mr. Henry Waldron remained on the homestead until 1850, when he bought the adjoining farm, where he has since lived. Tobias Waldron was one of the prominent men of his day and was identified with the public affairs of his town, and was a member of the Legislature. He died on the Waldron homestead in 1876.

Van Derzee, Alton, was born in 1842 in Coeymans, and is a son of Barent and Laura (Niles) Van Derzee, and grandson of Cornelius Van Derzee, who settled in Coeymans in 1774 and was a farmer, Mr. Van Derzee moved to the neighborhood where he now lives in 1852 and where his father died in 1850. Mr. Van Derzee has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his town and in 1886 was elected highway commissioner, and in 1887 was on the Board of Supervisors and was elected again in 1891 and 1892. He is a member of the F. & A. M. No. 804.

Gedney, Samuel, was born in Coeymans in 1820, a grandson of Joshua, who with two brothers came from England and were in the Revolutionary war, and after its close one settled in Dutchess county, one in Orange county, and Joshua in Albany county, at what is now called Stanton Hill. He had four sons, Joshua, Peter. Bar- tholomew and Absalom, who was a brickmaker, and died in North Carolina in 1838, where he had gone to carry out a contract for opening a yard for the manufacture of bricks. Mr. Gedney began life on the boats of the Hudson River, where he was engineer and captain, and later went to Washington, D. C., where he remained for thirty-two years, first as captain and then as general superintendent of the Potomac River Steamboat Company until 1882, when he retired and returned to Coeymans where he has since resided. In 1846 he married Susan, daughter of Anthony Wolfe, and has one son, Edward C., a farmer, and two daughters, Susie (Mrs. T. J. Corrie) and Mary C. (Mrs. W. B. Holmes) of Coeymans. .

Bedell, Jerry, is the son of Thomas and grandson of Jeremiah, who came to Coey- mans at an early day. His sons were David, Nathan and Thomas. Thomas Bedell married Rachel Powell, and had five sons: Edgar P., John G., Alfred, Samuel and Jerry. He was a large and successful fruit grower, and died in 1893. Jerry Bedell married Helen I., daughter of David Vanheusen, and has one son, Enos D.

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Whitbeek, Joseph M., is the son of John T., and the grandson of Thomas Whit- beck, who was a farmer and died in 1873. Joseph M. is also a farmer. He married Harriet, daughter of Spencer Stearns of Greene county, by whom he has had one son. John S., who is a farmer with his father, and also has one son, William J.

Watson, Frank, was born in Starkville, Herkimer county, N Y., December 13, 1-29. a son of William H. and Margaret (Schmidt) Watson. His grandfather, Jude Warson, and the near relatives of his grandmother, the Jenkses, took active part in the Revolution in Herkimer county. When four years old Mr. Watson moved with his parents to Cobleskill, N. Y., where his father preached in the First Lutheran church for about ten years. March 7, 1846, Mr. Watson removed to Albany, and subsc- quently worked as clerk in the stores of William Reese and Hiram W. Allen. For three years thereafter he conducted a clothing business in Niagara Falls, and in 1857, while at Niagara Frontier, he was made a Free Mason and was intimate and often sat in lodge with Colonel Whitney, who was incarcerated in the Canandaigua jail suspected of being an accessory to the disappearance of Morgan In 1859 Mr. Watson returned to Albany and for twenty-three years was a salesman and partner in the store of A. B. Van Gaasbeck & Co.'s carpet house. Since then he has been engaged in the carpet cleaning and storage business at Nos. 254-260 Washington avenue. At the age of twenty one he became an Odd Fellow and is now a demitted Mason to Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 5 of Albany. He has been twice married first in 1552, and again in 1873 to Fannie H., daughter of Capt. Richard T. Hoag of Al- bany. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children: Mrs. M. E. Northrup, Grace A. and Mabel E.

Parlati, Lorenzo, son of Raffaele and Raffaela (Di Bissaccia) Parlati, was born in Naples, Italy, March 24, 1841. His parents wished him to join the priesthood and sent him to the Jesuit Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, in Naples, where he re- mained but two years, owing to illness. At the age of thirteen he entered the Naples College of Music, where he remained until 1858. displaying great genius and leading his classes in all studies. In August, 1858, he left the college, at the time of the Italian Revolution, in 1859 joined the volunteers under Garibaldi, and in Octo- ber. 1860, was taken prisoner by the Royal Troops. He remained at Gaeta Fortress from November, 1860, to February 16, 1861, when he returned home, there to be taken sick with typhus fever, the result of the hardships of such a life. He was an invalid until 1864, after which time he resumed active study. In 1867 he came to America, settling in Albany. In the winter of 1869 Jason Collier and Prof. Thomas Lloyd brought him forward at a concert in old Tweddle Hall for the Y. M. C. A., Mrs. Charles Hoyt, at that time the leading soprana in Albany being his accom- panist. Immediately he was besieged with pupils, among them being David Mann of Albany, and William Oliver, being the first. For a year or two thereafter Signor Parlati went on a concert tour through New York and the East, meeting with great success. In the winter of 1870 he organized the orchestra still bearing his name and reaching such efficiency under his able leadership that it is recognized as being second to none in this State outside of New York city. He has furnished music at all the social functions from the time of Governor Hoffman. His orchestra num- bers twenty-eight musicians. Subsequently he became the leader of the orchestra aut the Trimble Opera House (now the Leland), holding through succeeding seasons.

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In 1874 he was prevailed upon to accept the leadership of the Tenth Regiment Band, Col. (now Gen.) Robert Shaw Oliver commanding. Gen. Amasa J. Parker succeeded to the command and rendered great service in quelling the riots at West Albany. His orchestra of forty pieces played at the opening of the New Capitol, and later at the Bi-Centennial. He furnished the music at the Fort William Henry Hotel, Lake George, and at the Clarendon, Saratoga, for many seasons. In 1884 he resigned the leadership of the band, devoting himself to teaching and his orchestra, the de- mand for which was very great at colleges, etc. He furnished the music for ten successive seasons for the famous Coterie at Lenox, Mass. He is recognized as a musician among musicians, and his ability as a conductor and teacher stands un- questioned. Among his many pupils who have attained prominence are Charles Ehricke, now teaching in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music; Isaac Strasser, George Van Tuly, Hugo Engel, Ed. Treadwell and many others. Professor Parlati is a charter member of the B. P. O. E. He married Mary E. Greig of Albany, who, with his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, adds largely to the musical atmosphere of their lovely home.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 124

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