Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 126

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

USA > New York > Albany County > Landmarks of Albany County, New York > Part 126

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Moore. James C., son of William and Jane (Campbell) Moore, was born in Albany, N. Y., October 1, 1830. Mr. Moore's father was born in County Down, Ireland, and in 1822 came to America and settled in Albany. In 1844 he started in the manufac- ture of bricks on Morton street, where he was very successful. In 1860 he retired and was succeeded by his son, James C., the subject of this sketch, who was also very successful and in 1865 established another yard on Third avenue. Mr. Moore is a brother of Robert H. Moore, of the well known lumber firm of Moore & Zimmerman. In 1859 Mr. Moore married Sarah. K. Smith, who died the same year, and in 1875 he married Anna Babcock, by whom he had one daughter, Jean C. and one son, Will- iam, who is dead. He is a member of the Third Reformed church, Wadsworth Lodge F. & A. M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., and De Witt Clinton Council R. & S. M. He is also a director of the Albany County Building and Loan Association.

Amsdell, Theodore M., was born in Troy, N. Y., November 20, 1828. His ances- tors were Holland-Dutch and went from Holland to England at the time of Charles II. Early in 1821 William Amsdell, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to America and in 1845 established the Amsdell Brewery in Albany, N. Y. Theodore M., received his education in the Albany public schools and in 1844 engaged in his father's business and soon after became the master thereof. In 1851 he purchased his father's plant and five years later removed to Jay street. He formed a partner- ship with his brother, George I., and the firm of Amsdell Brothers was widely and

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favorably known. This firm continued until October, 1892, when Theodore sold his interest to his brother and purchased with his son-in law, George C. Hawley, the Dobler Brewery, situated on Swan and Elm streets and Myrtle avenue. The name, The Dobler Brewing Co., adopted in 1865, is still retained. In 1855 Mr, Amsdell married Helen E. Zeh, and they have one daughter, the wife of George C. Hawley. In 1878 Mr. Amsdell was elected a member of the Brewers' Association of New York State.

Brierley, William P., M. D., son of John and Anna Amelia (Coles) Brierley, was born in Stockport, Columbia county, N. Y., in 1863. He received his preliminary education under the instruction of the Rev. George Fisher, pastor of the church of St. John the Evangelist, Episcopal, at Stockport. He studied in this way for eight years, then spent two years studying in a drug store in Hudson, N. Y., and Lenox, Mass. He then determined upon the medical profession and studied one year with Dr. C. E. Fritts of Hudson ; he then moved to Albany and registered with the late Dr. John Swinburne. In 1886 he graduated from the Albany Medical College and received the degree of M. D. Dr. Brierley remained with Dr. Swinburne two years after graduation and had charge of the dispensary when Dr. Swinburne was in Washington as a member of congress. Since then Dr. Brierley has practiced in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Capital City Lodge I. O. O. F., and of the Ojibway Tribe of Red Men. June 14, 1890, he married Katharine, daughter of Jacob Holler. They have three sons, John Herbert, Harold Potter and Walter.

Fish, Julius, son of Simon and Jeanette (Schuster)"Fish, was born in Albany, N. Y., in April, 1853. He received his education in the public schools and after leaving, was "bound over" for three years to learn the trade of stripping tobacco in the factory of Fred Classen on Green street. He worked at the bench in different factories after learning his trade and by hard work and judicious saving was enabled to go into business for himself in 1872. His store was then located on lower South Pearl street; in 1876 he opened a tobacco store and cigar manufactory at No. 14 South Pearl street. In 1896 he sold the store and now confines his attention solely to the manufacture of cigars at the same location. Mr. Fish is very popular in social and fraternal circles, being a member of the Adelphi Club and Gideon Lodge. He has been prominently identified with the Democratic party and is now a member of the general committee. In January, 1897. Mayor Thacher appointed him a mem- ber of the Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed Rufus Townsend, deceased.

Cox, John, son of George W. and Jane (Morgan) Cox, was born in Walsall, Staf- fordshire, England, in 1850. He attended the common school and learned the trade of brass finisher in the town and vicinity of Walsall, which is eight miles from Bir- mingham. In 1870 he came to America and settled in Albany, N. Y., where he fol- lowed his trade as a journeyman for Orr & Blair. This firm afterwards changed hands and became well know as Blair & Kinnear. Mr. Cox remained with this firm three years and in 1873 bought the business of Henry McElroy who owned a brass manufactory, where Mr. Cox is now located. In February, 1891, together with Philip Wendell Parks, A. C. Graves, A. B. Brown, P. F. Gaynor and H. E. Bailey, he organized the Cox Brass Manufacturing Company of which he is now vice-presi- dent and general manager. The company does a large business in its Albany fac-

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tory and has a salesroom at No. 193 Center street, New York. In 1872 Mr. Cox married the daughter of Wm. W. Chandler of Albany. They have four children : John W., William G., Margaret Jane and Theodore M.

Hunting, Edwin Francis, son of Ambrose R. and Amanda (Severson) Hunting, was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 1, 1864. The family is de- seended from John Hunting, who resided in the east of England. John Hunting came to America in 1638 and was ordained elder of the church in Dedham, Mass. The family coat of arms contains, among other emblems, three hunting dogs, as many stags' heads; the dogs holding between the paws a stag's head. His son, John Hunting, was born in 1640; whose son Nathaniel was born in 1675; who also had a son Nathaniel, who was born in 1702; whose son Captain Joseph was born in 1731, whose son Joseph was born in 1766, and settled in Schoharie county (on the farm now occupied by the father of Edwin F.) He also had a son Joseph (grand- father) born in 1805, and resided on the farm occupied by his father. Ambrose R. (father) was born in 1833. He attended the district school, Schoharie Academy and Charlotteville Seminary. He has served his town several terms as supervisor ; his district for two terms as school commissioner; and his county (Schoharie) in the Legislature in the year 1891, as assemblyman, being elected by the Democratic party, of which he has been a lifelong member. Edwin F. attended the district school and Gallupville Academy, and in December, 1882, removed to Albany, N. Y., where he served an apprenticeship at the drug business. In the fall of 1885 he entered the Albany College of Pharmacy. He took the regular course and grad- uated in 1887, received the degree of Ph. G. He stood at the head of his class, and received the prize for the best general examination. In March, 1887, Mr. Hunting purchased the drug business at No. 67 Central avenue. In December, 1888, he married Margaret F. Hocomb of Albany, and they have three children, Mil- dred E., Joseph W., and Ruth. In February, 1795, he purchased the building and removed his business to the present location, No. 121 Central avenue, corner of Lexington avenue. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and is the president of the Alumni Association of the College of Pharmacy, of which he was also the treasurer for five years. He is a Democrat, a bimetallist, and was an ardent supporter of Mr. Bryan for the presidency. He is much opposed to the English system of government rule by a moneyed aristocracy, and holds in con- tempt the pseudo aristocrats, who are striving to foist the English system upon this Republic. He sympathizes much with the many, who suffer so grievously on account of our present monetary system-those who are compelled to yield to avarice and greed a portion of their pittance, that the holdings of the avaricious might be correspondingly increased.

Selkirk, Alexander, oldest son of Charles and Jane (Elmendorf) Selkirk and brother of Lewis M. and Frank, was born at Selkirk, Albany county, N. Y., July 18, 1830. On the paternal side he descended from James Selkirk, who emigrated from Kirkeudbright, Scotland, and landed at the city of New York June 16, 1775, then went to Galway, Saratoga county, where he resided until the early spring of 1776; when at Albany, he joined the Continental army in which he served until the close of the Revolutionary war, when he received his certificate of service and discharge duly signed by George Washington (now in the Hall of Military Records, Albany).

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He served under Arnold in the northern campaign and was in the battle of Saratoga, at which Burgoyne surrendered; under Green, he was in the retreat through New Jersey, and endured the hardships of the winter quarters of the army at Valley Forge; subsequently under Gates, he was in the southern campaign until after Gates's defeat at Camden, and later with his regiment in the allied army he was at Yorktown, Va., when Cornwallis surrendered. After the close of the war he took up his residence at Galway until he finally settled in 1786 at Selkirk, Albany county, N. Y., on land purchased by him and now owned by his descendants. He died in 1820. In 1787 he married Elizabeth, sister of Christinia Herrin, wife of William Henry, and mother of Prof. Joseph Henry, late secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, Washington, D. C. On the maternal side Mr. Selkirk is descended from the Elmendorfs, who came from Guilderland, Holland, and settled in Dutchess county in 1696. Their descendants were numerous and in active service in both the rank and file of the Continental army. Alexander's father, Charles, was born at Selkirk, 1799, and was in his early life a silversmith at Albany, but on account of poor health and his inheritance of a farm from his father, James, he in 1820 returned to the life of a farmer at Selkirk, where he died in 1868. Alexander, with his brothers, received his education in public school No. 2, at Selkirk; his teachers being gener- ally men from the Eastern States who made school teaching a means to aid them in acquiring collegiate education, and under this class of teachers he was instructed in the highest English branches of education of that day. He removed to Albany in 1847 and at J. Goold & Co.'s coach factory learned the art of coach ornamentation and heraldry, and was made foreman in that department in 1850. In 1849 he with George Boughton, then also a coach ornamenter, James Hart and James Williamson formed a class for the study of free hand drawing from models with Mr. John E. Gavit, bank note engraver, as instructor. In the spring of 1853 he went into the business of carriage manufacture and continued in the same until in 1864, when he sold out to Shaw & Rose, and entered the profession of solicitor and attorney in pat- ent cases and mechanical expert, and has since continued in this profession, having established a large practice. Mr. Selkirk joined Union Lodge of I. O. O. F., in 1852, and Wadsworth Lodge 417, of F. and A. M., in 1857, and the Ancient Essenic Order in 1897. In 1848 he united with the Wesleyan M. church and was identified with it until 1863, when he united with the Fourth Presbyterian church of Albany, of which he is now a member. «He has always been a Republican, voting first for Fremont. He married Elizabeth Jane Fee in 1853, and they have five sons: Charles, William F., John A., Alexander, jr., Frank E., and a daughter, Elizabeth R. With other citizens he opposed the 1894 scheme for supplying Albany with water from the Berk- shire Hills, and so amended the Water Commissioners' Bill before the Legislature that that board dropped their bill, while bills drawn by him and introduced through Senator Parker passed both Houses, when the Berkshire Hill supply scheme was dropped and his plans for water supply, except filtering, also advocated by him, were adopted substantially as was provided in his bills. In 1896, he through Senator Nussbaum, introduced a bill for making a State Excise department with provision for State control of the traffic in liquors, which bill was before its introduction in the two houses, some ten days in the hands of Senator Raines, who then amended his own bill previously introduced and incorporated in it many of the provisions of Mr. Selkirk's bill. Mr. Selkirk is the inventor of the "System of dual circulation of

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chemie cooking liquors for making chemical fibre; " he also is the original inventor uf closed electric conduits, of the class made water-tight and completed in sections, in a factory, and ready for laying in the ground, or at its surface, with its enclosed conductors at all times in condition for allowing electric currents to be taken, at will, therefrom with safety at any time, thereby dispensing with exposed or overhead conductors.

Hayden, John R., son of Timothy and Mary (Ryan) Hayden, was born at Muitz- eskill in the town of Schodack, Rensselaer county, N. Y., May 31, 1859, and removed to Albany, N. Y., five years afterward. He attend the Albany public and high schools, after which he worked at the trade of blacksmith with his father for three years. This, however was not to his liking and he took a course of instruction at the Albany Business College. After finishing this he studied law with N. P. Hin- man, Warren S. Kelly, and Wood & Russell. He studied law for five years but never applied for admission to the bar. In 1886 Mr. Hayden was appointed stamper in the mailing department of the Albany post-office and two weeks thereafter was transferred to the general delivery division. In February, 1894, he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of the free delivery division. Mr. Hayden is president of Capital City Council No. 54, C. B. L., and is a member of the Y. M. C. A. October 19, 1887, he married Elizabeth A. Driscoll of Albany, who died De- cember 6, 1895, leaving two children, John and Edward.

Sweeny, William P., was born in New York city in 1855. He is a son of Patrick Sweeny, who was a well known boss mason and contractor in New York city, having erected some of the largest buildings and principal church fronts. Mr. Sweeny's mother's maiden name was Margaret Butler. He attended private schools in New York and in 1862 moved with his parents to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where his father had the superintendency of the mason work on Vassar College. In 1863 his father died, and after his death, Mr. Sweeny, with his mother and sister moved, to Montreal, Can., so as to be with relatives in fulfillment of his father's dying request. Here young Sweeny attended the St. Lawrence and St. Ann Schools of the Christian Brothers and also the Jesuit College, from which he graduated in 1870. In the fall of 1870 he removed to Albany. N. Y., and learned the trade of cabinetmaker with the late Charles Ferguson. After three years' apprenticeship at this trade, he went into the carpenter business and served part of his apprenticeship with Walsh Brothers, and worked at this trade until 1885, when he started in the business of undertaker at No. 11 Central avenue, where he is now located and where he does a good business. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Sweeny being a great lover of military, joined the Al- bany Jackson Corps; he was recording secretary of this organization for five years, and for three years carried the Walsh medal for proficiency in drill. He also suc- ceeded Major Walsh of the Jacksonians, the leading Democratic political club of the city, and was in command on the occasion of their memorable trip to the Democratic State Convention held at Saratoga, N. Y., 1885, when Hon. David B. Hill received the nomination for governor the first time. In 1886 he ran for supervisor of the Teath ward on the Democratic ticket and was defeated by Charles Strempel. In 1857 he again ran and was elected over Charles Strempel; in 1888 he defeated John Kurtz for the same office. Mr. Sweeny is a life member of the Catholic Union and a member of Branch 126 C. M. B. A., Our Lady of Angels Council No. 145, C. B. L.,

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Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum, and the Mohawk and Columbus As- sociations. Mr. Sweeny is also president of the Holy Name Society of St. Patrick's church.

Downs, J. Murray, is a son of James H. Downs, who settled in Albany about 1855, and Mary B. Murray, his wife, whose father was a prominent contractor in the capi- tal city. He was born in Albany, July 9, 1872, was graduated from the High School in 1889, and from that time until 1892 held a clerkship in the State Law Library. Meanwhile he read law with Reilly & Hamilton, was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in February, 1894. He remained in the office of his preceptors as managing clerk until April 1, 1895, when he formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer, as Scherer & Downs, which still con- tinues.

Winne, Lansing B., M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., October 2, 1856, a son of Charles Henry and Mary D. (Passenger) Winne. The following are the names of his ancestors in this country: Benjamin, born in Holland, December 19, 1705, mar- ried Rachel Van Arnam December 14, 1728, and died in Albany, N. Y., January 8, 1797; Levinus, born June 8, 1745, married Maria Lansing May 10, 1768, and died De- cember 6, 1825; Jacob L., born January 12, 1788, married Julia Ann Fry, August 11, 1813, and died May 7, 1860; and Charles Henry, his father, born April 26, 1833. Dr. Winne was graduated from the Albany Free Academy in 1874, and from the medical department of Columbia College, New York, in 1878, receiving the degree of M. D. After graduation he was an interne at the Demilt Dispensary in New York; he re- turned to Albany in 1880 and associated himself with Dr. H. R. Haskins, with whom he remained two years, after which he began his practice in Albany. In 1885 he was appointed coroner's physician and held the office of city physician from May 20, 1894, to January 20, 1897. Dr. Winne is clinical instructor in the Albany Medical College, a member of the dispensary staff of the Albany City Hospital and physician at the Albany City Mission Dispensary. He is vice-president of the Albany County Medical Society and was its secretary in 1895; he is also a member of Temple Lodge F. & A. M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., Temple Commandery, A. A. O. N. M. S., and the Un- conditional Republican Club; he has also been vestryman in Holy Innocents church for several years, civil service examiner New York State for health officers, medical examiner Northwestern Life Insurance Company.

Bailey, William Howard, was born December 28, 1825, at Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y. He was the seventh in a family of nine children. His father, Dr. Solomon Bailey, a man greatly respected by the community in which he resided, was a physician with a large practice. He was frequently called in consultation by other physicians, his opinion being valued highly. The arduous duties of his pro- fession, however, proved too severe even for his strong and vigorous constitution, and in 1830 he discontinued his active practice and retired to a farm. It was at this farm that William H. Bailey, the subject of this sketch, received his early training. The outdoor exercise and pure air incident to farm life were valuable influences in the formation of his character. He early attended a district school, but the instruction there received was largely supplemented by the intellectual assistance of his father. After the death of his father in 1839 he continued his studies at the Albany Acad- emy, but afterward went to the Utica Academy, and subsequently to the State Nor-

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mal School at Albany. He finally became a student at Cazenovia Seminary. For five years he taught school at various places. While in charge of the Union School at Trumansburg, Tompkins county, N. Y., he began the study of medicine. From Tyumansburg he went to Cusseta, Chambers county, Alabama, to take charge of the Male Academy located in that town. During these years of teaching he devoted every spare moment to the study of medicine, and in 1851 returned to Albany to attend lectures at the Albany Medical College, at which institution he was graduated in 1853. His first experience in the practice of medicine was at Utica, N. Y., which was then the home of his mother. In 1854 he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he has since resided. Shortly after his removal to Albany he became a member of the Albany County Medical Society. For four years he was treasurer of the society, and in 1870 was elected president. In 1855 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Peck, who died in 1860, leaving him two daughters, Anne Peck and Mary Ella, both of whom still survive. In 1862 he was married to Miss Anne Eliza Peck, who still lives. He was appointed a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1860, and in 1864 made a permanent member. From 1865 to 1875 he was secretary of this society, and in 1880 was elected president. In 1871 he received the honorary degree of M. D. from Soule University, Texas, and in 1877 that of LL. D. from the Wash- ington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. In 1882 he was appointed one of the State consulting board of the Hudson River Hospital for the Insane at Pough- Keepsie, which office he held for several years. For many years he was one of the United States board of pension examining surgeons. He also served as ob- stetrician and as consultant obstetrician for the Albany Hospital, which latter posi- tion he still holds. He was repeatedly elected delegate to the American Medical Association and to different State societies by the New York State Medical Society and by the Albany County Medical Society. His connection with these societies gives ample evidence of his industry and of the appreciation in which he was held by the medical profession. He was a man of acknowledged ability in various lines. As a citizen he took an active part in municipal affairs, serving two terms as alder- man. As a teacher he was eminently successful and beloved by his pupils. It is as a physician, however, that he will longest be remembered, for he was recognized as a leader in his profession. His genial, courteous manner and kind, considerate spirit won him many friends. His long years of successful practice have given him a record surpassed by few. He was honored and respected far beyond the average man, and his life of willing self-sacrifice for the benefit of his fellowmen will leave an influence not soon to be forgotten.

Van Derzee, Andrew S., was born in Coeymans in 1828. He is the son of Char- lotte and Andrew Van Derzee. Mr. Van Derzee's grandfather came to Coeymans among the earliest settlers and bought a farm in the southeastern part of the town, in a valley known by the Indians as Haquetock (said by old people of long ago to mean "long valley"), while the Indians were yet located upon it, which is still owned by the family, where he and his son were farmers all their lives. Andrew S. Van Derree began his business life when thirteen years old by going as cabin boy on one of the Hudson River boats and continued river life until 1849, when he engaged in mercantile business in Coeymans, under the firm name of W. B. Hull & Co., which was continued until the death of Mr. Hull, since which time he has carried on the

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business alone. In 1851 he married Caroline E. Robb of Dutchess county, who died in 1884 and left one daughter, Mrs. S. F. Powell of Amsterdam, N. Y., and one son, William H., who succeeds to his father's business. In 1890 he married Mrs. Jane C. Brainerd of Saugerties, N. Y. Mr. Van Derzee has always taken a keen interest in the welfare of his town, and has done much for its improvement. The following is from a local paper of date of December 22, 1896:

One of our oldest, most highly respected and longest established merchants has retired from business. On Thursday last the new firm of William H. Van Derzee and P. H. Smith took pos- session of the old stand and successful mercantile business of Andrew S. Van Derzee. Mr. Van- Derzee had been in business at this stand for nearly half a century, starting as a partner with the late Wm. B. Hull in 1849. The house has always enjoyed a reputation for reliability. We con- gratulate our worthy townsman in having secured a competency and most of all on his irreproach- able business career, and trust he may be spared to enjoy many years the reward due an indus- trious career. All will concur in wishing the new firm a prosperous future.

Soop, J. J .- Conrad Soop, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 10, 1745. His parents were of the German Palatinates who emigrated from Wurtemburg, Ger- many (the birthplace of Martin Luther) to America, under the patronage of Queen Anne, early in the eighteenth century, owing to the religious intolerance at that time manifested towards the followers of the great reformer, Luther. The larger portion of these emigrants settled in the tows of Livingston and Germantown, Columbia county, N. Y. A few years after, owing to the feudal tenure of their lands under Livingston, many found their way to the fertile valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk, and there and in Columbia county their descendants are yet found, and to-day many prominent citizens can trace their lineage to these worthy pioneers. In May, 1774, Conrad Soop married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Becker of Schoharie (also of Wurtemburg descent), an-aunt of the renowned Schoharie lawyer and banker, Abra- ham Becker. The larger portion of Schoharie county was then an unbroken wilder- ness, and he purchased a valuable and fertile farm in the town of Bethlehem, Albany

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 126

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