Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 129

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 129

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Haswell, William H., son of Justus and Nancy L. (Ransom) Haswell, was born in Albany, N. Y., September 29, 1853. He attended the public schools and High School, graduating from the latter in 1872. He spent one year in the employ of his father, dealer in hay and grain, and for three years was special deputy county clerk under his uncle, William E. Haswell, who was county clerk. While in this position Mr. Haswell performed the duties of court clerk. After the expiration of his term of office he returned to business with his father, with whom he remained until 1888, for seven years managing the Brooklyn office of his father's business. In 1888 he became connected with the Ronan Towing and Transportation Line as bookkeeper, and during Mr. Ronan's absences, which are frequent, he has full charge of the business. He is a member of the Albany Club, Old Guard, Albany Zouave Cadets and the Friendly Few, an organization composed of graduates of the High School.

Hollenbeck, Frank, is the son of Jacob, grandson of Jacob; his great-grandfather came from Holland. Mr. Hollenbeck remained on the homestead, where his grand- father settled, until 1880, when he came to his present farm. He married Lucy M., daughter of Cornelius Mosher.

Hitt, Hon. Galen R., is the son of New England ancestors and was born in Paw- let, Vt., August 16, 1843. He received his preliminary education in the public schools and in 1859 he entered the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., where he remained four years. He then began the study of law at Rutland, Vt., and finished his studies in Albany, N. Y., where he was admitted to the bar by the General Term in the spring of 1865. In the fall of the same year he married Sarah J. Crowley, daughter of the late Hon. John Crowley of Mount Holly, Vt., and took

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up hisresidence in Albany. He has built up a very large practice, especially in criminal cases. In 1874 he helped to organize the Albany Boatmen's Relief Asso- cation, of which for six years he was a director and for four years attorney. In 1577 he joined the Albany Burgesses Corps and has held the offices of president and vice-president. In politics Mr. Hitt has always been a hard worker for the Demo- cratie party. In the spring of 1884 he was elected alderman from the Sixth ward and in 1858 was alderman-at-large. He served four years in the Common Council and was a very instrumental member of that body. He was chairman of the Com- mon Council committee on celebration of the Albany bi-centennial. In the winter of 1855 he was the first to start the carnival and he was also interested in the move- ment to furnish the city of Albany with pure water. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Hitt was chosen to represent the Third district of Albany county in the State Legisla- ture and served during that session on the Committee on Cities and State Prisons. He also introduced the bill for the repaving of State street. Again in 1889 he was elected a member of the Legislature and was one of the most eloquent debaters on the floor of the Assembly. He was ever on the lookout for Albany's best interests and so well did he serve the first two terms of his election that in 1890 and 1891 he was re-elected. Mr. Hitt is now practicing law at No. 93 State street. He is a member of the Democratic Phalanx and chairman of the commission on the Northern Boulevard.

Kirkland, George W., born in Albany, February 22. 1858, is a son of Abram S., who was born in Albany county near Slingerlands, and was a farmer and cooper in Albany and in 1861 enlisted and served through the war of the Rebellion. George W. Kirkland went to Michigan with his parents in 1866 and in 1870 returned to Al- bany, where he finished his education in the public schools. He became a clerk in the drug store of Collins & Kirk and later a clerk for White & Co., lumber dealers. He subsequently learned the trade of wood carver and followed it till 1894, when he was appointed city marshal, which position he still holds. He is a member and past noble grand of Fireman's Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. In 1883 he married Margaret Fowler, daughter of Charles Fowler, of Albany.

Lynch, John H., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1851; he was educated in the publie schools, Christian Brothers' Academy, and Albany Academy, from which he graduated in 1870. While a pupil of the academy he was elected president of "The Beck Literary Society" and served in that capacity for one year. After leaving school he was for five years superintendent of the Albany and Greenbush Ferry Co. Hle resigned this position to accept a responsible desk in the office of the adjutant- general under the administration of General Franklin Townsend; he occupied this position about a year and resigned to engage in the coal business. On his retire- ment he was highly complimented for his services by the adjutant general in an autograph letter. He engaged in the coal business on Rensselaer street in 1876 and continued at this location until January, 1896, when he removed to a large and con venient yard corner of Madison avenue and Church street, which he at present occu- pies. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum and the successor of the late William D. Morange to the presidency; he is also a member of the Dongan Club and for three years was its president. Mr. Lynch has always taken a lively interest in educational matters, was elected a member of the Board of

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Publie Instruction in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He resigned as a member of the board July, 1883, on account of business engagements. He was again appointed to the board by Mayor Manning in 1892 for a term of six years. In politics Mr. Lynch is a Democrat and although he has never taken a very active part, yet he has twice represented his distriet as a delegate to State conventions. Mr. Lynch is a director of the German Foot Powder Company.

Lewi, William G., Ph. G., M.D., son of Dr. Joseph and Berta (Schwarz) Lewi, was born in Albany, N. Y., March 23, 1870. He was educated in the Albany public and high schools, after which he accepted a clerkship in the drug store of his brother, Theodore J. Lewi. He remained in the drug store four years, in the mean time attending the Albany College of Pharmacy, where he finished the course in 1890 and from which he received his diploma in 1891. While a senior at the College of Phar- macy, Dr. Lewi entered the Albany Medical College, from which he received the degree of M. D. in 1892; since then Dr. Lewi has practiced in Albany. The year following his graduation he was appointed instructor in physiology in the Albany Medical College; later he took the chair of instructor in nervous diseases as assistant to Dr. Hun, and he is at present instructor in materia medica, therapeutics and med- ical technique. He is also first lecturer in pharmacy, a chair instituted in 1896. Dr. Lewi is physician to the dispensary of the Albany Hospital and is a member of the Albany County Medical Society.

Lewi, Theodore J., was born in Albany, N. Y., February 4, 1862. He is a son of Dr. Joseph Lewi, who for the past forty-two years has practiced medicine in Albany, and Bertha Schwarz. He received his preparatory education in the public schools and later attended the Albany High School for three years, after which he held a clerkship in the drug store of L. Sautter, sr., for ten years, attending in the mean time the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated in 1883, receiving the prize for the best graduating thesis. In April, 1887, he acquired possession of the property on the corner of Hudson avenue and Eagle street and opened a drug store there where he is now located. He is a member of the Albany Press Club, Adelphi Club, New York State Parmaceutical Association, Capital City Club, Albany Turn Verein and Gideon Lodge, I. O. O. B. He is also the president of the German Foot Powder Co.

Mayer, John N., son of Nicholas and Gertrude (Erts) Mayer, natives of Germany, and the parents of five sons and one daughter, was born in Albany, October 18, 1866, received his edecation in the public schools and Albany Business College and read law in the offices of Colvin & Guthrie and Ward & Cameron. In 1891 he entered the county clerk's office under A. C. Requa and when the latter's term expired, he again became a clerk for the last named firm. January 16, 1895, he was appointed inspector of customs under John P. Masterson. He is a member of the C. B. L. and the German Young Men's Catholic Union. October 29, 1895, he married Mary R., daughter of Pius Rheiner of Albany.

Nellegar, Edwin, son of William R. and Maria B. (Staats) Nellegar, was born in Albany, N. Y., March 13, 1852. He received his education in the public schools and subsequently served a six months' apprenticeship in the upholstery business with B. W. Wooster. Then after a short time in business for himself, he obtained the posi-

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tion of foreman and head salesman in the furniture department of W. M. Whitney & Co., with whom he remained fifteen years. After leaving Whitney & Co. Mr. Nellegar went into business for himself on Hudson avenue, and in 1891 moved to Mie present location at No. 29 Washington avenue, corner of Hawk street. He is a member of Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum. In 1871 he married Elida A. French of Albany, and they have three children: Don Albert, William Robinson and Edwin, jr.

O'Brien, Hon. Smith, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y., Feb- ruary 12, 1850. He attended the public school of the town and after leaving was apprenticed to a mechanic; he learned the trade and worked at it until 1875, when he became ambitious to study law. He therefore entered the law office of Barret H. Staats of Clarksville, and remained with that lawyer for some time. Leaving that office he removed to Albany and read law with ex-Judge Jacob H. Clute. While there he attended the Albany Law School during 1877 and 1878, and was graduated in the latter year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. O'Brien was admitted to the bar and since that time has practiced law in the village of Clarksville and Albany. He was super- intendent of documents in the Assembly of 1878 and 1879 and document clerk in 1884 under Charles R. Chickering. He performed his duties in an able manner and was brought prominently before the public. His popularity was well attested in 1555 when he was elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany county. Mr. O'Brien is a staunch Republican and is well liked. Since 1875 he has resided at Clarksville. He is now the attorney for the Fish and Game Commis- sion.

Payn, Louis F., was born in Chatham, Columbia county, January 27, 1835, and for many years has been the leading Republican politician of Columbia county. Before he was of age he was a power in politics, and the Republican who had been elected sheriff waited from January 1 until January 27, 1856, before appointing a deputy, in order that Mr. Payn might become of age and take the place, which was, of course, his first political office. Reuben E. Fenton, as governor in 1867, appointed Mr. Payn a harbor master of New York. Mr. Payn therefore zealously supported Mr. Fenton when he was a successful candidate for United States Senator in 1869; when Governor Hoffman appointed a Democrat to succeed him, Mr. Payn went back to Chatham. In 1872 he parted from Mr. Fenton on account of the latter's support of Horace Greeley for president. Mr. Payn did not join the Republican faction of which Roscoe Conkling was the head, but resisted all the efforts of Conkling and his supporters to oust him from the leadership in Columbia county. In 1876, when Conkling was a candidate for the nomination for president, Mr. Payn declined to give any pledge of support. He was elected a delegate to the convention at Cincin- nati and voted for Roscoe Conkling until he saw that the latter could not be nom- inated, when he voted for James G. Blaine. President Grant subsequently nom - inated Mr. Payn for the office of United States marshal for the southern district of New York ; he was confirmed as United States marshal in February, 1877, just be- fore President Hayes assumed office. Mr. Payn's term as United States marshal expired in March, 1881, just before President Garfield assumed office, and he was reappointed by a United States judge, but President Garfield did not confirm the appointment. Mr. Payn supported Senators Conkling and Platt in their attitude

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toward the Garfield administration and also labored hard to bring about their re- election. His intimacy with Mr. Conkling and Mr. Platt can be appreciated when it is remembered that he carried their letter to Governor Cornell resigning their places as senators. After the long fight was ended Mr. Payn went to New York and for several years had an office with Alonzo B. Cornell at No. 53 Broadway, and was en- gaged in promoting placers for tin mining at Harney's Peak in Dakota. Mr. Payn and Governor Black are warm friends, and it is in recognition of his earnest sup- port and his great business and executive ability that Governor Black appointed Mr. Payn, on February 1, 1897, superintendent of insurance of New York. Mr. Payn is a man of charitable inclinations, though his deeds of charity are bestowed with no ostentation.

Papen, George Washington, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., April 20, 1854. His father, Theodore Papen, was a son of Gen. George Von Papen of Pyermont, Duchy of Waldeck, Germany. His mother, Julia Wachter, was a daughter of John Wachter, for many years proprietor of the National Hotel of Albany, and came from Bretten, Baden, Germany. Her mother, Catharine, was a daughter of John Wollensack, who came to America in 1829 from Nagold, Wurtemburg. Dr. Papen received his early education in M. Walter's school in 1859, after which he went to the German American Academy and to the Albany Boys' Academy, where he remained until 1868. On March 1, 1869, he entered the Albany Medical College after a previous course in pharmacy, and in 1870 he entered Columbia Medical Col- lege in New York city, where he graduated March 3, 1874. During his course he served on the ambulance corps at Bellevue Hospital, New York. After his gradua- tion Dr. Papen commenced his practice at No. 89 Schuyler street, Albany, where he remained until 1889, when he moved to No. 268 Madison avenue, corner of Hawk street, where his office is now. He is a member of the Albany County and Tri- County Medical Societies and is also a thirty-second degree Mason and an Odd Fellow. Dr. Papen also belongs to many German singing societies and the Albany Club.

Robertson, Matthew Henry, second deputy superintendent of insurance of the State of New York, was born in the Burrough of Malmesbury, County of Wiltshire, England, February 14, 1838, a son of James and Elizabeth (Worcester) Robertson. His early educational advantages were unusually good, he having as tutor the Rev. J. G. Kaltofen, an eminent divine and professor of music and the languages. In 1854 Mr. Robertson entered the law office of Hon. William Stephens Jones, a well known attorney and counselor at law, of Malmesbury, remaining with him about two years, and there began the study of law. His father, James Robertson, had left the family estate known as " Maunditt's Park," a beautiful old place with rambling stone house and extensive lands just outside of Malmesbury, and moved into the town, residing there several years, and in September, 1855, decided to join his brother, John Robertson, who was then, and had been for many years, a resident of the United States, living on a large estate called " Maidford Park " near the city of Oswego, N. Y. From Oswego Matthew H. Robertson moved to Albany, N. Y., and in Septem ber, 1856, entered the law office of Hon. William Barnes and continued the study of law until January, 1860, when the insurance department being organized and Hon. William Barnes appointed superintendent, Mr. Robertson soon after, on May 1, 1860,

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became a regular clerk in that department ; in January, 1870, he became chief clerk i said department and continued as such until June, 1892, when the Hon. James F. Pierce, superintendent, appointed him second deputy superintendent of insurance, which position he now holds. Mr. Robertson has been a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church, Albany, for many years. He married, June 2, 1863, Elizabeth Clate, daughter of the late Cornelius P. Clute of Schenectady, and they have one daughter.

Raymond, Charles H., is a son of Benjamin C. and Lois P. (Mather) Raymond, both descendants of English ancestors who settled in New York State early in the seventeenth century. He was born in Albany, January 24, 1834, was educated in the Boys' Academy and Prof. Charles H. Anthony's Classical Institute of his native city, and then spent several years abroad, traveling in the West Indies, South America and Europe. In 1857 he was in the Latin quarter in Paris, where he de- veloped a marked taste for literature and art. Returning to Albany he was appointed by superintendent William Barnes to a clerkship in the newly organized State De- partment of Insurance, and subsequently succeeded Hon. James W. Husted as deputy superintendent. He also became a member of the Albany Zouave Cadets, and in 1861 enlisted with many other noted members of that body in the Union army. He served with distinction in the Louisiana campaign under Gen. N. P. Banks, but was forced to resign on account of ill health and return home. Being reinstated as deputy in the Insurance Department, he resigned after one year to accept the sec- retaryship of the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Life Insurance Company of New York city, which had just been organized with Hon. Lucius Robinson as president. On Mr. Robinson's resignation Mr. Raymond became president and so continued until the company's risks were reinsured in 1871. Later he formed a copartnership with John A. Little, general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Mr. Little subsequently retired, and since then Mr. Raymond has had sole charge of the Mutual Life's Metropolitan agency, with offices at 32 Liberty street, New York city. Mr. Raymond was the first president of the Life Insurance Associa- tion of New York city and in 1892 was president of the National Association of Life Underwriters. He is one of the best known life insurance men in the east.

Russell, George W., son of David M. and Rachel (Burgett) Russell, was born in Saugerties, Ulster county, N. Y., March 26, 1839. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Saugerties Institute in 1855. After his graduation he ob- tained a clerkship in a Saugerties store where he remained four years. Mr. Russell then moved to Catskill, N. Y., where for three years he was engaged in the blue stone business and for four years was bookkeeper for Penfield, Day & Co., forwarders. In 1866 Mr. Russell removed to Albany, N. Y., where he secured the position of bookkeeper for Strong Bros. & Co., a wholesale dry goods house. Here he won favor and his strict attention to business was rewarded by his being taken into part- nership in 1872. In 1886 Mr. Strong retired and Mr. Russell and Charles A. Lawyer carried on the business until 1893, when Mr. Lawyer retired. Since then Mr. Russell has carried on the business as a jobber of manufacturers' supplies, including the dyeing, coloring and printing of cloths. In addition to this business, Mr. Russell is a trustee of the William N. Strong, William F. Russell and George W. Dewey estates. He was one of the organizers of the Albany Club. In 1870 he married Adelaide Dewey and they have one child, Robert D.

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Russell, George L., son of Charles and Gertrude (Hallenbeck) Russell, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., in 1846. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812; his paternal grandfather, a New Englander, and a mem- ber of a very old family, was captain of a whaling vessel and lost his life at sea while following his vocation. In 1846 Mr. Russell's father moved from Hudson, N. Y., to Rensselaerville where he engaged in the shoe business. Mr. Russell received his education in the parochial school at Rensselaerville, conducted by the Rev. Robert Washburn of the Trinity M. E. church. He finished the course at this institution in 1862, after which he spent two years in Fonda's foundry in Rensselaerville. In 1864 Mr. Russell moved to Albany, N. Y., and for one year was aclerk in the old Congress Hall; from there he went to the Delavan House where he was connected with the livery of D. Rose. In 1868 he married Anna Storey of Albany, by whom he has five children: Maria, George R., Carrie, Anna and Effie. In 1874 Mr. Russell embarked in the livery business at Nos. 53 and 55 Lancaster street, where he remained until 1886, when the building was torn down to make room for the enlargement of the gas meter factory. In 1880 he started another livery stable at No. 362 State street and for six years conducted both places; in 1886 he doubled the capacity of the State street stable so as to concentrate all the business at one stand, now known as the Fort Orange stables. March 1, 1895, Mr. Russell disposed of the livery business and now conducts only a boarding stable. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and Ancient City Lodge No. 452 F. & A. M.

Schifferdecker, Fred A., son of Frederick and Anna (Rapp) Schifferdecker, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1860. He received his education at Professor Myer's Select School on Madison avenue. After leaving school he occupied a clerkship in the grocery store of Henry McBride for two years and subsequently spent five years in the law office of the late Hon. Galen R. Hitt. Mr. Schifferdecker then worked for his father until 1887, when he and his brother Charles F. formed a copartnership to engage in the ice business, in which they have been very successful, handling about twenty thousand tons of ice a year. Mr. Schifferdecker has been prominent in polities, having been a member of the Board of Supervisors for four years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., Mount Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and of many German singing societies. He is also a member of the Empire Steam Yacht Club and is president of the Schifferdecker Association. In 1885 he married Louise R. Heidrick of Albany, and they have five children: Edna, Dora, Anna, Charles and Louise.

Schutter, William L., M. D., son of Louis and Margaret (Shepard) Schutter, was born in Albany, N. Y., December 31, 1862. He received his education in the public schools and Albany High School and in the fall of 1879 entered the Albany Medical College, from which he received the degree of M. D. in March, 1883. Since gradua- tion Dr. Schutter has practiced in Albany, making a specialty of diseases of women and children. He was district physician during the mayoralty of Edward A. Maher. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Mount Hermon Lodge I. O. (). F., and Flower Lodge, Knights of Pythias. June 20, 1888, he married Jessie H., daughter of John and Sarah Eaton of Albany.

Sutherland, Isaac P., son of Rufus and Sally (Niver) Sutherland, was born in

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Solodack, Columbia county, N. Y., December 16, 1832. In 1836 Mr. Sutherland's pronta moved to a farm near Kinderhook village and in 1838 to Schoharie county, where he finished his education at the Schoharie Academy in 1852. After leaving wolroof he moved to Quaker Street, Schenectady county, in 1860, and worked on a Larm until 1864, when he moved to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the retail grocery business at No 244 Washington avenue. In connection with that business he was engaged in the manufacture of brooms from 1882 to 1888, and from then to the pres- ent Inne has been engaged in the commission business at No. 50 Hudson avenue. In 1590 he formed a partnership with C. F. Rushmore, under the firm name of I. P. Sutherland & Co. Mr. Sutherland is a member of the State Street Presbyterian church. He has been twice married and has three daughters living, Anna, by Hannah Moore, his first wife, and Ida and Helen W., by Anna Wright, his second wife.

Sisson, Frank N., son of Noel E. and Emiline (Griffin) Sisson, was born in Al- bany, N.Y., in 1860. Ile received his education at the Albany High School, Albany Academy, and Taylor's Academy in Columbia county, from which institution he was graduated in 1878. After graduation Mr. Sisson returned to Albany and entered the gas meter works of D. McDonald & Co., where he thoroughly learned the busi- ness; he remained in the factory five or six years and subsequently went on the rond as salesman, until 1892. During the years 1887 and 1888 Mr. Sisson was locat- ed at Columbus, O., representing D. McDonald & Co. In 1893 he went with the Welsbach Light Company as salesman and Albany representative; in August, 1895, just after the formation of the Welsbach Commercial Company, Mr. Sisson was ten- dered the position of salesman and Albany representative for that company, which position he now holds. He is also interested as a stockholder in gas light companies and is the Albany representative of a standard bicycle establishment. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Temple Chapter, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery, K. T., and Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the K. A. E. O. and the Albany, Acacia and Unconditional Republican Clubs. In 1887 he married Minnie Brayton of Albany.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 129

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