Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A similar list, compiled in 1824, included the following names :

George Batierman, Jonathan Brown, Simon Brodt, Thomas T. Beebe, Abijah Beebe, William S. Beebe, Martin Blessing, Adam Blessing, Peter Bloomindall, Adam Bloomindall, Abram Bartlett, jr., John Beebe, Jacob Bensen, Jonathan Becker, Thomas W. Beebe, James Cassidy, Henry Cram, Philip Crounce, jr., Nicholas Crounce, Conrad Crounce, John Crounce, Jacob N. Clute, John N. Clute, William Clute, Chris- tian Caly, Adraham Cass, John Chase, Wilhelmus Devoe, Henry Frederick, Matthias M. Frederick, John I. Fryer, Jacob Fryer, William Fisher, Henry R. Furbeck, Abra- ham Fryer, Cornelius Goodfellow,. Simon Grote, Jellis Gray, Peter Hilton, Jr., Gershom Hungerford, Isaac Hallenbeck, Jacob Hallenbeck, David Hart, James Hilton, Robert H. Howard, William Humphrey, James Houghton, Henry Jacobson, Jonathan Johnson, Frederick Kunholtz, Christopher Kunholtz, Jacob I. La Grange, Aaron Livingston, James M. La Grange, Peter I. Livingston, Peter Livingston, John I. Livingston, Andrew La Grange, Peter D. La Grange, Simeon Lanehart, Michael Lanehart, John F. Mynderse, John McKown, Jonathan Mynderse, Myndert Mynderse, John Mann, Cornelius Mann, John Merrick, Thomas Ostrander, John D. Ogsbury, David Ogsbury, jr., Peter Ogsbury, Andrew Ostrander, Barent Ostrander, Samuel Ostrander, Christian Ostrander, Stephen Pangburn, William Pangburn, jr., David Pratt, Isaac Quackenbush, John F. Quackenbush, Jacob Quackenbush, Myn- dert Relyea, Jacob D. Relyea, David Relyea, David L. Relyea, Levi Relyea, Giles

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Riggles, David P. Relyea, Adam Relyea, Peter D. Relyea, John Shoudy, Martin I. Siver, Jonas Smith, Jacob Spoor, Joseph Spoor, William Spoor, John Shoudy, Jr., Nicholas Severson, Frederick Severson, George Severson, Adam Serafford, Henry C. Shover, Christian Serafford, Jacob Sitterly, Peter Shaver, John Sharp, Tunis Slingerland, Andrew Sharp, John H. Shaver, Jacob Schell, Abram Sitterly, Nicholas Snyder, Charles Serafford, Charles Traber, F. Van Valkenburgh, Albert Van Heusen, John Van Husen, John Van Valkenburgh, Volkert Veeder, Simeon Veeder, Myndert Veeder, Nicholas P. Van Patten, Thomas Van Aernam, George Van Aernam, Henry Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas A. Van Patten, Henry Van Aernam, John I. Van Patten, Simon Van Auken, John Van Waggoner, Richard Van Cleeck, Gershom Van Valkenburgh, Henry I. Vine, Aaron A. Van Wormer, Jeremiah Van Auken, Jacob Van Auken, Abraham Vanderpool, Cornelius Wormer, Peter Wormer, Noah S. Wood, John Weitzel, Cornelius H. Waldron, Peter Walker, Jesse White, Peter Waggoner, John Westfall, John Ward, John W. Ward, Andrew I. Ward, Richard Walker, Jacob Weaver, John I. Weaver, Andrew Wilkins, James Wormer, Frederick Waggoner.

One of the prominent early industries of Albany county was estab- lished in this town in 1792. A company was formed and a factory built at the site of Guilderland hamlet for the manufacture of window glass. It appears that the proprietors soon found themselves without sufficient capital, and application was made to the State for a loan. In 1793 this was granted to the amount of £3,000 for eight years, during three of which no interest was to be paid, and after that five per cent. The company prospered and made plans for the founding of a large manufacturing center. . In 1796 the land around and near the factory was laid out in streets and lots and the name of Hamilton given to the place, from the great statesman, Alexander Hamilton. Spafford's Gaz - etteer of 1813, says :

Guilderland contains a factory where are made 500,000 feet of window glass annually.

But it requires fuel to make glass, and as the wood was cleared away from that vicinity, heavy expense was incurred in drawing it from a distance, so that the business became unprofitable and the factory closed in 1815

As roads were gradually laid out and improved, post routes and stage lines were established, and the old taverns were opened on the roadsides at frequent intervals. Jacob Aker, kept one of the carly inns at the site of French's Mills in 1800. At that point, also, Peter French built a factory at the beginning of the century and cloth works were established in 1795 by Peter K. Broeck.

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The excise record for the first year of the existence of the town as a civil organization, possesses interest of its own. The licenses were then granted under authority of a resolution "That licenses and permits for retailing strong and spirituous liquors be granted to the following per- sons at the following rates of excise : "

Christopher Batterman, on the Schoharie road, $6.50.

John Weaver on the State road, $7.50.

Philip Schell, on the State road, $7.

George Severson, on the Schoharie road, $7.50.

Nicholas Beyer, on the Schoharie road, $5.50.

John Danker, on the Schoharie road, $6.

Peter Bowman, on the State road, $5.50.

Frederick Seger, on the Schoharie road, $5.

Peter Traber, on the road to Schenectady, $5.

Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, (permit.)

Nicholas V. Mynderse, (permit.)

Isaac Vrooman, on the Schoharie road, $5.

Simeon Relyea, (permit.)

John F. Quackenbush, on the State road, $5.

Jacob Totten, on the State road, $5.

Henry Apple, on the Schoharie road, $9. Frederick Friedendall, on the Schoharie road, 86.

James D. La Grange, on the Schoharie road, $6.50.

Abraham P. Truax, on the State road, $6,

At the meeting at which these licenses were granted, Nicholas V. Mynderse was present as supervisor of the town, and Volkert Veeder, Peter C. Veeder, James Henderson, and Lawrence Schoolcraft, justices of the peace. Other persons to whom licenses were granted only a little later were Peter Van Patten, Wait Barrett, Benjamin Horne, Fred- erick Ramsay, Ezra Spaulding, Christian Truax, and Gerrit G. Van Zandt. This may appear like a large number of licenses for one new town, but it is accounted for by the numerous early taverns on the prin- cipal roads, the general habit of drinking liquor in families at that period, and the fact that most groceries, as well as taverns, sold liquor in those days.

Besides the glass and cloth factories that have been mentioned, the principal industries of the town in early years, and almost the only ones aside from farming, were the operation of saw mills and grist mills. Lumber was needed just as soon as it was possible to supplant the first log houses with frame structures, and that was long before the begin-

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ning of the present century. The Spafford Gazeetteer of 1813 states that at that time there were one hundred looms working in this town, making 25,000 yards of cloth annually. All of these long ago disappeared with the centralization of manufactures in large cities. The Batterman family had a woolen factory at Sloan's in early years, which subsequently became a hat factory, then a cotton batting factory, and lastly a foundry. The grist mills known as Becker's and Veeder's were patronized by many even from a considerable distance in early times. The number of saw mills in this town was limited in comparison with the other towns, for the reason that timber was scarcer and not of much value for lumber; but there were several built in very early years, which long ago fell into decay.

The records of the schools of Guilderland previous to about 1813 are of the most meagre description. All that can be said of them is that they were established as early as possible after the first settlements were made, were generally inferior in facilities, and often taught by ministers of the gospel, in dwellings or rude log houses.

The first school officers chosen in the town were the following, elect- ed at a town meeting held in 1813: John Schoolcraft, Samuel R. Campbell and John Weaver, jr., commissioners of schools ; Andrew Ostrander, Henry Heath, and Cornelius M. Watson, inspectors of schools.1 Among the early teachers in Guilderland were Joseph Bell, John Rawle, Abijah Beebe, William Gardner, Hubert Pratt and Henry Switcher. In 1813 the town was divided into eight school districts. This number was gradually increased as population became more numerous, until in 1860 there were twelve districts, and at the present time there are fourteen that have each one school house. Guilderland with Knox and Watervliet constitute the third commissioner's district of Albany county.

The oldest settled hamlet in this town gathered around the " Glass House," as it was termed, from the glass factory there, until the name of Hamilton was substituted in 1796. In later years it took the name of Sloan's from the family of that name, who lived there and did much

I The changes made in the titles of school officials in the county at large and other important details are given in Chapter XV of this work.

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for the advancement of the place, but the village is now called Guilder- land, and the post office bears that name. It is situated east of the center of the town, on the "Great Western Turnpike," eight miles from Albany. A conspicuous element in this community was the Bat- terman family. Of this family John, a man of good ability, energy and industry, long manufactured and repaired wagons and farming im- plements. Christopher Batterman, also a man of high character and good business ability, engaged in mercantile business in which he was markedly successful. He was a general in the State militia, and held the office of sheriff of this county. George Batterman was a man of uncommon physique and strong mental capacity He managed two farms successfully, kept the hotel afterwards so well known as Sloan's, operated a flouring mill and satinet factory, in all of which operations he was successful. His hotel frequently had as many as fifty transient guests for many successive days. His arduous tasks at last overtaxed his strength and he died from paralysis, after having accumulated a fortune. Henry Sloan married Mr. Batterman's daughter and came into possession of the hotel property, which was, however, soon after- ward burned, but was promptly rebuilt by Mr. Sloan, substantially as it now exists, and under his management it became even more popular and widely known than while owned by its former landlord. It sub- sequently passed under the management of George B Sloan, son of Henry, and is now kept by Mr. Van Tyle. The foundry at this place, which has been alluded to, was first owned by William Fonda, passed into the hands of Newbury & Chapman, and is now operated by Jay Newbury. The grist mill that was for so long a time in operation is now out of use. Frank J. Spur formerly kept a store, which is now conducted by De Graff & Voorhees. Dr. Abram De Graff is post- master and also a successful physician.

The village and post- office of Guilderland Center is situated on Black Creek near the center of the town. It was formerly locally known as Bangall, a name said to have been given it from the somewhat rude character of a part of the inhabitants, but if this is true the appellation has long been undeserved. A branch of what is now the West Shore Railroad, passes through the place, and its opening gave an impetus to the business interests of the village. The village practically includes

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the site of the old French's Mills, which are still a part of the French estate but are not now running. The old woolen factory is also aban- doned, having last been operated by E. Spawn & Co., of which firm Mr. Spawn is still living at an advanced age. The manufacture of cider and vinegar formerly conducted by A. V. Mynderse, is still con- tinued by his son, William B. William D. Frederick also has a vinegar factory which was formerly operated by his father, Michael H. Fred - erick. Peter Tygert carries on the manufacture of sash and doors and has a planing mill, which were previously owned by his father, A. J. Tygert. F. Tygert, a former merchant, was succeeded by Ogsbury & Martin, and the same business is now carried on by Elva Young in a new location, the former store having been burned. P. Petinger conducts a general store, and William A. Petinger is a maker of and dealer in boots and shoes. George W. Livingstone has a harness shop, Charles Brust, son of William, is a carriage manufacturer, Hugh Livingston, tailor, William Young, shoemaker and postmaster. G. A. Hallenbeck & Co. have a large cigar factory here. John P. Bloomingdale, who is still living at an advanced age, should not be forgotten as one who has accom- plished much in past years for the building up of this village.

There are two hotels here, one of which has been kept by Samuel S. Fowler for eleven years past, and which was owned by him long pre- vious to that. The other, the Center House, was formerly owned by Michael Frederick and is now conducted by his son, William D.

The largest and most prosperous village in Guilderland and one of the most active in Albany county is Altamont (formerly Knowersville), which is situated to the westward of the center of the town and on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. It is beautifully located at the foot of the Helderbergs, amid picturesque scenery, and has in recent years attracted to the near by mountain sides numerous wealthy citizens of Albany who have built beautiful summer homes. The name of Knowersville came from the Knower family who were early settlers here and identified with the early business interests of the place. Their homestead was somewhat remote from the present business center and that portion of the town is distinguished from the newer part by the name of Old Knowersville. It was there that Jacob Aker kept a tavern in Revolutionary times, and a woolen factory was in operation in 66

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1800. The place had little importance until the building of the railroad, the first passenger train of which from Albany to Central Bridge in Schoharie county passed through this place on September 16, 1863. At that time there were only two farm dwellings on the lands that now constitute by far the larger part of the site of Altamont In the spring of 1864 a store was erected by Becker & Hilton. This has since been conducted by Albert Ward, Crounse & Hilton, Mynderse & Pangburn, who occupied it in April, 1883, and is now conducted by F. & W. S. Pitts. Several residences and the railroad station were built before the close of 1864. In 1868 another store was erected and opened by Ira Witter, who soon sold out to Joseph W. Wright, who in turn leased it to Abram A. Tygert, and this is now kept by J. Snyder. A little later a third store was built, which was managed for a time by Crowe, Davenport & Crowe, Davenport & Fredericks, and is now conducted by A. A. Tygert. Rev. N. Klock built a store some years ago and ran it for a time. A tin and stove store was opened by W. H. Lay, who was succeeded by Osborn & Taber, who in turn were followed by the pres- ent proprietor, Ira Secor. A furniture store and undertaking business was started in 1877 by John Thierolf, which was transferred in 1885 to Ogsbury & Vanderpool, who were succeeded by M. F. Hallenbeck, the present proprietor. 1

In 1867 the Union Hotel was built and for a time was under manage- ment of George Severson. Andrew Warner next had it for about a year and was succeeded in 1869 by John Stafford, who kept it many years. It is now called the Commercial, and is managed by Mrs. Eggle- ston. The former Knowersville House was built in 1876 by James Ogsbury, who occupied it a short time, when it was sold to Adam Wetherwax. It is now called the Altamont House and is conducted by James O. Stitt, the recent Democratic nominee for county treasurer.

In 1874 Henry Lockwood built a carriage factory which was occupied by Van Benschoten Brothers up to 1880, and then by Van Benschoten & Warner. It was burned down but was rebuilt by Mrs. Van Ben- schoten and is now occupied by Warner & Van Benschoten. William H. Van Benschoten established a harness shop in 1870, and was suc- ceeded by Frank Decker; the present harness shop is kept by Charles Beebe. Nathaniel Sturges is a well established jeweler, having been in the trade for twenty years past.

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Adam Sand was formerly a prominent business man of this village and was succeeded by his sons, who formed the firm of Sand Brothers. The saw and planing mill established by Philley, Elsass & Warner, also came into the hands of Sand & Son, who added a grist mill, but this is now operated by J. C. Ottman.

Altamont has become an extensive hay market, and is also a shipping point for other products from a wide extent of territory. Many firms have been, and several are now, large buyers of hay in this place, among whom are Ira Fairlee, Isaac Reamer, Edwin Clute. Sand Brothers, and Crannell Brothers are extensive dealers in coal, lumber, stone, building materials, etc.

Among the physicians who have practiced at different points in Guild- erland have been Dr. James S. Low, who came in 1820; Dr. Frederick Crounse, 1833; Dr. Jonathan Johnson, an early practitioner ; Dr. An- drew Wilson, who was for twenty-four years in practice in this town ; Dr. Barrows (at Sloan's) and Dr. Abram De Graff; Dr. Thomas Helme, long in practice at Mckownsville; Dr. Jesse Crounse, Dr. R. F. Barton, Dr. Andrew C. Crounse, and Dr. I. S. Becker, in Altamont.

Hiram Griggs became a resident of Knowersville in 1862, and has pursued the practice of law ever since. He is a leading and public spirited citizen, and has been called to several important positions. He was supervisor for ten years, has been president of Altamont village since December, 1890, and was member of assembly for three years. Atchison Miller has also practiced law successfully in this village.

About the year 1877 Rev. N. Klock began publishing the Golden Era in Knowersville, which he removed to Mechanicsville five years later. In July, 1884, David H. Crowe established the Knowersville Enterprise. Soon afterwards the Enterprise Company, consisting of John D. Ogsbury and Junius D. Ogsbury, acquired the establishment and have continued the publication since. The name of this village was changed to Altamont, from the high mountain peak near by, on October 1, 1887, at which time the name of the Enterprise newspaper was changed to correspond.

The visitor to this pretty village is struck by the general air of pros- perity everywhere seen. Nearly all of the streets are bordered with stone sidewalks; a waterworks system was established in the fall of

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1892, at a cost of nearly $20,000, bringing pure spring water to all the principal streets ; new dwellings abound, good schools are maintained, and the community as a whole is intelligent, progressive, and well gov- erned. Mr. Merrill, of Albany, resides in what was formerly the Ku- shaqua Hotel on the mountain side above the village. Others who reside here during the summer are Judge R. W. Peckham, Mayor Thacher, James D. Wasson, Charles L. Pruyn, Mrs. Cassidy, Edward R. Cassidy, J. B. Groot, and Col. Henry C. Cushman.

The officers of Altamont village for 1896 are as follows :

Hiram Griggs, president; trustees, James Keenholtz, Lewis E. Fowler, George W. Davenport; clerk, I. Knower Stafford; treasurer, John Johnson; commissioner, Robert Hurst; water commissioners, Montford A. Sand, Dr. I. S. Becker, Henry A. Wilber, Joseph Snyder, Nathaniel Sturges, Junius Ogsbury; health commissioners, Adam Sitterlee, Michael F. Crowe, Matthew Tice; health officer, Dr. Rufus S. Barton.

A hose company is maintained with thirty members, of which J. L. Smith is foreman, and M. A. Sand, assistant.

The Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association was organized in 1893 and held their first fair in that year, which was a gratifying suc- cess. The association is incorporated and belongs to the Central New York Fair Circuit, comprising Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Coble- skill (town), and Schoharie counties. The officers of the association are as follows :

I. H. Reamer, president; C. M. Frederick, vice-president ; J. O. Stitt, treasurer ; Silas Hilton, secretary; Edwin Clute, superintendent. Directors: I. H. Reamer, L. E. Fowler, James Kcenholts, M. A. Sand, C. M. Frederick, H. S. Gilbert, Edwin Clute, Charles B. Warner, M. F. Hellenbeck, Edward Becker, J. O. Stitt, W. E. Deitz, Henry Bins.

The association has a fine park containing all necessary buildings with a track just outside of the village of Altamont.

Dunnsville is a hamlet and post office in the northern part of this town, which took its name ftom Christopher Dunn, who was the origi- nal owner of lands here. A small business has always been conducted in the place. A hotel formerly conducted by Samuel Robinson is now kept by William Wagner. Frederick Joos is a blacksmith, and a store is kept by William Blessing.

Fuller's Station is situated to the north of the center of the town on

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the West Shore Railroad, and has attained such growth as it has largely on account of the railroad and through the efforts of Hon. Aaron Fuller, from whom it takes its name. Of the two hotels built here by Sanford S. Ford, one was kept by him and subsequently burned. The other is now kept by john Friday. Samuel Van Allen long kept the store which is now in the hands of his son Richard. The firm of Tygert & Martin, hay dealers and commission merchants, was succeeded by Thomas Tygert.

Mckownsville is a post-office and small settlement in the southern part of the town, and takes its name from the Mckown family who set- tled there at an early period and became prominent in town affairs. A hotel is kept by William Witbeck.

Guilderland Station is a small hamlet, without post-office, where Will- iam Schoolcraft has a store.

Meadow Dale is a post-office and small hamlet in the extreme south - ern part of the town.

Closely following the opening of settlement in the various localities went the missionary preachers, patiently doing their duty, and gathering the believers together in meetings held in dwellings, barns, or in the open air, and establishing the enduring foundations of the later churches. Many of these were of the Lutheran faith, and one of the earliest ministers of that denomination to labor in Guilderland was Rev. Peter N. Sommers, who began his work in 1743. He passed his whole life in the field, preach- ing throughout a wide extent of territory, and being beloved wherever he went. No regular organization was effected in this town until October 13, 1787, when St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church came into exist . ence, with Rev. Heinrich Moeller as the first pastor. At the first com- munion service, August 11, 1788, there were present fifty-eight com- municants. After a short term of service by a Rev. Mr. Mayers Rev. Adam Crounse was called in 1828. He preached to this congregation and to the one in Berne for thirty - five years, and made this church one of the strongest in the Synod. As a result of the great revival of 1832, 100 new members joined the church. Other revivals of little less impor- tance followed in later years under the energetic and effective labors of Mr. Crounse. He died while with this church on May 13, 1864. Mr. Crounse was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Lake, and he by David Swope in

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1869. By this time the old church building which stood about midway between Guilderland Center and Knowersville, neither of which villages had'a church of its own, was in great need of repair. After much dis- cussion it was determined to abandon the old site and erect a house of worship in each village, with separate congregations. John Mann donated a church lot in Guilderland Center, and Conrad Crounse gave one in Knowersville. The two churches were built simultaneously at a gross cost of $20,000, the one at the Center being consecrated in February, 1872, and the other in the following month. After the division of the congregation the Knowersville church took the name of St. James, and the church at the Center the name of St. Mark's. Both have maintained an active existence ever since. While the question of building new churches was being agitated, the Methodists purchased a lot at Knowersville and arranged to erect a house of worship, but the successful outcome of the plans of the Lutherans caused them to aban- don their plans

Of the Reformed church in this town there is no record earlier than the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Van Heusen, who was called here in 1795, and remained for thirty years, but it is known that there were services held here in this faith many years earlier. Mr. Van Heusen established the church upon a solid foundation, but left it shortly before his death. He is buried at New Scotland. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Hardenburgh, who remained only a few months, and was followed by Rev. Robert Blair, who also left after a short time, and after two or three other short pastorates, Rev. William P. Davis was called. He was well known here from his assistance at several revivals, and from his successful labors at the Glass House. In 1834 the old Red Church, as it was termed. gave place to a more modern and commodious house of worship, which was built by subscription in 1867. Meanwhile, in 1856, the parsonage on the church farm of fifty acres which had been given by the Patroon, was enlarged at an expense of $1,600. Rev. Mr. Davis was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. S. L. Gamble, whose pastorate was a long and successful one. The society was subsequently divided and new church edifices were erected, one at Altamont and one at Guilderland Center.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 53

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