USA > New York > Albany County > Landmarks of Albany County, New York > Part 73
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Somewhat more than forty years ago Mr. Tucker, then barely twenty years of age, came with a brilliant record for scholarship from Yale College, his Alma Mater, back to his home at Albany, quietly dropped into his seat in the editorial sanctum of the Country Gentleman, by the side of that of his distinguished father, Luther Tucker, the founder, proprietor and editor of that sheet, and at once addressed his attention diligently, and with great zeal, to the especial news- paper work of that agricultural organ.
Some twenty years later, when Luther Tucker, the senior, having conducted the paper through his untiring and determined labors to a useful a prosperous career, rested from his arduous duties, the son stepped from the seat which had been at his father's side into the vacant place at the head, and became, as his father before him, manager and editor-in-chief. The enter- prise expanded and grew with the efflux of years. under the intelligent management which shaped its editorial work, and guided its business affairs, and it became more and more, as it continues to be to-day, the most important and reliable of the agricultural periodicals of this country.
In the editorial work of the Country Gentleman; in the study of those branches of useful and practical knowledge which were incidental and essential to that work; in literary pursuits, for which he had especial fondness and adaptation; in the enjoyment of the pleasures of an affluent and delightful domestic life, and of a generous hospitality; in the pleasure of a constant benevo- lence; in travel and in the rational enjoyments of human existence, Mr. Tucker's life was passed, and has closed with the record of a career of undeviating zeal and industry, and of a beneficial, although seemingly impersonal influence upon human society which is seldom the lot of indi- vidual men to exert.
The honors which he achieved in more public employments were those obtained through oc- casional non-editorial literary productions in the earlier period of his career; by a series of lec- tures on agricultural subjects at Yale College; through his connection with Rutgers College as its professor, for a brief period, of agriculture, a position resigned as incompatible with his edi- torial duties at Albany, and through his connection with the New York State AAgricultural Society for some time as its most efficient treasurer.
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For fifteen years he had been a member of this board, constantly devoted to the interests of St. Peter's church; a judicious and reliable counselor in its affairs and a ready benefactor in its needs. ,
At a meeting of the board of trustees of the Albany College of Pharmacy, Feb- ruary 25, the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved-That in the death of Luther H. Tucker, who from the founding of the college had been a member of this board and its treasurer, we have suffered great and serious loss. We shall miss his wise counsel, unswerving loyalty and substantial aid. We extend to his bereaved family our sincere sympathy, and direct that this resolution be suitably published and spread upon the minutes of this board.
At a meeting of the Yale Alumni Association of Eastern New York at Albany. February 24, the following was adopted :
The friends of Mr. Tucker entertain pleasant memories of their associations with him in the past, and they appreciate the honor which his literary work has conferred upon his Alma Mater. In later years he showed his affection for the college by sending to it his eldest son, to be edu- cated there. The association desire to express to his widow and children their heartfelt sym- pathy in their hour of trial and loss.
GEN. JOHN G. FARNSWORTH.
JOHN GOSMAN FARNSWORTH was born in Elmira, N. Y., January 21, 1832. His parents were Marshall L. Farnsworth and Joanna B. Gosman, his wife. His father was born March 12, 1798, was graduated at Union College in 1825, and on June 30, 1830, married Joanna B. Gosman; he died November 27, 1838. He was a faithful minister of the Congregational church. General Farnsworth traced his descent to both English and Holland Dutch sources. On the paternal side he was descended from members of that sturdy body of Puritans who made a home on the rugged shores of Massachusetts more than two and a half centuries ago, and among whose children and children's children were many whose names became prominent in the Revolutionary, literary and theological history of the early days of this country, On his mother's side he came from the earliest Dutch settlers of New York.
General Farnsworth was the recipient of a practical education, having pursued in- telligently and faithfully his studies at the academies in Ithaca, N. Y., and Albany, supplemented by a course at Pittsfield, Mass., fitting him thoroughly for the active duties and responsibilities of life. His first business enterprise was in the wholesale lumber trade as a member of the firm of J. O. Towner & Co., which for many years carried on an extensive business. Here Mr. Farnsworth found active employment for his mind, and gradually absorbed those correct and systematic business prin- ciples which in later years made him so valuable a servant in the public service.
When, in 1861, the crash of civil war pealed over the land, shattering the con- tent of thousands of homes, and plunging into chaos the business of the country, young Farnsworth felt moving within him a new and theretofore untried sentiment. A firm Democrat of the Jacksonian school, he was none the less a patriot and sup- porter of the administration to which he was politically opposed. If his country needed his services in the suppression of the Rebellion, he was ready to devote them to the full extent of his power.
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On the 14th of April, 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln to the post of of captain and assistant quartermaster and assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac. In this position he found ample scope to employ the knowledge gained in his business experience, and so well did he apply it that from July, 1862, to August, 1883, he served as chief quartermaster of the Fourth Army Corps under Maj .- Gen. E. D. Keyes. From August, 1863, until January, 1864, as a member of the staff of Gen. M. C. Meigs, quartermaster-general of the U. S. army, he accom- panied the latter on a tour of inspection through the western departments, and was present with him during the siege of Chattanooga and at the desperate battles of Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain.
From February, 1864, to November of the same year General Farnsworth was in command at Wheeling of the principal supply depot of the quartermaster's depart- ment of West Virginia, and from November, 1864, to September, 1865, he was chief quartermaster of the department of West Virginia with headquarters at Cumber- land. October 23, 1865, upon his own application, he was mustered out of the United States service and returned home to engage in his former business. His record throughout the Rebellion was untarnished; on the contrary his whole carcer was characterized by faithfulness, energy, and the brilliant faculty of always being ready, and his brevets of major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of United States Volunteers were but small tokens of recognition of the worth of his devotion and labor.
September 21, 1868, he became connected with the military service of the State, and until 1871 was colonel of the 10th Battalion, National Guard. January 1, 1883, Governer Cleveland appointed him adjutant general of the State, and in this capacity he proved his ability as an administrative military officer. During his in- cumbency the National Guard improved in strength, discipline and efficiency, and the Camp of Instruction (established by General Townsend in 1882) was made a per- manent feature; under General Farnsworth's direction the site near Peekskill was purchased for this purpose and is now known as the State Camp; also, during his term, a new service uniform was adopted, a new military code became a law and new reg alations were adopted. On the request of General Farnsworth in 1884, the United States War Department permitted the use of one of the forts at New York, for a brief period, to be occupied by a regiment from that city, for the purpose of instruction in the handling and firing the heavy sea-coast guns, the success of which tour proved its wisdom ; the practice was continued during his administration.
At the close of his official term, General Farnsworth was placed on the super- numerary list of officers, subject to call to duty when required, an instance of which occurred in 1890, when he was sent to Syracuse to take command in suppressing the threatened railroad difficulties at that point.
In 1878 he was appointed one of the commissioners of Washington Park and served as such nine years. In 1886 he was placed in charge of the prosecution of war claims of the State of New York against the United States, an office he filled to the time of his death, and in which he succeeded in collecting about $3,000,000. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, of the Fort Orange Club, the Masonic order, and several other organizations.
In 1856 General Farnsworth was married to Miss Sarah V. Gourlay, daughter of Q
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William B. Gourlay, of Albany. They had two children: John Farnsworth, married and a resident of Plattsburg, and a daughter, Emma.
General Farnsworth died from a stroke of paralysis, at the Arlington Hotel, Washington, D. C., April 6, 1895. He contracted a heavy cold the previous winter, which developed into a protracted attack of the grip. In the hope of being able to drive the disease from his system he went to Washington six weeks before his demise, and was followed two weeks later by Mrs. Farnsworth, who was by his bed- side when he expired.
His funeral was notable, not only in the numbers and prominence of those in at- tendance, but in the impressive solemnity of the service, and accompanied, as it was, with all the honors that should be paid to a gallant soldier, an upright and faithful official and good citizen. St. Peter's church never held within its walls a more sympathetic body of mourners, and the unspoken sorrow was visibly impressed upon the face of every one present.
The following tribute to General Farnsworth is taken from resolutions passed by the Commandery of the State of New York, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States:
"On the evening of April 6, 1895, there passed suddenly from life's activities here to the life beyond one whose mainspring of action was intense loyalty to duty and to friends. Gentle by nature and simple-hearted, trustful yet cautious, generous of im- pulse and with straightforward singleness of purpose, doing the right because it was right without thought of his own advancement and interest, a lovely, honest, brave character, he died deeply lamented by his immediate friends, who were legion, and by a greater multitude with whom, through many years, he had been thrown in familiar official intercourse. The tributes of intense respect showered upon his bereaved family were silent witnesses to the manly life of one who never turned his back on a friend nor faltered in the performance of duty or in any proper sacrifice to aid others. Unselfish to the last degree, he was blind to the ingratitude of others. His eyes beheld always the better and bright side of human nature.
"Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow, And quite forget their vices in their woe; Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side."
GEORGE H. CURREEN.
GEORGE H. CURREEN, son of John and Sarah (Moore) Curreen, was born in Albany, N. Y., May 27, 1836. His maternal great-grandfather, Hans Collenberg, came from Holland and located in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, and built a house where the Reformed church school house now stands. His paternal great-grandfather came from Nova Scotia. Mr. Curreen attended the public schools of the city of Albany, and learned the trade of stonecutter with George Belden in Greenbush, N. Y. He remained with him four years and then started in business. for himself. The
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panic of 1857 caused him considerable loss and he moved to Ballston Spa, N. Y., where he worked for O. D. Vaughn at the trade he had learned, until the breaking out of the war.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 115th N. Y. Vols. and was made first sergeant upon the organization of Company C. At the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Va., to Stonewall Jackson, Sept. 25, 1862, where with his Regiment he was made a prisoner, Sergeant Curreen saved the regimental colors, the only colors of the 12,000 troops that were saved from the enemy. He was wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida, February 20, 1864, and received promotion to second lieutenant from Governor Horatio Seymour, the commission dating from the battle of Olustee. He was again wounded June 30, 1864, at the Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va., and thereupon was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. Many times he was sent North by Gen. Q. A. Gilmore on special service. He was mustered out of the service at Albany, N. Y., in December, 1864, and in 1865 Governor Fenton commissioned him captain of the National Guard in recognition of his many noble acts. Mr. Curreen is now a member of Post 644, G. A. R., and has held at different times all the offices of the post. He was also on the staff of Gen. Lucius B. Fairchild when he was com- mander-in-chief of the G. A. R.
After the war Mr. Curreen located in Greenbush, N. Y., where he had charge of the police force, then under the Capital City Police Commission, associated with Chief Shepard and Superintendent Allen. He subsequently went into business again and owned and controlled the Monumental Architectural Works. He re- mained in Greenbush until 1891, when he removed to his present location, No. 154 Madison avenue, Albany. He held public office in Greenbush several times. He is a member of the Liederkranz Singing Society and of the Trinity M. E. church, in which he has held many important offices. June 1, 1857, he married Sarah A. Near of Albany, and they had five children: George B., Lewis M., Grace R., Ida F. and Fred M. Mrs. Curreen died May 12, 1895.
ISAAC H. MAYNARD.
HON. ISAAC H. MAYNARD was born in Bovina, Delaware county, N. Y., April 9, 1838. His paternal ancestry were of English origin, his great-grandfather emigrat- ing to this country from the north of England in 1740. His maternal ancestors were Scotch. His earlier years were passed on his father's farm and in attendance at the district school. In 1854 he entered the Stamford Seminary, where he prepared for college, entering Amherst College in 1858 and graduating with honors in 1862. In the study of Greek he took one of the Mather prizes and for his proficiency in extem- poraneous debate during his college course, he received one of the Hardy prizes. He delivered the German oration at the Junior exhibition and was one of the moni- tors of his class. He pronounced one of the English orations at the commencement and was valedictorian.
Two months after graduating he entered the law office of the late Hon. William Murray, afterwards judge of the Supreme Court at Delhi, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He practiced law in Delhi in 1865, when he removed to Stam-
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ford. Delaware county, and formed a partnership with his cousin, F. R. Gilbert, afterwards judge of the Supreme Court, which continued until january, 1878. Mr. Maynard was elected supervisor of the town of Stamford, and in 1870 was re-elected and made chairman of the board. He was largely instrumental in securing the in- corporation of the village by special act of the Legislature and was the author of its charter. He was elected the first president and was re elected unanimously for ten successive years.
In 1875 he was elected a member of the Assembly and in 1876 was re elected. He was an active supporter of Governor Tilden in the presidential contest of 1877, and was always among the foremost leaders of the Democratic party. In 1877 Mr. May- nard was elected county judge and surrogate of Delaware county and served a full term of six years. In 1883 he was the Democratic candidate for secretary of state. January 1, 1884, he was appointed by Attorney-General O'Brien, deputy attorney- general, which office he held until the following June, when he was called by Presi- dent Cleveland to assume the duties of second comptroller of the United States Treasury. April 1, 1887, he was appointed assistant secretary of the treasury, to succeed Charles S. Fairchild, who had been made secretary upon the retirement of Daniel Manning. He resigned this position March 5, 1889, but remained at his desk until April 1, at the request of Secretary Windom.
On May 22, 1889, he was appointed by Governor Hill, one of the commissioners to revise the laws of the State of New York and while engaged in this work, he pre- pared the original draft of the revised corporation laws of the State. January 1, 1890, he was again appointed deputy attorney general by Attorney-General Tabor and re-appointed January 1, 1892, by Attorney-General Rosendale.
On January 19, 1892, he was honored by Governor Flower with the appointment as associate judge of the Court of Appeals, in place of Judge Earl, who had been ap- pointed chief judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Ruger, and he was reappointed January 1, 1893, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge Andrews to be chief judge. In the latter year he was nominated by the Democrats to succeed himself, but was defeated. Upon his retirement from the bench, January 1. 1894, Judge Maynard resumed the practice of the law in Albany, in connection with his former partner, Judge Gilbert, the firm being Maynard, Gilbert & Cone. He was an eminent jurist and a lawyer of great learning, and his native sagacity, his long experience and intimate knowledge of men and affairs greatly enhanced his useful- ness as a judge of the highest court of the State. He died in Albany June 12, 1896, leaving a widow and one daughter, who reside in Stamford, N. Y.
NOEL E. SISSON.
NOEL E. SISSON was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y., on the 23d day of January, 1821. In those days in the country it was always a hard struggle for a livelihood, and Noel, appreciating this fact, and being slender in physique and not very robust, at the early age of fourteen left the farm and parental roof, with consent of his parents, and went to work in a store at Hunter's Land, where his
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employer, who had been a schoolmaster, promised him teaching in books and instruc- tion as his compensation.
The boy soon found, however, that the promised instructon was mainly confined to the manual labor he was expected to perform in the store and daily chores.
He remained in this place about a year; but during this period young Sisson em- ployed all his spare time at his books.
The next few years of his life were spent in working, going to school and teaching school ; always striving to get an education and better his condition in life. With this end in view, at the age of twenty-four, in 1845, he did what so many others have done, and what so many are still doing ; he came to the city-to Albany, full of ardor and full of hope, with a firm determination to succeed in life.
At this time the method of taking pictures by photography was in its infancy, and Mr. Sisson, after carefully studying the process and becoming familiar with the art, entered into the business at the corner of Maiden Lade and Broadway. Subse- quently he enlarged his business and dealt in photographers' supplies, etc., and built up a large trade, which he continued at this place with great success for four- teen years.
About this time Mr. Donald MacDonald, a sturdy, worthy Scotchman and friend, had just returned from a visit abroad, where he had found his brother making gas meters, and believing that it would be a profitable venture to enter into in this country, he came to Mr. Sisson, his old friend, and asked him to loan him a thousand dollars. Mr. Sisson, knowing Mr. MacDonald to be an honest, worthy man, and wishing to aid him, kindly advanced the sum required.
A little later on, another loan was applied for and freely given. Mr. MacDonald had started his manufactory in a small shop on Lancaster street, employing but a few men. The business grew, but money was wanted, and Mr. MacDonald came to Mr. Sisson and asked him to take a half interest in the business and furnish the necessary capital.
The arrangement was made and the firm of D. MacDonald & Co. was formed in 1859, and still continues. The elder MacDonald is dead, but his son has succeeded to his father's interest.
The little shop of 1859 has grown to a fine stately building, running through from Lancaster to Chestnut street, in 1897 giving employment to some 200 men.
Mr. Sisson has twice married; his first wife was Miss Emaline Griffin, daughter of Dr. Griffin, of Middleburgh, N. Y. He has two children: a daughter, Eleanor, the wife of Mr. Daniel C. Bennett, and a son, Frank N. Sisson. The second wife was Miss Anna Bogardus of Albany. Mr. Sisson has long resided at 92 Lancaster street. in one of the pleasantest residences in Albany, with large grounds in the rear, where in the summer time it is his delight to spend a portion of his time in his well culti- vated garden and among his beautiful roses and flowers.
Mr. Sisson is a director of the First National Bank of Albany, and of the Commerce Insurance Company of Albany. He is also president of the Gas Light Company of Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., and a charter member of the Fort Orange Club of Albany.
Mr. Sisson is a plain, quiet, unostentatious man, with habits of industry and per- severance, genial manners, sturdy honesty and square dealings in all his business affairs; whose word among his associates is always as good as his bond ; thrifty and
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saving in the early period of his life, and when in after years well earned compe- teney came, generous and liberal to old friends and worthy charities; a man of keen perception and far seeing intuition in business affairs that has made him a valued adviser to many friends, and a wise counselor to his associates in the companies and corporations with which he has been officially connected; upright character, honesty and integrity, all these are happily united and firmly welded in the life and char- acter of the subject of this sketch.
Now in his after years, when his sun has passed the meridian, and he looks back along the paths of his labor and life's work with supreme happiness and contentment, how pleasant must be the satisfaction to him that he has not lived in vain ; that while making himself and his family happy and prosperous, he has also contributed to the happiness and prosperity of others; that he has been instrumental in giving honora- ble employment to thousands of men, with fair and reasonable remuneration, and that by so doing he has largely aided in making many happy homes and contributed to the prosperity of the city of his adoption.
This, in brief, is the story of Mr. Sisson's life, and it presents a fruitful chapter to the young men of the present age, full of useful lessons and instruction for their benefit and guidance.
DANIEL MANNING.
HON. DANIEL MANNING. son of John, was born in Albany, August 16, 1831, and died there December 24, 1887. He received a good public school education and when twelve years of age entered the office of the Albany Argus, where, by his natural abilities, he rose gradually through the various grades until he became manager of the paper. In 1873 he was elected president of the Argus Company, which position he held until his death. He devoted much study to our banking system, became well versed in all great financial matters and was an authority on different questions in this depart- ment. He was a trustee of the National Savings Bank, became vice-president of the National Commercial Bank in 1881 and at the death of Hon. Robert H. Pruyn in 1882, was elected president of the latter institution. He also gave much attention to railroad matters and was especially interested in the Albany & Susquehanna line. His political career was a most brilliant one, beginning about 1872, and for many years he was the recognized leader in Albany of the Democratic party. He was a member of the State Democratic Conventions from 1874 to 1884, a member of the Democratic State Committee from 1874 to 1885, secretary of the same in 1879-80 and chairman from 1881 to 1884, and a delegate to the National Democratic Conven- tions of 1876, 1880, and 1884, serving as chairman of that body in 1880 and of the New York delegation in 1884, when Grover Cleveland was first nominated for the presidency, an event largely due to the political sagacity and bold leadership of Mr. Manning. In March, 1885, President Cleveland appointed him secretary of the treasury at Washington, which position he resigned in April, 1887, in consequence of failing health. The last official appointment which he accepted was the presi- dency of the Western National Bank of New York. As an able and sound financier and as a successful politician, his name will live in the pages of American history
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