Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 78

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 78

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Mr. Thacher was united in marriage in 1872 with Emma, daughter of George C. Treadwell, esq., of Albany.

Mr. Thacher holds high rank in the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the few men in Albany who have attained the thirty-third degree. He is past master of Masters Lodge No. 5, and has held exalted positions in the other Masonic bodies of Albany, and is also a member of the Democratie Phalanx. Mr. Thacher gained considerable prominence during 1893 as a commissioner of awards at the World's Fair at Chicago. He is also the author of "Charlecote," a work treating on Shakespeare and the drama, and several other works of merit.

BARENT T. E. BRONK.

BARENI T. E. BRONK was born in the town of Coeymans, Albany county, N. Y., June 1, 1834. He is a son of John Bronk and Gerritie Vanderzee, and comes from two of the oldest families in Albany county, the Ten Eycks and the Coeymans, after whom the place Coeymans is named. Mr. Bronk's paternal grandmother and great- grandmother were Ten Eycks, and his great-great-grandmother was a Coeymans. On the maternal side the line of descent is also through the families of Ten Eyck and Coeymans. The records of the town show that Andres Ten Eyck married Ann Margreta Coeymans, whose daughter Charlotte married Conrad Ten Eyck, whose daughter Maria married Jonas Bronk, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. In 1636 Barent Pieterse Koyemans (Coeymans) entered the service of the first patroon, and from this Koyemans Mr. Bronk is descended in the way above shown. The founders of this republic always strove to perfect methods for educating the young, and when practicable every son was sent to the best school that could be found. Inasmuch as the facilities were so meagre at the place of his birth, young Bronk was sent away to school. He attended the academies at Westfield and Lenox, Mass., and there obtained a magnificent preliminary education that was to fit him to acquire the position he later attained in the business and social world. After leaving school he returned to his father's farm opposite where the Pulver House is now located at Ravena. N. Y., and here he conducted the farm with his brothers Jonas, Noble H., and Eugene. Eugene, filled with an ardent desire to serve his country, enlisted in the Northern army during the Rebellion and his life paid the penalty. There is now a G. A. R. Post in Coeymans named after him. In 1860 Mr. B. T. E. Bronk moved to his present farm about one mile north of Coeymans. This farm, consisting of four hundred and seventy-five acres, he subsequently inherited from his great-uncle, Barent Ten Eyck. Since 1860 Mr. Bronk has lived on this farm enjoying a true, simple life. He is a home-loving man and divides his time between his home and his church, the Reformed church of Coeymans, of which he is an elder. January 18, 1865, he married Sarah Ann Mull, who died leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, the

BARENT T. E. BRONK.

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Society and of the several Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternal organizations of Albany.

GEORGE STORY.

GEORGE STORY is the son of Richard J. and Elizabeth (Rix) Story, both natives of England, and was born in Albany, N. Y., December 15, 1854. His father came to Mbany about 1835 and early engaged in the grain trade; eventually he established himself in the malting business, and died in 1892 at the age of eighty-six. His mother also died in 1892, aged eighty.

Mr. Story was educated in School No. 14, on what is known as Trinity place, Albany, and commenced to earn his own livelihood at the age of fifteen. Since then his career has been one of almost unceasing activity and constant effort. With indomitable perseverance, combined with good judgment, sound common sense, and excellent business ability, he rose step by step in responsible capacities and event- ually achieved a high place as an enterprising and successful citizen. He overcame difficulties with remarkable adroitness, filled important positions with great credit and satisfaction, and won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His independent disposition, his great firmness and directness of purpose, his executive ability, and his energy and force of character enabled him to surmount all obstacles and attain distinction in financial and business affairs.

In 1869 he entered the employ of Churchill & Dennison, photographers, and after- ward of Frank Chamberlain, commission merchant, in Albany. In 1872 he entered the Merchants' National Bank of Albany, where he remained until 1885, being ad- vanced through the various positions to that of paying teller. He then engaged in the brewing and malting business in his native city as a member of the firm of Granger & Story, from which he withdrew in 1891 to accept the position, in New York, of first assistant national bank examiner, which he held until 1893, when he was made assistant cashier of the National Bank of Deposit of that city. Soon after, this institution succumbed to the financial depression of that year and went into the hands of a receiver, with whom Mr. Story remained until the business was wound up and every depositor paid in full, with interest. He then became chief clerk of the Third National Bank of New York city, but resigned that position July 1, 1894, to accept a responsible post in the State Banking Department at Albany. His ex- perience in banking affairs, and his thorough knowledge of finance, enabled him to meet and discharge every demand upon his services with unusual satisfaction, especially in the examination of savings banks, to which he was assigned. In the fall of 1595 he again went to New York city and established himself in the manufac- turing business, at 62 Reade street, as president and treasurer of the firm of Story, Barber & Co., manufacturers of bicycle lamps, in which he has since continued. maintaining his residence, however, in Albany.

Mr. Story, in connection with Dr. M. J. Lewi and Frank Sabold, founded, in about 1893, the Albany Club of New York city, composed of Albanians, and now one of the prominent social organizations of the metropolis. In 1896 he met with a serious affliction in the loss of his eyesight, caused no doubt by his conscientious devotion to work in the banking department and its action upon his naturally nervous temper- ament, and since then he has been obliged to relinquish active business.

GEORGE STORY.

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EUGENE BURLINGAME.

NOTHING in the catalogue of "civic virtues" has, perhaps, so largely contributed to the high municipal reputation of the city of Albany and enabled her to conserve her status, in a moral as well as in a geographical sense, as Capital of the Empire State, as the recognized ability and exemplary character of its legal fraternity. No higher standard of forensic excellence is anywhere exhibited, and nowhere else are the hands of counsel cleaner or freer from taint. No suspicion of shadiness or questionable methods in the practice of the profession is here permitted and nothing in the nature of the shyster's business is allowed to hamper the proceedings of court. Here the annual reunion of the State Bar Association occurs and here the Albany lawyer is justly presented as the exemplar and ideal of all that is admirable and imitable in the profession. The leaders of the bar in Albany have erected this standard in themselves and the names of many of national reputation may be found upon the guidons that mark off the avenues of fame and fortune in this free republic.

Among them, occupying an honored position in the working and active ranks of the body as well as in the counsels of the leaders is found the name of Eugene Burlingame.

With as much the force of fact as that of incidence it was observed by a reputable journal of Albany in reference to his nomination for the position of district attorney at the last State election : " The election of Mr. Burlingame means for Albany city and county honest elections and the capable and efficient administration of the duties of the office." The moral of this significant utterance is found in the fact that Eugene Burlingame is now (in 1897) serving the third year of his term of district attorney. This expression of public opinion might serve as the epigraph of his memoir, though it would not cover or include all his higher characteristics. It is not as the prosecuting attorney of a district or the representative in that capacity of a political party that he is best known, but as the conscientious advocate, the able counsel and the scholarly gentleman. In many other ways is he known in social and domestic life and all redounding to his credit, but they do not come within the scope or necessary limitations of this article.

Eugene Burlingame was born in Willett, Cortland county, N. Y., January 24, 1847. and is the son of Westcott and Melinda (Eaton) Burlingame, and is descended of good New England stock both on the paternal and maternal side. The genealogical tree is of no fanciful growth, for its roots " spread deep and wide through pilgrim soil." His earliest American ancestor of the male line was Roger Burlingame, who came from England some time prior to 1650 and was known to be a resident of Stonington, Conn., as early as 1654. He resided at Warwick. R. I., in 1660, and later at Providence, in the same State. The line is followed from Roger Bur- lingame through Thomas, Joshua, Eleazer and Altitius to his father, Westcott, and himself, while the history of his grandmother's ancestry in the same line runs back into many of the old and prominent Rhode Island families. She was the daughter of Augustus Ellis and Desire Slocum, and was the sixth in descent from the family of the latter name. The subject of this sketch also traces his descent through his grandmother on the paternal side, through the Hull and Dyer families to Mary Dyer, who suffered martyrdom at Boston "for conscience sake" in 1660. Thomas

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triet Attorney he has been known to turn the search light of truth upon the case of the people and by interposing on behalf of the accused, but with no diminution of the dignity of the office, has often stopped an expensive and unjust prosecution. In the less restricted sense of speaker and advocate his language is refined and elegant but always within the comprehension of his hearers. His reasoning is logical and incisive, but he has never recourse to glittering sophisms to compass the end of the public prosecutor. His eloquence is the eloquence of truth; his force the force of conviction. In bearing he is calm, dignified and impressive and entirely free from any of the ad captandum methods sometimes known to the profession. He is the type of the classical orator cast in the practical mold of the modern lawyer. His oratory is aided by a charming personality, graceful action and quietly fervid man- ner. He is, altogether, an attractive and commanding figure in the front rank of his profession.

Mr. Burlingame's position in politics is somewhat unique. While distinct in char- acter from the hustling partisan, he is looked upon by his party as the ideal repre- sentative of Republican polititics and is highly trusted and esteemed in that capacity. This is exemplified by the fact that in 1884 he was chosen chairman of the Albany County Republican Committee and in 1887 was elected a member of the Republican State Committee. In 1891 he was one of the Republican counsel in the celebrated election cases of that year, involving as they did the election of four State senators and the consequent control of the State Senate, and rendered valuable and efficient service in the interest of honest elections and good government. "Certainly," said Mr. Burlingame, in the course of an able argument during these remarkable trials, "as citizens, not as partisans, we are all interested in keeping those avenues that lead up to the exercise of the greatest right and duty of an American citizen pure and undefiled."

As an evidence of his influence in literary, social and religious circles it goes in the record that he was President of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1884 which is justly regarded as a great honor, inasmuch as the society with its library and hall, has, for many years, been intimately associated with the literary life of Albany. He is also a member of the Albany Historical and Art Society, President of the Burns Club and member of the Fort Orange and Press Clubs and member of the State Bar Association. He is Past Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., and also trustee of that Lodge. He is a director and counsel for Fairview Home for Friendless Children, a director of the Charity Organization Society of Albany, and Vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Albany. He is a Curator of the Albany Institute, the leading literary and scientific society of Albany, and member of the faculty of the Albany Law School, lecturing on Real Property and Criminal Law.

Physically Mr. Burlingame is slightly above the middle size, of a compact and well- knit frame and with clean cut regular features. His bright blue eyes have a direct and searching light in them that seek first to know you and being satisfied beam kindly upon you His manner is courteous and cordial with a very nice sense of situation and a blending of dignity and benevolence that impresses the stranger and endears him to his friends. Albany is justly proud of Mr. Burlingame, as a citizen, lawyer and public official.

PART III. -

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Stark, Moses, son of Myer and Barbette (Nussbaum) Stark, was born in Albany, February 11, 1851. His parents came from Germany in 1840 and first settled in North Adams, Mass., whence they moved about 1842 to Albany, where the father died in 1889. Myer Stark was for many years a dry goods merchant. Of his seven children four sons are living: Bernard, born January 1, 1846, now a manufacturer of ladies' wrappers; Moses, the subject of this sketch; Leopold, born in October, 1854, a bookkeeper for his brother Moses: and Louis, born May 24, 1856, a member of the New York Tailoring Company. All reside in Albany. Moses Stark was educated in the public and German schools of Albany, was for three years a clerk for Mann, Waldman & Co., and in April, 1868, formed a partnership with his brother Bernard, under the firm name of B. Stark & Co., and engaged in the fancy dry goods business in the old Tweddle Hall building. In 1882 they removed to No. 13 North Pearl street, where they made extensive improvements, putting in a large millinery de- partment, and where they were burned out in the fall of 1895. The business was then divided, Moses Stark continuing the millinery branch, which is located in the Y. M. C. A. building at the corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets. It is one of the best known establishments of the kind in Albany. He is a member of Wash- ington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., and Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B., and a charter member of the Adelphia Literary Club. March 22, 1874, he married Minnie, daughter of Morris Herman of Albany. who died August 26, 1889, leaving three children: Herbert M., Mae and Hattie.

Seelmann, Andrew G., was born in Albany, N. Y., May 6, 1861. His parents were George and Rosa (Drach) Seelmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Seelmann was edu- cated in the Holy Cross School and Christian Brothers' Academy of Albany and took an evening course at the Albany Business College. After finishing his educa- tion he entered the law office of Wickes & Gutmann and while there was admitted to the bar in 1882. June 8, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of the money order department at the Albany post-office and held the position until March 1, 1890. He then opened a law office at No. 93 State street and later moved to No. 69 State street, where he is now located. In 1891 Mr. Seelmann was clerk to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Codes, and in 1892 was clerk to the Committee on Judiciary and Railroads. He was president of the German Lyceum during its ex- istence and was one of the organizers and is now president of the German Young Men's Democratic Club. He is a member of the executive committee of the Dem- ocratic Association of Albany county and is also a member of the Democratic Pha-

lanx, the Catholic Union and the C. B. A. Alumni. His business is chiefly real estate law, and Surrogate's Court practice.

Brewster, Frederick C., son of Cortland and Rachel (Mors) Brewster, was born in Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 11, 1860. He was educated in private schools and was graduated from Claverack College in 1879 and from the Troy Busi- ness College in 1880. He then went as bookkeeper to the office of his uncle and grandfather, lumber dealers, West Troy, where he rapidly rose to the position of confidential clerk. In January, 1894, he opened a real estate office at No. 1595 Broadway, West Troy, and purchased the insurance agency of Clute & McAllaster. Mr. Brewster has been a member of the Troy Citizens Corps for fifteen years, having served ten years as an active member in the National Guard and five years as a member of the Old Guard. July 20, 1887, Mr. Brewster married Eliza, daughter of John H. Crocker of West Troy.

Armstrong, Rev. J. B., was born at Johnsburg, N. Y., in 1854, and a son of J. W. Armstrong, who was a farmer of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was twenty years of age when he decided to enter the ministry, and was graduated in 1876 from Fort Edward Institute. He taught several years in the public schools, and then natural science at the Troy Conference Academy, and also taught higher mathe- matics. In 1883 he took his first charge at Ames, Montgomery county, where he re- mained for three years. Thence he proceeded to East Greenbush, then to Johnson- ville and to West Troy in 1891, where he is pastor of the Third Avenue M. E. church. He is a man of rare attainments, of liberal views, and is an eloquent speaker. Dur- ing his sojourn here he has labored faithfully and effectually for the upbuilding of the church of God. Among the fruits of his pastorate may be noticed a vigorous growth in all departments of the church work, largely increased membership and a new and modernized temple of worship.

Toner, J. Seymour, was born in Green Island, Albany county, in 1860, and has always been a resident of that village. He was educated in the public schools there and at an early age became a member of the village fire department, of which he has filled all the positions connected with same and for one year was chief engineer. He served four terms (eight years) as village trustee, the longest term served by any man, although a Democrat in a village having a large Republican majority, he re- ceived flattering majorities at each election. He has been connected with the account department of Cluett, Coon & Co., of Troy, for sixteen years, and is now occupying the position of paymaster for that concern.

Dayton, Lewis W., son of Jesse C. and Carrie L. (Weed) Dayton, was born in New York city, March 24, 1866, and is of English descent, his original paternal an- cestor in this country, Ralph Dayton, having come from Bradfordshire, England, in the seventeenth century and settled at East Hampton, L. I. Major Nathan Dayton moved from Long Island in 1800, and settled on a farm near Rensselaerville, Albany county. Lewis W. Dayton's grandfather, Samuel, lived at Rensselareville until 1850, when he moved to Watervliet, now the town of Colonie, and established the oid homestead where Lewis W. Dayton now lives. His son, Jesse C., was engaged in business in New York city when Lewis W. was born and moved to Watervliet, Albany county, in 1870. He was a staunch Democrat and represented Albany

county as State senator for one term and was supervisor of the town of Watervliet from 1872 to 1878. Lewis W. Dayton was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1884 and spent one year as clerk in the Anchor Iron and Steel Works in Kentucky. Ile returned to Albany county and engaged in farming in the town of Watervliet until 1895, when he was elected justice of the peace of the town of Colonie. He is a member of the Citizens Corps of Troy and also a member of the Sixth Separate Com- pany, N. G. S. N. Y., and is an active member of the Farmers' League and was its corresponding secretary for two years. Mr. Dayton was very active in the dividing of the town of Watervliet into the town of Colonie and has always been an earnest worker in the Republican party.

Carroll, George H., owns and conducts a grocery at No. 74 Oneida street, which his father, the late William C. Carroll, established in 1850. The latter, a pioneer here, came from New Hampshire, and was the leading grocer of his day. He was also a central figure in the development of the city of Cohoes, and an advocate of all matters pertaining to the advancement of his fellowmen. His death occurred in 1884, aged seventy-four years. George H. is a native of Cohoes, born in 1851, and was associated with his father in the grocery business, and since his death has con- tinued in the mercantile business. His wife was Sarah Harwood of Schaghti- coke, N. Y.

Reavy, Frank C., has been one of the leading undertakers of Cohoes since 1870. His father was John Reavy, a merchant who went from Montreal when Frank was born in 1843, to Chicopee, Mass., in 1844, coming here in 1858. Mr. Reavy began business life at fifteen years of age. After remaining in the cotton mills for a few years he learned the carpenter's trade, spending three years in New York at the business before establishing for himself. He served as school commissioner, super- visor, city hall commissioner, and many minor offices. He is a member of the Busi- ness Men's Association, of the A. O. U. W., the A. O. H., and K. of C.

Courchaine, William, was born in St. George, P. V., in 1856, and is a son of Will- iam Courchaine, coming here in 1863. In 1865 he entered Harmony Mills, remain- ing until twenty-two years of age as a weaver, later he peddled vegetables, and in 1880 established his present grocery. He served his first public office as hospital commissioner. Mr. Courchaine is president of St. Jean Baptist Society ; it is a social and benevolent organization. He has for nine years been trustee of the Church of Sacre Coeur. He is supervisor of the Sixth ward of the city of Cohoes, and proves a very efficient and popular official.

Conway, Cornelius, is the elder son of the late Hugh Conway, a life-long resident of Cohoes. The latter at the time of his death, January 14, 1896, was operating in the partnership of Mr. Hugh Graham, the largest and finest grocery in the city. They came to the present location, 13 and 15 Willow street, in 1884, and erected the large and commodious double store. Mr. Conway began business as a humble clerk for Graham & Stanton, but in 1871 he purchased Mr. William Stanton's interests. Mr. Graham retired soon after the death of Mr. Conway and the firm is now known as Conway & Co.

Heney, William H., was born in Oldham, England January 31, 1863. Two years later he came with his parents to this country ; after a two years' residence in Water-

ford, N. Y., they removed to Troy, N. Y., remaining there about five years. They then took up their residence in Cohoes, which has since been the home of the subject of this sketch. At the age of nine years he entered the Harmony Cotton Mills as an apprentice, continuing his education in the night schools. Mr. Heney has since been employed in various mills in various capacities, and since 1893 has been superintend- ent of The Hudson Valley Knitting Co., of Waterford, N. Y. He was inspector of election of the Fourth ward for two years, and in 1893 was elected supervisor, being re-elected in 1895. Mr. Heney is a member of Egberts Lodge No. 56, Knights of Pythias, having served as chancellor commander, also as district deputy of the Twenty-eighth District in 1894. He joined the Seventh Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y., in 1882; after serving five years as quartermaster-sergeant and the same length of time as first sergeant, he applied for and received an honorable discharge in 1892. In 1888 Mr. Henry won the Woodward competitive drill medal, the presentation speech being made by Hon. D. B. Hill, then governor of the State.

Sessions, Charles E., and Lewis E. Sessions, are residents of Cohoes for half a century and are sons of the late John B. Sessions, who by trade was a mason and who came here in 1847. Charles E. was born in Troy in 1842, and in his early years worked in the Harmony Mills. Lewis E. was born in 1846 in Troy, and in his early years was a butcher. In 1859 Philip, an elder brother, established the business at the present location.

Canton, Charles N., late postmaster of the city of Cohoes, and for twenty years past a prominent citizen of that city, was born at West Troy, February 16, 1853. His first American ancestor was Albert Canton, who emigrated from Bordeaux, France, about 1811, and settled at Brattleboro, Vt. He was a soldier of 1812. Mr. Canton is one of five sons of the late Louis Canton, a contractor, who located at West Troy about 1836. He, himself, lived at West Troy until about twenty-one, having learned the builder's trade. In 1875 he married Miss Mary F. Carpenter, of Cohoes, lately deceased. In 1884 he was appointed sealer of weights and measures, and was postmaster of the city from 1890 to 1894, being succeeded by James B. Mc- Kee, the present incumbent. Mr. Canton is largely interested in the wholesale trade of ice. In 1895 he purchased the Peltier hotel property in Colonie, on the beautiful and historic Loudonville road, transforming it into the " Cottage Lawn," a pictur- esque and popular summer resort.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 78

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