Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 80

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 80

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Rogers, W. Seymour, son of Samuel and Gertrude A. (Snyder) Rogers, was born in Hudson, N. Y., July 12, 1854. He is of Holland-Dutch descent on his mother's side and English on his father's side, being a descendant of the original Rhode Island Rogers, who came to America early in the fifteenth century. He received his educa- tion at the Hudson River Institute and Claverack College and subsequently worked three years in a paper mill owned by his uncle, Harper W. Rogers, at one time

mayor of Hudson and member of assembly. Mr. Rogers moved to Albany in 1876 and engaged in the poultry and game business, which he has since followed. In 1876 he married Maggie Miller, daughter of W. Ellsworth Miller, of Claverack, Co- lumbia county, and they have two children: Elsie D. and Lola.

True, George M., is a descendant of Puritan ancestors and was born in Holderness, V. H., August 8, 1856. His parents were Joseph F. and Mary B. (Watson) True. He received his education in the common schools and at the New Hampton Literary Institution, after leaving which he was superintendent of schools in the town of Holderness, at the same time studying law with James L. Wilson of Ashland, N. H. He was graduated from the Albany Law School in May, 1881, and has since prac- ticed law at No. 82 State street, Albany. He was married August 29, 1881, to Mary A. Wood, of Albany. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., and Albany Senate No. 641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He is one of the attorneys for the State Department of Agriculture.

Stern, Henry E., son of Emanuel and Clara (Kaufman) Stern, natives of Germany, was born in Albany, April 8, 1857. His father, a shoemaker and later a real estate dealer, who died in 1877, settled in Albany about 1842 and became a prominent Re- publican, being a member of the general committee of the old Whig party. Mr. Stern was educated in the public schools and Free Academy, was graduated from the Albany Business College in 1873, read law with I. & J. M. Lawson and was ad- mitted to the bar at Saratoga in September, 1878. Since then he has been in the active practice of his profession. In 1878 he became a member of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 76, I. O. O F., and rapidly rose in the order to vice-grand in January, 1879, and noble grand in June following, being the youngest man ever elected to the latter post in Albany. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State since 1880. He is a past master of Washington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., past president of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. (). B. B., and Albanian Lodge No. 102, 1. O. S. B., a member of the Adelphi Club, a manager of the Jewish Home Society, and was for several years a member of the finance committee of congregation Beth Emeth. In 1888 he was nominated by the Republicans for justice of the city court, but was defeated by a small majority. October 30, 1883, he married Fannie Kas- tanienbaum, of Albany, and they have one son, Manning Nathan Stern, born De- cember 18, 1884.

Kimmey, Edson, manager of the Postal Telegraph Company at Albany, is of Hol- land Dutch descent and was born March 15, 1867, being the son of Philip and Jane A. (Hotaling) Kimmey. His father, an eminent citizen of Albany, was born in 1810 and died in 1893; he was State boiler inspector under Gov. John A. Dix and in the fifties was a large property holder at Kimmey's Corners, in South Bethlehem, where he built the first saw and grist mill, the tall chimney of which, recently blown up by dynamite, was a landmark for many years. Edson Kimmey was graduated from the Albany High School in 1885 and shortly after took up telegraphy being first em- ployed by the Commercial Union Telegraph Company, under whose direction he opened several branch offices in Northern New York. Later he accepted the man- agership of the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph office at Long Branch and soon after- ward became operator and clerk for the district superintendent of the same company, in New York city. Later he and several others incorporated the New York and

Long Island Telegraph Company, which was the first extension of telegraph facili- ties ever put on Long Island in opposition to the Western Union. He was shortly afterwards chosen a director and still holds his interest in this capacity. He soon accepted a position as chief operator and was made district manager of various pos- tal offices in New York city. When the latter company absorbed the Commercial Union, he was selected as manager of the Albany office, which position he now holds. Mr. Kimmey was married in 1892. He has been prominently connected with the political interests of Albany. He is a member of Masters Lodge, F. & A. M., and is identified with the business affairs of the city.

Butler, Walter Burdett, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 17, 1857, and is a son of Benjamin Francis Burdett Butler, who was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, in 1810, came to America in 1840, and died in Brooklyn June 16, 1874. 'The latter was professor of languages in the Brooklyn Female Academy, Flatbush Institute, and the author of Butler's Spanish Teacher, French Speaker and several other educational works. Mr. Butler was educated in the grammar and private schools of Brooklyn, came to Albany October 1, 1872, and was graduated from the Albany Business College in 1875. He was bookkeeper for W. F. Hurcomb & Co. for six years. In 1879 he went to Colorado and spent one year in mining, being assist- ant secretary of a mining company in the Ward district. In 1880 he returned to New York city as bookkeeper for D. W. Richards & Co., and in the fall of that year came to Albany, where he was made cashier of the old Commercial Telephone Com- pany. In 1883 this company was merged into the Hudson River Telephone Com- pany and Mr. Butler was continued as cashier until 1893, when he was made the secretary and auditor. He is secretary of the Albany District Telegraph Company and a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 252, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M .. Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Cypress Temple N. of S, M. ; he is also a member of Co. A of the Old Guard, Albany Zouave Cadets, the Young Men's Democratic Club and the Albany Masonic Relief Association. He has often appeared as expert accountant before courts and in other capacities. In October, 1882, he married Adda May, daughter of John Kennedy, jr., of Albany.

Fitzsimmons. James J., is the son of James, a native of Ireland and was born De- cember 6, 1852, in Albany, where his father, a blacksmith, settled in 1826. The latter died here in 1882. Mr. Fitzsimmons attended the public schools, and also the Christian Brothers, was for two years employed in a leather store, and in 1870 was graduated from the Albany Business College. After teaching for a time he entered, in 1872, the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company, with whom he remained until 1885, as cashier of the Albany and later of the Bridgeport, Conn., offices. He was then engaged in the retail shoe business in Albany three years. In 1890 he be- came cashier of the Westchester Telephone Company and in 1893 was elected treas- urer of the Hudson River Telephone Company, which position he still holds. He has also been treasurer of the Albany District Telegraph Company since its organ- ization. He was school commissioner from 1889 to 1892; is a member and vice- president of the Catholic Union; and is financial secretary of Cathedral Council, No. 55, C. B. L., and a deputy state chancellor of that order, and a director in the Safety Loan and Building Association. November 30, 1876, he married Margaret T., daughter of John Lamb, of Albany and they have six children living.

Wagner, John, son of J. George and Nancy Wagner, was born in Rochester, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1858. He received a public school education and became a clerk in a hat store in his native city, and later was made manager of the hat and cap department of the Bronner Clothing Company, of Buffalo, where he remained five years. In January, 1884, he came to Albany and formed a partnership with Joseph Belser, sr., as Belser & Wagner, and engaged in the retail dry goods business. Five years later he withdrew and bought out John M. Foll, furniture dealer at No. 308-310 South Pearl street, which he has since continued. In 1890 he started a branch furniture store under the style of the Albany Furniture Company; in 1895 he also opened a furniture store in Troy. He is president of the Commercial Co-operative Union Bank of Albany, of which he was one of the founders, and the first vice-president. He is a Republican and was alderman of the 5th ward one term. He is member of Gut- tenberg Lodge, F. & A. M. and Temple Chapter, R. & M. In 1882 he married Catherine, daughter of Joseph Belser, sr., of Albany.

Hartnett, Daniel J., son of William, was born in Albany, November 7, 1845. His father came from Ireland to Albany in 1825 and was engaged in the meat business until shortly before his death in 1876, owning at one time the Fishslip Market at the foot of Columbia street and was burned out in the big fire in 1848. When fourteen Mr. Hartnett associated himself with his father and continued thus most of the time, until 1870, when he engaged in the meat business alone. In 1878 he moved to the corner of Chapel and Canal streets and in 1890 to No. 95 North Pearl street, where he carries on a large retail business. He was one of the organizers of the Retail Merchants Association and served as its vice-president and secretary ; he was one of the organizers of the Retail Butchers Association, was president during its existence, and was one of the principal organizers of the reorganized association; he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is well and favorably known to or by cit- izens of the city, has repeatedly refused political positions preferring to devote his entire time to the furthering of his business.

North, Charles F., of the firm of North & Doyle, proprietors of the well-known Anchor Hosiery Mills. The family is of English origin. In 1640 two brothers first settled in Connecticut, where Mr. North was born in 1844, at Collinsville, a son of Morris North. He never entered school after seven years of age, the time when he came to Cohoes, but worked in a mill until twenty years of age. He then sold ma- chinery to the mills, in exchange for knit goods, which he again sold. As a demand for paper boxes in which to ship knit goods increased, he began the manufacture of them, conducting an extensive factory. Later he became a partner of the Anchor Hosiery Mills, and with Charles F. Doyle built mill No. 1 in 1881, and in 1887 mill No. 2, and in 1890 mill No. 3. Mr. North also carries on a stone and sewer pipe yard, building a large store house in 1884 and another in 1894. He has also served officially in county affairs, and was the first alderman under city government in 1869. He later officiated as alderman for two years, and in 1874 as city chamberlain for four years. In 1879 he was appointed fire commissioner, which appointment he has since held. He has been a member of the Reform church since 1869.

Weidman, Reuben L., is a descendant of Jacob Weidman of Switzerland, who was one of the first settlers in Berne, Albany county, N. Y., where he built the first house, the town being named after his native city, Berne, Switzerland, He also

built a saw and flouring mill at what was long known as Weidman's Mills. Jacob Weidman was the father of one son Felix, who was the father of Daniel, Jacob, Paul and Felix. All these four generations lived in Berne. Daniel Weidman when fifteen became clerk in a general store in West Berne, and when sixteen came to Al- bany as clerk for Peter Van Wormer, and later for F. W. Ford & Son. Afterwards he attended the Knoxville and Gallupville Academies, was clerk in a dry goods store in New York city, joined his uncle in mercantile business in Gallupville for six years and thence came to Albany in 1845 and was the founder of the present house of Weidman & Co. He remained in the wholesale grocery business until his death, May 13, 1886. His son George D. was born June 29, 1842, entered the army in 1861 as orderly sergeant, became brevet major of volunteers and captain of Co. F, 10th Regt., N. G. S. N. Y. He died March 17, 1883. Reuben L. Weidman is a son of Felix Weidman, a physician and surgeon whose practice extended over a period cov- ering about forty-five years. He was one of the best known and most successful practitioners in his section of the county. The subject of this sketch was born at Central Bridge, N. Y., October 1, 1848. For a number of years he was engaged in the grocery business in Gallupville, N. Y., and was also for a time in the employ of D). Weidman, Sons & Co., as traveling salesman. A short time previous to the death of his uncle, Daniel Weidman, he became a member of the firm. October 5, 1888, Mrs. E. Eugenia Daw, a daughter of Daniel Weidman, was admitted under the present firm name of Weidman & Co. Thomas R. Ward, jr., was admitted March 1, 1894. Mr. Weidman enlisted August 17, 1864, in Co. I, 15th N. Y. Cav., and did special duty until discharged May 8, 1865. He is a member of George Dawson Post No. 63, G. A. R., and also of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M. He was married October 4, 1870, to Miss Helena Hunting. They have one daughter, Miss Caroline Weidman.

Menand, Louis, has been a commanding figure in horticultural circles for a num- ber of years. He has been named "The Grand Old Man" of the gardener's craft in this county. He is now in his eighty-ninth year. He came to America in 1837 and enjoys a retrospective view of American horticulture, extending over a period of sixty years. Mr. Menand continued to reside among his beloved flowers at Albany. He is mentally alert and active as ever. His personal recollections as originally published in the American Florist, from which we quote, are overflowing with a personality which is both charming and unique. Mr. Phelps says well of Mr. Me- nand's autobiography that contains "the natural philosophy of one who was always a lover of liberty, and a student alike of books and nature." His life has shed fra- grance and beauty that will endure as long as flowers grow and gardens bloom.

McElveney, Daniel, was born of Scotch-Irish ancestry in the province of Ulster, north of Ireland, in 1839, came to Quebec, Canada, with his parents in June, 1841, and when thirteen was apprenticed to the confectionery trade in that city. After serving three years of his seven years as apprentice, he came in August, 1855, to Albany, where he entered the confectionery establishment of Benjamin M. Briare, the famous caterer. In 1858 he entered the employ of S. De Lagrange, confectioner and fancy cake baker, with whom he remained fifteen years. In the spring of 1874 he purchased the old John Martin bakery on the corner of South Pearl and Herki- mer streets and six years later bought the property No. 97 South Pearl street, where

He has since conducted a fancy bakery, confectionery and catering establishment with marked success. A few years later, having associated with him his two sons, he purchased the property No. 105 North Pearl street and opened a branch store. Mr. MeElveney has been for forty-four years connected with the various branches of the catering business and throughout his active career has been uniformly suc- cessful.

Laventall. Julius, born in March, 1832, in Bovendon, Hanover, Germany, came to America in August, 1854, settling in Albany and opened a small jewelry store on South Pearl street, in 1857. In June, 1865, having sold this business, he bought of S. M. Valkenburgh the Ladies' Bazaar, on the corner of South Pearl street and Hudson avenue. In 1857 he also purchased the property; and in 1876, built the present building, where he carries an extensive line of ladies and children's furnish- ings and shoes. He is a member and ex-president of Shiloh Lodge, I. O. of B. B. and of Arnon Lodge, I. O. of F. S. and has represented both in their respective Grand Lodges of the United States. He is a member and past noble grand of Mt. Carmel Lodge, I. O. O. F., member of Washington Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M., was manager of the Jewish Home and has been a trustee of the Congregation of Temple Beth Emeth since 1873, and was its vice-president for eight years, its president in 1883, and chairman of the building committee during the erection of the present temple, on the corner of Lancaster and Swan streets. He was also one of the organizers and for the first two years a director of the South End Bank. In 1858 he married Miss Sarah Swartz of Albany, who died, leaving two daughters: Mrs. H. W. Foreman of Albany, and Mrs. Daniel Stern of Brooklyn. In 1863 he married second, Hannah, daughter of M. Hydeman of Albany, and they have two sons: Louis Julius, born January 28, 1866, and Edward Simon, born June 13, 1874, both of whom are associated in business with their father.

Romeyn, Theodore F., born in Amsterdam, N. Y., is a son of Henry S. and Agnes (Van Epps) Romeyn, and was educated in the public schools and academy of his native town. He spent two years in Canada and nine years in Wisconsin, as a bridge builder. In 1865 he came to Albany and engaged in box manufacturing at No. 214 Hudson avenue; he manufactured all kinds of wooden boxes, cases, etc. He was one of the organizers of The Pure Baking Powder Company and its secretary. He married Mary Conde, of Glenville, Schenectady county.

Star Knitting Company, The, was established in 1866, and its products have at- tamed the highest reputation for superiority of material fashion and finish. The Star Mills are comprised in a group of substantially constructed brick buildings, ar- ranged with special reference to convenience and dispatch of work and economy of production. The main building is four stories high and 65x105 feet in dimensions, and the other buildings adjoin the main structure. Water power is used to drive the machinery and an auxiliary steam engine is also employed. The mechanical equip- ment includes nine sets of cards, 2,160 spindles, 38 knitting cylinders, and forty sewing machines, and all the appliances in use are of the latest improved character, employment being given to one hundred and seventy-five skilled operatives. The produets consist of fine wool, worsted and merino knit underwear of the best grades for both ladies and gentlemen, and the output averaging about 40,000 dozen per annum, is distributed direct to the trade through the United States. Medals and

diplomas were awarded this company for superiority of knit underwear exhibition. The officers of the company are Messrs. Andrew M. Church, president; Thomas Dickson, treasurer; A. I. Whithouse, secretary, and Charles T. Boughton, general manager. An office is maintained at No. 43 Leonard street, New York city.

Swatling, James H., the well known wholesale and retail dealer in paints, wall- paper, and decorations, located at No. 50 Oneida street, Cohoes, established the business here in 1868. He is of English descent, born in the town of Watervliet in 1848. His early manhood was spent on a farm, but he acquired the painter's trade at Saratoga Springs, where he resided four years. In 1890 in association with A. G. Tanner, he erected the "Excelsior Knitting Mill," devoted to the manufacture of ladies' and children's ribbed underwear. He has been on the Board of Health and served in many minor offices.

Fletcher, Jones A., son of Benjamin and Polly (Kidder) Fletcher, was born April 2, 1835, in Woodstock, Vt. He was educated in the public schools and seminary of Woodstock and learned the trade of painter, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted in the 8th Conn. Regt., in which he was a sergeant. After the war he set- tled in Troy, N. Y., where he followed his trade until 1873, when he moved to Green Island, Albany county, and opened a grocery store nearly opposite where he is now located. In 1886 he erected the building in which he is now doing business. Mr. Fletcher is a member of Post Tibbitts G. A. R., of Troy, and Green Island Lodge No. 360, I. (). O. F. In 1860 he married Rachel Van Leuvan, of Troy, N. Y., and they have one son, Fred.

Hickey, William F., the well known attorney, was born at Moriah, N. Y., in 1857. He was the son of Thomas Hickey, a contractor, who was largely interested in local mining. William was educated in the Sherman Academy, at Moriah, and about the time of attaining legal majority began the study of law with B. B. Bishop, at Moriah, forming a law partnership with him three years later which existed for three years. Then Mr. Hickey practiced his profession at Port Henry until 1889 when he located in Troy. Mr. Hickey resides in Green Island and has taken an active interest in local affairs, especially in opposing the recent threatened annexation of Green Island to Troy, and in the erection of the new town of Green Island. Mr. Hickey is now village attorney for the village of Green Island, having held that office for ten terms.

MeGrath, Michael, was born in Ireland in 1825. His father was Thomas McGrath, by trade a blacksmith. Michael learned the same trade in the old country, and when a young man emigrated to America. He settled in Green Island, where for the past fifty years he has been a prosperous man in the grocery business and at his trade, and has been a familiar figure. He has served his town as trustee and was treas- urer of the Board of Education, and has for many years been a pillar of St. Patrick's church, and a lifelong Democrat.

Becker, De Witt E., son of Francis and Almira (Torrey) Becker, was born in Gal- lupville, Schoharie county, August 6, 1863, and finished his education at Hartwick Seminary in 1881. Coming to Albany in that year he was employed by Burhans & Sutherland and two years later by Burhans, Sutherland & Co. In 1883 Mr. Burhans severed his connection with the above firm and started in business again with Mr. Becker as partner. In 1887 the firms of David Bradt & Co. and Burhans

& Becker consolidated, making the firm of David Bradt, Becker & Co., carrying on a general produce commission business, dealing specially in poultry, eggs and butter. Mr. Becker came to Albany without any capital and with the combined efforts of his partners, David Bradt and William J. Skillicorn, a very large and lucrative business was built up at their present place of business, 386 Broadway. The building is a four story brick and contains the latest improved cold storage and freezing rooms. In addition to their cold storage plant the firm rent cold storage rooms in Chicago, Buf- falo and New York, the building in which they are located not being large enough to accommodate their business. The firm is considered by all who know them to be the largest wholesale dealers in poultry in Albany. Mr. Becker was elected two terms in succession president of the Albany County Wheelmen without opposition. . He ie also director and secretary of the Consumers Ice Company. In 1887 he mar- ried Emma E. A., daughter of David Bradt, of Albany, who died in 1890. In 1893 he married her sister, Harriet Myers Bradt. Mr. Becker has just finished a hand- some residence on Western avenue, corner of Allen street where he now resides.

Van Meter, Archibald, son of Edmund and Jennett (Loyd) Van Meter, was born in New Scotland, Albany county, March 13, 1825, and about 1828 moved with his parents to the city of Albany, where his father died soon afterward. The family originally came from New Jersey; the father of Holland and Scotch descent, and the mother of Scotch descent. Mr. Van Meter was educated in the public schools of AAlbany and as a youth, first engaged in gardening. In 1844 he engaged in the meat business, in which he has ever since continued, being located at No. 278 Hudson avenue, since 1877. For several years he has had a large wholesale trade, but now carries on a retail business exclusively. He is member of Wadsworth Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M.

Palmer, Frank Rockwell, son of Amos P. and Martha E. (Newton) Palmer, was born in Albany, N. Y., November 21, 1868. He is descended from a long line of New England ancestors, the first of whom came to America early in the seventeenth cen- tury, and all of whom served most gallantly in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars. He was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1888 and entered the employ of the Albany City Savings Institution, where he rapidly rose to his present position of teller. Mr. Palmer inherits a great liking for the military, as his record shows. In the Albany Academy he was first sergeant of Co. A, later captain of Co. A, and upon graduation was major of the battalion of Albany Academy Cadets. In No- vember, 1888, he enlisted in Co. A, N. G. N. Y., in 1889 was promoted to sergeant, in 1893 to lieutenant and in 1896 was elected captain. Mr. Palmer is a member of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 80

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