Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 82

Author: Parker, Amasa Junius, 1843-1938, ed
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1374

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often officiated. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, American Lodge, No. 32, of which he is past noble grand, and was also on the district grand commit- tee for years. In addition to his other interests Mr. Wands has been for a number of years interested in the manufacture of soap in Kingston, N. Y. In 1855 he mar- ried Sarah J. Drew, of Albany, daughter of Robert and Sarah Drew, natives of London, England, by whom he had three children: Emma, wife of Slater Swift, of New Scotland; Grace, wife of Carey Martin; and Robert B. Wands.

Lord, Edmund J., was born in Lancashire, England, in 1820. At an early age he came to America and settled in Albany, where he engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, winning the respect of his employer by constant attention to business and those traits which foretold his later success. After years of hard work, in which pluck, perseverance and rigid economy played active parts, he succeeded in saving sufficient money to start the business with which he has been identified, and in 1841 established a grocery on the northeast corner of Washington avenue and Hawk street, opposite where the capitol now stands. Possessed of unusual business qual- ifications, it was not surprising that the work which he had begun on a small scale, should, in the course of a comparatively few years, increase to such a degree as to prove highly profitable and remunerative. In 1870 he moved to larger and more commodious quarters at the northwest corner of Washington avenue and Hawk street, where he continued in business until his death, September 22, 1895. The business since then has been conducted by his son, Edmund W. Lord, who inherits much of his father's business ability. In the constant rush and excitement attend- ant upon a business life, Mr. Lord never forgot the important duties to be performed in his home, and it was there the amiable disposition and kind heart were ever mani- fest. He was a devoted Presbyterian and while he loved his Creator and served Him as best he could, he did not neglect to practice that charity without which there can be little religious sincerity. He was also a member of the St. George Benev- olent Society and several fraternal organizations. As a citizen, Mr. Lord was highly esteemed and respected. A Republican in principle, he stood ever ready to give his undivided and active support to his party when the exigencies of the hour demanded.

Hendrickson, Howard, was born in Albany, November 20, 1859, and is the son of the late Jacob Hendrickson, who for many years kept a large wholesale grocery on the dock and died in July, 1879. Mr. Hendrickson was educated in the public schools of Albany and subsequently entered a job printing office, where he worked for three years. He then entered the law office of S. W. Whitmore, meantime tak- ing a course of lectures at the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated May 25, 1882, being immediately admitted to the bar by the General Term of the Supreme Court. Opening a law office he commenced the active practice of his pro- fession, which is varied and extensive. In 1895 he was elected alderman of the Six- teenth ward and during that year served as president of the Common Council, receiving the largest majority ever given a candidate in that ward. In politics he is an influential Republican. He was the organizer of the Commercial Union Co- operative Bank and at present is its attorney and a member of the board of man- agers. He is the owner of considerable Albany real estate. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., and has passed through all its chairs. He is

a member of Capital City Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, De Witt Clinton Council of Royal Select Masons, Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., and of Cypress Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he is also a member of Will- iam Lacy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F.

Geer, Robert, son of James L. and Prudence Almira (Gallup) Geer, was born in Norwich, Conn., March 23, 1837. His mother died in 1847. His father was a cabinetmaker, a builder, and later was engaged in the auction and commission busi- ness. About 1873 he retired and now lives in Norwich. Mr. Geer received a public school education ; when fifteen he became a clerk in a drug store in Norwich, and three years later its owner. In 1861 he removed the stock to Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1864 sold out. April 20, 1864, he came to Albany as the local representative of the Salt Company of Onondaga, whose business he has managed ever since, becoming proprietor in 1871. In 1879 he also engaged in the flour and feed trade with Chester F. Bouton, as Bouton & Geer, and continued until Mr. Bouton's death in 1886. Three years later he discontinued this business. In 1892 he formed the Robert Geer Salt company, incorporated, and has since carried on the old salt business under that name as vice-president and manager. Mr. Geer has been prominently identified with several enterprises. He has been a trustee of the Home Savings Bank since 1884 and president of the Homestead Savings and Loan Association since its organ- ization in 1888. A Republican in politics, he was supervisor of the Fourteenth ward of Albany from 1880 to 1886, was candidate for member of assembly in 1885, but withdrew because of a split in the party, and was candidate for senator in 1886, but was defeated by Hon. Amasa J. Parker, although he ran ahead of his ticket. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Tem- ple Commandery No. 2, K. T., Cypress Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and all the Scot- tish Rite bodies 32°. He is a trustee of the Y. M. C. A., a member and for four years master workman of Capital City Lodge, A. O. U. W., senior vestryman of St. Paul's church, for fifteen years treasurer and trustee of the Albany Hospital for Incurables, and for the past ten years secretary of the Board of Albany Pier Pro- prietors. In October, 1860, he married Mary Sophia, daughter of William Gere of Syracuse, who died in 1886, leaving two children: Frederick Lewis and Clara Lovisa. In October, 1869, he married. second, Rhoda Kellogg Shedd, daughter of Ephraim Shedd of Jordan, N. Y. She died in December, 1882, leaving one son, Arthur Ham- ilton. In April, 1884. Mr. Geer married, third, Julia, daughter of Henry Richmond of Albany.

Flanders, George Lovell, son of Arthur and Mary (Lovell) Flanders, was born in the town of Parishville, St. Lawrence county, February 29, 1856. He received his education in the Potsdam Normal School and during the years of 1881 and 1882 he was a teacher in the Madrid Union School. He studied law in the office of Parker & McIntyre in Potsdam, and later was graduated from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar and to practice in the United States Circuit Court. In the fall of 1883 he removed to Albany and in May, 1884, was appointed assistant state dairy commissioner, at the time of the creation of the department. The title of his office has since been changed to that of assistant commissioner of agriculture, an office which he has retained under every commissioner appointed. Mr. Flanders was one

of the first to advocate the creation of the department. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arcanum. In April, 1885, he married Catharme Southwick, daughter of William Keeler, of Albany, and they have two daughters: Lillian Lovell and Marian Southwick.

Friend, Charles M., was born in Albany, November 10, 1869, and is a son of Meyer and Caroline (Goodman) Friend. Meyer Friend, born in Saxemeinegen, Saxony, Germany, December 4, 1809, came to Albany about 1838, among the first Jewish settlers and died here in 1890. He was a jeweler, one of the organizers, vice- president and trustee of the old Jewish synagogue and a prominent citizen among his race. He had eight children, the younger being the subject of this sketch. Charles M. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read law with and became managing clerk for Eaton & Kirchwey, attended the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 1891. He remained with his preceptors until January, 1892, when he was made assistant to the second deputy under Attor- ney-General Simon W. Rosendale, a position he held until December 31, 1893. He was then associated with Hon. James M. Eaton, district attorney of Albany county, until March, 1895, when he opened an office for himself. He is an active Democrat, a member of the Albany Democratic club, secretary of the Adelphi Club, president of Gideon Lodge, No. 140, I. O. B. B., a member of Capital City Lodge, No. 440, I. O. O. F., and treasurer of Beth Emeth Sunday School. In 1896 he was appointed special law examiner in the civil service department of the State of New York.

North, Howard C., has been a railroad man since he was twenty-four years old, and has steadily climbed the ladder of advancement. He entered the service of the New York & Oswego Midland, now the Ontario & Western, as clerk and telegrapher in 1874, and in 1875 came to Green Island as an operator for the Delaware & Hud- son Canal Company. In 1880 he was appointed assistant train dispatcher, and in 1883 chief dispatcher. In 1887, after acting as agent in Green Island for about a year, he was appointed assistant superintendent of Saratoga & Champlain division, the important position he now so acceptably fills after a quarter of a century asso- ciation with the company. He was born at Guilford, N. Y., July 4, 1852. He was the son of Erastus B. North, of old English ancestry.

Wiswall .- Among the old families of the town of Colonie, few have been longer or more favorably known, or more associated with the business and social life of the locality than Ebenezer Wiswall sr., and his sons Ebenezer Wiswall, jr., and John Parker Wiswall. Of puritan stock Ebenezer Wiswall, sr., came from Boston about 1810 and became a member of the Farm Companies of South Troy, West Troy, and Cohoes; his connection with which for nearly fifty years gave him the wide ac- quaintance with the business men of his time which his descendants still enjoy. John Parker Wiswall, who died in 1875, the father of Edward H. Wiswall of the present time, married Sarah Mark, a member of another old English family in Watervliet. His widow is still living with a married daughter at the old homestead.

Tupper, Horace D., one of the most estimable, enterprising and public spirited citizens of the town of Colonie. Mr. Tupper's surroundings at his place of business, at the junction of the two canals above West Troy, attest something of his energy and originality. He was born at Glens Falls, September 20, 1844, and by the death

of his father, when yet a little boy, was thrown very early upon his own resources, to which event perhaps must be ascribed some of his rugged and indomitable charac. ter. In his early years of manhood, he followed boating on the canals, and is still largely interested in. that line of business, but his interests are multiplied. He operates two saw-mills, two large farms, a brick yard, and the " Crescent" drydock, beside timbered lands near Lake George and a line of boats, employing 105 men, also two large wholesale ice houses, one on Mohawk Basin and one at Crescent. In the midst of all these bustling, exacting interests, Mr. Tupper has found time for much in the way of practical benevolence.

Mills, Charles H., son of Borden H. and Harriet N. (Hood) Mills, was born in Knowlesville, Orleans county, N. Y., June 21, 1851, and moved with his parents to Albany in 1857. Borden H. Mills was a member of the wholesale flour firm of Mills & MeMartin, on Broadway, and died here in 1873. He was a prominent Republican leader and alderman of the Tenth ward. Charles H. Mills attended the Albany High School, was graduated from Union College in 1872, and read law with John M. Carroll, of Johnstown, N. Y., and was graduated from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1873. He practiced in Johnstown until 1875, and since then in Albany, being since 1889 senior member of the law firm of Mills & Bridge (Charles F. Bridge). He is a Republican, was president of the Albany Board of Excise in 1895. This board raised the license from sixty dollars to $200, and thereby increased the city's income from licenses from 847,000 to $114,000. He was president of the Y. M. C. A. two terms, 1883-84, when funds were raised for the present building, and during this period was interested in liquidating the old debt and in creating a large surplus for the association, which he has served as a director since 1882, being now the oldest member of the board. He is the editor and author of seyeral law books, a member of the Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Capital City Chapter, No. 242, R. A. M., and a member of the Sons of the Revolution, through his great- grandfather, George Mills, who served under Arnold, was captured at Quebec and after six months a prisoner was exchanged, was one of the guard at the execution of Major André, and was with Sullivan through the New Jersey campaign and for two years United States pensioner.

Macfarlane, William D., son of Robert, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 8, 1853. Robert Macfarlane, born in Rutherglen, Scotland, came to America in 1835 and died in Brooklyn, December 20, 1883. He was originally a dyer, but later was senior editor of the Scientific American for over seventeen years. In 1864 he came to Al- bany and bought of Mrs. John McDuffy, the old Albany Dye Works, which he con- tinued until 1874, when he returned to Brooklyn. He was prominent in Albany as a Scotchman, was president of the Burns Club and St. Andrews Society, and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and Albany Institute. William D. Macfarlane was graduated from the Albany Boys' Academy in 1872, afterwards learned the business of dyer with his father, and in 1874. with his brother, Robert F., succeeded to the proprietor- ship of the old Albany Dye Works at No. 24 Norton street. This was the first dye house in Albany, being established by Peter Martin in 1823. Robert F. Macfarlane withdrew in 1891 and since then William has continued the business alone. He has about twenty-three branches, of which all but three are located outside the city. He is a member of St. Andrews Society, the Burns Club, and was for seventeen years a

member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, is now and has been a director of the Albany Musical Association since its reorganization in 1891, also a member of the Uncon- ditional Club. He is married and has a family of three children two sons and one daughter.

Lundergan, John, is one of the most respected and oldest residents of the locality. The trite saying, " that he is a self made man," became invested with fresh signifi- cance, when applied to Mr. Lundergan. He was born in Ireland, March 16, 1821, and came to America when four years of age. In 1832, after the death of his mother, at Montreal, he came to the vicinity of Albany, and has lived here for sixty-four years. He began life in the most humble way as a farm hand, but was very frugal and had no bad habits. He was enabled to rent a small tract of land and became his own master in 1845. In 1848 he went to California via Cape Horn, and returned via the isthmus. Here he obtained the nucleus of his present considerable fortune, and soon began to purchase additionals to his original homestead. His most recent acquisition was the extensive fair grounds situated opposite his home, on the Troy road. Mr. Lundergan devoted his time to the business, which has occupied most of his long and useful life, that of extensive market gardening. His youngest son, Frank, is a dry goods merchant, at New York city. His oldest son. Adrian, man- ages home affairs. Mr. Lundergan is held in the highest esteem wherever he is known.

Hobbs, Edward A., son of David and Abigail (Pratt) Hobbs, was born in the town of Charlton, Mass., August 15, 1838. Mr. Hobbs's ancestors came to America from England in the early part of the eighteenth century and located in Massachusetts. His grandfather, Joseph Pratt, was the captain of a Massachusetts company in the war of 1812. Mr. Hobbs attended the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, \'t., in the winter of 1857, and afterward attended the State Normal School for one term. For three winters he taught school in Columbia county, and in May, 1861, removed to Albany, N. Y., where he was for nine years engaged in the grocery business at No. 5 Clinton avenue, the firm name being Hobbs & Bedell. He then moved to No. : Clinton avenue, where he was also located nine years, from 1870 to 1879. For four years he was in partnership with Frank Van Salisbury. Since 1874 Mr. Hobbs has been engaged in the grocery business alone. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Hobbs bought the property on the corner of North Pearl street and Clinton avenue and in 1879 he occupied it and has ever since been located there. He is an active member of the Fourth Presbyterian church and on May 13, 1889, was elected an elder and has held the office ever since. He was elected a trustee in 1884, 1887, 1890, 1893 and 1896. October 21. 1862, he married Celestia A., daughter of Palmer Miller of Schodack, N. Y.

Grady, Thomas G., is one of the leading merchants of West Troy. In 1881 he first began the merchant tailor business here, where he has since carried on a large enterprise. In 1886 he opened a new store, which has advanced his interest in a most satisfactory manner. He was born in Cincinnati, O., in 1859, and is a son of John A. Grady, a hotel keeper, now of Toronto. At the age of sixteen he learned the tailor's trade at Xenia. O. Mr. Grady is collector of the Society of Royal Arca- num and enjoys wide popularity among his fellowmen,

Gallien, Henry, son of Henry and Eliza M. (George) Gallien, was born in Albany, N. Y., December 2, 1861. His father was born on the Isle of Guernsey and when sixteen years of age came to America and located in Albany, where for thirty years he was in the canal department and State comptroller's office, and for the last fifteen years that he was there held the offices of second deputy and deputy, holding the latter office at the time of his death in 1883. Henry Gallien was educated in the Boys' Academy, State Normal School, Public School No. 11 and the Albany High School, after which he was for a time in C. H. Van Benthuysen's paper warehouse. Subsequently he went to the Albany County Bank and the National Commercial Bank, where he remained eight years, and later was teller at the Park Bank of Albany for two years. From the Park Bank he went to the Exchange Bank, where he held the position of teller for three years, and left in 1894, to engage in business with his brother, E. J. Gallien. dealing in investment securities, with whom he remained one year. Then after a few months' experience as an expert accountant he was ap- pointed by Commissioner Lyman, in April, 1896, auditor of the State Excise De- partment. Mr. Gallien is a member of Ridgefield Athletic Club, of which he is a trustee, and has held the office of secretary for three years. He was for one term financial secretary of the Albany Bicycle Club and organized the Albany County Wheelmen. He held the office of secretary and treasurer of the organization and subsequently held the offices of president and captain. He represented the Albany Bicycle Club and the Albany County Wheelmen for several years in the National Assembly, L. A. W., and is a member of the auditing committee of that body. For two years he has been treasurer of the Albany Press Club and is a director and member of the Albany Musical Association. Mr. Gallien is also a Mason, being a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.

Blair, Elmer, son of Robert S. and Jane E. (Steen) Blair, was born in Fort Hun- ter. N. Y., May 13, 1862. He was graduated from the Cobleskill Academy in 1881, when he removed to Albany to continue his studies, where he became an expert stenographer. After a short time spent in the office of M. V. B. Bull, he entered the service of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company as stenographer, and sub- sequently became confidential clerk to Dudley Farlin and H. S. Marcy, general freight agent and traffic manager, respectively, of that company. He held this position for five years, when he became the private secretary of Dudley Farlin, hav- ing charge of the private interests of that gentleman, which embraced operations on a large scale in the Lima, ()., oil fields, and the developing of the electric light- ing business in various parts of this State. During this time Mr. Blair personally established and installed the electric lighting plants of Norwich and Cooperstown, N. Y., and became the treasurer and general manager of the corporation in each of those places which controlled its gas and electric lighting facilities. Upon the re- tirement of Mr. Farlin from active business, Mr. Blair accepted a position, in 1892, with the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad Company, having charge, under Chief Engineer William N. Roberts, of the business department of the construction force of that road, and upon its completion he became the private secretary to Ed- ward M. Burns, its general manager, and later his confidential agent, having charge of Dr. William Seward Webb's Adirondack camp site properties, until Jan- uary 1, 1895. Mr. Blair then turned his attention to the study of law and removed

to Rochester, N. Y., where he read law in the office of Harris & Harris and prac- ticed stenography in the courts until the following September, when he returned to Albany and became the private secretary of Col. William Cary Sanger, member of assembly from the Second Oneida district. He continued in Colonel Sanger's em- ploy during the legislative session of 1896, and after the passage of the liquor tax law was appointed chief stenographer to the State Department of Excise. Mr. Blair was treasurer of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1888, collecting during his incumbency the $100,000 building fund for Harmanus Bleecker Hall. On the expiration of his term as treasurer he was elected manager of the association for three years. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. ; Tem- ple Chapter, R. A. M .; De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M .; Little Falls Com- mandery; Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Utica; and Mount Herman Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Albany. On October 22, 1895, he married Ella L. Holliday of Oneida, N. Y.

Jewett, Frederick G., son of Harry and Loraine (Goodsell) Jewett, was born in Owego, Tioga county, New York, in 1846. His ancestors on both sides were from New England, though his father was born in Putnam county, and his grandfather and great-grandfather in Dutchess county, New York, the latter (John) having been a Revolutionary soldier. Frederick was educated in the public schools and at the Owego Academy. His first employment after leaving school was in the Owego post-office, which position he left to accept one on the United States Military Rail- roads in 1864. At the close of the war he accepted service with what was then the Atlantic and Great Western Railway, now a part of the Erie system, where he re- mained in various capacities until 1883; residing the greater portion of the time at Jamestown, N. Y. Having been engaged in railroad work in Ohio in the mean time, he went to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1890 as manager of the Central New York Car Service Association which was organized by the railroads of the State at that time, and in 1893 came to Albany, the offices of the association having been removed here in September of that year. He is a member of various Masonic bodies; the A. A. O. M. S., and of other fraternal organizations. Mr. Jewett married Lucy, a daugh- ter of Doctor David and Louisa (Ransom) Earll of Tioga county, New York, Mrs. Jewett being a descendant of Samuel Ransom, a captain in the Continental Army, who was killed at the massacre of Wyoming, Pa., July 3, 1778.

Sanders, Eugene, son of David B. and Elizabeth (Bennis) Sanders, was born in Fort Edward, N. Y., February 3, 1864, and received his education in his native vil- lage. In 1889 he came to Albany as traveling salesman for Rogers & Ruso, dealers in typewriters and supplies, and two years later engaged in that business for him- self, continuing until the spring of 1894. In 1893 he also engaged in the bicycle and supply trade, and since 1894 has given this his whole attention, handling a number of high grade wheels. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., the Ridgefield Athletic Club and the Albany County Wheelmen. In October, 1890, he married Clara F., daughter of Oramel E. Bostwick of Stillwater, N. Y.

McHench, David B., born September 21, 1826, in Albany, is the only son of Will- iam McHench, born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1789, died in Albany in 1873. William and his brother ran a grist mill for some years at Kenwood, afterward was connected with the Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank for forty-two years. He married Margaret

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 82

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