Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 83

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

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Boyd of Schenectady, daughter of David Boyd, the first president of the Mohawk Bank and was president until his death in 1834. Four children are now living. David B. McHench, attended the Albany Academy, and when nineteen became a clerk in a wholesale dry goods house in his native city. Ten years later he entered the office of a stove foundry and remained about nine years, and for fourteen years afterward was bookkeeper for a charcoal blast furnace at Richmond, Mass. In 1877 he returned to Albany and shortly afterward established his present business, paper box manufacturing. He is one of the oldest and best known paper box man- ufacturers in the city. In 1857 he married Sarah E., daughter of the late Charles Dillon of Albany, the first manufacturer of fire brick in the State, and they have had two daughters, Laura (Mrs. Franklin H. Jones also of Albany) and Margaret Boyd, deceased.

Ellis, Joseph, Whitcomb, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Whitcomb) Ellis, was born in Springfield, Vt., September 18, 1829. His ancestors were English and lived in the vicinity of Boston, Mass. He began his school education early and at four years of age was a pupil in a family boarding school in Perkinsville, Vt. He completed his preparation for college at the Wesleyan Seminary in Springfield, Vt., and was gradu- ated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1858, ranking first in mathe- matics. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and three years later re- ceived the degree of M. A. After his graduation he engaged in teaching and soon acquired a reputation as a superior teacher of mathematics. For thirty-five years he has been teaching continuously in the educational institutions of the State of New York. He taught in the seminaries at Fairfield, Oneida, Whitestown and in Cook Academy at Havana, N. Y. (now Montour Falls). While at the latter place he was appointed examiner of mathematics and science in the New York State Board of Regents at Albany, N. Y., which position he still holds. Professor Ellis is a mem- ber of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. February 5, 1863, he married Philena J. Knox of Knoxboro, Oneida county, N. Y. They have had three children, Mary, now on the staff of the New York State Library, J. William, a lawyer in Buffalo, and Clara.

Dwight, Harvey Lyman, son of Harvey A. and Mary I. (Burton) Dwight, was born in Albany. N. Y., September 14, 1871. He is descended from an old line of ancestors. the first of whom in this country being one of the settlers of Dedham, Mass., in 1634. Mr. Dwight received his education in the Albany Academy and was graduated from that institution in 1888. He then entered into business with his father at No. 117 Pier, Albany, where he is now employed. December 5, 1889, he enlisted in Co. A, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y., and so well did he acquit himself as a soldier, that he was very rapidly promoted. December 2, 1891, he was appointed a a corporal; Janvary 25, 1892, a sergeant; and on June 5, 1893, he was appointed ad- jutant of the Tenth Battalion.

Van Antwerp, Daniel Lewis, son of William and Sarah (Meadon) Van Antwerp (see sketch of John Henry Van Antwerp for genealogy), was born in Albany, Octo- ber 6, 1826, and received a public school and academic education. He learned the trade of bookbinder with A. L. Harrison, who had established himself in Albany about 1843, and whom Mr. Van Antwerp succeeded in 1852. This is one of the old- est, as well as one of the best equipped bookbinding and blank book manufacturing

establishments in the city, and under Mr. Van Antwerp's able management has en- joyed a prosperous career. The business for many years has been located at No. 16 James street, where a large trade in all kinds of mercantile and other stationery is conducted and where printing and engraving are also done.

Angus, Charles H., son of Charles and Mary (Pearl) Angus, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1868. He attended the Albany public and High Schools and learned the carpenter trade with the firm of Gick & Sayles, with whom he remained five years. In 1888 he entered the employ of the Albany Venetian Blind Co. as superintendent and manager, and soon after became a stockholder. In 1889, however, owing to the pressure of personal business, he sold his interest in the latter business and confined his attention to overhauling property at Castleton, N. Y. In October, 1890, Mr. Angus bought from the estate of E. S. Foster, the nickel plating works established in 1884 by George F. Dodge, and located on Pleasant street. In 1894 Mr. Angus moved the plant to Nos. 317 and 319, North Pearl street and changed the name to the Albany Nickel Plating and Manufacturing Works, where he does a general foundry, machine and plating business, and manufacturing hardware specialties. August 26, 1889, he married Phoebe M. Vose of Albany, and they have one daughter, Helen.

Sabin, Charles H., was born in Williamstown, Mass., August 24, 1868. His father was Thomas Sabin, and his mother, Cordelia Eldridge, was the daughter of Col. Reu- ben E. Eldridge. The Sabins were early settlers in America, the first coming to America early in the seventeenth century. Charles H. Sabin received his education at Grey- lock Institute in South Williamstown, Mass., and in 1886 removed to Albany, N. Y. For two and one-half years he was employed in the office of Henry Russell, flour merchant, and for the two years and one-half following, held a clerkship in the National Commercial Bank. He left the latter institution to accept the position of teller in the Park Bank of Albany, which place he filled for five years, and on February 1, 1895, he was appointed cashier of the bank. At the time of his appoint- ment he was the youngest cashier in New York State. Mr. Sabin has been prom- inently identified with the Ridgefield Athletic Club as treasurer for four years and as captain of the foot ball eleven. He is a member of the Young Men's Association and has been its treasurer for three years; he is also a member of the Fort Orange Club and of the Old Guard, Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y.

Allen, Gen. D. Frank, is the son of William and Catharine (Wadleigh) Allen, and was born in Boston, Mass., December 25, 1843. He is a descendant of English an- cestors who took part in the founding of the government of the United States. He lived and worked on a farm until 1860, when he moved to New York and obtained employment in the house of Elias Howe, the first manufacturer of the sewing ma- chine, where he was second operator at the time of the breaking out of the war. General Allen enlisted in New York city and on April 27, 1861, was mustered for two years as a private in Co. G, 10th Regt. National Zouaves. He served his time and was discharged May 6, 1863, disabled by a broken down constitution. He was in the engagement at Big Bethel and took part in the defence of Fortress Monroe, during the battle of the Merrimac and Monitor. He was on the expedition from Fortress Monroe to Norfolk, Va., took an active part in the famous Seven Days' battle in Porter's Corps to the final battle at Malvern Hill, and fought at the battles

of Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. In 1863 he removed to Albany and entered the pharmacy of Dr. Aaron Griffin and subsequently acquired the possession of it. He remained there twelve years, when having sold out, he went into the employ of Judson, Parsons & Haskell, dealers in spices, and was with them five years, when the company went out of existence, suc- ceeded by Stephen H. Parsons. After two years spent in the packing department of Maurice E. Viele's hardware store, Mr. Allen went back to the employ of Stephen. H. Parsons, with whom he remained until May, 1895, when he was appointed as- sistant adjutant-general of the department of G. A. R., and in May, 1896, he was appointed acting assistant quartermaster-general of the department of N. Y. G. A. R. During Albert C. Judson's incumbency of the office of county clerk, Mr. Allen was a clerk in his office. He has been a member of Lew Benedict Post, No. 5, G. A. R., since 1884 and has passed all the chairs, being now past commander. He is a member and past grand of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F. In 1864 he married Mary E. Reynolds and they have nine children.

Daring, Stephen J., son of Henry and Catharine M. (Beller) Daring, was born in the town of Wright, Schoharie county, September 15, 1862. He is of German descent, his great-grandfather having settled in Schoharie county shortly after the Revolu- tion. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Albany Normal School in 1883. After graduation he taught school for two years at his native place and was for four years the principal of public schools at Stuyvesant, Columbia county. In 1890 he began the study of law with Thorne & Beekman, at Middle- burg, Schoharie county. Subsequently he took the course at the Albany Law School and was graduated from that institution in 1893. Since then he has prac- ticed law in Albany and has his residence at Voorheesville, Albany county. In 1895 he formed a copartnership with N. B. Spalding, the firm name being Spalding & Daring. Mr. Daring is a member of Vorheesville Lodge No. 668, I. O. O. F. June 13, 1893, he married M. May, daughter of Charles G. Clow, of Stuyvesant, and they have one son.

Garvin, Martin L. R., son of Martin and Mary (Harvey) Garvin, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, December 26, 1856. His father was of Irish descent and his mother of New England ancestry. Mr. Garvin was educated in the com- mon schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he moved to Schenectady, N. Y., and took a course in Professor Bennett's Business In- stitute, afterward becoming associated with Professor Bennett in conducting the Institute, having charge of the bookkeeping department. In 1881 he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he obtained a position with E. J. Larrabee & Co., bakers, oc- cupying successively the positions of shipping clerk, foreman and salesman, re- maining with them nine years. Subsequently he was salesman for Squire, Sherry & Galusha of Troy, N. Y., and later had the State agency for Barlow Brothers, print- ers and publishers, of Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1894 Mr. Garvin was made assistant manager of the Albany Terminal Warehouse Company and recently he was elected manager. He is an elder and deacon in the Sixth Presbyterian church of Albany and is a member of the board of managers of the Albany City Tract and Missionary Society. March 16, 1881, he married Rebecca Hogan of Troy and they have one son, Elmer B.

Swett, Dr. Joseph B., jr., son of Joseph B. and Emily C. (Gilson) Swett, was born in Brookline, N. H., March 5, 1865. He is descended from John Swett, who in 1642 came from Oxton, Devonshire county, England, and settled in Newbury, Mass., and who was also a grantee of the town of Newbury. Captain Benjamin, son of John, was killed in 1677, in the French and Indian war at Scarborough, Maine. Joseph Swett, grandson of Benjamin, settled in Marblehead, Mass., and was the first to en- gage in foreign trade and laid the foundation of the great commercial prosperity which Marblehead enjoyed before the Revolution. His son Samuel married Anna Woodbury, niece and adopted daughter of Rev. John Barnard in 1716, and their son Samuel was also engaged in foreign trade. His son, Henry Jackson Swett, a ven- erable citizen of Marblehead, was the grandfather of Dr. Joseph B. Swett, jr. The doctor attended Cushing Academy at Ashburnham, Mass., and graduated from there in 1890. He then attended the Albany Medical College from which he graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of M. D. Since then he has practiced in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., and Co. B, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y. He is also instructor in Obstetrics at the Albany Medical College and attending physician at the Albany City Hospital Dispensary and to the Dispensary of the Albany City Mission.

Blessing, Adam J., M. D., was born in Mckownsville, Albany county, N. Y., September 5, 1864. He is a son of Martin M. Blessing and Elizabeth Mckown, daughter of John McKown, who was one of the first settlers of Mckownsville. The place was named Mckownsville in his honor. Dr. Blessing passed through the public schools of Albany and attended the Albany High School for three years. He thereupon commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Vander Veer and in 1886 received his diploma from the Albany Medical College, together with an appoint- ment to St. Peter's Hospital. He served one year at the hospital and immediately commenced the practice of medicine, with office at No. 114 Grand street, where he is now located. Dr. Blessing is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, the Albany County Medical Society, Clinton Lodge I. O. O. F., Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., and Temple Chapter R. A. M. April 5, 1893, he married Lillian R., daughter of John L. Staats, and they have one son, A. Vander Veer.

Wadsworth, Paul, was born in Auburn, N. Y., June 13, 1854. His parents came from New England and he is descended from Christopher Wadsworth who landed at Duxbury, Mass., in 1630 and to whom was given by Miles Standish one of the first deeds executed by him, which now hangs in Plymouth Hall. The Wadsworth fam- ily is very prominent in New England history and Paul Wadsworth, the subject of this sketch, is a direct descendant of Captain Samuel Wadsworth, who with his com- pany of one hundred men, was massacred by Indians at Sudbury, Mass. Mr. Wads- worth received an academic education at the Auburn Academy and Geneva High School and in 1868 he entered the telegraph service at Saratoga, N. Y. He held the positions of operator and manager at different places in the State until the fall of 1871, when he entered the service of the D). & H. C. Co., as operator at Cooperstown Junction, N. Y., from which point he was transferred to Binghamton, N. Y., as op- erator and ticket agent, and when the division superintendent's office was moved to Oneonta in 1873, Mr. Wadsworth was given the position of train dispatcher. He was made local freight agent at Albany, N. Y., in 1877 and remained at this post for

thirteen years when he was appointed assistant general freight agent and a few years later general freight agent, which position he now holds. In point of service Mr. Wadsworth is one of the oldest employees in the railroad department of the company. He held the position of president of the General Freight Agents Associa- tion of New England for one year and was also secretary for the same term. He is a member of a number of traffic organizations and his name appears upon important committees of same. Mr. Wadsworth is also a member and trustee of the Fourth Presbyterian church of Albany and is actively identified in church and Sunday school work. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Transportation Club of New York, and Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., of Albany. In 1876 he married Susie Walker of Pittsburgh, Pa., and they have one son and two daughters.

Phisterer, Frederick, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 11, 1836. He enjoyed a liberal education in the high schools of his native country and while pre- paring for a course of law study at the University' in Tübingen, emigrated to the United States in May, 1855. He joined Co. A, 3d U. S. Artillery, as a private on December 6, 1855; was promoted corporal October 12, 1858; sergeant, July 10, 1860, and was honorably discharged December 6, 1860. He was appointed sergeant major Eighteenth United States Infantry, July 31, 1861; promoted second lieutenant October 30, 1861 ; first lieutenant February 27, 1862; captain February 15, 1866; trans- ferred to 36th U. S. Infantry July 28, 1866; transferred to 7th U. S. Infantry March 3, 1869, and was honorably discharged at his own request. August 4, 1870, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for special service at the battle of Stone River, Tenn., December 31, 1862, received brevets for the battles of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Resaca, Ga. His service in the National Guard began as captain of the Gov- ernor's Guard Ohio National Guard, August 27, 1877, from which position he re- signed January 27, 1879. He was appointed acting assistant adjutant-general of New York January 1, 1880, and assistant adjutant-general November 22, 1892.

Norton, David J., son of David and Catharine (Putnam) Norton, was born in the town of Buel, Montgomery county, August 12, 1832. The first Norton who came to America, landed at Martha's Vineyard during the early settlements in the sixteenth century. He subsequently moved into Connecticut, where he became a large land owner. Some of his descendants are now living in the town of Hebron, Conn. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a sharpshooter in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the Indians and later was imprisoned by the British. Toward the latter part of the war he was exchanged. For eight or ten consecutive terms he was a member of the Connecticut Assembly. David J. Norton was educated at the district schools and completed the course at the Cherry Valley Academy, after which he taught school in Schoharie county, N. Y., and in Illinois. He returned East and after practicing law for a few years, was admitted to the bar in February, 1866, while residing at Sharon Springs. Soon after he moved to Albany, N. Y., and practiced law with ex-judge Voorhees. This partnership was dissolved after a time and another formed with William F. Beutler, which continued until Mr. Beutler was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany county. Since then Mr. Norton has practiced alone. He has traveled extensively and is a writer of great merit. He is the author of " Enid," an opera given in Albany by the Albany Opera Company. He has also written many very entertaining stories for Frank Leslie's and

other papers and magazines, He represented the Sixteenth ward on the board of supervisors for one term and was alderman from the Fourteenth ward for two terms. and while serving as alderman was chosen one of the members of the Committee of AAlbany's bi-centennial celebration in 1887. He was also a member of Beverwyck Lodge 1. O. O. F. November 10, 1863, he married Almira Voorhees and they have two daughters: May and Margaret B.

Walters, Charles, was born at the Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, Albany county, in 1845. He is a son of the late William Walters, captain and ordnance storekeeper, U. S. A., who died at New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, New York harbor, in 1864, whilst on duty at that station. Mr. Walters now occupies the position of chief clerk at the Arsenal; he is an unpretentious citizen, taking no active part in the affairs of the city of Watervliet, where he now resides. He entered the service of the government in 1861, and in 1870 came to Watervliet Arsenal to his present posi- tion, succeeding Isaac I. Fonda, deceased, late of Watervliet.

Wight, Edward, was born in Belfast, Me., in 1835, and is a son of Samuel Wight, a captain of merchant ships, who died at sea. Mr. Wight was twenty-one years of age when he became a resident of West Troy. He has been one of the leading grocery dealers of West Troy for nearly half a century. His first grocery and market was located on Canal street, and is now at Twenty-third street, dealing in hay, grain and cordage, besides the grocery business, and is very successful.

Reiley, Patrick, came to West Troy when twelve years of age, and is one of the older citizens of this city. He has always resided in the same block, and has conducted a grocery store here for forty-nine years. He has led an active political life and is now postmaster. Among the many public offices he has held are school trustee, village trustee, supervisor, overseer of the poor, and many others. Mr. Reiley was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1822, coming to America when seven years of age, and settling in Troy. He has served thirty-six years as treasurer of St. Patrick's church, and forty-two years as trustee.

Hart, John W., has been lifelong resident of West Troy, coming here in 1849 from County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was born in 1842. His father, Patrick Hart, now dead, was street commissioner here from 1869-70. Mr. Hart was educated at St. Patrick's parochial school, and first peddled papers, learning the cooper's trade later, at which he worked for fifteen years. He entered the baking business, in which he is so successfully engaged, in 1892. Mr. Hart has always been interested in the local affairs of West Troy, and served his fellowmen in many offices of trust and honor. His first office was that of village trustee from the Fourth ward in 1867-70. He was village collector in 1878, and chambertain in 1879, being the first one to hold that office, as the office of treasurer was abolished. He held that office from 1879 to 1885 inclusive, then resigned to take that of county sheriff for three years.

Haswell, John L., is the only son of the late Joseph M. Haswell, who died Janu- ary 6. 1872. J. M. Haswell came to West Troy from Waterford, Saratoga county, and took a prominent place in business. He was largely interested in lumber, being the senior member of the firm of Haswell & Mosher, and at the time of his death was president of the West Troy National Bank. J. L. Haswell was born at West Troy, January 1, 1866. He is not at present engaged in any active business, but has large real estate interests in the West.

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Hudson, Charles D., born in Troy, N. Y., August 26, 1853, is a son of Daniel Hudson, who married Mary A. Henry, of Schenectady, N. Y., and who moved in 1837 from Schoharie county to Troy, where he lived to the time of his death. Mr. Hudson was educated in the common schools of Troy, but when a young man went to work in his father's box factory and afterwards in the Manufacturers' National Bank. He subsequently accepted a position as shipper in a collar factory, keeping up his studies as best he could. In 1868 he entered the law office of Smith, Welling- ton & Black of Troy, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He at once commenced practice in the village of West Troy (now the city of Watervliet), Albany county, where he has been ever since, occupying the same office. He has been reasonably successful, having in both Rensselaer and Albany counties been engaged in some important litigations involving large amounts of property. He has conducted a general law business but has given special attention to the preparation and trial of causes. He is a Democrat in politics, but never held office. Having a taste for literature, he has written and published articles on historical and other subjects. He was married in Troy to Ruth M. Hudson and has one daughter, Mabel R. He is a member of the Watervliet Club and an attendant of the First Avenue M. E. church.

Scott, Jacob C. E., is of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent, his great-great-grand- father, John Scott, of New York, being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John, son of the latter, 1762-1817, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, married Deborah, daughter of Jacob Klock and settled in Coeymans. Jacob Scott, son of the last John, was a resident of Albany, born 1793, died 1877, and served in the war of 1812. He married Susan Varian Smith, cousin of Isaac L. Varian, mayor of New York and State senator. William J. Scott, son of Jacob, was born in New Balti- more, N. Y., in 1817, and has spent his active life in Albany as a gun manufac- turer and dealer, of the old firm of W. J. & R. H. Scott. He was for many years prominent in Democratic politics and was foreman of Steamer No. 11. of the Volun- teer Fire Department. He married Martha Jane Waters, who died in 1880, leaving six children who survive her. Jacob C. E. Scott, son of William J., born in Albany, January 13, 1865, was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884, spent some time at Cornell University and finally entered the employ of the Morning Express, becoming successively reporter, exchange editior, editor of the Sunday edition and assistant associate editor. While discharging these duties he attended the Albany Law School, registering as a law student with Hon. John C. Nott, and received the degree of LL. B. in 1889. He spent one year as law reporter on the Albany Argus and in 1890 became private secretary and chief clerk to Mayor Manning, which posi- tion he held four years. In 1892 he also began the practice of law and since 1894 has given his whole time to his profession. In 1894 he was appointed a police commis- sioner and has since been the secretary of the Board of Police. He was president of the Albany High School Alumni Association in 1895-96. In 1891 he married Irene, daughter of John Weller Embler, of Walden, Orange county.

Hessberg, Albert, was born December 13, 1856, in Albany, where his parents, Simon and Hannah Hessberg, settled in 1845, coming here from Germany. His father, a retired shoe merchant, is still living at the age of seventy-three. Mr. Hess- berg on finishing his academical course at the High School, entered the law office of Peckham & Tremain, the firm consisting of Hon. Rufus W. Peckham, Hon. Lyman f

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 83

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