Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 88

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

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Albright, Peter S., was born in New Scotland, near New Salem, on the Albright

homestead, February 8, 1821. Hendrick Albright (or Albrecht), his great-grand- father, was born in Germany in 1716 and came to America in 1740 and settled on a farm of 400 acres, which he afterward divided between his four sons. One of the farms (the homestead), now owned by Jacob Albright, brother of Peter S., has ever since been in possession of the Albright family. He (Hendrick) married Han- nah Foland in 1742, by whom he had seven children. As an instance of his aversion to the Tory element of his time, it is related that a son-in-law named Strauss joined the British army during the Revolution. At the close of the war on his return to his family he was emphatically ordered by his father-in-law to quit America, and evidently considering discretion the better part of valor, he withdrew to Canada for the remainder of his days. Hendrick erected a large store house on the homestead in 1753, which stood for over a hundred years and was finally destroyed by fire in 1894. He died in 1783, and was succeeded on the homestead by his son Jacob, who was born there in 1762, and where he spent his whole life. Jacob was twice married, first to Hannah Arnold, by whom he had three children. His second wife was Elizabeth Wheeler, by whom he had fourteen children. He died in 1829. Isaac, his son, was born in the old stone house June 11, 1797, and was married in 1820 to Sicily Simmons, daughter of Peter Simmons of Clarksville, by whom seven children have been born: Peter S., Jacob, Harriet, Sarah, Emeline, Mary and Isaac. Isaac Albright, sr., in early life united with the Reformed church of New Salem and was a faithful attendant until a few weeks before his death. Although a firm adherent of the doctrine of his own church, he was free from the bigotry common in churches vears ago, and was a firm friend of the persecuted Methodists of the early days. Following his father and grandfather, he allied himself with the Democrats and was a firm adherent to the party of his choice, casting his last vote with them. He gave to each of his sons a farm, and after a long and honorable career died January 21, 1888. Peter S. remained on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, when he and his brother Jacob took the homestead farm to work, and were later given each a farm by their father. In 1854 Mr. Albright purchased another farm of ninety acres ad- joining the homestead, on which he erected fine and large buildings, where he has ever since made his home and conducted a successful mixed husbandry. His son is now occupying one of his farms. In March, 1846, he married Catherine Ellen Hal- leubeck, who was born in Bethlehem in 1828, and was a daughter of Ephraim G. and Mary Magdelene (Bartlett) Hallenbeck. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have eight children living: Mary M. Moak, born in May, 1848; Sarah M. Jones, born in Novem- ber, 1849; Isaac S., born in July, 1852; Emeline Fowler, born in March, 1858; Rocelia Hurst, born in February, 1860; George H., born in February, 1862, died November, 1882: Catherine, born in March, 1864; Adelbert, born in March, 1871; and Cordelia Finch, born in September, 1873.

Boardman, George, born August 10, 1834, in Albany, is the son of William Boardman, a native of Wethersfield, Conn., who was supervisor of the Fourth ward of Albany for several years. George Boardman was educated at the Boys' Academy under Dr. Beck, and a: Prof. Anthony's Classical Institute, and immediately after leaving school he became a clerk in a hardware store in New York city. After two years he returned to Albany and entered the employ of N. B. Miles, a hardware dealer, and three years later became bookkeeper for Warner Brothers & Co., manufacturers of

lime and cement in Troy and Albany. Later he was engaged in mercantile business in Buffalo and subsequently in Troy until 1877. Meantime he had established, with his brother Albert. a successful wholesale tea and coffee business in Albany, and in 1877 removed hither to give it his whole attention. Afterward another brother, Frank, was admitted under the firm name of George Boardman & Brothers, which is now styled George Boardman & Brother, the junior partner, Albert, having died in 1890. They employ a number of traveling salesmen and have a large trade in the city and vicinity.

Blodgett, William, was born in Coeymans and is the son of Wolsey Blodgett, whose father settled in Coeymans at an early day and was a farmer. Wolsey Blod- gett had five sons, and died on the homestead in 1887. William Blodgett married in 1874 and in 1877 settled at Bethlehem Center, where he is a farmer and has always been prominently identified with the town affairs, being elected assessor in 1885, which office he held for three years. In 1886 he was appointed justice and at the following election was re-elected and held that office until he resigned in 1896, to take the office of supervisor of the town, which office he now holds; he was also as- sociate judge. His wife is Emma, daughter of Frederick Hungerford, and they have six sons: Burton E., Frederick, Samuel, Charles, Mosher and Arthur. Mr. Blodgett is master of the Bethlehem Grange No. 137, P. of H.

Classen, Frederick Luke, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., July 2, 1857. He is of Holland-Dutch and English descent. His grandfather, Hermann Classen, was a distinguished soldier in the German army, and after the battle of Waterloo, was by the Emperor Frederic decorated with the Iron Cross, a mark of the greatest honor. This cross descends to the oldest son of each generation and is now in the possession of Dr. Classen. Dr. Classen received his early education in the public schools and the Albany High School, after leaving which he entered the drug store of Dexter & Nelligar, and while learning pharmacy there attended the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated, receiving his degree in 1881. He immediately opened an office and began the practice of medicine. In November, 1883, he was appointed coroner's physician and held the place for three consecutive terms. Dr. Classen is a member of the New York State Medical Society and the Albany County Medical Society. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a 32º Mason. He is also a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In July, 1891, he made an ex- tended tour through Europe. Dr. Classen married Ella J. McCracken, and has one son, Philip Luke Classen.

Felter, James, was born in Rensselaerville, August 3, 1840, and is a son of Andrew, born April 27, 1808, and Jemima Felter, he born in Rensselaerville and she in West- erlo, Albany county. The grandfather was William, a son of Jacob Felter, a native of Holland who came to America before the French and Indian war and fought in that war; he died in Kingston, Ulster county. The grandfather of Mr. Felter came to Rensselaerville and took up land and there died ; his wife was Jane Joy, of Eng- lish descent, a daughter of John Joy of England, and died in Ulster county. The father was a farmer and lived in Rensselaerville. He sold his first farm and about 1853 bought the farm now owned by Mr. Felter, and died in the village of Rensse- laerville in 1894, at the age of eighty-six, and his widow now lives at Rensselaer- ville, aged eighty-two. He was supervisor for two terms, 1858 and 1859, and was

also commissioner of highways and assessor. Mr. Felter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer on the old homestead of 160 acres. In 1868 he married Mary Eckerson of Seward, Schoharie county, by whom he has one son, Charles H., born July 29, 1869, educated in the common schools, and is a farmer by occupation, and also an engineer. February 6, 1892, he married Mary Brown of Albany, and has one son, Frank, born August 18, 1893. Mrs. Felter is a daughter of William Eckerson and Jenette Miller, who lived and died in Schoharie county.

Gove, Ralph A., son of Aurelius Gove, the oldest resident of Loudonville, and one of the oldest residents of the old town of Watervliet, was born at Loudonville, July 27. 1849. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm; he attended district school No. 11 from six years of age until old enough to work. He worked on the farm in the summer and attended school in the winter until 1867, when he attended the Literary and Scientific Institution of New London, N. H. In 1868 he entered the grocery store of James Seamans of Brookline, Mass., as clerk and worked for $100 a year. In 1869 he attended Fulsom's Business College of Albany. In 1871 he opened a grocery store at Loudonville. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster and has held the office until the present date. In 1882 he was elected commissioner of high- ways for the town of Watervliet; for three years he was elected supervisor, and again in 1889, but prevented from holding office by a fraudulent vote. In 1876 he married Miss Matilda Van Vranken of Watervliet, by whom he has had two chil- dren. Florence M., born in 1877, and Ralph, born in 1888. Aurelius Gove, the oldest resident of Loudonville, was born of Quaker parents at Montpelier, Vt., March 08, 1820. His parents moved to Watervliet in 1823 and three years later to Albany, where his father engaged in the stoneware business. In 1832 they moved to Duane, Franklin county; returning in 1832 they moved to Watervliet, of which town Mr. Gove is still a resident. He was educated in the public schools in Albany and was married in 1843 to Hannah S. Everett, and has lived on the farm for fifty-two years which he purchased shortly after his marriage. Mr. Gove has taken an active part in the affairs of the town and has been for several years president of the Colonie Farmers' League, an organization which was largely instrumental in the division of the town of Watervliet, and which has done much for the good government of the new town. Mr. Gove is also well known among boatmen on the Hudson, having been for many years engaged in buying produce for the New York markets, also in bringing glucose meal from Long Island to Albany and Troy.

Hartman, Christian, was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1830. He was a son of Peter Hartman, who was one of three sons born to Peter Hartman. He was a blacksmith by trade, and his children were Christian, Peter and Henry, the two former coming to America. Peter came over in 1851 and Christian came in 1857. Mrs. Hartman died when Christian was three weeks old, and his father lived to be sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Hartman learnech and worked at the blacksmith trade with his father until he came to America. He came direct to Albany county, where he worked for three years at his trade in the railroad shops. In 1860 he re- moved to the village of Guilderland, where he established in his present location a blacksmith shop, in connection with which he later engaged in the manufacture of wagons and sleighs. He began life in a strange land with nothing but the knowl-

edge of his trade; he has been more than ordinarily successful. He owns two fine residences and has other property. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Miller, born in 1831, and daughter of Adam Miller, by whom two children have been born: Louis and John, who now conduct the business with their father. Louis is married and has one child, Della. Mr. Hartman has been trustee of the Presbyterian church in Guilderland and is now filling the office of trustee of the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Deitz, Charles E., was born in the town of Berne, July 13, 1840, the son of Isaac and Maria (Shufeldt) Deitz, son of Johan Jost A., son of Adam, who was a son of Han Henrich, a native of Switzerland. Charles E. was educated in the common schools and Schoharie Academy and taught school when he was sixteen years old. After leaving the academy in 1857 he was a clerk in the store of his brother-in-law, H. Willsey in Berne. Six years after, upon the death of Mr. Willsey, he and his father purchased the store and stock and continued the business under the name of Deitz & Son. In 1873 Charles E. purchased his father's interest and has continued the business to the present time. In 1867 he married Laura J. Ludden, a native of Virginia, daughter of Rev. A. P. and Marion Caroline (Grove) Ludden and grand- daughter of Col. John W. Grove of Virginia. They have had seven children: Stan- ton L., Rev. Archibald E., Bertha, wife of Everett L. Hevenor, Grace, Leona, Ray- mond and Marion. Stanton L. married Isabel, daughter of Jacob S. Haverly of Berne in 1895. Archibald E. married, in 1893, Carrie Secor of Rhinebeck and has one son, Vernon I. Mr. and Mrs. Deitz are members of the Lutheran church, and he is a Republican. He has been postmaster during every Republican administra- tion from Lincoln's time to the present.

Weaver, George B , was born in New York city in 1848, and was a son of Hamil- * ton Weaver, a merchant of that city and a native of Oneida county. His boyhood was passed on a farm near Deerfield, Oneida county. His education was completed at a private school in Utica ; so rapid was his progress and so complete his grasp of knowledge in detail, that immediately upon attaining legal majority he received an appointment in the State Department of Public Instruction and continued for twenty-five years in that line of work. His duties were largely classical in connec- tion with the department, and he has become very prominent and efficient in edu- cational matters in the town of Colonie where his home is situated. He has been very active in public life and recently served as assessor and upon the town Board of Education.

Baker Albert W., was born in Greene county. He is the son of John S. and grandson of Schuyler Baker, Mr. Baker's father. John moved to Westerlo in 1844. He was a farmer and died in 1877, leaving four sons: Albert, Edward, John and William. Albert, who is a miller, married Adelaide, daughter of T. S. Robbins of Westerlo, and after being a miller there for years he came to Alcove where he is in company with B. T. Briggs and carries on a general milling business.

Bradt, John Van Der Heyden, is an old and prominent landmark of Albany county, and was born in the town of Bethlehem, now New Scotland. December 26, 1821. The first Bradt dates back in America to 1632, and the first one in the town of New Scotland was Adam, the great-grandfather of John V. D. H. Bradt. He with a man named Sager walked from Albany through the woods in search of a j

location on which to build them a home; they found it in Bethlehem and Mr. Bradt staked off 5,00 aeres near where now stands the village of Jerusalem, erected him a løg house and began to clear the land to make him a home. He was a typical pioneer, a soldier in the French and Indian war, and reared two sons: Peter A. and Stoltes, between whom he divided his farm. Capt. Peter A., the grandfather of John Bradt, was born on his father's homestead in Bethlehem. When the war for independence broke out he offered his services and was captain of a train of team- sters. He afterward journeyed to New York winters during the Revolutionery war to haul government supplies to Albany; it later came upon him to transfer the Oneida Indians from Albany to Oneida, having under his charge a large number of teams and wagons loaded with Indians and supplies. He gave the land for the site of the first church built in Albany Co., called the Jerusalem church. He was twice married, his first wife was a Miss Weidman, by whom two sons were born: Adam and Garrett. His second wife was Mrs. Jane Hunderman, the widow of a Revolu- tionary soldier, who lost his life in the war, and they had one son: Henry P. He divided his farm of 250 acres between his two oldest sons, then purchased another farm of 100 acres in 1802, on which he moved the next year and there spent his re- maining days with his son Henry. He died in 1826 and his wife lived to be ninety- six years of age. Henry P., the father of John Bradt, was born in Bethlehem, Jan- uary, 1796, and was a lifelong and successful farmer and property owner. He pro- vided each of his three sons with a good farm and in 1843 purchased the Union- ville Hotel and thirty acres and placed his oldest son there. He acquired much other valuable property and was a strong and influential Democrat, but not an aspi- rant to office. He was drafted in the war of 1812 and served several months. His wife was Magdalene, daughter of John Van Der Heyden of Bethlehem, and their children were: Peter H .. Maria, John V. D. H., Jane Ann, Magdalene, William H. and Louisa K. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1863. John Bradt, grew to man- hood on his father's farm, and when twenty-six years of age, in 1847, began for himself on his Grandfather Van Der Heyden's farm, it being the will of that grand- parent that the first of his posterity to bear the name of Van Der Heyden was to have the farm. In 1845 Mr. Bradt married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Albert V. D. Z. Slingerland, and in 1867, on account of the ill health of his wife, Mr. Bradt left the homestead and purchased his present farm at Unionville, where he has ever since resided. In politics Mr. Bradt has always been a strong and active Democrat and filled the office of assessor for years. He was a member of the N. Y. State Militia, was drummer and later drum major. His brother Peter was captain in the State militia and later general; likewise was justice of the peace twelve years and justice of sessions three terms. Mr. and Mrs. Bradt adopted a daughter, Lilly B., now wife of Cornelius Vanderzee of New Scotland. Mrs. Bradt was born October 29, 1820, and died on her birthday in 1890. Since the death of his wife Mr. Bradt has had his daughter and her husband live with him to keep house and take charge of the farm.

Bailey, Asa, was born in Bethlehem in 1825 and is the son of James and grandson of Ephraim Bailey, who came from Connecticnt to Bethlehem in 1783 and settled at Becker's Corners, where he died in 1828 and left eight sons: Solomon, Amos, Reuben, James, Edmond, Smith, Ephraim and John. James had four sons: Charles, Will-

iam, Rensselaer and Asa, who still lives on the homestead where his father settled in 1836 and died in 1851. Asa Bailey has one son, Richard K., who now carries on the farm.

Brink, Levi L., was born in Wyoming county, Pa., January 11, 1845. In 1856 his parents removed to Susquehanna county where he was inured to the life of a farm lad on his father's farm until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 151st Pa. Vols. This being a short term regiment he was discharged in July, 1863, but re-en- listed in September in Co. H, 11th Pa. Vols., and served until the close of the Re bellion as second sergeant. Returning to the place of his birth he took up the trade of a general mechanic, and mastered the duties so well that in less than five years he was employed by a prominent contracting firm as foreman. Tiring of the roam- ing life of contractors, on March 1, 1883, he engaged with the motive power depart- ment of the W. S. Railroad, and on January 1, 1885, was assigned to Coeymans Junction yard as foreman of inspection and repairs, which position he still holds. He is a member of seversl fraternal orders and a liberal contributor to charitable in- stitutions, owns a fine home and is considered well to do.

Conger, Hon. Frederick W., was born in the town of Berne, July 16, 1838. His grandfather, William Conger, was born in the town of Bethlehem in 1770; he was a lifelong farmer, spending most of his life in the town of Berne, having gone thither with his parents; his wife was Margaret McKnab of New Scotland, a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, by whom he had eleven children; he died in 1840, his wife in 1855. Hugh Conger, the father of Frederick, was born on the homestead in Berne in 1804; he was a farmer and also engaged in the stone industry, owning and oper- ating his own quarries; he was prominently identified with the Republican party, filling the office of justice of the peace for several terms and justice of sessions; in 1867 and 1869 he represented his district in the State Legislature; his wife was Han- nah Ward, who was born in the town of Berne, on the farm now owned and occupied by Frederick W. Conger. Her father was Frederick Ward, who came from West- chester county, and their children were Cordelia, Jane, Mariette, Eunice, Frederick W., Manley W. and Frances M. Mr. Conger was for many years a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Frederick W. Conger attended the common schools and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two, when he began for himself on his Grandfather Ward's farm. Here he remained and cared for his grandparents in their declining years to the time of their deaths, and on this farm he has ever since resided; he not only owns this farm, but in 1891 he purchased the original Conger homestead of 112 acres; he also owns a one-third interest in his father's homestead and quarry of 117 acres. He is an extensive dealer in flagstone, known as the Helderberg blue stone ; he is also one of the Albany County Blue Stone Com- pany, doing an extensive quarrying and shipping business. Mr. Conger is a staunch and leading Democrat and for five consecutive years was elected to represent the town on the Board of Supervisors. In 1868 and '88 he represented his district in the State Legislature, in 1894 he received the nomination on his party ticket for sheriff of Albany county, and the times are numerous that he has been chosen delegate to town, Assembly and State conventions. In 1869 he married Orsavill Cole, who was born in Berne, a daughter of John and Abigail (Fisher) Cole, and they have two chil- dren, Hugh and Frank, the former being inspector of election.

Hotaling, John S., was born in Greene county in 1856 and is the son of William J. and grandson of Garret, who came from Holland. Mr. Hotaling began life working by the month on a farm and by economy and hard work, is now the owner of a fine farm near Bethlehem Center. Mr. Hotaling's wife was Viola, daughter of Henry Kulmer, of Bethlehem, and they have three sons and three daughters: J. Walter, Henry, William, Jessie, Caroline and Mary.

Littlefield, Edgar, jr., is a son of Edgar and and grandson of Abijah Littlefield, who came from Connecticut to Rensselaer county and engaged in farming. He had three sons, Alvin, Sanford and Edgar, who settled at West Troy, where he engaged in the ice business and in 1889 came to Bethlehem where he is now engaged in the ice trade and farming, being assisted by his son, Edgar, jr., who is foreman for Tilly & Littlefield. They have the largest single ice house on the river.

Main, James R., was born in Guilderland, where he now lives, September 15, 1845. He is a son of Dewitt C. Main, born in Guilderland, July 23, 1818, one of five sons and four daughters born to John B., who was born August, 1790, in Stonington, Conn .; his father was Reuben P., who was a farmer by occupation. John B., the grandfather, lived for a time in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, and in 1804 removed with his father to Plainfield, Otsego county, where they settled and worked at team- ing between that place and Albany; he later settled in the town of Guilderland where he became prosperous; he farmed on a large scale; he was an exceedingly liberal man and gave largely to those who needed his assistance; his house was al- ways open to travelers, and he and his wife were grand good people and noted widely for their hospitality; he finally died a poor man through his generosity to others, signing papers for others, the payment of which eventually fell upon him; he always concerned himself deeply in public matters and was often chosen as dele- gate to county and assembly conventions; his wife was Elizabeth Lloyd; he died when eighty-three, she three weeks later at the age of seventy-nine. Dewitt C., the father of James, was a blacksmith by trade, though devoted most of his life to farming and lived in the town of Guilderland; he was a good neighbor, an upright and honest citizen ; his first wife was Marie Riggles, born in the town of Guilderland, and daughter of Giles Riggles; their children were Charles W., James R., Shel- miar D., and Mary E. ; they were both members of the M. E. church; his second wife was Katurah Warner by whom one child was born, Ida. James R., the subject of this sketch, worked on the farm of his father and attended the common district school winters until fourteen years of age ; from that time until twenty-five he worked at home or by the month for others. He lather purchased the farm of fifty-two acres on which he was born and where he now resides. Having an active desire to acquire knowledge he let few opportunities pass; he early identified himself with the Democratic party and took keen interest in public matters; when twenty-six he was elected tax collector for the town of Guilderland, and was later elected justice, and was justice of sessions of Albany county during the years 1877 and 1878; in 1890 was elected school commissioner in the third district of Albany county and was re-elected in 1893 and is now filling that office. In 1880 he became a law clerk and student. He registered under J. H. Clute, and was admitted to the bar in 1887; since that time, in addition to his official duties and the superintending of his farm, he carries on an active law practice. Mr. Main is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth

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Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Part 88

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