USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 11
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
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William N. Powe
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
HI. Rowe, jr., and J. P. W. Rowe. It is because of these gifts so munificent in ex- tent and philanthropie in character that Mr. Rowe is referred to as the " George W. Childs " of this section of the State
COL. WILLIAM H. ROWE, JR.
COL. WILLIAM H. ROWE, JR., is justly entitled to the reputation which he enjoys, that of one of the most popular and publie spirited young men of Troy. As a philanthropist he follows in the footsteps of his honored father, seeking at all times to do something to benefit his fellow men. He was educated in the public schools of Troy, prepared for college in the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, and entered the class of '91 in Syracuse University, and became a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity.
Since leaving the college his attention has been devoted mainly to the large merean- tile and manufacturing institutions in which his father and he are interested, in which hisconservative judgment, coupled with his keen executive ability, has been of material advantage and has given him a firm grasp of the enterprise in which he is inter- ested. Colonel Rowe is the youngest member of the board of trustees of the Syra- ense University, and he also enjoys the distinction of having been the youngest World's Fair commissioner from the United States at the great exposition at Chicago in 1893.
When Roswell P. Flower assumed the office of governor of the State of New York he appointed Mr. Rowe as assistant quartermaster-general on his staff, with rank of colonel. Colonel Rowe also holds the following offices: Treasurer W. II. Rowe & Son, New York city; treasurer of Wayside Knitting Mills, Troy, N. Y. ; secretary of Amsterdam Knitting Mills, Amsterdam, N. Y. ; a director in the Central National Bank, Troy N. Y. ; a director of the R. R. Y. M. C. A., Troy, a director of the Y. M. C. A., Troy, and a member of the advisory board of the publication for all the American colleges, "The Bachelor of Arts;" also a member of the Troy Club, and he is a 32 Mason; a trustee of the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt .; a trustee of the M. E. church at Hartford, N. Y. ; treasurer of the Office Supply Com- pany of Troy, N. Y. In 1595 he was elected national director from New York State for the Children's Home Society, which at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago received the award for the most aggressive humane movement. Within twelve years the society has placed 2,000 children in good homes.
Colonel Rowe has given a scholarship in the Syracuse University, called the "Mrs. W. 11. Rowe scholarship," in honor of his mother, and also has given a scholarship in the Troy Conference Academy called the "Lucy A. Wood Rowe Scholarship," as a memorial to his sister. Personallly Colonel Rowe is of a kind and generous nature. He gathers to himself hosts of friends in all walks of life; he is active and progressive in polities, and is recognized as one of the leading Democrats of New York. In 1894 he was prominently mentioned as the Democratie candidate for mayor of Troy, but he would not allow his friends to carry his name before the nominating convention. As a public speaker Colonel Rowe possesses the qualities of those who by the matchless gift of eloquence are orators of the highest rank. His
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
brilliant addresses receive the richest praise and have already won for him most worthy fame. Active in society, prominent in business circles and successful in whatever he undertakes, he is a representative of a splendid type of manhood, of which Troy may justly feel proud,
EDGAR LYND.
EDGAR LYND was born in Poestenkill, October 31, 1818. Archelans Lynd, his great-grandfather, was a native of England and one of three brothers who came to America about 1750; he settled in or near Albany. He was given the use of 300 acres of land for two years in what is now Poestenkill by the Van Rensselaers, in order to open that section of territory and to assist in colonizing it. Ilis first clear- ing was made about 1955 on the site of the Lynd Cemetery, which he founded in 1762, and where now stands a large and elegant monument dedicated to him. After ten years he paid a nominal rent. He was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, Hle reared four sons, John, Leonard, Archelaus, and the fourth was killed when a young man at a house-raising in Albany.
Archelaus (2d), grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Poestenkill, and was a farmer all his life. His wife was Rosetta Ives, They reared seven sons and seven daughters.
Leonard Lynd, the father of Edgar, was the youngest of fourteen children men- tioned above. He was born in Poestenkill, February 15, 1816. He began his busi- ness life when seventeen at farm work at eight dollars a month. He later purchased a team of horses and engaged in teaming, Imbering, coal hauling, etc. Ile soon after began lumbering on his own account, at which he made a success, and also en- gaged in buying and selling cattle and other stock, and later bought and sold farms and timber lands. He first ran the Union hotel in Poestenkill for two years. He was originally a Democrat, but has been a Republican since the formation of that party. Ile served nine terms as supervisor and was the Republican nominee for sheriff. He is a member of King Solomon Lodge. F. & A. M. His first wife was Anges Whyland, daughter of Jacob Whyland; they reared two children . Albert (deceased) and Edgar. His second wife was Estena Bront, of Schodack.
Edgar Lynd received his education at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute and Me- chanieville Academy, Up to 1876 he remained at home assisting his father. That year he removed to Troy and embarked in the grocery and feed business. In the years 1879 and 1880 he was the Republican supervisor for the Second ward of Troy. In 1884 he returned to the homestead, the better to assist and transact business for his father, He took an active interest in building the Troy and New England Elec- trie Railway, of which he is a heavy stockholder; he was one of the first board of directors of that road, which office he filled from 1891 to 1895.
HIe is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. 48, Bloss Council No. 14, Apollo Commandery No. 15, Oriental Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Poestenkill Lodge No. 704, I. O. O. F., Premium Lodge Knights of Pythias, and Pafraets Dael Club of Troy.
EDGAR LYND.
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GILBERT GEER, JR.
653
BIOGRAPHICAL.
In 1870 he married Ella E. Neilson, of Mechanieville, a daughter of La Fayette and Rose Neilson; to them were born two children, Leonard E. and Rosalie Agnes, wife of R. V. Tompkins, of Mechanicville.
GILBERT GEER, JR.
GILBERT GRER, JR., was born in the city of Troy, N. Y., May 8, 1827; he descended from George Geer, a native of Hevitree, England, where he was born in 1621; he came to Salem, Mass., in his fourteenth year; there he formed the acquaintance of Robert Allyn and with him in 1637 removed to New London county, Con., and was one of the original settlers of the town of Groton ; he married Allyn's eldest dangh- ter, Sarah, in 1650. Richard Geer, the grandfather of Gilbert, jr., was the great- grandson of the original George and was born at Groton (now Ledyard) in 1753; he removed to Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1811, and in company with his son Erastus bought a large tract of land from Major Douglass, where he died in 1835.
Richard was in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner the latter part of his life. Gilbert was born in 1795 and was less than seventeen years of age when war was declared against England in 1812, but afterwards in ISHA, both he and his brother were members of Capt. George R. Davis's company and took part in the famous campaign under Gen. Gilbert Eddy.
Gilbert Geer married Audria Spencer of Arlington, Vt., in 1822. Ile had learned the carpenter trade and with his brother and brother in law, Benjamin Gibbs. The Quaker meeting honse in Pittstown was built by him and his brother more than seventy years ago.
In 1826 Gilbert Geer moved his family to Troy; he had two children, Erastus and Huldah, the eldest born in January, 1821; he bought a double house located on the east side of North Second street directly, north of the corner of Grand Division street ; here Gilbert Geer, jr., was born. In 1829 he built a large frame house, No. 13 Fed- eral street, directly opposite the North Market; here he resided until 1838, and it was in this house that Mary F., Charles Henry and George S. Giver were born. Ile the in Waterford i April, 1842.
Gilbert Geer, jr., spent his boyhood days in the Fourth ward; he early went to school to James Parks, who kept a select school for boys at No. 108 Fourth street. In 1839 he went to Lanesboro, Mass., to N. P. Talcott's boarding school, where he re- mained until Mr. Talcott's death ; afterwards he went to Greylock at Sonth Williams- town, Mass., where he remamed two years. He married, in the fall of 1849, Frances Adaline Mosher, and opened a retail grocery store on the corner north of the Fulton Market: in 1854 he was in the manufacture of stoves in company with his brothers, and in 1858 went into the insurance and real estate business over the Market Bank on River street, and removed to the Mansion House block, where he continned until his death. He possessed excellent traits of character, was everybody's friend and the most companionable of men; in illustrations he was most apt and his jokes were always new and to the point.
Gilbert Geer, jr., like his father, when a young man was initiated into the Masonic
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
order and was very prominent its councils; was past master of King Solomon's Lodge and a Knight Templar. Ile cast his first vote for General Taylor in 1848 and sup- ported the Whig party until 1856, when he transferred his allegiance to the Repub- lican party, of which he was a devoted and active member. He served the Third ward of the city of Troy for two terms in the School Board and for nine years follow- ing represented his ward in the Board of Aldermen, of which he was the leader of his party, and no more efficient or able representative the city ever had. When Senator Edward Murphy was mayor he appointed him to one of the most responsible offiees in his gift, notwithstanding he was one of his most active opponents.
Ilis business relations were very extensive; was president of the Board of Under- writers for a number of years, and secretary and treasurer of several large manufac- turing corporations in the city of Troy and vicinity, in which he had investments. He was in every sense a true citizen; he stood up for Troy and its magnificent oppor- tunities always. The Citizens Line was his favorite and he was proud of its success. Every year since Block Island in Rhode Island became a summer resort, had he made it his home during the month of August. ITis demise occurred on the 26th day of March, 1896.
George S. Geer was assistant engineer in the navy and was on the Monitor from the time she was launched until she was lost off Hatteras. He was in the same capacity on an ocean steamer after the war and plied between New York and New Orleans, and also in the South American trade. He died in Charleston, S. C., Octo- ber 9, 1892, where he was engaged as manager and superintendent of the phosphate mines for the Bradley Company of Boston, Mass.
George S. Geer had as much of the Geer in him as any of the boys; he was a chip of the old block, physically and mentally ; what he knew he could demonstrate in the most conclusive manner, and his knowledge of men and things was almost illimita- ble. As Macbeth said when he was advised of the death of his wife: " He should have died hereafter."
ALBERT C. COMSTOCK.
Hox. ALBERT C Cousrock was born in Lansingburgh, Rensselaer county, Septem- ber 20, 1815. His father, Prof. James C Comstock, who was born in Ballston Spa, N. Y., in 1819, came to Lansingburgh about 18:40, and for forty-five years was princi- pal and superintendent of the public schools of that village. Professor Comstock was for two terms, or six years, school commissioner of the Second District of Rens- selaer county, and at the time of his death in 1881 was one of the oldest and most promi- nent teachers in the State. Ile married Miss Elizabeth A. Dummer, of Waterford, N. Y., who with four daughters and one son survives him. Albert C. Comstock was educated in the public schools and academy of Lansingburgh and taught school for eighteen months, being principal of district No. 2, of that town. He read law with the late Hon. Engene Hyatt, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and began active practice in Lansingburgh on January 1, 1869. On Angust 11 of the latter year he married Mary E. Benson, of Syracuse, then principal of the Lansing burgh Grammar school, and on November 1 he formed a copartnership with his preceptor, Mr. Hyatt,
ALBERT C. COMSTOCK.
635
BIOGRAPHICAL.
which continued for twenty-four years. In 1879 he was elected on the Republican ticket member of assembly from the second Rensselaer district, and in the Legisla- ture served on the committee on cities, general laws and public education. Ile de- clined a renomination and again devoted his attention to his law practice. In 1883 he was elected State senator from the 16th senatorial district ( Rensselaer and Wash- ington counties) over Robert Hamilton, Democrat, and was a member of the judi- eiary, canal, and commerce and navigation committees. Ile was also a member of the special committee appointed by the Senate in 1885 to investigate certain public affairs in the city of New York. This was popularly known as the Gibbs committee. In 1885 he was re-elected State senator without opposition, and was chairman of the judiciary committee. lle drew and put through the Senate the resolution under which a senatorial committee was appointed to investigate the methods whereby the franchise was granted by the board of aldermen of New York city in 1884 to the Broadway Surface Railway Co. During his four years as senator he had charge of a large amount of general legislation as well as all matters pertaining to this locality. Ile was active in debate, was one of the influential and trusted leaders on the Re- publican side, and coined the popular phrase, " peanut politics." In 1887 he was a candidate before the Republican State Convention for the. nomination of comp- troller, but was defeated by Judge Lamereaux, of Ballston Spa. In 1893 he was elected surrogate of Rensselaer county over llon. James Lansing, the then ineum- bent. Mr. Comstock has been a leader and a potent factor in Rensselaer county at the bar and in polities for twenty years, and has been a delegate to many Repub- liean conventions. He was for more than fifteen years corporation attorney of the village of Lansingburgh, is a trustee of the Lansingburgh Academy, and a member of Riverside Club of that place and Pafraets Dael Club of Troy. Ile has one son, Robert B., born June 14, 1870. He is also a member of the Court House Commis- sion of this county.
JUSTUS MILLER.
Jestes Munik was born in Four Haven, Vt., November 9, 1825. His father, James Miller, of Scotch-fish parentage, came from Belfast at the age of nineteen and settled in Argyle, N. Y. His wife was Miss Anna A. Allen, who was born in Bristol, Vt .. Her grandfather was a consin of Ethan Allen and was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. James Miller was the owner of one of the first lines of canal boats on the Champlain Canal, and for many years he was engaged in the lumber business, cutting the timber in the northeast part of Castleton. Rutland county, Vt. Ile was also interested in a tannery and carried on shoemaking on a large scale for that time. Owing to too many business enterprises, he failed, but paid his debts, leaving his family poor,
Juitus Miller was educated in the common schools and learned the blacksmith trade. In 1853 he held a position with a New York house as a buyer of produce and continued with them for eleven years. In 1866 he came to Troy and engaged in the manufacture of collars and cuffs, establishing the firm of Hamlin, Miller & Co. Mr. Ilamlin's interest was purchased by Mr. Miller shortly after, and the firm of Miller &
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Wheelock was formed, which became Miller, Wheelock & Co., after having taken in Mr. E. W. Bingham. Later the firm was Miller & Bingham, and in 1884 the present firm of Miller, Hall & Hartwell was organized.
Although there have been several changes in the personnel of the firm, its founder (the subject of this record) has always retained his activity in the business. He was the first to go mito the manufacture of shirts in Troy. The firm is now one of the most extensive in this country.
Mr. Miller was one of the pioneers in this branch of business in Troy. Owing to the failure of his father in business, he began life without capital, and his subsequent success has been the outcome of untiring energy and intense application to business. Hle has always been regarded by his business associates as a man of the strictest integrity and honor, whose promise required no bond to secure its performance.
He is a director and vice-president of the Central National Bank of Troy. For many years he has been one of the leading temperance and prohibition workers of the city of Troy and adjacent portions of the State, and by his efforts much good to humanity has been accomplished. In 1892 he was the Prohibition candidate for lieutenant governor of the State. At the age of twenty-five he became a member of the Hartford (Washington county) Baptist church, and on his removal to Troy he united with the Fifth Avenue Baptist church, where he has been a deacon for several years.
Ilis first wife was Miss Eliza Brayton, daughter of Caliph Brayton of Hartford, Washington county. She died in 1864, leaving three children; two sons and one daughter; one son is still living. In 1868 he married Elizabeth E. Baucus, daughter of Geo. W. Baucus, of Schaghticoke, N. Y.
GEORGE S. EMERSON.
GEORGE SEWARD EMERSON, Troy, N. Y., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 19. 1848. His father, Charles Franklin Emerson, was born in New Hampshire, and his mother, Emma Nichols, was born in Bath, England. His parental ancestors were the earliest settlersof New Hampshire, removing from Plymouth, Mass. Mr. Emer son was educated in the public schools of Lowell, Mass., left there at the age of six- teen for Troy, N. Y., where he learned his trade, that of mason and builder. He has been in business in Troy about fifteen years and is recognized as one of Troy's most substantial and honorable citizens. Among the prominent buildings erected by him are the extensive plant of the Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Van Zandt & Jacobs's collar factory, the Waterford M. E. church, the . Etna Mills in Troy, the Cluett Memorial spire on the State Street M. E. Church, Troy, and others. Mr. Emerson has been an influential member of the Prohibition party for many years, and at one time was its candidate for mayor of the city of Troy. He is a member of Mt. Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the State Street M. E. church of Troy. Mr. Emerson married Nettie Dowd. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living: George B., Addie M. and Josie.
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GEORGE S. EMERSON.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
OTIS G. CLARK.
Ons G. CLARK was born in Rutland, Vt., November 26, 1816, the ellest son of Alanson and Elutheria Clark. His father was a builder and died in 1836 at the age of fifty years; his mother died in 1833. Ile received a common school education, and learned the trade of mason and builder.
After the death of his father he came to Troy and worked at his trade for three years, at the expiration of which time he entered into partnership with Jonathan Childs under the name of Childs & Clark. Mr. Childs died in 1845, and Mr. Clark continued the business alone until 1862 when he formed a partnership with Jesse Van Zile. Three years later Mr. Clark retired from the business.
In 1867 he was one of the organizers of the Star Knitting Company, located at Cohoes, N. Y., and was business manager of the company for twenty years. Ile is a director of the Troy and Lansingburgh Railroad; he was a director in the Central Bank of Troy for afew years until the First National Bank was organized, of which he became one of the original stockholders and was a director for twenty years, when the bank went into liquidation ; he then became a director in the newly- organized National Bank. Ile is a trustee of the Troy Orphan Asylum, and for many years was connected prominently with the Young Men's Association of Troy during its early history.
For two years he represented the Third ward in the Common Council, and also served six years as supervisor. Ile was one of the original members of the Board of Fire Commissioners, on which he served six years. Mr. Clark is now the oldest member of the Masonic order in Troy, having attained the degree of Knight Temp- lar many years ago. On the organization of the First Regiment of National Guards of New York he was made engineer of the corps of Sappers and Miners, with the rank of major, and was on the staff of Col. William T. Willard.
Ile is a member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church, being a charter member at its organization in 1843, since which time he has been a member of the board of trustees. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
In 1840 he was married to Amelia S. Bardwell of Troy who died February 11, 1895 His son, De Charles G. Clark of Troy, died in 1891. He has four sons sur- viving: George 11., Walter A., Warren G. and Jay W. Clark.
ALONZO L. JOHNSTON.
ALONZO L. JOHNSTON was born in 1835 at Hoosiek Falls, N. Y., son of Robert P. and Eliza B. (Dorr) Johnston. His school days were brought to an end when he was ten years old by the death of his father in 1845. He then went to work in the cotton factory for C. Iland and I. J. Merritt. He followed this employment until 1853, when he began to learn his trade of iron moulder with the W. A. Wood Company, where he remained for fifteen years, laboring industriously and intelligently, estab- lishing a reputation as a workman and a citizen worthy of emulation.
In 1868 he erected a building and started a general store in Hoosick Falls, which
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
enterprise is in successful operation at the present time under the management of one of his sons.
In 1880 Mr. Johnston was largely instrumental in the organization of the First National Bank of Hoosick Falls, of which institution he was made a director and later was elected vice-president. In 1891 he purchased a foundry and machine shop and formed a copartnership with James A. Noble, for the purpose of manufacturing paper mill machinery; the business has proved successful and is now in operation.
Early in life Mr. Johnston connected himself with the First Presbyterian church of Hoosick Falls and at the present time is one of its trustees. During his whole life Mr. Johnston has exhibited a praiseworthy love for his native place and has never been backward in rendering every service in his power to promote its welfare. His life record is a commendable one, an example of what honesty, industry and fru gality may accomplish when associated with an intelligent and well-behaved mind. In politics he adheres to the Republican faith, and while not aspiring to official position, has taken the active part in politics imposed by duty upon every thorough- going citizen.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1855 to Martha P. Bryant of Greenwich, N. Y.
PETER H. BUCKLEY.
PETER HI. BeckLEY was born in Ireland in 1839, and came to this country with his parents in 1852, when they settled in Troy. He obtained his education in Ireland and in the public and Christian Brothers' schools at Troy.
He learned his trade with Otis G. Clark, an old contractor and builder of Troy, and was with United States Engineer Captain Green in New York during 1859, 1860 and 1861, after which he returned to Troy. In 1863 he went into business on his own account and continued thus until 1866, when he formed a copartnership with Levi H. Button, and under the firm name of Button & Buckley continued in the contracting and building business. Twenty years later, in 1886, he took the business entirely into his own hands and has since carried it on alone.
Among the most notable buildings he has constructed are the Troy Savings Bank building, the post-office, the Troy armory, Hall's building and the collar factories of Miller, Hall & Hartwell, and numerous othersof like proportions. He is a member of the lonie and the Robert Emmet Clubs.
lle married Susan M. Tetreault, by whom he has four sons and two daughters,
. JOHN WARR.
JOHN WARR was born at Boonton Falls, N. J., in December, 1835. His father, James Warr, came to this country from England in 1820, and subsequently in asso- ciation with Mr. Hodgkins built the iron works at Boonton Falls. He married Lavina, daughter of Mr. Hodgkins. Ile was connected with iron works in many
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