Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 14

Author: Anderson, George Baker
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

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GEORGE B. ANDERSON.

GEORGE BAKER ANDERSON of Troy, N. Y., was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., April 2. 1866, and is the second son and youngest child of Dr. John K. and Catharine S. Anderson. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were soldiers in the Continen- tal army m the War of the Revolution. On his mother's side he is descended from Sir Godfrey Selinhe, a German baron, whose sons emigrated to this country about the year 1700, one of whom became one of the pioneers of Saratoga county, N. Y.

George B. Anderson was educated by his father and in the common schools of AAmsterdam and Fultonville. N. Y. At the age of fifteen he began teaching school, which vocation he followed for five years. In 1884 he became a reporter on the Am- sterdam, N. Y., Daily Democrat. In 1887 he accepted a similar position on the Albany Evening Journal, subsequently becoming connected with the Albany Express and Albany Argus. While serving in an editorial capacity on the latter paper he was also for two years a representative of the New York State Associated Press at the Capitol, and represented several other papers in the State Legislature. In the fall of 1891 he became editor of the Ballston Spa, N. Y., Daily News, and in July, 1893, removed to Troy to become an editorial writer on the Troy Press, which posi- tion he has since filled.

Ile has been a frequent contributor of special articles to leading newspapers, and is the author of a member of short stories. He is also the editor-in-chief 'of " Land- marks of Rensselaer County," and has written a historical novel dealing principally with the first attempt to assassinate President Lincoln, which will soon be published. In March, 1896, he founded the Morning Star, a daily newspaper in the city of Troy,

GEORGE B. ANDERSON.

GARDNER RAND.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

but suspended publication a few weeks later, convinced that there was no demand for a morning paper in that city. In 1896 he was elected to active membership in the Troy Scientific association. June 20, 1891, he married Mazie A. Harrison of Ball- ston Spa, N. Y.

GIDEON REYNOLDS.

GIDEON REYNOLDS was born in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, N. Y., August 9. 1818, and died at his home in Hoosick July 13, 1896. Ile was the only son of Thomas and Waity Reynolds, natives of Westerly, R. I Subsequently the family settled in Petersburgh. In 1836 the family moved to Hoosick and occupied the Reynolds homestead, where the son Gideon had since resided. Thomas Reynolds died there February 12, 1851. Gideon carly displayed an aptitude in educational matters and look every opportunity for advancement. His carly educational training was re- ceived in the district schools in that vicinity and later in the public schools at Ben- nington, Vt. Ile was a teacher in the district schools for a few years and soon after- ward became prominent in political circles. In 1838 he was elected to the State Legisla- ture by the Whigs. In 1813 he was chosen sheriff of Rensselaer county and served one term. He was elected to Congress in the fall of 1846 and was re-elected for an- other term in 1818. At the close of his second term he was satisfied to retire for a time to private life. On August 29, 1862, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln internal revenue collector of the fifteenth district, He served in that capace- ity for two years, when he resigned. He was a delegate to the Fremont convention in 1856, and also the Chicago convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln for president. He was a Whig until the Republican party was organized in 1856, when he became a Republican and continued such until 1867, when he changed to a Demo- crat. January 16, 1845, he married Julia, daughter of Josiah and Phebe Warren Richmond of Potter Hill. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are liv- ing. His wife died in 1890. The surviving children are Josiah G. Reynolds of Mar. quette, Mich., Marcus T. Reynolds, of North Adams, Mass ; Olin. the youngest. who lesiles at the homestead, and Annie E. Reynolds, who also lives at Hoosick. Falls

GARDNER RAND.

GARDNER RAND was born in Troy, N. Y., and is the only surviving son of Gardner Wheeler and Deborah (Van Cott) Rand, who were for many years well known resi- dents of Troy. Gardner Wheeler Rand, a native of New England, settled in Troy in 1818 and died there in 1869; he learned the trade of blacksmith, became a promi- nent manufacturer and was the owner of large blocks of real estate, including Rand's Opera House, which he built in 1853; he was for many years a trustee of the First Baptist church of Troy, and throughout a long and useful life retained universal re- spect and confidence. His wife, a daughter of Daniel Van Cott, of Troy, died in 1865; they had two sons: John, who died in infancy, and Gardner.

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Gardner Rand was educated in the Troy publie schools and academy, and for sev- eral years held a position as bookkeeper and cashier in the dry goods store of George Bristol & Co. Subsequently he became a clerk and afterwards paying teller in the Commercial Bank of Troy, where he acquired those thorough business habits which have characterized his life. He remained there until the bank went out of business, when he became connected with the Bank of Troy where he remained until it was formed into the United National Bank, when he retired, and since then has devoted his time and energies to the care of his large property interests.

Among his real estate holdings are Rand's Opera House and block, Rand's Con- cert Hall and a number of valuable corner blocks and lots. His handsome brown stone dwelling at Nos. 126 and 198 Second street was built by him in 1886 on the site formerly owned by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Van Cott. Mr. Rand is a pub- lie spirited citizen and has always taken a deep interest in the prosperity and ad- vancement of his native city. Ile is a trustee of the First Presbyterian church and a life member of Mount Zion Lodge No. 311, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. 48, K. A. M., Bloss Commeil No. 14, R. & S. M., and Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T.

In 1856 he was married to Miss Ellen M., daughter of Henry Young, of South Williamstown, Mass. They had four children; the oldest, Ellen Gertrude, died in 1868; the three surviving children are Mand, Estelle and Harry Gardner,

WILLIAM E. HAGAN.

WILLIAM E. HAGAN, son of Joseph and Sarah (Collins) Hagan, was born in Troy, N. Y., November 24, 1826. His father was a well known merchant and later a resi- dent of New York city.

William E. Hagan was educated at the Troy Academy and in 1843 entered the employ of Charles Heimstreet, a manufacturing chemist. Upon attaining his major- ity he began the study of chemistry and medicine in New York, where he finally became a clerk for A. B. Sands & Co. Returning to Troy he became, in 1851, a partner of his old employer, under the firm name of C. Heimstreet & Co. and on the death of Mr. Heinstreet succeeded to their drug business, which he finally sold to A. M. Knowlson.

lle was largely interested in raising the 2d Regt., 125th Regt. and the 169th Regt. N. Y. Vols. Ile was appointed honorary director of the State Sanitary Commission.

In Jannary, 1859, the attention of Mr. Hagan, Arba Read John A. Griswold and Hannibal Green was drawn to the necessity of a steam fire engine for the city of Troy, and its proper construction for practical use. Mr. Ilagan was one of the com- mittee who really designed the first successful steam fire engine built in the United States-the well known Arba Read; with him on this committee were N. B. Starbuck and 1. L. Southwick.

In 1865 he opened an office in New York and acted largely as an Expert in me- chanies and chemistry as applied to the arts. In 1874 he opened an office in Troy. Ilaving devoted much study to the subject of handwriting, his opinion as an Expert has been often called for in court in many important cases of this kind in the United States, notably in the Cadel Whittaker case at West Point, the Morey letter case in-

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

volving the forgery of Garfield's name, the Callagan, David Holt, Gordon and many other will cases, etc. As an Expert in handwriting he is well known throughout the country, and he has had greater experience in this line of study than any other man living. He has written many papers on scientific subjects and is the author of the well known work, " Hagan on Disputed Handwriting," published in 1891.

He has practically been a lifelong resident of Troy, where since 1874 he has been engaged in business as a scientific expert and soleitor of patents. He is a member of several social organizations, was formerly a member of the Troy Citizens Corps and is now and has been for ten years a member of the Troy Club.

In 1852 he married Lydia R., daughter of the late Stephen Covell, of Troy, and they have had five children, as follows: Mrs. W. B. M. Miller and Mrs. William C. Buell, of Providence, R. I., Mrs. Frederick F. Buell, of Troy, Mrs. Joseph 11. Du Barry, jr., of Philadelphia, Pa., and Frank, who died young.

JOHN PAINE.

JOHN PAINE was born in Windsor, Vt., February 12, 1793. While yet a youth of thirteen years he came with his parents to Troy, where he resided until his death. In 1809 he entered Union College and was graduated therefrom in 1811. Selecting the profession of law as a calling, he immediately began the study thereof in the office of the eminent jurist, Judge John Wells, of New York city. Upon being ad- mitted to the bar in 1811, he returned to Troy and began the practice of his pro fession with his father.

In 1836 Mr. Paine received the appointment of cashier of the Bank of Troy, when he practically abandoned a large legal practice and became a financier. Ilis great ability in financial matters had been proved long before the time when he became cashier, but subsequent events placed him at the head of the financiers of his day. One instance of his conceded financial skill may be cited: the officers of the munici- pality of Troy consulted him on all matters of finance if of sufficient consequence. Ile was at the time of his death. February 2, 1852, connected with many financial enterprises in 'Troy and elsewhere. He was recognized in all respects as a leading citizen of Troy. The public press at the time of his death bore witness to the value set upon the man and his deeds by his contemporaries.

In human affairs men seem to arise that the times call for and require. When Troy was young and needed assistance Mr. Paine espoused her interests and became deeply interested in her prosperity. As a banker bis aid was at all times extended to business enterprises that were for the welfare of Troy. With a keen eye he saw what railroad connections were for her good, and these he interested himself to bring about; in fact, in everything that Troy required, and in everything that was for her welfare he was early in devising. Indeed it was only ten days before his decease that he attended at Schenectady a meeting of the directors of the Mohawk Valley Railroad and took an active interest in its deliberations. This was a pro- jected railroad to Buffalo, and the Troy and Schenectady Railroad, built and then owned by the city of Troy, wa , to become a part of the line. Mr. Paine was known

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

at home and abroad as one of those honest, sterhng, sagacious, energetic and sub- stantial men of whom, in its early days, Troy had several.

In February, 1897, he married Eliza Ann Warren, eldest daughter of Esaias Warren of Troy. Mrs Paine ched in 1866, leaving three children: Elizabeth Homer (now Mrs. Cicero Price), Esaias (deceased), and John Wells Paine.

WILLIAM H. HOLLISTER, JR.

WILLIAM H. HOLLISTER, JR., was born in the town of Coxsackie, Greene county, N. Y., October 11, 1817; his parents were lifelong residents of the town. He was of the seventh generation from Lient. John Hollister, an officer of the English army, who came to this country in 1612 and settled in Connecticut.

William II., jr., was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools and academy of his native town until he was eighteen years of age. In 1865 he con- tinned his preparatory course for college at the Phillips Andover Academy in Massa- chusetts and subsequently at the Hudson River Institute at Claverack, N. Y. In 1800 he entered Williams College with the class of 1870, with which he was graduated. While in college he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, a Junior prize orator, and was chosen one of the editors of the Williams Quarterly; he was elected president of the Philologian Society, president of Class-day, and at gradna- tion was one of the Commencement orators, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

In 1870 he was appointed by General F. A. Walker, superintendent of the Ninth Census, to a clerkship in the Census Bureau. September 1, 1871, after resigning from the Census Bureau, he came to Troy and entered the law office of General E. F. Bull- ard; after a clerkship of three years he was admitted to the bar in September, 1871, at Binghamton, and immediately after became the partner of General Bullard in the practice of law,

In 1880 he formed a partnership with Nelson Davenport under the firm name of L'avenport & Hollister, which has now continued for over sixteen years. He has never held politied other, excepting that he served for one term of three years as school commissioner of the city of Troy, to which office he was elected in ITS. In- ing his residence in Troy he has been a member of the Second Presbyterian church and was superintendent of the Sunday school for five years, and has been president of the Board of Trustees since 1881. In 1884 he was chosen an older in that church, and in 1886 was elected a commissioner of the Presbytery of Troy to the General Assembly of the church at Minneapolis. In 1875 he was elected one of the trustees of the Troy Orphan Asylum and for nineteen years was secretary of its board. He was one of the organizers of the Troy Vocal Society and has been one of the directors and secretary for many years. Ile was one of the most active promoters of the enterprise for the establishment of a first class morning newspaper in Troy, which resulted in the publication of the Troy Record, and is also connected with the man- agement of that paper. He was one of the organizers of the Troy Young Men's Christian Association in 1895 and was one of the original directors.

October 16, 1878, he was married to Julia Frances, daughter of the late Joseph Hillman. He has one son, Joseph Hillman Hollister.

WILLIAM H. HOLLISTER, JR.

Aficar

Dephy 1896, 1

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN W. MCKNIGHT.

Hos. Jons W. M. KMaur was born in Albany, December 19, 1847. He obtained his education in the public schools, the Business College of Albany and one term at Germantown. He taught country schools for two years, and for twelve years he taught in Castleton, N. Y., where his educational and natural abilities attracted public attention to him, and drew him into polities.

He was collector, assessor and supervisor of Schodack, three thues trustee of the village of Castleton, and for twelve years a member of the School Board; he was a deputy under Sheriff Reynolds, for whom he also was clerk three years in Troy.

He next became chief clerk of the U. S. postal card agency, which office he held until 1889, when he was elected member of assembly by a majority of 1,506, the largest ever given a candidate in the district up to that time. He was re-elected in 1890. In 1892 Mr. MeKnight was appointed chief clerk at Auburn Prison, which position he filled with fidelity and efficiency for two and a half years. In December, 1895, he was again appointed chief clerk of the U. S. postal card agency, which posi- tion he at present holds.

In 1825 Mr. MeKnight married Fannie M. Schermerhorn ; they have an interesting family of four children, namely: Frank Harder, John W., Frederica Hill and Marion K. Mr. MeKnight's parents were William and Catharine (Higgins) MeKnight.

Mr. Mcknight is a prominent Mason, and is a past master of Sunnyside Lodge No. 731, F. & A. M., also Royal Arch Mason, Kinderhook Chapter, and a member of the lodge of the Knights of Pythias formerly located in Castleton. He also has been chief engineer of the Fire Department, and is in every way a broad minded and enterprising man whose support is ever heartily given to all worthy projects for the advancement of his home village, and the county. He enlisted in Co. 1, 91st N. Y. Vols., in 1863 and served in the 5th Army Corps until the close of the war.

WILLIAM HENRY FREAR.

I'm principal merchant of Troy, N. Y., is a native of Coxsackie, N. Y., and oldest of the eight children of William and Deborah A. Davis Frear. The father was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, of French Huguenot lineage, the family name having been originally spelled Frère. William Frear was taken in infancy to Can- ada and lived for several years in Quebec, where his father, Joseph, was instrumen- tal in raising the first Bethel flag in the harbor and in organizing the first Sabbath school in the city. Of the eight children of William and Deborah A. Frear four are now living -- William HI. Frear, Edwin A. Frear, Isabella D. Frear and Mrs. Martha B. Frear-Parks. The maternal ancestors of the subject of this biography were among the earliest seafaring residents of Long Island, N. Y.

The tuition of the future merchant of Troy, who was born March 29, 1811, was ob- tained in the old red school house of district No. 6, Coxsackie, of which his father was a trustee, and in the excellent academy of the place, where he spent three years. Ile was an ambitious lad, determined while yet in early boyhood to make a mark for himself in the busy world. He at first intended to fit himself for a career in the law

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or in architecture, but the current of his life was changed during a vacation in the early part of 1857 by the invitation of Barnet Gay, who kept a general store in the upper village of Coxsackie, and who asked Mr. Frear to assist him during the tem- porary absence of a clerk. Mr. Gay found his new assistant an unusually bright, quick, versatile and earnest lad, and persuaded the latter to remain, which he did for two years.

In March, 1859. John Flagg, a leading dry goods merchant of Troy, having a place of business on Fulton, near River street, in that city, offered Mr. Frear a place as salesman, and this he accepted, discharging his duties with more than credit for a period of six years, developing superior ability, winning the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact and mastering every detail of the business. Determined at last to be his own master and having saved a few hundred dollars, Mr. Frear embarked in the dry goods business in Troy in March, 1865, at his own risk, with Sylvanus Haverly as a partner, opening, March 9, a store at No. 329 River street, under the name of Haverly & Frear. His entire capital was then $2,000, which was furnished i part by his father and mother and his good wife, to the loyal and unselfish connsel of whom, and to their kind, cheerful and sustaining words and good example, Mr. Frear attributes a goodly share of his success. By dint of remarkable industry, self denial and application so incessant that it ap- proached hardship, notwithstanding that the first year's business was done on the rapidly falling market which followed the Civil war, the efforts of the new firm were rewarded with success; and although they occupied only about 1,000 square feet of floor room, their sales the first year amounted to over $100,000. This was an admirable beginning. In March, 1868, the two partners joined forces with John Flagg and removed to the store in Cannon place, which had failed under Decker & Rice, opening April 9 under the title of Flagg, Haverly & Frear, with Mr. Frear as managing partner. January 2, 1869, Mr. Haverly withdrew, the firm name changing to Flagg & Frear. October 27, 1869, Mr. Frear purchased Mr. Flagg's interest, and carried on the business onder his own name and on his sole account for twenty-five years, and with phenomenal success. During the early part of this quarter of a century Mr. Frear did all of the buying and advertising and was his own manager, as well as acting at times as bookkeeper and salesman. It is believed that during that time the business was greater in magnitude than that of any similar store many city in the world of the population of Troy. This admirable system made Frear's Bazaar a household word and well known in almost every State and Territory in the United States, from nearly one thousand post-offices of which a constant stream of mail orders find their way to the Bazaar.

Within fifteen years after Mr. Frear had taken sole charge retail cash sales had risen to over $12,000 in a single day and over $1, 200,000 in a single year. Employ- ment was given to 370 people. This is a remarkable record for an inland city, of then not more than 50,000 population. The store is much the largest in Troy, has fifty five complete live departments and is known by the name of Frear's Troy Cash Bazaar. After carrying on business under his own name for twenty-five years Mr. Frear changed the firm to William HI. Frear & Co. May 21, 1894, upon the admission of his brother, Edwin A. Frear, and his eldest son, Charles W. Frear.

At the outset of his career as a merchant Mr. Frear originated the motto which appeared m his first announcement, " Prices and perfect satisfaction guarantied or

BIOGRAPHICAL. 681

money cheerfully refunded." Mr. Frear takes far more pride in the fact that what- ever he has accomplished is due to upright dealing, striet integrity and earnest, legitimate effort, than in the abundant financial success which has attended his en- terprise. Ile is yet in the vigor of manhood, and in the full tide of success, and is in daily attendance at the large establishment which his perseverance, industry and genius have called into being.

Mr. Frear did some remarkably fine pioneer work in advertising. Ile was "nothing" with his pen or his schemes "if not original." Everybody who can remember so far back as the period from 1870 to 1880 is familiar with his original gas light openings, with military band and floral accompaniment. His trip with the original four-in-hand tally-ho dehvery wagon, sounding the praises of the Troy Bazaar with bugle from New York city to Lake George-his originating the widely- copied gift sales, his illustrations of the poem, "The Night Before Christmas," drawn about the streets, his living "Santa Claus" and living reindeer, identifying Frear with Christmas in the minds of everybody, etc., etc.

October 27, 1863, Mr. Frear married Miss Fannie M., daughter of Charles Wright, of Pownal, Vt., and of Martha M. Bradley, of Lanesboro, Mass. They have three children, Charles Wright Frear, a member of the firm of William Il. Frear & Co. ; William Bradley Frear, who recently graduated from Williams College and is now connected with the Troy Bazaar, and Edwin Henry Frear, a student at the Troy Academy.

Mr. Frear has proved his confidence in the future of the city of his adoption and his willingness to bear his share of its burdens, by the fact that he is the largest in- dividual owner of real estate in the city of Troy and is constantly adding to his hold- ings. Hle has owned since 1891 the big building known as Cannon Place, in which his business has gradually enlarged until now the buildings, occupying an area of 130 feet on Broadway and 120 on Second street, five stories and basement, are en- tirely occupied by Frear's Troy Cash Bazaar. The entire purchase price, nearly $150,000, was paid on the spot in cash. When, in 1879, the city disposed at auction of its public market, known for over fifty years as the Fulton Market, Mr. Frear purchased the valuable property. In 1878 he bought the American House, facing the market property and standing at the intersection of three of the leading thorough- fares of Troy. The hotel is now known as the Frear House. Two lots of property adjoining have since been acquired, and it is an open secret that in Mr. Frear's fer- tile mind there are plans for a grand mercantile edifice upou that site, which will be unrivaled outside of the cities of the very largest size. Mr. Frear has a fine city residence on Third street and a beautiful suburban home at the the junction of Oak- wood and Frear avenues, with grounds decorated with statuary and fountains.

While faithful in a remarkable degree to the demands of a vast business, which while having its centre in Troy spreads to neighboring States, Mr. Frear has a mind open to the refining influences of life. lle is a judicious reader of the best literature and a discriminating patron of art. His home is a choice gallery of paintings and no sale of valuable pictures is without his presence, as a connoisseur who has the eye to see and the capacity to acquire gems of art which will both enlarge and enrich his own collection.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 14

Author: Anderson, George Baker Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Anderson, George Baker
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1424