Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 17

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

USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 17

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

sion he again favored the selection of Mr. Tiklen. As a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Syracuse in 1882 he first cast his vote in favor of Erastus Corning as candidate for governor, but finally cast his vote and that of his fellow- delegates from. Rensselaer county for Grover Cleveland. Mr. Murphy's was the de- cisive vote and completed Mr. Cleveland's majority in the convention. As delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1884, at Chicago, Mr. Murphy favored the nomination of Roswell P. Flower for president, and at the St. Louis convention four years later he supported Mr. Cleveland's renomination. In 1892 he was one of the four delegates-at-large from New York to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, being eleeted chairman of the delegation, where he supported the nomina- tion of David B. Hill for president, but he acquiesced loyally in the nomination of Mr. Cleveland, He was chairman of the Democratic State Committee of the State of New York from 1887 to 1895, and from that time to 1894, during his incum- beney as chairman, his party was successful in electing its candidate for State positions.

M1. Murphy was elected a member of the Common Council of the city of Troy in 1861 and served in that capacity two years. In 1874 he was chosen fire commis- sioner, serving until elected to the mayoralty. In 1875 he was elected mayor, and by re-election served three additional successive terms. He was then renominated, but positively declined to become a candidate again. Under his administration as mayor the new city hall was built at an expense of $18,000 less than was appro- priated; he gave the city a fine system of granite pavement, improved the water supply, increased the value of the eity's bonds from below par to a premium, and left the corporation with a smaller debt than any other city of its size in the United States. During his eight years as mayor he never drew his salary of $2,000 per annum for his own use, but at Christmas time distributed it among the charitable institutions of the city without distinction as to creed. At a critical moment he courageonsly came to the reseue and saved the Manufacturers' National Bank of Troy.

January 17, 1893, the New York State Legislature elected Mr. Murphy as United States senator to succeed the Hon. Frank Hiscock, and at the extra session of Con- gress in March of that year he took his seat for a full term of six years. His career in the United States Senate has been dignified, active and exemplary, and for the best interests of his party and constituents.

Early in life Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Julia, daughter of Michael Dele- hanty, a prominent citizen of Albany. They have had nine children: Mary, who died in 1894; Edward, 2d, a practicing attorney of Troy; Julia, wife of Hon. Inghi J. Grant of New York; William; John and Joseph, twins, students at Georgetown University; Jane L., Richard and Helen. Senator Murphy and his family reside, when in Troy, in their beautiful residence at No. 1819 Fifth avenue, where, besides their large circle of friends in this city, they have entertained many of the most dis- tinguished men in publie life. Personally Senator Murphy is of a courteous and kindly disposition, a stanch friend, liberal in his dealings with his fellow-men, and, above all, a man who never fails to keep his promises. These traits of character have won for him the respect of his fellow-citizens and are responsible for his rise to the distinguished position which he now oceupies.

ALBERT SMITH.

699

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ALBERT SMITH.

ALBERT SMITH, son of Hiram Sheldon and Adaline (Warren) Smith, was born No- vember 8, 1844, in Rupert, Bennington county, Vermont. His ancestors were among the early settlersof New England, the paternal branch of the family having descended from the Rev. Ilenry Smith, who left the Plymouth Colony with Thomas Hooker and was installed the first pastor of the church at Weathersfield, Conn,, in 1636. About a century later Nathaniel, his grandson, left Suffield with his family to find new homes in Vermont. Enoch, one of his sons, was one of the pioncer settlers of Rupert. His son Thaddeus was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch,

The maternal lineage of the family also originated in Massachusetts at an equally early period. Henry Warren, twenty years ago a well-known merchant of this city, an unele of Albert, was the only immediate representative of his family in Troy, most of whom are located in the west and inchide several distinguished members of the bench and bar,

Albert's boyhood was spent upon the ancestral farm, where he received the advan- tages of education in the common and select schools, supplemented by the invaluable instruction of his parents, both of whom had large experience as teachers. When his turn came to receive the liberal edneation which it was the highest ambition of his parents to give to their children, Albert pursued a preparatory course at the Seminary in Castleton, Vt., and entered Union College in the fall of 1866. His natural aptitude and previous training placed him at once in the front rank of his class. Throughout the course he was the recipient of the Dr Nott prize scholarship for general proficiency in his studies, received the first prize, a gold medal, for excel- lence in Greek, and on his graduation was appointed saltatorian and class orator. He was also a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa societies. Im- mechately after graduating he came to Troy and entered the law office of Townsends & Browne, from which he was admitted to the bar in 1872. At once opening an office he continued in practice alone until 1878, when he formed a partnership with George B. Wellington and Frank S. Black under the firm name of Smith, Wellington & Black, At the end of one year Mr. Black retired, the remaining members of the firm continuing together under the firm name of Smith & Wellington until 1887, when Henry W. Smith, the only brother of Albert, was admitted to the firm, which con- tinned, so constituted, until the death of Albert, March 25, 1893.

Mr. Smith was married September 3, 1879, to Eliza J. Haigh, daughter of Edward Haigh, a prominent woolen manufacturer of Newburgh. They had five children, two of whom, Albert Edward and Bertha M., survive.

Ile was a member of King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., of which he was master during the years 1888 and 1889; also a member of Bloss Comeil, Apollo Chapter and Apollo Commandery, of which he was captain-general at the time of his death. He belonged to no religious organization, but was a member of the congregation of the First Presbyterian church of Troy. A staunch and life-long Republican, the only political office to which he was ever elected or for which he was a candidate was that of school commissioner, which a deep interest in educational matters induced him to accept, and which he filled with ability for eight years, ending in 1890.

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In the professional career of Albert Smith, measured by its actual achievements, the casnal observer would fail to discover anything to distinguish him from many other suceessful lawyers, yet achievement is not always the true measure of great- ness. Circumstances are often a controlling factor in determining success, and separ- ate judgment must often be prononneed upon a man and his works. With no extra- neous assistance beyond the self-denial of his parents in placing within his reach the opportunities for a liberal education, he won his way to a position among the leading members of the Troy bar, Many others have been apparently as successful in their profession who would by no means be accorded equal rank by those capable of mak- ing a just estimate of men, and many others have won far higher distinction at the bar and on the bench possessing no greater qualifications nor higher attainments. lle was a man of strong intellect, fine sensibilities and a will that never faltered in the accomplishment of a worthy purpose. His reasoning faculties, well trained, subjected everything which claimed attention to rigid analysis. Sine ratione nil might be said to have been his motto, His examination of every subject was a search for principles. No authority had weight with him which did not convince his own understanding. His investigations were those of the judge seeking the truth rather than the advocate endeavoring to fortify his position. Eminently practical and fertile in resources, no expedient which savored of indirection was ever employed to win a case. By inheritance and as the result of early training his judgments were habitually ethieal. He would have deemed it disloyalty to his higher nature to rest upon a conclusion which did not accord with his intuitive sense of justice. Ilis understanding asserted what he conceived to be its divine right and duty to pass upon the claim of everything which sought a place in his category of truth. No hmman authority was in itself saered. His own judgment and conscience were the tribunal of last resort no less in theology than in the domain of law and philosophy. It was natural, therefore, that, repelled by dogmatic doctrinal theology, it should be left for the experience and deeper insight of his mature years to reveal to his nature religions truth. His profound interest in the subject of human duty and a future life were attested in his later years by a constant attendance of the church of his choice whose spiritual teachings exerted deep influence upon his life.

Though in general undemonstrative, he possessed a deeply emotional nature which tound expression in acts of sympathy and kindness in every relation of life. In the words of an intimate associate and friend, "His sympathy for the down- trodden and his active aid to many of the unfortunate and struggling fellow beings who came within his limited abilities to assist was most marked, and I believe, un- usnal." Excessive modesty, rather than an under-estimate of his own ability, led him to shrink from the pursuit of office, preferring even in his professional duties to assign the more publie part to others, Self-advancement for publie honors was to lim unseemly. His modesty, coupled with perhaps undue sensitiveness or over- refined sensibilities, constituted a weakness which may have been responsible for his failure to be called to some important official station, which he probably would have occupied later had he lived. llis judgment of men as well as of legal questions was sound and charitable. He invariably refused to undertake a case where he be- lieved his client was consciously in the wrong, and advised a settlement if he regarded the issue doubtful. This habit won for him a desirable clientage and made his clients friends. He was at his best where combined legal knowledge and business judgment

HENRY W. SMITH.

701

BIOGRAPHICAL.

were required. Ile carried out a campaign with as much ability as was displayed in laying it out, never relaxing his efforts until the end was accomplished. It was this quality which helped gain for his portrait a place by that of General Grant over the desk of a loyal client and friend, who was accustomed to point to them, saying: "Those are my two generals."

In the brief space alloted to this sketch a meagre outline only is possible of a char- acter which was the embodiment of intellectuality, gentleness, integrity, fidelity-in a word, true manliness. More brilliant minds have adorned the profession, but few enjoyed a higher degree of confidence and respect among those who knew him best and they never doubted his loyalty to truth and justice.

HENRY W. SMITH.

HENRY W. Smirn was born in Rupert, Bennington county, Vt., October 6, 18-18. Hle is the younger brother of Albert Smith, the subject of the preceding sketch, in which appears the family origin. His father's family consisted of seven children, two sons and five daughters. On leaving the schools of his native town he com- pleted his preparatory course at Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and Alfred Center, Alleghany county, N. Y., entering the sophomore class in Dartmouth College in the fall of 1822, and graduating with the class of 1875. Following in the footsteps of his brother he became a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Society. During sophomore year he was appointed one of the editors of both the weekly and monthly college periodicals, occupying that position throughout the remainder of his course. He was twice appointed to represent his class as prize speaker, received the Grimes prize for excellence in English composition, together with commencement honors, and on graduation was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Soon after leaving college he came to Troy and commenced the study of law with his brother, who had just opened an office. To replenish his exchequer, he ac- cepted a position on the Troy Morning Whig for the following winter. Resuming his law studies in the spring, he was admitted to the bar in February, 1875. Com- mencing practice on his own account in the office of Smith & Wellington, he con- tinued alone, though closely connected with the firm, nutil 1887, when a partnership was formed which continned until his brother's death in 1893.

The following January the partnership between Mr. Wellington and himself was dissolved, since which time he has been alone and enjoys a lucrative practice.

Mr. Smith is a member of King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1894 and 1895; also a member of Bloss Council, Apollo Chapter, Apollo Commandery. and the Scottish Rite bodies of Troy. He was mar- ried June 6, 1886, to Anme Bainbridge Wendel, daughter of Robert Bainbridge, who for many years held a responsible position in the Troy Steel and Iron Com- pany. Mrs. Smith died August 2, 1891. Their daughter, Eleanor W. Smith, died in February, 1889. One son, Sheldon Bainbridge Smith, survives.

Mr. Smith is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Troy. In politics he has always been a zealous Republican and an influential member of his party. He is engaged in the general practice of the law, and by his legal knowledge and natural

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qualifications has won an enviable reputation for skill and ability. In the practical solution of legal and business complications he occupies a prominent position in the very able bar of Troy.

JAMES K. P. PINE.

JAMES K. P. PINE is a native of the town of Hoosick, Rensselaer county, N. Y., born November 21, 1811. He received his early education in the public schools and at Ball's Seminary in Hoosick Falls, and in 1860 became a clerk for Coon & Van Valkenburgh, collar manufacturers of Troy. In 1862 he established himself in that business in Troy, and subsequently became a member of the firm of Cole, Dyer & Pine, later Dyer & Pine, and afterwards Dyer, Pine & Miller. This name was changed to Pine, Miller & Dunham, and again the name was changed to Pine, Adams & Dunham. On the death of Mr. Adams in 1878, a laundering department was added to the collar trade, Mr. Myron Hamlin having charge of the former under the firm name of Pine & Hamlin.

Mr. Hamlin died in 1880 and Mr. Pine conducted the entire business until 1890. In 1884 Mr. Pine erected the present factory in Lansingburgh, and in 1850 The United Shirt and Collar Company was incorporated and succeeded to the entire business, Mr. Pine was the treasurer, and in the spring of 1893 was elected first vice-president, and on the death of Mr. Sanford he was elected president of the company in Angust, 1896, which position he now holds. On assuming the office of president he resigned the treasurer's office; the vacancy was filled by the election of his son, Charles L .. Pine.

Our subject has also been president of the People's Bank of Lansingburgh since its organization in 1889. Ile is a director of the Troy City National Bank, a trustee of the Troy Savings Bank, president of the Record Publishing Company of Troy, vice-president of the Ostrander Fire Brick works, a trustee of the Young Women's Association, and member of Mount Zion Lodge No. 311, F. & A. M., Bloss Council No. 15. Apollo Chapter No. IS, R. A. M., Apollo Commandery and the Scottish Rite bodies, having attamed to the Bed degree in Masonry. He is a mem- bet of the Troy Club, Riverside Club and honorary member of the Troy Yacht Club.

In 1865 Mr. Pine married Clara M. Adams, of Troy, N. Y., and they have two sons and three daughters: Charles L., 1. Kate, Bessie II., C. Louisa, and Warren A. Mr. Pine and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Lansingburgh, and for the past fifteen years he has been an elder of that church. In politics he is a Republican and is influential in the councils of his party, always taking an active interest, though he is not rated as a partisan.

For many years Mr. Pine has held front rank among the representative business men of this portion of the State, being a leader in many enterprises which have been a potent factor in the development of Lansingburgh and Troy.

---

J. FRANKLIN FELLOWS.

703

BIOGRAPHICAL.

J. FRANKLIN FELLOWS.

J. FRANKLIN FELLows was born in Troy, N. Y., September 14, 1862. His father is A. Clarke Fellows, a man prominent in business circles in Troy for many years ta sketch and portrait of him appears on another page of this work.) His mother, Anna M. Fellows, is a daughter of Lyman Bennett, the founder of the collar indus- try in Troy.

J. Franklin Fellows received his carly education in the public schools of his native city, afterwards attended the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., and was prepared for college at the Centenary Collegiate Institute, Hackettstown, N. J., from which institution he graduated in 1881. Hle then entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and spent four years at that institution. Ile was graduated from Wesleyan University with the degree of Ph. B in the class of 1885. He then entered the factory of his father, in the manufacture of collars and cuffs, and is now one of the firm of Fellows & Co., succeeding his father, who retired from the busi- ness in 1888. While in college he made a specialty of the study of chemistry, and made original researches in physiological chemistry, He investigated at some length the nutritive value of different foods, and also of the sources of the nitrogen found in plants. The results of these researches have since been pubhshed by the United States government. He has also invented several machines which are used in the manufacture of collars very successfully, saving several large items of ex- pense of manufacturing.

lle is a member of King Solomon's Lodge, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter, Bloss Council, Apollo Commandery, and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the East Side Club. He is an exempt fireman, having served a full term as member of the Read Steam Engine Co. No. 1.

In 1890 he married Flora A. Haynes, of Saranae, N. Y. Ile has one child, Haynes Harold, born in July, 1891.

FELLows & Co .- The leading industry of Troy, the manufacture of linen collars and cuffs, was begun about the year 1834, one of the first to engage in it being Lyman Bennett. When the business was established by Mr. Bennett its limits were extremely circumscribed and the amount of capital invested was far from adequate to the operations of a large establishment. It was only a question of time, however, and the business house founded by Mr. Bennett in a modest way over sixty years ago has now immense proportions, and a trade extending to all parts of the country, which has been built up by his energy and that of the succeeding members of the firm Mr. Bennett conducted the business alone until 1851, when he associated with him Mr. Ilicks and Mr. Edson, who carried on the business under the firm name of Bennett, Hicks & Edson. In 1855 Mr. Edson bonght several sewing machines, and took them to his residence, where he instructed several girls in his employ how to use them-the work previously had been done by hand. As soon as the girls had acquired sufficient proficiency the machines were taken to the factory, and at once revolutionized the industry. Afterwards the application of steam power to the operation of the machines materially increased their productiveness. The introduc- tion of sewing machines became general after the event mentioned, and the cost of linen collars and cuffs rapidly diminished as a result.

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

There are numerous changes to note in the style of the firm. In 1861, after the death of Mr. Edson, A. Clarke Fellows became a member of the concern, the firm being Bennett, Strickland & Fellows; by the retirement of Mr. Strickland soon after the firm was known as Bennett & Fellows; H. C. Curtis and George Il. Atwood having been taken in as partners a few years later. the firm then became Bennett, Fellows & Co. ; a few years later Mr. Fellows bought out the interest of Mr. Curtis, Mr. Atwood retired, and the firm became Fellows & Company, Mr. Fellows admit- ted as partners James C. Archibald and Geo. S. Hastings. In 1888 James Frankhn Fellows was admitted as a partner, and later his brother, Hervey, A. Clarke Fellows retiring in 1888, the name of the firm remaining Fellows & Company.

A. CLARKE FELLOWS

A. CLARKE FELLOWS was born in North Greenbush, N. Y., in 1836. He is the son of the late Zachariah and Catherine (Weatherwax) Fellows, of Greenbush, N. Y. He was educated in the public schools and at the Jonesville Academy in Saratoga county and came to Troy, N. Y., in 1857, where he had charge of the shipping de- partment of the Washington Foundry for two years; later he was for one year a bookkeeper in a store in Albany.

In the spring of 1860 he went into the employ of Bennett, Edson & Striekland in the collar business as bookkeeper, and after the death of Mr. Edson, one year later, he became a partner in the concern, the name being Bennett, Strickland & Fellows; by the retirement of Mr. Strickland soon after the firm was known as Bennett & Fellows. H. C. Curtis and George H. Atwood having a few years later been taken in as partners, the firm then became Bennett, Fellows & Co. Mr. Atwood and Mr. Bennett retired, the firm then became Fellows & Curtis, which continued about eight years, when Mr. Fellows purchased Mr. Curtis's interest and took in as partner James C. Archibald and George L. Hasting, and the firm has since remained Fel- lows & Co. In 1888 Mr. Fellows's oldest son, James Franklin, was admitted, and later another son, H. W., was taken in as partner, and Mr. Fellows retired from the tum, hissons continuing the business. The factory has been located on Fulton street over forty years,

Mr. Fellows was for many years one of the stockholders of the Star Knitting Co. of Coltoes, N. Y., and was at one time president, and has been a director of the Union National Bank of Troy for twenty-five years, and for many years was one of the trustees of the Cable Flax Mills of Schaghticoke, and is still one of the largest stockholders in the same. He has been a member of the State Street M. E. church for years.

Ile married Mrs. Anna M. Bennett, a danghter of the pioneer collar manufacturer of Troy. They have two sons living, James Franklin and Hervey William, before mentioned.

...

A. CLARKE FELLOWS.

705

BIOGRAPHIICAL.

DERICK L. BOARDMAN.

THE. HON. DERICK LANE BOARDMAN died at his home, No. 95 First street, Troy, N. Y., on Wednesday morning, September 6, 1893, and was buried in Oakwood Ceme- tery. He had been for over a year a sufferer from a complication of diseases. ln Mr. Boardman's death Troy sustained that loss which every community sustains when one of its best citizens is called to his final reward. Ilis was a career which, while confined almost exclusively to business circles, shed an added Instre to the city's name. Mr. Boardman came to Troy in 1867 and, in connection with the Rev. Stephen Parks and John T. Christie, assumed control of the general agency of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. In this position, which he retained up to the hour of his death, he by his indomitable energy and perseverance, coupled with his genial personality and enviable taet, built up a business which reached throughout the entire northern portion of the State and which to-day is one of the largest and most extensive of its kind in New York. Mr. Boardman's early man- hood was devoted to the law. Born at Watertown, N. Y., in March, 1824, he land the foundation of his education in the public schools of that city. Then, after a preparatory course at the Jefferson County Institute, he entered Williams College in 1810, graduating with honor four years later. Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law, and in ISE was admitted to practice, locating at Rome, N. Y. Six years later he was elected to the Assembly from Oneida county, serving one term with ability and declining a renomination. In 1854 he, with the late D. M. K. Johnson, formed the legal firm of Johnson & Boardman, which enjoyed a lucrative practice until Mr. Boardman retired to enter the insurance business. The alma mater of the deceased, Williams College, also suffered a severe loss in Mr. Board- man's death. From the day of his graduation he took the liveliest interest in the affairs of old Williams, and for twenty-five years never failed to be present at commencement. In 1878 he was chosen an alumni trustee and six years afterward a life trustee. In addition he served a term as president of the Alumni Association. The Kappa Alpha fraternity numbered him as one of its most honored members. In addition to his insurance business, Mr. Boardman was prominently identified with Troy's banking interests, being at one time a director of the Central National Bank. and at the time of his death first vice-president of the Tray Savings Bank. The chief charm of Mr. Boardman's personality and the one which attracted and held the friendship of scores was to be found in his scholarly attainments and refinement of taste. His cultivated mind was a veritable storehouse of intellectual delight which his friends were always at liberty to draw npon. This conversational gifts were brilliant in the extreme and he never lacked for listeners when he chose to talk. The religious side of his character was sincere and earnest, though never obtrusive. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian church and gave liberally toward the cause of Christianity. In addition he was a believer in charity of the quiet and practical sort and how many deserving persons who owe needed aid to his kindness will never be known. Mr. Boardman was the son of Rev Dr. George S. Boardman and a grandson of Derick Lane of this city. lle is survived by lus widow, the daughter of the late Hon. Henry A. Foster of Rome, a son, Henry F. Boardman, the surviving member of the firm of D. L. Boardman & Son, and one daughter, Mrs. E. S. Warren of Buffalo.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 17

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