Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 22

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 22

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Sproat, Charles A., born in Lambertville, N. J., December 26, 1857, is a son of Henry and Harriet (Perriman) Sproat, born in England and emigrated to Philadel- phia and then to Lambertville, N. J., in 1861; Mr. Sproat died in 1869; his widow still lives at Valley Falls. Mr. Sproat was engaged in the manufacture of twine and formed a partnership with Thomas Lape. Charles A. was educated in the common schools and Troy Business College from which he was graduated in 1872, after which he worked for his brother, John Sproat, in the manufacture of cigars; at the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the same work and has been very successful, em- ploying seven men. Mr. Sproat was married in 1877 to Maria Beach, and has two children: Laura and Charles II. Mrs. Sproat died in 1882 and Mr. Sproat married Georgia A. Bennett in 1884; they have one child, Frank R. Mr. Sproat is a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F & A. M., Valley Falls Lodge No. 689, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Elks, No. 141, Troy.

Snyder, Charles W., born in Pittstown, September 1, 1843, a son of John A. and Anna Eliza (Finch) Snyder; he born in Pittstown and she in Schaghticoke. The grandfather of Charles W. was Andrew Snyder, a native of Pittstown and son of Jolin. The grandfather was a farmer and lived and died on the farm now owned

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

by Charles W., whose father was also a farmer and owned at one time 326 acres of land in Pittstown; he died July 8, 1870, and his wife March 2, 1891. Charles W. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, Jonesville Academy and was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Troy in 1862. He follows farming and owns 380 acres of land. He has been supervisor of Pittstown for eight years (1873-'74, 1881-'83, and 1893-'95). Mr. Snyder was married October 4, 1865, to Eliza E. Giffin, born in Morriston, St. Lawrence county, and daughter of Rufus T. and Dorothy E. (Reese) Giffin; he a native of St. Lawrence county, where his wife died in 1889; he was a carriage maker, and served in the late war. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Snyder were born three children: Nellie F., wife of Stephen L. Cushman of Pittstown; they have two children: Grace and Mabel. John A., de- ceased. Ermina, attending Lansingburg Academy. Mr. Snyder was a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M., Phoenix Chapter No. 133, R. A. M., of Lansing- burgh, and a charter member of Raymertown Lodge No. 672, I. O. O. F., and is also deputy of the district. The family attends the M. E. church. Mr. Snyder is a member of P. of I. and is grand trustee for the State and president of the county and has been since its inception.

Snyder, Jacob H., was born in Pittstown, N. Y. He is a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Alexander), he a native of Pittstown and she of Brunswick. The grandparents were Andrew and Esther Harmon, he was a native of Pittstown. Two brothers of Mr. Harmon were in the battle of Bennington in the Revolutionary war. The great- grandfather, John Snyder, was born in southeastern New York, whence he came to Rensselaer county. He was a natural mechanic and built and ran mills in Pitts- town and Schaghticoke and owned about 700 acres of land. He married Barbara Weatherwax. Mr. Snyder died near Tomhannock. His son Andrew, father of Jacob H., was a farmer of Pittstown, where he died in 1849 at the age of eighty-five years. Jacob A. was under General Eddy in the war of 1812. In 1825 he bought the farm where Jacob HI. now resides and here lived and died. IIe was born in 1796 and died May 25, 1878. Mrs. Snyder was born 1792 and died January 16, 1877. Jacob H. has always resided on the homestead. Ile married Mary Talbut, a native of Ireland. Mr. Snyder has about 700 acres of land and carries on mixed farming.

Van Wirt, J. D., M. D., born in Ancram, Columbia county, N. Y., August 8, 1858, is a son of Rev. Nichols and Mary P. (Campbell) Van Wirt, he a native of Johnstown, Fulton county, N. Y., and she of Schoharie county, N. Y. The grandfather of Dr. Van Wirt was Daniel Van Wirt, a native of Johnstown, N. Y., where he lived and died. The father of Dr. Van Wirt was 'a Lutheran minister who was educated at Fairfield Seminary and took a theological course at Hartwick Seminary and the The- ological college at Gettysburg, Pa., from which he was graduated about 1863; he taught seven languages and had many private students; he came to Rensselaer county in 1877 and settled at Melrose, N. Y., for about five years; then went to Montgomery county and engaged in the mercantile business at Palatine Bridge and Canajoharie, N. Y., until 1894, when he came to live with Dr. Van Wirt at Johnson- ville, where, October 14, 1895, he passed to the land beyond. Dr. Van Wirt was reared at Sharon Springs and Stone Arabia, Montgomery county, and educated at Hartwick Seminary, Fort Plain Seminary, and Troy Academy; he was graduated from Albany Medical College in 1883 and went to Ketchum's Corners and Quakers

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Springs, N. Y., where he practiced five years, thenee removed to Boyntonville, N. Y., and was there until December, 1891, when he came to Johnsonville, where he has a successful practice. He was first married in 1883 to Mary I. Bonesteel of Mel- rose, who bore him one son, J. Purcelle. His wife died in April, 1892 at Johnson- ville. September, 1894, he was married to Mary Esther Herrington of Johnsonville, N. Y. He is a Republican and justice of the peace; he is a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M., and Johnsonville Lodge No. 411, I. O. O. F. The family at- tend and support the M. E church. October, 1894, he also engaged in the drug business in Johnsonville, N. Y. Dr. Van Wirt is a member of the Medical Associa- tion of Troy and Vicinity.

Wright, E. L., was born Angust 9, 1833, in Hoosick, N. Y. He is a son of Edmond and Charlotte (Payne) Wright, he a native of Iloosick and she of Massachusetts. The grandfather of Mr. Wright was Moses Wright, a native of Rhode Island and one of the early settlers of Hoosick ; he was a captain in the war of 1812 under Gen- eral Eddy; his wife was Miss Haynes of Rhode Island, and her father was one of the early settlers of the town, coming on horseback following his route by marked trees. The father of Mr. Wright was a harnessmaker and lived in Boyntonville for forty years; he died in October, 1873; his wife died about 1846. Mr. Wright was reared in Boyntonville and educated in the common sehools and the academy of Hoosick Falls. At the age of eighteen years he went West and finally landed in California when he was about twenty-four years old; he remained there twelve years, engaged in mining and in mercantile business. In 1869 he returned to this State and was engaged in mercantile business at Eagle Bridge for five years; in 1879 he came to Johnsonville, N. Y., and built the store he has since occupied. He is a member of the Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M. October 3, 1872, he was married to Mary E. Silkworth, of Pittstown, N. Y. They have two children: Lena A. and Elsa M. Lena is a graduate from, and Elsa is a member of the class of 1897 at Temple Grove, Saratoga.

Wadsworth, G. II., was born in Pittstown, N. Y., January 7, 183º. He was edu- cated in the common schools and Bennington Seminary and began life as a teacher ; about three years after he engaged in mercantile business at Boyntonville for three years and then went to Eagle Bridge and was in partnership with E. L. Wright in the same business for six years. They sold out and Mr. Wadsworth retired to Boyn- tonville and was engaged in selling agricultural implements for three years, and in 1880 he went to Valley Falls and engaged in business as a merchant and continued until 1892. Ile then went to Blue Mountain Lake and cared for his sick daughter until her death, which occurred January 7, 1894. At present Mr. Wadsworth is en- gaged at auetioneering, a business he has followed for twenty-nine years. Mr. Wadsworth was married in 1858 to Lottie P. Wright, born in Pittstown and daugh- ter of Edmund and Charlena (Payne) Wright, he was born at Hoosick Falls, and she in Springfield, Mass. The grandfather of Mrs. Wadsworth was Moses Wright,' an early settler of Hoosick Falls. The wife of Moses Wright was Polly Haines, daugh- ter of Edmund Haines, who built one of the first frame houses at Iloosick Falls. Mr. Wadsworth and wife had one daughter, Kittie L., born in 1859, educated at Bus . kirks where she was prepared for Mount Holyoke Seminary, from which she was graduated in June, 1880. She was married in 1884 to B. L. Crapo of Pittstown and

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had four children : George W., Earl (deceased), Virgie (deceased), Vera K. (deceased). She died January 7, 1894. She was organizer of the Blue Mountain Lake division Sons of Temperance, which adopted resolutions at her death. Her husband is a M. E. preacher. Mr. Wadsworth was overseer of the poor eight years. The grand- father of Mr. Wadsworth was Joseph Wadsworth, who was born in Connecticut. He was supervisor of Pittstown for nine years in succession and member of assembly for three years, and a blacksmith by trade. Ile bnilt a hotel at Boyntonville of which he was proprietor many years and was succeeded by liis son H. H. Wads- worth. Mr. Wadsworth was for seven years captain of a company of National Guards in the State militia. He had also been a teacher of vocal and instrumental music for a number of years and was chorister of his church for twelve years.

Richmond, Theodore C., born in Pittstown, N. Y., October 20, 1815, is a son of Josiah and Phoebe (Warren) Richmond, he born in Taunton, Mass., in 1786, and she at Fall River, Mass., in 1788. Edward Richmond, the grandfather of Theodore C., came to Hoosick in 1792 and lived and died there; he was a lieutenant in the Revo- lutionary war. The father of Theodore C. was a wagonmaker by trade; he was afterwards a farmer and hotel keeper at Potter Ilill in town of Hoosick, and dicd there September 12, 1835, and his wife in July, 1843; he was commissioner of high- ways and held other minor town offices, and, also, served in the war of 1812. Theo- dore C. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and at Benning- ton, Vt. Ile has been a farmer and was in early life a dealer in wool and produce. Most of his life has been spent in Pittstown, where he has bought and sold land and in 1863 settled on the farm of 125 acres he now owns; he also owns in Pittstown and elsewhere 243 acres and 200 acres in Grafton. Ile was married first in 1838 to Emily C. Geer; she died in 1853, and in 1854 he married Caroline Baueus, daughter of William I. Banens. They have had five children: Charles T., who resides in Cleve- land and is one of the stockholders of the Natural Carbon Co., was president of the Thompson-Houston Co. at Fremont, Ohio, and a graduate in 1876 from Yale; Emily, who is at home; Phoebe, wife of William S. Gunnison of Lansingburgh ; Mary R. and William I. at home. The daughters were educated at Pittsfield, Mass. William I. was graduated at Greylock Institute, and has been justice twenty-four years and super- visor two terms. He was active in his town during the late war, and Mrs. Richmond was president of a ladies' association during the war for the purpose of raising money and supplies for the suffering. The family attend and support the M. E. church.

Potter, L. E., during his seven years' residence at Hoosick Falls has won as a man the high esteem of the community besides having established the reputation among his townsmen of being one of the best and most successful dentists in the county. Ile made able preparation for his profession, which he acquired at Philadelphia, spending two years at the Philadelphia Dental College, thence to the New York Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1887. Ile is a horseman and is the possessor of fast trotters; also a valued member of the Order of Odd Fellows. He married Nellie E. Holnbeck, of Bennington, by whom he has one daughter, Alice B., now five years old. Her twin sister, Ruth, lived to be six months okl.

Stewart, Hiram E., a prominent and well known veteran of the late war, was

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born in Petersburgh in 1842. Eliphalet, his grandfather, was one of three brothers who came from Scotland before the Revolutionary war; he became a soldier and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and after the war removed to Petersburgh, where he engaged in farming. IIe was twice married and reared three children by his first wife and four by his second; he lived to be ciglity-eight. Hiram, father of Hiram E., was born in Petersburgh in 1812, a child of the last marriage; he spent his life as a farmer. Ilis wife was Mary A. Hiscock, born in Peters- burgh in 1817 and a daughter of William Hiscock; their children were Hiram, William, Franklin and Sarah; he died in 1888 and his wife survives him and resides on the homestead; they were both members of the M. E. church. Hiram E. re- mained at home until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Co. H, 169th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, August, 1862, and served three years, participating in all the the engagements of his reginient. Ile was wounded in the leg in the battle of Petersburg. After his return he became station agent for the old Troy and Boston Railroad at North Petersburgh, with whom he remained until 1870, when he en- gaged in the hotel and general mercantile business, and was postmaster from 1871 until 1888. In politics he is a Democrat and he has served on the Board of Super- visors three years, chairman of the board one year, and held all other responsible offices of his town. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post Wood of Hoosick Falls. In December, 1866, he married Frances E., born in Stephentown and daughter of Garrison Town. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are both members of the Christian church.

Jones, Eugene M., M.D., was born in Berlin in 1859. Timothy Jones, his great- grandfather, was born in Rhode Island, one of ten sons whose father settled in Berlin at an early date, where he took up 1,000 acres of land. Russell R., his grandfather, was born in Petersburgh in 1808, became a farmer and owned two farms at the time of his death. His wife was Annis Clark; their children were Darius, Ann, Samantha, Lucinda, and Antoinette, all now living but Ann; he died when about sixty-eight years of age. Darius, the father of Eugene, was born in Petersburgh in 1827, became a wagonmaker, owned and operated a shop in the vil- lage of Berlin for twenty years and also followed carpentry for some years. About 1879 he came in possession of his father's homestead of 100 acres, and in 1885 re- moved to the farm where he has since resided. His wife was Jane, daughter of Oliver and Naucy ( Wilcox) Main. Their children are Byron W., Eugene M., and Ransom L. Dr. Joues worked in his father's shop when a boy, later engaged at blacksmith work in the village of Berlin. When twenty years of age he married Carrie, daughter of David C. and Ann Eliza (Saunders) Crandall; to this union were born two children, Lena C. and Nellie B. His wife died about three years later. . When twenty-two he began the study of medicine under Dr. Merryott. He later registered and practiced one year under Dr. Moses of Petersburgh, then studied three years under Dr. Fred Green, during this time attending the Al- bany Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1887. In 1891 he passed the State Civil Service examination and received his certificate. Ilis first practice for himself was begun in March, 1887, in the town . of Grafton, where he practiced for five years. In the spring of 1892 he removed to the village of Petersburgh, where he soon had an extensive ride and in addition to this he retained his practice in Grafton. In February, 1896, through the earnest

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

solicitation of his friends and patrons of the town of Grafton, he returned to that town, where he has a good and reliable patronage with bright prospects for a future life of usefulness and success in his profession. In May, 1887, he married his second wife, Miss Mamie O'Neil of Albany. They have one child, Viola T.

Darling, David, has been an extensive contractor and builder, as many buildings of lloosick Falls and elsewhere will attest; the Holmes block, Wilder building and many dwellings are among the number. He came here in 1880 from Pittstown where he followed the same vocation. He also acts as agent for Hon. J. Russell Parsons. He has been village trustee, and was once commander of the G. A. R. Post here. His birthplace was Grafton, N. Y., where he was born in 1838, son of Allen Darling, of an old Vermont family. He was reared in Shaftsbury, Benning- ton county, and enlisted in 1861 in First Vermont Cavalry as a private. He was in the battle of Gettysburg and at Second Bull Run, was taken prisoner at Broad Run, Va., and incarcerated at Libby. An exchange soon was made and he joined the regiment at Gettysburg, where he was injured by being thrown from his horse, and was discharged, when he went to Pittstown. He is an official member of the M. E. church.

Mosher, F. D., the popular principal of the Eagle Bridge school, is one of the fore- most educators of his town, and a teacher who has had a wide field of experience, having always followed that profession. He was born near Bennington, Vt., in 1855, son of Dyer l'. Mosher, a farmer. He is a graduate of Easton Seminary, Washington county, and of Troy Business College in 1876. Mr. Mosher also carries on the culture of small fruit, shipping to various towns in the vicinity. Politically he is a Republican. He married Marcia Iloward in 1881 and has two children: Rose S., a stenographer at Boston, and Howard F.

Gooding, Walter C., is the only son of the late Hiram M. Gooding, who died aged fifty-three in 1889, leaving a widow, Charlotte Fenton Gooding, five daughters and Walter. The latter was born at Eagle Bridge in 1872 and resides on the old home- stead, a pleasant country home with 200 acres of choice land devoted to general farming, of which Mr. Gooding has the charge. His widowed mother and unmarried sister reside with him. They are people of simple benevolence and spontaneous geniality. Mr. Gooding was educated at Lansingburgh and upholds Republican principles. His two married sisters are Mrs. Clarence Durfee of Buskirk Bridge, and Mrs. W. B. Aiken of Massachusetts. His grandfather, Cyrus Gooding, was born at Hartford, Conn., and was an early settler here. He was a personal friend of Martin I. Townsend.

Brown, Adelbert, proprietor since 1879 of the Eagle Bridge hotel, was a member of the celebrated " Black Horse " cavalry, with whom he enlisted in 1861, in Co. A, serving till their disbandment. In 1862 he again enlisted with the 123d New York and shared their lot until the close of the war. He was born in 1842 at Pittstown, where his father, Sampson Brown, was a carpenter. Before the war he was em- ployed in various cotton mills, and in 1866 resumed the same occupation. His first hotel experience was at the " Exchange" of Pownal, Vt., which he ran for about two years. Mr. Brown is, of course, a "Grand Army" man and also a member of the order of K. of P,

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Hurd, A. J., the highly esteemed miller and dealer in feed, oats and flour, at Eagle Bridge, is a native of Sandgate, Vt., where he was born in 1849. His father, Chauncey J. Hurd, a farmer, was also a native of that place, to which his great- grandfather, Captain Lewis Hurd, a soldier of the Revolution, eame as an early settler. A. J. Hurd's boyhood was spent at Sandgate, and his education completed at Cambridge, where he met Lydia Ray whom he married in 1874. At Manchester, Vt., he entered his first business engagement as manufacturer of gloves and mittens. After four years he came to Eagle Bridge and built most of the mill himself. He has acquired a large and profitable business, employing at times twelve or fifteen men. Ile is a Republican and has served his town as highway commissioner, but prefers private life. Ilis two daughters are Nellie and Jessie.

Cottrell, Mrs. Sherman, representative of an old Hoosiek family, was Phebe M. Case of Pittstown before her marriage in 1867 to the late Sherman Cottrell, who died in 1886 in the same house where he was born in 1844. He was the fifth son of Jonathan Cottrell, and one of the foremost farmers of his time. One may point with pride to his record as a man and a citizen. The county in which he resided, the community where he lived, will long have eause to regret his loss. Besides his widow he left five noble sons, and one daughter: Jay C .; Nathan Cottrell, residing with his mother at the old homestead; Case; Hattie, the daughter; Walter S. ; and Ernest J. One daughter, Mary, died in 1877, aged six years.

Allen, Amos, M. D., was born in Petersburgh, N. Y., January 28, 1815, a son of Bennajah and Zipporah (Seriven) Allen, he born in Rehoboth, Mass., and she in Great Barrington, Mass., and eame to Petersburgh in an early day. The grand- father of our subject was Joseph Allen, who came to Petersburgh early and there lived and died. Bennajah Allen was a farmer. He was a member of assembly one term. He died June 18, 1858. Amos Allen was reared in Petersburgh and edueated in the common and seleet schools, began studying with Dr. Hiram Moses of Peters- burgh, was graduated in 1846 from Pittsfield Medieal College, and has praetieed his profession in Rensselaer county. He was supervisor one term and superintendent of township schools three terms. He assisted in the organization of the Republican party in 1856 in Rensselaer county. Dr. Allen was married in 1839 to Betsey M. Avery, who was born in Berlin, N. Y., by whom he had four children: Harriet E., wife of Silas C. Peckham of Petersburgh; Martha E., wife of George A. Sweet of Petersburgh; A. 11., who married Emma Maxon, daughter of Hon. David G. Maxon ; and Agnes, who resides at home. The doctor was for many years a member of Mazeppa Lodge I. O. O. F., of Petersburgh. Mrs. Allen died September 18, 1893.

Waite, Reuben S. F., was born in Grafton, Rensselaer county, March 27, 1831, son of Rufus and Lois (Maxon) Waite, both born in Petersburgh; he a son of Reuben Waite a native of Rhode Island, who came to Petersburgh about 1790 and there lived and died; he was in the war of 1812. The father of the subjeet was a physi- cian and eame to Grafton when a young man and practiced his profession until his death, which oceurred May 20, 1860, and that of his wife May 13. 1882. Reuben S. F. Waite was reared in Grafton and educated in the common schools, and early in life learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed about thirty-five years. Ile was married August 6, 1854, to Betsy Maria Hakes, daughter of Jabez Ilakes, one

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

of the early residents of the town. To Reuben S. F. Waite and wife were born two sons: Chester F., born June 20, 1835 educated in the common schools, married Sylvia West of Grafton, December 25, 1876, is a Republican in politics, and was town clerk four years; and William C., born October 13, 1858, educated in the common schools, married, January 28, 1880, to Hattie Jones of Grafton, by whom he has one son, Millard R. Waite, is a Democrat in polities, and was town clerk three years. He and his brother are in partnership in farming and own eighty acres of land, and also engaged in mercantile business in Grafton, February 15, 1890. Our subject was a Republican and was town clerk eight years, justice sixteen years, and justice of ses- sions two years. He died March S, 1896. The family attend and support the Bap- tist church.

Richmond, P. W., is one of the foremost men in the town of Hoosick, a leader in agricultural pursuits, politically prominent, financially successful, and respected by his fellow men. And this honored position is due to his own labor and genius, for Mr. Richmond is a selfmade man. He has been a resident here since 1823, at which time he came with his father, Josiah Richmond, who practiced wagonmaking and conducted a hotel here until his death in 1835. Mr. Richmond inherits the well-de- veloped physique of his family, noted for longevity, and bears his seventy-four years with an ereet and agile form, and a vigor which carries him jauntily through life. He owns 400 acres devoted to general farming, the farmi and buildings being models of their kind. He has served as postmaster at Potter Hill nearly half a century, having been appointed in 1849 under Buchanan's administration, which position he has held to the present time. He belongs to the Republican party and has officiated many years as town assessor; he is also president of the "Hoosick Co-operative Fire Insurance Co." In 1848 he married Sarah C., daughter of James Campbell of Pittstown. She bore him five children: Josiah, born 1849; Mary Agnes, born 1851; Edward Albert, born 1853; Emily Geer, born 1857; Ruth Warren, born 1860.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 22

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