Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 24

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 24

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Hewitt, Clifford, M.D., has practiced his healing art at Hoosick Falls with em- ineiit success since February, 1884, and is no less popular and well esteemed as a physician than as a man and citizen. He is an active member of the Baptist church, also the Temple of Honor, and believes in the necessity of absolute prohibi- tion of the liquor traffic. He married in 1878, while a resident of Fort Edward, N. Y., Miss Mary E. Wood of that place. They have four children. Dr. Ilewitt was born January 23, 1855, at Greenfield, N. Y., son of Clark Hewitt of a family. descended from the Scotch people and whose first American ancestors settled at Stonington, Conn. Ilis father died when he was thirteen, and having an elder brother already practicing medicine at Fort Edward, he went there, complet- ing his preparatory education at the seminary there and in 1872 beginning medical research in his brother's office. In 1878 he attended lectures at Burlington, Vt., and thence to the University of the City of New York, whence he was graduated in 1879.

Bovie, Hewitt, was once engaged in farming, but for the last twenty years has lived retired from active business life. Ile is a native of Hoosick, born in 1817. Ile is of Holland ancestry, and son of Henry Bovie, who was born in Breese Hollow. The latter was a farmer also, and a deacon of the Baptist church. Hewitt Bovie married in 1841 Eunice Wylie of Wallingford, Vt. Their two children, Mary E. and Jennie, each died when about one year old.

Rising, G. Frank, is one of the well known firm of Easton, Rising & Worden, of Hoosick Falls, and who was born in the town of lloosick, January 14, 1859, son of George A. Rising, another lifelong resident. Ilis business life began when at fifteen years of age he took a clerical situation with M. F. White & Co., with whom he re- mained six years, developing abilities of rare order. In 1880 he became associated with C. W. Easton in the large business now operated by that firm. Mr. Rising is highly esteemed for his many sterling qualities and we venture to predict for him a brilliant and prosperous future. Ile married in 1880 Miss Elnora Buck of Eagle Bridge, and they have one son, Harold.

Thompson, George S., is a member of the firm of Stevens & Thompson, paper manufacturers of North Hoosick, This has become a large and important industry, also controlling the output of the Bennington Falls Pulp Company. The mills at North Hoosick are devoted to mill paper specialties and produce at least ten tons per diem, and those at Walloomsac nearly twice as much of a similar product, also choice book and manilla papers. Mr. Thompson is of an old English family and was born at Troy in 1840. From 1861 to 1869 he was engaged at Troy as a whole- sale grocer, and still has large business interests there, his association with Mr. Stevens in the manufacturing business dating from 1870.

Carpenter, J. M., is a central figure in the business and social life of Hoosick Falls. He is at the head of the extras, advertising, and shipping departments of the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Company, a very responsible and important position to the onerous duties of which he is fully equal. Mr. Carpenter was born at Schenectady February 6, 1850, son of Cornelius and Anna Carpenter, now residents of Hoosick Falls, having removed here in 1869. Mr. Carpenter learned the trade of machinist at the Schenectady Locomotive Works during a four years' apprenticeship,

FAMILY SKETCHES.

and in 1869 entered the employ of Mr. Wood as a machinist. Mr. Carpenter's ad- vancement to the position he now occupies has been due to personal ability and faithful service. The late Mr. Wood was a rare judge of character and was quick to recognize and reward genius and fidelity. Mr. Carpenter has been prominently identified with local affairs and is not only a ready supporter, but an organizer and inciter of measures for public good. He is president of the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, a concern whose financial operations are on a large scale. He is a most efficient and active president of the Health Board, and a trustee of the First Baptist church, towards whose building and maintenance he has been a liberal con- tributor. He is a past master of the Masonic lodge and has been identified with the fraternity for a quarter of a century. His marriage in 1872 was to Miss Sarah J. Leonard, daughter of the late Edgar Leonard, the pioneer expressman, and the chil- dren are two-Leila May and Frank M.

Powell, George E., was born in Petersburgh in 1836. James Powell, his grand- father, was a native of New Jersey, and settled in Petersburgh in 1998 when a young man. He married Polly Wilkinson, born in Petersburgh and daughter of John Wilkinson who moved from Rhode Island and settled in Petersburgh in 1773; they reared one child, James. Mr. Powell died when quite a young man, and his wife lived to a very old age. James, the father, was born in Petersburgh in 1799 and spent most of his life in this town as a farmer. His wife was Elizabeth Church of Charleston, R. I. ; they reared three sons and three daughters. He lived to be eighty years of age and his wife lived to be seventy. George E. was the second child born to this union, He received an ordinary school education, but by per- severance and hard study fitted himself for teaching, which he began when sixteen years of age, and has followed it for over forty years. He has served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years, and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity of twenty-five years' standing. Ile is now principal of the Petersburgh school. In 1882 he married Zipporah Seriven, daughter of Daniel E. and Lydia (Allen) Scriven. They have three children: Mary, Georgia and Rosaltha.

Manchester, Edward B., was born in Petersburgh on the farm and in the house he now owns, November 8, 1849. Asel Manchester, his father, was born in Monroe county. N. Y., in 1801, and spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits, coming to Petersburgh about 1521 where he spent the balance of his life on the farm. His wife was Angeline, daughter of Solomon Brimmer, who was also born in the house now owned by Edward B., and she is a descendant of John George Brimmer, the pioneer settler in Petersburgh and founder of the Brimmer family in America. To them were born six sons and five daughters. He died in 1882 and his wife in 1855. Ed- ward B. attended the common schools and when twenty he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he was an attendant in an insane asylum for two years, when he re- turned home and engaged as clerk in a grocery store in North Adams, Mass., for a short time. Ile then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was attendant in an asylum for four years, when he accepted a position in the House of Refuge at Randall's Island. After three months he was promoted to an instructorship, which position he held for ten years, when, on account of failing health, in 1891 he returned to Petersburgh and purchased the homestead farm, where he is making the breeding of poultry his specialty. From 1891 to 1895 he served as school trustee, and is now

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

filling the office of assessor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1868 he married Eva Nichols, and to them were born two children: Myrtle, wife of Irving Howard of Petersburgh ; and Mabel, wife of Charles Piser, of Pittstown. Mrs. Man- chester died in 1890. In 1891 he married Mary Burgess, who was a graduate from the State Normal School and a teacher on Randall's Island in the same institution where Mr. Manchester taught. They have twochildren: Burgess and Ida. Mr. Manchester's brother Franklin when seventeen years of age enlisted in the 125th New York Regi- ment, was taken prisoner at the battle of Fair Oaks and died in Andersonville prison. His brothers and sisters were Martin, Louena, Paulina Moroa, Adeline, Frank, Adelbert, and Ambrose.

Hakes, Albert C., was born in this town in June, 1840. Solomon Hakes, his great- great-grandfather, was born in the county of Durham, England, about 1680, and came to America in 1700 and settled in Stonington, Conn., in 1709. He married Anna Billings and they reared four children. His great-grandfather, Jonathan, was born in Stonington, Conn., in 1724. He was a farmer by occupation and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His wife was Hannah F. Brown of Westerly, R. I. ; they reared seven sons and one daughter; he died in 1779. Weiden, his grandfather, was born in Stonington, Conn., in July, 1771, and came with his six brothers to Peters- burgh in 1780, where he pursued farming and lived to be seventy-four years of age. His wife was Sybil Smith, and to them were born four sons and three daughters, three of whom grew to maturity: Weiden, Jeremiah S. and Seth E. Weiden, jr., the father of Albert C., was born in Petersburgh, March 2, 1798. He married Rebecca S., daughter of Joshua Peckham and granddaughter of Braddock Peekham, a Revolutionary soldier; they reared six sons; Ira D., Stephen S., Joshua W., Leon- ard S., Jeremiah S., and Albert C. Mr. Hakes was a farmer. He died in Peters- burgh in October, 1855. Albert C. remained with his parents until he was twenty- one, when he assumed charge of the homestead, which has been in the possession of the Hakes family one hundred years. His parents resided with him until they died. In 1884 he purchased the Union Hotel property in Petersburgh, which he conducted until 1895, when he retired and leased the hotel. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Star Lodge No. 670 of Petersburgh, in which he has held office. In Sep- tember, 1562, he married Permelia F. Hakes, born in Petersburgh, and a daughter of Danforth Hakes. Their children were Alice, Hattie, wife of James Silsby of Lunenburg, Vt. ; Chauncey, a shoe merchant of Albany, and Minnie.

Reynolds, William 'T., was born in Petersburgh on the farm he now owns in 1831. Squire William W. Reynolds, his grandfather, was a native of Westerly, R. I. Hle settled in Petersburgh in 1780 and became a prominent and successful farmer, and filled the office of supervisor of his town for several terms, and was magistrate for many years. He served in the Revolutionary war as a volunteer for a short time without pay, and participated in the battle of Bennington. Ile reared four sons and two daughters. Elijah, the father of William T., was born in Petersburgh in 1782; he was an industrious and successful farmer and accumulated a large prop- . erty; his wife was Betsey, a daughter of Thomas Crandall; they reared three sons and three daughters; he died in 1859 and his wife survived him many years and died in 1886. William T. was reared on a farm and received a common school education. He devoted his whole life successfully to agricultural pursuits, and in the mean time

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

has added largely to his real estate possessions. For two years he was engaged in shoe manufacturing business in the village of Petersburgh. He lost his factory by fire and never rebuilt. Ile was supervisor of the town for five years. In 1857 he married Mary J. Wilcox. She was born in Petersburgh, the daughter of Currenton and Hannah (flewitt) Wilcox. She is the great-granddaughter of Sterry Hewitt, the Revolutionary soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were born four children: Minnie M. (deceased), Mrs. Fannie B. Rosenburg, Frank E. and Mrs. Cora A. Jones of Hoosick Falls.

Parsons, Hon. J. Russell, was born at Hoosick Falls, October 14, 1830, and con- tinues to reside at the old homestead on High street in that village. Educated at the Ball Academy and at Brown University, he was graduated from the latter in- stitution as a civil engineer, and for many years practiced that profession on State canals and in construction of various railroads throughout the United States. Since 1852 he has been associated with the Walter A. Wood Machine Co. as vice-president, and as a trusted adviser of the late Mr. Wood. For about twenty-five years he has had charge of the patent business of the firm, demonstrating legaland administrative ability of the highest order. Mr. Parsons is a Democrat of the old school, earnest, determined, and sincere, and is popular with all classes and parties. Of his personal benevolence little has become known outside those who have benefited by his noble and unostentatious charities. Always foremost in advancing educational interests, he has, during a long term of years as president of the local Board of Education, done much to elevate the standard of educational facilities, and in the county legis- lature left a clear and admirable record as its presiding officer.

Wilder, L. C., and one sister in the West are the only surviving children of the late Lyman Wilder, who was born at Brattleboro, Vt , in 1798. Ile was an architect, drawing his own plans, and came here in 1826 following that work. In 1830 he married Virtue Ball, the mother of Mr. Wilder, who died in 1850, and he married Catherine E. Haswell of this place who survives him. He went into business here with Mr. Parsons, a manufacturer, at whose death he carried on the work alone. Ile was a great lover of natural science and had a fine collection of geological and ornithological specimens. He was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church and his death in 1885 at eighty eight years of age was mourned by all who knew him. His son, L. C. Wilder, on whose shoulders his mantle fell, was born in 1833 at this place. Ile was educated at the Ball Seminary and the State Normal School, graduating in 1854; he taught school six years, then enlisted in Co. H1, 30th N. V. Infantry, in 1861 for two years. Their brigade was known as the " Iron Brigade" and was in many battles-at Fredericksburg where he was knocked over by a shell and two of his comrades were killed, at Chancellorsville, second Battle of Bull Run, and Antietam. He was shipping clerk on the Troy and Boston Railroad three years, and after a course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was engineer on the Champlain Canal survey, 1874-1876, and under the investigating committee on canals under Gov. Tilden. In 1877 he came home to the help of his father in real estate and surveying, which is still his principal business. He has been a central figure in the local affairs of the town, holding positions of trust and honor. Ile is a Republican, commander of the G. A. R. Post, a member of the Hoosick Club, a member of the Masonic orders and the Raymond Chapter, the Board of Trade, and the Historical

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Society of the Town of Hoosick; one of the principal originators in forming the Iloosiek Building and Loan Association and one of the organizers of the Board of Sewer Commissioners.

Getty, Addison, cashier of the First National Bank of Hoosick Falls, was born at East Greenwich, Washington county, in 1847, son of James Me W. Getty of Scotch an- cestry and a farmer. Addison's boyhood until fourteen years of age was spent at Hebron, thence to Brockport for three years. He first began business life in a bank- ing establishment at Salem in 1872 as clerk where he remained eight years, coming here in 1880 to the First National Bank, with which institution he is still connected. Mr. Getty is a Republican and a man of real worth and sterling integrity. He has been twice married; in 1877 to Harriet J. Crane of Phoenix, N. Y., who left one son, Carl, seventeen years of age; and in 1895 to Martha L. Cottrell of Easton, N. Y. Mr. Getty is a worthy and efficient member of the the Presbyterian church of this place.

Geer, Danforth, one of the leading citizens of Hoosick Falls, is the second son of A. C. Geer, a prominent business man of this locality, who for years was the central figure of the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Co. He was a native of Glens Falls educated at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt .; also a graduate of Union College in 1840. As a lawyer he became a partner of Judge Olin of Troy, which relations continued for ten years. For five years he was collector of internal revenue with office at Troy, thence here in 1867 as secretary of the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Co, remaining until 1885 His wife was Helen Augusta Danforth, of an old and prominent family of Williamstown, Mass. She was a woman of high intellectual attainments, and was vice-president of the Daughters of the American Revolution. There are but two children living; Walter Geer of New York, the elder son, is now president of the New York Architectural Terra Cotta Co. and Danforth, who was born at Williamstown, in 1859, and was graduated at Williams College in the class of '79. Ile at once became a member of the firm, with which his father had been so long connected as assistant secretary; also one of the trustees of the institution. He was the organizer of the Hoosick Club, of which he has been president stice its organization. In politics he is an ardent Republican; trustee of the village and president of the Board of Trade. Ile was tufted in marriage in 1887 to Amy Gay, daughter of William Gay. Three chil- dren are the issue of this union.

Putnam, Wilham B., M. D., one of the leading physicians of Hoosick Falls, was born in Putnam, Ontario county, in 1855, a place named in honor of his father, Thomas Putnam, who was a magistrate of that county, His family is of English ancestry; his grandfather served as a lieutenant in a New Hampshire regiment at Bunker Hill; his mother was Nancy Harris and grandmece of General Herkimer. Ile left his native place at sixteen, and having decided on the medical profession as his life work, entered in 1872 the class of '76 at Toronto University, but entered Brantford Institute for two years before completing his course at the former school. In 1875 he went to Cleveland, O., and entered the homeopathic college there, grad- uating in 1878 and at once began practice here, where he has resided for seventeen years. He has enjoyed a successful practice from the first. Dr. Putnam, determined to profit by an opportunity presented to acquire such knowledge as he desired, went

FAMILY SKETCHES.

to Europe in 1885 and there pursued his investigations, making a specialty of pul- monary affections.

Skinner, Dr. Smith Austin, was born in Thetford, Vt. He is the son of Smith Skinner and Rhoda Heaton, daughter of Dr. Solomon Heaton and Rhoda Whittier, an aunt of the poet, Whittier, The practice of medicine seems to have been hered- itary in both branches of the family, and he read medicine with his uncle, Jonathan Skinner, at Brownington, Vt, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1854. He practiced medicine in his native State until 1864, when he settled at Hoosick Falls, where he continues to reside. In 1863 Governor Holbrook of Ver- mont appointed him as one of the medical examiners of Vermont to examine men enrolled in the militia who applied for exemption from military duty in the Rebellion. He was also appointed assistant surgeon of the 7th Vt. Vols., but on account of poor health could not accept. Dr. Skinner is a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, and has been appointed a delegate to its national conventions, He is a char- ter member of the New York State Medical Association, a member of the Rensselaer County Medical Society and was president for a number of years of the Union Med- ical Society. The doctor is an inventor of merit and has taken out many patents from surgical appliances and fountain pens to rifle implements. During the Re- bellion Governor Fairbanks of Vermont equipped a regiment with his hospital bed and stretcher, which was most highly recommended by some of the leading surgeons in the army. Dr. Skinner was vestryman of St. Mark's Episcopal church of Hoosick Falls for many years. Ile is a Mason, and a member of Apollo Commandery of Troy, N. Y. He was jumor warden of the Grand Commandery of the State of Ver- mont when he left the State. He was associated with Judge Ball in forming the Board of Health of Hoosick Falls, was the first health officer and held the position for eight years; he was instrumental in first having the streets lighted, and was an agitator for a sewer system and pure water. He has written several papers on med- ical and surgical subjects. On ballistics (rifles and their ammunition) he writes under the nom de-plume of Medicus. On November 19, 1850, Dr. Skinner married Catharine Hinman Blake of Salem, Vt. She is the daughter of Hon. Samuel Blake and granddaughter of Judge Timothy Hinman, who served in the Revolutionary war, and was with Washington at Valley Forge during the winter of 1528. They have two daughters, Mabel Katrine, an amateur sculptor, and Katherine Annette, an artist in oils and china painting.

Cahill, William A., began his successful law practice in Hoosick, his native town, after two years in a law office of Troy. He was born in 1866, son of John Cahill, and has always resided here. Ile entered Rock Hill College, Maryland, in 1881 and after a three years' course was graduated. For one year ho read law with Stroud & Green. He was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 1890, after having en- gaged in the drug business for two years. His first public office was that of justice of the peace, and he was again elected in 1895 for another four years' term, as he proves a most efficient and popular official.

Parsons, Warren G., one of the prominent merchants of Hoosick Falls, is a son of Andrew C. Parsons, who was born at Bennington, Vt., coming here when a boy of twelve to learn the tailor trade. He began the business at Richfield Springs, re-

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

maining there until 1849, when he returned to this place and engaged in the hard- ware business, occupying the present store, where Warren has carried on such an extensive trade, having entered the store at twenty-five and succceding his father to the entire management of the establishment. Under his supervision the store has been enlarged, and is now a department store filled with various lines of house- furnishing goods. A. C. Parsons was an old-time Whig until the formation of the Republican party, but not an office holder. He died in 1883 at an advanced age, honored and esteemed by all. Warren G. was six years old when he left Richfield, where he was born in 1843, and received employment in a dry goods store from the age of fourteen to nineteen, then entered Eastman College. He is also a Repub- lican, but not an aspirant for public office.

IIannon, T. II., M. D) , a young and promising physician of Hoosick Falls, is a grad uate of Bellevue Medical College, one of the famous hospitals of the world, where he completed a three years' course in 1891. Prior to this he had been in the office of Dr. J. C. Ilannon of this place as a student for two years. He was born at North Hoosick in 1864, and his father is Thomas Hannon of that place. Before he began the study of medicine he had been at Troy High School, and Troy Business College. Even in the short time he has won the confidence of a large circle of friends, and a brilliant career is before him.

McWayne, L. D., M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Hoosick Falls, is of Scotch descent, and the son of a blacksmith. He received a common school educa- tion at Pawlet, Vt., where he was born in 1836 and where he resided until nineteen years of age. He began medical study at Akron, Ohio, with Dr. W. E. Chamber- lain with whom he remained for four years. In 1876 he entered Worcester Uni- versity at Cleveland, O., and was graduated in 1879. He then practiced seven years at Akron, and came here permanently in 1890. Dr. McWayne is a well known spe- cialist, and eminently successful in his practice. He claims the wonderful record of treating 2,000 cases of diphtheria without a loss.

White, John B., is one of the oldest citizens of the town of lloosick and a personal landmark. He has been a resident since 1818, when he came here with his father, George W. White, who conducted a blacksmith shop. The death of the latter occurred in 1867, after a long life of eighty-one years. John B. was born in Massa- chusetts iu 1815 and labored on the farm aud at the blacksmith business until he be- came a resident of Hoosick Falls, twenty-seven years ago. lle is emphatically a selfmade man and acquired his wealth by speculation in cattle, sheep and wool, and now owns considerable real estate here. He was once commissioner of highways, but is not interested in politics now. Mr. White married in 1851 Almeda Wood of Hoosick. Of their five children none is living.

Kelyer, William, has been a lifelong resident of Hoosick, his native town. Born in 1830, he engaged in farming until thirty-six years old, then sold mowers and reap- ers in Rensselaer county one year. He acquired through his own efforts his education and his success in life is due to close application and shrewd business capacity devel- oped early in his career. He dealt largely in real estate and still continues in the business. lle is one of the directors of the First National Bank, and a member of the Board of Trade. He has been a Mason twenty years, and his connections with

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 24

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