Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 27

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 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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who came here from Schaghticoke nearly forty years ago, and soon after established the business which has grown into one of the most important retail houses of Hoosick Falls. Of the elder brother, Joseph, who died in November, 1896, a more extended sketch will be found elsewhere. The business will be ably managed by Louis Haussler, under the old firm style, with a fine line of modern furniture and under- taking facilities of the finest.

Case, II. D., a prominent farmer of Eagle Bridge, is the owner of 118 acres of land, the old homestead of Pardon Moseley, father of Mrs. Case, born Carrie B. Moseley, whom he married in 1860. Their children are Lconora, Mrs. Henry Kipps, Estella J., wife of John B. Hill of Hoosick, and Fannie M. Mr. Case was born in Pittstown in 1837, son of David Case, who was born near Hoosick Falls, and en- gaged in farming. Mr. Case makes a specialty of Merino sheep. He is a Repub- lican, but not an aspirant for political preferment. He is an officer of the Hoosick Co-operative Fire Insurance Company, and a director in the First National Bank of Iloosick Falls.

Pine, P. S., is of English ancestry. The first American of this family settled in Rhode Island, and the ancestors of Mr. Pine were closely identified with the early history of Hoosick and adjacent towns. He was born in Pittstown in 1844, son of James Pine, who was also a native of that town. Mr. Pine has been a resident of West Hoosick since 1868, and is engaged in farming. He is a man of integrity and highly esteemed. Ile is an ardent Republican, and has served two years as com missioner of highways. Ilis wife was Hulda A. Guile, daughter of Roger Guile, by whom he has three sons and two daughters.

Osborn, Amos, of Hoosick Falls, is the second son of David Osborn, a native of the adjacent town of Pittstown. The latter spent most of his life at Hoosick, being a large and successful farmer. His death occurred in 1881 at seventy-four years of age. Amos Osborn was born at West Iloosick and has always been engaged in farming here, owning about 200 acres. Ile is a descendant of an old local family ; his grandfather, John Osborn, a very early settler, came here from Boston. Ile in. herits the sterling qualities of his forefathers and occupies an honored place among the citizens of his town. Ile married in 1861 Mary Rowland, daughter of William Rowland. Their son, Frank, married Eveline Smith of Pittstown, and Estella, the daughter, is at home.

Felter, Mahlon, M. D., was born in Eminence, Schoharie county, in 1831. His father, Mathew Felter, was a native of Rensselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., and one of the leading church men of that place. Ile died in 1872. His mother, Sally Phelps, died in 1894 at the age of ninety-four years. Ile attended the New York Conference Seminary and went from there to Union College from which he was graduated in 1879. In 1857 he became a student of Prof. James McNaughton, and at the same time entered the Albany Medical College from which he was graduated in 1859. August 1, 1859, he began the practice of medicine in Troy, since which time he has enjoyed an extensive practice. He received the degree of A. M. from Union in 1860. He is a member of the American Academy of Medicine and belongs to the New York State Medical Society and the Rensselaer County Medical Society. Ile was city physician of Troy in 1861-1862 and is a member of the American Medi-

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

cal Association. He was married in 1857 to Sarah A. Bingham of Albany, who died in 1872. Ilis son, Edgar M., is superintendent of the Maryland Steel Co. at Balti- more. The doctor for many years has been prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty second degree. In politics he has always been a staunch Republican. He is an associate member of Griswold Post No. 338, G. A. R.

Bloss, Richard D., M. D., was born in Royalton, Vt., March 25, 1835. His father, Richard Bloss, M. D., lived in Royalton and came to Troy in 1840 where he opened practice with Dr. Richard S. Bryan at 26 Fourth street; he was a member of all the medical societies and died in 1863. His mother, Gratia (Parkhurst) Bloss, also of Royalton, died in 1891 at the age of ninety-two. Richard D. Bloss received his edu- eation at the Vermont Medical College and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. After graduating he practiced medicine in Racine, Wis., and after a short time came to Troy where he has since been engaged in the practice of medi- cine. He has always been a Democrat. He belongs to the National and State Homeopathie Societies. He was major in the 2d New York Vols., under Gen. Joseph B. Carr two years. He has one son who is now attending the Peekskill Military School.

Stockwell, Mrs. Adelia S., is the widow of the late Godfrey E. Stockwell, who had been a resident of Hoosick Falls since he was twenty years old. He was born in Vermont, and married at Bennington in 1848 Adelia Sophia Dill who was born at Petersburgh, daughter of Thomas Dill. Four children were the issue of this mar- riage: Adele M. Clark of this place; George E. Stockwell pastor of the M. E. church at Fort Plain; Charles II. of Hoosick Falls, engaged in real estate business; and Albert M. now traveling for a shirt manufacturing company. Mr. Stockwell's death occurred in 1878, mourned by the whole community as an honored citizen and by his family as a loving father and a kind and indulgent husband. He was a faithful and consistent member of the M. E. church, with which his memory still linger as a benediction.

Curtis, Montgomery G., was born in Durham, Greene county, N. Y., January 15, 1843. His father, Gilbert Curtis, went when quite young with his parents from Cheshire, Conn., to Durham, where he started a cooper shop and saw mill, and for many years was the proprietor of a hotel at South Durham; he died in 1998; his wife, Minerva A. (Stevens) Curtis, died some years before her husband. When nineteen years of age Curtis G began clerking for Mr. Connolly in the carriage and saddlery hardware business, which relationship existed for three years; February 1, 1869, he purchased an interest in the business, the firm becoming Connolly & Curtis; Mr. Connolly died and he purchased his late partner's interest, and in 1886 he took in partnership Seward Richardson, forming the firm of Curtis & Richardson which continued until January 1, 1892, when Charles A. Newell took Mr. Richardson's in- terest in the firm, changing the title of the firm to Montgomery G. Curtis & Co. The business was originally to supply harness-makers and carriage-makers with supplies for those trades; it has changed very much in thirty years; they now depend largely upon the country merchants for their trade, supplying them with blankets, robes, horse goods and carriage supplies of every description; they mannfacture harness and many saddle specialties for the wholesale trade. Mr. Curtis is a director in the

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Mohawk and Hudson Valley Humane Society and a member of the Troy Good Gov- ernment Club; for four years he was a member of the city Common Council. Ile was married to Mattie Rickerson in 1868; she died in 1890. In 1893 he married Mrs. Helen I. Dunham of Troy, and has one son and a daughter.

Brockett, Samuel S. (deceased), was born in Massachusetts, May 2, 1822. IIis parents (Ithra and Phoebe Brockett) lived in Massachusetts many years, but died at Burlington, Conn. Mr. Brockett came to Greenbush when a young man. He en- gaged in painting and paper hanging and carried on that business until he died, Jannary 15, 1896. Ile was twice married ; first to Elsie M. Winnie, by whom he had four children, of whom one is living: Fred S., born in Greenbush and educated in Greenbush, Cass's private, and Fulsom's Business College of Albany. He is a painter and paper-hanger. Mrs. Brockett died in 1881, and in 1884 he married Mary J. Wagner, daughter of George Il. and Amanda Smith, born in Albany county and died in Greenbush. He died April 7, 1881, and she September 5, 1864. To Mr. and Mrs Brockett were born three children: Elsie M., Elmer B. and Ethel H. Mr. Brockett was at one time poormaster, and a member of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Lodge No. 157.

Gray, James, was born in Greenbush, August 17, 1862. IIc is a son of John and Mary (Forester) Gray, both born in Scotland and came to Greenbush in about 1841; here Mrs. Gray died in 1895, and the father retired. Ile was a ship builder. Mr. Gray was educated in Greenbush and learned the tinner's and plumber's trade, and in 1883 engaged in the hardware business, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Gray has been inspector for the Board of Health for three years. Ile is a mem- ber of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery and the Cypress Shrine; the three latter orders are in Albany. June 5, 1889, he married Libbie Kemp of Schodack Center. In 1894 Mr. Gray took a trip through Ireland, England and Scotland on his wheel. le also visited Paris.

Smith, C. J., was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., June 23, 1853. Ile is a son of Peter P. and Rachiel E. (Moul) Smith, he born in Brunswick and she in Dutchess county. The grandfather of Mr. Smith was also a native of Rensselaer county. His father was Peter Smith, an early settler of Brunswick. The wife of Peter P., grand- fatherof Mr. Smith was Hannah Smith (no relation before marriage). The maternal grandfather of Mr. Smith was Frederick I. Moul. He was a son of Jacob Moul, born April 16, 1776, and one of the carly settlers of Rensselaer county, where he died in the town of Poestenkill. His wife was Catharine Moul, born February 11, 1778. Jacob Moul died December 11, 1863, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife died March 20, 1865, at the age of eighty-six. The father of Mr. Smith was a carpenter by trade. Ile spent thirty-three years in Saratoga county at carpenter work and the manufacture of lumber, but spent most of his life in Rensselaer county. He died February 24, 1895, and his wife June 24, 1877. Mr Smith. was educated in the common and select schools of Saratoga. Ile engaged in the manufacture of lumber and brush supplies and continued in business eight years, then came to Lansingburgh and manufac- tured doors, sash and blinds for one year and a half. In 1878 he came to Bath on the Hudson and was in the grocery business until 1888, and then engaged in the coal

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

and wood business in Greenbush and Bath. Ile is collector of the United States Loan Accumulating Association of Albany. He owns three residenees in Fifth street in Bath and vacant lands fifty by one hundred feet on Fourth street. Mr. Smith is now one of the trustees and chairman of the Fire Committee of Bath. Ile is chairman of the Water Committee and also a member of the Street Committee. He is a member of the Riverside Lodge No. 47, K. of P., and is also a member of the Bath Hook and Ladder Company, and is agent for the opera house. Ile is at present administrator of Julia A. Moul's estate of the town of Poestenkill. Febru- ary 21, 1872, be married Ella C. Rickerson of Providence, Saratoga county. They have had six children: Berton J., Charles W., Philura E., William, Harry E., and Cora.

Unger, John C., was born in Greenbusb, N. Y., August 31, 1865. He is a son of Henry and Anna (Adair) Unger, he born in Switzerland and she in Ireland. Mr. Unger came to the United States when a young man and spent most of his days in Greenbush. He died July 21, 1895, and his wife died September 12, 1895. John C. Unger was reared and edueated in East Greenbush and learned the trade of painting and paper-hanging. March 1, 1896, Mr. Unger removed his business to 108 Broadway, where he keeps on hand a fine stoek of wall paper and paints, and where he also manufactures floor oil; the building is a capacious three storied brick, with store office thirty-five by eighteen feet. This property is owned by Mr. Unger; he erected the building in the early part of 1896.

Russell, George II., was born August 13, 1848, in Rochester, Windsor county, Vt., of New England stock, his ancestors having come from northern Massachusetts into New Hampshire and then into Vermont in the days when the State was first settled. George II. Russell, on the first day of the opening, May 7, 1859, commenced work as a eash boy in the branch store in Albany of Ubsdell, Pierson & Co. of New York (now WV. M. Whitney & Co.), continuing until the spring of 1863 when his parents removed to Pittsfield, Mass. His time there was spent in part at the High School of the town, after- wards in a store connected with the woolen mills of L. Pomeroy's Sons, thenee he went as superintendent of the mills run by Sarsfield & Whittlesey, and then was for a time in the employ of the American Express Co. In 1867 he returned to Greenbush with his parents. 1his father was for nearly forty years in the employ of the Boston & Albany Railroad, and at the time of his death, in 1889, he was one of the oldest con- ductors connected with the road. This connection was the reason for various ehanges of residence, one of which was a two years' stay in Boston, Mass., in 1854- 56. Returning from Pittsfield and having finished a course at the Albany Business College, George H1. was for one year in the employ of Hinekley & Lewis, a worthy pair of ex-coaster captains from Cape Cod, who were for a long time in business in the city as shippers and forwarders in connection with the Eastern markets by ves- sels, the shipment of lumber and other products of the West, being consigned to them and here transferred to the schooners which they chartered. This was in 1868 in the last days of the Yankee coasters which formerly erowded the docks of the eity. Ile was next employed in the office of the tobacco factory of Benjamin Payn, leav . ing this to go to Westfield, Mass. An illness eaused him to give up his position, and returning to Greenbush in November, 1871, he entered the employ of Charles R. Knowles, who was then, as now, doing a very large fire insurance business as man-

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ager of several companies of New York State, headquarters at Albany. In 1874, after eight months spent in travel in the Western and Southern States, he made a connection with Mr. E. J. Knowles who had been appointed manager for the State for the Western Assurance Company of Canada, which was continued to the present time. In 1878 the firm of Knowles & Russell was formed for the transaction of the fire insurance business locally, and this connection also continnes in force. They have represented a large number of companies, and have built up a large and profit- able business as a result of persistent effort and intelligent methods. In addition to the main office in Albany, Mr. Russell has an office in this village, and he is con- neeted with various enterprises in both places. Mr. Russell is a pastmaster of Green- bush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., past high priest Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., member of De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T. He is trustee of the Albany County Savings Bank, Albany Camera Club, and the Greenbush M. E. church. Ile has been trustee for the Fourth ward for two years, and was president of the village one term (renomination declined). Ile was married in 1875 to Miss Phebe A. Hermance, a descendant of the old Columbia county Dutch settlers. They have had two children: Mabel A., who was a graduate (and president) of the senior class of the Albany Female Academy in 1896; and Clarence II., who was a graduate of the (captain Co. A, Cadet Battalion, winners of the Guidon drill) Boys Academy in 1896. Mr. Russell has resided for twenty-one years at No. 14 Third street where he has a delightful home, and he has also a summer cottage at Vischer's Ferry on the Mohawk.

Lodewick, Charles C., was born in Schodack, N. Y., December 24, 1849. The father of Mr. Lodewick was a farmer and merchant; he built the Rensselaer House and owned the block known as the Lodewick block ; he was treasurer of the village for many years, and was a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M. ; he died in Greenbush in 1874, but for the last ten years lived in Loudonville, Albany county. Charles C. Lodewick was reared and educated in Greenbush. He was graduated at the Classical Institute of Albany and also attended the boarding school at Genesco, N. Y. Mr. Lodewiek went to St. Louis at the age of twenty years and was in the office of Missouri Pacific Railroad for about four years. He then came to Greenbush and engaged in the gram business, which he has followed ever since, and is also proprietor of the Greenbush flouring mills. In 1869 Mr. Lodewick was married to Martha Ring, daughter of James N. Ring, one of the most prominent citizens of the place. Ile has been president of the village for many years. In 1885 Mr. Lodewiek was a member of assembly, and also represented his district in the State Comnuttee while Murphy was mayor of Troy from 1882 to 1886. Mr. Lodewick was superintendent of the United States postal works during Cleveland's first ad - ministration. To Mr. and Mrs. Lodewiek were born three children: Bertha, James, and Florence.

Morris, James A., one of the firm of Morris & Smith, dealers in coal and wood, was born in Greenbush, April 8, 1813. Ile is a son of Alexander and Julia Ett (Ring) Morris, he born in Dutchess county, a son of John Morris, who came from Columbia county to Greenbush in a very early day, where he lived and died. The father of Mr. Morris was a rope-maker until about 1840, and then engaged in the coal business, being the second dealer in Greenbush. He died September 26, 1888, at the age of

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

eighty years, and his wife died August 10, 1888, at the age of eighty years. Mr. Morris was reared in Greenbush and educated there and in the select schools of Al- bany, Charlotteville, and Warnerville, Schoharie county. Ile began in the coal business in April, 1865, with Captain William Smith, an old resident of Greenbush. In 1864 Mr. Morris married Julia R. Craig, daughter of Captain S. W. Craig of Green- bush. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris were born two children: Alexander, clerk for the firm; and Daisy. Mr. Morris is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M. He has been supervisor of East Greenbush for two years, and chairman of the board in 1877. Mrs. Morris died April 18, 1875. November 13, 1879, Mr. Morris married L. Cornelia Cornell of Greenbush, by whom he has one daughter, Julia Ett.

Melius & Hemstreet, the firm of, is composed of Charles Melius and Eugene Hem- street. Mr. Melius was born at Saratoga Springs, October 1, 1834. He was a son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Mink) Melius, he born in Hudson, N. Y., and she in Canada. The grandfather of Mr. Melius was Jacob Melius; he was born in Hudson and spent most of his days there; he came to Greenbush about 1843 and there lived and died. The father of Mr. Melius was a blacksmith; he died in Rochester, N. Y., in 1871 and his wife died about 1880. Charles Melius was educated in the common schools. He was an engineer for the Hudson River Railroad for about twenty years, and in 1871 engaged in the mercantile business and has been very successful. He has been assessor and trustee of the town and was supervisor in 1868, 1869, and 1870, and has been school trustee for about ten years. He is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., and Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M. December 24, 1857. Mr. Melius was married to Anna Ilyler, by whom he has had four children : Hattie, of Yonkers, N. Y. ; Cornelia, at home; Carrie, of Camp Clark, Neb. ; and Charles, deceased.

Carr, Fred, & Son .- Fred Carr was born in New Hampshire, April 14, 1825. He is a son of Benjamin, born November 26, 1779, and Sarah (Wilcox), born December 5, 1782, she born in Newport, and he in Hillsborough, N. H. The Carr family trace their ancestry to seven brothers coming in the Mayflower and four of them settled in New Hampshire. The father of Fred Carr lived and died in New Hampshire. He was colonel in the State militia, and died October 31. 1859. Mr. Carr was reared and educated in Newport. He went to Boston when of age and began life as a bundle boy in a dry goods store where he remained for five years, then went to Wisconsin where he engaged in the lumber and saw mill business, also general store, grain and commission business; he was postmaster under Lincoln, and also express and steamboat agent at De Sota, Wis. May 11, 1866, he came to Greenbush and engaged in the cracker and biscuit business with J. Whitney on the corner of Second avenue and Washington street and continued in partnership with him until his death in 1881; after this Mr. Carr continued alone until 1892 when his son George W. bc- came a partner; the firm is now Fred Carr & Son. They have done an extensive business. He was married in 1861 to Mary Whiting, daughter of Jonas Whiting, by whom he has had two children: George W. and Hattie E. B. George W. was born November 16, 1864, in De Sota, Wis. ; he was educated in Greenbush and the Boys' Academy at Albany, N. Y .; May 22, 1891, he was married to Mildred Lansing of Greenbush, by whom he has had two children: Frederick L., and Charles W. Mr. F. Carr was treasurer of the Sewer Commission ; he is now president of the Board of

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Health and president of the Greenbush Cemetery. He is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., of Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., and of Green- bush Lodge, No. 133, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Carr died in 1876 and in 1877 he married Fannie Rifenburgh of Sandy Hill, Washington county, N. Y.

Cullen, John, was born in Ireland, April 19, 1826. He is a son of Lawrence and Mary (Maddan) Cullen, who were born and died in Ireland. Mr. Cullen came to America in 1847 and worked in Mount Hope and various other places. He was in the employ of the Hudson River Railroad for fourteen years, and about 1865 came to Greenbush and engaged in the mercantile business. He was a poor boy when he started out and is now one of the wealthiest men in Greenbush. In 1859 he married Mary Sellery, born in Ireland. They have no children.

Cole, John P., was born in Troy January 5, 1850. He is a son of John L., a son of Lewis, whose father eame from Dutchess county in 1796 and settled in North Green- bush on the farm now owned by Thomas Cole, where he lived and died. Lewis Cole was a farmer and spent most of his days in North Greenbush; he died in Brunswick in 1878. John L. Cole was a farmer, hotel keeper and merchant in Albia, N. Y., where he spent most of his days; he was alderman and supervisor for several years and held other minor offices; his wife was Elizabeth Phillips, of North Greenbush, a daughter of Davis Phillips, who spent most of his days in that town, but died in Albany county at the age of ninety-three; to Mr. and Mrs. Cole were born four daughters and two sons, of whom five are now living; Mr Cole died in 1861 and his wife April 14, 1891. John P. Cole lost his father when twelve years old, and worked for his uncle for four years; he spent one year in Illinois and then returned to New York and worked on a farm in Albany county for two years, after which he came to Rensselaer county and worked on a farm for two years. In 1870 he married Jennie M. Dings, daughter of Henry Dings, an early settler of East Greenbush. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole were born three sons and one daughter: Edmond, educated in the common schools and the Albany Business College, and is now engaged in the mayor's office in New York; Gracie, educated in the Albany Female Academy and Albany Normal School; C. Frank L. was graduated from the Albany Business College; and David, deceased. Mr. Cole was a member of assembly in the years 1895 and 1896. He is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., Greenbush Chapter No. 274. R. A. M., and Albany Lodge, B. P. O. E., No. 49, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. of Greenbush. Ile was a farmer until 1885, when he came to Greenbush and was in the restaurant business for six years. He then bought the Rensselaer House, now known as the Cole's Ilotel, of Greenbush.

Ryan, Cornelius A., was born in Greenbush, February 1, 1856. Ile is the son of Cornelius and Mary (Gorman), both born in Ireland, and came to Quebee in 18-15, then came to Albany, and finally to Greenbush where they both lived and died; Mr. Ryan died in May, 1895, and Mrs. Ryan in October, 1883. Cornelius Ryan was reared in Greenbush, where he also received his education in the Brothers' school. Hle then went to work as a brakeman with the Boston & Albany Railroad, where he remained for about sixteen years. Ile was then elected receiver of taxes and village elerk of Greenbush, which position he now holds. Mr. Ryan was elected police con- missioner for two years and supervisor for three years; he was also elected trustee of the village, which position he resigned to take the one which he now holds.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 27

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