Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 29

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 29

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Knowlton, F. M., was born in Castleton and educated in the schools of the village. Ile started the business of life for himself as a clerk with Joel D. Smith and became a partner in the business in 1888 with W. P. Smith under the firm name of Smith & Knowlton. Mr. Knowlton is a representative young business man and is universally popular ; he is a member of the fire department of which he is treasurer, a member of the steamer company, foreman of the fire company and a member of the Masonic order. Ile is one of the Owl Club and is president of the organization.

Larkin, Egbert, was born in Nassau, October 12, 1828, and is a son of Caleb K. and Linda A. Smith, both born in Nassau. He is a son of William Larkin, a native of Rhode Island, and one of the early settlers of Nassau, where he died at the age of ninety-two; he was in the Revolutionary war. The father of Mr. Larkin lived and died in Nassau, and had two brothers, who were in the war of 1812. Mr. Larkin was educated in the common schools, and for some time bought and sold cows. In 1870 he came on the farm he now owns of sixty-eight acres; he was commissioner for nine years, and was assessor for one year. In 1854 he was first married to Mal- vina Williams of Nassau, who died March 22, 1887, and in 1801 he was again mar . ried married to Louisa Becker of Schodack, and has two children: Jessie and ITazel L.

Masten, W. J. & C. P., of South Schodack, N. Y., dealers in general merchandise, dry goods, groceries, hardware, &c., are the sons of James Il. and Sarah M. (Ostran- der) Masten; she born in Schodack, N. Y., December 19, 1814, he born in Columbia county September 9, 1812, and was a son of William Masten, who was born in Can- ada and came to Columbia county when a young man at the age of twenty-one years and settled there for a few years, after which he came to Schodack and bought the farm near South Schodaek, and now owned by his grandsons, where he spent the remainder of his days and where he died July 15, 1856, at the age of seventy-two years. Ilis wife, Sallie (Wiltse) Masten, died August 4, 1868, aged eighty years. The wife of James 11. Masten was born in Schodaek and was a daughter of Peter Ostrander and Margaret ( Welch) Ostrander, who were among the early settlers of Schodach, where they spent all their lives and both died in their ninety-fourth year. The father of W. J. and C. P. Masten was a farmer and spent most of his days at that occupation, but lived a retired life the last twenty years, and died August 22, 1882, aged seventy years. W. J. and C. P. were reared upon the farm and educated in common schools. W. J. also attended school at Carlisle, Schoharie county, and Fairfield Seminary, Herkimer county. C. P. attended school at Claverack, Columbia county, and Fairfield Seminary. In the year 1865, May 1, W. J. engaged in the mereantile business at Schodack Landing, N. Y., where he remained for two years and in 1867 he, with his brother C. P., commenced in the same business at South Schodack, N. Y., and have continued in business there ever since. W. J. was assist- ant postmaster at Schodack Landing for one year, and postmaster at South Schodack for twenty-five years and six months in succession. On December 15, 1880, W. J. married Phebe S. Decker, of Schodack, by whom he has one daughter, Sarah D.

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

The only daughter of James H. Masten and his wife was Rosalind E., wife of John S. Budd, a prominent farmer of Schodack, and they have four children: Charles 1., William H., Mary E. and Sarah B., all of whom are still living.

Miller, Capt. George R., was born in Schodack on the farm he now owns, July 6, 1839. He is a son of Garrett and Martha (Seaman) Miller, both born in Schodack. Garrett was a son of John I., a son of one of the earliest settlers of the town. The grandfather of Mr. Miller purchased the farm where he lived and died. The father of Mr. Miller was a farmer; he died in 1861 and his wife died January 20, 1893, at the age of eighty-four Mr. Miller was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; he is a farmer and has 172 acres of land, following general farming; he was supervisor of the town in 1880 and 1881, and was also collector. In 1869 Mr. Miller was married to Theresa De Forest, a daughter of David and granddaughter of Jacob De Forest, an early settler of North Greenbush, To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born four daughters: Martha (deceased), Maria J., Helena and Sarah A. Mr. Miller is a member of Schodack Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M., and is past master. He was captain of Co. B, 72d Regiment, State militia.

Morey, F. R., was born in Nassau, July 1, 1869, and was educated in the public schools and Cornell University. His people are farmers and his life was passed on the farm and at school until the spring of 1895, when he entered into partner- ship with William E. N. Van Hoesen in the coal and freighting business, and in . January, 1896, purchased his interest and has since conducted the business alone. He handles 1,500 tons of coal annually and over 4 000 tons of freight. Mr. Morey's parents were Gardner and Lydia (Robinson) Morey; the latter is deceased. Ilis grandfather, Robert Morey, came from Connecticut. Mr. Morey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a young business man of prominence and more than ordinary ability.

Parks, Alonzo H., was born in Sand Lake, January 26, 1827, and is a son of Jon- athan and Elmira (Ilunt) Parks, he born in Sand Lake and she in Columbia county. Jonathan was a son of Whiting Parks, a native of Dutchess county, who came to Sand Lake, where he married, lived and died. Jonathan, father of Alonzo HI., was a wheelwright and a farmer and was in business in Sand Lake; he died in Stephen- town, and his wife in Sand Lake in 181. Alonzo IL, was reared on a farm and educated at Sand Lake Academy and has always followed farming. About 1854 he came to Schodack and worked at the carpenter's trade at North Chatham two years, and was engaged in the manufacture of wagons at Muitzes Kill for about five years, and then came to the farm of seventy five acres, to which he added seventy-five. In 1858 he was married to Mary Miller, daughter of Christopher Miller, who owned about 250 acres of land in Schodack, where he lived and died. Mr. Parks was at one time a member of the I. O. O. F. at Sand Lake, and was also a member of the Sons of Temperance. Philip S. Parks, son of Alonzo H. Parks, was born in Schodack, August 30, 1860, and was educated in the Albany Business College. He is one of the progressive farmers and owns about 108 acres of land. He follows general farming and makes a specialty of apples, May 16, 1879, he was married to Mary J. Keefer, of Greene county, by whom two sons have been born : Alonzo S. and Elba K. Mr. Parks is a Republican and has been inspector of elections.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Peaslee, J. S., M. D., was born in Montgomery county, March 15, 1849. He was ed- ucated in the Cazenovia Academy, at Cherry Valley, Fort Plain, N. Y., and in Albany Medical College, from which he graduated in December, 1874. In the spring of 1875 he began practice at Schodack Landing and has been there ever since, except one year, 1878. In 1879 Dr. Peaslee married Josie Springsteen; they have two children: Zebeth S. and Ruth. Dr. Peaslee's parents were Joseph B. and Lany (Seeber) Peaslee. He is the present postmaster at Schodack Landing and held the same office during Cleveland's first administration. Politically the doctor is a staunch Democrat.

Phibbs, William Il., was born in Sligo, in the North of Ireland, May 25, 1842, and came to this country in 1857 in company with his two brothers who are now in the ice business in Albany. He started in the retail ice business in Albany in 1869 and con- tinued it until 1879, when he came to Castleton and purchased part of the Collins farm and erected building for the wholesale ice business. In 1885 he was instru- mental in forming the Montauk Ice Company of Brooklyn, being a director and managing superintendent as well as one of the heaviest stockholders. In 1891 he bought the village ice house which he ran in connection with his other business. In 1893 he started in the lumber business in Castleton, which business he is in at present. He withdrew from active work in the ice business in 1894, although he still remains a stockholder. In the year 1872 he married Jennie Smith of Albany ; they have had six boys, five of whom are living, as follows: William H., Howard T., Joseph R., Ed- ward P., and Robert M., all of whom with the exception of the youngest, were born in Albany. Mr. Phibbs owns considerable village property including the handsome house in which he now lives. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and has never taken any active part in politics or held any office, although he has always worked for the success of the party to which he belongs. Ile is a member of the Water Commission of Castleton.

Randerson, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, December 30, 1812. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy Randerson, both of whom died in England. About 1832 Mr. Randerson came to Schodack and worked for $12 a month; afterwards he began the manufacture of the " Randerson plow," which he followed for about forty years; he also invented and manufactured the "Scotch drag." He finally in 1850 bought 1.10 acres of land, to which he has since added 400 acres, put up new buildings and otherwise improved it. He was married first to Sally A. Schermerhorn, who bore him three children, all deceased. For his second wife he married Catharine Cham- plin, by whom he had thirteen children, ten of whom are living: Antoinette, wife of Mr. Van Dacarr, who is on a government boat at New York city; Mariette, wife of Mr. Stanley, overseer of the Sweeney farm near Malden Bridge; Elizabeth, wife of Stephen F. Miller of Kinderhook ; John, a prosperous dredger at New York city ; George, at home in charge of the farm; Martha, wife of Frank Rossman of Kinder- hook; Kittie, wife of Pierson Lobdell of Troy; Lavina, wife of Remus Lasher, agent for the Homer Wagon Co. ; Julia, wife of Edward Brousseau of Burns's Dock; Ida, wife of Irving Johnson, a farmer of Schodack. Mrs. Randerson is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Champlin, he born in Vermont and she in Coxsackie, N. ) .; they came to Rensselaer county about 1826 and resided on afarm until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Randerson have twenty grandchildren and one great-grandchild,

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Rhoda, William H., was born in Schodack, N. Y., June 12, 1826. He is a son of Charles and Christina (Hulsapple) Rhoda, she born in Schodack, N. Y., and he in Columbia county, she a daughter of William Hulsapple, a native of Dutchess county, who when a young man came to Schodack, and there lived and died. The father of Mr. Rhoda was a carpenter by trade; he died June 1, 1877, and his wife died Novem- ber 24, 1885. William II. Rhoda was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is now a farmer and has forty-two acres of land, his father's homestead, he being the only son. He had two sisters of whom one is living. He was married September 21, 1855, to Elizabeth Link, a native of East Greenbush and a daughter of William Link. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoda were born four daughters: Hattic, Mary, Annie, and Alice. The wife of William Hulsapple was Susannah Link who died November 7, 1839. They were married March 1, 1795.

Smith, William P. was born in Castleton, May 23, 1846, and was educated at Mechanicville and Fort Edward. He was engaged in the coal business for three years when he went into the manufacture of brick for five years and embarked in mercantile business in which he is still engaged as senior partner of the firm of Smith & Knowlton. Mr. Smith has long been an active Democrat and is highly ap- preciated by his party. He has served as delegate to the county and State conven- tions as well as judicial conventions; has been clerk of the village of Castleton for ten years; was postmaster under Cleveland's administration and has been again throughout the present presidential term. Mr. Smith is president of the Commercial Union Co-operative Association and is also trustee and treasurer of the Cemetery Association. He married Anna Knowlton, who died December 10, 1893, leaving two children, William K. and Lucy. Mr. Smith's parent's were Joel D. and Hannah E. (Stearns) Smith. Joel D. Smith was the founder of the Castleton National Bank and was its president from its organization till his death in 1886.

Smith, Joel D., was born in Castleton, October 28, 1866, and was educated in Castleton and at the Albany Institute. He engaged in milling in connection with George T. Callanan and afterwards became connected with the freighting firm of Charles 1I. Smith & Co., of which his father was formerly a member and whose place he took when his father died. The firm is one of the largest, strongest and best known freighting concerns on the Hudson River and does a vast amount of carrying. In 1889 Mr. Smith married Mary W. Golder. His parents were John D. and Magdahne (Ihudson) Smith. His grandfather was Joel D. Smith, the head of the Smith family of Castleton which has for upwards of a century played an important part in the business and public life of the town and village. Joel D. Smith, although quite a young man, has already achieved the reputation of being one of the ablest business men in the county.

Seaman, Jacob, was born in Castleton, Rensselaer county, July 28, 1849. His father was a merchant in Castleton, and after his school days he went into the store with which he has ever since been connected, and of which he is now sole proprie- tor. The business was founded by N. N. Seaman & Sons in 1883, followed by J. & C. Seaman, and in the spring of 1895 the business passed into the hands of j. Sea- man. In 1868 Mr. Seaman married Sarah Allendorph; they have one daughter, Della A., now Mrs. Arthur Backman. Mr. Seaman is a prominent and active Re- .

FAMILY SKETCHES.

publican, is chairman of the town committee and has been delegate to many county and State conventions, and has also been trustee of the village of Castleton. Mr. Seaman's parents were Nathan N. and Rachel (Ostrander) Seaman, both of whom arc Hollanders by descent. Ilis father was a prominent man in his day and was justice of the peace for sixteen consecutive years. His brother, C. Seaman, who died in the spring of 1895, was twice president of the village. He was a prominent Mason and was treasurer of the lodge at his death. He was also secretary of the Castleton Cemetery Association, which was organized by N. N. Seaman, which office fell to Jacob upon the death of his father. Jacob Seaman owns one of the most historical landmarks of Rensselaer county, Castle Ilill, a tract of twelve acres which has been in the family for over thirty years.

Schlemmer, George, wasborn in Germany November 23, 1834, and came to America in the spring of 1852, with his mother and one brother. He settled in East Schodack but came to Castleton in 1854 and has resided in the village ever since and has done a great deal towards building up the village. He has erected the great majority of the buildings in the place and bas a high reputation for good work and honesty in all his dealings. In 1859 Mr. Schlemmer married Martha Primmer and they have a family of three children: Fred G. Schlemmer, Mrs. Dr. Waldradt and Olive Schlem- mer. Mr. Schlemmer's parents were Frederick and Salome Schlemmer. Mr. Schlem- mer is a large owner of real estate and houses in Castleton and is a selfmade man. He had two brothers killed in the Civil war. William being killed in Gettysburg and Jacob at Cold Harbor.

Smith, Zacariah Z., was born on the farm he now owns, December 22, 1805. He is the son of Zacariah and Susanna (Lown) Smith, both of whom were born in Dutchess county, he the son of Philip also born in Dutchess county, who was a cap- tain in the Revolutionary war; he lived and died in Colmbia county. Mr. Smith's father came to Schodack, N. Y., in 1794 and took up ninety-four aeres of land and there lived and died; he cleared his farm from a wilderness; he died in April, 1827, and his wife in June, 1848, aged seventy nine years. Mr. Smith was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has followed farming and now has 1,050 acres in Nassau and Schodack. Mr. Smith has rented his land since 1862.

Seaburgh, Joseph M., was born in Germany, November 30, 1810. He is the son of Charles and Mary (Passo) Seaburgh, both of whom were born in Germany and there lived and died: Mr. Seaburgh came to America in 1869 and worked for his brother, John Seaburgh, for one year, and then worked by the month for some time; he then rented farms for six years and in 1883 bought the farm of fifty-two acres upon which he has lived ever since. Ile was married in 1869 to Wilhelmina Schultz, daughter of Christian and Carolina Schultz; she died in Germany and Mr. Schultz in Scho- daek, N. Y. Mr. Seaburgh had $150 when he came to New York city ; he has made his own property and owns a good farm.

Smith, Isaac N., was born in Schodack, in 1835, a son of John N. and Anna (Hendricks) Smith, both of whom were born in Rensselaer county, he a son of Nich- olas Smith, and she a daughter of William Hendricks. Mr. Smith was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and owns a farm of 100 acres. lle is a member of Sunnyside Lodge, No. 781, F. & A. M. He was married

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

in December, 1860, to Catharine E. Carpenter, a daughter of Walter and Christina (Miller) Carpenter of Schodack. To Mr. Smith and wife were born four children : Elva C., Georgina, Hattie, and John N.

Sliter, Edgar and John W., were born in Greenbush, John W. October 12, 1851, and Edgar, March 22, 1854. They are the sons of Christopher and Catherinc (Sliter) Sliter. The father was born on the farm now owned by his sons and the mother in Poestenkill. The grandfather, George Sliter, was a carpenter and farmer, bought the farm and there died when Christopher was only six years of age. Ile was then reared by his uncle, John C. Carner, a farmer of East Greenbush. Ile came to North Greenbush in 1844 and bought the old homestead, where he died April 28, 1894. Mrs. Carner died in August, 1889. In 1881 Edgar Sliter married Margaret Sliter of Poestenkill and has one daughter, Mary A. In 1890 John W. married Liz- zie M. Lash of East Greenbush, by whom he has two children: Arthur J. and Edith M. The two brothers Sliter, Edgar and John W., purchased and took charge of the homestead farm after their father's death in 1894. It consists of 156 acres; they make a specialty of milk and keep about thirty-seven cows. They are members of Silver Brook Lodge No. 722, I. O. O. F., and J. W. is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M. ; both are members of the order of the Patrons of Industry.

Van Buren, Charles, was born in Castleton, N. Y., September 14, 1843, and is a son of Abram and Martha (Finkle) Van Buren, he born in Schoharie and she in Cas- tleton. He was a son of Cornelius P., born in Schodack, a son of Henry Van Buren, who came from Holland and died in Schodack, previous to the Revolutionary war. The father of Mr. Van Buren had been a boatman for about sixty years, and now lives a retired life. He is a Democrat and has been collector and road commissioner. Ile was a member of Hudson River Lodge, I. O. O. F., now out of existence. Charles Van Buren was reared in Castleton and was also educated in that place. lle started as sloop boatman and was in the freighting and commission business. In 1881 he bought a farm in Schodack where he lived for seven years; he then re. turned to Castleton and engaged in the meat and grocery business. He is a Demo- erat and has been collector of taxes, and is a member of the Sunnyside Lodge No. 731, F. & A. M., of which he is now master. In 1870 he was married to Frances 11. Wiltse of Greenbush, by whom three children have been born : Lillian, William, and Martha.

Van Buren, Abram W., was born on the farm where he now lives, Angust 8, 1854. He is the son of Abram B., born on the same farm, a son of Barent Van Buren, also born on the same farm, and his father Abram was either born on this farm or came here when a mere child with his parents, Johannes Van Buren and wife. Abram Van Buren was a captain in the Revolutionary war and was afterward appointed captain in the militia. The grandfather of Mr. Van Buren served in the war of 1812. The father of Mr. Van Buren was commissioner of highways, assessor, overseer of the poor, and collector; he died March 15, 1893; his wife was Katharine Van Buren, daughter of Andrew Van Buren, formerly of Columbia county and of German de- . scent; his wife is now living on the old homestead. Mr. Van Buren was reared and educated in Schodack. Ile has always followed farming and owns 110 acres of land. Ile was married in 1886 to Anna Ostrander, a native of Schodack and a daughter of

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Hiram Ostrander of Castleton, N. Y. To them were born one son, Andrew, who is the sixth generation living on the same farm.

Welch, C. D., M. D., was born in Albany, June 14, 1848, and was educated in the public schools and by Dr. William Arthur, father of President Arthur. He took a medical course in Albany Medical College and finished at the New York Homeopathie Medical College from which he was graduated in 1877. Ile practiced medicine in Schobarie county for nine years when he moved to Albany and practiced for three years and then settled in Castleton where he has built up a large practice. Dr. Welch is a prominent Mason of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is also a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He was health officer of Cobleskill, Schoharie county, and also of Castleton village. In 1881 Dr. Welel was dele- gate from the American Institute of Homeopathy to the International Home- opathie Medical Convention in London. In 1884 he married Mary Harwood. They have an adopted daughter, Mercedes Hulett. Dr. Welch's father was Rev. B. T. Welch, D. D., a Baptist clergyman who long officiated in the North Pearl Street Baptist church, now the Emanuel Baptist church on State street, Albany, and who died in 1870. He was the founder of the Albany Rural Cemetery, and the church and his friends have erected a magnificent Quincy granite monument to his memory, the inscription upon which records the faet. Dr. Welch's mother was Mary Law- rence, daughter of Dr. Lawrence of Baltimore; she died in 1892, aged eighty-five. On his mother's side he is a direct descendant of Commodore Lawrence.

Wood, W. W., was born in Goshen, Orange county, November 18, 1833. He lived on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to New York and engaged in the milk business. In 1851 he began to learn the trade of tinner, and in October, 1852, he came to Castleton and embarked in business for himself. He has been a very successful business man, and his long record is as honorable as it has been suc- cessful. Mr. Wood's parents were Horace S. and Martha (Drake) Wood. In 1871 Mr. Wood married Maria Knowlton.

Roberts, Abram E., was born in Schoharie, July 9, 1832. He was a son of Abram and Catherine (Bost) Roberts, he born in Rensselaer and she in Schoharie county. His grandfather was Abner Roberts, who spent most of his days in Brunswick, N. Y. This father came from England and settled on the farm now occupied by Merritt Roberts and Isaac Roberts. The great-grandfather of Abram Roberts was killed by the Indians on his own farm during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Roberts was educated in the town of Wright, Schoharie county, and was a farmer until nineteen years of age and has since been a carpenter. He came to Albany from Brunswick, and in 1868 came to Bath where he now lives. He owns a large building on the corner of Second and Fowler streets, and also a three story brick building at the corner of First and Fowler streets, and a residence on Broadway. In 1857 Mr. Rob- erts was married to Elizabeth File, daughter of Peter File. To them have been born four children: Dr. A. O., Emma, deceased; Minnie L., wife of Ira Ilayner, of Brunswick; and Everet II., of Washington, D. C., in the employ of the government. - Mr. Roberts is a member of Wadsworth No. 417, F. & A. M., also Rensselaer Lodge No.240. A. O. U. W., Fort Cralo Legion No. 58, Select Knights, and Fort Cralo Auxiliary No. 2, Select Knights. Mr. Roberts has been justice for twenty years and

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

is now holding that officc. He was elected assessor and has been trustce for six years, and also has been trustee of the school district for three terms, which position he now holds and has been president of the Board of Education.

Whitman, Peter D., was born in Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y., January 27, 1833. He was the son of John and Mary (Deyo) Whitman, he born in Chatham, and she in Schodack, N. Y. Ilis grandfather was Samuel Whitman ; he lived in Wayne county and spent his last days there. His father was a farmer, and died in 1877; his widow is now living. Peter D. Whitman was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and in 1866 he came to Schodack and in 1873 bought a farm of 160 acres, In December, 1860, he married Rosamond Shofelt of Schodack, by whom he has had five children: Sarah, Cordon, deceased, Catharine, Wilham and Clarence.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 29

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