USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 3
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In the year 1821, when about twenty-three, he came to Troy to start for himself in the dry goods business. His first store was on what is now called Franklin square. Ile early formed a partnership with William Lee, which coutinned for a short period under the firm name of Quackenbush & Lee. Mr. Lee will be remembered as the old man of over eighty who came on from Cincinnati in 1892 to attend the cen- tennial exercises of the First Presbyterian church and gave most interesting remin- iscences of it and of old Dr. Beman.
One of Mr. Quackenbush's early employés was Samuel II. Lasell, who many years after married his daughter Emma, and is now in his seventy-eighth year, the senior partner of the present firm. He has thus been identified with the business almost from its inception, and now has in his employ two grandsons of its founder, his own son, Edwin Quackenbush Lasell, and a namesake, G. V. S. Quackenbush.
From Franklin Square Mr. Quackenbush removed to 202 River street, where he remained for over thirty years, and from small beginning built up a business which occupied nearly as much floor room as the present store.
In 1827 Mr. Quackenbush married Hannah A. Bayeux, daughter of Henry Bayeux.
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She died in 1847. The issue of this marriage was seven children, only three of whom survive. There was no issue of his second marriage, in 1856, to the widow of David B. Plum.
Probably in no other place in this work will a reference to the Bayeuxs be made. A brief one seems pertinent. They were French Huguenots and emigrated to Dutchess county, N. Y. Hence Henry came to Troy and was the pioneer and lead- ing jeweller of the early century. llis store was at 182 River street and in his old age he lived with his son-in-law, the subject of this sketch, and was a member of his family at his death in 1845, aged eighty. His son Henry, who was connected with him in business, was one of the first captains of the old Troy Corps. He married Martha L. Vail, a relative of the late George Vail, and died in 1839. A daughter of this union still survives, Mrs. B. F. Baker of Ballston, N. Y. Another son, John, married Blandina Vanderheyden, daughter of the patroon ; their danghter is Mrs. Harvey J. King of this city. Susan Bayeux was the first wife of Albert Heartt, a brother of the late Jonas C. Heartt. She died at the early age of twenty-five. The last daughter, Julia M. Bayeux, always resided in Mr. Quackenbush's family. She died in 1882, aged seventy-two, being the only one of the children who lived to be over forty. With her the name of Bayeux as a surname became extinet.
But to return. Mr. Quackenbush's business career was not an uninterrupted suc- cess. Despite his energy and thrift he, like most ultimately successful business men, had early reverses, which, met with courage and honor, proved the preludes of success. In 1839-40 he was compelled by commercial depression to suspend. He effected an honorable compromise with his creditors. It was a final compromise, yet, when favored with success, he, though not legally obliged to do so, paid the full amount of his indebtedness. This honorable action and his wide repute for business capacity laid the foundation of a subsequent credit which tided him over the pame of 1857. Dry goods dealers all over the country failed and the panie occurred just after he had invested nearly all of his capital in the erection, in 1856, of his splendid warehouse at the corner of Albany (now Broadway) and Third streets.
Many foretold disaster, On the site of the present building stood a little old yellow frame house; there were, we believe, no business stands from Third street to the Uniou depot. Mr. Quackenbush, with his rare foresight, beleved that the locality would eventually become a business center, and it is now a hive of industry.
After weathering the panic of 1857 he attained great success. To amass large wealth was not his object. His pride in his business led him to most liberal ex. penditures in its development. To the rank and file of his employés, numbering nearly a hundred, he paid larger salaries than any other merchant.
The untimely death, May 8, 1869, of Gerrit, his eldest son, aged thirty-nine, and the only son he brought up in the business, was a severe blow. It left no one of the name as his successor. An obituary refers to this son as "one of the main supports of his father in condueting the business" and says that his life served " as a model of purity and grace to every young man in the city."
Only three years subsequently, on June 10, 1872, the father died, aged seventy. He had never sought or held any publie office, though when a young man, before the days of social or athletic clubs, when leading young men were members of the volunteer fire department, he was foreman of the Washington Volunteer Company.
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ELIAS G. DORLON.
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Its records evidence his efficient service. His son Gerrit was also subsequently fore- man of the same company.
Mr. Quackenbush disliked notoriety. He never sought public notice in any way except by legitimate, honest and non-sensational advertisement of his business. So retiring and unobtrusive was he that his intimate friends were surprised at the deep sentiment of loss which pervaded the community when he died. The daily papers gave it voice. One said: " The loss to this community is very great. Ilis store will remain a monument to the skill and ability of its founder for many years yet to come. For nearly fifty years a leading merchant of Troy, a citizen without reproach, a kind neighbor and a benefactor of his fellows, it is not possible for him to die without touching the sensibilities of the public. His business career affords a lesson to all young men and teaches that the way to the highest success can only be reached through the practice of the sternest virtues and the loftiest in- tegrity." Another touching obituary says: "Of the less than 100 noble men that Troy can point to as being, in an especial manner, the founders of its prosperity, the old man that now lies awaiting the sad rites of burial was among the most prom- inent. No man who has occupied so marked a position in our city has been less a subject for the tongue of detraction. His fame socially and as a business man is pure. No name will be more cherished in the coming years than that of Gerrit Van Schaick Quackenbush."
ELIAS G. DORLON.
ELIAS G. DORION was born in Troy, N. Y., January 20, 1840. He is a son of the well known hotel keeper, Philip S. Dorlon, who was the proprietor of Washington Ilall, corner of River and Grand Division streets, from 1827 to May 10, 1862, when it was destroyed by fire. He died May 8, 1886. His mother, Hannah E. (Whipple) Dorlon, was a native of Troy and died December 80, 1885 lle received a public school education, went into the hotel business with his father, and was with him at the time of the fire in 1862. Then he took a position with his uncle, Elias Dorlon, who was then proprietor of the Mansion House, and was associated with him until 1865, when his uncle sold ont. He then took charge of the American House at Bur- Ington, Vt,, and afterwards the Mount Mansfield House at Stowe, Vt. He then returned to Troy and at various times has had charge of the Troy House, Mansion House, and the American House as manager. The name of Dorlon has been closely identified with the hotel interest of this city for very many years. In 1821 William Dorlon, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Troy from Schaghticoke, and opened a public house on what is now known as Franklin Square, opposite the Dorlon building, corner of River and Grand streets. He had four sons: Elias, Philip S., Robert Platt and William. The father survived his removal here but a year. On Elias, then a youth of twenty, devolved not only the care of the family, but the management of the hotel. In the course of a year or more, his next brother, Philip S., joined him. In 1823 the boys took the York House, which stood on the site lat- terly known as the Market Bank. Here they remained two years, when in 1825 they took the property which afterwards became known as Washington Hall. This house
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the brothers kept together (with an interregnum of two years. when they were pro- prietors of the Rensselaer Ilouse) until 1842, when Elias and William Dorlon became proprietors of the Mansion House. This partnership continued fifteen years (1857), when William retired leaving Elias sole proprietor until 1865 when he disposed of the Mansion House to Albert E. Richmond of North Adams, Mass. This brief rec- ord makes the Dorlons hotel men of this eity for upwards of seventy years.
lle now has charge of the Philip S. Dorlon estate. He represented the Fourth ward in the Board of Aldermen from 1889 to 1896. Is a director in the Union Na- tional Bank, served nine years in the 24th Regiment National Guard, State of New York, also a former member of the Troy Fire Department (Trojan looks). Is a trustee of the Episcopal Church Home and secretary of the board. lle married Mary F. Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore, formerly a merchant of this city, and also general assessor. He has one son, Philip S. Dorton, who is an electrician, and a graduate of Union College, class '89, Schenectady, N. Y.
WILLIAM ORR.
WILLIAM ORR was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 13, 1808, and died in Troy, N. Y, October 22, 1891. Ile came to this country with his parents in 1811, and after residing in New York and Columbiaville they removed to Troy, where in 1826 Mr. Orr entered the employ of William T. Smith, a furniture manufacturer. The year following, with his brother Alexander he engaged in the printing of wall paper at No. 76 Congress street under the firm name of A. &. W. Orr. The first ma- chinery ever used to print paper by cylinders on which the designs or patterns for paper hangings were engraved or disposed was invented by William Orr, and all the world renowned cylindrical printing presses of recent years represent in part the original features of the mechanism of the paper printing press used by him. In 1838 the business place of the firm was burned out, and the next year the firm continued business at No. 265 River street.' In 1854 Mr. Orr became the first paper manufacturer in the country to make that product from wood pulp and rags com- bined. Seven years previous to that time William Cunningham became a member of the firm, which was then known as A. & W. Orr & Co. The present mill at the State dam was erected in 1851, and in 1859 the firm vacated its River street office and made the mill headquarters. In 1868 Alexander M. Orr became a member of the firm and December 24 of that year Alexander Orr died. The next year the other members formed the firm of Orrs & Co. Frederick W. Orr became a member in 1874, and S Alexander Orr, son of William Orr, Febrrary 1, 1885 In addition to inventing the process of making paper referred to Mr. Orr was also the inventor of a method of using water power to increased advantage.
Wilham Orr was a very ingenious man. For more than fifty years he was en- gaged in mechanical and manufacturing industries in Troy, during that time travel- ing extensively through the United States and Europe and acquiring much valuable information which proved of the greatest use to him m his work of invention and manufacture. His brain was a perfect storehouse of valuable information. He was the friend of all public improvements. During the early part of his business career
yours truly William Gr
HENRY C. CURTIS.
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he found it impossible to obtain in this section the quality of paper he desired, so he started a paper mill at Bennington, Vt. When the Troy & Boston Railroad was started he labored hard for its interests, and for many years was one of its directors. William Orr was in every sense a self-made man By virtue of his active and m- genious mind, his industrious habits, integrity of character and energy he made his way unaided to an enviable position in business and social life. He was a repre. sentative man, an honor to Troy, and few inhabitants of the city ever enjoyed a higher degree of honor and respect of their fellow citizens. Mr. Orr was twice mar_ ried. llis first wife was Maria Strain of Albany, and his second wife was the widow of William D. Stevenson of North Argyle, Washington county, N. Y. The latter died in 1882. He was survived by a son, Seth Alexander Orr, and a daughter, Mrs. Le Roy MeLean, both of Troy: a stepson, William D. Stevenson of Argyle, and a brother, David Orr of New York. In politics Mr. Orr was a Republican.
HENRY C. CURTIS.
HENRY C. CURTIS, one of the leading business men of Troy, N. Y., is a native of that city, born August 9, 1838. He is the son of the late George Curtis, an old resi- dent of Troy, who for many years had the contract for doing the teaming for the Albany Iron Works. He died in 1867. The mother of our subject was Esther (Moore) Curtis. She died in 1872 The education of Il. C. was obtained in the common schools of Troy. An meident that will well illustrate the characteristics of the lad was that while still a student, Mr. George Rockwood, then connected with the Troy Times, being desirous of securing a boy of integrity and energy, came down to the Ward school, looked the boys over, and out of a large number selected our subject to assist him in the canvass for the paper in that portion of the city and he was so engaged for several years; afterwards he took a position with F. W. Benson in his grocery store, with whom he remained about three years, when he realized that he needed more education and again became a student, intending to complete his edu- cation. His plans, however, were interrupted by his being sent for by Peter Thati- mer, to clerk in his grocery and general store for a few weeks. Young Curtis, giving such thorough satisfaction, Mr. 'Thatimer prevailed on him to remain longer and he staid with him eight years. This incident attests the sterling quahties of the young man.
In 1862 he entered the firm of Bennett, Strickland & Co., the pioneer collar manu- facturers, and was with them and their successors for twenty-two years. After several years he had an interest in the business and in ten years a partnership, and at the end of twenty years was a part owner of the establishment. In 1884 he sold out his interest in the concern to Mr. A. C. Fellows, and then formed a partnership with Charles Cleminshaw in the collar and cuff business, and commenced business in the five story building at 121- 423 River street on the 8th of February, 1884, under the firm name of 11. C. Curtis & Co. Afterwards Charles G. Cleminshaw was taken in as a partner. The business of the establishment became so large that a new building was erected in 1892, at which time they commenced the manufacture of shirts, which Mr. C. G. Cleminshaw superintends. The business has constantly
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increased so that now ten floors are occupied. The firm also have branches in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore, and do a very extensive busi- ness.
Mr. Curtis has been a member of the M. E. church for forty years, and has beld membership twelve years with the Fifth Avenue M. E. church, and for many years has been a class Jeader and superintendent of the Sunday school. He has also held all the different offices in the church. Ile is trustee of the Troy conference, also one of the trustees of the Conference Academy in Poultney, Vermont, and trustee of the Round Lake Association.
In 1869 Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Merey D. Savery, of Wareham, Mass. Ilis son llenry S. represents the New York branch of Il. C. Curtis & Co. He has one daughter, Florence 11. Curtis. In polities our subject has always been identified with the Republican party. It is with pleasure that we present to our numerous readers this record of a career of one of the representative men of Troy. A man who began life, practically unaided, and whose success, step by step, has been marked by unflagging industry, intelligent application to business, and the highest probity and integrity has characterized his life. Such a career is worthy of the emulation of the youth of our land.
JOSEPH JOSLIN TILLINGHAST.
JOSEPH JOSLIN TIMINGHAST, a well known and prominent business man of Troy, N. Y., was born in that city January 30, 1831. He is descended from a long line of New England ancestry. The first Tillinghast from which this family in America is descended was from Elder Pardon Tillinghast, who came to this country in 1643 when he was twenty-one years of age. He was born in the south of England near Beach Head in 1622, and descended from one of the same name who was one of the soldiers under Wilham the Conqueror from Normandy that conquered England from the Saxons at the battle of Hastings on the south coast of England in the eleventh century. Elder Pardon Tillinghast founded the first Baptist church in Providence, R. L., and became a large land owner and prominent man in the affairs of the colony. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was llon. Thomas Tillinghast, born in East Greenwich, R. 1., August 21, 1742. Ile was a member of the Colonial General Assembly, an officer in the Revolutionary war, subsequently judge of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. In 1787 he made the memorable decision, that under the U. S. Constitution the Rhode Isl- and serip money was not a legal tender; afterwards represented his State in Con- gress. His son, Allen, the grandfather of Joseph J., was born m Greenwich, R. I., February 28, 1768. He married Patience, the daughter of Rev. William and Patience Williams of Wrentham, Mass. Mr. Tillinghast was a prosperous merchant in Wrentham, Mass., and held many positions of trust and was highly respected. The father of our subject was Benjamin Allen Tillinghast, a native of Wrentham, Mass., born May 6, 1799. Hle married Miss Julia Ann Whitney, who was born in Wrent- ham, Mass. ; she was the daughter of Col. Moses Whitney, a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. Mrs. Tillinghast died in Troy, N. Y., March 7, 1850. To Benjamin
RUSSELL F. BENSON, JR., M. D.
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A. Tillinghast and wife were born five children, viz. : Thomas Allen, died in Troy June 10, 1879; Charles Whitney (see sketch); William Henry, retired and a resident of New York city ; Joseph J., and Alice Ann, deceased February 3, 1872. Mr. B. A. Tillinghast moved with his family to Troy, N. Y., in 1830 where he engaged in the sale of cotton and cotton cloths and for awhile had charge of the Albia Cotton Mills, afterwards became a commission merchant in the sale of wheat and flour, subse- quently engaged in the banking and insurance business with his son, Joseph J. During his business eareer he was recognized as among the prominent and energetic business men of the city. In politics he was first a Whig, afterwards a Democrat, In 1877 he retired from business, his death occurred January 2, 1887.
Joseph J. Tillinghast received an academic education in Rhode Island. His business career began in 1846 as elerk for Newcomb & Warren, wholesale druggists. He was treasurer of the Troy Savings Bank from 1851 to 1856; then went West and engaged in the hardware business in Keokuk lowa, from 1857 to 1860, the firm be- ing Tillinghast, Lane & Buell. In 1861 he returned to Troy and engaged in the banking business with his father under the firm name of B. A. Tillinghast & Son. In 1872 he entered the hardware firm of J. M. Warren & Co. as secretary of the con . cern, which position he still holds. During the administration of Andrew Johnson he was collector of the Port of Troy. He was an active fireman of Washington Vol- unteer Fire Co., and held the position of assistant captain and treasurer of that com- pany, also trustee and treasurer of the Troy fire department for a time. He was the projector and one of the original stockholders of the Troy & Albia railroad and was its first treasurer until shortly before it changed hands. He was also treasurer and director in the Troy and New England Railway Co. Ile was treasurer and member of the committee of one hundred of the Troy Centennial. Socially he belongs to the Reform Club of New York city, the Troy Club, and is a member of the society of the Sons of the Revolution, being regent of the Troy Chapter. Ile is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church, and is one of the wardens and also treasurer of that church; the latter position he has held for thirty-five years or more. He married, December 9, 1863, Miss Mary J. Sullivan of Madison, Ind., daughter of Judge Jere- miah Sullivan of the Supreme Court of that State; while a member of the Legisla- ture Judge Sullivan suggested the name Indianapolis in the act creating that city the capital of the State. To Mr. and Mrs. Tillinghast were born a son and daugh- ter, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Tillinghast has been an able energetic and successful business man, and is highly respected in the city where he has for so many years contributed his part to its growth and development. He is a member of the State Charities Aid Association of New York and is president of the Troy branch thereof. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party.
RUSSELL F. BENSON, JR., M. D.
RUSSELL. F. BENSON, JR., M. D., was born in Troy, March 23, 1852. He is the only son of Russell F. Benson of Heath, Mass., who came to Troy from that place in 1832, and has been for many years a mail carrier. He was appointed during Presi-
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dent Lincoln's administration, and is the oklest man in the United States employed in that capacity, being now seventy-five years of age. His mother, Jane E. (Heermance) Benson, was born in Troy in 1824, and her family was among the earliest settlers in the city.
Dr. Benson received his early education in the public schools of Troy, supple- mented by a course at the Business College where he graduated in 1868. lle had, however, very early in life shown a decided taste for the study of medicine, and soon abandoned all thought of a mercantile career to follow the medieal profession, the systematic pursuit of which he began under the preceptorship of Dr. J. P. Bloss of Troy. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in Oclo- ber, 1873, graduating in the class of 1876. The same year he entered the Homdo pathie College of New York, graduating in 1877. In the summer of 1891 he went abroad, taking a special course of study at Vienna. Returning he resumed his practice in Troy.
Dr. Benson is a member of the New York State Homeopathie Society, the Hahne- mannian Society of New York, the Rensselaer County Homeopathic Medical So- ciety, and the Albany County Homeopathie Medical Society. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, being a Knight Templar, and he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the following clubs, viz. : The Pafraets Dael, the East Side and the Troy Yacht Clubs. Dr. Benson was married September 13, 1882, to Miss Ilenrietta Pyre of Clifton Park, N. Y. (at St. Paul's church, Troy), by whom he has had two sons: Lawrence Trowbridge Benson, who died in 1886, and Arthur Wight Benson, born June 29, 1887.
S. WALTER SCOTT, M.D.
DR. S. WALTER ScorT was born June 15, 1816, in Rowe, Mass. He came from Puritan stock and can trace his ancestry back almost to the Mayflower. His father, Thomas Scott, was one of the leading business men of the town, a tanner and cur- rier by trade, carrying on an extensive business for many years; he died at the age of eighty-three.
Dr. Scott early conceived the idea of adopting the medical profession, and his primary education was with this end in view. He has been a constant student of medicine, so to speak, since he was fourteen years old. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Vermont June 19, 1867, and the next month entered upon active practice at Fayetteville, Vt. For twenty years he followed the regular practice.
When electricty came into prominence as a remedial agent, Dr. Scott spent much time in the investigation of its wonderful powers. He took a special course with the best electricians in the country, and is now the peer of any physician in the world in its use. In 189I he came to Troy and formed a copartnership with Dr. F. B. Smith ; after one year Dr. Smith retired, since which Dr. Scott has practiced alone and estab- lished the Electro-Medical Institute of Troy, with which there are connected several branch offices.
Determined never to be second in anything, when electricity became an accepted
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remedial agent, Dr. Scott at once supplied himself with abundant apparatus. He has a thoroughly equipped office at the Electro-Medical Institute at No. 5 Union Place, Broadway, where every current of electricity known to the medical profession for the cure of diseases is scientifically applied. Yet Dr. Scott does not call himself an electric specialist; he is a specialist, not from any mode of treatment, but be- cause he treats only special (nerve and chronic) diseases. He believes in and nses all the curative elements known to medicine. He has associated with him in busi- ness the celebrated eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. A. M. Fanning.
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