Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 32

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 32

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Moses, Miss Elizabeth-There is not a name in the vicinity of Hoosick Falls held in more loving veneration than that of the late Dr. Salmon Moses. Here he spent his life in self-sacrifice as a physician in administering to the sick and ailing, still- ing the fevered brain and allaying the pangs of disease with his skillful hand, and as a devout follower of his Saviour in keeping alive with two or three faithful per- sons the spiritual life of a church for twenty years, of whom St. Mark's Episcopal church holds in loving memory, Amid all the labor and exhaustion of his profes- sional life for fifteen years he was lay reader, sustaining the services of the church with often but one hearer in the little red schoolhouse on the hill. The beautiful memorial window, showing Moses, the law giver, before the burning bush on Mount Horeb, is truly a very fitting design. He was born at Norfolk, Conn., in 1992, son of a farmer, and first practiced medicine in Petersburgh. LIe came here in 1821 and continued in practice for fifty years, or until his death in 1874, caused by a gradual breaking down from the weight of his many years. His wife was Sarah Haswell of this place. Seven children survived him, three daughters, of whom Elizabeth is the oldest residing here.

Markham, E. P., one of the most prominent men engaged in mercantile business in Hoosick Falls, is a representative of an old English family, and born at Granby, Mass., in 1839. Ilis father, G. K. Markham, was superintendent of the woolen mills

FAMILY SKETCHES.

at Conway, Mass,, until his death in 1844 Mr. Markham was graduated from the academy thare in 1855 and married in 1859 Mary J. Phillips of that place When but seventeen years old he kept books for a factory there, and at twenty went to North Pownal, Vt., as bookkeeper of a woolen manufacturing firm, where he re- mained until 1884. lle then spent two years bookkeeping for the State on Hoosac Tunnel. At the same work he remained two years with the North American Life Insurance Co. at Albany and then came to North Hoosick in 1869 and engaged in mereantile business. In 1874 he established a grocery at the corner of River and

Church streets, where he still carries on an active trade. Ile occupies a prominent place in the social life here, and enjoys a wide popularity. Ile is a worthy member of the M. E. church and a Mason, member of both Van Rensselaer Lodge and of the Raymond Chapter; he is a Republican, and has been trustee of the village and is at present chairman of the board of sewer commissioners and president of the First National Bank. He has two sons and one daughter: George P. Markham, E. P., jr., and Hattie D., wife of B. Frank Agan of Johnsonville.

Peters, Mrs. S. S., widow of the late Charles Edward Peters, was Sarah S. Ester- brook of Iloosiek Falls. She was married in 1848 and has three children: Eugene Merrill; Fanny Amy, wife of Edward MeLean, a well-known resident here; and Dora, wife of J. II. McEachron, a jeweler of this place. Mr. Charles Edward Peters was born in 1826, and occupied the position of foreman of the iron working depart- ment of the Wood Machine Co. Ilis death occurred in 1877, but his memory will long be revered in the hearts of his fellow men as a man possessing great nobility of character. The son, Eugene Merrill, born in 1849, is a machinist by trade and prom- inent in the town. Ile is an earnest advocate of temperance and a member of the Presbyterian church, in which the whole family have been associated for years.

Wilcox, Charles G., hatter, furnisher, and clothier at No. 43 Church street, is the younger son of the late John E, Wilcox, a lifelong resident of the town of Hoosick, who was among the first employees of Walter A. Wood. Ile held prominent posi- tions with this firm many years, and was also a central figure in the local affairs of Hoosick Falls at the time of its incorporation, being one of its most valued citizens in both political and business eireles. Ilis sudden death in 1894 was a severe blow to his family and to his fellow citizens, by whom he was held in the highest esteem. Charles was educated here, where he was born in 1868, and first engaged in journal- ism, corresponding for the " Observer," "Press" and other papers. le engaged in his present business in 1891, with M. D Kincaid under the firm name of Kincaid & Wilcox. Ile succeeded Mr. Kincaid in the business in February, 1896. Ile is a member of the Hoosick Club, and an honorary member of the Citizens Corps, and has served a term as trustee of the village. Ile married Mary L., daughterof Thomas A. Hutchins, of Bennington. Mrs. Wilcox is a noted contralto singer and has sung in the churches of Albany, Troy, and North Adams, as well as her birthplace, Ben- nington, and has by her talent added to the populanty of her husband.

Surdam, Burke, representing a family of local pioneers, and the son of Walter Sur- dam, still resident at Iloosick Falls, was born here June 14, 1851, and has always lived here, His mother is a Hawthorn, of another family whose name adorns the early annals of the town of Hoosick and whose ancestry is English, while that of the

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Surdams is Holland Dutch. Burke was two years employed by the mower shop here, but later, having learned the harness making trade of his father and of his father's preceptor, has made it the business of his life, also dealing in kindred goods apper- taining to the comfort and well-being of the horse. The business is one of the old establishments, not less than seventy-five years at least. In 1842 Burke married Miss Anna A. Phillips of this place. Of unblemished personal character and strong convictions, he is a valued member of the Methodist church and an active exponent of the cause of prohibition.

Lawrence, P. E., now retired from the activities of business life, a well known and esteemed resident of Hoosick Falls, was born at Schuylerville, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 12, 1826, son of a woolen manufacturer, Ira Lawrence, who engaged in business at Schuylerville as early as 1810. Mr. Lawrence learned the mason's trade at Troy and soon became a master of the business, taking extensive contracts for erection of brick and stone structures here and elsewhere. He built in 1871 the Malleable Iron Works here and later the high school on Main street and several blocks. The late James Esterbrooks of this place was at one time his partner. Mr. Lawrence has permanently resided here since 1820. He has no children, an only daughter, Luta May, having died in 1858. Mrs. Lawrence is a daughter of the late Samuel Crosby of Hoosick Falls. Mr. Lawrence is an amateur musician of some note, especially as a singer, and Mrs. Lawrence an artist in oils, decorating her home with charming landscapes.

Ely, William II., a merchant and estimable citizen of Iloosiek Falls, is one of the company of Wallace, Jones & Ely, a firm organized since 1867. This general store with its immense stock is one of the most enterprising houses of the place. Mr. Ely came here at twenty-one years of age in 1865. Ile was born at Littleton, N. Il., in 1844, son of George W. Ely who moved to St. Johnsbury, Vt. in 1847 and established the Ely Iloe & Fork Co., which is still operated with Henry G. Ely, brother of Will- iam, as its president. The principal business of the father, who died in Philadelphia in 1876, was the manufacture of agricultural implements. Mr. Ely at seventeen entered the retail department of the store of E. & T. Fairbanks, the great scale manufacturers, where he remained three years. He married in 1869 Amanda R. Royce, of Waterbury, Vt., by whom he has eight children. Two sons are associated with him in business. He attends the Presbyterian church and is a member of the loosiek Club. . In polities he is a Republican and has officiated on the Board of Health many years.

IIorsley, Benjamin, the able editor and proprietor of the "Rensselaer County Standard," has been a valned member of society in the community of his adoption since his residence in Iloosick Falls, where he located in 1880. The paper was es- tablished in 1872, the files of which contain valuable material of local interest, and is conducted conscientiously and for the best interests of the town, where the editor is esteemed as a man and a citizen. Mr. Horsley was born at Soham, Cambridge- shire, England, in February, 1848, a very ancient town, and a great religious seat in the days of the aneient Saxons. He was educated at this place in the King Ed- ward school also at Ely Cathedral chorister school. After completing his education he learned the printing business, and at the age of twenty-one he went to Leeds;

FAMILY SKETCHES.

from there he went to Cambridge and London successively, holding positions in each place. From London he went to Ottawa, Canada, filling an engagement in the government printing office in that city. Later, he became connected with the Orange County Press at Middletown, N. Y., and remained there nearly nine years. He is what is known as a self-made man, and although of English birth actually came of the same original Puritan stock that emigrated to this continent and colonized that portion of the United States generally known as New England.

Johnson, Henry A., practicing lawyer at Eagle Bridge, originated in Shaftsbury, Vt., son of Freeborn Johnson, a physician of prominence and long standing in Shaftsbury. Henry was educated at the Union Seminary of Danville, Ill., and at Oberlin College, Ohio, and he followed teaching several years; he was principal of the union schools at Sandwich, Ill., and Newark, Ill. He married his present wife, Margaret Gooding, daughter of Mathew Gooding of White Creek in 1870. Two chil- dren were born to them: Wesley B. Johnson, aged twenty two, and Guy, aged fif- teen. Mr. Johnson settled at Eagle Bridge in 1872. He was assistant district at- torney under Samuel Foster, term expiring 1880. He is an Odd Fellow; a member of Van Rensselaer Lodge No. 400, F. & A. M., of Hoosick Falls; of Sandwich Chapter No. 107, of Sandwich, Ills .; of Apollo Commandery No. 15, of Troy; and Albany Sovereign Consistory, Ile is a supporter of the M. E. church, of which his wife is a member. His first wife was Emily George, daughter of Judge Dennis George, of Shaftsbury, Vt. She died in 1866, leaving one daughter, Anna, now Mrs. Lynn Cornell, of Jamestown, N. Y.

Joslin, E. A., is the fourth descendant in a direct line to become owner of the Joslin homestead. Ilis great-grandfather, Potter Joslin, was the first ancestor that settled at Eagle Bridge. He is the grandson of Thomas Joslin, and son of Arnold Joslin, whose whole life was spent here where he died in 1887, aged sixty-eight. 'The latter was a very influential citizen whose advice was sought by young and old ; he was much engaged in the settlement of estates and was nine years in succession commissioner of highways. The present estate consists of 126 acres, but the pa- ternal ancestors originally owned a large tract of land here. Mr. Joslin makes a specialty of fine merino sheep In 1975 he married Minerva A. Kipp of Pittstown. They have two children Clarence W., aged seventeen, and Sylvie, aged sixteen. In polities Mr. Joslin is a Republican ; he attends the Baptist church.

Sheridan, William, is the son of Thomas Francis Sheridan whose death was deeply mourned by the residents of Hoosick Falls in 1885. He lived to seventy-four years of age, and was a wagonmaker and carpenter by trade; in 1850 he built the first Catholic church in the town of Hoosick on Church street; it was destroyed by fire years ago. William was born in Ireland in 1810 and came to America in 1850. Ile was educated at Ball Seminary and first learned the iron moulder's trade, euter- tering the employ of the Wood Machine Company in 1855, remaining in the foundry thirteen years. In 1868 he went into the liquor busmess and conducted a hotel twenty-five years. Ile is now retired from active life, after having also served his town officially as overseer of the poor several terms; he has also been village trustee four terms, being a Republican politically. Ile is a prominent official of the R. C. church and eminently respected wherever he is known. He married in 1863 Sarah Keenan, daughter of a pioneer settler of Manchester, Vt.

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

Hawthorn, Harris S., is a native of Salem, N. Y., and first son of William Haw- thorn, also a native of that place, born in 1796. Ile was a blacksmith, and died in 1845 after only one year's residence in Iloosiek Falls. Harris S. was born in 1832, and educated at Hoosick Falls. He acquired the earpenter's trade and was twenty. five years in the mower shops. He is a prominent official in the M. E. church, and a devout and faithful member; also chaplain of the G. A. R. Post. Mr. Hawthorn has a worthy war record. Enlisting in 1860 in Co. F, 121st N. V. Vols., he served three years and rose from a private soldier to a sergeant. Perhaps the most striking event of his life was his capture of General Curtis Lee, son of Major-General Robert E. Lee, an act of personal prowess and gallantry duly established and recorded in the official annals of the war, and for which he but recently received a commemora tive medal, a just but tardy recognition of his bravery. Ile is a member of Van Rensselaer Lodge No. 400, F. & A. M., of Raymer Chapter No. 248, R. A. M., and a member and medallist of Honor Legion, Washington, D. C. He is a thorough Republican, and is proud in asserting it.

Barnes Horace II., is a son of Sardius B. Barnes, a wagonmaker, of English ancestry. The former was educated at the famons old academy of Mexico, N. Y., where he was born in 1835, and first learned the trade of carriage painting, engaging in business for himself at Salem, N. Y. He has since 1868 been a resident of Hoosick Falls and was for eighteen years foreman of the paint shop at the Wood works. In 1865 he married Delia A. Andrus of Montelair, N. J. Their one son, Louis H., born in 1870, is a mechanie in the Colt Armory at Hartford, Conn. Mr. Barnes is a po- tent factor in both social and political life of the place. He has been a Mason for thirty years; is vestryman of St. Mark's Episcopal church, and has served his town in many of its offiees, as town collector, auditor, and was once village trustee. He is a member of Post Wood No. 294, G. A. R.

Bradley, John C., is a representative of a family closely identified with the history of Vermont State, and that of the nation. He is of English ancestry, and his great- great-grandfather, Lieutenant Joseph Bradley, was one of the first settlers of Sund- erland, Vt., where John was born in 1858. Here this paternal ancestor participated in many an exciting conflict as a "Green Mountain Boy" to assert the right to the estates which have been in the family name more than a century. Captain Lemuel Bradley, great-grandfather of John C., was conspicuous in the battle of Bennington and other encounters throughout the Revolution. Mr. Bradley is a son of Gilbert Bradley, whose father was Ethan Bradley, and was educated at Burton Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and in New York city. In 1875 he went to Colorado, and after serving as salesman for a time he engaged in a confectionery business for himself After one year he came home to care for his aged father, who died in 1881. The same year he came to Hoosick Falls and entered the employ of the Hoosick Mallea- ble Iron Co. as an apprentice to the moulder's trade. Before serving full term at that trade he was made foreman of the annealing department, where he remained nine years. Upon the resignation of M. D. Greenwood, the superintendent of the Malleable Iron Works, he was promoted to that position which he still holds. He is a member of the Baptist church and an enthusiastic worker, being superintendent of the Bible class of that church seven years. For the last three years he has been volunteer pastor of a small church at West Hoosick. HIe is much interested in the

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Y. M. C. A. and has lectured in its behalf in various cities in the State; and also responded to calls from Vermont, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In 1877 he married Fannie M. Baker of Fort Edward, N. Y., by whom he has three children: Helen M., born in 1828; Edith S., born in 1899; John 11., born in 1882.

Cowan, Andrew J .. was born in the town of Oshkosh, Wis., in 1858; he is the son of James and Jean Cowan. James Cowan was born in Catrine, Ayrshire, Scotland ; his wife was also born in Scotland; she was the daughter of Adam and Margaret Bell, mentioned in this work. James Cowan came to New York with his father and mother in 1851, and shortly after came to Bath-on-the-Hudson ; he was married there and afterwards went to Wisconsin and resided about two years, where Andrew was born, and then returned to Bath-on-the- Iludson and has lived there ever since. James Cowan worked for the firm of Clemenshire & Bruice; this firm did the first carpenter work on the new capitol. A. J. Cowan was reared and edneated in Bath and at Folsom's Business College at Albany. Ile learned his trade with John Osborn as roofer and sheet iron worker, beginning at the age of fourteen years, and was in New York city with William Orr, plumber, for about a year. At this time he attended the Plumbing Trade School in that city; he then came back to the old firm in Albany, and m 1887 hought out Delbert Wager's tin shop in Bath-on-the- Hudson and occupied the building for one year; he then bought the building he now owns and occupies, corner of First street and Traey avenue. He is a plumber, tin and slate roofer, sheet iron worker and dealer in hardware, stoves, house furnishing goods and drain tile. He was married May 10, 1886, to Helen Miller of Bath-on-the- Hudson, by whom he has three children: James, Sarah and Andrew. Mr. Cowan is a member of the K. of P. of Bath ; also a deacon of Bath Baptist church, and has been a trustee of the village.

Contts, Peter, the long established jeweler at No. 75 Church street, Hoosick Falls, has been a resident of the village twenty two years. He was born in Dundee, Scot- land, in 1838. llis father was John Coutts, an engineer, Six years in the large jewelry establishment of Whytock & Sons of Dundee sufficed to make him master of his trade, after which he met with some adventure in his travels, which were exten- sive. He went to London in 1856, then to India in 1857, but his business arrange- ments there were upset by the great Sepoy rebellion, and he became an English soldier, enlisting in the Seventh Dragoon Guards. After the mutmy was over he went to work again in his old place in Calcutta, and in 1866 returned to London. In 1867 he went back to Scotland, where he was married. While he was serving in the army he worked more or less at his trade, being the only watchmaker in the brigade who had his tools with him. In 1870 he came to America, remaining two years in New York, thence to Troy where he worked for Mr. Timpane, L. Champany, and Thomas Goldsmith; in 1874 he settled in Iloosick Falls. Mr. Coutts carries a hand- some stoek of staple goods in his line and gives his personal attention to repairs. lle was married in Dundee in 1868 to Elizabeth Gardyne of that place, and has two children: Edwin and Vesta.

Kincaid, George II., of Hoosick Falls, a man of wide popularity, came here in 1889, employed as painter in the Wood Mower Works. He was born at Hartford, N. Y .. in 1838, son of John Hamilton Kincaid a farmer. His grandfather, James Kincaid,

LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.

came to America from Scotland in 1786 and settled in Lansingburgh as a merchant. Mr. Kincaid began business by farming, but in 1859, went into the drug business at Granville. While there he married Phebe M. Brayton of Hartford, N. Y., in 1860; after thirteen years there he went to Richmond, Va., and engaged in agricultural pursuits three years. He is a Democrat and his first office was that of justice of peace; he is now police justice; also a member of the order of Odd Fellows. He has five children: William, at Portland, Oregon, in the interest of the W. A. Wood Co. ; Manfred, senior member of the firm of Kincaid & Wilcox; Lulu, wife of Dewitt Johnston of this place; Edith, recently united in marriage to John Liddle, a com- mercial traveler ; and George who resides at home.

Peters, J. Fred, associated with Charles W. Brown in the publication of the Hoo- sick Valley Democrat, was born November 9, 1855, in Hoosick Falls, a son of John G. Peters, who was an architect and builder of considerable prominence for nearly forty years in Hoosick Falls, and who died December 22, 1885. Fred J. Peters re- ceived a high school education, and was employed for a number of years in the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Works as a machinist. He has held the office of village assessor. He entered the employ of the Hoosick Valley Demo- crat in 1895, and January 20, 1896, formed a partnership with C. W. Brown and pur- chased the Democrat, Mr. Peters being the editor and Mr. Brown the business man- ager. He was married October 1, 1885, to Maria L. Moses, daughter of T. S. Moses of Hoosick. Three daughters have been born to them. He is an ardent Democrat, and a lover of music, being a musician of considerable ability.

Sherman, Levi, born in Pittstown, N. Y., August 5, 1849, is a son of Sanford T. and Roxinie (Gifford) Sherman, born in Pittstown, he a son of Steplien Sherman, one of the early settlers of this town. Mr. Sherman was a farmer and lived and died in Pittstown, his death, occurring November 22, 1889, and that of his wife April 1. 1886. Levi was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools; he is a farmer and owns a hundred acres of land; he was married in December, 1873, to Lizzie Hall, born in Pittstown, a daughter of Dennis and Priscilla (Brownell) Hall; he is a native of Rensselaer county and she of Pittstown; she died 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have had one daughter, Minnie J. Mrs. Sherman died in May, 1879; and March 2, 1881, he married lida Perkins Mason, born August 6, 1851, in Porter county, Ind., daughter of Edwin and Mary (Davidson) Mason; her mother was born in Sodus, Wayne county, and her father In Marion, same county, and removed to Indiana and she died in Sodus, July 1, 1856, and he died in Indiana, April 29, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have one son, Arthur W.

White, Salem Il., is the fourth son of Salem White who is a well known and hon- ored resident of Bennington, Vt. Salem, inheriting the sterling qualities of his English ancestry, is an enterprising, energetic young business man as his establish- ment at the corner of First and Center streets will attest. This store was at first a meat market only, where he began business in 1887 It has grown steadily and in 1894 was added a grocery filled with provisions of all kinds which commands a large patronage. Ile was born at Bennington, Vt., in 1863, and at fourteen years of age moved here. He attended Troy Business College and afterwards was in the employ of Gardner & White's meat market ten years. He is a Democrat and was village

FAMILY SKETCHES.

treasurer three years, proving a worthy official, He has been supervisor of Hoosick for two years and is the present incumbent; he is one of the largest real estate owners in the village of Hoosick Falls.

Jones, E. C., of Gibson & Jones, leading grocers of Hoosick Falls. This business establishment has its commodious departments at 39 Church street which was pur- chased of John Gibson, the painter and wall paper dealer, in 1889. The firm is composed of young and energetie men, fully up to date and in accord with modern methods, and handle a choice line of goods. Ernest C. Jones was born at Berlin in 1865, where his boyhood was spent until 1882. When seventeen years old he en- gaged as foreman of a department for the Miller, Hall & Hartwell Shirt Factory. After one year he entered a grocery here, remaining three years and acquiring a knowledge of the retail grocery business. He afterward spent another three years in the grocery of Jolin Gibson. He is a Republican, but seeking no political pref- erment. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Board of Trade. Ile married in 1886 Alice Tuttle of this place, daughter of Charles J. Tuttle. They have one son, Witlis, born November 14, 1895.

Greene, Dascom, was born in Richmond, Ontario county, N. Y., June 15, 1825. Ile is of New England descent, his ancestors for five generations having been resi- dents of Worcester county, Mass. His preliminary education was received in the schools of Western New York, and he entered the Rensselaer Polytechnie Institute in the autumn of 1851, graduating two years later. He served two years as assist- ant in mathematics, and thirty-eight years as professor of mathematics and astron- omy in the institute. Hle resigned his chair in the summer of 1893, and was made professor emeritus. Ile also acted as librarian of the institute from 1864 until he re- signed his professorship. In November, 1874, Professor Greene was elected pro- fessor of mathematics and astronomy in Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., but de- chned to accept the appointment, and the following year he was informally offered and declined a professorship of mathematics at Cornell University. At the time of the erection of the Williams Proudfit Memorial Observatory in 1877, Professor Greene was charged with the duty of preparing plans and superintending the con- struction of the building, and in this connection he devised the improved method of constructing domes for astronomical observatories by covering them with paper. A dome of this kind was placed on the Proudfit Observatory, and others have since been built for the observatory of the United States Military Academy at West Point, that of Columbia College, New York, and of other institutions. Professor Greene has published text-books on Spherical and Practical Astronomy, and on the Integral Calculus, besides occasional papers in various scientific and educational journals. lu 1859 he married Sara Irene Parsons of Utica, N. Y., who died in 1861, leaving a son, William, who died in 1864. In 1866 he married Elvira, daughter of the late Jairus Dickerman of Troy.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 32

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