USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 35
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on which he has erected a fine modern house and commodious barns and other buildings. He conducts a dairy and furnishes milk to many of the villagers, and is also interested in the breeding of high grade sheep and horses. He has served his town as collector, poormaster and school trustee ; in the spring of 1895 he was elected excise commissioner and made a strong contest for no license. In 1879 he married Lille Allen, born in Vermont and reared in Berlin ; she is the daughter of Alexander and Celia (Clark) Allen. Their children are Thurman, Schuyler, Perry, Eugene and Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Hull are members of the Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Hull's farm is known as the Sunny Bank Farm. He has proved himself a model and successful farmer.
Whyland, Willis W., was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1866. He is a very popular and enterprising young man, a son of Calvin Whyland, who was born in Poesten- kill, Rensselaer county, January 1, 1824. He was one of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, born to Leonard Whyland, of Holland descent, and grandson of the original Whyland who came to America, and was a farmer by occupation. Calvin, the father of Willis W., was reared on a farm and when young was engaged at different times in the nursery, grocery and laundry businesses, the latter of which he followed successfully for thirty years, beginning in Troy in 1869. He made his home for a number of years at Saratoga. In 1876 he went to New York city and engaged in the laundry business, where he remained for two years, then he removed to Berlin and erected the present laundry. Under his supervision the business steadily increased, and he increased the building proportionately until the present large structure was erected; the business gives employment to about sixty people. He was a Mason and an energetic and enterprising man and had the good will of the community. His wife was Mary Rhodes, born in Sand Lake and daughter of Daniel (an agriculturalist in Orleans county, N. Y.) and Emeline (King) Rhodes, Their children were Mrs. Emma Sharp of Michigan, Herbert, Mrs. Cora Greene of Berlin, and Willis W. Mr. Whyland died March 22, 1891, and his wife survives him and resides in the village of Berlin. Herbert is a traveling salesman and is a member of the Berlin Chess Club and of the Royal Arcanum Lodge. Willis W., since his father's demise, has carried on the laundry business very successfully, the work being mostly on new shirts, lle is a member of the Berlin Chess Club. Mrs. Whyland, his mother, is one of five children, two sons and three daughters. Her father, Danie Rhodes was born in Berlin, April 4, 1805. Hle was one of seven children born to Walter, who was also a native of Berlin, born about 1775, and was probably the second or third generation from the nrst Rhodes who came from England to America in 1744.
Grant, Richard Edward, was born in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, May 22, 1843. He is a son of James Grant, a native of Ireland, son of Walter of Scotland, who removed to Ireland, where he reared a family of three sons and one daughter, Ile was a general agent for English landlords, James, the father of Richard E., was a prosperous farmer and land owner, and also a general agent for English land- lords, He was recognized as a leader in his district and was one of the promoters of fairs where stock was exhibited. He gave his children a liberal education, His wife was Alice Ryan; their children were Mary, Ellen, Catherine, Anastatia, Mar- garget, Walter, Richard E., Alice, Hannah, Lawrence, Lizzie and Anna. They also
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adopted and reared an orphan boy. In 1859, when a lad of sixteen, Richard E. emigrated to America with his foster brother, unknown to his parents, coming direct to Troy, he being the only one of his family who came to America; he went to Poestenkill, where he did chores for his board the first winter. In 1859 he came to Berlin and engaged in farm work, where he has since resided, devoting most of his time to superintending farms. He is now superintendent of Mr. Wyckoff's farm in Berlin, In 1862 he answered his adopted country's call and enlisted in Co. E, 113th New York Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, North Anna River, Petersburg, Reams Station and Appomattox. At Reams Station he was wounded by a musket shot ; the ball passed through his hip and he was disabled for several months. He is a member of Silas Tappan G. A. R. Post of Berlin, which he organized and was its first commander, which office he filled for five years. lle is a member of Little Hoosick Lodge I. O. O. F. of Berlin, of which he is now vice-grand master, having passed through all chairs to that office; is also a member of the Protective Order of Elks of Hoosick Falls, the Berlin Chess Club, and the Encampment I. O. O. F. of Hoosick Falls. He has served three years each as tax collector, commissioner of highways and excise commissioner. In November, 1865, he married Hannah M. Ervin, born in Berlin and daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Nelson) Ervin; their children are Mary, wife of John T. Kelley, of Millford, Mass., assistant chief of the fire department; Margaret A. of Troy, Lizzie A., Hannah M., and Walter E. Mr. Grant served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Tappan.
Jones, Halbert II., was born in Stephentown, August 17, 1835. Ile is a son of William Jones, a native of the same place, born August 26, 1789. William was the third of eight children born to Major James Jones, a native of Connecticut, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, who came to Stephentown about 1772,and devoted his life to farming ; his wife was Catherine Denison and they lived to good old age. Will- iam, the father of Halbert 11., was a prosperous farmer and prominent and actively interested in the political welfare of his town and county. His wife was Phoebe Green, born in Stephentown and daughter of Lanetford Green; their children were Oscar, Laura, Catherine, Phoebe, William L., Griswold D., Abigail and H. Il. He ched in May, 1861. Halbert 11. received his education in the common schools and Fort Edward Institute. He began farming for himself when about twenty-three years of age, was interested in a woolen mill in Massachusetts for a short time, and for many years had dealt in agricultural implements and phosphate. In 1855 he re- moved to South Berlin, where he has since resided on his farm. He served two years as justice in Stephentown, and is now serving his third term in Berlin in the same office. Ile is a member of Little Hoosick Lodge No. 578, I. O. O. F., in Ber- lin. In 1858 he married Mary A. Kerlin, daughter of Patrick Kerlin; they had one child, Allison. Mrs. Jones died in April, 1861. His second wife was Mary J. Jerome of Berlin, daughter of Ililton R. and Mary A. (Colver) Jerome, whom he married in November, 1862; their children are Arthur M. and Mary A. Mrs Jones . died in 1890, and his daughter, Mary A., is now keeping house for him.
Mattison, Edwin D., was born in Berlin, November 28, 1855. Ile is the son of Job Mattison, whose sketch follows this. Mr. Mattison remained with his father until after he attained his majority ; when twenty-six years of age he rented a farmi
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and engaged in agricultural pursuits ; four years later he purchased his present farm of 240 acres, on which he does general farming. Mr. Mattison has been successful in everything he has undertaken. Ile is a member of Little Hoosick Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of the Berlin Chess Club. In 1883 he was married to Miss Alma E. Shaw, who. was born in Berlin on the farm now owned by Edwin D. She is the daughter of Rinaldo and Loretta R. Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Mattison are both members of the Christian church at South Berlin, of which Mrs. Mattison has been organist since she was fourteen years of age.
Mattison, Job O., was born in the town of Berlin in 1821. Allen Mattison, his grand- father, was a native of Rhode Island and was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. HIe emigrated to Berlin about 1788, where he settled in the forest, made a home for himself and family and there spent his remaining days. His children were David, Job, Ebenezer and Allen David. Ilis father was born in Rhode Island in 1781, came to Berlin with his father in 1788. He was a farmer and blacksmith, having his shop on his farm; he was moderately successful. His wife was Anna Fuller, daughter of Daniel Fuller of Berlin. Their children were Stephen, David O., Emeline, Louisa and Job O. They were both members of the Baptist church. He died in 1854, and his wife survived him about ten years. David O. is the only surviving son ; he is a wealthy farmer in South Berlin and owns a portion of the original homestead; he has two children, Martha and Amanda, the latter the wife of Albert O. Mattison. Job (). was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed during his early life. He later en- gaged in agricultural pursuits of which he made a success. He was a member of the order of Odd Fellows. His wife was Hannah Nichols, who was born in Ber- lin, a daughter of George Nichols. Their children are Edwin D., Albert O., and Eunice A. They were both members of the Christian church. He died in June, 1895, and his wife died in 1874.
Mattison, Albert O., was born in Berlin in 1861. He is a son of Job Mattison. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education and remained with his father until the latter's death. Since 1890 he has had the supervision of the farm of 700 acres belonging to his father-in-law and aunt. He is interested in dai- rying, milking from thirty to forty cows. He is also a surveyor and does consider- able work in that fine. Mr. Mattison has officiated in his time as collector and com- missioner of highways and is now filling his second term in the latter capacity. lle is a member of Little Hoosick Lodge, 1. O. O. F. In 1889 he married Miss Amanda Mattison, daughter of David O, and Helen M. (Rose) Mattison. They have two chil- dren: Allen, born in 1893, and Harold, born in 1895.
Lewis, William 11., was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1841, and is the son of Zuriel Lewis, jr., born in Poultney, Vt .. who was one of eight children born to Zuriel, sr. When a young man he went to Wills Pond, Vt., where he engaged at his trade of millwright; in 1853 while in Virginia he was taken sick and died. His wife was Rebecca Austin of Granville, N. Y. His children were Jonathan A., Henry H., William II., Frank G., who was killed in the late war, Armina, Mary Ann, Adaline, Eliza and Rollin C. His wife survived him many years and died in Berlin in 1885. William H. when twelve years of age went to live with an unele, and when eighteen began an apprenticeship as a tinner, which trade he followed for three years. When
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the late war broke out he enlisted and served three months and after his return worked at his trade for a time, then spent about one year on a farin, thence to St. Thomas, Canada, where he engaged in lumbering and farming with his brother in-law. Ile then removed to Sioux City, Iowa, remained a short time and returned to Erie, Pa., his native place. In 1867 he eamie to Berlin and purchased his present business which he has conducted successfully. He later added to his tinware a hardware business. He has served as town clerk and also in other offices. In 1866 he mar- ried Theodocia Adams, born in Michigan and daughter of 1. B. Adams; their chil- dren are Mrs. Ida R. Green of Berlin; R. Frank, who is in business with his father ; William E. and Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are both members of the M. E. church, of which he is trustee and steward.
Niles, George D., is a son of John B. Niles, who was born in Berlin in 1797, one of eight children born to Eliphalet, born in Berlin and a prominent man, served as deaeon of his church and supervisor of his town. He was the son of Nathaniel Niles of Connecticut who was a pioneer in Berlin. John B. was a prosperous farmer and spent his whole life in the town of Berlin; he was captain of a company of State militia, receiving his appointment from Gov. De Witt Clinton. Ile served his town as assessor and supervisor in 1849, and was a merchant for two years in the village of Berlin. Ilis wife was Rosanna (born in 1800), daughter of Ilenry Brimmer, son of Godfrey, Their children were Alanson B., Martin B., Henry E., and George 1). Ile lived to be eighty-four, and his wife fifty-seven years. They were both mem- bers of the Baptist church. George D., born in 1836, received his education in the com- mon schools, and from the age of nineteen was for two years in the canal collector's office in West Troy, N. Y. ; the following year he taught school, and in 1857 he engaged m a union store in Berlin ; he then spent one year on the farm, when he again returned to the store in Berlin, in connection with which he manufactured white shirts by eon- traet. From 1861 to 1871 he was on his father's farm, when he bought his present store where he has since remained. He has held the offices of collector, assessor, justice and supervisor in 1891 and 1892, and has been prominently identified with the school board for the past twelve years, having been treasurer of the board six years and three years chairman. When very young Mr. Niles manifested great ability as a musician, and when fifteen years of age became leader of the Berlin band, which he led for thirty years and is still a member, In 1856 he married Emeline Maxon, born in Petersburgh and daughter of Gideon P. Maxon. Their children are Mrs. Florence Denison of Petersburgh, Fannie, who died when twenty, and Arthur. His wife died in 1885. She was a member of the Baptist church and president of the Ladies' Aid Society. His second wife is Carrie Sireing of Berlin, a daughter of George Sireing. Mr. Niles istrustee and for six years was Sunday school superintendent of the Baptist church.
Stillman, Harry N., was born in Berlin in 1850. He is a son of William N., born in Berlin in 1822, who was one of seven children born to Paul, a native of Rhode Island. He was a carpenter by trade and came to Berlin about 1816. William N., the father of Harry N., was a farmer, filled several town offices and was very prominent in politics, and a member of the Masonie fraternity. His wife was Sarepta Main, daughter of Isaac and Sally (Buddington) Main, who were natives of Rhode Island; Mr. Main was a blacksmith by trade, and was a soldier in the war of
,
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1812; he died when sixty-five years of age, and his wife in June, 1896, at ninety-five. To Mr. and Mrs. William N. Stillman were born six children: Harry N., Eben W., Luann, Frank, George and Charles. Mr. Stillman died in 1893, and his wife sur- vives him and resides in Berlin, Harry N. received a common school education. His first enterprise was that of a confectioner, and he later engaged in the shirt business which he followed until 1888, and then removed to Middletown, N. Y., where he was engaged for two years as superintendent in the shirt factory of E. Miller & Co. He returned to Berlin in 1890 and started the branch Manhattan Shirt Mills for Levi Wechsler & Co .; beginning with one stitcher and foot power, in one year he occupied a factory previously occupied by one of his competitors and increased his business one-half. Under Mr. Stillman's excellent management this business has steadily increased until he now employs seventy stitchers, in all furnishing employ- ment to about 125 people and running in full tinie the year round, and manufactures strictly first-class articles. Mr. Stillman is a member of Little Hoosick Lodge, 1. O. O. F., in Berlin. In 1876 he married Eva M., daughter of John A. and Rebecca (Sheldon) Rasico of Berlin. Their children are Louise, who died when three years of age, Marks and Arthur. Mrs. Stillman is a member of the W. C. T. U.
Satterlee, Russell Hawley, was born in Berlin, July 31, 1836. He is the son of Hawley Satterlee, who was born in Berlin in 1803, one of seven children born to William, who was a native of Hopkinton, R. 1., born September, 1766, and he was the oldest of nine children born to William and Eunice (Clark) Satterlee; William, jr., was the grandson of Nicholas, the first of the family to emigrate to America from England at a very early date. William, the grandfather of Russell Hawley, was in early life a farmer, He came to Berlin with his father in 1280, became a farmer and was prominent in political affairs; he was elected to a number of the town offices and served on the Board of Supervisors; he was active in church mat- ters and later became a Sabbatarian minister and preached until he was eiglity-tive years of age; he lived to be ninety-six. He became a power in the church. When he was ordained his church numbered 125 members; during the first four years of his ministry the membership of his church had increased to 425. He was one of the principal founders of the Alfred Seven Day Baptist church at Alfred, N. Y., making the journey there and back on horseback. His wife was Mehitable Moon ; she lived to be eighty-seven. Hawley, the father of Russell Hawley, was a farmer in early life; when about thirty-five he was taken with asthma, which compelled him to re- main quiet and what little work he was able to do from that time on was shoe- making. His wife was Esther Randall of Petersburgh, daughter of Benjamin and Sally (Babcock) Randall. Their children were William F., Sarah U., Waity E., David G. and Russell H. They were both members of the Seven Day Baptist church. Mrs. Satterlee was a sister to Capt. Henry Randall, who was the first man to raise the second deck on lake or ocean boats. Russell was educated in the com- mon schools, remained at home and took charge of the farm work until he was twenty-one, when he began for himself as farmer in 1877; in addition to his farming he engaged in manufacturing cheese, He later spent four years manufacturing but- ter, but finally returned to the cheese business. Mr. Satterlee has a wide reputation, his goods always selling at the highest market price. He is also a dealer in hay and and harvesting machinery. He has served on the Board of Supervisors and filled
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many other minor offices. In 1863 he was married to Naney M. Peckham, who was born in Petersburgh, and daughter of Johnson Peckham. They are both members of the Seven Day Baptist church.
Packard, Chauncey D., was born in Troy, N. Y., January 4, 1822. His father, Davis Paekard, came from Brockton, Mass., about 1812, and started in the shoe business on Congress street, Troy; his father, Timothy, also was engaged in the same line many years before, in fact, the Packard family have been in the shoe business for seventy-five years. Davis Packard died in 1876; his wife, Hannah Sherman, was born in Troy and died in 1859. Chauncey D. was educated in the publie and private schools and went into the shoe store with his father when nine years old. At the age of twenty one (in 1843) he went into business for himself and has continued up to the present time. About 1852 he formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of Davis Packard & Son. Later his brother Warren took his father's interest and the firm beeame C. D. Packard & Co., which continued until the death of Warren in 1868. Mr. Packard then took his son into the concern and the name of the firm became C. D. Packard & Son. He joined Trojan Lodge No. 27, 1. O. O. F., in 1813, also the Troy Citizens Corps the same year. Ile is the oldest shoe dealer in Troy. He married, January 31, 1843, Harriet E. Palmer of Nassau, N. V. ; she died in 1879. He has three sons: Eugene C. of Boston; Augus- tus, in business with his father; and Angelo in the employ of C. D. Packard & Son.
Melius, Harry E., born in Greenbush, N. Y., November 6, 1865, is a son of Reuben and Harriet E. (Crane) Melius, his mother born in Middlebury, Vt., and his father in Columbia county, N. Y. Renben J. came to Rensselaer county when a boy four years old with his parents, Harry C. and Martha (Decker) Melius, both of whom died in East Greenbush. The grandfather of Reuben was Conradt Melius, a native of Columbia county, who there lived and died. The father of Martha Decker was Samuel, who lived and died in Columbia county; both he and Conradt Melius were in the same company in the war of 1812. The father of Harry E. was a farmer for a number of years, and in 1864 came to Bath; previous to this he was in mercantile business, also boating on the barge Geraldine, he having built that boat. He started first a coal yard in Bath in 1864 and continued in it for two years, since which time he has been engaged in contracting and building. He is a Democrat and has been overseer of the poor for three years. The family attend the M. E. church. Harry E. was educated in Bath and first worked for F. M. Tousley in the grocery business, he then started a general store on Ins own account, which he carried on for eight years; at present he is in the coal business. He is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., and Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M. ; he is also a mem- ber of the C. A. Bailey Hook and Ladder Co No. 1, Bath on the Hudson.
Allen, Frederick P., was born in Keeseville, Essex county, N. Y., January 13, 1832. Ilis father, Anson H. Allen, was an old resident of that section and was for many years editor of the Keeseville Ilerald. He died at the age of fifty-two. Ilis mother, Mary (Morehouse) Allen, died in her eighty seventh year. Frederick received his education at Keeseville Academy and studied law in the office of George A. Simmons in that village. In 1849 he accepted a position as clerk in the Canal Collector's office at West Troy. In December, 1851, he entered the Commercial Bank of Troy as as
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sistant bookkeeper. Two years later he entered the old Bank of Troy as teller, where he remained ten years, and when the First National Bank was organized he took the position of teller. In August, 1858, he became interested in the firm of Buckley, Allen & Co., which carried on a crockery and glass business at 235 River street where he is still doing business as one of the firm of of Starkweather & Allen. Ile was elected several terms as school commissioner and was for seven years super- visor, from 1878 to 1885, representing the Third ward of Troy, several terms of which he was unanimously elected by both parties. He was for many years presi- dent and treasurer of the Young Men's Association, of the Young Men's Christian Association, first as secretary and president, and is now one of the directors of the Railroad Christian Association and secretary and treasurer of the Oakwood Ceme- tery Association; he is a member of the Second Presbyterian church on Fifth avenue, and for over thirty years a ruling elder in that church. He was married to Char- lotte A. Baker of Racine, Wis., October 14, 1858, by whom he had one son, Frank 1 .. , who died in 1889 when thirty years of age. lle is a member of Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., of Troy.
Ackert, Dr. William S., was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., December 18, 1865. Hle is the son of Virgil A. and Louisa A. (Frost) Ackert, both natives of Dutchess county, where Mrs. Ackert died in 1868 and where V. A. Ackert now lives. Ile was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of Mr. Ackert was William H. Ackert; he was born in Dutchess county and died May 1, 1896, in the eighty seventh year of his age. His wife (Maria Pultz) is now living in Dutchess county, aged eighty two. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Ackert were Samuel S. and Barbara E. (Traver) Frost, natives of Dutchess county; the former died there in 1885, aged seventy-five years; the latter still resides on the old homestead. Dr. W. S. Ackert was educated in the common schools and the De Garmo Institute of Rhinebeck, N. Y. He is a graduate of the Albany Medical College, having graduated in 1891. Ile practiced in the Albany City Hospital for about one and a half years. In December, 1892, he located at No. 382 Broadway, East Albany, where he has since continued in practice of his profession very successfully. Dr. Ackert was married November 30, 1892, to Margaret Parker of Schenectady; she was a nurse in the Albany Hospital. They had one child which died in infancy.
Allen, Charles Sanford, M. D., was born in Greenport, Columbia county, N. Y., June 8, 1824. He is the son of Peter and Hannah (Coval) Allen. Peter Allen was a successful farmer, and he and his wife died in Columbia county. Dr. Allen was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-two studied medieine at the Concord Columbia College under Dr. Coffin and also with Dr. Elbridge Simpson of Hudson, N. Y. He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Woodstock, a branch of the Crosby Street Institute of New York, June 9, 1849. He came to East Greenbush in 1849 where he remained for one year. In 1851 he eame to Greenbush where he has been very successful. He is a member of the New York Medical Society, a member of the New York Medical Association and was one of the founders and an original charter member of both. He is a member of the Rensselaer County Medical Society, and a non-resident member of a like society in Albany, and an ex-member of the American Medical Association. He waselected coroner of the county in 1859 for three years and served a second term, and in 1862 he was com-
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