Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 38

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 38

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Fry, John W., was born at Clifton Park, February 26, 1857, and is a son of Will iam and Iletty M. (Doty) Fry, both born in Saratoga county. Ile is a son of Michael Fry, a native of Waterford, N. Y., and spent most of his days at Clifton Park. She is a daughter of Michael Doty, of Schaghticoke and went to Clifton Park, where he lived and died ; he was in the war of 1812. The father of Mr. Fry was a farmer and came to Schodack in 1885, and died July 5, 1891, and his widow lived in Schodack. Mr. Fry was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and Lansingburgh Academy and is a farmer by occupation. In 1883 he came to Schodack and bought a farm of 100 acres, making a specialty of fruit and is a dealer in carriages, wagons, and harness. Ile was married in 1879 to Elva Baueas of Schaghticoke, daughter of James W. Baucus. To Mr. and Mrs. Fry were born two children: Hettie M. and Edith E.

Johnson, Seymour, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., March 7, 1833. He is the son of Peter and Abigail (Ver Plank) Johnson, both born in Albany county, N. Y. Ilis grandfather was Isaac 1. Johnson, born in Ghent, Columbia county, N. Y. ; married and settled in Albany county, there spending his last days. Ile furnished a substitute for War of 1812. Peter Johnson was a farmer in Albany county. The few last days of his hfe were spent at Sehodaek Landing, Rensselaer

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county ; he died February 21, 1881 ; his wife, Abigail, died in Albany, December 28, 1860. Mr. Seymour Johnson was reared on a farin, educated in the common schools; by trade he is a carpenter, but at present a farmer ; he owns and lives on a farm con- taining 135 acres of land and follows general farming. He was married January 12, 1860, to Sarah K. Knowlton, a daughter of William Knowlton, a merchant of Albany. To Mr. Johnson and wife was born one son, Irving S., who was married April 27, 1887, to lda S., daughter of John Randerson, by whom he has three children: Will- iam Knowlton, Katharine Willard and Seymour Ackroyd.

Hewitt, Rensselaer W., was born in Petersburgh, Rennselaer county, N. Y., in 1829. Ile was educated in the district schools of that place and commenced teaching in January, 1846, and continued teaching during the winter term in that and adjoin- ing towns until March 1, 1858, when he came to Troy and was engaged as principal of the old First Ward school, and taught continuously in the schools of Troy until March 1, 1896, when he declined a re election, feeling that the work should be com- mitted to younger and abler hands.

Hutton, jr., William, was born in Troy, N. Y., September 1, 1863. His father, William Hutton, came to this country from Belfast, Ireland, in 1849 and settled in Troy. He was in the grocery business of Ida Hill for a number of years and started in the livery business in 1865. William, jr., graduated from the La Salle Institute in 1881 and was later employed by John MeBride, the contractor, as bookkeeper and estimating clerk from 1882 to 1886. Ile entered into the livery business as partner with his father May 1, 1889, under the firm name of William Hutton & Son. No- vember 28, 1888, he married Miss Carrie Kennedy, by whom he has had two sous, one of whom died in 1889. At the present time he is president of the Alumni of La Salle Institute; esteemed loyal knight of Troy Lodge No. 141, B. & P. order of Elks; and is a nominee (1896) for member of assembly, Seeond distriet, on the Democratic ticket.

Don, John, was born in Scotland in 1841, of Seoteh parentage; he is the youngest of a family of ten, six of whom died in infancy; he was named after his father, Jolin Don; his mother's name was Janet Bailile; he came to America when about fifteen years of age, and since then has resided in Troy, He was engaged in the cut stone business until about 1888, when he became interested in the manufacture of wrought iron pipe in Colores, N. Y., nuder the name of the Cohoes Tube Works, which employs about 250 hands. He is also president of the Syracuse Tube Com- pany of Syracuse, N. Y., whose specialty is the manufacture of high grade boiler tubes A Republican, he has taken an active interest in political affairs, and was alderman of the Seventh and Fourth wards two years each, being first elected in 1870. Ile was a member of the Publie Improvements Committee during its exist- enee. lle has been a trustee of the Masonie Hall Association since the erection of the temple and is now president of its board of trustees. He is first vice-president of the Republican Club of Troy, has long been a director of the Troy City National Bank, is a member of the Troy Club, was one of the Committee of Public Safety, and for about fourteen years served on General Carr's staff. On October 3, 1896, he was appointed by Governor Morton treasurer of Rensselaer county, vice George H. Morrison resigned. He received the nomination of county treasurer October S,

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1896, by the Republican convention. Mr. Don is an energetic, publie-spirited and enterprising citizen, and a business man of unquestioned ability and integrity.

Lewis, Frank M., was born in Almond, N. Y., in 1843, and is a descendant of the Lewis family who settled in Rhode Island in the early part of the seventeenth cen- tury. His father, Lester Lewis, was born in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, and removed to Allegany county in 1838 and was a prominent farmer of that county, holding several political offices in his town. He died in 1892, at the age of eighty- six. His mother, Anna (Jones) Lewis, of Petersburgh, died in 1870. Frank M. was educated in the public schools and came to Troy in 1863 and was employed by Mrs. Emma Willard, of the Seminary, and later was employed by John Bogardus in the hay pressing business. In 1873 he bought ont the express and general teaming business of George Hill and has continued in that business since. He represented the Thirteenth ward in the Board of Supervisors fron 1887 to 1890 and was re-elected in 1892. Ile is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., and of Athenian Lodge No. 96, I. O. O. F., and has represented that lodge in the Grand Lodge for three years. Ile also belongs to John W. Nesbott Encampment No. 10. In 1865 he married Sarah Hyde, who died in 1876. They had one daughter, who is now Mrs. Kate Jordan. He was married again in 1878 to lda Stillman, who died in 1886. Ile had three sons by his second marriage; Frank B., Lester L , and Ray- mond A. His present wife was Mrs. Elijah II. Coonradt of Troy, to whom he was married in November, 1892.

Evans, John N., was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., December 25, 1812. He is a son of Nelson and Cornelia M. (Ostrander) and grandson of John Evans, farmer of New York, but died in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather was David Ostrander. Nelson Evans was forty-two years engaged in farming in Stephentown, and died in 1890. John N. married Nancy, daughter of Hiram and Frelove (Finch) Belknap of Stephentown. Mr. Belknap was a farmer and died June 4, 1868. Mrs. Belknap now resides with John N. Isaac Finch, father of Mrs. Belknap, was born at Chatham, N. Y. ; he married Lucy Beers of Stephentown. The father of Isaac, James Finch, was a pioneer of Chatham. Isaac Finch was a Revolutionary soldier under Capt. Simeon Tift. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born two sons: Will- lum E., farmer on the old homestead of 1 acres, which John N. bought for him in 1892; Edward M. is at home. john N. has always been a farmer and has about 125 aeres, the farm where he resides. On September 14, 1861, Mr. Evans enlisted in Co. M, 13th Heavy Artillery, and was honorably discharged June 28, 1865. Ile is a member of the P. Coleman Post No. 545, G. A. R. of West Stephentown.

Abbott, Henry J., was born in Stillwater, N. Y., November 1, 1819, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Terry) Abbott, Ira a son of Judd who came from Connecticut and settled near Cropseyville; his children were Henry, Walter, Jonas, Judd, John Urich, Sallie, Jernsha, Ira. Ira's early life was spent on a farm; when young he learned the blacksmith trade with his brother Judd. Afterwards he married Eliza- beth Terry and moved to Stillwater, and one year later moved to Albany county, where he stayed ten years, when he moved to Brunswick. His children were Henry J., Mary, Joseph, Elmira, Sara A., Jane, Elizabeth, Mathias and Alonzo. Henry J. was associated with his father until twenty-six years of age, and on December 17,

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1845, he married Martha Jane, daughter of Richard C. Derrick, and has eight chil- dren : Maria, wife of Eugene A. Van Pelt, Richard Henry, Ira Willard, Franklin Eugene, Emma Betts, wife of Eugene Van Pelt, Carrie Derrick, wife of Clarence Van Zandt, Jessie Belle, wife of J. W. Whitbeck, Edwin Lincoln. Franklin Eugene is a gradu- ate of Union College and follows civil engineering ; he married Grace Millard. Rich- ard Henry graduated from the Troy Business College and married Anna Riddle. Ira married Charlotte Lohnes. Carrie and Jennie are graduates of Albany Normal School. Henry J. is active in education, school and church and religious work ; also in town and county affairs.

Crehan, Henry A., was born in East Greenbush, May 1, 1838, and is a son of Charles A. and Delila (Chandler) Crchan, he a native of Canada and she of Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Crehan was a sister of Zach Chandler. Charles A , the grandfather of Mr. Crehan, came from France to Canada as interpreter; he came to Troy and finally settled on a farm now owned by Mr. Crehan; he was a miller by trade and ran a mill in East Greenbush; he died on the farm in November, 1870, and Mrs. Crehan died in February, 1871. In 1854 Mr. Crehan married Sarah, daughter of Leonard and Maria Rysdorph. Mr. Rysdorph died in 1894, and Mrs. Rysdorph now resides with Mrs. Crehan. To Mr. and Mrs. Crehan were born five children: Amelia, wife of John Karnes; Alice, wife of Nelson Vaughn, a dealer in horses; Ellen and Minnie, at home; and Leonard, a milkman. Mr. Crehan ran a dairy business of about thirty-five cows.

McCaffrey, Cornelius. - Jis first business engagement, after becoming a resident of Hoosick Falls, was with the Walter A. Wood Company. After three years he embarked in business for himself, and has since that time been an extensive dealer in sand and building stone, besides carrying on a teaming and trucking business. Ilis father, Cornelius McCaffrey, was also an extensive dealer in like building mate- rial in Ireland where he (Cornelius J.), was born in 1835. Just before sailing for America in 1863, Mr. McCaffrey was united in marriage to Catherine Toal. They came at once to Hoosick Falls, which has ever since been their home and birthplace of their six children: Mary E., wife of William Houlton, of this place; Rose A., Cor- nelius jr., John Charles and Arthur; who also carry on the same business. Mr. Mc- Caffrey was bereaved in 1894 of lus faithful wife, Catherine.

Diamond, George T., was born in Albany, May 11, 1838. He was a son of Thomas S. and Margaret (Lainhart) Diamond, he a native of Albany and she of Guilderland, N. Y. The grandfather of Mr. Diamond was William M. Diamond, who was the first male child born in Lansingburgh, and in honor of the event Judge Lansing deeded him a lot. His father was Thomas S., of French extraction ; he was quarter- master in the Revolutionary war and was present at the Boston Tea Party. Thomas S. Diamond settled in Lansingburgh and then removed to Albany and afterwards to New York city. While in Albany he was one of the founders and junior warden of the Master's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Ihs father was Sir Hugh Dia- mond. The father of Mr. Diamond (Thomas S.) was a carpenter and spent most - of his days in Albany, and in 1853 came to Greenbush and worked at the B. & A. shops, and in about 1867 went to Amsterdam where he died in 1878. His wife died September, 1864. For his second wife he married Mary Jones, who died in Mont-

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clair, N. J. Mr. Diamond was reared and educated in Albany, and was first em- ployed by George T Carter in the variety business when a lad twelve years old. He was then with the Western Union Telegraph Company as a messenger boy, and soon after was with Hugh J. Hastings as collector and in a short time went in the daguerreotyping business employed by R. Emmitt Churchill, and remained with him until he came to Greenbush. He was then employed by the B. & A. Railroad for about eight months and left to take a position with the Hudson River Railroad and was with them until 1857. He then went into the mercantile business and was engaged for twenty-six years to a day. He discontinued the mercantile business in 1883 and now carries on the trucking business, and is at present in Albany employing five men. Mr. Diamond has been town clerk, trustee, police commissioner twice, collector of the village, and treasurer four times. He has been a member of Green . bush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., for about twenty-nine years, and is a member of the K. of P. September 13, 1860, he married Jane E. Bell, a native of Greenbush and daughter of Stephen Bell of Greenbush, who was a miller for several years. To Mr. and Mrs. Diamond were born five children; Annie, at home; Allen B., Min- nie, George, and Grace, who are dead.

Finch, George W., was born in Valley Falls, N. Y , August 23, 1824. He is a son of Lemuel S. and Ann Eliza (Woolman) Finch, who was a native of Pittstown, and son of Lonis Finch, a native of Columbia county, N. Y., and came to Pittstown at an early day. The father of Mr. Finch was a farmer and deputy sheriff; he died July 2, 1835, and his wife died March 27, 1876. Mr. Finch was educated in common schools and Poultney Academy and studied engineering and surveying. He was connected with the Troy and Boston Railroad for about thirty-two years, and for seven years had charge as chief engineer of the road. He was also a builder and contractor and was engineer of the bridge at Valley Falls and Johnsonville and was resident engineer for the Schaghticoke Powder Co., changing from the old system to the electrical system. Mr. Finch was married December 31, 1846, to Louisa Baker of Stillwater, N. Y., by whom has been born seven children: Alice L., Mary J., Philip B., Frederick B., Fannie L. (deceased), Helen M. and Lemuel S. Mr. Finch is a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M., and was its first master for nine consecutive years and afterwards for six years. He also was a member of Schaghticoke Lodge No. 216, 1. O. O. F., and was a member of the 96th N. Y. Vol. State Militia and held every office from private to lieutenant-colonel; his first com- mission was signed by Iloratio Seymour, then governor of the State. He also served for fourteen years in the Schaghticoke and Langsingburgh artillery com- panies.

Graham, James, was born in Galashiels, Scotland, December 9, 1850. He was educated in their schools, also received a technical education as a textile pattern de- signer, which occupation he followed at the Schaghticoke woolen mills. July 9, 1877, he married Mary Richardson of his native place. They have had six children : Janet F., Bella A. (who died in her second year), Mary R., James A., Nellie A, and George D. They came to Canada in 1880; he entered the employ of the Colburg Woolen Co. in Ontario as a superintendent and designer, and was also a stockholder in the company. On January 1, 1895, he came to the United States and located in Schaghticoke, N. Y. Mrs. Graham's father, George Richardson, was born in Scot-

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and in the year 1825; he was educated there, and was a earder by occupation; he married Janet Frier of his native place; they had nine children, five sons and four daughters: Christina, Robert, Ellen, George, Christina, Thomas, Mary, James and John. Christina No. 1, Robert, James, John and Ellen are dead. Mr. Richardson died in 1878, and his wife in March, 1866. The Grahams are in direct line of de- scent of the Grahams, the Marquis of Montrose; also of the Ilays of Dun's Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland. The ancestry of the family is Scotch on both sides.

Moore, Edward, was born in Troy in 1862. His father, Joseph Moore, came to this country from Germany and first settled in Albany, and later came to Troy, and worked at his trade for a number of years. lle resides in Troy. His mother, Sophia (Bates) Moore, was born in Germany and is now living in Troy. Edward upon leaving school went to farming in the country for eight years and then re- turned to Troy, and in 1878 entered the employ of Flack & Dennison, and has been with that eoncern and its successor since, and is now superintendent. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, F. & A. M., of the Chapter of Lansingburgh, and of Bloss Council and Apollo Commandery of Troy.

Miller, II. C., M. D., was born in Schodack, N. Y., in June, 1846. Ile is a son of John S., born in Sand Lake, a son of Stephen Miller, one of the early settlers of Sand Lake. John S. Miller, M. D., a graduate of Castleton Medical College, Vermont, came to Greenbush, where he practiced for a short time; he removed to Schodack, where he had a very successful practice; he died in 1883. Dr. H. C. Miller was ed- ucated in the common schools and Fort Edward Academy, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1874 and came to Greenbush, where he had a very successful practice. In 1872 he was married to Mary L. Mould, by whom one daugh . ter has been born: Hellen E., at home.

Dunvar, John, was born in Ireland and educated in the Mouruth College of that country ; he emigrated to New York city when about twenty one years old, and soon engaged with the Hudson River Railroad and located in Greenbush; he was made bookkeeper as soon as the office was located in Greenbush, which position he held until his death. November 19, 1854, he married Anna Halloran, born in Greenbush where the Rensselaer House now stands, and is the oldest native born Catholic of Greenbush. The parents of Mrs. Dunvar were Thomas and Eliza (Powers) Halloran, natives of Ireland, and early in life came to Greenbush and here lived and died; he died at the age of eighty-four and she at the age of fifty-four. They had four daughters of whom three are living. To Mr and Mrs. Dunvar were born six chil- dren : Thomas, Elizabeth (deceased), Michael S., John J., Vincent A., and Catherine.

Ketchum, Sanford B., was born in North Greenbush, April 4, 1861 and is a son of George W. and Lavinna (Hayner) Ketchum, he a native of Schenectady county and she of Greenbush. The maternal grandfather, George Hlayner, was a carpenter and a millwright; he married Magaret Fellows of West Sand Lake, and died in 1872. George W. spent most of his life near Wynantskill. He died March 14, 1881, at the age of fifty-four, and his wife resides with Sanford B. Sanford B. was educated in Troy, and in 1888 he married Sarah M., daughter of Phillip S. and Sarah (Kinney) De Freest of North Greenbush, by whom he had three children: George S., Eugene C., and Milton De F. Sanford B. commenced his business career as a clerk for P. J.

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Westfall, with whom he remained for eleven years, and in 1890 bought him out and has since carried on a large business,

Link, Calvin E., was born in Poestenkill, June 5, 1849. He was the son of Stephen and Eliza (Wattenpock), he of Poestenkill and she of Sand Lake. The grandfather, Peter Link, was an early settler of Poestenkill and was accidentally killed by the running away of a horse. Stephen was a farmer of Poestenkill. He died in 1882 and Mrs. Link died in 1877. Calvin Link was educated at Seram Seminary, Sand Lake, and was married in 1872 to Mary E., daughter of Lewis E. Wagar, of West Sand Lake, by whom he has had two daughters: Alda M. and Ella F. In 1879 Mr. Link bought the farm on which he now resides and makes a specialty of dairying; he has put up fine buildings and greatly improved his place.

Howell, Mrs. Ophelia F. B., was born in New York city, as were her two sisters, Mary Magdalena and Sophia Helena, daughters of Bernard and Mary Magdalena (Neumiller) Rombach. Bernard Rombach was a native of Hanover and his wife of Frankfort-on-the-Main. Mr. and Mrs. Rombach came to New York city in 1850 and engaged in the furniture business. He was a carver by trade, having learned in the old country. After a short stay in New York city the family removed to Troy. where Mr. Rombach worked at his trade; he was a Mason ; he died in 1870 and Mrs. Rombach died in 1886; also the two daughters Sophia Ilelen and Mary Magdalena, leaving only one of the number, Ophelia F. B. Rombach. At the age of twelve years Ophelia Rombach was employed in the collar manufactory of Smith & House and soon became forewoman, remaining about five years, when being offered a better position, she engaged as forewoman for Tim & Co., where she had charge of all the works; she remained with them until she married Dr. Lyle A. Howell, son of Albert L. and Ellen Homer Howell of Mohawk. Mr. Howell is a dentist by profession. They have one daughter, Lura Alice Sophia Ilowell. In 1884 Mrs. O. F. Howell purchased the Burden Lake Hotel, now known as The Howell, or Lakeside Inn; it has been rebuilt and greatly enlarged and improved, and is one of the finest summer- resort houses among the lakes of the town; the fishing is excellent, and guests re- ceive first class accommodations.

Fike. Enos, was born in Nassau, August 30, 1850. He was a son of Peter and Sophia (Sheller) Fiske the former born in Germany and the latter in Ilolland; he came to Nassau in 1844 at the age of eighteen years, and she came in 1842 at the age of ten years; they settled on the farm now owned by Enos in 1864, and here he died in 1891. Enos Fike, with the exception of nine years spent in Castleton, has spent his life in Nassau. November 15, 1871, he married Marriett Clark of Nassau, by whom five children were born: Emma S., who was educated in the common schools and Albany, is now engaged in teaching; Elmer C. is in the employ of the Albany & Boston Railroad; Abbie M., who is also a teacher; Ira P. and Willard E. are at home. Mrs. Fike is a daughter of Shubel and Abigail M. (Curtis) Clark. Mr. Clark was a son of Richard A., a son of a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Clark died May 19, 1889. .

McKenna, James T., M. D., was born at West Troy, July 23, 1863, and is a son of John and Mary B. (MeIntyre) MeKenna. John McKenna was born in Ireland and came to this country in 1850, settled in West Troy and is a blacksmith by trade; in

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1870 he was elected superintendent of the police of Troy, which position he held for fifteen years; he was lieutenant-colonel, 24th regiment N. G. S. N. Y. ; he is now agent for a Kentuekey distilling house. James T. was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Troy High School in 1880. He received the degree of A. B. from Williams College in 1884, and was one of the orators at commencement day and received the degree of A. M. from the same college in 1887, and the degree of M. D. from the Albany Medical College in 1896, and has the honor of being one of the members in the United States of the Cobden Club, of London, England. In September, 1884, he was elected third male assistant of the Troy lligh School, and in 1886 was promoted to first asssistant, having charge of the classics. In 1891 he was elected principal and resigned in February, 1896, to take up the practice of medicine. He was elected instructor in physiology in April, 1896, at the Albany Medical College. He opened an office for the practice of medicine, June 1, 1896. Ile is a member of the Rensselaer County Medical Association, the Doctors' Club, and is medical examiner for the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of the Robert Emmett Association, and of the Troy Citizens Corps for many years. In April, 1885, lie married Rose Duffy, of Troy, by whom three children have been born: Nellie, Walter and Rose.

Edward, Brother, was born in Scranton, Pa., November 29, 1854. In his early years he attended the public schools and afterwards St. John's Academy, of Pitts- ton, Pa. He was destined by his parents to follow in the footsteps of an uncle, a physician of much note in that locality, but this proved distateful to him and he entered upon the duties of a commercial life, which he pursued but a short time, and in October, 1874, he entered the order of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. After passing through the ordeal of the novitiate and training school of the Brothers, he was sent to teach in one of their schools in New York city. In less than two years he was made principal and acted in that capacity until 1888, when he became assist- ant director of the De La Salle Institute, one of the largest academies of the order in New York city. In 1890 the principalship of La Salle Institute of Troy becoming vacant, Brother Edward was sent by his superiors to assume charge of the institute, and in this capacity he has shown himself to be a most successful instructor and manager. Shortly after taking charge of La Salle Institute, Brother Edward wish- ing to successfully compete with the high schools and academies of the State, applied to the University of the State for admission; and after the regular requirements were complied with, the school took its first examination in June, 1891; the results were far below his expectations, but this did not dishearten him. Gathering around him his confrères he infused into them his own spirit and at the close of the follow- ing scholastie year, he had the distinguished honor of seeing La Salle Institute receive the highest academic honors ever granted by the Univeristy of the State of New York. This distintion it has continued successively to hold from June, 1892, to the present time, June, 1896. Brother Edward is still in the prime of life, and is possessed of untiring activity and will no doubt continue to make his influence felt in the cause of education.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 38

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