Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 39

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 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Gottschalk, Charles, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 22, 1833. lle was educated in the schools there, and was by occupation a coachman. September 6, 1861, he married Christina Ropke, of his native place, by whom he has had six chil-

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dren: Ida II., Minnie E., Endumon C., Charles F., Bertha S., and Emma M., who was born in the United States. The family came to this country in 1871 and located in Lansingburgh, N. Y. Ida Il. married Frederick Ihiller; they have five children living: Frederick, jr., Charles, Albert, Randolph, and Henrietta. Minnie E. mar- Jacob Spears, and they have two children; Bertha J. and Edna. Charles, jr., mar- ried Lena Sage, they have one son, Harold,

Hammann, Conrad, son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Fike) Hammam, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, January 2, 1849, came to America with his parents in 1854 and was educated in the Albany public schools, working summers to enable him to study winters, In 1864 he learned the barber's trade with George Helt, in Albany, where he remained two and a half years. In 1867 he came to Troy and worked for George Steenberg until 1871, when on May I he started in business for himself at No. 8 State street. March 3, 1878, he sold out and returned to Mr. Steenberg's and on April 9, 1881, he opened his present barber shop. Mr. Hanimann is a member of Harmensinger Germanliloches and in 1869 was elected a member of Athema Lodge No. 96, 1. O. O. F., but left it the same year to become a charter member of Rhein Lodge No. 218, I. O. O. F. ; he is a member of Augusta Lodge of Rebecca, I. O. O. F. and was a member of America Lodge No. 37, K. P., until the charter was surren- dered, when he joined Guttenberg Lodge No. 112, of which he has held every office up to and including that of chancellor. In 1882 he joined King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., Bloss Council No. 15, K. T, and has attained all the Scottish Rite degrees, including the thirty second ; he is also a member of Oriental Temple, Nobles of Mystic Shrine; he is an honorably discharged member of Co. K, 24th Regt., which disbanded in 1879 and is a member of the Mannerchor Singing Society, July 13, 1865, he married Rebe Toxina, daughter of Charles Rhodes, of Troy. She died July 24, 1892, and August 29, 1893, he married Julia Rupp, widow of Andrew Ford. He had two children by his first wife, Conrad, jr., who married Catharine Boyce of Troy, April 15, 1896, and Daisy R., who was married to Herman F. Passut, in February, 1892.

Quinn, James T., was born in Troy, N. Y., in March, 1855. lle is the son of Michael and Esther (Dougdak) Quinn, who came to Troy in 1816. His father died im ISSS and his mother in 15%. He was educated at the public schools, afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1880 started a liquor store on Third street and remained in it till 1895, when he started a confectionery store in the same place where he is still doing business. After being alderman from the Eleventh ward for seven years he resigned and was elected general assessor, which office he now holds. lle is a member of the Osgood Steamer Co., the Pilnser Democratic Club and several other organizations. He was married October 22, 1894, to Miss Katie Cusack.

Dunn, Patrick, was born in Wicklow, Ireland, March 17, 1845. Hle was a son of John Dunn and Jane Roche, both of whom lived and died in Ireland. The former died in 1872 and the latter in 1853. The paternal grandfather of Patrick was George Dunn, whose wife was Mary Burns. His maternal grandfather was Charles Roche and his wife was Ann Dunn, The great-grandfather Dinn was a farmer in Ireland, and the farm he owned is now occupied by William, a brother of Patrick Dunn, and has been in the family over three hundred years. Patrick Duun came to America

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in 1865, settled in East Greenbush, and has sinee followed farming in North Green- bush. Ile has a farm of about eighty acres one mile from Albany and keeps a dairy of thirty-five eows. In 1872 he married Hannah, a daughter of John Grady and Catharine Dunnivan, both of Limerick, Ireland; they emigrated to America in 1844 and first settled in Danby, Vt. ; Mr. Grady died in New York eity in 1895, and Mrs. Grady, now seventy-five years of age, resides with Mr. Dunn. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have been born ten children, but four of whom are living: Jane, Kate, Sarah and Dennis. Mrs. Dunn died at her residence in Blooming Grove, August 13, 1896.

Mills, Thomas, was born in Scotland, May 3, 1816. He was educated in their schools, and was a confectioner by occupation. Ile located for a short time in New York and Brooklyn, and while there took a pleasure trip on the Hudson as far as Lansingburgh, where he found an opening for the business. The date of his arrival in the United States was April 14, 1842. He has had a successful business here for fifty-four years. He was married twice, first in 1812 to Isabelle Reid of his native place. She died here soon after their arrival, and for his second wife he married Helen Reid, a sister of his first wife, by whom four children have been born: Isabella; Franklin P ; James R., who died at the age of twelve; and Margaret, who died in her fourth year. Isabella married James II. Jewett of Buffalo, and Franklin P. mar- ried Ada Baleom of Troy, by whom two children have been born: Thomas and Ielen. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 58, F. & A. M., and of Phoenix Chap- ter No. 33, R. A. M. Franklin P. is a member of Jerusalem Lodge No. 355. The ancestry of the family on both sides is Scotch.

Gibbs, Luman H., was born in Boyntonville, Rensselaer county, N. Y., May 22, 1839. ITis education was obtained in the public schools and he had a variety of occu- pations: farmer, cooper, manufacturer of linseed oil, merchant, and commission merchant in flour and extras in Troy N. Y., for 'wenty-eight years. August 1, 1891, he became associated with E. J. Powers of Wilmington, N. C, in the manu- facturing of a high grade fertilizer, under the firm name of Powers, Gibbs & Co. For the past four years he has been treasurer of the Cable Flax Mills of Schaght- icoke, N. Y. Ile is now a resident of Johnsonville, N. Y. He was married twice ; first, on May 22, 1868, to Elizabeth Yetto, of Troy. They had six children; two daughters and one son survive: Marie E., Rosalie E., and Latavette A. Mrs. Gibbs died February 21, 18;8. For his second wife on July 5, 1880, he married Mary E. Netto of Troy, N. Y. They have three children; Leo C., Wilham S. and Gertrude M. Mr. Gibb's father, Benjamin, was born in Connecticut in 1799 and came with his parents to this State when a boy. He was educated in the schools of that time, and was a carpenter by trade. Ile married Matilda Geer, formerly of Connecticut. They had five children: Lydia A., Emily F., Albert B., Luman II. and Adeline M. Benjamin Gibbs died in 1888, and his wife in 1882. Mr. Gibbs is a member of King Solomon Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. 48, R. A. M., and Bloss Council No. 13, R. & S. M.

Fuller, Charles L., was born in South Berlin, September 4, 1864, is the son of Henry E. Fuller, born in Petersburgh, December 9, 1830. He was one of three children, two daughters and one son, born to Lewis Fuller, also a native of Peters- burgh, born July 9, 1806; he was the son of Amos Fuller, a native of Nine Partners,

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Conn. He was a farmer and a pioneer of Petersburgh, settled in the wilderness. cleared him a farm and here he spent his last days. Lewis, the grandfather, was also a farmer, and removed to South Berlin, where he spent his life in farming; his wife was Sarah Wilcox; he died January 25, 1858. Henry E., the father, came to South Berlin in 1861 and engaged in the general mercantile business which he con . ducted until 1873, when he engaged in farming, which business he followed until 1883; he also dealt in agricultural implements. In 1869 he was appointed post- master, which office he filled until his death, which occurred June 3, 1894. He was a Republican in politics. His wife was Jeanette Lapham, a native of Adams, Mass., and daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Hull) Lapham. Their children were Charles L. and Fannie II. His wife survives him and resides in South Berlin. Mr. Fuller was an active member and liberal contributor of the Baptist church, as was also his father and grandfather. Charles L. spent his life with his father on the farm and in the store. Since his father's death he has conducted the mercantile business in con- nection with four farms consisting of 438 acres on which he makes a specialty of raising Guernsey cattle, having some fine thoroughbreds and a large number of grades. He is an enterprising and successful young man in polities. Ile has offi- ciated as inspector four terms and is now holding the office of assessor in his town, and is also school trustee and a member of the American Protective Association.

Hull, Daniel J., a representative citizen of the town of Berlin, was born in this town on the Hull homestead in 1844. Daniel Ifull, his great-grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, he settled in Berlin in 1722 bringing his family with him. Major Daniel his grandfather, was born in town of Redding, Conn., in 1962; he grew to prominence in the town of Berlin in the military; held various offices up to a ma- jor's commission, by which title he was generally known. He was one of the political men of the old school, alliliating with the Federalists; a frequent member in con- ventions representing his people in State and county, and a member of the Legisla- ture. He was a strong advocate of freeman's rights; unambitious, acting from principles of duty that he owed to his fellowman, a promoter of arts and sciences, a friend to the oppressed ; when the Declaration of Independence was received he read it for the first time, publicly, in the Valley of the Hoosick to the inhabitants of this part of the country who had assembled at this place to hear it read ; he was an active worker im raising troops for the Revolutionary army and later took part himself and was at the surrender of Burgoyne, his son, Hezekiah, being with him ; he was a mag- istrate for many years; he died August 26, 1811 ; age had impaired his in ellectual powers and for several years before his death he was incapable of attending to busi- ness; he reared three sons and one daughter. Benjamin Hull, the father of Daniel J., was born on the same llull homestead in 1787; he spent his entire life on the homestead which he later owned; he was thrifty, ambitious and prosperous and in polities a stanneh Republican; his wife was Maria Jones, who was born in Berlin, a daughter of James Jones and granddaughter of Major James Jones of Revolutionary war fame; they reared two sons and four daughters; he died in 1869 and his wife in 1883. Mr. Hull is the youngest of his father's family. He remained on the home- stead, cared for his parents during their old age and until their death, and later owned the home farm where he resided until 1891, when he sold his farm and re- tired to the village of Beriin. Mr. Hull has been prominently identified with the

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Republican party for many years; his first public office was in 1870 when he acted as justice of the peace, and since then has been elected supervisor seven terms, in which capacity he is now serving; at one time he filled the office for five successive years. Ile was president of the Republican Club for three years, is a member of the Berlin Chess Club, and a prominent and active man in all town and public affairs appertaining to the welfare of his country. In 1865 he was married to Miss Adelaide Denison. She was a native of Stephentown and daughter of Pardee Denison and granddaughter of Col. George T. Denison, who was assemblyman from his district. To Mr. and Mrs. Hull were born three children: Arthur D., Louis, and Daniel Streeter. Arthur is a resident of Rome, Ga., where he is manager of a manufacturing com- pany. Mrs. Hull died January, 1891, much lamented; she was a member of the Bap- tist church. Mr. and Mrs. Hull were noted for their hospitality and as entertainers they were always ready for company and the company was always welcome.

Canfield, Thomas .- One of the highly esteemed citizens of Hoosick Falls for the last quarter of a century, and for about the same length of time an efficient trusted employee of Walter A. Wood Company is Mr. Thomas Canfield, whose recent occu- pancy of the village presidential chair is but one proof of his personal popularity. He was born in Ireland in 1849; in 1866 made his residence in Troy until 1870, when he located in Iloosick Falls, therefore being a resident twenty-six years. He is by trade an iron molder, and also operates a general store at Elm and Third streets. Ile married in 1872 Miss Mary A. Mulcahy of Troy, who is the mother of twelve children of whom all but three are living, a large and interesting family. Mr. Can- field is an carnest advocate of temperance principles, and was for many years offi- cially connected with the Father Mathew Society as president and as treasurer. His administration of village affairs was characterized by economy, honesty, and sole regard for the publie good.

Welch, Edgar A., was born at Pownal Vt., August 17, 1837, son of Josiah Welch, a farmer and who was also born in that town. The first American ancestors of this family were from Holland, and settled in Connecticut. Hisgreat-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the British at the battle of Iluib- bardton, Vt., made his escape and rejoined the federal forces at the battle of Ben- uington, Vt. Mr. Welsh is also a descendant of the famous Baptist preacher known far and near as " Elder Bennett." He is a veteran railroad man having entered the employ of the Troy & Boston Railroad at a time when a horse was used to pull cars between Hoosick Falls and Hoosick Junction. He worked his way steadily toward the top; among the various positions held, we mention, two years in the depot at North Adams, several years as brakeman, two years as general baggage master at Troy and eight years as conductor on a train between Troy and Rutland. He was also station agent at Williamstown, Mass, and Hoosick Falls. While engaged in coupling cars in 1871, at Valley Falls, he was severaly injured. In 1881 he relin- quished life on the rail, and was five years foundry foreman for the Hoosick Mallea . ble Iron Co. In 1887 he opened a store for the sale of meats, fish and oysters, in which business he is now engaged. Mr. Welch has been twice married and has three children, Frances Ione, the wite of Capt. C. W. Eddy, Elmer E. and Bertha May, the wife of Clarence B. Solomon. His first wife and mother of his children was Sarah Daniels of Hoosick Falls. Her death occurred on the fiftieth anniversary

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of her birth, and in the honse where she was born. His second wife was Annie E. Sweet, with whom he is now living. Mr. Welch is a member of the First Baptist church, a member of Apollo Lodge F. & A. M., of Troy, N. Y., Democratic in poli- tics. He has read the Troy Press for forty years.

Akin, Oliver, was born in East Greenbush September 9, 1856, and is a son of Fred- erick W. and Ann (Doughty) Akin, he a native of Greenbush and she of Dutchess county. The grandfather, William Akin, came from Dutchess county and purchased a large tract of land in Rensselaer county near Greenbush. Mr. F. W. Akin was reared in Greenbush and has always followed farming. Ile died in 1879 and his wife died in 1818. After the death of Mr. Akin the farm was carried on by a son of Fred- erick W. who carried on a large milk business. He died in 1892. Oliver was reared on his father's farm, and in 1881 he married Josephine Prepenbrink, daughter of Frederick and Johanna Prepenbrink, natives of Germany, came with his family to America when quite young. He was a decorator and upholsterer by trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Akin was born one daughter. Mr. Akin now carries on the homestead farm of 125 acres of land and keeps about fifty cows.

De Freest, Frank, was born August 14, 1855. Ile is a son of John A. and Elenor (Manville) De Freest. He was born in Troy, January 16, 1526, and she was born in North Greenbush in 1826. The parents of John A. were Abram and Lizzie (Marble) De Freest, both natives of Rensselaer county. The father of Abram was David De Freest. John A. De Freest bought the farm in 1817 and here died in 1894. The parents of Elenor Manville were Jonas and Mary (Wheeler) Manville, he a native of Amsterdam and she of Troy. He followed farming in North Greenbush where he died in 1888, at the age of ninety eight years. Ilis wife, Mary Wheeler, died in 1873, aged seventy-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. John A. De Freest have been born three sons and two daughters: Llewellyn, farmer of North Greenbush; Mary L., wife of John Cipperly; Abram and Franklin run the homestead farm and keep a dairy of thirty-two cows and buy and sell milk. They and their father have been in the milk business for thirty-five years. Mr. De Freest is a member of Silver Brook Lodge No. 522, I. O. O. F., at Wynantskill.

Denison, D. Oscar, was born in Berlin, May 1, 1840. Hle is a son of Albert G .. a son of Daniel Denison, who lived and died in Berlin at the age of eighty-six years. Albert G. was born, lived and died in Berlin and was a farmer. Ile was in- ternal revenue collector under Lincoln's administration. He died in 1861 and lus wife, Catherine Jones, died in July, 1885. Mr. Denison was reared in Berlin, and was educated there and in the select schools of Petersburgh. He left home when nineteen years of age to clerk in the county clerk's office, J. Thomas Davis being county clerk at that time. He was there about three years and then went on a farm for a short time. December 1, 1862, he came to Greenbush and engaged in the grocery and hardware business with Griswold Denison, who was also postmaster. Mr. Denison and his partner after two years were burned out and D. Oscar Denison engaged in the ice business for one year in Greenbush ; then he went to New York and was in the ice business for about three years, and was also in the trucking busi- ness for two years. He came to Greenbush in 1822 and entered into partnership with T. Miles & Co. ; T. Miles was father-in-law of Mr. Denison. Mr. Miles died in

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1878, but his sons, William T. and James 1. Miles, and Mr. Denison continue the business under the same name. The wife of Mr. Denison was Maria E. Miles; they were married in 1865 and have two children: Oscar M. and Susan M. Mr. Denison has been trustee of the village for two terms, and has been for eight years trustee of school district No. 1. In 1895 he was elected police justice and took the office January 1, 1896. In 1896 he was elected civil justice and will take office January 1 1897.

Vandenburg, Cornelius N., was born in Troy in 1826. He was a son of Cornelius M. and Catherine (Frank) Vandenburg. The grandfather of Mr. Vandenburg was Matthias, who settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Vandenburg. C. M. Vanden- burg was born and reared on the farm and spent most of his life there. He died in 1868 and Mrs. Vandenburg died in 1881. Mr. Vandenburg has always carried on general farming and dairying. He and his wife have a farm of 100 acres and keep a dairy of thirty cows. In 1851 he married Harriet, a sister of David Phillips, To Mr. and Mrs. Vandenburg were born seven children: John and Otis, on the home- stead; Arba, in Gordinier's store in Troy; Harriet, deceased; Mary, wife of James Farrell, a lawyer of Troy.

Worthington, Albert, was born in the city of Troy, December 28, 1847, and is a son of Lynus l'. and Hannah L. (Haner) Worthington, he a native of Grafton and she of Sand Lake. The grandparents, John and Lovisa (Robinson) came from Con- necticut to Grafton at an early day and engaged in farming. Lynus P. Worthing- ton was reared on the farm in Grafton, and commenced farming and then went into the grocery business in Troy and spent his last days in North Greenbush, on the farm now owned by Albert, where he died August 8, 1882. Mr. Worthington was justice of the peace and supervisor of Grafton. Albert was educated at Lansing- burgh Academy. In 1882 he married Sarah E., daughter of William and Mariah Ostrander, he a native of North Greenbush and she of East Greenbush. To Mr. and Mrs. Worthington have been born two children: Lena B. and Edgar L. Mr. Worthington owns the farm of eighty-seven acres and keeps from eighteen to twenty cows.

Koon, Alfred, was born in North Greenbush, June 26, 1855. lle was the son of Alfred Koon and Delin Sharp, both natives of North Greenbush. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Ann (Lansing) Koon, were both born in Rensselaer county. Henry Koon was a farmer, lawyer, and judge, and served in the militia in the war of 1812; he was a large owner of real estate, part of which was a tract of 200 acres, located in that part of the city of Troy now occupied by Pawling, Maple and Pine Woods avenues, and justly esteemed by many to be the most beautiful portion of the city. Henry was the son of John Koon who came to Greenbush at a very early day and owned a large tract of land near Wynantskill. The parents of Delia Koon were Frederic and Mary (Kenter) Sharp. The father of Frederic Sharp was Peter Sharp, a pioneer of North Greenbush and a Revolutionary soldier; his wife was Catharine Barringer. The oldest brother of Mary Kenter entered the Revolutionary army as a drummer boy at the age of twelve years, but being of unusual size and strength was soon placed in the ranks; he survived the war living to the age of ninety and becoming a man of wealth and the progenitor of a large family. A

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younger brother of the above served in the war of 1812 and lost his life at the mem- orable battle of Lake Erie September 10, 1813, Alfred Koon the elder was born November 1, 1809, and died July 22, 1872; he was a farmer, dairyman and stock- dealer, held the office of postmaster at Wynantskill and in his early manhood was lieutenant-colonel of the 155th Regt. of State Infantry, his commission signed by Governor Marcy being still in the possession of the family. Delia Koon was born February 21, 1812, and is still living. Alfred Koon, the younger, was educated at Cazenovia Seminary and resides with his mother on the home farm at the village of Wynantskill. The farm, which is fertile and carefully tilled, is pleasantly located on the south bank of the beautiful stream known as the Wynantskill; the buildings are large and commodions and in perfect repair. The Troy and New England Elec- tric railway passes through the farm giving easy and pleasant access to the city of T'roy, whose eastern boundary is only one mile away. In addition to general farm- ing Mr. Koon carries on the business of market gardening, and as agent, has the care of his mother's property.

MeDonnell, George J., was born in Troy, N. Y., May 8, 1868. Ilis father is Fran- cis MeDonnell who for many years with John Ryan carried on an extensive carpet business in Troy, N. Y., and who subsequently became associated with William Cox in the boot and shoe business in this city, under the name of McDonnell & Cox. Mr. MeDonnell in September, 1886, entered Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., and graduated from that institution in 1890, receiving the degree of A. B. He taught school for two years at the Amsterdam Academy at Amsterdam, N. Y. ; at the same time he studied law with Westbrook, Borst & Perkinsof that place; he was admitted to the bar in 1892. He then accepted the position of managing clerk for the law firm of Merritt & Ryan of Troy and continued with that firm until shortly before the death of Mr. Ryan. Ile then formed a partnership with Henderson Peck under the firm name of Peek & MeDonnell. Mr. McDonnell is a memberof the Troy Citizens Corps and the Arba Read Steamer Co. In politics he has always been a Democrat and has made many speeches in the interests of his party.

Flack, Frank M., was born in Flackville, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., July 8, 1845. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Benjamin W., was born in Flackville, and was many years a justice of the peace. He died January 17, 1891. His mother, Angusta Ann (Forsyth) Flack, was born in Lisbon, N. Y., and is at present living in Flackville. Frank M. was edneated in the public schools and went to Chicago, where he remained for one year, and in 1865 came to Lansingburgh, where he was a clerk in a hardware store for one year. He then took a course in the business college, and in the spring of 1867 was employed by Sydney D. Tucker as bookkeeper, and was a partner in the concern from 1876 to 1887, and since that time has been in charge of the office work. He belongs to all the Masonie bodies. In January, 1877, he was married to Frankie M. Long, of Troy.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 39

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