Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 44

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 44

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Ilydorn, Frank, was born in Grafton, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1831. Ilis father, David flydorn, was a carpenter by trade and died in Delaware in 1894. His mother, Esther (Burdict) Hydorn, died in 186 . Frank received a common school education and learned the carpenter's trade and came to Troy in 1862. In 1867 he went in business with William Collins under the firm name of Collins & Hydorn, and was with that firm until 1878 when he started in the sash and blind business for himself on Front street, corner of Federal, where he has been since. Ile belongs to the I. O. O. F. and has held all the offices in the same. His first wife was Angeline Daniels of Brunswick who died in 1865. Ilis present wife was a Mrs. Shook of 'I roy, to whom he was married in 1868. He has two sons and one daughter; Nelson H., a commercial traveler, and George who assists him in his business.

Hartigan, John J., was born in Troy, N. Y., October 31, 1853. Ilis father, Maurice Hartigan, came from Ireland in 1849 and settled in Troy; he was alderman and supervisor of the Eighth ward for many years. His mother, Ellen (Hogan) Hartigan, was born in Ireland, and died in 1889. John J. was educated at the Christian Brothers' Academy and entered the store of George Bristol & Co. as cash boy in 1867 and was with Bristol and his successors until 1888, when he started in the dry goods business on King street where he still remains. In 1895 he formed a copart- nership with his cousin and started a branch store at 79 and 81 Congress street. Ile was president of the Robert Emmet Association in 1889, 1890 and 1891; also presi- dent of the La Salle Alumni Association in 1890 and 1891. November 29, 1884, he married Elizabeth Clogan of Chicago, Ill., by whom he has one daughter.

Fitzpatrick, Philip, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1844. His father, Francis Fitz- patrick, was born in Ireland and came to this country in 1820 and was for many years in the teaming business in Albany, where he was killed by the premature dis- charge of a gun while firing a salute on the 7th of April, 1847. His mother, Anna Kennedy, came to this country from Ireland in 1818 and died in 1852. Philip Fitz- patrick received his education in private schools in Albany and entered a tobacco manufacturing house in Albany and afterwards learned the eigarmaker's trade. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eleventh New York Independent Battery. He was in most of the principal battles of the war and received his discharge in 1865. Ile then worked at his trade in Connecticut for three years and came to Troy in 1869 and with Mr. Draper started the firm of Fitzpatrick & Draper in the wholesale tobacco and cigar business. Ile was the first commander of John A. Griswold Post No. 338, G. A. R., organized in 1883. He married Mary Frances Bunting of Troy, September 16, 1873, who was a teacher in the public schools. They have two sons and two daughters.

Lobdell, Archie S., was born in West Troy in 1862. Ilis father, Henry Lobdell, was for many years in the dry goods business in West Troy and came to Troy in 1876 and entered the house decorating business, where he continued until his death

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which occurred in 1893. His mother, Alice R. (Tobias) Lobdell, is a native of West Troy. Archie S. received his education in Troy public schools and entered business with his father, and since his death has had full management of affairs. Ile belongs to Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M. He married Miss Florence A. Toy of Troy in 1886, daughter of John Toy.

Duncan, Charles, was born in Scotland in 1844, in which country he learned his business as a carpenter and builder. Ile came to this country in 1864 and settled in Troy where he continued his business. In 1822 he started in business for himself and is now one of the prominent contractors and builders of Troy. He erected the State Armory at Troy and at Hoosick Falls and several collar factories, the Second Presbyterian church, and is at present at work on the new court house. lle manu- factures all kinds of lumber for buildings, sawing, planing, etc. ; his works are lo- cated on Front street near Fulton. He is vice-president of the Pioneer Building and Loan Association, and a member of King Solomon's Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1871 he was married to Anme Buchanan of Troy, daughter of Archibald Buchanan who for forty years was connected with the Burden Iron Works. He has one son and four daughters.

Brewer, Alonzo, was born in Greenwich, Washington county, in 1836. His an- cestors originally settled in Rhode Island, and his grandfather, Daniel Brewer, moved from Rhode Island to Greenwich and worked in the first cotton factory in the State of New York. He died in the early forties. His father, Harvey Brewer, was born in 1810 and is still living in Greenwich, and his mother, Jane (Reynolds) Brewer, died in 1886. Alonzo was educated in the public schools and Greenwich Academy, and worked on a farm until he was seventeen years of age. Hle then learned the carpenter's and builder's trade and in 1863 started in business in his native town, which he continued until 1876, when he came to Troy and worked in the car shops for the Troy and Boston Railroad and from 1882 until 1884 had charge of the bridges of that road, and in 1884 was appointed master car builder of the Troy and Boston Railroad, which position he now holds at the Fitchburg car shops, and has charge of car building for the western division and of the buildings. He is a member of Apollo Lodge F. N. A. M. In 1900 he married Matilda J. Pauley, by whom two children have been born : John R., who died in 1886, and Ida, who died in 1888.

Dorrance, James A., was born in Woodstock, Conn. He is the son of Alexander and Mary E. (Fox) Dorrance, both born in New England. His father died in 1870 and his mother in 1849, Jantes A. received his education in the public schools and for some years elerked in stores in different places in Connectient and came to Troy in [847 and was elerk in the shoe store of James Sutton two years, and in 1864 with Mr. C. D. Parkard opened a shoe store under the firm name of Dorrance & Packard. Mr. Packard sold out to Mr. Pellet in 1865 and the firm was continued under the firm name of Dorrance & Pellet and later Mr. Dorrance bought Pellet's interest and con- tinned some years and in 1881 formed a partnership with his son, William J. Dor- ranee; the firm now is J. A. Dorrance & Son, one of the oldest shoe stores in the city of Troy. He married Eliza MeBurney of Troy in 1850. His children are Mrs. Mary D. Heustis, William J., Fanny and Jessie. William J. Dorrance was a member of the school board from 1887 until 1893; he is now a member of the knights of Maccabees

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and of the Trojan Ilook and Ladder company No. 3, of which he was at one time secretary, having served altogether twenty years in the Troy Fire Department.

Cheney, Edward D., was born in Troy, June 30, 18-16. His father, Warner E., came to Troy in 1885, and was a mason and builder by trade, and in 1862 commenced the manufacture of lime; he died June 29, 1889. His mother, Phoebe A. Smith, was born in Dutchess county, and now resides in Troy. Edward D. was educated in the public schools and in the Troy Business College. In 1866 he associated himself in the cement business with his father, and at the death of the latter became sole pro- prietor. Mr. Cheney was school commissioner for two terms. He is a member of Apollo Lodge and Chapter and Commandery, and also of the Knights of Pythias. In 1869 he married Margaret A. Smith, a daughter of the late Leonard Smith, for many years a furniture dealer of Troy. He has two children: Edward W. and Clara Louise.

Strauss, Moses J., was born in Albany February 11, 1846. His father, Joseph Strauss, was one of the oldest Jewish settlers of Albany, having come to this country from Germany in early life and settled in Albany, and was for many years in the grocery business; he died in 1863. Moses J. at the age of fourteen left school and entered a fancy goods store at Albany, and came to Troy in 1862, where he elerked for his uncle until 1870. The same year he started a fancy goods store on Fulton street, under the firm name of Strauss & Stern, and two years later bought Stern's interest and moved to the corner of Fulton and Fourth streets, occupying three stores for the exclusive sale of ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, where he re- mained until 1890, when he bought the building at No. 332 River street and changed his business to wholesale and retail millinery. Ile is a member of the King Solomon Lodge, F. & A. M., and also a member of the Troy Lodge of Elks, of which he is the present treasurer, lle married Jennie llerman of Albany, daughter of the late Morris Herman, a jeweler, engaged in business for many years in that city.

Caldwell, James B., was born in Troy, N. Y., January 25, 1843. He is the son of James Caldwell who was born in Belfast, Ireland, and came to the United States with his parents when a young man and settled in Troy; he died in 1851. His mother was Namey Sample, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and died in 1988, James B., after attending the public schools of Troy, started in as apprentice to learn the tailor's trade and after working at it some time went to New York city where he completed his trade. He theu returned to Troy and entered the firm of Bernard Montague ; in 1885 he bought out the business and ran it until 1895 when Philip A. Morse was taken as partner, the firm being J. B. Caldwell & Co., custom tailors, He is a mem- ber of the Exempt Fireman's Association and has been secretary and treasurer of the same. He married, May 18, 1870, Amanda Padley of Troy. His children are Charles Il. and Maggie.

Mackenzie, John, was born in Pietou, Nova Scotia, October 2, 1842. Ile is the son of John and Mary (Campbell) Mackenzie. His father died in 1885, and his mother in 1889. John went to sea at an early age and in 1859 settled in Boston, Mass., and learned the cooper trade. In 1860 he came to Troy and worked at his trade until August, 1861, when he enlisted in the Second New York Cavalry (Harris Light) and served over four years, during which time he was in prison over a year. When he

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was mustered out of service he located in Bath, N. Y., where he worked at his trade with Requa & Co. and their successors until 1868, and later with A. Widenhamer bought out the small refinery and carried on business until 1870 when he came to Troy, when he brought refined oil from Pennsylvania and barreled it on Green Island, and in 1877 he took charge of the oil works on Green Island for the Standard Oil Co. Ile operated in opposition to the Standard Oil Co. from 1890 until 1895, during which time oil was sold as low as four cents per gallon. The business is now conducted on Fulton street. He is an inventor of several appliances, among which are a rail-joint and a floor oiler. He is commander of Post Tibbits, G. A. R., No. 111, and belongs to King Solomon's Lodge, F. & A. M. He has been a trustee and an elder of the First Presbyterian church of Watervliet since 1899. He married Lucretia A. Streeter, a daughter of Dr. Lorenzo Streeter of Albia. Their children are Morris S. and Charles H., who are connected with the oil works; and John A., on the police force in West Troy, N. Y.

Morse, Philip A., was born in Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, in 1857. His an- cestors came from England in 1634 or 1635, and settled in Newberry, Mass. His great- grandfather, Peter Morse, came from Connecticut to Schaghticoke, where his grand- father and father were born. His father, Amos Morse, removed to Troy in ISTI and for a time ran the Rensselaer House on River street ; he was auditing superintendent of the poor of Rensselaer county from 1867-69; he still resides in Troy. His mother was Elizabeth (Cipperly) Morse. Mr. Morse received his education in the public schools and entered as an apprentice in the tailor shop of Morris Gross on Third street, where he remained until 1880. He then went with A. Montague & Co., who sold out in 1885 to J. B. Caldwell, and in 1895 was made a partner, the firm name being J. B. Caldwell & Co., fine custom tailors. He is a member of the Troy Citizens Corps, and an elder in the Ninth Presbyterian church. He is also president of the Christian Endeavor Local Union, having some sixty societies in his charge. lle married Miss Alice Northrup of Lansingburgh, N. Y., in 1881, by whom he has had one daughter, Lela.

Rapp, Christian W., was born in Germany in 1835, and came to this country and settled in Newark, N. J., in 1854, where he worked at his trade, that of a brewer, for one year, when he came to Troy and worked at the cooper business. In 1859 he joined the New York State Mihtia in which he continued for ten years, five of which he was captain. He was one of the old Capital police force of Troy, and after- wards on the Rensselaer police, of which he was captain. He engaged in the meat business with Fred Epting, under the firm name of Epting & Rapp, and in 1886 be- came proprietor of the entire business, which is now in charge of his sons. He served in the board of aldermen from the 13th ward from 1875 to 1878 inclusive, and represented the same ward in the board of supervisors for three years; also served as general assessor for nine years and two months. He is also a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13 F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter, Bloss Council, and Apollo Commandery, is a member of Oriental Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and of Rhine Lodge No. 248 I. O. O. F., of the Mistletoe Grove No. 11, U. A. O. D., and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a trustee of the German Hall Association. December 25, 1864, he married Amelia Grose, of Troy, and his sons are A. Christian and Fred- erick 1.

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Williamson, Stephen IL., was born in Troy in 1851. Ilis father, Howard William- son, was born at Onondaga Hill, and was for many years a liveryman in Troy. He died in 1884. Ilis mother, Helen G. Greenwood, was born at West Troy and died in 1856. Stephen H. was educated in the public schools and the Troy Academy, and at the age of twenty-one entered the livery business with his father, the firm being J. II. Williamson & Son, and later, after the death of his father, he became sole pro- prietor. Mr. Williamson has one of the finest livery stables in the city of Troy, fully equipped with every kind of vehicles and excellent horses for riding and driving. The stables and office are situated in the central portion of the city at No. 22-24 Fourth street. He was the first to introduce the rubber tire on carriages and bug- gies, and has several now in daily use. He is a member of King Solomon Lodge F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter, Bloss Council and Apollo Commandery. In 1875 he married Ella J. Young, daughter of Dr. Orange R. Young, and has one daughter, Grace Bardwell Williamson.

Pitts, Andrew F., M. D., was born in Clinton, Rensselaer county, N. Y., July 5, 1855. He is a son of John W. and Nancy M. (Finch) Pitts. Both were born in Nassau, Andrew F. is a grandson of David Pitts who spent his life in Nassau. The father of Andrew F. is a farmer and teacher in his seventy-eighth year. Andrew F. was educated in common and State Normal schools, and also Troy Business College, from which he graduated in March, 1881. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas S. Robertson and graduated from the medical department of the Uui- versity of Vermont in 188-1. His diploma was endorsed by Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College in July, 1884. He had practiced medicine with his preceptor in New York city for two years previous to this. After graduating he continued his practice from July 1, 1884, to August 15, 1885. ITe then came to Nassan where he has since had a successful practice. He married Libbie Wing of Nassau, by whom three daughters have been born: Ethel, Florence, and Marion.

Hermance, Emily .- Ryer Ilermance was born in Nassau, November 16, 1799. He was a son of Garret Hermance, a native of Dutchess county and one of the early settlers of Nassau, where he died. Ryer Hermance was descended from a Duke and Duchess Hermance, natives of Holland. The name itself (Hermance) means lord's man. Rver was a farmer and wool dealer, He represented his district in the Assembly, and was a man of good judgment and high integrity, and was an enthus- iastic worker in all charitable enterprises; he was an office bearer in the Reformed church for many years and its liberal supporter. He died April 16, 1876. His wife, to whom he was married December 20, 1820, was Elizabeth Miller, who spent her life in Nassau, dying April 23, 1877. She was the mother of seven children: Garret (deceased), Mary A., Sarah E., Cornelia, Emily, an infant unnamed, and Peter M. (deceased). Emily now owns the old homestead, where she resides.

Boyce, Charles A., was born in Schodack, March 22, 1853. He was a son of Eli and Fannie Gardner; he was a native of Schodack, and she of Rhode Island. The grand- father of Charles A. was Isaac Boyce, one of the early settlers of Schodack. Mr. Boyce was a farmer by occupation. September, 1874, he married Mary A. Pitts, daughter of William and Charity (Wood) Pitts. The grandfather of Mrs. Boyce lived and died in Nassau, and the father took up the land. The father of Mrs.

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Boyee was a farmer, and held minor town offices. Ile died June 10, 1892, and his wife died in November, 1873. Mr. Boyce died January 3, 1890. Mr. Boyce was a natural botanist and made a study of that subject from childhood.

Brown, Thomas G., was born in Surrey county, England, October 29, 1838. Ile is a son of Jacob and Mary A. (Nightingale), both born in England and there lived and died. Thomas G. was educated in England and at the age of nineteen came to New York city. In England Mr. Brown worked at farming and lime burning, which busi- ness his father carried on. He came to Nassau and worked by the month for Mr. George Carpenter, and continued work until 1859. He married Samantha E. Knapp who was born in Nassau and danghter of Reynolds Knapp and Abigail Harris, who came to this farm in 1808; he was the son of Joshua Knapp, born in Nassau. Mr. Knapp owned the farm upon which Mr. Brown now resides. Mr. Brown began the manufacture of cider and vinegar in 1878, and has now added a feed mill.

Dunham, W. V .. was born in Dunham's Hollow, N. Y., October 24, 1835. He is a son of Harry, a son of Isaac Dunham, who settled at Dunham's Hollow, N. Y., in about 1790 and there lived and died ; he kept hotel for many years, and reared a family of seven sons and two daughters. The father of W. V. was a farmer; he died in 1851; his wife was Lucy Vary: they had two sons and three daughters. WV. V. was reared on a farm and educated in common schools; he followed farming until 1884; he came where he is now and bought the Knap grist mill; he has added a saw mill to it and is very successful. December 8, 1825, he married M. Eliza Lester, by whom he has had seven children: Ella, Henry, Mattie, Calvin. Jennie, Lena and Flora. Mr. Dunham has been comunssioner of highways for six years, and also collector for one year. He is a member of Gratitude Lodge, F. & A. M.

Germond, John T., was born in Nassau, N. Y., December 27, 1899. Hle is a son of Willett and Susan (Loweree) Germond, both natives of Long Island, town of Flushing. The grandfather of Mr. Germond was Simeon Germond, who came from Long Island to Schodack in about 1820, where he lived and died. The father of Mr. Germond came to Nassau in 1822 and settled on the farm where Mr. Germond now resides and here spent his days. He died in December, 1859, and his wife died in March, 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Germond were born eleven children: Mary R. is at the old homestead; Abraham I .. is at home; Fannie M. is the widow of John W. Ilnested ; Sallie A. is at home; John T .; Susan J. is the widow of Fenner Iluested ; Anna is the wife of Aaron Middlebrooks of Nassan; and Samuel is at Albany. John T. was educated in common schools and farming has been his business. John T., his brother and sisters Mary R. and Sallie A., occupy the farm of 160 acres, 125 acres of which the maternal grandfather of John T. bought in 182.1.

Ilam, C. G., was born in Greenbush, N. Y., December 9, 1856. Ile is a son of C. G. and Charlotte L. (Lyon) IIam, he born is Schodack, N. Y., and she in New Lon- don, Conn. The grandfather of Mr. Ilam was Isaac Ham, who was born in Scho- dack and was a son of Frederick Ham, a native of Holland, who came to this county at an early day. The father of Mr. Ham was a railroad man and cashier in the office of the Boston Railroad at Albany. He came to Bath in 1871 and en- gaged in the coal business, which he followed for about twelve years. Ile died in May, 1883, and his wife lives in Bath. Mr. Ham was reared in Greenbush until

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eleven years of age, and was educated in common and model schools of Albany. Ile was in the railroad office at East Albany with the Boston Railroad for five years and at the death of his father succeeded him in the coal business.

Hogeboom, John V., born in Nassau November 29, 1827, was the son of Nich- olas and Paulina (Valentine) Hogeboom, he born February 25, 1800, and she born February 24, 1801. Mr. Nicholas Hogeboom died in Nassau October 10, 1837; his wife married William Sikes aud went to Rome, N. Y., afterwards to Niagara county, N. Y., where William Sikes died October 8, 1874, and she returned to North Nassau and resided with her son until her death, December 24, 1879. Johu V. Hogeboom was a farmer and saw mill man, and has owned the mill and farm on which the family now live for a number of years. He was a prominent Democrat in politics and was highway commissioner for ten years. He was a member of Schodack Union Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M., and united with lodge in 1867. He died February 1, 1891. His wife was Sophia Devereaux, daughter of Epaphroditus and Mittie (Crandell) Devereaux, both born in Nassau, and his father was Jonathan, one of the early set- tlers of the town, locating and clearing up the farm where Mrs. Hogeboom and sons now live. To Mr. and Mrs. Hogeboom were born three sons: George M. was born February 27, 1858, educated in the common schools; he resides at Hoag Corners, and is connected with the milling business; is postmaster of that place: he is an active Democrat, and a member of Schodack Union Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M .; he married Mattie, daughter of Willett V. Dunham, and had one son, Aaron, deceased. D. Aaron was born April 9, 1864, educated at the Averill Park Seminary, graduated from the Evansville Academy in 1883, and has been engaged in teaching for thirteen years, being principal of the Averill Park Public Schools for three years; he is a prominent Democrat, being elected town clerk two terms in succession, and was defeated for supervisor in 1894 by a small majority of thirty-seven votes; he is a member of Sehodack Union Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M., Interlochan No. 641, I. O. O. F., P. G. and past member of the Grand Master's Staff, also Rensselaer Encampnient, and is connected with several enterprises. Owen P. was born September 14, 1867, educated in the common schools, and he and D. A. are associated in the milling and lumber business; he is also a farmer, He is a member of Juterlochan Lodge No. 611. 1. 0. O. B., and of Rensselaer Encampment. He isan active Democrat. He was married, February 23, 1893, to Edna Clark, daughter of Ira Clark of North Nassan. John V. and wife settled in the far west in the early fifties, but the climate not agree- ing with them they returned cast in a short time. Mr. Hogeboom was postmaster at North Nassau during Cleveland's first administration.

James, Thomas D., was born in Albany, N. Y., November 4, 1848. He is a son of Thomas D. James, a native of Newark, N. J., born March 17, 1806; his mother was Mary Ford Alling, daughter of Pruden Alling who was a merchant and for a time postmaster of Newark. The father of Thomas D, was a graduate from Princetou College and studied law in Newark, N. J. ; he practiced for a time in Albany, N. Y., with Andrew J. Colvin, and then removed to New York city where he continued his practice until 1868, when on account of advanced age he retired from business and came to Nassau; he died December 2, 1883. He took a great interest in public affairs and was a very successful lawyer while in New York city. The children of Thomas D. James and Mary Ford Alling were Maria, Charles, Josiah, Rose, Thomas

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and Norwood. Thomas D. was educated in New York; he went to Florida in 1870 and was engaged in the orange business near Palatka, and for twenty-three years lived in that State during the winter, and since 1893 his permanent home has been in Nassau. He has been postmaster in Nassau since 1893, and president of the village in 1896. He is a member of Gratitude Lodge No. 674 F. & A. M. The grandfather of Thomas D. was Josiah James, a son of David, who was taken prisoner by the British during the Revolution and confined in the old sugar house in New York city.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 44

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