Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 46

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 46

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Osborn, M. L., is a native of Lansingburgh, born in 1851. This father, a coal dealer there, has been a boatman for many years on the Hudson. Mr. Osborn was reared in his native town, and his first business engagement was with his father in the coal trade and a grocery store. He came to Iloosick Falls in 1893 and assumed management of the business of renting houses for Charles Q. Eldredge. Mr. Osborn wes first married in 1825 to Julia A. Leavens of Lansingburgh, who died in 1885; they had three children: Julia R. and Susie H., and one deceased. He married sec- oud Nellie leke, also of Lansingburgh, by whom he has four children: Wright 11., Lloyd Q., Fannie 1, Clyde 1. Mr. Osborn is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and a Republican. He returned to Lansingburgh in 1896.

Meekin, Alexander, was born in Middlebury, Vt., November 18, 1857. His father, James Meekin, was born in the North of Ireland and came to the United States in 1837, settled in Vermont and died in 1893. His mother, Mary (Culbert) Meekin, was born in the North of Ireland and died in 1876. They were of Scotch- Irish extraction, and brought letters from the Scotch Presbyterian church to their new home and joined the Congregational church there where they remained through life. Alex- ander Meekin received his education in the Middlebury graded school, and learned the printer's trade in the office of the Middlebury Register, and later worked at the trade in Brandon, Rutland and Montpelier, Vt., Rochester, N. Il., Providence, R. I., and Springfield, Mass., and came to Troy in 1883, where, with the exception of eight months in the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885, he worked until 1887, when he started a general printing establishment in the Manufacturers' Bank building. Ile is the

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editor and publisher of the Trojan Advance, He joined the Congregational church at Middlebury when eighteen years of age. He is vice president of the Troy Bicycle Club, treasurer of the Rensselaer County Prohibition Society, and is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and has acted in the capacity of secretary and vice- president of the Y. P. C. U. of that church. He was proof-reader for Tuttle & Co., Vermont State printers, for two years and left them only on account of his health. He married, in 1888, Miss Agnes Buchanan of Troy, by whom he has one son and one daughter.

Colby, John D., was born in Troy, N. Y., August 3, 1864. His father, the Hon. John 11. Colby, was a prominent lawyer of Troy and was district attorney of the county. He was the author of Colby on Criminal Laws, Colby on New York Rail- road Laws, Colby on Surplus Money arising from Mortgage Foreclosure. He died in January, 1885. His mother is Ellen (Desmond) Colby, of Troy. John D. was educated at the public schools and graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic In- stitute in the class of 1884 and was in the department of publie works in New York for a time, working on the Croton aqueduet. Tle returned to Troy and was transit- man and engineer in charge of the public improvements commission. He belongs to the senior company of the Troy Citizens Corps, and is a member of the Theta Xi Fraternity of the R. P. I., and is vice-president of the Foote-Thorne Glass Company of New York city.

Loewenstein, Louis, was born at Neudam, Prussia, November 28, 1857. He is a son of Herman Loewenstein, who came from Prussia and settled in Troy in 1873, and officiated as rabbi with the congregation on State street for abont two years, and is now retired. His mother, Esther (Behrendt) Loewenstem, died Jannary 11, 1894. Lonis was educated in the public schools at Roessel, East Prussia, and then entered the gymnasium, where he took a four years' course, and came to this country in March, 1873. In December, 1874, he entered the office of Warren & Patterson in Troy, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, and is at present stenographer to the County Court of Rensselaer county. He was one of the organizers of General John E. Wool Lodge A. O. U. W. and has held all elective offices in that lodge. He is a a past president of Jeremiah Lodge I. O. B. B., and is a member of King Solomon Lodge, No. 9, F, & A. M., also of the Hlium Club. April 23, 1884, he married Gussie Cohen, of Troy, daughter of the late Jacob Cohen. They have one son, Al- exander M.

Kunz, John B., was born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, in December, 1851, came to America and located in New York city, in September, 1869, later went to Springfield, Mass., and in 1871 came to Troy, where he has sinee resided. Here he, with two others, was employed by MeLeod & Reardon, in the manufacture of gal- vanized iron cornices, being the first in the city to do a regular business in that line. Mr. Kunz continued in that industry as foreman until 1880, when he became propri- etor of his present restaurant on Federal street, suceceding Augustus Kolbe. He has been active as a Republican, casting his first vote for Gen. U. S. Grant for presi- dent in 1876. He is a member of King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., Rhein Lodge No. 248, I. O. O. F., and he was one of the originators and is a trustee of the German Hall Association, and for sixteen years was a member of the Troy Fire Department, being captain of Ranken Steamer, No. 2.

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Stuart, Rev. Francis N., was born in Albany, February 8, 1863, and is a son of John Stuart, who came from Ireland to this country in 1820, and settled in New York city, later moving to Troy, where he was a contractor and builder, having erected some of the first publie buildings in Albany. He was alderman for several terms and died in 1880. His mother was Mary Delhanty, also a native of Ireland, who died in 1892. Father Francis Stuart received his education in Montreal and in the Niagara University and then entered St. Joseph's Seminary, where he was or- dained to the priesthood in 1889. Since that time he has been stationed at St. Jo- seph's church, Albany, St. Mary's church, Oneonta, and came to St. Francis church in Troy in July, 1890, where he is assistant to Father Leonard, and is a member of the examining board of the Parochial schools.

Donnelly, Michael W., son of Richard and Catherine (Flenn) Donnelly, was born May 6, 1856, in Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y., where he received an aca. demic education. He learned thetrade of stonecutter at Springfield, Mass., and fol- lowed it until 1881, when he came to Lansingburgh, Rensselaer county, and bought a restaurant, which he conducted until 1884, when he became traveling salesman for M. Sheehan, wholesale liquor dealer of Troy. He later became salesman for Tappan & Toole and in 1891 entered into partnership with Robinson & MacLellan, wholesale liquor dealers, the firm name being Robinson, MacLellan & Co. Mr. Robinson died in August, 1893, and the name of the firm was changed to MacLellan & Donnelly. July 11, 1896, Mr. MacLellan died and Mr. Donnelly has since been manager of the business, conducting it under the firm name of MacLellan & Donnelly. Mr. Don- nelly is a member of Glens Falls Lodge No. 81, B. P. O. E. September 28, 1892, lie married Catherine Healy of Bennington, Vt., and they have two children: Richard Vincent and Marie Grace.

Ilutton, Samuel E., son of William and Bridget (McGowan) Hutton, was born in Troy, June 25, 1855, was graduated from the Christian Brothers' Academy in June, 1872, and immediately obtained a position as bookkeeper at Kellogg's foundry on Ida Hill, where he remained three years. In 1876 he went to New York city and was for four years bookkeeper for his uncle, Michael O'Brien, wholesale produce dealer. He returned to Troy in 1880 and was employed by his father, who was for thirty years a liveryman, until Iss5, when he was appointed registrar of vital statis- ties, which position he held until 1888, when he engaged in the cigar business with William II. Fennell, at No. 86 Third street. In 1890 he was appointed tax clerk in the office of the State comptroller at Albany, but resigned to accept the deputy county clerkship under Franeis Riley. He held this position during 1891 and 1895, when he then became bookkeeper for Fitzgerald Brothers. Ile opened his restau- rant at No. 69 Third street, May 13, 1896. Mr. Hutton is and has been a member of the F. W. Farnam Steamer Company since 1873, and was formerly a trustee; he is a member and was recording secretary of the Robert Emmett Association and a meni- ber of Troy Lodge No. 141, B. P. O. Elks, and of the Troy Council, Knights of Columbus. He is well known as an expert penman and engrosser and is the posses- sor of remarkable vocal talent, which he has frequently used in amateur theatricals, playing the roll of comie singer. Many benefits given for worthy charitable objeets have had his gratuitous services. June 25, 1883, he married Frances V., daughter of Edward and Mary McCormick of Troy.

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Wolf, John F., jr., born in Saxony, Germany, June 22, 1851, came to Troy with his parents in 1857. He was educated in the public schools and in 1875 started in business for himself at No. 5 Franklin Square, where he is still conducting a hotel and restaurant. He is a Mason, a member of Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T., and has also received the thirty-second degree in Albany Sovereign Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. In 1875 he married Susanna Pfeil, and they have five children; Alma L., Frederick P., Gretchen E., Louise W. and Leopold W.

Schlosser, August, son of Jacob and Eliza Schlosser, was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, September 1-1, 1848, was educated in the public schools and came to America in 1866, settling in Tewksbury, Mass., where he learned the trade of cabinet maker. He moved to Boston in 1868 and followed his trade there until 1878, when, coming to Troy, he engaged in the restaurant business with his brother Jacob, whose in- terest he purchased in 1887. He is a member and was for one year president of the Troy Turn Verein; he is a charter member of the German Hall Association building and was its president one year, and has been a trustee since its organization. He. was the originator of the German Hall Association building and was chairman of the building committee. He is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13, F. & A. M. and of the German Sangerbund and Mannerchor Singing Society ; he has been president of the German Bowling Club since 1888. In 1874 he married Elizabeth Schwartz of Boston, and they have five children: Annie M., August C., Elizabeth C., Henry O., and Frederick A. Mr. Schlosser is one of the representative Germans of Troy, and has always taken a deep interest in all worthy movements.

Estabrook, Ezra Robinson, was born in Stratton, Vt., September 6, 1824. The father of the subject of this sketch, David Estabrook, was a lineal descendant of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, born in Middlesex, England, who emigrated to this country in 1660, and served as pastor of the Concord (Mass.) church from 1696 to 1711, the date of his death. Many members of the family were clergymen. His mother, Anner Bramard, was a descendant of Daniel Brainard, who arrived in this country from England in 1649. Daniel Brainard was one of twenty-seven young men who founded the town of Iladdam, Conn. in 1662, his estate reverting to, and remaining in the possession of his descendants until the present time, a period of over two hun- dred years David and John, grandsons of David Brainard, were noted missionaries, and the famed patriot and preacher of the late civil war, Rev. Thomas Brainard of Philadelphia, was also a descendant. In 1834 David Estabrook became a resident of Bennington, Vt., removing therefrom to Hoosick Falls, N. Y., in 1838, where Ezra Robinson Estabrook has since resided. Although he worked on a farm from the age of fifteen to eighteen in summer, he found opportunities to seek knowledge from useful books, and in winter he attended school, qualifying himself as a teacher, lle taught school in the town of Hoosick during the years 1843 to 18-16 inelusive. In 1844 his experiments with daguerreotypes led to the establishment of the business, which developed into modern photography, and it is still continued. In 1850 Mr. Estabrook entered into the insurance business, and by diligence and the application of honorable business methods has attained an enviable position in the insurance world. His agency is the largest in Rensselaer county outside of Troy. Years ago the necessity of a water supply system for Hoosick Falls became apparent to him. Obstacles were many to the introduction of a water supply, but they were sur-

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mounted, and his persistent efforts resulted in the organization of the Hoosick Falls Water Supply Company, Mr. Estabrook was elected secretary and superintendent, which offices he has continued to fill. To Mr. Estabrook is due all credit for the present excellent water supply system in Hoosick Falls. Since early in life Mr. Estabrook has been an active member of the Presbyterian church, at present being an elder, and for twenty-nine consecutive years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1849 Mr. Estabrook was elected town clerk, 're-elected in 1850, and again in 1863, 1867 and 1868. In 1844 Mr. Estabrook married Lucy Taylor, member of a Vermont family of distinction, who died August 13, 1890. Of this union there were three sons, Ezra Brainard, Willie Harlan, and Frank Herbert, the latter two surviving. In September, 1891, Mr. Estabrook married Harriet M. Taylor, a sister of his first wife. Ezra Robinson Estabrook is one of the most respected and influential citizens of Hoosick Falls. Of strict integrity, prominent in social, business and religious circles, and active and liberal in developing the business interests of his town. He assumes responsibilities, then zealously and conscientiously performs the duties pertaining to them.

Broughton, Amos, has had charge of the railroad station over thirty years in Tiashoke and has been a resident here since 1857. From the first he engaged in railroad business and associated with an unele, dealer in produce, etc. Until recently he was postmaster since the establishment of the office in 1878. He was born at Red Creek, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1839, son of Amos Broughton, who was born in this town and who died at Red Creek, N. Y., at the age of forty-nine. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the town of Hoosick. Mr. Broughton married Mary Hitchcock, daughter of Daniel L. Hitchcock, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Pittstown, N. Y. Amos, jr, is a Republican and an active politician, but not an office seeker.

Story, C. B., the secretary and superintendent of the Hoosick Railway Company, incorporated in 1893, was the organizer, and has been directly instrumental in bring- ing several new industries to Hoosick Falls. Like a true type of the aggressive and enterprising American, he has led a very active life. He was born at Cambridge, Vi., and as his father, Elijah Story, was a farmer, his boyhood was spent on a farm. After spending some time at a Normal school he was employed by the International Telegraph Company at St. Johnsbury, Vt., thence to New York two years as an in- spector of private lines in the Gold Stock Telegraph Company. Later he worked for the Edison Illuminating Company, as foreman of the " wiring;" then went on the road and put up the second Edison dynamo for lighting outside of New York city, in 1882 going as far south as New Orleans, wiring and putting in electric plants and to Williamsport, Pa. In 1883 he entered the employ of P. B. Shaw, and organ- ized electric light companies throughout the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Hle was employed in 1884 by the Brush-Swan Company of New York, traveling through- out Maine installing isolating plants. The same year he went into business for him- self at Brunswick, Me., when he rebuilt and equipped a water power and light com- pany, taking controlling interest. Prior to his business here he was superintendent of the Giant Electric Motor Company at Portland, Me.

Colgan, Arthur, is acknowledged among the personal landmarks of Hoosick Falls

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by reason of long residence, apart from his sterling worth as a citizen. Born in Ireland, County Sligo, March 17, 1820, in fact St. Patrick's Day, he came to America in 1848, without appreciable capital save his chest of carpenter's tools. But he has skill, industry, good health and an unsullied name. Ile first settled in Troy, and in 1850 removed to Schaghticoke and in 1856 made Hoosick Falls his permanent home. He was a master of the wood working trade, and became a contracting builder. IIe married in Ireland in 1846 Alice Naughton, his faithful companion for almost half a century. She died in 1893, leaving one son and five daughters. Mr. Colgan is a Democrat in politics, of somewhat quaint and original personality, the oldest resi- dent member of the Roman Catholic church, and so lightly upon him sit his seventy- five years that he writes a good legible hand without the use of spectacles.

Finkle, Harrison, was born in Columbia county, January 7, 1847. He was a son of Calvin and Elanor (Dunbar) Finkle, he born in Dutchess county and she in Albany county. The father of Calvin was John Finkle of Dutchess county, where he lived and died. The father of Mr. Finkle was a farmer. Ile died in October, 1875, and his wife died in May, 1878. Mr. Finkle was reared in Columbia county until twelve years of age, and was in Albany county until 1878. He was educated in common and select schools and followed teaching for four years. In 1878 he came to Green- bush and engaged in the sale of Helderberg blue stone and has ever since continued the business. September 30, 1868, Mr. Finkle was married to Anna C. Brate of Albany, but was reared in Westerlo, Albany county. To Mr. and Mrs. Finkle have been born two children. Katie M. and Flossie B. Mr. Finkle is a member of Green- bush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., of the A. O. U. W., the L. O. Lodge No. 177 of Albany, N. Y., of the A. P. A., and is also a member of the C. C. B. C. No. 1, of Rensselaer county.

Kerigan, Elizabeth .- James Jordan was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1793. He came to Boston, then to Vermont, and then came to Greenbush and owned considerable of the land which is in Greenbush. Heowned quite a good many houses which he rented. He was first to introduce ditching on farms in this section, and was a husbandman in England when a young man, and was wealthy in his time. His wife was Charity Fuller of Massachusetts, by whom were born six children . Mary, wife of James Kerigan, deceased; Robert and Brabacon, twins, de- ceased, Elenor, who owns a line residence on the corner of Second avenue and Academy street. She has quite a reputation as maker of wax fruits, and has often taken the premiums at various fairs. She resides with her sister, Mrs. Kerigan and niece, Elizabeth; James, deceased; Elizabeth. Mr. Jordon died April 9, 1842, at the age of seventy-six, and his wife died January 31, 1870, at the age of eighty-one. Mr. Kerigan was born in Rathagan, county of Kildare, Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Keri- gan were born three children, of whom one daughter is now living: Elizabeth. She resides with her mother in Greenbush, her father having been dead for some years.

Hotaling, F. W., was born in Greenbush in the house he resides in, March 24, 1859. He was a son of Nicholas, a son of Christopher, whose father spent his life in New York State, his grandfather coming from Holland. The grandfather of Mr. HIotal- ing, Bernard, was born in Coeymans, but spent most of his life in Sand Lake. The father of Mr. Hotaling came to Greenbush in 1845 and here lived and died. He was

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a carriage maker and followed that trade until the last seven years of his life when he lived a retired life. He was trustee of the village in early years. His wife was Maria Belding of Greenbush and they had two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Hotaling died in 1863 and Mr. Hotaling married Anna Bateman and had two daugh- ters and one son. Mr. Hotaling died August 10, 1891. F. W. Hotaling was reared and educated in Greenbush and at the age of sixteen began to learn the carriage making trade, and was in business with his father until 1883, since which he has carried on the business alone and has been successful. He now owns the homestead and the place where he carries on the business. Ile is a member of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., and also of Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Lodge No. 157, the Rebeccas, and is also a member of the Ring and Fire Company No, 1 of Greenbush.

Boyce, Elias B, was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, N. Y., November 5, 1837. He was the twelfth son of Ananias and Sarah Boyce. Ananias Boyce was a native of Dutchess county and Sarah, his wife, was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, N. Y. Ananias Boyce came to Schodack with his parents from Dutchess county when he was young farming being their life work. Ananias Boyce died in 1865, and Sarah, his wife, died in 1872, he in his eighty-third year and she in her eightieth year. Elias B. was brought up on the farm in Schodack until he attained the age of thirteen years, when he removed with his parents to the town of Wilton, Saratoga county, N. Y., where his father purchased a farm. He remained working with his brothers upon this farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he re- turned to Rensselaer county and commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. Arlington Boyce, who resided at that time at West Sand Lake. Elias B. grad- uated at the Albany Medical College December 28, 1858. Hle practiced his profes. sion in West Sand Lake for nine years when he removed to Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., on account of poor health. In 1822 he located at Averill Park and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. February 5, 1860, he married Harriet C., daughter of William R. and Sarah Nichols, William R. being a native of Connecticut and Sarah, his wife, born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, N. Y. To Elias B. and Harriet C. Boyce was born one son, Wilham E. Boyce, who died at the age of nine . teen Years, Elias B. Boyce, M. D., has served as health officer of his town for a term of nine years and was elected supervisor for the town of Sand Lake on March 3, 1896, to serve for the term of two years, Ile is a member of Schodack Union Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M., and also a member of Interlochen Lodge No. 611, I. O. (). F., and also a member of the Medical Society of Rensselaer County and a fellow of the Medical Association of the State of New York.

Stapleton, Mrs. Timothy. - In the death of Timothy Stapleton in 1894, Hoosick Falls lost one of its most useful men, Ile had served the public well officially as assessor, trustee and otherwise. lle came to Hoosick Falls with his father, John Stapleton, in 1850, having previously spent two years in Troy, learning the machinist trade; he became an employee of the Walter Wood Co. ; all of his business life was spent there with the exception of two years during the wai, which was spent in the quartermaster's department at Washington. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1837, and came to America when fourteen years old. In 1864 he married Eleanor Smith, daughter of Patrick Smith of this place, by whom he had eight chil-

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dren. Two of that number are not living. Mr. Stapleton was a home lover, and idolized by his family. He espoused the temperance cause and was an ardent ad- voeate of the same.

Clum, Martillus, born in the house where he now resides, September 18, 1856, is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Brust) Clum, who had four children: Paulina Miller, Jacob HI., Orcelia Bulson, Martillus, and four deceased, Silus, Ozro, Dexter and Libbie, all born on the homestead. Jacob followed farming, and is public-spirited. He is interested in education and school work, also all affairs of the town and county, and is charitable and a supporter of the church. Martillus worked with his father until his marriage, January 10, 1878, to Laura C., daughter of Jacob Van Arnum and has one child, Martha. His wife died April 3, 1890. He is interested in all affairs of town and county, also in school and education.

Rigney, Thomas, born in Ireland, and came to Greenbush with his parents, Thomas and Mary Rigney, who lived and died in Greenbush, he at the age of 100 years and she died of old age. Thomas Rigney was a hotelkeeper in Greenbush and built the Western Hotel about forty years ago and was proprietor until death. He kept the cattle yards and was also in the manufacture of briek which is now carried on by his sons, James and Thomas. He made his own property. He was married August 13, 1861, to Ann Ryan, born in Ireland and daughter of James and Mary Ryan of Ireland and came to Greenbush about 1840 and here lived and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Rigney were born nine children: James (deceased), Mary (deceased), Catherine F., Annie J., Mary X., James J., Thomas A., Margaret G. and Rose L. Mr. Rigney died March 25, 1882, and the hotel has since been kept by the family.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 46

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