Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 49

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 49

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Reed, Colonel Leonard V., was born in Pittstown, N. Y., in 1798. Hle was a son of Joseph and Mary (Baylis) Reed, He came from Dutchess county to Pittstown, early in life, where he died. She was born in Pittstown, where she lived and died in 1843. He kept a hotel here for many years. The place was Reedville, and Reed's

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Hollow was named in honor of Joseph Reed. Colonel Reed owned stages in his early days in partnership with his brother, John B. Reed. This was when the stages ran to Troy and Albany. Ile owned several farms, and was a wealthy man. He owned a grist mill, a saw mill and also a flax mill. His wife was Ann E. Plume of Albany, and her father was Garrett Plume of Newark, N. J. To Colonel and Mrs. Reed were born four children: Mary E., who owned the homestead; Joseph, proprietor of the American House at Lansingburg; Evertsen E., who hved at the homestead; Leon- ard I., who died when seven years old. Colonel Reed was colonel in the State mi- litia. IIe died in 1881 at the age of eighty-three years.

Morrison, Andrew J., was born in Argyle, Washington county, N. Y., October 3, 1828. The family moved to West Troy in 1837, where he was educated in the dis- triet schools. Ile always had a taste for military life, and after a runaway from home, he joined Captain Stephenson's Regiment of 1st California Vols., and later Frisbie's company (Albany, N. Y.) of Colonel Butler's Dragoons of Philadelphia ; the company was accepted in the regular army for the war with Mexico, but Mr. Morrison was too young to be sworn into the service. Captain Butler died soon after joining our army in Mexico, and Mr. Morrison accompanied the escort of the body to New Orleans; he then joined Gen. Narcisso De Lopez's command in an ex- pedition against Spain in Cuba, where General De Lopez, three years later, was cap- tured and garroted. After this he joined General Walker in Nicaragua, Central America; this expedition was highly successful; years later General Walker was captured and shot. We next find Mr. Morrison with General Garibaldi in Italy; he was there a captain and afterwards a major on Gen. Gall's staff. When the Rebellion broke out at home he at once resigned his commission and returned to his native country. September 2, 1861, he organized the Northern Black Horse Cavalry, known as the 2nd N. Y. Vol. Cavalry; was mustered as colonel in November, 1861, and mustered out of the service in March, 1862. He then voluntered as aid on Gen. I. N. Palmer's staff, serving in the Peninsula campaign. June 25, 1862, he was shot in the hand. September 16, 1862, he was commissioned colonel of the 26th N. J. Nine Months Inft. Vols. November 4, 1863, he was commissioned colonel of the 3d N. J. Cavalry Vols., and was honorably discharged August 23, 1864. In January. 1562, in Philadelphia, Pa., he married Almira Vaughn of West Troy, N. Y., who, from injuries received ou December 2, 1894, at her winter home in St. Augustine, Fla., by a hammock falling with her, died December 29 at her home in West Troy. Mr. Morrison is a member of Griswold Post No. 338, G. A. R., Troy; he is past commander of Willard Post, and is now in the postal service of the United States.

Parmenter, Franklin Jay, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., August 28, 1829. Ile is a son of Dr. Azel Fitch and Lavinia (Ray) Parmenter, the former a native of Chester, Mass,, and the latter of Wilton, Saratoga county, N. Y. His mother died in 1849 and his father in 1858. Franklin Jay attended the district schools and in 1846 entered the academy at Hoosick Falls, and in 1848 entered the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., where he completed his academic edu- cation. In April, 1849, he came to Troy and began the study of law in the office of MeConihe & Parmenter (the latter a brother of the subject), ou the corner of Con- gress and First streets. In the spring of 1850 he opened a select school and taught the languages and higher English studies. He was admitted to the bar May 4, 1852,

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and since that time has been in continuous practice. He was police justice of the city of Troy from 1860 to 1864. Hle contributed $2,000 towards the expenses of raising the 169th N. Y. Vols., and made many speeches in favor of a vigorous pros- ecution of the war. In 1869 Union College conferred upon him the degree of M. A. Mr. Parmenter is the author of many poems; the best known is the Welcome to Dickens, published by the Harpers and republished in England with illustrations. June 16, 1886, the Troy Conference Academy held their semi-centennial meeting and Mr. Parmenter was the poet of the occasion, and his poem was received with much applause. Ile is an accomplished scholar and rapid, graceful and easy writer. In 1872 he married Lorinda Silliman. Their son, Frank Silliman Parmenter, is now a student in the Harvard Law School.

Weaver, Edwin C., was born in Lansingburgh, January 2. 1852. He was educated in the public schools and Lansingburgh Academy, and has always carried on the meat business in a first class order. June 3, 1875, he was married to Susan Taylor, of Troy, by whom five children have been born: Edwin N., George M., and Clarence ; two died, Emma K. and Chester II. Mr. Weaver's father, Nicholas was born De- cember 12, 1796. He was a boatman by occupation, first as cook, then as deek hand, and then as captain. He was a boat owner and dealt largely in lumber in company with his brother Charles. They had lumber yards in Montgomery, Jefferson and Rutger streets, in New York city. He married twice; first, February 7, 1831, to Harriet Homan of Long Island, by whom four children were born: James II., Car- oline, Albert, and Homan. Mrs. Weaver died in 1836. For his second wife, on May 21, 1838, he married Phebe A. Homan, a sister of his first wife, by whom seven chil- dren have been born: Harrison, Frederick, Hattie A., Charles N., Edwin C., Fil- more and Louise. lle was a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 58, F. &. A. M., for fifty-eight years, was made a Royal Arch Mason in Apollo Chapter No. 48 of Troy in 1838. He was a charter member of Phoenix Chapter No. 133 R. A. M. He died June 20, 1878. His father, Lewis, was born February 25, 1769. He married Eliza- beth Derrick, by whom nine children were born: Elizabeth, Margaret, Helen, Nicholas, William, Henry, Charles. No. 1, deceased; and Charles, No. 2, who sur- vives at this day. John M. Weaver died April 12. 1861. The ancestry of the family is Dutch on both sides.

Comeskey, Jantes, was born in the North of Ireland in April, 1835. He was ed- ucated in their schools and came to the United States in 1855 and located in Lansing- burgh. He was a sawer in the brush factory for several years. He has a fine prop- erty on Third avenue. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Elizabeth Graham of his native place. They have five children: Eliza, Robert C., Thomas J., Stephen and Ella. The father of Mr. Comeskey was Stephen ; he married Elizabeth McMurray, by whom five children were born: James, Robert, Mary J., John, and David. David was a soldier in the late war; he re-enlisted in the cavalry volunteers of this State, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Ile died of hardship endured in the war in 1867.

Becker, Christian II., was born in Germany, September 14, 1842, and was educated in their schools. October 21, 1863, he came to the United States and located in New York city, and in 1868 came to Troy. He has been a grocery merchant in Troy,

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Green Island and Lansingburgh. He has married twice, first to Dora Sehnlat of Green Island. They had two children: Julia D. and Henry G. April 30, 1881, he married second Mrs. Louise Cook, born Maschke, formerly of Germany, and had one son, Christian J. Mrs. Becker died May 26, 1895. His father, J. Mathias, was born December 24, 1814, at the old homestead. He married Soaphia M. Raabe. She died March 18, 1891, and J. Mathias Becker survives at this date, 1896. He is a member of the Mount Zion Lodge No. 311, F. & A. M. of Troy, and is also a mem- ber of the Rheine Lodge No. 248 I. O. O. F. and of the Ancient Order of Druids. The ancestry of the family is German on both sides.

Pinckney, James E., was born in Albany, N. Y., April 22, 1861. His father, John W. Pinckney, was born in Coeymans, Albany county, and for many years has been weigher and measurer in the city of Albany. His mother, Mary J. (Cady) Pinckney, was born in Bennington, Vt. James E. received his education in the public schools of Albany and entered the piano store of Fred H. Chuiett, and was later in the same business in Boston. He came back to Albany and engaged in the grocery business with his father under the firm name of J. W. Pinckney & Son. Two years later he accepted the position of assistant secretary of the R. R. Y. M. C. A. in Albany, and afterwards went to Plattsburg where he was general secretary of the association. In 1890 he accepted the same position in Troy where he has been since. He belongs to Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of Honor, and the Independent Order of Foresters. He was president of the Epworth Leagne of the State Street M. E. church. He was married to Stella M. Schermerhorn, of Sehodack Landing, N. Y., in February, 188 1.

Williamson, Isaac Hasbrouck, was born in Lansingville, N. Y., in 1860. Ile is the son of the Rev. R. D. Williamson, who came to Troy from Paterson, N. J., in 1871, and has been pastor of the First United Presbyterian church of Troy since that time. His mother, Phebe L. Cruikshank, was born in Troy. Her father was Robert Cruikshank, one of the oldest settlers of the county. He attended public school and afterwards took a course in the Troy Business College. He then took a position with the Bussey & MeLeod Stove Co., Troy, and had charge of the nickel plate depart- ment of that concern. After two years' experience in the knit goods business. he entered the office of Tom S. Wotkyns as bookkeeper, and in 1593 was made a part- ner in the concern, the firm name being Tom S. Wotkyns & Co., wholesale and retail coal business. He is a member of the Laureate Boat Club and the Pafraets Dael Club. In 1888 he married Miss Fannie Lee, of Troy, N. Y., by whom he has one son, Robert I).

Phelan, John, was born in Ireland in 1849 and came to the United States in 1868, and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he remained until 1877, and since that time he has been in the contracting and building business. Among some of the buildings he has helped to erect are the House of the Good Shepherd, St. Patrick's church in the city of Cohoes, and a parochial residence for the Church of the Visita- tion in the village of Schuylerville, N. Y., and many other prominent buildings and - residences in Troy and vicinity.

Spenard, Alexander, was born in Troy, N. Y., May 24, 1860. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of Troy, after which he learned the monkder's trade, and

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later made cigars. Ile then went into the tailoring business which he condueted for eighteen years. He was elected a member of the Farnam Steamer Co in 1887, of which he was assistant captain for two years. He was the founder of the Lafayette Club, was a member of the first assembly of Troy, and was vice president of the Celery Club in 1883. He married Esther Childs of Troy, April 29, 1883, by whom he had five children. At present he is carrying on the liquor business at 31 Adams street, Troy.

Rising, Harold C., was born in Troy, February 28, 1822. Ile is the only surviving son of Charles Il. and Emma (Seiler) Rising. lle received his carly education at the Troy Academy and the Graylock Institute at South Williamstown, Mass .; later he entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., where he prepared for Vale Col- lege. In 1891 he began the study of law in the office of Seymour Van Santvoord, He was admitted to the bar September 13, 1894, at Saratoga. He became managing clerk for Mr. Van Santvoord in 1892, and when the firm of Van Santvoord & Well- ington was formed he continued in the same capacity. Ile is a member of the Troy Citizens Corps.

Laibach, Charles, born in Hesse, Germany, December 30, 1827, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Herlich) Laibach, who were farmers of Germany where they died, he in 1858 and she in 1817. Charles emigrated to America in 1856 and was a musician in New York city one year, having been educated in mnsie in the Father- land. In 1857 he came to Poestenkill and engaged in farming. In 1856 he married Mary Quandt of Germany and they have three children: Joseph II., a farmer on the home farm; John F., a carpenter; and Mary Ann, at home. Mrs. Laibach died August 14, 1893. In 1876 Mr. Laibach came to Sand Lake, bought ninety-six acres of land and has since carried on general farming, making a specialty of small fruit.

Miller, George C., deceased, was born in Newark, N. J., October 6, 1858. Ile was a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Muiller) Miller, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to America when young and settled in New Jersey, Mr. Miller is pro- prietor of a large shoe manufacturing establishment at Newark. Mrs. Miller died in 1888. George C. was reared and educated in Newark. Ile commeneed his business career with his father in the shoe business, and in 1885 he engaged in the sale of shoes, having one of the largest and finest retail stores in Newark. This business he continued until the summer of 1895; not enjoying good health he came to Sand Lake and purchased the paper mill, lle had only just embarked in the new business when he was killed by a runaway horse. llis death occurred October 2, 1895. In 1887 he married Catherine, daughter of William C. and Elizabeth Brown; he was a native of Connecticut and she of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two sons and two daughters: Ruth, Kenneth, George C. and Catherine. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Miller has carried on the business of manufacturing tissue paper. She gives employment to from twelve to fifteen people.

llolser, Charles, was born in Sand Lake, December 11, 1851. Ile was a son of Jacob and Barbary (Gallei) Ilolser, both natives of Germany, and came to America about 1813. They stopped in Vermont for a short time, but soon settled in Sand Lake, where Mr. Holser did a big business in butchering and selling veal. Charles

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commenced business with his father and has been a very successful man financially. He owns several hundred acres of land, a large interest in the Albany and Sand Lake Plank Road, a saw mill in East Greenbush, where he does a big business in lumber, and is also a dealer in wood. Ile has a spile yard on the river, and carries on an extensive farm business and deals largely in thoroughbred horses. He is now the owner of Jumbo Wilkes. Ile owns the Maple Grove Ilotel and has property in Troy. Mr. Holser has been married twice; first, in 1875, to Mary Hinke, by whom he has one daughter, Annie. Mrs, Holser died in 1877, and he married, second, Betsey, daughter of Hiram and Margaret A. Finch, who owned the farm where Mr. Holser now resides. By this marriage Mr. Holser has three sons: Charles HI., John and Albert. For the last four years Mr. Holser has been supervisor of his town, He is a member of Diamond Rock Lodge No. 565, I. O. O. F. of Lansingburgh.

Kenyon, John II., of the firm of Dill & Kenyon, of Buskirk Bridge, was born at Tiashoke in 1866, son of Franklin Hamilton. But his mother having died when he was an infant he was adopted by his grandfather, taking his name by order of court. His grandfather, Henry Kenyon, died in 1887. He was a farmer and John was reared on the farm in Washington county, where he lived until 1891, when he began mercantile life at the present location. The firm was previously Rich & Dill, which carried a large stock of general goods. Ile married, in 1888, Mary Ida Ilerrington, daughter of the late B. F. Herrington. Four children are the issue of this marriage : Mildred Wynona, Benjamin Herrington, Zillah Sylvia and Orlo. Mr. Kenyon is a Republican and a Mason of high degree.

Gaffney, Peter, is a publie spirited, enthusiastic citizen who has ever been mindful of the welfare of Hoosick Falls. During his term of office as village trustee, electric lights were put in, and he was also instrumental in causing the first knitting mill to be established here, the Hoosick Falls Ilosiery Co. He has been foremost in any advancement of local affairs of the town, of which he has been a resident since in. fancy. He was born at New Haven, Conn. in 1855, where his father, Thomas Gaff- ney, was engaged in the grocery business until he came to lloosick Falls in 1856. IIere he was in the Wood Co.'s employ, and Peter began his associations there as an errand boy. At seventeen years of age he went into the machine shop and acquired the machinist trade, and was die-maker nearly twenty years. For three years he was partner of Frank Riley in the livery business. Mr. Gaffney is a member of the R. C. church and was four years captain of the Fire Department ; also a member of the Order of Elks. Mr. Gaffney has never married; his aged mother lives with him ; she was Mary Newcombe of Irish ancestry.

Baucus, J. Bryan, was born in Clifton Park, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 30, 1855. Ilis parents moved to Schaghticoke when he was a child. He was educated in district schools, in Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and Troy Busi- ness College. He has always been one of the town's successful farmers. Ile is secretary, treasurer and manager of Schaghticoke Union Creamery. He was pres- ident of the village two years, he has been a member of the Board of Education sev- eral years. In August, 1894, he was elected president of the Board of Education of the Union Free school of Schaghticoke. December 18, 1878, he married Sarah E. Stover, of Pittstown, They had seven children: llai M., Edith S., Platt B., John J.,

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Kate S., Raymond and Harriet E. Edith S. died at the age of three years. Ray- mond died in infancy. Harriet E. died at the age of eight months. Mrs. Baueus died March 7, 1891. Mr. Baucus's father, John A., was born in this town January 5, 1808. He married Elizabeth B. Banker of this town. They had four children : J. Warren and Harriet E. died in infancy; J. Bryan, and Jessie, who married Franklin . Harwood; she died September 13, 1884. Mr. Bancus's father died June 23, 1884, and his wife April 19, 1890; he was trustee of the Presbyterian church of Sehaghtieoke for many years and at the time of his death. J. Bryan Baucus sue- ceeded to the position.

Doig, John S., was born in Salem, Washington county, N. Y., November 7, 1843. IIe was educated in the district schools, and has always been a farmer. He enlisted twice, first September 4, 1861, in Co. A, 7th N. Y. Cavalry, and was honorably dis- charged March 31, 1862. August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Co. II, 123d N. Y. Vols., and participated in all the battles with his regiment until Chancellorsville; in this battle he was shot in the head and right arm, which completely disabled him; he was hon- orably discharged with his regiment at the close of the war. This regiment after the battle of Gettysburg was transferred from the Army of the Potomac, to the Army of the Cumberland. They were with General Sherman in his glorious march to the sea. March 17, 1869, he married Elizabeth Ilunt of Greenwich, Washington county, N. Y. They have one daughter, Anna M. Abeel, living in South Glens Falls, N. Y. She has two sons, Elmer and Raymond. Mr. Doig's father, John B., was born at the old home in Salem, June 7, 180I. Ile married Margaret Steel of the same place; they had five children that grew to maturity; Robert, Mary, John S., Andrew and James, who was a soldier in the 112th N. Y. Vols. ; he was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor in 1864. Mr. Doig died in 1880 and his wife in 1850. Mrs. Doig's father, Edward Hunt, was born in the town of Pittstown, March 12, 1812. Ile was educated in the district schools, and in his latter days was a farmer. He married Almira Pratt, of Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y. They had six chil- dren that grew to be men and women: Helen, Mary, Elizabeth, Deha, Adeline, and Edward. Mr. Ilunt died January 1, 1893, and his wife July 15, 1888. Mr. Doig is a member of A. M. Cook Post of Greenwich, No. 326, G. A. R. The ancestry of the family is Scotch, English, and fish.

Weatherwax, John, was born in the town of Lansingburgh, N. Y., September 1, 1841. His education was obtained in the public schools, and he was a farmer by . occupation. May 22, 1861, he married Louisa M. Cooper of the then village of Lan- singburgh; they have seven children: John A., William M., Freeman C., Arthur T., Albert E., Charles E., and Louisa M. John A. married Agnes Kerkpatrick, and William M. married Harriet Carpenter of Chicago. The four oldest sons are in the service of the Chicago Street Railway, and William M. is superintendent of the Chi- cago Street Railway barns. Mr. Weatherwax's father, John A., was born in the town of Lansingburgh, January 21, 1794. He was edneated in the schools of his day, and was also a farmer. March 6, 1817, he married Catherine Avery of his na- tive town; they had eight children: Eleanor, Andrew, Hannah M., Eliza, Elizabeth, Amy C., Caroline, and John. He died January 18, 1879, and his wife died February 30, 1881. Mrs. Weatherwax's father, William Cooper, was born in Bristol, England, May 27, 1808, and came to the United States when a young man in 1838. Hle mar-

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ried Jane James, formerly of Monmouthshire, England; they had four children: Louisa M., John T., William K., and William J., No. 2. Mr. Cooper died Novem- ber 6, 1874, and his wife survives. Ile is a member of Phoenix Lodge of Lansing- burgh No. 58, F. & A. M., and of Phoenix Chapter, R. A. M. The ancestry of the family is German, English, and Welch.

Abele, Luke G., was born in the city of Albany, December 17, 1858, and is a son of Luke and Anna Abele, natives of Germany. He settled in Albany county about 1855 and engaged in the cooper business. She died in 1895. Luke G. was reared and educated in the city of Albany, and in 1883 he married Annie, daughter of Jacob Schaller of Albany, who now works part of Mr. Abele's farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Abele were born five children: Katie, John, Ann, Harry, and Thressa. Mr. Abele is a cooper by trade and was engaged in the business in Albany for several years, with his father and brothers. In 1894 he bought a farm of 173 aeres in East Green- bush, where he now carries on general farming and will also engage in the cooper business on the farm very soon.

Cushman, Robert T. was born in Pittstown, N. Y., July 24, 1812, son of Stephen and Emma (Thomas) Cushman, natives of Fishkill, N. Y, and Nantucket, Mass., repectively. The grandfather of our subject, William Cushman, was born in Brat- tlesborough, Vt., and emigrated to Dutchess county, N. Y., when a young man, where he married Jemima Ladue, and afterwards removed to Schaghticoke, and finally to Pittstown, where they died. Stephen Cushman was a blacksmith by trade, and spent his life in Pittstown. Robert T. was reared as a blacksmith, and later learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about twenty years. In 1855 he purchased the farm of 100 acres where he now resides. He was a Whig in politics in early life, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Ile was postmaster at Raymertown about two years and highway commissioner three years, also overseer of the poor for two years. January 21, 1852, he married Sarah E. Beard, who was born in Pittstown, October 9, 1828, daughter of Isaac and Amy (Thompson) Beard, by whom he had twochildren: John B., born September 13, 1864 ; and Stephen I., born in 1868 and died in 1871. John B. was reared on a farm and educated in Lansingburgh academy. He has charge of the homestead. He is a Republican in politics, and is serving his fourth term as town clerk. November 11, 1886, he married Mary E. Larrabee, daughter of George W. and Martha (Abbott) Larrabee of Pittstown, by whom he had three children: Sarah M., Ella F. and Laura.

Kimmey, Jacob, was born in Albany county, N. Y., April 13, 1813. He is a son of Jacob and Jane (Winne), both born in Albany county, he a son of Jacob, a native of Holland, who came to Albany county and there died; his father was a miller by trade and also a farmer; he died in Albany county. Mr. Kimmey was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1844 he came to Schodaek and bought a farm of 159 acres to which he has added eighteen acres. Ile also owns another farm in East Greenbush of 190 acres of land. Mr. Kimmey was also a miller. Ile was married in 1839 to Sarah Coonley by whom he has had four children: Ellen (de- ceased), Edward (deceased), James (deceased), and Anna J., wife of Charles Van De Carr of Schodack, They have one child, Sarah E. Mrs. Kinney died December ?,

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 49

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