Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 54

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 54

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).

Link, Thomas B., born in the town of Brunswick, June 19, 1817, is the son of Ilelius and Esther Link, she a daughter of Thomas Betts. Helmus followed farm- ing. He was a publie-spirited man and was actively interested in churches and schools. He was a self-made man and was respected by all his neighbors, Hel- mus's children were Thomas B., Burwell B., Edward, Azubah, Rachel and Martha. Thomas B. received his carly education in the common schools which he attended winters and worked summers. When eighteen years of age he started in life as a tarm laborer and received $100 for his first year's work. He is active in schools and education. June 22, 1838, he married Sarah Aseneth McChesney and his children were Maria Augusta, John Thomas, Jane Frances, Harriet Arazina, William Henry, Martha Ann, Mary Alice, Helmus Eugene, Esther Floetta and Emma Josephine. Ilis second wife was Emaline Ives, but they had no children. On November 17, 1884, he married Sarah Jane Rodgers and their children are Lottie May, Roscoe Conklin and Mabel Elizabeth,

Link, Burwell B., born in the town of Brunswick, July 2, 1825, is a son of Helmus and Esther (Betts) Link; Helmus had eleven children: Thomas B., Maria, Jere- miah, Catherine, Edward, Burrill B., Martha, Azubah, William, Rachel, Alonzo. Helmus started in life as a farm laborer and in the latter part of his life purchased land, Ile was interested in schools and churches and all affairs of his town and county ; he was a sokhier in the war of 1812. Burwell B. married Fannie C., daugh- ter of Jacob and Jane (Finkle) Coonradt, and had five children: Berrett, Arba,

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Stanley, Allen and Nellie. When twenty-eight years of age he started in life as a dairy and general farmer on the homestead, which he carried on to the time of his death. He was public-spirited and interested in public enterprises such as schools and churches. Mr. Link chied February 27, 1896. He was a member of the Presby- terian church.

Manny, John L., was born in St. John's, Quebec, Canada, November 11, 1852. His ancestors on his father's side were Norman French, and on the maternal side Scotch. His father, John B. Manny, was born in St. John's, and his occupation was that of a wood carver, and was with his brother in that business until 1870; he then moved to Lynn, Ontario, Canada, to superintend a large last manufactory in that city, and later came to Troy and retired from active business. His mother, Mary Agnes (Munro) Manny, was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and came to Canada when but an infant with her parents. Her father was Major James Munro of the British army, who died in 1856. John L. Manny was educated in the academy at St. John's and was graduated from St. John's College in 1866. He then went to Montreal to enter the dry goods store of Henry Morgan & Co., the largest store of the kind in Canada, and was with that concern three years. He came to Troy in 1870 and became con- nected with the clothing house of W. H. Lawton at 292 River street; three years later he went to Hion and took the management of a merchant tailoring establish- ment; he returned to Troy in 1879 and formed a co-partnership with William b. Hardy and have since conducted one of the fashionable tailoring establishments in Troy under the firm name of Manny & Hardy. He is a director in the First Na- tional Bank of Troy. He is a member of the Riverside Club of Lansingburgh, honorary president of the Franco Republican Club, president of the L'Iroquois Club, and was for six years a trustee in the St. Jean Baptist church of Troy. He is also viec-commodore and trustee of the Troy Yacht Club. He was married in August, 1873, to Louisa Jane Perreault of Troy. He has two sons; the eldest, J. Edwin, is connected with the store, and Everett M., who is now attending the Lansingburgh Academy.

Meeker, C. Alonzo, was born in Northampton, Fulton county, N. Y., in 1833. His grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Connecticut and moved to Ver- mont where he was engaged in farming until 1850 when he moved to Michigan. His grandfather on the maternal side was Judge Macomber of Essex county, and his mother was a first cousin to General Israel Putnam. His father was the Rev. Cyrus Meeker, who was born in Vermont, was a Methodist preacher and was for many years a member of the Troy Conference; he died at Buskirk, N. Y., in 1893, and was ninety-three years old. His mother, Mary Macomber, was born in Keeseville, Essex county, and died at Ballston, N. Y., in 1846. C. Alonzo received his education in the public schools and academy at Shelbourn, Vt., and learned the carpenter's trade and later he worked at Glens Falls, and came to Rensselaer county where he remained until 1857 when he went to Illinois for two years. lle then came to Troy, and in 1863, with a Mr. Shanahan, organized the contracting and building establishment of Shanahan & Meeker. Mr. Shanahan died in 181 and Mr. Meeker has continued the business alone. Among the buildings for which he has done the carpenter work is the Troy Savings Bank, St. Paul's chapel, William H. Frear's residence, the Gris- wold Opera House and the Unitarian church and many others. He has represented

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the Second ward in the Board of Aldermen and has also been supervisor. He be- longs to King Solomon's Lodge, F. & A. M., Raymond Chapter of Hoosick Falls, and has taken both the Egyptian and Scottish Rites up to and including the ninety- fifth degree. He married in 1859, Mary E. Ostrander, of Hoosick Falls. He has one danghter, Mrs. William J. Herbage, of Round Lake, N. Y.

Mannix, Francis P., was born in Ireland in 1842, and is a son of Patrick Mannix, who came to America in 1852, settling in Troy. He was in the employ of the Pitts- burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, for a while, and was in the railroad office in Fort Wayne, Ind., for a while; he returned and spent his last days with Francis l'., where he died in 1874. Mrs. Mannix died in Ireland in 1847. Francis P. was reared in Troy and educated at St. Joseph's Academy, and in 1865 married Mar- garet, daughter of Dennis and Margaret Brennan, of Albany, by whom nine children have been born, of whom four are living; Genevieve, Catherine, John and Edward. Frank died in February, 1896, at the age of nineteen years. Mr. Mannix commenced the milk business in Greenbush in 1864, and in 1870 he bought 100 acres of land on which he erected a fine residence. He kept seventy cows for a while and now keeps about thirty-five. Ile is a Democrat in politics and has been highway commissioner for about nine years

Orr, Frederick W., was born July 8, 1848. Ilis father, David Orr, was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 1, 1810, and came to this country in 1811 and settled with his father in Colombiaville, N. Y., where they engaged in the manufacture of cotton for a number of years. David Orr then moved to Albany and learned the mason's trade, and was boss mason on the Albany Cathedral and the lower part of the State House and other large buildings. He remained in Albany until 1866, and then moved to New York. He was a director in the State Bank of Albany. Ile died November 23, 1892. His mother was Julia A. (Piersom Orr, who was born in Newark, N. J., on December 12, 1821. Frederick W. attended the Albany Academy, and was fitted for college at Elizabeth, N. J., and in November, 1867, entered the freshman class of Princeton College, leaving there after two years. He then became a member of the firm of Orrs & Co., in the paper manufacturing business in Troy, and has since devoted his attention thereto. He is a trustee of the Emma Willard Seminary, and of the Park Presbyterian church, and has been president of the board for ten years. In politics he is a Republican.

Peckham, William II., was born in Troy, February 15, 1852. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the country, his grandfather having taken part in the Revolutionary war. His father, Reuben Peckham, was born in Pittstown, N. Y., and was a paper manufacturer up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887. Ilis mother, Mary (Mackey) Peckham, was born in Troy where she now resides. William was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the high school in 1869 and went into the employ of J. M. Warren & Co. as clerk, and later entered the paper mill of his father. In 1874 he bought an interest in the dry goods firm of Converse, Peckham & Co., where he remained until 1885, when he entered the paper mill of Manning & Peckham, where he is at present. He was supervisor of the Fifth ward for three years and represented that ward in the Board of Aldermen two years and has been a fire commissioner since 1893. He belongs to all the Masonic bodies

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of Troy and is direetor in the Union Bank. In 1874 he was married to Miss Emma A. Peck of Troy.

Parks, John W., born in the village of Sand Lake, July 16, 1829, is the son of Jona- than and Almira (IIunt), he a native of Sand Lake and she of Stephentown. The grandparents were Whiting and Hannah (Taber) Parks; they were natives of Dutchess county, came to Sand Lake about 1790 and here engaged in farming where they hved and died, she about 1836 and he in 1860. The father was reared on a farm and at the age of seventeen years commenced work at the wagon making trade and carried on a wagon factory at Sand Lake for ten years; then he engaged in farming in Sand Lake; he died in 1873 and the mother in 1843. Mr. Parks married second Mary J. Parks who died in 1885. John W. Parks was reared on a farm where he re- mained till the age of twenty-five and then engaged in farming; he has made a specialty of sweet milk and small fruit and vegetables and makes a specialty of Chester White, Cheshire and Black Berkshire hogs, and fine butter for special customers. Ile married in Sand Lake in 1854, Lneinda, daughter of George and Lueinda Horton of Sand Lake. They have five children: Myron HI., a farmer at Johnston; George W., general agent of books, Brooklyn; Joseph HI., at Johnston, hardware and plumber; Grace, dressmaker, wife of Wilham Brown; Edith, at home. He has been road commissioner.

Peck, Arthur Middleton, born in Sand Lake, N. Y., February 2, 1818, is the son of Joel B. and Parmelia II. (Horton) Peek, both natives of Sand Lake. The parents of Joel B., Mareus and Margaret (Gardner) Peck, were also natives of Sand Lake and here lived and died. The parentsof Marens, Isaac and Hannah (Munson) Peck, were among the first settlers of Sand Lake coming from Connecticut. Joel Peck was a farmer and lumberman ; in politics he was a Republican, was a number of years justice of the peace and six years supervisor of Sand Lake; during the war he took an active interest in getting recruits Mr. and Mrs. Peek were active and consistent members of the Presbyterian church of which Mr. Peck was about fifty years an elder. IIe died August 18, 1891; Mrs. Peck died January 11, 1887. Arthur M. Peek worked with his father in the lumber business beginning at the age of fifteen, and at twenty- one years of age engaged in the mercantile business at Sand Lake which he con- tinued until 1896 when he sold out ; he now gives most of his attention to the Mutual Insurance Co, of Poestenkill, Sand Lake, Berlin and Stephentown, which was organ- ized in 1878 with Mr. Peck as secretary and he has held the office ever since. lle has also been for three years secretary of the Albany and Sand Lake Plank Road Co. In 1870 Mr. Peck married Lillias E., daughter of Harrison and Louisa (Dunkin) Lester, he a native of Massachusetts, and she of England. Mrs. Lester came to America in 1810 with her mother, her father having died in England. The parents of Mr Lester, Meriman and Margaret (Walker) Lester, were early settlers of Nassau. The father of Mr. Lester, Guy Lester, of Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y., a native of Vermont, was all through the Revolutionary war and was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware River in Deeember, 1726. He died in Nassau. Mr. Lester has been a successful business man ; he commenced in the turning business, then in mercantile business at Sand Lake. He now owns a controlling interest in the Albany & Sand Lake Plank Road Co., and is general superintendent of the road. Sinee 1862 Mr. Lester has resided at Sand Lake. Mr. Peek is a Republican in poli-

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ties and has held the office of supervisor two years. He is active in the Presbyterian church of which he is an elder.

Potter, Stephen M., was born in Brunswick August 29, 1870. Ile was a son of Charles M. and Adelia (Coons) Potter. Charles M. started in life dependent on his own resources. By occupation a farmer, which he followed throughout his life time and through his exertion has one of the finest houses in town. His children were Kate, Harry, Medore C., Eunice, Stephen M., and John Howard. He was public spirited and did all he could for the promotion of the town and county. He died November 29, 1889. Stephen M. spent his early life on his father's farm, and his early education was obtained in the district school. Ile graduated from Troy Busi- ness College April 15, 1892. He married Jessie, daughter of James Mambert. Stephen in 1889 was employed in Springfield, Mass., and also in the Agawam Paper Co., where he remained for three years. In 1894 he was in the mercantile business in Troy, and is now a farmer.

Rielmond, Mrs. 2. A .- Few families bear a more familiar name, or one more strongly associated with older times in the county of Rensselaer, than that of Rich- mond. Volney Richmond, late iron manufacturer, banker, county sheriff, etc., was born in this country and ot lifelong prominence in its affairs. Dean Richmond, who in 1869 married Miss Zoe Armstrong, was born at Troy in 1850 during his father's incumbency of the shrievalty, and died while yet a comparatively young man, July 28, 1891, leaving two sons and one daughter: Volney, J. Edward and Lucy Townsend; the latter died in 1896.

Stone, Thomas H., was born in Troy, N. Y., October 9, 1848. His father, Jacob Stone, was born in Vermont and was a stair builder by trade and died in 1888. His mother, Elizabeth C. (Meade) Stone, was born in Vermont and is now living in Troy. Thomas II. received a public school education and went to the western part of New York State and returned to Troy in the spring of 1869 and worked for the firm of Clapp & Wilder in the gent's furnishing goods business until 1873, when he entered the laundry business as an employee of Lucius Stone, an unele, which con- tinued until spring of 1881 when the firm of Stone, Blair & Co. was formed; in 1891 he became sole owner, and in 1899 the firm of Gardner, Stone & Co, was formed ; they run a manufacturers' laundry and also have a custom department employing on the average about 300 hands. He was married in 1878 to Lottie Chandler of Troy, who died in 1879. His present wife was Anna Brown, to whom he was married in 1881. His children are Irvin D., Ethel C., an art student at Yale, and Winifred.

Spenard, Charles A., was born in Troy, in Angust, 1862. He is a son of Joseph M. and Julia (Jarvis) Spenard. He was educated in the public schools and at the age of eleven was at the bundle desk in Frear's store ; one year later he entered the employ of Elias Corben as an apprentice where he served his apprenticeship as a tailor; he then worked at his trade for David Bastable, Montagne & Co., Julius Saul and others for a period of ten years, and in March, 1884, commenced business for him- self in the Ingraham building corner of Fifth avenue and Grand street; and after closing business there and in other locations, in 1893 he removed to his present tail- oring establishment at No. 24 Third street. He belongs to the Troy Yacht Club, Riverside Club, and is president of the Iroquois French Republican Club, of Troy

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and vieinity. He married, April 12, 1886, Miss Mary Francis Moldone, by whom he has had two daughters, Frances and Emihe, and one son, who died at the age of four years and six months.

Springer, George Martin, born on the farm where he now resides, March 17, 1833, is the son of Jacob, jr., and Mary (Smith) Springer; Jacob, sr., son of Hendrick, who was one of the carly settlers, was captured by the Indians when fourteen years of age in 1755 and carried to Canada where he was held captive for four years when he escaped. Jacob, sr.'s children were Henry, Lodewick, Fanme, Jacob, jr., George, Maria, Martin and Catherine. The children of Jacob, jr., were Maria, Paul, Jacob II., George M., Charles, Daniel and John. Jacob, jr., was a publie spirited man and was much interested in schools and churches of which he was a liberal supporter and was much respected by all his neighbors. George M. spent his life on the farm and was associated with his father in business until 1855 when his father died. From 1855 to 1860 George M. and Jacob 11. ran the farm. since which time it has been run by George M. George M. is actively interested in education and school work and for the past thirty-five years has been school trustee; also in church and religious work. January 11, 1860, he married Lucia, daughter of Jonas and Christina MeChes- ney, and has two children, Lewis II., who is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy; Willard E., who married Alice L. Ives, December 14, 1887, and now resides in Troy.

Snook, William A., was born in the town of Sand Lake, in December, 1839; the great-grandfather came from Dutchess county, N. Y., to Sand Lake about the time of the Revolutionary war; he reared two sons and two daughters. Tunius, the grandfather, was born in Sand Lake in about 1788, where he spent his life as a farmer; his wife was Catherine Snyder; to them were born six children: Cornelius, John, Catherine, Hannah, Charity and Susan; they both lived to be ninety-two years of age. Cornelius, the father, was born in Sand Lake and spent his whole life on his father's homestead, which he came in possession of at his death. His wife was Anna Uline, who was born in Sand Lake and daughter of John and Maria Uline; their children were Rachel (deceased), William A., John U., Adaline, David, Caroline (deceased) and Harriet. He died in 1868 and his wife died in 1880. Will- i.un A. Snook remained with Ins father until twenty-two years of age, when he em- barked for himself on a tarm in West Sand Lake in partnership with his unele, where he remained for four years. In 1865 he married Mary Sliter, daughter of William and Eliza (Bellinger) Shter, and removed to his present farm of 120 acres in Poestenkill, where he has since resided He has officiated as justice for twenty-four consecutive years, which office he now holds. He is an active member of the Patrons of Industry of West Sand Lake Lodge of about 200 members. Ile is of German an- cestry. In politics he is a staunch Demoerat.

Smith, James Watson, born in the town of Brunswick, October 24, 1842, is the son of Edward and Juha Smith; Edward a son of Peter and Elizabeth Smith, and Peter son of William Smith, who came from Columbia county, N. Y., with his family and settled on the Van Rensselaer tract. William had two children, Peter and William, jr .; they followed general and pioneer farming. Peter had three children ; Edward, William P. and George. By occupation George was a carpenter. He was a veteran of the late Rebellion in the 169th Regment, Co. D. William and Edward

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followed farming. Edward has three children: Catherine E., James W. and Carrie. James W, married Martha, daughter of Michael Earl and has one child, Julia, wife of Jacob M. Springer. Edward is publie-spirited. He is actively interested in schools and churches, also town and county affairs. James Watson Smith's life has been spent on the farm, also deals in live stock. He is much interested in all affairs of the town and county and is active in school and educational interests.

Springer, Paul, born in the town of Brunswick, February 2, 1826, is the son of Jacob and Mary (Smith) Springer, who had seven children, Maria, Paul, Jacob H. (died in April, 1896), George M., Charles, Daniel and John, Jacob was a native of Brunswick and a son of Jacob, sr., who was taken captive by Indians when fourteen years of age and carried to Canada, where he remained four years before he es- caped. Martin, brother of Jacob, jr., was a member of assembly in 1832. Jacob, jr., was a publie-spirited man and took an active part in all affairs of his town. Paul in early life worked on the farm with his father. When about twenty-one years of age he taught school three terms. December 18, 1850, he married Eveline Barringer and has two children: Henry F. (married Millie Colehamer and they have one child, Frank P.), and Etta, wife of H. Wilber Hayner, who have one child, Edith. Paul is active in town affairs. He has been supervisor, justice of sessions, justice of the peace, highway commissioner and trustee of schools twenty-eight years.

Sheer, Jacob, son of John and Rosina (Sperber) Sheer, was born in Sand Lake, April 2, 1845, and has always resided in the town and is now one of its most suc- cessful farmers. He has a farm of 110 acres and makes a specialty of berry culture besides his farming, Mr. Sheer runs threshing machinery during the season. His first eight years' of business on his own account was at hay pressing. In 1822 Mr. Sheer married Margaret E., daughter of Christopher and Catharine (Wattenpaugh) Welker; they have two sons, Irving C. and Elmer J. Mr. Sheer is a Democrat and has been three terms collector; they support the M. E. church and are both mem- bers of the P', of I., West Sand Lake

Sheer, John, was born in Germany in 1811. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Hehn) Sheer, who lived and died in Germany, Mr. Sheer came to America in 1837 and settled in Sand Lake and purchased a farm of seventy acres which he paid for and carried until 1890, when being too advaned in age for active business, he sold and retired but still resides on the farm. In 1839 he married Rosina Sperber, who emi- grated from Germany to Sand Lake in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Sheer have eight chil- dren, four of whom survive and reside in Sand Lake: Mrs. Margaret Granger, Mrs. Mahala Beaker, Mrs. Mary Hayner, and Jacob.

Worden, Hon. L. E., a man of social as well as political prominence at Hoosick Falls, has devoted much of his life to the service of his country. In the battlefield or in the legislature his power and activity have been manifested. Before fifteen years old he enlisted in Company B, 16th N. Y. Heavy Artillery and saw two years' service, participating in some of the greatest battles but remaining unhurt. He has since represented the town in the Board of Supervisors twice, and twice represented the First district in the Assembly. While there be introduced a bill prohibiting the making of shirts, collars and cuffs in the penal institutions of the State, which be-

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eame a law. Though he was born at Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1849, he was reared in Lloyd, Ulster county, N. Y., son of manufacturer of agricultural implements, His early enlistment limited the period of his education, and after the war he learned the carpenter's trade. He became an able builder at Bath-on-the- Hudson, and came here in 1880. In 1883 he joined the well known firm of Easton & Rising, now Easton, Rising & Worden, leading dealers in lumber, coal and wood. They also deal in a varied line of hardware, bieyeles and agricultural implements, besides the building, which is an important branch of the enterprise.

Adams, Jacob V., born where he now resides, May 18, 1822, is the son of Jacob and Naney Adams, and he a son of Elisha, who came from Connecticut with his father. Elisha married Alida Vanderheyden, and had a family of ten children: he was a farmer as well as his son, Jacob V .; his children were Hester A., Elisha, Alderman, Elizabeth, Jacob V. and Mary A. ; he was a publie spirited man, interested in church work as well as town and county affairs; he was assessor, overseer of the poor, etc. ; he died May 7, 1857. Jacob V. has followed farming. In 1849 he married Harriet, daughter of John J. Goodell, and has three children, Charles, Jenme and Fred. Ilis second wife was Candace Densmore, daughter of Ohver Farbell, and bas one child, Albert L. Jacob V. has been active in town and county affairs; he was assessor twelve years, highway commissioner six years, and much interested in ed- ucation and school work.

Abbott, Elisha P., was born in the town of Brunswick, July 25, 1828. He is a son of Jonas and Harriet (St. John) Abbott, and Jonas was a son of Judd, who came from Long Island. Judd's children were Jonas, Uriah, Ira, Debora Ann, Jerusha, Sally, Judd, Mathias, Roxy and Harry. Judd followed pioneer and general farming, and was a hard working and industrious man. His son Jonas was a farmer by oc- cupation and lived near where Elisha P. Abbott now lives. Ilis children are Ruth C., Lydia M., Melissa C., Amelia and Elisha P. Elisha's life has been spent on the farm, and when about twenty-five years old he married Juliette, daughter of John and Elizabeth (MeChesney) Dater, and has two children: Julia Frances and Willard D., who married Lillie Bonesteel and resides on the home farm. Elisha P. is active in school, church, and all town and county affairs. He was highway commissioner for nine years, In polities he is a Republican and is an attendant of the Presbyterian church.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 54

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