USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 60
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Van Ness, Jesse P., was born in the town of Stuyvesant, Columbia county, N. Y., September 15, 1837, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth Ann (Bassett) Van Ness. Ile was a native of Stuyvesant and she of Schodack, and is the grandson of Jesse and Mariah (Van Alstine) Van Ness, and a great-grandson of Jesse V. Van Ness, who was a farmer near Schodaek, where he lived and died. Philip Van Ness is a farmer near Kinderhook. Jesse P. Van Ness was educated at Kinderhook and Schodack Academy and the Albany Normal School, and taught for three years. In 1861 he married Ella A., daughter of Levi and Anna Mariah (Wagner) Milham, a farmer of
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Stuyvesant. He had been in the grocery and manufacturing business. He has owned and run a farm in Stuyvesant, Saratoga and Blooming Grove. In 1877 he located on the farm he now owns near East Greenbush, where he is engaged in the culture of fruit.
Dunn, George, was born in Ireland, October 20, 1837, and is a son of John Dunn and a brother of Patrick Dunn. George Dunn was reared on a farm and educated in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1854, and in 1869 married Honora, daughter of John and Catherine (Coffee) Grady, both natives of Ireland, where Mr. Grady died, and Mrs. Grady spent her last days in Albany. Mr. Dunn has always followed farming, and has been engaged in the manufacture of brick. He furnished the brick and sand for the new State Capitol at Albany. He has a fine farm and runs a dairy of about twenty-five cows. He has the finest apple orchard in the vicinity. Mr. Dunn has three children: Stanley, a farmer and milkman of East Greenbush; John H., on the home farm; and Ella, wife of Thomas P. Galliger, a railroad man of Greenbush.
Morner, Conradt, was born in Germany, April 18, 1850, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Morner, natives of Germany, who emigrated to West Sand Lake in 1853, where he engaged in the tailoring business. He afterwards engaged in farming. He died in 1885, and his wife died in 1883. Conradt was educated at West Sand Lake, and in 1875 married Mary Ann, daughter of Philip and Barbary Oust, farmers of West Sand Lake. To Mr. and Mrs. Morner have been born four children: Jesse, Arthur, Edith and Blanche. In 1881 Mr. Morner purchased ninety-two acres of land in East Greenbush, on which he has a fine residence. He makes a specialty of dairy farming and keeps about twenty-six cows.
Craver, Albus, was born in East Greenbush, February 6, 1830, and is a son of John W. and Catherine Craver. A. Craver was reared on the old homestead where he always resided. Ile has been a successful farmer and owns 114 acres of land, mak- ing a specialty of fine cream for the Albany market. In 1855 he married Ehzabeth C., daughter of William H. and Mariah Tesory, of Albany county. To Mr. and Mrs. Craver have been born five children : Carrie, widow of Jesse De Graff; Erwin, a farmer on the homestead farm ; Allen, who died at the age of twenty-six ; Clarence, underwriter at Sand Lake, and Edith, who died in infancy, Mr. and Mrs. Craver are rearing a grandchild, Erwin De Graff, son of Jesse and Carrie De Graff.
Traver, Albert P., was born in East Greenbush, October 8, 1834, and is a son of Alvaro R. and Phebe (Thomas) Traver, he a native of Dutchess county and she of Sand Lake. The grandparents, Henry 1. and Sarah (Nies) Traver, both uatives of Dutchess county, came to East Greenbush in 1800, where they lived and died. Al. varo spent his life at farming and died in 1890. Mrs. Traver died in 1849. Albert P. married Mariah Ilidley, of North Greenbush, by whom three children have been born: Kittie, wife of Willis T. Younghams, of Sand Lake, deceased; Adella P., at home; and Adelmer II., a carpenter, Mr. Traver has always followed farming and owns 130 acres of land. Ile retired in 1894. 1le has been supervisor of East Green- bush for two years and has been deputy sheriff for a number of years. He is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13 and Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Chapter, R. A. M., and of K. of P. of Sand Lake and Bath-on- the-Hudson.
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Doran, Thomas A., born in Valley Falls, December 18, 1861, is a son of James and Mary A. Burk, both born in Ireland; he came to Valley Falls in 1854 and she about 1856 and were here married. He first worked in a grist-mill until 1869, when he en- gaged in mercantile business and continued in business until his death, March 30, 1894, and his widow lives in the village. Thomas A. was educated in Valley Falls and Villanova College of Delaware county, Pa. He remained with his father until his death and at present represents the business. Mr. Doran was married Novem- ber 18, 1882, to Isabella Thompson, daughter of James Thompson. To Mr. and Mrs. Doran were born these children: Arthur J., Edward, Leo, Isabella. Mr. Doran was appointed postmaster April 14, 1891.
Robbins, Jason, born in Pittstown, N. Y., September 18, 1843, is a son of Avery M. and Harriet (Ketchem) Robbins, he born in Grafton and she in Pittstown, she a daughter of John Ketchem, one of the early settlers The father of Jason was a farmer and came from Grafton, N. Y., about 1818, and died here in 1883, and his wife died in 1882. Jason was reared on a farm and educated in common schools. He followed farming until he enlisted 1862 in Company K, 125th N. Y. Vols., and served two years and eleven months; was at Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Bristoe Station, Va., and there wounded and taken prisoner and was a prisoner about thirteen months. Mr. Robbins was married in 1867 to Caroline L. Wilkes, whose maiden name was Finch, daughter of Lemuel S. Finch. To Mr. Robbins and wife were born three children: Hattie Walter, and Harold, all deceased. He is a member of Vietor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M. After returning from the army Mr. Robbins came to Valley Falls and has been employed at various occupations. Mr. Robbins is a member of G. A. R. at Hart's Falls, and also Rensselaer Veteran Association.
()'Neil, Edward, born in Easton, Washington county, N. Y., April 22, 1861, is a son of. Patriek and Margaret (Miskell) O'Neil, both natives of Ireland, who in 1850 settled in Easton, N. Y., on a farm and there now reside. He owns a farm of about 200 acres of land. Edward was reared on a farm and educated in common schools, Hle engaged at twenty-one years of age in hay and straw business and continued in business about four years and was proprietor of the Grove Hotel at Easton for two years, and in 1888 came to Valley Falls and bought the Valley Falls House of which he has since been proprietor. He was married November 25, 1885, to Katie A. Cox, a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., born May 13, 1867, a daughter of William and Sarah (Kelley) Cox, both born in Ireland, came to Mechanicsville, Saratoga county, about 1856 and removed to Easton, where Mrs. Cox died in June, 1887, and he resides in Easton, a farmer and owns 125 acres of land. To Mr. and Mrs. ('Neil were born three daughters: Eveline, deceased, Sarah 1., Stella M.
Atkin, M. L., was born August 27, 1844. He is a son of Col. Justice Atkin, a son of Benjamin Atkin, a native of Ireland, who came to Pittstown by marked trees at a very early date and settled about one mile from Johnsonville on the banks of the Hoosick River, the homestead being owned by E. Atki, his grandson, and father of M. L. Atkin, who was a farmer and merchant at Lansingburgh and Johnsonville, and also hotelkeeper at the homestead. His wife was Margaret Eyeleshimer of Pittstown, by whom was born nine sons and six daughters, twelve of whom are living. Ile died in 1867 and she died in 1894. Mr. Atkin was reared on a farm and
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educated in common schools and Fort Edward Institute. He followed farming until 1877, and since that time he has lived a retired life. Ile went to the oil regions in Pennsylvania where he remained for sixteen years. Ile now owns thirty acres of land, also village property. Ile has been constable and deputy sheriff for twelve years, and is a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M. April 14, 1891, he married Ilelen Cass, of Pittstown, daughter of Lansing Van Woert and widow of Smith Cass.
Miller, C. A., born in Millertown, November 9, 1862, is a grandson of Reuben Miller, by whom he was reared, his parents having died when he was young. Hle was educated in Johnsonville, N. Y. Ile began life in mercantile business in John- sonville in 1884 and continued in business about ten years, and was very successful. He also in 1890 bought the Johnsonville Bobbin Works of which he has since been proprietor, employing about six men. He is a member of Johnsonville Lodge No. 411, 1. O. O. F.
Powers, John W., was born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., May 16, 1857. Ile is a son of Edward and Mary (Phalen) Powers, both natives of Ireland, who came to Schaght- icoke about 1843. Ilere Mrs. Powers died and Mr. Powers still resides as a farmer. John W. was reared on a farm and educated in common schools. Ile started in the hotel and saloon business at Valley Falls and continued in business for six years, and came to Johnsonville about 1888 and built the Powers Hotel, of which he has since been proprietor. In 1880 he married Bridget Cronin, a native of Pittstown, by whom he had seven children: Mary, Thomas, William, Christopher, John, Anna and James.
Davis, Arnold, of Berlin, N. Y., was the son of Arnold Davis, who was born at Charleston, R. 1., December 12, 1780. lle was the son of Joseph Davis, who was the son of John Davis, who was the son of Samuel Davis, who was a direct descendant of William Davis, who emigrated from Scotland to Wales in 1639, where his son William was born in 1663, who emigrated to America in 1685, and settled . first in Rhode Island and then in Virginia. Arnold, the father of Arnold, came to Petersburgh, now Berlin, with his father and settled in 1992. On the side of Arnold's mother, she was a daughter of Dea. John Greene, who was a son of Joseph fireone, who was a direct descendant of Joseph Greene, one of the early settlers of Newport, R. 1. John Greene, the grandfather, was a soklier in the Revolutionary war and settled at Little Hoosick, now Berhu, in 1978. Arnold Davis was born February 10, 1824. The father, being a poor farmer, he never had the advantage of an education more than he obtained in the common schools. He has read much and has been a close observer of passing events. It may be said he belongs to the class known as the self-educated, or in other words the uneducated. In early life he de- signed to study for a profession, but circumstances were such that he was obliged to forego that pleasure. From 1850 to 1851 he served the town in the capacity of assessor, and was one of the men that were called to Troy in 1851 when the matter of equalization between the county, town and the city of Troy first came before the Board of Supervisors. In 1857 he ran for justice and was defeated by three votes by William J. Sheldon. In 1869 he made the enumeration for the United States census of Berlin and Stephentown, under Simeon B. Jewette of Clarkson, Monroe
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county. That fall he had command of 160 men of Douglass Guards. In 1875 he again made the enrollment of the Berlin State census. In September, 1852, he was in the State convention at Tundale Hall, Albany, which nominated Horatio Seymour for governor. In 1867 he became identified with the I. O. G. T., receiving the first lodge deputies' commission of Lodge No. 646. In 1868 he received a State deputies' commission under the grand worthy chief templar, Rev. Silas Ball, and again under R. E. Sutton, M. D., and again under the Hon. A. S. Draper. He was in the Grand Lodge at Rochester, Albany, Binghamton and Syracuse. When the first county lodge of Rensselaer county was organized in 1875, he was the first county chief and held that position two years. This lodge went down and was again organized in 1879. At Harmony Hall, Troy, he was again elected chief and held that position two years. At Cleveland's first election he was in command of a Cleveland Club, which numbered 140. He has traveled and lectured on temperance to quite an extent. Ile has talked to the people politically, and has written to quite an extent for publication. The articles were published in the Rensselaer Courier in the winter of 1874 and 1875, the early history of Eastern Rensselaer county being his last production.
llolton, Mrs. Sarah F., is the widow of the late John Holton, by whom she has one daughter, Fanny A., born in 1882. Mr. Holton died in 1887, aged sixty four. Ile was at the time of his death retired from active business, but was honored and esteemed by hus fellowmen, enjoying wide popularity. He was an organsmith by trade, and an expert rifle shooter. He had traveled much over the country and won many prizes. In 1849 while in California he made considerable money mining. He was born in 1822 in Connectient and came here in 1868. He was twice married, in 1880 to Mrs. Sarah Kelley, his widow and the faithful companion of his later years. She was born at Saratoga, N. Y., and her maiden name was Sarah Frances Beach.
Pine, W. J., a merchant of West Hoosick, has a general store containing a varied line of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc. The business was purchased in 1889 of George Russell, and is the only one of its kind in the place. Mr. Pine was born in Pittstown; his father, James Pine, was an early pioneer of the town and a successful farmer there. Mr. Pine married in 1871 Mattie Herrington, daughter of Ephraim Herrington of this place. She died in 1593, leaving one son, Frank E., aged sixteen. Mr. Pine possesses the spirit of enterprise, is honorable in his intercourse, and much respected by his townsmen.
Fleming, Luke, is of Irish nativity, and came to Liverpool, England, when two years old. From there he emigrated to America when eighteen years of age, in 1863, and settled in Troy, N. Y. There he spent fourteen years in a planing mill, then he came to Hoosick Falls in 1877 and engaged as machimst in the Wood Ma- chine Works. He was born in 1844, son of Luke Fleming, a farmer, and married in 1878 Catherine Gulden of Troy. Both are members of the R. C. church. The chil- dren of this family are as follows: Willard, aged sixteen; Thomas, aged thirteen; Joseph, aged ten; Celia, aged eight. Politically Mr. Fleming is an ardent Demo- erat.
Carr, Ambrose, the well known and much respected grocer of Water street, Hoosick Falls, is a native of this place, born in 1863 and was reared and educated here. After
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a course at Troy Business College he engaged as a painter in the Walter Wood shops. Later he was an employee of Joseph Buckley as salesman and bookkeeper. Ilis seven years' experience bere was no doubt an important factor in the development of his rare business ability, which makes him one of the most successful merchants of the day. He purchased the business of Francis Riley in 1893. In politics he is a Democrat. His first public office was that of school trustee, and he has now been a member of the Board of Education several years. He was town clerk in 1893 and proved a very efficient official. He is vice-president of the Rensselaer Club, also a member of the R. C. church. He now resides at the ancestral home where his father, Stephen Carr, settled forty years ago. The latter, a well preserved man of seventy years is of Irish birth. For thirty-three years he was employed by the Wood Company as a wood worker.
Surdam, Kellion, a resident of Walloomsac, is of Holland Dutch ancestry. His great-grandfather, Anthony Surdam, came from Amsterdam, N. Y., and settled in the town of Hoosick before the Revolution. His father was David Surdam, a resi- dent of Hoosick, where Kellion Surdam was born in 1823. Mr. Surdam in 1895 was called upon to mourn the loss of the faithful partner of his youth, born Hannah S. Taber of Hoosick, whom he married in 1843 and by whom he had three sons and three daughters. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and owns a farm of 205 acres near the site where raged the historic battle of Bennington. He has in his possession a cannon ball which was plowed up on the farm.
Phillips, M. W., is the son of an old landmark, Hart Phillips, the oldest resident in Hoosick Falls. He was born in Massachusetts in 1800, of Scotch ancestry, and has resided in Hoosick Falls for seventy-five years. He was a carpenter and man :- facturer of sash, doors and blinds, and built the Presbyterian church over sixty years ago. Our subject was born at Newark, Wayne county, in 1855, but has spent most of his life here. He has elerked since 1874; bookkeeper seven years for Edgar A. Welch & Cos and eleven years for another market here. Mr. Phillips has been a member of the M. E. church since 1876 and secretary of the Sunday school fifteen years. Ile has the remarkable record of having attended every Sabbath for eleven consecutive years. In 1886 he married Mattie A. Hatch of Waterford, N. Y. They have three children.
Gardner, 1 .. N., is a descendant of an okl Rhode Island family and son of Thomas A. Gardner, a farmer and lifelong resident of Petersburgh, where L. N. Gardner was born in 1838. The latter was educated here and followed the pursuit of farm- ing. His wife was Orinda, daughter of Christopher Lawton. Three children have been born to them: J. B. Gardner, Mary and Leroy. Mr. Gardner is a Republican but not an active politician. Ile is also a member of the Advent church.
Byars, jr., J. G., is a young man held in high repute in both business and social circles of the town of Hoosick. He came to America in 1864 with his parents from Glasgow, Scotland, where he was born in 1863. He has been a resident of Hoosick twenty-six years, and the position he now occupies has been due to his own ability and industry, for Mr. Byars was a working boy who paved his own way to success. His bottling works, devoted to the making of soda water, mineral waters and ginger ale, are extensive. lle is a Republican and has been commissioner of excise. He is
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past master of the Masonic Lodge and exalted ruler of the B. P. O. Elks. Recently he purchased a large property of Hiland Carpenter at North Hoosick.
Johnson, William A., is the last representative of the Johnson family of Johnson Ilill. Hither his grandfather, Captain Rufus Johnson, of the Revolution, came from Rhode Island and settled more than a century and a half ago. There his father, Augustus Johnson, was born in 1800, and his mother, Martha (Keach) Johnson, was born on an adjoining farm in the same year. His father was an active politician of Ins day, and was closely identified with the local affairs of the town. William A. Johnson was also born at the ancestral home in 1830, where a new residence was erected for the reception of his bride in 1852. She was Melissa, daughter of Jacob Chase, an old resident of this locality. Mr. Johnson is the father of four children: Anna, wife of LI. Welch, son of Josiah Welch, an early settler of Hoosick; Hattie, died aged eighteenyears; Mary, died in infancy; and William A. Johnson, jr., of North Adams, superintendent of a shoe shop; also dealer in coal and wood.
Perry, Nathan S,, has been a resident of Hoosick Falls half a century. He learned the spinner's trade at Adams, Mass., where he was born in 1824, at which he worked ten years. After eight years as a carpenter, he went into the employ of the Walter Wood Co., where he remained nine years. In 1872 he established a grocery on Church street where he has since remained. Ile is a son of Lyman Perry, and mar- ried in 1847 Emeline Davis of Petersburgh. Two children were born to them. Rich- mond 1. Perry, a painter; and Imogene, who resides at home. The family are members of the M. E. church. Politically Mr. Perry is a Republican.
Smith, jr., William R., was one of the first mail carriers in Hoosick Falls upon the establishment of free delivery in 1891. He is the only son of William R. Smith, a fifty-two year resident in Hoosick Falls. The latter was born at Jackson, N. Y., where he labored as a carpenter, also a farmer. For a number of years he traveled on the road taking views and pictures. lle is a Democrat, and served in the ca- pacity of village trustee, also one of the organizers of the fire department. William, jr., was employed as a machinist in the Wood Machine Co. ten years before entering upon lus present engagement. In 1886 he married Lelia Bennett of Cambridge, who bore him two children: Edith May, and Frank Adelbert. Ile is a valued member of the order of Odd Fellows.
Boyd, Mrs. Douglas .- In 1895 at Sacandaga Park, Fulton county, N. Y., death came to one of Hoosick Falls most respected citizens, Douglas Boyd. A pulmonary difficulty compelled him to retire from his position as superintendent of the shirt fac- tory here in 1893. Thinking to improve his health he traveled much in California and elsewhere but to no avail. So passed away a man, as a Christian, sincere, consist- ent, being a valued member of the Presbyterian church, as an employer none more considerate and beloved. He left a widow, born Abbie Barringer, and one son, Roy, nine years of age. Douglas Boyd was born at Hudson, N. Y., in 1853 of Scotch parentage, inheriting the sturdy characteristics of that people. At an early age he received employment in the Miller, Hall & Hartwell large shirt factory, Troy, N. Y. During his six years there his employers discovered his rare ability. As their ap- preciation of his work they sent Iim to Hoosick Falls in 1883 to manage the branch of the factory there, where he earned the esteem and gratitude of his employers and love of employees, of whom there were about 200.
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Calhoun, David, was born in Troy, November 5, 1857. His parents moved to the town of Brunswick when he was one year old. He was educated in the district school, and is a farmer by occupation. He is now general foreman of the Troy City Railroad Company, promoted to that position in 1891. He has been in their employ sixteen years, with the exception of a short time at Albia, introducing the bell punch and other improvements. He occupied positions with the present company when they used horses, and began by hooking the horses to the cars, after a while he was promoted to conductor, which position he held for seven years, and then became a starter, etc. March 14, 1892, he married Harriet Timmins of Lansingburgh, by whom two children have been born. Violet M. and Helen E. The father of Mr. Calhoun was William, born in the North of Ireland in 1821, and came to the United States when seventeen years of age and located near Troy. He married Mary Draffin of Troy, by whom five children have been born. William, Sarah, Caroline, David, and Robert. Mr. Calhonn died in 1882, and his wife died in August, 1891. Ile was elected trustee of the Third ward for two years. He is a member of the Jerusalem Lodge No. 355 F. & A. M., of Lansingburgh.
Sharp, Alonzo, was born in North Greenbush, March 5, 1848, and is a son of George J. and Charlotte (Vanderkarr) Sharp, a native of North Greenbush and she of Sand Lake. The grandparents were Jeremiah and Catherine Goewey, she a na- tive of East Greenbush and he of North Greenbush. They followed farming in North Greenbush, where he died. The great-grandfather of Mr. Sharp was Barney Sharp, a Revolutionary solcher, and was a pioneer of North Greenbush. The grandparents, Samuel and Rebecca (Philips) Vanderkarr were natives, she of Scho- dack and he of Sand Lake. The great-grandfather, Roswell Philips, was a pioneer of Schodack, and married Lena Simmons of East Greenbush. The parents of San- uel Aaron and Christina (Snyder) Vanderkarr, were pioneers of Sand Lake. George J. Sharp was reared in North Greenbush, where he followed farming until 1875, when he removed to East Greenbush and died, December 13, 1894, at the age of eighty-six. Mrs. Sharp still resides on the homestead at the age of eighty-two. Alonzo was reared on the farm and has always followed farming. In 1882 he mar- ried Edna P., daughter of Elisha P. and Delia (Thornton) Mckean of East Green- bush. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp were born two children: Edna C. and Stanley M. lle is a member of the Schodack Union Lodge No. 337 F. & A. M.
Romp, Frederick, was born in the Province of llanover, Germany, July 28, 1850, son of Frederick and Rebecca (Gluessen) Romp. He received a collegiate education and came to the United States in 1870, locating in Troy N. Y., and in 1879 came to Lansingburgh, N. Y. Ile is a cattle dealer by ocenpation, also conducts a bottling business. In March, 1879, he married Carrie Flagler, of this place, by whom he had four children: Jessie, Frederick. Henry, and William. Mr. Komp is a member of Hudson River Lodge, No. 607, F. &. A. M., of Newburg, also a member of Ilyland Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. The ancestry of the family is German on both sides.
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