Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 63

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 63

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Snell, Prof. II. II., the superintendent of schools of Hoosick Falls, is a man fully competent for his position not only by his rare intellectual ability, but also by his wide experience, great discrimination and tact. Possessed of broad and liberal views, with a character above reproach, he is a man appreciated outside of his pro- fessional radius. His boyhood was spent on a farm in Genesee county, thence his father moved in 1849 from Ashford, Conn., where Prof. Snell was born in 1845. The family, a history of which was written by his father, originated with three brothers, who came from Germany. The mother was English. Prof. Snell began his chosen vocation early in life, and taught school at seventeen years of age. He received a preparatory education at the Rural Seminary, Genesee county, and with private tutors, and in 1885, after a four years' course, graduated from Alfred University. Ile has since given two years to post-graduate work, chiefly in Latin, also mathe- matics and sciences. He entered upon his work here in 1895; is a member of the Baptist church, also of the Masonic fraternity, not a politician. He is married, has a son in business in Genesee county, and a daughter, married and residing in Han- coek, N. Y.

Gifford, Abbott, was born in Pittstown on the farm where he resides, August 3, 1870, son of Charles W. and Annathrasa (Abbott) Gifford, he a native of Pittstown, and she born in Pittstown. He was a son of Nathaniel, and Nathaniel was a son of Jabez Gifford, who settled in Pittstown at a very early date. The wife of Nathaniel was Elizabeth Francisco. The father of Abbott Gifford is a farmer and owns 235 acres of land. Charles Gifford's wife died January 17, 1880. Abbott Gifford was reared on a farm and educated in common schools, and Lansingburgh Academy. He was married March 23, 1893, to Nellie S. Case, born in l'ittstown, and daughter of William and Sarah 11. (Culver) Case. He was born in Pittstown and she in Cam- bridge, N. Y. . The grandfather of Mrs. Gifford was David Case, also a native of Pittstown and son of one of the earliest settlers of the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Abbott Gifford was born one son, Clayton E., November 19, 1895.

Arnold, Everett D., was born at River Point, R. L., June 29, 1858, and is a son of Gilbert D. and Nancy Arnold, and received his education in the schools of his native . town. Ile had a natural gift for mechanics, and has been a machinist, a fireman of a locomotive, and an engineer for the American Steamboat Company at Rocky Point. Hle finally eame into the service of the Standard Oil Company, and for a time was chief engineer of the Pratt Oil Works in Brooklyn, and has never since left the em- ploy of the Standard Oil Company. He was sent by that comany, about nine years ago, to Troy as general master mechanic of the Troy Steel and Iron Works, and six years ago he was made assistant general superintendent, and as such had charge of

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the practical part of the manufactures of the concern. Mr. Arnold was consulting engineer for the Troy City Railroad Company, and built the power house at Lan- singburgh and Division street. Ile was also consulting engineer for the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company, and the power house of that station was built after his design. The Troy Steel and Iron Company was succeeded by the Troy Steel Company, of which company Mr. Arnold is the chief engineer and general superin- tendent. The new basic Bessemer steel works of the company, being the first of its kind in America, was designed and built in its entirety by Mr. Arnold. Much of the machinery used in the new works was made for special work from original ideas and designs of Mr. Arnold.

Stannard, Henry D., was born in Lansingburgh in 1826. ITis grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father, David B., was born in Connecticut and was in the war of 1812; he died in 1865, and his wife, Betsey Ann (Waters) Stannard, died in 1877, Henry D. was educated in the district schools and was graduated from the Ball Seminary at Hoosick Falls. He taught for some time and then entered the trucking business with his brother, under the firm name of D. W. & II. D. Stannard. Three years later he sold out, and for three years lived on a farm in Schaghticoke, when he returned to Troy and has since been in the trucking business. He is a member of Apollo Lodge F. & A. M. In 1853 he married Sally A. Snyder, of Schaghticoke, by whom one son has been born, Eldridge G., of Den- ver, Col.

Crabbe, George Henry, born at Lansingburgh, N. Y., April 23, 1825. ITis early life was devoted to the acquirement of such knowledge as the common schools of that period could afford. Later he was persuaded to join the family of William Van Vleck on the old Rawson farm in the town of Brunswick, on account of the strong resemblance to their son, who had recently chied. Ilere he resided until nearly attaining his majority, when he came to Troy. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 93d Regiment, N. Y. Vols., resigning his membership in the Troy City Artillery, 24th Regiment, N. Y. S. M. Immediately following his arrival at camp he was ap- pointed corporal as a mark of esteem, and on January 23, 1863, received his warrant as such Was mortally wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, May, 1864, and died at the field hospital May 9, 1564.

Crabbe, Charles Henry, born at Troy, N. Y., April 16, 1847. Was educated in the publie schools and began his business career as clerk in the Commercial Bank of Troy, in 1863. Is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13. F. & A. M .; Apollo Chapter No. 18, R. A. M. ; Bloss Council No. 14, R. & S. M. ; Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T. ; Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; Trojan Council No. 86; Royal Areanum at Troy, N. Y. ; also of Arcanum Lodge No. 11, 1. O. O, F., Bridgeport, Conn.

Gailbraith, William J., was born in Troy in 1870, and was educated in the public schools, and afterwards became assistant shipper in the AEtna Mills, where he re- mained for four years, when he accepted a position with the Boutwell Milling and Grain Co., at their warehouse on Green Island. He is a member of the Apollo Lodge F. & A. M., Laureate Boat Club, of the Bussey Fire Co., and at one time was president of that company. He is also second lientenant of the 21st Separate Com-

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pany, N. G. N. Y. October 16, 1895, he married Helen A. Sipperley, of Lansing- burgh,

Waterbury, Horatio Lewis, was born in Lansingburgh, December 23, 1861, and is a son of Truman H, and Catherine A. (Dutcher) Waterbury. His father was born at Burnt Hills, Saratoga county, in 1825, and died at Troy in 1881. His mother was born at Sand Lake in 1831, and died in 1888 at Troy. He received his education in the district schools of Wayne county, and came to Troy at the age of nine and at- tended the public and high schools. In 1878 he went to work in the wholesale drug store of J. L. Thompson, Sons & Co. as errand boy, has been in their employ to date, and now holds one of the most responsible positions with that house. He is a mem- ber of the Laureate Boat Club and the Trojan Wheelmen.

Howe, Henry N., was born in Denmark, October 13, 1851, and was educated in their schools, and came to the United States in 1872. 1Ie located in Lansingburgh and had a variety of occupations. In 1882 he engaged in the bakery business which he has carried on with success. Ile was married twice, first, in 1875, to Josephine Seport, of Cohoes, formerly of Germany and has two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Howe died in 1881, and for his second wife, in 1883, he married Louise P. Yaiser, of Troy. Mr. Howe's father, Neilson, was born on the old homestead in Denmark in about 1817. He married and had these children: Maria J., Henry N., John A., Anna C., Margurite, Johana, and Johanes. Mr. Howe died in 1894 and his wife died in 1884. Henry N. is a member of the Jerusalem Lodge No. 355 F. & A. M.

Lally, George Abbot, was born in the city of New York, May 20, 1818. In early life he had but few advantages but he has ever been a close observer and student, and was a self-educated man. His mother died when he was an infant, and his father when he was scarcely in his "teens," leaving him to the care of an only brother, James Lally, who reared him. Upon the death of his brother, which oc- curred in 1839, he became his successor in business and carried on extensive shoe manufactories at New Orleans and at Norwalk, Conn., under the name of Lally & MeCracken. In 1847, while returning from New Orleans, he visited Chicago, which was slowly rising to the dignity of a town, and railroads were beginning to connect it with the outer world. He sailed up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to the small town of Peru, Il., and on the 15th of June arrived in Chicago. He at once saw the natural advantages of this point, and the future he foresaw for it induced him to de- cide upon locating here. Returning east he closed his interest in the shoe business and returned the following year to Chicago. He at once established himself in the real estate business and had an office at 56 Clark street, where now stands the Sher- man House, Ile was remarkably successful and invested in several tracts of land in various parts of the city. Ile likewise put up some fine buildings. He took a very active part in all enterprising projects of the growing city, and was always among the foremost in all public spirited projects. He was one of the promoters of, and one of the largest stockholders of the Western Plank Road Co. and was a prom- inent stockholder in the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, the first steam road run- ning out from Chicago. At the age of forty he was enabled to retire from active business. In 1855 he removed east and settled in Lansingburgh, N. Y. He never, however, lost his interest in Chicago, retaimug much of his real estate. He was

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one of the promoters of and originators of the Troy & Lansingburgh Horse Rail- road, and was one of the directors of the first board. From that day to the end of his life he was deeply interested in the welfare and progress of this road and from time to time he advanced his private means in the undertaking and lived to see his expectations more than realized and the road put upon a paying basis. Ile was also a director in the Troy and Cohoes road from the organization covering a period of twenty years. He was a director and for some years vice-president of the old Bank of Lansingburgh, vestryman of Trinity church and trustee of the Lansingburgh Academy. Ile was also interested in the sugar industry in Louisiana and owned one of the largest plantations in the State, the Belair plantation. This traet extends along the Mississippi River for three miles and back into the interior for a mile and three-quarters, and is situated abont twenty miles below New Orleans. Ilis first wife was Franeis B. St. John, daughter of Buckingham St. John, of Norwalk, Conn. ; she died in 1844, leaving one son, James Lally, who was a graduate of the Rensse- laer Polytechnic Institute of the class of 1861. He died at the Riverdale on-the- Ilndson, July 15, 1878. Mr. Lally's second wife was Harriet Hanford, daughter of Captain Richard Hanford of Lansingburgh, N. Y. ; two sons and a daughter were born of this union: George Hanford of Chicago, manager of the Chicago property, and also manager of the Belair plantation; Frederick Lally, who resides at Lansing- burgh, N. Y., and manages his father's estate; Frances St. John, who died in in- faney. George A. Lally died June 27, 1881, in his sixty-third year. He had been suffering for years from an incurable malady which was endured by him with the utmost patience and even with cheerfulness.

Morrison, James A., was born in Schoharie county, August 17, 1823, and has al- ways been a horse dealer and trainer by occupation. November 6, 1856, he married Almira Salisbury of Troy. The father of Mrs Morrison, George S. Salisbury, was born in Troy, June 10, 1805, and was educated in the schools of that early day and was a rope manufacturer by occupation. He married Belinda Wager of Troy, and had two living children ; Almira and Amos M. Mr. Salisbury died March 31, 1839, and his wife died in 1885. The grandfather of Mrs. Morrison, Amos Salisbury, was born in Warren, April 14, 1774, and her great-grandfather, William Salisbury, was boru February 1, 1957, at Swansea, Mass.

Groesbeek, Charles 11 .- His father, William S. Groesbeek, was born in the town of Schaghticoke, February 24, 1826. lle was educated in the schools of that early day and has always been a farmer. October 13, 1853, he married Frances M. Cun- ningham of his native town; they have had four children: Eve M , Ida E., Charles Il., and Carrie C. Eve M. married Thomas Herbert; they have two children, Will- iam S. and Frederick. Ida S. married Silas Turner; they have four children, Charles, Mildred, Frankie and Lloyd. Charles H. married Emma Wells of Ohio; they have one daughter, Vena. Carrie C. married Myron Groesbeek ; they have one daughter, Edna. Mrs. W. Groesbeek died September 5, 1886. Mr. Groesbeck's father, John F., was born in this town February 17, 1992. He was educated in the schools of that day, married Maria Groesbeek, and had four children, all living: Caro- line, William S., Nicholas and Sarah. Mr. Groesbeek was a member of the Legisla- ture in 1826. He died January 7, 1859, and his wife August 7, 1858. This family dates back in this town to 1764 as per family record. The ancestry of this family is Duteh on both sides.

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Wild, John, was born in Manchester, England, December 29, 1843. He is a son of John and Marinah (Brady) Wild, he a native of England and she of Ireland. They emigrated to New York city about 1844 where they engaged in the crockery busi- ness. He enlisted in the late war and has never been heard of. Mr. Wild was edu- cated in New York city and was married to Madlle. Bertha, a danseuse, in 1861 and had one daughter, Bertha. now living, and in 1873 married Ada, daughter of the famous actress. Louise W. Ray, of London, England. To Mr. and Mrs. Wild have been born nine children, four of whom survive: Ada, Louise, Mable, and John, jr. At the age of sixteen Mr. Wild went on the stage and has always followed the pro- fession of an actor. He represents black comedy and has performed for about thirty- six years in New York city. In 1876 Mr. Wild purchased a farm near Burden Lake in the town of Sand Lake which he has named " Idle Wild," and where he has since made his home. His family carry on the farming. He is a member of the Masonic Order in New York city, also of the A. O. U. W., and the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the New York Lodge No. 1, B. P. O. Elks.

Schmander, Jacob, born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 25, 1841, is the son of Martin and Regina (Reinhardt) both of Germany, he born December 2, 1808, and she March 2, 1811, came to America in 1867 and settled in Greenbush, thence re- moved to Sand Lake where they died, he in 1891 and she in 1879. He learned the cabinet maker's trade and followed it about twenty-five or thirty years. The mater- nal grandfather, Jacob H. Reinhardt of Germany, and the paternal grandfather, John Schmander, a cabinet maker, lived and died in Germany. Jacob was reared and educated in the schools of Germany and when he came to America commenced as a farm hand and has always followed farming. In 1870 he bought forty-five acres and has cleared and made many improvements. He makes a specialty of extra grade of butter for city customers. He married in 1866 Catherine Shaver of Ger- many. They have five children: Regina E., Minnie C., William J., Mary B., and Carrie M. He enlisted in Co. A, 91st N. V. Vols., December 2, 1863. He was hon- orably discharged December 9, 1865. He was at Port Hudson, Red River expedition with Banks, and in many skirmishes; was wounded at the siege of Port Hudson. Ile was a member of the Evangelical Association at West Sand Lake, member of Post MeConihe, G. A. R., Sand Lake.

Russell, J. P., was born November 11, 1828. He is the son of Prince and Catha- rine (Williams) Russell. Prince Russell was born in Pittstown, a son of Jethru Russell and a native of New Bedford, Mass. ; his wife was Rebecca Howland of New Bedford. The grandfather of Mr. Russell was a Quaker and came to Pittstown in 1775. Mr. Russell's father was a farmer and lived and died in Pittstown. He died August 4, 1874, and his wife died June 16, 1874. The maternal grandfather was Stephen Williams; he was a native of Holland and spent his last days in Pittstown. Mr. Russell was reared on a farm and educated in a common school and at Poultney Academy. He taught school eleven terms, and is now a farmer and has eighty-two acres of laud. He has lived on the farm he now ocenpies sixty-five years. Novem- ber 14, 1859, he was married to Ellen Rockefeller, a daughter of Peter F. and Cath- arine (Parsons) Rockefeller of Columbia county, who there lived and died. Peter F. and Jolin D. Rockefeller's fathers were cousins. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell were born three sons, Edward L., Charles D. and Burton J. Edward L. was born April 2.

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1865, and was educated in a common school in Pittstown and Lansingburgh Acad- emy, and followed teaching three years; is now a farmer. His wife was Minnie Wyatt of Cambridge, N. Y. Ile has two sons, Raymond and Homer. Mr. Russell's second son, Charles D., was born March 8, 1867, and died at the age of thirteen years. Burton J. was born in 1875, and died in 1880 at the age of five years. Mr. Russell has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church fifty years, and a member of the official board of the church some forty-six years. In politics he is a Prohibition- ist. Prince Russell, the father of J. P. Russell, was first cousin to Sylvia HI. How- land, the mother of Hettie Green, the noted millionaire.

Blackhall, John J., was born February 12, 1842. Ile is the son of Michael and Catherine (Carmody) Blackhall. In 1849 his father was wounded in the Winooski River while repairing bridges. His mother died in Troy in 1>90. He was educated in the public schools of Rensselaer county, and in 1863 entered the livery business with the late John Wood and has since carried on business in livery, sale and ex- change stables and repository on Sixth avenue. He was honorary deputy sheriff under the late Sheriff Reynolds, was supervisor for three terms and was elected coroner of Rensselaer county. He is an exempt fireman. On May 20, 1866, he was married to Catherine Martin of Troy. They have four sons and two daughters.

Emery, John W., was born in Kennebunk, Me., October 29, 1856. In 1876 he en- tered the employ of the celebrated shoe firm of S. B. Thing & Co. as a salesman in the New York house, and was in their stores at Syracuse and Auburn; from there he was sent as manager of the Binghamton store and was also manager of the Elmira store for five years. In 1883 he came to Troy, where he became a partner of the firm of S. B. Thing & Co., having general oversight of the fifteen retail stores located at Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Albany, Troy, Saratoga, Glens Falls, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Rochester, Buffalo, Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1895 he was elected a member of the School Board of Lansingburgh, August 1, 1898, he withdrew from the firm of S. B. Thing & Co., purchasing the Albany and Schenectady stores, continuing the business in those cities on his own account. July 20, 1881, he married Bessie Linaberry of Binghamton, N. Y., by whom he has had two sons and one danghter.

White, William 11., is a well known resident of Hoosick for many years, following agricultural pursuits. He was born in Guilderland, N. Y., in 1854, son of Iliram White, a farmer in the town of Bennington. His great-grandfather was Grant White, and grandfather, Salem White. His wife, born Betsy Ann Rudd, by whom he has five children, has in her possession a letter dated 1777, written by Joseph Rudd, her great-grandfather, from Bennington, Vt., just after the battle of Benning- ton. Ile was a participant in the fight, and described the battle in detail. Mr. White is identified with the Democratie pasty.

Travis, Mary Ett .- The late Orville Travis was born in Greene county, April 6, 1854, and was educated in the public schools He taught school and was a farmer by occupation. September 23, 1874, he married Mary Ett Green of his native county, formerly of Albany county. They have three children: Grace B., Lovenia and Hlelen G. Mr. Travis died January 29, 1885. Mrs. Travis moved to Troy in 1889, and two years later came to Lansingburgh. Her father, Erastus Green,

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born in Greene county, September 22, 1816, and was educated in the schools of that early day, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Ann Radliff of Albany county, by whom six children have been born: Oscar Permelia, Mary Ett, Alvv, Ehmra and Lovenia. Mrs. Green died in 1886, and Mr. Green survives at this date, 1896. The ancestry of the family is English, German, and Dutch.

Behan, Joseph C., was born in Troy, N. Y., December 18, 1863. His father, Christopher Behan, was born in Ireland and came to this country in the early fifties. He served three and one-half years in the Civil war, and was alderman from 1874 to 1880, representing the Eleventh ward, and also a school commissioner under the ward system. His mother was Bridget (Clarke) Behan, born in Ireland. He re- ceived his early education at the Christian Brothers' Institute, until its dissolution in 1874, and finished at public schools. He entered the office of J. H Peck in 1879, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He was appointed school commissioner in March, 1895, which position he still holds. He was married in 1893 to Miss llelen C. Peters of Troy, N. Y. He has three children.

Cheney, David N., was born in West Farnham, P. O., May 10, 1861, and is French descent. llis father, Gilbert Cheney, died in 1865. David came to Troy in 1866 and when young went to work for J. S. Toby and learned his trade with Manny & Ilardy where he remained for ten years. He started in the merchant tailoring busi- ness April 6, 1889, with Mr. Chase under the firm name of Cheney & Chase, and No- vember 12, 1889, bought out Chase and has since been in business for himself on the corner of Broadway and Fourth street. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Arba Reed Steamer Co, of which he is treasurer. lle married Elizabeth Dodge May 10, 1883. They have two sons and one daughter.

Hunt, Richard M., was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1870. He is a son of Martin Hunt, who came from Ireland when very young. He worked at his trade as stonecutter in Troy, and for thirty-five years and until his death owned and conducted an exten- sive stone entting plant at the present location. He died in 1894. His mother is Ellen (Ryan) Hunt of Troy. He received his education at the Brothers' School, from which he graduated in the class of '90, and at the St. Laurent College, near Montreal, P. O. afterwards going into business with his father in Troy, and since his father's death has had charge of the business. He is a member of the Almuni Society of the La Salle Institute and belongs to the Young Men's Catholic Club of St. Mary's church.

Jacobs, Jacob Vanstone, son of Samuel T. and Mary (Vanstone) Jacobs, was born in Troy, December 21, 1854. In 1857 he moved with his parents to Canada, where he was educated in the public schools. In 1875 he returned to Troy and engaged in the real estate and insurance business until 1895, when he was appointed deputy superin- tendent of pubhe buildings at Albany, N. Y, which position he now holds. Mr. Jacobs has been a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church of Troy for a number of years and is now secretary of the official board. He was president of the Republican Club of Troy for one year, alderman of the Fourth ward one term, and in 1893 and 1894 was chairman of the Republican County Committee of Rensselaer county. Ile is a member of the Public Safety Committee, the Troy Citizens' Association, the Pafraets Dael Club, King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No.

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91, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. 48, R. A. M., Bloss Council No. 14 R. & S. M., Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T., and Oriental Temple, Nobles of the Mystie Shrine. March 2, 1885, he married Annette D., daughter of J. W. Smith of Troy, and they have one son, J. Smith.

Searls, J. F., Valley Falls, N. Y., son of John H. and Mary (Miller) Searls, grand. son of Christopher Miller, was born September 19, 1859, at Sehaghticoke, N.Y. Hle was educated in the public schools of Schaghticoke and Troy Business College. Ile was in partnership with his brother, William H. Searls, one year in Schaghticoke in the meat business and came to Valley Falls in 1879, where he engaged in business and has been very successful, and is at present one of the largest wholesale meat dealers in Northern New York. He was married September 22, 1878, to Florence M. Starke of Valley Falls. Mr. Searls is a Republican, but has never aspired to office. He has always been a strictly temperate man. He and his wife attend and support the Methodist church. Mr. Searl owns a farm of seventy-five acres, one of the finest farms in Pittstown,

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 63

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