Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 73

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 73

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).

Snyder, James M., was born in Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, N. Y., July 21, 1845. Ilis parents moved to Troy when he was a young boy, and he was educated in the public schools. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 125th N. Y. Vols,, was made prisoner at Harper's Ferry under General Miles, and was paroled. Ile afterwards served in the department of the Army of the Potomac, and was honorably discharged at the elose of the war. He returned to Troy, N. Y., and entered the employ of the Chamberlain Coach Manufactory of North Troy, and after two years entered the employ of Dusenbury & Anthony, wholesale dealers in coffee and spices, with whom he remained ten years He has held different positions in the post-office in Troy for seventeen years. He has been in the employ of Earl & Wilson, collar and cuff man- ufacturers, for the past ten years and superintendent six years. He has married twice, first in 1866, to Elizabeth Hardy of Troy; they had two children, Harry H. and Elizabeth R. Harry 11. married Mamie Bagley of Troy, and is inspector in the laundry department of Earl & Wilson. Mrs. Snyder died in 1883, and for his second wife, in July, 1886, he married Helen L. Colden, of Lansingburgh, N. Y., and they have two children, Arthur C. and Katherine L. He is a member of Jerusalem Lodge No. 855, F. & A. M. and has been its master two years; he is also a member of Will- iam B. Tibbitts Post No. 141 G. A. R. and at different times has been its commander for four years. The ancestry of this family is German and English.

Hart, William Howard, was born in Troy in November, 1820, and was the oldest son of Richard P. Hart, one of the most successful merchants Troy ever produced, who accumulated a large estate and left a large family. When twelve years of age William Howard Hart was placed in the school of George W. Francis, one of the most celebrated teachers of that day. Here the foundation of a fine education was laid. In 1837 Mr. Hart went to Canada, where he was placed under the instruction of Father Migneau, where he remained one year. In 1838, in company with E. Thompson Gale, he made a tour of the United States, and the year following both began a two years' trip through Europe, Asia and Africa In 1845 Mr. Hart married Mary E., daughter of Jacob 1. Lane, who survives him. He was always promi- nently identified with the business interests of Troy, and as a publie-spirited citizen he was counted among the best that Troy ever produced. He spent his business life in the care of the large estate left by his father and in the care of his mother's estate, which he conducted under her supervision up to the time of his death. His mother's estate was very large, aggregating several millions. He was also a director of the Troy City Bank, a trustee of the Troy Savings Bank and a director of the local rail- roads. He was deeply versed in the literature of the day and a most genial com- panion in social life. He never cared to assume the duties of a political position, but the city of his nativity was his pride and its every onward step in the march of commercial progress gave him unbounded delight. Within his bosom there beat a heart so warm and true that men were proud of his acquaintance and jealous of his friendship. To the friendless and unfortunate he was ever kind, and many young orphans of Troy were often made glad through his bounty.

Kelly, John P., was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1860. His father, Patrick Kelly, was

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born in Ireland, came to this country and settled in North Greenbush, N. Y. For many years he took contracts, he afterwards was assistant superintendent of the Troy Gas Light Co. He went to the public school in the town of North Greenbush and afterwards studied law with Thomas Neary of Troy. le then learned the mouldler's trade and worked at that for some time. He was admitted to the practice of law from the office of Judge Strait, and with the late Judge Robertson and Sam- uel Foster under the firm name of Robertson, Foster & Kelly, which continued until January 1, 1888, when he having been appointed assistant district attorney by the Hon. L. E. Griffith, left the firm and was afterward appointed district attorney by Governor Hill to fill a vacaney caused by the promotion of L. E. Griffith to the office of county judge. He was elected distriet attorney in 1890 and re-elected in 1892, and he is now serving his second term. He was attorney for the Board of Super- visors in 1886. He was president of the Young Men's Catholic Literary Association, when it was the leading young men's association of the kind in Northern New York. He is now a member of the firm of Foster, Kelly & Isenbergh.

Marsh, Peletiah J., was born in the town of Grafton, Rensselaer county, N. Y., September 14, 1829, and came to the town of Brunswick with his parents, when a boy, where he was educated in the district schools, and prepared for college with the Rev. John Smith. He was graduated from Union College in 1853. In the year 1858 he came to Troy, N. Y., and entered the Troy Cordage Co., until the war was com- menced. He was then actively engaged in many ways in connection with supplying the government with war material in connection with George C. Strong, who had charge of the Arsenal horses, hay, oats, etc. His first marriage was to Eliza A. Bailey, and had one son, James P., who is a physician in the city of Troy. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Bailey, and had one daughter, Lucy, and for his third wife he married Selia E. Tracy, of Parma, Monroe county, N. Y., and had two children, a daughter and a son. Ada, who is a graduate of Lascelles College, Au- burndale, Mass., and George T., who is a junior in Yale University. Mr. Marsh's father was Prentiss W., who was born in Hebron, Conn., in 1800. He married Laura Filley, of Petersburgh. They had two children: Lucy A. and Peletiah J. The family are members of the Westminster Presbyterian church. In his political choice he is a Democrat. His son George 'T. is a member of the celebrated Henley Crew of 1896. They trace the ancestry to Salem, Mass., to 1635, English and Welsh. Mr. Marsh is a real estate dealer with his office in Albany, N. Y.

Gooding, Mrs. Charlotte S., widow of the late Iliram M. Gooding, was Charlotte S. Fenton, daughter of Zalmon Fenton, who died in 1882 at the advanced age of eighty-five. He was born in the town of Jackson in 1797, son of Benjamin and Anna Wells Fenton, from whom he inherited a vigorous constitution. Ile also possessed a shrewd business policy, and, although thrown on his own resources, made a finan- cial success. Ile married in 1823 Pamela Hickok, by whom he had eight children and all lived to witness the celebration of the golden wedding of their parents. He conducted the Fenton House at Cambridge many years and was familiarly known as " Uncle Zal," and by his cheerful disposition and kind and generous nature his memory will live in the hearts of both young and old. Only one sister of the twelve children of his father's family survived him. Mrs. Gooding was left at the death of her husband with six children: Mary Amelia, Julia Parnell, Hetty Maria,

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Walter Cyrus, Emily J., and Edna Sidelia. One infant son died in 1871 aged six months.

Ennis, George II., was born in Albany, N. Y., October 11, 1844. He is the son of William Ennis, who was born in Troy and for many years was an inventor in Now York city, and died in 1880. His mother's name was Elizabeth Roderick of Albany, now dead many years. His grandmother's name was Esther Orr, a sister of Alex- ander, William and David Orr, of Albany and Troy, who died a few years ago at an advanced age. George II. received his education in public schools and entered the College of the City of New York, and was afterwards a bookkeeper for Rufus Hatch on Wall street. Ile later came to Troy and entered the employ of Orrs & Co. where he remamed until 1883, when he entered the firm of McLeod, Reardon & Co., after- wards Reardon & Ennis, and the concern was incorporated and name changed to the Troy Sheet Metal Co. He was president of the Crown Horse Nail Co., which closed business in 1893, and he is an inventor among other things of a hat felting machine, paper engine, ventilator and power ventilation system, high tension dynamie electro-motors; several inventions for household uses, as round dust pan, ventilated dinner pail, ice cream freezers, gas engines, &c. He is an associate mem- ber of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers and one of the managers of the Troy Scientifie Association, and served in the N. Y. National Guard, 22d Regt., and was in the Gettysburg Campaign. He is P C. of Post Griswold G. A. R., and belongs to Apollo Lodge, F. & A. M. Was secretary of Electric Manufacturing Co., manufac- turers of electric instruments; also secretary of Rollason Gas Engine Co. ; was also president of Master Builders' Exchange of Troy. He was married to Jessie Ferguson in 1872. She was a graduate of the Willard Seminary. They have one son and a daughter.

Averill, James Knox, was born in Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., October 12, 1816, and is the son of James Gill Averill and Clarissa Sluyter. He is lineally descended in the fifth generation from Isaac Averill, the original Puritan emigrant, who settled in Topsfield, Mass. Mr. Averill married Rebecca Jane, daughter of John 1. Davis, of Warren, Pa., February 4, 1886. He entered Yale College in 1865, but temporary illness and straitened finances interrupted his studies and induced him to teach school at Berlin, N. Y. In 1867 he entered Columbia Law School, graduating two years later, and was admitted to the bar in Troy. From 1869 to 1873 he prac- ticed in New York. in connection with his brother, Horatio F. Averill, and Hon. Thomas Allison; from 1878 to 1877 he practiced alone; while from 1877 to 1883 he practiced in Troy in partnership with the late Hon. Albert E. Wooster, then district attorney of Rensselaer county. Since 1884 he has practiced alone in New York city, where he has been the attorney in many cases of great importance. In recent years Mr. Averill has spent much time and money in the development of that part of his native town now known as Averill Park. In May, 1895, he organized a syn- dicate of Troy capitalists and built so much of the Troy and New England Railroad as is located between Troy and Averill Park. He has since conveyed more than 300 acres of his holdings there to the Averill Park Land Improvement Company. From 1877 to 1880 Mr. Averill was somewhat active in Joeal polities, and as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in 1879 the resolutions adopted by the conven-

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tion were, in the main, prepared by him. He has never been a candidate for public office.

Finder, jr., William, M. D., was born October 11, 1855, second of eleven children born to William and Martha Finder, who came from Germany in 1853. Dr. Finder was educated in the common schools and Troy Academy, and began the study of medicine with Dr. William S. Cooper; in 1879 entered the medical department of Columbia College, and was graduated in 1882 with the degree of M. D. June 15, 1882, he was graduated from the Long Island College Hospital with the degree of M. D. In the latter institution he was instructor in histology and pathology. Ile began the practice of his profession in Troy in 1883, and has been successful. Ile is a member of the New York State Medical Association, of which he was one of the organizers, a member of the Rensselaer County Medical Society, and was one of the organizers and has been president of the Medical Society of Troy and Vicinity: is a member of the Troy Scientific Association, the Troy Microscopical Society, and of the Medical Board of the Troy Hospital, of which he is pathologist and bacteriologist, and is instructor in physiology and hygiene in Troy Academy. He is a 32 Mason, a member of all the Masonic bodies of Troy, the Albany Consistory, and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also the Laureate Boat, lonic, and Pafraets Dael Clubs. Ile is medical examiner for several insurance companies. In 1882 he married Elva A. De Freest of Troy, who bore him two children, Elva and Martha (twins), who died young. Mrs. Finder was principal of the Third Ward Intermediate School before her marriage. Dr. Finder is a Republican; he attends the First Presbyterian church, and his wife is a member of the State Street M. E. church.

Van Schoonhoven, William II., son of Jacob Lansing and Mary Jane (Haight) Van Schoonhoven, was born in Troy, N. Y., August 25, 1849, and descends from an old and honored Holland family. His father, Jacob L., married, first, Harriet M. Yvonnet, of French descent, who died August 1, 1842; second, Mary Jane Haight, who died February 19, 1858; and third, Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. John Chester, one of the carly presidents of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His children were Harriet M., James, Jane, Elizabeth (deceased), Francis Y., Mary, William 11., Elizabeth I. (deceased), Alida 1., and Lansing. William II. Van Schoonhoven was boru in Troy, August 25, 1819, was educated at the Troy Academy and at private schools in Westchester, N. Y., and was graduated from Vale College in 1850. He read law with Gale & Alden of Troy, was admitted to the bar in January, 1874, and since practiced his profession in his native city. He is a director of the Central National Bank and the Samaritan Hospital, a trustee of the Second Street Presby- terian church, and a member of the board of managers and house committee of the Troy Club.

Abbott, Joseph J., was born in Amsterdam in 1834. He learned the business of wagon and carriage building in Pittstown, and started in business in 1860. lle came to Lansingburgh in 1871, where he started in business for himself, engaging in the manufacture of carriages. Mr. Abbott employs power in his business and does all parts of the work, not employing any of the common machine parts in his business at all. Ilis work has a reputation all through the vicinity. Ile married HIelen Ives, by whom six children have been born: Josephine, Jennie L., F. Van Celia, William J., Charles II., and Bertha.

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Angeleum, Timothy F., was born in Albany county, December 20, 1859, Ile is a son of Timothy and Catherine (Cron) Angeleum, who came from Ireland to this country in 1837. He died in 1888 and his wife is living in Albany county, and is a sister of Terrenee Cron, a prominent man in Ireland and a great friend of Daniel ()'Connell. Timothy F. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1871 and went as fireman of a locomotive on the New York Central railroad for about five years, when he went to elerk in a dry goods store and later sold goods for the mills in Cohoes, and also took the entire product of the G. A. Hubbard factory of ladies' nuderwear and sold on commission for twelve years, and during that time never lost an account. In 1892 he formed a partnership with C. R. Ralston who have since manufactured ladies' waists, wrappers, etc., under the firm name of T. F. Angelen & Co. They have a factory in Voorheesville, where they employ eighty people. In 1885 he married Kitty Noonan, of Troy.

Allendorph, William P .. was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1850. He is of Holland Dutch descent. William Allendorph, sr., was born in Troy, and died in 1886. His mother was Mary E. (Simmons) Allendorph. Ile received his education in the pub- lie schools, took a course in the R. P. 1., and became connected with the National Bank of Troy in 1883 as bookkeeper; five years later he was made teller, and in April, 1896, was elected cashier, which position he now holds. He married, in 1873, Miss Anna Lape of Troy, N. Y.

Frezon, jr., Wilham H., was born in Schodack, July 7, 1867. He was a son of William II. and Catherine (Litch) Frezon, he born in Schodack in 1836. The father of Mr. Frezon was a carpenter and stonemason by trade. He has also followed farming, but now lives a retired life. Ile has been commissioner and tax collector. Mrs. Frezon died November 5, 1886. Mr. Frezon was reared and educated in Scho- dack, and is an engineer and machine tender for Engles & Co., who manufacture heavy building boards in Castleton, N. Y. January 17, 1869, he married Annie Lenhard of Schodack, by whom have been born three children: Jennie, Minnie and Edward, Mr. Frezon is a member of Shadyside Lodge No. 221, 1. O. O. F. He has been inspector and trustee of the Union Free School of Schodack, N. Y. He now owns twenty-eight acres of land, which was once owned by Tobias J. Woodbeck, who is now buried in the place, and was also owned by the grandfather and father of Mr. Frezon. The grandparents of Mr. Frezon were Barent Frezon and Elida (Hawes) Frezon, both born in Schodack. The father of Barent was John, a son of Peter Frezon, who came from France to Ghent, Columbia county, N. Y.

Brenner, Fred G., born in Germany, October 18, 1860, came to America with his parents, who settled in Elmira, where he was educated in the public schools. He entered the office of the Husbandman and learned the printer's trade and afterward was placed in charge of the mechanical department of the Elmira Free Press, which was consolidated with the Elmira Gazette, after a two years' existence. In 1882 he left newspaper work, having received an appointment from Lieutenant-Governor Hill (he was the latter's first appointee). He remamed at the capitol in Albany three years, acting as Mr. Hill's private messenger, and then engaged in the hotel business. He was at the Brunswick Hotel in Albany three years, when he accepted a clerkship at the Mansion House, Troy. He was subsequently with the Troy

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House until 1893, when he opened his present restaurant. Ile is a member of the German Hall Association, the Maennerchor Singing Society, the Turn Verein, King Solomon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. IS, R A. M., Clinton Lodge No. 7, 1. O. O. F., and New York Encampment No. 1, I. O. O. F. In the fall of 1895 Mr. Brenner was elected alderman of the Second ward on the Dem- ocratie ticket. lle was married at Albany, April 25, 1888, to Mary E. MeDonald, and they have one son: Louis HI.

Ilimes, George H., son of Joseph and Margaret (Betts) Hinies, was born in Troy August 1, 1866, received his education in the public schools aud learned the trade of stove mounter. He worked for Fuller, Warren & Co. nine years, leaving them in 1890 to accept a position in the Watervliet gun foundry. While there he worked for the Morgan Engineering Company, erecting a crane, of which he has been given full charge. Mr. Himes is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13, F. & A. M., Apollo Chapter No. 48, R. A. M., Bloss Council No. 14, R. & S. M., Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T., and the Watervliet Mutual Aid Association, and was at one time captain of Hope Steamer Company.

Livingston, William, son of John and Christina (Alexander) Livingston, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 21, 185-1, and was graduated from the Polytechnic In- stitute of Glasgow in 1872. lle then engaged in the sewed muslin business with Gibson Brothers, where he remained until he came to America in 1878. His first employment here was with Daniel & Sonsof New York city. Ile met during that year James B. Ilall, who offered him a position in Troy, which he accepted, but he remained with Mr. Hall only nine months, when he accepted a position with William HI. Frear, with whom he still continues. In 1895 he also mterested himself in the Star dry goods store of Troy. Mr. Livingston is a member of Diamond Rock Council, I. O. O. F., of Lansingburgh and Trojan Council No. 86, R. A. He was the organizer of Troy Council National Union, and is a member of the Republican Club and Troy Yacht Club. In 1877 he married Jane V., daughter of Matthew Thompson, of Glasgow, Scotland, and they have three children: John, Edwin Frear, and Dorothy S.

Skillman, E. A .- The late William J. Skillman was born in Kingston, N. J., Feb- ruary 9, 1802, and was educated in the schools of that early day and came to Lans- mgburgh about 1423. In 1895 he married Catherine Wickware; by whom have been boru nine children: Sarah C., William 11., Ellen C., Frances A., Edward A., John J., Charles E., Albert W., and George E. Edward A. is foreman in a brush factory. William Il., on account of ill health, has retired from business. Edward A. is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 58, F. & A. M., and was also master of the lodge for two years, and is a member of Phoenix Chapter No. 133, R. A. M., and held the office of high priest for four years. Ile is also a member of Bloss Council No. 14, R. & S. M., of Troy, of Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T., and of the Masonic Vet- eran Association, and was its grand marshal.

Van Pelt, E. A. and F. R .- Eugene Van Pelt, born in Lansingburgh, January 22, 1845, is the son of Daniel N. and Malissa (Gardner) Van Pelt, and Daniel N., a son of Christopher and Hannah Van Pelt, and he a son of Daniel who came from Trenton, N. J., and was one of the first overseers of highways of the town of Brunswick. llis children were Christopher, Sally Ann, Rachael, Rebecca, Lydia. Christopher's chil-

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dren were Daniel N., Judd A., George H. He was the first man in Brunswick to raise potatoes for market; he planted ten acres, which was considered a poor ven- ture by his neighbors. Daniel N. spent his early life on the farm where he married and moved to Lansingburgh where he was interested in navigation between Lan- singburgh and New York city, also owned several boats. Ile has been president of Lansingburgh, highway commissioner, also supervisor of the town of Brunswick and justiee of peace. His children were Warren C., Eugene A., Sarah E., Franklin N., and Stephen Il. Eugene A. spent his early life on a farm. He was associated with his father in business until his death August 4, 1881, since which time he has con- tinued the business of farming, also deals in agricultural implements and wagons. September 24, 1868, he married Maria, daughter of Henry J. Abbott, and has one child, Daniel Henry. His second wife was Emma Abbott. Eugene A. is actively interested in the town and county affairs. He has been highway commissioner and member of the Board of Health. He is active in school, church, religion, and Sun- day school work. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., and Phoe- nix Chapter No. 133, Apollo Commandery No. 15, and Oriental Shrine of Troy. Judd A. spent his early life on the farm. His early education was received in the district school but through his own exertions he qualified himself as a surveyor and civil engineer, also worked as a carpenter, cider manufacturing and blacksmith and has surveyed most of the town of Brunswick. March 18, 1851, he married Catherine, daughter of Peter and Catherine Roraback, and has one child, Franklin R. He was active in town and county affairs, also the church. He was justice of the peace six- teen years and member of the Board of Health many years and has acted in a legal capacity for estates, ete. Franklin R spent his early life on the old homestead with his father in his business until his death November 29, 1893, since which time he has had entire charge of it. He is public spirited and is interested in all affairs of his town and county,

Weaver, James H., was born in Lansingburgh, N. Y., November 9, 1831. Ile was educated in the common schools and in the Lansingburgh Academy. Ile followed boating on the Hudson and James rivers for twenty-three years. On the Jamies river he was employed by the government transporting soldiers and munitions of war. He has been a grocery merchant for twenty years. In the year 1855 he mar- ried Mary C. Noves of this place. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 58, F. & A. M. of Lansingburgh, and is treasurer of the lodge. He is a member of Phoenix Chapter No. 133, R. A. M., and has been master of Phoenix Lodge. His family is one of the oldest here. The Noyes family are also identified with early settlers of the county. The ancestry of the family is Dutch. (See full account of Weaver family in another article.)

Y'ates, William B., born in Oneida county, N. Y., July 18, 1869, is a son of Mont- gomery and Caroline L. (Brown) Yates, both born in Pittstown, N. Y., he in 1819 and she in 1818. The grandfather of William was Jacob P., a native of England and early came to Pittstown and here lived and died. The father of William was a farmer by occupation, His father was a teacher and large real estate owner. lle was a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A. M. He died in 1881 and his wife died in 1888. They had a family of six sons and two daughters, of whom six are living ; J. P., of Pittstown; Mary N., at home; 11. Adell, at home; Montgomery, of

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Pellston; William B., and Gilbert. William was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Wilson's Academy of Troy, N. Y. He is a farmer and also a contractor and builder. He is a member of Victor Lodge No. 680, F. & A M., and Phoenix Chapter No. 133 R. A. M., Bloss Council No. 14 of Troy, and Apollo Commandery No. 15 of Troy. He is also a member of the Reymertown Lodge No. 672, 1. O. O. F., a charter member. William was married June 8, 1892, to Altha C. Eddy, of Brunswick, N. Y., daughter of Willard and Elizabeth (Smith) of Brunswick. The family attend the Presbyterian church.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 73

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