Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 75

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 75

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Reynolds, William Van Veghton, was born on the homestead which he now owns, it is situated near Reynolds Station, named in his honor; the residence and out- buildings are elegant and commodions, while the farm surrounding it, consisting of 350 aeres, is one of the finest in Rensselaer county, He was edneated in the public schools of Troy and other places, and graduated from the law department of the University of New York City in 1872. In early life he was a farmer. When the Boston, Hoosae Tunnel and Western Railroad was constructed he became one of the directors and secretary, and afterwards general manager of the same. He resigned from his position and accepted the responsible one of receiver of the Lebanon Springs Railroad, which position he still holds. He has been engaged in the promotion and development of various business enterprises. In his political choice he is a thorough Democrat. He has served his townsmen as justice of the peace two terms, and has represented his party as delegate to State conventions on fourteen different occasions, Ile has been a director of the old bank in Lansingburgh, also a director of the First National Bank of Mechanicsville, and is a promoter, director and secretary of Ham- ilton Shell and Iron Co. in the province of Ontario, Canada, which is the largest of the kind in the Dominion of Canada. February 9, 1895, he married Estella Carbur of Albany, N. Y. Mr. Reynolds's father, Noyes II. W., was born in Petersburgh, this county, in 1822, and was educated in the public schools, subsequently studying law and politics. He married Detica Van Veghiton of the the town of Schaghticoke, N. Y. They had one son, William Van Veghton, Mr. Reynolds died in 1871, and his wife died in 1989. Mr. Reynolds is a member of Victor Lodge No. UND P. & A. M., Montgomery Chapter No. 257, R. A. M., Apollo Commandery No. 15, Troy, K. 1., and Bloss Council No. 13, R. & S. M. The ancestry of the family is Dutch,

Hudson, Dr. F. R., after an academic education at Rockford, IL., where he was born in 1858, began at eighteen years of age medical researel at Cleveland Hospital College, now Cleveland University, and graduated in 1882 after a four years' course. Later he took a special course at Chicago in surgery and began practice at North Bennington, Vt., in 188] where he remained but a short time, then proceeded to Newton, N. J. Dr. Hudson located in Hoosick Falls eight years at the same office on Church street he now occupies; he has been eminently successful as a practi- tioner; he has been health officer for five terms and was successful during the epi- demie of diphtheria in 1890 by prompt and energetic measures in checking its rav- ages; he has also been surgeon of the Fitchburg Railroad since 1888, Dr. Undson is

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a Republican and first lieutenant in the Thirty-second Separate Co. of National Guard of the State of New York. Ile was one of the originators of the " Hoosac Club" and has since been a member of the house committee. fle was manager of the kirmess held here in 1892 under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias. Other orders of which he is a worthy member are the Masonie fraternity, Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 178, of which he was ex- alted ruler for three years, and grand exalted ruler for the State of New York in 1891.

Campion, Thomas Il., secretary of the International Shirt and Collar Co., was born at Troy, N. Y., in August, 1860. His father, Edward Campion, was born in Ireland and came to Troy and for many years was a wholesale liquor dealer on the corner of Congress and Third streets. He was supervisor of the Eighth ward two terms, and represented the Eighth ward in the Board of Aldermen in 1858. He died in :860. His mother, Ellen MeLaughlin, was born in Ireland and is still living in Troy. Thomas 11. received his education in the public schools and the Brothers' Academy and went to work in the insurance office of Jared L. Bacon & Son, and afterwards was employed as bookkeeper in the dry goods store of George W. Wilber. In 1880 he went to Richmond, Va., as bookkeeper for the Alleghany Coal and Iron Co., and in 1883 he returned to Troy and entered the shirt and collar factory of Beir- meister & Spicer as bookkeeper, and held that position after the consolidation with the United Shirt and Collar Co., and later when the International Shirt and Collar Co, was formed he became a stockholder and was elected secretary of that company, which position he now holds. He is a member of Pafraets Dael and Laureate Boat Clubs, also a member of the B. P. O. of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is now serving as one of the park commissioners of Troy, having been appointed in 1896, sneceeding George J. Brennan, who resigned. He married Mary T. Winslow of Troy, in April, 1879, daughter of the late Samuel B. Winslow. His children are Edward W. and T. Nina.

Coon, William 11., was born in Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1872. His father was George Coon, came to Troy in 1880, and was in the grocery business for several years. His mother, Arville (Johnston) Coon, was born in Albany, N. Y .. and died in 1981. William received his education in the high school and business college of Troy and was with the Wiles Laundry Co. two years, and later with Cor- liss Brothers & Co., and in February, 1895, with his brother, D. B. Coon, started the shirt and collar business under the firm name of Coon Brothers. Ile is a member of the East Side Club.

Donnelly, Dr. James Moore, was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, N. Y., October 17, 1850, and was educated in the public schools and Stamford Seminary, N. Y. Ile studied medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and was graduated in March, 1876. Ile practiced medicine one year at Stam- ford, N. Y., and for eleven years at Davenport, N. Y. In 1888 he removed to Troy, where he remained two years, and in 1890 came to Lansingburgh, where he has a successful practice. Ile is a member of the Delaware County Medical Society, also of Rensselaer County and Vicinity Association. In 1878 he married Frances M. Clark, of his native place, by whom he has two children: Bessie Edith and Harry Clark. Dr. Donnelly's father, Thomas Donnelly, was born in the north of Ireland

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in 1818, and came to the United States when a young man and located in Delaware county. He married Catherine Moore, of that county, by whom he had six children who grew to maturity: Thomas A., Elizabeth A., James M., as above, Henry Il., Sarah J., and Mary C. Mr. Donnelly died October 4, 1881, and his widow, April 20, 1892. The doctor is a member of Diamond Rock Lodge, No. 568, I. O. O. F., of Lan. singburgh, N. Y., and is proprietor of a drug store at 384 River street.

Bristol, David N., was born in the city of Troy, N. Y., October 7, 1837. He was educated in the public schools. When he attained his majority he entered the em- ploy of Gunnison & Stewart, manufacturers of collars and cuffs, as apprentice. He has devoted thirty-eight years of his life to the shirt and collar industry with different firms in the capacity of cutter to superintendent. Ile says one would hardly believe that those who commenced this great industry began with purchasing twenty-five yards of linen, making a few dozen collars and going out to find a purchaser for their goods. Undoubtedly they met with difficulties for want of experience, but the end in view was success, they hardly realizing then that it would reach such a growth as it presents to-day. Perfection has been the aim of all who engaged in this mdus . try from that time forward, in workmanship and finish. In the year 1800 he, in com - pany with his eldest son, George H1., fitted up a building at ? Second street, Lans- ingburgh, and engaged in the manufacture of custom shirts and collars, under the firm name of D. N. Bristol & Son, which business is increasing successfully. In 1860 Mr. Bristol married Miss Maria Smith, of Lansingburgh, by whom he had one son, George II. Mrs. Bristol died in 1870, and in 1871 he married for his second wife Miss Anna E. Davis, formerly of Saratoga Springs, by whom he has five children: Anna L., Julia E., David N., jr., Charles R. and Grace S. His son George 11., was married to Miss Kate Holt of Troy in 1889; they have one son, Frank R. Mr. Bristol's father, David Bristol, has been a resident of Troy for many years, he now being the only person living whose name appeared in the first directory of that city. He was born in Edinburg, Saratoga county, N. Y., November 23, 1798. He is now ninety- eight years of age and, with the exception of the loss of sight is hale and hearty, Ile was married at Sand Lake N. Y., to Mrs. Aseneth Fox Nichols, by whom he had three children: Julia ML., Sarah M. and David N. She died May 18, 1848. He afterward married Miss Grace Winnie, by whom he had one daughter, Mary. Mrs. Bristol died November 11, LESS.

Fox, Joseph, was born in Lansingburgh, N. Y., August 10, 1816. He was edu- cated in the district schools and the Lansingburgh Academy, of which he has been a trustee for many years. He was a cracker manufacturer until he retired some years ago lle first began to make crackers in the cellar of the house in which he was born, but it grew to such dimensions that he was obliged to ereet a factory on the corner of Second avenue and Sixteenth street. June 10, 1841, he married Martha W. Corbett, by whom he has had two children: Mary, who died in infancy, and Hamilton, who was a college graduate and died when in the full bloom of his young manhood, at the age of twenty-two. Mr. Fox has been trustee and president of the village of Lansingburgh; he was also a director in the Farmers' Bank of Lansing- burgh. His father, Joseph, was born in England and came to this country when a young man with his youngest sister. He married Sarah Gitcomb, by whom he has had eight children. Martha W. Fox died October 8, 1892, mourned by a devoted

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husband. Mr. Fox has led an upright life, which we and the rising generation would do well to emulate.

Galbraith, Robert, came to Troy, N. Y., in 1868, and entered the pattern making establishment of N. S. Vedder and later was engaged as draughtsman for the concern and in 1870 entered the business as a partner, the firm being the N. S. Vedder Pat- tern Works, Bascom, Galbraith & Co. ; later he retired from the firm as a member, but remained as mechanical expert and general superintendent of the works. Mr. Galbraith as an inventor is known throughout the country and his patents on heat- ing and cooking devices are innumerable. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1861 and remained until the close of the war. He belonged to the South Atlantic Squadron, participating in all the engagements around Charleston, S. C., and was at the first battle of Bull Run. He has been chaplain of Post John A. Gris- wold, G. A. R., for two years. Ile married in 1872 Rachel A. Hinchman of Water- vliet, Albany county. His children are Ella G., Robert, John P. and William II.

Galvin, Thomas F., was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1866. Ihis father, Thomas Galvin, who was born in Ireland came to this country and settled in Troy, N. Y., in 1850. lle was supervisor from 1868 to 1866, and alderman from the First ward in 1867 and 1868. He was in the grocery business on Fourth street for thirty years, and was ap. pointed special deputy county clerk in 1878, which position he now hokls. In 1861 he married Hanna (Conlon) Galvin, of Albany, N. Y. Thomas F. received his cdu- cation in the publie schools of Troy, N. Y., afterwards entering the Albany Law School, and studied in the office of Smith & Fursman for three years. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1892, and from that time carried on an extensive law practice. In 1896 a partnership was formed with John T. Norton, under the firm name of Norton & Galvin. He was married April 14, 1896, to Miss Mary McLoughlin of Lansingburgh.

Kellogg, Justin, was born in Troy, N. Y., April 18, 1845, son of Giles B. and Ad- eline K. Kellogg; the former was a prominent lawyer of Troy many years, now retired and living at ninety years of age. lle has always resided in Troy with the excep- tion of summers, when he goes to Bennington, Vermont. He was graduated at Williams College in 1865 with the degree of B. A., and in 1868 received the degree of M. A. from the same college and is now a trustee thereof. He was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1866 with the degree of LL. B. and admitted to practice at Troy the same year, and practiced with his father until 1883, who then retired from prac- tice, since which time he has practiced alone. He is corresponding secretary of the N. Y Bar Association, a member of Sons of the Revolution, president and trustee of the Troy Young Men's Association, president of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian church, president of the Board of Trustees of the Troy Academy and is the secretary of the Troy Club. In 1871 he married Mary, daughter of Frederick Leake, an old citizen of Troy. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have two children, daughter and son. In polities Mr. Kellogg is a Republican. As a lawyer, he is engaged in a general civil practice and is recognized as of the highest character and standing among the members of the bar of Troy.

Norris, Fred Il., was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., in 1864, and is a son of George E. Norris, who came from Glens Falls to Troy in 1879, and has been superintendent of

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several collar and cuff factories. In 1895 he bought an interest in the business of his son, under the firm name of F. II. & G. E. Norris. His mother was Ann M. Haviland, daughter of Roger Haviland, at one time one of the largest land owners of Glens Falls. Fred HI. was educated in the public schools and Lansingburgh Academy, and afterwards worked in the collar and cuff factory of J. K. Pine, and was later with the firms of Miller, Hall & Hartwell, and Holmes & Ide. In 1892 he bought the interest of J. A. Leggett in the manufacturing company, and the firm was changed to Wooster & Norris, which continued until 1895, when Mr. Wooster sold his interest and the firm became F. Il. & G. E. Norris. This firm invented a patent turning machine, by which great economy is seenred in the manufacture and greater uniformity in the goods. July 7, 1896, a stock company was formed, called the Norris Company. The officers are George E. Norris, president; A. H. Chad- wick, vice-president; and F. II. Norris, secretary, treasurer and general manager. F. Il. Norris is a member of King Solomon Lodge F. & A M. In 1889 he married Laura P. Jacobs of Troy, a niece of the late Jacob Jacobs, a prominent Mason of Troy. They have one son George 11.

Draper, William IL., was born in Rochdale, Worcester county, Mass., June 2-1, 1841, and came to Troy with his parents when about five years of age. He obtained his education in the public schools. In 1856 he became a clerk and teller in the Farmer's Bank at Lansingburgh, until August 1, 1861. He then entered the employ of a firm in Schenectady until 1869, since which time he has been manufacturing braided sash cords, fish lines and wire picture cords. Ilis son, Andrew L., was taken in as a partner under the firm name of S. Draper & Son, which has continued successfully. Mr. Draper is a trustee and treasurer of the Westminster Presbyterian church of Troy; he is also director and the treasurer of the Boutwell Milling and Grain Co., of Troy. November 15, 1861, he married Magdalene Livingston, by whom three children have been born, Andrew L., Edward E., and Bessie M. Andrew L. married Mary R. Thompson of Lockport, N. Y. The first of the family of Drapers was one James Draper, who came from England in the year 1620. The ancestry of the family is English and Scotch.

Platt, Frederic T., was born in West Stockbridge, Mass., in 1864. He is the son of Chules S. Plut who was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from West Stockbridge, Mass., in 1861, and died at Great Barrington, Mass., in March, 1896. His mother, Mary M. (Tobey) Platt, is the daughter of Captain Tobey of West Stock- bridge, Mass. lle received hiseducation at Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., entered the employ of Pratt & Whitney and served an apprenticeship as a machinist and draughtsman. He came to Troy in 1889 and was employed by the Richardson Estate as dranghtsman, and two years later took a position with the Ludlow Valve Co, as clerk and was afterwards traveling salesman for that concern. In 1891 he joined C. F. Crosby in the shirt manufacturing business under the firm name of C. F. Crosby & Co., of which he is treasurer. This firm has six branch manufacturing establishments at Mechanieville Port Henry, Plattsburgh, and Keysville, all of New York State, Fair Haven, Vt., and Orange, Mass. He was married to Annie Sher- man, daughter of William Sherman, in 1894, and they have one son.

Townsend, Rufus Martin, was born in Troy, N. Y., October 27, 1858. He is a son

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of Rufus Marsh Townsend, who was born in Hancock, Berkshire county, Mass., in 1806, and practiced law in Troy all his life. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1887, he was the oldest lawyer in practice in the county. Ile was a brother of the well known lawyer, Martin I. Townsend. His wife, mother of our subject, was Cornelia (Roessle) Townsend, who was born in Albany, N. Y., and died in 1884. Rufns M. received his early education at a private school, afterwards having a tutor four years. Ile studied law with Townsends & Browne of Troy, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar November 21, 1828. In 1888 he formed a copartnership with his father, which continued until the death of the latter. Ile was appointed United States Circuit Court commissioner April 2. 1590. Since 1887 he has been attorney for the Police and Excise Boards of the city of Troy. Ile is prominently connected with the National Guard of the State. At present he is first heutenant of the Twelfth Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y. Ile is also a member of the Troy and East Side Clubs of the city and the United Service Club of New York city. Ile is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and secretary and treasurer of the Troy Chapter thereof ; also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Society of the Colonial Wars, and the New York and Philadelphia Societies of the war of 1-12. Ile was married to Harriet Goodspeed of Troy, N. Y., December 24, 1-59. In poli- ties he is a staunch Republican. Since his admission to the bar he has carried on a general practice in the courts of the State and is recognized an an able all around jawyer.

King, Harvey J., now one of the senior members of the bar of Rensselaer county, was born in Jonesville, Saratoga county, July 16, 1524, and was the youngest son of Roger and Christina King. The family came originally from Ugborough, Devon- shire, England, from which place his ancestor, William King, came about the year 1650 with his two sons, James and William, to New England, and settled first in Ipswich, Mass. Later, and in 1678, his ancestor, James King, removed to Suffield, Conn., of which town he was one of the original proprietors and settlers. His father. Roger King, was born there in 1771 and resided there until 1795, when he removed to this State. Harvey J. King was graduated at Union College in 1945 with two college honors, ranking among the first in a class of ninety-eight in number, one of whom was Chester .A. Arthur In 131 he received the degree of A. M. Immedi- ately upon leaving college he came to Troy to complete his law studies, in which he had already made considerable progress, and henceforth to make that city his home. For over two years he was a student in the office of the late Judge Gould ard Ilon. Job S. Olin, and having been admitted to the bar, he commenced the practice of law in 1850. Mr. King formed a partnership with the late John A. Millard, which continued until the death of that gentleman in 1969. During all those years the business of his firm was very extensive and important. In 1954 Mr. King was ap- pointed city attorney, which office he filled for a full term in a manner alike credit- able to himself and satisfactory to the public. In 1567, the United States bankruptcy law having been enacted, he was by Chief-Justice Chase appointed register in bank- ruptey for the Congressional district embracing Rensselaer and Washington coun- ties, and held that responsible position for the ensuing twelve years, and until the repeal of the law. In 1871 he was elected trustee of Union College, and at the expi- ration of his first term was re-elected, and served for a second term of four years.

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He had previously for several years been president of the Union College Alumni Association of Troy and vicinity, and always an active friend of the college. In 1865 he was elected a trustee of the Troy Orphan Asylum which office he still holds. Hle has also for a still longer period been a member of the board of trustees of the Troy Academy. At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861 he was among the foremost in the matter of procuring enlistments and filling the local regiments, and until the close of the war in every way manifested his earnest desire for the triumph of the cause of freedom and his deep sympathy for its noble defenders in the field. As a consequence of his undeviating courses, when the "Draft Riots" occurred in 1863, his house was one of those designated in advance for destruction by the mob which sacked the office of the Troy Daily Times, and destroyed the furniture and nearly demolished the residence of Hon. Martin 1. Townsend, who was his near neighbor. Notice of their design had been given to Mr. King several hours previ- ously, a kindly warning from others who knew and desired to thwart their plans, and his family was consequently sent out of the city for safety; but Mr. King, with large numbers of other loyal citizens, remained on the ground. The arrival of a military force on the scene caused the mob to scatter before their designs could be accomplished. During the last two years of the war he spent much of his time and labored devotedly as chairman of the Troy branch of the United States Christian Commission, an organization embracing large numbers of the best and most liberal citizens of Troy and its vicinity, as well as the best and most patriotic citizens of the United States, who not only gave freely in money and supplies, but also their per- sonal service in camps and hospitals, for the relief and comfort of sick and wounded soldiers. Though not born in Proy, Mr. King is very closely identified with the city, his father having resided in it for twenty-five years, having become a citizen here in 1995. He married, in 1851, Ellen B. L. Bayeux, a granddaughter of Jacob D. Van- derheyden, the "patroon," of Troy, and once the owner of its present site. He has two living children: a son, Edwin A. King, and a daughter, Mrs. Wilham S. Ken- nedy. Mr. King is now senior member of the law firm of King & King, his partner being his son Edwin A. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its staunchest supporters.

Wolkyns, Tom S., was born in Troy in 1852. His father, George Dana Wotkyns. was born in Walpole, N. 11., and came to Troy in 1815; he formed a copartnership with Joseph Stack pole, and entered the wholesale and retail coal business under the firm name of Stackpole & Wotkyns. He was vice-president of the State Bank and supervisor of Troy, and died in 1881. llis wife, Sabra A. (Stevens) Wotkyns, was born in Plainfield, N. Il., and died in 1891. Mr. Wotkyns, subject of this sketch, received a common school and academic education, afterwards attending the R. P. 1., subsequently going into the coal business with O. E. Van Zile as partner in 1875, and in 1883 he bought Mr. Van Zile's interest in the business and was alone until 1893, when he took a partner, 1. Il. Williamson, the firm being known as Tom S. Wotkyns & Co. In 1891 John M. House also became a partner. He is a director in the State Bank. In 1893 he married Blanche J. Bruce, born in Troy. Mr. Wotkyns is a Mason, being a member of Mt. Zion Lodge, Apollo Chapter, Bloss Council, the Mystie Shrine, and has attained the 32d degree in Masonry. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the Troy Club, Pafraets Dael Club, and the Manhattan Club of New York

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city. In politics he has always been independent, votmg for the best man in his opinion.

Morrill, William W., was born in Gilmanton, N. IL, August 31 1851. His father, Josiah R. Morrill, is living. His mother, whose maiden name, was Filinda Week, died in March, 1895. Mr. Morrill can trace back his English and New England, ancestry to an unusual extent. He is of the eighth degree of descent from Abraham Morrill, who came from England about 1632, and settled in either Maine or New Hampshire; and of the seventh degree from Leonard Weeks, who came from Suffolk county, England, as early as 1655. A curious circumstance in the his- tory of this family is that Captain Samuel Weeks, a son of Leonard, erected abont 1710, at Greenland, near Portsmouth, N. IL., a residence known as the " Brick House," which has been handed down continuously from father to son and so occu- pied, at least until 1889, at which time it was owned and occupied by Robert B. Weeks, of the fifth generation from the builder. Mr. Morrill was prepared for col- lege at the New Hampton (N. II.) Literary Institution, entered Dartmouth College in 1870, and was graduated in 1874. After teaching awhile elsewhere, he came to Troy in 1877, having accepted a position as instructor in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which he retained until 1882. Meantime he had entered npon and com- pleted a law clerkship, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1880, since which time he has been in the continuous practice of his profession in Troy. He has no specialty in law practice. During the incumbency of Shepard Tappen as sheriff of Rensselaer county, Mr. Morrill was retained as his legal adviser in matters pertain- ing to that office. He is general counsel for several estates and corporations, many of which latter he assisted in organizing. His services are quite frequently sought as referee, and he has acted as such in several important litigations. Ile has never taken any active part in polities; though quite often retained professionally in what may be styled political litigation. During the carlier years of his practice he pub- lished two law text books, "Competency and Privilege of Witnesses," and "City Negligence." He has recently supervised the preparation of the series of law re- ports known as "American Electrical Cases." Mr. Morrill was married in 1876 to Nina M. L., daughter of Col. William E. Lewis, of Norwich, VI.

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 75

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