USA > New York > Noted living Albanians and state officials. A series of biographical sketches > Part 13
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William Hutt was one of the pioneer expressmen and was connected with its interests up to the time of his death in 1889.
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JAMES W. HUTT.
James W. Hutt, the subject of this sketch was born on the 16th of August, 1846, at Sharon Springs, Schoharie county, N. Y., both of his parents being natives of that place. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary E. Sharp, is still living in the old homestead. There, their son James passed his childhood and youth, and when of suitable age, was sent to the district school of his native place. He after- ward became a pupil in the Waverville academy, where he spent several terms in acquiring a good education in the elementary branches, such as were most suitable for a young man contemplating a practical business career. On leaving the academy young Hutt was naturally inclined to become an expressman like his father, and uncle, who was a pioneer expressman and stage proprietor on the Pacific coast. Ac- cordingly, in 1862, at the age of sixteen he went to Schenec - tady and began such a course of life in the American Ex- press Company in that city - an occupation which he has never since relinquished. He remained two years in Schenectady, devoting himself with faithfulness, energy and success to the various duties daily devolving upon him. In 1864 he went to New York city where he continued about seven years, gaining an experience, amidst the busy, stirring scenes of the metropolis, which has been of great advantage to him in later years. There he learned the nature and requirements of his calling and became perfectly familiar with all its details. He was also engaged for some time on the reportorial staff of the New York Times. His capability and efficiency in the performance of his duty were to be subsequently rewarded by well-merited promotions. In the fall of 1870, at the request of Hon. Joseph H. Ramsey he came to Albany and ac- cepted the position of superintendent of the express
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department of the old Susquehanna railroad, of which Mr. Ramsey was then president. Two years later he became connected with the National Express Company as superin- tendent. In 1883 he was appointed general superintendent of the same company, having in charge its entire lines, a position which he still holds, discharging its duties with much credit to himself and no little advantage to the com- pany. He is vice-president and general manager of the New England Dispatch Express, reaching from Boston to a great number of points in New England. He is also vice- president of the Adirondack Express Company, which is now doing a large business, especially in northern New York. He is one of the eight members of the Joint Traffic committee, a very useful organization which represents the express companies of the United States, and acts in concert for their common interests.
Mr. Hutt is a great admirer of the beauty and grandeur of the Adirondack region, and has taken a deep interest in making it still more easily accessible to the summer tourist. In 1889 he was elected president of the Adirondack Stage Company, whose route extends from North Creek, at the terminus of the Adirondack railroad, to Blue Mountain lake, a distance of twenty-nine miles, reaching the heart of the Adirondacks. The drive over this line in one of the Tally-Ho coaches is one of the most interesting and roman- tic of any in that healthful, inspiring region.
On attaining his majority Mr. Hutt united himself with the Democratic party, to whose success he has ever since been faithfully devoted, without a desire of securing for himself any political emoluments.
He is a member and staff officer of the Burgesses Corps, Boston Light Infantry Veteran Corps, the Odd Fellows
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JAMES W. HUTT.
society, the Fort Orange club, the Albany club, Manhattan Athletic club of New York, a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Round Lake association, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Slingerlands, where he resides.
In 1869 he married Emma L. De Noyelles of Schoharie, and has a family of four children, one boy, James W., Jr., and three girls, Emma, Edith and Dorothy.
In his personal appearance Mr. Hutt is of the ordinary height, with a rather broad physique, a sound, vigorous con- stitution, which shows a careful physical training in youth. He is of a cheerful, hopeful disposition, an agreeable com- panion, cordial and gentlemanly in his manners. He is very methodical in his work, and possesses a grasp of mind which is capable of accomplishing with comparative ease and accu- racy the numberless and often perplexing details in his daily official business. Calmness, energy and perseverance are marked traits in his character. Admirably fitted by natural tastes and long training for his special life-long calling, no official of our express companies more worthily or efficiently fills the office ; and his highest aim has always been to serve with the best of his ability the interests of the public in his chosen field of operation.
JAMES BARCLAY JERMAIN.
VENERABLE Albanian, whose name will be cher- ished by thousands of his fellow-citizens as a noble philanthropist, long after he shall have passed from the scenes and activities of earth, is James Barclay Jermain. His career as a benefactor to his race affords a happy illustration of what is true, spiritual and beautiful in Christianity. Fa- vored with large pecuniary means he has not been slow to use money liberally in such ways as he believes to be effective in accomplishing the greatest amount of good to the larg- est number of individuals in elevating them socially, intel- lectually and morally.
He was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., on the 13th of August, 1809. His father, Silvanus P. Jermain, was a na- tive of Sag Harbor, Long Island ; but in 1802, removed to Albany, where he became successful in mercantile business, and accumulated a large property. He was, moreover, a man highly esteemed and respected for his many sterling qualities. The mother of James Barclay Jermain was Catharine Barclay, a pious and excellent lady, daughter of James and Janet Elizabeth Barclay, natives of Scotland. They emigrated to this country at an early day, and made Albany their permanent home. Losing his mother when he was but seven years of age, young Jermain was placed in
MOSSENG. CO.NY.
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JAMES B. JERMAIN.
the family of his uncle, the Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime, D. D., a distinguished Presbyterian minister of Cambridge, Wash- ington county, N. Y., and for some time principal of the flourishing academy there. Dr. Prime was the father of the late S. Irenaeus Prime, D. D., of the New York Observer, and grandfather of the Rev. Wendell Prime, one of the present `editors of that old-established and most excel- lent paper.
Under such favorable circumstances, young Jermain re- ceived the best Christian instruction, and was, at the same time, carefully prepared for college. In 1824, at the age of fifteen, he entered Middlebury college, Vt., where he re- mained two years diligently pursuing his studies. Entering the junior class of Amherst College in 1829, he graduated from that institution two years later. He then commenced the study of the law, and in 1836 was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state. Without engaging in the general practice of his profession, the most of his time was occupied in managing the extensive business interests of his father, then in his declining years. Those financial affairs which were intrusted to him by his confiding parent, he man- aged with discretion, showing, at the same time, a rare busi- ness tact which has since been so successfully cultivated and so fully developed.
A large fortune came into the possession of Mr. Jermain on the death of his father in 1869. Cherishing the memory of his deceased parent and honoring the cause of practical Christianity, he erected entirely at his own expense, in 1876, ' a beautiful church in the village of West Troy. The edifice cost over $120,000, and is known as the Jermain Memorial church. It is now under the care of the Presbyterian church, and the Rev. Walter Laidlaw is its present pastor.
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With his wealth, Mr. Jermain has, in various ways, con- tributed largely to the advancement of the temporal and spiritual welfare of his fellow men -- setting a noble exam- ple of lofty, Christian philanthropy. Some years ago he rebuilt at great cost the Home for Aged Men on the Albany and Troy road. Of this excellent institution he is now the president-emeritus, and always takes a deep interest in pro- moting its prosperity. This is one of the worthiest causes in which any philanthropist could become engaged with the certainty of the most benevolent results - the providing for the closing years of old, infirm men of character, who, by adverse circumstances, have lost their worldly means, or the friends who might have aided them in their support.
In 1883 Mr. Jermain endowed a $50,000 professorship in Williams college, the alma mater of his son Barclay Jer- main and to his memory.
Still studying how to accomplish the most good for the spiritual, moral and physical elevation of his fellow-citizens, he recently made a magnificent gift, now amounting to over $80,000 for the erection of a Young Men's Christian associ- ation building in the city of Albany. This handsome struct- ure is built of brick and stone in a fine style of architecture, and includes a large public hall, a small lecture-room, a gym- nasium 48x64 feet and 21 feet high, numerous baths, etc. The whole building is furnished in a most appropriate and substantial manner at a cost of over $5,000. Over the mantle of the fireplace in the main parlor is an excellent life-sized portrait, in oil, of Mr. Jermain. The beautiful drap- ery in the parlor was donated by Mrs. Teunis Van Vechten, of Albany while the old mahogany table which stands there, formerly the property of the Gansevoort estate, was pre- sented by Mrs. Abram Lansing of this city.
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JAMES B. JERMAIN.
On the 22d of September, 1887, in the presence of a large assembly, the building was dedicated with appropriate cer- emonies. Addresses and remarks were made by President A. P. Stevens of the association, Cephas Brainard, Esq., of New York, Rev. Drs. J. H. Ecob, Henry M. King, W. W. Battershall and D. W. Gates of Albany, while the singing was conducted by Ira D. Sankey.
On that interesting and memorable occasion President Stevens delivered an earnest address, of which the following are the closing passages :
" The liberality of the citizens of Albany has furnished a site, and the magnificent gift of our esteemed fellow-towns- man, Mr. James B. Jermain, a building, in every part and all its details, as well adapted to our work as any of its kind in the United States. We have, in our parlor and offices, our reading-room, library, educational class-rooms, gymnas- ium, baths and the commodious hall in which we are to-day assembled, all that can be desired to attract and interest the young men who are thus so liberally provided for; and we take this completed building, as it is placed in our hands by him whom all of us will ever remember with gratitude and love for what he has thus accomplished, and promise that, relying on our heavenly Father, and asking for His guidance and assistance, we will endeavor to do what we can to strengthen and build up those who come to us, not only physically, mentally and morally, but make them strong in the Lord and the power of His might. We realize that 'to him whom much is given of him will much be required,' and, recognizing our great responsibility, we ask for your earnest prayers that we may succeed.
" We start forward well equipped for the new duties which lie before us. We have a board of trustees in whom
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the title to the real estate owned by us is vested, which is composed of men eminently qualified for their duties. We have also a board of directors and a complete corps of as- sistants composed of younger men, who are devoted to the work and zealous in advancing it. Our ladies' auxiliary board is from the best workers in our churches, and has ren- dered us great service by raising $3,000 for the furnishing of our building, and are ready to furnish any further assistance that lies in their power. Our committees are all hard at work completing arrangements for the increasing demands being made in all departments, and made necessary by our enlarged work.
" In conclusion, we desire, as an association, once more to express our thanks to those who have placed in our hands such a magnificently equipped building to be used for the best good of the young men of this city, and may the life of our benefactor, Mr. Jermain, be long spared to see the good results that will follow his action, so fittingly consum- mated this day."
. The concluding remarks of Mr. Brainard were particularly appropriate and felicitous.
" You have here," said he, " a splendid building, upon a site contributed as no other has been given, a building that is the gift of a single man of wealth, a benevolent and appreciative citizen, who lives to see the consummation of the work he had helped to create in so large a measure, a work unique, splendid, majestic ; an inspiration, an encouragement and a blessed thought to the association all over the country. May it long stand on the shore of our commerce-laden, peaceful river. The blessing of the Lord shall and will be upon this edifice, which will remain as a monument to the honor and experience of him who, in his age, has given .it
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for the benefit of aspiring, useful and hopeful young man- hood."
After Mr. Sankey had thrilled the audience by singing a beautiful descriptive solo, entitled "The Model Church," the Rev. Wendell Prime, editor of the New York Observer, came forward and read the following address, prepared by Mr. Jermain :
" Having been requested to say a few words in the matter of the presentation of this building to the young men of this city who may desire to avail themselves of its privileges, I feel that I can add nothing to what has been already said. The moral dangers of a great city, to save young men from which this building has been erected, have already been de- picted in glowing, but true colors. The boy, in a moral sense, is the father of the man. Here, young men, you will find what will elevate, purify and cultivate the mind, what will strengthen the body, and, above all, what will direct you to attaining that immortal life of the soul for which the blessing of this life should be a preparation. May the bless- ing of God rest upon you and upon this edifice, which I now have the honor and satisfaction of presenting to you."
When the reading of Mr. Jermain's address of presenta- tion was finished, there was a burst of applause from the spectators ; and when he was constrained to rise from his seat in acknowledgment, the entire audience rose and cheered vociferously. Never shall we forget the touching and morally sublime scene when the venerable giver, tremu- lous with intense emotion and with a glow of pure benevo- lence on his face, bowed before the audience who were there to witness his offering so magnificent and philanthrophic, the growing glory of a long and well-spent life.
The Young Men's Christian association is an ornament to
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NOTED LIVING ALBANIANS.
the city of Albany, and it will be of incalculable benefit to young men as well as a lasting monument to the generosity and nobleness of Mr. Jermain.
Mr. Frank W. Ober, whose heart and hands have been so long interested in Christian work, is the present efficient secretary of the association while Prof. W. B. Dickinson has sole charge of the physical culture department.
Mr. Jermain has a fine private residence on the west side of the Hudson, a short distance north of Albany. This was formerly the home of the famous Gen. Worth, but it has been remodeled and fitted up in the best style by the present owner.
Mr. Jermain has also a charming summer cottage at Cooperstown, N. Y. where he usually spends portions of the months of July and August of each year.
He has always been strongly attached to old Washington county, where he passed so many youthful days in the valley of Cambridge, so rich in natural scenery, with the Green mountains rising in grandeur from extensive plains in the east and fine farming lands with wooded hills meet- ing the view on the west and north. But besides the beau- tiful landscape there are other attractions to him there, which, after the lapse of so many years, are still full of pleasant memories. While living with his uncle, the Rev. Dr. Prime, there were many excellent men of note, with some of whom he took " sweet counsel," and of whom he has still a lively remembrance, such as his uncle, Hon. George W. Jermain, one of the most prominent and highly- - esteemed citizens of the county, Hon. Gerret Wendell, Hon. Luther J. Howe, Hon. Martin Lee, James Gilmore, Herman Van Veghten, William Stevenson, Edward Small, Leonard Wells, William D. Beattie, James Hill, John Robertson,
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Ahira Eldridge, James McKie, Russell M. Wright, Ephraim H. Newton, D. D., and Alexander Bullions, D. D., all of whom now rest from their earthly labors, conflicts and triumphs, while their works of charity and labors of love still follow them.
It is doubtful whether Mr. Jermain has enjoyed life so well of late years, outside his residence near this city, as when spending a few weeks of closing summer or early au- tumn in his pleasant rural cottage at White Creek, near the Vermont line, and not many miles south of the "Sweet Vale," of Cambridge. There he owns over seventeen hun- dred acres of fertile land, which is managed by an agent and devoted more exclusively to stock purposes. In the midst of such " rural sights and rural scenes," in frequent conversa- tion with the substantial old farmers and citizens in the vicinity, he finds that relaxation and rest which enables him, when the leaves of autumn begin to fall, to carry on more vigorously his office work in this city, through the winter, daily riding from his country home to his place of business here, through cold, storm or sunshine.
Among the recent benevolent works in which Mr. Jermain has been deeply engaged is the financial success and pros- perity of the " Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society," incorporated on the 3d of May, 1889. This was first called the " Albany County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children." The present buildings are known as the Fair- view Home for Friendless Children, and stand on a gently rising hill, being the highest point in the town of Watervliet about a mile north-west of Troy, commanding a fine view of East Troy, West Troy, a portion of Cohoes, Lansingburgh, Oakwood cemetery and the Hudson river for several miles. No more delightful location for such an institution could
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have been found in the whole vicinity. A large front yard, with beautiful maple and elm trees, adds greatly to the at- tractions of the place. The grounds belonging to the in. stitution contain fifty-six acres, thirteen of which are reserved, and the remainder rented to a practical farmer who occupies a cottage on the premises. It is expected, however, that in time the whole land will be worked by the inmates of the home.
It was entirely due to the efforts of Mr. Jermain that this humane society was established on a sound financial basis, when disaster stared it in the face. He then came forward with generous proposals, secured the transfer of the property to the corporation created by the action of the state board of charities, so that the institution could receive any " state and county money for the children therein committed."
The object of this society is to take children whose pa- rents are worse than dead -- intemperate, dissipated, cruel or grossly negligent of their tender offspring- to clothe and feed such children, to give them a good common-school education with moral training, and to qualify them for en- gaging in some useful trade or occupation in life.
On the first floor of the original building is a wide hall, with reception-rooms, and office of the superintendent. On the second floor are the teachers' room, governess room and promotion wards. On the top floor is the dor- mitory for the children.
Some time ago Mr. Jermain offered to build entirely at his own expense, an annex to this noble charitable institu- tion. The offer was gratefully accepted by the officers and patrons of the home. Work was commenced on the spa- cious brick annex in the fall of 1889, and the building was finished early in the summer of the following year, at a cost
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of nearly $60,000, including its grounds. On the 13th of June, 1890, in the presence of a large audience, the building was dedicated with appropriate exercises. Rev. Walter Laidlaw of West Troy, president of the home, spoke of the generos- ity of Mr. Jermain and of the work intended to be accom- plished; while the venerable donor, in a few impressive re- marks, said the building spoke for itself, and that it carried out a series of noble charitable offerings in which he had been interested.
On the main floor of this new building there is a large din- ing-room, with school-rooms, etc., on the second floor is the dormitory, with about fifty iron beds, neatly arranged in a large room, while on the top floor are the hospital wards. The new building will be occupied by boys, and the original one by girls. The home as it now stands affords accom- modations for one hundred children, and is most complete in all its departmants - a model institution of its kind.
Such excellent discipline is maintained among the young inmates, that corporal punishment is seldom resorted to, and then only as a last resort. The whole establishment is in no sense a prison, but has a cheerful, homelike sur- rounding.
As we visited Fairview home the other day and looked upon its beautiful surrounding scenery, inspected its interior arrangements, saw so many little children seated around the dining-table-fed, clothed, taught and started in right ways in life- principally through the instrumentality of Mr. Jer- main -we were deeply impressed with the thought, that in future years, when they are grown to manhood or woman- hood and become useful members of society, some of those children would rise up to revere the name of so generous a donor to a noble charity.
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In 1842, Mr. Jermain married Miss Catharine Ann Rice, of Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y., by whom he had five children. Of these three daughters are living ; the only son, Barclay, a young man of great excellence and promise, died in 1882. His death was a great blow to his father, who, however, received it in the true spirit of Christian resigna- tion. Mrs. J. B. Jermain, who was a lady of an amiable disposition - cultured and refined, possessing at the same time the graces of the sincere Christian - departed this life in 1874, deeply lamented by her surviving husband, her chil- dren and her many friends.
It is to be hoped that many years may yet be added to the life of Mr. James B. Jermain - whose highest ambition is still in the line of philanthropy, and whose maturest thoughts are, how the best interests of humanity and Chris- tianity may be advanced.
" Age sits with decent grace upon his visage, And worthily becomes his silver locks; He wears the marks of many years well spent, Of virtue, truth well tried, and wise experience."
WILLIAM H. KEELER.
IN THE development of a particular branch of industry in Albany one of the most striking and successful ex- amples is presented in the career of William H. Keeler, the founder of the well-known and popular oyster-house of this city. While many other Albanians have attained distinc- tion in literature, science and art, or secured the emolu- ments belonging to some of the learned professions or the laurels of the successful politician, it has been his chief aim in life to cultivate and master an important branch of physi- cal science which will always be popular while the world exists ; and that is the art of properly preparing delicious food for the hungry. He is, therefore, a representative Al- banian, standing at the head of the caterers of the day, whose name is familiar as a household word to our citizens as well as to thousands all over the land, and who has sup- plied more of the wants of " the inner man " than almost any one else in the same line of business.
From an humble origin and small beginning, like many of the successful men of our time in different vocations and professions, he has steadily advanced to the front rank of restaurateurs and hotel-keepers of the land. The career of such a man is notable from the fact that it shows a large amount of executive ability, untiring perseverance, and a
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