USA > New York > Noted living Albanians and state officials. A series of biographical sketches > Part 28
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matters connected wit it. It just suited his young, ardent imagination, and filled his mind with pleasing thoughts of future usefulness and activity in the service of his country. Soon after his return from Europe he was made captain of Company B, Washington Continentals, of Albany. He also organized the Seventy-sixth regiment of militia, of which he was colonel, and later on, the Albany Zouave Cadets (Com- pany A, Tenth battalion, National Guard). His admirable fitness to occupy some higher position in the military ranks becoming more widely known and more fully appreciated, he was appointed by Governor John A. King, in 1857, adju- tant-general of the state of New York. This appointment was a most fortunate one, and one of its fruits was the far greater efficiency of the state troops for the coming storm of civil war. General Townsend found the New York state military as a whole in a very disordered and undeveloped condition, utterly unworthy of the power and renown of the empire state. He saw at once the many defects in our military system, and with strong hands, a brave heart, and settled purpose, he went to work to make it what it ought to be. He left the practice of the law and devoted his time as adjutant-general to making great reforms, infusing new life and vigor into our military organization, bringing order out of confusion and light out of chaos. He prepared an annual report to the commander-in-chief, the first issued in many years from his department, in which he clearly set forth his ideas, with various strong recommendations for a better military system, which he speedily put in practice.
In 1859 he was reappointed adjutant-general by Gov. Ed- win D. Morgan, and gave his undivided attention still in the same direction. And it may be truly asserted that it was principally owing to the efficiency of Gen. Townsend that
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so many New York troops were ready to take the field when the thunders of Fort Sumter's guns first aroused the loyal men of the North to action and called them to arms.
In 1861 inspired with the patriotic fervor which then stirred all hearts, Gen. Townsend promptly tendered his services to his country at the beginning of the civil war ; and organized the Third regiment of New York state volunteers, of which he was commissioned colonel in May and which he commanded at the battle of Big Bethel, June 10, 1861, on which field he was conspicuous for many acts of gallantry. He was appointed by President Lincoln a major of the Eigh- teenth infantry, one of the new three battalion regiments of the regular army, August 19, 1861, and was assigned to duty in the west. His command first joined the army of Gen. Buell and than that of Gen. Rosecrans. He commanded his battalion in the reconnoissance to Lick Creek, Miss., (sometimes called Pea Ridge), April 26, 1862; also in the siege of Corinth, April 30th, and in the occupation thereof May 30th after its evacuation by the enemy. On the 6th of October he was in the advance of the Third corps, army of the Ohio, with his battalion, driving the rear guard of the enemy from Springfield to near Texas, Ky .; and, also, with his battalion took part in the battle of Perryville or Chaplin Hill, Ky., on the 8th of that month. After the first day of the battle at Stone river, Tenn., December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, all his senior officers of the regular brigade having been shot except the brigade commander, he was placed by the latter in command of the left wing of the brigade. He was also in the affair of Eagleville, Tenn., March 2, 1863, with a large force supporting a foraging party. In all these various battles, engagements and affairs, Major Townsend proved himself to be a true and brave sol-
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dier, and on several occasions displayed great courage on these fields of carnage. He received, successively, the bre- vet of lieutenant-colonel, that of colonel, and that of briga- dier-general, all in the regular army. In May, 1863, Gen. Townsend was detailed for duty at Albany, as acting as- sistant provost-marshal-general.
In 1867, on his return from Europe after a leave of ab- sence, he was ordered to California (having been promoted in 1864, to be lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth United States Infantry), and placed by Gen. McDowell on his staff as act- ing assistant inspector-general of the department, in which capacity he made an inspection of all the government posts in Arizona. He resigned his commission in 1868. He is a member of the society of the Army of the Cumberland, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Gen. Townsend has been a director of the New York State National bank and trustee of the Albany and Bethle- hem Turnpike company since 1864; a trustee of Vassar college since June 27, 1876; a trustee of the Albany Orphan Asy- lum since 1879; a trustee of the Dudley observatory since April 22, 1880, and a trustee of the Albany academy since May 11, 1886. He was elected brigadier-general of the Ninth brigade, National Guard, state of New York, in 1878, and resigned that position on the Ist of January, 1880, to accept the appointment of adjutant-general of the state of New York, tendered by Governor Cornell. In this post he again turned his attention to a long cherished idea of further developing the state troops, which, among other pro- gressive measures, culminated in his establishing the "camp of instruction" near Peekskill, and providing the service dress uniform for all the troops of the state.
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He was nominated by the republican state convention in 1880 for the office of elector of the president and vice-presi- dent, was elected, and cast his vote for James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur for those offices, respectively.
In the quietude of his handsome mansion on Elk street Gen. Townsend is now enjoying the fruits of his well-earned military laurels, the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, and surrounded by all that makes domestic life pleasing and attractive.
On November 19, 1863, he married Miss Sarah Rathbone, a lady of much culture of mind and gracefulness of manners, only daughter of the late Joel Rathbone, a prominent mer- chant and banker of Albany.
They have two children - a daughter, Miss Sarah Rath- bone Townsend, and a son, Frederick Townsend, Jr., a graduate of the Albany academy, who in 1889 entered Har- vard college with honors.
Gen. Townsend is tall, well-proportioned, of stately, sol- dierly bearing, active in his movements, gentlemanly in his manners, and endowed with a high order of conversational powers.
CHARLES TRACEY.
REPRESENTATIVE Albanian whose sterling quali- ties of the head and heart have brought him into popular favor, and who has already been honored by the bestowal of responsible political positions, is the Hon. Charles Tracey, our present congressman from this district. He is descended from a long and influential line of Irish ancestry. Born at No. 757 Broadway, Albany, on the 27th of May, 1847, he has thus passed his forty-third year, and is in the vigor of manhood, possessing the capabilities of per- forming efficiently the active and onerous duties of life. In 1838 his father, John Tracey, removed to this country from Canada, in consequence of the native rebellion then exist- ing in that country. He lived in Albany till his death on the 12th of July, 1875. He was a man of high character, having served as a trustee in many local organizations, both financial and charitable; was once a candidate for state senator ; was a most respected and excellent citizen, and his departure was deeply and widely regretted by his fellow- citizens. His wife, Maria Tracey, survived him five years, dying in 1880. The benevolent and charitable disposition of Mr. and Mrs. John Tracey will long be remembered by the citizens of Albany.
Charles Tracey, the subject of our present sketch, was
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sent to school very early in life, and became an apt and dili- gent pupil. He was educated principally at the Albany Boys' academy, from which he graduated in 1866. While a student there he became greatly interested in elementary military tactics, and was elected major of the battalion of cadets. And it may here be said that his taste and love for military science have never left him. On leaving the Al- bany academy in 1866, he went abroad, on an extensive tour through the Holy land, Egypt, and various parts of Europe, visiting many places celebrated in civil and military history, and looking upon the treasures of art abounding in the old world. While in Europe at that time, young Tracey entered the Pontifical Zouaves, and served two years in that organization, returning home in 1869. The next year he crossed the Atlantic, went to Rome, and fought there during the siege of the city. He was captured and retained as a prisoner for some time. On his release he returned to the United States, and for some time took up a business resi- dence in the city of New York, where he organized the Catholic Union, which in a short time had a membership of over one hundred thousand, and became its first secretary. He next returned to Albany, where he has ever since resided. After his return from Europe, Pope Pius the Ninth conferred upon him, in recognition of his military services, the order of St. Gregory the Great, with the rank and title of chevalier.
At length General Tracey was urged by many of his per- sonal and political friends to enter the field of politics. He was always a democrat of unwavering principles, and at first held several entirely honorary offices in his chosen party. He served as aide-de camp with the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Tilden, and as a commissary-general of subsistence under Governor Robinson. His high personal
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qualities, his eminent fitness for filling responsible positions, his well-known executive abilities, and his ardent devotion to the democratic party through all its vicissitudes made him a most available candidate for office. And at the democratic congressional convention in the fall of 1887, he was nominated for representative in congress from this dis- trict to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Congressman Kane. He was elected by the large majority of 1,659 over Hon. John M. Bailey, the popular republican candidate. There was also a labor candidate in the field.
Gen. Tracey entered upon his congressional work with clean hands and a heart willing to labor for the best inter- ests of his constituents. While he served on various com- mittees and was active in pushing forward different measures in congress, his greatest effort there, and one that will al- ways be remembered with gratitude by many of the citizens of Albany county, was the part which he took in the estab- lishment of the Watervliet arsenal. He took up the work which had been laid out for Mr. Kane, and with a little as- sistance from others carried it on with a brave, courageous spirit amidst the storm and sunshine which alternately came over the project until its complete realization. In June, 1888, he made a speech in congress in support of a liberal ap- propriation for " the continuance of the manufacture of large cannon at Watervliet." It was an earnest and strong effort and increased his reputation as a graceful and skillful debater.
Early in September of the same year the appropriation for the Watervliet gun factory passed the senate and the house of representatives and was soon after approved by President Cleveland. This grand result for Albany county was mainly due to the perseverance, industry and influence of Gen. Tracey, who has thus been enabled to secure a great
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industrial interest for the county, besides having made many friends for himself, especially in Watervliet and its vicinity.
On the 22d of September, 1888, Gen. Tracey was renomi- nated for representative in congress by the democratic con- vention which met at the city hall. On the occasion of his renomination the Albany Morning Express (rep.) very gen- erously remarked : "Gen. Tracey is young, energetic, intel- ligent, with plenty of leisure for his public duties, and the tastes which lead him to enjoy their punctilious discharge."
Gen. Tracey was elected over his political opponent, Moses V. Dodge of this city, by a majority of 2,306.
On entering upon the duties of his last congressional term Gen. Tracey renewed with vigor his faithful efforts for still more generous provisions for the Watervliet arsenal, and in the advocacy of other measures of great benefit to the public. He was the originator of the project to deepen the channel of the Hudson river so as to permit the passage of sea-going vessels as far as to the cities of Albany and Troy - a project which, if carried out, will be of incalculable benefit to those cities and the neighboring country. Among the numerous public bills introduced by him, which have since become laws, are these : To change the designs on United States coins ; To make Albany, N. Y., a port of immediate transportation ; For relief of the state of New York, to refund $42,000 duties paid on arms in 1863 ; For relief of enlisted men in ordnance corps, allowing them to collect bounties ; To enforce the eight-hour law on government premises, etc.
Gen. Tracey's congressional work was so highly applauded by his constituents that in the fall of 1890 he was unani- mously renominated for congress, and elected over Mr. A. McD. Shoemaker, the republican nominee, by the mag- nificent majority of 5,078.
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Among other honorable positions which Gen. Tracey has held are those of trustee of the house of refuge at Hudson, to which he was appointed by Gov. Cleveland and reappoin- ted by Gov. Hill ; principal manager of St. Peter's hospital since 1882; trustee of St. Agnes' cemetery and of the Albany Savings bank, and director of the National Commercial bank of Albany.
Among young men, especially, Gen. Tracey is deservedly popular, for he has always been their trusted friend and kind adviser, giving needed assistance and encouragement to many of such as were struggling to get along well in the world and succeed in some worthy calling.
As a speaker he is earnest in style and forcible in delivery. He has the happy faculty of expressing his views in clear, concise and direct language, without the waste of words. He is a great organizer of measures and strong in pressing them forward to a successful issue. He has made speeches in congress on the tariff and labor questions, and as a thorough business man himself, believes in the prosperity and success of all business and laboring men.
In 1883, General Tracey married Hermine Duchesney, an accomplished and highly educated young lady, daughter of Colonel Duchesney, of Montreal. They have a family of three children, whose young voices enliven and cheer many a passing hour.
Gen. Tracey is quiet and unassuming in his manners, sunny in his disposition, firm in his opinion of what he be- lieves to be right, and honorable in his discharge of public and private duties. He is therefore well qualified to be a leader and adviser among men having charge of political affairs. And among the democrats of Albany county he is now regarded as their true and courageous standard bearer.
THOMAS MARKLEY TREGO.
T HE medical annals of Albany contain the names of not a few physicians who are well skilled in the pro- fession, especially in some of its specialties. And among those who deserve to be included in this list of accomplished men is Dr. Thomas M. Trego, of No. 5 Ten Broeck street. On the 3Ist of August, 1847, he first saw the light of day in the city of New York. He is the only surviving son of James and Maria Trego. His ancestry can be traced back for more than two hundred years. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania on the Ist of January, 1815, is of the eighth generation and descends in a direct line from his an- cestor, James Trego, who was one of the oldest of three brothers and sons of Peter and Judith Trego, who were born in France about the years 1650-5. Being Huguenots and of French extraction, they escaped to England in 1685 dur- ing the persecution, and there formed part of the noble colony of William Penn, emigrating with him to this coun- try, and finally settled in Chester county, Penn. Dr. Trego's parents are still living at New Baltimore, N. Y. The maiden name of the doctor's mother was Maria Houghtaling, who was born in Greene county, N. Y., on the 29th of December, 1814, and who is the oldest daughter of the late Thomas C. Houghtaling, Esq., of Albany county, N. Y. This gentle-
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man was born in Greene county, N. Y., on the 24th of Scp- tember, 1791, and was a descendant from a genuine Holland Dutch family. His mother, Kathrine Van Bergen, was a descendant of Gen. Salisbury, of Catskill, and was born in Greene county, N. Y., in the year 1760. Mr. Houghtaling's ancestors were amongst the earliest settlers of that county. They were all tillers of the soil, and like most of their na- tionality were firm and unyielding adherents to the tradition of their forefathers. The same may be said of the ancestry on Mr. Houghtaling's mother's side, who were of the Van Derzees. The earliest ancestor of this name occurs as grantee in a conveyance, now lying before us, and bearing date April 23, 1652, by " Richard Nicolls, governo and gen- erall und his Royal Highness James Duke of York, and Albany, etc., of all the territoryes in America." This curious old document, beautifully written in the old style of orthog- raphy, grants to " one Storm Albertsen, of Beverwick (now Albany), a piece of land situate in Beverwick," etc. This deed or conveyance has been for many years in the posses- sion of Mrs. Trego, the doctor's mother. Storm Albertsen, mentioned above, was an ancestor of Storm Van Derzee, the grandfather of Albertsen, or Albert Van Derzee, whose only daughter, Elizabeth, was the wife of Thomas C. Houghtaling, and the mother of Mrs. Trego. She was born in Greene county, N. Y., May 10, 1783. They were also amongst the first who settled in that county. They were mostly farmers and owners of large tracts of land, especially in the northern portion of the county. The derivation of the name " Storm " is worthy of notice here. Tradition tells us that the first Christian name Storm was given to a child born of Van Der- zee's parents on board a ship during a terrible "storm" while on her voyage from Holland to this country.
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In the spring of 1852 the parents of Dr. Trego removed from the metropolis to the little village of New Baltimore on the west bank of the Hudson, where his boyhood was spent in attending the common school of the place, and amidst rural, healthful scenes. Though taking considerable interest in the sports and pastimes of other boys of his age he did not neglect his school books, in which he found still greater pleasure than in manual exercise. He was always of a studious habit, and his progress in the pathway of learn- ing was consequently more rapid than the majority of boys. When he was nearly fifteen years of age his parents sent him to the Brooklyn Boys' academy, an excellent institution for the more thorough mental training and discipline of youth. After remaining there a year he was prepared to take a step higher in the course of study, and in the fall of 1865 was placed in the grammer school connected with Rutgers college, New Brunswick, N. J. Carefully improv- ing the intellectual opportunities there offered he was, after a year's study, thoroughly fitted to enter the freshman class of the college. He was now in an old and honored institu- tion where sound learning and a high order of scholarship were brought within the reach of the true, aspiring student. And after diligently pursuing his studies during the full course of four years he graduated with honor in 1870 in the class which celebrated the college centennial.
Naturally inclined to the study of medicine from boyhood, he found no difficulty on graduation from college in gratify- ing his early tastes. His whole mind was in fact wrapped up in. this science, and it was with feelings of entire satisfaction that in the autumn of 1870 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of the late distinguished Dr. S. O. Vanderpool of Albany. It is hardly necessary to say that his studies 4
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were here directed by a master mind in the medical profes- sion. Young Trego understood this, and for eighteen months he improved the rare opportunity thus offered by laying the foundation of a substantial superstructure of medical knowledge. On the appointment of Dr. Vander- pool as health officer at quarantine, New York, about this time, he continued his studies in the office of the now vener- able and renowned Dr. Thomas Hun, and his son, the late Dr. Edward R. Hun, of Albany. And here for nearly a year and a half he was steadily increasing the stock of his ยท medical acquisitions. Dr. Trego may be said to have been highly favored during his student life by having enjoyed the instructions of learned and eminent teachers. On leaving the office of the Drs. Hun in Albany he entered that of Dr. Thomas M. Markoe, of New York, and while there he at- tended lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating from that celebrated institution in 1874. About a year before he received his medical diploma he was ap- pointed resident physician in St. Peter's hospital, Albany, and after finishing his studies in New York he returned to Albany and resumed his work in the hospital. Faithfully and skillfully discharging the duties of this responsible trust with honor and credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- tion of Madam Paula, the lady superior, and the medical staff, he resigned the position in the fall of 1875, and opened an office for the general practice of medicine on Second street in this city. Thus fully prepared by a long course of study, investigation, experience and observation, and by a natural adaptation to his chosen field of labor, he started off with comparative ease on a road toward popularity and suc- cess. He was intimately acquainted with the science of medicine in all its branches, especially in its latest researches
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and advancements and the best modes of treatment as adop- ted in the Allopathic school. From the first his practice steadily increased until he became one of the leading and favorite physicians in the city.
There is one specialty in which Dr. Trego has greatly ex- celled, and that is the diseases of children, hundreds of whom he has treated with remarkable success. His skill in this particular branch was so marked, that at the suggestion and recommendation of Dr. Edward R. Hun he was appointed his successor as attending physician at the Child's hospital, founded by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Doane of Albany. About the same time he became one of the attending physicians of the Albany Orphan society, and of the Babies nursery, now established on Washington avenue in the new building which is the gift of Mrs. Stanford, the wife of ex-Gov., and now U. S. Senator, Leland Stanford, of California, whose early home had been in Albany. Dr. Trego is also one of the attending physicians of the St. Margaret's home for infants, where babies under one year old are cared for. Besides this, he is one of the attending physicians of the Home for Aged Men, on the Troy road - an institution which owes its existence and continued prosperity to the wakeful benevolence of Mr. James B. Jermain of this city, who has contributed over $40,000 to it, and of which he is now the honorary president. In 1881 Dr. Trego was appointed physician to St. Agnes' school for young ladies. He is also connected with the dis- pensary of the Albany City hospital.
In the summer of 1878 Dr. Trego, accompanied by his father, crossed the Atlantic for the double purpose of recrea- tion and pleasure. He visited London, Edinburg, Paris, Antwerp, Belgium and numerous other famous places. He was particularly interested in visiting the various noted hos-
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pitals abroad, as well as in looking upon the noble works of the great masters in sculpture and painting, which adorn the galleries of the old world. Possessing a cultivated taste for the fine arts he there found many things to please his eye and call forth his admiration. Returning home after an absence of several months, he immediately set about attending to the daily calls of his patients.
Politics do not usually enter largely into the life of the physician, and while Dr. Trego is not an active warrior in this field, yet it must be said, that like his father, he has always been a pronounced democrat. In 1878 he was ap- pointed by Mayor Banks one of the district physicians, while in 1887 he received the appointment from the board of supervisors as coroner's physician for the city and county of Albany. He is also a member of the Albany County Medical society.
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