USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 56
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In 1874 Dr. Perry entered into partnership with Seymour Ainsworth, Hiram Tompkins, W. B. Gage and L. H. Janvrin as proprietors of the United States Hotel, who, in the year named, opened the hotel. The present proprietors are William B. Gage and Dr. John L. Perry.
His connection with this famous hotel has made for Dr. Perry an en- viable reputation as one of the leading hotel men of the country. He is a genial man, of broad education and fine culture, and possessed of the unusual combination of superior literary and artistic taste with rare executive ability. He has traveled extensively in foreign parts, and is an accomplished linguist, fluently speaking French, German and Span- ish. His library is, perhaps, one of the best in the country and num- bers among its volumes many rare and valuable works.
As one of the leading hotel men of this country's most famous resort his acquaintance with people of prominence is broad and interesting, and being a man who keeps well abreast with the advanced thought of the day, he is held in high respect and estimation by all who form his friendship.
Dr. Perry is a prominent thirty-second degree Mason; is past com- mander of Washington Commandery, Knights Templar; past high priest of the Chapter; member of Delta Lodge of Perfection, of Troy, and of Albany Sovereign Consistory. He is also a member of Post Wheeler, G. A. R .; of the New York Commandery of the Loyal Legion; the Army and Navy Club, New York Athletic Club, Saratoga Club, and the Alumni Association of Albany Medical College. In politics he is a Republican, but has never cared for political preferment.
In 1864 he married Virginia T., daughter of Hon. Thomas J. Marvin
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and niece of Hon. James M. Marvin of Saratoga Springs. Mrs. Perry died on February 19, 1895.
The United States Hotel in its history dates from 1824, when the original structure was erected by Elias Benedict and conducted by John Ford until 1830, when he was succeeded by Hon. James M. Mar- vin, who, in 1832, purchased the property of Mr. Benedict. In 1842 Hon. Thomas J. Marvin became connected with his brother James in the hotel, which association continued until the death of the former in 1852. In 1865 it was destroyed by fire. The new United States was completed and opened in 1874, and hassince been conducted by Messrs. Gage & Perry.
The United States Hotel is a six-story structure, surrounding a spa- cious court filled with stately trees that spread their branches over a landscaped lawn and neatly groomed promenades, lined with inviting settees and broad verandas. The architectural arrangement of the hotel proper and cottage annex is such that every suite and room is light and cool, with alternating sunshine and shade. The great piaz- zas, parlors and dining room accommodate a thousand patrons each without congestion or confusion. The United States occupies a fore- most place among the largest caravansaries of the world, yet, notwith- standing the grand proportions of such a business, every detail is looked after with as much care and attention as could be done in a pri- vate residence.
JOHN WILLARD.
HON. JOHN WILLARD was born at Guilford, Conn., May 20, 1792, and died at his home in Saratoga Springs, September 4, 1862, after a life of purity and integrity as a man and of enviable eminence in the legal profession. Judge Willard descended from Puritan ancestors. He was a nephew of Mrs. Emma Willard who became famous as the pio- neer of women's education in this country. He was educated at Middle- bury College where he was graduated in 1813, and after reading law was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York in 1817. He began practice in the village of Salem, Washington county, where he became first judge of the Court of Common Pleas and surrogate. In 1836, on the elevation of Esek Cowen to the Supreme Court bench,
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he was appointed circuit judge and vice-chancellor of the Fourth Judi- cial district, filling that office until 1846, when by the change of the judiciary constitution he was elected a justice of the Supreme Court, serving with finest ability until 1854, when he retired from the bench. During his service as a judge he was especially distinguished by his in- finite courtesy and kindness to the profession which won for him the regard of all who practiced in his district.
In politics Judge Willard was a Democrat of the strongest partisan- ship. In 1861 he was elected State senator without opposition. He took at once a prominent part in the deliberations of that body and was instrumental in bring about needed changes in the statutes respecting murder and the rights of married women. During the latter years of his life he prepared several legal treatises which bore the stamp of his unmistakable legal genius and profound learning, and now form valu- able contributions to our jurisprudence.
One who knew him has paid the following tribute to his memory : " Judge Willard was a shining example of candor and integrity joined with great learning and ability, the pureness of his character command- ing unusual respect and esteem; as an advocate, judge and legislator he was alike eminent and accomplished, and in his private life irre- proachable and blameless. It has fallen to the lot of few men to ac- quire and leave behind them such an unsullied name."
DANIEL A. BULLARD.
DANIEL A. BULLARD was born in Schuylerville in 1814. His father, Alpheus Bullard, was a native of Sturbridge, Mass., and his mother, Hannah (Fitch) Bullard, a native of Greenfield, Saratoga county. Alpheus Bullard came to Schuylerville in 1810, when the thriving vil- lage on the banks of the Hudson was a small hamlet. When Daniel A. was seven years old his father moved into the town of Northumber- land, where he remained until Daniel was eighteen years of age. At this time Daniel started out to face the world and to do for himself with a capital of sixteen cents and an indomitable will backed by fine health, physically speaking.
His first employment was with Cramer & Mulford of Grangerville, general merchants. He remained in their service five and one-half years, when he returned to Schuylerville, and in company with C. W.
DANIEL A. BULLARD.
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Mahew embarked in the mercantile business, which was continued for something like two years; it being too slow business for the rugged, hustling young man, whose ambitious nature looked forward to some- thing more in keeping with his ideas of getting along in the world. Early railroad building offered the desired opening, and after two years of mercantile life in Schuylerville he disposed of his business and en- gaged in contract work with the Vermont Central railroad, which was at that time under construction. In this work he was engaged for five years and upon its completion went to the State of Indiana, and was for one year engaged in the same line; his return and engagement with R. W. Lowber of Bald Mountain, in the same line of work occupied his attention for the next three years.
In 1863, he, with others, organized the Schuylerville Paper Co. and erected the present plant ; in 1870, Mr. Bullard having acquired the en- tire capital stock of the concern, he in 1872 gave an interest to his son, Edward C. Bullard, and in 1875 his second son, Charles M., was ad- mitted. In 1896 the business was incorporated and again became the Schuylerville Paper Co., with Daniel A. Bullard president and Edward C. Bullard, as superintendent and general manager. The plant has a frontage of 800 feet on Broadway, and is thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances for the manufacture of paper, which forms the pro- duct of the concern. Fifty hands are employed, and owing to the care in manufacturing and the great reputation acquired in the past, the goods turned out are shipped to large established markets.
Mr. Bullard has been so long identified in business and socially with the village of Schuylerville, he has become a fixed figure in its daily transactions. Always a Republican, his voice and influence has gone out in behalf of the principles of the party. He has enjoyed many of the honors that the party bestows; has been supervisor of the town of Saratoga from 1875 to 1878; in 1870 was elected president of the vil- lage and held the position five terms. In 1875 he was tendered the nomination for Congress, but declined the honor on account of pressing business engagements. He is one of the largest stockholders in and president of the National Bank of Schuylerville. His influence and the works of his hand are everywhere to be observed in the laying out and arrangement of the streets, as well as his great interest in every- thing calculated to advance the material interest of the community. The visitor to the beautiful Rural Cemetery on Prospect Hill is greeted with a statue of this gentleman which occupies a conspicuous position
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in the Bullard lot. The statue was executed by F. Muer of Boston, is eight feet in height and with base pedestal is eighteen feet in height; it was erected fifteen years ago under the supervision of William H. Thomas of Saratoga Springs.
That the mantle of the father seldom falls to the son is not borne out in Mr. Bullard's case, but may be said to have a double realization in the career of his son, Edward C. Bullard, whose untimely death in October, 1897, at the age of fifty-six years, removed from the com- munity a business man whose equal it would be difficult to match, a citizen whose traits and characteristics to be understood thoroughly had only to be known to be appreciated. After him his son, Daniel A. Bullard 2d, the present superintendent of the mills, seems to have demonstrated the correctness of the proposition cited. Although a young man, with a veteran's maturity, he has become a personification in a business sense of both his father and grandfather. He is a young man of great promise, possessing a quick insight into details and meth- ods, and is conceded a rare business future.
EDWARD C. BULLARD.
EDWARD CHESSELDEN BULLARD, eldest son of D. A. Bullard, was born in Schuylerville, N. Y., March 20, 1843, and died September 18, 1897, aged fifty-five years. His early education was obtained from the public schools of Schuylerville, Williston Seminary and Phillips Exeter Acade- my; he took a course in the Albany Law School, graduating from that institution, and was admitted to the bar; for some time he was asso- ciated with his uncle, General E. F. Bullard, in the practice of his pro- fession.
As time advanced it became evident the predominating influence des- tined to rule in his actions in life favored active business pursuits to the legal profession, and accordingly, after extensive traveling over the South and West, he, in company with Mr. Thomas J. Bullard, estab- tablished in 1870 a general mercantile business in Schuylerville, which they conducted with marked success. After closing out this enterprise Mr. Bullard was associated in the coal trade with J. B. Welch, and in 1872 he acquired an interest in the paper mill business with his father, Daniel A. Bullard. In 1875 the firm was further augmented by the admission of his brother, Charles M., and the business was so con-
EDWARD CHESSELDEN BULLARD.
DANIEL A. BULLARD, 2D.
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ducted until 1896, when it was incorporated and became The Schuyler- ville Paper Co.
Mr. Bullard was a man of strong personality, large ideas, and in- domitable will; a man of brains so keenly organized that his successes in life could be accounted for easier than could the failures of other men less perfectly endowed. Success in matters practical did not form all his characteristics; fidelity to conviction and fearless persistency were prominent traits of character displayed in all his undertakings; as in business, so in the duties of citizenship. His interest in the cause of education never flagged; he was several times a member of the board and had been honored by being elected its president; he had also ably filled the chair of president of the village, and in 1889 was elected super- visor of the town of Saratoga, and was president of the National Bank of Schuylerville at the time of his death, which occurred September 18, 1897. In these secondary relations he brought to bear the same practical, energetic business methods which had characterized all his other undertakings. Although a Democrat in 1884, he heartily espoused the principles of the Republican party in the last presidential cam- paign and was an enthusiastic supporter of the platform of that party.
In 1866 Mr. Bullard married Ida Burnap of Waterford, who, with five children, survives him: Daniel A., 2d, Harold, Cornelia, Elizabeth and Grace. In the family we can do no better than quote the language of one who knew and wrote of him: "Mr. Bullard was a man whose home was very dear to him, and the high regard in which he held his family was very marked; as a husband and father he was all that could be desired." He was a member of the Reformed church of Schuyler- ville, and on the day on which he was laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, business was entirely suspended, and the citizens and em- ployees of the Schuylerville and Fort Miller paper mills attended in a body.
DANIEL A. BULLARD, 2D.
DANIEL A. BULLARD, 2D, eldest son of Edward C. and Ida (Burnap) Bullard, was born in Schuylerville, October 16, 1869, and educated in the public schools of his native place. In 1886 he entered Phillips Ex- eter Academy from which he was graduated in 1889; the year follow- ing he entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Worcester, Mass.,
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graduating after a two years' course in the department of mechanical engineering. After graduating he returned to Schuylerville and en- tered the employ of D. A. Bullard & Sons (in 1891), and when the firm became incorporated under the title of The Schuylerville Paper Co., he became its first secretary, and on the death of his father, September, 1897, he was made secretary and treasurer and general manager, posi- tions of trust and responsibility shared by but few as young men as himself. Although cumbered with duties a much older head might find onerous to bear, Mr. Bullard finds time to take a lively interest in the affairs of his native village.
In politics he is a staunch Republican, and although never seeking office he was elected a school trustee in 1895 for three years, and pres- ident of the village of Schuylerville from March, 1897, to 1898. Any comments on Mr. Bullard's career in an article of this kind would al- most seem superfluous, so well is he known and his abilities are recog- nized to be of such a high order all over the county. At Schuylerville, where he is best known and appreciated, when reference is made to his fine business qualifications, the reply is simply "a chip of the old block," referring suggestively to his father, whose place he has taken and ably fills in the conduct of the large manufacturing business he controlled up to his death in 1897.
In June, 1896, Mr. Bullard married May, daughter of Edwin S. Sweet of Brooklyn, N. Y. Of strong domestic tendencies, Mr. Bullard belongs to that by far too small a class known as home bodies, His preferences are the fireside as against the club, or places of general amusement. Although just past his twenty-eighth year, Mr. Bullard has given evidence that he possesses a superior order of business ability, keen insight and practical methods which are bound in the future to elevate him to a high standing among business men.
WILLIAM HAY.
HON. WILLIAM HAY, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y., September 10, 1793, a son of James and Katy (McVicker) Hay. When he was a child the family removed to Glens Falls, where he re- ceived the limited educational advantages of the schools of the vicinity. He read law in the office of Henry O. Martindale of Glens Falls, and in 1812, after his admission to the bar, opened an office at Caldwell, at
Tto Su Williams & Bro NY
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the head of Lake George. He served as a lieutenant in the war of 1812, raising a rifle company through his own efforts. He was also a volunteer in the expedition to Carthagena, in consequence of which he spent a winter in Philadelphia, where he learned the printer's trade.
In 1819 he became the publisher of the Warren Patriot. In 1822 he removed to Glens Falls and was elected member of assembly from Warren county. About this time he issued a small volume of poems, called "Isabel 'Davolos, the Maid of Seville." In the spring of 1837 he removed to Ballston, and in 1840 to Saratoga Springs, where he re- sided until his death, February 12, 1870.
Mr. Hay was possessed of a remarkable memory and was a man of scholarly ability. He was a bold and fearless advocate of temperance, and through the well understood kindliness of his motives and strength of character, commended the love and esteem of all. He was consid- ered a standard authority on American history, and was deeply in- terested in local history; having in fact collected a fund of valuable historic matter in contemplation of publishing a history of Saratoga county.
WALTER HENDRICKS HANSON.
WALTER HENDRICKS HANSON, one of the best known and most promi- nent of Saratoga's younger men, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., August 21, 1866. He was educated at Fairview, this county, the schools of Saratoga Springs and at Phillips Exeter, New Hampshire.
After his school days he engaged in business in Albany, which he carried on for six years, but he has always resided in Saratoga Springs and has given much attention to public affairs here. He was trustee of the village from 1894 to 1896 and has been tendered other nomina- tions by the Republicans of Saratoga Springs. He is a prominent thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chap- ter, Commandery and Shrine. He was also a member of the Burgess Corps, Albany, of which he was second lieutenant for three years, from 1894 until the spring of 1897, when he resigned.
Mr. Hanson was prominently mentioned for president of the village of Saratoga Springs, in 1894, by the Republicans and had strong sup- port in the caucus, but magnanimously withdrew in favor of Mr. Howe, who eventually received the nomination. After the Reform
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Bill was passed he took a very active part in local politics, and was strongly mentioned for the presidency of the village, being defeated in caucus by a small majority. He controlled district number six for some time and had a large and influential following.
Recently Mr. Hanson has not been able, conscientiously, to adhere to the Republican party and is classed as a Democrat. He is an aggressive and enthusiastic worker and his principle is to see the best men only placed in positions of trust. In 1889 Mr. Hanson married Aimée Gardiner Lathrop, daughter of Daniel S. Lathrop, of Albany. They have one son, Walter Lathrop Hanson. Mr. Hanson's parents were Henry B. and Theresa B. Hanson. Mr. Henry B. Hanson is one of Saratoga's leading citizens; has large interests here and is univer- sally respected. His ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers and the family has been American for nearly two centuries.
GEORGE WEST.
HON. GEORGE WEST, manufacturer, banker and ex-Congressman, was born in Bradninch, Devonshire, England, February 17, 1823. At the age of eleven he went to work in a paper mill and served his full ap- prenticeship from fourteen to twenty one years of age, and rising rapidly he was soon put in charge of a department. He came to this country in February, 1849, in the steerage, and found employment in a paper mill in New Jersey at seven dollars per week, but at the end of a year removed to Tyringham, Berkshire county, Mass., and entered a writing-paper mill. It was here, in February, 1850, that he made the first watermark writing paper on a machine in the United States. He also invented machinery for cutting watermark in the centre of the sheet. In 1853 he took full charge of the Russell Mills; in 1861 he purchased the Empire Mill, Rock City Falls, Saratoga county, and in June, 1862 purchased the mill outright. He now owns and runs seven paper and one sulphite mills. The paper mills have an output of fifty tons of paper per day, and the sulphite millls an output of fif- teen tons per day; he employs 400 men, women and children. He is a large stockholder in the Utica Herald. He is president and one of the founders of the First National Bank of Ballston; a director of the Na- tional Folding Box and Paper Co. of New York city; director of Frank- lin Bank; owns a creosote factory and several mines in the west. He
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is treasurer of the Round Lake Association and one of the original in- corporators, and a member of the firm of D. S. Walton & Co., wholesale merchants of paper and paper boxes, corner of Varick and Franklin streets, New York city. He is also a member of the board of trade and transportation, the American Geographical Society, and the Republican Club of New York city. In politics a Republican, he was five times elected to the Assembly from Ballston, from 1871 to 1875 inclusive; served in Congress three terms (1880-86) from the Twentieth district. In 1880- 84 and in 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican Conven- tion. His popularity in his county was very great; and once, when his political opponents had a picture taken representing him asleep in his chair in the assembly hall and distributed proofs by the thousands in his district, the people elected him by a greater majority than usual. He had been up for nights watching legislation, and accidently dozed in his chair. His political career has been brilliant, and his native wit and readiness and good humor in speaking have won him many friends. In 1883, on the occasion of a visit to England, a public reception and banquet was given to Mr. West, by the officials and the people in his native town, Bradninch. Mr. West is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a Knight of Pythias. He was the original New Yorker who suggested Benjamin Harrison for the presidency in 1888, and was also the first to advocate Levi P. Morton for vice president. In relig- ion he is a Methodist and an active member of the denomination. He paid half the cost of erecting the handsome church edifice in Ballston, which was dedicated by Bishop Newman in December, 1893, and in 1896 he presented the church with a handsome parsonage. Mr. West is a self-made man in the best sense of the word, and having expe- rienced the struggle of life does not forget to sympathize with others. He is most philanthropic, contributing largely to charity and carnestly supporting every worthy measure for the public good. He was mar- ried in Devonshire, England, April 7, 1844, to Louisa Rose. They have had six children, two of whom survive. The first-born son, George West, jr., now living, is married and has three sons, and the last born, Florence L., now Mrs. Douglas W. Mabee, has seven chil- dren.
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HIRAM NEWELL.
HIRAM NEWELL is a descendant from the Connecticut branch of Newells. Thomas Newell was the first of the name to settle in Farm- ington, whither he came from Hartford in its early settlement, it is said from Hertfordshire, England. His name appears in Farmington, Conn., among the original settlers not long after 1640. Daniel Newell, grand- father of Hiram, was born at that place September 16, 1755; he took an active part in the Revolutionary war; and soon after independence was declared he removed with his wife, Nancy (Curtis) Newell, to Tin . mouth, Vt., and while residing there was chosen captain of the artillery company and retained that position until his removal to Burke, Vt. While a resident of that town he was often chosen to fill town offices, and was a representative in the Legislature from 1810 to 1813, and it is said always discharged his duty with fidelity and dispatch.
His grandson, Hiram Newell, was born at Burke, Caledonia county, Vt., July 21, 1815, a son of Rufus and Betsey (Beckwith) Newell. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm at that place and in 1833 he removed with his parents to Jay, Essex county, N. Y. After serving a short time as clerk he engaged in, the iron and mercantile business until 1845, when he sold out and removed to Port Henry, where he was cashier and bookkeeper in the Port Henry Iron Works. After two years he returned to Jay and again engaged in the iron and mercantile business until 1852, when he removed to Tonawanda. Here he entered the dry goods business and during his residence there held town offices, such as trustee and president of the village. In 1860 he served one term in the Legislature, and after the inauguration of President Lincoln was appointed customs officer and served four years in that capacity. In 1872 Mr. Newell came to Saratoga Springs and for sixteen years was engaged in the mercantile business. May 26, 1886, he was elected director of the Citizens' Bank, and the following year served as vice- president of the bank.
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