USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 58
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For sixteen years Mr. Cook served the town as justice of the peace. In 1842 he was appointed commissioner to examine the mineral re- gions of the State, and to obtain proposals for the sale of mines with a view to the employment of convicts in mining and smelting. When Clinton prison was established Mr. Cook was appointed both agent and warden, and his management was the subject of much commendation. He built the prison, the steam saw mill, foundry, machine shop, dwell- ing for his own and the clerk's family, with four or five other buildings and a large amount of machinery. He continued in service until re- moved by a change in politics.
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BYRON J. MURRAY, M. D.
BYRON J. MURRAY, M. D., was born in Luzerne, Warren county, N. Y., February 27, 1850, a son of Dr. George and Angeline (Canfield) Murray. The family is of Scotch origin and representatives lived in Edinburgh for many generations. About the year 1700 Samuel Mur- ray, wife, and two sons, moved to Yorkshire, England, where they re- sided until 1740, during which period two sons were born, Jasper Drake and Joseph.
Jasper Drake Murray, great-grandfather of Dr. B. J. Murray, subject of this sketch, was born in Yorkshire, England, January 10, 1736, and died December 15, 1826. His father died in 1750 when Jasper Drake Murray was fourteen years of age. Jasper Drake Murray's mother bound him to her brother-in-law, Joseph Murray, who had no children, but owing to abuse and maltreatment from his aunt he gathered all his possessions (consisting of one extra shirt tied in a red handkerchief) and ran away to enlist in the English navy. After serving five years he was honorably discharged and at once emigrated to America, settling in Litchfield, Mass. During the French and Indian war he enlisted as a private, but soon gained the rank of captain and served with distinc- tion and honor. He participated in the severe conflict at Bloody Pond in Warren county, N. Y., at the time Major William Williams was killed on or near the spot where the latter's memorial monument now stands. At the close of the war he returned to Litchfield, Mass., where he mar- ried Sybil Lewis. Three sons were born of this union, George (grand- father of Dr. Murray), Philemon and Aaron, also three daughters. When the war for Independence began, Jasper Drake Murray re-enlisted in the American army, serving faithfully until peace was restored. The government granted him a large tract of land near Danbury, Conn., where remained from 1783 to 1798 and then removed to Luzerne, Warren county, N. Y.
His son George married Sophia Pitcher, daughter of Jonathan Pitcher, an officer in the English army who fought against the Americans all through the Revolution. They lived first at Danbury, Conn., but later removed to Glens Falls in the township of Queensbury, Warren county, N. Y. Eight children were born of this union, of whom George Mur- ray, jr., father of Byron J. Murray, was one.
George Murray, jr., was educated for the medical profession at Cas- tleton Academy, Vt., and practiced many years in Luzerne, winning
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the confidence of his patients, and the respect of his fellow men. He died May 22, 1863, in the fifty-first year of his age. He married An- geline Canfield, daughter of Sacket and Sarah (Smith) Canfield. The Canfields trace their genealogy more than five hundred and fifty years. They were of Calvanistic French origin (Huguenots). Angeline (Can- field) Murray was born in Luzerne, April 30, 1815, and died December 20, 1893, aged seventy-eight years.
The subject of this sketch was educated largely by his own efforts, having early discovered that a good education is the foundation and fundamental principle of success. To this end he applied a strong phy- sique coupled with energy and pluck, working hard during the summer months to obtain funds sufficient to enable him to attend school in win- ter. During his sixteenth year he removed to Hamilton, Michigan, where he soon after became a half owner in a thriving drug store, his partner being Dr. Charles H. Kimber, a skilled physician, with whom he soon began reading medicine. At the age of twenty he sold his in- terest in the drug business and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking first a literary and then the medical course. He received the degree M. D. March 29, 1876, and began practice at La Grange, Ind., where he remained less than a year and thence removed to Wiltonville, Saratoga county, where he remained in successful prac- tice nearly a decade. In 1886 he removed to New York city where for one year he combined the practice of his profession with study at Colum- bia College and in numerous hospitals.
He began his practice in Saratoga Springs in 1887. Dr. Murray has gained an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon and is a frequent contributor to medical journals. In politics he has been a Republican but with the exception of a service of two years as a super- visor from the town of Wilton (1881-1883) he has never held public office. Fraternally he is a Past Grand member of Hathorne Lodge No. 241, I. O. O. F.
Of Dr. Murray's family, only one brother, four years his senior, sur- vives; Dr. George Sackett Murray, a practicing physician of this county. Dr. Murray married, January 14, 1874, Ida V. Stowe, daugh- ter of William R. Stowe of Batavia, N. Y., and granddaughter of Samuel Stowe, member of an old Puritan family and a noted patriot in the war of 1812 in which he won honor and promotion for distinguished bravery. Only one child was born of this union, Stowe Leon, now de- ceased. Dr. and Mrs. Murray are associated with the First Presby-
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terian church of Saratoga Springs and are largely interested in char- itable work.
JOHN H. BURKE.
HON. JOHN H. BURKE, Ballston Spa, was born in the town of Half- moon, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 21, 1856, a son of Patrick and Ellen (Purcell) Burke, natives of county Waterford, Ireland, both of whom came to the United States about 1840, and settled in Mechanic- ville.
Mr. Burke was educated in the common schools and at the Mechanic- ville Academy, Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, and was graduated from Williams College in 1884. Although working his way through college he was twice honored by his classmates in being chosen Class President, once during the Sophomore year, and again Class Day Pres- ident in the Senior year. He began the study of law in the office of L'Amoreaux, Dake & Whalen, in 1884, and was admitted to the bar in 1886. Just prior to his admission in the year 1886 he was nominated for member of assembly and was the first Democratic assemblyman elected from Saratoga county since 1878. At the expiration of his term he continued the practice of law in Mechanicville for three years. In 1891 he formed a partnership at Ballston Spa with John Person under the firm name of Burke & Person. In 1889 he was appointed Inspector in the Forest Commission of the State of New York, and continued in that capacity until 1895, his duties being principally of a legal nature. Since 1895 he has devoted his entire time to the general practice of the law, giving special attention to tax questions and Adirondack tax titles, for which his service with the Forest Commission had especially fitted him.
In 1891 Mr. Burke married Minnie A., daughter of J. G. Christopher. He is one of the progressive men of his town, a Democrat in politics, and has served several terms as chairman of the Democratic County Committee; he takes an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town. In 1897 he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors of the Ballston Spa National Bank, occasioned by the death of Henry Knick- erbocker, a connection which he still holds.
JohnH Burke
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WILLIAM L. F. WARREN.
HON. WILLIAM LA FAYETTE WARREN Was born at Troy, N. Y., Feb- ruary 4, 1793. He was graduated at Union College in 1814 and read law in the office of Judge Esek Cowen at Saratoga Springs. After his admission he formed a partnership with Judge Cowen, which continued until 1824. He served as district attorney from 1819 to 1836, was " mas- ter in chancery, injunction and taxing master," from 1824 to 1848, and served with ability as judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1845 to 1848. In the latter year Judge Warren was a Democratic presi- dential elector, but after the Civil war affiliated with the Republican party.
He was a man of fine presence, genial, patient and forbearing, and ranked high as a jury pleader and an authority on land titles. In con- nection with his extensive practice he was also actively interested in large business interests, aided largely in building the Saratoga and Whitehall railroad, and was associated with the organizers of the Sche- nectady Bank and the Bank of Saratoga Springs. He was a man of firm religious beliefs and from childhood was a member of the Presby . terian Society. He died at his residence in Saratoga Springs, May 23, 1875, having reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
HARMANUS SCHUYLER.
HARMANUS SCHUYLER died at his home in Stillwater, September 1, 1796. He was a hero of the Revolution, a brother of Philip Schuyler, major general in command of the Northern Department, who appointed him assistant deputy quartermaster-general. In this capacity he had charge of the workmen engaged in building boats at the fort on Lake George and at Whitehall. He was required to raise an army and make preparations for the invasion of Canada by way of Lake Champlain, but Congress failed to furnish him money or men and he was obliged to use his large private fortune and unlimited credit or he would have failed miserably. By the most indomitable energy and perseverance he succeeded in performing his trust.
Harmanus Schuyler had settled in Stillwater about the year 1770 and engaged in the milling business. His mills were located a short dis- tance below the present village and consisted of a grist, saw, carding 35
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and fulling mill. Before locating at Stillwater he had been in business in Albany for some years, and was high sheriff of Albany county from June, 1761, to October, 1770. He also served as assistant alderman at Albany for some time time.
R. H. MCCARTY, M.D.
R. H. MCCARTY, M. D., was born at Grangerville, Saratoga county, December 31, 1865, and was educated at the Union Free School, Schuylerville, this county. At the age of thirteen years he received an appointment in the Schuylerville post-office and was assistant post- master of that office for four years under C. H. McNaughton. Having decided to make the medical profession his life's vocation, he entered che Albany Medical College and was graduated from that institution in 1886. He depended upon no outside aid to secure his medical educa- tion and degree, but worked to earn the money necessary for his col- lege expenses. In fact, from his thirteenth year he evinced both the pluck and ability that have characterized his whole career and which have raised him to the front rank of the medical practitioners of the State and have made him prominent in public life.
Immediately after graduating Dr. McCarty began the practice of his profession at Schuylerville, where he remained for seven years, or until 1893, when he removed to Saratoga Springs and made this place his permanent residence.
His public services have been almost cotemporaneous with his pro- fessional life. He was elected coroner in 1886 for a term of three years and was subsequently elected coroner to fill out an unexpired term of another official. Again, in fall of 1898, he was elected county coroner for a term of three years. In 1887 he was elected health physician for Victory Mills, was physician and surgeon at police head- quarters for two years and town physician for four years. He was also town physician for the town of Schuylerville from the time he began his practice there until he came to Saratoga Springs, and was health officer of the town of Saratoga Springs for two years.
In politics Dr. McCarty has always been a staunch Republican and the many offices he has held indicate not only his popularity but also the ability and integrity with which he discharges every public duty. Yet no small part of his popularity is unquestionably due to his genial
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disposition, liberal mind and unswerving fidelity to his friends. Not only is he public spirited but his life is rich in unrecorded benefactions.
He has been town, ward and district committeeman and chairman of the Republican town committee. In political work he is honorable yet aggressive and both his friends and opponents realize his influence.
In 1886 Dr. McCarty married Mary Nalty, who died leaving two sons, John N. and Daniel. In the spring of 1898 he married Anna Flatley of Cohoes city, an estimable lady, well qualified to contribute to the domestic tastes which are a prominent characteristic of Dr. Mc- Carty's life, and who takes a keen interest in his professional and public duties.
Dr. McCarty's parents were James and Catherine McCarty. His mother died while he was young, but his father still resides at Schuy- lerville. James McCarty was a native of Cork, and his wife of Dublin, Ireland.
REV. FRANCIS WAYLAND.
FRANCIS WAYLAND was born at Frome, Somersetshire, England, in 1772. He married in Norwich, Norfolk, Miss Sarah Moore, a native of that city. In 1793 they came to this country, settling in the village of Saratoga Springs in 1821. Rev. Mr. Wayland was for several years pastor of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs, and after retir- ing from his charge, having a competent income, continued to reside in this village, often supplying the desks of neighboring destitute churches without compensation. He was a staunch advocate of the cause of temperance based on Christian principle, and a man of great influence in the community; always ready to extend kindly ministra- tion to body or soul. He died at his home in Saratoga Springs in 1849.
GIDEON M. DAVISON.
GIDEON M. DAVISON was born at Middletown, Vt., a member of the famous English and New England family of Davisons, who trace their descent to the time of Edward the Third of England. He was educat- ed in common schools, and when but a youth began the printing trade at Rutland, Vt. He afterwards worked in New York city, but returned
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to Rutland and entered into partnership with William Fay. This firm established the Rutland Herald and also published a "History of the War of 1812." Mr. Davison removed to Saratoga in 1817 and established the Saratoga Sentinel, the first number being issued in April, 1818. This paper proved very successful and for a number of years was the leading paper of the county. Mr. Davison also printed and published "Cowen's Court Reports of the State of New York," edited and pub- lished an edition of "Stevens' Arithmetic," a quarto family Bible, " Smith's Lectures to the Unconverted," several editions of Dr. Steel's " Analysis of the Mineral Waters," "Goodrich's Spelling Book," and in association with Judge Warren, compiled and published a guide book which appeared under the titles of "The Fashionable Tour " and the "Northern Tourist."
Mr. Davison was a man of great public spirit, being especially inter- ested in the establishment and extension of railroads, to which several of the most active years of his life were devoted. For years he was a ruling elder and superintendent of the Sabbath school of the Presby- terian church. He died October 1, 1869, aged seventy-eight years. On the day after his death a public meeting was held, at which addresses were made and resolutions adopted eulogizing his public achievements and private virtues. During the funeral, business on Broadway was suspended and the bells of all the churches were tolled.
ALBERT O. WILLCOX.
ALBERT O. WILLCOX was born in New York city, May 10, 1810. He was a rare and estimable gentleman, and had taken part, not only in important business transactions, and associated intimately with leading national characters, but also participated in great national questions. He was, for some years, confidential financial manager (dispenser of credits) to the great merchant, A. T. Stewart, where his incorrupti- bility, humanity, integrity and ability were, at times, fully tested. He was a fearless anti slavery man, and all his long life of eighty-seven years he conscientiously cast both his moral and political influence on the side of right as against might. Subsequent to his (voluntary) sev- erance of relations with A. T. Stewart he established in Paris, London and leading cities of the United States, what was then called the Dunn Mercantile Agency, and which is now the highest authority for credits
ALBERT OLIVER WILLCOX,
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in the United States, and probably in Europe. Later, Mr. Willcox and son, Hamilton Willcox, established in New York a life and fire insur- ance which, under the very able management of Albert Willcox & Co., has grown to large proportions in cotton, and marine, and other business, as also in large European connections.
Mr. Willcox's first wife was a highly intellectual and cultivated lady. She was also born in New York city, and was the daughter of James H. Hamilton. Mr. Willcox's second wife survives him. She was a daughter of John V. Stanton, of Amsterdam, N. Y. She had studied and practiced medicine in New York city. Her few years with her venerable husband, whom she revered for his amiability and high character, was full of that happiness which is the reward of merit, and her appreciation of one of the noblest of men. Mr. Willcox is survived by two brothers (both Congregational clergymen) and a sister. The type of excellence and superiority which so distinguishes one member of this family distinguishes them all.
JOHN H. STEEL, M. D.
JOHN HONEYWOOD STEEL was one of the most notable men of Saratoga county. He was born in Leicester, Mass., in 1780, a son of Samuel and Anne (Garfield) Steel, and a lineal descendant of William Steel, esq., magistrate, counsellor, recorder of London, baronet, and lord-lieuten- ant of Ireland.
When he was a youth Dr. Steel left home, and his parents dying soon after, he never returned. He began the study of his profession in the office of Daniel Bull, M. D., of Saratoga, and in 1829 received the honorary degree of M. D. from the University of the State of New York. (He had received his diploma to practice "physic and surgery" in 1800.) For thirty years he was a moving spirit and official member of the Saratoga County Medical Society. He was also president of the New York State Medical Society for a time.
Dr. Steel was appointed surgeon of the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry of New York State and served in the war of 1812 He was also at one time an assistant surgeon in the Navy and was present at the bombard- ment of Algiers. He was a prominent Mason, an official member of the Albany Lyceum of Natural History, and either an honorary or cor- responding member of every scientific or historical association of note
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in North America and many in Europe. He served as judge of the Saratoga County Court of Common Pleas for several years, and as post- master of the village of Saratoga Springs.
PETER V. WIGGINS.
PETER VAIL WIGGINS, was born at Southold, Suffolk county, L. I., June 23, 1793. He came to Saratoga county about the year 1820, first settling in the town of Greenfield, under the auspices of his uncle, James Vail. He remained in Greenfield but a short time, and in the summer of 1822 removed to Saratoga Springs, where he engaged in business as a general merchant. As a business man he was possessed of great foresight and ability, becoming the leading merchant of the village. He married, October 26, 1825, Mary S. Andrews, widow of Henry W. Andrews, and daughter of Dr. Joshua Porter, and of their children four reached maturity: Martha Vail, Augusta Porter, Mary Ellsworth and Peter Porter. Mr. Wiggins died at his home in Saratoga Springs, May 28, 1862.
THE BATCHELLER FAMILY.
THE Batcheller family is one of the early settled families of Edin- burgh, and was founded by Ambrose Batcheller, who came in 1808 from Vermont, and settled about one mile from the site of Batcheller- ville, which bears his name. To Amos and Sally Batcheller were born five children. Their son Sherman was the father of Gen. George S. Batcheller, who served with distinction in the Civil war and then went to Egypt, where he became a judge in the Court of the Khedive. Rensselaer, another son, had three children, one of whom is Lt .- Com. Oliver H. Batcheller, who also won recognition in the Civil war.
EDWARD H. STRANG.
EDWARD H. STRANG, was born in the township of Stillwater, April 26, 1847, and educated in the district schools and Fort Edward Insti- tute. Many years of his life were devoted to farming. In 1886 he
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came to Mechanicville and was associated with W. B. Neilson in the knit goods business for six years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Neilson and in 1892 organized a joint stock company under the corpo- rate name of the Mechanicville Knitting Co .; Mr. Strang is its pres- ident, also one of the directors of the Manufacturers National Bank of Mechanicville, N. Y., and was president of the village one year.
December 22, 1868, he married Francelia Perkins of Ketchum Cor- ners, and they have two children: Arthur L. and I. Blanche. Arthur L. is superintendent of one of the departments in the factory and mar- ried Laura Callanan of Mechanicville. I. Blanche married Fred S. Clute of this place.
Mr. Strang's father, Ira Strang, was born in the township of Still- water, in 1811, was well educated and was a practicing physician; he married Anna J. Hunt, daughter of Edward Hunt, of his native place, and three children were born to them: Edward H. (as above), Dray- ton and J. Reid; the last named is a practicing physician in the town- ship of Clifton Park. Dr. Ira Strang died in 1891 and his widow in 1894. Mr. Strang's paternal grandfather was born in Stillwater in 1785 and his maternal grandfather was born in the same place in 1781, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The Strangs came to Saratoga county from Dutchess at the close of the Revolutionary war, locating in Stillwater. His great-grandfather, Thomas Hunt, was a lieutenant in the Second Infantry Regiment of New York and participated in the battle of Bemis Heights; he married a daughter of Ensign Woodruff and bought the farm which is now owned by Edward H. and has been in the family continuously. Mrs. Strang's father, Lewis Perkins, was born in the township of Saratoga, Saratoga county, in 1813, and mar- ried Sarah Barber. Mr. Perkins died in 1880, and his widow survives at this date, 1898.
Mr. Strang is a member of the M. E. church of Mechanicville and the chairman of the board of trustees and foremost in all church work. He was active in the organization of the Y. M. C. A. of Mechanicville and was its first vice-president, and has been its president for the past six years; he is also a member of On-da-wa Lodge No. 820, of Mechan- icville, F. & A. M.
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WILLIAM M. MARTIN.
WILLIAM M. MARTIN, the leading undertaker of Saratoga Springs, was born in that village, October 28, 1867, and is a son of the late Hi- ram H., jr., and Ellen M. (Barber) Martin. Robert Martin, great- grandfather of William M., was a native of New Jersey, and settled in Saratoga county previous to the war of 1812, in which he served as a private. He was one of the pioneers of the section, and during his long residence took an active part in the development of the varied resources of this region.
Hiram H. Martin, jr., father of William M., was born on Federal street, near Congress, Saratoga Springs, was educated in the public schools, and in 1861 established the business which is now conducted by the subject of this sketch. He was possessed of business ability of a high order, and soon established a reputation for skill in his profes- sion which placed him at its head. His death occurred April 23, 1897; his widow and two children survive him; William M. and Viola G. B.
William M. Martin was educated in the public schools of Saratoga, and at the age of fourteen entered the employ of his father. He early showed an aptitude for the business, and later took a course in two of the leading embalming schools, graduating from both with honor. Mr. Martin is a licensed embalmer in compliance with the laws of the State of New York. On January 1, 1892, he was admitted into partnership with his father, under the style of H. H. Martin & Son, and on the death of the former the firm style was changed to William M. Martin & Co., his sister, Viola G. B. Martin, and mother being his associates.
The equipment of this well known firm is of the best, thoroughly modern in all its detail, and combines a lavish expenditure with perfect taste. In the conducting of his business Mr. Martin brings to bear an expert knowledge of embalming, business enterprise and energy of a high order and a careful attention to detail, which assures to his patrons entire satisfaction.
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