USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 62
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Akin, David, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., April 7, 1825. His education was obtained in the public schools of that day, and he began life's work as an operative in a cotton factory. He afterward became a manufacturer for many years and is now living a retired life of single blessedness, at Waterford, N. Y. Mr. Akin's father, John H., was born at the old home in Rensselaer county, February 29, 1792. He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Aulinda Paris of his native county, and they had seven children: Hannah M., William H., Rhoda A., John H., David, as above, Sarah J., and How- ard, who died in infancy. John H. Akin died in the year 1831, and his widow in 1887. Mr. Akin's grandfather, Benjamin Akin, was born in the north of Ireland, about the year 1744, and came to the United States when a young man. He married a Miss Hawley, and they came on horseback through the wilderness to the old home in Pittstown. They had eleven children, and he died at the age of ninety-six. Mr. David Akin attends the M. E. church. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and French.
Aldrich, E. J., was born in Day, N. Y., December 28, 1828, a son of Benoni and Deborah (Frost) Aldrich, who came to the town of Day at an early date and there lived and died. His grandfather, Benoni Aldrich, lived and died in Warren county. His father was a farmer and was one of the leading men of his town. E. J. Aldrich was educated in the common schools and Kingsborough Academy. He began life by working for a log company in Glens Falls, remaining with this company twenty-three years, and for most of the time was manager of the Sacan- daga River portion of their business. He is one of the well-to-do men of Cor- inth, and has made his own property. In 1870 Mr. Aldrich bought the place on which he lives of sixty acres, and has added twenty-five acres, now having a farm of
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
eighty-five acres; he also owns seventy acres in another farm; fifty-five acres in Greenfield and in the town of Day 150 acres. In politics he is independent, and in Day was assessor and inspector and has been inspector in Corinth. He is a member of the Masons, also of the I. O. O. F. January 26, 1859, he married Alvina Murray, daughter of Payn B. and Lovina Paul Murray. Mrs. Aldrich died October 24 1893. Their adopted daughter, Elizabeth, a high school teacher of several years' expe- rience, is now a student in the Emerson College of Oratory, Boston, Mass.
Andress, J. J., the leading liveryman of Saratoga Springs, was born in Linesville, Pa., and lived there until thirteen years of age. For the next seven years he resided in Hartford, Washington county, N. Y., then came to Saratoga Springs and made it his permanent home. In 1880 he embarked in the livery business, and owns the finest and best equipped establishment in the "Queen of the Spas." His stables have accommodation for ninety horses, and in addition to his regular livery business he does a large boarding trade. Mr. Andress married Cora N. Whitford, and they have one daughter, Grace Darling. Mr. Andress is a genial, enterprising business man and highly respected.
Andrus, Charles B., son of Eugene A. and Anna (Gould) Andrus, was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., March 3, 1871. He received his literary education at the Sara- toga High school and took a full course in the Albany Law school, from which he was graduated in 1894. On May 10 of that year he was admitted to the bar and soon after opened his law office in Saratoga Springs. He has been successful in his profession and although but a young man has quite a large clientage. Mr. Andrus is a Republican in politics and is very popular. In the spring of 1898 he was elected justice of the peace for a term of four years by a majority of 472. This is partic- ularly noteworthy, taking into consideration the fact that the Democrats carried most of the offices and the Republican supervisor had only ninety majority. Mr. An- drus entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1899. The Andrus family is of Scotch extraction, but the verified history of the family in America commences with Elisha Andrus, great grandfather of Charles B. Andrus. He was an old time hatter and was known as "the Hatter of Madison county," in which he lived. His son, John B., was also a native of that county and was father of Eugene A.
Arnold, Thomas J., is a native of Saratoga Springs and was educated here. He was in the photographic business in Ballston for fourteen years and in Saratoga Springs for ten years, as the firm of Epler & Arnold. He is experienced and an artist in pho- tography and is at present conducting the Walker studio, 338 Broadway, Saratoga. Mr. Arnold is one of the oldest Masons, having been made one in 1868. Mr. Arnold's parents were William and Caroline M. (Smith) Arnold. The Arnolds were of Eng- lish descent and settled in America over one hundred and fifty years ago. His grandfather on his mother's side came to Troy, from the north, to fight in the Rev. olutionary war. On his mother's side his ancestry can be traced back to the Kid- neys who came from Holland about two hundred years ago. Mr. Arnold has two sons: Edwin, who is a soldier in Company L, Second Regiment, New York Volun- teers, and Ray Deyoe.
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PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Arnold, Vernon E., was born on the Arnold homestead, October 5, 1860, a son of Elias B. and Lana Jane (Van Hyning) Arnold. He was educated in the common schools of the town of Stillwater, also Troy Business college. In 1893 he purchased the farm where he now resides and is engaged in general farming. He is actively interested in town and county affairs, having been connected with the election board every year since he was twenty-one years old. He was appointed statistician of Saratoga county under the bureau of crop reports of the United States. He married Maria, daughter of Daniel and Cornelia Baker. He has been master of the Patrons of Husbandry for the past six years. His father was born on the homestead where he now lives August 23, 1832.
Atwell, Robert S., was born in Milton township, January 23, 1830. His father was a preacher in the M. E. church and a practicing physician. one who believed in curing spiritual as well as physical ills. Robert S. was carefully educated in Hins- dale and Pittsfield (Mass.) institutions, later studied medicine with Dr. Mott of Schuylerville and attended medical lectures at the medical school at Castleton, Vt., but was, through ill health, obliged to leave before finishing the course. He came to Schuylerville and after recovering his health engaged in mercantile business in connection with his brother, R. N. Atwell, in 1850. In 1851 he started the Battle Ground Herald, a weekly paper at Schuylerville, and continued as editor and pro- prietor for five years, when the demands of his mercantile business becoming so pressing he sold out the paper to John R. Rockwell, and a few months later disposed of his other interests to his brother and partner. and in company with another brother opened up at Victory Mills. This last enterprise was successfully carried on until 1889, when he disposed of his half of the business to his nephew, Charles F. Atwell, son of his late brother and partner. In 1878 he added to his other large holdings in real estate the farm where he with his adopted daughter, the child of his brother, George O. Atwell, and wife of Herbert Leggett, now reside. In 1854 Mr. Atwell married Phoebe A. McCreedy, and they had two children who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Atwell died July 6, 1890. Mr. Atwell was formerly a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a strong adherent to the prin- ciples of that party. He was postmaster of Victory Mills for thirty-two consecutive years, from 1856 until his resignation in 1888.
Backus, F. Albertine .- The late Phineas R. Backus was born in Chatham, Colum- bia county, N. Y., in 1822, educated in the district schools and was a merchant by occupation. In 1844 he married Charlotte E. Hicks of Brainard, Rensselaer county, and four children were born to them: Eugene, who died in infancy; Asbury C., Merville L. and F. Albertine. Asbury C. died at Andersonville prison; Merville L. was also a soldier as well as a sailor, at Seattle, Washington. F. Albertine, born in Monroe county, resides in Waterford with her aunt, Sarah S. Proper. Mr. Backus traced his ancestry to William Backus who settled in Connecticut as early as 1637; he died in Mendon in 1849; his widow remarried and survives at this date (1898). Miss Backus's grandfather, Thomas Hicks, traces his ancestry to Robert Hicks, who came over in the ship Fortune in 1621, and settled in Duxbury, Mass. ; he was cap- tain in the early war. Miss Backus's uncle, John Proper, was born in Dutchess
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
county, in 1808, of Holland parentage. In 1837 he married Sarah J. Hicks of Rens- selaer county, moved to Waterford in 1849, and took an active interest in business and in the government of the village of Waterford, holding at different times re- sponsible positions. He died in 1891 and his wife still survives, 1898.
Bailey, Herbert O., was born in Boston, Mass., August 2, 1859, and when a child removed to New York city with his parents, where he was educated in Columbia Grammar School. He served two years in a broker's office in Wall street and at the age of nineteen entered the employ of the Ansonia Clock Co. of Ansonia, Conn., be- ing with them in Brooklyn, N. Y., also, and remained with them four years. In 1882 he came to Mechanicville, N. Y., and was engaged by the Duncan Paper Co., and has had charge of the office since; he is also paymaster. November 15, 1888, he married Harriet Dwight, formerly of Albany, N. Y., and they have four children : Eleanor Hathorne, Mary Dwight, Lyman Dwight and Adams. Mr. Bailey's father, Adams Bailey, was born in Boston, Mass., May 21, 1818, educated in Boston, and was a merchant twenty years in Boston and Calcutta, India, until 1860, when he came to New York city and was an importer of iron and steel until 1870, when he re- tired from business. He married Caroline W. Lang of Boston, and they had five children: Adams, Walter L., Herbert O. (as above), Susanna H. and Frederick W. Mr. Bailey died in 1878; his widow survives him now (1898). Mr. Bailey's grand- father, Adams Bailey, was born in Scituate, Mass., in 1789. The first of the Baileys in America was Thomas Bailey, who came from England in 1643. Mrs. Bailey's father, Harvey A. Dwight, was born in Berne, Albany county, N. Y., in 1835, and came here with his parents when a boy, was educated in the district schools and Stillwater Academy and is a commission merchant in Albany. He married Mary I. Burton of Albany, N. Y., and they had six children: Harriet (as above), Mary B., Harvey L., Jeane B., Lucia K. and J. Watson. The first of the Dwights in America was John, who settled in Dedham, Mass., coming from England in 1630. Mr. Bailey's great-grandfather, Adams Bailey, was a captain in the 2d Mass. Infantry in the Revolutionary war and his commission and sword are in the possession of the former. Mr. Bailey in his political choice is a thorough Democrat. He is a member of the National Democratic committee for the 28th Senatorial district. In 1891 he was elected supervisor of the town of Stillwater; in 1893 was elected president of the village of Mechanicville; and is treasurer of the Stillwater and Mechanicville street railway company and president of the Mechanicville Improvement Co. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Episcopal church and for a number of years has been senior warden and treasurer of St. Luke's church, Mechanicville.
Baker, Aaron, was born in Stillwater, in October, 1830, a son of Israel Baker, who was one of fifteen brothers who settled there among the pioneers of that town. Aaron Baker was identified as a farmer. He was a conservative man and noted for his sterling integrity. In 1855 he married Maria, daughter of Thomas and Katherine Hanson Arnold. Mr. Baker died January 8, 1867, leaving his wife and one son, Vernon A. Thomas Arnold's ancestor was Thomas Arnold, who came from the State of Delaware during the Revolutionary war. Katherine Hanson's father, Arthur Hanson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and both families were promi- nent residents of the town.
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PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Baker, Albert E., son of Perry and Mary S. Griffin Baker, was born in Quaker Springs, July 24, 1864. There were seven children in his father's family ; those sur- viving are Charles H., a farmer in Wayville, N. Y .; Isaac, who resides in Glovers- ville, N. Y .; William P., the youngest son, who resides at home; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Carpenter of Albany; Ruth, wife of Augustus Turner of Ketchum's Corners; and Bertha, who resides at home. Mr. Baker was educated at Colgate University and the Albany Business College. At twenty-two years of age he left home and went west and was for six years connected with the People's Railway at Kansas City, Mo. On his return to Saratoga county he went to New York city and was for some time engaged in the produce business, buying and handling country produce, which business he still continues. In 1895 he purchased the Perkins farm of 126 acres and has since devoted part of his time to general farming and the breeding of fine cattle, notably the Holstein and Dutch Betters; his flock of South Down sheep is among the finest; he also takes a great interest in turkeys, of which his flock is the finest and best in the township. Mr. Baker is energetic and thorough, always abreast of the times and in keeping with the age. Though not an active politician, Mr. Baker has always been an active and consistent worker in the ranks of the Re- publican party and is a strong believer in its principles. January 14, 1896, Mr. Baker married Daisy Naylor, daughter of Rev. J. Naylor, a Baptist clergyman of Galway, and they have one son, Alfred.
Baker, Elmer E., a native of Northumberland township, was born in 1860, a son of Hosea and Mary A. (Tallmadge) Baker. He was educated in the public schools and started in business life at the age of twenty-two, following farming for seven years, and while still continuing this project purchased the Grangerville grist and feed mill in 1889, and still venturing further purchased the grocery and general dry goods store at Grangerville, and has since successfully carried on these various enter- prises. Besides the store and mill, Mr. Baker's farm of 196 acres on the Saratoga road receives its share of his attention. He is president and manager of the Sara- toga Creamery, is postmaster at Grangerville and is recognized as a substantial and influential worker in the interests of the Republican party. Mr. Baker represented the town of Saratoga in the board of supervisors in 1896 and 1897, but through an oversight in filing the nomination, which he received unanimously in 1898, his elec- tion was debarred. He is a member of Schuyler Lodge No. 676, Home Chapter No. 176, and Washington Commandery No. 33, F. & A. M.
Baker, Fayette, was born in the township of Halfmoon, December 31, 1849, and educated in the public schools and Mechanicville Academy. December 29, 1875, he married Sarah A. Rogers, and they have five children: Cornelia F., Courtland D., Winfield S., J. Le Roy and Essie M. Mr. Baker's father, Daniel Baker, was born in the township of Stillwater, in 1822, educated in the schools of his day and was a farmer. He married Cornelia Howland, and they had nine children: Howland, John Fayette, Louisana, Martha, Powell (who died at the age of thirty years), Maria, Minnie C. and Elisha K. Mr. Baker died in 1872 and his widow in 1885. Mr. Baker's grandfather was born in 1765, and married twice, first to Cornelia Westervelt, and second to Ruth Post. Mrs. Baker's father, Courtland Rogers, was born in the town-
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
ship of Malta in 1822, married twice, first to Sarah A. Eddy, and they had two chil- dren: Florence and Sarah A. Mrs. Rogers died in 1853, and for his second wife he married Marion Mckinley, and they had three children: Reuben H., Essie J. and John G. Mr. Rogers died in 1894. His widow still survives.
Baker, John, was born in the township of Halfmoon, October 3, 1847, and obtained his education in the district schools, Mechanicville Academy and Poughkeepsie Busi- ness College, but he has always followed the honorable occupation of farming. Oc- tober 5, 1870, he married Mary J., daughter of Peter and Minerva (Morris) Smith, of this locality, and they had one son, Hiel S., who died in his second year. Mr. Baker's father's history appears in another place in this book. Mrs. Mary J. Baker's father, Peter Smith, was born on the homestead, now owned by John I. Smith, in the year 1819 and he was educated in the schools of his day. He, too, was a farmer and one of the representative citizens of the township. He married twice, first in 1842 to Minerva Morris, of Halfmoon, and they had three children: Hiel J., who died at the age of thirteen, Mary J., as above, and an infant, who died soon after birth. Mrs. Minerva Smith died January 20, 1863. For his second wife he married Mrs. Edna Edmonds, born Scoughton, of his town. Mr. Smith died February 8, 1898, and his wife in 1883. Mr. Baker has held the office of justice of the peace four years and is one of the township's representative men. The ancestry of the family is Eng- lish, Welsh and German.
Barber, Ira Collins, was born in Whitehall, August 8, 1855, and came to Saratoga Springs in 1870 and began the battle of life as a poor boy, but by honesty and a clear head and willing hands he has become one of the reliable and progressive business men of Saratoga Springs. He worked for the National Express Co. for five years, clerked for some time, and for two years was with W. F. Howard, wholesale and retail woodenware, before entering into the partnership of Lewis & Barber, which was ultimately dissolved and Mr. Barber assumed the whole business, which he has since conducted with great success. In 1881 Mr. Barber married Annie N. Brennan, and they have three daughters: Jennie, Minnie and Lillian. Mr. Barber's parents were John and Adeline H. Barber. His father died when he was an infant and so at an early age he had to rely upon himself and without any outside aid has be- come a prominent business man.
Barbour, John L., was born in Saratoga Springs and received his early education at a private school. He studied law with his father and also in the office of Hon. John W. Crane, and was admitted to the bar in 1867, since which date he has pur- sued the practice of his profession in Saratoga Springs. Mr. Barbour is a member of the Jeffersonian Democratic Club of Saratoga Springs, and of the Saratoga Club. He was police justice from 1884 to 1888. Mr. Barbour's parents were Oliver L. and Elizabeth Wells (Berry) Barbour. His father, Oliver L. Barbour, LL. D., was one of the greatest law authors this country has produced. He was born in White Creek (now Cambridge), Washington county, N. Y., July 12, 1811, of New England and Scotch ancestry. His father was Oliver Barbour, a manufacturer of woolen goods. The deceased passed his boyhood in Fredonia, Chautauqua county, where he obtained his early education. When fourteen years old he began the study of law in the office
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PERSONAL REFERENCES.
of Judge Osborne, of Mayville, in the same county. He afterward pursued the study of law with Barnes & Noyes in Rome, Judge Storrs in Whitestown and Roderick N. Morrison in Penn Yan. He was admitted to the bar in 1832. In the spring of 1833 he came to Saratoga Springs and entered the office of Chancellor Walworth, who was Mr. Barbour's uncle on his mother's side. He was the chancellor's clerk for several years, and also practiced in his court, and took up his lifework of compiling law books. The degree of doctor of laws was conferred upon him by Hamilton College in 1859. His first work was The Equity Digest, four volumes. Second, Treatises on Criminal Law, embracing the practice in justice's court in criminal cases, of which three large editions were published. Third, Treatise on Practice in Court of Chan- cery, three volumes. Fourth, a Treatise on the Law of Set-Off. Fifth, three vol- umes of Chancery Reports. In 1848 he became the reporter of the Supreme Court and published sixty-seven volumes of the reports, and three volumes of digest of those decisions. In 1864 he wrote a treatise on the Law of Parties to Actions, of which a second edition was issued in 1884. These comprise no less than one hun- dred and twenty volumes of standard law books, besides which he hasedited upwards of twenty volumes which have appeared under the names of others. He regarded his treatise on criminal law as his most valuable production. His chancery practice still stands in Michigan, New Jersey and several other States. The Chancery Re ports were also highly endorsed by Judge Story of the United States Supreme Court in 1844, and by Vice-Chancellor Sanford of New York city in 1846, for their accuracy and exhaustiveness. He died December, 17, 1889.
Barnes, George W., was born in the town of Charlton, May 22, 1856, a son of James and Eliza (Ellerd) Barnes. His father came to this country when a young man, and in the early years of his life carried on the shoemaker's trade, but in his latter years carried on farming exclusively ; he died in 1861. George W. Barnes was educated in the common schools of the towns of Charlton and Galway and when fourteen years of age started out in life for himself as a farm laborer. In 1888 he purchased the farm where he now resides and by occupation follows general farm- ing. February 13, 1878, he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Gray, and their children are Lillian, William, Frederick, Robert, Nellie, Stephen and Myrtle. George W. is a public spirited man and is active in school and town and county affairs. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry, and of the West Milton church.
Barrett, Simon W., was born in Saratoga Springs, August 10, 1859, a son of Simon H. and Elizabeth (Wells) Barrett. His father resided in Saratoga Springs for many years and was a well known citizen. Mr. Barrett was educated in the public schools of Saratoga Springs and at an early age began business life as a clerk in a grocery owned by Buell Thrasher, with whom he remained three years. At the end of this period he went south, but returned in 1879 and began the carpenter's trade, which he has since continued. Mr. Barrett established himself in business as a contractor in 1892 and has since built several residences in Saratoga Springs and vicinity. In 1885 Mr. Barrett married Mary, daughter of Thomas Kirby, a native of England, and their children are Sampson, Irene, Thomas, Evelyn, Mabel, Walter and an in- fant daughter, Ethel.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Baumes, Will H., was born in Galesville, now called Middle Falls, town of Easton, Washington county, December 7, 1858, a son of Adam Baumes, who married Lucina Satterlee, and through life has been identified as a carriage manufacturer. Mr. Will H. Baumes was educated at the Greenwich High school and the Oswego State Normal school. In 1877 he engaged in the clothing business at Schuylerville, N. Y., in 1890 established his present business in Ballston Spa, and is carrying the leading stock of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc. In 1888 he married Nellie, daughter of Benjamin F. Manier, and they have two children; Will H. Baumes, jr., and Gladys. Mr. Baumes is one of the self-made men of Saratoga county, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.
Beach, James B., was born in Saratoga Springs, April 22, 1848, a son of Joseph and Julia (Duprey) Beach, natives of Montreal, Canada, where their ancestors, who were French people, settled generations ago. Mr. Beach was educated in the schools of the village and when sixteen years of age he took a position as clerk in the com- missary department at Washington, in 1864, and continued there in that capacity until the close of the war. A notable incident of his life while in Washington was that he was at the play in the Ford Theatre the night Lincoln was shot. After the war Mr. Beach learned the trade of painting and paper hanging and pursued this vocation until 1876, when he became connected with Morrissey's celebrated club house and up to the present time, a period of twenty-two years, he has been associated with the club house continuously. In May, 1896, he opened his brilliant parlors in the Mitchell Block and this establishment is one of the finest and best conducted to be found in the up State country. Mr. Beach is one of the oldest native Saratogians living in the village, which he calls " the garden spot of the world," and which he has seen grow up from a small village to its present metropolitan state. On Novem- ber 15, 1870, he married Clara R. Cole, and their children are Benjamin Ernest, and Bertha Luella.
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