USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 69
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of the trustees of the Mechanics Savings Bank of Cohoes. In his younger days he was a machinist with Gage & Campbell for twenty years. He resided in the State of Illinois five years, making telegraph instruments for Judge J. D. Caton. On June 10, 1862, he patented an improvement on the knitting burr, which is used in all the knitting mills in the United States. In his church relations he is an Episcopalian. George W. is a member of Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., of Cohoes Chapter, R. A. M., Bloss Council, Apollo Commandery No. 15, K. T , Oriental Temple, A. A. N. M. S., and of the Albany Consistory, of Waterford Club, of the Troy Yacht Club and of the Troy Elks, and president of the Cohoes City Club; member of the Pafraets Dael Club of Troy, Fort Orange Club of Albany, and Riverside Club of Lansingburgh.
Kearney, Hon. Edward, was born in the city of New York in the year 1830 and was educated in the public schools. He was actively engaged in business in his native city for over forty years and has been a prominent figure in politics for a longer period. He has been a leader and sachem in Tammany Hall for many years. He took a conspicuous part with Hon. John Kelly in the reorganization of Tammany Hall at the close of the Tweed régime, and represented that organization for a long period in all matters pertaining to legislation. Was a member of the Democratic State Committee for several years; was frequently a delegate to city, State and national conventions ; was elected on several occasions a presidential elector. Public office has been often tendered him but he always declined, except as above stated, because of business demands. He became a summer resident of Saratoga in 1871 and has continued such ever since. He built handsome residences for himself and son, Edward W. Kearney, on Caroline street, occupying an entire block.' He erected other houses, invested heavily in real estate and improved the same to the material benefit of Saratoga. For the purpose of further enhancing the interests of Saratoga he has accepted the presidency of the Saratoga Racing Association, much to his personal inconvenience.
Kellogg, George, was born in Clifton Park, January 26, 1850, a son of John C. and Christiana (Fillinger) Kellogg. Their children were Christjohn, George, Charles, who died in infancy, Sylvester, Frank, Alfred and Howard (deceased), all natives of Clifton Park, with the exception of Christjohn. John C. and his wife Christiana came from Germany about 1848 and settled in the town of Clifton Park, and followed farming. He was public spirited and took an interest in the affairs of the town and county, also in schools and education. George Kellogg was educated in the common schools of Clifton Park, and his early life was spent on the farm with his parents. At the age of twelve years he started in life for himself as a farm laborer and since that time has depended on his own resources, and through economy and integrity has accumulated quite a competency and is a strictly self-made man. December 13, 1871, he married Ida A., daughter of John M. and Katherine Kelly, and they have had one daughter, Masie E., wife of Schuyler Davey, and one son, George Marvin (deceased). Christjohn Kellogg enlisted in Co. H, 153d Regiment, in 1862; was first under General Banks and later under General Sheridan and was with Sheridan at the time of his memorable ride. During his entire service he was only confined in a hospital for less than a week on account of a slight wound. He was mustered out
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at the close of the war and is now a successful farmer at Clifton Park. George Kellogg is a public spirited man and takes an active interest in the Republican party. He has one of the most pleasant homes in the town which is situated on Ballston lake; there are four cottages on his farm, along the lake, owned by Schen- ectady people. He purchased his farm in 1892.
Kelly, Robert, was born in Galway, June 26, 1832, a son of Robert and Isabella (McKindley) Kelly. His father was born in Galway, a son of William and Ellen (Major) Kelly, who came from Scotland to Galway in 1774, being the first settlers of the town, and their daughter, Elizabeth, being the first white child born in Galway. Mr. Kelly's father was a farmer and he and his wife had five children; he died Sep- tember 2, 1853, and his wife December 26, 1858. Robert Kelly, the subject, was educated in the common schools and is a farmer, having one hundred and twenty- eight and a half acres of land. He married Eliza Shaw, daughter of Robert Shaw. In 1862 Mr. Kelly enlisted in Co. H, 153d N. Y. Infantry, and served nearly three years and was wounded twice. In politics he is a Republican and has been super- visor three years in his native town. He is a member of the G. A. R., William B. Carpenter Post, Galway village.
Kilmer, Clarence B., was born at Rock City Falls in the town of Milton, Saratoga county, March 5, 1875. and after a preliminary education at Fairview Institute, a boarding school at Saratoga Springs, he went to New York and graduated from the public schools of that city in 1891, and attended the College of the city of New York for two years, then took a three years' special course at Columbia College and a full course in the New York Law School, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of LL. B. He then passed the examining board at Albany, and was admit- ted to the bar in 1897, beginning his practice at Saratoga Springs that same year. He was elected justice of the peace for the town of Milton in the spring of 1897, when only twenty-one years of age, and has been a Republican delegate to the county conven- tion three times, being secretary to the convention for two years. In 1897 Mr. Kilmer married Frances A. Mason. The Kilmer family is of Holland extraction, the original ancestor in this country having settled at Albany when it was Fort Orange. Mr. Kilmer is a member of the D. K. E. fraternity of Columbia College and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Kingsley, William V., was born in Warren county, N. Y., December 1, 1854, and educated in the common schools and Glens Falls Academy. He remained on the farm until sixteen years of age and then worked for a log company four years. He learned the carpenter's trade, and for about ten years was a builder and contractor ; he built about forty houses in Corinth, and at present owns four houses and lots. Mr. Kings- ley was overseer of repairs in the sulphite department and at present is millwright for the Hudson River Pulp & Paper Co. He has been very successful, and has made his own property, and to-day is one of the well-to-do men of the town. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and was appointed street commissioner of Corinth village. He is a member of Corinth Lodge No. 174, I. O. O. F., and attends and supports the M. E. church. In 1875 he married Mary E. Eggleston, and they had three children:
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Nellie A., Irwin C., and Mabel E. Mrs. Kingsley died February 20, 1890, and on August 31, 1892, he married Mrs. Mary B. Barrass of Corinth, daughter of a farmer of that place. Mr. Kingsley's father, C. P. Kingsley, was born in Luzerne, Warren county, April 3, 1837, a son of. Darius and Sarah A. (Canfield) Kingsley, he a native of Thurman, N. Y., and she born in Luzerne. Darius was a Methodist preacher and his wife was a Baptist. C. P. Kingsley was educated in the common schools, and moved to Corinth, where he owns 280 acres of land and has a dairy of twenty cows. He married Henrietta Varney, and they have four children: William V., Estella, Alice A., and Cassius A.
Kneil, Thomas R., was born at Westfield, Mass., November 6, 1851, a son of Hon. Thomas and Mary (Bush) Kneil. His father was a native of the Isle of Man, and came to America with his father, William Kneil, settling in Utica, N. Y. Hon. Thomas Kneil moved to Westfield, Mass., and became a prominent man of that place. Thomas R. was educated in the Westfield High School, Wesleyan University of Connecticut, from which he was graduated in 1875, and the Boston University, in which he took a post-graduate course. He then accepted the position of principal of the Belchertown (Mass.) schools, which position he filled for two years, when he be- came professor of classics and elocution in the academy at Poultney, Vt. In 1880 he became principal of the union school at Crown Point, N. Y., where he remained for five years. He raised the status of this school to a very high standard and perma- nently established his ability as a scholar, executive and instructor. In 1885 Mr. Kneil entered the field of journalism and took charge of the Ticonderoga Sentinel, which he both published and edited. In 1888 he returned to his old position as prin- cipal of the Crown Point Union School, which he conducted with his aforesaid energy and success until 1891, when he came to Saratoga Springs and was principal of the high school until elected superintendent of schools July 1, 1892. Under his régime the schools of Saratoga Springs have risen to an enviable position in the educational system of the State, and are second to none in the Union. In 1898 he was offered an appointment as State institute conductor by Charles R. Skinner, State superintend- ent of public instruction, but declined. On January 5, 1882, Mr. Kneil married Car- rie M., daughter of Rev. C. R. Hawley, and their children are Thomas H. (deceased), Philip C., Margaret M., Robert C. and Caroline.
Knowlson, Walter Sherman, A. M., principal of the Saratoga Springs High School, was born in Utica, N. Y., April 19, 1866, a son of T. C. B. and Mary E. (Kittle) Knowlson. On both sides Prof. Knowlson descends from good stock. The Knowl- son family is of English descent, the first representatives in this country, having settled near Albany in 1805. On the maternal side he traces his ancestry through old colonial Knickerbocker stock to Holland; the name of Kittle being a derivation of the old Dutch name of Kettelhuyn. Prof. Knowlson was educated in the common schools of Utica, preparing for college in the Utica Free Academy. He entered Hamilton in 1885 and was graduated A. B. with the class of 1889. He at once turned his attention to his chosen profession of teaching and bas filled successfully the prin- cipalships of the high schools at Holland Patent, Sherburne and Clinton. He came to his present charge in Saratoga in 1895, and has given the community an excellent
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administration. Prof. Knowlson is well fitted by nature and ability as an instructor ; shrewd in judgment, of strong character, and possessed of great enthusiasm, he has all the qualities that insure success as an educator. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of Rising Sun Lodge of Masons. In 1889 he married Katherine, daughter of Louis F. Leo of Utica, and they have one daughter, Ruth Leo.
Lamb, James E., was born in the town of Ballston, March 23, 1835. His father, Joseph Lamb, was born in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga county, in 1779, and his grandfather, Joseph Lamb, moved from Dutchess county to Halfmoon in about the year 1790. James E. has lived in the town of Malta since 1871, having resided in Halfmoon before that. March 1, 1873, he married Susan A. Olmstead of Maltaville, and they have one son, Otis E. of Maltaville, who married Margaret Wood of Clif- ton Park. Mr. Lamb has been supervisor of the town of Malta three terms and served as commissioner of highways two years. Besides being engaged in farming he conducts a saw mill at Maltaville, and is a director of the Manufacturers National Bank of Mechanicville.
Lawrence, Eben S., M. D., was born in Greenfield, April 4, 1855. His father, Zimri Lawrence, was a native of the same town and married Harriet, daughter of Levi Smith, and through life was identified as a farmer. He filled many positions of honor and trust, supervisor, superintendent of the poor and deputy sheriff. Eben S. Lawrence was educated in the district schools of his native place and Rev. J. M. Crocker's select school, and was graduated from Union College in 1876. He studied medicine with Dr. C. S. Grant and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1881, and began his practice in Ballston. In 1887 he married Jennie Fox, daugh- ter of Charles M. McClew. Dr. Lawrence is one of the progressive men of his town, serving as coroner three years, supervisor and trustee of his. village four years. He is a member of Kayaderosseras Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F., and George West Division, K. P. of Ballston. 1
Lefler, W. S., was born in Montgomery county, a son of Williamn and Nancy Lefler, and was educated in the district schools. His first business undertaking was in the grocery line in Amsterdam, which he conducted for seven years. He came to Sara- toga Springs in 1887 and was engaged in the grocery business here until 1893, when he entered into the real estate business in partnership with Mr. S. H. Myers and the firm still exists. Mr. Lefler married Anna Close and they have three children : Mabel G., Josiah C. and Jennie E. The Leflers are of Holland descent, Mr. Lefler's great- great-grandfather having emigrated from Holland and settled near Tribe's Hill, Montgomery county, in the ante-Revolutionary days.
Leonard, Thomas, was born in Norwich, Conn., April 5, 1854, and lived there un- til four years of age, when his parents removed to Maine, remaining there two years. In 1860 they settled at Mount Pleasant, Saratoga county. Thomas Leonard was educated in the district schools of Saratoga county and at eighteen years of age en- gaged in the lumber business, taking large contracts throughout Saratoga, Hamilton and Warren counties. After four years of lumbering he came to Saratoga Springs
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and was coachman for James M. Marvin for nine years. He then established the boarding stables which he still conducts. Mr. Leonard is an active Democrat and was for two years theatrical manager of the town hall. He is a member of the Knights of Columbia and Knights of Maccabees. In October, 1878, he married Mary Tracey, and they have six children, Mamie L., Arthur J., who is a graduate of the Saratoga High School, Kittie F., Thomas J., Bertha M. and Earl W.
Lester, Willard, was born in Saratoga Springs, August 21, 1852, and prepared for college under the tuition of Rev. Dr. James N. Crocker, who conducted an excellent school in Saratoga Springs at that time. He entered Union College in the fall of 1869 and was graduated in the class of 1873 with the degree of A. B. He then took up the study of law in the office of his father, Hon. Charles S. Lester, and was ad- mitted to the bar of the State of New York at the sitting of the Supreme Court at Albany, January 12, 1877. On September 13, 1876, the degree of A. M. was con- ferred upon him by his Alma Mater; on December 4, 1882, he was admitted an attor- ney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States and he was also ad- mitted to the bar of the District of Columbia as attorney and counselor. Although by profession a lawyer, Mr. Lester has engaged in business enterprises not strictly of a professional nature. He has been connected with the management of the Grand Union Hotel at Saratoga, Willard's Hotel, Washington, D. C., and from 1891 to 1894 inclusive, conducted the Windsor Hotel at Saratoga Springs. During all these times however, and since, he has pursued the practice of his profession. For the last fif- teen years he has devoted himself to the study and practice of the law of real estate and has built up an extensive real estate business, his firm, that of Lester Brothers, making a specialty of real estate loans, examination of titles and conveyancing. In November, 1894, Mr. Lester married Miss Jessie Louise Starr, only daughter of Albert J. Starr of Saratoga Springs. Mr. Lester has for many years been a director of the First National Bank of Saratoga Springs.
Lewis, George L., was born in the town of Greenfield, October 1, 1862. His father, George V. R. Lewis, was a native of the same town and the family were early set- tlers of Connecticut. Lyman Lewis, father of George V. R., married Edna, daugh- ter of George Young, and the family were early settlers and largest land owners of Middle Grove. George V. R. Lewis married Sallie M., daughter of Levi and Betsey Weed, and through life was identified in the lumber business. George L. was ed- ucated in Ballston Spa, and read law with Theodore F. Hamilton, also with L'Amor- eaux, Dake & Whalen, and was admitted to the bar January 24, 1884, at the age of twenty-one. In 1887 he married Ella, daughter of Thomas and Mary Kirby. Mr. Lewis is one of the progressive men of his town. In 1886 he was elected collector of Milton; in 1890 appointed collector of canal statistics at Waterford, N. Y .; in 1892 appointed law clerk to the board of railroad commissioners of the State of New York; in 1895 elected police justice of Milton; in 1893 and 1894 was chairman of the Saratoga County Democratic committee; in 1896 was elected member of the Demo- cratic State committee of the Twenty-eighth Senatorial district.
Lincoln, Chester H., was born on the farm he owns, August 22, 1846, a son of
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Dexter and Phoebe A. (Williams) Lincoln, educated in the common schools and Ballston Spa Academy. He spent seven years in Missouri, from 1869 to 1877, and returned to Greenfield and taught school fifteen terms. December 22, 1869, he mar- ried Julia M. Eddy, born in Galway, August 27, 1849, and they had three sons: Frank P., born in Missouri, November 22, 1873, died in infancy ; Frederick H., born in Missouri, February 15, 1875; and Harry Garfield, born in Greenfield, October 5, 1882. Mr. Lincoln's mother, Phoebe Williams, was a descendant of Roger Williams.
Lockrow, Charles A., a prominent farmer and milk dealer of Saratoga Springs, was born in the town of old Saratoga, October 18, 1849, a son of Anthony and Eliza- beth (Yout) Lockrow. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and when twenty years of age left home and was occupied in different capacities until the fall of 1874, when he purchased a milk route and still manages it. From 1879 to 1887 he rented farms and worked them successfully and in 1887 bought his present farm. Mr. Lockrow married Hattie A. Peck of Saratoga Springs in 1878 and they have two daughters: Cora E. and Ruth M. Mr. Lockrow's great-grandfather and grandfather came to this country from France during the Revolutionary war, in which the former served as a soldier and the latter served on the supply train, although but a boy at the time.
Lohnas, D., was born at Valley Falls, Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., December 15, 1837, a son of Jacob and Charity (Deyoe) Lohnas. His paternal grand- parents were Germans and arrived in this country in time for his grandfather, Adam Lohnas, to render valiant service in the American Revolution. His mother was a descendant of a Huguenot family which fled from France to Holland and thence to America, where they were among the early settlers of Dutchess county, N. Y. His father died when he was but four years of age; thus from early childhood he was called upon to assist a widowed mother and early developed that fine courage, in- domitable perseverance, and rare judgment which has made his after life a success. At the age of fifteen he removed to Schuylerville, where he was educated at the academy. To this education has been added the knowledge gained from years of wide reading and large experience. He is a broad minded man, interested in all great questions of the day, and generous of both time and money toward any cause that tends to promote the welfare of his fellowmen. In 1860- Mr. Lohnas married Huldah L. Farr, daughter of Leonard and Amanda (Nelson) Farr of Schuylerville, and they have had three children: Nellie F., Harriet M. and Grace M. Grace died February 19, 1883; Nellie F. married Adelbert C. Hayden, and Harriet M. is the wife of Edward B. Ashton. Mr. Lohnas began his business career in Schuylerville, where he was engaged in the sale of grocries and meat until 1867, when he removed to Saratoga Springs and there continued in the same line of trade. His energy and business ability were soon manifested by his enlarged operations, as he became an extensive dealer in grains, flour and groceries. He it was who first introduced Chicago dressed meat into the State and erected wholesale houses at both Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. He is also connected with several other business enter- prises of the town, prominent among them being the Lincoln Spring, of which he is vice-president and treasurer. He is a social, genial man and for many years has
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been prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity; a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Mystic Shrine. Throughout life he has been identified with the Republican party, and has never become so engrossed in business, but that he has had some time to devote to the public affairs of his town. In 1876 he manifested his interest in its educational life by allowing his name to be presented for a member of the board of education; he was elected and served upon the board for three years. In 1887 he was elected president of the village for the term of two years, and at the expiration of that time was re-elected and served a second term. His administration was thoroughly business like, a benefit to the village and a credit to himself.
Luther, Thomas C., was born in the village of Ballston Spa, November 30, 1862, a son of John J. and Mary (Clements) Luther, natives of Saratoga county. On June 21, 1887, Mr. Luther married Alice Thompson, daughter of Frederick and Margaret M. (Lee) Powell, and they have one son, Thomas Frederick Luther. Mr. Luther started in life for himself when twenty-one years of age, leasing the White Sulphur Springs hotel on Saratoga lake. In 1887 he purchased the hotel and adjacent prop- erty, which consists of a saw and planing mill and farm property. Since taking charge of the hotel he has enlarged it considerably and its popularity is known all over the United States. He also has a line of steam yachts on the lake, one boat of which, The Alice (named after his wife), is the fastest passenger boat on inland waters in the State of New York. Mr. Luther is a member of Franklyn Lodge No. 90, F. & A. M., of Ballston; Warren Chapter No. 23, R. A. M., Ballston; Cryptic Council No. 37, of Saratoga; Washington Commandery No. 33, Saratoga; Oriental Temple, Mystic Shrine, Troy ; Patrons of Industry, and an honorary member of the Eighteenth Separate Company of Glens Falls. He has been active in county affairs and was a candidate for county treasurer in 1897.
McCall, Mary E., daughter of Michael Walsh, a prominent retired contractor of Saratoga Springs, married William H. McCall, June 14, 1888. Their children are John W., William H., and Robert (deceased). Mr. McCall died December 16, 1895; he was one of the brightest and most promising Saratoga lawyers, and his untimely death cut short a brilliant career. He was born at Perth, Ontario, Canada, October 16, 1861, but lived in Saratoga Springs from the time he was three years of age. He read law in the office of Capt. J. P. Butler and also with Hon. J. W. Crawe, and,was admitted to the bar in September, 1883. He was engaged in the active practice of his profession from that time until his death, and had attained to eminence in the department of civil law. In politics he was a Democrat and served on the board of education and the excise board and in 1883 was appointed assistant district attorney of Saratoga county and was an able prosecuter. Mrs. McCall is a lady of broad ed- acation and high culture, and possesses a genial personality.
McCreedy, Gordon S., was born in Ballston, October 5, 1872, a son of C. O. Mc- Creedy, a native of Schuylerville, where the family were pioneers. C. O. McCreedy married Carrie F., daughter of George G. Scott, and through life has been engaged in the drug trade. He has served as postmaster, secretary of the State Forest Com-
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mission, president of the village and president of the board of education. Gordon S. McCreedy was educated in Ballston and Riverview Military Academy, Pough- keepsie, N. Y. In 1890 he engaged in the coal business and in 1898 in the ice busi- ness. Mr. McCreedy is one of Ballston's progressive men, taking an intelligent in- terest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.
McCreedy, Samuel, was the son of Gamaliel McCreedy, and was born in Schuyler- ville in 1843, in the house now owned by his sister, Catherine McCreedy, one door north of his late residence on Broadway. In early life Mr. McCreedy followed the trade of his father, that of shoemaker, which he learned of his father who kept a store in that branch of trade where the McCreedy stores are now located. He con- tinued to work at his trade until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in 1861 in Co. K, 44th N. Y. Infantry, and served with it through the war. In the Wilderness campaign Mr. McCreedy was with his regiment and was taken prisoner at that battle and suffered the horrors of imprisonment at Andersonville prison for six months. Upon receiving his discharge in 1865 he returned to Schuy- lerville and engaged in the grocery business, which he so successfully carried on until his death on September 5, 1897. On September 10, 1865, Mr. McCreedy mar- ried Mary Adcox of Schuylerville, and they had two children: Kate (deceased), and Anna, wife of Sherman J. Parks. Mr. McCreedy was an active worker along all the avenues where practical good to mankind could be vouchsafed. He was an active member and also trustee of the M. E. church in Schuylerville at the time of liis death; was an earnest and practical worker in the cause of temperance and reform; he always maintained a lively interest in his old comrades of the war, and was a member of Frank Norton Post No, 116, G. A. R. A good husband, a kind father and useful citizen, he was borne from his home on September 8, 1897, to his last rest- ing place in the Prospect Cemetery at Schuylerville.
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