USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 72
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Parmenter, A. L., was born in Cornith, April 30, 1854, a son of Alexander and Rosetta (Cowles) Parmenter, he born in Luzerne, in 1812, and she in Corinth in 1813. Alexander Parmenter came to Corinth when a young man and for many years was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1837 he married his wife and they had five children. A. L. Parmenter was reared and educated in Corinth village and was engaged in the mercantile business with his father until his father's death, when he engaged with the Hudson River Pulp & Paper Co., and at present is bookkeeper and shipping clerk for the International Paper Co. In 1879 he married Sarah F., daughter of Cyrus Washburn, and they have one son Louie A. Mr. Parmenter in politics is a Republican and was town clerk several years and at present is notary public.
Patrick, George H., one of the prominent and successful farmers of the town of Saratoga Springs, is a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Rouse) Patrick, and was born on the farm on which he now resides, in the town of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county, N. Y., July 12, 1840. He grew to manhood on the paternal acres, received his education in the common schools and then engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed successfully ever since. He now owns his father's farm and homestead, to
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which he has added by successive purchases until he now has a fine and well im- proved farm of 200 acres of land on which is a nice residence. In connection with farming Mr. Patrick operates a dairy. He is a Republican in politics and a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 103, Free and Accepted Masons, and has always been known as a pleasant and agreeable man of sterling reputation. Mr. Patrick has been twice married; first, on December 18, 1861, to Nancy M. Chase, daughter of John Chase of the town of Malta, who died June 22, 1880, leaving two daughters: Anna, wife of William H. Corrigan, and Gertrude, wife of Charles S. Warring, both of Saratoga Springs. On October 31, 1894, Mr. Patrick married Mrs. Mary A. Koonz, who had one son, Frank A. Koonz, a graduate of the Albany Business Col- lege, who is now employed by the Thomas & Brown Coal Co. as bookkeeper. Mrs. Patrick was a daughter of the late Alexander A. Van Epps of Ballston Spa, N. Y.
Peckham, Allen Gifford, M. D., was born in Easton, Washington county, N. Y., December 6, 1846. He obtained an academic education, studied in the Albany Medical College and was graduated from Hahnemann Homoeopathic Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia in 1871, and has practiced in Waterford with marked success. December 26, 1872, he married Mary E. Eddy, and they had two sons, Harvey N., who died at the age of six years, and Herald Percy, a student in Troy Academy. Dr. Peckham's father, Joseph W. Peckham, was born in Easton, July 25, 1818, and received a liberal education. It was said of him by a friend: " He was a gentleman by birth and education; literary in taste, he kept in touch with the great minds of the age. He was public spirited, benevolent and just. A lover of liberty, he lived to see the fetters fall and the bondsmen free. He had a rich vein of humor and a fund of information which made him excel in conversation and social intercourse. He gathered around him choice and illustrious men and women and entertained with grace and hospitality." On October 19, 1840, he married Elizabeth Gifford, and they had seven children: Chloe A., Emily, Mary, Lydia G., Allen G., Garrison and John J., a physician in California. Mr. Peckham died January 29, 1883, and his widow died May 1, 1898. Mrs. Peckham's father, Thomas Jefferson Eddy, was born in Vermont, May 17, 1809, educated in the schools of his day and came to Troy in 1830. He was a business man and attained success in manufacturing colored and printing inks. He was a man of liberal and broad culture and retired early in life to enjoy the comforts of a refined home. In 1833 he married Lucy McGuire, and they had six children: I. Newton, Harriet F., Charles C., Elizabeth A., Thomas B. and Mary E. Mr. Eddy died March 7, 1893, and his wife May 22, 1887. Dr. Peckham is a member of the Presbyterian church; Mrs. Peckham of the Baptist.
Peters, Hon. E. H., was born at Clifton Park, November 22, 1841, and was edu- cated at Jonesville Academy and at Troy Conference Academy, Poultney, Vt. He read law in the office of Joseph A. Shoudy and was admitted to the bar in May, 1863. He has practiced law in Saratoga Springs since that date; was justice of the peace for a term and in 1877 was elected surrogate. He took office January 1, 1878, and has held the office continuously ever since and has discharged the duties of his office with ability and has strengthened his popularity throughout the county. In 1868 Judge Peters married Abbie J. Carpenter, and they have two daughters: Julia A.
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Peters, surrogate's clerk, and Jeanne Bingham, wife of William M. Martin. Judge Peters's parents were Thomas M. and Julia A. Peters, natives of Saratoga county ; his grandfather was Samuel Peters, whose father, Richard Peters, was one of the early settlers of this county and who took up a large tract of land in the township of Clifton Park. Judge Peters is a strong Republican and is held in high esteem by his party.
Pierson, William A., was born July 20, 1859, in the village of Saratoga Springs. After graduation from a preparatory school in Morrisville, Vt., he began teaching as principal of the school at Elmore, Vt., to enable him to attend the U. V. M. at Burlington. He taught in all two years, and being unable by reason of ill health to complete a college course came to Saratoga Springs and in 1879 entered the law office of Pond, French & Brackett, but subsequently changed to the office of Hon. J. R. Putnam, and was admitted to the bar in 1883, since which date he has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Saratoga. In 1883 he was elected justice of the peace for four years and subsequently held the office of police justice for a term, and has served a term as member of the board of education. Judge Pierson is a staunch Republican and was at one time secretary of the Republican League of the State of New York; his voice has much weight in the councils of his party. He is also a prominent Mason and has passed to the degree of Knight Templar. Judge Pierson's parents were Thomas and Amanda (Ains- worth) Pierson and he is a lineal descendant of Rev. Abraham Pierson who came over from England in 1639 and settled in Boston; his son, Rev. Abraham, was one of the early presidents of Yale College. Judge Pierson's great-grandfather, Jere_ miah Pierson, was one of the first settlers in Saratoga county, and his son Jeremiah was father of Thomas Pierson, the father of Judge Pierson.
Potter, Emory, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., October 14, 1831, and lived in that county until thirty-two years of age, except two years of the time spent in the west teaching. He received a liberal public school education and then spent several terms in a private school, when he took up the study of medicine and matriculated at the Hygeia Therapeutic Medical College, New York city, in March, 1860. He has never practiced medicine, having taking up the study solely for the benefit of the knowledge to himself. For seventeen years Mr. Potter taught school in connection with farming, residing in Illinois from 1863 to 1873. In 1873 he moved to eastern Pennsylvania and embarked with a partner in a water cure establishment and in 1878 severed his connection with this enterprise and came to Saratoga Springs, where he purchased and opened Elmwood Hall, which he has since successfully con- ducted as a select temperance house. He has a splendid spring on the premises, and gives his personal attention to all details and conducts a strictly first class house. In October, 1864, Mr. Potter married Hulda M. Leach of Madison county, N. Y., and they have a family of four daughters: Minnie, Mabel, E. Maud and Eva G. Mr. Potter is an earnest prohibitionist and is a hard worker in that cause.
Quinlan, Patrick N .- When a man comes to this country lacking money, which is often considered as essential to success, makes a name and place for himself and
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educates his family, he is entitled to confidence and respect. Such a man is Patrick N. Quinlan, steward of the United States hotel at Saratoga Springs and of the Hotel Poinciana at Palm Beach, Florida. He was born in the parish of Hospital, county Limerick, Ireland, July 12, 1853, a son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Nixon) Quinlan. His father was a farmer, the family was large, and his education was obtained in the national school of his native village. At the age of seventeen he came alone to the United States, and found employment in a grocery store in Troy, remaining in the capacity of clerk for three years. At the end of this period he began his long experience in the hotel business at the Troy House in Troy, N. Y. In 1877 he came to the Adelphi at Saratoga as steward and head waiter, spending eleven seasons in this capacity. In the winter of 1880-81 he was steward of the Vanderbilt House in Syracuse. For some years he was connected with the Troy police department and arranged his vacation to suit the Saratoga season. In 1889 he went to the Congress Hall as steward, and after seven years to the United States Hotel, his present charge. In 1890 Mr. Quinlan opened the Lakewood Hotel at Lakewood, N. J., and in 1892-93 was in charge of the steward's department of the Battle House at Mobile, Alabama. The following season he went to the Bon Air Hotel at Augusta, Georgia, and for the past three seasons has been steward of the Royal Poinciana Hotel at Palm Beach, Florida, one of the largest and most magnificently appointed hotels in the State. Mr. Quinlan bought a home and settled permanently in Saratoga Springs in 1884. He is a well known and universally respected citizen and always exhibits those qualities which attach friends; his politics are Republican and he is a member of the A. O. H. and the Knights of Columbus. In 1875 he married Helen H. Crowe, daughter of Patrick Crowe and Ellen Hanley, parish of Emly, county Tipperary, Ire- land, and they had fourteen children: Margaret A. (deceased), Nellie N., Mary C., Anna A., Jeremiah P., Thomas F., Patrick E., Catherine, Josephine, John J., Jo- seph X. A., Leo Sampson, Agnes and Loyola.
Rawson Company, The S. E. G .- There are but few manufacturing enterprises in Saratoga Springs, and one of the oldest and most prominent of these is the S. E. G. Rawson Company, pioneer makers of suspensory bandages in the world. The pat- entee of Rawson's United States army patent elastic self-adjusting suspensory band- age was S. E. G. Rawson, a resident and well respected citizen of Saratoga Springs for several years. The business is said to have been started at the instigation of Mr. Rawson's friends, who believed the invention would prove a success if put upon the market. At first the business was almost entirely confined to the United States army, but the sales of the concern now extend all over the world, and there is scarcely a jobber in the United States who does not handle the output of this firm. Without doubt they make the largest and most attractive line of this class of goods on the market, and their product is recommended by the highest authorities of the medical profession and endorsed by the leading surgical institutes of the world. After the death of the elder, his son, E. G. Rawson, succeeded to the management of the busi- ness, and in 1898 a stock company was formed and incorporated as The S. E. G. Rawson Company, with a capitalization of $60,000. E. G. Rawson was elected president and J. H. De Ridder secretary and treasurer. To accommodate the in- creased business a factory of brick is now in course of erection. Both father and
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son have been firm believers in the value of advertising, and in consequence the name and product have become thoroughly well known.
Raynor, Dr. John H., well known as a cancer specialist, was born at Greenwich Point, two miles north of Freeport, L. I., January 31, 1840, a son of Micaja and Ruth (Baldwin) Raynor. On both sides he descends from good old Puritan stock. His father was a farmer and Dr. Raynor was simply reared on a Long Island farm, at- tending schools of the vicinity and assisting in the farm work. He early turned his attention to the study of medicine, and for some time was associated in study and practice with Dr. L. C. Carpenter of Newark, N. J. Turning his attention to cancer and cancer treatment, he met with such success that he began to specialize in this branch of practice. Dr. Raynor's experience as a cancer specialist covers a period of thirty-eight years, thirty of which he operated continuously in Rockville Centre, L. I., where he still holds a practice. He came to Saratoga in 1892 and established a practice which has continued up to the present time very successfully. He possesses a thorough knowledge of cancerous diseases. In 1866 Dr. Raynor married Althusa, daughter of Oliver Combes, and they had eight children: Dallas E., Anna Ruth, Jen- nie E., Henry G., William M. N., Lillian F., Alberten, and Nelson L. Mrs. Raynor died in 1889, and in 1893 Dr. Raynor married Sarah, daughter of Nicholas Wagman of Saratoga at Wagman's Ridge.
Reagan, James H., the senior partner of the firm of J. H. Reagan & Son, was born in the city of Troy, N. Y., May 31, 1844. On April 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 30th Regiment New York State Volunteers, and was mustered in June 1, 1861, and served for two years, the full time for which he enlisted. The 30th Regiment was attached to the First Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps, and partici- pated in the following battles: Falmouth, April 18, 1862; Massaponox, Va., August 6, 1862; Rappahannock Station, August 22, 23 and 24, 1862; White Sulphur Springs, August 26, 1862; Gainsville, Va., August 28, 1862; Groveton, Va., August 29, 1862; Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862; South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va, December 13, 14 and 15, 1862; Rappahannock and Chancellorsville, April 29 and 30, and May 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 1863. The regiment was mustered out June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Reagan is a member of Post Mckean No. 498, G. A. R., and has been both ad- jutant and commander of his post; he also served as aide-de camp on the staff of Gen. John G. B. Adams, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army Encampment, which met at Pittsburg in 1894. When the Saratoga Citizens Corps was organized in 1877, Mr. Reagan was one of the prime movers in the undertaking and he has been a member of the corps since it was mustered in in 1878. He was orderly ser- geant for three years, and a sergeant from the first. When the Spanish-American war broke out in the spring of 1898 he was elected first lieutenant of the 122d Sepa- rate Company, passed his examination and received his commission. In politics Mr. Reagan is a Republican and has been captain of several political clubs. He cast his first vote for Lincoln and ever since has been an ardent and active Republican. Prior to the war Mr. Reagan was apprenticed to the printer's trade, which he has made his life occupation. He was foreman in the Saratogian office for years. He'
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went into business for himself in 1887, in partnership with Richard Mingay, jr., in 1889 he bought out his partner's interest and in 1893 associated his son, Frederick, with him, forming the present firm of J. H. Reagan & Son, and they conduct one of the largest and best job printing offices in the county. Mr. Reagan married Mary Louise Kelly, January 1, 1866, and the result of their union was four children, Lena Reagan, Frederick Reagan, James Everson Reagan, Benjamin Judson Reagan. Mrs. Reagan died April 20, 1885; James Everson Reagan died April 14, 1885; Benja- min Judson Reagan died September 17, 1880.
Reddish, Vincent, was born in Rutlandshire, England, August 12, 1837, educated there and came to the United States when nineteen years old, locating in Water- ford, N. Y. August 13, 1863, he enlisted in Co. D, 31st Cavalry, N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged September 15, 1865. He was a soldier who did his duty honestly for his adopted country. In 1866 he married Elizabeth Ward, and they had six children : Sarah J., William H., Charles A. (who died at the age of twenty- five), Thomas V., Lottie M. and Frank J. Sarah J. married Louis Veite, and they had one daughter, May. Mr. Reddish's father, Vincent Reddish, was born at the old home in England in 1803; he married Sarah Wood, and they had six children : Thomas, Mary, Vincent, James, Eliza and William. Mr. Reddish died in 1881 and his widow in 1884. Vincent Reddish holds the office of highway commissioner; he is a member of Clinton Lodge of Waterford, No. 140, F. & A. M., and of General Philip H. Sheridan Post No. 630, G. A. R.
Riley, James H., was born July 9, 1847, in the town of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county, N. Y., and has done more to make his birthplace famous than probably any other man in the county. Indeed he gave Saratoga Springs a European fame, which even its springs could scarcely do, and all by his scientific handling of a pair of sculls. When but a boy he began rowing on Saratoga lake and soon became a finished oars- man, and in 1876 he began to row in public competitions of the State of New York. His career as an oarsman extends over a period of thirteen years, and, unlike many athletes, he was wise enough to retire before he lost his prestige and his strength. In 1882 he achieved the wonderful record of winning every race in which he com- peted, fifty-six in all, and he was the first man to show the once redoubtable Edward Hanlan the way across the finish line, which he did at Barrie, Canada. In 1882 he challenged the world, but found no one willing to enter a boat against him. He not only won the silver cup, representing the championship of New York State, but was also at that time presented with a gold watch by the Neptune Club of Staten Island, of which he was a member. In 1886 Mr. Riley embarked in the hotel business at Lake Lonely, four miles from Saratoga Springs, and he conducts a high class hos- telry, no place in or near Saratoga Springs being better known than " Riley's." On March 5, 1885, Mr. Riley married Hannah Abel, third daughter of Luther Abel of Saratoga Springs.
Rogers, Charles, was born in the township of Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y., May 4, 1836, educated in the common schools and conducted a general store for some years. In 1860 he married Catherine L., daughter of Rev. R. Schoonmaker of New
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York city, and they have four children: William L., Ida M., Charles E. and Kate A. William L. married Edith M. Schwartz, and they have one son, Rollin W. Ida M. is preceptress in school No. 2 of Waterford. Charles E. graduated at Rensselaer Polytechnic, class of '96, and married Miss Sarah Chase. Mr. Rogers and son Will- iam L. conduct a wholesale produce commission store in Cohoes. Mr. Rogers's father, George Rogers, was born in Schodack, N. Y., in 1804, educated in the schools of that day and was a hotel man and farmer. He married Thirza Schibley, and they had ten children: Mary A., Harriet L., James H., Marilla, George E., Charles, Mar- tha, John W., Oscar and Thirza A. Mr. Rogers died in 1884 and his wife in 1878. Mrs. Rogers's father, Rev. R. L. Schoonmaker, was born in Jamaica, L. I. He married Margaret L. Seaman, and they had seven children. Two of her brothers served all through the late war in twenty-nine general engagements. Mr. Rogers and family are members of the Dutch Reformed church. William L. is one of the deacons. Mr. Rogers was supervisor of the township of Malta, and was postmaster there ten years.
Rogers, George, was born in the township of Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 7, 1827, educated in the district schools and at the age of seven his parents moved to the township of Stillwater. His early days were spent on his father's farm. He was a contractor and builder about seven years and in 1859 began to manufacture sash, doors and blinds, also conducted a lumber yard, all in the vicinity of Mechanic- ville, until 1888. In 1892 E. H. Strong and Mr. Rogers discussed the feasibility of a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing knit goods. A factory was erected, a company formed, with E. H. Strong as president and Mr. Rogers as treasurer, which still continues with success. Its corporate name is The Mechanicville Knitting Company. Mr. Rogers is one of the directors of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Mechanicville, was one of the original organizers of the First National Bank of the same place and served as its president for one year, but on account of his private business he gave place to others; he is one of the stockholders at the present time. In October, 1851, he married Sybel Baker, and they had six children: Helen, Kittie L., John H., Harriet, Charles and Courtland. Helen married John E. Thompson of this place; John H. married Viola, daughter of Gilbert Rowley, and they had one daughter, Ina. Viola Rogers died in 1891. John D. died March 20, 1898; Harriet married Stephen Smith of the township of Halfmoon, and they have four children: Sybel, Helen, Florence and Harry; Charles married Effa, daughter of Joseph Holmes, and they had one son, George; his wife died in 1892. The two younger sons have charge of separate departments in the Mechanicville Knitting Company. Mr. Rog- ers's father, Reuben Rogers, was born in Schodack, in 1798, and came to Saratoga when a young man. He married Susan Somes, formerly of Dutchess county, and they had six children: Courtland, Harriet S., George, David C., Reuben J. and John H. Mr. Rogers died in 1865 and his wife in 1877. Mr. Rogers is a member of On- da-wa Lodge No. 820, F. & A. M., Montgomery Chapter No. 257, R. A. M. and is a life member of Washington Commandery of Saratoga No. 33, K. T.
Roods, F. D., was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga county, January 18, 1859, and was educated in the district schools. He grew up on his father's farm and has
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been a farmer all his life, but also owned and conducted a grist mill from 1892 to 1897. Mr. Roods is a leading Republican in the town of Wilton and has been dele- gate to many conventions, besides holding public offices. He was constable for four years, collector two terms, and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace, the year 1898 being his eleventh consecutive year in this office. In fact, he has held office ever since he became a voter, which indicates how high he stands in his party's esteem. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. On March 12, 1882, Mr. Roods married Blanche F. Bunce, and they have three children; Amos J., Ira F., and Flossie B. Mr. Roods's parents were Ira and Melisse M. (Deyo) Roods, and he has two brothers and two sisters, namely: Charles E. Roods and Smith M. Roods, M. D., a prominent physician and politician of Conklingville, Helen M., now Mrs. O. B. Messick, of Jersey City, and Polly M., now Mrs. John Ellsworth of Gurnspring. The family is an old American one.
Roods, Charles E .- Although no attempt has been made to introduce the waters of the celebrated Gurn Spring to the general public, its superior qualities as a table water, combining, as analysis has demonstrated, that combination of mineral sub- stances beneficial in the case of stomach troubles, the virtues of this wonderful spring have been known from the earliest settlers to the present time. It is said the Indians knew full well the healing qualities of the waters and used to camp about it in great numbers; tribes coming from a great distance to drink of this healing beverage. Saratoga waters have always stood at the front in popularity with the American pub- lic. Gurn Spring is located on the farm of Mr. Ira Roods, now occupied by his son, Charles E. Roods, and was recently rented to Mr. Fred Bellen of Glens Falls, who has a five year lease, and will put it on the market. Mr. Bellen is an energetic busi- ness man and has already erected a suitable spring house, bottling department, etc. The value of this spring may be imagined when it is remembered the owner has re- fused a sum away up into the thousands for just the spring and right of way thereto. The Messrs. Roods are among Wilton township's most highly respected citizens. Charles E., who resides on the farm of two hundred acres, where the spring is lo- cated, is a son of Ira Roods, and a brother of Frank, who resides east of the village of Gurn Spring. Charles E. was born in 1852, and received his education in the public schools of the vicinity. April 27, 1881, he married Emma Searles, daughter of Rev. J. B. Searles, and they have one daughter, Nellie M. Ira Roods, who re- sides on the homestead west of the spring, has resided here since 1853. He was a brick manufacturer at Saratoga, carrying on the business in company with John Denton; after the firm dissolved he carried on the same business on his farm for twenty-five years, relinquishing it about twenty years ago. Splendid results are ex- pected from the sale of the waters of Gurn Spring.
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