Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York, Part 73

Author: Anderson, George Baker; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 950

USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 73

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Roohan, Patrick F., was born in Saratoga Springs, February 26, 1862, and was educated in the public schools of his place. In 1878 he took employment with the Saratoga Gas Company as clerk; subsequently he became cashier and bookkeeper, being appointed superintendent in March, 1897. In 1887 Mr. Roohan married Min- nie C. Ward, and they have three children: James Francis, Mary Estella and Leo Ward. In 1890 Mr. Roohan was elected receiver of taxes and assessments for the

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

village of Saratoga Springs, and held that office three years concurrently with his position in the gas company. His parents were James and Alice Roohan, who emi- grated to America from Queens county, Ireland, in 1851.

Rouse, James M., son of William and Margaret W. (Mulford) Rouse, was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga county. His father was a farmer, but at the age of fifteen James M. came to Saratoga Springs and entered the meat business with his brother, and has been a resident of that village since. He branched out into the ice business in 1878, and in 1889 the partnership of Rouse & Shipman was formed, being the largest ice dealers in the county. Mr. Rouse was trustee of the village in 1895, owing to the reform movement, and has been a trustee in the M. E. church for ten years. He married Carrie B. Walker, who died February 4, 1896.

Rowland, H. C., was born February 12, 1828, in Greenfield, Saratoga county, and lived on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began to learn the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted September 25, 1861, in Company E, Seventy-seventh N. Y. Regiment, and was mustered in as first sergeant. He was promoted December 25, 1862, to the rank of first lieutenant and served thus until the close of the war. He participated in all the battles in which the Seventy-seventh made itself famous, from the time he went into the field until the end of the year 1864, except from May 6, 1864, until June 5, 1864, during which time he was suffering from a wound. Notable among these battles were the Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Va., Mechanicsville, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chantilly, Rappahannock, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Charlestown, Winchester, and Cedar Creek. On June 5, 1864, he took charge, as captain, of his company and filled the position until the ex- piration of his time, December, 1864. After the war Captain Rowland returned to his trade and followed it for five years. In 1870 he went into business in Saratoga Springs and pursued it until 1886, when he sold out on account of ill health. He was assessor of Saratoga Springs for six years; is a prominent Mason; a member of of Rising Sun Lodge, Rising Sun Chapter, Cryptic Council, and Washington Com- mandery No. 33, Knights Templar. His parents were John and Sallie (Carpenter) Rowland. His grandfather, Joseph, participated in the Revolutionary war, as a teamster, when twelve years old, his father being a soldier in that war. In 1851 Mr. Rowland married Fannie M. Burnham.

Ryall, Benjamin, was born in England in 1842, a son of Edward and Ann (Randall) Ryall. He came to America in 1866, settling in Saratoga Springs, where he em- barked in market gardening and so continued up to 1894, when he took charge of the Joe Ripley House, which he had previously built and rented. Mr. Ryall is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W. and was highway commissioner and superintendent of the village in 1891-1892. In 1866 he married Emily Snelgrove, and they have one son, Edward.

Ryan, Thomas S., was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1844, and came to the United States with his mother in 1854, locating in Mechanicville, where he ob -

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

tained his education in night schools. He entered the employ of the American Linen Thread Co. when a boy and was with the firm about twenty-eight years and had charge of the machinist department the last fifteen years. In 1882 he began to sell dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, which he has continued since with success. He has married twice, first in 1866 to Mary Burke, and they had five children: Johannah, James E., Andrew M., Margaret and Thomas. Mrs. Ryan died March 2, 1875, and on August 25, 1877, Mr. Ryan married Hannah M. Donovan; they have four children: Catherine A., John J., Theresa M. and William. Johannah married M. J. Riley of Saratoga; they have five children: Howard, Thomas, Mary, Paul and Mark. Andrew M. married Mary Crotty; Margaret married John C. Crotty and they have one son, John C., jr. Mr. Ryan and family are members of St. Paul's Roman Catholic church of Mechanicville. In his political choice he is a thorough Democrat.

Sarle, Sanford, was born at Sarle's Ferry, October 10, 1842, a son of Benjamin and Amanda (Knight) Sarle. He was educated in the common schools of the town of Saratoga and when twenty-five years of age started in life for himself as a farmer in the town of Stillwater, and in 1890 purchased the farm where he now resides. He takes a great interest in the affairs of the town and county, also educational matters, and at the present time his wife is trustee of the district school. In 1867 Mr. Sarle married Elizabeth, daughter of William Hustis, who came from Rhode Island, and they have one son, William B., who married Margaret, daughter of Rev. Philip Dorland, who was connected with the Quaker church at Quaker Springs. William B. has three children: Robert, Edith and Austin D. Sarle.

Schwarz, Magnus, was born in Germany, February 22, 1831, and came to the United States in 1854, settling in Ballston, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness for twenty-six years. In 1865 he bought the Ballston Spa Tannery, which he carried on for twenty years, retiring from mercantile business in 1880. In 1886 the tannery burned and he then engaged in his present business of wool, hides and tal- low. In 1861 he married Sarah, daughter of James Muhlfelder, and they have four sons: Isadore, Charles, Lewis and Frederick, and one daughter, Mrs. S. A. Heiser. Mr. Schwarz is one of the conservative men of Saratoga county, serving as assessor and taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters, and has ever rc- ceived and merited the respect of his associates.

Scully, William T., son of John and Ellen Whalen Scully, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, in 1866, and educated in the Greenwich Academy. He began life for himself at fifteen years of age, was employed two years by L. H. Finch, and was for a short time employed by James Heaslip of Saratoga Springs, and later by the Eagle Clothing House, where he clerked for three years and then succeeded the manager, H. M. Rosenberg, and has been continued in that capacity for seven years. Through Mr. Scully's active enterprise, the Eagle Clothing Co.'s double stores have become an attractive center for a large portion of Saratoga and adjoining townships in which to purchase clothing, hats, caps, gents' furnishing goods, the finest quality of boots, shoes, trunks, blankets, robes, etc. The store is owned by Mr. Sonn of

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Greenwich, and is conducted on the style of those in Albany, Troy and other large cities. Mr. Scully is one of the hustling, wide awake young men of the community, who has earned the title to success for one so young in years. He is all business, energetic, thoroughly honest, and has already made his mark in the world. He is the owner of considerable productive real estate, among which might be mentioned the Scully (formerly the Loosie) block, Windsor Hotel block, the brick house opposite the Hotel Schuyler, frame building corner Saratoga and Pearl streets, many vacant lots, and has recently purchased the Crippen-Russell block, South Broadway, giving abundent evidence that old heads sometimes repose on young shoulders. Mr. Scully is exceedingly popular among all of his townspeople and the surrounding country as well. In politics he is a Democrat, but not a seeker after office, preferring his busi- ness interests to political life.

Servis, Millard F., son of Benjamin and Harriet Perkins Servis, was born in 1849, on his grandfather's farm, the old Perkins homestead, two miles north of his present residence. He was educated at the Fort Edward Institute and afterward took a thorough course in business at the Eastman Business College of Poughkeepsie, and adopted the profession of bookkeeping, and accordingly, in 1861, became bookkeeper for Wilcox & Griffin, flour and grain dealers, 12 Water street, New York. The death of his father one year later caused him to change all his plans and he returned home and took charge of the farm, the old Servis homestead, which he now owns, and where he has since remained. Politically Mr. Servis is a Republican, staunch yet considerate. He was a delegate to the Republican county convention in 1875 and 1877; in 1893 was elected assessor for two years and re-elected in 1895 for three years. Mr. Servis is an active Mason, greatly interested in the order and is a member of Schuylerville Lodge No. 676, F. & A. M., Washington Commandery No. 33, K. T. On July 2, 1871, he married Sarah E. Harrington, daughter of John Harrington of Greenwich, and they have two children: Preston B., married Miss Wilber, and Hattie May, married Daniel G. Wilber, and they have one child, Alecia May, born November 15, 1897.

Settle, George E., was born in Albany county, January 17, 1843, a son of Eli Settle, a native of the same county, where Paul Settle, one of the pioneers of the town of Knox, whose father preceded him, located in 1750. Eli Settle married Har- riet E. Benedict and through life was identified as a miller and in general mercan- tile business; he died in 1895. George E. Settle was educated in Ballston and Albany and in 1872 was associated with his father in the flour business in Watertown. In 1876 he came to Ballston and organized the firm of Jones & Settle, manufacturers of collar paper. In 1879 he purchased Mr. Jones's interest and the same year purchased the Geyser Spring, which he incorporated as a stock company and is its treasurer and manager.

Shackelford, George R. P., was born in Saratoga Springs, September 29, 1863, a son of Rev. John W. and Elizabeth P. (Putnam) Schackelford. His father held a prominent place in the Episcopal church and was rector of the Church of the Re- deemer in New York city for twenty-seven years; he also had charges in the cities of

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Brooklyn and Newark, N. J. On his mother's side Mr. Shackelford comes of historic American stock, she being a descendant of one branch of the Putnam family, of which the famous General Israel Putnam was a distinguished member. Rockwell Putnam whose name figures in the early days of Saratoga Springs, was his mother's father and a son of Gideon Putnam. Mr. Shackelford has been a business man since · his school days and is largely interested in real estate and has made notable ad- ditions to the business blocks of Saratoga Springs. He is a member of the firm of Hartwell & Shackelford.

Shaeffer, S C., was born in Milton, March 23, 1865, a son of Peter Shaeffer, a na- tive of Ballston, whose father settled there about 1750. Peter Shaeffer married Sophia, daughter of Josiah Platt, and through life was identified in the knit goods trade, and was the first to knit a seamless stocking. He is a prominent man in his town, taking an active interest in school and church matters. S. C. Shaeffer was educated in the public schools, and engaged in the market business in which he has been engaged for twenty years. In 1888 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Ryan, and they have two sons: Sylvester and Warren. Mr. Shaeffer is one of the self-made men of the town, taking an intelligent interest in school and church mat- ters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.

Shaw, Edward, was born in Galway, February 14, 1846, a son of Robert Shaw, a native of Vermont, who came to Ballston when a young man and superintended a farm for Beers Brothers, finally settling in Galway, where he lived and died. Robert was a Republican in politics, and served as deputy sheriff for about thirty years and constable for thirty five. He died December 5, 1887, and his wife, Lucy Radford, October 14, 1893. Edward Shaw was educated in the common schools, and carries on farming, having a farm of 126 acres. He married Henrietta Seabury, and they had four children: Chester H., Harry B., Daisy L. and Clarence S. In politics Mr. Shaw is a Republican and has been inspector, collector and highway commis- sioner. He is a member of Galway Lodge No. 453, I.O.O.F.

Shay, John P., was born at Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., March 22, 1866, and was educated in the public schools and High School of his native place. He graduated from the High School in 1884, and is also an academic graduate under the Regents of New York State. While studying in Whitehall he read Blackstone, but embarking in the mercantile business with his brother, abandoned it at the time, and in 1892 they came to Saratoga Springs and conducted a mercantile business for one season, when John P. Shay decided to make law his life profession, and entered the office of Foley & Wing, continuing his studies with Hon. John Foley, after the dissolution of that firm. He was admitted to the bar July 6, 1898, and has estab- lished himself in Saratoga Springs to practice his profession. Mr. Shay was a mem- ber of the Catholic Young Men's Club and Lyceum in Whitehall, and for several years was one of the trustees of the Church of Our Lady of Angels in Whitehall. His parents were William H. and Mary (Tynan) Shay. His father was also a native of Whitehall.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sherman, Frank J., M. D., was born in Albion, Oswego county, N. Y., February 2, 1858, a son of Franklin A. and Mary (Clark) Sherman. He studied medicine with his father and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Ver- mont in 1880, the same institution from which his father was graduated in 1850. His father was a native of Vermont and a descendant of one of the oldest families of that State. For two years he practiced at Sandy Hill, Washington county, and in 1853 went to Chicago; in 1854 he located in Oswego and was appointed examining surgeon of the United States government at Sackets Harbor in 1862, remaining there until 1865, when he came to Ballston, having practiced for nearly fifty years. In 1852 he married Mary Clark of Sandy Hill, and they had three children; Frank J., Mrs. Mattie G. Cornell, and Mary E. Frank J. is one of the conservative men of his town, unostentatious and unassuming and has ever advanced the best interests of the city. In 1885 he married Minnie C., daughter of Stephen Medberry of Ballston Spa.

Sherwood, L. D., was born in Ballston, April 27, 1836, a son of John J., who came to Saratoga county from the State of Connecticut in 1804. John J. married Jane J., daughter of Daniel Harris, and through life was identified as a farmer; he died in 1888. L. D. Sherwood was educated in the public schools, D. Babcock's school for boys, the Ballston Institute, and Carlisle Seminary, under Dr. Crocker, late of Sara- toga Springs. In 1861 he married Laura, daughter of William Warner, and they had three sons: George W., Arthur C. (deceased), and John L. Mrs. Sherwood died on March 23, 1892, and on April 18, 1894, Mr. Sherwood married Emma Winne, daughter of David H. Winne of Ballston, and they have one son, David Winne Sherwood. Politically Mr. Sherwood is a Republican and has held the office of vil- lage trustee two years. He is one of the representative men of his town, taking an active interest in school and church matters and is recognized as a man who has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.

Shipman, John, was born in Hadley, Mass., a son of John and Betsey Bemis (Bel- den) Shipman, and came to Saratoga Springs with his parents at the age of fourteen, where he was educated in the public and private schools. In early life he began teaching, which profession he was engaged in for eleven years. In 1889 he em- barked in the ice business with Mr. J. M. Rouse, which partnership still exists, and the firm carry on the largest business of Saratoga Springs. Mr. Shipman is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist church, He naturally takes a great interest in the cause of education and is a member of the board of education of Sar- atoga Springs, having served thereon ten years, being now in his fourth term. June 3, 1878. Mr. Shipman married Alice J. Walker, who died March 4, 1894. The Ship- man family are of English stock and Mr. Shipman's great-grandfather Bemis was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; his grandfather Solomon Belden served in the war of 1812.

Slavin, Thomas H., was born in Jonesville, Clifton Park, N. Y., March 12, 1859, educated in the district schools and Jonesville Academy, and was a farmer with his father when a boy, and thence moved to Mechanicville. He learned the carpenter's

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

trade, and worked on public works three years in several capacities. He became a contractor and builder until 1894, employing on an average fifteen men. In that year he opened a general store on North street, which he has conducted since with success. In 1889 he married Elizabeth E. Doyle of Clifton Park, and they have one daughter, Anna Elizabeth. Mr. Slavin's father, Thomas Slavin, was born in Ire- land in the year 1822, and came to the United States with his parents when a boy, locating in the township of Clifton Park, where he was educated in the schools of that day. He married Bridget Coyan, and they had twelve children: John B., Celia, Abbie, Thomas H., Gurnsey F. and Mary F. (twins), Jennie F., Ella E., Aaron W., George H. and Lizzie. Mr. Slavin died October 31, 1880, and his widow on May 9, 1896. Thomas H. in his political choice is a Democrat; he has served as trustee of the village two years, and is a member of the board of education. The family are members of St. Paul's Roman Catholic church.

Slocum, George H., son of Samuel and Nancy (Gleason) Slocum, was born near Grangerville, in 1843, and educated in the Jonesville Academy. His father was a farmer and owned the farm where Mr. Slocum now lives and near where he was born. The place consists of 150 acres of fine land, comfortable home, fine lawn and shade trees, three barns, carriage house and other necessary buildings. He carries on general farming and is extensively engaged in sheep raising. In 1871 he married Hannah M. Jones, and they have one daughter, Lillian, who is a fine artist and mu- sician. Mr. Slocum has two brothers living, Samuel and Charles, and two sisters living, Mrs. Ruby J., widow of William Wood, and Eliza A., wife of A. Stephens of Lincoln, Neb.

Smead, Hartwell D., was born in Stillwater, Saratoga county, N. Y., July 24, 1855, a son of Elial and Rachael (Towner) Smead, he a native of Keene, N. H., and she of Copake, Columbia county, N. Y. His parents came to Stillwater when young ; his father died in Luzerne, Warren county, September 2, 1895, and his mother in Hadley, June 19, 1881. Hartwell D. was educated in the common schools, and has been engaged in the railroad business all his business life, the last ten years being baggageman. He also owns 266 acres of land where he resides and other land; he and his brother own 115 acres in partnership. In 1877 he married Mira A. Steele, and they had nine children: Scott, Philo B., Carl A., Jay H., Maggie A., Walter, Bert, Bertha and Hartwell D.

Smith, Mrs. Alice H -Willis P. Smith was born in the township of Halfmoon, July 22, 1865, educated in the public schools and at Mount Pleasant, Mass. In early life he was a farmer. He is an extensive coal dealer in Mechanicville, and was in copartnership with Isaac H. Wendell. On April 1, 1898, he purchased Mr. Wendell's interest and since then has conducted a successful business alone. On April 2, 1890, he married Alice H. Fitzgerald of his own neighborhood, and they have three sons: Gerald Fitzgerald, Walter Bailey and Harvey Wendell. Mrs. Smith's father, George Fitzgerald, was born on the old homestead on the historic Hudson River, three miles south of Mechanicville, January 2, 1813; was educated in the schools and academies of his day and was a civil engineer by profession. He was ten years surveying in

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Central America and was the first of his profession in that country. He married Mary Hamilton of his native place, and they had two children, one died in infancy, and Alice H. (as above). Mr. Fitzgerald died November 22, 1886, and his widow January 7, 1895. His father, Edmond, was born in 1774; he was colonel of the State militia and married Eleanore Flynn. They had nine children, George being the youngest. The colonel died December 4, 1833, and his widow October 3, 1857. The family attended the Presbyterian church of Waterford, N. Y.

Smith, Edgar J., son of Edwin and Olive (Cronkhite) Smith, was born in Green- field August 20, 1855. He carries on general farming and conducts an extensive milk route; he has a fine herd of cows and carries on this part of his operations in the most scrupulous order. Mr. Smith's father is a farmer and with his wife resides at Greenfield. When twenty-five years of age Mr. Smith departed from the parental roof tree and was united in marriage to Ella M. Collamer, and they have five chil- dren: Clarence C., Charles E., Warren R., Helen A. and Ada E. Mr. Smith has a water power and grist mill located on the place, where a good business is carried on in custom grinding, etc. He is also general agent for the agricultural implements manufactured by the Osborne Company of Auburn and has a large sale in binders, mowers, rakes, power forks, etc. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican and has enjoyed the confidence of his party ; has been delegate to various county conventions, and in 1894 was elected supervisor of the town of Wilton for the term of two years. Mr. Smith's fine residence, substantially constructed, has from its fine location the appearance of an ideal home in the country.

Smith, James W., was born in Gloversville, Fulton county, N. Y., January 17, 1845, educated in the public schools and Kinderhook Academy. September 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-fifth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in August, 1863. September 12, 1866, he married Louisa A. Mowry of Windsor Locks, Conn., and they had four children: Harman M., Carrie L., Lewis L. (who died in infancy), and May A. Harman M. married Nora Beck- with, and they have two children, Gertrude L. and Mildred M. ; Carrie L. is a gradu- ate from Mrs. Ames's private academy, and Mary A. from the Mechanicville High School. Mr. Smith's father, Herman S., was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, N. Y., October 9, 1814; on April 29, 1839, he married Angeline Burr of Kingsboro, N. Y., and they had three sons: Lewis F., born April 26, 1840; Lucian B., born May 28, 1842, and James W. (as above). Mr. Smith died December 14, 1875, and his wife December 18, 1848. The family came to Mechanicville in 1884. Mr. Smith has been in the employ of the Duncan Paper Company since and has been superintend- ent of the soda department the past eight years. His son, Harman M., is day fore- man under him. He is a member of Elmer E. Ellsworth Post No. 619, of Mechanic ville, G. A R., Department of New York, is past commander and now (in 1898) is chaplain. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. church; he is one of the stewards. In his political choice he is a staunch Republican ; the ancestry of family is English on both sides.

Smith, Stephen, a son of the late Stephen and Mary J. Smith, the former deceased

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

in 1890, the latter in 1891, was born on the place where he now resides, March 28, 1874. His only sister, Anna J., is the wife of Charles S. Bovie of Hoosick, a farmer near that place. Mr. Smith was educated in the public schools of the vicinity and has always remained on the homestead; his parents dying before he reached his majority, the care and conduct of a one hundred and fifty acre farm devolved solely upon him. From the handsome dwelling house, situated on one of the most promi- nent places in the township, may be seen the villages of Saratoga, Glens Falls, Fort Edward, Schuylerville, and to the eastward an unbroken range of vision reaches to the high peaks of the Green Mountain range in Vermont. In politics Mr. Smith has always been a Republican. His duties in the conduct of his farm require his closest attention, and preclude all active interests which he might wish to devote to things politically. He is the possessor of one of the finest farms and in one of the most sightly locations in Saratoga county and upon this farm he devotes all his time and attention.

Smith, Will W., was born in the town of Jay, Essex county, N. Y , February 6, 1862, educated in the public schools of his native county, at Westport Academy and at the Plattsburgh High School. He began teaching at the early age of seventeen and taught for seven years. He was a remarkably successful teacher as well as a talented student, but his tastes inclining to law he entered the office of A. S. Burdick of Saratoga Springs, and after reading there for some time changed to the office of Judge J. W. Houghton. He was admitted to the bar in 1888, and immediately there- after began the practice of his profession. From the first he gave special attention to real estate and probate matters, and has attained a place in the front rank of law- yers in the State in these important departments of his profession. Mr. Smith was associated in partnership with Gen. W. B. French from 1891 to 1894. On December 26, 1881, Mr. Smith married Julia Haff, daughter of Schuyler Haff of Clinton county, N. Y., and their children are Frances, Kate, Lena and Harold V. Mr. Smith's parents were Eli and Mary (Atwood) Smith. His grandfather, Stephen Smith, came to Essex county, N. Y., from Vermont, in which State the family had resided for generations. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, highly esteemed by his party and is a representative member of the Saratoga bar.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York, Part 73

Author: Anderson, George Baker; Boston History Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company Number of Pages: 950

Author: Anderson, George Baker; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 950