USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 75
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Vassar, Matthew, was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on March 25, 1844, a son of James Vassar, who was a brother and business partner of Matthew Vassar, the founder of Vassar College. Matthew Vassar received a common school education, and in 1860 entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Samuel Haight, in New York city. In 1870 he came to Ballston with Mr. Haight, who had purchased a tannery at Milton Center, about three and a half miles from Ballston. He was admitted to the firm in the year 1880, and held equal interest in the same in 1885. The tannery at Milton Center was totally destroyed by fire on the night of December 4, 1881. The plant was then built at Ballston and became one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Mr. Vassar's mother was Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Pierce of Troy, N. Y., who was the first importor of china north of New York. In 1872 Mr. Vassar married Kate B., daughter of Horace Slate of New York city. Mr. Vassar is one of the enterprising men of his town, taking an interest in church and school matters.
Vedder, Hiram W., was born in Waterford, N. Y., December 21, 1856, educated in the public schools and Troy Business College and is a commercial traveler by occupation. October 6, 1879, he married Alice J. Babcock, and they have two chil- dren, Ida M. and Hiram B. Mr. Vedder's father, Ira Vedder, was born at Broadal- bin, N. Y., January 8, 1831, educated in the schools of that day and was reared on a farm. In 1855 he came to Waterford and has been in the employ of the Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Company for the past thirty years. January 22, 1856, he mar- ried Sarah P. Wood, and they had three children: Hiram W. (as above), and two daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Vedder's grandfather, William Vedder, was born at the old home in 1792; he married Maria Benedict, and they had eleven chil- dren; he died in 1876 and his wife in 1861. Mrs. Vedder's father, Hiram Wood, was born in Waterford in 1803, was a tailor by trade and a hotel keeper for thirty years; he married Sarah Ann Wendell, and they had twelve children. Mr. Wood died in 1876 and his widow in 1881. Hiram W. Vedder is a member of Clinton Lodge No. 140, F. & A. M. ; Waterford Chapter No. 169, R. A. M. ; Bloss Council of Troy, N. Y., R. & S. M .; Apollo Commandery of Troy, No. 15, K. T., and Oriental Temple of Troy, A. A. O. N. M. S. In his political choice he is a staunch Republican, and at present is the postmaster at Waterford, having been appointed by President Mc- Kinley August 26, 1898.
Viall, George H., was born in Schaghticoke, in 1827, a son of Ira Viall, and was educated in his native place, where he resided until twenty one years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he still follows. In 1853 he married Miss Sco- field, and they have two children: Olive and Hattie.
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Wagman, John, traces his descent on the paternal side from Nicholas Wagman born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1784, to Henry Wagman, his grandfather, who emigrated from Zurich, Switzerland, about the year 1760. The laws of his country at that time forbade emigrants from bringing money out of the country and he was searched at the port of embarkation and all his cash confiscated. Friends, however, in bidding him good-by, managed to slip some money into his hands. John Wag- man was born August 20, 1835, in the town of Saratoga, Saratoga county. He spent his boyhood days on the farm at home and attended the district school winters. At the age of twenty he gave his attention to teaching during the winter and following farming during the summer. On December 31, 1863, he married Naomi Swetland of the town of Moreau, Saratoga county, who died October 28, 1874, and October 6, 1875, he married Ida M. Bennett, daughter of George W. Bennett. Mr. Wagman removed to Fort Miller, Washington county, in 1870, where he engaged in the manu- facture of paper under the firm name of H. G. Craig & Co., having first engaged in the manufacture of paper in Middle Grove, Saratoga county, soon after his first mar- riage. In 1873 Mr. Craig sold his interest in the business and the firm name was changed to Wagman, Thorpe & Co., and remained such until the year 1896, when the plant was incorporated under the name of Fort Miller Pulp & Paper Co. In 1895 Mr. Wagman was taken seriously ill and he removed to Saratoga Springs, where he expects to spend the remainder of his days, in educating his children, of which he has two from his second wife, Grace M. and Lewis B.
Waller, Mason, was born in the town of Hartford, November 29, 1847, a son of Hiram and Edilda Waller. His father was a farmer and died at the age of seventy- five years; his widow is now living at the age of eighty-seven. Mr. Waller's early education consisted of that kind derived from the common schools of the vicinity. On March 11, 1875, he married Emily Warren, and they have two children: Mrs. Clara McNeal and Mildred. In politics Mr. Waller is a Democrat, with a strong leaning to the best men for office in local politics. Besides his extensive farming operations he conducts a daily milk route of large proportions to Saratoga Springs, where he dispenses to his regular patrons the product of his fine herd of cows, which are always among the best and best kept in the county. Mr. Waller is an energetic and skillful farmer, a good business man and a citizen universally respected.
Wandell, John J .-- The subject of this biography in the son of George W. Wan- dell, and Helen M. Smith, his wife; son of Peter John Wandell and Nancy Martin, his wife; son of John Wandell, a soldier in Col. John Knickerbocker's regiment, of Albany county, militia, in Col. Philip Van Cortland's Second Regiment New York State Line, and in Col. Goose Van Schaick's First Regiment New York State Line, war of the American Revolution, who was fifth in descent from Evert Janse Wendel, a magistrate at Fort Orange (Albany), under the Dutch government, prior to the conquest in 1673, who was the founder of the family and emigrated from Holland to New Amsterdam (New York city) prior to 1647.1 John J. Wandell was born in the
1 See Pearson's First Settlers of Albany, and Early Records of Albany County ; O'Calla- ghan's Registry of the New Netherlands; Munsell's Annals of Albany ; and New York in the Revolution as Colony and State, pp. 119-22-12.
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town of Northumberland, Saratoga county, N. Y., February 5, 1855, and was edu- cated in the public schools, the Mechanicville Academy and the Fort Edward Colle- giate Institute, taking the preparatory course for college and the commercial course, graduating in June, 1873. For about eight years Mr. Wandell was a farmer and cattle dealer, then became a hotel keeper at White Sulphur Springs on Saratoga Lake. In 1882 he became a commercial traveler and so continued until September 18, 1884, when he purchased the Commercial Hotel at Saratoga Springs, of which he has ever since been the proprietor and owner. Mr. Wandell was some years a water commissioner of Saratoga Springs. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 103, F. & A. M .; Rising Sun Chapter No. 131, R. A. M .; Washington Commandery No. 33, K. T., and Cryptic Council No. 37; Oriental Temple, N. M. S .; the Red Men, and order of Elks. On November 28, 1877, he married Emma Sarle, who died May 30, 1892, leaving three children: Lena M., Grace E. and George E. On March 1, 1897, Mr. Wandell married Mary J. (Bootman) Gage of Waterford, N. Y.
Waring, Mrs. William H., daughter of John and Almira (Soulard) Holman, is a native and lifelong resident of Saratoga county. In 1854 she married William H. Waring. Their living children are Samuel A., Frederick, Lockwood, Mrs. M. Luella Wynn and Anna Lydia. William H. Waring was born in Saratoga county. He in- herited a farm from his grandfather and engaged extensively in the milk business, which he continued for several years. He then sold his farm and embarked in the lime business, which proving a failure, he came to Saratoga Springs and after a year in the meat business started the livery business which is still conducted by his son, Samuel H. Mr. Waring died September 6, 1897, and at the time of his death was street commissioner, to which position his son Samuel H. succeeded. Mrs. Waring's mother, Almira Soulard, was a daughter of Barnabas Soulard, who was the son of Mary Adams, a cousin of President John Quincy Adams. Samuel A. Waring mar- ried Mary Robbins in 1892, and they have one son, William H.
Washburn, Daniel, son of Cyrus and Mary A. Hunter Washburn, was born in Wilton township, June 27, 1845. His father was a native of Wilton and died in 1888; his mother died in 1893. Mr. Washburn was educated in the common schools and remained at Wilton on the farm until twenty-two years ago, when he purchased the custom mill at Gansevoort, which he conducted for many years and which he still owns. His home at Gansevoort, " The Pines," he moved to four years ago. It is pleasantly located in a grove northeast of the Delaware and Hudson railroad and consists of a comfortable frame dwelling house in a grove of pines of something like three acres. Politically he is a Republican. Previous to his removal to Gansevoort he held the office of town clerk of Wilton for several years, and was on the board of supervisors for the town of Northumberland from 1889 to 1893, one year of which he was chairman of the board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mı. Wash- burn has been three times married; his first wife was Nettie Styles; second, Sarah C. West, by whom he had four children: Berdella C., a student at the State Normal School at Plattsburg; Lucy J., Cyrus M., and Charles D. ; and his present wife was Flora M. Westberry.
Weatherly, Charles E., was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., March 16, 1819, and
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attended the district schools. He is a self-made man, having left home at the age of fifteen on account of the death of his mother. In 1843 he began to be a railroad man and was station agent for the R. S. Railroad Co., and freight agent seven years ; he was baggage master for the Saratoga and Whitehall Railroad Co. two years; was station agent and operator at Hydesville five years; and promoted to the position of passenger conductor with his home and headquarters at Rutland. Vt., on the then Jay Gould system. He speaks of Jay Gould in the highest terms. He was with distinguished superintendents and L. R. Sargent and others until 1884 and since then has lived a retired life. May 4, 1845, he married Elizabeth Y. Fisher of Me- chanicville, N. Y., and they had three children: John E., who died in his fifteenth year, Frances A. and Florence E. Frances A., married H. T. Lewin of Rutland, Vt., and they have one daughter, Elizabeth; Florence E. married Charles A. Frost of Rutland, Vt., and they have one daughter, Florence E. Mrs. Frost died May 23, 1874. Mr. Weatherly's father, George Weatherly, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came with his parents to the United States when a boy. He married Lucy Bevins, and they had seven sons and one daughter: Mary Ann, George, Lewis, Charles E. (as above), Elias, Edward, Alfred and Ansil. Mrs. Lucy Weatherly died February 27, 1834, and her husband died in the far west. Mrs. C. E. Weatherly's father, John Fisher, was born in Mechanicville, N. Y., March 9, 1804, and educated in the schools of that early day. He married Lucretia Bortel of this place and they had seven children: Elizabeth Y. (as above), Amanda, Horace, Rosetta, Orselia, Martha and Renette. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are both dead. Mr. Weatherly is a member of the F. & A. M; in his political choice he is a thorough Democrat. The ancestry of the family is English, Dutch and French.
Weatherwax, William Rufus .- His paternal great-grandparents came from Ger- many at an early date, bringing with them brick to use in constructing a home in what is now New York city, claimed to be the first of the kind. They were engaged in the trading business and that was as far north as they ever came. Andrew and Eleanor Weatherwax, the grandparents of William R., moved up the Hudson, locat- ing on the Bennington turnpike, three miles above Lansingburgh, on the farm now owned by William Perry. Tories were numerous, and much to be dreaded. The wife, busy at work rolling pie dough in an old fashioned stoop where hung a saddle, saw a man on horseback rein up at the door, saying, "Tories don't ride bareback when there is a Whig's saddle in sight." The Tory reached for the saddle, and she by the vigorous use of the rolling-pin succeeded in rescuing the saddle and remained its owner, the Tory leaving considerably the worse for his undertaking. This couple left two sons and one daughter: Stephen, John and Rachel. Stephen, the father of William R., was born in Lansingburgh in 1795, educated in the schools of his day, and married Deborah, daughter of Thomas and Hester Wood, of Holland ancestry. She was one of ten children, the late Stephen Wood of Stillwater and Hiram Wood of Halfmoon, now dead, and Joseph H. of Lansingburgh, the only one now living, were her brothers. This couple had a large family, but five of whom survive at this date. He was a kind father and an upright and ambitious farmer. They were Lutherans, and in politics he was a Democrat, and a resident of Lansingburgh for many years. He died April 22, 1868, and his wife March 16, 1887. William R. was
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born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., July 25, 1833, and married, in 1858, Laura A., daughter of Peter S. Woodin of Crescent, who was born in Halfmoon, January 25, 1836. They remained in Lansingburgh until 1869, when he purchased the Woodin homestead at Crescent, where he now resides. They have two children: Jennie A., married Polete Pelkey in 1891, and have one daughter, Laura J. ; and Peter S. married Jennie Nixon in 1888, and have three children, Hester I., William Russell and Sarah A. In 1890 Mr. Weatherwax purchased the Stickler farm where Peter S. now resides, which was called by the older settlers the "Forest farm." It borders the Mohawk River and Erie Canal on the south, which with its high rolling lands, the aqueduct and isl- ands in view to the west, and the Cohoes Falls, eighty feet in height, add beauty to its surroundings. This scenery is seldom equaled, and at this point the Indian trail was very plain, and as many Indians were located west of here they would come down the Mohawk in large numbers with their canoes, and make a halt, visiting their old haunts, their chosen spot being on the river flat just above the Aqueduct, where the Stennakill, which runs south through this farm, enters the river at this point, which had been a favorite resort, as is shown by the many relics found in this locality (now covered with icehouses). Here they would roll their blankets around them and squat down for the night. Then came a light snow and in the morning they had the appearance of a forest of newly cut stumps. Then with one whoop from their leader, all would rise from their lodge, shake off the snow, prepare their breakfast by a camp fire and again make ready by shouldering their canoes, thence onward following the old trail three miles across the country to the Hudson river above the rifts at Peebles' place, to continue their journey onward, calling themselves friendly Indians. Timothy Woodin, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Weatherwax, was born in 1741, a pioneer from New Rochelle, Westchester county, to Putnam county, in Revolutionary times. Anna Howe, his wife, was born in 1750, of English ancestry, and was regarded as a lineal descendant of Lord Howe. They were de- vout members of the New Town Baptist church in 1791. He died in 1814, and his wife in 1819, and are buried with many of their kin in the Rosecrans burying ground. They had a large family, of whom were Reuben, Peter, Phoebe, Lizzie, and Laura, who became the wife of Solomon Higgins, a most gracious woman. Peter became a Baptist minister; married and located in central New York, where he remained the beloved pastor of his church for many years and died at a good old age, and at this date has several children living in that vicinity. Reuben, the eldest son, and grandfather of Mrs. Weatherwax, was born in 1795, enlisted from Putnam county and served his time, getting his discharge from Tribe's Hill, in 1768. He then set out to locate his father, traveling on foot, finding him in the town of Halfmoon, two miles north of Crescent, upon the farm now owned by Mr. Plant, whither he had moved while he was with the army. Amid much rejoicing he settled down and in due time married Patience, daughter of Eben Landers and Desire Twist, her mother's maiden name, of Welsh parentage, born in 1766, were prudent farmers, undergoing many hardships and privations, and lived in a log house on the farm where Alex- ander Button now lives and later on the George Filkins place, which was a little less than a wilderness in those early days; he died in 1822, and his wife in 1860, in her ninety-fifth year. She had an extraordinary memory, was a zealous Christian woman and drew a pension while she lived. Their children were Polly, Lucy, Eliza, Abner, Reuben, Aaron, Zacheus, Peter and Timothy; the latter, while in the gov-
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ernment service during the war of 1812, with a team hauling a cannon to Sackett's Harbor, while ascending a hill on the old State road, where the snow was deep, the sleigh upset, crushing his leg; with inexperienced doctors at hand he suffered a second amputation, after which he died on January 28, 1815, leaving a widow and two small children, Reuben T., and Caroline, who became the wife of James Scott of Waterford, and has one daughter, Mrs. Carrie Gilbert, of North Bramford, Conn., both now living at this date, 1898. Peter S. Woodin was born in the township of Halfmoon in the year 1805, received a common school education, and was a perse- vering young man. In 1827 he married Sally Teachout, who was born September 2, 1808, of Dutch ancestry. Her parents were John Teachout and Hannah Swart- out. They were thrifty people, hailing from Dutchess county. Their children were Mrs. Esther J. Taylor of Grass Lake, Mich., who has two children, Mrs. Sarah Willis and J. Clay ; Anson B., of Colonie, Albany county; Peter Woodin; Laura A. and Manley A. who died in 1896, aged sixty years. He owned much land in the vicinity and dealt largely in stock and speculation. He held several offices of trust, and in politics was a Republican. He purchased the Devoe farm in 1845, and re- sided upon it until his death, which occurred in 1875. His wife died in 1868, a woman of rare ability and her example worthy of imitation .- CONTRIBUTED.
Webster, William B., M. D., son of John M. and Mary Boardman (Barney) Web- ster, was born in Hebron, Washington county, October 26, 1858. His early educa- tion was obtained at Jonesville Academy and the Fort Edward High School, grad- uating from the latter in 1877. He afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Dunham of Plattsburg and Dr. John Swinburne of Albany; graduating from the Albany Medical College in 1881, and immediately began his practice in Schuylerville after obtaining his degree. Dr. Webster has built up a large practice in Saratoga and adjoining towns. He is a member of the American Medical Association. The Web- ster family of New York are lineal descendants of John Webster, one of the Colonial governors of Connecticut. Elizur Webster, great-great-grandfather of Dr. Webster, was a native of Hartford, Conn., and traces his lineage to John Webster, once gov- ernor. Elizur's son, Obediah, settled in Hampton, Washington county, and was one of the pioneers of that place, where he purchased 3,000 acres of land. Obediah Web- ster was related to both Daniel and Noah Webster. Orrin Webster, Dr. Webster's grandfather, was born in Hampton, March 20, 1800, and died there in 1862. On September 26, 1883, Dr. Webster married Ella, daughter of William McCreedy of Schuylerville, and they have two children: Dorothy Louella and Mildred. In poli- tics Dr. Webster is a Republican, and is serving his second term as coroner; has . been twice president of the village of Schuylerville, and has served three terms on the board of health. He is a member of Schuylerville Lodge No. 676, F. & A. M., Home Chapter No. 176, R. A. M., Washington Commandery No. 33 of Saratoga, and Oriental Temple A. A. N. M. S. of Troy.
Weeden, William C., was born in Easton, Washington county, July 4, 1822, a son of Coggeshall and Eliza (Chase) Weeden, he a native of Jamestown, R. I., and she of Portsmouth, R. I., and who came to Washington county about 1810, where they lived and died. The family is of English descent and came to the United States
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about 1600, settling in Rhode Island. William C. was reared on the farm and edu- cated in the common schools. He followed farming and in 1868 came to Greenfield and bought the house and lot where he now lives, also a farm of 120 acres. He mar- ried Emma A. Hewitt, and they have one son, James G., who was educated at Me- chanicville and Schenectady. James G. was school commissioner for several years and assisted in taking the census for ten counties in 1890, was also in Washington connected with the census department there, but was obliged to leave on account of sickness and died February 18, 1892. His wife, Sagie D. (Smith) Weeden, and daughter Elnice, live in New York city. William C. Weeden is a member of St. John's Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M.
Weeks, George H., was born in the town of Saratoga Springs in 1834, a son of Aaron D. Weeks, a native of New York city, and who died when George H. was only five years old. His mother married again and George was taken by a Mr. Car- rigan of Geyserville, where he remained until his sixteenth year, and came to Sara- toga Springs and entered the employ of John Benedict, where he mastered the tin, coppersmith and plumber's trade, which he followed until 1862. At this time he en- listed in Co. F, 115th N. Y. Vols., participating in battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, the Siege of Atlanta, and the capture of Fort Fisher in North Carolina, and many others. Returning to Saratoga, after being mustered out, he resumed his trade of tinsmith, which he followed until 1871, when he was appointed engineer in charge of the Saratoga Gas Works. In April, 1872, he received the appoint- ment of assistant superintendent in the works of the Mutual Gas Co. of New York city, remaining there until 1885, when a much better position offered itself with the Consumers' Gas Co. of Jersey City, N. J. Two years later he received the appoint- ment of superintendent of the Standard Gas Co. of New York, a position he still re- tains. On January 27, 1867, Mr. Weeks married Sylvia Garnsey of Ballston Spa, and their children are Wesley, engineer at the West Farms Gas Works, West Farms, N. Y. ; Garnsey, a student at the Schuylerville High School; Millie, wife of Robert L. Christie, of the Standard Gas Co. of New York city. Mrs. Weeks's grandfather, Eldad Garnsey, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and her brother, Charles Garnsey, served his country in the Civil war, and was captured at Petersburg, Va., and suf- fered the horrors of Andersonville prison for six months.
Wemple, J. Russ, a leading insurance man of Saratoga Springs, was born in New York city in 1851, and was educated in the schools of the national metropolis. He entered upon a most successful business career in insurance after his school days, in which line he has been engaged all his life. In 1892 Mr. Wemple came to Saratoga Springs. October 15, 1877, he married Miss Pinkney and they had one child, John P. Mr. Wemple's ancestors were among the early settlers of Saratoga county and Govenor Yates was a member of one branch of the family. The ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers.
Wheeler, Frederick J., was born in Charlton, June 4, 1867, a son of William S. Wheeler, a native of Ballston, where the family were among the pioneers. William S. married Augusta Louise Barlow of Norwalk, Conn., and through early life was
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identified as a farmer. In 1875 he came to Ballston and engaged in the shoe busi- ness; in 1880 engaged in grain and milling, erecting what is known as Wheeler's Steam Mills. He died February 24, 1895. Frederick J. was educated in Ballston and entered business with his father, which he still carries on, making a specialty of buckwheat flour and buying and shipping hay, grain and straw. Mr. Wheeler is one of the conservative men of his town, serving as collector of the town of Ballston and member of the board of education. He is treasurer and vestryman of Christ church and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.
Whipple, W. W., son of Archibald and Mary Jackson Whipple, was born in 1860, and educated in the public schools and at Elmwood Seminary of Glens Falls, of which his brother, James N. (now deceased), was at that time principal. Mr. Whipple never deserted the paternal roof; he always remained at home on the farm with his parents, and since their death, six years ago, has continued to improve it by the addition of fruit trees, etc. He does an extensive business in fruit and vegetable gardening. He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer, as well as citizen. In 1888 he married Alice, daughter of E. R. Johnson of Feeder Dam, and they have three children: Archie E., Leslie C. and Grace A.
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