USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 79
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Seymour, born May 22, 1816, at Greenfield, and daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Maria (Wood) Seymour. She was the mother of his six children, as follows: Thomas Seymour, Myron Winfield, Edward Irvin, Clarence Wood, Amanda Maria, Cora Estelle (Mrs. Scott-Waring). Alexander H. Scott died at his home on the Seymour Hill farm in South Greenfield, on January 9, 1879; his widow survives. Cora Estelle Scott married Herbert Waring, son of Gilbert and Mary Ann (Scott) Waring, at Saratoga Springs, on January 2, 1893. They have no children. Mrs. Scott-Waring is a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, not only through her great-grandfather, Col. William Scott, on the paternal side, but also through Nathaniel Seymour, private and captain in Capt. Daniel Benedict's Company, 8th Regiment, Connecticut Militia, on the maternal side, as follows: Nathaniel Seymour (1) and wife Mary Carter; Thomas Seymour (2) and wife, Rebecca Maria Wood; Sophronia Wood Seymour (3), who married Alexander Hamilton Scott, father of Mrs. Scott-Waring; and through John Carter, captain of the 9th Connecti- cut Militia, on the maternal side, as follows: John Carter (1) and Hannah Benedict, his wife; Mercy Carter, who married Nathaniel Seymour, maternal great-grand- father of Mrs. Scott-Waring. Mrs. Scott-Waring is in possession of much documen- tary evidence of her ancestry, and many valuable and interesting relics.
Finch, Harvey L., was born in Jonesville, Saratoga county, July 29, 1856, and ed- ucated in the district schools and Saratoga High School. In 1881 Mr. Finch estab- lished his present trade in wall paper, window shades, etc., and conducts the leading house of its kind in Saratoga county. On October 7, 1886, Mr. Finch married Abi- gail S. Winegar and they have three children: Reynold Winegar, Harriet Chris- tina, and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Finch's parents were Morgan L. Finch, M.D., and Harriet C. King, his wife. Dr. Finch died in 1871. The King family has been in America since 1678, when James King settled in Connecticut. Eliphalet King came to Troy, N. Y., in 1795; he was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and his com- mission was dated January 1, 1776. Harriet C. King, mother of Mr. Finch, was the daughter of Roger and Christina (Auringer) King. Mr. Finch has served three en- listments in the Saratoga Citizens' Corps.
Mahon, Charles F., was born in Saratoga Springs, January 6, 1866, a son of James and Mary (Kiernan) Mahon, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1860. His father died in 1891, and his mother is still living. Mr. Mahon began business in con- nection with the Washington Spring, and later worked for Caleb W. Mitchell for nine years. He opened his present business, hotel and saloon, at 19 Phila street, in 1889. Mr. Mahon is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men; the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Jeffersonian Club. In 1887 he married Kate E. Haas.
Swanick, James F., corporation counsel of the village of Saratoga Springs, was born in Saratoga Springs, June 24, 1866, a son of Arthur and Catherine (Monahan) Swanick. He was educated in the schools of his native place and began his legal studies in the office of Putnam & Henning. In 1887 he was admitted to the bar and has since practiced with success in Saratoga Springs. He served as justice of the peace from January 1, 1889, to December 31, 1892. In the latter year he was elected
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corporation counsel and served two years. He was re-elected to the postion in 1897 and is still in office. In the performance of the duties of corporation counsel he has been extremely successful and has exhibited a high order of legal acumen. When he was elected the corporation had actions pending in court amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars in claims. Several actions were tried which determined the rights of the litigants, and those not tried were discontinued, effecting a vast saving to the corporation. Mr. Swanick has been active in Democratic political cir- cles-both local and State. At the Democratic State Convention of 1898 he was prominently mentioned for the nomination of attorney-general.
Collamer, Warren B., was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, February 2, 1823, and at an early age removed to Malta and thence to Wilton, where he grew up. He has been a farmer most of his life, but in connection therewith ran a saw mill in Wilton for forty years. He was not only a successful business man, but also served on the board of supervisors in 1871, 1872, 1877 and 1878, and was one of the commit- ted of three who erccted the almshouse and received a vote of thanks from the board of supervisors for the efficient way in which they had completed the same; he was also collector for the town of Wilton for a time. He built the Collamer block on Broadway, Saratoga Springs, in 1883, and in 1894 became a permanent resident of the village. Mr. Collamer married, first, Eliza Ann Cole, who died leaving a daugh- ter, Mary Ella, wife of E. J. Smith of Wilton ; his second wife was Sarah Cole, and his last wife, Mrs. Mary J. Calkins, formerly Mary J. Pratt. Mr. Collamer's father, Hiram Collamer, came to Saratoga Springs when there were only two houses in the village. Mr. Collamer has been a Republican since the party was organized in 1855 and voted for Fremont in 1856.
Thompson, N. Remick, son of David A. and Clara M. (Adsit) Thompson, was born in Troy, N. Y., November 27, 1871, and educated in the public schools of that city and Bennington, Vt. David A. Thompson was a veteran of the war of the Re- bellion; he enlisted in Co. F, Seventy-seventh N. Y. Regiment, September 25, 1861, was mustered in as first sergeant, and in the fall of 1862 was promoted to first lieu- tenant, and finally received his commission of captain in the winter of 1864. He fought all through the war, part of the time doing the duty of sergeant, lieutenant and captain, when his company was depleted. He participated in all the engage- ments of the celebrated Seventy-seventh, prominent among them being the siege of Yorktown, battle of Mechanicsville, Va., Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chantilly, Rappahannock, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the oper- ations about Petersburg, the battle of Winchester, Cedar Creek and the Appomat- tox campaign. After the war he worked at his trade, paper maker, in Troy until 1884, when he went to Bennington, Vt., and opened a laundry business. In 1894 he removed to Saratoga Springs and established the laundry firm of D. A. Thompson & Son. Mr. Thompson died in the spring of 1898, and the business is now conducted by his son, N. R. Thompson.
Smith, Henry, was born in Kinderhook, in 1836, and resided in Albany five years, after which he lived in Troy and New York city until he came to Saratoga Springs in 1861. For fifty years he has been engaged in the express business, hav-
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ing begun as a boy. He has always been connected with the National Express Co. He came to Saratoga Springs in 1861 to take charge for fifteen days, but has been the agent here ever since. In 1856 Mr. Smith married Jane Miller, and their chil- dren are Samuel Virgil, Francis Harvey, Frederick H., Hattie S., wife of J. W. Ly- man, and Howard Livingston. Mrs. Smith's people are an old New England fam- ily, the progenitor of which came over in the Mayflower. In 1866 Mr. Smith organized the Adirondack Express Co. Even more notable than this, however, was his conception and projection of an express company when scarcely more than a boy and without means; it was known as the Smith & Shaeffer Ft. Edward, Sandy Hill, Glens Falls and Lake George Express, and proved a great success. Mr. Smith's long incumbency of the office of agent for the National Express Co. is the best evi- dence of his valuable services. He is courteous and genial, and his life has been successful and honorable.
Roddy, Miss Nellie F., has made her spacious and handsome store a center of in- terest to the female portion of the community and a prominent factor in the business life of Saratoga Springs. Miss Roddy is a native of Troy, but has been a resident of Saratoga Springs for several years. She is possessed of energy, enterprise and excellent business ability, having the freshest and choicest novelties as soon as they are ready for the trade. The business was established in 1887 in a comparatively small way, but from the inception of the venture its growth has been steady and sub- stantial. The dry goods department was added in 1889, and later fancy goods. Some fifteen clerks and expert hands are employed.
Flammer, Albert J., was born in Saratoga Springs, and educated in the schools of his native village. He selected the barber's trade for his occupation. His parents were Charles C. and Elizabeth (Armb) Flammer, both natives of Germany, who came to America in their youth. They were married February 21, 1867, at Saratoga Springs, and of their union are four sons: George R., who married Mary I Wild- man of Danbury, Conn., April 17, 1895, and now resides in Troy; Charles F., who married Elizabeth L. Van Dorn, February 20, 1898; Albert J. and Fred W. Charles F. Flammer and Fred W. Flammer constitute the firm of Flammer Brothers, hair dressers, of Saratoga Springs.
Crocker, Rev. James N., was for several years pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at Saratoga Springs, and also conducted a successful private school. He was educated at Union College and Princeton Seminary, from both of which institu- tions he was graduated with honor. He was a man of fine literary ability and schol- arship and at the early age of eighteen was a teacher of classics at the Albany Acad- emy. During his residence in Saratoga Springs he took great interest in the progress and welfare of the village, contributed much to its moral and social status, and gained a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He married Nancy A. Dillon and their children are three: Anna A., Elizabeth and James N. Crocker.
Montgomery, Charles H. J., was born in Northumberland, Saratoga county, Jan- uary 29, 1842. He was educated in the public schools and learned the carpenter s
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trade, at which he worked until the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861, when he en- listed in Company C, of the famous Seventy-seventh Regiment, N. Y. Vols., in which he served over two years. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy- seventh Regiment and went to Hilton Head, South Carolina. He served with this regiment until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He now spent some time in traveling through the Western States and finally settled in Clin- ton City, Iowa, where he again worked at his trade and also became a contractor, building numerous dwelling houses and several factories. He returned to the east after some years on account of ill health and settled in Saratoga Springs. He followed his trade for a considerable period and in 1878 engaged in his present auc- tion and commission business. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias and of Mckean Post No. 498, G.A. R. He married, April 1, 1870, Jane H. Smith.
Fassett, Col. John S., was born in Troy, N. Y. Several of his ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers-his great-grandfather and five brothers having fought under General Stark at the battle of Bennington, and his father's father also was the com- mander of a Vermont company-therefore, it is not remarkable that when the war of the Rebellion broke out, he was found among the supporters of the Union. He had had some military experience as lieutenant of Co. G, Thirty-first Regiment N. G., and when the call for troops was issued, he assisted in raising Co. E of the Twenty-second N. Y. Vols., and was mustered in June 6, 1861, commissioned by Governor Morgan as first lieutenant. He was severely wounded at the second bat- tle of Bull Run while acting as adjutant. When he recovered from his wound-the Twenty-second Regiment having been mustered out in the mean time-he raised a company for the Second Cavalry, and was mustered in as captain on September 3, 1863, and in December of that year was promoted to major by Governor Fenton. He was mustered out in 1865 and received the commission of brevet lieutenant-colonel " for gallant and meritorious services." Colonel Fassett has continued his interest in military affairs since the war, giving much service in organizing the Saratoga Cit- izens' Corps and serving as its captain for five years from 1877 to 1882. He is commander of Post Wheeler, G.A.R., and is always prominent at reunions. He married Emma Martin of Glens Falls.
Richards, Stephen H., was born in Norwalk, Conn., a son of Lewis and Almira (Waterbury) Richards, natives of Connecticut, and has resided in Saratoga Springs since 1854. He was first employed as bookkeeper for W. J. Hendrick, after which he was for eight years bookkeeper and teller in the old bank of Saratoga Springs; later paymaster on the Adirondack Railroad for three years, and cashier of the Commercial National Bank for eleven years. For a number of years subsequent he was engaged in the coal business in Saratoga Springs. Mr. Richards married, first, Emma Phillips, who died leaving one son, Walter Richards, manager of the Hotel Lincoln, New York city ; his second wife was Ada F. Brockway, and his present wife was Annie K. O'Donnell; they have one daughter, Myra Richards.
Freeman, Nelson G., was born in the town of Malta, this county, a son of Benja-
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min and Elizabeth (Dennison) Freeman. On both the paternal and maternal sides he descends from colonial stock, his mother being a lineal descendant of Major Den - nison of Revolutionary fame. Benjamin Freeman, his father, owned and conducted the first hotel at Sheepshead Bay, and was also a large owner of real estate sur- rounding the bay, which is said to have been named from the fact that he had the sign of his hotel painted with a picture of a sheep's head. He removed from Sheeps- head Bay to Malta in the early forties and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The subject of this notice was educated in the public schools and began to prepare himself for the profession of electrical engineering. In 1886 he was appointed superintendent of the fire alarm system of the village of Saratoga Springs, a position in which he served one year. In 1888 he formed a copartnership with George W. Putnam for the conduct of a music and stationery business. Sub- sequently he acquired his partner's interest and has ever since conducted the busi- ness alone, being now located at No. 352 Broadway. Mr. Freeman is a member of Saratoga Lodge No. 15, I.O.O.F. He married, in 1890, Miss Nellie M. Allen, daughter of Silas G. and Laura M. (Adams) Allen of Saratoga Springs.
Carpenter, William P., was born at Glens Falls, Warren county, N. Y., May 13, 1843, a son of William and Ruth (Brown) Carpenter, and was educated at the schools of his native place and Sanford's Ridge, coming to Saratoga Springs in 1864, when he was twenty-one years of age. He has resided here ever since and has been one of the successful business men of the place for the past third of a century. He en- gaged in the express and hauling business at first, but subsequently branched out into the coal business, forming the firm of Carpenter & Taylor, which continued un- til the spring of 1898, when Mr. Carpenter disposed of his interest. He now conducts a storage warehouse with fire-proof compartments. Mr. Carpenter is a prominent Mason, having passed the degree of Knight Templar and the order of the Mystic Shrine; he is also a member of both the subordinate lodge and the encampment in Odd Fellowship, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Carpenter married Mary L. Edwards of Utica, September 7, 1870, and they have an adopted daughter, Della Chapman, wife of Elmer J. Taylor of Saratoga Springs. The Carpenters are one of the oldest American families, their progenitor having come to this country early in the seventeenth century. Mr. Carpenter's ancestors were residents of New York and there William B. Carpenter was born in 1802 but removed to Glens Falls while quite young. Later he removed to Sanford's Ridge where he died January 31, 1854. He was a wagon maker by trade.
Swan, William E., M. D., post-office Saratoga Springs, was born at Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., September 13, 1866, and received his literary education in the public schools of Saratoga Springs and at Yates Academy. He entered the office of Dr. Grant as a medical student in 1886, and in 1887 began his studies in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York city, from which he was graduated in the class of 1890. In the same year he returned to Saratoga; was associated with Dr. Grant for one year, and subsequently opened an office for himself at No. 24 Woodlawn avenue, where he continued until 1895, gaining a lucrative practice. In January, 1896, Dr. Swan went to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and began a course of post-
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graduate work. In the spring of 1896 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Resident Gynæcologist and served under Prof. Howard A. Kelly until July, 1897, when he returned to Saratoga and resumed the practice of his profession during the summer. In October, 1897, Dr. Swan sailed to Germany and spent the winter in special studies at Munich, giving particular attention to surgery and the diseases of women, under Professors Winekle and Klein. He afterwards visited the various clinics of Vienna, Berlin and Leipsic, and spent two months under Professor Leopold at Dresden. While in Germany he spent considerable time traveling, visiting Carls- bad and making a careful study of the therapeutic uses of the water in that celebrated resort. He returned to Saratoga Springs in July, 1898, and resumed the practice of his profession, devoting much of his time to the special practice of surgery. Dr. Swan is a member of the New York State Medical Association; Alumni of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons; Johns Hopkins Hospital Graduate Club; Albany Medical Society; and the Medical Society of Saratoga Springs.
Wing, D. E., proprietor of " The Davardo," Saratoga Springs, is one of the most experienced hotel men in this village of splendid caravansaries. He has been co11- nected with prominent hotels for twenty-one years, such as the Clarendon and Com- mercial in Saratoga Springs; Hotel Warren at Warrensburg; the Stevens at Burl- ington, and others. He was associated for several years with the Roselles of the "Arlington" at Fort William Henry. In the spring of 1898 he purchased the " Ken- more " at Saratoga Springs, and conducts it in a manner that places it at once among the best houses of the place, under the name of " The Davardo." "The Davardo" has 150 large rooms, well lighted and ventilated and of perfect sanitary condition. It is convenient to all the leading springs and has a large piazza space. Mr. Wing is a descendantof Abraham Wing, who settled at Glens Falls; it was called Wing's Falls at first, but Abraham Wing, who was a tory, changed the name to Glens Falls to please his friend Colonel Glenn, and history records that the colonel showed his appreciation of this generosity by opening a bottle of wine.
Totten, Thomas J., was born at Saratoga Springs, June 26, 1853, a son of Joseph and Ann (Burns) Totten. Joseph Totten is of Scotch-Irish descent and came to America at fifteen years of age. His wife died in 1855. Thomas J. was educated in the public schools of his native place and at the Brothers' School, Albany, N. Y. He commenced to learn the trade of finishing currier, but disliking it tried the car- penter's trade, which he also discarded to learn the business of florist, which accorded with his tastes and in which he has become the leader in Saratoga county. He be- gan with W. C. Wilson of New York city, and after spending some months there re- turned to Saratoga Springs and started in the florist business for himself in a modest way in 1874. The following year he formed a partnership with Charles Ludwig, who shortly afterward sold out to John Schafer and the firm of Totten & Schafer ex- isted for ten years, doing business in both Saratoga Springs and Ballston. In 1885 they dissolved partnership, Mr. Totten taking the Saratoga part of the business, which he has since increased to very large proportions, his many greenhouses cover- ing 60,000 square feet of ground and he has an attractive emporium on Broadway. Mr. Totten is a prominent Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and
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Commandery, has served as trustee of the village for two terms, and is a member of the board of health, having served in this capacity for three consecutive years. In 1880 Mr. Totten married Helen Hamill; they have two children: Thomas J. Totten, jr., and Daisy Belle.
Swanick, Arthur A., M. D., was born at Saratoga Springs, September 16, 1869. and was educated in the University of New York, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1889 and the degree of M. D. in 1893. He spent seven months in hospital work at Bellevue and then returned to Saratoga Springs and was associated with Dr. C. S. Grant for two years. In 1895 he opened an office of his own and has since been developing a steadily increasing practice and building a high reputation. Dr. Swanick is a member of the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, also of the Knights of Columbus and the C. B. L. He is a Democrat in politics and has been health officer of the village. His parents were Arthur and Catherine Swanick. The family has lived in Saratoga Springs for sixty years.
Lawrence, Franklin W., manager of the Excelsior Spring, was born in Morristown, Pa., June 12, 1860, a son of Henry and Caroline (Whitall) Lawrence. He may be numbered among the leading business men of Saratoga county.
Mckay, Alexander, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1838, a son of John and Janette (Brown) Mckay. He was educated in his native city and came to America in 1869, settling in Providence, R. I. He is an expert mechanic and was for twelve years master mechanic in the establishment of Green & Sons, Providence, R. I. He came to Saratoga Springs in 1888 and opened a grocery store, which he conducted until 1896, when he retired from active business. Mr. Mckay is a prom- inent member of the Odd Fellows, lodge No. 15. September 23, 1857, he married Miss Jenkins, and they had six sons, and one daughter who is married and resides in Mexico. His sons are Alexander, William, Duncan, Thomas, Matthew and James.
Davis, Howard W., was born in Bolton, on Lake George, September 23, 1841. He has been engaged in farming and the lumber and timber business for many years, and in the latter nearly all his life. He has dealt quite largely in timber and lumber from Vermont and all the northern country. He married Harriet Norton, adopted daughter of Dr. Reynolds, and they have three children, Addie, Mary and William. His parents, John and Jane (Waters) Davis, are both living at the ages of eighty-six and seventy-nine respectively. His grandparents, Ichabod and Lydia Davis, were early settlers and encountered all the difficulties and experiences of life in a new country. John Davis was once a large boat owner on Lake George. A curious item in the history of this family is that Mr. Davis, his father, mother, grandmother and himself were all born in the month of September.
Lighde, John, one of the leading provision dealer of Saratoga Springs, is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, March 28, 1853. His father was a well-to-do farmer and in his earlier years he worked on the farm and attended school. acquiring a good
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education. When but fourteen years old he began to learn the butcher's trade and has followed this occupation all his life. He came to this country in 1871 and settled first in New York city, where he remained a short time and later worked at his trade in Oswego and Albany. In 1872 he came to Saratoga Springs and in 1876 began a provision business, locating at the intersection of Clark and White streets. Later he removed to No. 41 Lake avenue, where he conducted a store for over twenty years. He removed to his present location in the spring of 1898. Mr. Lighde has been a useful and respected citizen of Saratoga Springs and enjoys the entire confidence of the business community. He married in 1883.
Kmen, Ferdinand, was born in Bohemia, Austria, May 30, 1854, a son of Joseph and Anna Kmen. He learned the tailor's trade in Vienna, and in 1882 came to America, settling in Saratoga Springs the following year. In 1891 he embarked in business for himself and enjoys the reputation of being one of the leading tailors of this county. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Kmen married Barbara Vrana, who died in September, 1898. They had six children, five of whom survive: Bessie, Bertha, Frederick, Fannie, Henry.
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