USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 38
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
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443
THE PRESS.
the latter being associated with G. F. Yates. July 1, 1838, E. H. Kincaid became proprietor of the Reflector for the next three and a half years, when, February 5, 1841, Abraham A. Keyser purchased it at the commencement of Vol. VII, and David Cady Smith was associated with him as editor.
THE SCHENECTADY AND SARATOGA STANDARD was published about the year 1833, at 96 Washington street, by Israel Sackett, printer, with Thomas Jefferson Sutherland, attorney-at-law, No. 14 Ferry street, as editor. Its principles were anti-masonic. After the first year the name was changed to the Saratoga and Schenectady Standard, and it was published in Ballston by the same printer.
THE WREATH, "devoted to polite literature," was commenced November 22, 1834, by William H. Burleigh, proprietor and editor, and Isaac Riggs, printer. It was a half-monthly of forty pages, and was issued about six months. During this time its name was changed to The Literary Journal, "a repository of public literature and fine arts." It was published in Albany, Troy and Schenectady, and numbered consecutively with the Wreath, and continued until June, 1835, perhaps a little longer. The articles were chiefly original.
THE MOHAWKER was published by Riggs & Norris in 1835.
THE SCHENECTADY STAR was published by Jesse and Daniel Stone, and this partnership was dissolved in October, 1835.
THE ANTIQUARIAN AND GENERAL REVIEW, a monthly magazine, mainly of a religious character, edited and published by Rev. Wil- liam Arthur, (father of President Arthur), was begun in 1845, and continued two years, making two thin octavo volumes.
FREEMAN'S BANNER, a political paper, was published during the presidential campaign of 1848. It was the organ of the party known as the " Barn-burners." It was edited and published by Judge Platt Potter.
THE DAILY ANCIENT CITY was the first daily paper issued in this city, and commenced in 1852 by Mr. Riggs. It lived only a few months.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
THE SCHENECTADY DEMOCRAT was begun January 3, 1854, by William H. Colbourne and W. N. Clark. In 1857 it was sold to A. J. Thompson, and in April, 1859, to Cyrus Thayer, and united with the Reflector, October, 1860. The united paper was called
THE SCHENECTADY REFLECTOR AND DEMOCRAT. It was pub- lished in 1864 at 134 State street.
THE SCHENECTADY EVENING STAR. The first successful daily paper established in Schenectady was the Evening Star, although when first started it was under the name of the Morning Star. It was edited and published by Walter N. Clark and William N. Col- bourne. During the first year of its life, namely on September 17, the time of its issue was changed from morning to evening and the name was changed to the Evening Star. On March 5, 1857, the firm of Colbourne and Clark was dissolved and Mr. Colbourne took entire charge. Later on in the year, Isaac M. Gregory, who was subsequently managing editor of the New York Graphic was asso- ciated with Colbourne in editing the paper. About the year 1861 Colbourne sold the paper to H. L. Grose of Ballston, who conducted it until 1863, when it was sold to William D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory. Again Mr. Gregory's connection with the paper was short, for during the following year he sold out his interests to Davis, who continued proprietor of the paper until 1865, when he sold out to J. J. Marlette.
Mr. Marlette conducted the paper from 1865 until 1874, when he admitted his son to partnership and it was conducted by J. J. Mar- lette & Son from 1874 to 1876.
Previous to 1865 the paper had been Republican in politics, but since that date it has been a steadfast organ of the Democratic party.
In 1876 the publishing departinent passed into the hands of A. A. Marlette who had control of the paper until 1901.
In 1880, when the Morning Gazette was discontinued, that paper was purchased by the proprietor of the Star, and for a time the name Schenectady Evening Star and Gazette assumed, but was soon changed back to the original name of the Schenectady Evening
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THE PRESS.
Star. On April 1, 1900, the paper passed into the management of I. C. Chamberlayne. In March, 1902, the present stock company, the Star Printing Company, bought out Mr. Chamberlayne, lessee. This company, of which John McEncroe is president, now conducts the paper. Mr. McEncroe is also proprietor of the Weekly Reflector.
Edward McEncroe is editor of the Evening Star.
THE SCHENECTADY GAZETTE. This enterprising daily was established in the year 1893 as an evening paper, but as there was a crying demand for a morning paper in the city it changed the time of its issue from evening to morning during the first year of its life.
In 1899 the paper passed into the hands of Gerardus Smith, Esq., and it was then determined that its policy should be so just, broad and liberal that the public could become partners in the enterprise, sharing its advantages and becoming personally interested in its success. And the determination has been rigidly adhered to. The response of the people has been so general that the results far exceed the greatest expectations of those who formed it.
The Gazette moved into its present quarters on March 25, 1899, and from that date the line which divides smaller from greater careers was crossed in the history of the paper. The plant. was fitted up with all modern improvements, including Mergenthaler typesetting machines and the Cox Duplex Press.
The growth of the paper, however, soon surpassed the capacity of the Cox Duplex Press, and a large double press from the famous fac- tory of R. Hoe & Co., was installed. It is said that this press is the largest in any newspaper office in the state between New York and Rochester.
While the Gazette is considered a family paper, it is distinctly Democratic in its politics. Its circulation is about 10,000. The growth of the paper has been at least commensurate with that of the city during the life of the paper, and that has been remarkable if not phenomenal.
Gerardus Smith, the president and treasurer of the Daily Gazette Company, is a native of Schenectady, and was born in the year 1857. He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and Union College,
446
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
after which he took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He has held various important offices in the city, including that of Surrogate's Clerk and Alderman. He made a magnificent run for the office of Mayor in 1895, and lost by only a few votes. He is a Democrat in politics and has been a delegate to several national conventions. He takes a great interest in the progress of Schenectady, with which he is personally identified to a large extent and is president of the Schenectady Contracting Com- pany, trustee of the Park View Cemetery, trustee of the Schenectady Trust Company and a member of several of the leading clubs of the city, besides being prominently connected with a very enterprising newspaper.
W. B. Osborne is managing editor of the Gazette. He was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, in 1873, and received his education in the public schools of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Albany, N. Y., finally taking a two year's course at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y. His newspaper experience comprises service on the editorial staffs of the Times, Union, Journal, Express, Argus and State, (the latter now defunct) of Albany, and the Troy Record. He is the son of Morris B. and Elizabeth M. Osborne, and grandson of the late E. B. Osborne, former senator from the old fifteenth dis. trict (Putnam, Dutchess and Columbia counties).
THE SCHENECTADY REPUBLICAN, a weekly made out of the Even- ing Star, was commenced in September, 1857, by William M. Col- bourne with Judson S. Landon as editor.
THE SCHENECTADY DAILY NEWS was begun in April, 1859, by I. W. Hoffman and E. F. Loveridge, and expired June, 1861.
THE RAILSPLITTER, a political weekly paper, was published a few months during the fall of 1860.
THE SCHENECTADY DAILY TIMES was commenced January, 1861, and united with the Evening Star in June of the same year, under the name of the Schenectady Daily Evening Star and Times, and was published in 1864, by W. D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory, at No. 170 State street.
447
THE PRESS.
In 1865, Mr. Davis, who was then sole proprietor, sold it to J. J. Marlette.
THE DORPIAN was published in 1867. It was edited by A. A. Marlette and A. W. Kelly. Its publication was continued but a few months.
THE SCHENECTADY GAZETTE, a weekly paper, was begun in 1869 by W. N. Thayer. In 1872 James H. Wiseman and Harman Sey- mour were the publishers. In 1874 it was purchased by G. W. Mar- lette and William H. Lee. Mr. Lee subsequently withdrew from the partnership. The Schenectady Daily Gazette was started by the proprietor of The Weekly Gazette, January 1, 1879, and ceased to be issued July 28, 1880, when it was sold and united with the Schenectady Evening Star.
THE LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN MONTHLY JOURNAL was first pub- lished in 1872 under the direction of the International Union of Locomotive Engineers. It was edited by Henry Hoffman until 1878 when it was discontinued.
THE SCHENECTADY UNION was established in the fall of 1865 by Hon. Charles Stanford, who was at that time a candidate for re-elec- tion to the state Senate, and, being an enemy to the canal ring, then causing much talk, was taking a very active part in politics. At that time the Republicans of Schenectady had no newspaper. Dur- ing the campaign of 1864 a peculiar condition existed. The Repub- licans of Schenectady and the editor of the local Democratic paper entered into an agreement whereby the Republicans were to have the use of three columns daily in the Democratic paper, for which, of course, they had to pay a certain amount of money. This unheard- of condition of things was not satisfactory to Senator Stanford, so he purchased a plant at Poughkeepsie and located it on the third floor of his building at the corner of State and Center streets in Schenectady. Here he established The Union as a Republican organ, the first issue appearing on October 28, 1865. Here The Union remained for a number of years. It was subsequently removed to the adjoining building on Center street, and from there to its present location in the Central Arcade.
448
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
The first editor of The Union was A. S. Burdick, who remained only a short time and was succeeded by George W. Reynolds of Oneonta. Mr. Reynolds remained with the paper about two years and was succeeded by Col. Solymon G. Hamlin, who was both editor and business manager. Mr. Hamlin at this time held the offices of Postmaster and School Commissioner, and during his trips to the rural schools the editorial chair was filled by Major Austin A. Yates. Mr. Hamlin was connected with The Union for about eleven years, finally retiring because of ill health. He lived but a short time after his retirement from The Union. Welton Stanford, son of the pro- prietor, had acted as associate editor with Mr. Hamlin for a number of years and he now became editor and manager. A few years later he was in turn succeeded by Omie F. Vedder, who edited and man- aged the paper until it was purchased by John A. Sleicher of Troy, N. Y. The paper passed into the hands of Mr. Sleicher on its 18th birthday, October 28, 1883. He made many improvements in the office and installed Sydney W. Giles of Troy as business manager. Lewis C. Beattie and George W. Cottrell were members of his staff. Although the paper increased both in prestige and patronage under Mr. Sleicher, he sold out to Hon. George West in the spring of 1884 and George W. Cottrell was placed at the head of the paper as editor and manager. Mr. Sleicher is now editor of Leslie's Weekly of New York. In 1887 William D. Davis became connected with the paper and soon after became business manager. He made many improve- ments in the office and introduced a Cox Duplex Press, the first of its kind in Schenectady to print from a roll of paper. Mr. Davis remained with The Union until July 7, 1897. when it was purchased by Messrs. Olin S. and James H. Callanan. This change marked a new era in the life of The Union.
On May 28, 1898, Olin S. Callanan retired from The Union to become vice-president of the Callanan Improvement Company of Albany, N. Y., and James H. Callanan became sole proprietor, and still conducts the paper.
THE WEEKLY UNION was established in 1866, but at the breaking out of the Spanish-American War in 1898, the publisher made it a
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THE PRESS.
semi-weekly, which he is still issuing at the rate of the old weekly, namely one dollar a year. The circulation of The Daily Union is largely confined to the city, but the Semi-Weekly goes into the homes of fully four-fifths of the people of Schenectady and the bor- dering parts of adjoining counties. These two papers are the only Republican newspapers in the county and naturally are very popular organs, exerting great influence upon the public life of the county.
The Union has trebled its circulation, advertising business and job printing patronage since the present proprietor came into possession, and it is now one of the best newspaper properties in the state, fully equipped with all modern machinery and located in a city where the present population is set down as 50,000, and which promises to con- tinne growing and advancing.
The Daily Union is issued every evening (Sunday excepted) and consists of eight, ten and twelve pages of seven columns each, according to the advertising seasons and the amount of news. Dur- ing the holiday season as many as fourteen pages have been necessary to accommodate its news and advertising. The Semi-Weekly Union consists of six or eight pages of seven columns each, and is issued Tuesday and Friday.
James Henry Callanan, editor and proprietor of The Schenectady Union, was born in South Bethlehem, Albany County, N. Y., Angust 18, 1865. His parents were Henry W. and Sarah (Spaun) Callanan. His paternal ancestors came from Ireland, while his mother was of Holland descent. The members of both families fought in the Indian and Revolutionary Wars. His father was a farmer and mer- chant. James H. Callanan was educated in the public schools, at Pennington Seminary, New Jersey; the University of Vermont at Burlington, Vt., and at the University of Rochester, being a member of the class of 1887 in the latter institution. He first took up the profession of teaching, and was principal of schools in Coxsackie, Callanan's Corners, Coeyman's, N. Y., and New Orleans, La. In February, 1892, he accepted a position on the reportorial staff of the Albany Evening Journal and subsequently filled every editorial position on that paper, including that of managing editor, and there he laid the foundation of a successful journalistic career.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
In July, 1897, he purchased The Schenectady Union in partner- ship with his brother, as has already been recorded in this article.
Individually, as well as through the columns of The Union, Mr. Callanan is a strong factor in the Republican party of Schenectady County. He has never sought or desired any political office himself, yet he always takes a deep interest in all public questions, and especially in the success of the Republican party of which he is an active and influential leader. He lias devoted himself to journalism, to the advancement of his political friends, and to the general wel. fare of his community. He has served as a member of the non-par- tisan Board of Education of Schenectady, and is a member of the Chi Psi college fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias. At present he is a member of the New York State Commission of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis. Mr. Callanan has attained a high reputation both as an editor and author. His editorials exhibit not only great force of character but also literary excellence. While teaching school he published a book entitled : " Practical Questions in United States History." He is often called upon for public addresses, and during political campaigns has made many important speeches for the Republican ticket under the auspices of the Repub- lican State Committee.
On July 1, 1893, Mr. Callanan married Carrie Van Zandt Hauen- stein of Burlington, Vt. They have had three children : Jessie H. Callanan, who died August 3, 1899; Marion Spaun Callanan and Carolyn Callanan.
DAS DEUTSCHE JOURNAL was started on March 10, 1900, by M. Kreuzberger, who is still the sole proprietor and publisher. It is a weekly German paper, comprises eight pages, and is strictly indepen- dent in politics. In April, 1901, "The Amsterdam Deutsche Zeitung " was consolidated with Das Deutsche Journal. This is the only German paper now published between Albany and Utica, and it has a deservedly large circulation throughout the Mohawk valley, A job printing office is conducted in connection with the paper where all kinds of book and job work, botlı English and German, is done. The paper is published at No. 314 State street, Schenectady, N. Y.
45I
THE BENCH AND BAR.
CHAPTER XXX.
BENCH AND BAR OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
The Bar of Schenectady County was organized immediately after the formation of the county in March, 1809. In that year Schenec- tady County was erected from territory taken from the western por- tion of Albany County and, while the Schenectady County Bar had no separate existence previous to 1809, it is virtually as old as the Bar of Albany County.
In this year also, the county courts were organized, under the constitution and laws of the state. The Court of Common Pleas, Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and the Surrogate's Court were established, and times and places were appointed for holding the Circuit Courts, the Courts of Oyer and Terminer and of Equity and Supreme Court terms.
The judiciary of the county consisted of the Hon. Josepli C. Yates, appointed a justice of the Supreme Court by Governor Tompkins, a few weeks previous to the act establishing the county ; Hon. Gerrit S. Vedder, who was appointed first judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county; William J. Teller, surrogate ; Peter F. Vedder, clerk ; James V. S. Riley, sheriff ; James Barent, under sheriff, and Richard Oothout, crier of the court.
The first court held in Schenectady County after its organization was a Court of General Sessions, which began on May 9, 1809. The court consisted of Hon. Gerret S. Vedder, first judge, and Associate Judges John Yates, Jonathan Herrick, Jacob R. Vrooman and Peter Van Slycke.
The first Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer held in the county after its organization, began its session on October 23, 1810, with Hon. Ambrose Spencer as presiding judge. Although this court was called a Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Ter- miner, it was merely a Circuit Court without the criminal side, as no Court of Oyer and Terminer had been held in the county at that time.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
Justice Ambrose Spencer, who presided at this sitting of the court was one of the most learned and distinguished jurists in the state or nation at that time. He was appointed in 1804, and served until 1819, when he was appointed Chief Justice of the state. He was the father of the great lawyer and statesman, Jolin C. Spencer.
The Bar of Schenectady County has never been large, the number of its members being quite limited, and yet it has ever held a dis- tinguished position among the other counties of the state. Many members of the Schenectady Bar have risen to the highest rank in their profession ; many have been elevated to the Bench, and not a few to prominent civil positions in the state and nation. In the year 1830, there were only twelve members of the Bar in this county, namely : Christopher Fonda, admitted in 1822 ; Joshua D. Harmon, admitted 1822 ; Samuel D. Jones, admitted 1816; Archibald L. Linn, admitted 1823; Alonzo C. Paige, admitted 1818; Abram Van Ingen, admitted 1818; Edward Yates, admitted 1818; Gilbert F. Yates, admitted 1822; Joseph C. Yates, admitted 1792; Henry Yates, Jr., admitted 1799; John B. Duane, admitted 1825, and Jacob C. Fonda, admitted 1826. In 1840 the membership of the Bar had increased to eighteen, the new members being Platt Potter, James M. Bouck, John Brotherson, Stephen A. Daggett, Henry Fuller, James Fuller, Alexander Gibson, John Howes, S. H. Johnson, S. R. Van Ingen and James B. Van Voust. During this decade some of the previously mentioned members had died.
In the present year, 1902, the members of the Bar of Schenectady are :
Angle, Edwin C.
Levis, Howard C.
Blessing, Alexander T.
Lomasney, R. T.
Briggs, Walter
McMillan, John J.
Carr, James O.
McShea, John
Clute, Jacob W.
Miller, John D.
Clute, John F.
Naylon, Daniel. Jr.
Ccffin, Edward R.
Nolan, James J.
Cooper, Frank
Nolan, William P.
Cooper, James C.
Palmer, Charles E.
Cooper, R. J.
Paige. Douglass
Landon
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
Cutler, Edward D.
Parsons, Hinsdall
Davis, Albert G.
Robinson, Hubbell
De Remer, John A.
Sanders, Charles P., Jr.
Dillingham, A. J.
Schermerhorn, E. Nott
Fairlee, Alvah
Schoolcraft, J. Teller
Featherstonhaugh, George W.
Smith, Davis Cady .
Fenwick, Alexander Foley, Michael ·
Smith, Everett
Glen, Henry
Strong, Alonzo P.
Glen, Horatio G.
Strong, Homer
Goodrich, James A.
Strong, Marvin H.
Grupe, H. C.
Van Voast, Albert B.
Hardin, Charles H.
Van Voast, James A.
Hastings, Charles
Van Voast, John C.
Hollister, George C.
Vedder, Alexander M.
Hubbard, Lester
Vedder, Henry S.
Jackson, A. H. Jackson, Samuel W.
Veeder, James W.
King, Lonis M.
Wemple, W. W.
Kreigsman, Edward E.
Whitmyer, Edward C.
Landon, Robert J.
Yates. Austin A.
Landon, Hon. Judson S.
Wemple, Alex. T. G.
Prior to 1821 justices were appointed by the Council of Appoint- ment. In that year a new Constitution was adopted, and they were afterwards appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Court of Common Pleas combined. This rule continued until 1827 when the law was again changed, and they have since been elected by the people.
The new Constitution of 1846 abrogated the Conrt of Common Pleas and substituted County Courts, the County Judge to be elected by the people. The first County Judge in Schenectady under this law was Samuel W. Jones, who was then County Judge under the old regime and who was elected under the new rule, June, 1847.
Following are the names of the presiding judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and of the County Court : Gerrit S. Vedder, appointed March 11, 1809; Gardner Clevelund, May 25,
30
Smith, George H.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
1812; David Boyd, February 5, 1823; Samuel W. Jones, January 31, 1835; Archibald L. Linn, July 17, 1840; Samuel W. Jones, February 10, 1845.
The following judges were elected under the provisions of the Constitution of 1846: Samuel W. Jones, elected June, 1847; Stephen S. Johnson, November, 1851 ; John Sanders, November, 1855 ; Stephen H. Johnson, November, 1859; Judson S. Landon, February 1, 1865, (Judge Johnson resigned and Judge Landon was appointed to fill his place. He served till the close of 1869, when Walter T. L. Sanders, elected November, 1869, took his place ) ; Austin A. Yates, November, 1873 ; David C. Beattie, November, 1879; David C. Beattie, November, 1885; Edward D. Cutler, (appointed to fill out unexpired term of Judge Beattie ) elected November, 1890; Alonzo P. Strong, November, 1896; Alexander M. Vedder, November, 1902.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS-John K. Paige, appointed June 11, 1818 ; Alonzo C. Paige, September 3, 1823; Platt Potter, January 15, 1839; Benjamin F. Potter, elected June, 1847; Samuel L. Baker, Novem- ber, 1850; James Fuller, appointed in place of Baker, resigned August 22, 1851 ; John Van Santvoort, November, 1851 ; Samuel T. Freeman, appointed in place of Van Santvoort, resigned, January 7, 1856 ; Judson S. Landon, November, 1856; John G. McChesney, November, 1862 ; John L. Hill, November, 1865; Austin A. Yates, November, 1868; Alonzo P. Strong, December 24, 1873, in place of A. A. Yates, resigned ; Daniel C. Beattie, November, 1874; Charles E. Palmer, November, 1877; J. Teller Schoolcraft, November, 1880 and 1883; Alexander M. Vedder, November, 1886; Daniel Naylon, Jr., November, 1889; William W. Wemple, November, 1892, 1895, 1898; Walter W. Briggs, November, 1901.
SURROGATES-William J. Teller, appointed May 30, 1809 ; Robert Hudson, April 6, 1813 ; William J. Teller, March 3, 1815 ; John Yates,
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
February 12, 1816; Giles F. Yates, February 21, 1821 ; John San- ders, February 13, 1840; David Cady Smith, February 13, 1844.
Under the provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1846, the County Judge, in counties of less than 40,000 population, also holds office as Surrogate. In Schenectady County the offices of County Judge and Surrogate were held by the same man from 1846 down to the year 1903. With the recent rapid increase in popula- tion in the county, this condition changed so that a Surrogate was elected in November, 1902, Edward C. Whitmeyer being elected to to the office.
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