USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 41
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In January, 1881, he began his work as pastor of the Trinity Reformed Church at Plainfield, N. J., where he remained until February, 1887, when he became pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Albany, N. Y.
In January, 1894, he was called to the presidency of Union College, but did not assume the active duties of his office until June, 1894. This prominent and responsible position he has since held and ably filled. Before his election as president of the College he had been for several years president of the Alumni Association of the College, and in this way had become familiar with the work of the institution and acquainted with its friends and supporters.
In 1887 Union College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and in 1894 Williams College gave him the degree of Doctor of Laws. His work has been devoted almost exclusively to the building up of Union College, although as opportunity offered, he has made many addresses at educational conferences. In 1891 he was president of the Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools of the Middle State and Maryland, and he is now a member of the Uniform Entrance Examination Board, which was first organized by that Association.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
E. W. RICE, JR., Vice-President of the General Electric Company, was educated in the Central High School of Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution, with first honors, in the class of 1880. During his course at this school, he gave striking evidence of the possession of those talents and abilities which have since distinguished him and made him prominent among the electrical manufacturers of the world. As early as 1878, while attending the Central High School, he attracted the attention of Prof. Elihu Thomson, who then taught chemistry and mechanics in that institution, by his skillful amateur work in constructing telephones, telegraphs, electrical machines, induction coils and small dynamos. Subsequently he won the admiration of Prof. Thomson by his success in grinding and polishing glass specula, and in silvering them by a new method, which had been communicated to him orally, a rare feat for any one to perform, even after having seen it done many times.
In the summer of 1880 E. W. Rice, Jr., was called upon to make his choice of careers. He could go through college with a prospect of a career which promised to be distinguished, or he could attach himself and his fortunes to the then infant industry of electric arc lighting. Witlı a remarkable precision of judgment he chose the latter, abandoned the attractions and honors of a college career, and became Prof. Thomson's assistant in the American Electric Company, at New Britain, Conn., then newly formed to manufacture arc light apparatus, under the Thomson-Houston patents.
The first two years at New Britain, although fruitful in technical development, fell far short of the business results in the new enterprise which had been fondly anticipated, so that Mr. Rice, although he had practically the responsibility of foremnan of the electric works, found time to wind armatures, and in various ways improve his knowledge and thoroughly acquaint himself with manufacturing details.
However, in the fall of 1882, the tide of prosperity set in. Messrs. A. A. Pevaer and Silas A. Barton came from Lynn, Mass., to buy a lighting plant, and ended by buying a majority interest in the stock
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
of the American Electric Company. They transferred the plant to Lynn, and re-named the concern the Thomson-Houston Electric Company. Then followed two or three years of delightful work for Mr. Rice, who was permitted to devote his abilities to experiment and invention, and during these years his name became familiar in the patent office, frequently with that of Prof. Thomson, for radical improvements in the electrical art, but principally at that time in the perfection of arc lighting systems.
When the works were moved from New Britain to Lynn Mr. C. A. Coffin became associated with Messrs. Pevaer and Barton, and owing largely to his efforts and ability, the year 1885 found the enterprise growing and prospering with surprising rapidity, and the need of a superintendent of the works with an adequate technical knowledge of electricity, began to be acutely felt. Mr. Rice, thoughi still considerably under thirty years of age, was asked to accept this position, and although reluctant to sever his close association with Prof. Thomson, he again made a wise decision and accepted. Under his able management the work was systematised, through his tactful direction production was hastened and cost of manufacturing reduced.
When Mr. Rice took charge of the Thomson-Houston factory at Lynn in 1885 only a few hundred men were employed in the works, but in 1892 there were 3,700 inen on the pay roll. In this year an important change in its career took place. The Thomson-Houston and Edison Electric Companies were consolidated into the new concern, known thereafter as the General Electric Company, with Mr. C. A. Coffin as president and Mr. Rice as technical director. From that date down to the present the history of the life of Mr. Rice is a history of the technical development, and indeed of the success of the General Electric Company. On June 26, 1896, he was elected to the office which he now holds, that of third Vice-President of the Company, in charge of its technical and manufacturing departments.
In July, 1901, the Electrical World and Engineer made the following reference to Mr. Rice :
" It is worth while to look back at the large and varied experience which Mr. Rice has had in the electrical field during the past
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sixteen years in which he has been engaged, not in a subordinate capacity, but in positions where his word counted with that of only nine or ten other men in the world, in picking out the path of least resistance for the advance of electricity in the arts. He lias seen the flexibility af the arc lamp developed to meet almost every condition of electrical circuit. The responsibility for making the crucial experiment of the West End Street Railway of Boston, an electrical and mechanical success, fell upon his shoulders. He has furthered the growth of long-distance electrical transmission of power, with its many difficult problems, about which the non-technical world knows nothing, and the technical world, not directly interested, little more. He has followed closely the electrical and inechanical development of the polyphase motor, and has personally done mnuch to insure its successful operation in driving textile and other classes of mills. He has attacked successfully the weak point in distributing systems of polyphase currents of large volume at high voltage by the invention of an oil switch-the cellular switch-and a switching system, at once safe and simple. And he has provided a means by which alternating currents may be used for mixed lighting and power circuits, with constant voltage, automatically regulated. As for the rest of his inventive work, it is partially indicated in the statement that he has been granted more than one hundred patents. While himself thus fertile as an inventor, he also possesses the valuable faculty of directing the inventive ability of others to meet the cases constantly arising in the industrial development of the art.
" Mr. Rice is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in this country, and is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in Great Britain. After the Paris Exposition, last year, he was created a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor."
DANIEL CADY SMITH was born in Florida, Montgomery County, N. Y., August 23, 1813, and attended the district schools for ten years. He came to Schenectady in 1833, took up the study of law, and was admitted to the Bar in May, 1837. Mr. Smith was Alder- man of the city for six years, and was the last Surrogate of the cou11- ty, serving four years. On October 31, 1849, Daniel Cady Smith married Eleanor Carley. They have had five children, three of whom are living.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
JOHN N. PARKER, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, State of New York, was born in the town of Providence, Saratoga County, N. Y., September 20, 1854. His parents were Robert and Margaret (Timeson) Parker. His mother died when he was but six years old, and he was sent to live with his aunt, in Montgomery County. There he received such schooling as he could get during the winter months, and as soon as he was strong enough, he worked on a farm during the summer months, at first for six dollars a monthı. After working two years at these wages he got an increase in his salary, and received eight dollars a month for the next two years. Quitting farm work, he obtained a position as water boy on the Erie Canal at one dollar per day. He was next employed in a hotel kept by his uncle, Hiram Parker, at the Acqueduct, and remained with him for a period of eleven years.
During all this time Mr. Parker had been gradually saving money, and after leaving his uncle, he rented a hotel at Rexford Flats, which he conducted for about seven years. During this time he embarked in the produce business, with which he is still connected, under the firm name of John N. Parker & Company. After selling out his hotel at Rexford Flats he opened the hotel at the Acqueduct, which he conducted for about four years, after which he went out of the hotel business altogether, and built a fine residence near the Acqueduct, where he now resides.
Mr. Parker is connected with a number of business enterprises, and is treasurer of the Schenectady Paving and Contracting Company, which is the largest concern of the kind in this part of the state. He is also interested in the Niskayuna Ice Company.
Mr. Parker has long been an ardent and active Republican, and is widely known as a successful politician. He is honored with the esteem and confidence of his own party, of which he is the leader in Schenectady County, and is recognized by the Democratic press as a formidable opponent. He is well known to leading Republicans all over the state, and his voice is everywhere respected in the councils of his party. He was Road Commissioner for a time, and represented his town on the Board of Supervisors for two terms, being elected each time without opposition, and in 1894, under
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Governor Morton's regime, he was appointed Division Superintendent of the Erie Canal for the Eastern Division, which position he still holds, and the duties pertaining to which he has always discharged with his characteristic zeal and fidelity.
Mr. Parker is also widely known in the secret society world. He is a member of St. George's Lodge; No. 6, F. and A. M., St. George's Chapter, No. 157, R. A. M., St. George's Commandery, No. 37, K. T., and the Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a charter member of the Schaugh-naugh-ta-da Tribe, Independent Order of Red Men, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a director in the Schenectady Trust and Deposit Company.
Mr. Parker has unquestionably been the architect of his own fortunes. By his own unaided efforts and fine abilities he has become a successful business man and a prominent man of affairs, and is recognized as one of the substantial and honored men of Schenectady County. During his entire career he has never received a dollar which he has not earned, and he enjoys the highest confidence and respect of his fellow inen.
On October 14, 1881, John N. Parker married Kate Blair, daughter of John Blair. They have a family of three children, Jolin R., Ethel B., and James C.
MAXWELL, WARREN DAY was born in Honeoye, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1865, and was graduated from Williams College in 1887 with the degree of A. B. He was salutatorian of his class, and was a member of the Zeta Psi and Phi Beta Kappa college societies. A year later he took a post-graduate course at the same college.
In 1889 he entered the employ of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, at Lynn, Mass., where he spent several years in the testing and engineering departments.
After the consolidation of the Thomson-Houston and Edison General Electric Companies, he came to Schenectady in 1894, and since that time has been connected with the engineering work of the Power and Mining Department.
On June 17, 1891, he married Nellie G. Davis, of Honeoye,
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
daughter of Charles G. and Sarah G. (Putney) Davis. They had two children, only one of whom is living, Irving M., born April I, 1894. Mrs. Day died August 10, 1900.
Mr. Day is a member of the First Reformed Church, and has served at different times as deacon and as assistant superintendent, and superintendent of the Sunday School.
His parents were Rev. S. Mills Day and Lucy Maxwell Day, and he is descended from Ralph Day, who came from England to Massa_ chusetts before 1660.
GEORGE H. ABRAMS was born in Chenango County, N. Y., May 18, 1869, and was educated in the schools of his native county. After leaving school he went west, and was on a cattle ranch for two years. Returning east, he studied architecture, and in 1899 opened the office where he has since been actively engaged in the work of his profession.
On June 10, 1891, George H. Abrams married Henrietta Neilons, daughter of George and Clara (Teachout) Neilons. They have two children, Ethel and Gertrude.
DR. ROBERT D. AUSTIN was born in Galway, Ireland, March 9, 1864. He is a son of Rev. William D. Austin, rector of the parish of Castlecomer, and Jane (Seal) Austin.
Dr. Austin received his early education in his native land, and came to America in 1883. In the fall of 1886 he entered McGill University, Montreal, and was graduated from the veterinary depart- inent on March 28, 1889. Shortly after graduating he came to the United States and settled in Schenectady, and began the active practice of his profession. He is a member of the New York Veterinary Society, and was appointed one of the tuberculosis inspectors of the state.
Dr. Austin is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., and is a Republican in politics. He married Gertrude C. Sherman, daughter of Colonel Sherman and Jennie (Gaylor) Sherman.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
They have three children, Agnes Lorna, Dorothy Jane, and Gertrude. Dr. Austin is of Scotch-Irish descent, his distant ancestors having come over from Scotland and settled in Ireland.
MAJOR JAMES MADISON ANDREWS, son of James Madison and Effie (Cochran) Andrews, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., April 2, 1868. He attended school in his native place, entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., in 1886 and was graduated in 1890. Immediately after gradu- ating he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, First United States Cavalry, and served in Montana and through the Sioux campaign of 1890 and '91. He then served a year in Arizona and resigned November 9, 1892. He moved to Schenectady and became connected with the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he remained until 1894, when he entered the employ of the General Electric Company, where he now holds the position of electrical engineer.
He was elected First Lieutenant of the Thirty-sixth Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., in September, 1895, and Captain, April, 1898. This Company became Company E, Second Regiment, New York Volunteers in May, 1898. He served with his regiment throughout the war with Spain from May 2, 1898 until October 31, 1898, and acted as Assistant Adjutant-General, First Division, Third Army Corps, General L. S. Carpenter, commanding. Was on the military staff of Governor Roosevelt, 1898-1900, and represented the State of New York at the National Militia Convention at Tampa, Florida, March, 1899. In February, 1901, lie was elected Major, Second Regiment N. G. N. Y.
Major Andrews is a member of the Military Order, Loyal Legion and the Military Order of Foreign Wars, the Association of Graduates United States Military Academy, the Army and Navy Club, New York City, the University Club, New York City, the Transportation -Club, New York City, the Mohawk Golf Club, Schenectady, N. Y., the Mohawk Club, Schenectady, N. Y., the Saratoga Golf Club, Saratoga, N. Y., St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., St. George's
.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
Chapter No. 157, R. A. M., St. George's Commandery No. 37, K. T., the Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Troy, N. Y., and the Albany Sovereign Consistory, thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Military Service Institution, and St. Andrew's Society, Schenectady, N. Y.
PETER BERNARDI was born in the city of Schenectady March I, 1865. His first business experience was in the capacity of drug clerk in Troy, which position he held for eighteen months. He then entered the Jones Car Works in Schenectady, where he remained until 1883, when he went into the cigar business, as a manufacturer, with his brother, J. H. Bernardi. He remained in the cigar business until 1890. From 1890 until May 1, 1894, he was employed in the United States mail service. He then went into the cigar business again with his brother, and so continued until 1898, when the firin of Gleason & Bernardi, undertakers and embalmers, was formed. In this business Mr. Bernardi has since remained.
Mr. Bernardi served for five years in the 37th Separate Company, and was discharged a sergeant; was second lieutenant in the 36th Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., three years, and received his commission as captain of the 136th Separate Company. He is a member of Schenectady Lodge No. 38, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the St. Francis Society, and the Schenectady Liederkranz Singing Society.
ELIZABETH BENEDICT was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y. Her parents were William F. and Sarah (Swan) Bene- dict. Her father was born in the town of Charlton, Saratoga County, and lived in that county until twenty years of age. In 1865 he went to Albany where he engaged in the junk business, handling iron and brass for the foundries of Troy and Albany. This business he continued until 1877, when he came to Schenectady. He died October 20, 1886. Miss Benedict's father was married
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
twice, and had two sons and one daughter by his first marriage. He had seven daughters and two sons by his second marriage. Miss Benedict's mother was his second wife.
CONRAD BAUMGARTUER was born in Germany, January 26, 1856. After receiving a preliminary education, he took a course in the Technical College at Stuttgart, Wiirttemberg, and gradu- ated therefrom in 1877. He then went to Turkey as a civil engineer for the Austrian government, and remained there three years. From Turkey he returned to Germany, and then came to America in 1880. After landing in New York he secured a position as foreman for Meyers & Company, with whom he remained for six years, after which he was employed with the Edison Company for a short time. He then came to Schenectady and entered the employ of the General Electric Company, and after he had been six months in the works, was made foreman of the Tool Department, Shop No. 17, his present position.
In June, 1883, Conrad Baumgartuer married Mary Volz, who is also a native of Germany.
Mr. Baumgarteur is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 717, I. O. O. F., and also of the Liederkranz Society.
AARON J. BRADT was born in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., May 24, 1847, and was educated at the district schools. After his school days he worked on a farm and then moved into the city of Schenectady in 1886, and took a position in the General Electric Works, where he is still employed. He has always taken an interest in public affairs, and when in Niskayuna was collector for two years. He is a member of the Order of Mohawks and of the Second Reformed Church.
In November, 1866, Aaron J. Bradt married Margaret Bell, of Schoharie, who died, leaving two sons, Francis and William. On October 31, 1886, he married Nellie Vansice, his present wife. Mr.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY,
Bradt's ancestors were Mohawk Dutch, and the family is an old American one. His parents were William H. and Amanda (Lendt) Bradt.
JOHN AUSTIN BIGELOW was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., where he passed the most of his life, and died in the city of Schenec_ tady, October 15, 1874. He was the son of John Nelson and Subina (Preston) Bigelow. He was educated at Union College, and was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion.
On September 4, 1866, John Austin Bigelow married Nancy M. Knowlton, dangliter of Alexander R. and Hannalı (Haynor) Knowl. ton, of Saratoga County. They had two children, namely, John, who is an employe of the General Electric Company, and Preston, who was drowned, along with his father, October 15, 1874. From the close of the war up to the time of his death, Mr. Bigelow was engaged in the grocery business.
ROBERT G. BROOKE was born in Ireland, September 1I, 1849, and was brought to this continent by his parents when he was five years old. They first located in Canada, and Robert G. Brooke learned the trade of machinist at Brantford, Ontario. From Brantford he went to Warren, Pa., where he had charge of erecting a large engine. He then went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he remained for five months, after which he joined the Porter Manufacturing Company, of Syracuse, N. Y., and re- mained with them for thirteen years. During nine years of that time he was their erecting engineer, and the balance of the time held the position of foreman.
Leaving Syracuse, Mr. Brooke went to Mexico, where he remained for two years, and was engaged in the mining business. He then returned to the Porter Manufacturing Company, and remained with them until 1886, when he located permanently in Schenectady. He was at first foreman in the shafting department (Shop No. 10), of the General Electric Works, and when Shop No. 9 was built, he took
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
charge of it until Shop No. 16, the largest shop in the world, was opened, when he became its general foreman, and still occupies this important position.
Mr. Brooke is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association of the Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. He has been a member of the Civil Service Board for the past ten years, and has also been a member of the Board of Managers of the Ellis Hospital for some time.
In 1878 Robert G. Brooke married Catherine Brennan, daughter of John and Margaret (Lane) Brennan. They have one daughter, Genevieve L. A. Mr. Brooke's parents were John and Margaret (Ferris) Brooke. His mother, Margaret Ferris, was born on tlie same day as Queen Victoria.
Mr. Brooke's position at the head of the largest shop in the world is the best indication of his ability as a mechanical expert, and his standing in the city is indicated by the honorable offices which he holds.
ALBERT R. BURTISS, son of William and Eva (Hess) Burtiss, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., July 10, 1846. He was educated in the district school of his native place, and at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he was one of those who went to the front to fight for the integrity of the Union. He enlisted in Battery K, First New York Light Artillery, and served with his command for three years and nine months.
After receiving his honorable discharge he returned home and secured a position on the New York Central Railroad as brakesinan. After serving for some time in this capacity he was promoted to the position of conductor, and remained in the service of the New York Central for a period of twenty years altogether.
In 1890 he embarked in his present business, dealing in stoves, sporting goods, bicycles, and so on. This was in Gloversville, N. Y., but in 1891 he removed to Schenectady, and established himself there. The business lias been successful and prosperous throughout its entire career, and in 1901 Mr. Burtiss admitted his son, Benjamin
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
A. Burtiss, into partnership with him, under the firm name of A. R. Burtiss & Son, by whom the business is now conducted.
In November, 1872, Albert R. Burtiss married Sophia Caney, daughter of Edward B. Caney. They have one son, Benjamin A. Burtiss, above referred to.
Mr. Burtiss is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum, the Home Circle, and the G. A. R.
CHARLES H. BENEDICT, manager of the Van Curler Opera House, was born in Penn Yan, N. Y., November 6, 1865, and was educated at the Penn Yan Academy, of which he is a graduate. His first business experience was with an importing house, which dealt in kid gloves in New York City, and he remained there six years. He then entered the theatrical business as booking agent, and was so engaged for two years. In 1892 he came to Schenectady to take the position of lessee and manager of the Van Curler Opera House.
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