USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 44
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On December 28, 1892, Eliner A. Gasner married Hattie A. Mosher, who was a teacher in the public schools of Saratoga County, and who was born in Galway, Saratoga County, N. Y., March 29, 1871. Their children are : Leroy O., Ernest W., and Ralph E. Mr. Gasner's parents were G. W. and C. C. (Perry) Gasner. His father was a soldier, having served his country in the Civil War of 1861-'65, in which he was wounded.
Mr. Gasner is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and in politics is a Republican.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM J. GLEASON, son of Michael and Bridget (Keane) Gleason, was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y., November 30, 1864. He was educated in the schools of his native city, and, after leaving school, secured a position as a clerk for Yates & Moir, with whom he remained for one year. He then worked for R. T. Moir until 1899, when he succeeded to the business, and now has the finest book store and stationery business in the city. He also deals in wall paper, picture frames, mouldings, and so on, and through his business enterprise and honorable methods, has built up a large trade.
Mr. Gleason takes an active interest in the welfare and progress of Schenectady, being particularly devoted to the cause of education, and represents the Third Ward upon the Board of Education. He is a member of the Order of Red Men, Knights of Columbus, the Schenectady Club, and Lodge No. 480, B. P. O. E.
Mr. Gleason's parents came from Ireland in 1863 and settled in Schenectady.
WILLIAM GREGG was born in Schenectady, N. Y., July 7, 1863, and was educated in the public schools. He learned the moulder's trade and worked at it for twelve years. He was then appointed captain of the state scow, under James McKain, and filled that position for four years, after which he embarked in the liquor business, in which he is still engaged.
On April 29, 1889, William Gregg married Catherine Hayes, and they have one daughter, Sarah. Mr. Gregg's parents were George C. and Eunice (Thornton) Gregg.
Mr. Gregg is a member of the Schaugh-naugh-ta-da Tribe, No. 123, Independent Order of Red Men, and also of the Liquor Dealers' Association.
HENRY GRUPE was born in Morsum, Hanover, Germany, in 1845, and was educated in his native country. He came to America and located in Schenectady in 1866. His first employment here was with Brown's Furniture Company, where he remained a year, after which he worked for DeForest, in the same line, and remained with him
Fng WE . Williams 5.5. JE -
Toward H. Parking
59
BIOGRAPHICAL.
until he went out of business. He then went to work for Charles Yates, but after a time entered the employ of the Schenectady Car Works, and later on went to Green Island. Returning to Schenectady, he embarked in the upholstering business, in which he is still engaged.
In March, 1878, he married Caroline Wilhelmina Pullman. They have four children, Mamie, wife of Fred Sleeter; Addie, Lena, and Etliel. Mr. Grupe is a member of the German Benevolent Society.
EDWARD F. GARLING, son of Jacob and Anna (Naiven) Garling, was born August 1, 1859, and after his school days took up the printer's trade, which he learned, but abandoned to become a moulder, at which business he worked for ten years.
He next embarked in the coal and wood business on his own account, but at the expiration of fourteen months, branched out into street contracting, at which he. is still engaged. Mr. Garling was the first to introduce the block asphalt in the city of Schenectady, and it was he who built Nott Terrace, one of the principal streets in the city. In 1889 he again branched out, and opened a wholesale liquor store, although he still continues his business of street contracting.
Recently he opened a palm garden, which is one of the nicest in the city.
On May 29, 1883, Edward F. Garling married Ella E., daughter of Patrick and Josephine (Quinn) Farrell. He is a member of the Order of Red Men and also of the Royal Arcanum.
JOHN A. DE REMER is one of the leading members of the Schenectady County Bar. He was for a short time tutor in mathe_ matics in Union College, but for many years has devoted himself en- tirely to the practice of his profession. He has taken an active interest in politics and has held several important offices, among them that of Postmaster of Schenectady.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY : ITS HISTORY.
CHARLES V. S. GATES, son of Stephen and Rebecca (De Forrest) Gates, was born in Schenectady, October 3, 1851. He was educated in the Union School, and his first business occupation was in the capacity of clerk for Van Vranken & Company, with whom he remained for four years. He next took a position in the furniture store of Jacob De Forrest and remained with him three years, after which he worked on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad for seven years. In 1880 Mr. Gates established his present business, that of baggage and express.
Mr. Gates is a charter member of Schaugh-naugh-ta-da Tribe, No. 123, Independent Order of Red Men.
JOSEPH C. GALAISE was born in Clinton County, N. Y., March 28, 1870, and was educated in the schools of his native place. He began his business career as a clerk in a dry goods store, after which he took a course in St. Joseph's College, Cohoes.
In 1880 he came to Schenectady and took a position in the Loco- motive Works, where he remained for some time. He was also a machinist in the General Electric Works for a period of three years, after which he was a bartender until 1900. By that time, having, through his frugality, saved enough money to embark in business for himself, he bought out his present place of business.
Mr. Galaise is a member of the Order of Foresters of America, the F. O. E., No. 56, of Troy, and St. Joseph's Society.
Joseph C. Galaise is a son of Joseph and Celia (Sharon) Galaise, who were originally from Plattsburgh, N. Y. His ancestors were of French and Scotch descent.
HENRY SIMON VEDDER was born in the village of Niskayuna, N. Y., in October, 1876, and received his early education in the district schools of his native place. He entered Union Classical Institute in 1889, from which he was graduated in 1892. On November 19, 1900, Mr. Vedder was admitted to the Bar. He is a veteran of the late Spanish-American War.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
PETER B. HARBISON, son of James and Margaret (Britton) Har- bison, was born June 17, 1855. He was educated in the Union School of Schenectady, and served five years as an apprentice in the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he learned the trade of machinist. In 1878 he left the Locomotive Works and entered the employ of the Westinghouse Company, with whom he remained for a year, after which he returned to the Locomotive Works, where he has since been employed, and where he is now a contractor.
In August, 1878, Peter B. Harbison married Sarah L., daughter of Jacob S. and Mary A. (Blackburn) Glen, and they have one daughter, Mary G.
Mr. Harbison is a Republican in politics, and takes an active interest in the success of his party, as well as in the welfare and progress of the city of Schenectady. He represented his ward on the Board of Aldermen for twelve and one-half consecutive years, and is now one of the Fire Commissioners.
EDWARD HANIGAN was born in the town of Glenville, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., October 30, 1861, and is the son of Thomas and Harriet (Levalley) Hanigan. He was educated in the district schools and at the Classical Institute of Schenectady, after which he was farming in the town of Glenville until twenty-six years of age. In 1887 he moved into Schenectady and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for three years, and then engaged in contracting, which he has since continued.
Mr. Hanigan is a member of K. of C., of Schenectady Council, No. 201, and the A. Z. Society of the Classical Institute.
On June 17, 1888, Edward Hanigan married Mary Cunningham, daughter of James and Rose Cunninghamn. Their children are Joseph, Edward, and Clarence A.
JACOB HENNY was born in Zurich, Switzerland, May 20, 1852, and was educated in the Polytechnic School of his native city. He came to the United States in 1868, and until 1878 was occupied in studying and learning the trade of machinist in New York City,
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
after which he entered the employ of the General Electric Company. He was sent by this company to Peterboro, Ontario, to look after their interests in that city, and remained there until 1893, when he was transferred to Schenectady and made foreman of the tool room, which position he still occupies.
On June 4, 1881, Jacob Henny married Pauline Whitman, who, like himself, is a native of Switzerland. They have two children, Jacob and Emma.
Mr. Henny is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Edison Mutual Benefit Society, and the Swiss Mutual Benefit Society. His parents were Jacob and Barbara (Gross) Henny.
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JULIUS HENNEMANN, son of George and Sophia (Kirchoff) Henne- mann, was born in the city of Schenectady, November 29, 1858. He was educated by private tuition and in the public schools and the classical school of his native city, and began the active business of Life as a gardener and nurseryman. He followed this business for three years and then entered the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he learned the trade of machinist, at which he worked for eighteen years, eight of which he was in the General Electric Works.
On October 23, 1885, Mr. Hennemann married Ella Whitbeck, and they have two children, Paul and Lillian. Mr. Hennemann's father, who was a German, came to this country in 1846.
HOMER STRONG was born in Watervliet, Albany County, N. Y., in 1875. He moved to Schenectady in 1890, and there entered the public schools. Having graduated from the High School, he entered Union College and graduated in the class of 1898. He also attended the Cornell Law School, graduating in 1899, and was admitted to the Bar in the same year. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this city. Mr. Strong is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of this city, the Mohawk Golf Club, the Republican Club, and the Schenectady County Bar Association.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
FREDERICK A. HOWE was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 12, 1861 and, after his school days, was apprenticed at the hammer- inaker's trade in the Cleveland Forge and Iron Works, where he remained four years. He came to Schenectady in 1881 and took employment in the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he has since remained, and where he is now foreman in the hammer shop. Mr. Howe is not only an expert in his line, but is possessed of sound executive ability, and these combined have placed him in his present responsible position.
On January 2, 1883, Frederick A. Howe married Mary E., daughter of Wallace and Fanny (Ransom) Campbell, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have five children, Winifred A., Albert, Rupert, Howard, and Morris. Mr. Howe's parents were Albert and Susan (Douglass) Howe.
Mr. Howe is a Republican in politics and a staunch adherent of his party, and has held the office of Excise Commissioner. He is also a prominent Mason and is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., St. George's Chapter, No. 157, R. A. M., and St. George's Commandery, No. 37, Knights Templar.
GEORGE B. HEGEMAN was born in the town of Princetown, Schenectady County, N. Y., June 21, 1853. In 1872 he entered the employ of the American Express Company, and from 1885 to 1898 was agent for that company in Schenectady. In 1898 he went to work for the Westinghouse Company, and now has charge of the shipping department in this establishment.
On May 19, 1876, George B. Hegeman married Edith Vedder, who died June 29, 1889. On September 23, 1891, he married his present wife, Mary E. Rolfe. They have one daughter, Maud E. Mr. Hegeman's parents were H. Roger and Esther M. (Bacon) Hegeman. He is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., St. George's Chapter, No. 157, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22, of Albany and St. George's Commandery, No. 37, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Cyprus Temple, N. M. S., of Albany.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM F. FITZGERALD, Proprietor of the
Fitzgerald Shorthand and Business School,
277 State St., Schenectady, N. Y.
The transaction of business at the beginning of the twentieth century presents a striking contrast to the methods employed at the beginning of the nineteenth. The railcar lias supplanted the cart, steamships have superceded sailing vessels, the telegraph has invaded the business of the postoffice, and stenography and the typewriter have almost made obsolete the old method of longhand correspondence.
The number of students who elect to follow commercial pursuits, has made the business school an indispensable adjunct to the educa- tional institutions of to-day. Some of these offer splendid advantages to those desiring a thorough business education, and prominent among them in the state of New York is the Fitzgerald Business School, of Schenectady.
William Francis Fitzgerald, proprietor and principal of the Fitz- gerald Shorthand and Business School, was born August 20, 1856, at East Albany, now Rensselaerville, N. Y. He is the son of Charles Francis and Sarah Wilcox, who removed when he was a few months old, to Valatie, Columbia County, where his boyhood days were passed. When between two and three years of age his father died, and he was legally adopted by Henry Fitzgerald, of that village, whose name he afterwards bore. He was educated in the public and private schools of Valatie and at the Kinderhook Academy. After leaving school he spent several years in the drug store of the village, connected with which was the telegraph and express business. Here he worked early and late, and obtained some valuable experience. Preferring the telegraph to the drug business, he accepted, in 1875, a position as telegrapher with the Western Union Telegraph Company at Schenectady, where he remained until 1879, when he went to New York City as an operator for that company, remaining there but a short time.
From early boyhood Mr. Fitzgerald had an insatiable longing to learn the art of shorthand writing. In the fall of 1876 he took up that study, and became infatuated with it. During his years as
W.J. Fitzgerald
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
a teacher and practitioner he has accumulated a large and valuable library of shorthand literature, being one of the most complete on the subject in the United States. He is a first-class law and general reporter, being a member of the New York State Stenographers' Association. While at public school he learned bookkeeping. In addition to mastering the text-books he borrowed numerous works on the subject, and thoroughly mastered them in every detail.
In the fall of 1879 he became, and for two years was, private secretary for the division superintendent of the Louisville and Nash- ville Railroad Company, at Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Afterward he was for six years bookkeeper for the Troy Steel and Iron Company, at Troy, N. Y., and later was connected with the Schenectady Locomotive Works for four years. For ten years he was a prominent coal dealer in Schenectady. During all this period he was reporting, teaching and studying, preparing himself for business school work.
In 1897 the demand on him for instruction in business branches had so grown that he felt compelled to establish a special institution, and the Fitzgerald Shorthand and Business School at once supplanted all other institutions of the kind in the city of Schenectady. This school has become one of the most successful of its kind in the state. The ease with which its graduates obtain positions of trust and importance in all parts of the city and country is the best proof of its efficiency.
Mr. Fitzgerald has surrounded himself with a corps of experienced and practical instructors, and his school is thoroughly equipped in every way so as to afford students the highest advantages and the best opportunities to obtain a practical business education. He is universally regarded as one of the best stenographic experts in the state, having reported many celebrated speeches, investigations, courts-martial, court proceedings and conventions, where not only speed, but accuracy, was needed. It is, therefore, manifest that a school conducted by such a man must offer special inducements to all who desire to follow business pursuits. He has a host of friends, especially among the many students who have left his school to take lucrative positions secured by him at the completion of their course.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
He is thorough, enterprising, and quick to adopt any new method that will be to the advantage of the student.
The courses taught in his school are: shorthand, typewriting, business studies, mechanical drawing, telegraphy, and the English branches.
The tuition is moderate, and the instruction is practically individ- ual, which is very advantageous to every student attending this institution.
February 17, 1881, Mr. Fitzgerald married Annie L. Van Epps, of Schenectady. They have three children, Mary, Lena, and Evart.
Mary, who is an accomplished stenographer, is her father's head assistant, having full charge in his absence.
In addition to being a teacher of the highest order, Mr. Fitzgerald is an enterprising gentleman, who takes an interest in the welfare and growth of the city, where his admirable school is located, and is personally popular because of his courteous, affable manner, and the lively and intelligent interest which he takes, not only in educational and literary matters, but in all worthy movements.
WALTER BRIGGS was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., March 14, 1857. He received his early educa- tion in the district schools of that place. He left Duanesburgh and came to Schenectady in the fall of 1879, and attended the Quaker Street Literary Institute for one year, after which he was principal of the Scotia public school for four years, during which time he read law in the office of Samuel W. Jackson. Three years later he was admitted to the Bar and opened an office in this city in October, 1883, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Briggs was Alderinan of the Fourth Ward for four years. He was elected District Attorney of the County in 1901, and is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., the Masonic Order, and the Odd Fellows. On August 26, 1882, Walter Briggs married Adeline C. Wilbur, of Duanesburgh. They have three children-two sons and one daughter. .
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH K. CRAFTS was born in Wheatley, Mass., June 9, 1820, and is the son of Rufus and Lucy (Kellogg) Crafts. After his school days he moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was engaged in the meat business for eight years. He came to Schenectady in 1849 and engaged in the tallow business, which he followed for fifteen years, retiring at the end of that time. Mr. Crafts married Grace Maria McClain in Schenectady, and they have a family of nine children, five of whom are living.
Mr. Craft's brother, George W. Crafts, went to California in the great gold rush of 1849, and met withi much success.
HENRY C. HORSTMAN was born in Germany, October 22, 1863. His parents were Christian and Caroline (Easton) Horstman, and lie was educated in the schools of his native country. He came to America when seventeen years of age, and landed in Schenectady on April 24, 1880. He worked on a farm for several years, and then took a position as fireman on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad. After firing for ten years he became an engineer, and still runs an engine for the New York Central. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and of the German M. E. C. Society.
On April 17, 1890, Henry C. Horstman married Louise Horstman, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Boatman) Horstman. They have three children, Clarence E., Irwin B., and Raymond K.
ALLEN HEYER JACKSON was born in Schenectady, N. Y., June 23, 1864. He was prepared for college at the Union Classical Insti- tute, and entered Union College in 1882, and was graduated there- from in 1886 with the degree of B. A. He then entered the Albany Law School and graduated in 1888, being admitted to the Bar in May, 1888. Mr. Jackson practiced law in New York from 1893 to '95, and then returned to his native city, where he is now actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
CHARLES HOLTZMANN was born in Alsace, then a province of France, in October, 1852. He came to New York City when fourteen years of age, and to Schenectady in 1869. He had learned the trade of cutter, and followed it until 1872, when he went into the tailoring business on his own account. In this business, as well as in clothing and gents' furnishing, he has since been engaged, and conducts one of the representative houses in this line of business in Schenectady.
In 1876 Charles Holtzmann married Anna Reiber, and they have a family of three children, namely, Charles Jr., Clara, and Elsie.
CALEB HARROD was born in England, August 25, 1825. His parents were Charles and Mary (Hunt) Harrod, who came to America in 1832, so that Mr. Harrod has resided in this country since his seventh year. The family located in New York and Caleb Harrod became a sailor, and occupied the position of steward for ten years. He then learned the trade of machinist, which he followed during the rest of his active career. Mr. Harrod is a member of Metropol- itan Lodge, No. 55, F. and A. M., and the Metropolitan Chapter, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
In 1845 Caleb Harrod married Caroline Bleckmore. Their children are : Ada (who married Parker Dunning), Ellen (who married Alfred W. Hull), and Charles Harrod.
ALEXANDER FENWICK was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y., in 1872, and received his early education in the public schools of his native city. He afterwards entered the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated in 1897. Shortly after he was admitted to the Bar, and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In January, 1902, Mr. Fenwick was appointed City Clerk for one term. Mr. Fenwick is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., Macabees Main Tent, No. 242, and is a prominent member of several other fraternal organizations. On January 6, 1900, Mr. Fenwick married Lela Gregg.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
GEORGE HOLTZMANN was born in Alsace-Lorraine, in the German Empire, in April, 1851. In 1872, he came to the United States and settled in Newark, N. J., where he learned the trade of barber, remaining in Newark for two years. In 1874 he came to Schenec- tady and established the business in which he has since been engaged. From the opening of his business in this city he has evinced the most praiseworthy enterprise, and to him belongs the credit of putting in the first public baths in the city, which he did in 1876. He subsequently engaged in the liquor and bottling business, which he still owns.
In 1885 Mr. Holtzmann was elected a member of the Common Council and served for six years. In 1897 he was again elected, and is now serving his fourth term. He takes great interest in all public affairs and the advancement and progress of his city, carrying into public life the same spirit of enterprise which has distinguished and made him successful in private affairs. He was chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee of the City Council for nine years, and he was the instigator of the first asphalt pavement which was laid in the city, in 1889.
In politics Mr. Holtzmann is a consistant Democrat, and is highly popular with his party. He is a member of Schenectady Lodge, No. 227, I. O. O. F., and also of Schenectady Lodge, No. 480, B. P. O. E.
In 1874 George Holtzmann married Madaline Holtzmann, who died in 1890, leaving two children, Lena and Laura. In 1893 he married Madeline Woolf.
ALONZO PAIGE STRONG was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., August 17, 1843. He left Duanesburgh when four years of age and has since lived in the city of Schenec- tady. He received his education at Union College, from which he graduated in 1864, and at Harvard Law School, from which he grad- uated in 1866. He was admitted to the Bar in the same year. Judge Strong has been Alderman for three years, City Attorney for two years, District Attorney for one year, and County Judge and Surrogate for six years.
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.70
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM G. B. HALL, M. D., was born in Cobleskill, N. Y., in 1864, and received his literary education in the Troy Conference Academy, Poultney, Vermont, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885. He taught school in Saratoga and Albany Counties for seven terms, and in 1891 he entered the medical department of the University of New York, graduating therefrom in the class of 1894 with the degree of M. D. He then spent a year as house physician in the Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1895 he opened an office in Mount Pleasant, Schenectady County, and after two years' practice there moved into the city, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
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