USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 46
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Returning to civil life, he served a three years' apprenticeship at the trade of machinist and then went to Worcester in the employ of L. W. Pond. In 1883 he went to Orange, Mass., with the Rodney- Hunt Manufacturing Company as mechanical superintendent and remained with them for eight and one-half years. He then estab- lished the Leavitt Machine Company at Orange, Mass., and was superintendent of the works for two years, after which he went to Lynn and joined the Thomson-Houston Company as foreman, remaining with them for a year and a half. In 1894 he came to Schenectady and entered the employ of the General Electric Com- pany and, in 1899, became general foreman of the Railroad Motor Works, his present position.
On January 22, 1873, Thomas E. Leavitt married Valeria F. McKnight. They have two children, Herbert E., born February 2, 1874, and Merrimond H., born February 9, 1888. Mr. Leavitt's par- ents were Thomas W. and Mary A. (Hammond) Leavitt. His father was a native of New Hampshire and his mother a native of Maine. Mr. Leavitt is quite active in political affairs, and is a mein- ber of the Masonic fraternity.
HOWARD C. LEVIS was born at Mount Holly, N. J., March 21, 1859, and was educated at Columbia College, graduating from the law department of that institution in the class of 1880. He was admitted to the Bar of the state of New York, in December, 1880, and to the Bar of the state of New Jersey in June, 1881, and he is Special Master in Chancery and Supreme Court Commissioner of New Jersey.
After being admitted to the Bar Mr. Levis practiced his profession at Mount Holly, along with his father, Franklin B. Levis, until April 1889, when he became connected with the law department of the Westinghouse Electric Company (now the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company), of Pittsburg, Penn., and was secretary of that company. He resigned this position early in 1891, and became connected with the law department of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, being located first at Chicago, and afterwards at St. Paul.
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. SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
When the Thomson-Houston Company was acquired by the General Electric Company, he continued with the latter at St. Paul until 1894, when he moved to Schenectady to become assistant counsel for the company, which position he still fills, and is also chairman of the company's local committee.
Mr. Levis is president of the Edison General Electric Company, of the Edison Electric Light Company and of some others of the con- stituents of the General Electric Company and also of some of the electric companies controlled by the General Electric Company.
Mr. Levis was admitted to the Bar of Illinois in 1889, to the Bar of Minnesota in 1889, and was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in 1898.
In 1884 Howard C. Levis married Jane Chester Coursen, daughter of Hon. William A. Coursen, late of Morristown, N. J. They have two children, namely, Chester Coursen, born in 1885, and Edith Chetwood, born in 1886.
CHARLES H. KALER was born in Suffolk County, Long Island, October 11, 1860. He first worked in a rubber factory for about two years. He then went to Patchogue, Long Island, where he worked as a clerk for one year, when he went to Brooklyn to learn the trade of machinist. After spending three years at this trade in Brooklyn, he crossed over to New York and was employed in the Brown Machine Works for a year and one-half. He next engaged with the Hoe Printing Press Company, and remained with them six months, when he entered the Edison Machine Works in New York City, and was connected with them until he came to Schenectady in 1884. He has been with the General Electric Company since it started in Schenectady, and is now foreman in the winding department, Shop No. II.
In 1881 Charles H. Kaler married Mrs. John King, nee Margaret M. Parker, and they have one son, Edward W. Kaler. Mr. Kaler's parents were David and Elizabeth (Robinson) Kaler. The Kaler family is of German origin. Mrs. Kaler has a son by her first his- band, Edward W. King.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN H. CLARK was born in England, April 7, 1859, but came to America in 1873, and completed his education in the state of Massa- chusetts. After leaving school, he entered a machine shop and worked at his trade therein for nineteen years. Part of this time he was foreman and superintendent for the Whittier Machine Company. He was also mechanical expert for Governor Amies.
In January, 1892, he went to Boston and entered the office of the Thomson-Houston Company, and remained there until April, 1895, when he was transferred to the works of the General Electric Com- pany in Schenectady, N. Y. He is now consulting engineer at these works.
Mr. Clark is a member of the Saugatuck Lodge, F. and A. M., East Bridgewater, Mass., of the Mohawk Club, of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanical Association, of the Engineer's Club, New York City, and of the Mohawk Golf Club of Schenectady, N. Y.
In 1878 John H. Clark married Emma Richards, daughter of David and Sarah (Boswell) Richards of Boston, and they have one daughter, Mabel S. Clark.
GEORGE C. MOON, Deputy County Clerk of the county of Schenectady, is the son of George W. and Catherine K. (Rosa) Moon, and was born in the city of Schenectady, March 24, 1861.
After leaving school, hie secured a position as cashier with the fırın of Thomas H. Reeves & Company, which responsible position he occupied until the year 1891.
In 1892 he became a member of the staff of the Schenectady Daily Union in the capacity of city editor, and was so engaged until the fall of 1899, when he secured a clerkship in the County Clerk's office, and on January 1, 1901, was appointed Deputy County Clerk, which position he still holds.
Mr. Moon is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., Schenectady City Lodge No. 319, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter inember, Schenectady Lodge, No. 480, B. P. O. E., and also belongs to the Schenectady County Republican Club.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
LEVI CASE, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Schenectady, was born in Prescott, Ontario, June 22, 1817. His parents moved from Prescott across the St. Lawrence River to Ogdensburg shortly after his birth. When he was ten years old they inoved to Watertown, N. Y., and lived there for six years. In 1833 they moved to Schenectady, where Mr. Case has since resided. His father was a tinner, and Levi Case worked at this trade for about three years with his father when he began making copper tea kettles, which pursuit he followed for three years more. In 1840 he embarked in business on his own account, in company with a Mr. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Case, dealers in copper, tin- ware and stoves. This partnership lasted for two years and Mr. Case started in business alone in 1843. The firm of Levi Case & Com- pany is now one of the substantial business houses of Schenectady, although Mr. Case has not given the business his personal attention for some time, having sold out his interest to his son, Lee W. Case, and F. W. McClellan.
On March 10, 1841, Levi Case married Catherine H. Felthousen. They had a family of six children, of whom three are living, namely, Sherman, Lee W., and Anna B. His wife died in August, 1892.
Mr. Case is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has held some public positions during his life. He was elected alderman in 1849 and was re-elected in 1850. He served one term as Super- visor, to which office he was elected in 1852.
WALTER L. HUGGINS M. D., was born at Napoli, N. Y., March 25, 1872. He graduated from the High School in 1891, and in 1892 entered Union College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896 with the degree of Ph. B. After completing his course at Union, he entered the Albany Medical College, and was graduated therefrom in 1899 with the degree of M. D. Soon after receiving his degree he was appointed house physician at the Ellis Hospital, Schenectady. In December, 1899, he opened an office in Schenectady, and has already established himself in a good practice.
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On June 4, 1901, Walter L. Huggins, M. D., married Edith Mae Hazard, daughter of Theodore B. and Saralı Hazard, of Buffalo. His parents were Elmore D., and Estella C. (Town) Huggins, of Sala- manca, N. Y.
Dr. Huggins is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society, St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., the Medical Greek Letter Fraternity, Nu Sigma Nu, the American Academy of Medi- cine, and Schenectady University Club.
JOHN F. MADGETT was born in Buffalo, September 29, 1863. He moved to Canada when five years of age and was educated in that country. After his school days he learned the trade of machinist with his father. They lived in Indiana, Ontario, and later at Hamil- ton, and he finished his trade when seventeen years of age. He entered the employ of the Webster Sewing Machine Company, and later worked for the L. D. Sawyer Company, agricultural works, and afterwards in oil refining. Later he was in the employ of J. H. Killy & Company, manufacturers of steam engines. He then took a course of instruction for more experience, and subsequently was employed by the Hamilton Machine Tool Company, in whose works he was foreman at the age of twenty. In 1887 he entered the employ of the Edison General Electric Company at Montreal, Quebec, and has since been engaged with that company and its suc- cessor, the General Electric Company. He inaugurated the first factory for the company in Sherbrook, Quebec, which was subse- quently removed to Peterborough, Ontario, and was superintendent at these points. In 1893 he came to Schenectady as chief inspector of the Schenectady Works, which position he held for ten and one- half years, after which he was promoted to assistant superintendent, which position he still holds.
On May 16, 1882, John F. Madgett married Frances Ann Sweet- love, daughter of James and Mary Sweetlove, and they have two children, John Henry Franklin, born July 31, 1883, and Ethel Sweetlove, born August 18, 1888. The son was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and the daughter in Sherbrook, Quebec. Mr. Madgett's
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
parents were Thomas and Caroline S. Madgett. His father was a native of England and his mother of Saratoga County.
Mr. Madgett is a member of Peterborough Lodge No. 155, F. and A. M., Canada, St. George's Chapter No. 157, R. A. M., St. George's Commandery No. 37, Knights Templar, and Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Troy, N. Y. He is also a member of Court Stanley No. 7680, Ancient Order Foresters, Canada.
EUGENE C. HARTLEY, one of the prominent and best known business men of the city of Schenectady, was born in Fulton County, N. Y., August 20, 1849. He was educated in the district schools and at the Fort Edward Institute, and subsequently taught school for about six years.
Abandoning the school room he entered mercantile life as a traveler for a wholesale glove house, and was on the road for about four years. In 1878 he came to Schenectady and embarked in the grocery business in partnership with L. N. Reese, under the firm name of Reese & Hartley. This firm continued in existence for ten years, or until 1888, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Hartley has since continued the business alone. His trade is reputed to be one of the largest in his line in the city, and his business prosperity is to be attributed to his honorable methods and square dealing.
Mr. Hartley 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 Com- inandery, No. 37, Knights Templar.
In October, 1878, Engene C. Hartley married Mattie Hamilton, daughter of John and Mary Hamilton. They have one daughter, Bessie M., who is a student in Elmira College.
Mr. Hartley's parents were Isaac and Sarah (Barlow) Hartley. His father was a native of Schenectady County. His ancestors were English, from which country the original American Hartley came over to Schenectady in 1792. Mr. Hartley's grandfather was a class- mate with the poet Wordsworth in England. His grandparents were Isaac and Jane (Smithson) Hartley. She was of the Smithson family, after which the Smithsonian Institute was named.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
EDWARD MURDAY was born in Passaic, N. J., October 10, 1867. His parents were Charles and Sarah (Bishop) Murday, both of whom were natives of Ireland. After his school days Edward Murday worked as a clerk for a year and a half, after which he served three years' apprenticeship at the trade of machinist. In1 1889 he went to Lynn, Mass., and entered the employ of the Thomson-Houston Com- pany, where he remained for a short time, after which he entered the employ of the Walton Watch Tool Company, and remained with them for nine months. He then went to Troy and worked for the Rensselaer Manufacturing Company, with whom he remained for two years, when he went to work for W. and L. E. Gurley, manufac- turers of mathematical instruments, with whom he remained for a year when he returned to Lynn, where he worked for two years with the Thomson-Houston Company. In 1893, he came to Schenectady as a machinist for the General Electric Company, and in 1898 was inade foreman of the Switch Board Department.
Edward Murday married Harriet Fagel of Schenectady, and they have one daughter, Eleanor. Mr. Murday is a member of Lodge No. 480, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
JAMES F. MOFFETT, JR., son of Jamnes F. and Celia (Kelly) Moffett, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., February 2, 1884, and was educated in the public schools and at Fitzgerald's Business College. After leaving the business college he entered the Renonard Training School for Embalmers and graduated therefrom February 24, 1901. He then formed a partnership with George M. Kivlin, under the firm name of Kivlin & Moffett, which continued until November I, 1901, when Mr. Moffett succeeded to the business which he has since conducted alone. Before going into business for himself, Mr. Moffett was for two years assistant to the late David J. Cronin, one of the leading undertakers of the city.
Mr. Moffett is a member of Court Dorp No. 392, Foresters of America, of Neptune Hose Company No. 3, and the Young Meu's Catholic Club, and is a capable and enterprising young business 11a11.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM M. MADIGAN, son of Patrick and Mary (Sheehan) Madigan, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., September 19, 1861. After leaving school he worked on a farin for two years, and then went into the business of florist, which he followed for two years, when he entered the shops of the New York Central Railroad Com- pany at Albany as a machinist's apprentice, and, after six years experience there, lie went to Mechanicville as foreman in the railroad shops at that place. He remained in Mechanicville for six months when he took a position in the Schenectady Locomotive Works, and remained there for eighteen months. He then went back to tlie railroad shops at West Albany, and remained there five years, at the expiration of which time he entered the employ of the General Electric Company and returned to Schenectady. He was foreman of Shop No. 10 for eight years, and was then transferred to Shop No. 9, which position he now holds.
On May 22, 1883, William M. Madigan married Alice Morrow, who died April 6, 1884. On March 4, 1886, he married Maggie Garrity, and they have a family of seven children : Raymond, Wil- liam, Carl, Gertrude, John, Helen and Edwin.
MYRON F. WESTOVER, secretary of the General Electric Com- pany, was born in Vinton, Iowa, July 10, 1860, and was educated at the Iowa State University. After graduating he took up the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1882. He then began the practice of his profession and was so engaged for three years. He became private secretary to President Coffin of the Thomson-Hous- ton Electric Company in 1888. This company having been absorbed by the General Electric Company he became secretary of the latter corporation in 1894, which office he still holds.
On November 5, 1886, Myron F. Westover married Lou E. Ham, and they have one son, Wendell Westover, born in the year 1895. Mr. Westover's parents were William and Sarah J. Westover. His father came of New England stock and the original Westover in this country settled at Windsor, Connecticut, in 1649.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH I. MITCHELL, son of Reuben and Jane (Cowlam) Mitchell, was born in Leiscestershire, England, March 26, 1858, and came to the United States of America in 1869. He settled first in the state of Connecticut, and there learned the trade of machinist. He worked for the Russell & Irwin Manufacturing Company of New Britain, Conn., for five years, and in 1882 he went into the employ of the General Electric Company at New Britain, Conn. Later on he was sent by this company to Lynn, Mass., to work in their shops there, and remained for some time. In 1896 he came to Schenectady in the employ of the General Electric Company, and now has charge of the transformer departinent.
For over thirty years Mr. Mitchell has been actively engaged as a machinist in connection with the electrical business, and he is today one of the valuable men who conduce to the efficiency of the great manufacturing company with which he is associated.
On August 14, 1879, Joseph I. Mitchell married Mary J., daughter of Michael J. and Elizabeth (King) Holmes. They have four children, namely : Mae, born July 26, 1880, Eva, born January 28, 1882, Irving, born August 6, 1884, and Gladys, born August 12, 1887.
V. HANSON YATES was born in Schenectady, N. Y., August 15, 1857, and was educated in the schools of his native city. He is a son of Nicholas and Harriet (Hanson) Yates, and is one of a family of ten children.
After attaining his majority he embarked in the carpet business, including interior decorations, and conducted this business for seven- teen years, or until 1894, when he went into his present business, that of conducting a boat livery. He has one of the finest boat liveries in the state, and keeps about one hundred boats on hand at all times.
Mr. Yates is a member of one branch of the Yates family, which has been well known in Schenectady County for over a century. For further particulars see article on the Yates family, in the general part of this work.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY : ITS HISTORY.
MAJOR E. NOTT SCHERMERHORN-This well known lawyer and soldier was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., December 22, 1838, and is one of the seventh generation of his family in America, his ancestors having come over from Holland in 1640.
On May 2, 1861, E. Nott Schermerhorn enlisted as a private in Company E, 18th New York Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as first sergeant on May 17 of the same year.
The 18th New York Volunteer Infantry, "New York State Rifles," was organized at Albany, May 17, 1861, with William A. Jackson, colonel ; William H. Young, lieutenant-colonel, and George B. Myers, major. They left the state on June 19 of that year and served in the Third Brigade, Fifth Division, Army of Northeast Virginia, until August, after which they formed a part of Franklin's Brigade, Division of the Potomac, until October, 1861. They then became a part of the Third Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, until May, 1862, after which they were with the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, until May, 1863.
Mr. Schermerhorn was promoted to sergeant-major, November 14, 1861, and immediately afterwards was commissioned second lieuten- ant of Company E, to rank from December 27, 1861. On August 2, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant and adjutant, and led the left wing of the regiment in action at the Battle of South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862. He was captured with General E. H. Stoughton, March 9, 1863, at Fairfax Court House, Va., while serv- ing as assistant adjutant-general on his staff with the rank of captain, but he was not long in the hands of the rebels, managing to make his escape the same night.
A detailed account of the services of this splendid soldier is legitimately a part of this article and eminently worthy of preserva- tion. He first served in the defences of Washington, D. C., from June 21, 1861, until March 13, 1862, and during this time partici- pated in the skirmish on Braddock Road, July 16, 1861, Blackburn's Ford, 1861, and the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He was on outpost and picket duty on Little River Turnpike and near Alexandria, from August until December, 1861, and was engaged in
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
the skirmish at Munson's Hill, on August 28; the skirmish at Springfield Station, while guarding a wood train, October 4; the skirmish at Munson's Hill, November 4 and November 16; at Springfield Station, December 4, 1861, and at Union Mills, March 12, 1862. His command moved from Alexandria to Shipping Point, York River, April 17-21, joining the Army of the Potomac before Yorktown. Here he was engaged in the action at West Point, May 7, and was in the entrenched camp at Courtney's House up to June 25. He was engaged in the seven days battles which lasted from June 25 to July 2 ; participated in the Battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27 ; in the action at Garnett's and Golding's Farms, supporting the artillery, June 28. He was in the Battle of Glendale or White Oak Swamp Bridge and the Battle of Malvern Hill, July I. He moved to the support of Pope's forces in Virginia, August 16-27, and was in the action at Burk's Station, August 28, 1862. He participated in covering the movement from Bull Run and holding Centreville Heights, August 31 and September 1, 1862, moving upon the latter date to the support of the troops at Chantilly. On September 14 he led his men in the celebrated bayonet charge which forced the passage at Crampton's Gap, South Mountain, when Cobb's Georgia Regi- ment was completely routed. He participated in the great Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and was on picket duty on the upper Potomac from September 25 to October 31 of that year. He was also in the prolonged Battle of Fredericksburg, which lasted from December II to December 15. From December 19, 1862, until April 28, 1863, his regiment was camped near White Oak Church. From April 28 until May 2, 1862, he was engaged in the operations at Franklin's Crossing or Deep Run, and in the assault and capture of Mary's Heights, on May 3. He was in the Battle of Salein Heiglits, May 3 and 4, and covered the movement to Bank's Ford and the removal of the pontoons May 7.
He was m1111stered out of the service with his regiment at the expiration of his term of service and with the brevet rank of major, May 28, 1863. Previous to this, on May 11, 1863, General Hooker expressed his appreciation of the services of Major Schermerhorn's regiment in General Orders No. 50, bearing date of that day.
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After his honorable and brilliant services in the army, Major Schermerhorn returned to Schenectady and entered the Internal Revenue office as deputy collector. He also took up the study of law, entered the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated in 1877, and was admitted to the Bar as attorney in the same year. In 1879 he was admitted as attorney and counselor at Albany and began the active practice of his profession, coupling therewith real estate and insurance. He is also a partner in the house of Schermer- horn & Company, which was formed in 1885.
In 1867 Major Schermerhorn married Gertrude Ward, daughter of James H. and Rebecca (Swart) Ward. They have a family of four children : J. Ward, Bartholomew, Linwood Gale and C. Ellis Scher- merhorn.
Major Schermerhorn is a member of the Loyal Legion ; was presi- dent of the Board of Education of the city of Schenectady for a number of years; president of the Board of Water Commissioners and deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the Eighteenth Con- gressional District, which office he held for eighteen years. He has always taken a deep interest in the progress and welfare of Schenec- tady, and is one of its truly representative men. He has never sought office and the positions which he has held, have come to him without his seeking.
ARTHUR MARVIN, M. A., was born at Fly Creek, Otsego County, N. Y., August 25, 1867, and was prepared for college at the Coopers- town, N. Y., High School, where he was awarded in 1885 the Averell gold medal for highest excellence in scholarship. In the fall of 1887 he entered the Syracuse University, where he remained until the spring of 1889, when he entered the Sophomore class at Yale University, graduating in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After leaving college lie was appointed teacher of German and Latin in the Ball High School of Galveston, Texas, in 1891-92. He then taught in the Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, Conn., the oldest Yale Preparatory school, from 1892 until 1897. In June, 1896, he received the degree of M. A. from Yale University on examination
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