USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 47
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
in English. In 1897 he was appointed principal of the Schenectady Union Classical Institute or High School, which position he now occupies.
Mr. Marvin is widely known as a successful teacher, lecturer and editor of educational works. He edited the students' edition of Irving's Alhambra, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, and was also editor of the Regents edition of Irving's Sketch Book, published by Houghton-Mifflin & Co., both of which are being widely used in schools. He represents Schenectady County in the State Teachers' Association, and has delivered several addresses at the meetings of the Associated Academic Principals held in Syracuse, at the Regents' convocation held in Albany, and at other places.
On August 25, 1891, he married Perthenia Weeks Root of Cooperstown, N. Y. A unique incident in her career is that she also was awarded the Averell gold medal at Cooperstown in 1886. They have three children, Dorothea, born in New Haven, Conn., June 24, 1896, Donald, born in Schenectady, N. Y., April 19, 1899, and Beatrice Blanche, born in Schenectady, N. Y., May 15, 1901.
His parents were George H. and Anın Eliza ·(Miller) Marvin. George H. Marvin was born in Milford, Otsego County, N. Y., and was engaged in the loan and- brokerage business there. His wife, Ann Eliza Miller, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., and resided there; in Dubuque, Iowa, and in Otsego County, N. Y., after her marriage.
He is a member of the University Club, Delta Upsilon (college) Fraternity, of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., and St. George's Chapter No. 157, R. A. M. He is also a member of the Modern Language Association, the National Educational Association and several other educational organizations.
DANA A. BARNES, son of John W. and Sophia A. (Dana) Barnes, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., July 1, 1861. His first employment was in the capacity of a machinist with the Porter Manufacturing Company, with whom he remained three and one-half years, after which he went to Pennsylvania with Struthers, Wells & Company, and remained with them for five and one-half years. He next
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entered the employ of the John T. Noye Manufacturing Company of Buffalo, N. Y., as tool-maker and draughtsman, and was with them for three years. He then went to Dunkirk, N. Y., and was employed with the Martin Anti-fire Car Heating Company as general superin- tendent for three and one-half years.
In 1891 he moved to Schenectady, N. Y., to take the position of mechanical superintendent for the Westinghouse Company, which position he still occupies.
In October, 1893, Dana A. Barnes married Metta B., daughter of Henry L. and Metta (Barnes) Edwards. They have two sons, Dana A. Barnes, Jr., who was born March 5, 1897, and John Edwards Barnes, born February 27, 1902.
ABRAM G. VEDDER was born in Schenectady July 23, 1853. After his school days he was a clerk for one year in Schenectady, after which he went to Albany and clerked for a year. Returning to Schenectady he joined with Jerome G. Morgan and formed the firm of Morgan & Vedder, dealers in groceries. This firm continued for eight years, after which Mr. Vedder was in business for himself for three years. He then took a position as traveling salesman for a New York grocery house, but after a short time he abandoned the road and succeeded E. W. Moore in the bakery business. He con- ducted this enterprise for two and one-half years, when he returned to the grocery business, in which he was engaged for the next eight years. He then spent a year in the west as a dealer in real estate in Wisconsin. In 1891 he returned to Schenectady and opened a real estate office which lie conducted until 1895, when he engaged with the General Electric Company as stock-keeper, which position he still retains.
On May 12, 1875, Abram G. Vedder married Harriet E., daughter of David Tichenor and Fannie E. (Ward) Tichenor. They have one son, Arthur T. Mr. Vedder is a member of the Baptist church and is one of the trustees of that body. His parents were Francis A. and Mary A. (Peek) Vedder. His ancestors came to the United States from Holland and settled in Schenectady in the year 1630.
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HENRY S. EDWARDS was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., August 18, 1825. While he was still quite young, his parents removed to Saratoga County, and here he was educated in the dis- trict schools. He began the active duties of life in the hardware store of Abraham Van Vorst, where he remained for three years. He then entered the employ of John I. Yates, hardware merchant, with whom he remained for six years. In 1851 he formed a part- nership with Isaac Harris, under the firm name of Edwards & Harris, which continued for several years. He finally sold out of this business and became a junior member of the firm of J. Walker & Company. They carried on a large grocery and seed business, and also dealt extensively in agricultural implements. After three years he sold out of this business and embarked in the hardware business by himself, doing a fine trade for a period of twelve years, when he disposed of the business and spent some time traveling through the west. Returning to Schenectady, he and his brother, Lewis B. Edwards, formed the company of H. S. Edwards & Brother, hardware dealers, which firm continued for ten years, at the end of which period Mr. Henry S. Edwards assumed the entire business and carried it on alone until 1891, when he retired from active pursuits.
In 1860 Mr. Edwards became director in the Mohawk National Bank, of which later on he was made vice-president, and finally, in 1894, was elected president, which position he held until his death, which occurred the 12th day of March, 1903. Among all the officers and directors of the bank in 1860, Mr. Edwards was the only sur- vivor at his death.
On May 20, 1846, Henry S. Edwards married Elizabeth L. Butter- field. They have one daughter, Harriet E, widow of William J. Liddle. She has one son, Henry S. Liddle, a physician of Schenec- tady, who married Annie S. Hillabrandt, of Johnstown, N. Y.
Henry S. Edwards was a son of Samuel B. and Ruth L. (Rogers) Edwards. Mr. Edwards' father and his father's two brothers mar- ried three sisters. .
Mr. Edwards was an eld'er in the First Presbyterian Church, and charter member and president of the board of trustees of the Y. M. C. A.
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Mr. Edwards' life has been a long and honorable one and he was, for nearly half a century, a prominent figure in both the business and financial circles of Schenectady.
MICHAEL NOLAN was born in Ireland, March 12, 1827, and was the son of William and Catherine (O'Byrne) Nolan. He came to America and settled in Schenectady in 1849. He learned the trade of mason in Ireland and has worked at it for forty years, thirty years of which he was also a contractor. He is now retired.
In 1853 Michael Nolan married Honoria Drurry. Their children are : Mary, William P., Michael D., Katie C., Hannah, James and Matthew.
WILLIAM P. FAUST, M. D., was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in April, 1873, and is a son of Jolin and Anna M. (Freitig) Faust. His parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States of America in 1854.
William P. Faust received his literary education at the public schools of Poughkeepsie, graduating at the Poughkeepsie High School in 1892, and pursued his medical studies at the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital and the New York Post Graduate School and Hospital.
William P. Faust, M. D., came to Schenectady in 1895, and has already assumed a prominent place in the front rank of the physi- cians of this city. He is prominent in Masonic circles and 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, Knights Templar and the Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Troy, N. Y. He is also a member of St. Paul's Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., Schenectady City Lodge No. 317, Knights of Pythias, and of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society, as well as of the American Institute of Homeopathy.
On September 9, 1896, William P. Faust, M. D., married Mary Alvord, daughter of James and Julia A. (Peer) Hickok.
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HON. JOHN C. MYERS was born in the city of Schenectady, July 27, 1857, and was educated in the public schools of his native place, at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., and Eastman's Business College.
Mr. Myers has been actively identified with the business life and affairs of Schenectady for the last dozen years, and is very popular, not only in political, but also in business circles. In politics he is a Democrat, is an active and influential worker, and is highly esteemed by his party. His first political contest was against Hon. A. A. Yates for Member of Assembly, in which he was defeated, but in 1890 he was elected sheriff of Schenectady County and served the full term of office. In 1893 he was again nominated by his party for Member of Assembly and was elected. He was renominated in 1894 and again in 1896, but lost both of these contests. In 1897 he again contested the district and was elected, receiving 3,717 votes against 3,545 for the Republican candidate and eighty for the Prohi- bition candidate. During his Legislative career Mr. Myers was instrumental in securing the passage of several important bills relat- ing to Schenectady, and which have been of great benefit to the city. During the session of 1898, he was a member of the Coin- inittees on Cities and Agriculture.
Mr. Myers has for some years been engaged in the hotel business, and is now proprietor of the Imperial Hotel, one of the best con- ducted caravanseries in the city.
W. W. GODDARD, M. D., was born at Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, N. Y., June 10, 1872, and is the son of Aaron and Caroline (Briggs) Goddard. Caroline Briggs was the daughter of Job and Jane. (McQueen) Briggs. .
Dr. Goddard received his literary education at the Egbert Insti- tute, Cohoes, and the Albany Academy. He studied medicine with Dr. James Duane Featherstonhaugh, in whose office he remained three years, after which he attended the Albany Medical College in 1894, graduating therefrom with the degree of M. D. After grad- uating he was appointed resident physician and surgeon of Ellis
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Hospital, Schenectady, N. Y., which position he held from 1894 to 1895. He then opened an office and began the public practice of his profession in April, 1895.
Dr. Goddard has been very successful in his profession and has held several public offices. He was for two years County Physician, namely, from 1897 to 1899, and is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society. He was appointed, under President Mckinley, one of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons for a term of four years, and is now serving on his second term. In 1897 he was appointed one of the hospital staff of Ellis Hospital, which position he still holds. He has served two terms as attending physician and surgeon at the Children's Home, and is examiner for several of the largest insurance companies doing business in the city of Schenectady. He is also a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., is one of the directors of the University Club, and is president of the Captain Thomas Webb Club, a member of the Mohawk Golf Club, and second vice-president of the Southbridge Oil and Development Company.
CHARLES E. MERRIAM, son of Henry and Ann E. (Reeve) Merriam, was born June 26, 1838. He is one of a family of six children, the others being Henry G., of Waverly, N. Y., Helen, of Goshen, N. Y., Frank A., of Chicago, Reverend Alexander R. Merriam of Hartford, Conn., and Alma E., of Goshen, N. Y. His father, Henry Merriam, was born December 1, 1802, and died Feb- ruary 14, 1895. His mother was born May 3, 1810, and died September 1, 1901.
Charles E. Merriam was engaged in the dry goods business until 1873, under the firm name of Merriam and Millspaugh. At that date he went into the hardware business with his brother, Henry G., under the name and style of Merriam Brothers, and remained in this business until 1894, when he closed out his hardware store and went to Albany as vice-president and general manager of the Standard Wagon Company, which did $250,000 worth of business annually.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
In 1898 Mr. Merriam took the management of the New York Life Insurance Company for the counties of Schenectady, Fulton and Montgomery, with offices in the city of Schenectady, which position he still occupies to the advantage of the New York Life.
On March 23, 1864, Charles E. Merriam married Jane E., daughter of Reverend Daniel Wells, who was for fifteen years treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions of New York City. Mrs. Merriam's inother was Elizabeth Hamilton of Princetown, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam have a family of five children, namely, Frank A., Elizabeth R., Mary E., wife of Dr. Charles A. Gwynn of Auburn, N. Y., Anna A., and Charles W.
Mr. Merriam has long taken an active part in church affairs, and is a fine public speaker. He was treasurer of the Y. M. C. A. of the state of New York for several years.
JOHN MCDERMOTT was born in Ireland in the year 1839, but has resided in America since 1848, and has lived in Schenectady since that year. After being occupied in various employments until 1860, he learned the inason's trade and worked at it until 1876, when he went into the contracting business. He has been engaged upon buildings for the Locomotive Works since 1877, and has completed a great many outside contracts, including the Catholic church and other edifices.
In October, 1865, John McDermott married Anna McCrowe, who died in 1886, leaving five children. Mr. McDerinott is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic church. He takes an active interest in public affairs and is one of the progressive men of the city. He held a seat at the Common Council for twelve years, was a member of the Board of Education for two years, and is now president of the Board of Water Commissioners. At the present time Mr. McDermott is one of the managers of the Schenectady Savings Bank ; one of the trustees of the Ellis Hospital and a stock- holder and director of the Van Curler Opera House.
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JAMES H. VAN AUKEN, son of Levi and Susan M. (Furbeck) Van Auken, was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., December 15, 1842. He was educated at the Union School, from which he was graduated in 1862. He then entered the book store of Young & Graham, as a clerk, and remained with them for a period of three years. He then embarked in business on his own account in company with C. B. Swart, under the firm name of Swart & Van Auken. This partner- ship existed for twelve years, at the end of which time Mr. Van Auken sold out his interest and established a book store of his own, which he conducted until 1892, when he disposed of the business and started a music store. This business he carried on until 1899, when he took up the real estate business, in which he has since been actively engaged.
On January 16, 1867, James H. Van Anken married Sarah M., daughter of Duncan and Rachael (Lansing) McDonald. They have two children, William J. and Charles E.
Mr. Van Anken is a member of the Netherland Society, of St. Paul's Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., and of the Second Reformed Church. He has been deacon and elder in the church and superin- tendent in the Sunday School for many years. He is a Republican in politics and represents the fourth ward on the Board of Aldermen.
LEWIS BECK SEBRING was born in Columbia County, N. Y., January 23, 1868. He was prepared for college at Catskill Academy, . N. Y., from which he graduated in 1887. He then entered Union College and, after a highly creditable course, was graduated with the degree of civil engineer in the class of 1892. Almost immediately after his graduation, Mr. Sebring was appointed assistant city engineer for a term of two years, and subsequently for three years held the office of city engineer.
In politics Mr. Sebring is a Republican, and had charge of work on the improvement of the Erie Canal.
On June 24, 1897, Lewis Beck Sebring married Agnes E., daugh- ter of Christian and Mary (Daniels) Bulla, and they have one son, Lewis Beck, Jr.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Sebring's parents were Reverend Elbert M. Sebring and Annie T. (Beck) Sebring. His father was a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, of which Lewis B. is also a member, and he has held the office of deacon for three years in the Second Reformed Church of this city.
Mr. Sebring's ancestors were Dutch and English and settled in Schenectady in 1684. His great-great-grandfather was the Reverend Dirck Romeyn, who was the first pastor of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady and one of the founders of Union College.
WILLIAM W. SNELL was born at Braman's Corners, Schenectady County, N. Y., September 5, 1873, and was educated in the schools of his native place. After leaving school he took up the printer's trade in the Evening Star office in 1890, and after learning his trade was foreman for four years, until 1899, when he opened his job printing office, which he still conducts and which has been very successful owing to first-class work, and the fact that Mr. Snell gives the business his personal attention.
On June 16, 1898, Mr. Snell married Miss Rose Crook, daughter of Eben and Sarah Crook. They have one son, Edgar W. Mr. Snell's parents were George A. and Catherine L. (Waslıburn) Snell. He is a member of Cantuquo Tribe No. 361, Independent Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum No. 983, Jr. O. A. W. No. 120, Schenectady City Lodge No. 319, K. of P., and Typographical Union No. 167.
ANNA M. VAN DEUSEN, whose maiden name was Anna M. Yates, married Wallace Van Deusen in 1874. He was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., and embarked in the grocery business in 1876, which he pursued until 1893, when he retired. He died in 1897. The children of the family are Mary and Arthur H. The Van Deusen family is of Holland ancestry.
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HENRY W. PRIMMER was born in Schenectady, N. Y., March 5, 1846. He was educated in the town of Glenville, and followed the occupation of farmer in that town until 1886. In that year he went to Albany and engaged in the produce business for a time, after which he was in the drygoods trade. In 1891 he settled perina- nently in Schenectady, and engaged in the mercantile business for six years, at the end of which time he retired from active business pursuits.
On June 13, 1883, Henry W. Primmer married Ella, daughter of Francis and Keziah (Mills) West. They have one daughter, Viola. Mr. Primmer's parents were Walter and Abigail (Bolt) Primmer. His ancestors on his father's side were Germans, from which country his grandfather, Peter Primmer, came to America. His maternal grandfather, Jolın Mills, came from Scotland. Both Mr. Primmer and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church.
HARMON A. STALEY, M. D., one of Schenectady's leading physi- cians and surgeons, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., June 10, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from Berkley Seminary at Oakland, Cal., in 1880. After completing his literary education he returned east and began the study of medicine in the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891. He was resident physician at the Albany County Hospital for two years, after which he removed to Schenectady and took up the public practice of his profession.
On June 12, 1895, Harmon A. Staley, M. D., married Lela D. Schermerhorn of Albany. They have one son, Leland.
Dr. Staley is a member of both the Albany County Medical Society and the Schenectady County Medical Society ; also of the State Medical Association. He served three years as county physi- cian and is examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts, as well as of the Bankers' Life Insurance Company. He is Court Physician to the Electric City Lodge of the Order of Foresters, and is a member of Truth Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM A. PEARSON, son of William A. and Margaret Pearson, was born at Sayre, Pennsylvania, in July, 1855. He graduated from the High School of his native place in 1870, after which he served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Railroad shops at Scranton, Pa., finally becom- ing foreman of these shops. Leaving Scranton, he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as civil engineer, and remained with that road in this capacity for three years. He next went to Carson City, Nevada, to accept a position as master mechanic, and remained there for one and one-half years. Leaving Carson City, he went to Virginia City to become superin- tendent on the Comstock and remained there two and one-half years when he went to Maine, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, where he engaged in the mining business with headquarters in New York and Boston, and remained in this position for four years. He then returned to Scranton, Pa., and engaged with the Dickson Manufac- turing Company, being connected with the Marine Department as their superintendent. There he remained for three years, when he engaged with the Boies Wheel Company as superintendent, and remained with them until December, 1893, when he came to Schenectady, and is now the chief engineer of the General Electric Works in this city.
In May, 1885, William A. Pearson married Mary Burns, who died in 1886, and in 1888 he married Helen Franklin, who died in 1896.
Mr. Pearson is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; also 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 of the Royal Arcanum.
FRANK MAXON was born in Schenectady, April 24, 1856, and received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, General Russell's Commercial Institute and Hopkins' Gram- mar School, graduating from the latter institution. He then entered Yale College, but did not complete the full course. Subsequently,
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however, he took two courses at the Albany Medical College. He then went to work with his father, who was connected with the Schenectady Elevator Company, and remained with him until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1886.
After the death of his father, Mr. Maxon embarked in the real estate business, in which he has been engaged ever since.
In November, 1894, Frank Maxon married Amanda Van Auken, daughter of Levi Van Auken. Mr. Maxon's parents were George G. and Ann M. (Wood) Maxon. The ancestors of the Maxon family in this country came from Wales in the early part of the seventeenth century.
WARREN W. VEDDER was born in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County, N. Y., June 27, 1856. After leaving the pub- lic schools, le drove a team on the canal for a time and later on was steersinan on a boat, after which he was a boat owner himself. Sub- sequently; he was a lock tender for ten years.
In 1878 he came to Schenectady and was captain of a state scow under Frank Curtiss for one year. He then went to work for Eggleson & Van Voast, lumber dealers, with whom he remained a . year, after which he was clerk for Bostric & Pillings, grocery dealers, for nine years.
In 1888, Warren W. Vedder embarked in his present business, that of hotel proprietor, in which he is still engaged.
On November 20, 1879, Warren W. Vedder married Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bond) Lockwood. They have five children living : Pearl, Hattie, Blanche, Jacob, Flossie and Carlyle, (deceased). Mr. Vedder is a son of John D. and Jane A. (Sprung) Vedder, both of whom were born in Schenectady County. He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., and is a descendant of one of the old Holland families of the Mohawk valley. Mr. Vedder takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of his county, and has achieved a gratifying success in all his business affairs.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
W. SCOTT HUNTER was born in Saratoga County in March, 1848. His parents came to Schenectady when he was a child, and he was educated in the public schools of this city, graduating from the academic department in 1864. In that year he entered Union Col- lege, and after a highly creditable course, was graduated. with the degree of A. B. in the class of 1868.
After leaving college he accepted a position as clerk in a woolen mill, of which he subsequently became manager, which position he held until 1893.
In 1895, the Metropolitan Paving and Construction Company was organized with which Mr. Hunter was connected. This company continued in existence until 1900, when it was succeeded by the Schenectady Contracting Company, with Mr. Hunter as secretary, which position he now fills.
The business of this company, since its inception, has been large, owing to the enterprise and successful management of its members. In a growing city like Schenectady, where new streets are being projected and improvements being made on the old thoroughfares, a company like the Schenectady Contracting Company, whose members are enterprising and progressive men, becomes a most important and valuable factor.
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