USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 48
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In addition to his business affairs, Mr. Hunter takes great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of Schenectady, and has held different important public offices. He represented the second ward on the Board of Aldermen from 1877 to 1880; was excise commissioner for some time, and is now president of the Board of Education. He is also a prominent Mason and is afiliated with St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., which he has served as Master and for the past twenty years as treasurer, St. George's Chapter No. 157, R. A. M., which he has served as High Priest, and St. George's Commandery No. 37, Knights Templar.
In February, 1871, W. Scott Hunter married Mary, daughter of William H. and Harriet (Millard) Clark. They have two children, namely : Arthur W. Hunter, an attorney living in Duluth, and a daughter, Grace Hunter. Mr. Hunter's parents were Arthur W. and Mary (Foster) Hunter.
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CHARLES F. RANKIN was born in the city of Schenectady, February 6, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and at the Fort Edward Institute, and, after his school days, took up the business of manufacturing brooms, in which he was engaged for four years. He then lived on a farin for two years, after which he returned to the broom business in which he was engaged until 1884. In that year he formed a partnership with Andrew Wolf in the wood and coal business, under the firin name of Wolf & Rankin. This firin continued in business for five years, when Mr. Rankin succeeded them and conducted the business alone until 1900, when he admitted his son-in-law, Birnie R. Carey, into partnership, the firm name becoming Rankin & Carey. They handle wood, coal, lime, cement, hay, straw and so on, and give employment to an average force of from fifteen to twenty people.
On October 21, 1875, Charles F. Rankin married Louise H., daughter of Frederick and Henrietta (Wormer) Pepper. They have one daughter, Tillie M., wife of Birnie R. Carey.
Mr. Rankin's parents were Frederick and Louise (Lukins) Rankin. They came from Germany in 1849, lived in Schenectady three years and finally settled on a farın in Schenectady County.
Mr. Rankin and his family are members of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an honorary member of the Y. M. C. A. He is also a member of Schenectady Council No. 193, Royal Arcanum, and is an enterprising and progressive business man who is highly respected by all classes of the community.
CHARLES BROWN, proprietor of The Edison, was born in Lynn, Mass., in the month of April, 1854. He was educated in the public schools there, from which he graduated in 1872. His first business after leaving school was in a shoe manufacturing establishment, at which he worked for two years. He then went to Boston and was in the employ of the United States Hotel, where he remained for four years. This was the beginning of his career as a hotel inan. He next went to the Bay State House in Worcester, Mass., and, after eleven years as an employee, he bought the hotel. The firmi was
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Douglass & Brown, and they conducted the house for five years. In 1892 Mr. Brown came to Schenectady and became proprietor of The Edison.
On August 14, 1889, Charles Brown married Cora Richardson, and they have one son, Charles Foster.
Mr. Brown is a member of Quinsigamond Lodge, F. and A. M., Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Worcester, Mass., and of Schenectady Lodge No. 480, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a charter member. Mr. Brown is very popular with the traveling public and conducts one of the finest hotels in the state.
WALTER S. MOODY was born in the city of Boston, Mass., Sep- tember 20, 1864. He was graduated from the Boston High School in 1883, after which he took a course in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in the class of 1887.
After completing his education, he taught for a year in the depart- ment of physics and electricity in his Alma Mater, after which lie entered the employ of the Thompson Electric Welding Company, as assistant electrician, and remained with them for four years. He next joined the Thomson-Houston Company, and has been con- nected with them and their successors ever since. He came to Schenectady, December 1, 1896, and is now engineer of the transfor- mer department of the General Electric Company.
On June 6, 1891, Walter S. Moody married Florence C., daughter of Baptiste and Elizabeth (Cohen) Gilinour. They have one daugh- ter, Jean. Mr. Moody's parents were Luther R. and Emily (Sher- inan) Moody.
ANNA E. STOOPS is a native of Schenectady and is the daughter of William and Jane E. (Harrison) Stoops. Her father is a native of Ireland and came to the United States and settled in Schenectady in 1849, since which date he has continuously been engaged in the tailoring business. He was born on Christmas Day, 1829, and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a great many
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years. There were five children in the family, namely : Alonzo C., (deceased), William J., Mary F., now Mrs. N. C. Mandeville, Mar- garet Jane, (deceased) and Anna E. Stoops. Their mother died in 1868. Miss Stoops has lived in the house where she now resides on Jay street for thirty-five years.
ALBERT JOHNSON PITKIN was born in Akron, Ohio, in the year 1854, and is the son of Caleb J. and Elizabeth (Bancroft) Pitkin.
He was educated in the public and high schools of his native place. In 1871 he was apprenticed as a machinist to the Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company of Akron, Ohio, and remained with them until 1874. Subsequently he held a position in the draw- ing room of the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia, Pa., until 1880, when he assumed the position of chief draughtsman of the Rhode Island Locomotive Works at Providence, R. I. In 1882 he became mechanical engineer of the Schenectady Locomotive Works and in 1884 was made superintendent of these works. Upon the deatlı of Edward Ellis, in February, 1897, he was made Vice- President and General Manager of the Schenectady Works, and upon the sale of these works to the American Locomotive Company, was elected first Vice-President.
The Schenectady branch of the American Locomotive Works has experienced a marvelous growth in the last few years, and its expan- sion during half a century has been wonderful. The output in 1851 was five locomotives ; at present it is employing about 5,000 men with an annual output of 700 locomotives.
MARCUS WING was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., November 26, 1836. When he was quite young, his parents removed from Duanesburgh to Erie County, N. Y., making the trip in a covered wagon. Later on the family moved to Niagara County, and here Marcus Wing was educated in the public schools. His first employment after leaving school was in the capacity of drug
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clerk, which position he retained for four years, at the expiration of which time he went into the drug business on his own account at Coxsackie, N. Y., and conducted it until 1880, when he sold out and removed to Schenectady, which he has since made his permanent resi- dence. Upon coming to Schenectady, he secured a position as com- mercial traveler, and was on the road for the eight following years. In 1888 he embarked in the real estate and insurance business which he still conducts, and which, through his able management and per- sonal ability, he has developed to very large dimensions.
Marcus Wing was a son of Daniel and Sarah (Babcock) Wing, who were of Holland origin.
In January, 1863, Marcus Wing married Elizabeth Brown, who died in 1875. He subsequently married Ann E. Chrisler, who died in 1890. He has one son, Edmond Marcus, now in the drug business in Schenectady.
ALBERT BENSEN VAN VRANKEN, M. D., was born in the house in which he now resides, March 27, 1874. He received his literary education in Union College, from which he was graduated in the class of '96 with the degree of Ph. B. Three years later he received the degree of A. M. from Union, but in the meantime had entered the medical department of Columbia College, New York City, and graduated therefrom in the class of 1900, with the degree of M. D. After receiving his medical degree, he was connected with the New York Hospital and the Manhattan State Hospital for some time, and in 1901 opened his present office at 410 Union Street, Schenectady, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society, of the Holland Society, and of the Chi Psi college frater- nity. Dr. Van Vranken is a son of Edward W. Van Vranken, a practicing lawyer in New York City, but formerly of Schenectady, and who graduated from Union College in the class of 1866. Dr. Van Vranken is a descendant of Ryckert Van Vranken, who came from Holland in the year 1660, and settled in Albany. The family afterwards removed to Niskayuna and from there came to Schenec-
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
tady. In 1755 Richard Van Vranken and Dirk Van Vranken, brothers, bought land on the south side of Union street, between Center and Jay streets, a part of which is still owned and occupied by the Van Vranken family, Dr. Van Vranken being of the seventh generation.
JOHN DIEHL, general foreman of Shop 23, General Electric Com- - pany, was born in the southern part of Germany, February 26, 1860. After his school days he learned the machinist's trade and was employed in this occupation in his native country until the year 1880 when he came to America and located in New York City, where he secured a position with William Fix, manufacturer of telegraph instruments, and remained with him for three years. He then entered the employ of the Hammond Typewriter Company, as fore- man of the assembling department, and remained with them until 1888, when he engaged with Edison & Burgmann, with whom he remained until their consolidation with the General Electric Com- pany in 1891, when he came to Schenectady in the employ of this company. In 1892 he was made assistant foreman, and upon the consolidation of the Thomson-Houston Company, he was made general foreman or Shop No. 23, which position he still holds.
Mr. Diehl is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a prominent Mason, being a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. aud 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 Schenectady Lodge No. 480, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Schenectady Turn Verein and is president of the Schenec- tady Liederkranz. He is a director of the Edison Mutual Benefit Association, the United Machinist of Northern New York, and the Gold and Stock Life Insurance Company.
He is a Republican in politics, and in 1900 was elected to the Board of Alderinen from the fifth ward of the city of Schenectady.
In January, 1882, John Diehl married Louise, daughter of George and Susan (Staufenburg) Lutz, and they have four children, Louisa, Frederick, Katie and Susan.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
VALENTINE WALLBURG was born in the city of Boston, December 12, 1841. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Needham, Mass., and there he received his education.
He started out to learn the trade of gun-maker, but upon the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served his three months. In 1862 hie re-enlisted, this time in Company D, of the same regiment and served until the latter part of 1863, when he had a sun-stroke, from which he suffered for a year and which rendered him unfit for service for that length of time. He then entered the Watertown Arsenal as armorer and remained in that position for six years.
Upon leaving the arsenal, he entered the services of Boyd & Tyler, who were manufacturing a breech-loading shot gun, and remained with them for a year, after which he went to Boston and opened an insurance office, but, after six months he entered the employ of Grover & Baker in the sewing machine business and remained with them for three years. In the fall of 1874, he went to Augusta, Me., and liad charge of a gun store and shop for Robert Love for fourteen months, after which he entered the employ of the Evans Rifle Coin- pany at Mechanic's Falls, Me., where he remained until the fall of 1876. Returning to Boston, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a student under President Jolın G. Runkle and Professor Whitaker, who established the first shops for mechani- cal arts. He remained there until 1878, when he went to Orono, Me., as instructor in the Maine State Agricultural College. He subsequently returned to Boston with G. W. and F. Smith to work on the safety deposit vaults for the Equitable Insurance Building. Later he went with the Norton Door Check Company, and after remaining with them a short time, entered the employ of the Globe Nail Works. His next position was that of foreman for the Jolinston Rock Drill Company, with whom he remained for two years, when he went to Lynn, Mass., in the employ of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, and remained with them until the fall of 1884, when he again returned to Boston and was in the employ of the Bos- ton Gas Light Company for four years. In 1888 he rejoined the
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Thomson-Houston Electric Company at Lynn, Mass., in the capacity of assistant foreman, and a year later having charge of the commu- tator departinent.
In May, 1893, he was appointed manager of the River Works, where he remained until 1894, when he came to Schenectady and took charge of the commutator department of the General Electric Company, which position he now holds.
On June 14, 1899, Valentine Wallburg married Mary C. Ellis of Schenectady. He has two children, Arthur V., and Alice M., by a former marriage.
Mr. Wallburg is a member of the Odd Fellows, being affiliated with the West Lynn Lodge and Fraternity Encampment, also of West Lynn. 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., St. George's Commandery No. 37, K. T., and the Oriental Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of Troy, N. Y. He keeps his affiliation with the veterans of the Civil War through Gen. Lander Post No. 5, G. A. R. While in Lynn, Mr. Wallburg was a member of the school board and also of the Republican Club. While in Lynn he was on the board of directors of the Loan Association. He took quite an interest in politics in ward No. 6 in Lynn.
Mr. Wallburg achieved distinction while at the Institute of Tecli- nology in Boston by the many devices originated by him in vice work there, and he received many high encomiums from President Runkle for his originality and ability.
REED A. SAUTER, M. D., was born in the city of Schenectady, August 22, 1869. He graduated from the High School in 1887 and then began the study of pharmacy in the drug store of his brother, William Sauter, where he remained four years. Then in 1889, he entered the Albany College of Pharmacy and was graduated there- from in 1891, with the degree of Ph. G. After graduating he returned to his brother's store, where lie remained for a year, after which he entered the Albany Medical College, and was graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1895, standing at the head of his class.
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Then, after a competitive examination, he was appointed Intern in the Albany City Hospital, where he remained for one year. In 1896 he opened an office in Schenectady, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession.
Dr. Sauter is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society, of the Independent Order of Foresters and of the University Club.
On October 24, 1900, Reed A. Sauter, M. D., married Anna, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Yakel) Aussiker of Oneonta. Dr. Sauter's parents were John C. and Mary. A. (Bearup) Sauter. His father came to Schenectady from Germany in 1848 and died in December, 1889.
Dr. Sauter is examiner for the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Metropolitan of New York.
THOMAS F. MCGREGOR-In a growing city like Schenectady, there is naturally a large demand for plumbing and gas fitting, and the man who is an expert in this line is invaluable where new build- ings are being erected, and it is essential to have first class plumbing in order to secure the perfection which is always looked for in modern buildings. Thomas F. McGregor, whose place of business is at No. 147 Jay street, is recognized as an expert in this line, and also as a thoroughly reliable and responsible business man. He con- ducts a large business, giving constant employment to a force of thirty-six skilled mechanics, and some of the most important con- tracts in the city have been entrusted to him. All kinds of tin, copper and sheet iron work is turned out at his shop and he also carries a large stock of the best makes of parlor and cook stoves and ranges. His specialty is tin, slate, metal and gravel roofing, and every contract which he undertakes is carried out under his own personal supervision, thereby guaranteeing the best work possible. Mr. McGregor is not only an active and enterprising business man, successful in his own line, but also takes great interest in the welfare and progress of the city generally. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, St. Andrews Society and Schenectady Tribe No. 123, Inde- pendent Order of Red Men.
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JOHN H. COLLINS, M. D., was born in Salem, Washington County, N. Y., June 30, 1869. He received a fine literary education at the Washington Academy in his native place and then taught school for two years, after which he was variously employed until 1894, when he entered the medical department of the University of Vermont, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1897, with the degree of M. D. After graduating he remained in Burlington and entered the office of Dr. W. G. Flanders, where he remained for about six months ; but in the fall of that year (1897) he came to Schenectady, located permanently, and began the practice of his profession in this city, where he has already acquired a high reputation as a popular and successful physician and surgeon.
Dr. Collins is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society and of the college fraternity, Alpha Kappa Kappa, of which he has been Grand Secretary for three consecutive terins. During his last year in college he was chapter president and was delegate from the Delta Chapter to the national convention at Boston. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, in which he has held the office of president for two years, of Cantuquo Tribe No. 361, of the Independent Order of Red Men, of Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
In June, 1900, John H. Collins, M. D., married Mary F., daughter of Thomas and Mary Toohey of Schuylerville, N. Y.
Dr. Collins is a son of Martin H. and Margaret (Howard) Collins, both natives of Ireland.
Dr. Collins is a thorough illustration of the younger and more advanced physicians who, in their medical course, have profited by the remarkable advancement in the sciences of medicine and surgery in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He is also a public spirited and enterprising gentleman, who takes an intelligent interest in the welfare and progress of his adopted city and he stands high, not only with the public at large, but with the learned profession to which he belongs.
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THOMAS L. WASSON was born in Schenectady in July, 1873, and was educated in the schools of his native place. He has been a hotel man all his life. In 1894 his father died and he and his brother Andrew, succeeded to the business which they still conduct.
Thomas L. Wasson's parents were Thomas L. and Mary (Westcott) Wasson.
Mr. Wasson is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the National Order of Mohawks and is vice-president of the Wine & Liquor and Beer Dealer's Association.
HON. B. CLEVELAND SLOAN-One of the notable men in the public life of the city of Schenectady at the beginning of the twentieth century, is the Hon. B. Cleveland Sloan. He is a Southerner by birth, having been born in the state of South Caro- lina, and the gentlemanly attributes of the well bred Southerner, which were inculcated in his early days, are still a strong character- istic of his individuality. He was born in the south and prepared for college at the Columnbia Military Academy, winning a scholarship to Union College, where he completed his education, and was graduated in the class of 1883. He then took a course in the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated in 1884, and subsequently received the degree of A. M. from Union College.
Having completed his educational career, Mr. Sloan returned to his native state and for four years was assistant clerk in the House of Representatives of South Carolina. On July 20, 1886, he was com- missioned by Gov. J. C. Sheppard, a second lieutenant in the Colum- bian Artillery and served the full term of enlistment in this celebrated military organization, which is one of the best known and most popular in the state of South Carolina. When attending the military school it was conducted by Captain Hugh S. Thomson, who afterwards became governor of the state of South Carolina, and also assistant secretary of the- treasury under President Cleveland. Cap- tain Thomson is now comptroller of the New York Life Insurance Company.
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Within a short time after the expiration of the terin of his enlist- ment, Mr. Sloan came to Schenectady, N. Y., and being impressed with its natural and acquired advantages, which insure a prosperous future, he made it his permanent home. Here he became represen- tative of the Provident Life and Trust Company, a Quaker organiza- tion of Philadelphia, and through his energy, activity and business ability he has become district manager for this company, and has made it one of the inost active and successful agencies in the city.
It is but natural, and fortunate, that a man of Mr. Sloan's ability and education should take an active interest in public affairs. In politics he is an unswerving Democrat and has held a seat in the Board of Aldermen with credit to himself and profit to the city. While chairman of the committee on claims and accounts, the systematic manner in which he always prepared his audits made them not only very valuable but convenient for reference. He has for years been active in the support of his party throughout the county, as well as in the city, and stands high in the councils of the party, and in the respect and esteein of his fellow Democrats. He is always abreast of the times, clear in his views and strong to uphold them, true to his friends, staunch to his cause and always reliable.
In addition to politics and business Mr. Sloan has also achieved distinction as a literary man, having written and copyrighted many fine articles. One of the New York insurance journals offered a prize for the best essay on "What is the Best System of Life Insur- ance ?" and Mr. Sloan's article, which has since been very widely read, was awarded the prize.
Mr. Sloan is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., with which he has been affiliated since April 13, 1893. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for about twelve years, was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity when attending Union College, and is a member of the First Reformed Church.
On his father's side Mr. Sloan is of Scotch-Irish descent, and on his mother's of Huguenot extraction. His more immediate ances- tors, however, have been residents of America for generations.
Charles Proteus Steinmetz,
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CHARLES PROTEUS STEINMETZ, one of the foremost electricians and scholars of this country or of this day, was born in Breslau, southeast Germany, April 9, 1865. After graduating from the high school, he entered the University of Breslau, in 1882, where he studied mathematics and astronomy, subsequently taking up physics and chemistry, following this by a course of medicine, and ultimately studying national economy. Through this last study, he became interested in the political controversy between the German govern- ment and the opposition parties which was at its height at that time, namely, 1887. Through his interest in the matter, he ultimately became very active, espousing the side of the Social Democratic Party. His advocacy of the principles of this party was so strong and his views so pronounced that he became involved in difficulties with the German government, which sought to prosecute him, but he escaped to Zurich, Switzerland, in 1888, and there entered the Polytechnic Institute to study mechanical engineering.
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