USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 49
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In May, 1889, Mr. Steinmetz came to the United States, and soon found a position with the Eickemeyer & Osterheld Manufacturing Company, in Yonkers, N. Y. He very soon became a warm personal friend of Mr. Eickemeyer, who, after leaving Germany in 1848, under circumstances similar to those accompanying Mr. Steinmetz' emigra- tion, had become one of the leading inventors and a pioneer in the field of electrical engineering, and who was the author of a number of inventions of fundamental importance.
In 1893 the Eickemeyer & Osterheld Manufacturing Company was absorbed by the General Electric Company and Mr. Steinmetz then went to Lynn, Mass., at that time the headquarters of the General Electric Company. With the transfer of the headquarters of this company to Schenectady, in 1894, he came to the latter place where he has since remained.
Mr. Steinmetz, in addition to being a highly successful, practical engineer, is also the author of numerous publications of high value. These not only comprise treatises on purely mathematical subjects, but also on the science of electricity and electrical engineering. He made extensive experimental investigations on magnetism in connec-
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ยท SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
tion with Mr. Eickemeyer, and the results of these experiments were published in three papers during the years 1892-'93 and '94, and led to the foundation of the law of Magnetic Hysteresis.
At the International Electrical Congress held in Chicago in 1893, Mr. Steinmetz read a paper on "The Application of the Complex Quantity in Electrical Engineering." . The theory of complex quan- tities, as applied to electrical phenomena, introduced and developed by Mr. Steinmetz, has now become the most powerful and important method of dealing with these phenomena. In 1897 he published an extensive work entitled, "Theory and Calculation of Alternating Current Phenomena," which work has been translated into several languages and several editions have been issued in the United States. A more recent and very important publication of his is a treatise on "Theoretical Elements of Electrical Engineering."
Through his intelligence, education and advanced views, Mr. Steinmetz naturally gravitated to this country and became associated with the General Electric Company, the greatest electrical concern in the world today, and in the carrying on of this vast enterprise he is, unquestionably, a very valuable factor.
ISAAC H. SPOOR was born in Albany County, N. Y., November 20, 1851. When ten years of age he came to Schenectady, where he remained for the next eleven years, and, upon attaining his majority, he learned the telegraph business, and was operator in the Grand Central depot in New York for six months. .
Leaving New York, he returned to his native city, Albany, and took the position of bookkeeper with Chapin & Foster, dealers in pictures. In 1874 he went to Newtonville, and embarked in the grocery business on his own account. While at Newtonville he was postmaster for two years. He next went to Lishas Kill, where he was in the mercantile business for two years, after which he con- ducted a general store in Dunnsville for some time, and there he was postinaster for three and one-half years.
On October 15, 1881, Isaac H. Spoor married Jennie Hallenbeck, of Albany, N. Y. They have two children, Lulu and Anna.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Spoor went to Savannah, Wayne County, N. Y., where he was in the grocery business for one year, when he finally settled in Schenectady and established a grocery business, which he conducted for seven years. He then built a block and retired from business for two years, at the end of which time he embarked in the restaurant business, which he conducted for one year.
Returning to the grocery business, he was again engaged in that line for five and one-half years, after which he again withdrew from business and spent considerable time in traveling, including the Southern States and Cuba in his travels.
In August, 1901, he opened his real estate office, which he still conducts, dealing in city real estate generally, as well as looking after his own private interests.
Mr. Spoor's parents were John J. and Anna E. (Hallenbeck) Spoor. His ancestors on both sides were of Holland descent. His paternal grand-parents were Jacob and Hannah (Sinitli) Spoor, and liis maternal grand-parents were Captain Tunis Hallenbeck and Margaret (Crounse) Hallenbeck.
Mr. Spoor has always been an enterprising and successful business man, and is to-day one of the substantial business men of the city of Schenectady.
BERNARD WHYTE was born in Ireland, March 3, 1834, and was the son of James and Catherine (Gannon) Whyte. After his school days he was engaged in farming in the old country until July, 1860, when he came to the United States. He first settled in Albany and remained there a few years before coming to Schenectady. In 1865, he came to this city and was employed in the Schenectady Locomo- tive Works for twenty-five years. At the expiration of that time lie embarked in the grocery business, which he still conducts. Mr. Whyte is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. I, and was a member of the Board of Education for a terin.
On October 15, 1863, Bernard Whyte married Mary Maloney and they have two children, Mary Ann and Rosa.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
RICHARD T. LOMASNEY, EsQ .- The Bar of Schenectady includes many brilliant lawyers, jurists and judges, and among them a high and honorable position is occupied by the subject of this sketch, who is thoroughly representative of what inay fittingly be called the younger circle of Schenectady's representative men.
Richard T. Lomasney was born in Schenectady, N. Y., October 2, 1859, and received his preliminary education in St. John's Roman Catholic School, and the Union Classical Institute of his native city, graduating from the latter institution with honors in the class of 1876. He subsequently entered Union College, and after a creditable course, was graduated from that old and well known institution in the class of 1881. Immediately after graduating he took up the study of law in the office of Judge S. W. Jackson, and was regularly admitted to the Bar in September, 1883.
On January 1, 1884, Mr. Lomasney was appointed clerk of the Surrogate's Court, and held this, his first political office, until 1892. In 1886 he was the Democratic nominee for District Attorney, but Schenectady was then, as now, Republican. In 1892 he was appointed State Bank Examiner and, at the expiration of his term of service, he returned to Schenectady and opened his law offices in the Ellis Building, subsequently removing to his present location in the Veeder Building on State street, where he has succeeded in building up a fine legal practice, and has made for himself a respected name in the legal profession. He does a general law business and prac- tices in all the courts of the city, county and state, and, through his success as a lawyer and his ability as a counsel, he has built up an extensive clientile.
In 1894 he was the delegate of his party to the state convention that nominated Governor Flower, and has since been a delegate several times. He stands high in the councils of his party in Schenectady, and his voice and opinions are always sought on ques- tions and occasions of any importance.
Richard T. Lomasney married on April 29, 1886, Annie Tempany, daughter of ex-Alderman Tempany, and they have a family of four daughters.
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Mr. Lomasney is a member of St. John's church and of the A. O. H., and was for some time president of the local organization. He was the county delegate from this organization to the national con- vention of the order, held at Hartford, Conn., in 1890.
It is not only because of his position in legal, political and social circles that Mr. Lomasney is entitled to ample recognition in a history of his native county, but also because he takes an intelligent and active interest in everything tending to the progress and advance- ment of Schenectady.
JOHN WIEDERHOLD & Co .- This house was established about a quarter of a century ago by John Wiederhold and Charles S. Wash- burne, and its record has been one of unbroken success and pros- perity. This establishment is one of the notable manufacturing houses of Schenectady, and they make ladies' and childrens' under- wear. The trade of the house extends all over the United States, and the quality of its goods is not excelled by that of any other house in the world. They employ about 500 hands.
Mr. Wiederhold is a native of Germany and Mr. Washburne is a native of the state of New York. Both are enterprising and suc- cessful business men, and the great industry which they represent is an important factor in the business and commercial life of the city of Schenectady. A house like this is a benefit to the reputation of a city, abroad as well as at home, and their goods make a market for themselves because of their quality, excellence of workmanship and lowness of price, and naturally attract attention to the place where they are manufactured.
WILLIAM STOOPS was born in the north of Ireland in the year 1825, and came to America and settled in Schenectady, N. Y., in the year 1849. He worked at his trade, that of tailor, until 1864, when he opened a business of his own, which he has since conducted. Mr. Stoops is a thorough mechanic in his line and has, throughout his long career, built up a high reputation, both for good work and honorable business methods.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
HENRY R. YATES, chief of the Schenectady Fire Department, is a son of Charles M. and Mary (DeForrest) Yates, and was born in the city of Schenectady, February 27, 1870. After receiving a thorough public school education, he took a course in the Trinity Military Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1887.
After leaving college, Henry R. Yates took a position in his father's furniture store, and remained there in that capacity until the business was closed out in 1899. In September of that year he was appointed chief of the Schenectady Fire Department, which position he has filled with such ability and public satisfaction that he is still in office.
On November 20, 1890, Henry R. Yates married Julia, daughter of Daniel Thomas, and they have one son, Edward Yates.
Mr. Yates is a member of the Order of Elks, of the Red Men, of St. Paul's Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., and of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M.
He has always taken a lively and active interest in the public affairs of the city of Schenectady, and represented the second ward at the Council Board for a period of four years.
HIRAM PEARSON was born in the city of Scranton, Pa., Septem- ber 22, 1862. He is a son of William Anson and Margaret 0 Pearson. He was educated at the Scranton High School, from which he graduated in the class of 1878. After leaving school he learned the trade of inachinist and was in the employ of the Dixon Manufacturing Company for a period of five years, after which he became foreman in the Boies Steel Car Wheel Works, which position he filled for four years, after which he was made assistant superin- tendent and remained with this company in that capacity for four years more. ...
In 1894 Mr. Pearson came to Schenectady and entered the service of the General Electric Company as draughtsman. After working two years in the draughting room, he was made chief engineer of the power house, which position he still occupies.
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Mr. Pearson is 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., Bloss Council No. 14, St. George's Commandery No. 37, Knights Templar, and the Oriental Nobles of the Mystic Slirine at Troy, N. Y.
On January 5, 1885, Hiram Pearson married Tillie M., daughter of John G. and Caroline Sailer. They have five children, namely, Margaret Irene, William Anson, J. Sailer, Harold Austin and Helen Cordeaux.
JOHN S. WEEKS was born in the city of Schenectady, July 4, 1863. His parents were John S. and Elizabeth (Glenn) Weeks. His mother's father was Simon Glenn. John S. Weeks was educated in the Union school of his native city and worked for the New York Central Railroad Company as fireman for six years. He began firing in 1878, and in 1884 became an engineer on the road. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and also of the Royal Arcanum.
John S. Weeks married Ella Grey, daughter of Henry and Mary (Maser) Grey. They have two children, Elizabeth and Mary.
STEVENSON BROS .- The business of Stevenson Brothers, plunibers, was established in 1875 by William R. Stevenson. In 1876 he admitted his brother, Charles D., into partnership, and the present firm name of Stevenson Bros. was adopted, and under it the business has been carried on ever since. They occupy premises 117x40 feet, three stories high, and also have another store across the street 98x30 feet, two stories high. They employ about twenty-five people and their business is not only one of the largest of its kind in Schenectady, but in this part of the state.
William R. Stevenson was born in Saratoga County in January, 1856, and his brother, Charles D., was born in the same county in January, 1851. They are both enterprising and honorable business inen.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
THEODORE STEBBINS was born in Waterloo, Iowa, April 23, 1865. He was educated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which institution he was graduated in 1886, with the degree of S. B. Since that time he has been in the employ of the General Electric Company in Boston, New York, Chicago and Schenectady. He came to Schenectady in 1894, and has resided here permanently since that time. Mr. Stebbins is a member of the American Insti- tute of Electrical Engineers, and his entire professional life has been in connection with the General Electric Company, its predecessors and allied interests.
MILTON G. PLANCK, M. D .- One of the best known and inost successful physicians of the city of Schenectady, was born in the town of Sharon, Schoharie County, N. Y., February 4, 1842. After receiving a sound common school education, he was prepared for college at the seminaries of Fort Plain and Cazenovia, and entered Union College in 1863, being graduated therefrom, after a highly creditable course, in the class of 1867, with the degree of A. B.
Immediately after graduating he entered the office of Dr. A. M. Vedder for the study of medicine, and remained in this office for three years ; but, during the winter months of that time, he attended lectures in the medical department of Columbia College, and received his degree of M. D., from that college in March, 1870. He then, opened an office of his own in Schenectady, and began the regular practice of his profession, in which he has built up the repi- tation for being one of the most skillful and successful practitioners of the city or county.
He is a member of both the Schenectady County Medical Society and the New York State Medical Association, and also of the college fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa. He has held the offices of county and city physician, and has held the office of county coroner for two terms.
In addition to his medical profession, Dr. Planck has given a great deal of time and attention to the cultivation of the sugar beet, and has contributed many able articles on this subject to agricultural and
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
other publications. He has given particular attention to the develop- ment of the special branch of this industry which is located at Rome, N. Y.
In June, 1871, Milton G. Planck, M. D., married Elizabeth A., daughter of Stephen and Elanor (Livingston) Livingston of Johns- town, N. Y. They have had four children, namely, Nellie L., Irena D., wife of Harry Hissong, auditing clerk to the paymaster-general of the United States Army, and now at Manila, P. I., Bertha, (deceased) and Ida D. Dr. Planck's parents were Adamn and Irena (Dunckle) Planck. His ancestors were Germans and came to the United States in 1810.
Personally Dr. Planck is a courteous and affable gentleman, and his success is due to this, as well as to the fact that he has always been a student as well as a practitioner, and has kept up with the rapid march of science in medicine and surgery which has character- ized the last quarter of. the century. He also takes a lively interest in the progress and welfare of the city of Schenectady, with whose affairs he has been intimately associated for the last thirty-two years.
WILLIAM A. WARNER was born in Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y., October 7, 1850, and was the son of Martin and Margaret (Walton) Warner. He was educated in the district schools and remained on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he went to Albany and worked for the Hudson River Bridge Com- pany until 1873. On July 7: 1873, he began firing on the D. & H. Railroad and remained with them in that capacity until 1879, when he was promoted to the position of engineer and ran an engine until February, 1901. He is now a machinist in the round house, and is a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers.
On September 12, 1876, William A. Warner married Mary Reagan. They have two children, Marguerite, now Mrs. Irving S. Williams of Schenectady, and Francis. Mr. Warner's ancestors were of German extraction and his wife's of American origin.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
JAMES MCKINNEY was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in October, 1841. After his school days he learned the trade of cigarinaker, but shortly after the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company B, 134th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. This was in 1862, and he served for three years, or until the close of the war. After the war he returned home and resumed his trade, in which he was engaged until 1890, when he embarked in the real estate business, which he has since pursued. Mr. McKin- ney is a member of Horsfall Post, G. A. R.
JANET MURRAY, M. D., C. M., was born in Peebles, Scotland, in 1860. Her parents were Ralph and Isabella (Kerr) Murray. She was educated partially in England and finished in Canada. She entered Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, 1887, finally grad- uating from the inedical department of that. institution in the class of 1891, with the degree of M. D., C. M. While attending college she was also connected with the offices of Drs. Irwin of Kingston and Embury of Belleville, Ontario.
In 1892, Dr. Murray located in Schenectady and began the regular practice of her profession, which she has successfully pursued for the past ten years. She is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society.
REV. WILLIAM H. WALSH was born in the city of Troy, N. Y., and received his secular education at St. Peter's Parish school, St. Michael's College of Toronto, and St. Charles' College, Ellicott City, Md., graduating from the latter institution in 1890. He then entered St. Joseph's Theological Seminary of Troy, N. Y., from which, in 1895, he was ordained a priest. In that year he was appointed to St. Bridget's Parish, Watervliet, N. Y., his first charge. He subsequently officiated as chaplain in the Troy Hospital, and in 1899 came to St. John's Church, Schenectady, as curate, in which position he has since been laboring. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of all the church societies.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN J. MCMULLEN, one of the young attorneys of Schenectady, was born in that city, January 15, 1877. He received his literary education in the public schools and the Classical Institute of Schenectady, and then entered the Albany Law School in the year 1900. He took the full two years' course and was graduated in June, 1902, with the degree of LL. B. In the next month (July) of that year, he was admitted to the Bar at Catskill, N. Y.
He began practice in Schenectady, acting as a clerk in the office of Hon. Austin A. Yates for about a year. He is still located in these offices.
Mr. McMullen is a member of the Alpha Zeta and Delta Phi college fraternities, of the Republican Club and the Spanish War Veterans. Upon the opening of hostilities with Spain in the spring of 1898, he enlisted in Company E, Second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and received his honorable discharge when the regiment was mustered out.
Mr. McMullen's parents were James H. and Catherine (Hagan) McMullen, both of whom are deceased. The family has lived many years in Schenectady and has always been highly respected, both in business and social circles.
WILLIAM WHITE was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., June 23, 1868, and is a son of Edward and Winifred (Plower) White. After his school days he learned the trade of machinist in the village of Herkimer, and then came to Schenectady, where he worked in a knitting mill for six months, after which, he entered the Schenectady Locomotive Works where he remained for five years. He was employed as a steam-fitter in New Haven for three and one-half years, after which he took employment in the works of the General Electric Company in Schenectady, and is still connected with that company running a drill press.
While in New Haven, he married Mary E. Compton in 1894. Mr. White is a member of the National Order of United Workmen, of the Red Men, and of Division No. 2, Ancient Order of Hiber- nians. Mr. White's father was a soldier in Grant's army.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
GEORGE G. WISE was born in Lyme, Grafton County, New Hampshire, in 1848. He is the son of George W. and Harriet M. (Gardner) Wise. His first business experience was in the retail ineat business, in connection with which he was also in the droving busi- ness until 1890, when he moved to Mechanicville, N. Y., where he opened a meat market. This business he conducted for two years, after which he took a position with the S. & S. Company, with which he was connected for eight years.
Mr. Wise is a member of Mount Cube Lodge No. 10, F. and A. M., of Orford, N. H., and St. Andrew's Chapter, Lebanon, N. H. He was chief of police at Lyme, N. H., for seven years, and was tax collector for five years. His wife's maiden name was Ida F. Danfort, daughter of William F. Danfort. Mr. Wise's ancestors were English and his wife's Scotch.
P. THOMAS MARKEY, M. D., son of Thomas H. and Margaret (McGovern) Markey, was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y., August 23, 1871. He graduated from the High school in the class of 1890, and then entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of M. D.
Immediately after graduating, he opened an office at St. Regis Falls, N. Y., where he practiced for a few months, when he came to Schenectady and remained for a time. He then went to Wood Haven, Long Island, where he acted as assistant physician at Dr. Combe's Sanitarium, and where he remained for over a year. He next opened an office in New York City and practiced here for a year, but finally, in 1897, he returned to his native city and located permanently, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Markey is a member of the Franklin County Medical Society, of the Schenectady County Medical Society, of the New York State Medical Association, and also of the college fraternities Alpha Zeta and Phi Sigma Kappa. Dr. Markey married Rose Banker Barrett, June 6, 1900. Her parents were Thomas Barrett and Mary Eliza- beth Barrett.
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LOUIS NICHOLAS was born in Germany, September 12, 1862, and came to the United States and settled in Schenectady in 1880. Here he was first employed in the Schenectady Locomotive Works for eighteen months, after which he went to Green Island and worked in the D. & H. Railroad shops there for six months. From Green Island he went to the New York Central shops at West Albany, where he remained a year, after which he went to the Boston & Albany shop in East Albany, where he remained three years. At the expiration of this time, he went to Frankfort, N. Y., and was employed in the West Shore Railroad shops four and one-half years, after which he went to Syracuse, and had charge of the round house there for the New York Central Railroad for three years. He next went to Atlanta, Ga., and worked for the C. of G. Railroad for one year, when he went to Macon, Ga., to take charge of the round house there for the G. S. & F. Railroad, and remained in that posi- tion two years. In 1893 he returned to Schenectady and embarked in his present business. In 1901 he built the premises which he 110w occupies.
On June 12, 1883, Louis Nicholas married Sophia Bohrer of Schenectady, and they have three children living, Alfred, Amelia and John, and one child, Josephina, deceased.
JOHN WEBBER was born in Devonshire, England, November 27, 1842, and began to learn the trade of carriage builder when eleven years of age. In 1859 he came over to New York, where he worked at his trade for eight months, when he moved up to Albany, where he worked for about five years. He then worked at Troy for a year, after which he went to Saratoga, where he remained for three and one-half years. In 1870, he came to Schenectady, which he made his permanent home, and where he has since carried on his business.
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