USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 51
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They are in every way equipped for carrying on the business of undertaking and funeral directing with the highest degree of success.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
THOMAS PRENTICE was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, February 17, 1862, and was educated in the Grammar school of his native city, from which institution he was graduated in 1879.
After leaving school he took a position as doffer in a cotton mill at New Lanark, and remained there six months, after which he went to Stanmore, as page boy, which position he held for two years. He then took up the blacksmith trade, as an apprentice at Carloch, and remained there five years, after which he returned to his native city, Glasgow, and entered the employment of a firm of shipbuilders, working at his trade of blacksmith. Subsequently he worked in the Dobbs Locomotive Works, where he remained three years, after which he moved to Sheffield, England, where he was employed by the Thomas Firth Steel Company for six months.
For some time Mr. Prentice had been contemplating a trip to America, with a view to bettering his condition and prospects ; accordingly, in 1884, he sailed for New York, and after arriving there secured employment with the Dry Dock Car Company, where he remained six months, after which he was a blacksmith for the Elevated Railroad Company for nearly two years. Leaving New York, he went to Paterson, N. J., and worked as blacksmith for the Rogers Locomotive Works for five years, three years of which he was assistant foreman of the blacksmith department. He next moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he was employed in the Loco- motive Works as foreman for one year.
In 1895, Mr. Prentice came to Schenectady to take employment with the General Electric Company, and is now superintendent of the blacksmith shop in the works.
Mr. Prentice is a member of St. Paul's Lodge No. 219, I. O. O. F. and of the Schenectady County Republican Club, with which party he is affiliated, and in the success of which he takes an active and earnest interest. He also takes a deep interest in public affairs, and has achieved a high reputation as a public speaker, having taken the stump for his party on different occasions, and always with great success. On May 30, 1889, he attracted a great deal of attention because of an address delivered by him to the members of Post Horsfall No. 90, G. A. R. Not only was this address a masterly
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effort, but it is also notable because Mr. Prentice was the first foreign- born American ever asked to address a G. A. R. post on Memorial Day. The Schenectady Daily Union devoted two columns to this address, and the entire press of the city gave it liberal and compli- mentary notices.
When President Roosevelt was a candidate for governor of the state of New York in 1898, he visited Schenectady on November I of that year, and Mr. Prentice made the address of welcome to him, on behalf of the workmen of Schenectady.
On September 1, 1887, Thomas Prentice married Ida V., daughter of Asa D. and Elizabeth (Sayre) Bennett. They have three children, Thomas, Edward Harper and Ida Vincent. His father was Thomas Prentice, who now resides in Newark, N. J. His mother was Janet (Bow) Prentice, who died in Newark, N. J.
Mr. Prentice is popular, not only with the workinen, but with all classes in Schenectady. He is a courteous and genial gentleman, and well deserves the success he has attained.
CLARENCE A. MACMINN, M. D., was born in Treadwell, Delaware County, N. Y., September 2, 1872. He graduated from the High school in Oneonta in 1891, after which lie held a position in the postoffice for two years. He then entered the office of his uncle, Dr. J. A. Munson of Woodbourne, to study medicine, and in 1895 entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1898. After graduating he spent some time in the Willard Parker Hospital and also in Bellevue Hospital. In the fall of 1898 he came to Schenectady and began the active practice of his profession in this city. He is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society and of the K. O. T. M., and is examining physician for the ladies of the K. O. T. M. He is also a member of the University Club.
On September 21, 1898, Clarence A. MacMinn, M. D., married Antionette, daughter of Charles E. Smith. They have one son, Charles S. Dr. MacMinn's parents were Charles and Josephine (Munson) MacMinn,
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EDWIN SCHERMERHORN was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., June 4th, 1862. After his school days he moved to Schenectady and entered the employ of Andrew McMullen, with whom he remained for two years, after which he was in the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for three years. He next worked on the horse cars for a time, after which he was with S. R. James for about a year, when he took a position on the street railroad where he remained for five years. Leaving the street railroad, he was a clerk in the Aitken Tea Store for five years.
In October, 1899, Mr. Schermerhorn einbarked in the insurance business on his own account, and, besides other interests, is now agent for the United States Health and Accident Insurance Com- pany.
On March 2, 1885, Edwin Schermerhorn married Ida M. Smith, daughter of Judge David F. and Martha J. (Swett) Smith of Cres- cent, N. Y. She died November 6th, 1893, leaving two children, Charles V. and Olive L.
On June 19, 1895, Mr. Schermerhorn married his present wife, Anna C. Smith, sister of his first wife. Mr. Schermerhorn's parents were Clinton M. and Ann E. (Fuller) Schermerhorn. He is a deacon in the English Lutheran church of which he has been a member for ten years.
ED. L. DAVIS .- It is to the architect that every edifice owes not only its beauty, but its substantial qualities which imake it attractive and serviceable. Moreover, the history of a city is indicated to no small extent by the architecture of the different periods of its growth, and its commercial prosperity and enterprise is always crystalled in its architecture.
During the later and inore flourishing days of the city of Schenec- tady has Mr. Ed. L. Davis played an important part in designing and superintending the structure of important edifices in this city, among them the residences of J. Bayard Backus, M. DeForest Yates, Robert J. Landon, William Faust, M. D., Edward E. Kreigsman, W. C. Mason, Wallace Schermerhorn, C. W. Bailey, Mason Hall,
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Albert J. Levy and several public buildings, including the Kinum Building, Talbot Building, Burtiss Building, Empire Laundry Build- ing, Allen Building, Empire Apartment Building, apartment house for Louis Faust, M. D., and the Schenectady County Almshouse.
He was born in the city of Schenectady, December 26, 1856, and was graduated from the High school in the class of 1874. After graduating, he was a drug clerk for Dr. A. Truax & Company for a period of six years, after which he conducted a drug business of his own for nine years.
In 1891 he took up the profession of architect, in which he has since been constantly engaged and in which he has become the acknowledged leader in Schenectady. Many of the best private residences of the city have been erected according to his plans and under his supervision, and not only has he played an important part in building up the new city, but he also takes a lively interest in the progress and advancement of Schenectady in every way.
He is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., Schenectady City Lodge, No. 319, Knights of Pythias, of the Red Men, and Lodge No. 480, B. P. O. E., and represented the second ward on the Board of Aldermen in 1902-03.
January 22, 1889, he married Harriet D., daughter of Jacob N. and Sarah A. (Van Patten) Vedder. His wife died in 1890, leaving one daughter, Harriet E.
Mr. Davis is of Welsh descent. His parents were James H. 'and Caroline A. (Clute) Davis.
GEORGE B. TEAMES, M. D., was born in Litchfield County, Conn., June 8, 1857. He entered Dartmouth College in 1876, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1880, with the degree of B. S. For the next three years he was engaged in civil engineer- ing, and then began the study of medicine. After a time he again took up engineering and followed it for five years in the west. .
In 1890, he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, with the degree of M. D., and imme- diately after graduating, opened an office in New York, and began
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the regular practice of his profession. He remained in New York City until 1898, when he located permanently in Schenectady, and has built up a large and influential practice during the four years of his residence here.
Dr. Teames is a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society, and during his residence in the west was elected to the office of County Surveyor in the state of Kansas. He also held the office of Deputy United States Mineral Surveyor in Idaho, to which he was appointed November 12, 1883.
In February, 1887, George B. Teames, M. D., married Elma Stam- back of Richmond, Indiana. They have one daughter, Elma, born February 11, 1891.
Dr. Teames' father was George W. Teamnes, who was born in Albany County, N. Y., and died February 19, 1900. His mother was Julia A. (Bertrand) Teames. She was born in Saratoga County and was of French descent. Her grandfather, Bertrand, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War.
Personally Dr. Teames is a courteous and affable gentleman, and although he has resided in Schenectady but a few years, he is already regarded as one of the leading physicians of the city.
HERMAN V. MYNDERSE, M. D., son of Barent A. Mynderse, M. D., and Albertine S. (Tenbroeck) Mynderse, was born in the house where he now resides on Liberty street, Schenectady, N. Y., May 29, 1861. After a thorough preparatory education, he entered Union College and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1884. He then took a course in the Albany Medical College, fromn which he was graduated in the class of 1887, with the degree of M. D. After graduating he spent a year in the Nursery and Child's Hospital in New York City, after which he returned to Schenectady and began the regular practice of his profession in his father's office, which he has continued up to the present time.
Barent A. Mynderse, M. D., father of the subject of this sketch, was also a graduate of Union College and a member of the class of 1849; also of the Albany Medical College of the class of 1853. He
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practiced medicine in Schenectady from the date of receiving his degree until the time of his death, October 2, 1887. He was not only a prominent physician, but was one of the respected men of his day in Schenectady. The Mynderse family is one of the oldest in Schenectady, and the name is one of the most honorable in the history of the place.
Herman V. Mynderse, M. D., is not only a successful and popular physician, but is also associated with the progress and development of the city of Schenectady. He was a member of the Board of Education for a period of eight years, and was president of the Board during the last two years of his service. He is also a director in the Mohawk National Bank.
JOHN WIRTENBERGER was born in Schenectady, July 25, 1870, and was educated at the Classical school. After leaving school he embarked in the grocery business, which he conducted for five years, at the end of which period he was burned out. A year subsequently, in 1901, he purchased his present business.
Mr. Wirtenberger is a member of the Red Men, the National Order of Mohawks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Keystone Club. He is a Democrat in politics, and takes a lively interest in the success of the party. He has always been a successful and highly respected business man.
In April, 1898, John Wirtenberger married Bertha Ruede of Watervliet. His parents were Jacob and Barbara (Smith) Wirten- berger. His father was born in Germany in 1832, and came to America and settled in Schenectady in 1850. His mother was also a native of Germany.
Mr. Wirtenberger purchased the property at the corner of State and Clinton streets, more familiarly known as the Old Corner, where he now conducts a first-class cafe. He also has the largest and best equipped pool and billiard parlors in the city. His father, Jacob Wirtenberger, was forty years in the same business in this city.
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COLONEL ROBERT FURMAN .- No story of Schenectady would be complete nor to an old resident at all satisfactory, without a record of the eminent services rendered in the closing years of the last cen- tury by Colonel Furman. Foremost in every enterprise that infused new blood and life into the city of his adoption, one of its best and most valued representatives in the Legislature, colonel of its regi- ment, promoter of the greater enterprises that awoke it from a slum- ber of half a century, he was for more than forty years a veritable headlight on the engine of progress. He lived to see the city in the younger growth of its wonderful development; it is to be deeply regretted that he cannot in the inorning of the twentieth century realize that he builded better than he thought or knew.
Robert Furman was born in Franklin, town of Kirkland, Oneida County. His family were in comfortable circumstances. His father, James Furman, was an officer in the War of 1812, rendering brave and efficient service at Sacketts Harbor and along the northern fron- tier. The Colonel's early education was obtained at a classical academy in Mohawk, Herkimer County, and though not collegiate was thorough and complete enough to cause him in after life, with the accumulation of experience, to be recognized as a thoroughly well informed man. At the age of seventeen he came to Schenec- tady, whither his brother, Rensselaer, liad preceded him .and entered his store as a clerk. Attentive to business, honest and trustworthy, he attracted the attention of Myndert Van Guysling, a prosperous merchant, and was taken into his employ.
On December 2, 1857, he married Catharine Ann Van Guysling, the daughter of his employer, and before the death of his father-in-law, had established a firm and solid position among the energetic. busi- ness men of the city.
Ostensibly a merchant, he was really a projector of enterprises, a restless but steady promoter of large and successful business ventures. Most all of the great manufacturing establishments of the city, that have followed the plant of the Locomotive Works in the middle of the last century, owe either their inception or present stability to his unceasing efforts in behalf of his adopted city. He was on the rolls
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The Sorted States History
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of the attorneys of the state and United States Court, and his name appears a generation ago on the calendars of these tribunals.
But the role of merchant and lawyer though well sustained were, as were all of his avocations, subordinate to an unconquerable spirit of enterprise that was a boon to our city. It was a languid town when he came here. It was a city of abounding prosperity when he left it for the lovely resting place in Vale cemetery which he had done so much to create.
He first came into public notice as colonel of the 83d Regiment, and the organization and establishment of that regiment redounds to the credit of his loyalty and patriotism. He was to the last, of stern and uncompromising Democratic faith, but he was one of that grand host known as war democrats, and upheld always the flag and honor of his country, in whatever hands they were entrusted. Governor Horatio Seymour and Colonel Robert Furman were warın personal friends. Meeting one day in New York during the draft riots of 1863, the governor asked the colonel to raise a regiment. That, Mr. Fur- man at once acceded, and bent himself resolutely and determinedly to the work, is to his lasting credit. The guardsmnen of today may look back with a superior, sometimes a supercilious smile at the old New York Militia, but then regiments were recruited for actual service for the front and his regiment was one that was well drilled and prepared to go to the seat of war at a inoment's notice.
There was nothing encouraging to enlistments then-we were in the midst of disaster. The army in front was almost mutinous, for money, real money, was getting scarce and the faitli that afterwards became unfaltering was weak in all this northern country. Seces- sion was exultant in the south. Copperheads were crawling from their burrows in loyal states. Regiments were enlisted for active participation, with war in its bloodiest stages and the flag in the darkest of storm and half hidden by the shadow of defeat. The regiment went into service, was ordered to the Buffalo rendezvous to be equipped and sent to the front which was then on northern soil. The defeat of General Lee at Gettysburg and his retreat caused this order to be countermanded, but no one doubts that Colonel Furman would have lead his regiment into any service to which his country
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called him. Let it be remembered that when the 83d entered into service to obey the call of the president nobody was playing soldier anywhere.
He was elected to the Legislature over Austin A. Yates by forty- eight votes, reversing a majority of five hundred of the year before. He is remembered as an ideal legislator. At first he was smiled at as absurdly chimerical, but when chimeras grew one by one into possibilities and probabilities, and came to the full fruition of accom- plished fact, the city rang with applause. In his one terin-he could never be induced to run again-he secured an appropriation of $30,000 for an armory at Schenectady, and paved the way for the superb structure that now buttresses the park with its stern and imposing architecture.
He got an appropriation of $30,000 for the survey of the Schenec- tady & Ogdensburgh Railroad, to run from here to Canada, and lie astounded the state by obtaining a bill for the appropriation of $100,000 for an observatory at Union College. The Republican governor thought this was going too far and promptly vetoed the bill. Had the governor done the right thing, with the nerve of the assemblyman from Schenectady, that observatory would have been today a home and headquarters for the education of the astronomical world.
A beautiful tribute to his work and memory is contained in two unassuming acts of his which gave help to those who had no votes nor political influence-bills making appropriations to aid the warm- hearted women of the Old Ladies Home and the Sisters of Charity. The colonel could and did do many nice, quiet, unassuming acts of kindness like these in his busy, restless life; and there are many of God's poor living among us who will give their testimony to this today.
His work in behalf of this city can be mnost eloquently summed by the briefest and most unadorned statement of his deeds.
In conjunction with the late Colonel Campbell and Judge Platt Potter he was instrumental in organizing the Schenectady & Ogdensburgh Railroad for the survey of which, he and the congress- man paid out of their own pockets.
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Both of these public-spirited citizens, organized and paid for the survey of the Schenectady & Athens Road. Senator Stanford in the full tide of his business prosperity, united with him in a project to build a locomotive works under management of Peter McQueen, then one of the greatest locomotive builders in the mechanical world. Stanford invested $100,000. Financial reverses and his death caused the project to fall through. The struggling Edison Works of Guerck street, in New York City, inade a bid for the plant. The price demanded was $45,000. But $37,500 could be raised and aided by Ex-Judge A. P. Strong and the Hon. John A. De Remer, the balance, $7,500, was raised.
He was one of the trustees of the Y. M. C. A., and gave $3,000 to its building fund.
Crescent Park was a sand heap. The colonel and Judge Platt Potter owned property on the south side and donated the land to widen the street. It is a poor little park now but beautifully located and the only free breathing spot in all the city, and these gentlemen gave all the resting place in town that a tired man can get in the city without being a trespasser.
He went after the great railroad promoter, A. R. Chisholm of New York, brought him here and induced him to come here and build our street railroad.
He died January 5, 1894, at his beautiful home corner Smith and La Fayette streets, at the age of sixty-eight; before the three score and ten that the Bible and Revised Statutes have prescribed as the normal limit of mental and physical vigor. His death was a serious loss, for he was, as we can now plainly see, a most valuable citizen. His end is said to have been hastened, if not caused, by a malaria that owing to insufficient or improper city drainage carried away many of his neighbors. If this is so, it did most unpoetical injustice to the man who had done all he could for the city whose atmosphere was at last his poison.
He left surviving him, besides his widow, four sons: Robert Fur- man, M. D., Van Guysling Furman, Hamilton Earle Furman and Harry Alonzo Furman, and one daughter, Katharine Ann.
In person Colonel Furman was a man of full habit, portly and
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well preserved. There was nothing of the keen and wily look that romance gives to the successful capitalist. His manner and speech were open, frank and blunt and permeated with a sense of humor that was almost joviality.
He was unstintingly charitable to the poor, intensely sympathetic with the suffering, yet so unostentatious that few knew from whence came the sorely needed help. Merchants were directed to send abundant stores and from his own doors almost daily went relief to every worthy soul of whose trouble he knew.
He was a thorough business man all through, and if he was inex- orable in the enforcement of that which was his right and due, he always unreservedly recognized and yielded to the rights of others. Many a man whose head is well above water in these calmer, better days, should, if he does not, speak kindly of the man who tided him over in the months and years of storm and panic.
He was the best and inost amiable of neighbors, a husband and father whose business ability acquired a beautiful home and left a large competency. He was dearly loved, not alone by his wife and children, but by his family connections far and near, for he was kind, indulgent and generous to a fault with all. To the devoted affection which gave him in life the happiest of homes is added that reverence for his memory that is the best of all testimony to his warmth of heart.
A decade has passed since his death during which the resurrected city has made wonderful history. A magnificient superstructure has been raised on solid foundation. It is but justice to the dead, it is not invidious to the living, to say that among those who laid that foundation there is no name more prominent than that of Robert Furman.
H. EARLE FURMAN was born in the city of Schenectady, March 12, 1872. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place and at the Union Classical Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1890. He then entered Union College and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1894, with the degree of A. B.
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Mr. Furman's father was engaged in the real estate business. He died in February, 1894, and H. Earle Furman succeeded him in the business, which he has since successfully conducted.
Mr. Furman's parents were Robert and Catherine A. (Van Guys- ling) Furman. In addition to being engaged in the real estate busi- ness, Robert Furinan was also an attorney-at-law, colonel of the 83d Regiment and member of assembly 1868 to 1869.
H. Earle Furman is a member of the Alpha Zeta fraternity of the Union Classical Institute, and Chi Psi fraternity of Union College.
ROBERT FURMAN, M. D., son of Colonel Robert Furinan and his wife, Catherine Ann (Van Guysling) Furman, was born in the city of Schenectady, May 5, 1863. He received his literary education at the public schools and Union College. He then entered the Albany Medical College from which he was graduated in the class of 1889 with the degree of M. D. He subsequently took a post-graduate course and since 1892 has been engaged in the practice of medicine in New York City.
In 1891 Dr. Robert Furman married Frenek Dodd of New York City. They have one daughter, Consuelo. Dr. Furman is a inem- ber of the college fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa.
CHARLES LIMMER was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., April 14, 1860, and is the son of Leonard and Mary (Shafer) Limmer. He was educated in the public schools of Cobleskill, N. Y., and for some timne pursued the occupation of landscape gardener. Since 1884 his business has been that of florist. He came to Schenectady in 1901, and established himself in business as a florist, which he still con- ducts.
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