USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 53
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The manufactures of this concern are in use in both hemispheres and they employ at their works from two hundred and fifty to three · hundred men, and their works have been in continuous operation in Schenectady since 1856.
JOSEPH RUSS was born in England, February 12, 1862, and is the son of Simon and Mary (Best) Russ, who brought him to the United States when he was eight years of age. They located in Watervliet, Albany County, and Joseph Russ was educated in the Watervliet schools and the Schenectady Business College. He learned the trade of blacksmith in Watervliet and in 1886 caine to Schenectady and worked two years for Albert Fillion. He then opened a shop of his own on State street, which he conducted for two years when he bought out Mrs. Fillion, and has since conducted the business of blacksmith and carriage-maker at the old stand.
Mr. Russ is a member and Past Grand of Champion Lodge No. 554, I. O. O. F., of the Schenectady Tribe of Red Men, of Court Cohannet, Independent Order of Foresters and of the Firemen's Asso- ciation. He was a volunteer fireman for five years. He is also a member of the Order of Sons of St. George, George Stephenson Lodge No. 318. Mr. Russ is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in public affairs.
On April 29, 1885, Joseph Russ married Mary A. Knight, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Knight. They have three children, Herbert S., Myrtle and Raymond M.
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CHARLES S. PHILLIPS was born on Long Island, August 22, 1858, and received an academical education, graduating in 1876.
After leaving school he served a four years' apprenticeship at the trade of inachinist in the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadel- phia, Pa. He remained with the Baldwin's for a period of eighteen years altogether, occupying successively the positions of machinist, assistant foreman and traveling engineer. In the capacity of travel- ing engineer, he was sent to all parts of the world to deliver and set up engines, and thus gained not only much valuable knowledge in connection with his business, but also of the outside world.
In 1894 Mr. Phillips came to Schenectady and entered the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he was employed until 1896, when he accepted a position with the General Electric Company, as assistant foreman, for six months. At the end of that time he was inade foreman in the Marine Engine Department, which position he now holds.
In 1887 Charles S. Phillips married Anna Mahery, who died nine months later. On June 15, 1895, he married Zada Smith. His parents were Daniel Y. and Martha E. (Corwin) Phillips.
Mr. Phillips is of Welslı descent, and is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M.
MELVIN T. REYNOLDS was born in the town of Thurman, War- ren County, July 4, 1860. After his school days he learned the trade of carriage-maker at which he worked for seven years in Glens Falls. For the next twenty-one years, or up to the present time, he has been engaged in the carpenter business and for the last ten years has been a contractor.
He came to Schenectady in 1887 and has been a factor in the activity of the building trade during the recent years of the city's growth.
On October 8, 1881, Melvin T. Reynolds married Mary McElroy, daughter of John and Anna (Farrar) McElroy. Mr. Reynolds' parents were Joseph and Mary (Pelletier) Reynolds. His father's people were New Englanders and his mother's were French.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
ARCHIBALD C. PICKFORD was born in Schenectady, May 20, 1870, and was educated in the public schools of his native city and at Union College. After leaving college, he was collector upon the Albany Day Line of boats for three years, after which he took up the study of law, which he continued for one year. In 1893, he took charge of his father's meat business, which is still conducted by the firm of Pickford Brothers, his partner being William D. Pickford.
On December 10, 1895, Archibald C. Pickford married Emma Heatley, daughter of Philip and Mary (Hutchinson) Heatley. Mr. Pickford's parents were William D. and Elizabeth Pickford. His mother died in January, 1894, and his father in August, 1893.
Mr. Pickford is a member of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., and of the Phi Delta Theta Society.
Mr. Pickford has two brothers and one sister, namely, Edward P., M. D., of Washington, D. C., William D., his partner, and Phoebe, wife of Morris Blair of Schenectady. The family is of English descent and came to Schenectady in 1821.
WALTER J. RICKEY was born at Athol, Worcester County, Mass., January 7, 1871. He graduated from the High School in 1888. During the two succeeding years he was connected with various kinds of manufacturing work. In 1890 he attended the Mount Hermon School, and in 1891 entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he took a course in mechanical engineering, and was graduated in 1895. After leaving college, he entered the employ of the T. & B. Tool Company of Danbury, Conn., where he remained for two and one-half years, and was their assistant-superintendent when he left their service. In 1897, he entered one of the manu- facturing departments of the General Electric Company in Schenec- tady, of which department he is now the head.
On June 27, 1901, Walter J. Rickey married Grace, daughter of Hon. Judson S. and Emily A. (Pierce) Landon of Schenectady. Mr. Rickey's father was George W. Rickey and his mother Jane A. (Flint) Rickey. Mr. Rickey is a member of the Mohawk Golf Club and of the General Electric Engineering Society.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ROBERT S. Ross was born in Schenectady, N. Y., April 4, 1854, and was educated in the public schools of his native city. After his school days he learned the trade of machinist in the Schenectady Locomotive Works, where he was employed for twenty-one years. For the last thirteen years he has been an employee of the General Electric Works.
On February 15, 1885, Robert S. Ross married Eleanor Scullen, daughter of James and Ellen (Keys) Scullen. They have three children, Robert S. Jr., Genevieve and Esther. Mr. Ross' parents were Duncan and Eleanor (Service) Ross, and he is of Scotch descent. He is a member of the Order of Red Men and of the Catholic church.
WILLIAM M. RIKER was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Janu- ary 16, 1819. He was engaged in the occupation of farming until 1852, when he settled in Schenectady and formed a partnership with William Palmer in the hay and straw business. This partnership continued for five years, when Mr. Palmer retired and his place was taken in the firm by Nicholas Schermerhorn, and they conducted the business for two years. Mr. Riker then bought his present farm and followed gardening for a number of years. In 1900. he sold part of this farm, now known as the Boulevards, to the Briggs Company.
On November 27, 1847, William M. Riker married Eliza Dedrick. His parents were Joseph and Catherine (Clapper) Riker. .
CHARLES F. PETERSON was born in Stockholm, Sweden, Sep- tember 6, 1866, but has resided in the United States since 1884. He was employed as a manufacturer of jewelry in the old country, and when he came to New York he entered the employ of the General Electric Company. He came to Schenectady in 1897 with this company and is now foreman of the Mica Department, in which 400 people are employed. In April, 1888, Charles F. Peterson married Edith Tinnerholm, who is also a native of Sweden. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Order of Red Men and of the Protective Home Circle.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM RYAN, son of William and Mary (Enright) Ryan, was born in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, N. Y., January 10, 1861. After leaving school, he went to work in the freight house at Balls- ton for the D. & H. Railroad Company, after which he was a brake- man on the same road for a year. He then became a fireman, and after six years' experience in that position became a locomotive engineer, and has run an engine on the road ever since. It is a peculiar fact worthy of note that Mr. Ryan has not, during his life, drawn a cent of money from any one except the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company.
In 1883 Mr. Ryan moved to Schenectady from Ballston and on February 6, 1889, he married Anna M. Brady of Schenectady. They have three children, Mary E., Julia and Anna E. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workinen and of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
PATRICK MCDERMOTT was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in January, 1843. His parents were Patrick and Mary (Conroy) McDermott, who came to America in 1848 and settled in Schenec- tady, so that Patrick McDermott was educated in the public schools of this country. After leaving school he worked for seven years in a shawl factory, after which he entered the Schenectady Locomotive Works, and there learned the trade of boilermaker, at which he worked until 1873. In that year he went to West Albany and worked in the railroad shops until 1876, in which year he went to Peru, South America, where he held a government position for four years. Returning to the United States he worked in the railroad shops at West Albany until 1885, when he embarked in the meat and grocery business, in which he is still engaged.
In 1882 Patrick McDermott married Anna Kane and they have five children, namely, Mary, Leo, Anna, Genevieve and John F.
Mr. McDermott is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Benevolent Legion, and was for a long time connected with the Schenectady Fire Departinent, having been at one time assistant engineer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
REV. FATHER JOHN L. REILLY was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., in May, 1853. He began his studies in the Christian Brothers' Academy in his native city, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1868. He then entered Niagara University from which he was graduated in 1872 with the degree of A. B. The degree of A. M. was subsequently conferred upon him by this uni- versity. After leaving Niagara he entered the Provincial Seminary at Troy, N. Y., and was ordained a priest in 1876.
After his ordination, he worked among the mission churches in northern New York until the fall of 1876, when he was appointed curate of St. John's Church in Syracuse, N. Y. Later he became curate at the Cathedral in Albany and in 1878 he spent some time in Europe. Returning from Europe, he resumed his position as curate in the Cathedral at Albany. In 1882 he became secretary and chan- cellor of the diocese, but in the fall of that year he went to Case- novia as pastor of the church there. In the spring of 1885 he returned to Albany and again became secretary and chancellor of that diocese. In January, 1886, he came to Schenectady as pastor of St. John's Church, where he has since ministered.
Father Reilly is a member of the Board of Managers of Ellis Hospital, of the Humane Society, of the Knights of Columbus and of all of his church societies. His parents were John and Rose (O'Neill) Reilly.
The pastors of St. John's Church since it was founded under Rev. Charles Smith of St. Mary's Church, Albany, were the Reverend Fathers Kelly, McCloskey, Falvey, McGeough, Clark and Scully, the last named being the predecessor of Father Reilly.
The first church building of St. John's Church was a small frame structure near the Mohawk Bridge on Washington avenue, where Father Smith of Albany occasionally officiated. This was used until 1839, when a very commodious building was erected on Franklin street. This was used until recently when the splendid new church edifice was erected through the efforts and under the direction of Father Reilly.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
HENRY A. MILLER, son of Charles A. and Eleanor (Lighthall) Miller, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., December 29, 1852, and received a sound education in the public schools of his native city. His first active employment after leaving school was in the capacity of a newsboy on the old Rensselaer & Saratoga Railway. He then went to Schenectady where he served an apprenticeship at the tin and coppersmith's trade, at which he worked for five years. He was next employed as a fireman on the New York Central Railroad, where he remained until 1879, in which year he received an engi- neer's certificate. He lias since followed that occupation on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and bears a splendid reputation for the fidelity and ability with which he discharges the important duties of his position.
Mr. Miller is a member of Dorpian Division No. 172, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and has filled all the chairs of that order. He is also a prominent member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
On August 3, 1875, Henry A. Miller married Anna E. Wolf and they have a family of three children, Eleanor B., William W. and Dorothy S.
CHRISTIAN L. STAVER was born in Germany, July 29, 1863, but was brought to the United States by his parents in 1866, and was educated in the schools of Boonville, Utica and the Union school of Schenectady. His first business occupation was in the capacity of clerk for Ernest Steinfuhrer, with whom he remained two years. He then took up the trade of machinist in the Locomotive Works and remained there for five years. In 1888 he entered the employ of the General Electric Company as machinist, and is now foreman of the power and mining department.
On October 9, 1884, Christian L. Staver married Anna Simpson, daughter of Thomas and Rachael (Van Der Bogart) Simpson. They have a family of six children, namely, Elizabeth, Florence, Lewis, Thomas, Minnie and Esther. Mr. Staver is one of the police com- inissioners of the city of Schenectady.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES SCHLANSKER, son of Christian and Mary (Roderfelt) Schlansker, was born in Germany, November 15, 1853. He was educated in the schools of his native country and worked on his- father's farın until 1871 when he came to the United States of America. In this country he followed farming for a year and one-half, when he removed to Schenectady and took up the trade of boilermaker in the Locomotive Works. He has remained in the Locomotive Works ever since he first entered them and now holds the position of night foreman.
In May, 1876, Charles Schlansker married Mary Cerockemeyer, who is also a native of Germany. They have four children, Edward, William, Henry and Mary. Mr. Schlansker is a member of the German Benevolent Society and of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an honest, industrious and upright man and has a host of friends in the city of Schenectady.
THOMAS H. REEVES was born in England, April 12, 1830. He was educated in England and came to Schenectady in 1852. He began the active duties of life in this city as a clerk for William McCamus & Company, with whom he remained until 1874, when Mr. McCamus retired and the firmn of T. H. Reeves & Company was formed. This company carried on the business until 1892, when the stock company known as the Reeves-Veeder Com- pany was formed, with Thomas H. Reeves as president. This is now one of the large department stores in the city of Schenectady, and is favorably known over a wide range of territory outside the city. To Thomas H. Reeves, who was the founder of this business, is largely due the credit of the great success of this enterprise.
On November 27, 1854, Thomas H. Reeves married Elizabeth A. Van Voast, who was born April 13, 1833. They have a family of three children, Edward H. Reeves, who is an engineer on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, Ella, who is the wife of Harvey R. Henry of Vermont, and Frank P. Reeves, who was a meill- ber of the Reeves-Veeder Company, now the Reeves-Luffinan Co.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
JOHN FRANKLIN CLUTE was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany County, N. Y., February 20, 1855. He was prepared for college at the Union Classical Institute and then took a course in Union College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1876. He read law in the office of John A. DeRemer and was admitted to the Bar in 1879 in which year he began the active prac- tice of his profession in Schenectady.
In 1882 John Franklin Clute married Nettie Augusta Palmer of Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y. They have a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters. Mr. Clute is a member of the Ki Psi, college fraternity.
ALBERT LAWRENCE ROHRER, electrical superintendent of the Schenectady Works, General Electric Company, was born on Febru- ary 29, 1856, in Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio. After receiving a public school education, he took a normal school course and, after lie had graduated from the normal, 1878, he took a special course in physics and mechanics in the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
In June, 1884, Mr. Rohrer entered the employ of the Thomson- Houston Electric Company in Lynn, Massachusetts, and has been identified with that company and its successor, the General Electric Company, ever since. He was transferred to the Schenectady Works immediately after the consolidation of the Edison General Electric Company and the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, in May, 1892. He has always been a student, and his practical mind has inade excellent use of his educational training.
Since coming to Schenectady, Mr. Rohrer has taken a warm interest in the affairs of this fast growing city, and has particularly identified himself with its educational life, being a trustee of the Free Public Library Association and a member of the Board of Education. He is also a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Ohio Society of New York City, director in the Union National Bank and vice-presi- dent of the Park View Cemetery Association. He is a prominent
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
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., Past Commander of St. George's Commandery No. 37, Knights Templar and of Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Troy, N. Y.
At the annual meeting of St. George's Commandery No. 37, Knights Templar, for the election of officers, which was held on May 20, 1902, Mr. Rohrer was presented with a Past Master's jewel, and the incident is thus referred to by a local paper : "At the conclusion of the business Sir Knight William W. Wemple presented Past Com- mander A. L. Rohrer with a handsome Past Master's jewel, suitably engraved and inscribed. The presentation came as a complete sur- prise, and Sir Knight Rohrer is the first Past Cominander to be so honored. The presentation speech was a fitting one and the recip- ient responded in a happy manner."
On April 8, 1891, Albert Lawrence Rohrer married Carrie L. Gould. They have one daughter, Miriam. His parents were Aaron and Elizabeth (Ozias) Rohrer. Aaron Rohrer was born in Mary- land.
HARRY E. WEBSTER was born in Albany, N. Y., August 21, 1861, and is the son of Thomas and Catherine (King) Webster. His father, Thomas Webster, was a native of Dundee, Scotland. The family moved to Schenectady when Harry E. Webster was six months old and he was educated in the public schools of that city. He was apprenticed as pattern-fitter and stove-mnounter with the Schenectady Stove Company for about four years, after which he went to Detroit, Michigan, and there learned the trades of millwright and machinist. He then spent about six years in travel over the United States after which he returned to Schenectady and for sixteen years had charge of the machinery for the Wiederhold Company.
The firm of Webster & Stevens, dealers in bicycles and so on, was formed in the winter of 1902 and still exists. In addition to their bicycle salesroom and repair shop they also conduct a news and stationery department.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
Mr. Webster takes an active part in the public affairs of the city of Schenectady and has been a inember of the Board of Alderinen for four years, He was first elected in 1898. He has served as chair- man of the Republican City Committee for three years and at the time of this writing is chairman of the Committee on Roads and Bridges. He is also prominent in fraternal organizations and is a inember of New Hope Lodge No. 730, F. and A. M. of which he is Past Master ; of the I. O. O. F., of which he has been Deputy District Grand Master; of Schenectady City Lodge No. 319, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter member and was its first Chancellor Commander, and of the K. A. H. O., at Galveston, Texas.
On June 20, 1887, Harry E. Webster married Henrietta, daughter of Cornelius and Ellen (McLeod) Stevens. They have two children, Lillian Grace and Kathleen M. Mr. Webster's ancestors were Scotch and English and his wife's were Scotch.
JOSEPH W. SMITLEY was born in Pittsburg, Pa., March 4, 1848. He was educated by private tuition and in the schools of his native city, and in 1868, entered the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Company, representing them as superintendent in Pittsburg. This position he occupied for five years and, in 1873, went to Philadelphia to act as superintendent for the same company in that city. He remained in Philadelphia until 1886, when he was transferred to New York City, assisting in the management of the affairs of the Pullman Palace Car Company in the metropolis until 1891, when he resigned his position and settled permanently in Schenectady.
Mr. Smitley has been associated with the growth and development of the city of Schenectady since taking up his residence here, and has aided in promoting several important enterprises. He was first president of the Van Curler Opera House, was one of the organizers of the Union National Bank, of which he was vice-president for several years, and is a stockholder in the Locomotive Works.
On November 25, 1874, Joseph W. Smitley married Ida, daughter of John and Martha Phillips of Pittsburg. Her father was the
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
founder of the firmn of J. and H. Phillips. She died in 1886, leaving one son, Robert L. Smitley, a student in Yale College.
On October 25, 1888, Mr. Smitley married Mrs. John C. Ellis, a member of one of Schenectady's oldest and most reputable families.
Mr. Smitley is a member of Washington Lodge No. 153, F. and A. M., Pittsburg, Pa., and of the Albany Consistory, and is a thirty- second degree Mason.
His parents were John and Keziah (Whitmore) Smitley, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smitley's European ancestors were natives of Switzerland, from which country his grandfather, Jacob, came over to America.
Mr. Smitley has not only had a large business experience and has had control of very important interests, but has also been an exten- sive traveler. He has been essentially a business man, and a very successful one.
PORTER DEVENDORF was born in Cedarville, Herkimer County, N. Y., July 7, 1848, but was educated at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he lived for some time.
He learned the trade of painter and worked at that business until he came to Schenectady, which was on January 27, 1884. Here he entered the Jones Car Shops as painter, and remained with them until 1889 after which he was with the Wagner Sleeping Car Com- pany for one year, after which he was in the Gilbert Car Works of Troy, N. Y. After leaving the Gilbert Car Works he settled in Schenectady and embarked in business for himself as a painter and paperhanger. In 1893 he opened up his present business. He gives employment to about twenty-five people and takes contracts for painting, paperhanging and decorating, and has established a high reputation as an artistic workman. He also has a carriage painting establishment and has a branch house in the city of Troy.
In August, 1886, Porter Devendorf married Margaret Bennett, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Turnbull) Bennett of Schenec- tady. They have one son, Earl Devendorf.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
Mr. Devendorf is a member of St. Paul's Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workinen and of the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Devendorf is of Holland descent. His parents were Daniel and Julia (Reed) Devendorf. His father was a native of Herkimer, and his mother of Michigan.
BENJAMIN H. RIPTON was born in Johnstown, N. Y., March 21, 1858, and was educated in the Johnstown Academy and Union Col- lege, graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1880.
After graduating Mr. Ripton decided to make teaching his life profession, and has attained to a high rank therein. He was teacher in Whitestown Seminary from 1881 to 1885, and was vice-principal of that institution during the years 1882-1883 and was principal from 1883 to 1885. In 1886 he received the appointment of pro- fessor of mathematics in Union College and ably filled this chair until 1894, when he was made professor of History and Sociology. In 1894 he was also made Dean of Union College, which position he has filled up to the present time.
Dean Ripton is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and has been president of the Alpha Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa since 1894. He is also a member of the American His- torical Association and of the American Economic Association.
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