USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 56
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Mr. Pangburn is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in the success of his party and the welfare of his town and county. He has held the office of assessor in the town of Duanes- burgh since 1889.
HENRY S. CORNELL was born in the town of Glenville, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., December 31, 1828. His parents were Oliver and Maria (Sweet) Cornell. He was educated at the district school and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-three years of age when he began farming on his own account, which he has since pursued. Besides his regular farming business he has also been engaged in raising fine horses and dealing in agricultural imple- inents. He is a director of the Schoharie and Schenectady County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association.
A. S. FAY, M. D., son of A. C. and Julia E. (Kerr) Fay, was born in Potsdam, N. Y., November 16, 1872. He received his literary education at the Potsdam Normal School, and, after leaving that institution, took up the study of medicine. Later, he entered the University of Vermont and was graduated from the medical depart- ment in the class of 1896, with the degree of M. D. He first began the practice of his profession at Ellenburg Center, N. Y., where he remained for three years when he moved to Bellevue, Schenectady County, where he has already attained a high reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon.
206
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
On March 16, 1899, A. S. Fay, M. D., married Minnie F., daughter of W. J. and Josephine (Ayer) Smith.
Dr. Fay is a member of Mount Hermon Lodge No. 572, F. and A. M., of Ellenburg, N. Y., also of Ellenburg Lodge No. 700, I. O. O. F. The Fay family is one of the oldest in America, having come over to this country in the Mayflower.
JOHN HAGADORN was born in the town of Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y., November 21, 1838. His parents were Jonathan and Lydia (Bell) Hagadorn. Lydia Bell was the daughter of John and Tammason (Scohfield) Bell. John Hagadorn was educated in the district schools and at the Ballston Academy, after which he taught school for three years. He then took up farming and settled upon the farm where he now resides.
On December 8, 1869, John Hagadorn married Emina Kaley, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Dollar) Kaley. They have two children, George W. and Mary Ella. Mr. Hagadorn's ancestors were Holland Dutch.
Mr. Hagadorn takes an active part in local politics, and is a strong Republican. He has been assessor of his town for three years, was a Justice of the Peace for five years, and is now school trustee for his district.
CHARLES A. FAGEL was born in Germany, January 4, 1855, but came to America in 1871 and settled in Schenectady County, N. Y., where he has since remained and where he has been engaged in the occupation of farming. Mr. Fagel's parents were Fred and Eliza- beth (Myers) Fagel, and four generations of the family lived in the house in the old country where he was born.
Charles A. Fagel married Carrie, daughter of Charles and Louise (Teman) Burmaster. They have three children, Ella, Emma and Elizabeth.
Mr. Fagel is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Ger- man Methodist Church of Schenectady, N. Y.
207
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JACOB LEWIS was born in Albany County, N. Y., February 8, 1840, and was the son of Henry and Catherine (Ostrander) Lewis. He was educated in the district schools and was engaged in the occupation of farming until 1882, when he entered the employ of the .New York Central Railroad, with which company he still remains, being at present night watchinan at the freight house in Schenec- tady.
On July 2, 1861, Jacob Lewis married Rebecca Van Natler. Mr. Lewis' ancestors were Mohawk Dutch.
Mrs. Lewis was born in the town of Glenville, March 31, 1840. Her parents were Richard and Anna (Vandenburg) Van Natler. Mr. Van Natler was born in this state and Mrs. Van Natler in Rotter- dam.
GEORGE MATTHEWS was born in Kent, England, August 8, 1826, and was educated in Gibbon's School in his native country. He was engaged in flower gardening in England for six years, and came to the United States in 1852. He settled in Schenectady County, and, after working on a farm for Mrs. Katie Duane for one year, he embarked in farming on his own account. He has resided on his present farm for forty-six years. On February 10, 1852, George Matthews inarried Mary Harden and they have had a family of six children, two of whom are living. Mr. Matthews has always been a Republican and his first vote in the United States was cast for John C. Fremont. His parents were Richard and Emily (Crittenden) Matthews.
JOHN PLANT was born in Albany County, February 8, 1858, and was educated in the public schools. He worked on the farın until twenty-one years of age, when he took up the trade of carpenter, which he learned and at which he worked for five years in Saratoga County. He then went to Albany County, where he remained for five years, after which he camne to Schenectady in 1887 and worked at his trade for two years, after which he embarked in the contract- ing business which he has since followed.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
On September 25, 1878, John Plant married Emiline Griffen, daughter of Cornelius and Bridget (Boland) Griffen of Albany. They have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Plant's parents were James and Bridget (Quirk) Plant. His father was a native of Albany County and his mother of Ireland. She came to America in 1854. His paternal grandfather, John Plant, was a native of Canada and his paternal grandmother, Eva Bradt, was a native of Albany County.
RICHARD WALTON was born in the town of Glenville, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., September 6, 1841. He was educated in the schools of his native town and remained on his father's farm until 1864, when he moved into Schenectady and took a position on the railroad, where he remained until 1881. Mr. Walton takes an active interest in the public affairs of Schenectady, is a Democrat in politics, and was superintendent of sewers for three years.
On December 24, 1862, Richard Walton married Rebecca B. Mabie. They have one son, Alonzo Page Walton, born February 26, 1864. Mr. Walton's parents were John Walton, born in Glenville, N. Y., April 6, 1812, and Prudence (Lawrence) Walton, born in Glenville, N. Y., August 2, 1821.
Alonzo Page Walton married Ettie Kosboth, September 7, 1887. They have two sons, Alonzo Page, Jr., and Richard Walton, second.
ANDREW J. HUNTER was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., April 16, 1863. He has been a farmer all his life and is one of the leading agriculturalists of the town. He is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Republican.
On October 16, 1889, Andrew J. Hunter married Lea J. McMillan, daughter of William Allen and Eliza Jane (Stewart) McMillan. They have a family of six children. Mr. Hunter's ances- tors caine from Scotland and settled in Schenectady County in the early 40's. His parents were Richard and Margaret (Lander) Hunter.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JAMES S. VROOMAN, son of Tunix and Elizabeth (Sanders) Vroo- man, was born in the town of Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y., June 29, 1879, and was educated in the district school. He was reared on his father's farm and then engaged in farming and garden- ing on his own account, in which business he is still engaged. On August 8, 1897, James S. Vrooman inarried Georgiana, daughter of Edward and Nettie (Calmer) Van Patten. They have two daughters, twins, Lula and Lola, born August 25, 1898. Mr. Vrooman's ances- tors on his father's side were Holland Dutch, and on his mother's side they were English.
AARON P. VAN DYKE, son of Peter and Sarah (Taylor) Van Dyke, was born in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County, N. Y., January 17, 1835. He was educated in the district school and worked on his father's farm until twenty-seven years of age, when he engaged in business for himself. He conducted a grocery store in Schenectady for five years, at the expiration of which time he sold out and moved onto his farm where he has since resided, and where, in addition to farmning, he conducts a butter dairy. On December 25, 1865, Aaron P. Van Dyke married Catherine, daughter of Peter and Prudence (Gates) Vedder. They have two children, namely, Mrs. Sarah Putnam and Mr. Vedder Van Dyke.
JAMES VAN EPPS was born in the town of Rotterdam, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., April 11, 1840, and was educated in the district schools and at the Union school in the city of Schenectady. After his school days he remained on his father's farm for eight years, when he began farming on his own account, and is widely known as a breeder of fine Jersey cattle.
On January 13, 1876, James Van Epps married Cornelia S. Van Patten. Mr. Van Epps' parents were Alexander J. S. and Eliza (Bradshaw) Van Epps. His father's people originally came from Holland and his mother's from England.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
FRED SIEGEL, son of Michael and Dorothy (Hornburger) Siegel, was born in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, N. Y., August 7, 1862. After his school days he worked on a farm for eight years and then engaged in the hay, straw and coal business with George W. Kelley. The partnership continued for some time and Mr. Siegel finally suc- ceeded to the business, which he has since conducted, and which he has greatly enlarged during the last few years, dealing not only in feed stuffs, but in farm produce and farming implements.
Mr. Siegel is a Republican in politics and has always taken an active part in public affairs. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1889, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
On June 3, 1896, Fred Siegel married Anna M. Sweet of Albany, and they have one son, Frank Curtis Siegel.
HENRY C. WEAST was born in the town of Princetown, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., September 4, 1842. He was educated at the public schools and has been a farmer all his life, first working on his father's farın and afterwards for himself.
On November 19, 1873, Mr. Weast married Addie, daughter of Frederick and Rachael (Ostrander) Bradshaw, and they have a family of five children. Mr. Weast's parents were James and Margaret (Clogston) Weast. He is a prominent farmer and is a strong Repub- lican.
LEANDER C. WILBER was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., April 6, 1851, and was the son of Joseph and Fanny (Hines) Wilber. After his school days, he remained on the farm with his father for some years before embarking in that occupation on his own account. He came to Schenectady County in the year 1885.
On December 21, 1879, Leander C. Wilber married Adelia, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Wilber. They have a family of one son and two daughters. Mr. Wilber is a Republican in politics and has held the offices of school trustee and postmaster. His ancestors were Yankees and Holland Dutch.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JAMES W. LEVEY was born in the town of Rotterdam, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., on the farm where he now resides, November 9, 1859. His parents were Michael J. and Catherine (Weast) Levey. After his school days he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he continued the same occupation on his own account.
In September, 1883, James W. Levey married Leah Bertha, daughter of James L. and Jane Ann (Wingate) McMillan, and they have one son, Andrew M.
Mr. Levey is a Republican in politics, and takes an active interest in the success of his party. He has held the offices of assessor and census enumerator.
WILLIAM VEDDER was born in the town of Niskayuna, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., December 14, 1822, and was a son of John and Alida Ann (Winne) Vedder. He was a farmer all his life and was a highly respected gentleman. He died in 1890, leaving one daughter, Miss Katherine Vedder. The ancestors of the Vedder family came from Holland and settled in Schenectady County in colonial days. The farm upon which Miss Vedder resides has been in the family for ninety-six years. Miss Vedder has an aunt living with her who was born on this farm in 1809.
Munsell says of the Vedder family in Schenectady :
" Harmen Albertse Vedder owned inuch land here at an early day, removing here in about 1672. He died June 18, 1714, leaving five sons and one daughter. Albert Vedder, eldest son of Harmen, was born in 1671. He was captured by the Indians in 1690, and was kept in captivity for several years. His village lot was on the north side of Union street. It was afterward owned by Regnier Schaets. Harmanus Vedder, son of Harinen, was an Indian trader, and owned a village lot on the north corner of State and Church streets. In 1757 Harmen Vedder, Jr., conveyed this lot to Alexander Vedder. Ferry street (extended south) passes through this lot. Arent Vedder, son of Harmen, married Sara, daughter of Symon Groot, and had eleven children, all of whom, save one, were living, and had families,
212
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
August 10, 1846, when he made his will. His village lot, on the west side of Washington street, is now owned by D. Cady Smith. Johannes Vedder, fourth son of Harinen, was carried to Canada in 1690, with his brother, Albert. He inherited a portion of the "hind- most " farm, No. 8, from his father. Corset Vedder, fifth son of Harmen, lived in "Schaghkook" until 1720, when he removed to Niskayuna. He owned four morgens of his father's farm."
JOHN WRIGHT was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., June 18, 1841. His parents were Henry and Jane (Liddle) Wright. Since his school days he has been engaged in farming and speculating, and has taken considerable interest in local affairs. He is a Republican in politics and holds the office of commissioner of highways.
John Wright married Lucy Avery, daughter of Moses and Evelyn (Cornell) Avery, and they have a family of four children.
ELIAS BRADT was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., April 27, 1861, and is a son of Oliver and Laura Anna (Frederick) Bradt. After his school days Mr. Bradt remained on his father's farm with his mother for ten years, after which he continued in the same occupation on his own account, which he has since pursued.
Mr. Bradt is a Republican in politics and is a member of Beth- Omen Lodge No. 521, I. O. O. F., of Quaker street, town of Duanes- burgh ; also of the Patrons of Husbandry and Empire Grange No. 784.
On January 26, 1882, Elias Bradt married Frances Munger, daughter of Robert and Leah (Lewis) Munger. They have one son, Oliver Bradt, born October 30, 1883. Mr. Bradt's ancestors were Mohawk Dutch and the original progenitor of the family in America settled in Schenectady County at an early date.
Mr. Bradt's father died in the War of the Rebellion.
21 3
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ADDISON L. WILBUR was born in the town of Wright, Schoharie County, N. Y., April 17, 1835. His parents were Rodney and Theresa (Wood) Wilbur. After his school days he was employed on a farın for five years, at the end of which time he began farming on his own account. On February 10, 1864, Addison L. Wilbur inarried Sarah, daughter of William H. and Katherine (Clark) Shute, and they have a family of seven children. Mr. Wilbur's ancestors came from Rhode Island and settled in this state in the early days.
WILLIAM GREEN, JR., was born in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., August 9, 1869, and after his school days followed the occupation of farming and dairying.
On May 9, 1894, he married Anna Miller, daughter of Wesley and Mary (Scarf) Miller. He was a member of the Red Men, Lodge No. 1234, and a Democrat in politics. His parents were William and Lavinia (Clapper) Green. Mrs. Green's people were Moliawk Dutch. She still conducts the farm. William Green, Sr., was born in Ger- many and Mrs. Green was born in Schenectady County. Mr. Wil- liam Green, Sr., died January 27, 1901.
ABRAM P. BRONK was born on the farin where he now resides in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., January 12, 1842. His parents were Philip and Elizabeth Bronk. After his school days, Mr. Bronk remained on his father's farm until he began that occupation on his own account. Mr. Bronk is a Republican in politics, and takes an active interest in the political affairs of his town and county.
On March 27, 1866, Abram P. Bronk inarried Rosena Platt, daughter of Jesse and Elsie Platt. They have one son, A. Earl Bronk. The family are Presbyterian, and Mr. Bronk has been a trustee of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-five years. His ances- tors were Holland Dutch and the family has resided in this part of the state for many generations.
44
214
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
WILLIAM PETTIT was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., June 4, 1828, and was the son of Joseph and Hannah (Koontz) Pettit. After his school days he worked on the farm with his father for some time before starting in the same occu- pation for himself. He married Mary Elizabeth Wiley on December 23, 1865. They have a family of three children. Mr. Pettit's ances- tors came to this country several generations ago.
PHILO AVERY was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, N. Y., October 18, 1858. After his school days he worked on the farm for his father for four years, at the end of which time he embarked in farming on his own account, to which he subsequently added speculating in cattle.
On March 8, 1893, Philo Avery married Dora Tiffany, daughter of William and Anna Eliza (Durfee) Tiffany, and they have one son, William T. Avery. Mrs. Avery was born in Duanesburglı, March 8, 1871. Mr. Avery's parents were Louis and Phoebe (Ladd) Avery. Louis Avery was born in Duanesburgh, August 19, 1820. His wife, Phoebe Ladd, was born in the same town, June 6, 1822. Their children were: Eliphalet, born May 8, 1842, (deceased); William H., born December 8, 1843; Mary, born September 13, 1845; Martha, born April 28, 1847; Louis, Jr., born February 18, 1849; Phoebe Isabel, born June 4, 1851 ; Charles, born May 18, 1853, and Eva Eugenea, born December 26, 1861. Philo Avery is a member of Beth-Omen Lodge No. 521, I. O. O. F., Quaker Street, and holds the office of deputy sheriff in Schenectady County.
CHRISTIAN SHOPMYER was born in Germany, November 12, 1826, and was the son of Fred and Louisa (Stenia) Shopmyer. He was educated in his native country and served in the German army for three and one-half years. He came to America in 1861. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Lebeck. Their children are Mrs. Carrie Mielke, Henry C., Louis, John H., Christopher H., Mrs. Sarah Lange, Aaron, William F., and Benjamin.
215
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM SNYDER was born in the town of Rotterdam, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., October 16, 1853. He was educated in the district school and the public schools of Schenectady, and has always been engaged in the occupation of farming. He takes an active part in public affairs, is a Democrat in politics, and has served on the election board for nine years.
On December 6, 1877, Willianı Snyder married Jeanette, daughter of John aud Sarah Jane (Burdick) Robinson, and they have a family of two children. Mr. Snyder's parents were Benjamin and Maria (Drum) Snyder. His ancestors came from Germany at a very early date.
HENRY C. FINKE was born in Preuss Minden, Westfalen, Ger- inany, June 10, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, but came to America in 1868, landing upon March 26 of that year. He remained in the United States nine months, then returned to Germany and brought over his family in 1871. In this country Mr. Finke has always followed the occupation of fariner.
On April 15, 1864, Henry C. Finke married Elizabeth Horstmyer, who died in Illinois, August 6, 1880, leaving a family of nine children.
On February 14, 1882, Mr. Finke married for his second wife, Louise Wettingfeld, and they have a family of seven children.
JOHN A. VEDDER was born on the farin on which he now resides in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., November 17, 1832. He was educated in the public schools and took up the trade of machinist, but after about a years' experience in this line, he relinquished it and went into farming, which occupation he has since followed.
On November 22, 1865, John A. Vedder married Mary A. Peck, daughter of Solomon and Mary (Turpenning) Peck, and they have a family of four children. Both the Vedder family and the Turpen- ning family are of Holland Dutch descent.
216
SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
GARRET W. FRELIGH was born in the town of Knox, Albany County, N. Y., April 17, 1845, and was the son of George and Mar- garet (Weatherwax) Freligh. He was educated in the district school, the Fort Edward Institute and the Jonesville Academy. He then tauglit school for one year in New York state, and at the age of twenty-two moved to Iowa, where he taught school for three years. He returned to Albany County in 1871, and finally settled in Schenec- tady County in 1876 and embarked in the occupation of farming.
In politics Mr. Freligh has always been a staunch Republican and now represents the town of Niskayuna in the Board of Supervisors, which office he has held for six terms and is at the present time chairman of the board.
On October 21, 1875, Garret W. Freligh married Mary C. Van Vankins, daughter of Peter and Mary (Pearse) Van Vankins. They have two children, George M., born October 22, 1878, and Adam V., born May 15, 1885. Mr. Freligh's ancestors came from Holland in colonial days. One of them settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he engaged in milling and for quite a time furnished the government with ground grain during the American Revolution. He was very patriotic and had the eninity of the Tories, one of whom laid in wait to shoot him during one whole afternoon, to which fact he after- wards confessed. Mr. Freligh's grandfather was a doctor and lived in Albany County. He was at one time a member of assembly and was a writer of both prose and poetry of considerable merit.
C. F. HORSTMYER was born in Minden, Germany, December 19, 1836, and was the son of Charles F. and Caroline (Wese) Horstmyer. He landed in the United States, May 8, 1852, and settled in Mont- goinery County, where he remained twelve years, during which time he was engaged in farming. In 1864 he moved to Schenectady and was occupied with farming and cheese-making for five years, after which he spent five years in the dairy business, at the expiration of which time he resumed farmning, which he has since pursued. Mr. Horstmyer married Caroline Schwentker, and they have a family of seven children.
21 7
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES LOUIS NIERMEYER was born in Prussia, Germany, May 24, 1857. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth Niermeyer. He came to America in 1876, landing at New York on May 7, of that year, and in this country has always been engaged in the occu- pation of farming. He first settled in Montgomery County, where he worked out for three years, after which he went to Illinois, where he remained four years. He then returned to Montgomery County and remained two years, after which he went back to Germany in May, 1885, making a short visit and returning to this country in the same year. Shortly after his return, he settled in Schenectady County, where he has since remained.
Charles Louis Nierineyer married Mary Pepper, daughter of John C. and Louisa (Denenburgh) Pepper. Mr. Niermeyer's half brother, Frederick Rothmyer, was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. He also has a brother, Christian, living in Schenectady, who served three years in the German army.
AARON VAN VRANKEN was born in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., in September, 1832. His parents were Jacob C. and Jane (Cowen) Van Vranken. He has always followed the occupation of farming. He has been twice inarried. His first wife was Mary Ann Pearse, who died, and he subsequently inarried Harriet Bentley.
HOWARD P. DARE was born in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., November 29, 1860. He was the son of Simon and Jeanette (Howard) Dare. He was raised on the farin and after his school days continued in that occupation, at first on his father's farm and subsequently for himself.
In 1883 Howard P. Dare married Catherine Lane, daughter of Joseplı D. and Catherine (New) Lane, and they have a family of nine children. Mr. Dare takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county, and is of English descent.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
P. H. QUACKENBUSH was born in the city of Colioes, N. Y., Janu- ary 24, 1838, and was the son of Abram J. and Harriet (Smith) Quackenbush. His parents moved to Montgomery County, N. Y., when he was quite young, and he was educated at the district schools of that county. In 1861 he moved to Schenectady and took a position with the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Com- pany, with whom he worked for thirty-five years as a conductor. After leaving the position of conductor, he was yardmaster in the city of Schenectady for some time.
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