USA > New York > Washington County > Washington county, New York; its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 77
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On Thanksgiving Day, 1898, Mr. Williams was honored with the appointment of Postmaster at Granville, N. Y., by President McKin- ley, and his postmastership reflects very creditably on his characteris- tic thoroughness and attention to details.
John G. Williams is distinctly a man among men. He is of the progressive sort, uniting his efforts with others for the well being and advancement of any commendable enterprise or cause.
He is a member of the following fraternities: Red Men, Granville Lodge, No. 55, F. & A. M., Granville Chapter, R. A. M., Washington Commandery, No. 33, K. T., Oriental Temple of the Mystic Shrine,
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"Troy, N. Y., Whitehall Council of R. & S. M., No. 52, District Dep- uty for two years of the Odd Fellows for the counties of Washington and Essex, and member of Granville Encampment, No. 138, I. O. O. F., also Llewarch Hen of True Ivorites of Middle Granville. He is the founder of Mettowee Lodge, No. 559, I. O. O. F., and he is the present District Deputy Grand Patriarch of the District of Washing- ton County.
On November 5, 1890, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Abby Hughes, daughter of J. T. Hughes, merchant of Middle Granville. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Eastern Star Encamp- ment at Granville, and is a lady of great refinement and dignity. They are both members of the Welch Congregational Church at Granville.
HENRY L. TIDMARSH .- It is only in recent years that manufacturing and industrial enterprises have become a prominent feature in the commercial life and history of Washington County. Prominent among the few promoters of industrial enterprises is the subject of this sketch, H. L. Tidmarsh, who is thoroughly representative of what may be called the younger circle of Washington County's best business men. He was born at Wauconda, Lake County, I11., October 9, 1862, and received a liberal education in the public schools of his native place.
In August, 1880, he came to the village of Sandy Hill and learned the trade of machinest with the firm of Wells & Van Woriner, after- wards working in the American Steam Boiler Works at Chicago. He subsequently returned to Sandy Hill, and in 1885 embarked in the book and stationery business, and was elected clerk for the town of Kingsbury in the same year. In 1886 he disposed of his book and . stationery business, and became connected with the Pratt Manufac- turing Company, of South Boston, as traveling salesman. After a short term with this house he embarked in the hotel business at Lake George, where he conducted a summer resort for two seasons. During 1888 and 1889 he was employed in the paper mill of Allen Brothers Company, of Sandy Hill, and in July, 1890, he organized the Friction Pulley and Machine Works, which has become a promi- nent factor in the industrial life of Sandy Hill. At first George W.
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Doremus and William W. Wells were associated with him, but the company has been changed, and at present is represented as follows: Henry L. Tidmarsh, President; William W. Wells, Vice-President; George W. Wait, Secretary and Treasurer.
Mr. Tidmarsh takes an active interest in the public welfare of Sandy Hill and has been one of the trustees of the village for sev- eral years.
On October 5, 1892, Mr. Tidmarsh married Catharine M. Murphy of Paterson, N. J., and they have one son, William R. Tidmarsh.
Mr. Tidmarsh's parents were William and Harriet (Wells) Tid- marsh. William Tidmarsh was a native of Teswith, Oxfordshire, England. He was born in 1833 and came to America in 1856. He spent a few years in the city of Cleveland, and in Toledo, Ohio, when he settled in Lake County, Il1. For several years after coming to America he followed the profession of music teaching, and served as band instructor during the civil war. He is still a resident of Wau- conda, I11.
REV. JEREMIAH F. YATES was born at Greenbush, Rensselaer County, N. Y., February 26, 1826. He received his preliminary education and was prepared for college at the Troy Conference Acad- emy, but his health failing him, he was debarred from taking his intended college course. Subsequently, however, he received the degree of M. A. from Middlebury College, Vt.
Rev. Mr. Yates has devoted his life to the preaching of the gospel, and has been so employed for over fifty-three years, in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was sixteen years in the Troy Conference, and sixteen years in the Rock River Conference in Illinois. During the years 1862-63, he was pastor of a church in Fort Edward, and during the time he was a member of the Rock River Conference, in Illinois, he was General Grant's pastor, in Galena, Il1. For twenty years he has not been in the active pastorate.
Rev. Mr. Yates has, through his long study and large experience, acquired a sound education and a high culture of mind, and possesses undoubted poetical talent, although his work as a minister has pre- vented his cultivating this faculty.
In 1849 Mr. Yates married Susan Northrop, of Greenbush, N. Y. Of this marriage six children are living, namely: George Henry,
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Sarah Elizabeth, Ida Mary, Francis Garrett, William Arthur and Jessie Alida.
Rev. Mr. Yates has fifteen grandchildren and three great grand- children. His first wife died in 1869. He married for his present wife Mary E., widow of Frederick D. Hodgman.
Governor Yates, of New York, was a member of a collateral branch of Rev. Mr. Yates' ancestry.
ABRAM WAKEMAN was born in the City of Troy, April 23, 1850. He was educated at the Rev. Joseph D. Hull's Institute, New York City, and the Collegiate and Commercial Institute of New Haven, Conn. On April 10, 1872, Abram Wakeman married Louise, daugh- ter of George O. and Helen N. (Shaw) Vail. They have four child- ren, namely: George, Annette, Elizabeth and Harwood. Mr. Wake- man has been engaged in the coffee business since boyhood, and has made the same a close study, spending five years among the coffee plantations of Hayti, also inventing several valuable machines for the manipulating and cleaning of coffee. On the organization in 1883 of the Coffee Exchange and Lower Wall Street Business Men's Asso- ciation, Mr. Wakeman was chosen Secretary, which position he has held ever since. He is also a member of the Society of Descendants of Colonial Governors and Sons of the Revolution. His father, Abram Wakeman, was a personal friend of President Lincoln, and one of the founders of the Republican party, holding the position of Alderman of New York City, Member of the State Legislature, Mem- ber of Congress, Postmaster and Surveyor of the port of New York. Mr. Wakeman was chosen Colonel of the Sist Pennsylvania, but at the request of President Lincoln, he resigned, selecting his friend, Colonel Miller to fill the position. Colonel Miller was killed in a skirmish soon after going to the front. During the draft riots Mr. Wakeman's residence was destroyed, owing to his strong Abolition views. The ancestors of his family were among the early settlers of our country. Samuel, son of Francis Wakeman of Bewdley, Worces- tershire, England, came to New England in the ship Lion, Captain Pierce, and settled in Roxbury, November 2, 1831, and was made Constable. His son John was for many years one of the Deputies of
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the New Haven Colony, and its first Treasurer. He died at New Haven in 1658. His son, Rev. Samuel, married August 28, 1656, Hannah, daughter of Governor Stephen Goodyear, who died March 8, 1692. His son John was very prominent in the Colony of Connec- ticut, serving as Deputy for twenty-three sessions. In May, 1704, he was appointed Captain of the Fairfield Training Band. His commis- sion is still in possession of the family. His son John moved to Greenfield Hill, Conn., April 8, 1730. He married Catherine Gilbert. He died April 19, 1777. His son Ebenezer married Elizabeth Webb May 3, 1764, who died in 1776. His second wife was Sarah Shelton. During the Revolution he served in Captain David Dimon's Company, Connecticut Militia. His son Jonathan married Clara, daughter of Thaddeus Wakeman, August 28, 1815. Mr. Wakeman's mother, Mary Harwood, was a descendant from the distinguished family of Har- woods. George was the first Treasurer of the Massachusetts Colony. His son, Henry Harwood and wife Elizabeth, came from England with Governor Winthrop. Andrew Harwood, presumably brother of Henry, was made Freeman in Boston, February 28, 1643. His son James went from Boston to Springfield, Mass., 1649, and was Free- man from 1654 to 1664. His son James entered the Colonial Army in King Phillips' War in Captain Turner's Company. He married Lydia Barrett, daughter of John and Sarah Barrett, April 11, 1659. He died August 1, 1719. His son James was born September 30, 1695. He moved to Littleton, Mass., in 1717, remaining until 1727 when he went to Concord. His son James was born in 1728. In 1755 he en- listed in Captain James Todd's Company, Colonel Peter Gilman's Regiment, to serve in the war against the French and Indians. He also served in the Company of Roger's Rangers in 1759, and was at the storming of Quebec, Canada, under General Wolfe. In 1760 he joined Captain Lovewell's Company, Colonel James Goffe's Regi- ment. The beginning of the Revolution found him in Captain Wil- liam Walker's Company, Colonel James Rud's Regiment.
They were present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was supposed he died in the army during December, 1777. His wife's name was Clogson, living in Londonderry, N. H., and lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. His son Archibald was born August, 1762, and entered the army in 1778, when only sixteen years old. He was one of those who were sold to the British by Benedict Arnold. After the war he went to Springfield, Vt., where he married Susannah,
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daughter of Coombs and Prudence House. He died in 1837 and his wife in 1848. His son Cyrus married Mary, daughter of Stephen Lee and Mary Little. The family of the Lees is too well known to need further mention.
HON. HENRY G. BURLEIGH was born in the town of Canaan, Graf- ton County, New Hampshire, June 2, 1832, and received such educa- tion as the public schools of his day afforded in his native town and at Ticonderoga, to which place his parents removed in 1846.
His first business experience was that of a clerk with the firm of Wilson & Calkins, in what was then known as the old brick store. at Ticonderoga. From the very outset he evinced that knowledge and zeal for business which distinguished his entire career, and in addition to faithfully discharging his duties as a clerk, he also improved his time by judicious reading.
In 1850 his employers failed, the business ultimately coming into the hands of Mr. Burleigh. Later he added the industry of building canal boats, and also furnishing general supplies for boatmen. In 1858 he admitted his brother, Brackett, into partnership, and the busi- ness was enlarged and extended. In 1859 Mr. Burleigh entered the transportation business, and formed the firm of Burleigh & Marshall, Mr. Marshall being connected with the transportation business only. At first their towing was done by the Whitehall Transportation Com- pany, but later by the Port Henry Towing Company, of which Mr. Burleigh was a stockholder.
In 1866 Mr. Burleigh opened an office in Whitehall, which was in charge of Chauncey B. Bates, and Mr. Burleigh divided his time between his Whitehall and Ticonderoga offices for some years, but finally settled in Whitehall and established his headquarters there, not only because of the natural advantages possessed by this place com- mercially, but because of the difficulty of traveling between Whitehall and Ticonderoga.
After Mr. Burleigh settled in Whitehall he continued to extend his business operations, and every project which he undertook proved a success. He acquired large tracts of timber land on Lake George, which were largely supplemental to his lumber business, and in 1881 the Whitehall Lumber Campany was incorporated, in which he owned
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a controlling interest. Later he bought out the other stockholders and became sole proprietor. . The company has extensive mills and yards in Whitehall.
Mr. Burleigh was also largely interested in the Robert H. Cook Towing Company, of which he owned one-third, and of which his son, Charles R. Burleigh, has been for some time the president. This business, also, has been very prosperous, and is today the largest transportation company doing business on the Lake. They have two fine steamers, and a complete towing line established from St. Johns to Albany.
H. G. Burleigh was President of the Old National Bank of White- hall for thirty years, and also President of the First National Bank of Ticonderoga for a considerable time. He was practically owner of the Old National Bank, and he held a controlling interest in the First National Bank of Ticonderoga. He was also a director in the Albany City National Bank and the Commerce Insurance Company of Albany, besides being a stockholder in many other financial institutions. He was one of the promoters of the Internatihnal Paper Company, and one of its directors, and besides being a director of the Ticonderoga Pulp & Paper Company and St. Maurice Lumber Company, he held a controlling interest in at least a score of other corporations.
He always had a fondness for real estate, and he owned many fine pieces of land in New York City, Vermont and Canada.
In politics Mr. Burleigh was an uncompromising Republican, and had become prominently identified with that party before coming to Whitehall. He was Supervisor for the town of Ticonderoga for sev- eral years, and during the war was Chairman of the Board of Super- visors. Before coming to Whitehall he found the village strongly Democratic and set about to Republicanize it. He was nominated for Supervisor in 1874, but was defeated by W. F. Bascom, the Demo- cratic candidate. When the result was known, he simply remarked that if he lived long enough he would see Whitehall Republican, and he did. In 1875 he was nominated for the Assembly from the north- ern district of Washington County, and after a very hot contest, was elected by a plurality of 1167, carrying Whitehall by 275.
Mr. Burleigh's record in the Assembly was unusually conspicuous and important. He at once became a prominent figure and did his best for the promotion of legislation for better canals, and he succeeded in getting through every bill which he undertook, and none of them
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was vetoed by the Governor. These bills, eleven in all, have been of vast benefit to the canals of the state. In 1882 Mr. Burleigh was elected to Congress from the Rensselaer County district. His career in Congress resulted in great benefit to his constituents. He suc- ceeded in securing the abolishment of the odious tonnage tax on northern frontier boats, and through him the ports of Lake Cham- plain were remembered in the river and harbor bill. He also carried through the Troy postoffice bill, in the face of opposition from the Speaker of the House. These are but a few of the many excellent results of his congressional career, for he was ever active and ever indefatigable in his efforts to further honest and needed legislation.
He served two terms in Congress, from 1882 to 1886, and was a warm personal friend of President Arthur.
Mr. Burleigh was always prominent in Washington County Conven- tions, which he generally succeeded in directing as he desired, and even in National Conventions he was a prominent factor.
He was a friend of social organizations, and the Young Men's Christian Association of Whitehall is one of the institutions that has benefitted greatly by his generosity, for he presented them with the building and grouuds which they occupy, and a stone tablet on the building memorizes him as the donor. What is known as Company " I," of the National Guard, was organized in 1876, under the name of the Burleigh Corps, and he treated it very liberally, and took much pride in its success. The Burleigh Hose Company is also named in his honor.
Mr. Burleigh's parents were Gordon and Elizabeth (Weeks) Bur- leigh. Joseph Burleigh, grandfather of Henry G. Burleigh, was born in 1755, and served in the Revolutionary War with distinction against the British. He afterwards settled in Dorchester, N. H., and repre- sented that locality in the legislature for four terms. His son, Gordon Burleigh, born in 1795, was Hon. H. G. Burleigh's father, and was also a noted lumber merchant during the latter years of his life.
In 1869 Hon. H. G. Burleigh married Jennie E. Richards, of Ticon- deroga. She died in 1899. Their children are Henry, Charles R. and James W. Burleigh.
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LEONARD BIBBY .- This gentleman, who is one of the best known and most experienced brewers in the state, was born in England, February 6, 1854, but came to America with his parents when six years of age. He received his education in the schools of Glens Falls and early in life took up the brewing trade, to which he has given his undivided attention throughout his whole business career.
His father, George Bibby, was also a brewer, and with him Leonard Bibby learned this business. He came to Fort Edward in 1889 and took the management of the Fort Edward Brewery for his company. Since that time both the capacity and efficiency of this brewery have been greatly augmented and the popularity of their products and the gratifying increase in their business is largely due to his able manage- ment and practical knowledge.
Mr. Bibby is also a partner in the bottling firm of Bibby & Fergu- son, Glens Falls, N. Y., and his reputation as a business man is unim- peachable, his entire career being characterized by honorable dealing and strict integrity. He has been the architect of his own fortunes in the truest sense, having by his own industry, thrift and ability worked his way up from a poor boy to a distinctive place among the business men of the state.
Leonard Bibby is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in poli- tics is a Democrat through principle, but does not take any obtrusive position in political affairs.
In 1878 Mr. Bibby married Miss Elma Kelly and they have two children, namely: Minnie Bibby and Walter Bibby. His parents were George and Mary (Hodson) Bibby. George Bibby died in 1899 and his wife, Mary Bibby, in 1891.
FRED McNAUGHTON was born in Schuylerville, Saratoga County, New York, September 27, 1853, and received his early education in the schools of his native place. He began the active business of life as a clerk in the National Bank of Schuylerville in the year 1870, rising to the position of teller, which position he occupied until 1879, when he went to New York City to take a position with David Dows & Company, grain merchants. He remained with them five years and in 1884 embarked in business for himself as a grain broker. After six years in this business he came to Fort Edward in 1890, and in the
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fall of that year became a stock holder in the Fort Edward Brewing Company, of which he has since been the financial manager.
Since becoming connected with the brewing industry Mr. McNaughton has made a scientific study of the business and took a course in the American Brewing Academy of Chicago, where the art of brewing is taught scientifically. He took his course there in the winter of 1898-99.
Mr. McNaughton is regarded as one of the most enterprising busi- ness men of Fort Edward and takes an intelligent interest in the wel- fare and advancement of the village. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics a Republican.
Mr. McNaughton married Julia, daughter of Alvinza L. Finne of Northumberland, Saratoga County, N. Y., and they have a family of three children, namely: Wallace Finne, Mary Emma and Leslie Malcolm.
Mr. McNaughton's parents were Malcolm and Phœbe (McDouall) McNaughton.
THE FORT EDWARD BREWING COMPANY .- The brewing interests of Washington County may fairly be said to be represented by the Fort Edward Brewing Company, and when the quality and purity of their products, the capacity and efficiency of their plant and the standing of the men who conduct this enterprise are all considered it will be admitted universally that the representative company of this impor- tant industry is an eminently worthy and creditable one.
This business had its inception in about the year 1850, when the old brewery was built, but the present proprietors date their regime from 1890, when they purchased the plant and business from John R. Durkee & Company.
Under the present management the plant has not only been enlarged but remodeled and equipped throughout with all the latest and most improved machinery and equipments in general, so that today it is one of the best appointed and cleanest breweries in the state, and has a capacity of 30,000 barrels output, while employment is given to a force of about twenty hands.
The plant occupies an area of two acres of ground and its products are shipped all over the country, which fact attests the high quality of the ale and beer manufactured in this establishment.
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Before the present company came into possession no lager beer was made in this brewery, but they have added on this department and with great success, as their enterprise justly deserves, for they have one of the most improved lager beer systems known to the history of brewing, namely: the Pfaudler Vacuum Fermentation system. This part of their plant consists of four 135 barrel glass enameled steel tanks and a 100 barrel glass enameled steel starting tank, each cask turning out in every seven days one hundred and ten barrels of thoroughly fermented beer, equal in every respect to beer of four months age, made by the old system.
The company has also exhibited its enterprise in other ways. They were the first to introduce to the trade the Lilendoll ale faucet, now celebrated, and also the Bay State Valve for lager tapping.
This company is a member of the National Brewers' Academy and Consulting Bureaus of New York City, and it is only just to say that there is no beer produced in the United States superior to their pro- duct, "Sunshine Lager." They are also owners of the celebrated "Vita " Spring near Fort Edward, the waters of which rank with the best wells of Saratoga, and are unexcelled as a table water.
JAMES R. BROWN was born in the town of Queensbury, Warren County, N. Y., in February, 1841, and was educated at Luzerne where he resided for fifteen years. After leaving Luzerne he went to Saratoga County, where he remained for eight years, when he came to Fort Edward and entered the employ of Bradley & Underwood, with whom he remained two years. He then engaged in boating on the canal on his own account, but after one season's work, he em- barked in the lumber business, in which he has since been engaged. In this enterprise he is associated with his brother, Joseph Brown, under the firm name of Brown Brothers. They buy timber land, manufacture lumber, deal in real estate and are also speculators.
In 1872 James R. Brown married Louisa Hinkley of Hamilton County, N. Y.
James R. Brown's parents were Moses and Electa (Herrick) Brown. His mother was born in Schroon, Warren County, N. Y., and his father was a native of Luzerne. His father was a settler in Dutchess
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County, but subsequently removed to Warren County and was one of the first settlers at Glens Falls.
James R. Brown is an active, enterprising and progressive business man with the most honorable of records, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Fort Edward.
S. J. BANKER, M. D., was born at Plattsburgh, N. Y., October 26, 1856, and received his preliminary education in the High School of his native place. He studied medicine in the University of Vermont from which he was graduated in the class of 1878. In the fall of the same year he took a post-graduate course in the University of the City of New York. He began the active practice of his profession at Burke, Franklin County, N. Y., where he remained five years, finally settling in Fort Edward in February, 1884.
He is a member of the Washington County Medical Society and of the New York State Medical Society, also of the Masonic fraternity, Fort Edward Lodge No. 267, F. & A. M., of which he has been Mas- ter.
Dr. Banker married Seba A. Ayer, and they have one son, Ernest E. Banker, who is taking a medical course at the Medical Department of Cornell in New York City, and who took the Cornell scholarship for Washington County.
Dr. Banker's parents were John and Rebecca Taylor Banker. The family is of Dutch descent and was established in America before the Revolutionary War. Dr. Banker's great-grandfather was John Ban- ker, whose sister Lucretia married a Mr. Newcomb, and their son was the first male child born in Plattsburgh. The Banker family trace their history back to the William Borgardus side of the Anneke Janse. Her son was an ancestor of Mary Scott who married John Banker.
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