Line of David Abeel

David Abeel, Patriot of the Revolution, eldest son of Capt. David and Mary (Duyckinck) Abeel, was born in Albany, 1727. He married July 2, 1752, Neiltje, daughter of Garret Van Bergen and Annatje Meyer. He settled in Catskill as early as 1754. In 1771 he obtained a patent for one thousand acres of land “on the west side of and adjoining the brook called the Caterskill, at a place called the Bak-Oven.” This estate was within the bounds of the Catskill Patent, and was formerly owned by Abeel’s father-in-law. They had issue: Annatie, born in Albany, March, 1753; died in … Read more

Rea, T. F.

Mining Man Is Dead T.F. Rea, 75, pioneer mining man of Baker County, died at Baker last Friday from the effects of two paralytic strokes. Mr. Rea suffered the first stroke February 27 and the second March 19. Mr. Rea was born in Fairfield, Iowa December 23, 1852 and came to Auburn Baker county with his parents 10 years later. He had been a resident of this county since first arriving at Auburn and quartz mining. Oregon Trail Weekly North Powder News Saturday, March 31, 1928

Biography of William B. Van Rensselaer

WILLIAM B. VAN RENSSELAER WILLIAM Bayard Van Rensselaer, one of the few living descendants of the Van Rensselaer family in Albany, was born in this city on the 4th of October, 1856. He is a son of Bayard Van Rensselaer and Laura Reynolds, both natives of Albany. His father died in 1859, but his mother is still living. His ancestry which is well known to the students of our early history is a remarkable one, of which we have only time and space here to give a passing notice. His great-grandfather, Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, was a man of high … Read more

From Kingston to Catskill along the Hudson River

Rhinecliff, with its historic Beekman stone house, is on the east bank of the river opposite Kingston. The old mansion, on the hillside, above the landing, was built before 1700 by William Beekman, first patroon of this section. It was used as a church and as a fort during the Indian struggles and still preserves the scar of a cannon ball from a British ship. Ferncliff, a mile north of the Beekman House, is the home of John Jacob Astor, formerly the property of William Astor, and above this Clifton Point, once known as the Garretson place, the noted Methodist … Read more

Biography of Howard Van Rensselaer

HOWARD VAN RENSSELAER AMONG the rising young men of our city, one whose fine tastes, cultured manners, general and professional intelligence, have brought him into favorable notice among a large circle of friends, is Dr. Howard Van Rensselaer, of 94 Columbia street. He was born in Albany on the 26th of June, 1858, and spent his earliest years in the old Dutch city, in which his forefathers, many generations ago, took such a prominent part in its history and development, as well as in that of the surrounding country. Many an interesting and eventful page have they furnished for our … Read more

From Catskill to Hudson along the Hudson River

Leaving Catskill dock, the Prospect Park Hotel looks down upon us from a commanding point on the west bank, while north of this can be seen Cole’s Grove, where Thomas Cole, the artist, lived, who painted the well-known series, the Voyage of Life. On the east side is Rodger’s Island, where it is said the last battle was fought between the Mahican and Mohawk; and it is narrated that “as the old king of the Mahican was dying, after the conflict, he commanded his regalia to be taken off and his successor put into the kingship while his eyes were … Read more

Relling, Elizabeth Catherine – Obituary

Life of Aged Baker County Woman Ends (From Haines Record) Death came to one of the community’s best known residents last Friday, September 14, at 11:30 a.m., when Mrs. Elizabeth Catherine Relling passed away at St. Elizabeth hospital in Baker. She had been taken to the hospital a few days previous. Mrs. Relling had lived in this community for half a century, coming here in 1877, from Catskill, N.Y., where she was born 1841. She is survived by eight children, a number of whom reside here. One son, Ambrose Relling, is deceased. Those surviving are Leo and Frank Relling, Sidney … Read more