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Biography of George Rushton

George Rushton. The George Rushton Baking Company, Incorporated, at Rosedale, is the largest concern of its kind in the State of Kansas. Every day its ovens turn out 20,000 loaves of high class bread, sold and consumed principally in the two Kansas cities, while the weekly capacity of the pie plant is 75,000 pies. It is the only pie baking plant on a large scale in the two cities. Baking had been a trade in the Rushton family for so many generations back that no record had been kept of the originator of the business. The president and founder of … Read more

Biography of Dwight Morris Billings

DWIGHT MORRIS BILLINGS, of Amherst, Massachusetts, treasurer of The Hills Manufacturing Company, producers of hats, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, February 17, 1866. (I) His ancestry in America probably goes back to Richard Billings, who received a grant of six acres of land in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1640. In 1659 he signed a contract with Governor Webster and others to remove to and settle at Hadley. The removal was made in 1661, and he lived in that part of the town which became Hatfield. He died March 3, 1679. He married Margery, surname unknown, who died December 5, 1679. (II) … Read more

Will of John Marston – 1671

JOHN MARSTON, Flushing. “I will that my two sons, John and Cornelius, shall live with my well beloved friend John Hinchman and to be wholly at his disposall till they come of age, and he is to have time oversight of all my estate.” Leaves all to his two sons when of age. Leaves to daughter Elizabeth a gold ring, and to daughter Katherine a silver thimble. “This is my full will and my sons’ desire, as witness our hands this 14th February, 1670/1. Witnesses, Robert Terry, Joseph Thorne, John Marston, Sr., John Marston, Jr., Cornelius Marston. LIBER 1-2, page … Read more

Will of Charles Darriel – 1666

CHARLES DARRIEL, New York, “Merchant.” Appoints his “loving and affectionate friend, Timothy Biggs, of New York, Merchant,” his executor. Leaves to Mr. Wm. Browne, of New York,” a morning gown and other wearing apparel,” and “silk stockings as ave in our trunk, in custody of Mr. May of Boston.” To Mr. Cadd, of Boston, a piece of gold. To “my loving brother Richard Darriel, my silver hat band.” To “my sister Jane Darriel, two gold rings with stones set in them.” Dated October 10, 1666. Witnesses, James Willett, Samnel Wheate. Proved October 30, 1666. Quietus granted to Timothy Biggs, executor, … Read more

Biography of William W. Rose

William W. Rose has been practicing his profession as architect in the metropolitan district of Kansas City for thirty years. Without question he ranks as one of the ablest men both in the artistic and practical branches of his profession. Mr. Rose had also been prominently identified with civic affairs, and is well remembered as mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, during a very critical period of municipal affairs. He is now head of the architectural firm of Rose & Peterson, with offices in the Barker Building. He was born at Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, March 12, 1864, second … Read more

Will of James Naybor – 1671

JAMES NAYBOR, Huntington, “Cooper.” Leaves to youngest daughter, Martha, “my Great Trunk and best chest with linnen and woolen clothes.” “To my grandchild, Mercy, when 21, £10, to be raised out of my house in Boston,” which I leave to my five daughters, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Martha. Makes his daughter Martha executrix, and Mr. Wm. Bartholemew and Goodman Sundall, both of Boston, executors in trust. “I desire Thomas Scudder and Joseph Bayley, of Hunttington, to be helpfull to my daughter Martha as executor.” Dated January 27, 1671. Witnesses, Matthew Owen, Peter Floyd, Joseph Bayley. Proved at Court of … Read more

Will of David Carwithy – 1666

DAVID CARWITHY, Southold. “Mr. Carwithy being visited with sickness, desires to set things in order, Being weake in body, but in perfect memory. Leaves to son Caleb “my best suit of clothes and a bed blanket.” To daughter Martha a scythe and a Bible. To daughter Elizabeth Crowner £9 sterling. “As for my son David I left him his portion when I came from him,” but adds 20 shillings. Makes daughter Sarah Curtis sole executrix. Dated August 30, 1665. Witnesses, John Conckliug, Sr., Simon Grover, Jacob Conckling. Proved Nov. ——, 1665. Sarah Curtis, “of Hashamomack, neare Southold,” is confirmed as … Read more

Will of John Stricklin – 1672

JOHN STICKLIN, of Jamaica, “Being my greate paine.” Leaves to daughter Loanus £10. “To my danghter Mathew’s youngest child” 40 shillings. To Jonathan Mills, one cow. To eldest daughter of John Loanus, one cow. Rest of estate to his daughter’s children (not named). Makes “my son John Smith, my son Saml Matthews,” John Foster and Benjamin Coe, executors. “It is to be understood that the 2 cows mentioned to John Loanus’ daughter and to Jonathan Mills were my wife’s, and she gave them as she saw good, I having promised to perform her will.” Dated September 5, 1672. Witnesses, John … Read more

Biography of Howard W. Hosford

HOWARD W. HOSFORD, who has risen from humble beginnings to the position of general manager of the Norwood Manufacturing Company, of Florence, a village of Northampton, Massachusetts, has also given of his valued services, technical knowledge and administrative capacity to his home city, having served four consecutive terms twelve years, as a member of the City Water Commission, a body whose offices and powers are of immense importance to the domestic, industrial and civic life as well as to the healthfulness of the community in general. In performing this duty to the city, Mr. Hosford has exhibited the dependable and … Read more

Will of Roger Rugg – 1675

“Whereas ROGER RUGG, merchant, of this city, dyed lately without making any formal will, yet by a nuncupative will, before sufficient testimony, some short time before his decease, bequeathed his estate to Mr. John Rider and his wife of this city, and desiring Captain Nathaniel Davenport to be assisting unto them, and having made proof of the will before the Court of Mayor and Aldermen.” The said John Rider is made administrator, August 9, 1675. LIBER 1-2, page 117

Will of Nicholas Stillwell – 1671

NICHOLAS STILLWELL, Staten Island, “Husband-man,” “being weak and sicke,” leaves to youngest son Jeremiah an iron gray mare. Leaves to “well beloved and affectionate wife Anne” all lands, houses, and estate, and makes her executor. Dated December 22, 1671. Witnesses, Nicholas De Meyer, Richard Charlton. Letters of Administration granted to wife Anne, June 17, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 93

From New York City to Yonkers along the Hudson River

This upper landing of the Hudson River Day Line has a beautiful location and is a great convenience to the dwellers of northern Manhattan. On leaving the pier the steel-arched structure of Riverside Drive is seen on the right. The valley here spanned, in the neighborhood of 127th Street, was once known as “Marritje Davids’ Fly,” and the local name for this part of New York above Claremont Heights is still known as “Manhattanville.” The Convent of the Sacred Heart is visible among the trees, and Trinity Cemetery’s Monuments soon gleam along the wooded bank. Among her distinguished dead is … Read more

Descendants of Captain David Abeel

Capt. David Abeel Capt. David Abeel, son of Johannes and Catharine (Schuyler) Abeel (brother to Christoffel, the father of John, father of Corn Plant), was born at Albany, N. Y., April 27, 1705, died Oct. 20, 1777. At an early age, after his father’s death, he was sent to New York and apprenticed to Mr. Schuyler in the dry goods business, and soon after reaching his majority he engaged in the flour and provision business, which he carried on successfully for many years. He held the position of Captain of the company of militia of foot of the city and … Read more

Biography of William R. Reid

It was to the building of the business of the Fort Scott Grocery Company that the late William R. Reid gave the best years of his life. He was presminent as a salesman. He had the commercial integrity, candor, and enthusiasm which are the bedrock policies of salesmanship, but more than that he always justified his loyalty and confidence in the goods he sold. Moreover, wherever he went, and for nearly two score years he traveled through every section of the states of Kansas and Missouri, he carried with him the gospel of good cheer, and the citizens of numberless … Read more

Biography of Charles E. Spooner

Charles E. Spooner. When he started upon his wage-earning career, at the age of fifteen years, Charles E. Spooner began at the bottom of the ladder in the capacity of bundle-boy in a department store. No favors were shown him, for he had no important friends or other favoring influences, but his fidelity, energy and ability won him recognition and promotion and he soon grew beyond the opportunities of his immediate environment, and from that time his advancement has been sure and steady. In 1888 he became connected with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, in a minor position and … Read more

Letter of Administration of John Concklin, Jr. – 1666

“JOHN CONCKLIN, Jr., of Hashamomack, neare Southold, in the East Riding of Yorkshire,” having married Sarah, “late widow of Wm. Salmon, who had then divers young children, of whom he hath had greate care, and been at considerable expense in bringing them up,” Letters of Administration on estate of William Salmon were granted to him in November, 1665, and confirmed March 19, 1666. Whereas, John Concklin, Jr., of Hashamomack, did intermarry with Sarah, widow of Wm. Salmon, late of Southold, with whom he left six children, four of which he had by Katharine his former wife, and the other two … Read more

Biography of William Lester Kellogg

William Lester Kellogg. The superintendent of motive power of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, William L. Kellogg, had worked his way to his present position through his own initiative. At the outset of his career he had no favorable influences to assist him, and he had depended upon no happy circumstances to aid him in his promotion. The chances he had had have been the chances that have come to every man who had been placed in a position similar to his own; the reason that he had gone further than some of his fellow workmen is due to … Read more

Will of Henry Pearsall – 1667

HENRY PEARSALL, Hempstead. “This being the last will and testament of Henry Pearsall, Hee being in his right senses, notwithstanding very weake in Body.” Leaves to Joseph Williams “a pair of oxen I bought of Mr. Fordhams,” also some land upon ye north side lying in the New Field. Makes wife sole executor, and mentions “the four youngest of my children.” “I desire at the death of my wife the housing and land should be left to my son Nathaniel.” Dated July 24, 1667. Witnesses, Joseph Sutton, Clerk. Thomas Rushmore, Timothy Halstead. Proved March 1668. LIBER 1-2, page 23 Wee, … Read more

Will of John Hadden – 1671

JOHN HADDEN, Jamaica, leaves to Captain Matthias Nicoll “my horse in the hands of Mrs. Marshall.” To Peter Smith, of Jamaica, a horse. To John, son of William and Margary Meritt, £10, “to be paid to his parents against he arrive to years of understanding.” Legacies to Henry Newton, John Thompson,” belonging to ye Garrison of New York,” Mr. Edward Smith, of New York, John Clarke, Richard Charlton, and Richard Dow, “to Margaret Welham, servant of Wm. Merritt., for care and trouble in taking care of me in my sickness, 80 shillings,” to loving friend, Benjamin Coe, £5. Makes Elias … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lewis S. Halsey

Lewis, L. Halsey, of Hyde Park, son of David and Julia (Smith) Lewis, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1853. He received his education in the schools of New York City and Michigan, and when his education was completed, learned the printer’s trade at Middletown, N. Y. August 18, 1878, he settled in Hyde Park and purchased the Lamoille News. Three years after he united that paper with the Vermont Citizen. Since that time he has conducted the combination of the two papers under the title of the “News and Citizen” with offices at … Read more