Schenectady New York

Biography of James Wilson

A man who has fought his country’s battles in two wars, manifesting in it all a courage never excelled and rarely equaled, constant in all kinds of frontier and seafaring life for many years, a pioneer to this valley and one of the most intrepid and daring men in Wallowa County, facing the bloodthirsty savages in the time of their war here, the subject of this sketch is eminently fitted to appear in honorable mention in any history of the county or of the northwest, and it is with pleasure that we grant him space in our volume. James Wilson … Read more

The Wars of the Five Nations – Indian Wars

Treaty with Five Nations

Although the confederacy known as the Five Nations were the allies of the English in the war against the French, and joined them in many of their principal expeditions, their history deserves a separate notice, as they afford us a complete example of what the Indians of North America were capable of. Their great reputation as warriors, and their wisdom in council, have been so often alluded to by those interested in the history of the Indians, that we shall be pardoned for giving a somewhat extended description of their confederacy, and an account of their wars. The Five Nations, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur Bishop Shepherd

Shepherd, Arthur Bishop; electric machinery and building materials; born Troy, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1871; son of William A. and Martha Vail Shepard; educated, St. Paul School, Garden City, L. I.; Columbian University, Washington, D. C.; Massachusetts, Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass.; married, New York City, September, 1900, Gertrude Robins; three children; designing engineer for The General Electric Co., Schnectady, N. Y.; afterwards mgr. of their Cleveland office; with the company fourteen years; one year pres. Toledo; Chicago Interurban R. R.; at present, district mgr. for the following corporations: Wagner Electric Mnfg. Co., Asbestos Protected Metal Co., Colonial Fan & … Read more

Biography of Andrey Abraham Potter

Andrey Abraham Potter. Genius knows no race nor land. Watered by opportunity it flowers in any clime and under all conditions. Among the notably efficient men who make up the faculty of the Kansas State Agricultural College, at Manhattan, particular attention may be directed to Prof. Andrey Abraham Potter because of the achievements which already crown his comparatively short life. As dean of the division of engineering and director of the engineering experiment station, of the Kansas State Agricultural College, he qualifies as an expert in his profession, his recognized standing in which has been signally pronounced upon by his … Read more

Biography of Samuel M. Van Santvoord

SAMUEL M. VAN SANTVOORD IN the exhibition of those qualities which go to form a popular and successful merchant and a true and useful citizen, we have a notable example in the career of Mr. Samuel M. Van Santvoord, who for the past twenty-seven years has been a prominent figure in Albany. He is a self-made man in the mercantile line, who has gained a most enviable reputation, reflecting honor upon himself and the useful occupation which he early chose for a life-long pursuit. From a humble origin, and amidst difficulties before which many a young heart would have quailed, … Read more

Biography of William Henry Seward

William H. Seward was born May 16, 1801, in the village of Florida, Town of Warwick, Orange County, New York. His father, Dr. Samuel S. Seward, was a physician of good standing and the first Vice-President of the County Medical Society. Dr. Seward was a farmer, as well as physician, and also the magistrate, storekeeper, banker and money-lender of the little village. He lived to a good old age, dying after his son’s election to the United States Senate, in 1849. The family was of New Jersey origin. John Seward, the grandfather of William Henry, served in the war of … Read more

Biography of Elnathan Sweet

ELNATHAN SWEET IN THE profession of a surveyor and civil engineer, a name known far and near is that of Elnathan Sweet – a man who for the past fourteen years has claimed the city of Albany as his residence. He was born in Cheshire, Mass., on the 20th of November, 1837. He comes from a New England ancestry, noted for their enterprise, solidity and high character, and for the active part they took in pioneer work in this section of the country, and in the dissemination of moral and religious principles in their communities. His father, Rev. Elnathan Sweet, … Read more

Biography of Edward Wemple

EDWARD WEMPLE AMONG those who have graced the annals of our state in the wide, active and interesting fields of political service is the present efficient comptroller, Hon. Edward Wemple. He comes from an ancestry noted for their sturdy-characteristics, their devotion to principle, and their love of liberty. Away back in the history of Holland his forefathers lived and labored for the best interests of their country and humanity. But their enterprise was not confined to their own land. They sought other and wider regions for the advancement of the cause of civilization and human progress. Large numbers of them … Read more

Biography of A. P. Fonda

A. P. Fonda has made a most creditable record as a farmer, as a lawyer and particularly as a citizen whose devotion to the welfare of the great majority Is a recognized fact. A resident of Independence, he was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, March 30, 1878, his parents being Anthony Philip and Laura D. (Wier) Fonda, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of New Jersey. His parents became acquainted and were married in Leavenworth, Kansas. The father conducted the first wholesale grocery in Kansas City, which place was then known as Port Fonda. … Read more

Biography of Lucius Cozzens Rice

Lucius Cozzens Rice, state treasurer of Idaho and one of the leading business men of the commonwealth, is a native of Riceville, Fulton county, New York, where he was born June 30, 1867. being the only son now living that was born to the marriage of Harvey P. and Sarah C. Rice. The Rice family is one of the oldest in Central New York; and in the old dwelling, which is still standing, and in which Mr. Rice was born, five generations have lived. This residence was built prior to the war for American independence, by Colonel Oliver Rice, who … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur Silas Wright

Wright, Arthur Silas; educator; born, Decatur, N. Y., March 7, 1858; son of Hanson and Fannie M. (Mason) Wright; A. B., Union College, 1882, A. M., 1886; Princeton Theological Seminary, 1884-1885; University of Leipzig, 1885-1887; married, Julia B. Barbyte, of Schenectady, N. Y., April 2, 1890; junior prof. modern languages, Union College, 1887-1892; prof. modern languages, Case School of Applied Science, since 1893; member Modern Language Association of America; Modern Language Association of Ohio. Editor: In St. Jurgen (Theodor Storm), 1901; Entwicklungslehre (v. Wagner), 1903; Elektronentheorie (Kayser), 1905.

Biographical Sketch of Bradshaw, George T.

Bradshaw, George T. dealer in grain, coal, flour, feed, paints, etc., opened business in 1876. The firm of Knight, Bradshaw & Potter are proprietors of Fairport Flouring Mills, which are located at Fairport, fifteen miles northwest of Russell. These mills are 38×40 feet, three stories high, built of stone in 1879, at a cost of $12,000. The mills are propelled by both steam and water. The capacity is sixty barrels in twenty-four hours. Mr. Bradshaw first came to Russell in April, 1871, with the Northwestern Colony. He was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., in 1836, and reared on a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Winston Burnham

Burnham, Thomas Winston; mfr. and banker; born, Cleveland, Jan. 22, 1844; son of Thomas and Maria Louisa White Burnham; educated, Cleveland public schools and Union University of Schenectady, N. Y.; degree of A. B.; married, Cleveland, Oct. 6, 1869; Mary Kate Coll; two daughters, Mrs. G. W. Grandin and Mrs. J. P. Burton; pres. The Star Elevator Co. and The Kilby Mfg. Co.; director and chairman of the Board National City Bank; director The Cleveland Burial Case Co., Cleveland Union Stock Yards Co., Citizens’ Savings & Trust Co. and F. H. Hill & Co., Chicago; member Union, University, Country, Roadside … Read more

Hiram Charles Todd of Saratoga Springs NY

Hiram Charles Todd9, (Vernon L.8, Hiram L.7, Samuel6, Eliel5, Samuel4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born July 17, 1876, in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., married in Athens, Ga., Nov. 27, 1901, Susan Thomas, daughter of Edwin King and Mary Bryan (Thomas) Lumpkin, who was born May 20, 1881, at Athens, Ga. Hiram Charles Todd obtained his education in the Public Schools of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., where he was graduated in the year 1897 with the degree of Ph. B. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War, he enlisted in Co. L., 2nd N. … Read more

Biography of Abram A. Post

Abram A. Post, owner of one of the finest farms in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, which has been in uninterrupted possession of his family since 1809, has had the advantage of extended travel to assist him in the cultivation of this piece of land and bring out its especial qualities. Frank J. Post, father of Abram A. Post, was born on the homestead farm, October 16, 1842, died in 1904. He improved the land which had been left to him by his father, in many respects, but it was left to the improved methods of his son to bring … Read more

Biography of Charles J. Larkin

The City of Rock Island has several contractors and builders whose operations are upon a very extensive scale, and whose work is known, not only in the immediate vicinity of their home city, but throughout the entire western part of the United States, where they have been engaged to erect large public buildings, manufacturing plants, railway depots and other edifices requiring the expenditure of thousands of dollars. Among the men so engaged is Charles J. Larkin. Mr. Larkin was born September 13, 1852, in Schenectady, New York, and lived in that city until he was four years of age, when … Read more

Biography of William Keusink

William Keusink was for many years actively engaged in business in Champaign, but is now living retired in that city. His family came to Champaign County before the Civil War. Mr. Keusink was born in Schenectady, New York, August 19, 1856, a son of Benardus and Wilhelmina (Hall) Keusink. His parents were both natives of Holland, where they were married, and soon after their marriage they immigrated to America. About 1860 they came’ to Champaign, where the senior Keusink followed his trade as a machinist in the employ of the Illinois Central Railway Company. His death occurred in April, 1869. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Graham Hayes

(VII) Edward Graham Hayes, son of Dr. Joseph Byron (2) Hayes, was born July 12, 1862. He was a student in the old Canandaigua Academy, the Pennsylvania Military Academy, Chester, Pennsylvania, and Union College (class of 1886), Schenectady, New York. He is a. member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After leaving college he spent a number of years in Colorado in the cattle business, and then spent some time abroad. In 1900 he married Elizabeth McGill, of Jamestown, New York, and in 1903 returned to Canandaigua, where he has since made his home. Mr. Hayes was-occupied in private business affairs … Read more

Biography of James Wesley Hutt

JAMES WESLEY HUTT ONE OF the most thorough-going and competent men in the express business is James W. Hutt, general superintendent of the National Express Company, whose head-quarters are in Albany. He belongs to a substantial old family of Schoharie county, N. Y., of Holland-Dutch origin, who early came to this region and took an active part in the civilization and progress of the country and afterward in defending their homes in the attacks of British and savage foes. Those old pioneers were men of the simplest habits, loyal in their attachment to the principles of civil and ecclesiastical liberty … Read more

Biography of Frederick Townsend

FREDERICK TOWNSEND AMONG those who have taken a prominent part in the development of the military affairs of our state, and have also been conspicuous for gallantry in the war for the Union, is General Frederick Townsend, of Albany, where he was born on the 21st of September, 1825. He comes from a line of ancestors noted for their independence of character, high moral principles and true devotion to the cause of liberty. He is a son of Isaiah Townsend, a prominent and wealthy merchant of this city, who married his cousin, Hannah Townsend, of New York, and died, at … Read more