Montgomery County New York Family Sketches
Surnames A-B
Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley
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Montgomery County New York Family Sketches extracted from the History of Montgomery County, Revised and Edited By Washington Frothingham, Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason and Co., Publishers and Printers, 1892.
Frederick H. Aldrich Family Sketch
Aldrich, Frederick H., Amsterdam, was born in Saratoga county, on the 14th day of March, 1853, and was educated in the public schools and Starkey Seminary in Yates county. In the year 1879 he came to Amsterdam. On the 5th of April, 1874, he married Sarah J. Frasier of his native place, by whom he had six children: Sattie M., Annah B., Amy A., Elbert H., Nettie J., and Frederick H., jr. Mr. Aldrich's father, John H., was born at the old home and married Sally M., by whom he had seven children. Her father, John Johnson, was a soldier and captain in the war of 1812. Mr. Aldrich is foreman in Tennis, Peck & Co. broom factory.
Nelson W. Allen Family Sketch
Allen, Nelson W., Amsterdam, father of Chauncey W., was born in North Galway, Saratoga county, July 12, 1812, and was educated in the public schools of his day. About the year 1834 he married Ann, daughter of Sarah and John Nott, formerly of England. They had eight children, two have died, five daughters and one son survive: Sarah A., who married Isaiah McNeil, now of Bristol, Va.; Marion, who married Elijah Barber of Galway; Lydia and Lois reside in this city with their brother and sister; Jennie B. and Chauncey W. are doing a grocery business on West Main street in this city. The Allen family came from Vermont in early times and are of English extraction.
Gilbert G. Archer Family Sketch
Archer, Gilbert G., Florida, telegraph operator and agent of the West Shore railroad at Fort Hunter, was born at Constantia, Oswego county, January 22, 1859. He was one of six children of Hugh G. and Margaret (Hoyle) Archer. Hugh G., the father, was born in Scotland in 1834, coming to this country when a boy; his wife, Margaret Hoyle, was also born in Scotland in 1838. The early life of Gilbert G. was spent in Kentucky, where he was educated, after which he returned to New York state, and since 1887 has been telegraph operator and agent of the West Shore railroad, having been stationed at Fort Hunter since 1888. In addition to his regular duties he has done a large amount of insurance business in the town. He was married January 20, 1883, to Hattie A. Marsh, one of nine children of P. S. and Lavina (Bly) Marsh of Constantia.
James Arkell Family Sketch
ARKELL, James, manufacturer, is a descendant of Sir Hugh De Aracle and of Sir George Rooke, names famous in English history. Mr. Arlcell has carved a name for himself worthy of his illustrious ancestry. He was born on the 16th of October, 1829, in Berkshire, England, emigrated with his parents to America, and settled on a farm near Canajoharie. He early developed literary taste and while yet a boy began lecturing. He was for many years manager and proprietor of the Canajoharie Radii, and in 1859 he and Adam Smith embarked in the manufacture of paper sacks, which has since developed into a very large and lucrative business. Mr. Arkell is a staunch Republican. He has been state senator and is a power in the councils of his party. He is a ready and eloquent speaker and a powerful writer on political and financial affairs. He includes among his friends many of the eminent; statesmen of the day and was a frequent and welcome visitor to General Grant in his last sickness. He was the chief promoter and owner of the Mt. McGregor railroad, and for some years the principal proprietor of the Albany Evening Journal. In 1833 he married Sarah H. Bartlett, who was born in 1835 at Philmont, and is a daughter of Ebenezer Bartlett, of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Arkell have the following children: William J., born March 26, 1856, now a joint owner of the Judge and also of Frank Leslie's Newspapers, New York; he married Minnie A. Cahill; Mary F. A., born April 2, 1862, and now wife of Edwards Burnap; Bartlett, who maried Carrie Clark; Laura, born on the 18th of July, 1866, and now wife of John Ilse; Bertelle, born on the 28th of January, 1871 and now wife of Bernard Gillam. Mr. Arkell is a large contributor to the church and beuevolent purposes. He has recently rebuilt his residence at great expense, and it is now one of the finest in Central New York.
The Arndt Family Sketch
Arndt Family, The. — Prior to the revolutionary war, three brothers named Arndt emigrated from Germany and settled in the state of Pennsylvania. One of the number, after a few years, returned to his native country, and another (Abraham), left Pennsylvania and settled in Minden. Abraham, the founder of the present branch of the family in Montgomery county, from the beginning took a great interest in public affairs, became major in the militia, and participated with his command at the battle of Oriskany. In 1786 he purchased a farm in Minden for £112, from the state of New York, upon which he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1825. In 1786 he was elected state senator and held that position until 1791, and in 1792 his name appears in the town records of Canajoharie, as holding the office of supervisor. He was married after he came to Montgomery county and had thirteen children. Two of the number died in tlieir infancy; of the remainder, John, born August 11, 1782, died in Herkimer county; Anna was born June 16, 1794, date of death unknown; Elizabeth was born February 5, 1796, married Abrain Moyer and died in Minden; Catherine was born February 28, 1798, and married Henry Nellis of Palatine: Maria was born September 25, 1799, and married Peter Nellis of Palatine; Magdalena was born September 9, 1801, but the date of her death is unknown; Abram was born November 18, 1803; Jacob W., born December 12, 1805, married and removed to Grand Rapids, Mich.; Eve, born October 24, 1807, married H. F. C. Moyer and removed to Newark; Peter was born January 23, 1810, married Miss Adams of Fort Plam, and removed to Grand Rapids, Mich.; Henry was born July 21, 1812, and died at Newark. Of the thirteen children Abram resided on the old homestead (where he was born) until his death, which occurred October 1, 1864. On June 22, 1826, he married Mary Walrath. They had four children, viz.: Maria, who married Henry Sanders, and died in Minden; Minerva, who married David Elwood and is now living at Jackson, Mich.; Alfred, who resides in Minden; and Henry, who is now a resident of Bay Ridge. Alfred, the eldest son of Abram, was born on the old homestead, June 1, 1831, and has always resided there. On the 22d day of June, 1870, he married Adaline, daughter of John Diefendorf, of Minden. Of their children one died in infancy; the others were Beatrice, who died, aged fourteen years; and Charles, who is now living with his father on the farm. Mr. Arndt is a prominent farmer and a Republican in politics.
John E. Ashe Family Sketch
Ashe, John E., Mohawk, Fonda p. o. (son of James), was born May 6, 1845, and was brought up in West Bloomfield. He attended the West Bloomfield Academy, and in 18G6 graduated from Union College. He read law in Troy and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In partnership with Monroe Cady he practiced two years in Owego. On account of ill health he gave up the practice of law, and was deputy clerk of the legislature. In 1872 he established the Amsterdam Democrat, which he edited until 1875, when he bought the Mohawk Valley Democrat, which be published and edited for seven years with ability and success, when he was appointed deputy superintendent of public works of the state of New York. In 1890 he engaged in business with James Shanahan. April 1, 1891, he joined the firm of Shanahan, Briggs & Co., as proprietors of the Cayadutta Mills at Fonda, which manufacture knit goods. May 29, 1878, Mr. Ashe married Catherine, daughter of James Shanahan. They have three children: Mary, James Shanahan and John Elmer. Mr. Ashe is a rare instance of the combination of law, journalism, public life and manufacturing interest, and is a popular man with all classes.
Alexander Ayres, M.D. Family Sketch
Ayres, Alexander, M. D., Minden, is a lineal doscendent of Capt. John Ayres, who settled at Ipswich, Mass., in 1648. The line of descent is as follows: First, John; second, Samuel; third, Jabez; fourth, Jabez. The latter was the grandfather of our subject, and was a revolutionary soldier. He was stationed in the winter of of 1778 at Bound Brook, N. J. His son, Henry, the father of Dr. Ayers, was horn in 1774, at New Braintree, Worcester county, Mass., and came to Oppenheim, in 1702. He was engaged in farming, and married Abigail Bean. Their eldest son (of a family of nine children) was the doctor, who was born in Oppenheim, April 9, 1811. After atttending the local schools, at the age of nineteen years, he taught school at Little Falls for several terms afterwards at East Creek. About 1833 he commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Daniel Ayres, at East Creek. He attended for two years lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, and graduated in 1836 from the Medical College at Castleton, Vt. In the same year he was licensed by the Montgomery Medical Society to practice surgery. In 1836, his uncle having removed to Amsterdam, he commenced practicing at East Creek, but in the same year removed to Pontiac, Mich. After a residence there of three years, owing to sickness in his family, he returned to Bast Creek, where he practiced until 1857, when he came to Fort Plain, and continued in active business until his death, August 27, 1886. In 1831 he married Miss Harriet C. Farr of East Creek, and they had seven children: Sarah Helen, died young, in Michigan; Walter, resides in Oregon; Douglass, Albert, Harriet and Alexander, all residents of Fort Plain; and Helen, wife of Henderson Peck, attorney at Parkersburg, W. Va. Dr. Ayres was a member of the New York State and Montgomery County Medical societies, and was one of the founders of the New York State Medical Association. A Democrat in politics, he was elected supervisor of the town. He was in active practice for half a century and was a gentleman of the old school, courteous and dignified in his manners, honorable and gentlemanly in his intercourse with his medical brethren. Douglas Ayres, M. D, was born at East Creek, August 20, 1812. His education was acquired at a select school at Greene, Chenango county, where he remained two years. He then became a student at the Fort Plain Seminary for two years and the next three years he attended the Fairfield Academy. He commenced the study of medicine with his father at Fort Plain, and in 1861 entered the Albany Medical College, from which he graduated in 1865. He commenced the practice of his profession the same year in Fort Plain, and in 1870 formed a partnership with his father, which continued until the death of the latter. He is a member of the American and New York State Medical Associations, and the Montgomery Medical Society, and has been president of the latter and first vice-president of the State Medical Association. He is a Democrat in politics.
William Hoagland Baird Family Sketch
Baird, William Hoagland, Glen, was born in the town of Charleston. February 10, 1849. He was one of three children of William and Dorothy Malinda (Abel) Baird, the others being Mary Ellen (Mrs. J. H. Serviss) and Heppie A. (Mrs. M. Mount Shelp.) His father, William Baird, was born in Charleston, September 23, 1818, and was the son of Benjamin Baird, born October 11, 1786, and Eleanor (Miller) Baird, who was born May 4, 1798. His wife was Dorothy Malina Abel, daughter of Philip and Hepzibah (Conover) Abel, born May 10, 1816. William Hoagland Baird's great-grandfather, William Baird, came to Glen from New Jersey in 1796. having been born in that state September 22, 1742; his father (also named William Baird) was born February 24, 1704, and died in 1793. His ancestor emigrated from Scotland to New Jersey. William Hoagland Baird married, September 29, 1875, Miriam C, daughter of Stephen and Anna M. (Edwards) Ostrom of Glen, she being one of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have two children, Nellie 0., born October 29, 1877, and Benjamin H., born June 23, 1884. Mr. Baird served the town during two terms as supervisor.
Jacob B. Banta Family Sketch
Banta, Jacob B., Amsterdam, Hagaman's Mills p. o., was born in the town of Perth September 4, 1804, and was a son of Barnard and Ellen (Van Epps) Banta, who came to Fulton county from Saratoga county before 1800. Jacob attended the village school and helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-nine years of age. After the death of his father he conducted the farm until 1843 when he moved into the town of Amsterdam, where he rented a farm for three years. In 1846 he bought 100 acres on Manny's road which he kept for forty-four years; he then moved into his fine village residence on Haskell street at Hagaman's Mills. March 7, 1839, he married Hannah M. Levitt, daughter of Sherwood Levitt of Perth. They were the parents of six children: Justus L., born April 28, 1843; Mary B., born March 26, 1846 Charles H., born October 14, 1849; Jane A., born April 20, 1853; George S., born July 23, 1857; and Clara A., born September 4, 1860. Mrs. Banta died January 26, 1892, aged seventy-three. Jacob Banta, the subject of this sketch, is one of the oldest residents of this town and some of his early recollections are important matters of history. He has been very prosperous during his life, which he owes only to his own industry and good management. He has hosts of friends, for his genial disposition and pleasant manner make "Uncle Jalve" the companion of old and young, and with his business friends in city and country he is very influential.
The Bander Family Family Sketch
Bander Family The. — The first settler of this family was Urial Bauder, who came from the valley of the Rhine. He settled in Minden, and purchased of Rudolph Keeler and others a farm, part of which is now in possession of his grandson, Nathan Bander, and which has always belonged to one who bore the name of Bander. Urial married Elizabeth Moyer, and had these children: Jacob, died in western New York; George U.; Adam, who died in Herkimer connty; Urial, died in Minden Angust 15, 1814, aged fifty-five years; Elizabeth, married John Peck, and died in western New York; and Mary, married John Moyer, and died in Minden. Urial died in Minden July 16, 1831, aged eighty-four years, four months and four days. His wife died November 17, 1828, aged seventy-six years, five months and fourteen days. George U, of the above family, was born in Minden October 4, 1737. and married May 6, 1810, Peggy, daughter of Peter Dunckle. She was born October 5, 1780. The only issue of this marriage, Nancy, died in infancy. George U., married February 5, 1813, Maria, daughter of Peter Dunckle. She was born November 7, 1796. Their children were Levi, born January 3, 1815, died February 27, 1890, at New Orleans, La.; Peter, born December 15, 1818, resides in Rockford, Ill.; Ephraim, born April 10, 1823, died in infancy; Simeon, born August 25, 1825, died in Kansas in June, 1800; John G.; Margaret Ann, born September 25. 1830, married Jacob II. Moyer, and died in Minden May 10, 1862; Anna Elizabeth, born November 10, 1833, wife of Dr. A. S. Scovill of Morea, Saratoga county; George and Nathan. George U. came and lived on the farm now occupied by his son Nathan, whicli then consisted of 200 acres, and he felled the first tree on the farm. The present residence was built in 1806, previous to which there was a log house. The farm was very heavily wooded and contained the largest pine tree for miles around; it measured seven feet and four inches in diameter; about fifteen feet from the ground it formed two branches about twenty-five feet it became three, and about thirty-five feet four, all of large size; it made thirty-six logs, none less than ten feet in length and yielded 13,000 feet of lumber. George U. died June 23, 1869, and his wife January 15, 1888. John G. (son of George U.), was born in Minden August 15, 1827, and married Eliza, daughter of John Zoller. Of their six children, all but one (Frank W.) died in infancy. John G. was always engaged in farming, and held the office of secretary of the Farmers' Insurance Co., of Minden. He was a Democrat in politics, and died April 1, 1892. Frank W., son of John G., was born in Minden September 29, 1866, and married Meeta, daughter of Daniel A. Devoe of Canajoharie. They have one chdd, Harry D. Frank W. is a Democrat in politics and has been secretary of Montgomery County Council of Grangers for two years, and was for five years secretary of the Fort Plain Union Grange No. 515. George (son of George U.) was born in Minden August 13, 1836, and married October 22, 1858, Catherine, daughter of Andrew Yerdon. She was born in Minden November 16, 1838. They have two children, Lydia, wife of Alfred Moyer of Fort Plain, and Kate May, wife of James Lasher of Minden. Nathan, son of George U., was born in Minden June 9, 1839, and married Augusta, daughter of Dr. Solomon M. Sackrider. They have five children: Florilla May, wife of Joseph H. Smith of Fort Plain; Adelbert N., Eihel Nellie, and Victor S. (all residing at home), and Keith Ray, who died aged ten years. Mr. Bauder has always resided on his present farm, and is a Democrat in politics.
William H. Barkley Family Sketch
Barkley, William H., Amsterdam, p. o. Tribes Hill, was born at Burtonville, in the town of Charleston, January 20, 1864, a son of Charles J. and Harriet (Montayne) Barkley. His ancestry, on the father's side, was Scotch; on the mother's side, Hollanders. The grandfather (Henry Barkley) came to this country about 1780, and settled in Albany county, where seven children were born; Charles J. was next to the youngest. He was married in 1859, and was the father of eight children; seven are now living: Charles D. of Amsterdam; Emma (Mrs. Henry Snyder of Amsterdam); Frances (wife of Irving Haskins, of Schenectady; George A., who lives at Burtonville; Anna May, Elmer E., and our subject. William H. Barkley attended district school at home and helped on the farm until eighteen years of age, when he entered the Albany Normal School to prepare for a teacher, under Prof. E. P. Waterbury. After leaving there he accepted a call to Auriesville, where he taught two years and then came to Tribes Hill, where he taught four years. In 1891 he accepted a call to Fort Hunter to the great regret of his many friends in this place, but as he holds a state certificate, he is needed in the larger and more advanced schools. August 1, 1889, he married Margaret Van Antwerp, daughter of John H. and Jennie (Coyne) Van Antwerp of Fonda, and they have been blessed with one child, Schuyler V. A.
Charles F. Becker Family Sketch
Becker, Charles F., Amsterdam, was born in Prussia on the 21st of September, 1859, and came with his parents to this country when he was only seven. They located in Port Jackson, now the Fifth ward of this city, where he was educated. When he was very young his father died and he was thrown on his own resources. For a number of years he worked in the knitting mills in various positions, and is now on the police force of this city. On the 20th of September, 1880, he married Minnie, oldest daughter of Frederick and Anna La Bahan. They had two children, a boy and a girl, namely: Louis F. and Anna M. Both died of diphtheria, one at the age of four and the other at the age of two.
William Bellinger Family Sketch
Bellinger, William. Canajoharie, was born on the 19th of December, 1846, in Root, and is a son of William I. and Eliza (Putman) Bellinger, both of Dutch ancestry and natives of Montgomery county. The father was born on the 6th of December, 1806, at Spraker's Basin, and is remembered as an upright and honorable man; his greatgrandfather, William Bellinger, emigrated with the Palatines from the banks of the Rhine. William I. was a colonel of militia and had command of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth regiment of state militia. He was supervisor of the town of Bleecker, Fulton county, for a number of years. He died on the 17th of February, 1872. William Bellinger was brought up on a farm and followed agriculture for several years; he still owns the old homestead, a fine farm of ninety acres, in the town of Root. In 1837 he engaged in the insurance business with Maj. A. V. Davis, and in the year 1890 with A. G. Richmond, under the firm of Richmond & Bellinger. On the 19th of January, 1876, he married Anna V., daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Vischer) Garlock. She is a great-granddaughter of Colonel Vischer (or Fisher), first judge of Montgomery county, and colonel of the Tryon county regiment at the. battle of Oriskany. Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger have two children, Florence V. and Elijah W. Mr. Bellinger is a Republican in politics, has been justice of the peace, is a notary public and a Mason.
Israel P. Benn Family Sketch
Benn, Israel P., Amsterdam, Hagaman's Mills p. o., was born in Windsor, Broome county, November 17, 1825, and was a son of Hugh I. and Ruth (Alden) Benn. He accompanied his parents to Fulton county in 1840, where he had the advantage of a good common school education. In 1844 Hugh, his father, died aged 65, leaving Israel to depend on himself. He engaged with Henry Pawling of Hagaman's Mills, and was on the road selling cloths and buying wool at various times for about fifteen years. In 18G3 he again joined Mr. Pawling, staying one year. In 1864 he started a general store in Hagaman's Mills, where Mr. F. Hagaman is now located, running it for about three years. He worked a farm for a year and a half when he again went into a store at the corner where Rubeck's harness shop is now, remaining there about twenty-two years. In June, 1886, his son built a store and ballon the main street, which his father now occupies as a general store and post-oflice, having been appointed July 1, 1889. May 5, 1846, he married Jane Bishop of Mayfield, by whom he is the father of three children: William J., born August 18, 1847; Frances E., born November 18, 1849; Charles L., born November 22, 1861, all of Amsterdam. Mr. Benn is still living at sixty-nine years of age.
William T. Bennett Family Sketch
Bennett, William T., Amsterdam, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, May 29, 1853, and was educated in the high schools of Leicester; he is by occupation a dyer, and about 1880 he came to the United States, first locating at Utica, where he remained four years as the superintendent of the dyeing department of the Globe Woolen Mills. In 1884 he came to Amsterdam, where he commenced business on his own account. "He has recently built a commodious brick building on West Main street suitable for his growing trade. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Eoyel Somerset Lodge in England, F. and A. M., is also a member of the Woodbine Lodge, No. 260, of Knights of Pythias, a member of the Kennyetto Tribe. No. 10, of Improved Order of Red men. He was elected alderman in 1889 for two years. March 20, 1874, he married L Rebekah Perkins, of Somersetshire, England; they have two children, both sons: William P., born in Frome, Somersetshire, March 30, 1876, and Charles J., born February 9, 1878. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Amsterdam board of trade.
James F. Birch Family Sketch
Birch, James F., Amsterdam, was born in Greenbush, Rensselaer county, February 17. 1820, and was the son of George H. and Phoebe (Mitchell) Birch, who were the parents of fourteen children, of whom twelve reached manhood and six are yet living, viz.: Harriet Link of Rensselaer county, eighty-four years old; Frederick of Michigan, seventy-eight years old; George of Castleton, seventy-five years old; Caroline Defriest of Greenbush, sixty-eight years of age; and Henrietta Couse of Greenbush, fifty-six years old. James, the subject of our sketch, attended the public school and at the age of fifteen went to the Amsterdam Academy, his parents having moved hither in 1827. February 6, 1845, he married Hannah M. Clizbe, a daughter of Darius and Mary (Jones) Clizbe. Mr. Birch moved on the farm where he now lives immediately after his marriage, and has made a blooming garden of a former desolate wilderness. It was a farm of sixty-one acres, but in 1891 he sold Mr. SaflTord forty acres and built a fine residence, across the road from the old homestead, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Birch are the parents of four children, of whom only two are now living: Charles E., born February 6, 1855, and Edward J., born August 4, 1800. Charles conducts a fruit farm near his father's residence and Edward a milk depot in Amsterdam.
G. Edwin Blauvelt Family Sketch
Blauvelt, G. Edwin, Amsterdam, p. o. Hagaman's Mills, was born in Paterson, N.J. November 19, 1844. He was a son of John I. and Ann (Berry) Blauvelt. John I., his father, was a son of John Joseph Blauvelt, who was born in New York in 1766, and was the father of seven children, of whom John T. was the oldest. He was born March 19, 1804, was married April 20, 1840, and had seven children, of whom four are living: William H., Martin, Anna M. (Walter), and G. Edwin, all residents of New York state. Our subject lived at home during his early life, being educated in the public schools, and a six years course in the High School at Paterson. In 1862 he went to Andover, N. J., where he was engaged as clerk in a general store four years, returning home for three years. In 1872 he came to Hagaman's Mills to act in the capacity of book-keeper in the Star Hosiery Mills, rising to the position of superintendent and remaining eighteen years. May 12, 1874, he married Catherine A. Terwilliger, daughter of Abram and Margaret E. (Pawling) Terwilliger of Hagaman's Mills. She was born June 22, 1842. A niece of Mrs. Blauvelt takes the place of children in their home, Jessie, who was born January 25, 1881, a daughter of Helen Palmateer, now deceased. In 1890 Mr. Blauvelt, with Austin and the Stairs brothers, built a knitting mill at Rockton, which they have since successfully conducted.
John F. Bowman Family Sketch
Bowman, John F., Florida, was born in the town of Glen on the 12th day of July, 1803. He was the youngest of five children of Frederick and Anna (Newman) Bowman. Frederick Bowman was born in Germany and came to this country about forty-eight years ago, settling in Glen some eight years after. He removed to Florida in 1863 where he has since been engaged in farming. John Bowman was married to Elizabeth Noeltner of Glen on the 21st day of September, 1887. They have one child, Edna M. Bowman, born December 23, 1890.
Albert W. Breedon Family Sketch
Breedon, Albert W., Amsterdam, was born on the 20th of July, 1859, in Fitchburg, Mass., and was educated in the public schools and Amsterdam Academy. By occupation he is a needle manufacturer, and is in partnership with his father, under the firm of William Breedon & Son. On the 12th of March he married Mary Norton, of Bennington, Vt. They have five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Robert, Albert W., jr., Reuben, Mary and Lotta.
William Breedon Family Sketch
Breedon, William, Amsterdam, was born on the 23d of September, 1828, in Loughborough, England, and was educated there. He was apprenticed to the trade of machinist at Leicester for seven years, until he was twenty-one. He married Mary Shingler of Leicester, and in 1851 came to the United States and located at Waterbury, Conn. He worked in other places in first-class establishments as a knitter until 1864, when he came to Amsterdam and engaged in the manufacture of spring knitting needles. In 1877 he was elected member of the board of trustees for three years, and in 1891 was elected mayor of the city, and also re-elected in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Breedon have had six children, five daughters and one son: Sarah, who married Oscar K. Potter; Eliza E., who married William Crowell: Mary J., who married Charles E. Rivenburg; Lottie, who married Charles M. Morse; Albert W., who married Mary Norton, and Harriet L., who resides at home. In 1879 he took his son Albert W. into partnership, and the business is now conducted under the firm of William Breedon & Son.
John I. Brookman Family Sketch
Brookman, John I., Minden, was born in Minden, August 31, 1818, and received a district school education, and also spent one term at the Cherry Valley Academy. He was brought up on a farm, but at the age of eighteen commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed for seven years, having schools in Minden, St. Johnsville, and three terms in Herkimer county. He then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed in summer and taught school winters. This he followed until 1802, when he bought his present farm of seventy-six acres, which he has increased till now it comprises 200 acres. In politics a Republican, he has been town superintendent of schools, commissioner of schools, and supervisor several terms. He married Ann Lintner, and they had nine children, viz.: Marvin, died young; Reuben, died aged thirty years in Minden; Marvin and Manha (twins), the former residing in Minden; the latter is the wife of Philip J. Diefendorf of Canajoharie; Alice, wife of Erving Manclow of Johnstown; George W., married Emma Shaul, and has two children, Mabel and Lulu, and lives in Minden; Edgar and Edwin (twins), in Vermilion, S. D.; and Anna, who died in childhood.
John H. Brookman Family Sketch
Brookman, John H., Minden, is the great-grandson of Godfrey, who married a Mrs. Anna Stover of New York, and had two children, a daughter, and a son named John. The latter married Nancy Sanders, and their children were: Nancy, who married Jacob Weiting; Lany, married John Dillenback; Deeny, married Charles Garlock; Elizabeth, married Peter Quackenbush; Mary, married Henry Dillenback; and John, the only son, who died in Minden in 1855, aged fifty-eight years. He married Mary Dillenback and their family was as follows: Ann Eliza, who married Charles Wagner; Catherine, lives in Cincinnati; Rachel Malinda, married Peter Wiles and died in Minden; Martin H., resides in Minden; Betsey Mariah, who is the widow of Henry Mathias and resides in Herkimer county; James Isaac, died in Minden; Almira, married Martin A. Pickard and died in Minden; Hannah Margaret, who married Isaac Dillenback and resides in Cortland county; and John H., the oldest of the above family, who was born in Minden October 21, 1817, and married, February 25, 1841, Nancy, daughter of Peter A. Casler. Their nine children are as follows: Henry, Chancey, died aged twenty-seven years; Mary C, wife of Solomon Dillenback of Minden; Helen Elizabeth, wife of Albert Diefendorf of Minden; Malvina, died aged two years; John Martin, married Catherine Smith and lives in Minden; Walter, died aged ten years; Ida Eliza, wife of William Dillenback of Minden; Edward, lives in Minden; and Viola May, wife of Frank E. Hufnail. John H. Brookman has fifteen grandchildren living and two deceased.
George Brown Family Sketch
Brown, George, of Amsterdam, was born in 1801 in Rhode Island and came to Montgomery county when a young man, being a mason by trade. In 1842 he married Catherine Miller, born in Scranton December 25, 1811, but then living in Amsterdam, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are dead: Warner, who was in the late war and was killed November 4, 1862, at Snicker's Gap on the Blue Ridge between the Loudon and the Shenandoah valleys; Mary A., died January 6. 1889; and Freeman, died April 11, 1874; Rachel A, who married Harvey Nestle, now residing at Delta, Oneida county; Harriet, who married Captain Abram V. Smith, who died May 10, 1889. In August, 1891, she married Daniel II. Davis and now resides at Dexter, Me; Frances, who married John Campbell of Amsterdam; they have one son, Arthur J.; and George, who is in the employ of the government in Amsterdam, married Mrs. Belle Hanson (Blanchard), formerly of Albany. Mr. Brown died November 14, 1861. Mrs. Brown's grandfather, Joshua Griffin, was a soldier in the revolutionary war and helped to build the historic forts in this valley.
Romeyn T. Bunn Family Sketch
Bunn, T. Romeyn, Amsterdam, was born on the 19th of December, 1844, in Amsterdam, at the old stone homestead, and is a graduate of Union College of the class of 1866. After his graduation from college he became a dry goods merchant and continued in that biusiness until the death of his father, Thomas Bunn, in August, 1883, when he took charge of the estate, opening up and laying out into city lots a beautiful property for which he found a ready demand. The rapid growth and increase in the valuation of his father's estate is largely due to his efforts. The enterprise he has shown in building a large number of houses and pushing forward improvements has led many others to buy and build homes for themselves. On the first of June, 1871, he married Kate R., the oldest and accomplished daughter of Judge Charles R. and Mary E. Ward Rhodes of Marietta, Ohio. Mary E. Ward Rhodes is a great-grandchild of General Artemas Ward of revolutionary fame. Mr. Bunn is the youngest elder of the Second Presbyterian church of this city. His father was born in the town of Amsterdam the 16th day of June, 1803, and married Elizabeth Button of the same place, formerly of New Jersey. They had ten children, seven daughters and three sons: Anna C, who married Dr. I. I. Buckbee of Fonda; Mary E., who lives in the old homestead (purchased from the heirs and remodeled for herself); Laura V., who married George Dean of Amsterdam; Harriet L., who married Rev. C. A. Conant of Bangor, Me.; Emily, who married Chandler P. Bartlett of this place; and John T.. who married Elizabeth Runkle, both of whom are dead; Orville C, who died in Silver City, Nev.; also two daughters who died in infancy. The ancestry of the Bunn family is from Holland.
Abraham Bush Family Sketch
Bush, Abraham, Minden, was born in Minden, January 1, 1852. His grandfather, Gotelieb Bush, was the son of George Bush, and he married Julianna Casler, by whom he had thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy. The children were as follows: Maria, who married John Wahath, and died at Boonville; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Lintner, and died at Fort Plain: Lydia, who married Plenry Miller, and died in Otsego county; Margaret, who married Jacob Sitts, and died in Oneida county; Jacob died in Minden; Isaac died in the West; Adam resides in Fort Plain; Nancy, widow of John Oliver Diefendorf, lives in Fort Plain: Eve, married George Ehle, and died at Johnstown; Julianna, married Aaron Dillenback, and died in Dexter; and William, who died in infancy. Peter G., father of Abraham Bush, was born in Minden December 20, 1810, and died in that town August 2, 1887. He married Catherine, daughter of Abraham Diefendorf, and they had eight children; George Albert, James H., Adaline, wife of Rev. Byron Fake of Fort Plain; Abraham, Elizabeth, wife of Charles Martin of Minden; Margaret, who died aged seven years; Charles Edward died aged fifteen months; and Erndy, died aged five months. Abraham received the benefit of a common school education and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. A Republican in politics, he has been school trustee and tax collector in his district. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Moses Smith, and they have two children: Howard S., and Edna.