Montgomery County New York Family Sketches
Surnames O-R

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

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.

Stephen Ostrom Family Sketch

Ostrom, Stephen, Glen, one of eight children of Stephen and Anna Maria (Edwards) Ostrom, was born at the old family homestead, December 9, 1856, the others being Charles J., Anna M. E., wife of Richard Winne; Elizabeth, wife of Walter B. Cross; Miriam C, wife of W. Hoagland Baird; Margaretta (deceased); David I. and Ella L. Ostrom. Stephen, the father, was born February 13, 1812, and always lived in Glen, where he died August 19, 1886. His wife (Anna Maria) was a daughter of John and Ann (Van Schaick) Edwards of Glen, and was born March 19, 1818. Her grandfather, William Edwards, was born in Wales. He emigrated to this country in early life and settled in this state, marrying Christina Smith, who was of German descent. The father of the first Stephen Ostrom was John, who was born in Dutchess county, April 1, 1764. When twenty-one years of age he came to Glen and settled the farm where his grandson Stephen now lives, and where he died December 20, 1846. He married Anna Lane, who came from New Jersey February 8, 1787, and she died here on November 4, 1830. His father, Henry Ostrom, was born in 1741, ana the wife of the latter, Abigail Davenport, was born January 12, 1746.

Mrs. Catharine A. Ottman Family Sketch

Ottman, Mrs. Catharine A., Canajoharie, is a daughter of Christopher and Lydia (Hutton) Ottman. Christopher (father of our subject) was born in Root April 18, 1816, and was a son ot Henry Ottraan, also a native of this country. The great-grandfather, Christian Ottman, came to this county from Holland, settling here previous to the war of the revolution. He was the father of three children, and his wife was Elizabeth Liker, a daughter of Squire Liker of Root, and Henry, grandfather of our subject, was the oldest son. He was married when a young man to Catharine Alpaugh, daughter of Abram and Ann (Pettinger) Alpaugh. Mrs. Alpaugh was a native of New Jersey. Henry was the father of eleven children, six of whom survive: John of Michigan; William of Root; Nelson of Root; Usher of Albany county; Eve Liza, also of Albany county; Ann, widow of George Denham of Albany, and Christopher, father of Catharine, whose home is in Root. He married, at the age of twentyseven, Lydia, daughter of George and Sarah (Wycoffe) Button of Schoharie county, and they were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living: Henry W. of Esperance; Sarah, wife of Albert Karner of Wynan's Kill; Harriet, wife of Peter Kocher of Canajoharie; Lottie of Fort Plain; Lorena, wife of Lawrence Vogle of Canajoharie; Jasper of Canajoharie; Mary, wife of H. B. Shinaman of Fort Plain; Ezra of Root, who lives on the old homestead, and our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Ottman are both living, the former seventy-seven years of age, and the latter sixty-nine. Mrs. Ottman conducts a fine farm of 120 acres devoted to hay and grain, and also conducts a dairy of about twenty-five cows. She has two children, Benjamin, who conducts the farm, was born April 28, 1877, and Ada Bertha, a student at Clinton Liberal Institute.

Myron Overbaugh Family Sketch

Overbaugh, Myron, Florida, was born in Charleston on the 3d of August, 1853. He was one of seven children of Nelson and Elinor (De Forest) Overbaugh, the others being Charles, Benjamin, Mrs. P. Haslet McClumpha, Mrs. Gilbert McClumpha, and Mrs. Daniel Blood and Allen Overbaugh. The ancestors of Mr. Overbaugh were among the early settlers of this region. He was married October 2, 1878, to Catherine, daughter of Abram and Ann Elizabeth Van Horn of the town of Glen. They have three children, Van H., Elbert and Elsie.

Adam Z. Pettingill Family Sketch

Pettingill, Adam Z., Amsterdam, Tribes Hill p. o., was born in the town of Mohawk, a mile west of Tribes Hill, April 5, 1858, and is a son of Cornelius and Mary E. (Zieley) Pettingill. He is now conducting the leading industry of Tribes Hill, a paper box manufactory. He employs a large number who make their homes in this village. But the principal advantage of such an establishment in the place is that it gives employment to those who make their purchases at home and thus help the place. The business has been established but six years, and from a small beginning Mr. Pettingill has built it up to its present large proportions. Although doing an extensive business it will be greatly increased the present year (1891). He finds a market for his product in the mills at Fort Hunter, Fultonville, Fonda and Amsterdam. His specialty is the fancy boxes such as are used for silk mitts, etc. He buys most of the stock used direct from the manufacturers in car loads, the paper board mill at Stillwater furnishing the most of it. Mr. Pettingill comes from the old pioneer stock, connected with the ancestors of many of the leading business men of this county. His father died in 1871 when Adam was but thirteen years old, and he has had to pull for himself since, with what success is shown by the above sketch. January 19, 1887. he married Julia Slattery of Troy. He has always been an active worker for his political party but not an office seeker. Content to let others govern while he devotes his time and attention to his business.

Samuel F. Powell Family Sketch

Powell, Samuel F., Amsterdam, was born in the town of Westerlo, Albany county, June 29, 184G, and was educated in the public schools in winters, working on the farm in summer; he also attended Coeymans Academy one year; after this he taught school several terms to obtain means for his further education; he then took the full course at Albany State Normal School, graduating therefrom in January, 1877. January 19, 1882, he married Maria R. Van Derzee of Coeymans; they have five children, three sons and two daughters: Caroline J., Annie L., Van Derzee, Samuel F., jr., and Winfield B. Mr. Powell came to Amsterdam in 1888; he was elected school commissioner in 1881 of Albany county, and served with distinction one full term; he has been a a druggist since 1884; his grandfather on his mother's side, Sylvanus Kelly, was in the war of 1812.