BIOGRAPHIES
(Source:
Schenectady County, New
York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century
unknown: New York History Co., 1902 - Yates, Austin A.)
Transcribing by Sharon Wick
Bame, John H., Mrs.
Barnes, Dana A.
Barney, Howland S.
Baumgartuer, Conrad
Beattie, D. C., Hon.
Bellinger, Myron
Benedict, Charles H.
Benedict, Elizabeth
Berggren, Ernest Jacob
Bernardi, Joseph H.
Bernardi, Peter |
Berning, Fred W.
Betts, Charles H.
Bigelow, John Austin
Blessing, Alexander T.
Bradley, Daniel
Bradt, Aaron B.
Bradt, Aaron J.
Bradt, Cornelilus
Bradt, Elias
Bradt, Nicholas
Briggs, Charles Gilchrist, M. D. |
Briggs, Walter
Brignall, Edward S.
Broderick, John T.
Bronk, Abram P.
Brooke, Robert G.
Brown, Charles
Brown, Zadok
Burns, James F.
Burrows, Charles
Burtiss, Albert R.
Buys, Nicholas |
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Mrs. John H. Bame was born in
Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., August 28, 1825. She
is the daughter of Albert F. and Nancy (Failing) Vedder.
She was educated in the public schools of Schenectady, and on
Nov. 5, 1842, married John H. Bame, who was born in Rensselaer
County, April 19, 1825. His parents were David and
Margaret (Barringer) Bame. Mrs. Bame's mother, Nancy
Failing, was the daughter of Peter and Keziah (Higbee) Failing.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bame were as follows:
Melissa, born June 23, 1848; Vedder, born May 23, 1856, died
Dec. 10, 1856; Margaret V., born May 23, 1858.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bame were as follows:
Melissa, born June 23, 1848; Vedder, born May 23, 1856, died
Dec. 10, 1856; Margaret V., born May 23, 1858.
Melissa married Rozelle Kosboth Dec. 12, 1866.
Her husband died Feb. 4, 1882. They had four children,
namely, Ettie, Kittie Weaver, Margaret, and John B. Ettie
married Alonzo P. Walton, Sept. 7, 1887. Kittie Weaver
married William Pierce Landon, son of Hon. Judson S. Landon,
Sept. 14, 1892; she died May 25, 1893. Margaret was born
July 3, 1874, and married Harry Landon Butler Ryder on June 16,
1896. They live in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. John B.
married Mable Weed Van Dyke Dec. 22, 1896. He is in the
livery and real business in Schenectady.
Margaret V. Bame married William T. Hanson Oct. 5,
1881. They have had three children, of whom two are living
- Willis, Jr. and Fulford. Mr. Hanson is the well known
manufacturer of Pink Pills.
John H. Bame was the first man to start a livery in
Schenectady, in the year 1855; he was also the first owner of a
hearse in the city. From the livery he branched out into
the carriage and harness repository business, and also into real
estate. He was one of Schenectady's most prominent
business men in his day, and had retired at the time of his
death. |
Howland S. Barney, one of the best
known and, undoubtedly, the oldest business man in Schenectady,
was born in Saratoga Co., N.Y., Mar. 23, 1822. His parents
were Dr. Z. H. and Eliza (Swain) Barney. Dr. Barney moved
to Minaville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1826, and there Howland
S. Barney attended the common schools until fourteen years of
age, when he came to Schenectady and took a position as clerk in
the dry goods store of Sydney B. Potter, where he remained four
years. He then entered the employ of John Olin, and
ultimately became his partner in 1849, under the firm name of
John Olin & Company.
In 1853 Mr. Barney bought the interest of the retiring
partner in the firm of Barringer & Company, and five years later
the name of firm was changed to H. S. Barney & Company, which it
has ever sine maintained and has become one of the most widely
known and popular department stores in this part of the state.
The high standing and prolonged existence of this house under
one name is a tribute to the business enterprise and ability of
Mr. Barney.
In 1856 Howland S. Barney married Sarah, daughter of
Joseph Horsefall, of Schenectady. They have no children. |
Conrad Baumgartuer was
born in Germany, Jan. 26, 1856. After receiving a
preliminary education, he took a course in the Technical College
at Stuttgart, Wurttemburg, and graduated therefrom in 1877.
He then went to Turkey as a civil engineer for the Austrian
government, and remained there three years. From Turkey he
returned to Germany, and then came to America in 1880.
After landing in New York he secured a position as foreman for
Meyers & Company, with whom he remained for six years, after
which he was employed with the Edison Company for a short time.
he then came to Schenectady and entered the employ of the
General Electric Company, and after he had been six months in
the works, was made foreman of the Tool Department, Shop No. 17,
his present position.
In June, 1883, Conrad Baumgartnuer married Mary Volz,
who is also a native of Germany.
Mr. Baumgarteur is a member of St. George's Lodge No.
6, F. and A. M., Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 717, I. O. O. F., and
also of the Liederkranz society. |
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Hon. D. C. Beattie was born in
Salem, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1827, and was graduated from Norwich
University in 1845. He practiced law in Chicago from 1850
to 1859, and was located in Albany from 1860 to 1862, coming to
Schenectady in February of the latter year. Here he
carried on his practice with success, and gained popularity so
that he was elected District Attorney of Schenectady County in
the fall of 1874, and filled that office from Jan. 1, 1875 to
Dec. 31, 1878. In the fall of 1879 he was elected County
Judge, and took office on Jan. 1, 1880. |
Myron Bellinger was born in
Seward, Schoharie Co, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1859, and was educated in
the district schools of his native place. He came to
Schenectady in the spring of 1881, and worked for Engleman &
Thornton in the paint business for one year, at the expiration
of which he bought out Mr. Thornton, and the firm became
Engleman & Bellinger, as it exists today.
During its long career the firm has built up an
enviable reputation for fair dealing, and in addition to their
large retail business, they also do considerable manufacturing,
and are considered one of the leading paint houses of this part
of this state.
On June 27, 1894, Myron Bellinger married Rosanna
Trigg, daughter of John and Anna (Dickens) Trigg, and they have
two children, namely, Marion and Helen. The Trigg family
are of English origin, and Mrs. Bellinger was born in that
country.
Mr. Bellinger is a prominent mason and a member of St.
George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., St. George's Chapter No.
157, R. A. M., and St. George's Commandary No. 37, Knights
Templar. |
Charles H. Benedict, manager of
the Van Curler Opera House, was born in Penn Yan, N. Y., Nov. 6,
1865, and was educated at the Penn Yan Academy, of which he is a
graduate. His first business experience was with an
importing house, which dealt in kid gloves in New York City, and
he remained there six years. He then entered the
theatrical business as booking agent, and was so engaged for two
years. In 1892 he came to Schenectady to take the position
of lessee and manager of the Van Curler Opera House.
In Feb., 1892, Charles H. Benedict married Mary De
Wolfe, daughter of Charles and Mary E. (Snell) De Wolfe.
His parents were Alonzo and Rose (Davis) Benedict.
Mr. Benedict is a member of the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and of St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. And A. M. |
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Elizabeth Benedict was born in
the city of Schenectady, N. Y. Her parents were William F.
and Sarah (Swan) Benedict. Her father was born in the town
of Charlton, Saratoga County, and lived in that county until
twenty years of age. In 1865 he went to Albany where he
engaged is in junk business, handling iron and brass for the
foundries of Troy and Albany. This business he continued
until 1877, when he came to Schenectady. He died Oct. 20,
1886. Miss Benedict's father was married twice, and had
two sons and one daughter by his first marriage. He had
seven daughters and two sons by his second marriage. Miss
Benedict's mother was his second wife. |
Ernest Jacob Berggren was born
in New York City, July 30, 1863, and was educated in the schools
of Hoboken, N. J. He prepared himself for an accountant,
and in 1879 became assistant bookkeeper for Thomas A. Edison, at
Menlo Park, N. J., and since that date he has been continuously
associated with the interests of the great inventor. He
has been associated with Mr. Edison longer than any other man
ever in his employ, and his whole business life has been in
connection with the electrical industry.
Mr. Berggren came to Schenectady from New York, Dec.
18, 1886, when the office force of the Edison Machine Works
moved from New York to this city. Subsequently, when the
General Electric Company established its shops here, he became
an accountant with this company, and is now the chief accountant
of the Schenectady works.
He is a member of the Schenectady County Republican
Club, of the Edison Mutual Benefit Association, and of the Royal
Arcanum.
On July 2, 1889, Ernest Jacob Berggren married Olive
Furman. They have had three children, namely Hilda May,
John Ernest (deceased) and Linda Elizabeth. Mr. Berggren's
parents were Carl Leonard Berggren and Josephine (Schultzberg)
Berggren.
When the volume of business transacted, and the number
of men employed by the General Electric Company is contemplated,
it will readily be realized that the position of chief
accountant of these works involves an oversight and
responsibility not exceeded by any national secretary, and the
fact that Mr. Berggren occupies this position is the best
indication of his capacity and ability, to say nothing of the
zeal and proficiency which have kept him connected with the
General Electric Company, and one of its prime factors, during
his entire business life.
He is a genial and courteous gentleman, who has many
friends, both in Schenectady and the metropolis, and is one of
the bright minds that contribute to the success of the greatest
manufacturing industry in the world. |
Joseph H. Bernardi was born on
Oct. 25, 1858, in the city of Schenectady, and was educated in
the public schools of his native place. After leaving
school he learned the trade of cigar maker, and in 1882 began
business in that line on his own account, which business he
still conducts.
In addition to conducting his business Mr. Bernardi
takes an active part in public and social affairs. He has
represented his ward at the Council Board, and in 1897 was
elected to the office of city treasurer, to which he was
re-elected in 1899. He is organist and musical director in
St. John's Church choir; is a member of the Order of Red Men,
the Elks, Knights of Columbus, the Schenectady Club, the
Republican Club, and the Liederkranz Musical Society.
In 1886 Joseph H. Bernardi married Theresa, daughter of
Michael and Sarah Barry. They have three children, Maria
T., Genevieve and Helen B. Mr. Bernardi's parents were
John and Mary (Claesgeus) Bernardi, who came from Germany and
settled in Schenectady in 1854. |
Peter Bernardi was born in the
city of Schenectady Mar. 1, 1865. His first business
experience was in the capacity of drug clerk in Troy, which
position he held for eighteen months. He then entered the
Jones Car Works in Schenectady, where he remained until 1883,
when he went into the cigar business, as a manufacturer, with
his brother, J. H. Bernardi. He remained in the cigar
business until 1890. From 1890 until May 1, 1894, he was
employed in the United States mail service. He then went
into the cigar business again with his brother, and so continued
until 1898, when the firm of Gleason & Bernardi, undertakers and
embalmers, was formed. In this business Mr. Bernardi has
sine remained.
Mr. Bernardi served for five years in the 37th Separate
Comapny, and was discharged a sergeant; was second lieutenant in
the 36th Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., three years, and
received his commission as captain of the 136th Separate
Company. He is a member of Schenectady Lodge No. 38,
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the St. Francis Society,
and the Schenectady Liederkranz Singing Society. |
Charles H. Betts was born in
Saratoga County, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1840. He was educated in
the public schools, and afterwards learned the carriage trade.
He was engaged in the carriage business in Mechanicville until
1881, when he removed to Schenectady, where he has since
resided, and where he conducts a carriage repository and general
repair shop in the Truax Building, on Ferry Street.
On Feb. 18, 1868, Charles H. Betts married Martha,
daughter of W. S. and Caroline Miller. They have two
children, namely, Dr. Fred Betts, who is a dentist in Kingston,
N. Y., and George Betts.
Charles H. Betts is a member of the Order of Red Men,
and also of Montgomery Lodge, No. 504, F. and A. M. |
Daniel Bradley was born in the
state of Vermont, May 3, 1816. His parents were Eli A. and
Eliza (Ormsber) Bradley. He was engaged in the
transportation business for thirty years, and lived for a long
time in Whitehall, N. Y. He came to Schenectady in 1850
and sold out his transportation business in 1865. He has
lived in the house where he now resides for fifty years.
Mr. Bradley is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was one of the
trustees of the Methodist Church in Whitehall for years, when he
lived in that village. He is now a member and a trustee of
the Congregational Church in Schenectady.
Mr. Bradley has been twice married. His first
wife was Harriet Gibbs, who died in 1872. In 1876 he married
Rachel Hulbut, his present wife. They have two children,
Amanda E., and Daniel F. |
Aaron B. Bradt was born in
Rotterdam, Schenectady County, N. Y., May 24, 1841, and is the
son of Aaron I. and Eliza C. (Vedder) Bradt. He attended
the public schools until 1858, when he became actively engaged
in farming, which occupation he pursured until 1896, when he
retired from active work. He came to Schenectady in 1896,
where he still resides, although he still controls two large
farms.
In 1868 Aaron B. Bradt married Catharine E. Gregg, and
they have one daughter, Mrs. Cora E. Vedder, who lives in the
city of Schenectady. |
Aaron J. Bradt was born in the town
of Niskayuna, Schenectady Co., N. Y., May 24, 1847, and was
educated at the district schools. After his school days he
worked on a farm and then moved into the city of Schenectady in
1886, and took a position in the General Electric Works, where
he is still employed. He has always taken an interest in
public affairs, and when in Niskayuna was collector for two
years. He is a member of the Order of Mohawks and of the
Second Reformed Church.
In November, 1866, Aaron J. Bradt married Margaret
Bell, of Schoharie, who died, leaving two sons, Francis and
William. On Oct. 31, 1886, he married Nellie Vansice, his
present wife. Mr. Bradt's ancestors were Mohawk Dutch, and
the family is an old American one. His parents were
William H. and Amanda (Lendt) Bradt. |
Nicholas Bradt, son of Abraham
and Maria (Vedder) Bradt, was born in the town of Rotterdam,
Schenectady County, N. Y., September 14, 1824. He has been
a farmer all his life and lives on the old Woe-Stina Place,
seven miles west of the city of Schenectady, and near the old
road house of the West Shore Railroad. On Nov. 28, 1857,
he married Hester Bradt, who was born Nov. 13, 1834, and they
have a family of seven children, Maria, Helen, Abram, Frank,
Maggie, Lizzie and S. Vedder.
Abraham N. Bradt was born Aug. 16, 1793, and married
Maria Vedder in 1819. He was a son of Nicholas A. Bradt,
who was born in the old house near the first lock of the Erie
Canal west of Schenectady. The date of his birth was
August 18, 1773, and he died July 8, 1850. He wife was
Margaret Mabee. The original Bradt settled in Schenectady
County in 1728. |
Edward S. Brignall was born in
the city of Schenectady, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1858. After his
school days he became a clerk for David Ostrom in the dry goods
business for three years, after which he was bookkeeper for
Diment & Son for seven years. He then embarked in the shoe
business on his own account in 1887. This business he
still conducts and his establishment is one of the most popular
in its line in the city.
On September 17, 1888, Edward S. Brignall married Mary
#. Seymour, and they have one son, Charles S. Mr.
Brignall's parents were Thomas and Hester (Van Buren) Brignall,
Mr. Brignall is a member of the Order of Red Men. |
John T. Broderick was born in
Oswego Co., N. Y., June 26, 1866. He was educated in the
public and high schools of his native place, and after his
school days entered the employ of Henry R. Worthington, a pulp
maker, of New York City, with whom he remained until 1889.
After leaving Mr. Worthington he went to Lynn, Mass.,
where he secured a position with the Thomson Houston Company,
with whom he remained until 1894, when he came to Schenectady
with the General Electric Company. He has been in the
employ of this company since that date, and now occupies the
position of general assistant to the vice-president, E. W. Rice,
Jr.
Mr. Broderick is a gentleman of fine literary
attainments, and is a writer of note. He has contributed
many valuable articles on economics and industrial subjects to
various publications, showing himself to be a profound student
of national and public affairs.
His social organizations are: the Masonic, in which he
is affiliated with St. George's Lodge, No. 6, F. and A. M., and
the Mohawk Golf Club.
In April, 1894, John T. Broderick married Mary J.,
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Liscomb) Green, and they have
one daughter, Helen. Mr. Broderick's parents were Daniel
and Mary (Danaher) Broderick. |
James F. Burns, son of John and
Mary (Kigher) Burns, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in the
month of Sept., 1869, and was educated in the public schools.
His first employment was in the capacity of messenger
boy in the telephone office, but during the first seven years of
his active employment he was variously engaged. After this
he worked for two years with the General Electric Company, after
which he was with the Schenectady Illuminating Company for a
period of two years, and had charge of the switch-boards, and so
on, for them.
Resolving to better his education, he left off work for
a time, and took a course in Spencer's Business College, from
which he was graduated in 1888.
In 1890 he opened his present business, that of dealer
in electrical supplies. This business is not confined to
the city of Schenectady, but covers a radius of one hundred
miles outside of the city. He gives employment to fourteen
people, and handles everything in the line of electrical
supplies for houses, offices, and so on, carrying on a large and
flourishing enterprise. His store is one of the finest of
its kind, not only in Schenectady, but in this part of the
country.
Mr. Burns is a member of the Order of Elks, of the
Knights of Columbus, and of the Exempt Firemen. He is
State Inspector of the Board of Underwriters, is Superintendent
of Fire Alarms, and also of the Police Signal System, and is a
member of the State Electrical Contractors' Association. |
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Charles Burrows was born in the
city of Peoria, Illinois, August 3, 1859, and removed to
Schenectady, when about eight years of age, where he has lived
ever since. He was a graduate of Union School, and entered
business as a printer at the age of sixteen. This makes
his business career almost twenty-eight years, which gives him
the credit of being the oldest business man in Schenectady for
his age. In 1898 he opened one of the leading stationery
and art goods stores in the city. He is also the patentee
of several improvements in special ruling machines for printers
and bookbinders, which are being built by the New Century
Machine Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., in which he holds a half
interest. |
Nicholas Buys, son of Henry and
Harriet (Veeder) Buys, was born in the town of Rotterdam,
Schenectady County, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1857, and was educated in
the district school. After leaving school he took a
position as lock-tender on the Erie Canal, where he remained for
six years. He then worked for the Boston & Hoosac Tunnel
Railroad for two years, after which he was on the Fitchburg
Railroad for several years. His next position was that of
fireman on the West Shore Railroad, but after two years in this
position, returned to the Fitchburg as fireman, which position
he held for four years, when he was promoted to night foreman
for the same railroad, and held that position for nine years.
He is now night mechanic for the Boston & Maine Railroad.
Mr. Buys is a member of Westina Lodge, No. 762, and of the Red
Men, of Rotterdam Junction.
On December 25, 1877, Nicholas Buys married Ida Breys
and they have two children living, Mabel and Jennie. |
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