Albany County New York Family Sketches - Surnames F

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

Albany County New York Family Sketches - surnames F, extracted from the Landmarks of Albany County, New York, Edited by Amasa J. Parker of Albany, N.Y., Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1897.

FELTER, James, Family Sketch

Felter, James, was born in Rensselaerville, August 3, 1840. and is a son of Andrew, born April 27, 1S08, and Jemima Felter, he born in Rensselaerville and she in Westerlo, Albany county. The grandfather was William, a son of Jacob Felter, a native of Holland who came to America before the French and Indian war and fought in that war; he died in Kingston, Ulster county. The grandfather of Mr. Felter came to Rensselaerville and took up land and there died; his wife was Jane Joy, of English descent, a daughter of John Joy of England, and died in Ulster county. The father was a farmer and lived in Rensselaerville. He sold his first farm and about 1853 bought the farm now owned by Mr. Felter, and died in the village of Rensselaerville in 1894, at the age of eighty-six, and his widow now lives at Rensselaerville, aged eighty-two. He was supervisor for two terms, 1858 and 1859, and was also commissioner of highways and assessor. Mr. Felter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer on the old homestead of 160 acres. In 1868 he married Mary Eckerson of Seward, Schoharie county, by whom he has one son, Charles H., born July 39, 1869, educated in the common schools, and is a farmer by occupation, and also an engineer. February 6, 1892, he married Mary Brown of Albany, and has one son, Frank, born August 18, 1893. Mrs. Felter is a daughter of William Eckerson and Jenette Miller, who lived and died in Schoharie county.

FENNELLY, P. E., M.D., Family Sketch

Fennelly, P. E., M. D., a well known and prominent physician of West Troy, began the study of medicine in his native country, Ireland, where he was "born in 1848. He was educated at St. Kyran's College. Kilkenny; in 1867 became to America and entered the Albany Medical College, graduating in 1869. He began his successful career as general practitioner here in 1870, and early reached the front rank of the profession. He is a valued member of the various medical societies and has been health officer here many years.

FILKINS, Edward Vincent, Family Sketch

Filkins, Edward Vincent. — The late Edward Vincent Filkins was born in East Berne, on the Filkins homestead, in 1821 of Scotch ancestry. His father, Richard Filkins, was a native of Vermont and came to Berne with his parents about 1792, and later settled in the eastern part of the town on a farm of 200 acres. He also owned and operated a saw mill, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, filling the office of sergeant. He was twice married, and by his first wife six children were born. His second wife was Catharine Angle; to this union were born fourteen children, eight sons growing to maturity. Edward V. was reared on his fathers farm and attended the Rensselaerville and Knoxville Academies, teaching school to procure means to pay his way. He read law in Delhi and settled in Berne in 1854, where he spent his life practicing his profession with success and distinction. Previous to his entering actively into the law practice, he filled the office of school commissioner. His law practice was extensive, often being retained on cases which carried him before the higher courts in Albany. His wife was Emma E.. daughter of Rev. Thomas L. Shafer and they had three children: Carrie E., Thomas Richard and May S. He died February 13, 1887, and his wife September 23, 1894. The surviving children, Carrie and Thomas, still reside on their father's homestead in the village of Berne, and they own a farm of 400 acres in Iowa. Miss Filkins is a graduate of Temple Grove Seminary of Saratoga, and for some years afterward devoted her attention to teaching.

FITZSIMMONS, James J., Family Sketch

Fitzsimmons, James J., is the son of James, a native of Ireland and was born December fi, 1852, in Albany, where his father, a blacksmith, settled in 1826. The latter died here in 1882. Mr. Fitzsimmons attended the public schools, and also the Christian Brothers, was for two years employed in a leather store, and in 1870 was graduated from the Albany Business College. After teaching for a time be entered, in 1872, the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company, with whom he remained until 1885, as cashier of the Albany and later of the Bridgeport, Conn., offices. He was then engaged in the retail shoe business in Albany three years. In 1890 he became cashier of the Westchester Telephone Company and in 1893 was elected treasurer of the Hudson River Telephone Company, which position he still holds. He has also been treasurer of the Albany District Telegraph Company since its organization. He was school commissioner from 1889 to 1892; is a member and vice president of the Catholic Union; and is financial secretary of Cathedral Council, No.55, C. B. L., and a deputy state chancellor of that order, and a director in the Safety Loan and Building Association. November 30, 1876, he married Margaret T., daughter of John Lamb, of Albany and they have six children living.

FLAGLER, Peter H., Family Sketch

Flagler, Peter H., was born in the town of Westerlo. in 1840. John, his grandfather, came from Dutchess county to Albany county and settled in Westerlo on a farm about 1800. He reared seven children: Peter, Daniel, John, Eli, Julia, Kate, and Elizabeth, Peter, the father of Peter H., grew to maturity in the town of Westerlo and was a farmer by occupation. In 1840 he represented his district in the Legislature. He died in 1866; his wife was Letta Lawrence, daughter of William Lawrence of Westerlo. Their children were Chester, Morgan, John, William. Juliaette, Peter, H., and Almira. The mother died in 1893 at the age of eighty-nine. Peter H. spent his early life on his father's farm, and attended common schools and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He began for himself as a farmer, which he followed until 1882; in 1866 he came to the town of New Scotland, and removed from his farm to the village of Clarksville in 1882, where he has since resided. For a number of years he was a dealer in agricultural implements, and for five years manufactured shirts by contract, in the village of Clarksville. By profession he is an auctioneer of about thirty years' experience. During President Harrison's administration he received his appointment as postmaster at Clarksville, which came as a surprise to him as he had not applied for it. He takes great interest in educational matters and is school trustee of his district. He is one of the most active workers on the proposed Albany, Helderberg, and Schoharie Electric Railroad, and is also one of the promoters and stockholders of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, from New York to Ogdensburg. In 1860 he married Miss Julia A., daughter of Elsbree Jones of New Scotland, by whom one child has been born, Millie, wife of R. Clinton Bagley, who is a merchant of Clarksville. Mr. Flagler has been superintendent of the M. E. Sunday school for over twenty years, and is also president of the town of New Scotland Sunday School Association. In 1895 he received the appointment of deputy sheriff and court officer of his town for a term of three years, which duties he performed to the entire satisfaction of all. Mrs. Flagler is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.

FLANDERS, George Lovell, Family Sketch

Flanders, George Lovell, son of Arthur and Mary (Lovell) Flanders, was born in the town of Parishville, St. Lawrence county, February 29, 1856. He received his education in the Potsdam Normal School and during the years of 1881 and 1882 he was a teacher in the Madrid Union School. He studied law in the ofifice of Parker & Mclntyre in Potsdam, and later was graduated from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar and to practice in the United States Circuit Court. In the fall of 1883 he removed to Albany and in May, 1884, was appointed assistant state dairy commissioner, at the time of the creation of the department. The title of his office. has since been changed to that of assistant commissioner of agriculture, an office which he has retained under every commissioner appointed. Mr. Flanders was one of the first to advocate the creation of the department. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arcanum. In April, 1885, he married Catharine Soiithwick, daughter of Wilham Keeler, of Albany, and they have two daughters: Lillian Lovell and Marian Southwick.

FLETCHER, Jones A., Family Sketch

Fletcher, Jones A., son of Benjamin and Polly (Kidder) Fletcher, was born April 2, 1835. in Woodstock, Vt. He was educated in the public schools and seminary of Woodstock and learned the trade of painter, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted in the 8th Conn. Regt., in which he was a sergeant. After the war he settled in Troy, N. Y., where he followed his trade until 1873, when he moved to Green Island, Albany county, and opened a grocery store nearly opposite where he is now located. In 1886 he erected the building in which he is now doing business. Mr. Fletcher is a member of Post Tibbitts G. A. R., of Troy, and Green Island Lodge No. 360, I. O. O. F. In 1860 he married Rachel Van Leuvan, of Troy, N. Y., and they have one son, Fred.

FORD, Charles R., Family Sketch

Ford, Charles R., is a son of the late George F. Ford of Cohoes, a well known insurance and real estate agent, a man well known for his benevolence and a good citizen. Mr. Ford was born about thirty years ago, and as a boy attended the public schools of the city, from which he left to accept a position with Joseph Stevens, the newsdealer, where he became a clerk and acted as a newsboy. It was not long before he received an appointment as general delivery clerk at the post-office under James H. Masten, the postmaster. Here he served faithfully for two years until called to a position as messenger in the National Bank in 1884. Mr, Ford served as discount clerk and individual bookkeeper through advancement until February 1, 1896, when he received the appointment as treasurer of the Cohoes Savings Institution, one of the most honored positions that can come to a man, especially one as young as Mr. Ford. It is a position of trust, as the 4,800 depositors, representing nearly §2,000,000 of the people's money, is under his direct charge. Mr. Ford, while not holding any political position, takes a deep interest in all public affairs, and is usually found battling for good government. He is recording secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and is one of its charter members. He is also a member of the Business Men's Association. As an active member of St. John's church, he has always taken a prominent part in its advancement, and is connected with many of its societies. Mr. Ford is also a member of the firm of Ford & Sons, real estate and insurance agents, 28 Main street, one of the leading agencies of the city, he having charge of the real estate department.

FOSTER, E. H., Family Sketch

Foster, E. H., identified with the most successful printing establishment of Albany county, the well known Foster & Co. printing, engraving and binding, of Cohoes, Remsen and Factory streets, is a native of Cohoes. He was born in 1849, and is the son of Samuel H. Foster, a lawyer who came here in 1846 from Albany. The latter was for many years president of the Board of Education here, holding the position at the time of his death. E. H. Foster was educated in the public schools here, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business. He served an apprenticeship on the Cohoes Cataract and afterwards became foreman of the composing room of the Cohoes Democrat. Later he went in business with R. S. Clark of Cohoes; however, the firm was dissolved and Mr. Foster has controlled the establishment himself since 1889. Being a man of unusual enterprise, the house stands second to none in amount or quality of work accomplished. As a citizen Mr. Fostercommands the highest respect and is honored by a host of friends. In 1867 he married Mary MacKerlie of Amsterdam, N. Y. They are the parents of seven children, three of whom are living — Fred C, Samuel H. and Eugene A. For four years he was a member of the Board of Hospital Commissioners of the city of Cohoes.

FOSTER, Henry S., Family Sketch

Foster, Henry S., is a son of John Newton Foster, who was born in Utica, N. Y., June 28, 1836, and came to Albany about 1838, his parents having died while he was an infant. John N. was apprenticed to the gilding trade in the family of Lawson Annesley, and later engaged in the picture frame business under the firm name of Chapin & Foster. From about 1873 he was connected with the fire insurance patrol, as superintendent. He was member of assembly in 1878, superintendent of the poor two years, member of Co A, of the Old Guard, and during the panic of 1873 conducted a store for the relief of distressed families. He died April 13, 1895. He married Mary A. Snyder, who survives, and of their six children Fred H. died December 27, 1895. Henry S. Foster, born in Albany, July 16, 1865, became a clerk at the age of fifteen in the office of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany (incorporated 1836), with which he has ever since been connected, serving as bookkeeper, cashier, etc. On the death of George Cuyler in November, 1893, he was elected secretary and general manager. He also represents a number of other large American and foreign fire insurance companies as well as life and accident insurauce. He is a local director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Association, a charter member (1886) of the Empire Curling Club, and has been secretary of the latter since its incorporation in 1891. He has been prominently identified with, and a subordinate officer in, the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., is a member of Temple Lodge. No. 14, F. & A. M., the Albany Club, and other local institutions. The following in relation to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany is quoted from "The Industries of Albany":

For sixty years the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of this city has ably demonstrated the beneficence and usefulness of its policy of fire insurance, which being divested of the purest commercial element that attaches to that of the great majority of insurance companies, results in a great saving to its patrons, while at the same time affords them equal safety and positive indemnity in case of loss and damage by fire. This company was organized in 1836, and its business is a purely mutual one, every policy-holder being a beneficiary in the profits arising from the business. What the savings bank is in banking, the Mutual Fire Insurance Company is in fire insurance, and during its long and honorable career it has saved to its customers over $500,000). while it has paid all just claims for losses that have been incurred. The company insures all desirable property for one or three years on the cash or note plan, and all its risks are carefully placed, the business being conducted with the greatest caution. From the last public statement (dated January 1, 1897, we note that the net cash assets of the company were $183,118.21, which amount would be entirely used for the payment of claims before the premium notes of $319,063.81 would be resorted to. The gross available assets are $502,183.02.) The company's rates are as low as any other first-class fire insurance company, and as the profits are divided among the policy-holders, are in fact much lower than those obtainable elsewhere. The company's line of business under the able management of the executive committee and of Mr. H. S. Foster, secretary and general manager, has been very desirable.

FRIEND, Charles M., Family Sketch

Friend, Charles M., was born in Albany, November 10, 1869, and is a son of Meyer and Caroline (Goodman) Friend. Meyer Friend, born in Saxemeinegen, Saxony, Germany, December 4, 1809, came to Albany about 1838, among the first Jewish settlers and died here in 1890. He was a jeweler, one of the organizers, vicepresident and trustee of the old Jewish synagogue and a prominent citizen among his race. He had eight children, the younjjer being the subject of this sketch. Charles M. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read law with and became managing clerk for Eaton &Kirchwey, attended the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 1891. He remained with his preceptors until January, 1893, when he was made assistant to the second deputy under Attorney-General Simon W. Rosendale, a position he held until December 81, 1898. He was then associated with Hon. James M. Eaton, district attorney of Albany county, until March, 1895, when he opened an office for himself. He is an active Democrat, a member of the Albany Democratic club, secretary of the Adelphi Club, president of Gideon Lodge, No. 140, L O. B. B., a member of Capital City Lodge, No. 440, I. O. O. F. , and treasurer of Beth Emeth Sunday School. In 1896 he was appointed special law examiner in the civil service department of the State of New York.

FULLER, Aaron, Family Sketch

Fuller, Aaron, a prominent landmark, was born in the town of Guilderland, within a mile of where he now resides, in 1832. He is the son of Major John Fuller, who was born in New Scotland; one of the four sons and two daughters born to Aaron, and of Scotch ancestry. He was a farmer in New Scotland and his wife was Margaret McMillin. Major John was a great military man and a member of the State militia. By vocation he was a farmer. He settled in the town of Guilderland and on this land was later located Fuller's Station. He was an active and public spirited man and was interested in all town enterprises, and was the founder of town insurance, and through his efforts were established the first town insurance organizations in the State of New York. He was a member of assembly in 1847; his wife was Harriet Moak, daughter of William Moak; she was born in New Scotland; they reared six daughters and one son. Mr. Fuller died m 1883, aged eighty and his wife in 1861, aged fifty-eight. Aaron Fuller attended the common schools and spent two years at the Schoharie Academy, and as he was the only son, he remained with his father for many years, and then embarked for himself by purchasing his present farm, and for the past thirty years has been engaged extensively in the hay and straw business at Fuller's Station, where he now resides, having leased his farm. He has held many important town offices, having served as supervisor of the town for four years, and one term as commissioner. In the fall of 1881 he was elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany county in the Assembly. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge, No. 754, and was formerly a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, of Albany, and has been a member for forty years. In February, 1862, he married Ada Fitch, who was born in New Scotland, a daughter of Ebenezer A. Fitch; she died in August of the same year.

[ Surnames G ]