Albany County New York Family Sketches - Surnames S

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

Albany County New York Family Sketches - surnames S, 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.

SABIN, Charles H., Family Sketch

Sabin, Charles H., was born in Williamstown, Mass., August 24, 1868. His father was Thomas Sabin, and his mother, Cordelia Eldridge, was the daughter of Col. Reuben E. Eldridge. The Sabins were early settlers in America, the first coming to America early in the seventeenth century. Charles H. Sabin received his education at Greylock Institute in South Williamstown, Mass., and in 1886 removed to Albany, N. Y. For two and one half years he was employed in the office of Henry Russell, flour merchant, and for the two years and one-half following, held a clerkship in the National Commercial Bank. He left the latter institution to accept the position of teller in the Park Bank of Albany, which place he filled for five years, and on February 1, 1895, he was appointed cashier of the bank. At the time of his appointment he was the youngest cashier in New York State. Mr. Sabin has been prominently identified with the Ridgefield Athletic Club as treasurer for four years and as captain of the foot ball eleven. He is a member of the Young Men's Association and has been its treasurer for three years; he is also a member of the Fort Orange Club and of the Old Guard, Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y.

SANDERS, Eugene, Family Sketch

Sanders, Eugene, son of David B, and Elizabeth (Bennis) Sanders, was born in Fort Edward, N. Y., February 8, 1864, and received his education in his native village. In 1889 he came to Albany as traveling salesman for Rogers & Ruso, dealers in typewriters and supplies, and two years later engaged in that business for himself, continuing until the spring of 1894. In 1893 he also engaged in the bicycle and supply trade, and since 1894 has given this his whole attention, handling a number of high grade wheels. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., the Ridgefield Athletic Club and the Albany County Wheelmen. In October, 1890, he married Clara R., daughter of Oramel E. Bostwick of Stillwater, N. Y.

SAXTON, Thomas, Family Sketch

Saxton, Thomas, born at Saratoga Springs. November 18, 1801, son of Nathaniel and Susan (Smith) Saxton. Nathaniel Saxton came from Long Island to Saratoga Springs, where he was a farmer. He spent his last days with his son, Reuben, in Port Byron, Cayuga county, where he died, aged eighty-nine years and eleven months. At fourteen years of age Thomas Saxton came to South Westerlo to live with an uncle, Thomas Smith, and was a clerk in his store. He remained with his uncle until he was twenty-three years of age, when he bought property in the village, erected a dwelling and engaged in mercantile business, which he followed until 1809, when he sold to R.S. Cryneand Mr. Lockwood. After retiring from mercantile business he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred in 1890 at the age of twenty-eight. He was a Republican and a very strong temperance man and was for two years supervisor of Westerlo and justice for a number of years. In 1836 he married Sally Baker, who died February 21, 1860, and he married again, April 7, 1862, Sarah V. Cryne, who still survives him, and gives this information. Mr. Saxton was a liberal contributor to all churches, and was a member of Masonic order. Mrs. Saxton's parents were John and Sarah (Van Vorihas) Cryne, of Dutchess county. He was a farmer and shoemaker. He came to Schodack where he married, and his wife died 1838; he then removed to Westerlo, where he engaged in the shoe and tanning business. He went to Wisconsin and engaged in farming, where he died 1876 at the age of eighty-eight. He was a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion.

SCHERER, Hon. Robert G., Family Sketch

Scherer, Hon. Robert G., was born in Albany, March 20. 1861, his father being George Scherer, a prominent merchant well known for his extensive influence among his German fellow citizens and his activity in all matters pertaining to their interests. Mr. Scherer entered the public schools and was also for some time under the instruction of Prof. Carl Meyer; he also received a thorough business education. He entered the law office of Messrs. Paddock, Draper & Chester (composed of Recorder William S. Paddock, Andrew S. Draper, now president of the Illinois State University, and Judge Alden Chester) and remained as a clerk during the existence of the firm. After taking a course at Cornell University, he entered Columbia Law School. On his admission to thebarhe formed a partnership with John F. Montignani, which continued several years; he is now senior member of the law firm of Scherer & Downs. Mr. Scherer has been connected with many important litigations, among which may be mentioned the McPherson Collateral Tax Matter (104 N. Y., 306), decided ultimately by the Court of Appeals, which became the leading case on the subject; he was also counsel in the noted case People vs. Gilson (109 N. Y., 389), in which the Court of Appeals unanimously sustained Mr. Scherer's views. His management of the Milwain $20,000 bond robbery and his conduct of the Greer Will cases to a successfull issue are well known. The Bender Will Case and the extensive assignments of Ward and Byrnes, Nelson, Lyon, and Sullivan & Ehlers are among others of importance; he was also connected with the Appell impeachment proceedings before the judiciary committee of the Assembly in 1895 and secured the acquittal of Judge Appell. In politics Mr. Scherer has always been a Republican, and in 1889 made a creditable run for surrogate. From 1885 to 1889 he was a member of the Board of Public Instruction and introduced many reforms in the school system. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1896 and 1897; in 1886 he served en the jrdiciary committee and the committee on codes, and in 1897 was chairman of the judiciary committee. Mr. Scherer is a member of the Fort Orange Club and of the committee on law reform of the State Bar Association. In 1883 he married Anna, daughter of James T. Story of Albany, and they have one daughter, Grace M.

SCOTT, Jacob C. E., Family Sketch

Scott, Jacob C. E., is of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent, his great-great-grandfather, John Scott, of New York, being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John, son of the latter, 1763-1817, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, married Deborah, daughter of Jacob Klock and settled in Coeymans. Jacob Scott, son of the last John, was a resident of Albany, born 1793, died 1877, and served in the war of 1813. He married Susan Varian Smith, cousin of Isaac L. Varian, mayor of New York and State senator. William J. Scott, son of Jacob, was born in New Baltimore, N. Y., in 1817, and has spent his active life in Albany as a gun manufacturer and dealer, of the old firm of W. J. & R. H. Scott. He was for many years prominent in Democratic politics and was foreman of Steamer No. 11. of the Volunteer Fire Department. He married Martha Jane Waters, who died in 1880, leaving six children who survive her. Jacob C. E. Scott, son of William J., born in Albany, January 13, 1865, was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884, spent some time at Cornell University and finally entered the employ of the Morning Express, becoming successively reporter, exchange editior, editor of the Sunday edition and assistant associate editor. While discharging these duties he attended the Albany Law School, registering as a law student with Hon. John C. Nott, and received the degree of LL. B. in 1889. He spent one year as law reporter on the Albany Argus and in 1890 became private secretary and chief clerk to Mayor Manning, which position he held four years. In 1892 he also began the practice of law and since 1894 has given his whole time to his profession. In 1894 he was appointed a police commissioner and has since been the secretary of the Board of Police. He was president of the Albany High School Alumni Association in 1895-96. In 1891 he married Irene, daughter of John Weller Embler, of Walden, Orange county.

SEELMANN, Andrew G., Family Sketch

Seelmann, Andrew G., was born in Albany, N.Y., May 6, 1861. His parents were George and Rosa (Drach) Seelmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Seelmann was educated in the Holy Cross School and Christian Brothers' Academy of Albany and took an evening course at the Albany Business College. After finishing his education he entered the law office of Wickes & Gutmann and while there was admitted to the bar in 1882. June 8, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of the money order department at the Albany post-oftice and held the position until March 1, 1890. He then opened a law office at No. 93 State street and later moved to No. 69 State street, where he is now located. In 1891 Mr. Seelmann was clerk to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Codes, and in 1892 was clerk to the Committee on Judiciary and Railroads. He was president of the German Lyceum during its existence and was one of the organizers and is now president of the German Young Men's Democratic Club. He is a member of the executive committee of the Democratic Association of Albany county and is also a member of the Democratic Phalanx, the Catholic Union and the C. B. A. Alumni. His business is chiefly real estate law, and Surrogate's Court practice.

SELKIRK, William, Family Sketch

Selkirk, William, was born in 1828 and is the son of Robert and grandson of James Selkirk, who came from Scotland and settled at what is now Selkirk Station, where he died leaving six sons: Robert, Charles, Francis, James, William and John. Robert Selkirk remained on the homestead as a farmer, and was for twenty years one of the assessors of the town. He died in 1870 leaving four sons: James. John, Jacob and William, who has been assessor for eighteen years and still holds that office.

SESSIONS, Charles E., Family Sketch

Sessions, Charles E., and Lewis E. Sessions, are residents of Cohoes for half a century and are sons of the late John B. Sessions, who by trade was a mason and who came here in 1847. Charles E. was born in Troy in 1842, and in his early years worked in the Harmony Mills. Lewis E. was born in 1846 in Troy, and in his early years was a butcher. In 1859 Philip, an elder brother, established the business at the present location.

SHAW, Andres, Family Sketch

Shaw, Andrew, son of John and Elizabeth (Moore) Shaw, was born in Albany, N. Y., October 12, 1846. He is of Scotch ancestry, his father having come from Scotland to America in 1836. Mr. Shaw received his education in the public schools and in Prof. Lawson's Classical Institute, after which he started to learn the plumber s trade with Edward Kearney, with whom he remained one year. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. A, 91st N.Y. Regt. N. Y. Vols. March 31, 1865, he lost an arm at the battle of Gravelly Run, Va., which necessitated his returning to Albany, where he remained in Harris Hospital three months. In 1868 Mr. Shaw was made tallyman at the building of the stock yards at West Albany. After a short time he obained a situation as gate keeper at the Capitol building, then just commenced. From there he went into the employ of the Albany Gas Light Company, where he served as valveman for twenty years. In March, 1888, he resigned that position and formed a partnership for carrying on the coal business, with William L. Dresser, of Lee, Mass. They located at No. 150 Grand street. Subsequently Mr. Dresser sold his share to William McArdle. and for two years the firm was Shaw & McArdle. In 1894 Mr. McArdle withdrew and since that time Mr. Shaw has conducted the business. He is a member of the Unconditional Club, Lew Benedict Post No. 5 G. A. R., and the Jackson Corps. He was married m 1886, his wife being Maude C. Chamberlain, of Morris, Otsego county, N. Y. They have one son, William Reid Shaw.

SLINGERLAND, Henry, Family Sketch

Slingerland, Henry, was born in Albany county in 1830, and began his business life as a clerk in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y., and after six years began business for himself in New Baltimore, which he carried on until 1867, when he came to Coeymans where he has since conducted business, buying, selling and shipping hay and other farm products. In 1852 he married Charlotte Houghtaling, whose father was Anthony C. Houghtaling; her paternal grandfather was Conrad and greatgrandfather Thomas Houghtaling, a pioneer of Albany county; and her maternal grandfather was Jasper S. Keeler. Mr. and Mrs. Slingerland have had five children; two died in infancy, and their three sons are now associated with their father in business.

SLINGERLAND, Hon. William H., Family Sketch

Slingerland, Hon. William H., of Slingerlands, Albany county, is descended from Tunis Cornelius Slingerland, who came from Amsterdam, Holland, to what is now Bethlehem in 1650, (see sketch of the late Hon. John I. Slingerland in this volume), is a son of John A. and Leah (Brett) Slingerland, and was born November 13 1820, and has always lived in his native town, Bethlehem. His chief occupation has been that of an e.xpert civil engineer and surveyor. He was member of assembly in 1880 and originated and successfully carried through several local and general laws of great benefit to the people. He was subsequently three times unanimously nominated for the assembly, but declined the nomination each year, preferring to follow his profession to entering the field of politics. He was civil engineer of the United States government building in Albany, and when the stability and permanency of the beautiful assembly ceiling was in question in 1881-83 and 1887, he was appointed by the Legislature to take measurements of the new Capitol, make examinations and report upon any possible defects in the structure. In each of his reports he challenged the stability of the assembly ceiling, and in the last one warned the assembly of its dangerous condition and requested its removal, while other experts claimed its permanency. These reports were afterward verified, the ceiling was removed and a new one ai recommended by him was substituted. Mr. Slingerland was also, in 1890, appointed and authorized by the War Department of the United States government to negotiate for the purchase by optional contracts of the farmers for one year, of a territory of about 3,500 acres, being one mile in width by ten miles long, comprising parts of the towns of Watervliet and Guilderland, to be used by the ordnance department for a proving ground in connection with the Watervliet Arsenal, and his report and map of the territory as selected by him, and options taken for the same, were unanimously adopted by the War and Ordnance Departments of the United States government, and Major Scofield of the army, and unanimously recommended by them to Congress and for an appropriation to pay for the land so taken by him; but Congress at that time failed to make the appropriation, yet It is still thought by the authorities that these lands will yet be taken for that purpose in connection with Watervliet Arsenal in place of Sandy Hook. He was one of the chief originators and founders in 1850 of the village of Slingerlands, named after the family, and secured a post-office and other improvements there. During the historical pageant of 1894 in Albany, he represented the great ancestor of the Slingerlands in the reproduction of the installation of the first mayor of that city. In 1842 he married, first, Elizabeth Wayne, and had five children: John H., assistant engineer on the New York Croton Aqueduct, who married Alice Preston; George W., superintendent and assistant general manager of the National Express Company of New York, who married Rosalia Mattice; Helene. who married Hiram Bender in 1882 and died in December, 1884; Lizzie W.. who married William H. Coughtry in 1895, and William H., jr., a civil engineer and surveyor, who married Alice Bullock in 1896. Mr. Slingerland married, second, in 1868, Maria, daughter of Andrew Whitbeck.

SMALLING, L. K., Family Sketch

Smalling. L. K., has been a resident of Cohoes since the 1st of April, 1866. He was born in Windham, Greene county, in 1840; his boyhood was spent at Ashland; he enlisted in Co. F, 120th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., at Hunter, N. Y., in 1862 serving throughout the war. He was a corporal and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, where he was wounded. His first two years here were spent as bookkeeper in the office of O. C. Finney, then with Bogue & Wager, and was afterward bookkeeper for Hilton & Co. He established the present business for himself in 1883. For one year he was president of the Merchants' Association and was commander of the G. A. R. Post for one year. Mr. Smalling has been notary public for fifteen years. His father was Cyrus Smalling, a contractor.

SMITH, M. B., Family Sketch

Smith, M. B., chief of police of the city of Cohoes, is a native of Troy, born in 1843, but has been a resident here since two years of age. He went on the capital police force in 1869, remaining on the force most of the time since. In 1892 he reached his present position, and is regarded as a very capable officer, having the esteem of the force and the citizens. His first relations with the mills was that of spinner, soon becoming foreman of that department. He was also foreman of the Mohawk Engine Company No. 2 of the Volunteer Fire Department, and is a member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M.

SMITH, Oscar, Capt., Family Sketch

Smith, Oscar, Capt., was born in Howard, Steuben county, N. Y., June 15. 1846. He received a public school and academical education. In 1861, when only fifteen, he enlisted in Co. G, 13th N.Y.Vol. Inf., and served eighteen months; he re-enlisted in January, 1864, in Co. H, 13th N. Y. H. A., as sergeant and served until the close of the war in June, 186.5. He was in many engagements of the armies of the Potomac and the James; wounded at the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. Returning from the war, then but nineteen years of age, he engaged in the sewing machine business in New York city, but removed to Albany in 1868. Here he continued a large wholesale sewing machine and lumber business until June, 1893; since then, he with his son, under the firm name of Oscar Smith & Sou, have carried on a successful wholesale wood, baled shavings, excelsior, sawdust and charcoal trade. Mr. Smith is connected with several of Albany's business, political and social organizations; is president of the Novelty Knitting Co., a trustee of the Tennessee Land Company, a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., a charter member of Chancellors Lodge, K. P., a charter member of the Albany Club, a past commander of Post No. 5, G. A. R., ex-president and member of the Albany Unconditional Republican Club; a member of the Press Club; also for about eight years commander and now a life member of the Albany Burgesses Corps.

SODERSTROM, Charles E., Family Sketch

Soderstrom, Charles E., came from Sweden to America in 1881, then about thirty-three years of age. In his native country he had learned the trade of machinist, and soon secured a position with the Albany Iron Works, with whom he remained for three years. In 1884 he went to Watervliet as a machinist. He was a a member of the Free church of Sweden, and here in America belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church, which granted him the freedom of speaking for his country-people.

SPRINGSTED, William C., Family Sketch

Springsted, William C., is the son of Henry and great-grandson of Jeremiah Springsted, who came from England and settled on the farm where the Springsteds now live in 1790, and was a farmer. He died in 1813 and left one son, Stephen, who died in 1837, and left five sons and four daughters; Jeremiah, Oliver, John, Stephen, Henry, Lydia, Jane, Sally Ann and Mary. Henry remained on the homestead and is one of the leading farmers of the town. He has one son, William C, who carries on the farm with his father, Henry Springsted, He married Elvira Carroll and had one son and one daughter. William C. and Jane, now Mrs. William D. Fuller. William C. married Carrie A., daughter of Jeremiah Dean, and has one son and one daughter. Dean and Jennie F.

STARK, Moses, Family Sketch

Stark, Moses, son of Myer and Barbette (Nussbaum) Stark, was born in Albany, February 11, 1851. His parents came from Germany in 1840 and first settled in North Adams, Mass., whence they moved about 1842 to Albany, where the father died in 1889. Myer Stark was for many years a dry goods merchant. Of his seven children four sons are living; Bernard, born January 1, 1846, now a manufacturer of ladies' wrappers; Moses, the subject of this sketch; Leopold, born in October, 1854, a bookkeeper for his brother Moses; and Louis, born May 24, 1856, a member of the New York Tailoring Company. All reside in Albany. Moses Stark was educated in the public and German schools of Albany, was for three years a clerk for Mann, Waldman & Co., and in April, 1868, formed a partnership with his brother Bernard, under the firm name of B. Stark & Co., and engaged in the fancy dry goods business in the old Tweddle Hall building. In 1882 they removed to No. 13 North Pearl street, where they made extensive improvements, putting in a large millinery department, and where they were burned out in the fall of 1895. The business was then divided, Moses Stark continuing the millinery branch, which is located in the Y. M. C. A. building at the corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets. It is one of the best known establishments of the kind in Albany. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., and Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B., and a charter member of the Adelphia Literary Club. March 22, 1874, he married Minnie, daughter of Morris Herman of Albany, who died August 26, 1889, leaving three children: Herbert M., Mae and Hattie.

STEDMAN, Francis W., Family Sketch

Stedman, Francis W., son of George L. (see sketch) and Adda (Woolverton) Stedman, was born in Albany, December 7, 1867, attended the Albany Academy, and in 1884 became connected with the People's Gas Company, of which George A. Woolverton was president, and George L. Stedman was vice-president. When they sold out he became shipping clerk for Tracey & Wilson, wholesale grocers, and in April, 1891, he entered the firm of T. M. Hackett & Stedman, coal dealers, whom he succeeded in 1892. Since 1893 he has conducted exclusively a wholesale business, covering New York and the New England States. He is sales agent for the coal mined by David E. Williams & Co., a firm composed of the brother-in-law and son of George B. Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Stedman is a member of the Sons of the Revolution through Amos Hooker, whose son, John Parker Hooker, was the maternal grandfather of George L. Stedman, above named. Amos Hooker was a corporal in the Revolution, and was killed in service. In February, 1893, Francis W. Stedman married Clara H., daughter of Ralph W. Thacher of Albany, and they have one son, Woolverton Thacher Stedman. In November, 1896, he became a director and officer of the Albany Art Union of Albany, N.Y.

STERN, Henry E., Family Sketch

Stern, Henry E., son of Emanuel and Clara (Kaufman) Stern, natives of Germany, was born in Albany, April 8, 1857. His father, a shoemaker and later a real estate dealer, who died in 1877, settled in Albany about 1843 and became a prominent Republican, being a member of the general committee of the old Whig party. Mr. Stern was educated in the public schools and Free Academy, was graduated from the Albany Business College in 1873, read law with I. & J. M. Lawson and was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in September, 1878. Since then he has been in the active practice of his profession. In 1878 he became a member of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 76, I. O. O F., and rapidly rose in the order to vice-grand in January, 1879, and noble grand in June following, being the youngest man ever elected to the latter post in Albany. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State since 1880. He is a past master of Washington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., past president of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B. , and Albanian Lodge No. 102, I. O. S. B., a member of the Adelphi Club, a manager of the Jewish Home Society, and was for several years a member of the finance committee of congregation Beth Emeth. In 1888 he was nominated by the Republicans for justice of the city court, but was defeated by a small majority. October 30, 1883, he married Fannie Kastanienbaum, of Albany, and they have one son. Manning Nathan Stern, born December 18, 1884.

STEWART, L. D., Family Sketch

Stewart, L. D., born April 10, 1851, is a son of Ebenezer and Catherine (Carpenter) Stewart, both natives of Westerlo. The parents of Ebenezer were Andrew and Lydia (Seaman) Stewart, of Albany county, but spent their last days in Greenville, Greene county. Ebenezer Stewart has been a farmer, speculator in stock and wool buyer; his business is now dealing in wool at South Westerlo, which business he has followed tsventy-five years. He has two children; L. D. Stewart, as above, Susan S., wife of Clarence S. Gage, proprietor of the Ravena House, Ravena, N. Y. The parents of Catherine (Carpenter) Stewart were Thomas G. and Janett (Green) Carpenter, he a native of Stephentown and she of Westerlo. He was a boot and shoe dealer at Coxsackie, and grocer and farmer in Westerlo. The parents of Janett Green were Capt. John and Mary (Llewellyn) Green, he of England and she of France. He was a drummer in the Revolutionary war, and owned a large estate and kept slaves. The parents of Thomas G. Carpenter were Samuel and Homar (Arnold) Carpenter; she was a cousin to Stephen A. Douglass and relative of Benedict Arnold. In 1888 L. D. Stewart married Josephine, daughter of George W. and Lucy (Reynolds) Robbins of South Westerlo. Mrs. Stewart died April 12, 1893. She was a teacher of music and educated in Albany. Mr. Stewart has been in the wool business with his father, and in 1888 he engaged in general mercantile business at South Westerlo and carries a complete line as needed in country stores. He is a Republican and has been county committeeman five or six years; he also has been postmaster at South Westerlo.

STILLMAN, Dr. William O., Family Sketch

Stillman, Dr. William O., of Albany, N. Y., son of Rev. Stephen Lewis and Lucretia (Miller) Stillman, and grandson of Ethan Stillman, was born September 9, 1856, at Normansville, a suburb of Albany. Dr. Stillman's paternal ancestry were Puritans, having come to this country in 1686 from England, and early took an active part in colonial life in Connecticut and Rhode Island. His mother's family came from Holland a little later and were numbered among the Dutch settlers of the Hudson River valley. During and subsequent to the Revolutionary war, Ethan Stillman, who owned a gun factory, manufactured large quantities of rifles for the Continental army, and a number of members of the family on both sides served in its ranks. Dr. Stillman was educated in his native city and received the honorary degree of A. M. from Union College in 1880. He commenced the study of medicine in 1874, his medical preceptors being Drs. James H. Armsby, Samuel B. Ward and John P. Gray. He attended four courses of lectures at the Albany Medical College and received his degree February 3, 1878. taking the highest honors of his class and several prizes. Dr. Stillman was associated with the Drs. Strong in the management of their sanitarium at Saratoga Springs from 1878 to 1883: at the end of that period he visited Europe and spent a year and a half in study in the universities of Berlin, Vienna and Paris and in the London hospitals. Returning to the United States in the autumn of 1884, he began the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, which city has since been his residence. The project of a loan exhibition in 1886 to celebrate the bi-centennial of Albany's city charter, was first proposed by Dr. Stillman and he was most active in making it a success, as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the building committee. From this exhibition he conceived the idea of a permanent museum, and mainly owing to his initiative, the Albany Historical and Art Association was incorporated, which institution will soon have a fine building of its own. As president of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, his philanthropic instincts have found full play, and much needed legislation has been secured through his efforts to promote humane work in the State. He is also a vicepresident of both the State and National Humane Associations. Dr. Stillman has been a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Academy of Medicine, the.Medical Society of the State of New York, the Association of American Anatomists, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the American Socialogical Society and the Albany Institute; trustee of the Albany Historical and Art Society; director of the Fairview Home since 1888; president of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society since 1892; an officer of the Vigilance and Civic Leagues of Albany; a member of various social and political clubs; and of the order of Masons and Odd Fellows. He was physician to the Open Door Mission and Hospital for Incurables in 1887 and 1888; to the Babies' Nursery and Bathrop Memorial from 1888 to 1892; to the Home for Christian Workers since 1892; and to the Dominican Monastery since 1887. He has delivered several courses of medical lectures before various bodies and is the author of many contributions to medical literature, notably on "Neurasthenia," "Cholera," "The Mineral Springs of Saratoga," and many others. Dr. Stillman married Miss Frances M. Rice, of Boston, in 1880, but has no other family. He is still engaged in the active practice of his profession in Albany.

STREVELL, A. M., Family Sketch

Strevell, A. M., was born in the town of Berne in 1830. He is the son of Harvey and grandson of Mathias Strevell, who came from Dutchess county to Berne about 1800. Harvey Strevell had three sons; Jason W., who is a prominent lawyer; Estus H. , who was for some years a merchant at Ravena and died there May 22, 1896; and A. M. Strevell who, in 1857 went to Albany where he was in a store until 1873, when he returned to Berne and engaged in the farming business until 1885 when he moved to New Scotland, and in 1889 came to Ravenna and opened a hardware store, which he has since carried on. He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his town, and for nine years served as highway commissioner, and was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1874.

SWATLING, James H., Family Sketch

Swatling, James H., the well known wholesale and retail dealer in paints, wallpaper, and decorations, located at No. 50 Oneida street, Cohoes, established the business here in 1868. He is of English descent, born in the town of Watervliet in 1848. His early manhood was spent on a farm, but he acquired the painter's trade at Saratoga Springs, where he resided four years. In 1890 in association with A. G. Tanner, he erected the "Excelsior Knitting Mill," devoted to the manufacture of ladies' and children's ribbed underwear. He has been on the Board of Health and served in many minor offices.

SWETT, Dr. Joseph B., Family Sketch

Swett, Dr. Joseph B., jr., son of Joseph B. and Emily C. (Gilson) Swett, was born in Brookline, N. H., March 5, 1865. He is descended from John Swett, who in 1642 came from Oxton, Devonshire county, England, and settled in Newbury, Mass., and who was also a grantee of the town of Newbury. Captain Benjamin, son of John, was killed in 1677, in the French and Indian war at Scarborough, Maine. Joseph Swett, grandson of Benjamin, settled in Marblehead, Mass., and was the first to engage in foreign trade and laid the foundation of the great commercial prosperity which Marblehead enjoyed before the Revolution. His son Samuel married Anna Woodbury, niece and adopted daughter of Rev. John Barnard in 1716, and their son Samuel was also engaged in foreign trade. His son, Henry Jackson Swett, a venerable citizen of Marblehead, was the grandfather of Dr. Joseph B. Swett, jr. The doctor attended Gushing Academy at Ashburnham, Mass., and graduated from there in 1890. He then attended the Albany Medical College from which he graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of M. D. Since then he has practiced in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Masters Lodge No. 5. F. & A. M., and Co. B, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y. He is also instructor in Obstetrics at the Albany Medical College and attending physician at the Albany City Hospital Dispensary and to the Dispensary of the Albany City Mission.

[ Surnames T-U ]