History of Troy, (Rensselaer County) New York United States of America

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Local History Notes:

TROY, a city, and capital of Rensselaer county, New York, is situated on both sides of the Hudson river, at the mouth of the Poestenkill creek, at the head of steamboat navigation, 6 miles above Albany, and 151 miles N. from New York. Lat. 42? 44' N., lon. 73? 40' W. The principal portion of the city is on the eastern bank of the river, over which communication is kept up by a bridge and ferry-boats. The site is an alluvial plain, terminated on the eastern side by an eminence named Mount Ida, which rises directly in the rear of the southern part, and commands a beautiful and extensive view of the city and the Hudson river, and of the neighboring towns. Mount Olympus, in the N. part of the town, is a bare mass of rock about 200 feet high. The limits of the city extend about 3 miles along the river, and 1 mile from E. to W. It is laid out with much regularity, and is handsomely built. The streets are 60 feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, excepting River street, which follows the curve of the river, and is the principal thoroughfare of business. A number of those streets which extend parallel with the general direction of the river, terminate at their northern extremity in River street?a circumstance which imparts variety to the perspective, and increases the facilities of intercourse between that street and other parts of the city. The streets are generally well paved, lighted with gas, and bordered with shade-trees. River street is lined with large warehouses and hotels. Congress and Ferry streets are also appropriated to business purposes. The finest residences are situated on First, Second, and Third streets, and around Seminary and Washington Parks. The latter park was recently laid out in the southern part of the city. Among the public buildings, the court house, the Episcopal Church of St. Paul, and one of the Presbyterian churches, deserve particular mention. The court house is a fine marble edifice in the Doric style, St. Paul's church is a costly Gothic building of stone. Among the principal hotels are the American, the Mansion House, the Troy House, the Northern Hotel, the National Temperance, and Washington Hall. There are 2 substantial brick market houses. The Rensselaer Institute of this place affords a scientific and practical education to young men; and the Troy Female Institute is among the most celebrated in the country: it was established here by Mrs. Willard in 1821. The city contains a Lyceum with a valuable collection of natural history. The various denominations have over 20 churches. One or two daily, and four weekly newspapers are issued. The city has 11 banks, aggregate capital, above $2,000,000. It is supplied with good water from the river.

Biographies:

Samuel Buel, clergyman, was born in Troy, N. Y., June 15, 1815; son of Judge David Buel, an eminent lawyer. He received his education at Williams college, from which he was graduated first in the class of 1888. He studied at the Episcopal theological seminary at Alexandria, Va. After twenty years of ministerial and missionary work in various parts of the country, he became tutor at Kenyon college, professor of ecclesiastical history at Seabury divinity school, Faribault, Minn., in 1867, and professor of systematic divinity and dogmatic theology in the General theological seminary in New York in 1871, where he continued to teach until poor health compelled him to resign in 1888, when he was made professor emeritus. The General theological seminary gave him the degree of S.T.D. in 1885, the degree having been conferred on him by Columbia college in 1862. Of his published writings the best known are: A Treatise of Dogmatic Theology, The Apostolical System of the Church Defended, and Eucharistic Presence, Sacrifice, and Adoration. He died in New York city, Dec. 30, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Peter Bullions, clergyman, was born at Moss Side, Scotland, in December, 1791. When he was nineteen years old he began a three years' course at the University of Edinburgh, and after studying theology he came to America in 1817, and settled in Argyle, N. Y., where for six years he was pastor of a Presbyterian church. From 1824 to 1848 he taught languages in the Albany academy, and served from 1832 to the time of his death as a pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation at Troy, N. Y. He published Life of Alexander Bullions; Principles of English Grammar (1834); Principles of Greek Grammar (1840); Analytical and Practical English Grammar (1850); Principles of Latin Grammar (1853); Latin Exercises (1855), and Latin and English Dictionary (1862). He died at Troy, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1864.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Lucius Frederick Hubbard, governor of Minnesota, was born in Troy, N.Y., Jan. 26, 1836; son of Charles F. and Margaret (Van Valkenberg) Hubbard; grandson of Lucius and Annie (Pomeroy) Hubbard, and a descendant of George and Mary (Bishop) Hubbard, who emigrated from England and settled Wethersfield, Conn., in 1636. His maternal ancestors were early Dutch settlers in the valley of the Hudson river. He was educated at Chester, Vt., and Granville academy, N.Y. He worked at the tinner's trade in Chicago, Ill., 1854-57; was the founder of the Republican, Red Wing, Minn., and its editor, 1837-61 and registrar of deeds, 1858-61. He enlisted as a private in the 5th Minnesota infantry in December, 1861, and was promoted captain in February, 1862, lieutenant-colonel in March, 1862, and colonel in August, 1862. He was wounded in the battle of Corinth, May 28, 1862, and led his regiment at the second battle of Corinth, Oct. 3-4, 1862, and the 2d brigade, 1st division, in the battle of Jackson, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1862. He was transferred with his regiment to the 15th army corps in the spring of 1863, and took part in the siege and assault of Vicksburg. Afterward he commanded the 2d brigade in the Red River campaign and participated in seven battles in quick succession. His brigade formed the first line of the assaulting column at Nashville, Dec. 16, 1864, and captured artillery colors and many prisoners. Colonel Hubbard was severely wounded, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general for "conspicuous gallantry" in that battle. He led the advance in the capture of SPanish Fort, Mobile, April 8, 1864, and was mustered out of the service in October, 1865, having participated in thirty-one battles of the war. On returning to Red Wing, Minn., he engaged in milling and as a railroad constructor. He was a state senator, 1873-75, and governor of Minnesota, 1882-87. In 1898 he was commissioned a brigadier-general in the volunteer army and engaged in the war with Spain, commanding the 3d division, 7th army corps, during his entire term of service.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Jeanie Gould Lincoln, author, was born in Troy, N.Y., May 28, 1853; daughter of Judge George and Sarah MaConn (Vail) Gould; granddaughter of Judge James and Sally McCurdy (Tracy) Gould and of George and Jane (Thomas) Vail; great granddaughter of Gen. Uriah Tracy and of Gen. David Thomas; and a descendant of Dr. William Gould, born at The Croft, North Sawton, Devonshire, England, Feb. 21, 1692, who came to Branford, Conn., in 1720, where he died Jan. 14, 1757. Her father was chief justice of the court of appeals of the state of New York. She was educated under tutors and governesses, and devoted herself to literary work. She was married, Jan. 10, 1877, to Nathan Smith Lincoln, M.D., LL.D. She was elected a member of the Society of American Authors in 1899. Her published volumes include: A Chaplet of Leaves (1869); Marjorie' s Quest (1872); Her Washington Season (1884); A Genuine Girl (1896); An Unwilling Maid (1897); and A Pretty Tory (1899).

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor