Is It Apothecary-Druggist-Pharmacist? A 19th-century Conundrum

 This post was written by library volunteer Robert Baldwin.

The SCHS Library recently received a donation of Henry A. Kertse’s Pharmacy prescription records. The donor asked us if Kertse's was the oldest pharmacy in Schenectady. This may be true as a matter of semantics. Further investigation is needed as late 19th century New York State medical regulations were in transition. The intriguing question is, "when and who were the pioneers in dispensing medicine in Schenectady?" Let us investigate the history of pharmaceutical practices in New York State. 

Believe it or not, regulated dispensing of medicine is relatively young. Apothecary and druggist businesses organized with minimal scrutiny. Prior to 1900, New Yorkers who wanted to establish a "drug store", did so with little or no regulations. Before pharmacies were known as such, druggist/apothecary shops sold drugs and medicines. Often, the owners manufactured their own medicinal concoctions. As innovations in medical science evolved, so did regulations enabling druggists' ability to produce and deliver medicine. According to the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, the New York State Pharmacist Association was created in 1879. However, it was merely an organization that lobbied to achieve professional recognition. Five years later (1884), Governor Grover Cleveland [1] appointed the first State Board of Pharmacy--a needed regulatory agency. [2] During 1906, a statute was enacted requiring a college degree to obtain a pharmacists license. 

By 1932, college degrees were mandated for those who wished to practice pharmacy. However, this legislative act was rarely enforced. New York City was the exception since the city had stricter guidelines. Two years later, additional laws mandated that only registered pharmacists could dispense poisonous or habit-forming drugs. It took almost three more decades before five-year college-of-pharmacy degrees were required (1960) [3]. Eventually, many universities/colleges offered doctorate degrees. However, doctorate degrees are not currently required to practice pharmacy in New York State. That may change as drug usage and dispensing has become complex.

Before statutes were created and codified by New York State, medicinal and health products were found everywhere. Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment for arthritis and rheumatism, a product originating from Texas, gained popularity leading to distribution throughout the United States. Peddler's wagons were no longer the source of such medicines. Druggist stores, including Schenectady businesses, began to distribute such items. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the few druggists in Schenectady competed for customers to buy a wide variety of “cure-alls” without prescriptions or doctor's recommendations. One of the earliest known druggists in Schenectady (1835), medical doctor Andrew Truax also competed with other druggist and sold "medicine" that we would consider “quackery” today. As readers would “gander” over advertisements in the Friday, July 18th, 1845 “Schenectady Reflector,” they found: 

The advertisements were never-ending cures for all things. However, the druggist not only sold remedies. Items varied, such as:

• ENGLISH yellow purple top rutabagas 
• Logwood 
• Stationary items 
• Soda and Saratoga Waters 
• Almond Soap 
• Items made of silk 
• Corks for bottles 
• Paints, oils, window putty, turpentine, window glass 
• Lard oil for lamps

Eleven years later, interesting advertisements "in the name of medical science" were on the increase, as shown below from the Schenectady Reflector. Friday, May 30, 1856:

The variety was substantial and it appeared that druggist stores were more like general stores. Who were these druggists? When and where did they operate their businesses in Schenectady?

The earliest record found for Schenectady was a handbill dated May 1831 for "Richard Fuller Druggist and Apothecary" that advertised his wares. (Handbill shown below) This store was located on the south side of State St, adjoining the Canal Bridge. Whole and retail sales included glass, furniture, dyes, woods, lamps, oils, and other sundry goods. Apparently, his business fell into obscurity since we were unable to locate any other documents relating to this enterprise. 

Richard Fuller, Druggist and Apothecary. Hand Bill 1831 [4]

 

Druggist Dr. Andrew Truax (mentioned above), originally operated his store at 117 State St. By 1862, the business relocated at 141 State St. As the street numbers changed in the 1880s, 141 State St was assigned its new number, 261 (remaining there as of 1948). As time passed, the ownership changed. By 1864, Andrew T. Veeder (also a medical doctor) became Truax's business partner. When Truax retired in 1883, junior partner Veeder became sole proprietor. The business listings morphed from Andrew Truax, to A.T. Veeder, to A.T. Veeder & Son; and by 1948, Veeder & Yelverton. The Veeder inventory was extensive. Merchandise included: microscopes, optical goods, ivory and solid silver toilets; and, he even carried a large variety of drugs, medicines and chemicals. I cannot imagine using ivory and solid silver toilets for the dirtiest needs.

David H. Snell, listed both as an apothecary and druggist, operated his store (1841-71) at 147 State St. There was no distinction between the two professional titles at this time. His competitors were very few: Truax (noted above), H. Gnadandorff, Ernest Steinhührer, and Frederick W. Hoffman. Hoffman ran his business for one year. Eventually, Snell's store changed hands and was owned by J. Sharratt Gates (1871-85). Nelson H. Kittle later carried on there (1885-90). In 1888, this address number was assigned 267. Edward Rosa gained ownership (1889-96). J.T.B. Gilmour (1896-97) and John Barron (1897-98) were transient owners. By 1899 and into the 20th century, E.A. Sawyer operated the business at 267 State St [5]. 

Veeder and Yelverton ad [6]

 

David H. Snell, in his early years [7]

 

 

 

Edward Rosa portrait [8]

 

Among the early druggists was Barent I. Mynderse at 97 State St (1841-42); H. Gnadandorff at 91 State St (1860-61) and moved to 107 State St (1862-63), and moved again to 85 State St (1863-66). Thomas Dunlap was at 130 State St (1857-58). A few years passed, A.J. McDonald maintained a druggist shop at 191 State St (1871-77).

Barent I. Mynderse, circa 1835 [9]

Henry C. Van Zandt earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College. Later, he opened a drug store known as VanZandt and Rector (1884-86) which operated at 191 State St. From 1886 to 1894, this business was located in the Central Arcade. The arcade extended from Wall St to the New York Central arcade in the rear of the State St stores. During this period, they were known as VanZandt, Shaffer and Rector. Subsequently. It then was relocated at 455 State St and from 1896 to 1897. Later, John P. Bigelow became the druggist at 455 State.

Dr. Henry C. VanZandt [10]

193 State St was occupied by Dower and Hogeboom 1876-77; and then, by C. Lansing 1878-80. 112 Union St was operated by Edward L. Davis (1881-87). W.T. Hanson and Son/Co. occupied 195 State St (1880-87). Then the street number was reassigned as 335. This druggist remained there (1888-91). By 1891, ownership changed hands with Lyon J. Turnbull continuing there into the twentieth century. 209 State St was owned and maintained by druggist, Ernest Steinhührer (1888-91). As the new educational requirements were enforced, Steinhührer earned his degree and operated as a pharmacist (1891-96). Apparently, Steinhüher retired passing ownership to Rudolph H. Keller operated the store (1896-1930s), however advertised as a druggist even though he did earn a Albany College of Pharmacy degree.

Henry A. Kertse started as a clerk at the age of 15 in Ernest Steinhührer's store (209 State St) until 1886. He decided to follow the profession permanently and earned his Ph.G. degree from the Albany School of Pharmacy, even though it was not required by law [11]. Edward L. Davis, was the druggist at 412 Union St (1888-89). During 1889, Kertse bought the business from Davis (who established it in 1882) [12]. Kertse appears to have been listed as the very first "pharmacist" in Schenectady. His original staff included three subordinates [13]. "In the old days we had to make everything ourselves." Pills, suppositories, infusions, and ointments were made on site. Most interestingly, herbs surpassed all other sales. Kertse eventually succumbed to public demand and offered ice cream sodas. And, a few years later he decided cease focusing on sales of sodas to concentrate on prescription sales [14] By 1960, the antique marble soda apparatus, "THE ARCTIC" still existed under the ownership of Erocle Conti [15]. Today, the building is an eatery, "Canvas, Corks, & Forks", where you can "paint, sip, and eat." 

Kertse's Pharmacy, early 1900s

 

Kertse's Pharmacy building, now Canvas, Corks, and Forks [16]

Arctic Freeze - many drink choices [17]

Kertse's Arctic Freeze soda fountain and Ercole Conti [18]

Eventually, the druggist business became available further up to 790 State St. Ownership turned over four times by the 20th century. First, was George Gertzen (1893-94); second, Roy Webber (1894-96); third, W.K. Wright & Co. (1896-98); and finally, Wells Pharmacy (1899 into the 1900s). Webber was also a graduate of the Albany School of Pharmacy [19].

Without doubt, Henry Kertse was the first licensed "pharmacist" in the city of Schenectady. Prior to his certification, two individuals practiced the dispensing of medicine with qualifications. As earlier mentioned, Andrew Truax and Andrew Veeder were medical doctors; implying they met or exceeded qualifications to "prescribe" medicine. To meet the needs of patients, the quest for more "pharmacists" rapidly increased before 1900.

From 1831 to 1900, there were 35 different druggists and pharmacists. Several druggists operated for one-to-two years. Others were either bought out or became partners of established businesses. Of these, 14 were named as of 1900 (dates of establishment in parenthesis based on City of Schenectady Directories 1841-1900):

• Duryee, George E. 423 State St (1878) 
• Duryee, Harry/Henry B. Jay corner of Franklin (1871-1893 at 191 State St)
• Horstmann Pharmacy, 128 Wall St (1890)
• Keller, R., 209 State St (1896)
• Kertse, H.A., 402 Union St (1889)
• Lyon, J. Trumbull, 335 State St (1891)
• Moore, H.S., 617 State St (1891)
• Netzchmann, J.R. 802 Hamilton St (1897)
• Rector, William, 454 State St (1884)
• Reynolds, C.F., 317 State St (1899)
• Sauter, William, 405 State St (1883-1887 at 211 State St)
• Sawyer, E.A., 267 State St (1899)
• Veeder, A.T. & Son, 261 State St (1883, note he was partner with Dr. Truax earlier)
• Wells' Pharmacy, 790 State St (1899) 

Druggist pioneers of the 1830s made way for growth of the pharmaceutical industry. During the 1830s, there were only three druggists. By the 1890s, 21 different druggists who operated their businesses in Schenectady. Below is a chart that shows the trend of stores peaked in the 1930s with 48 different drugstore operators. The chart does not take into consideration that several vendors operated at multiple locations.

Druggists by Decade [20]

As a postscript to the progression of druggists in history: I lived in Scotia for over 30 years. Memories are recalled about Seth Siskin (Seth's Drug Store on the corner of Fifth St and Vley Rd). Our family, as did many others in the neighborhood, walked to Seth's for our pharmaceutical needs; or stopped in on the way home. A smile and greeted by name, Seth took time not only to explain the medicines, but also asked how we were. Now, the building is a pizzeria.

Footnotes and citations:

1 The 22nd and 24th President of the United States. 
2 "History of PSSNY - Pharmacists Society of the State of New York", https://www.pssny.org/page/History/History-of-PSSNY.htm. 
3 "History of PSSNY - Pharmacists Society of the State of New York", https://www.pssny.org/page/History/History-of-PSSNY.htm.
4 Alonzo Paige Walton Collection, Schenectady County Historical Society.
5 "Daily Union", Schenectady, 2 August 1895.
6 Undated newspaper clipping, Schenectady Businesses Pharmacy file at SCHS.
7 SCHS Veeder 1800s family file.
8 "Daily Union", Schenectady, 2 August 1895.
9 "Samuel Hayden Sexton: 19th Century Schenectady Artist", 1970, by Ona Curran.
10 "The Globe", Schenectady Edition, Saturday 20 August 1900.
11 "Representative Business Men of Schenectady", 1893 indicated that he earned a Ph.G., Pharmacist. 
12 "Daily Union", 2 August 1895.
13 "Union Star", 1959.
14 "Schenectady Gazette", 25 June 1945.
15 "Schenectady Gazette", 28 January 1960.
16 Image from Google.com/maps.
17 "The Daily Gazette", Schenectady, 28 January 1960.
18 Ibid.
19 "Schenectady Daily Union" 2 August 1895.
20 Data is based on physical count of "druggist" business listed in City of Schenectady directories for years from 1841 to 1900; City of Schenectady directories 1900 to 1960 by decade; and, Schenectady city yellow pages 1961 to 2000 by decade.
 

Cpl. Jacob Henry Sager

 This post was written by library volunteer Gail Denisoff

 

Jacob Henry Sager was born into a farming family on May 18, 1844 in the town of Princetown.  He was the son of Peter and Helen Sager, part of a family of early settlers of Schenectady County. When he was 19 years of age, he enlisted in the Union Army. Mustered in on October 10, 1863, Jacob was assigned to Company C, Heavy Artillery, 16^th New York Volunteers.

 

During his service, he fought in many major campaigns including the battles at Chapin's Farm, Fort Fisher, Wilmington NC, and Andersonville. He spent six months in the hospital with a serious illness during his service. Jacob narrowly missed being shot when a bullet passed through the collar of his coat when he was on picket duty at "Fort Hell" (Fort Sedgwick) in Petersburg VA. He was also part of a large contingent of soldiers who dug the "Dutch Gap Canal" seven miles from Richmond VA.

 

After he mustered at the end of the war, on August 21, 1865 in Washington DC, Jacob returned home to work the family farm. He married Jennette Weast and together they raised six children.

Jacob was active in the Horsfall Post 90 Grand Army of the Republic. He was senior vice-commander and held many other offices in the post.  When he died at age 86, on November 24, 1930, he was one of just six remaining Civil War veterans in Schenectady County. He is buried in Viewland Cemetery. 

 Cpl. Sager was featured in the 2025 Schenectady Hometown Heroes Banner Program: https://downtownschenectady.org/portfolio/2025-hometown-hero-banner-program/ His banner hung at the corner of State and Barrett Streets from May to November 2025.

Schenectady's 18th and 19th Century Newspapers

The Western Spectator masthead, 1803. 

You may have seen coverage of the Daily Gazette’s 130th anniversary in November 2024, but you may not realize that Schenectady’s rich history of local journalism and newspaper publishing dates back to the 1790s. The Mohawk Mercury, a weekly newspaper published by Abraham Brockaw and Cornelius Wyckoff, is the earliest known periodical published in Schenectady. Only a few issues survived the centuries. They cover the period 1795 to 1798 and are never more than four pages long. The first two pages were reserved mostly for national and international news, with some state information. Pages three and four were almost exclusively local news and notices, generally in the form of business ads. Around 1798, John L. Stevenson bought the paper. It is unclear if Stevenson continued printing the Mercury, but in 1799 he was publishing a newspaper under the name Schenectady Gazette (no relation to the present-day Schenectady newspaper), so it’s possible that he simply changed the name of the original publication. In 1802, Stevenson changed the name of the Gazette to the Western Spectator and Schenectady Advertiser. The Western Spectator was discontinued in 1807. The surviving issues follow a similar format and focus as the Mohawk Mercury. 

While the first two pages are interesting in their own right for a glimpse into the important matters of post-Revolutionary America, the real treasure of these early newspapers are the second set of two pages in each issue. Given the ads and notices published, the Mohawk Mercury and the Western Spectator read like a Who’s-Who of turn-of-the-century Schenectady. These pages featured articles explaining local ordinances or addressing local issues, such as the founding of Union College. Notices and advertisements focus on local businesses, legal notices, mail service, and listings of property for sale. Slavery in our area is documented in the sale ads for enslaved people and the ‘runaway ads’ enslavers posted for enslaved people seeking freedom. Occasionally, a death notice of a local person or notices for delinquent wives and apprentices appear, while marriage announcements are extremely rare.

Ad announcing runaway apprentice published in the Mohawk Sentinel, 1824

For most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Schenectady had at least two newspapers circulating at the same time. Some of these titles went in and out of publication over the decades, changing owners or editors and merging with other publications. The Schenectady Cabinet, for example, started in 1810 and continued through the 1830s, merging briefly with the Freedom Sentinel in the 1840s before reemerging as a separate title in the 1850s. The similarity and reuse of titles can be confusing. The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat ran from the late 1830s to the mid-1880s. However, within this range, the paper was published under the mastheads the Schenectady Reflector, the Schenectady Democrat, and the Schenectady Democrat and Reflector with a series of proprietors and editors. The dates and issue numbers on the surviving issues make it difficult to determine if all of these titles were indeed the same newspaper published continuously or if there were significant starts and stops or changes to the publication in this 50-year period.

Most of the nineteenth and early twentieth century newspapers were printed weekly, but a few were daily publications. In addition to the local news reports and announcements, these newspapers contain a wealth of information important to a variety of researchers including advertisements, death and marriage notices, political statements, editorials, poetry, essays, drawings, and cartoons. Most of these newspapers claim to be politically neutral or focused broadly on the news of the day and the interests of the common reader, but several publishers proclaimed their intent to represent the views of particular parties or affiliations. The Weekly Republican (1857-1863), for example, introduced itself as advocating and supporting the principles of the Republican party. This newspaper particularly focused on promoting and defending the party’s “doctrine of progress in all those inalienable, God-given rights, which ennoble and elevate the common humanity,” notably advocating for the abolition of slavery during the tumultuous years before and during the American Civil War.

Four men standing outside of Foster's Newsroom on State Street, circa 1890. One is selling newspapers.

Very few original paper copies of eighteenth and nineteenth century newspapers exist today, but the contents of these publications are available for research on microfilm at the Grems-Doolittle Library. Twenty-four newspapers, dating 1795 to 1884, are available and searchable online at the New York Historic Newspapers database, thanks to Regional Collections grants from the Capital District Library Council which allowed SCHS to digitize reels in our microfilm collection and make them fully available and searchable online through the New York Historic Newspapers Project. The New York Historic Newspapers project exists to digitize and make freely available for research significant runs of historic newspapers for every county in the state. The database is created and administered by the Northern New York Library Network in partnership with the Empire State Library Network.

The microfilm collection at the Grems-Doolittle Library is available for researchers by appointment. Contact the librarian to schedule an appointment and visit schenectadyhistorical.org/research to learn more about accessing our collections.

Pharmacies around Schenectady

The peak of cold and flu season is fast approaching, and many of us are heading to our local pharmacy to stock up on medications, COVID tests, masks, and other essentials to get us through the season. Pharmacies are essential businesses in our communities and pharmacists have years of medical expertise to draw on when they help us decipher our prescriptions, recommend an OTC remedy, or administer vaccines. While the concept of creating and selling the remedies for what ails us can be traced back to medieval apothecaries, pharmacies as we know them today are only about 200 years old.

The SCHS Library recently received a donation of a pharmacy prescription book from Kerste’s Pharmacy. The donor asked us whether Kerste’s was “the oldest pharmacy in Schenectady” - a question that led us down a research rabbit-hole. Our answer to that question and other information that we found in our research will be compiled in a future blog post, but we wanted to take a moment to share some of the materials in the SCHS collections that relate to the history of pharmacies in our area.

Page from one of the Kerste's Pharmacy prescription books showing prescription notes pasted into a large ledger. Kerste's Pharmacy Records: ledgers of prescriptions processed through Kerste's Pharmacy,  1886, 1918, 1945.

Henry Kerste and two assistants mixing prescriptions in the pharmacy. Larry Hart Photo and Research Collection.

E. Steinfuhrer Drugs and Medicines. Southeast corner of Ferry and State Streets. Photo from the Grems-Doolittle Library Photo Collection.

Ad for Richard Fuller, Druggist and Apothecary from the Grems-Doolittle Library Clippings Collection, Pharmacies File.

Ad for William Sauter, Pharmacist, in the 1896 Schenectady City Directory from the City Directories Collection.

Learn more about the SCHS Library collections on our website, https://schenectadyhistorical.org/collections/, and our Guide to the History of Medicine in Schenectady County: https://schenectadyhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/History-of-Medicine-in-Schenectady-County-Research-Guide.pdf

Schenectady's Own Band of Brothers

This post was written by library volunteer Gail Denisoff.

For the tenth year, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation is honoring past and present Schenectady County service members through the Hometown Heroes banner program. Hanging from Memorial Day to Veteran's Day, these banners recognize brave men and women from Schenectady County who have answered the call to serve.

The Schenectady County Historical Society often nominates a candidate from Schenectady's past for a banner. This year we have nominated two brothers from Schenectady County who served during the Civil War. Jacob and Martin DeForest were not the only members of their family to enlist, however. Five DeForest brothers joined the Union effort. All five were wounded in battle with at least one later succumbing to his injuries. The DeForest brothers were not strangers to military service. Both their grandfather and great-grandfather fought under George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Below are brief biographies and service details for the DeForest boys, Schenectady County’s band of brothers.

Portrait of Jacob DeForest in military uniform. From the DeForest Family File at the Grems-Doolittle Library.

 

Jacob J. DeForest, born in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, on October 10, 1820, was the oldest of the 12 children of Jacob and Anna Schermerhorn DeForest. He was educated at the Schenectady Lyceum under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Huntington, then taught a winter term of school in Rotterdam. Soon after, he apprenticed himself with James A. Van Voast, a prominent carpenter and builder in Schenectady. Following the completion of his apprenticeship in 1844, he moved to Albany where he worked as a successful contractor in his own businesses.

Jacob had a lifelong interest in the military and was commissioned as an engineer of the 25th Regiment of the 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, of the State of New York on December 28, 1855. At the outbreak of the Civil war in April of 1861, at the age of 40, he was placed in charge of a recruiting center in Albany and served until the following August during which time 30 volunteer regiments of New York were recruited and organized. He was then sent to Oswego, where he organized the 81st Regiment of NY Volunteers.

On February 19, 1862, Jacob was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 81st Brigade and on July 1 promoted to colonel. The regiment became part of the Fourth Corps of the Army of the Peninsula under the Command of General Keyes and a part of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac Peninsular Campaign. On May 31, 1862, he was shot through the left lung at the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia. Jacob was sent to Douglas Hospital in Washington, and then furloughed home to recover. He rejoined his unit on September 1 and sent to North Carolina where he participated in the unsuccessful Siege of Charleston. Because of his disability from his earlier wound, Jacob was hospitalized again and mustered out September 1, 1864, although retained command of the regiment until the end of the war. After the war, he was on the staff of former New York Governor Morgan for a time and was one of the escorts who accompanied the remains of President Lincoln through the state. Soon after, he returned to work the family farm in Duanesburg, NY, and was active in community affairs, especially regarding school and educational matters. He was a friend of Horace Greeley during the abolition movement and a longtime member of the Masons and Odd Fellows.

Jacob J. DeForest had three wives, the last surviving him, and 12 children, 5 of whom died at birth or as young children. In the summer of 1903, he supervised the building of a new home at Cady’s Corners in Rotterdam, where he died on March 14, 1904, at the age of 83. He is buried at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Guilderland.

Portrait of Bartholomew DeForest in military uniform. From the DeForest Family File, Grems-Doolittle Library.

 

Bartholomew Schermerhorn DeForest was born in Rotterdam on February 9, 1823, the second child of Jacob and Anna DeForest. He worked as an architect in Albany before enlisting on August 26, 1862, at the age of 39. He obtained the rank of First Lieutenant, was assigned to the 81^st New York Infantry, and served as Quartermaster from September 1, 1862, to September 19, 1864. He was injured in battle and mustered out with a discharge disability on September 19, 1864.

Bartholomew married Elizabeth Walker in 1847 and had two daughters. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, after the war where Bartholomew continued his architectural career. He died in Cleveland on April 30, 1886, at the age of 63 and is buried in Vale Cemetery in Schenectady.

John Teller DeForest was born December 27, 1830, the sixth child of DeForest family. He worked as a carpenter in Albany with his brother, Jacob, before enlisting in Oswego on September 23, 1861, at the age of 31. He was assigned to the 81^st New York Infantry. He rose to the rank of Captain before being injured in battle and mustering out on August 10, 1864, with a discharge disability.

John was married to Emeline Stevens and had a son. He died of complications of his wartime injuries on May 25, 1866, at the age of 35, in Oswego and is buried in Mount Adnah Cemetery, Fulton, Oswego County. 

Portrait of William DeForest in military uniform. From the DeForest Family File at the Grems-Doolittle Library.

William Freeman DeForest was the eighth child of the family born on April 28, 1836, in Rotterdam. He enlisted at the age of 26 on January 25, 1863. He was assigned to the Second New York Calvary with the rank of Sergeant. He was wounded at Ashby's Gap Virginia and mustered out with a discharge disability on September 4, 1864.

After the war, William moved to San Francisco and worked as a trader. In the 1870s he was an agent for the Eureka Hair Company. He married Maggie Cosgrove in San Francisco in 1878 and died there some years later.

Portrait of Martin DeForest in military uniform. From the DeForest Family File at the Grems-Doolittle Library.

Martin J. DeForest was the ninth child of the family, born on June 23, 1839, in Rotterdam. He enlisted in the 25^th Regiment of the New York State Militia on September 21, 1861 at the age of 22. He reenlisted in the 81^st Infantry, New York Volunteers, and served with that regiment throughout the war. He was severely wounded in his left leg on June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, resulting in the amputation of his left foot. He was discharged with the rank of Captain on October 23, 1864, because of his injuries. In 1865, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, 3^rd Regiment of the Veteran's Reserve Corps, and worked in the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Land, discharged in 1868.

Martin married Harriet Carmichael in 1866 in Sparta, Westchester County. He worked as a clerk in the Registry Department of the General Post Office of New York for 40 years, living in Brooklyn. He died on February 8, 1908, leaving a second wife and four children. He is buried in Sparta Cemetery, Westchester County.

There is some evidence that a sixth brother may have briefly served in the Union Army. Richard DeForest was the 12^th child of the DeForest family, born on August 9, 1844, in Rotterdam. He enlisted at the age of 19 on May 31, 1862, as a private in the 25^th Infantry of the New York State Militia. He mustered out in Albany less than four months later on September 8, 1863. Richard died at Cady's Corners, Rotterdam on April 22, 1869 at the age of 24.

The brothers of the DeForest family served the Union faithfully throughout the Civil War risking life and limb. They are part of a proud heritage of Schenectady military heroes.

The Schenectady Hometown Heroes banners will be up along State Street from Washington Avenue to Veterans Park until Veterans Day. More banners can be found along Clinton Street between Liberty Street and Union Street. Please visit https://downtownschenectady.org/portfolio/honoring-the-2024-hometown-heroes/ for more information on the program and 2024 banners. The banners for Jacob and Martin DeForest share a pole on State Street near the corner of Washington Avenue.

Niskayuna’s Newstead was Distinguished Nuclear Advisor

 This post was contributed by local author Michael A. Davi. It was also published on the Daily Gazette website on Oct. 1, 2024.

In May 2023, while researching my article titled “Niskayuna’s Beloved Lina Newstead” (September4, 2023 Daily Gazette Gleanings Series), I had the privilege of connecting with Charles Newstead, Lina's youngest son. Despite his advanced age (91) and being in hospice care at his home in McClean, VA, Charles graciously agreed to speak with me by phone. Our initial conversation. which lasted over an hour, flowed effortlessly, leading to a follow-up discussion a few days later. Our talks were extraordinary, revealing insights about Charles’ own incredible life that historical investigations alone could never uncover. 

Sadly, Charles passed away on Father’s Day 2023, just a day before our planned third conversation. However, I had already transcribed over two hours of our discussions, which, combined with further research, form the basis of the following story.

Born to Aaron and Lina Newstead in September 1931, Charles spent formative years of his youth growing up in Niskayuna. He fondly recalled his younger days living above his mother’s convenience store on Van Antwerp Road. One of his cherished pastimes was walking to the Rivoli Theater on Union Street, now a Karate studio, where he could enjoy hours of entertainment for a mere ten cents and a few extra coins for snacks. 

Charles' photo and blurb in the Nott Terrace Terracian Yearbook, 1950

 

Charles developed an early fascination with science, sparked by listening to the GE Science Forum broadcasts on WGY radio. The weekly science programs ignited a lifelong passion which led Charles to his study of physics.

Despite nearly missing high school graduation (Nott Terrace HS Class of 1950) over confusion about course credits, Charles persevered encouraged by a concerned and compassionate teacher. While initially reluctant to further his education, Charles was nudged by older brother Edwin (himself a Union College graduate) to apply to New York University, barely meeting the application deadline. From this somewhat shaky start, Charles flourished academically, later graduating summa cum laude with a Doctorate in Physics from the prestigious University of Oxford.

Charles at his graduation from the University of Oxford

 

After completing studies at Oxford, Charles ventured to continental Europe, where he met and ultimately married his soulmate, Inge. His professional journey led him to the prominent French Atomic Energy Commission and later to Brookhaven National Laboratories on Long Island, where he worked alongside eminent nuclear scientists. Charles’ expertise eventually caught the attention of the Department of Energy, leading to a distinguished career spanning 40 years at the US Department of State as a Senior Science Advisor.

Charles’ work in nuclear non-proliferation and threat assessment earned him recognition from top U.S. policymakers, including interactions with former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. His insights were crucial in helping decision makers shape U.S. responses to significant global events, such as Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

When I asked Charles about his views on climate change, he did not hesitate to predict that nuclear fusion would be the ultimate solution to this existential problem. He eloquently described fusion as “building the sun on earth,” a phrase that succinctly describes this powerful, complex technology. Despite the controversy and technical challenges with nuclear fusion, Charles firmly believed that difficulties with this promising yet perplexing technology will one day be overcome.

To underscore his statement, Charles cited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor Program (ITER). ITER is a multi-billion dollar collaborative effort of 35 nations building the world’s largest fusion reactor plant in southern France. The program's goal is to demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power. 

Charles Newstead

 

During our conversations, Charles surprised me by drawing parallels between his work and my own experiences at GE -- we both essentially synthesized complex technical information for higher level decision-makers. Even in the face of serious illness, his sharp intellect and ability to make such correlations left a lasting impression on me.

Although I knew his passing was imminent, the news still came as a shock. Our rapport had lulled me into a sense of timelessness, making it hard to accept that the end was so near. Yet, despite the sadness of his loss, I find comfort in knowing that our conversations brought Charles some joy in his final days, rekindling his love for Niskayuna and keeping his mind engaged with thoughts of happier times. In reflecting on our connection, I take solace in the idea that our shared discussions offered him a sense of fulfillment and peace as he approached the end of his remarkable life.

Daniel Campbell: Businessman, Patriot, Human

This post was written by library volunteer Robert Baldwin.
Readers are advised that this post includes quotes from historical primary sources which contain offensive, insensitive, and racialized language. In the interests of accurately presenting the historical record, we do not alter the language used in original primary source documents. Spellings, punctuation, and grammar in the transcriptions are unaltered from the original document. 

 
For a recent research request at the SCHS Library, I investigated land-purchase activities of Daniel Campbell. The individual whom I assisted in this research effort was primarily interested in Campbell’s acquisition of land in Ballston; particularly, property the researcher owned in Ballston Spa that Mr. Campbell did at one time. Though my efforts had limited success for this individual, I became interested in gleaning the personality of Daniel Campbell. Research began with the Letter Book of Daniel Campbell 1771-1801, transcribed by Elizabeth D. Shaver, 1982-3. Subsequently, after investigating other sources, I discovered that information relating to the personality of Mr. Campbell was nominal. Thus, I determined that it was a worthy effort to probe Shaver’s work to paint Campbell’s personality. A fur trader, land speculator, salesman, and a military officer were among the most common labels associated with Mr. Campbell. Yet, my investigations indicated that there was much more to learn about him. What did he like? What caused him great disdain? What types of people did he embrace, or attempt to disenfranchise? Who were his favorite acquaintances, and who were not? What about politics and loyalty? How did family play a role in Mr. Campbell’s life?



Portrait of Daniel Campbell by Thomas McIlworth.

Let us begin with the most commonly known practices of Mr. Campbell without much reference to personality. The fur trade was not limited to the historical and stereotypical beaver pelt trade. He dabbled a great deal in a wide variety of furs/skins with his friendly "aborigines" (Campbell used this word frequently to describe Native Americans and used it interchangeably with "Indians"). Among these were as follows: leather (tanned cow or cattle hides), beaver, fox, deer, raccoon, otter, seal, martin, bear, fisher, musquash (muskrat), cat (referring to large cats such as mountain lions and bobcats), and elk. Of course, beaver was the most important, and followed by deer, leather, raccoon and bear. The least desirable was musquash, being inferior in quality, smaller than a beaver, and more difficult to skin and process. 

Among his most important inventory stores were wampum and cord to trade with Native Americans. Second in importance was rum, a common bartering item for fur trade. Let us not forget knives, very commonly a trade items for furs. Campbell's fur trade interactions with Native Americans led to his great feeling of appreciation towards them. He considered his Native trading partners both industrious and an excellent source of promoting revenue.



Mr. Campbell attributed his success as a merchant to the people with whom he worked. Diplomacy was critical. The fur trade was the basis for his early successes. Thus, appeasing Native American fur hunters and traders was essential for acquiring furs. Constant communication and negotiation with transporters, both within the colonies and over to Europe, required finesse. As for providing trade with the military, neither politics nor loyalty had a place until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Mr. Campbell and several other prominent citizens, were examined about their relationship with the British military. An ultimatum was decreed by the Schenectady Committee of Conspiracies, requiring said businessmen to cease all activities with the British or be imprisoned on a ship in Kingston for the duration of the war. Unfortunately for Mr. Campbell and his affiliates, their sworn allegiance to the United States destroyed many of their business activities until the end of the war. While the American Revolution did not destroy Mr. Campbell’s practice of land acquisition or nominal trade, it caused a great deal of angst and significant loss of commerce. Furthermore, Mr. Campbell spent a great deal of time attempting to recuperate unpaid debts created prior to the war. I would venture to say that approximately twenty percent of his letters were some form of correspondence with debtors as well as law enforcement to recuperate his revenues. As anyone might surmise, his letters reflected frustration and anger, not only towards debtors, but also with the legal system.

Though the fur trade was lucrative, Mr. Campbell’s merchandise trade is nothing to disregard. Within the letters there were two times that inventory was included, and quite extensive. He was very hard on his employees to assure that conducting inventory was complete and accurate. As a matter of curiosity, I discovered that the store’s ending inventory in 1772 was £2917:19:67 (2917 pounds, 19 shillings, 6 pence); or, equal to 2024 inflation rate $664,0768 (2024 USD). Mr. Campbell understandingly had reason to be so particular. Some inventory include: wampum, linen, textile, buttons, sewing supplies, clothing, hats, hand tools, garden tools, spices, wine, rum, dishes, chimney tile, playing cards, bridles, hardware, playing cards, gun powder, paper products, and horse trade or livestock. The inventories also provide evidence of Mr. Campbell’s involvement in the slave trade.

Painting of Campbell Mansion, State Street, Schenectady.

We cannot afford to be historical apologists for the darker sides of our ancestors. Mr. Campbell was not an exception. Five of the letters reference Campbell’s willingness and promotion of slave trade. He claimed ownership over enslaved people in his own household. Within his business practice, he brokered deals to purchase enslaved people for his clients. The following are a few examples of this from the transcribed letters:


2 August 1771 Letter:


“…It is very hard to get such negroes as you described and you are very right to purchase none but such as good character. If there of any I will immediately acquaint Mr. Sherbrook…”


28 August 1771 Letter: 


“…Mr. Walker desired me to remit the amount of these bills to Mr. Mills Sherbrooke merchant in New York as he said he wanted to purchase some Negroes I have paid the money to Mr. Mills Sherbrooke Merchant in New York agreeable to such directions…”



January 1772 Letter: 


“…to Mr. Tymes…I shall do my best to procure you a good Clarke and a servant or negro…”



26 April 1773 Letter:


“…I wish you could meet with a bargain of a negro gerrill* of about from 10 to 12 years old let her be sound. I have seen several advertisd in Mr. Gains paper. I have an order from Mr. Andrews at Detroit for one.”



I would be remiss to exclude how Mr. Campbell felt about the enslaved people on his property. He did value loyalty; and, he got it. His Black enslaved servants occasionally made sure he knew about ongoing property encroachments of contiguous landholders. Furthermore, he insisted that his servants were of sound body and high personal character.

Aptly dubbed a land speculator in a multitude of resources, Mr. Campbell gained most of his wealth in later years from purchasing, selling, and leasing land. The records indicate that Mr. Campbell purchased more than forty thousand acres of land. Land acquisition within the Kayaderosseras Patent was over twenty-four thousand acres alone. With very little thinking effort, we can clearly relate his prowess to real estate magnates of today. However, this undertaking not an easy task. He wrote many letters of inquiry, and those relating to offers and acceptances; relying heavily on messenger services via horseback and carriage. Several correspondence letters were unrelenting to the point of frustration and disappointment among parties. The acquisition of land was not only to increase his land wealth; rather most often his purchases led to lease agreements for tenants to pay to use the land, as well as improving the land. 

For example:

18 November 1773 Letter:


“…I have purchased amounts to 24000 acres. It is all wood land free of any quit rent to the (King?) or any other person forever…there are on my lands about 8 tenants who must either agree with me for rent or must purchase the land…”



January 1774 Letter:


“…I have been down to York this fall & made a purchase of 20,000 acres of land which lays all around Bauls Town** & is very convenient to settle…I make no doubt but next summer I shall settle fifty or sixty families…I shall endeavor to settle it by giving leases forever.”



It was Mr. Campbell’s expectation to find tenants who were capable, hardworking and trustworthy, being of very good character. Mr. Campbell often wrote letters admonishing those who did not meet his high standards, both tenants and neighbors. As a remote landlord, Mr. Campbell was fiercely protective of his land. When individuals living contiguous to his lands encroached, he took swift legal actions. Three common encroachment issues reflected in his letters referenced theft of wood, grains, and claiming property as their own. Mr. Campbell frequently communicated intentions of litigation and incarceration. Furthermore, he did not have any compunctions to claim property of perpetrators. The following excerpts from his letters illustrate this:

30 March 1773 Letter:


“As my negroes has informed me…that you cut down part of the grass to the amt of a wagon load of hay this seems to me strange that such measures should be carried into execution at a time when I was 100 miles from home…I suppose by measuring my land which no man had a right to do and what I never in my life expected from you…”     



24 January 1774 Letter:
 

“…having proof that William Brisby cut 150 loggs of my land…be assured I will prosecute you as the law directs if you do not immediately come & make me payment for the full value of every log you have cut & for deceiving me in this manner you shant have one acre of land from me altho I was determin’d to have given you a lease.”



Mr. Campbell was very possessive with his land holdings. It was apparent that what land he had great value. For instance in 1779, the land tax assessment value for his property in Ballston was £9,045. I took the time to determine the inflation and exchange rates from 1779 to 2024. The above-mentioned amount would equal $1,505,992.5013 (2024 USD) today. Who would not be protective of such an investment? Apparently, he took land holdings very seriously.



Ireland, the place of his birth, was always on Mr. Campbell’s mind. Several letters were to his brother, Davy. The letters give a positive portrayal of how Mr. Campbell felt about America. Whether the letters were about politics and business, the gist was obviously in favor of being an American. His letters would include land acquisition and his plans for them. Planting fruit trees, keeping sheep, growing profitable livestock, and a variety of trade excursions with the Native Americans were commonly addressed. In these letters, Mr. Campbell was a braggart; for example:
    


18 October 1773:


“… I now begin to follow your example in somethings which is in purchasing land…I have of late made a very large purchase of land which is well situated to settle, 20 & farthest not more than 25 miles from this town & a fine patent of land…I have purchased amounts to 24,000 acres…”


(then expressing his patriotic perspective) “…encouraging those to come to do making them & there posterity to come over to a free country not loaded with taxes, tythes, hearth money, high rents & twenty other burdens that must forever crushd the heart of goodmen…”



Ironically, the political, economic and social climate in America quickly changed shortly after this letter to Davy. In a colonial community increasingly confronted by taxation issues, restlessness of citizens, and increase in trade restrictions, Mr. Campbell began to question on which side of the fence he should fall:



22 July 1775 to George Folliot Esq:


“…I hope Mrs. Folliot & you enjoy your health these unhappy times As yet I have been a perfect looker on neither leaning to one side nor the other this far I wish & hope that America may never be tax’d without their own concent…”    
   


One letter to his brother Davy expressed feelings about war’s end and his ability to persevere:    


2 January 1784:


“…happy to be able to write and receive letters, unable to do during the unhappy war…I have not suffered much by the war in my property farther than it has prevented me from settling my land at present there seems to be a demand for land…I have good prospects having a good many tenants next year as many people from New England states are dayly moving in our state on account of having cheape land...I have not done any business as a merchant during the war…”



In studying history, we often see people of the past as a series of life events: birth, education, graduation, marriage, military service, election to office, etc. Their personalities, preferences, and viewpoints are often lost to time or difficult to determine from accessible sources. Delving into primary source documents such as these letters maintained at the Schenectady County Historical Society provides an opportunity to explore the personality and character of Mr. Campbell. Daniel Campbell can easily be perceived as a scoundrel, money-monger, demanding landlord, unrelenting bill collector, and a self-serving community leader. Certainly, his perspective on ownership and servitude of humans is neither politically correct nor humanly acceptable to today’s standards. Notably, a great deal of his economic and political endeavors are not foreign to leaders of today. Further study of Mr. Campbell’s letters might reveal more connections and parallels to the people, places, and events we encounter today as well as give insight into the person he was and the Schenectady he inhabited and helped shape.

* sic: girl

**Ballston, Saratoga County