Altamont Enterprise February 4, 1921 

JOHN G. REID VETERAN 

OF CIVIL WAR DIES 

J. G. Reid was born in New Scotland on Sept. 30, 1841, and resided there until he reached manhood. For several years he taught school, in neighboring towns, then, when the Civil war broke out, he went to Hamilton, N. Y., enlisted and was mustered into Company C. of 61st New York. Later he was selected by Gen. O. O. Howard as his orderly. 

He participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage Station and Malvern Hills. He was twice wounded, and suffered much from muscular rheumatism contracted during transfer in an open boat from one point to another during a severe storm. On account of this he was finally placed in the War department at Washington, D. C., where he served under Col. Breck until honorably discharged at the close of the war. 

He was twice married, first to Miss Carrie E. Smith of South Parsonsfield, Maine. After her death in 1878, he remained a widower for two years, then married Mrs. Julia A. Coes of Worcester, Mass., with whom he lived happily until the end. 

He was employed by the Erie railroad for over fifty years, beginning as engineer in the shops, where he saved the company over $50,000 by inventing a plan to utilize a supposedly useless stream of water when the stand pipe which supplied his power gave out. Later he was promoted to the office of Chief Clerk which he held for many years, and lastly being transferred to the freight claim department where he proved himself a very valuable man. 

Defective circulation, caused by his sedentary occupation, resulted in gangrene and in 1916 he was obliged to have one foot amputated. Since then he had never known a day free from pain, but his brave, cheerful philosophy, his bright smile and generous interest in family, friends and country never diminished. 

Last April both he and Mrs. Reid suffered strokes, which rendered them entirely helpless, since which time they have resided with their daughter, Mrs. John Valentine, near Fullers. 

Mr. Reid was a man of sterling integrity, keen mind and a living personification of the Divine command “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He was always ready to do a kindness for friend or stranger at any cost to himself.

QUAKER STREET 

The attendance at Christian Sunday school on Sunday last was an 80 per cent record, compared with the best this year. 100 per cent looked for next Sunday. 

BETHLEHEM CENTER 

This community was surprised when they heard that little Charles Whitbeck stepped on a cake of ice in the pond at South Bethlehem and came near measuring the entire depth of the pond.  He was supplied with dry clothes on the condition that he would not go near the pond again until fishing season. 

VILLAGE NOTES. 

Albert Relyea, who has had the measles has recovered; his sisters Nellie, Mary and Dorothy now have the same disease. Hazel Clikeman is also ill with them. 

THOMPSONS LAKE 

The many friends here of Mr. and Mrs. William Van Auken will rejoice on their narrow escape from serious, if not fatal injuries when coming from Schenectady Saturday afternoon. In crossing the railroad track at Altamont, the gate suddenly lowered smashing their head lights in its descent, shutting them inside. Fortunately they escaped with only a great fright and the breaking of their automobile, which had to be taken to a garage for repairs. 

 

More Back In Time

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    ALTAMONT BOY AND SISTER
    SAVE TWO FROM DROWNING 

  • CHILDREN’S WEEK
    APRIL 27 - MAY 3 

    Children’s Week will be observed in Albany county April 27th to May 3rd. There will be sermons by the pastors, parents’ meetings, and story hours for the children. 

  • DUNNSVILLE 

    Chicken thieves visited the hen house of Francis Van Wormer and took twenty of his fowls and at Chester B. Crounse’s they took forty. 

    — The public school money apportioned to the town of Guilderland is nearly eight thousand dollars. 

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