Milton Knickerbocker |
MILTON KNICKERBOCKER was born in the town of Ancram, Columbia Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1815. He was the oldest in a family of four sons and five daughters. His father was an officer of the artillery in the war of 1812. His parents, whose ancestors were emigrants from Holland, removed from the place of his birth when he was only three years of age, and he remained with his grandparents, who lived upon the farm, until 1839. After reaching his majority and until this time, he had shared with his grandfather in the proceeds of the farm, and had in this way obtained a very liberal start in life for a farmer. He purchased on hundred and eight acres the same year in Schodack (since increased to one hundred and thirty acres), and owns another farm of one hundred fourteen acres near Castleton. Thus as a farmer Mr. Knickerbocker has spent some forty years in this town.
The same year of his settlement in Schodack, February 21st, he married Sally A. Pockman, of that town. Their children are James H., died at the age of nineteen); Mrs. Albert Shufelt; Mrs. Gideon Pockman; William S., Milton Irving, and Frank P.
Mr. Knickerbocker has been called to bear a share of the public burdens of his town, and to his credit and the satisfaction of the people has discharged the duties of those offices. For twelve years he served as justice of the peace, three years as supervisor, and one year as associate judge. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party until 1872, when he supported Peter Cooper, and from that time until the present he has been a staunch supporter of the Greenback party. Mr. Knickerbocker has not been solicitous of public position. He possesses that force of character and integrity which wins the esteem of his fellow-citizens; is a man of sound judgment, positive convictions, and plain, unassuming ways. His wife, a woman of rare excellence and a model helpmeet, died April 2, 1878.