Biographical and Historical Viewpoint
I, David Zieley, was born in the town of Palatine, Montgomery Co., State of New York, Feb. 12th 1824.
My father was John D. Zieley, a farmer who lived three miles east of Palatine Bridge. In my boyhood days I was greatly interested in his affairs, knowing his embarrassments. Labor saving machines such as farmers make use of now, were unknown then. Farming was a life of toil then and not as [re]munerative. [?]
My mother was Nancy Dockstader, a true helpmate and very devoted to her children. Her memory is precious.
I received my early education in a common school and later was permitted to have the privilege of the Canajoharie Academy - walking to and from with my books - mornings and evenings.
My Aunt Catherine Moor was my father's sister and lived in Palatine Bridge. During the winter and stormy weather I boarded with her.
I have distinct recollection of the people living in Canajoharie and Palatine Bridge at that time, and now while I write at the age of 77 there are none left, and few of their descendants.
My solicitude for my parents fixed in me a great desire to do what I could to relieve their burdens.
At the age of 17, I obtained employment in a retail dry goods store in Albany. Five years fully satisfied me with this occupation and I returned to my native place and engaged in a produce business.
Daniel S. Morrell was my partner. We built the Stone Steam Mill in Canajoharie. This was an unwise venture as it was more expensive than we expected it to be. We were embarrassed and unable to complete it.
It was therefore necessary to get aid from someone to carry through the enterprise. At this time Morrell declined to proceed further, and with the aid of my friends, the mill was put in operation.
I was married to Catherine Wetmore, daughter of Pythagoras Wetmore Esq., May 21st 1851, 50 years ago at the age of 27, her age being 20.
I was fortunate in getting a wife who was equal to the occasion and has shared with me our trials and whatever of success has crowned our labors. We had little means, her parents providing a modest outfit for housekeeping, and after adding to this, necessary things, we found our first years expenses about $700.00.
While my loving wife faithfully attended to her domestic cares, it was necessary that I should be absent most of the time during the day, and often late at night.
Our motto has been a good deal of economy rather that a little of poverty. Any success in life I have had I owe to first to the blessing of Providence, and then to strict attention to all obligations as a Christian and diligent in business with economy, never wasting money for needless objects, living strictly temperate, eschewing the use [of] intoxicating liquor and tobacco.
I was soon free from debt and added yearly to my resources while providing generously for the education of my children and benevolence.
Having prevailed on my father to sell the farm in Palatine, he came to Canajoharie with my mother and Uncle Martin - 1858 -
I am grateful that I relieved them of their laborious lives, and attended carefully to their interests while living and their obsequies at death. Their remains are in the family plot in the Canajoharie Cemetery, duly marked by monumental stones. Where are also the remains of three of our children, and where I desire my remains and my wife's shall also rest.
It was my good fortune to have lived in this land so favored by Providence. There being no country in the world richer in natural resources than the United States. Marvelous have been the changes during the Eighteenth Century.
A westward traveller from Albany for "Rapid Transit" would take the only RailRoad to Schenectady, having a stationary engine on the hill and be pulled up on small box cars and another at the other end to operate the decline. Thence proceed by packet boats or take a stage, the principal conveyance though the Mohawk Valley. I can hear the horn of the driver, announcing his coming to the village of Palatine Bridge, the four horses under the whip making the usual stops for relays and refreshments at the Inn of Joshua Reed.
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois were "out west" and sparsely populated lands at government price, one twenty five per acre. Beyond the Mississippi was an uninhabited region, Chicago had a dozen small houses.
The New York Central was completed to Buffalo and afterwards the Lake Shore to Chicago.
Who dared to hope that the west would be gridisoned by a network of railroads, a number reaching over the Rockies to the Pacific. Chicago to be the second city of the nation in population and enterprise, after having survived the most disastrous conflagration in the century, and lands in the States named are as valuable as in New York. And what can be said of the great expanse of States beyond the Father of Waters to the Pacific.
Morse gave us the Telegraph, in due time followed the Telephone. Electrically harnessed for power and illumination.
The Mexican War brought California with it's rich treasuries of minerals. The Gold Fever in 1850 sent thousands to this new territory, among whom were many friends and acquaintances to become residents of this far country, requiring six months to reach San Francisco, rounding the Horn by sail. Today it's a pleasure trip of 5 days from Chicago.
Alaska - Seward's purchase from Russia - was thought dearly got [?] for $7,000.00 - has paid more than ten times purchase price, and is sending in gold and silver by millions yearly.
Slavery was introduced in the States before the war of the Revolution and was a bone of contention for many years. The New England states opposing, the Southern upholding. Our great statesmen, north and south, contending against and in favor of extending slavery in new states admitted from territories.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, deciding the principal that this institution could not be taken beyond its limits. This opened up the greatest civil war known in history. The Southern States confederated and commenced the war by taking forced possession of the government forts and properties in them. The result is historical, after five years of a most sanguinary war. The Union was re-established on a firmer and enduring basis and human slavery forever abolished in the United States.
Immigration has been welcomed, men and women from all climes have flocked to our shores seeking homes to this land of freedom.
The principal of protection to our industries, by tariff on importations, on foreign goods, and encouraging home manufacturers, has been the means of making this a prosperous nation.
Our country has shown great wisdom in making ample provision for the education of the children, rich and poor. We can rightfully boast that we are the most intelligent people in the world as well as the most industrious.
The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge was begun in 1870 and opened for traffic in 1883, uniting New York and Brooklyn, ranking among the world's greatest engineering feats.
The Williamsburg Bridge, a larger structure, was completed and opened for traffic in 1904, and finished in 1908. The subway railroad, a great undertaking and improvement, was opened for traffic in 1905.
[At this point, on various birthdays, he begins adding special entries.]
February 12th 1906
I have by the blessing kind providence, this day come to the ripe old age of eighty-two (82). [?] in the full possession of my mental faculties, and with small loss of physical energy. I attribute this vigorous condition to my total abstinence of tobacco and intoxicants. I have outlived my ancestors, except my grandfather who lived eighty-seven (87) years. My wife, who was Catherine Wetmore, is also living at the age of 76 seventy-six. [he added to the bottom of page at a later date:] (She passed away January 8th 1911.) We have been married now nearly (55) fifty-five years. While I have no desire to extend my life to a state of decreptitude and would not if I could repeat my life, I do not say my life has not been worth living. I regret my father's family will be extinct, when my sons shall have passed away.
February 12th 1909
Under God's blessing I have reached my eighty-fifth (85) anniversary of my birth and am enjoying good health. My physical, mental, the senses of hearing, sight, in good state of preservation. I am now grateful my dear wife and sons David and John are with me to cheer and comfort, words cannot express my affection for them.
Job. 5. 26
"Thou shalt come to grave in a full age,
like as a shock of corn cometh in its season"
Psalms. 90.
"The days of our years are three score years and ten
and if by reason of strength they be four score years,
yet is their strength labor and sorrow,
for it is soon cut off and we fly away."
[On the next pages are five newspaper clippings pasted in]
[clipping #1:
From the Brooklyn Eagle, undated, in May? 1909. Titled "Mr. and Mrs. Zieley 58 Years Married"]
[clipping #2:
From an unknown newspaper, same time as above, titled "Wedded 58 Years, Hopeful of 75"]
[clipping #3:
From an unknown newspaper, undated,
titled "Dr. A. Wetmore Answers Death"]
[clipping #4
unknown newspaper, dated June 16, '83,
Obituary - Mary, wife of Harvey J. Donaldson, daughter of David Zieley]
[clipping #5
Ballston Journal, undated, titled "Delicate Appreciation of Kindness," about the passing of Mrs. Harvey J. Donaldson]
Feb. 12th 1910
A kind Providence has permitted me again to pass my eighty sixth anniversary of my birth. I am still in the enjoyment of good health, with all my senses in preservation. I am very grateful, my wife who is in her eighty first year, and my sons David and John are with me to comfort me. I cannot express my abiding love for them.
{The following newspaper clipping is pasted in:]
Catherine W. Zieley
At the age of 82 years and just when she was looking forward to the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of her wedding, Catherine Wetmore Zieley died Sunday at her home, 964 Park Place. Born in Canajoharie, most of her life was spent in that place. At the age of twenty she married David Zieley and two children, David Jr., and John D., were born to them. Twenty years ago they came to this city to make their home with their sons. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. Swentzel, of St. Luke's P. E. Church. The remains will be cremated and sent to Canajoharie. [Dated Jan. 8, 1911]
[end of clipping]
Sprakers Ancestry
George Spraker born in Germany in 1724, (Saxony) died in Stone Arabia, died 1800, having located in [?] leaving 4 sons and 5 daughters. Their sons are John - George - Jost - Conrad. Their daughters are Regina who married George Countryman. Nancy married Jacob J. Lawyer and died June 23, 1882 at the age of 102 years. Christina married David [I.] Zieley [1769-1857].
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