The Historians Go Fund Me goal this week $150.00 The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore  

Use the link or a check in The U.S. Mail to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. 

Monday, February 20, 2023-Story behind the story (Podcast about 7 minutes), the Mohawk Valley reindeer man

Tuesday, February 21, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Smoke

Two years after the boys came home from World War Two, Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam published a small but handsome picture book called Smoke: The Story of a Fight.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023-From the Archives, October 7-Episode 443-How to write historical fiction with Alyson Richman, co-author with Shaunna Edwards of The Thread Collectors, a Civil War historical novel.

1863: In a small Creole cottage in New Orleans, an ingenious young Black woman named Stella embroiders intricate maps on repurposed cloth to help enslaved men flee and join the Union Army. Bound to a man who would kill her if he knew of her clandestine activities, Stella has to hide not only her efforts but her love for William, a Black soldier and a brilliant musician.

Thursday, February 23, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Vaudeville Days

Friday, February 24, 2022-Episode 463-In this first Highlights Edition of 2023 we revisit: Bill Buell’s Schenectady stories from the 1920s, NY State Historian Devin Lander, Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam League, Jon Sorensen’s book When Mommy Was a Commie, Alan Maddaus on a jet bomber crash in New York’s Adirondack Mountains and Mark Dawidziak on Edgar Allan Poe. 

Mohawk Valley’s reindeer man

By Bob Cudmore

   Mohawk Valley native Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary, had a major impact on life in Alaska.

   Born in in 1834 in the hamlet of Minaville in the town of Florida south of Amsterdam, Jackson was the son of farmer and legislator, Samuel C. Jackson, and his wife, Delia Sheldon Jackson, daughter of New York State Assembly Speaker Alexander Sheldon.

   The Jackson name was bestowed on the Erie Canal community of Port Jackson in 1835.  Port Jackson was later annexed by the city of Amsterdam and is known today as Amsterdam’s South Side.

   Jackson attended Union College and Princeton Theological Seminary.  He was graduated, ordained and married within one week in 1858.  His wife was Mary Voorhees from Mill Point in Glen. 

   Jackson wanted to be a foreign missionary but was turned down by the Presbyterian Church because of poor eyesight and short stature—he was five feet tall.

   According to Troy genealogy/history researcher Rebecca Rector, who provided information for this column, the Albany Times Union reported that Jackson “was diminutive in nature, but became fairly sturdy by forcing himself into the rugged life.”

   Instead of becoming a foreign missionary, Jackson served on the American frontier.  He established over one hundred churches and missions, including the first Presbyterian churches in Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Arizona.

   In 1877, Jackson went to Alaska and, although he never permanently lived there, was appointed superintendent of education in 1885.

  Some academics and native people have criticized Jackson’s English-only approach to education.  Professor Stephen Haycox of the University of Alaska said Jackson’s efforts were a detriment to native languages.

   Jackson found the indigenous people were starving.  American whalemen had destroyed the whales and walruses the natives depended on for food.  The introduction of firearms decimated fur-bearing land animals.

   Jackson was editor of the North Star monthly newspaper in Sitka, Alaska.  In 1888 North Star reported, “The neglected condition of these (Native) people lay like a heavy weight upon the large and loving heart of Dr. Sheldon Jackson.”

   Jackson visited Siberia and found people there relied on domesticated reindeer for food.  He raised funds to introduce reindeer herds in Alaska.

   Sent by the U.S. government to Lapland and Norway, he purchased over 500 reindeer and secured a colony of Laplanders to look after the animals until Alaskans were trained in how to raise reindeer.

   Jackson said that “the reindeer is to the far North what the camel is to desert regions.”  Union College honored Alaska’s “Reindeer Man” at their 1900 Founders Day.  The Schenectady Gazette called Jackson the “dynamic St. Paul of America.”

   Jackson collected Alaskan artifacts and this collection became the basis for the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka.  Rosemary Carlton, in a 2006 article, called into question what she said was Jackson’s “duplicitous” collection of traditional artifacts from native peoples he had worked hard to change. 

   Toward the end of his life Jackson lived in Washington, D.C., working for the Alaskan division of the U.S. Bureau of Education.  His wife died in 1908.   Jackson died the next year and is buried in Minaville’s Chuctanunda Cemetery.

   Biographer Robert L. Stewart said Jackson was able to “triumph over physical weakness when sustained by high purpose and unfaltering hope.”

   Jackson’s daughter, Delia S. Jackson was a founder of the National Women’s Party, a leader in the fight for women’s suffrage.  She died in Washington in 1952.

   Time Magazine in 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the 49th state, and placed Jackson as number two on a list of  top ten Alaskans.  The magazine praised him for “setting up free public schools for Native American, Eskimo and white children.” 

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Monday, February, 20, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Historians Go Fund Me goal this week $150.00 The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore  

Use the link or a check in The U.S. Mail to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. Keep Mohawk Valley History on local radio and Albany Public Radio each week WMHT89.1FM (Tomorrow and Wednesday)

Our latest donor is author and Amsterdam native Dave Northrup.

Fictional short stories related to Amsterdam, NY during its rise and fall in the 1900's. Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Broken-Things-Stories-Amsterdam-ebook/dp/B00I292BEO/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1676806082&refinements=p_27%3ADave+Northrup&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Dave+Northrup

Gloversville radio star King Owen in The Daily Gazette today, posted on The Historians next weekend

Mohawk Valley’s reindeer man

By Bob Cudmore

   Mohawk Valley native Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary, had a major impact on life in Alaska.

   Born in in 1834 in the hamlet of Minaville in the town of Florida south of Amsterdam, Jackson was the son of farmer and legislator, Samuel C. Jackson, and his wife, Delia Sheldon Jackson, daughter of New York State Assembly Speaker Alexander Sheldon.

   The Jackson name was bestowed on the Erie Canal community of Port Jackson in 1835.  Port Jackson was later annexed by the city of Amsterdam and is known today as Amsterdam’s South Side.

   Jackson attended Union College and Princeton Theological Seminary.  He was graduated, ordained and married within one week in 1858.  His wife was Mary Voorhees from Mill Point in Glen. 

   Jackson wanted to be a foreign missionary but was turned down by the Presbyterian Church because of poor eyesight and short stature—he was five feet tall.

   According to Troy genealogy/history researcher Rebecca Rector, who provided information for this column, the Albany Times Union reported that Jackson “was diminutive in nature, but became fairly sturdy by forcing himself into the rugged life.”

   Instead of becoming a foreign missionary, Jackson served on the American frontier.  He established over one hundred churches and missions, including the first Presbyterian churches in Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Arizona.

   In 1877, Jackson went to Alaska and, although he never permanently lived there, was appointed superintendent of education in 1885.

  Some academics and native people have criticized Jackson’s English-only approach to education.  Professor Stephen Haycox of the University of Alaska said Jackson’s efforts were a detriment to native languages.

   Jackson found the indigenous people were starving.  American whalemen had destroyed the whales and walruses the natives depended on for food.  The introduction of firearms decimated fur-bearing land animals.

   Jackson was editor of the North Star monthly newspaper in Sitka, Alaska.  In 1888 North Star reported, “The neglected condition of these (Native) people lay like a heavy weight upon the large and loving heart of Dr. Sheldon Jackson.”

   Jackson visited Siberia and found people there relied on domesticated reindeer for food.  He raised funds to introduce reindeer herds in Alaska.

   Sent by the U.S. government to Lapland and Norway, he purchased over 500 reindeer and secured a colony of Laplanders to look after the animals until Alaskans were trained in how to raise reindeer.

   Jackson said that “the reindeer is to the far North what the camel is to desert regions.”  Union College honored Alaska’s “Reindeer Man” at their 1900 Founders Day.  The Schenectady Gazette called Jackson the “dynamic St. Paul of America.”

   Jackson collected Alaskan artifacts and this collection became the basis for the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka.  Rosemary Carlton, in a 2006 article, called into question what she said was Jackson’s “duplicitous” collection of traditional artifacts from native peoples he had worked hard to change. 

   Toward the end of his life Jackson lived in Washington, D.C., working for the Alaskan division of the U.S. Bureau of Education.  His wife died in 1908.   Jackson died the next year and is buried in Minaville’s Chuctanunda Cemetery.

   Biographer Robert L. Stewart said Jackson was able to “triumph over physical weakness when sustained by high purpose and unfaltering hope.”

   Jackson’s daughter, Delia S. Jackson was a founder of the National Women’s Party, a leader in the fight for women’s suffrage.  She died in Washington in 1952.

   Time Magazine in 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the 49th state, and placed Jackson as number two on a list of  top ten Alaskans.  The magazine praised him for “setting up free public schools for Native American, Eskimo and white children.”

Monday, February 20, 2023-Story behind the story (Podcast about 7 minutes), the Mohawk Valley reindeer man

Tuesday, February 21, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Smoke-The story of a fight

Wednesday, February 22, 2023-From the Archives, October 7-Episode 443-How to write historical fiction with Alyson Richman, co-author with Shaunna Edwards of The Thread Collectors, a Civil War historical novel.

Thursday, February 23, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Vaudeville Days

Friday, February 24, 2022-Episode 463-In this first Highlights Edition of 2023 we revisit: Bill Buell’s Schenectady stories from the 1920s, NY State Historian Devin Lander, Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam League, Jon Sorensen’s book When Mommy Was a Commie, Alan Maddaus on a jet bomber crash in New York’s Adirondack Mountains and Mark Dawidziak on Edgar Allan Poe. 

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Sunday, February 19, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

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This Weekend On-Line

From the Archives-February 25, 2022-Episode 411-Jim Coulthart is an aviation historian. He has a collection of WWII aircraft incidents, and accidents with ties to Central New York. 

Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

The Historians Go Fund Me goal this weekend $150.00

This is the 2023 link

The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore

Please contribute to the 2023 Historians Podcast fund drive.  Our latest donor is author and Amsterdam native Dave Northrup.

Objective $7000. Please donate with the 2023 link or a check in The U.S. Mail to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. Keep Mohawk Valley History on local radio every weekend(today WCSS Amsterdam at Noon-106.9FM and Albany Public Radio each week WMHT89.1FM

Bob Cudmore stories in The Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder

Gloversville radio star King Owen

On The Historians Sunday

The Mohawk Valley Reindeer Man

Mohawk Valley native Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary, had a major impact on life in Alaska.

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, February 18, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The 2023 Historians Go Fund Me

The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore

We’ve now raised $595 toward the 2023 goal of $7000. Please donate online or a check to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  

Wednesday, February 15, 2023-From the Archives, June 25, 2021-Episode 376-New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan considers the impact of black separatist leader Marcus Garvey on African independence.

Thursday, February 16, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Snow day in Amsterdam 

With winter approaching, more memories are surfacing of snowstorms years ago.  Tom Pikul grew up in the 1950s on Park Hill in Amsterdam near the Pulaski Bridge and recalled the childhood pleasures of snow days.

“An especially snowy night was the herald of a fantastic possibility: schools closing the next day,” Pikul wrote.

Mark Dawidziak

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mark+Dawidziak&i=audible&ref=dp_byline_sr_audible_1

Friday, February 17, 2023-Episode 462-Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Historians Go Fund Me

Thru this Sunday, February 19th Historians looking to raise $150.00

Use this link this Year

The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore

Mohawk Valley history on the WWW and Radio

We’ve now raised just under $600.00 toward the 2023 objective of $7000. Please donate with the 2023 link or a check in The U.S. Mail to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. 

Thank You  

More snow memories

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

With winter approaching, more memories are surfacing of snowstorms years ago.  Tom Pikul grew up in the 1950s on Park Hill in Amsterdam near the Pulaski Bridge and recalled the childhood pleasures of snow days.

“An especially snowy night was the herald of a fantastic possibility: schools closing the next day,” Pikul wrote. “I would go off to sleep in hopeful anticipation of good news the next morning.  Once awake in my bed, I could hear the radio in the kitchen tuned to WCSS and prayed that enough snow had fallen so that the announcer would say in his litany of the lucky, “And all Amsterdam District schools are now closed.”

Pikul also looked forward to his birthday, Christmas morning and the first day of summer vacation.  But these days were fixed, Pikul said, “A snow day, however, had the charm and magic of the unpredictable.”

Parents and people who had to go to work didn’t share in the excitement but Pikul said he was gleeful entering the stove-warmed kitchen for breakfast, “No school outfit was out this morning, but my winter play clothes were there on the rocker.”

In the backyard, fun awaited.  Good packing show meant a snowman, a snow fort, snow ball fight, a tunnel or an igloo.

Pikul said, “There was the wonder of the cold tiny bite of that first fat flake to hit your stuck-out tongue, while others touched your cheeks or gathered on your clothes, and the first mouthful of snow melted slowly to flow coldly down your throat.

“Back in the kitchen, fingers and toes that tingled and stung from the cold now throbbed uncomfortably, but getting so frozen and wet were more than made up for with a hot cup of chocolate.  Beanie, socks, gloves and pants were set to dry on a radiator or draped over the open hot oven door.  Then it was outside again after the sensual feel of slipping back into the now dry and toasty warm clothes.”

Tomorrow

Friday, February 17, 2023-Episode 462-Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

Saturday February 18, 2023

From the Archives-February 25, 2022-Episode 411-Jim Coulthart is an aviation historian. He has a collection of WWII aircraft incidents, and accidents with ties to Central New York. 

Sunday, February 19, 2023

The Mohawk Valley Reindeer Man

...a good read for this Weekend

Mohawk Valley native Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary, had a major impact on life in Alaska. Born in in 1834 in the hamlet of Minaville...

Mohawk Valley Weather, Thursday, February 16, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

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   Being a city of hills, Amsterdam was ideal for the winter sport of bobsledding.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, winter coasting carnivals brought visitors from miles around to slide down steep city thoroughfares including Market, Northampton, Bell and Locust.

Thank you for the snappy response to our plea for donors to the 2023 Historians Podcast.  Thanks to New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan and to Amsterdam native Tom Urbelis for their generous donations. The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore We’ve now raised $595 toward the 2023 goal of $7000. Please donate online or dispatch a check Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  

Amsterdam was once a bobsled center

By Bob Cudmore

   Being a city of hills, Amsterdam was ideal for the winter sport of bobsledding.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, winter coasting carnivals brought visitors from miles around to slide down steep city thoroughfares including Market, Northampton, Bell and Locust.

   The Amsterdam Daily Democrat gave a full account of a nighttime coasting carnival in February 1887 on Market Street. There was a parade and parties after the races, which went on into the night.  Red flares and Japanese lanterns lighted the course.

   The bobsleds had front and rear steering, clanging bells and brake systems, according to historian Hugh Donlon, “Much depended on the steersmen and brakeman of the teams that ranged from 10 to 20 men, all colorfully uniformed. The Joker Club, for instance, wore red St. Nicholas caps, red coats, blue cuffs and collars, blue knee breeches, red stockings and low shoes.”

   Despite the precautions, serious and even fatal accidents sometimes resulted and the sport was finally banned in the 1920s, when motor traffic increased.

   For the coasting carnival on Valentine’s night in 1887 the weather was not ideal according to the Daily Democrat.  Amsterdam had thaw and slush, not the clear, bracing weather that was desired.  Nonetheless the newspaper reported the evening was “fairly successful.”

   A dozen or more coasting clubs arrived from Albany on the 6:16 p.m. train, which included a special car for their handsome bobsleds or bobs.  The Thirteenth Brigade Band of the National Guard played to greet them.  The “hungry bobbers” did “ample justice” to food provided at the Y.M.C.A. and the Hotel Warner.  

   The band played again at 7:30 p.m. for a parade through downtown and up Market Street hill for a fireworks display. Albany’s clubs included several named Yum Yum.  Other clubs included Beverwyck, Monitor and even a club named for Tammany Hall, the New York Democratic Party political machine. 

    The newspaper reported, “The bobbers presented a very pleasing appearance in their neat and tasteful uniforms. The Beverwyck club were attired in dark blue and white, the Yum Yums in orange, the Monitor club in gray, and the Tammany Hall club in plaid suits.”

   Clubs from Fort Plain and other points west arrived on the 8:43 p.m. train.  Coasting began at 9 p.m.  There were no races as it was too dark.

   The Democrat wrote, “The bob Beverwyck made the first trip down the slide. As it was turning the corner at the foot of the hill it went over the bank. The bobs Niagara, Bob Moore and Nonpareil, which were close behind, ran into the Beverwyck. The crews of

the bobs were thrown into a confused mass. Several persons received injuries.”

   The bobs were hauled by teams of horses up Northampton Road to the top of Market Street hill for the next event.  Yum Yum ’88 tipped over during the second slide down the hill.  On that run, Yum Yum ’87 collided with Yum Yum ‘86.

   The wounded were taken to the house of Dr. Timmerman.  One injured man spent the night at the Hotel Warner and was attended by two Amsterdam doctors.

   Despite the accidents, the Democrat wrote, “The heavy bobs sped down the hill like lightning and the coasters greatly enjoyed the sport. The Tammany Hall was one of the fastest, if not the most fleet bob on the slide. The Flyway of Fort Plain made good time.”

   The Amsterdam Coasting Association entertained at a party at the Y.M.C.A. after the event.  The out of town teams left on midnight trains east and west.

   Some Albanians stayed overnight and enjoyed a barouche ride the next day.  A barouche is a stylish horse drawn carriage.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023-From the Archives, June 25, 2021-Episode 376-New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan considers the impact of black separatist leader Marcus Garvey on African independence.

Thursday, February 16, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Snow day in Amsterdam 

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mark+Dawidziak&i=audible&ref=dp_byline_sr_audible_1

Friday, February 17, 2023-Episode 462-Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Thank you for the quick response to our plea for donors to the 2023 Historians Podcast.  Thanks to New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan and to Amsterdam native Tom Urbelis for their generous donations.

Go Fund Me 2023 Link

The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore

  We’ve now raised $595 toward the 2023 goal of $7000. Please donate online or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  NYC attorney and historian Jim Kaplan wrote, “You are a great resource to the people of New York State.  As your New York City correspondent, I am proud to participate and encourage you to continue your efforts to expand your listener base.”

Monday, February 13, 2023

Story behind the story, Amsterdam’s Wilson family

Tuesday, February 14, 2023-From the Daily Gazette-On Valentine’s night in 1887, a bobsled coasting carnival provided spectacle and chaos in Amsterdam

   The Amsterdam Daily Democrat gave a full account of a nighttime coasting carnival in February 1887 on Market Street. There was a parade and parties after the races, which went on into the night.  Red flares and Japanese lanterns lighted the course.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023-From the Archives, June 25, 2021-Episode 376-New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan considers the impact of black separatist leader Marcus Garvey on African independence.

Thursday, February 16, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Snow day in Amsterdam 

Friday, February 17, 2023-Episode 462-Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

A Mystery of Mysteries is a brilliant biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned author’s life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes. It is a moment shrouded in horror and mystery. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, at just forty, in a painful, utterly bizarre manner that would not have been out of place in one of his own tales of terror

This weekend on The Historians with Bob Cudmore 

Mohawk Valley’s Reindeer Man

Focus on History 

Mohawk Valley native Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary, had a major impact on life in Alaska.

Wilson Family Story

He will understand and say well done

By Bob Cudmore 

   National Football League quarterback Russell Wilson, now with the Denver Broncos, has ancestors who lived in Amsterdam. 

   Russell Wilson’s great grandfather, Harrison Wilson Senior, was born in Falmouth, Kentucky, relocating to Amsterdam in 1910.

   Harrison Senior and his wife Marguerite Ayers Wilson raised eight children.  Marguerite’s grandmother had taught at a one room school in Kentucky.

   Harrison Senior was a plasterer, although racial discrimination kept him out of the union.  He later was the maintenance man for Amsterdam builder and landlord Thomas McGibbon.

   The Wilson children all pursued substantial careers in education, law, health care, industry, media and sports.

   Harrison Senior’s son, Harrison Wilson, Junior, shined shoes and delivered newspapers as a seven-year-old.  His mother told him he looked like his grandfather and that instilled pride in the young man. 

   He was the only African American on Amsterdam High School’s championship basketball team during the 1942-43 season.  Coach Ed Cionek called him the team’s “key player.”

   Harrison Junior and his siblings were childhood friends of the late restaurateur Sam Pepe Junior when both families lived on West Main Street.  Pepe recalled going to YMCA summer camp with Harrison Junior and Wilson’s brother Willis. 

   Pepe said he could always find Harrison Junior in a crowd because of his distinctive walk and a small gray spot on the back of his head.

   Harrison Senior heroically saved the lives of two female pin setters working at a bowling alley in an East Main Street building owned by McGibbon which was destroyed by fire in April 1943. 

   McGibbon died later that year and left a private parking lot in busy downtown Amsterdam to the Wilsons.  The lot was on Federal Street between Church and Chuctanunda streets. 

   A Wilson family member kept watch on the cars from inside a small shed.  They would brush the snow off your car and back it out for you if necessary.

   Harrison Junior played every sport he could in high school, even speed skating.  After graduation in 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and was tops in his class at basic training.  He was a hospital corpsman.

   When World War II ended, he became a student and basketball star at Kentucky State, then basketball coach at Jackson State in Mississippi.  He taught at Jackson State and earned a doctorate at Indiana University.

   He frequently visited his parents in Amsterdam and provided help to young African Americans who wanted to pursue higher education. 

  He spoke at a 1957 vesper service at St. Paul’s AME Zion Church then on Cedar Street.  The church was torn down when the Amsterdam elderly high rise and town house apartments were built.      

   Marguerite Wilson died in 1960.  Soloist Marilyn Lyons sang “He Will Understand and Say Well Done” at Marguerite’s funeral. 

   Harrison Junior became president of Norfolk State University in Virginia in 1975 and led that historically black institution until his retirement in 1997.

   Harrison, Senior died in 1982 at 94.  Harrison Junior was guest speaker at an Amsterdam High School graduation in the 1990s.

   One of Harrison Junior’s six children, Harrison Wilson III, was a Dartmouth graduate and attorney who almost got into playing professional football with the San Diego Chargers.  Harrison III died from complications from diabetes in 2010.  Harrison Junior passed away in 2019 at age 94.

     NFL quarterback Russell Wilson is the son of Harrison Wilson III, grandson of Harrison Junior and great grandson of Harrison Senior.

   When Russell Wilson was quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, he led the team to victory in Super Bowl 48 on February 2, 2014.  The Seahawks lost to New England in the 2015 Super Bowl. 

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, February 13, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Twenty Twenty Three Go Fund Me Link

The Historians Podcast, organized by Bob Cudmore

Thank you for the quick response to our plea for donors to the 2023 Historians Podcast.  Thanks to New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan and to Amsterdam native Tom Urbelis for their generous donations.  We’ve now raised $595 toward the 2023 goal of $7000. Please donate online or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  NYC attorney and historian Jim Kaplan wrote, “You are a great resource to the people of New York State.  As your New York City correspondent, I am proud to participate and encourage you to continue your efforts to expand your listener base.”

He will understand and say well done

By Bob Cudmore 

   National Football League quarterback Russell Wilson, now with the Denver Broncos, has ancestors who lived in Amsterdam. 

   Russell Wilson’s great grandfather, Harrison Wilson Senior, was born in Falmouth, Kentucky, relocating to Amsterdam in 1910.

   Harrison Senior and his wife Marguerite Ayers Wilson raised eight children.  Marguerite’s grandmother had taught at a one room school in Kentucky.

   Harrison Senior was a plasterer, although racial discrimination kept him out of the union.  He later was the maintenance man for Amsterdam builder and landlord Thomas McGibbon.

   The Wilson children all pursued substantial careers in education, law, health care, industry, media and sports.

   Harrison Senior’s son, Harrison Wilson, Junior, shined shoes and delivered newspapers as a seven-year-old.  His mother told him he looked like his grandfather and that instilled pride in the young man. 

   He was the only African American on Amsterdam High School’s championship basketball team during the 1942-43 season.  Coach Ed Cionek called him the team’s “key player.”

   Harrison Junior and his siblings were childhood friends of the late restaurateur Sam Pepe Junior when both families lived on West Main Street.  Pepe recalled going to YMCA summer camp with Harrison Junior and Wilson’s brother Willis. 

   Pepe said he could always find Harrison Junior in a crowd because of his distinctive walk and a small gray spot on the back of his head.

   Harrison Senior heroically saved the lives of two female pin setters working at a bowling alley in an East Main Street building owned by McGibbon which was destroyed by fire in April 1943. 

   McGibbon died later that year and left a private parking lot in busy downtown Amsterdam to the Wilsons.  The lot was on Federal Street between Church and Chuctanunda streets. 

   A Wilson family member kept watch on the cars from inside a small shed.  They would brush the snow off your car and back it out for you if necessary.

   Harrison Junior played every sport he could in high school, even speed skating.  After graduation in 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and was tops in his class at basic training.  He was a hospital corpsman.

   When World War II ended, he became a student and basketball star at Kentucky State, then basketball coach at Jackson State in Mississippi.  He taught at Jackson State and earned a doctorate at Indiana University.

   He frequently visited his parents in Amsterdam and provided help to young African Americans who wanted to pursue higher education. 

  He spoke at a 1957 vesper service at St. Paul’s AME Zion Church then on Cedar Street.  The church was torn down when the Amsterdam elderly high rise and town house apartments were built.      

   Marguerite Wilson died in 1960.  Soloist Marilyn Lyons sang “He Will Understand and Say Well Done” at Marguerite’s funeral. 

   Harrison Junior became president of Norfolk State University in Virginia in 1975 and led that historically black institution until his retirement in 1997.

   Harrison, Senior died in 1982 at 94.  Harrison Junior was guest speaker at an Amsterdam High School graduation in the 1990s.

   One of Harrison Junior’s six children, Harrison Wilson III, was a Dartmouth graduate and attorney who almost got into playing professional football with the San Diego Chargers.  Harrison III died from complications from diabetes in 2010.  Harrison Junior passed away in 2019 at age 94.

     NFL quarterback Russell Wilson is the son of Harrison Wilson III, grandson of Harrison Junior and great grandson of Harrison Senior.

   When Russell Wilson was quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, he led the team to victory in Super Bowl 48 on February 2, 2014.  The Seahawks lost to New England in the 2015 Super Bowl. 

Monday, February 13, 2023-Story behind the story, Amsterdam’s Wilson family

Tuesday, February 14, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-On Valentine’s night in 1887, a bobsled coasting carnival provided spectacle and chaos in Amsterdam

   Being a city of hills, Amsterdam was ideal for the winter sport of bobsledding.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, winter coasting carnivals brought visitors from miles around to slide down steep city thoroughfares including Market, Northampton, Bell and Locust.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023-From the Archives, June 25, 2021-Episode 376-New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan considers the impact of black separatist leader Marcus Garvey on African independence.

Thursday, February 16, 2023-From the Archives of Focus on History from the Daily Gazette-Snow day in Amsterdam 

Friday, February 17, 2023-Episode 462-Author Mark Dawidziak investigates Edgar Allan Poe’s strange death in Baltimore, and revisits the moments of his storm-tossed life in his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Sunday, February 12, 2023

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 https://www.gofundme.com/the-historians-podcast

Saturday February 11, 2023-From the Archives-Episode 172, July 14, 2017, Roger Seiler has written an historical novel “Master of Alaska,” based on the story of Aleksandr Baranov, a merchant who served as governor of Russian Alaska from 1799 to 1818.

Episode 461-Alan Maddaus is author of Wright Peak Elegy: A Story of Cold War, Nuclear Deterrence and Ultimate Sacrifice. The book tells the story of a U.S. B 47e jet bomber that crashed into Wright Peak in New York’s Adirondack Mountains in in January 1962.

Meet- N-Greet with 2 former World Series Champions
Saturday, February 11, 2023
BRING ON BASEBALL SEASON

City of Amsterdam

https://www.amsterdamny.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=910&month=2&year=2023&day=11&calType=0

Call Ahead

Lorenzo’s Southside from 3:30- 4:30pm Meet- N-Greet with 2 former World Series Champions Charlie Hayes and Cecil Fielder! Area Baseball Fans, coaches and parents bring your inspired baseball players to meet these two legends!

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Amsterdam’s Wilson family

Russell Wilson’s great grandfather, Harrison Wilson Senior, was born in Falmouth, Kentucky, relocating to Amsterdam in 1910.

They say it's winter, not sure. 58 next Thursday

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, February 11, 2023

Leader Herald Make Us A Part Of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/