Herkimer County NyArchives Biographies.....Van Buren, Jacob January 25, 1827 - 
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Nan Starjak http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006329 December 12, 2008, 8:29 pm

Author: Hardin & Willard

Van Buren, Jacob, Dolgeville, was born in Oppenheim Center January 25, 1827.  
His father and grandfather were born in Coxsackie, on the Hudson.  His 
grandfather was a brother to Martin's father.  Jacob received a good common 
school education, and moved with his father to Brockett's Bridge in 1834.  His 
father then engaged in the manufacture of lead pipe, furniture, undertaking 
and millwright business, etc.  In 1851 he engaged with Seth Thomas for one 
year as machinist in his clock shops at Plymouth Hollow, Conn.  In hte fall of 
1852 he engaged with James & Ferris in Utica, manufacturers of telescopes for 
their target rifles.  In 1854 he went West.  In 1864 he engaged with Judge J. 
D. Caton in his Illinois and Mississippi telegraph shops in Ottawa, Ill.  Some 
two years after the judge sold out to the Western Union.  Van Buren stopped 
with the Western Union, took charge of the engine and machinery, made tools, 
dies, etc., until the Western Union removed their works in 1874 to Chicago. In 
1875 he removed to Joliet as engineer in the Joliet Steel Mill Water Works.  
During his life in the West he filled many important public offices, such as 
city marshall, collector, etc.  In 1877 he returned to Brockett's Bridge and 
entered the employ of Alfred Dolge as machinist.  In 1878 he drafted and 
invented the most part of the first hammer felt machine; made the machine in 
Mr. Dolge's factory, the only one said to be in existence at that time, which 
was greatly in advance of the old tread-mill style.  In 1879 he invented and 
drafted a glue table with a series of slots running lengthwise for gluing 
piano sounding boards, which was a success.  In 1880 Mr. Van Buren invented a 
knife forty-eight inches long for cutting heavy hammer felt.  In 1882 the 
second hammer felt machine was made by him on a much larger scale, which did 
excellent work.  About his last work there was getting up a new style of post 
adjustable box for Mr. Dolge's heavy shafting and overseeing the setting of 
his large engine.  In 1883, his health having failed him, he resigned and 
retired from mechanical work. 


Additional Comments:
source:
History of Herkimer County, New York : illustrated with portraits of many of 
its citizens
edited by George A. Hardin ; assisted by Frank H. Willard
Syracuse, New York : D. Mason, 1893
550 p., 276 p. : ill., maps, ports.

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