Haman P. Pettingill, of the firm of Malcolm & Co., woollen manufacturers, Catskill, N. Y., was born in Florida, Montgomery County, this State, on September 25, 1847, his parents being David and Jeannette (McNee) Pettingill. His father's family is of English descent.
David Pettingill, who was born and reared in the Mohawk Valley, was one of the original promoters of the Erie Canal, and rode on the first boat that passed over the waters of the canal after its completion. He carried on farming to some extent, and also was engaged in mercantile business in Amsterdam. He spent his last years in Amsterdam, his death occurring there at the age of seventy-three. His wife, Jeannette, was one of a family of ten children. She was born in Schenectady County, this State. Her father, James McNee, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. Immigrating to this country, he lived for a time in Schenectady County, and later in Montgomery County. He died in Montgomery County at eighty-eight years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Maxwell, was of Scottish descent. David and Jeannette (McNee) Pettingill had eight children, namely: Agnes; Mary A., who is now Mrs. Millmine; William; Peter; Ella, who is now Mrs. Hagerman; Haman; Louisa, now Mrs. Millmine and Anna. The mother of these children died at the age of sixty-three. Both she and her husband were members of the Presbyterian church.
Haman Pettingill attended the public schools until he was eighteen years of age, when he began learning the machinist's trade. He subsequently worked at his trade as a journeyman in Amsterdam, and later in West Albany at the locomotive works, and after that was seven years a knitter in the knitting-mill at Amsterdam. In 1882 he became a partner of Joseph Malcolm, a sketch of whom may be found in this work. The two men carried on a woollen-mill in Amsterdam for a time, and then removed to Catskill, the present company being formed. Mr. Pettingill has charge of the machinery, which has all the latest improvements. The firm manufactures men's, women's, and children's underwear, every piece produced bearing their special trademark. This mark is known to till experienced buyers as belonging only to a good class of garments. About a hundred and seventy hands are employed.
Mr. Pettingill has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, who was born in New York, was Margaret Morehead. They were married in 1877, and she died at the age of thirty-one. His present wife, whose maiden name was Isabel Lusk, was born in Coxsackie, being the daughter of Gilbert and Elizabeth Lusk. Mr. Lusk was for many years one of the well-known merchants of Coxsackie, and later of Catskill. Of the second union one child has been born, Charlotte.
Mr. Pettingill is a member of Catskill Lodge of Masons, No. 468. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Pettingill is a communicant of the Episcopal church.