Stephen Van Rensselaer

Today we learned some new facts about Stephen Van Rensselaer, a previous owner of Willow Hall though he was not related to George Vail. The following is an article from the New York Times, published on September 9, 1916, and was found by a local historian and volunteer.

ROMANCE IN ANTIQUE SHOP
Mrs. Minnie B. Curtis, a member of an old New England family, and a collector of antiques, and Stephen Van Rensselaer, who comes from a well-known Knickerbocker family, have returned to town from their honeymoon after a quiet wedding last Saturday in Essex, Conn. Many of their friends did not learn of their marriage until yesterday.

Mrs. Curtis has an antique store in East Thirty-fourth Street. About six months ago Mr. Van Rensselar, who collects firearms, both ancient and modern, joined with her at the store. They had known each other for about five years. Now they are going to branch out, and will shortly open a store in the Fifties.

This is Mr. Van Rensselaer's second marriage. In 1905 he was married to Miss Marion Farlin of West Orange, NJ who obtained a divorce from him in 1912. He was one of Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Spanish American war, and later a Wall Street broker, but for the last seven years he has devoted himself entirely to his hobby.

PS- Happy Veterans Day! Thanks to all the men and women who serve and have served our country!