John Foll, Undertaker

We’ve noted before that in the 19th century, it was completely ordinary for a furniture maker to also manufacture coffins. After all, it is just a type of cabinet. A very final type of cabinet, but a cabinet nonetheless. John M. Foll listed himself in the 1869 Albany City Directory as an undertaker first, and retail dealer in furniture, upholstery and cabinet ware second. He had “constantly on hand an extensive assortment of desirable and fashionable furniture at his ware rooms at 274 South Pearl Street (“Don’t Forget the Address”).

John Martin Foll was well-known in Albany at the time, deserving extensive mention in Cuyler Reynolds’s Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs:

“John Martin Foll, founder of the family in Albany, was born in Menslinger, Germany, January 8, 1834. His parents lived and died there. They were members of the Lutheran Church, as were the other members of the family, many of whom lived in the same neighborhood. They engaged in the trades, in farming and in other business. In 1858 John Martin Foll came to the United States, landing in New York, and very soon thereafter settling in Albany. In Germany he had learned the trade of cabinet maker and was an expert mechanic. In Albany he at once opened a shop and was soon well known and well established in business. In 1870 he began to expand and extend his lines. He added an undertaking establishment, secured larger quarters on the same street, and shortly after started a livery stable. By 1885 he was firmly established at 434-436 South Pearl street, where he owned his well-appointed undertaking establishment and had his home. Notwithstanding the founder has passed away the business still continues. From his first location in Albany John M. Foll proved himself a capable man of affairs. He was respected by all who knew him and was very prominent in German circles. He was associated with many of the local German orders, social and patriotic. He was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for many years belonged to the old Washington Rifles. In politics he acted with the Republican party. He died January 7, 1903.”

One of his sons, by the way, became Comptroller of the City of Albany.

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