History of the Ancram Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, Inc.

“May 3, 1939. At a regular meeting of the Ancram Grange #955, the following motion was made: Motion made, seconded and carried, that the Worthy Master appoints a committee to arrange for a meeting of the citizens of Ancram to discuss the possibility of organizing a Fire District and Fire Company. The Worthy Master appointed the following committee: W. A. Weitz, H. C. Piester, and G. A. Boice. May 16, 1939, was chosen as the meeting night.”

The First Ancram Fire Truck. A Ford Tanker, Purchased 1943. Pictured (L to R): Ralph Brothers, Harold Simons, Guy Boice, Edward McHugh, and Clifton Carl.

The preceding is the first written record in the formation of the Ancram Volunteer Fire Company.

On May 16, 1939, with Rev. W. Alfred Weitz as Chairman, a meeting of interested Ancram residents was held in the Ancram Grange Hall to hear Fire Chief Henry Knickerbocker of Pine Plains Fire Company relate the required procedure necessary to organize a fire district and fire company. From this meeting came a decision to proceed with the organizational requirements and a committee of Rev. Weitz, H. C. Piester and N. P. Holmes was appointed for this purpose.

On June 2, 1939, the Ancram Fire Company was formed. Charles F. Vogel, President of the Columbia County Fire Chiefs’ Association, Edward I. Rowe, President of the Columbia County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Mark Rosenthal, Secretary, and Frank Wilson, Treasurer of the Firemen’s Association, Charles Hahle of Rogers Hose Company of Hudson, John MacKey of Edmonds Hose Company of Hudson and Ross Myers of Philmont urged the organizing of the local company.

 Elected as the first officers were: Rev. W. Alfred Weitz, President; Nis P. Holmes, Vice President; Guy A. Boice, Secretary; Harry C. Piester, Treasurer; Earl K. Smith, Chief. Enrolled as charter members were: Guy A. Boice, Harold Boice, Roy Boice Sr., Roy Boice Jr., Thomas Boyd, Leroy Grey, Nis P. Holmes, Perry C. Miller, Edward J. McHugh, William McHugh, Bradford Parsons, Edward Parsons, Frederick Paul, Harry C. Piester. Hoysradt Porter, James Scutt, Harold Simons, and Rev. W. Alfred Weitz.

The first money in the treasury of the new company was a donation from Chief Charles F. Vogel. The next entry recorded was a meeting June 9, 1939, at which the official designation, Ancram Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1, was chosen.

The outbreak of World War II caused the company to become inactive as the young members were called into military service. No further meetings were recorded until September 2, 1942, at which time the Ancram Fire District was established and new officers of the company elected.

 Previous officers remained in their respective offices except for the following: Robert H. Raines, Vice President; Cornelius Neeling, Chief; Wallace Blass, Assistant Chief. New members added to the company roll included Charles Boice, Belden Boice, Frederick Porter, Clay Louck, Cornelius Neeling, Robert H Raines, Wallace Blass, John McHugh and Harry Coons.

In April 1943, the Ancram Town Board, Gladys C. Woodnutt, Supervisor; Edward Parsons, town Clerk signed the necessary papers creating the Board of Fire Commissioners. Designated as Commissioners were as follows: Edward J. McHugh, Chairman; Harold Simons, secretary; Cornelius Neeling, Edward Simons, Clifton Miller.

On July 14, 1943, a bond issue was approved by the Ancram Fire District voters for the purchase of a fire truck and equipment. The result was a purchase of a Ford Tanker. In September, 1943, new officers of the Company were elected: R. William Rocker, President; Edward Parsons, Vice President; Ralph Brothers, Chief; Clifton Carl, Assistant Chief.

With the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the men “came marching home” and the Ancram Fire Company became more active. Regular monthly meetings convened with increased attendance and membership. In 1946 the search for a new firehouse which resulted in the purchase of a building in the center of Ancram. After extensive remodeling, the Company moved into their firehouse.

Ancram’s first firehouse, purchased in 1946

1960 International Truck

Pictured (L to R) Front row: Oliver Tompkins and Charles Boice. Row 2: Hoystradt (Mike) Porter, Edward McHugh, Lee Knickerbocker, Fred Dietter, Ward Oakley, Edward (Mutt) Parsons, and Bradford Parsons. Row 3 Roy Boice, Jr. and Millard Snyder. Early 1960’s

On August 31, 1949, at the Grange Hall in Ancram, the Ancram Fire Company Auxiliary was formed. During the years that passed since World War II, both units have been active in active in participation of firematic activities and sponsorship of community projects.

In 1955, Roy Boice Jr. was elected Chief of the Ancram Fire Company.

In 1956, a bond issue was approved for the purchase of a new truck, A 1F66 Ford with Tank and pumper were added to the equipment facilities.

In April 1960, a bond was approved for the purchase of an International Truck with Hale pump and equipment.              

In December 1968, a bond issue was approved for the construction of a new firehouse. Throughout 1969 the Board of Fire Commissioners was busy with plans for the Company’s new home. The Fire Company ran Bingo for 15 years to pay for the Firehouse, offsetting the cost to taxpayers.

By 1970, the Company had moved into the new 3-bay firehouse, complete with meeting room and kitchen facilities. The firehouse served as a central place for many community and firematic activities.

In 1975, the Ancram Fire District approved the purchase of a new tanker/pumper. Truck 79-3, International/Saulsbury tanker/pumper was put into service in February 1976.

From 1978 to 1979, Perry Miller was elected Chief of the Ancram Fire Company.

From 1979 to 1981, William “Bill” Morey was elected Chief of the Ancram fire Company.

In 1980. A GMC Step-Van was purchased to serve as a multi-purpose response vehicle. During the twelve years of service, this vehicle responded to hundred of calls, carrying many pieces of support equipment used for firefighting.

In 1981, William B. “Bill” Hunt was appointed Chief of the Ancram Fire Company.

In November 1987, a 1975 four-wheel drive International Utility Vehicle was purchased to serve as the company’s brush truck. Truck 79-4 has been a very practical vehicle for extinguishing “hard to reach” brush fires that occur commonly in the spring of the year.

In 1989, David Boice was elected Chief of the Ancram Fire Company.

Also in 1989, the Ancram Fire District purchased a tanker/ pumper built on a Mack cab and chassis by Quality Manufacturing, Talladega, Alabama. Truck 79-1 has been a valuable asset to the company and provided fire protection for the community.

As time went on there was a need for more vehicles to provide adequate fire protection, in 1988 the Ancram Fire District submitted a bond for vote before the taxpayers for the expansion of the firehouse. This bond was easily approved by the voters and construction began in 1989 for the 3 bay additions to the south side of the firehouse. The initial framework, roofing and siding were done by a local contractor. Through the winter and spring of 1989-1990 fire company members worked diligently to complete the interior work and ready the building for use.

In 1991 it was time to upgrade the apparatus of the company by replacing the heavily used 1980 GMC Step-Van. The replacement was a refurbished rescue truck from an equipment supplier; a 1972 Ford Cab and chassis with an attached self-contained body. The truck houses SCBA’s, turn out gear, a portable generator and various other pieces of equipment essential for effective firefighting.

In July 1993, Ancram Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc. hosted the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Convention, with Paul Waldorf as CCVFA President. At that time, the company had 70 active members. The parade, held the last Saturday of July 1993, stepped off at 2pm, and included 600 marchers from 40 companies, 13 auxiliaries, 12 bands, and 61 fire company apparatus. The parade route began on Route 82, a mile east of county Route 7 intersection near Wiltsie Bridge Rd., and ended at Blass Memorial Park. Approximately 2000 spectators enjoyed the festivities. The 1993 CCVFA Parade Marshals were Kenneth Hamm, Columbia County Corner, previous County Firemen’s Association President, and Former Columbia County Sheriff Paul J. Proper Sr. County Firemen’s association member and Honorary Member of the Ancram Fire Company. The Reverend David Vogel, Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the CCVFA Chaplain, delivered the convention Invocation and Blessings.

Ancram has hosted the CCVFA annual convention four times: 1969, 1980, 1993 and 2011. Each time an Ancram Firefighter served as President of the CCVFA President; 1969 Hoysradt Porter, CCVFA President; 1980, Kenneth Hamm, CCVFA President; 1993 Paul Waldorf, CCVFA President; 2011, James MacArthur, CCVFA President.

In 2014, at the 75th anniversary of the Ancram Fire Company, Inc., the company has six trucks to use in response to emergency calls: 79-1, Tanker purchased in 2012; 79-2 a tanker/pumper purchased 1995; 79-3 a tanker/pumper purchased in 2000; 79-4 a brush truck purchased in 2007; 79-5 a F-350 pick up truck donated in 2004; 79-9 and equipment truck purchased in 2003.

In 2014, the longest serving member to the Ancram Fire Company is Ellwood J. Hoyt, known as “Woody” who has served for seventy years. In 2014, Woody was recognized by the New York State Department of State, when he completed his seventieth year of active service. Other members have distinguished years of service as well.

 In 2014, the Ancram Ladies Auxiliary has 17 members. Katherine “Kay” MacArthur is the longest serving member of the Ancram Ladies Auxiliary with fifty-six years of service. Other members have distinguished service as well.

In 2014, President Alice Boice, Ancram Fire Company Auxiliary, has served since 1995

The Ancram Fire Company is proud of its heritage and commitment to the community. Since 1939 the members of the Ancram Fire Company, and from 1949 the members of the Ancram Auxiliary respectively, have responded to emergencies and various community needs. The Ancram Fire Company Honors all past members and offices and recognizes the continues support of the Ancram community businesses, residents, leadership, churches and social groups. We look forward to many years of service in the future.