"Andrew Meneely was born at West Troy (Gibbonsville) New York in 1802 and died in 1851.  At the age of 15 or 16 he apprenticed under Julius Hanks of West Troy to learn the trade of casting bells and manufacturing mathematical instruments.   On January 1, 1836 Meneely took Jonas Volkat Oothout as a partner.    For a few years the business was carried on under the firm name of Meneely & Oothout.  Mr. Oothout retired in 1838 and Andrew Meneely continued the business as formerly.  Jonas Oothout was born in West Troy, New York in 1814 and died there in 1860."

Referenced:  Smart, Charles E.  The Makers Of Surveying Instruments In America Since 1700  Troy, New York:  Regal Art Press.  1962