f ' ( CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BEQUEST JAMES McCALL Class of 1885 1944 Cornell University Library E340.N119 H85 The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032757621 Memorial of John Magee. o^^ K^ 01 '^ ^^^i'> ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNVEILING OF THE WELLSBORO, PA.. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1886 AT OSE O'CLOCK P. ^I- '\)'i'^Qj''^ o"^ ili/^kj vO\. j'J o]' .Mull II men t —J'xi lids jiloijimj "lliiil to the Chief.- , iddress— " doliii .Minjee iinti 'I'io'Jd Cniintij." Dun ill lleiieji . lion . (term an .Miner's ,Soni , ill dress, I iosi n "' Jieiied i eliiin . .intrim Bund. lion. (,'eo. a. ISriidleij. Her. .1. ('. Stimr. Kj'\'^\\i'6'('J yj"^ \Uc l)(i"vj|. PRESIDENT. Hon. Henry W. Williaius. VICE-PRESIDENTS, Aiiffim—Wm. Howell, Jauies PciUuck, E. G. Drake, J. E. Eis)i. Coniin(i-C. C. B. Walker, S. T. Hayt, G. R. Brown, Alex. OlcoU, H. A. Horiiing, L. C KinnKbury, C. G. Denison. Elliiiiirl—C. L. Pattison. C. H. Benedict. Ehiiira — Thonas Fari'er. Fall Bmi,l-—S. Heron. F. H. Wells. Ldtcreiicerillc — J. M. Busnnl, L. Darling, Jr. J/orrj.s Run — W. 8. Nenring, T, B. Anderson. Xchnii—J. Bottom, M. F. Cass. Stul-emUdi'-'E,. G. Schielfelin. Ti(njii—h\ E. Smith, K. P. H. McAUaster, John J. Davis, C. B. I'air. UV/^.vJjoJO— Mrs. S. X. Billings, Hon. H. Slierwood, .J. L. Roliinson. CHAPLAINS. i;e\-. Geo. D. Jleig!^. Ke\', A. (J. Shaw, Uev. M. E. Lynutt. SECRETARIES.^ - W.iKer Siierwood, David (Jarneron. . . TREASURER. Alexander Pollock. "committee on DESIGN. COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. H. W. Williams, Walter Sherwood, Mrs. S. X. Billings, John W. Bailey, M. F. Elliott, F. K. Wright, J. B. Niles, J. Harrison. COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION. H. J. Eaton, John Wilson, T. W. Evans, John Sniilh. RECEPTION COMMITTEE. F. K. Wright, J. B. Niles, Anton Hardt, J. W. Bailey, T. B. Fields, L. Harrison, Hugh Young, Waller Sherwood, Geo. C. Bowen. MARSHAL. Daniel Bacon, of Wellsboro. ASSISTANT MARSHALS, Joseph Lodge, James Ketohum, Cieo. Snedden, N. F. Marvin, Morris Peters, James Heron, of Antrim. J. White, J. D. Campbell, of Cowanesque Valle}". C. K. Minor. F. S. Bragg, of Corning. F. H. Adams, Sanmel Wilkins, of Tioga. Robert Russell, A. N. Williams, of Fall Brook. H. H. Blaii-, Z. W. Baker, of Wellsboro. MEMORIAL JOHN MAGEE EMBKACING A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE ; A DISCOURSE DELIVERED ON THE ANNIVEESAEY OF HIS DEATH; NOTICES OF FUNEEAL SERVICES, &c„ &c. REV. E. S. HOWE, PASTOK OF PRESUYTERTAN CHURCH, WATKINS, NEW YORK. NEW TORK: CHARLES SCEIBNER & COMPANY. 1870. ) NOTE. It lias been the aim of this Memorial, to conform, at least, in a I'easonable degree, to its subject. As one whose tastes were plain ; whose ideas were positive ; and whose purposes were intensely practical, — ■ to him, either flatteiy, or extravagant repre- sentations of any kiud, would have been unacceptable. The incidents of such a life as his, have their own intrinsic interest, and need no embellishment. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. John Magee, son of Henry and Sarah M. Magee, was born at the Irisli settle- ment, near Easton, Nortluimberland County, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1794. His parents came to this country fi'om Cuunty Antrim, in the North of Ireland, about the year 1784. The 2)eople of this settlement were characterized l)y tlieir habits of industry, integrity, and their adherence to the Protestant f^^ith. of their fathers. Henry Magee was a descendant from an ancient family of note, often mentioned, in the early history of Ireland. He was a first cousin of the late Rev. William Magee, D. D., Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, who is extensively known as an author. In JOHN MAGEE. 1805, John, with his parents, removed to Groveland, Livingston County, N. Y., where his father engaged successfully in farming ; but through the failure of a neighljor, whose paper he had generously indorsed to aid him in a time of extremity, his own pi'operty passed under the sheriff's hammer, and he was left to commence his efforts to 2^rovide for a large family, with- out resources. And, iu the mean time, a great affliction was experienced in the death of the mother, Mrs. Sarah Mulhollon Ma- gee ; who died, October 12, 1805, at Grove- laud. By this l)ereavement, her children were de2")rived of the tender care, counsels, and prayers, of a mother who exhibited great faithfulness, and many amiable and exemi^lary traits of character; to whom the subject of this Memorial was indebted in no ordinary degree. This he often ac- knowledged; speaking of her in terms of BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 9 great respect and aifection. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a firm believer in those great doctrines of the Westminster Confession, which her fa- thers, in the Okl Country, have cherished with such unwavering attachment. In 1808, the family removed to Mich- igan, and settled in the vicinity of Detroit. The disturbed state of the countiy immedi- ately preceding the breaking out of the war, added to the difiiculties and privations incident to a residence iu a new country, sparsely settled ; especially, as they were located upon the frontier, and were thus exposed to many perils. Following the example of his father, who had entered the army, John enlisted at Detroit, in May, 1812, in the Rifle Company of Captain A. De Quendra, for twelve mouths. This com- pany went immediately into active service; had several skirmishes with the Indians; and 10 JOHN MAGEK. took part in the battle of Brownstown, on the 8th of August of that year. His com- pany, belonging to the command of General Hull, was surrendered, with his army, to the British forces under General Brock, on the 10th of the same month. He remained a prisoner, on parole, until January, 1813, when he was sent, with the captured troops, to St. Catherines, C. W., and thence across the country to Fort Geoi'ge. In the fol- lowing month of March, obtaining his re- lease, he joined Major Cyrenius Chapin's command of mounted rangers. In the mean time, Foi'ts Erie and George had been taken by the American forces, under General Dearborn; and the British army, in their reti'eat, had scattei'ed their supplies over the country. Major Chapin's command were en- gaged in gathering up these sujDplies, and in milking other foraging expeditions, in the I'egion lying between the lakes Erie and BIOGRAPI-irOAL SKKTCH. 11 Ontario. He was again taken prisouei', at the battle of Beaver Dams, near St. Cath- erines, in June, 1813. Finding his confine- ment excessively irksome, he determined to escape ; and though dissuaded by his com- manding officer from making the attempt, he obtained possession of his horse, and set out at full speed, across the lines, toward Fort George, under a shower of bullets from the guard. On the way a small boy beg- ged so earnestly to be permitted to ride behind him and take his chances for escape, that he allowed him to do so ; but the poor lad was killed T)y the fire of the sentinels; his own clothes were riddled l)y their balls ; his horse was wounded and fell under him, though not until he had reached Genei'al Dear- born's pickets ; and gaining the fort, with but slight injury, he reported to the officer in command the disaster at Beaver Dams. That officer did not fail to avail himself of 12 JOHN MAGEE. the courage and address whicli this young soldier had exhibited. He was immediately appointed as a messenger, to carry dispatches for the government between Fort Niagara and Washington, and to points along the frontier. This duty, attended as it was by man}^ hardships and perils, he discharged with a degree of skill and endurance rarely equaled. On one occasion, when dispatches of gi'eat importance were forwarded by him to the Department of War at Washington, he continued in the saddle for forty-eight hours; procuring fresh horses, from time to time, until he reached Northumberland, Pa. ; when, becoming completely exhausted, he ob- tained a reliable jierson to j^roceed to Wash- ington with the papers, and to obtain the requisite answers ; which, as soon as they reached him, he conveyed to General Wilkin- son, then in command. On arrivino- at head- quartei's, the general refused to believe that BIOGRAPOIOAL SKETCH. 13 he could possibly have beeu to Washington in the short time that had elapsed, until he had received and read the answei's to his communications; — when, eyeing John with astonishment, he mentally expressed his ad- miration, and proceeding to his military chest, he presented to him five hundred dollars in gold. This money was not made " tlie germ of Ms subsequent fortune " (as has been repeatedly stated), but Avas generously given, every dollar of it, to poor widows, with needy children, whose husbands had been killed by the Indians. Leaving the service of the government, in the spring of 1816, John, in company with his brother Jefferson, made the journey from Buffalo to Bath, Steuben County, on foot; their road, for a good part of the distance, being only a path designated by marked trees. His ar- rival upon the ground where his subsequent labors and successes were to be witnessed. 14 JOHN MAGBE. was not attended by any circumstances of special encouragement. It was not his pur- pose, however, to waste any time, waiting for " something to tuin up ; " or for some lucky opening to sudden wealth, by easy speculation. His first opportimity of employ- ment, was the offer of a job of cutting cord- wood, for Captain William Bull, at twen- ty-five cents per cord, ^vhich he accepted, — walking, daily, some two miles to the woods, and putting up his two cords per day. His work, alone, in the woods, was enliv- ened by occasional hunting. Being a skill- ful gunner, he kept his trusty riiie at hand ; and often found opportunity to make good use of it. Some three years previous to his decease, he re(_[uested a friend to accompany him to the spot, knf)wu as the "Deer Lick" (on the lands of A. Haverling), from which he had cut the entire growth of timber, in 15 16, but which he found ag-aiu covered BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 with young trees. " Here," said he to his friend, " I cut one hundred cords of wood ; and hereahouts, at different times, I must have shot at least one hundred deer." It is within the recollection of persons, still residing in the vicinity, that, standing in the barn on the Haverling property, at three several times, he shot do\vn a deer in an adjoining buckwheat field, which was then often visited by that noble denizen of the forest. Pleasant memories of times when excellent venison and buckskia were plenty in Bath, are still cherished by those whose indebtedness to his unerring marks- manship Avas often acknowledged. A hunt- er who ranked as a " dead shot," and who understood " trajjping," was more likely to be appreciated in times when the wolves from the neighboring hills rendered the night hideous with their howling, and made ter- rible havoc of the flocks of the early set- 16 JOHN MAGEE. tiers. In a single nio-ht, these animals killed forty- three, out of forty-eight, of the flock of Mr. Thomas Faulkner; and about the like number, on another occasion, on the farm of Adam Haverling. It was also of frequent occurrence, that the settler's young pigs were carried off by the bears; while the foxes and minks made I'aids upon the poultry. It might 1)6 instructive to young men and young ladies of the present day, in the way of comparison, to estimate the value of a dollar, and the expediency of any very free indulgence in luxury or fashionable out- fit, in times when two bushels of wheat of the best quality were given in exchange for one yard of red ribbon of a very nar- row pattern. A resident of the vicinity of Bath, who saw that bai'ter actually made with the mer- cliant, has lived to see wheat raised on the same farm sold for three dollars per bushel, BIOGRAPmCAL SKETCH. 17 wLich was then rated at twenty-five cents. The margin between tlie state of things in Steuben Connty at that day, and what is now enjoyed by its citizens, has been filled up by the efforts of men, whose hard toil, economy, and sagacity are now matter of history ; and in which the subject of this Memorial bore an honorable part. It had been a result of the removals of his father's family, the want of schools, and other privations met in the newly-settled state of the country, that he had entered upon the work of life almost destitute of education. This deficiency he deeply felt, and applied himself very earnestly to sup- ply. It is well remembered, by persons of his own age, that while engaged in his job of cutting wood, and subsequently, he evinced his regard for the example and in- structions of his pious mother, by regular- ly attending the Presbyterian Church, under 18 JOHN MAGEE. the ministiy of the Rev. David Higgins, on every Sunday morning; and that he, as regularly, employed the afternoon of that dajr in reading; endeavoring to gain some practical knowledge of the branches of a common English education. If this jnac- tice bore, in part, a secular aspect, it will, nevertheless, be acknowledged to have been safer, and more commendable, than the prac- tice of idle lounging and the open indul- gence of immoral habits on that day, which are too often witnessed in our own times. And it furnished indications of that spirit of self-reliance and self-discinline, and of that vigilant improvement of time, by which his sul^sequent life was characterized. During the years 181G-17, he engaged in farming with his l)rother-in-law, Adam Haverling, — part of the time, at a compen- sation of eight dollars per month. This employment not proving very con- BTOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 genial, or very satisfactory in its results, he engaged, for a short time, in the pur- chase and slaughter of animals for the mar- ket. In the spring of 1818, he was on the point of setting out to try his for- tunes in the " Far West " (people at that day, knew where that was), \vhen a canvass for the office of Constable and Collector occurrino:, at the suo-o-estion of friends he became a candidate, and was elected. He performed the duties of this office with such fidelity and al:)iHty as to give very gi'eat satisfaction to the people, and was re-elected the following year. Many reminiscences are still related, l")y old residents of the county, of his vigilance, courage, and tact, in dealing with tough cases of tax-payers, absconding debtors, and " scamps " of vai'i- ous grades : equipped in fox-skin cap, then in fashion, and shaggy " top-coat," dashing ou horseback, at a lightning speed, through 20 JOHN MAGEE. the woods, where tlie obstructions of pine roots, stones, and logs, i^endered the road perilous ; disdaining the severest cold, and regardless of fatigue or exposure. While thus building up, what might truly be called, an " iron constitution," he was, also, gain- ing the acquaintance and confidence of the people. In 1819, he was aj^pointed to the office of Deputy Sheriff, under George McLure, the duties of which he continued to dis- charge till 1821. In the year 1820, he was appointed Marshal for the county of Steu- ben, to take the census. On the sixth of January of the same year, he was united in mari'iage with Miss Sarah McBurney, daughter of Hon. Thomas McBurney, then County Judge. This lady possessed many natural endowments, the advantages of a thorough education, and such amiable and excellent qualities as fitted her to become the companion and helper of one who was BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 already engaged in sucli important public duties. This devoted wife was removed by death, on the fifteenth of May, 1828, leaving no children. The arduous and responsible duties of marshal, he performed genei'ally on foot; traversing a territory which then extended to Ontario County, on the north, to Liv- ingston, on the west, and to Tompkins, on tlie east; embracing an area more than double the present limits of the county. In this work, his remarkable powers of mem- ory were fully developed. It was his prac- tice, simply to take the names of the in- habitants, making no record of answers to the required questions, but carrying them, with unfailing exactness, in his mind, until he returned home in the evening, when the ready pen of one to whose scholarly abilities he was often indebted transferred them to the return books. Upon the com- JOHN MAGEE. pletion of his report, he received the public thanks of the authorities, for the remai'k- able faithfulness and accuracy of his returns, accompanied by a handsome set of table- silver. In tlie year 1821, the office of High Sheriff becoming vacant, by the death of Henry Schriver, he was appointed in his place. In 1823, when a change in the constitution of the State took place, the office of High Sheriff, which had previously been conferred by a council of aj^poiutment, became elective; and he "was then chosen by the people to that office, and served till 1S2G. Probably no other man in the county was in possession of such thorough knowledge of the territory, and suck gen- eral acquaintance with the people. His rec- ollection of localities, as well as of the faces of individuals, was rarely ecpialed. Within the last three years, he has repeatedly re- fei'red to a particular elm-tree, still stand- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23 ing within tlie limits of the village of Watkins, which marked the boundary line between the counties of Steuben and Tomp- kins, under which he had more than once stood guard, to watch the uiovements of some one who had motives for crossina' the bounds, at rather unseasonaljle hours. During his term of office, much excite- ment and indignation was caused among the people by the existence of a gang of desperadoes in the vicinity of Hornellsville, by whom thefts and many other outrages, and at length an alleged murder, were com- mitted. After many attempts to arrest or disperse them, the shei'iff felt himself com- pelled to call out a military force, for the j)ur2:)0se of suri'ounding the locality and seizing the ruffians. A company of mounted men, under the command of Captain Wil- liam Bull, of Bath, were ordered to proceed to the place ; where, after the fatigue and 24 JOHN MA GEE. exposure ot several days and nights, con- stantly on duty, several arrests were made, the gang was broken up, and a ringleader named Douglas was arraigned for murder. This man was afterward tried and con- victed. His execution took place at Bath, on the last Friday of April, 1825, and attracted an immense crowd of people. The measures taken by the sheriff to preserve order, — the coolness and propriety with which every part of his duty was performed on that occasion, — fully justified the confidence Avhich the people had reposed in him, as a capable, considerate, trustworthy officer. Mention has repeatedly been made, by com- petent persons, of his leniency and person- al kindness in the discharge of his duties, to such extent as was com2:)atible with fidel- ity to the i^ublic trusts confided to him. While discharging these duties, he en- gaged, with characteristic public spirit, in BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 25 estaUislnDg lines of mail coaches between the principal towns of southwestern New York and Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Balti- more, and "Washington. In this branch of business he was associated Avith Judge Cook, of Bath, and others. In the management of these lines of stages, which were of great public utility at that period, he be- came strongly impressed with the importance of railroad facilities, in the 2"*roi^i<^tioii of which he subsequently took so conspicuous a part. In the year 1826, Mr. Magee was brought forward, by his fellow-citizens, as a candidate for Congress ; at which time he issued a printed address to the people of the district, in which a full and frank statement of his views, on various questions then Tjefore the people, was given. He was elected by a very consideralde majority ; and was again a successful candidate for the same office. In a second address to his 26 JOHN MAGKE. constituents, issued in 1828, he took earnest ground on the subject of the tariff; pre- senting an array of facts, to show what modifications in the existing laws were need- ed in order to equalize their operation, and especially for the protection of the interests of his constituents. During both these terms in Congress, lie took a j^romineut po- sition. General Jackson, who at that time occupied the Presidential chair, regarded him as a man of extraoixlinary sagacity and soundness of judgment, and made him his confidential friend and adviser. He often consulted him upon imj^ortant questions, and offered him a seat in his Cabinet, which Mr. Magee, however, declined, — j)i'6fei'- ring, as he did, the greater freedom of action, and the more favorable oi^portrmity for atteu- tion to his own j^rivate Ijusiness, which ex- emption from such an office would secure. He was an earnest advocate of integrity • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. ' 27 and economy in the administration of the government. He denounced, in strong terms, every spe- cies of corruption, and all squandering of the people's money. He was directly in- strumental in tlie exposure and prevention of fraudulent contracts in the Post-Office De- partment, by which means a large sum was saved to the government. Whatever he viewed as wrong in policy or corruj^t in principle, he fearlessly condemned, whether in his OAvn or the opposite party. Though earnestly attaclied to the Democratic party, and acting with it to the close of Lis life, he at times dissented from its course on particular questions, when he deemed its action erroneous. Though opposed to the administration of President Lincoln, he ex- hibited a generous, patriotic spirit, in his endeavors to aid the government in raising funds; purchasing the securities liberally 28 JOHN MAGEH. himself, and calling upon his fellow-citi- zens in a published letter to do the same. He also paid liberal sums of money to pro- cure substitutes for men in his employment who had been drafted, and to aid the needy families of soldiers who had lost their lives in the war. Mr. Magee was married to Arabella Steu- art, February twenty-second, 1831, at Washing- ton. This lady, who was his companion during thirty-three years of the most active and successful portion of his life, — an earnest faithful wife, — a tender mother, — died sudden- ly, of disease of the heart, at Watkins, May sixteenth, 1864. She was a woman of quick discernment, remarkably systematic in the management of her household affairs, and taught her children correct ideas of economy and accuracy in pecuniary transactions, as well as the great duties of religion. She was an earnest member of the Presbyterian BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 29 Church, of T^'hich she was a liberal support- er, a geiierous friend to the poor, and a regular contributor to the priuci2:)al objects ot Christian benevolence. She was the mother of ten children, six of whom she had foUovved to the grave, previous to her own decease. In 1831, the Steuben County Bank was established. Mr. Magee was chosen its first president, and evinced such skill and fidel- ity in conducting its afl^airs, that the di- rectors, by common consent, confided to him its entire management, until his removal from the county; and, indeed, he continued the principal oversight of its aftairs, until his death, — a period of thirty-seven years. It is believed that no banking institution in the country has been carried on with more rmi- form satisfaction to its stockholders and the public ; and it has contributed, in no small degree, to the business interests of Steuben County and vicinity. 80 JOHN MAGEE. During bis residence at Bath, Mr. Mugee cleared and cultivated a large farm ; he also engao-ed in milliusr, and the manufacture of woolen goods, thus taking part with his fellow-citizens in pursuits which rendered him familiar with their interests in every department. He was one of the projectors of the New Yoik and Erie Railroad ; and devoted himself, with characteristic energy, to the carrying forward of that great enterprise ; strongly anticipating, as he did, its great in- fluence in the development of the resources of the " Southern tier " counties of the State, and its general utility. He was a contractor for the construction of the road from Bing- hamton to Hornellsville, a distance of 117 miles, — and also from Hornellsville to Genesee, a distance of 2() miles. And during the early struggles of the stockholders and direc- tors to complete the road, he was their judicious, liberal co-laborer. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 31 And his valuable aid was often acknowl- edged hj tliem in the strongest terms. In a communication kindly furnished by Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan, of Brooklyn, which is inserted in this volume, a full and valua- ble statement on this suV)ject will be found. Mr. Magee was also largely instrumental in the building of the Cohocton Valley Rail- road, from Corning to Buffalo, a work in which the business interests of the citizens of Steuben County were so immediately con- cerned. His efforts and personal sacrifices in its behalf, are clearly set forth in a statement prepared by his intimate friend and fellow-citizen, D. Rumsey, Esq., of Bath, which is j3ublished herewith. In 1851, he became interested in the Blossburg and Corning Railroad, which was chiefly indebted to his energetic co-operation for its com- pletion. At that period, the coal busi- ness had assumed but little importance, in 32 JOHN MAGEE. , the Tioga Valley. Mr. Magee made bis first purchase of coal lands in 1859, and opened the mines at Fall Brook in the same year. Entering upon this new field with his usual resolution and sagacity, over- comins; obstacles which, to other minds, might have appeared insurmountable, he soon found this work growing so rapidly upon his hands, as to demand his constant atten- tion, and his later years were chiefly devo- ted to its prosecution. The village of Fall Brook, laid out under his direction, contains two hundred and forty dwelling-houses, which, together with store-houses, hotels, oflices, shops, mill, and other buildings, make an aggregate of two hundred and fifty build- ings ; and embraces a population of twenty- five hundred. All the men residing in the place are employed in the mining business, or its necessary adjuncts. These added to the persons employed on the trains carrying coal. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 33 boatmen, boat-builders, and others at the transhipment works, at Corning and Watkins, would make an aggregate probabl}'- of six hundred persons employed. The peoj)le of Fall Brook have been indebted to Mr. Maeee for his liberal aid in the maintenance of schools, and in the support of religious services on the Sabbath. The sale of intoxi- cating liquors has been prohibited ; and a commendable degree of industry, sobriety, and order is exhibited, not often equaled in villages of an ecpial number of popu- lation. In 1864, Mr. Magee removed his residence from Bath to Watkins, in the county of Schuyler. This he did under a conviction, that due attention to his raj)idly extending mining interests, as well as other consider- ations, demanded it. But not without many regrets ; for his attachments to Bath, and to Steuben County, were strong. His 34 JOHN MAGEE. relations to the people of that county had been intimate and cordial. His old neigh- boi'S, his early associates in business and in political life, retain kindly memories of his personal friendship, as well as a high regard for his public services. Upon his removal to Watkins he made extensive purchases of village ^^roperty, at the head of Seneca Lake, for the location of trestle works, basins, &c., for the de- livery and shipment of coal ; for the pur- pose of boat-building; for a steam floru-ing mill ; for dwellings for his workmen ; for kis own residence, and for otker purposes. These buildings and improvements demanded a very large outlay, and furnished employment to a large number of laborers. The business interests of the vilWe received a visible impulse from the commencement of these operations : and these interests, Mr. Magee al- ways manifested a cordial desire to promote BIOGBAPHICAL SKKTCH. 35 in a substantial manner. He was a liberal contributor for the erection of county build- ings; for the purchase and improvement of the cemetery groxmds ; and for the improve- ment of streets and highways. He mani- fested a friendly interest in the religious welfare of the community ; and had I'epeat- edly expressed his intention to set aside a suitable sum of money during his life-time for the promotion of religion at large. He had also indicated a purpose to promote education, either by founding an institution of learning, or by the endowment of a department of science in some existing col- lege or seminary. And he was contempla- ting such an endowment in Hamilton Col- lege, in this State, when he was laid aside from all active duties, by the attack of dis- ease which terminated liis life. He was an earnest and faithful attendant upon the Presbyterian Church, of which he 36 JOHN MA.GEB. was a member, and manifested a desire to promote its prosperity and usefulness. Soon after be came to Watkins to reside, be ex- pressed bis friendly sympatby witb tbe pastor and officers of tbe cburcb, in tbe effoi'ts ^vbicb tbey bad found it necessary to make eitber to repair and enlarge tbe cburcb edifice or to ei'ect a new one. Tbe congregation was small, and tbeir pecuniary means were insufficient to enable tbem to build without assistance. Fully anticipating as be did tbe rapid growtb of tbe vil- lage, and a corresponding increase of tbe congregation, be often expressed a desire, tbat sucb a course sbould be j^iirsi^ied as sbould most directly promote tbeir welfare. And after full consultation upon tbe sul:)ject, be first donated tbe sum of tbirty thousand dollars, for tbe i)urpose of erecting a cburcb edifice and parsonage bouse ; placing tbis sum in tbe bands of tbe j)astor and two of the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 37 officers of the cLurch as a building committee. Subsequently, iu consideration of the greatly increased cost of building materials and labor, he gave his consent that this whole sum should be expended upon the church build- ins: — the trustees of the church enojao-ino- to build a parsonage house within a reason- able time. After an architect had been employed, estimates made, and a plan of the building submitted to Mr. Magee for his approbation, and the work commenced, it was ascertained that in order to carry out the plan and to embrace some improve- ments which he had suggested, a consider- ably larger amount of funds would be re- quired. This he generously expressed his willingness to furnish ; and dui'ing the whole period of the progress of the work, con- tinued to manifest a great personal inter- est in it ; often expressing his desire, that every part of the work should be done in 88 JOHN MAGKE. the most substantial and workmanlike man- ner; and, from time to time, lie indicated a purpose to make improvements upon tlie grounds, to lay' flagstone sidewalks, and to put up an iron fence. During tlie -last year of his life, liis attacks of illness had been frequent, and the pressure of business, together with his increasing infirmities, ren- dered him unable to visit the building, or to give personal attention to it, except rarely. But he was able, only a few days before his last confinement to his room, to examine the new edifice (then near its completion) in every part; and expressed his entire satis- faction with the work, his gratification with the progress made, and then added, with visible emotion, "I have no other desire than that this Iniilding should be the means of promoting true religion," This sentiment he had repeatedly expressed during the prog- ress of the work. The deed by Avhich the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 39 church property was conveyed to the "trus- tees of the First Presbyterian Church, of Wathins," contains careful provisions, designed to secure the permanent maintenance of the worship of God, according to the standard and usages of the Presbyterian Church ; guarding ao-ainst the use of the building for secular lectures, concerts, or any political purposes; providing for the accumulation of a fund for the l)enefit of the poor, for keeping the building insured, for maintenance of a pas- tor, for repairs, &c. But the necessary pa- pers, with directions for the appropriation of the additional funds recpiired for fin- ishing the building and making the im- provements upon the grounds which he had contemplated, he had not yet completed, when he was laid aside from all business by the attack of disease which terminated his life. It is proper, however, here, to state that his heirs, in a generous spirit, and in 40 JOnX MAGEE. honor of his iiiemoiy, acting with the counsel of the trustees appointed in his will, appro- priated a sum sufficient for the purpose ; making the Avhole amount given by his es- tate, for the purposes of the church, fifty thousand dollars. A description of this building, furnished by tlie architect, will be found in another phace, and also a j^hoto- graph of the edifice. A handsomely inscribed marble tablet, bearing the name of John Magee, adorns its front, and reminds the beholder of this noble act of Christian lib- erality, which is a fitting monument to his memorj". In 1867, Mr. Magee was chosen a dele- gate to the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, and his last public services were rendei'ed as a member of that body, though the state of his health at times prevented his attendance upon its sessions. His characteristic regard for pub- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 41 lie economy, and for a wise and honest administration of the affairs of the State, was exhibited in the part he took in its deliberations. It is but just to say that he had no desire to be elected to this position, but yielded to the solicitations of his fi'iends in allowino; himself to be nominated. He did not live to see the work of that con- vention completed, but his influence as a mem- ber was conservative and valuable, and his oj^inions were regarded with respect. During the last three years of his life, Mr. Magee was afflicted by repeated attacks of illness, of such a nature as to depiive him of rest to a great extent, and injuriously affecting his nervous system, already over- taxed by the increasing cares of business. His activity in giving personal attention to affairs of such magnitude was remarkable — traveling night and day, as he did, to reach distant points where important business en- 42 JOHN MAGEE. gagemeuts called him, enduring fatigue ^vhich many younger men would he unwilling to encounter. His facility in the dispatch of business, his ready comprehension of the merits of every question of policy to be pursued, aud Lis efforts to secure the great- est economy and the most complete system in the management of business interests, were maintained to the last. In these particu- lars, he has had few equals. Taking very little time for rest or enjoyment, and anxious as he was to make pi'eparation for the time of retirement from the field, which he often referred to as beino; near, liis last illness came upon him while yet in the kai-ness. To him the long-anticipated period of relief from care an